Nearly two months into the NBA season, three VFLs have continued their consistent play as vital pieces to three playoff-caliber teams, while a trio of former Vols in the NBA G League have also made waves.
Tobias Harris | Philadelphia 76ers
Season Stats: 25 GP, 25 GS, 20.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, .520 FG%, .425 3FG%
In his 10th NBA season, Tobias Harris is on pace for a career-best scoring average (20.7 ppg) and is on the verge of potentially being voted into his first career NBA All-Star Game.
With Harris as the team’s minutes leader and second-leading scorer, the Philadelphia 76ers currently lead the Eastern Conference with an 18-10 overall record. Harris is also the 76ers’ second-leading assist maker (3.0 apg) and ranks fourth on the team in rebounding (7.4 rpg).
Josh Richardson | Dallas Mavericks
Season Stats: 19 GP, 19 GS, 12.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, .423 FG%, .296 3 FG%
Traded to the Dallas Mavericks from the Philadelphia 76ers back in November, Josh Richardson has settled into a role as a starter and consistent contributor for the Mavericks.
Despite missing nine games due to COVID-19 protocols, Richardson has started every game in which he has been available to play. In his sixth NBA season, Richardson averages the second-most minutes on the team at 31.6 behind only Luka Doncic, while his 12.5 points per game rank fourth on the team. The Mavericks are currently 13-15 overall and just two games outside of the NBA playoff picture.
Grant Williams | Boston Celtics
Season Stats: 23 GP, 6 GS, 5.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, .458 FG%, .313 3 FG%
After establishing himself as a consistent role player during his rookie season—during which the Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals—Grant Williams has continued to carve out a role as a solid contributor in his second season with the franchise.
Williams averages 19.1 minutes per game and has already started more games than he did all of last season. At 14-13 overall, the Celtics are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Jordan Bone | Delaware Blue Coats
Season Stats: 4 GP, 0 GS, 10.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, .395 FG%, .381 3FG%
After starting the 2020-21 NBA season on a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic, Jordan Bone was placed on waivers by the Magic after playing 14 games in which he averaged 14.0 minutes. Now with the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Coats, Bone is participating in the G League’s bubble in Orlando.
In the Blue Coats’ most recent game—a win over former Tennessee teammate Admiral Schofield and the Greensboro Swarm—Bone totaled 17 points and made five 3-pointers. The Blue Coats are currently one of only two remaining undefeated teams in the G League bubble.
Jordan Bowden | Long Island Nets
Season Stats: 4 GP, 0 GS, 4.8 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, .333 FG%, .308 3FG%
Signed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets back in November, rookie Jordan Bowden was then assigned to the franchise’s G League affiliate— the Long Island Nets—for the G League bubble in Orlando.
Bowden has played in four of the Nets’ games so far and recently made three 3-pointers in a game against the Erie Bayhawks.
Admiral Schofield | Greensboro Swarm
Season Stats: 4 GP, 4 GS, 12.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, .435 FG%, .273 3FG%
Selected No. 1 overall in January’s NBA G League Draft, Admiral Schofield has started every contest for the Greensboro Swarm four games into the 2021 G League bubble in Orlando, Fla.
Schofield had a double-double during the Swarm’s last game, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds.
-UT Athletics
