Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic had signed veteran sharpshooter E’Twaun Moore to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

Moore is fresh off of NBA Finals run with the Phoenix Suns, though one where he was featured very little.

A 10-year veteran, Moore played in just 27 games last year, averaging 4.9 points per game.

Ultimately, while a serviceable combo guard, the primary benefit the 32-year-old brings—particularly to the Magic—is a wealth of experience, playing in 598 career games with five teams (including two seasons with the Magic from 2012-14).

On the court, Moore’s highly-touted skill is his perimeter shooting, as he has a career-scoring average of 7.9 points per game on 38.8 percent shooting from 3-point range.

The Magic are coming off a forgettable 2020-21 campaign, finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 21-51. This year will likely be more of the same for the Magic with such a young roster, but the future is bright for Orlando with its exciting young core.

The post REPORT: E’Twaun Moore Signs One-Year Deal with the Orlando Magic appeared first on SLAM.

Twelve months later, the Los Angeles-based company is following through on its plans with emphasis.

Three NBA players—E’Twaun Moore, Darren Collison and Langston Galloway—have joined the Q4 roster.

“I think the biggest sell was that I have my own share in the sales of my shoes,” Collison says. “[Other players] had never heard of something like that before.”

Not only do Q4 athletes share the revenue generated by their PE sales, they have full creative control over the look and design of their shoe.

“We let them know that we’re coming in as partners. That’s the first thing,” says Quintin Williams, Chief Global Designer at Q4.

Take, for instance, Galloway’s LG9-III (above), which dropped in August.

Featuring black and yellow dashiki print, “Hebrews 12:11” and a custom LG9 logo, Galloway’s fingerprints are felt all over his latest design. And he’s only just begun.

“This upcoming year, I’m going to come up with some crazy designs for my upcoming shoes, so I’m really excited to get back in the lab and really create some more,” he says.

For the first time, Q4 traveled to Asia as part of its global initiative this summer.

Over the course of a week, Galloway, Moore and Collison met with over 5,000 young athletes and their families in Shanghai and Beijing.

According to Williams, the brand’s fourth-quarter mentality has connected with people across the globe.

“It’s a players’ brand, it’s a people’s brand. Everybody’s included over here,” Williams says. “If you’re a hard worker and you believe in that fourth quarter like we do, hey, we’re family.”

While much progress has been made, Williams assures it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Coming this fall, Q4 will be introducing an all-new model to its inline collection—which features the popular 495-Lo and Millennium-Hi. An apparel line is currently in the works as well.

And of course, stay tuned to the feets of Q4’s athletes, who all have a story to tell.

“You need a chance to be individualistic,” Moore says. “For me, coming from East Chicago, going to Purdue, it gives me a chance to tell my story. People can get to know me and not just the shoe.”

—

Ryne Nelson is a Senior Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @slaman10.

Photos via Q4.

The post E’Twaun Moore, Darren Collison and Langston Galloway Tell Their Stories with Q4 appeared first on SLAM.

From the balcony of his third floor apartment, a young E’Twaun Moore could hear the reasons why.

Gunshots rang out. Sirens blared. Noise from nearby dice games, which often precipitated the violence, carried through the halls.

East Chicago, Indiana is a small, hard-nosed, blue-collar city situated between Gary, IN and Chicago, IL. When Moore’s family moved there in 1989, crack cocaine had flooded the area and crime was rampant.

Especially on Guthrie Street – a long strip of crowded, low-income projects.

“It was one of the toughest streets, I feel like, in America,” E’Twaun, now a starter on the New Orleans Pelicans, says of his old neighborhood.

The community had its rough parts, but the love was also strong — as was the passion for basketball.

Locals gravitated towards Moore. They looked out for him, rooted for him to make it and tried to ensure he avoided trouble.

Yet the stories of anguish in East Chicago are endless.

Ezell Jr., E’Twaun’s older brother, remembers losing his childhood friend to a drive-by shooting in eighth grade and serving as the pallbearer at his funeral. A few weeks later, another of his classmates was murdered at her own birthday party.

Ezell Sr. remembers leaving one morning and stumbling upon a man “with a hole in his head” lying in the second floor hallway.

Ekeisha, E’Twaun’s older sister, remembers going with E’Twaun to retrieve a stolen necklace from an old boyfriend, only to have a gun pulled on them.

E’Twaun remembers getting a call while at Purdue and being told that his best friend and basketball teammate, Donte Brown, had been stabbed to death.

To keep one’s head on straight amidst such conditions and experiences isn’t easy; and E’Twaun was, as his siblings tell SLAM, a bit “mischievous” in junior high. He was sometimes hanging with the wrong crowd. Sometimes getting into fights. Sometimes letting his grades slip. Constantly pushing limits and taking risks.

At 13, E’Twaun and a few of his friends got caught breaking into the Boys and Girls Club. They were arrested and taken down to the police station. It was at that moment, his hands in cuffs for the first time, that a light went on. This is not me, E’Twaun recalls thinking. There’s got to be more out there.

“That was probably the turning point in my life,” he says. “Either I’m going to be in the street or I’m going to get my education, play basketball, and try to become something.”

As he transitioned to E.C. Central High, E’Twaun fully committed to cleaning up his act.

“I never got a call from the dean,” Robert Miles, his basketball coach, says. “I never got a call from the security people around the school that he was hanging out or late to class. No teacher ever called. I mean this sincerely, in [high] school, he was squeaky clean. He was always on time. Never late on assignments. Anything.”

His schedule was strict and demanding. Coach Miles made an offer to all of his players: If they wanted to come in early and work on their game, he would personally pick them up at 5:30am and take them to the gym.

“E’Twaun was the only one who did that,” Miles says. “The other kids would say, OK coach I’ll get in there. I’d come by the house, ring the doorbell, knock on the door. Nobody ever came out.”

It was a work ethic instilled in E’Twaun by his parents. His mother, Edna, volunteered at E’Twaun’s preschool with such drive that they ended up hiring her full-time. Twenty-nine years later, she is still employed there. Ezell Sr. did arduous manual labor delivering furniture around town. Neither of them ever missed a day. They never made excuses.

The Moores did everything together. It was one way, however unpopular, that Edna and Ezell tried to ensure their children’s safety. Simple tasks became family affairs. If they were going to the grocery store or running a hasty errand, all five of them would go.

“That’s the way we pretty much stayed out of trouble,” Ekeisha says. “Just being an extremely close-knit family. Doing stuff together and looking out for each other.”

There were times when the kids protested. Times when they complained and grumbled. Times when they longed for a life devoid of these obligations.

But all of them graduated, earned college degrees, and are leading successful careers. Ezell, previously a college counselor at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis, is now the founder of his own consulting firm. Ekeisha is a fourth grade teacher. And E’Twaun, who has “Edna” tattooed on his left bicep and “Ezell” tattooed on his right, is a professional basketball player.

And none of them regretted living on Guthrie Street. It was a setting that shaped them, that made them stronger, that they will forever feel connected to and be proud of.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way growing up because we learned a lot along the way,” Ekeisha says.

E’Twaun agrees.

—

Adversity defined the early stages of E’Twaun Moore’s NBA journey.  He was a late second-round pick in 2011. Critics said he didn’t have the athleticism to make it. His minutes fluctuated tremendously. Boston, Orlando, and Chicago all moved on from him after two seasons or less.

New Orleans was the first organization to show real confidence in Moore, inking him to a four-year, $34 million deal back in 2016.

With a greater opportunity, the 29-year-old has shown what he can do. He earned the starting small forward role this season and has averaged a personal-best 12.5 points on 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from deep (12th in the NBA). He hung 30 points on the Grizzlies last Wednesday and shot 7-of-7 in a crucial victory over Golden State this past weekend. His contribution on both ends is a major reason why the Pels, even without DeMarcus Cousins, clinched a playoff spot on Monday night.

Others around the League have been put on notice. Defenders are acknowledging E’Twaun as a serious threat to put the ball in the basket, closing out with more intensity and becoming less inclined to help off him.

“He has such a mature pulse to his game,” Matt Painter, E’Twaun’s coach at Purdue, says. “Very good change of direction, very good instincts. He has always had the ability to score.”

To some, his success was unforeseen. But those who know him well, and know his background, aren’t at all surprised.

He has fought far tougher fights. And won.

“Battling on the court is nothing like battling for your life,” Ezell Jr. says. “Surviving where we come from – where you’re just happy to make it to be 18-years-old. Or if you graduate high school – that’s an accomplishment. Fighting and battling on the streets. Now doing it on the court is nothing.”

The pressure of the game – and of the upcoming postseason – won’t unsettle Moore. It pales in comparison to the pressure of coming up in East Chicago.

“If I could make it through those conditions,” E’Twaun says, “anything now should be easy.”

Off the court, E’Twaun has become involved with a non-profit called “Elevate” that provides after-school activities to youth in NOLA. The program offers basketball lessons, tutoring, leadership development training, and more. One hundred percent of its alumni have gone on to college.

I ask E’Twaun what advice he would give to kids in a similar environment to Guthrie. He references one of the adages of motivational speaker Eric Thomas, known as the “hip hop preacher.”

“What’s your why?” Thomas implores listeners to consider.

“I feel like if you have a goal then you have something to keep fighting for and you won’t let anything get in the way of it,” Moore adds. “So if you have a why and a purpose, then put everything towards it – all your efforts towards that goal.

“And ain’t no way you can go wrong.”

—

Alex Squadron is an Associate News Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @asquad510.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post From East Chicago to the NBA: E’Twaun Moore’s Inspirational Story appeared first on SLAM.

Sources: Pistons and Pelicans have discussed a potential trade of Reggie Jackson for E’Twaun Moore and Alexis Ajinca. Full story coming soon

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 11, 2017

Scotto further reported that Quincy Pondexter, who has missed the last two seasons, could be featured in the trade as well.

Jackson averaged 14.5 points and 5.2 assists in 52 games last season. He has three years and $51 million remaining on his current contract.

E’Twaun Moore is on the books for the next three seasons and is owed a total of $25.9 million. Ajinca still has two years and $10.3 million.

Thoughts on this potential deal?

Related
Report: Pistons ‘Quietly Explored’ Trades for Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson

The post Pistons, Pelicans Discuss Reggie Jackson Trade appeared first on SLAM.

By now, we all know the answer.

It wasn’t exactly easy for Moore to get to where he’s at today. The recently signed New Orleans Pelican grew up in a perilous neighborhood in East Chicago, IN, with his parents and his brother and sister. “Just everything was rough,” Moore told SLAM. “Everything was going on, from gang-banging and drugs to shootings and killings. You know, a lot of that was around me.”

On a crime index scale of 1-100 (100 being the safest a city can be), Neighborhood Scout gave East Chicago a 6. In other words, they posited that Moore’s hometown is safer than just 6 percent of cities in the United States. Your chances of being a victim of violent crime in East Chicago: 1 in 113.

One of E’Twaun’s best friends and teammates at E.C. Central High, Donte Brown, was murdered in East Chicago in 2009. It was devastating for Moore, who thought Brown had the potential to make it just as far as he has on the court. “That’s just an example of some of the things that happen,” E’Twaun explained.

East Chicago is just a short car ride from the United Center, where Moore played his home games the last two years. Like the small city in Indiana, Chicago has been riddled with gun violence. Many NBA players have taken a stand against this violence, including Jabari Parker and Dwyane Wade. On Friday, Wade’s first cousin, Nykea Aldridge, was fatally shot on the south side of Chicago when she got caught in the crossfire triggered by two men. She was pushing her baby in a stroller at the time.

“Of course, it’s definitely not good,” E’Twaun said of all the violent acts happening in Chicago. “Kids just need a lot more positive role models and positive things to see. All they see is negative things, you know, shootings and all the crime…I think if they had more positive influences around them, that would help some of the crime.”

For those lacking a positive role model, look no further than the subject of this piece. E’Twaun Moore was raised in a dangerous neighborhood. He grew up surrounded by violence. He was exposed to countless negative influences.

And he rose above it.

At 27, Moore is embarking on the next step of his long journey.

The versatile Moore had probably the best season of his NBA career in 2015-16, averaging 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals, while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and 45.2 percent from deep (a team high).

He set career highs in points (24), steals (4), field-goals made (10) and minutes played in a single game (41). He recorded the most starts in a single season (22) since he entered the League in 2011. He scored in double-digits 14 times, including a memorable game at home against the Thunder.

On that particular night, March 5, 2015, Moore stole the spotlight. With the Bulls down one with five seconds remaining, Mike Dunleavy inbounded the ball to Pau Gasol on the post. The big man immediately drew a double team and kicked it out to an open E’Twaun in the near corner. Calm and collected, Moore gathered himself and knocked down a game-winning three to spoil a 43-point Westbrook performance.

“That was definitely one of the best moments of my career,” Moore said. He had 19 total points on 9-10 shooting in just 22 minutes. The game was nationally televised, so it was an eye-opener for many fans.

When asked to describe what kind of player he is, Moore chuckled and said: “Most people probably think I’m a shooter first.” After the OKC game, it’s hard not to. But E’Twaun is more than a shooter. He’s a “do it all” type guy, a scrappy competitor who can play multiple positions.

Upon signing a four-year deal worth $34 million, Moore is now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans; and with Eric Gordon headed to Houston, he is prepared to help fill the shooting void. Coach Alvin Gentry wants him to be a knockdown guy—a valuable asset to a team with a superstar like Anthony Davis drawing attention—as well as a communicator defensively.

Moore is ready to take the next step, telling SLAM that he hopes to compete for Most Improved or Sixth Man of the Year this season. “I definitely think I got a lot more growth and potential to be a lot better,” he stated. “There’s going to be a lot more fun and good years ahead.”

The post Something Positive appeared first on SLAM.

The 27-year-old agreed to a four-year pact with New Orleans worth $34 million.

Source: the #Pelicans have come to an agreement with ETwaun Moore. 4 years, $34 million.

— Scott Kushner (@ScottDKushner) July 2, 2016

Moore got plenty of opportunity to run point with Derrick Rose in and out of the lineup, and proved his worth as a reliable backup guard.

He averaged a career-best 7.5 points on 48.1 percent shooting from the field and 45.2 percent from deep.

Keep up with the latest signings during the July free-agency period by following our 2016 NBA Free Agent Tracker.

The post Pelicans Sign E’Twaun Moore To 4-Year, $34 Million Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Bulls overcame another monster performance from Russell Westbrook (43 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) for their second win in a row.

Moore finished with 19 points off the bench.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

“There are several options on that play,” (Bulls head coach Tom) Thibodeau said. “Pau (Gasol) made a great read because the defense collapsed. A lot of guys would have shot that, but he had the presence of mind to find the open man.”

 

Said Gasol: “I saw E’Twaun wide open and I gave it to him. It was just the right basketball play. He had a great look and made a hell of a shot.”

 

It was not the first game-winning shot of Moore’s life, “but this was probably the best one,” he said. […] “We practice the play,” he added, “but the outcome is not always like that.”

The post E’Twaun Moore Buries Game-Winning Three vs. OKC Thunder (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

E’Twaun Moore dropped 19 off the bench including the game-winning three with 2.1 seconds to sink the Thunder at the United Center. Nikola Mirotic had one of the best games of his young career with 26 points, 8 points and 2 blocks. He’s now strung together three solid outings for Chicago.

Pau Gasol put up 21 points and 12 rebounds. Mike Dunleavy contributed with 21 points. Joakim Noah failed to get it going offensively, but he still managed to dish out 9 assists and pull down 12 boards.

Russell Westbrook was once again a menace. He couldn’t reach his fifth straight triple-double, but he was still a man on a mission with 43 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Serge Ibaka put up 25 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in the loss.

Trail Blazers (41-19) 94, Mavericks (40-23) 75

The Blazers routed the Mavs on Thursday night, but Portland lost Wes Matthews for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

That’s seriously depressing news, as Matthews has played tremendously all season. LaMarcus Aldridge dropped 17 points and grabbed 12 boards, Nicolas Batum finished with 15/12/6 and Damian Lillard contributed with 14 points, 6 boards and 2 steals in a Portland win. But the news of the night was Matthews’ injury. Get well soon.

The post Post Up: Clutch E’Twaun appeared first on SLAM.

In a night of sneaker grandeur, Iman Shumpert unleashed a PE rendition of an old Kobe favorite; Andre Iguodala became the second player to lace up in the Kobe 9 Elite; and Phil Pressey rocked Nike LeBron X EXT “Black Suede”. We collected photos of that heat and more in our gallery of the best sneakers from around the League. Which player’s shoe game did you like the most from last night? Images via Getty

The post NBA Kicks Of The Night appeared first on SLAM.

Free agent guard E’Twaun Moore will reportedly sign a two-year contract with the Orlando Magic. Moore, who was a second round pick by the Boston Celtics in 2011, was recently traded to the Houston Rockets, but was subsequently waived. Via SBNation.com: “Moore appeared in 38 games in 2011, averaging 2.9 points per game on 38.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.8 percent shooting from the three-point line. In this year’s Summer League, Moore led Boston in scoring with 14 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from distance. In Orlando, Moore joins ex-Denver Nuggets swingman Arron Afflalo as a new face in the Magic backcourt.”

The post E’Twaun Moore To Sign With Orlando Magic appeared first on SLAM.

UPDATE, via the Boston Herald: “”It took awhile and a couple of false starts, but the Celtics got their man [Thursday] night, acquiring Courtney Lee from Houston in a sign and trade for JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore, Sean Williams, Sasha Pavlovic and a second-round draft pick. The paperwork is expected to be finalized [Friday]. The deal originally had Phoenix and New Orleans as facilitators, but that came apart late yesterday afternoon Pacific time. Late last night, Portland became the third team and Pavlovic was included. The amended details were still being learned as the Herald’s final print deadline passed, but the Celts will clearly be ecstatic to acquire the coveted 6-foot-5 Lee without disturbing their main rotation. […] The transaction appeared to hit a snag during the afternoon, but both sides said it was back on track later in the day. Sources told the Herald there were still moving parts and that other teams had been involved at different points. Because the move is a sign and trade, Lee will be able to get right around the $5 million midlevel exception the club used on Jason Terry. The C’s had been trying to make the Terry deal a sign and trade to keep the slot open for Lee, but it appears they have found another way to get him the money he was seeking as a free agent.”

The Boston Celtics got their man, as they acquired Courtney Lee from the Houston Rockets in exchange for JaJuan Johnson. Reports the Boston Globe: “Lee, 25, had been No. 1 on the Celtics’ list after Ray Allen signed with the Miami Heat, but the Celtics did not have enough salary cap space to sign Lee outright. Lee was seeking in the $5 million per season range, and the Celtics have apparently put together some contracts and draft picks that enticed the Rockets to sign Lee to a deal and then send him to the Celtics. Johnson, the Celtics’ first-round pick in 2011, never found a role with the club and his lack of development privately bothered some team officials. He struggled in stretches during summer league and with the signings of Chris Wilcox, Jeff Green and the drafting of Jared Sullinger, his role this season was likely minute. Lee, 26, averaged 11.4 points per game last season for the Rockets, who decided not to give him a qualifying offer, making him a free agent. Lee is a career 38.6 percent 3-point shooter who is also an above-average defender. He dined with Celtics coach Doc Rivers on July 7 and expressed a desire to play with the Celtics — at the right salary.”

The post Boston Celtics Get Courtney Lee in Sign-and-Trade With Houston Rockets (UPDATE) appeared first on SLAM.

The deal was close to being completed earlier in the week; it’s now official. Boston Celtics second round pick, the gloriously-named E’Twaun Moore, is off to Italy (with a chance to return once the NBA lockout ends.) From the Herald: “The Purdue guard signed a one-year contract this morning with Benetton Trevoso of Italy’s Serie A. The deal, worth approximately $200,000, includes a clause that will allow Moore to return to the Celtics if the current NBA lockout ends. Agent Mark Bartlestein finally reached agreement with the team after negotiating with four Europeam teams, including another Serie A team – Cimberio Varese. Varese, however, was unwilling to give Moore an escape clause. Indeed, appears that Moore’s ability to secure an escape clause was a coup. Many European teams are unwilling to release NBA-caliber players from their contracts in the event the lockout ends.”

The post Celtics Rookie E’Twaun Moore to Play in Italy During NBA Lockout appeared first on SLAM.

According to his agent, Moore will soon take his talents to Italy as he waits out the NBA lockout. The Boston Herald reports: “Count E’Twaun Moore among those NBA rookies who won’t be waiting for a lockout resolution. As of today the Celtics rookie was close to signing a deal with one of a number of teams in Italy’s Serie A, according to agent Mark Bartlestein. ‘We’re going through successful talks,’ said the Chicago-based agent. ‘Nothing has been agreed to yet, but we’re talking to a couple of teams. Can we get a deal done? We think so.’ Bartlestein estimated that a deal should be completed by Tuesday for Moore, the Celtics’ second round draft choice, and the Purdue teammate of Celtics first round pick JaJuan Johnson.”

The post Celtics Rookie E’Twaun Moore Close to a Deal With Italian Team appeared first on SLAM.

With Kansas, Texas and Pittsburgh all losing this week, Ohio State was likely a win over Purdue away from regaining the top spot in the poll, but E’Twaun Moore’s career-high 38 points ensured there will be chaos atop the poll on Monday as the Boilermakers prevailed, 76-63.

The tide turned late in the first half when Moore scored Purdue’s final 13 points, including an acrobatic layup that had the home crowd rocking. From that point on, Moore was unstoppable. He hit 13-of-18 shots including 7-of-10 from long distance.

Moore’s performance was one he and Purdue fans will not forget for a long time.

From The Indianapolis Star:

Moore, who hadn’t scored more than 19 points against Ohio State, blew by his previous career high of 31 points. His 38 was the most points by a Boilermaker in Mackey Arena since former national player of the year and No. 1 NBA draft pick Glenn Robinson scored 49 points on March 13, 1994, against Illinois.

Moore became the fifth Purdue player with 2,000 career points (2,027) and the fourth player in Big Ten history with 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 350 assists.

“Yeah, I think that was my best game,” Moore said. “It definitely came at a great time. Playing the (No. 2) team in the country, needing the win to stay in the Big Ten race.”

From the Ohio State perspective, a little sense of panic has begun to set in among Buckeyes fans. Thad Matta’s team has now lost two of its last three games, and its lack of depth was fully exposed by the Boilermakers. It seems awfully long ago that Ohio State was the last unbeaten in the country.

The post Moore’s 38 Leads Purdue Past Ohio State appeared first on SLAM.

During Feast Week there were more than a few noteworthy performances, which is why I decided to track some of the most striking ones right here. There are so many college games every week and just as other spots give you their take, SLAMonline wants to give you ours. This first part is a tribute to the players who gave it their all this past week—because it showed.

Kemba Walker | Point Guard | Junior | Connecticut Huskies

Alex Oriakhi | Power Forward | Sophomore | Connecticut Huskies

He averaged 30 points, 4 assists per game this week against excellent competition. The biggest difference between this year’s K-Walk and last year’s is his improved jumper, which was on full display as he tore apart Wichita State, Michigan State, and Kentucky and literally willed his team to the Maui Invitational Championship. According to the “experts” Connecticut wasn’t even supposed to be in the picture in the top half of the Big East this season. Try telling that to Kemba “EZ-Pass” Walker now…

Everything that Walker was on the perimeter, the 6-9 Oriakhi was on the interior for the Huskies this week. Oriakhi earned high praise from NBA scouts this week for his relentless motor on both ends of the floor and his ability to finish through traffic in the paint (18-29 from the floor). He averaged 15 points, 11.6 rebounds (5 offensive per game), and 1.6 blocks per contest. If Oriakhi continues to be a force on the interior, watch out for UConn.

Derrick Williams | Small Forward | Sophomore | Arizona Wildcats

The best player that you haven’t seen play, Williams averaged 22.7 points on 20-37 shooting in three contests this week. A prototypical NBA small forward, Williams can get it done in a variety of ways and is extremely efficient in every area. This quote sums up Williams 27 point performance against Kansas on Saturday night: “I don’t think anyone would argue Williams was the best player on the court,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

Kyrie Irving | Point Guard | Freshman | Duke Blue Devils

Sure, Irving averaged 14.6 ppg (15-32 from the field), 5 apg, 3.3 rpg, and 2.3 spg against Marquette, Kansas State and Oregon this week. But with Irving, numbers simply don’t give his court presence its due justice. The manner in which he sets the tempo, makes the right pass, spaces the floor, hustles for loose balls and breaks the defense down time after time are more important than his statistics, and that’s why he’s been a starter since Day One in Durham.

Marcus Morris | Power Forward | Junior | Kansas Jayhawks

In three wins over Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Ohio and Arizona this week Morris averaged 18 points and 7.3 rips per contest while shooting a terrific 20-32 (62.5%, which is actually less than his 67.7% average for the season so far) from the field. Morris has looked much more comfortable with the ball on the wing this season and his overall feel for the game has clearly reached a new level in his junior year.

Ravern Johnson | Small Forward | Senior | Mississippi State Bulldogs

The 6-7 wing has always been a capable scorer, but it seems that he has taken his game to new heights this season. For the season he is shooting over 56% from three-point range through four games, and in his two games against Detroit and Troy this week he shot 10-17 from beyond the arc while averaging 29 points per game. He hasn’t played against top notch competition yet, so it should be interesting to track him as he moves forward.

Terrence Jones | Power Forward | Freshman | Kentucky Wildcats

Jones plays the game with a distinct flair at the power forward position for Coach Cal, and in his first week of real work against Oklahoma, Washington and UConn he averaged 23 points (on just over 50% shooting), 11.3 boards and 3.3 blocks per. A lefty, Jones is extremely powerful around the rim, drives with purpose from the perimeter, and has excellent timing blocking shots both in the paint and on the perimeter.

Draymond Green | Small Forward | Junior | Michigan State Spartans

10.8 ppg, 9.25 rpg, 4 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1 blk per contest are how his statistics read, but anybody who watched Michigan State play during its four games this week saw the versatile 6-6 Draymond Green impact the game beyond the stat sheet. Jay Bilas called him “the best teammate in America,” and that doesn’t seem like a reach. Why does Green do anything that Coach Izzo asks of him? Easy—because he can.

Kevin Anderson | Point Guard | Senior | Richmond Spiders

The speedy point guard helped his team to three victories this week, the most important coming on Saturday evening in the Chicago Invitational Championship over eighth ranked Purdue. Anderson scored 21 points in the second half and had 28 points overall to lead the Spiders to a huge non-conference victory that should help on Selection Sunday. KA averaged 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists this week.

Scotty Hopson | Shooting Guard | Junior | Tennessee Volunteers

As Hopson goes, so do the Tennessee Volunteers, and it showed during the Dicks Sporting Goods Preseason NIT Invitational this week. In two high quality wins against VCU and Villanova, Hopson averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds while shooting just below 50% from the field.

Diante Garrett | Point Guard | Senior | Iowa State Cyclones

Garrett has been the model of consistency for Iowa State, and it has helped translate into notches in the W column for the Cyclones. Last week Garrett played just two games but averaged 15.5 points, 5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2 steals, and just 1.5 turnovers in easy wins over Kennesaw State and Montana State.

Tim Abromaitis | Small Forward | Senior | Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Carleton Scott | Power Forward | Senior | Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Nobody expected Notre Dame to sweep through the field at the Old Spice Classic without a loss, but in large part to these two players the Irish are 7-0 and are forcing everyone to glance their way. Abromaitis provided shooting (although he had consistency issues in the semis against California and the finals against Wisconsin) to the tune of 17 points per game this week to go along with a solid rebounding effort of 7.3 per. Meanwhile, the wiry and springy movement of Carleton Scott around the rim led to open shots within ten feet of the hoop, which he knocked in with consistency to the tune of 12.5 ppg. Scott also averaged 7.5 boards and 2 blocks per contest.

Honorable Mention:

Jordan Hamilton, Small Forward, Sophomore, Texas Longhorns

Brian Oliver, Small Forward, Sophomore, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Jon Leuer, Power Forward, Senior, Wisconsin Badgers

E’Twaun Moore, Shooting Guard, Senior, Purdue Boilermakers

Tu Holloway, Point Guard, Junior, Xavier Musketeers

Kris Joseph, Small Forward, Junior, Syracuse Orange

Dion Dixon, Shooting Guard, Senior, Cincinnati Bearcats

Tobias Harris, Small Forward, Freshman, Tennessee Volunteers

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Fresh off two close conference losses, including one in OT to Evan Turner and Ohio St, No. 6 Purdue entered Saturday’s Big Ten matchup against Northwestern in need of a win. The Wildcats were also in search of a marquee win, one that’s seemed to evade them the past couple years. However, only Northwestern would step up to the challenge, as they took out the Boilermakers 72-64.

FIRST HALF

Despite a packed house, and seas of purple underneath each basket, the hometown Wildcats struggled out of the gate. With Northwestern missing their first five field goals, Purdue jumped out to an early lead. John Shurna broke the Wildcats drought, scoring their first basket nearly six minutes into the game. Purdue didn’t get off to a great offensive start either, but their defense got the job done. Their pressure forced Northwestern into three early turnovers, and several possessions in which the shot clock almost expired.

The Boilermakers did a good job of taking Northwestern out of their Princeton offense, but 10 straight points from NU point guard Michael Thompson gave the Wildcats their first lead, and put them in the driver’s seat for the rest of the evening. His energy lit a much-needed fire under the Wildcats, who had been a step slow thus far.

“It seems like has ownership,” said Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter. “I don’t know how to really explain that. I just kinda know it when I see it. It’s his team…picking his spots. He had a good stretch early, offensively of scoring the basketball.”

Thompson even got it done despite mysteriously coming under the weather, to the point of throwing up at halftime.

“I don’t have the flu or anything like that,” said Thompson. “It just came to a point in the game where I felt sick.”

“I feel very good [now],” he said after the game.

While Thompson was able to get his team going, no one stepped up and did the same for Purdue. Unable to score, shooting just 31 percent in the half, they couldn’t rebound either. The Wildcats killed Purdue on the boards all night, beginning with out-rebounding them 24-12 in the first half. Turnovers were the only thing that kept the Boilermakers in the game. They forced the WIldcats into nine turnovers, then translated that into 11 points. All while taking care of the ball themselves, having just one turnover of their own.

“Their pressure hurt us in the first half,” said Northwestern Head Coach Bill Carmody. “We had nine turnovers…they put the heat on us pretty good, but they weren’t getting second shots.”

After being hit with a 12-0 run, E’Twuan Moore got things going for the Boilermakers, en route to 10 points in the half. Notice the big names were quiet. Jajuan Johnson played just 11 minutes due to early foul trouble, while Shurna shot just 2-7 for four points. Robbie Hummell was scoreless before briefly leaving with an eye injury, but rang off five quick points after returning.

Northwester 26, Purdue 25. Halftime.

SECOND HALF

The Wildcats set the tone immediately, scoring four points on two quick layups, forcing Painter to call time out less than two minutes into the half. This time it was Purdue’s turn go ice from the field, as they opened up 0-5 from the field. After close to four minutes, Hummell, who scored Purdue’s first five points, finally broke their cold stretch.

Johnson’s woes continued, as he picked up foul number four at the 13:07 mark, and Northwestern took full advantage of his absence. Wildcat center, Luka Mirkovic, went on to score 12 of his 16 points in the second half, and Purdue continued to get dominated on the glass. They’d be out-rebounded 42-23 for the entire game.

“The story of the game Northwestern’s ability to chase long rebounds down, and just dominate us on the glass,” said Painter.

The two teams jockeyed back and forth for much of the earlier part of the half, but a Drew Crawford three-pointer that came as the shot clock expired, broke the game open for the Wildcats. It was the first of two HUGE three’s by Crawford.

“It was probably the play of the game,” said Painter.

The bucket sent the crowd into a frenzy, as Welsh-Ryan Arena got the loudest its been all season. Although the Boilermakers clawed to keep themselves in the game, the Wildcats never really looked back. When things did get close it was another Crawford three that sealed the deal. He then followed that up with a three-point play the old-fashioned way on the very next play.

“I just waited for my time in the game,” said the freshman. “The first half it was everybody else knocking shot down, in the second half I hit a couple, but it’s all about how we work together as a team.”

Northwestern 72, Purdue 64. Final Score.

Crawford finished with 15 points, while Thompson led the way with 20, and Mirkovic added 16 points and 10 rebounds.E’Twuan led Purdue with 24, and Hummell had 20. No one else was in double figures for the Boilermakers, who shot just 36 percent.

The Northwestern crowd stormed the court after the victory.

“The fan support tonight was unbelievable. It was great to have everybody there. Storming in the court, that was pretty cool. I might have got popped in the face one time, but it was pretty cool” Crawford said after the game.

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