In a new weekly piece, staff writer Ben McKee takes a look at how Tennessee’s players are faring in various professional leagues across the United States.
Here’s a look at how the former men’s basketball players have fared in the NBA Summer League, how Diamond Vols fared in professional baseball, and how former Lady Vols fared in the WNBA the past week.
Summer League Basketball (NBA)
Grant Williams, F, Boston Celtics
Williams has appeared in one game for the Celtics, making his summer league debut in a 96-82 win over the 76ers on Saturday. The two-time SEC Player of the Year scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds, tallied two assists, blocked two shots, and recorded two steals. He was 4-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from the 3-point line.
Williams impressed many in his first outing as a Celtic.
Grant Williams excites me a lot. This is a 6’7″, 240lb forward initiating pick-and-roll, making the correct read off of a hard gap stunt and with the awareness to relocate and hit an open three.
This is not normal. #NBASummerLeague #Celtics pic.twitter.com/56M64p8SkW
— Andrew Kurzeja (@AndrewKurzeja) July 7, 2019
Grant Williams had a do-it-all #NBASummer debut, totaling 12 points, 6 boards, 2 dimes, 2 steals and 2 blocks. #Vols pic.twitter.com/OCDA5YSyyc
— Marc Whiteman (@MarcWhiteman) July 7, 2019
Grant Williams being Grant Williams. #Vols pic.twitter.com/Ep4ptoW5Xd
— Jordan Crammer (@JordanCrammer) July 6, 2019
Admiral Schofield, F, Washington Wizards
In his first summer league game, Schofield scored 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and picked up one assist in 24 minutes. Schofield was 3-of-6 from the field, 1-of-3 from the 3-point line and 2-of-2 at the free throw line as Washington defeated the Pelicans 84-79.
Admiral with the range! pic.twitter.com/bBERDYN0U4
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) July 7, 2019
In his second summer league game, Schofield scored two points in 14 minutes off the bench. As Washington lost to Brooklyn, he added two rebounds, a turnover, and two fouls.
Jordan Bone, PG, Detroit Pistons
Bone made his summer league debut on Monday afternoon, coming off the bench in a No. 8 jersey. In a 102-84 win over the Pacers, Bone scored six points in 16 minutes off the bench. He added four rebounds, two assists and a steal. He was 2-of-7 from the floor and 0-of-2 from three with three turnovers.
Jarnell Stokes, F, Portland Trail Blazers
Stokes, a summer league veteran, is averaging 19.3 minutes, 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 block in two games for Portland. He’s 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-4 FT from the free throw line.
He started on Saturday in a loss to Detroit and scored six points on 2-of-5 shooting in 20 minutes. Stokes grabbed four rebounds, picked up a rebound and tallied an assist as well.
Stokes also started on Sunday in a win over the Rockets and scored five points on 2-of-3 shooting. He also added five rebounds and three assists.
.@JarnellStokes ? ➡️ Devin Robinson (@drob7nson) ?#NBASummer #GLeagueAlums pic.twitter.com/E604FnYSMn
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) July 8, 2019
Kyle Alexander, F, Miami Heat
The former Vol big man has had an impressive summer, playing in five games with the Heat. Alexander has averaged 13.8 minutes, 3.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks. From the field, he’s shooting 38.9 percent (7-of-18).
Kyle Alexander with a short jumper and block on the other end pic.twitter.com/Qu1TS3t9sE
— Joseph Beguiristain (@JoeBeguiristain) July 8, 2019
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MLB)
Here’s a full look at how former Vols are faring across the MLB as the All-Star break is in full swing.
Nick Senzel, CF, Cincinnati Reds
After celebrating his birthday on June 29, Senzel was 5-for-20 at the plate over the course of seven games last week. On Sunday, he was 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs in an 8-6 win over the Cubs. Senzel then went 2-for-4 and scored two runs on Tuesday as the Reds beat the Brewers 5-4.
He also made quite the catch on Saturday.
What a catch by Nick Senzel in CF. #Reds pic.twitter.com/hUUC63EEhm
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) July 6, 2019
On Sunday, Senzel had to exit the game in the first inning after jamming his foot in the outfield wall as he tried to catch a ball off the wall. It’s the same ankle that the rookie hurt in spring training.
“It could’ve been way worse, but I had my ankle taped. It saved it,” Senzel said. “I saw the replay. When I jumped up there, it just compressed a way that my ankle shouldn’t bend.”
Senzel is expected to be back following the All-Star break. He enters the mid-summer classic with a .263 average, eight home runs, and 27 RBIs.
Christin Stewart, OF, Detroit Tigers
In six games last week, Stewart had an impressive week leading into the All-Star break. Stewart was 6-for-22 including a three-hit game against the Red Sox on Saturday. He drove in two runs on the week, and in his last seven games, he’s hitting .280.
At the break, Stewart is hitting .233 on the season with six home runs and 29 RBIs. Over his last 30 games, he’s hitting .257.
Zack Godley, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
Following a rough start to the season, Godley has been moved to the Diamondbacks bullpen. This past week, his name was called twice out of the pen. In two appearances against the Giants, on June 28 and the 30th, Godley didn’t allow a run in 2.0 innings of work. He allowed just one hit and picked up two strikeouts.
On the season, Godley is 3-5 with a 6.61 ERA in 21 games. He’s thrown 65.1 innings and recorded 48 strikeouts.
Yan Gomes, C, Washington Nationals
Gomes has seen an increase in playing time of late as the Nationals’ starting catcher after Kurt Suzuki was hit by a pitch in the neck/collarbone area. Last week, Gomes was 2-for-13 at the plate in five games. He had three walks.
At the mid-point of the season, Gomes is hitting .211 at the plate with three home runs.
Drew Steckenrider, RHP, Miami Marlins
Steckenrider is currently on the 60-day injured list. The former Vol has already missed a big chunk of the season with a flexor strain. According to MLB Trade Rumors’ Steve Adams, Steckenrider is expected to be able to return to the mound by early August.
In 15 games this season, Steckenrider is 0-2 with a 6.28 ERA. He recorded 14 strikeouts in 14.1 innings.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (MILB)
A.J. Simcox, SS, Lakeland Flying Tigers (Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Detroit Tigers)
Last week, Simcox was 5-for-25 at the plate in seven games. He drove in three runs and scored three runs. In 62 games with Lakeland this season, Simcox is hitting .242.
Zach Warren, LHP, Clearwater Threshers (Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies)
In three appearances last week, Warren allowed just one run in 4.0 innings of work. Warren picked up two saves and six strikeouts. On the year, the former Vol is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA to go along with five saves in six opportunities.
Andy Cox, LHP, Daytona Tortugas (Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds)
Cox made four appearances last week and was very impressive in 5.2 innings. He allowed just one run on four hits and struck out three. Cox gave up four walks.
On the year, the former Vol is 2-1 with a 0.86 ERA.
Andrew Lee, RHP, Potomac Nationals (Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Washington Nationals)
Lee started one game and saw action out of the bullpen in a game last week. In his start, Lee only lasted 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on two hits. But in his appearance on July 4, the former Vol was dominant, not allowing a hit or a run in 4.0 innings of work.
Jordan Rodgers, 3B, Florida Fire Frogs (Class-A Advanced affiliate of the Atlanta Braves)
In six games last week, Rodgers was 3-for-23 at the plate. On Saturday, he was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Andre Lipcius, 3B, West Michigan Whitecaps (Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers)
Lipcius appeared in seven games last week and was 4-for-27 at the plate. He recorded two RBIs and a walk to go along with two hits on Monday. To begin his professional career, Lipcius is hitting .185 in 17 games with the Whitecaps.
Hunter Martin, RHP, Quad Cities River Bandits (Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros)
In two appearances last week, Martin threw 3.2 innings in relief. Martin didn’t allow a run in 2.0 innings on Tuesday and then allowed just one run in 1.2 innings on Sunday. He did allow five combined walks, however.
Ricky Martinez, SS, Hillsboro Hops (Class-A-Short affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks)
Martinez was 5-for-23 at the plate in six games last week. On Sunday, Martinez tallied three hits in five at-bats to go along with two RBIs. In 19 games with Hillsboro, he’s hitting .228.
Jay Charleston, 2B, Burlington Royals (Rookie-Advanced affiliate of the Kansas City Royals)
Charleston was 1-for-11 at the plate last week and picked up three stolen bases.
Benito Santiago, C, St. Louis Cardinals
The former Vol catcher is in an extended spring training with the Cardinals.
Matt Ramsey, RHP, Free Agent
Ramsey made his Major League debut with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season, pitching a scoreless inning in an 11-5 win over the Yankees on April 25. After just one appearance with the Angels, Ramsey was optioned back to Triple-A. He struggled with a 5.27 ERA and on June 2, the Angels released him.
Will Maddox, 2B, Free Agent
After 36 games with the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the San Francisco Giants organization, Maddox was released on June 25. He hit .202 with the Flying Squirrels.
Maddox began the season as a member of the Detroit Tigers’ organization, but he was released on April 25th. On May 7th, the Giants signed the former Vol and assigned him to the Flying Squirrels.
Lady Vols in the WNBA
As the WNBA season heats up, here’s a look at how former Lady Vols are performing for their respective teams.
Candace Parker, F, Los Angeles Sparks
Parker helped lead the Sparks to two wins last week. On June 30, she scored 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting against Chicago. Parker added six rebounds, three assists, a block, and a steal. In 28 minutes against Washington on Sunday, she had seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
On the season, Parker is averaging 9.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in six games after making her debut eight games into the season.
It’s raining assists at the Staples Center ?️ @Candace_Parker #GoSparks pic.twitter.com/M00yXjrmkl
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 7, 2019
Mad handles. ? @Candace_Parker #GoSparks pic.twitter.com/IjZlIXN6gp
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 30, 2019
Shekinna Stricklen, G/F, Connecticut Sun
In one game last week, a loss to Minnesota, Stricklen scored six points and picked up two assists in 20 minutes. She was 2-of-5 from the field and 2-of-3 from three.
Glory Johnson, F, Dallas Wings
On Sunday, Johnson scored four points on 2-of-4 shooting in a loss to Chicago as she returned from injury. Johnson also grabbed three rebounds and picked up two steals.
Welcome back to the @DallasWings, Glory Johnson. Nice feed from @Arike_O. #WNBA pic.twitter.com/BRt3B4L9tt
— Selby Lopez (@LopezSelby31) July 7, 2019
Mercedes Russell, C, Seattle Storm
Russell’s Storm squad lost all three games last week, but the former Lady Vol had a strong week on the court. Last Sunday, she scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished an assist, and recorded a block. Russell then scored 19 on Tuesday while also picking up five rebounds, a steal, and a block. She did struggle on Sunday, however, scoring just two points, though she did have nine rebounds.
? A career day from @MerSladezz
makes her your @aotwcasino Player of The Game!! ?#WeRepSeattle pic.twitter.com/70J2wkNYIZ— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 3, 2019
Diamond DeShields, G, Chicago Sky
DeShields scored 23, 11, and 10 last week as the Sky went 1-2. In her 23-point performance, DeShields was 7-of-19 from the floor and 3-of-6 from the 3-point line. She also had five rebounds and a steal.
Isabelle Harrison, F, Dallas Wings
Dallas went 1-2 last week as Harrison scored double-figures twice. She scored 12 points twice and seven points in the mid-week game. On Sunday, Harrison had eight rebounds, two blocks, two steals, and an assist to go along with her 12 points.
