The National Basketball Association’s regular season came to a close on Wednesday night and the playoffs are set to begin this weekend. It will be cool to see my Washington Wizards back in the NBA playoffs once again after a lengthy absence. I’ve been a Wizards (Bullets) fan since 1969 when my uncle Wes Unseld joined the team.
One of the main reasons why the Wizards are back in the playoffs is the play of second-year guard Bradley Beal, formerly of Chaminade College Prep. Beal enjoyed an excellent second season as he averaged 17 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game heading into last night’s regular season finale against Boston. Beal is also shooting the ball at a high level, having made nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts. He also shot 78 percent from the free throw line. Beal is making a nice progression into one of the league’s top young shooting guards.
The Wizards also have one of the league’s top young backcourts with Beal and former No. 1 pick John Wall. Beal also made it to the finals of the 3-point shooting contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.
Another Chaminade product, David Lee, continues to churn out highly productive seasons. A two-time All-Star, Lee is averaging 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in helping the Golden State Warriors into the Western Conference playoffs. Lee missed virtually all of last season’s playoffs with a torn hip flexor injury. He missed several games down the stretch this season as well. Even with the tremendous perimeter firepower on the Warriors’ roster, they need a healthy Lee to make a serious run in the playoffs.
Former Wellston High standout Ben McLemore is completing his rookie season for the Sacramento Kings. McLemore averaged 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and shot 82 percent from the free throw line in 26 minutes of action per game. McLemore had his share of rookie growing pains, but he also displayed much potential for the future. He also participated in the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend.
A-game in the D-League
Former Washington High basketball star Scott Suggs has just completed a successful rookie season in the National Basketball Developmental League (The D-League). The 6’7” Suggs played for the Erie Bay Hawks. In 47 games, Suggs averaged 18.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He was also one of the top shooters in the D-League. He shot 40 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line. In his last two games, Suggs scored 33 points against the Los Angeles Defenders and 31 points against the Santa Cruz Warriors. Suggs played his collegiate ball at the University of Washington.
Everywhere a signing
Several area high school basketball players have made their collegiate choices known in the past week as the spring signing period got underway.
Edwardsville High standout Trevor Clay is headed to NCAA Division II national power Drury University in Springfield, Mo. The 6’2” Clay averaged 10.7 points and shot 44 percent from the field in helping the Tigers to a 30-4 record and a fourth-place finish in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament.
Drury also landed Duchesne High standout Drew Moore. The 6’6” Moore averaged 14 points and eight rebounds in leading the Pioneers to a 23-4 record. He was a four-year starter at Duchesne.
McCluer North’s Rashad Lindsey signed with Moberly Area Community College. The 5’11 Lindsey averaged 21 points a game in leading the Stars to a 19-8 record. He is one of the top scoring guards in the St. Louis metro area.
Alton High’s D’Tae McMurray has signed with Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in Belleville. McMurray averaged 13 points and shot 42 percent from 3-point range in leading the Redbirds to a 22-6 record.
McMurray’s Alton High teammates, Mike Williams-Bey signed with Lewis & Clark Community College in nearby Godfrey, Ill. Williams-Bey averaged 14.5 points and three steals for the Redbirds.
Lutheran North’s Isaiah Holman signed with Lakeland College in Mattoon, Ill. The 5’9” Holman averaged 15.7 points and 4.7 assists a game in leading the Crusaders to a 19-10 record.
(You can also follow Earl Austin Jr. on Twitter @earlaustinjr or on his basketball website, www.earlaustinjr.com.)
