Early October Update On How Some 2019-20 G Leaguers Are Doing Overseas

Dedric Lawson - Goyang Orion

After having a solid rookie season with the Austin Spurs, where he averaged 13.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 54% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc on 4 attempts per game, he seemed like a player that could be on his way towards receiving a two-way deal from some NBA team during the off-season. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put Lawson in a rough situation as it delayed the start of the NBA off-season by several months. That predicament combined with the low wages that G League players receive pushed the former Kansas wing to sign a deal with Goyang Orion of the Korean Basketball League.

While the season is still very young, the forward has looked like a stud. In four games, Lawson has averaged 22.2 points, 13 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 47% from the field and 33% from the field. As was the case during his time with Kansas and the Austin Spurs, his early success with Goyang has been through dominating inside the paint whether that’s snagging offensive rebounds, cutting to the basket, or attacking the rim.

Tyus Battle - Enisey Krasnoyarsk

Last year, the Iowa Wolves stood out as one of the more intriguing teams in the G League due to their array of solid young talent. Whether it was Jordan McLaughlin, Kelan Martin, Lindell Wigginton, Jordan Murphy, or Barry Brown, there was always a great young player to keep an eye on whenever you turned on a game.

Although he entered the G League season coming off a solid career for Syracuse, Battle struggled to get consistent playing time within that jam-packed Wolves rotation. As a rookie, he averaged 8.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 52% from the field and 38% from 3 on 2.2 attempts in only 22.2 minutes per game. While those numbers are definitely solid and show good efficiency in those limited minutes, you’d think that the young wing would want to do more during his rookie year.

As is the case with Lawson, the COVID-19 pandemic put the 23-year-old in a weird predicament where he needed to find a job due to not being able to wait for the G League season to start in January or February. This pushed Battle to sign a deal with Enisey Krasnoyarsk with the Russian VTB United League. Although their season just started, the Syracuse alum has been impressive as he recently put up 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7-17 from the field and 0-1 from beyond the arc.

While Enisev ended up losing that game 86-81 to Tsmoki Minsk, Battle’s strong performance has definitely made him an intriguing player to keep an eye on as he continues his first season in international basketball.

Myke Henry -Pallacanestro Trieste

Unlike the other two players on this list, veteran wing Myke Henry is no stranger to playing overseas hoops as he has spent time in Israel and Mexico in between his multiple stints in the G League. His current run with Pallacanestro Trieste of the Italian Lega A follows a strong 2019-20 campaign with the OKC Blue.

In 36 games with the team, he averaged 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals on 53% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc on 3.8 attempts in only 26 minutes per game. Despite his struggles from beyond the arc, that season represents his most efficient year as a pro by maintaining a 62% True Shooting Percentage.

Examples of his strong play has been evident in his early games in Italy. For example, the 6’6 veteran wing recently put up 24 points on 8-10 from the field, 3-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-6 from the free throw line for Pallacanestro in their 102-77 defeat to Vanoli Cremona. Despite the team’s recent blowout loss, we’ll still be keeping an eye on how him and other recent or past G League alums are doing in international play.