Multiple college coaches have reached out to Jazian Gortman‘s camp to see if the 22-year-old guard, who has been playing for the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League, would have interest in playing NCAA ball, tweets Jeff Goodman of Field of 68.
Gortman was part of the Overtime Elite program in 2022/23, went undrafted in 2023, and has spent multiple years since then playing in the G League. However, unlike James Nnaji, who enrolled at Baylor this week two years after being drafted by Charlotte, Gortman has actually played in the NBA.
In addition to signing Exhibit 10 contracts with the Bucks, Mavericks, and Thunder since 2023, Gortman also spent over three months in 2024/25 on a two-way deal with Dallas, appearing in 16 NBA games during that time.
According to Goodman, Gortman conveyed that he’s not interested in going the college route. However, the fact that he generated interest at all is an indication that college programs are continuing to test the limits of the NCAA’s increasingly lenient interpretation of rules related to a player’s so-called “amateur” status.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- After recently suggesting that the Raptors should strongly consider Mo Bamba for a 10-day contract next month, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca asked sources why the former lottery pick is currently toiling in the G League rather than the NBA. The general consensus, Grange says, is that there are concerns about the consistency of Bamba’s effort. “He has every tool necessary to be an elite player … but he will always be a tease, unfortunately,” one league executive said. Bamba has averaged 16.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game in 14 outings for the Salt Lake City Stars this season.
- Which NBA players are on the most team-friendly contracts? Bobby Marks of ESPN selects his 15-man “All-Value team,” singling out players like Hawks guard Vit Krejci, Celtics center Neemias Queta, Mavericks guard Brandon Williams, and the Spencer brothers (Pat Spencer of the Warriors and Cam Spencer of the Grizzlies). Marks’ team is made of players earning less than $3MM this season who weren’t signed via the first- or second-round cap exceptions.
- Ahead of the NBA’s Christmas Day games, the league announced that more than 87 million people have watched games so far this season on ESPN, NBC/Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and NBA TV (Twitter link). That figure represents an 89% increase on last season in the first year of the NBA’s new media rights deal, according to the league.
Well a lot more total viewers because there has been more than a 70% increase in games shown. Not as dramatic as you try to make it appear and local viewership is down for half of teams.
All the deniers. The Warriors fans who consistently have shot down the idea of a rim protector for yrs here. Take a long hard look at Wenby. See how he changes the game. By just being out there. Just in right place. All positioning. Thats what a good rim protector can do. You don’t need the best. Just having one helps YOUR TEAM ……. Why would you deny your team that.
GS land of the Hobit bigman ……….
The Warriors need a rim protector but they need a specific type of big, a player like Wiseman or one like Myles Turner doesnt fit with the way they play.
Andrew Bogut is the blueprint for a Warriors big, someone that can pass the ball, rebound, set screens and protect the rim.
Pachulia was the passer, screener but didnt offer as much rim protection as Bogut. McGee wasnt much of a passer but was a great lob threat for Draymond off the shorr roll, great screener and rim protector.
Rob Will has shown some playmaking chops while also being a good rim protector and screener, he would be great. Turner cant pass and the Warriors never realied on a big for shooting. Wiseman was too young and inexperienced and Kerr wasnt willing to let him develop.
Yes sir. But a guy who can give them 20 mins of defense and rebounding. Is still an asset.
You going way back lol. Today bigs can step out on perimeter. Post can step out. Just not a rim protector yet. A guy like Claxton is perfect. Gafford, doubt they get him now. Maluach could be available. Suns liked Kuminga. Moses Brown can help. A guy like Queta. Raynaud would have helped.
I feel like they should still prioritize passing and rim protection from a big over shooting
They need wings that can shoot and defend, like Wiggins and Otto Porter Jr. Imo Al Horford has been phenomenal for the Warriors, his numbers dont look incredible but I felt like he was always impactful when he was on the floor. If they can get a younger more athletic center to pair up with him, they would get a lot better already.
I have always thought Bamba could be better than Mitch. He is more athletic than Mitch imo. I guess he doesn’t really want it bad enough. Is ok with minimum money. Rather than 15 mill a yr Mitch is making …. Just too bad.
Who was it that said Thunder have trouble with good bigs ???? Geeeeee.
Thunder could have used Sorber today. He will be missed in playoffs. I wonder if he can come back by then ……
How can he be missed if he’s never played a single second for the team?
Wait, the NCAA is still pretending these players are amateurs? Lmao
Nick Richards is currently the 4th center in Phoenix. Last year he had a decent stretch as the Suns’ starting center. His trade value should be extremely low and only makes 5mm. He could help, at least, to allow Draymond to spend less time banging in size disadvantage
Vit is the second biggest reason I want the Hawks to trade Trae (the first being I loathe Trae’s defensive intensity … or rather I would loathe it if it even existed).
Vit is a far better 3pt shooter and doesn’t force shots. Trae is a volume shooter whose 3pt percentage continues to shoot at or below 35%. When he doesn’t force shots he is not bad at all, but when he does it get ugly fast. Trae is currently 11th on the Hawks in 3pt percentage. ELEVENTH! His passing is still phenomenal, but opposing teams don’t even key on him any longer. He could be a good fit on some other teams, but is taking up minutes the Hawks good use on a more pressing need (interior defense/tough rebounder).