Giddey Shines in Debut: NBLxNBA Preseason Recap October 5

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

In his first preseason game, Josh Giddey wasted no time introducing himself to the NBA world as he shined for the Oklahoma City Thunder in their clash with the Charlotte Hornets.

Giddey, who the Thunder selected with the sixth pick in the draft after he won the NBL21 Rookie of the Year, scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting while adding seven rebounds and three assists in the contest.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">J?SH. GIDDEY.<br><br>18 points 7 rebounds 3 assists for the former NBL Next Star in the Thunder's preseason loss to the Hornets <a href="https://twitter.com/joshgiddey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joshgiddey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/XQMGKULJjZ">pic.twitter.com/XQMGKULJjZ</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1445219894149091336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The 18-year-old’s full repertoire was on display including his incredible court vision and passing ability, and his crafty finishing at the basket.

The former Adelaide 36er also hit a pair of three-pointers in an encouraging sign for Oklahoma City after his outside shooting ability was questioned heading into the draft.

"I didn't have any expectation. It's early. He's the youngest player in the NBA. As we know, there's a lot of ups and downs. He looked like that in practice, but you never know until the game starts. He looked comfortable out there," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, via Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The back-to-back NBL ROYs getting back-to-back buckets in NBA preseason action ?<br><br>Streaming live and free at <a href="https://t.co/9Emg944qo0">https://t.co/9Emg944qo0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/trgKHeyieQ">pic.twitter.com/trgKHeyieQ</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1445181966353977344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

On the other side of the court was another former NBL Next Star and Rookie of the Year in LaMelo Ball, who was equally as impressive for the Hornets.

Ball amassed 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 21 minutes of action as he led Charlotte to the 113-97 victory.

In San Antonio, NBL21 Grand Final MVP Jock Landale hit the NBA court for the first time as the Spurs began their preseason campaign.

Fresh off helping the Australian Boomers win bronze at the Olympics, Landale played 15 minutes and recorded eight points, six rebounds and three assists.

It was a solid first outing for Landale who will look to use the preseason to work his way into San Antonio’s regular season rotation.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">J?CK!<a href="https://twitter.com/JockLandale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JockLandale</a> with his first throwdown for the <a href="https://twitter.com/spurs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@spurs</a> ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> <a href="https://t.co/FXQ6UvvcQU">pic.twitter.com/FXQ6UvvcQU</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1445206664450166786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Former NBL Next Star RJ Hampton scored seven points, pulled down six rebounds and dished out three assists for the Orlando Magic in their loss to the Boston Celtics.

A pair of former NBL Next Stars also went head-to-head in Minnesota as Brian Bowen Jnr scored two points for the Timberwolves and Didi Louzada played five minutes for the New Orleans Pelicans.