By KEVIN L. SMITH
Rochester native Thomas Bryant put together impressive numbers in his Miami Heat preseason debut on Tuesday.
In the Heat’s 113-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets, Bryant finished with 15 points, 8 assists, 2 assists, a block and a steal. He was also 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Bryant played for the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets last season. The ex-Bishop Kearney standout appeared in 18 games for the Nuggets, averaging 4.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 11.4 minutes per game.
Bryant signed a 2-year, $5.4 million deal with Miami over the summer. In the NBA since the 2017-18 season, Bryant has also played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards.
Bryant and the Heat face San Antonio at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Jeenathan Williams (Houston Rockets)
The former University Prep Charter standout scored nine points (4-of-5 FGM) in eight minutes as part of the Rockets’ 122-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Williams came off the bench in his Houston preseason debut. He signed a deal with the Rockets in August.
The Rochester native played for the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Appearing in five games, Williams averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game for Portland.
Williams and the Rockets host the New Orleans Pelicans this Thursday at 8 p.m.
Jalen Pickett (Denver Nuggets)
Pickett had five points and two assists in 17 minutes during his preseason debut for the Nuggets on Tuesday.
The former Aquinas Institute star came off the bench in Denver’s 115-107 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Pickett, a Rochester native, was the 32nd overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. A Consensus All-American at Penn State University last season, Pickett had 2,207 career points over a five-year collegiate career. He played for two years with the Nittany Lions, and three seasons at Siena College.
Pickett and the Nuggets take on the Chicago Bulls this Thursday at 8 p.m.
Isaiah Stewart (Detroit Pistons)
The ex-McQuaid Jesuit star recorded 11 points, three blocks and three rebounds in the Pistons’ 130-126 overtime loss to the Suns on Sunday.
Stewart agreed to a four-year, $64 million rookie contract extension with Detroit in July. The Rochester native has played three seasons so far for the Pistons. During his 2022-23 campaign, Stewart averaged 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in 50 games for the Pistons.
Stewart and the Pistons take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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