Mid-September Update On How Some 2019-20 G Leaguers Are Doing Overseas

Daryl Macon - Galatasaray

After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2018 following a solid two-year run with the team, the 6’3 guard entered the NBA Draft to only not get selected. However, he didn’t have to wait too long to find out his pro fate as he Dallas Mavericks signed him to a two-way contract on July 30th, a little more than a month following the draft.

During the majority of the next two seasons, he would be a fixture in the G League as a two-way player for Dallas in 2018-19 and then Miami in 2019-20. Although he wasn’t able to use that time as a springboard to the NBA, the Arkansas alum still stood out as one of the best guards in the G League. In 76 combined games in the G League, he averaged 18.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds on 44% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc on 4.7 attempts per game.

In the midst of the 2019-20 season, the Heat waived Macon on January 8th to bring in Stockton Kings stud scorer Gabe Vincent. Despite leaving the Heat, the 6’3 guard stayed on with Sioux Falls until COVID-19 put a premature end to the 2019-20 season.

As an unemployed baller with the start date of the next G League season in question, Macon decided to go the overseas route for the 2020-21 campaign by signing with Galatasaray of the Turkish Super League and FIBA Champions League. Although the regular season in either leagues haven’t started yet, it doesn’t mean that Macon hasn’t been able to make an impact. In a recent preseason game against an Anadolu Efes team that features former NBA players Roddy Beaubois, Chris Singleton, and James Anderson, the guard put up 17 points, 4 assists, and 7 rebounds on 5-9 from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc.

Macon will make his Turkish Super League debut on September 26th in a rematch against Anadolu Efes.

Jalen Adams - Chalons-Reims

Way back in late June, i started an ongoing series breaking down players from the G League, mid-major, and high-majors that would be good options to receive two-way deals. One player that was ineligible to be featured on that list was former Erie Bayhawks guard Jalen Adams, who had signed a deal with Chalons-Reims of the French Pro A league back on June 10th.

Prior to signing that big-time contract, Adams was a fantastic 2nd option behind Josh Gray on an Erie BayHawks team that finished the year with a 13-30 record. In 40 games, he put up 19 points, 4.7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 49% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc on 6.4 attempts per game. As those numbers might tell you, he stood as a well-rounded offensive threat that was able to shine as both a catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble threat, be able to utilize off-ball screens to create offense, work as a facilitator, and drive to the rim with his right hand.

Although the French Pro A season won’t begin until September 26th, the young guard is already impressing with the team. In a recent exhibition game against Gravelines-Dunkerque, he led the team in scoring with 15 points on 6-11 from the field and 1-6 from the free throw line.

Pierre Jackson - Panathinaikos

Despite only playing a total of 84 minutes in the NBA, Pierre Jackson has still had a successful pro career since graduating from Baylor in 2013. Because no matter if it’s the D/G League, Euroleague, Eurocup, or the Chinese Basketball Association, he’s been able to shine as a dominating scoring threat that’s capable of getting hot and putting up 20+ points whenever he steps on the court.

The most recent example of that came during his recent run with the South Bay Lakers where the veteran guard put up 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 steals on 44% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc on 8.6 attempts per game in 16 outings with the team. That type of performance shouldn’t have surprised anyone that followed his career as he was named to the D-League All-Star Game in both 2014 and 2017.

With the starting date of the next G League season in question, Jackson will be making his return to international ball and the Euroleague by signing with Panathinaikos. Although it will be a few more months until the start of the Euroleague season, Jackson is already impressing in exhibition play. In three games, he’s averaging 9 points, 4.3 assists, and .8 steals on 67% from the field and 50% from 3 on 2.7 attempts in 16 minutes per game.

If you’re interested in following his run through the Euroleague, Panathinaikos’ first game will be against Khimki on October 2nd.