Philadelphia 76ers Rookie Report: Shake Milton returns from injury
The Philadelphia 76ers G-League affiliate has had most of the rookie action this past week, including the return of one rookie from injury.
As the Philadelphia 76ers are getting healthier, the need to have rookies in the rotation has become less in recent weeks. Until the G-League season ends, most of the playing time for the clubs rookies will come with the Delaware Blue Coats, who are the Sixers G-League affiliate. The biggest news regarding the team’s rookies this week is the return of the club’s last pick in this past draft.
16th pick, 2018
In the games Zhaire Smith did play in for the Blue Coats this past week, he didn’t impress in the three games he suited up for. His highest scoring output for the week was six points and he went scoreless in one game. He also dealt with foul trouble, having a total of 12 fouls in his past three games with the Blue Coats.
On a positive note, Smith did get called up to the Sixers for one game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but didn’t get any game action. Due to Jimmy Butler not playing that game and Furkan Korkmaz still out, it’s no surprise he was called up for added depth behind James Ennis and Jonathon Simmons.
Season stats: Blue Coats
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2019.
36th pick, 2017
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After getting 23 minutes against the Houston Rockets, Jonah Bolden only recorded one minute against the Indiana Pacers and none in the Sixers matchup against the Cavs. The reason for the drastic cut down in minutes was due to the return of Joel Embiid and Boban Marjanovic.
This isn’t to say that Bolden won’t get any time moving forward. He’s valuable in certain matchups, but expect him to be riding the bench more times than not. If he wants more regular playing time, he may want to talk to the coaching staff and management about getting some burn with the Blue Coats.
Season stats: 76ers
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2019.
54th pick, 2018
Shake Milton finally made his return after getting surgery on a broken finger in February. The best part is, he’s been hot ever since his return. In the four games since his comeback, he’s averaged 28.0 points and even had a 35 point outing against the Wisconsin Herd. It’s good to see that the injury didn’t have a negative affect on his scoring once he returned.
This 28.0 point average over this four game stretch is above his G-League season average of 24.5 points per game. If this impressive scoring output should continue, Sixers head coach Brett Brown should consider giving Milton a shot at some minutes with Philly.
Season stats: Blue Coats
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2019.
Undrafted, 2018
Haywood Highsmith was able to put together a very solid week. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.8 rebounds on 40.0 percent shooting from downtown in four games against the Capital City Go-Go, Grand Rapids Drive, West Chester Knicks and Wisconsin Herd.
This was the player the Sixers signed to a two-way contract with and not the one that has been struggling as of late. If he can continue this production for the rest of the G-League season, then he has a better chance of coming back to the 76ers roster next season.
Season stats: Blue Coats
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/15/2019.
Next. Butler needs to show up in the playoffs. dark
The Philadelphia 76ers are returning to health and it will be much harder for the team’s rookies to get playing time moving forward. The G-League will be the rookies best option for playing time as of now.