Former Mississippi State basketball players Tyson Carter, D.J. Stewart Jr. and Robert Woodard II began the NBA Summer League season on Tuesday at the California Classic hosted by the Sacramento Kings.
Carter and Stewart will play for the Miami Heat, while Woodard will suit up for the host Kings. Both franchises are scheduled for two games over the next two days.
Stewart was one of five players in double-figures for the Heat on Tuesday, scoring 11 points in an 80-78 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Stewart pulled down four rebounds and shot 5 of 10 from the field in 27 minutes. Carter came off the bench to tally five assists and four rebounds in 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Woodward finished with eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal during the Kings’ 89-82 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
The teams will switch opponents tonight, with the Heat facing the Warriors and the Kings taking on the Lakers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Following the California Classic, the NBA Summer League will turn its attention to Las Vegas from August 8-17, when all 30 franchises will compete.
Reggie Perry is anticipated to be named to the Brooklyn Nets, and Aric Holman is expected to be listed on the Boston Celtics summer league rosters released later this week. Quinndary Weatherspoon also is expected to sign an unrestricted free agent deal later this week.
ESPN networks will televise the action from Las Vegas via ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and the WatchESPN app. NBA-TV also is slated to carry games in Las Vegas. Fans can access a full TV schedule, box scores, game recaps and statistics online at www.NBA.com/summer-league/2021.
Olympics
Peters, Thompson fall short in javelin
Mississippi State was the only school that could boast multiple javelin throwers at this year’s Olympics, but former Bulldogs Anderson Peters and Curtis Thompson left Tokyo disappointed as neither qualified for Saturday morning’s final. The top 12 athletes advanced with throws of 83.50 meters (273 feet, 11 inches) automatically qualifying.
Peters, the reigning world champion, finished three places shy of qualifying. His opening throw sailed 80.42m (263-10), which would be his best of the day. He also recorded marks of 79.71m (261-6) and 78.28m (256-10).
“Regardless of what the results say, these guys are still Olympians,” Bulldogs track and field associate head coach April Thomas said. “This is only the beginning, and they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. I’m proud of them both.”
Thompson also tossed his best mark on the opening throw, recording a distance of 78.20m (256-6). He consistently landed near the 78m mark, adding throws of 78.09m (256-2) and 77.89m (255-6).
Only six athletes reached the automatic qualifying mark. World leader Johannes Vetter of Germany qualified with a mark of 85.64m (280-11) on his final throw, well off his season best of 96.29m (315-11). India’s Neeraj Chopra was the top qualifier at 86.65m (284-3).
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