Pelicans-Bucks game sees national championship teammates go head-to-head
On Saturday, the New Orleans Pelicans began their four-game road trip with a matchup in Milwaukee. The hometown Bucks cruised to a 141-117 victory over New Orleans, but this game’s anticipation lied in the first matchup between former national championship teammates: Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson Jr.
Despite coming off the bench, Hawkins logged 29 minutes and finished with eight points and seven rebounds with two three-pointers made. Jackson came off the bench for 17 minutes and finished with three points, two boards and two assists in the victory.
The two UConn stars declared for the 2023 NBA Draft after being an integral part of Connecticut’s fifth national title. Hawkins, who shot 50% from beyond the arc during UConn’s title run, was picked 14th overall by the Pelicans and was recently selected to the All-Star Weekend’s rising stars challenge. Jackson, who dished out over 40 assists during the Huskies’ title run, was selected by the Orlando Magic (pick rights to the Bucks) in the second round of the NBA draft and has started eight games this season.
Drummond scores 15 points, grabs seven boards off the bench in win vs the Trailblazers
In the Bulls’ Sunday afternoon victory over the Portland Trailblazers, former top-10 pick Andre Drummond scored 15 points and corralled 7 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench. Drummond, who sits top-15 all-time in rebounds per game, has been a major contributor off the bench for Chicago this season with averages of 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. The former UConn glass king played just one season in Storrs before being selected ninth overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft.
NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo recalled to active Bulls roster
After winning the MVP of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, former UConn big man Adama Sanogo went undrafted in the 2023 NBA draft but earned a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. Sanogo, a native of Bamako, Mali, has put up impressive numbers in the G-League this season. Called up for a three-game stint earlier in the year, he scored his first NBA points. However, despite his success in the G-League, he was left out of their All-Star game. On Tuesday, Sanogo was called up to the Bulls roster for a second time after Chicago big man Patrick Williams suffered a foot injury.