Oshae Brissett has been a huge surprise for most NBA fans this week. The Canadian has started the Pacers’ last two games as Indiana deals with COVID-19 protocols. In his first start, Brissett scored 13 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and signed a three-year deal shortly afterward.
For most viewers of the Association, Brissett made an eye-opening jump from barely-used reserve to versatile scorer. On Wednesday, the second-year player put up a stat line of 23 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. However, Syracuse fans could predict Brissett’s breakout performance after plenty of big games in Orange.
With Brissett putting on for Syracuse, let’s see how SU alumi are doing around the NBA.
Carmelo Anthony
Melo is still cooking in his 20th year in the league. Most importantly, he’s only missed one game this season. The Most Outstanding Player in the 2003 NCAA Tournament is playing the fewest minutes ever in his career (25 per game), but is averaging 13.6 points off the bench for the Trail Blazers on 41% from the field and 38% from behind the arc. Anthony’s starting to heat up, dropping double digits in his last five games. He’ll be a key second unit option in the playoffs.
Jerami Grant
Grant’s push for Most Improved Player is still going strong. His points per game has jumped up by seven compared to a year ago, and he’s scored 20 or more in 34 games. Grant is the Pistons’ number one scoring option whenever he’s in the game. Unfortunately, the 2014 draftee has been struggled with a quad injury. He hasn’t played consecutive contests since April fifth and sixth.
Michael Carter-Williams
MCW is floating in and out of a starting role on a Magic team that is tanking hard. He didn’t dress for the first three games in April, started the next five, and is now out with an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the last three games. The 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year has one more year on his deal, but Orlando could try to move Carter-Williams over the offseason for a younger player as the Magic begin their rebuild.
Elijah Hughes
Speaking of young players in the NBA, Hughes is still getting his feet wet with the Jazz. He’s only played 13 games. The ACC’s second leading scorer in 2020 went to the G-League bubble and scored 14 points per contest, but he wasn’t exactly efficient. Hughes only shot 34% from the field, and 21% from three. He’s got a long way to go before he finds his way into an NBA rotation, but as we’ve seen from Brissett, two years is enough for an SU alum to break out.
