The West Virginia Mountaineers have plenty to follow this season at the NBA level, with three WVU basketball stars on opening day rosters. We’ve already highlighted Deuce McBride’s hot start to the season earlier this week, and now we’ve got even more NBA news regarding both McBride and another former Mountaineer.
McBride earned his first start of the season on Friday night, as he cracked the starting lineup for the Knicks in a 105-95 win over the Boston Celtics to help move his team to 2-0. McBride’s performance wasn’t quite as efficient as his 4-of-6 three-point effort in his first game of the season, however. McBride did hit 10 points in the game, but went just 3-of-11 from the field. He also added four rebounds and four assists.
Former Mountaineer and current NBA rookie Javon Small also made an impact for his team, the Memphis Grizzlies, on Friday night. After being held scoreless in his first regular season NBA game, Small stepped up with a nine-point performance on Friday as the Grizzlies lost a 146-114 shootout against the Miami Heat. Small also added eight assists in the loss, nearly earning himself a double-double in his second-ever professional regular season game. He chipped in two rebounds for the Grizzlies as well.
Small and the Grizzlies will be back in action tonight as they host the Indiana Pacers at home. The Knicks meanwhile, will get back to action on Sunday, when McBride and his teammates will look to stay undefeated against the Heat.