NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The NBA season officially began Tuesday. On Wednesday, five former Commodores will make their 2020-21 debuts with their respective teams across the league.
Here’s a closer look on how to follow the former Vandy stars in the NBA:
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Garland begins his second season in Cleveland after a successful rookie campaign with the Cavaliers.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Garland played in 59 games in 2019-20 and averaged 12.3 points per game. He shot 40.1 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the line while also dishing out 3.9 assists per contest.
Garland (6-1, 192) graduated from Brentwood Academy and played in five games for the Commodores before an injury Nov. 23, 2018 ended his Vandy career.
Garland and the Cavaliers face Charlotte at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday.
Darius Garland ( @dariusgarland22 ) is shifty 🔥 14 points in 21 minutes 6-11 FG pic.twitter.com/33elklDuGb
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) December 13, 2020
Damian Jones, Phoenix Suns
Jones begins his first season in Phoenix after three with Golden State and one with Atlanta, respectively.
The 6-foot-11, 245-pound Jones has played in 104 career NBA games and has averaged 4.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest. He reportedly signed a two-year deal with Phoenix during the offseason.
Jones played 99 games for the Commodores from 2013-16 and averaged 13.3 points and 64 rebounds over that span. He was the No. 30 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Jones and the Suns face Dallas at 9:30 p.m. CT Wednesday.
.@dameology with A big Dunk
(wait till you see it) pic.twitter.com/T6w1pek5i1
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 17, 2020
Luke Kornet, Chicago Bulls
Starting his second season in Chicago, Luke Kornet and the Chicago Bulls begin their season at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday against Atlanta.
Kornet (7-2, 250) spent two seasons with the New York Knicks before joining Chicago in 2019-20. He’s played in 102 professional games, averaged 6.6 points and 2.8 rebounds over that span.
Kornet appeared in 128 games for the Commodores from 2013-17 and scored 8.9 points per contest. He averaged 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.
“Cool hand Luke (Kornet)!” pic.twitter.com/FzfOWTEhtG
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 15, 2020
Saben Lee, Detroit Pistons
After three successful seasons with Vanderbilt (2017-20), Lee declared for the NBA Draft this spring and was then selected 38th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
A 6-foot-2, 183-pound guard, Lee averaged 13.9 points per contest during 96 career games with Vandy. He shot 47.1 percent from the field and also averaged 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals for his career.
Lee and the Pistons face Minnesota at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The draft night trade is now official, so now we can say …
Welcome to Detroit, Saben Lee!#NBADraft2020 | @HenryFordNews pic.twitter.com/DfDnNb2sHV
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) November 22, 2020
Aaron Nesmith, Boston Celtics
A 6-foot-5, 215-pound guard, Nesmith was selected 14th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Nesmith played in 46 games for the Commodores and had his 2019-20 season cut short by injury. He scored 14.7 points per game during his career and shot 41 percent from 3.
Nesmith and the Celtics face Milwaukee at 6 p.m. CT Wednesday.
It took Aaron Nesmith all of 45 seconds to make his first 3 pic.twitter.com/m7YRFy7k2k
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 16, 2020
