Maryland making noise in the NBA: Jan. 27 - Feb. 2
With the NBA All-Star break just around the corner, Maryland hoops has had three alumni make significant impacts on their professional teams so far throughout the season. Rookie wing Kevin Huerter and fifth-year center Alex Len have done so as teammates for the Atlanta Hawks while second-year wing Jake Layman continues to emerge for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Tracking their success for the rest of the NBA season, TSR takes a look at how Huerter, Len and Layman fared each week, starting with Jan. 27-Feb. 2.
Kevin Huerter (2018-2019: 27.1 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 2.8 APG, 3.2 RPG)
Playing four games this past week, Huerter got himself back on track after missing some time with a minor injury the week prior. The rookie averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game last week, including a 14-point, seven-assist performance Feb. 1 that matched his season-high in dimes. Huerter’s week ended with a stat-stuffing performance in Atlanta’s 118-112 win over the Phoenix Suns Feb. 2. In his 34 minutes against the Suns, Huerter finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. The Hawks could be an active participant at the trade deadline, which could end up opening even more opportunity for the talented rookie.
Alex Len (2018-2019: 19.7 MPG, 10.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.0 BLKPG)
Playing alongside Huerter in Atlanta’s four-game slate last week, Len got off to a hot start by posting 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in 21 minutes Jan. 28, as the Hawks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 123-118. The 7-foot-1 Ukrainian followed up that efficient performance with another solid showing Jan. 30, ending with 13 points and three rebounds in 18 minutes of a 22-point loss to the Sacramento Kings. Len threw a dud into the middle of his week by being held scoreless in nine minutes against the Utah Jazz, but he showed some life Feb. 2 with seven points and nine rebounds in 18 minutes against Phoenix. Much like last week, Len’s production tends to be up and down. But he is a consistent contributor of rebounds and blocks for the Hawks.
Jake Layman (2018-2019: 17.0 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG)
Layman and the Trail Blazers had just one game last week--a 132-105 win over the Utah Jazz--but the former second-round pick made the most of his team’s limited action. Layman played 27 minutes in Portland’s blowout victory and put together a solid stat line of 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. When given minutes, Layman has proved to be quite productive for the Trail Blazers this season. He certainly brings the type of play at both ends of the floor that any team could benefit from and his role could grow as the season unfolds.