By Anthony Forrester
We rank the top ten players in the G-League
#1 Paul Reed – Paul Reed has been a force in the G League bubble this season. Paul is averaging 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks this season. He has already earned player of the week honors while leading the Delaware Blue Coats to a 7-0 start. His ability to be effective on both ends of the floor at a high level shows why he was drafted 55th overall by Philadelphia in the 2020 NBA draft.
#2 Kevin Porter Jr – Kevin Porter Jr has shown his offensive skill set and playmaking ability so far in the bubble. Kevin set his career-high with 32 points while adding 9 assists and 7 rebounds in a victory over the Westchester Knicks. Kevin is averaging 23.3 points per game. Kevin has taken on the leadership role with the Rio Grande Vipers and is reminding people why he was a first-round pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
#3 Moses Brown – Moses Brown has erupted this season for OKC Blue. Moses is the league leader in rebounds with 14.2 per game and is second in blocks with 2.7 per game. Not only has he been an elite defender but his offensive game is showing in the bubble as Moses is averaging 21.2 points per game on 63 percent from the field. The OKC Blue sits at 6-1 with Moses leading the charge.
#4 Luka Samanic – Luka Samanic is one of five players in the G League that is averaging at least 20 points per game and 10 rebounds. Luka is showing the potential that San Antonio seen in him when they selected him in the 2019 NBA draft with his ability to score in different types of ways. He is currently 6th in the league in scoring 21.8 points per game while leading the Austin Spurs to a 6-2 record so far.
#5 Kenyon Martin Jr. – Kenyon Martin Jr. is playing with high energy in his first season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Kenyon is tied for second in the league with 2.3 blocks per game and third in rebounds with 12.7 per game. Kenyon is tough and plays at a high level as his father did back in his day. Kenyon is averaging 18.9 points per game as he and Kevin Porter Jr look to lead the Vipers the rest of the season.
#6 Tre Jones – Tre Jones has shown his playmaking ability while at Duke University and his playmaking has translated to the G League as he embarks on his first season as a professional. While in the G League Tre is averaging 9.7 assists per game while leading the Austin Spurs to a 6-2 record. Not only has Tre been playmaking for others but he is showing off his scoring ability this season averaging 18.1 points per game.
#7 Jonathan Kuminga – Jonathan Kuminga has been consistent for the Ignite so far this season. With the team loaded with a couple of ESPN Top 100 players and experienced veterans, Jonathan has put people on notice that he belongs. Jonathan is averaging 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1 block per game this season. Jonathan looks to improve throughout the bubble as he is making a case to be a top 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
#8 Jordan Bell – Jordan Bell the former NBA Champion with the Golden State Warriors is trying to make his way back into the league and he is starting that journey in the G League with the Erie Bayhawks. Jordan has league experience and is showing that this season with the Bayhawks. This season Jordan is averaging 17.6 Points while shooting 80 percent from the field while adding 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. His impact on the team is showing and it’s contributing to wins as the Bayhawks are 6-1.
#9 Jordan Poole – Jordan Poole is no stranger to averaging 20+ in the G League as last year in his 3 appearances with Santa Cruz he averaged 26 points per game. This season with Santa Cruz he is averaging 24.4 points per game which is first in the league. Jordan has been scoring at a high volume this season in the bubble and looks to keep it up as he is trying to lead Santa Cruz Warriors to the playoffs.
#10 Vernon Carey Jr – Vernon Carey Jr is showing how versatile he is in his first year in the G League. Vernon has been great in the pick and roll as well as the pick and pop while playing with the Swarm. Vernon is averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 assists per game this season. When Vernon catches the ball in the post it looks like men playing amongst boys as he is scoring with ease down low. Vernon is playing at a high level but he is just getting started.
