Author: zildjian

 

Like fellow Japanese import Rui Hachimura, Yuta Watanabe became an NBA star after making his way to the league.

 

Yuta Watanabe, a Japanese professional basketball player with the Brooklyn Nets, is a defensive connoisseur. 

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Watanabe is the first person of Japanese ancestry to get a Division I basketball scholarship from the NCAA. Additionally, he was honored as the conference’s defensive player of the year for the Atlantic 10.

 

His tenacity, effort, and basketball IQ stand out in games. Watanabe has received high marks for his mobility and constant presence on both ends of the game.

 

Learn fascinating details about Yuta Watanabe, a Japanese professional basketball player. Check out the illustrated quick facts first.

 

Quick Facts

Full Name	Yuta Watanabe
Birth Date	October 13, 1994
Birth Place	Yokohama, Japan
Nick Name	The Chosen One
Religion	Unknown
Nationality	Japanese
Ethnicity	Asian
High School	Jinsei Gakuen, Japan St. Thomas, Oakdale, Connecticut
College	George Washington (2014–2018)
Horoscope	Libra
Father’s Name	Hideyuki Watanabe
Mother’s Name	Kumi Kubota
Siblings	Yuki Watanabe (Sister)
Age	28 Years Old
Height	6’9”/2.03 m/203 cm
Weight	98 Kg/215 lb.
League	NBA
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Brown
Body Type	Athletic
Profession	NBA Player
Professional Career Teams	Memphis Grizzlies (2018–2020) Toronto Raptors (2020–2022) Raptors 905 (2022) Brooklyn Nets (2022–Present)
Draft In	2018/Undrafted
Jersey No.	18 (For Toronto Raptors)
Active Years in Basketball	2018-Present
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Marital Status	Engaged (May 26, 2022)
Girlfriend	Akiko Kuji
Kids	No
Net Worth	Between $1 Million-$5 Million
Position	Small Forward/Power Forward
Social Media	Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Merch	Signed Poster

 

 

Early Life & Family

 

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, is the place of birth for the Japanese defensive dynamo Watanabe. Watanabe was a local boy from Miki, Kagawa. Yuta is a Japanese national and an Asian by ancestry.

Basketball runs deep in his blood. Kumi Kubota, his mother, was a professional basketball player for the Chanson V-Magic and the Japanese national team.

 

Hideyuki Watanabe Sr. also was a professional baseball player with the Kumagai Gumi Bruins. Yuki Watanabe was a former member of the Aisin AW Wings.

 

After a long and successful basketball career, his sister transitioned into coaching in 2018, primarily working with the junior high school squad.

 

Growing up, he cheered for the Los Angeles Lakers and idolized Kobe Bryant.

 

Age, Height & Weight 

 

Watanabe is 28, having entered this world on October 13, 1994.

 

He stands at 2.03 meters tall and weighs around 215 pounds. Watanabe has kept up his strength and athleticism.

 

Basketball Career

High School Career

 

Yuta Watanabe decided to attend high school in Kagawa, and he chose Jinsei Gakuen. Watanabe’s basketball team finished in second place at the All Japan High School Tournament. 

 

In basketball, he averaged 13 points and six rebounds per game in 2013 while attending St. Thomas More Preparatory High School in Oakdale, Connecticut.

 

He contributed to the team’s success as they went on to triumph in the National Prep Championship and finish with a record of 26-8.

 

Watanabe played in his first National Prep School Invitational game in January 2014, scoring 12 points against Suffield Academy. Similarly, in a 70-61 victory over Spain’s Canarias Basketball Academy, he scored 20 points and grabbed six boards.

 

He was selected to the All-Tournament Team at the National Prep School Invitational. He was also named to the All-League First Team in Class AAA for the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council.

 

He was also named “the Chosen One” by The Japan Times.

 

So, ESPN Recruiting Nation gave Watanabe a 77-valued three-star ranking, and Scout.com gave him the same grade.

 

College Career

 

Watanabe enrolled at George Washington University as a first-year student (2014).

 

Watanabe made history when he was awarded a Division I basketball scholarship as the first Japanese-born athlete in the history of the NCAA.

The Washington Post and the New York Times ran features on him once he enrolled at George Washington.

 

Watanabe made his first collegiate appearance for George Washington in a game against Grambling State in November of 2014, playing 20 minutes and contributing eight points, seven rebounds, and a block. The 92-40 victory was the team’s most impressive since 1999.

 

As a result of his performance in the 2014 Diamond Head Classic championship game, when he averaged 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds, Watanabe was awarded Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week in December 2014.

 

On March 7 against Massachusetts, Yuta scored a career-high 21 points, including a season-high seven 3-pointers. Watanabe also received his second Rookie of the Week award from the Atlantic 10.

 

This made him the only Rookie to win Rookie of the Week more than once in a season since Lasan Kromah in 2009-2010 when he won three times.

 

Junior Team

 

Watanabe recorded his first double-double in a 77-75 victory over Siena in November 2016.

 

In addition, he averaged 12.2 points per game to become George Washington’s second-leading scorer. Because of this, he was selected for the All-Defense Team in the Atlantic 10.

 

Senior Team

 

In a game against Rider in November 2017, Yuta Watanabe had 13 rebounds, a new personal best.

 

On November 29, he set a new personal best with five steals against Morgan State. The last game was a 72-56 victory over Fordham, with Watanabe scoring a career-high 31 points.

 

As a result, he received recognition as the best defender in the Atlantic 10. He made history by becoming the first colonial to take home the prize.

 

In addition, he was named the Atlantic 10’s defensive player of the year and to the conference’s all-third team.

 

In conclusion, Watanabe had an outstanding career at George Washington, where he was recognized and rewarded for his efforts.

 

Professional Career

Memphis Grizzlies

 

Watanabe, undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, participated in the NBA Summer League with the Brooklyn Nets.

 

A two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies followed. In his season debut against the Phoenix Suns in October 2018, he came off the bench to average 2 points and two rebounds.

 

As a result, he followed Yuta Tabuse as the second Japanese player to suit up for an NBA team. In addition, Watanabe spent most of the season playing for the Memphis Hustles of the G League.

 

Watanabe played in all 33 games of the 2020-21 NBA G League season, averaging 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 assists per game.

 

Watanabe led the Memphis Hustle to a 130-126 win over the Iowa Wolves in January of 2020, with a game-high 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, and 2-of-4 from outside the arc to go along with seven boards, four blocks, two assists, and two steals.

 

As a result, Watanabe received Western Conference Midseason All-NBA G League honors.

 

Toronto Raptors

 

On December 19, 2020, Watanabe signed a deal with the Raptors to help fill out their preseason roster.

 

On December 31, in his first game with the Toronto Raptors, they beat the New York Knicks, and he contributed four rebounds, an assist, a block, and a steal in nine minutes of action.

 

Then, against the Sacramento Kings in January of 2021, he scored 12 points off the bench while shooting 80.0 percent from the floor, adding six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

He hurt his left ankle while working out on February 9, 2021. On February 18, he played against the Milwaukee Bucks after missing four games due to injury.

 

Watanabe’s 21 points in a 113-102 win over the Orlando Magic in April 2021 were a career-best. He shot 7-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from deep.

 

Watanabe was out for roughly 18 games this year because of a sprained left calf. He returned in 14 minutes of action against the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring three points and blocking two shots.

 

His double-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2021 included 26 points and 13 rebounds.

 

National Team Career

 

At only 18 years old, Yuta Watanabe helped lead Japan to a bronze medal in the 2013 East Asia Basketball Championship, in which he made his senior team debut.

 

At that moment, he had led his team to a 101-53 victory over Macau on the strength of 22 points and 14 rebounds.

 

Similarly, he helped them finish in ninth place in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship by playing in four games and averaging 5.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists.

 

Therefore, Watanabe was included in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament’s 12-man roster, contributing 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

 

So, he’ll attend the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019. On average, he scored 15.6 points per contest and added 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

 

Achievements and Awards

 

The Japanese player has accomplished the following:

 

• Winner of the A-10 Defensive MVP Award (2018)

• Atlantic 10 Third Team Honoree (2018)

• All-Defensive Team selection for two years in a row by the Atlantic 10 (2017, 2018)

• In the 2013 edition of the East Asian Basketball Championship, the men’s team placed third.

 

Engaged for Akiko Kuji

 

Akiko Kuji is Yuta Watanabe’s fiancee. After meeting for the first time at the 2019 Basketball World Cup, the two decided to be engaged on May 26, 2022.

 

Japanese announcer, model, tarento, and actor Akiko Kuji was born on July 13, 1994, in Ōshū, Iwate, Japan.

 

She lived in Iwate Prefecture for 18 years, attending schools there until she earned degrees in economics from Mizusawa High School and Aoyama Gakuin University.

 

After breaking into the business, Akiko was chosen to represent the Asahi Kasei Group as their 2014 campaign model. In July of that year, she made her acting debut on television in the drama “Kin Kyori Renai: Season Zero.”

 

From 2014 to April 2017, she modeled exclusively for non-no magazines. She started working as an announcer for Fuji Television in April 2017, and she stayed there until April 30, 2022, when she decided to become independent.

 

On May 1, 2022, Akiko signed again with the modeling and acting agency Incent to resume her career.

 

Yuta’s Match Video Breaks Internet Records!

 

Yuta Watanabe became an internet sensation during the Nets’ 116-125 loss to the Pacers on October 29, 2022.

 

The Pacers scored two points because of his incorrect dunk, which cost his team the game.

 

Watanabe accepted his error and apologized to his squad and coach despite the humiliation of the situation.

 

His coach and teammates lauded his effort and enthusiasm, even if the Nets ultimately fell short. He promised himself that he would grow from the ordeal and go on.

 

Trivia 

 

• Yuta enjoys various media, especially books, music, and Naruto and Dragon Ball Z anime series.

• In an interview with The Athletics in April of 2021, Kevin Durant praised Watanabe for his versatility, work ethic, and natural ability.

• In 2022, Watanabe’s jersey outsold those of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura in Japan.

 

Social Media Presence 

 

Yuta Watanabe, a phenomenal basketball player, has amassed a large fan base online.

 

That means the date of the count is March 2023.

 

• Instagram: 414K Followers

• Facebook: 15K Followers

• Twitter: 232.7K Followers

 

Yuta often provides well-crafted subtitles that reflect on many aspects of his life.

 

In his most recent entry, he expressed appreciation to his parents and noted how he could remain composed and peaceful in adversity.

 

Salary and Net Worth

 

As of 2023, one of the most well-known basketball players, Yuta Watanabe, has a net worth of between $1 and $5 million.

 

On August 28, 2022, Yuta signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Nets after participating in the team’s preseason on Exhibit 9 contract.

 

He will earn $1,968,175 each year on an unguaranteed contract that will cost his team $1,836,090 (1.48 percent of the total salary cap) to carry.

 

His predicted pay for the next year, 2020/21, is also $1,762,796. His previous salary with the Grizzlies for 2019-20 was $79,568.

 

Who is Akiko Kuji?

Akiko Kuji was born on July 13, 1994, in Iwate Prefecture.

She’s one of the top models working today. She is one of the most well-known individuals in history that share her birthday (July 13). She hails from Iwate Prefecture, where she became one of the world’s highest-paid models. She is also one of the world’s top fashion models.

 

Quick Facts

First Name	Akiko
Last Name	Kuji
Profession	Fashion Model
Age	25 years old
Birth Sign	Cancer
Birth Date	July 13, 1994
Birth Place	Iwate Prefecture
Country	Japan
Marital Status	Engaged
Fiancee	Yuta Watanabe
Career	Host, Model, Tarento, and Actress
Net Worth	$1-5 million

 

Career

 

Japanese announcer, model, tarento, and actor Akiko, lived in Iwate Prefecture for 18 years, attending schools there until she earned degrees in economics from Mizusawa High School and Aoyama Gakuin University.

 

After breaking into the business, Akiko was chosen to represent the Asahi Kasei Group as their 2014 campaign model. In July of that year, she made her acting debut on television in the drama “Kin Kyori Renai: Season Zero.”

 

From 2014 to April 2017, she modeled exclusively for non-no magazines. She started working as an announcer for Fuji Television in April 2017, and she stayed there until April 30, 2022, when she decided to become independent.

 

On May 1, 2022, Akiko signed again with the modeling and acting agency Incent to resume her career.

 

Relationship Status

 

Akiko Kuji is Yuta Watanabe’s fiancee. After meeting for the first time at the 2019 Basketball World Cup, the two decided to be engaged on May 26, 2022.

 

Akiko Kuji Net Worth

 

Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb, and other online sites estimate that Akiko Kuji, a prominent fashion model, has a net worth of $1-5 million. She was a successful fashion model and deserved the pay. They say she’s an Iwate native.

 

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News

 

American professional basketball player Cam Thomas currently suits up for the Brooklyn Nets. The 2020 top shooting guard recruit is a unanimous five-star prospect.

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On February 3, 2023, Thomas became the youngest NBA player in history to record three straight games with 40+ points after scoring 43 points in a defeat to the Suns.

 

This season, only a select few players in the league have scored 40 or more points in consecutive games.

 

Cam has joined the ranks of other great scorers like Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry by scoring 40 points or more in a game.

 

Things are about to get rough for the Nets. With Kyrie Irving now playing for the Mavericks and Kevin Durant for the Suns, the Nets’ second-year guard has stepped up to run the show.

 

There is no doubt that Thomas plays games that are pleasing to the eye, yet even his professional attractiveness cannot shield him from controversy.

 

On February 9, 2023, after his team’s 116-105 victory over the Bulls, he gave a postgame interview in which he used “derogatory and disparaging language,” for which he was fined $40,000. Listen in to hear the rest of the tale.

 

Quick Facts

Full Name	Cameron Bouchea Thomas
Known As	Cam Thomas
Nickname	Cam
Birthdate	October 13, 2001
Age	21 Years Old
Birthplace	Yokosuka, Japan
Current Residence	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Father’s Name	Dale MacMillan
Mother’s Name	Leslie Thomas
Siblings	Shaniece Collins (Elder sister)
Nationality	American
Marital Status	Unmarried
Girlfriend	None
Children	None
Built	Athletic
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Dark-brown
Weight	210 lb / 95 kg
Height	6 ft 4 in / 1.93 m / 193 cm
Ethnicity	African-American
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Profession	Professional Basketball Player
Education	Oscar F. Smith High School  Oak Hill Academy Louisiana State University
NBA Draft	Brooklyn Nets: 2021/Round: 1/Pick 27th Overall
Awards & Achievements	First-team All-SEC (2021)
Playing Career	2021-Present
Association	Brooklyn Nets (2021-Present) Long Island Nets (2021, NBA G-League)
Position	Shooting Guard
Roster Status	Active
Salary	$2.61 Million
Net Worth	$1-$5 Million
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter
Merch	Signed Photo

 

 

Early Life & Education

Early Life

 

Cam Thomas, a 21-year-old shooting guard for the Brooklyn Nets, was born in Yokosuka, Japan, on October 13, 2001, to parents Leslie Thomas and Dale MacMillan.

 

Cam’s mother raised him, thus he doesn’t have a close relationship with his father.

 

Cam has said that his mother significantly influenced his upbringing and taught him the value and importance of hard work and discipline.

 

Sportsmanship runs in the family since Leslie served in the military and played basketball in high school and middle school herself.

 

Cam’s interest in basketball was piqued when he watched his older sister, Shaniece Collins, play the game. Later, Thomas would learn from his sister.

 

Interestingly, he won a contest by making 33 straight free throws when he was seven.

 

Education

 

Cam spent his first year at Oscar F. Smith High School before transferring to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.

 

He had a successful time in high school. He won the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League’s Offensive Player of the Year award for 2019.

 

He chose Louisiana State over UCLA on November 18, 2019, after an outstanding high school career.

 

Cam forewent his remaining collegiate eligibility and entered the 2021 NBA Draft on April 15.

 

Career

 

The Nets selected Cam in the first round of the 2021 NBA Draft, and he will play with fellow first-round choice Marcus Zegarowski. (round two, 49th overall).

 

While with the Brooklyn Nets, he participated in the 2021 NBA Summer League, where he was crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

 

On August 5, 2021, Cam Thomas became the club’s newest rookie signee.

 

On October 19, 2021, he made his first appearance in an NBA game, a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 104-127.

 

In 67 games (two starts) as a rookie in 2021-22, he averaged 8.5 points, 1.2 assists, and 2.4 rebounds.

 

The 2022 NBA Summer League roster for the Nets includes Thomas as well.

 

Cam, at 21 years old, scored 43 pts in a 116-112 defeat to the Phoenix Suns on February 7, 2023, becoming the youngest NBA player to have three consecutive 40-point games.

 

LeBron James, a superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers, scored 38 points as his team lost 133-130 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the same day, he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,388 points.

 

At 19 years and 88 days old, James is the youngest player in the basketball history of the NBA to score 40 points (precisely 41 points).

 

He played 28 minutes and scored 18 points on March 26 in a loss to the Orlando Magic.

 

After losing to OKC, San Antonio, Denver, and Orlando in a row, he and his squad faced elimination.

 

Net Worth & Contracts

 

As of 2023, shooting guard Cam Thomas of the Brooklyn Nets has a net worth of anywhere from $1 million to $5 million.

 

Cam’s brand endorsement partnerships help supplement his NBA salary.

 

Cam Thomas, a rookie, inked a multiyear endorsement deal with Adidas in September 2021.

 

He was one of five players that year (with Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Sharife Cooper, and Jalen Suggs) to sign a contract with Adidas.

 

However, both parties have kept the contract’s monetary terms secret from the public.

 

Given the star rookie’s acclaim, its value is likely in the millions.

 

Contracts

 

On August 5, 2021, the Brooklyn Nets and rookie forward Cameron Thomas agreed to a four-year, $10.46 million contract.

 

The agreement includes a $2.61 million yearly salary over the guaranteed sum.

 

Cam will have a basic salary of $2.13 million in 2022–23.

 

The Nets picked up a $2.24 million option for the 2023-24 campaign on October 17, 2022.

 

Cam can sign a rookie extension after the 2023–24 season that could pay him an average of $35.31 million per year for a total of $205 million.

 

Controversy

 

Cam’s professional career seemed to be going well until he made an anti-gay slur in a postgame interview.

 

During a postgame interview after the Nets’ February 9, 2023, victory over the Chicago Bulls, Cam used “derogatory and disparaging language,” earning him a $40,000 punishment from the NBA.

 

On-court reporter TNT questioned him about teammate Spencer Dinwiddie’s claims that the squad didn’t recruit the best players but the most attractive ones.

 

Cam said, “We already had good-looking guys,” before ending his sentence with an anti-gay insult.

 

He apologized after the social media event, but it hasn’t gone down well with his followers.

 

During the postgame interview, Thomas uttered a term that some people could find offensive. “I was joking around because I was overjoyed with the victory. I didn’t want to be offensive, but I was. Once again, I apologize. Much affection”

 

Girlfriend and Social Media Presence 

 

Nobody knows anything about Cameron Thomas’s personal life.

 

However, his supporters are confident he can help the Brooklyn Nets recover from the loss of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

 

Cam maintains a sizable social media presence, having over 185,000 Instagram followers and over 30,000 on Twitter.

 

His games and highlight videos from practice are documented on Instagram.

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News

 

On July 8, 2022, Edmond Sumner signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets, where he now serves as a shooting guard.

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The New Orleans Pelicans initially took Edmond in the 2017 N.B.A. draught before being traded to the Indiana Pacers.

 

He didn’t get much playing time as a rookie, but he could step in and contribute when other players became hurt.

 

Edmond’s career best is 29 points, which he scored on February 4, 2023, after being moved to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.

 

Edmond started his career in the pros after a collegiate stint with the Xavier Musketeers.

 

A severe concussion, shoulder injury, and persistent tendinitis in his knees all impacted his collegiate career.

 

Sumner’s path in basketball might have easily ended in catastrophe. His older brother died of cancer last year.

 

Despite the devastating setback, Edmond never stopped playing basketball.

 

Sumner is married to his longtime girlfriend, Audra Thompson, and is a family man when he’s not playing basketball.

 

Quick Facts

Full Name	Edmond Byron Sumner
Known As	Edmond Sumner
Date of Birth	December 31, 1995
Age	27 Years Old
Birth Place	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Nationality	American
Father’s Name	Ernest Sumner
Mother’s Name	Felicia Sumner
Siblings	Two
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Relationship Status	Married
Wife’s Name	Audra Thompson
Height	6 feet 4 inches/ 193 cm/ 1.93 m
Weight	196 lbs/ 88 kg
Education	Detroit Country Day Xavier (2014-2017)
NBA Draft	2017/ Round: 2/ Pick: 52nd Overall
Playing Career	2017-Present
Current Team	Brooklyn Nets (2022- Present)
Awards & Achievements	Second-team All-Big East (2016)
Position	Shooting Guard/ Point Guard
Jersey Number	4
Annual Salary of 2022-23	$1.9 Million
Net Worth	$1.5 Million- $3 Million
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter

 

 

Family Background

 

On December 31, 1995, in Detroit, Michigan, Edmond Sumner was born to Felicia and Ernest Sumner.

 

Ernest Sumner, his father, graduated from Highland Park Community High. 

 

Edmond Sumner’s brother Ernest Sumner Jr. and sister Shanequa Sumner are his siblings.

 

Edmond’s older brother, Ernest Sumner Jr., was born on February 6, 1988, and he lost his courageous battle with illness on February 19, 2018.

 

Shanequa, Edmond’s older sister, shares parentage with him between a boy and a daughter. She was born on March 24.

 

Age, Height & Body Measurements

 

Ernest Sumner, 2023, will be 27 years old.

 

He pulls at 6 feet, 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and 196 pounds. (88 kg).

 

His wingspan is 6’9 inches (2.05 m), while his standing reach is 8 feet and 6.5 inches (2.6 m).

 

High School and College Basketball Career

 

Edmond Sumner was the team captain and averaged 19.5 pts, 4.5 rebs, 3.0 assists, and 1.9 steals per game as a senior at Detroit Country Day.

 

Edmond was a member of the Xavier Musketeers’ roster for three seasons, from 2014–15 to 2016–17.

 

Due to persistent knee inflammation, he was limited to six games in his first season.

 

His career best in points was 28 against Georgetown for Xavier on December 31, 2016.

 

NBA Career

 

The New Orleans Pelicans selected Sumner in the 2017 N.B.A. Draft; the Pelicans then traded for him to the Indiana Pacers.

 

He made his N.B.A. debut against the Charlotte Hornets on April 10, 2018, and played for three minutes. During the 2017–18 season, he was a part of only that game.

 

While he didn’t see much action in the 2018–19 season, everything changed when teammate Victor Oladipo was injured.

 

He made his NBA debut on January 28, 2019, against the Golden State Warriors.

 

He participated in 108 games for the Indiana Pacers between 2017-18 and 2020-21, scoring an average of 5.7 points per contest.

 

Sumner suffered an Achilles tendon tear and missed the 2021–22 season.

 

In a thrilling 125-123 victory over the Washington Wizards on February 4, 2023, he scored a career-high 29 points for the Brooklyn Nets.

 

Net Worth & Contracts

 

Net Worth

 

Edmond Sumner has amassed a net worth between $1.5 and $3 million thanks to his successful career as a professional basketball player.

 

In addition, he models for a number of other companies, like R.O.K. M.I.A., Grind Grind Clothing, Detroit VS. Everybody, and Burning Bush, among others.

 

Contracts

 

After the New Orleans Pelicans picked Edmond Sumner with the 52nd overall choice in the 2017 N.B.A. Draft, they promptly traded him to the Indiana Pacers for $1 million.

 

On July 5, 2017, Sumner inked a two-year, two-way deal with the Indiana Pacers and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

 

On February 11, 2019, he signed a two-year, $2.04 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.

 

The Pacers made their qualifying offer to Sumner on July 29, 2019, for $1.8 million. The Pacers re-signed him for another two years for $4.16 million, with a club option for 2021.

 

On July 30, 2021, the Pacers picked up a $2.32 million option for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

 

On October 6, 2021, Juan Vaulet was sent to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the services of Sumner and a future round selection.

 

But the Nets cut ties with him four days later.

 

He inked a two-year, $4.2 million deal with the Nets on July 8, 2022, earning a yearly average of $2.1 million.

 

Couple’s Status: Married

 

At the Ritz Charles Garden Pavilion in Indianapolis on August 5, 2022, Edmond Sumner wed Audra Thompson (born December 3).

 

In July of 2021, Edmond popped the question to Audra while on vacation in the Bahamas.

 

They started dating while they were both students at Xavier.

 

Audra has worked in various retail roles, including as a store manager at Call It Spring and as a Saks Fifth Avenue style department consultant.

 

She is presently employed at Nordstrom as a style consultant in Indianapolis.

 

They show their love for one another by constantly sharing photos of themselves online.

 

Sumner’s Children

 

Audra announced the pregnancy of her daughter Amara, expected in March 2023, on Instagram in December 2022.2 Her spouse is an N.B.A. star.

 

Edmond tweeted on February 28, 2022, that his wife was in labor and that he was praying for her and their unborn child’s safety.

 

“I’ve never felt such a mix of elation and anxiety. My wife is about to go through labor, and I ask God to protect her and our unborn child.”

 

Edmond tweeted on 3/2/2023, confirming their safety and adding, “GOD IS AMAZING.”

 

Social Media Presence

 

The Brooklyn Nets shooting guard has gained 33.9k and 13.6k followers on Instagram and Twitter, respectively, thanks to his aggressive usage of both networks.

 

He often updates them with information on his basketball career and training and images of himself and his wife together.

 

In addition, he promotes the products he favors through his social media accounts. 

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News

 

Dru Smith, an American professional basketball player born on December 30, 1997, has a two-way deal with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets. He participated in college hoops with the Missouri Tigers and Evansville Purple Aces.

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Quick Facts

Name	Dru Smith
Position	Shooting guard
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	December 30, 1997 (age 25)
	Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
Father	Leonard Smith
Mother	Kendra Giles
Siblings	Jaxon, Jadlen, Riley, and Daveon
Marital Status	Married
Wife	Marley Miller
Salary/Networth	$251,521
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	203 lb (92 kg)
Career information
High school	FJ Reitz
	(Evansville, Indiana)
College	Evansville (2016–2018)
	Missouri (2019–2021)
NBA draft	2021 / Undrafted
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021–2023	Sioux Falls Skyforce
2022	Miami Heat
2023–present	Brooklyn Nets
2023–present	→Long Island Nets
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-SEC – Coaches (2021)
Second-team All-SEC – AP (2021)
SEC All-Defensive Team (2021)
MVC Most Improved Team (2018)
MVC All-Freshman Team (2017)

 

 

Family Background

 

Dru Smith, born on December 30, 1997, in Evansville, Indiana, is an American professional basketball player. Dru Smith’s parents are reportedly Leonard Smith and Kendra Giles. Has four siblings: Jaxon, Jadlen, Riley, and Daveon.

 

High School Career

 

Smith went to Evansville, Indiana’s FJ Reitz High School. As a starting point guard with Jaelan Sanford and Alex Stein in his junior year, he averaged 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. With Smith’s aid, his team went 29-2 and competed for the Class 4A state championship. He led Reitz to a 22-5 record and the Class 4A regional championships as a senior, averaging 20.8 points, 7.3 assists, seven rebounds, and 4.1 steals per game. Smith has been selected to play for the Indiana All-Stars. Despite scholarship offers from Ball State, Northern Kentucky, South Alabama, and Indiana State, he decided to play collegiate basketball for Evansville. Smith chose this institution because of its proximity to his house.

College Career

 

Evansville

 

Smith made five three-pointers and scored 19 points in Evansville’s 109-83 defeat against Wichita State on February 22, 2017. He was titled to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) All-rookie Team after averaging 5.3 points, 2.9 assists, and 2.6 rebs per game as a rookie. In a 91-76 victory over Bowling Green on December 5, 2017, Smith scored a season-high 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting and added seven assists and four steals. As a sophomore, he led the MVC with a 48.2 three-point field goal percentage, averaging 13.7 points, 4.6 assists, and two steals per game. He earned a spot on the MVC’s Most Improved Squad.

 

Missouri

 

Smith chose Missouri over Xavier and Virginia Tech, where he had scholarship offers after his sophomore year, and moved there.[9] Because of NCAA transfer regulations, he had to sit out the following season. He recorded his first double-double against Xavier (63-58 in overtime) on November 12, 2019, scoring 22 points and grabbing ten rebounds. His 28 points against 11th-ranked Auburn in an 85-73 win on February 15, 2020, were a junior season best. Smith scored 12.7 points per game while contributing 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals as a junior. He stole 64 bases, the most in the SEC and sixth in school history. Smith scored 14.3 points per game as a senior and added 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 steals.

 

Professional Career

 

Miami Heat/Sioux Falls Skyforce (2021–2023)

Smith signed with the Miami Heat on September 10, 2021, after participating in the 2021 NBA Summer League after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft. Before the start of the season, he was released and became an affiliate player for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Smith was released on February 1, 2022, after a knee injury ended his season.

 

The Miami Heat gave Smith a two-way deal on October 13, 2022. On November 13, he was released by the Heat and immediately signed with the Skyforce. Smith was re-signed to a two-way deal with the Heat on November 25, 2022. However, he was released on December 11 and re-signed with Skyforce the following day.

 

Brooklyn Nets (2023–present)

 

The Brooklyn Nets and Smith agreed to a two-way deal on January 13, 2023.

 

Relationship Status

 

Dru Smith grew up in Evansville and attended the University of Evansville, where he participated in the basketball program. There, he started dating Marley Miller, a basketball player for the Purple Aces.

 

The two have a long history of sharing a love of basketball on and off the court. Miller was Smith’s first choice as a collegiate rebounder.

 

After she graduated from college, Miller followed Smith to Columbia, Missouri, and he relocated there to attend the University of Missouri. They got engaged in 2020 and tied the knot on June 12, 2021, both residents of Evansville.

 

In the 2021 NBA draft, Smith was not selected. He became an affiliate player for the Miami Heat, playing for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. His wife followed him to Sioux Falls, and she also found a job there.

 

What comes next for shooting guard Dru Smith and his wife remains to be seen after he signed a two-way deal with the Brooklyn Nets. While in Brooklyn, Marley has been posting photos to social media.

 

Salary and Net Worth

 

His expected salary with the Brooklyn Nets is $251,521, whereas with the Miami Heat, it was $122,836. 

 

He’s the 18th highest-paid player on the Brooklyn Nets and the 241st highest-paid guard in the NBA this season. Aaron Reilly of AMR Agency is his agent.

 

Who is Marley Nix Miller?

 

Dru Smith signed a deal for a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets in January of 2023. A new WAG and a young shooting guard have joined the franchise. Since Dru Smith began playing in the NBA, the couple has remained together. Since Smith played collegiate basketball in Evansville, he has improved dramatically, and most of the credit for this goes to his former coach, the erstwhile Marley Miller. It is reported that she can outrun her husband on the court and has an impressive athletic history. In this Marley Smith bio, we give you an inside look at who she is.

 

Quick Facts

NAME	Marley Nix Miller
NICKNAME	Marley
AGE	26 Years
BIRTH	March 14, 1997 Illinois
SPOUSE	Dru Smith (2021-present)
SIBLINGS	Blake, Quinn
PARENTS	Missy Mitchell (Mother), Chris Miller (Father)
NATIONALITY	American
JOB	Teacher/Entrepreneur
OWNS	Sweat x Smith
ALUMNI	University of Evansville, Richland County High School

 

 

Marley Smith’s Family

 

Marley Nix Miller was born in Olney, Illinois, on March 14, 1997. Missy Mitchell and Chris Miller are her parents.

Marley had two brothers while she was growing up, Blake and Quinn. Quinn is a multi-sport athlete at his school.

 

Missy Mitchell, their mom, is employed by the local school district and runs businesses in the fashion and mental health industries.

 

Marley Smith’s Education and Career

 

Basketball was a big part of Marley Miller’s high school experience at Richland County. The injury tragically ended the final year of the young athlete’s stellar performance.

 

Miller spent one year as a junior college athlete at Vincennes University. Later, she shifted her academic focus to the University of Evansville.

 

Miller, who had to sit out the 2016–17 campaign due to an injury, appeared in 29 games with the Purple Aces in 2017–18, including 21 starts. She graduated in 2019 with a degree in elementary education.

 

She got a job teaching fifth grade at Columbia, Missouri’s Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary School in 2019 and stayed there through 2021. After that, in 2021 and ’22, she was employed by the Sioux Falls School District in South Dakota.

 

Marley Smith has been thinking about starting her own business since 2020. She established the athleisure apparel website Sweat x Smith.

 

Marley Smith and Dru Smith’s Relationship

 

Dru Smith is an Evansville native and former University of Evansville, basketball player. There, he began dating Purple Aces basketball player Marley Miller.

 

The two have been friends for a long time and share a common interest in basketball. As a college rebounder, Miller was Smith’s first choice.

 

After Smith’s senior year of college, Miller decided to attend the University of Missouri and moved to Columbia, Missouri, near her. They both call Evansville, Indiana home and set their wedding date on June 12, 2021, after an engagement in 2020.

 

Smith was undrafted in the 2021 NBA draught. He signed with the Miami Heat’s minor league affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. His wife eventually joined him in Sioux Falls, where she secured employment.

 

Dru Smith, a shooting guard, recently signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, but his future with the team and his wife is uncertain. Marley has been busy uploading Brooklyn images to her social media accounts.

 

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News

 

Royce O’Neale has gone from being an overlooked player in the 2015 NBA draft to a star for the Utah Jazz in just a few short years. June 30, 2022, marked the day the small forward was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets.

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Royce O’Neale, a Texan who always knew he wanted to play basketball professionally in the NBA. 

 

In 2020, he began a four-year, $36 million contract extension with the Jazz because of his outstanding play.

 

The small forward is projected to have a net value of approximately $2 million by 2023.

 

No one would have predicted the O’Neale would significantly affect the NBA just a few years before 2015.

 

Quick Facts

Full Name	Royce Khalil O’Neale
Date of Birth	June 5, 1993
Birth Place	Killeen, Texas, U.S. A
Marital Status	No
Father’s Name	Roy O’Neale
Mother’s Name	Deborah Kingwood
Nationality	American
Age	29 Years Old
Profession	Basketball Player
Position	Small Forward
Franchises	Brooklyn Nets (Current), Salt Lake City Stars, Utah Jazz, Gran Canaria, Riesen Ludwigsburg (Former)
Shoes	Nike Kobe 5 Protro
Wingspan	6’10″/2.08 m/208 cm
Height	6’4″/1.93m/193 cm
Weight	103 kg/ 226 lb.
Hair Color	Black
Eye Color	Black
Active Since	2015-Present
NBA draft	2015 (Undrafted)
Salary	$9.2 million per year
Net Worth	$2 Million
Merch	Signed Card, Practice Shorts
Social Media	Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

 

 

Early Life, Family & Education

 

On June 5, 1993, in Killeen, Texas, Royce Khalil O’Neale was born to parents Deborah Kingwood and Roy O’Neale.

 

His family information is currently unknown. There are two possible explanations: either O’Neale does not have any, or he does not want to discuss them in the press. No matter the circumstances, we stand behind his choices.

 

The NBA great was given a hoop for his second birthday and was already a huge sports fan. When he was in grade 3, he joined an amateur basketball team.

 

Royce continued his schooling at Texas’s Harker Heights High School. Because of his stellar performance in high school, the number 00 on his uniform was honored.

 

After high school, he took advantage of a basketball scholarship offer from the University of Denver and enrolled there.

 

But after two years, he transferred to Baylor University, where he could be nearer to his house and family and continue his football career.

 

“My parents are the ones who got me into hoops. The jump stroke is something my mom taught me.” Royce O’Neal

 

Age, Height & Nationality

 

Royce will be 29 years old in 2023, having been born in 1993.

 

The original Texan is a twin (Gemini), and his birthdate is June 5. Those born under the sign of Gemini often display traits such as spontaneity, adaptability, and humor.

 

In addition, O’Neale is a svelte 103 kg (2.09 lb) and 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall. (226 pounds).

 

Since the typical height for a small forward is 6 feet 10 inches, he is a tad undersized for his position. (2.08 meters).

 

But O’Neale has gotten a bit sharper and faster than his rivals, which has helped him thrive.

 

Royce is a citizen of the United States and travels on an American visa.

 

Career & Stats

After the 2015 NBA lottery ended with Royce undrafted, he relocated to another region.

 

As a result, he moved to Germany to suit up for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Royce had a season in which he scored 8.1 points and 4.5 boards.

 

After that, he spent time with Herbalife Gran Canaria and Zalgiris Kaunas before finally making it to the NBA in 2017.

 

O’Neale first tasted the NBA in 2016 with the Golden State Warriors Summer League team before joining the Utah Jazz.

 

This prepared him well for life in the NBA, the top professional basketball competition.

 

NBA Career 

 

In his first year with the Jazz, O’Neale appeared in 80 games (including the postseason) and recorded career highs in points (6.1), assists (1.4), and rebounds (3.5) per contest.

 

Everyone had high hopes for the Texas product after his stellar performance in his first professional season.

 

Royce did just that, appearing in 82 games during the regular season while scoring 5.2 points, 3.5 boards, and 1.5 assists.

 

In addition, the Jazz front office gave him a new four-year contract in 2020 due to his outstanding play in the finals during the 2019 season.

 

Royce’s production has increased in increments since the 2018-19 season, with a 6.3, 7.0, and 7.4 points per game total in the following three seasons.

 

O’Neale was traded to the Brooklyn Nets on June 30, 2022, after an outstanding season with the Utah Jazz, in return for a first-round draft choice in 2023.

 

The small forward has started all 47 games he appeared in 2022-23, scoring 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

 

The Nets acquired O’Neale from the Warriors in return for a first-round selection in 2023. On November 17, 2022, he recorded his first triple-double in a 109-107 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

 

On January 8, 2023, he scored the game-winning putback in a victory over the Miami Heat.

 

Relationship Status

 

Regarding romantic involvement, Royce does not have any romance. We didn’t believe it at first, either.

 

We looked through his Instagram extensively but couldn’t locate any photos of his girlfriend.

 

It appears that O’Neale has never had a partner before. Royce could be a timid guy, after all. He may be very adept at keeping his romantic relationships under wraps.

 

Social Media Presence

 

The small forward, Royce, is a big social media user. He stays in contact with his devoted following by sharing photos of himself in action and with his colleagues, friends, and family.

 

You can find him at @rolls_royce00 on Instagram, @BucketsONeale00 on Twitter, and @Royce O’Neale on Facebook.

 

• Instagram: 149k followers

• Twitter: 57.7k followers

• Facebook: 24k followers

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News

 

Center Day’Ron Sharpe, who had a great rookie year with the North Carolina Tar Heels of the Atlantic Coast Conference, has been declared eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft. (ACC). After graduating from Montverde Academy, he participated in the Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit, and McDonald’s All-American.

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Quick Facts

Name	Day’Ron Sharpe
Position	Power forward / Center
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	November 6, 2001 (age 21)
	Greenville, North Carolina, U.S.
Mother	Michelle Sharpe
Father	Derrick Sharpe
Relationship Status	Single
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	265 lb (120 kg)
Net Worth	$2,000,000
Career information
High school	South Central
	(Winterville, North Carolina)
	Montverde Academy
	(Montverde, Florida)
College	North Carolina (2020–2021)
NBA draft	2021 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29th overall
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career	2021–present
Career history
2021–present	Brooklyn Nets
2021–2023	→Long Island Nets
Career highlights and awards
ACC All-Freshman Team (2021)
McDonald’s All-American (2020)

 

 

Family Background

 

Day’Ron Sharpe, a resident of Greenville, North Carolina, was born on November 6, 2001, with the zodiac sign of Scorpio. He is the only son of Derrick and Michelle, and he has two sisters and a sibling. He was born and welcomed in the United States and is of African descent. The 19-year-old is 265 pounds and 6 feet, 11 inches tall. (120 kg).

 

2021 NBA Draft Prospect

 

Sharpe is the seventh first-year player for the Tar Heels to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft, all under head coach Roy Williams. Nassir Little and Tony Bradley are outstanding NBA players who hailed from North Carolina. 

 

“I think I’m ready for the next level,” he declared. I don’t see any reason to give up now that I’ve come this far. His height, passing skills, and rebounding prowess indicate that he will be a first-round selection. He is 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 265 pounds. 

 

Tankathon has him coming to San Antonio at pick number 21, where he will undoubtedly face ridicule from the locals.

 

High School & College Career

 

His high school career began at South Central High School, where he posted impressive averages as a junior (14.3 points per game and 9.3 boards). As a sophomore, he scored 16.5 points per game and pulled down 10.7 boards on average the year after. He moved to Monteverde Academy to play in his final year of high school. He leads the squad in scoring (12.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg) and has them ranked first in the country by MaxPreps (25-0).

 

A five-star prospect, he became the first member of the class of 2020 to pledge to North Carolina on June 17, 2018. On November 25, 2020, as a rookie, he played against the College of Charleston and contributed 13 points and ten boards in a 79-60 victory.

 

Private Life

 

Sharpe, the rising high school basketball sensation, keeps his romantic feelings to himself. He could be seeing someone, but right now, he’s more concerned with his future than anything else: the NBA Draft. If he were in one, Sharpe would boast about his relationship status on Instagram. 

 

He has over 29,000 followers but has only posted eleven times, all basketball-related or featuring his parents and putting the family first, as the text puts it.

 

Salary & Net Worth

 

Although college basketball generates over $1 billion annually, only about $70 million is distributed to student-athletes through grants and stipends to cover basic living costs. If men’s basketball players in the most prestigious conferences shared half of the income, each player would be worth nearly $500,000.

 

Although colleges are not required to pay student-athletes, the new rule enables them to profit from agreements involving using their identities and likenesses.  

 

Since Sharpe has not disclosed any endorsements or partnerships, he is unlikely to secure any during his time as a student. His wealth in 2021 is still being calculated, but it’s safe to assume that he’ll make millions of dollars just from signing bonuses and expensive NBA contracts if he ever gets signed by a team.

 

With this new four-year, $10,317,802 contract from the Brooklyn Nets, Day’Ron Sharpe will earn an average of $2,579,451 annually. In 2021-22, Sharpe will gain a basic salary of $2,009,160, have a cap hit of $2,009,160, and have a dead cap value of $2,009,160.

 

 

Brooklyn Nets News