Delaware Blue Coats

76ers PR

NBA All-Star and Chester, PA native served as Assistant GM/76ers Scout since 2020

Ryan Ayers, JP Clark, and God Shammgod, Jr. complete Head Coach Mike Longabardi's staff

WILMINGTON – NOV. 10, 2023 – The Philadelphia 76ers announced today the promotion of Jameer Nelson to General Manager of the Delaware Blue Coats, the team’s NBA G League affiliate.

Nelson previously served as Blue Coats Assistant General Manager/76ers Scout since November 2020, a tenure that included three-straight trips to the G League Finals, a 2021 Winter Showcase Cup Title, and culminated with the 2022-23 NBA G League Championship.

"Jameer has approached his front office and scouting roles with the same tenacity that he approached the game during his playing career. He is a great talent evaluator who is well-respected by players, agents, coaches and executives alike, suiting him for success as the next General Manager of the Blue Coats," Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey said.

"Jameer succeeds Prosper Karangwa, who led the Blue Coats to their first-ever G League title last year and has done an incredible job in growing the program. We are thankful to Prosper for what he's done in Delaware and are grateful he's an integral member of our 76ers front office."

A 14-year NBA veteran, Nelson was named an All-Star in 2009 as a member of the Orlando Magic. Nelson was a first-round pick (No. 20 overall) of the Denver Nuggets in 2004 and averaged over 11 points, five assists and three rebounds across a career with Orlando, Dallas, Boston, Denver, New Orleans and Detroit. Collegiately, the Chester, Pennsylvania native starred at St. Joseph’s University, guiding the Hawks to the Elite Eight in 2004 and was named National Player of the Year, a first-team All-American selection and Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

The Blue Coats also announced the team’s coaching staff for the 2023-24 season. Under first-year head coach Mike Longabardi, newcomer Ryan Ayers completes the Blue Coats’ bench, joining returning assistant coaches JP Clark and God Shammgod Jr.

Ayers joins the Blue Coats after most recently serving as assistant coach for the U.S. Virgin Islands Men’s National Team. Prior to his time with FIBA, Ayers was an as assistant coach for Division I Notre Dame. A Fighting Irish alumnus himself, Ayers graduated ranked third in program history in three-point field goals made and eighth all-time in three-point field goal percentage. After a five-year professional career in Finland, France and the then-NBA D League (Fort Wayne, 2009-10 and Austin Toros, 2013), Ayers broke into the coaching ranks with his high school alma mater Germantown Academy and later was an assistant coach for Bucknell University.

Clark was named Assistant Coach in September 2021. Prior to joining the Blue Coats, Clark spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and one season with the Boston Celtics organization. Prior to joining the NBA ranks, he held roles at Colgate University and the University of Central Florida. Clark played Division II basketball at Flagler College and later earned a master’s degree from UCF.

Shammgod, Jr. was named Assistant Coach in October 2021. He previously served as assistant coach for Indiana University of Pennsylvania for two seasons and one season each at Fairmont State University and Youngstown State University. Shammgod, Jr. starred at Division II Fairmont State, leading the Falcons to three NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2017 National Championship game. He graduated as the school’s all-time assists leader.

The Blue Coats open the 2023-24 NBA G League season this Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. against the Westchester Knicks. The team will celebrate its 2022-23 NBA G League Championship with a pregame ring and banner ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at Chase Fieldhouse at 6 p.m. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, the Official Ticketing Partner of the Delaware Blue Coats.

The Delaware Blue Coats are the official NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. The Blue Coats are the reigning NBA G League Champions and have made three-straight trips to the Finals. The team won the 2021 Winter Showcase Cup. For ticket information, visit https://bluecoats.gleague.nba.com/tickets. The Delaware Blue Coats organization is a Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment property.

The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, training and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 31 teams, 29 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2023-24, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. 55 percent of all players on end-of-season 2022-23 NBA rosters boasted NBA G League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA Cares programs.

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Jameer Nelson Named Blue Coats General Manager

Lauren Rosen

The Delaware Blue Coats, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, defeated the Raptors 905, 127-100, on Tuesday night at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Florida to advance to the NBA G League Finals for the first time in franchise history. The No. 4 seed Delaware will meet the No. 6 seed, the Lakeland Magic, on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM.

The Blue Coats shot 19-43 (.442) from three-point range in the win over the Raptors 905 in the semifinals. The team dished out 36 assists, their highest assist total for any game this year, including the regular season. Delaware also had 17 steals as a group, which is also a season-high mark, after swiping at least 10 steals in 10 of their 15 regular season games and leading the G League in steals per game (11.3).

76ers two-way contract player Paul Reed posted a double-double with a game-high-tying 26 points (10-18 FG, 3-5 3FG, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks for the Blue Coats. Isaiah Joe, on assignment from the 76ers, made five three-pointers and finished with 24 points. Joe added five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Delaware’s Justin Robinson recorded a double-double with 18 points and a career-high 14 assists, while also tallying three steals. 76ers two-way contract player Rayjon Tucker had 16 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals. Rookie Braxton Key added 21 points (7-8 FG, 5-6 3FG, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in 19 minutes off the Blue Coats bench.

The Lakeland Magic are the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic. Lakeland posted wins over the No. 3 Erie BayHawks and the No. 2 Santa Cruz Warriors to reach the Finals.

Interactive Blue Coats game coverage will be available on Thursday via Blue Coats Gameday Huddle presented by DETV on the team’s Facebook page.

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Blue Coats Advance to NBA G League Finals

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Each week, “Coat Check” will highlight the Delaware Blue Coats, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The next win for the Delaware Blue Coats (21-19) will officially mark an improvement from last season.

But this year’s team seeks more than that. Entering a road-home back-to-back this weekend, the Blue Coats have 10 games remaining on their 50-game G League regular season schedule. They’re currently the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, where six teams will make the playoffs.

As we noted last week, the Delaware franchise record for wins in a season is 26, set during the 2016-17 campaign. Setting a new record by a couple of games would go a long way towards securing the first playoff berth in Blue Coats history.

Last Saturday at home against the Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls), Christ Koumadje notched what was then the 15th double-double of his rookie season with 13 points (6-12 fg, 1-2 ft) and a season-high 24 rebounds in 30 minutes to help the Blue Coats even the season series. Koumadje’s 24 rebounds matched the total for the most rebounds by a player in a single game in the G League this season (Eric Mika, Stockton Kings).

Zhaire Smith, who is averaging 13.5 points per game for the Blue Coats in his last six games while on assignment from the 76ers, had a number of highlight-reel dunks in last Saturday’s victory. Smith posted 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting against Windy City. He’s picked up a steal in five of the last six contests.

On Monday night in Washington D.C., the Coats matched last season’s win total (21) with a 105-102 victory over the Capital City Go-Go (Washington Wizards). With the game tied at 102, 76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok converted a straightaway 3-point field goal with 0.3 seconds remaining for what proved to be the game-winner.

On Long Island on Wednesday, Koumadje (averaging a league-leading 4.0 blocks per game) recorded six more blocked shots. The rookie’s season total now stands at 133 rejections. He is 35 blocks away from tying the G League single-season record (Kurt Looby).

Delaware fell to the Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets), despite the fourth 30+ point game of the season for Xavier Munford, who finished with 36 points (13-22 fg, 6-9 3fg, 2-3 ft), six rebounds, four assists and two steals In 36 minutes of action. 

The Blue Coats, averaging a league-best 7.5 blocks per game, racked up a season-most 14 rejections as a team against the Nets. They’ve blocked 10 shots or more on 11 times. 

Obligatory G League scoring leaderboard update: Shayok remains third (through Thursday night’s games) with 23.1 points per game.

Shayok has played nine more games (32) than each of the two players ranked ahead of him in the scoring race.

The Ottawa native secured his fourth double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds in 36 minutes against Long Island on Wednesday.

76ers second-year player Shake Milton, on how his time with the Blue Coats prepared him for the NBA:

“At first, you weren’t getting that many opportunities with the Sixers and you don’t really have the ball in your hands. So being able to go down [to Delaware] and really work on [my] game was big-time for me. That way, I was able to come up here and—when my opportunity was called—make the most of it.”

This Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on Twitch, the Blue Coats visit the Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors) in Mississauga, Ontario. The team returns to 76ers Fieldhouse on Sunday for a 2 p.m. meeting with the Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic) on NBA TV, DETV and 1450 WILM.

For information on Blue Coats tickets, visit SIXERS.COM/BlueCoats.

Follow the Blue Coats on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

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Coat Check | 3.6.20

Each week, “Coat Check” will highlight the Delaware Blue Coats, the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers. 

The 50-game NBA G League regular season is set to enter its final month. 

Despite a recent skid since returning from the NBA All-Star Break, the Delaware Blue Coats (19-18) remain in the hunt for the G League playoffs. The 12 upcoming games in March represent the busiest month of the entire season for the squad. Six home games in the final month of the regular season matches the team’s largest monthly total of the current campaign (also played six home games in November). 

Delaware’s next victory will mark its 20th win of the season. Last season, the team finished with a 21-29 record. The franchise record for wins is 26, set during the 2016-17 campaign.

After a stretch of eight days without a game, the Blue Coats returned to action last Friday at 76ers Fieldhouse and donned navy blue alternate uniforms on Beau Biden Foundation Night to support the protection of children. Doral Moore started for the home team and posted 14 points (7-9 fg), seven rebounds and a career-high nine (!) blocked shots in defeat. Moore currently ranks second in the league in field goal percentage (.728).

Zhaire Smith, playing in his 20th G League game of the season with the Blue Coats while on assignment from the Philadelphia 76ers, scored 17 points (7-12 fg, 2-6 3fg, 1-1 ft) in just 18 minutes. Smith is averaging 15.3 points per game since returning to the Coats and has recorded at least two 3-point field goals and one steal in each of the last three contests. 

On Tuesday night in Oshkosh, Wisconsin against the Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks), 76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok scored a game-high 33 points (13-23 fg, 3-8 3fg, 2-2 ft) with a season-high 14 rebounds and a season-high-tying seven assists in 34 minutes for the Blue Coats. Shayok has now registered four 30-plus point games and three double-doubles this season. In a five-point loss to the first-place Herd, Zhaire Smith scored 11 of his 13 points (5-10 fg, 3-6 3fg) in the second half for the Blue Coats. The G League’s leading shot blocker Christ Koumadje recorded six of Delaware’s 11 total blocked shots. The league-leading Blue Coats have swatted 10 shots or more 11 times this season.

Koumadje (4.0 blocks per game) added three more blocked shots in Thursday’s rematch against Wisconsin, bringing his rookie-season total to a staggering 121 rejections. The G League single-season record for blocks is 168, set by Kurt Looby a decade ago. Do the math and Koumadje is chasing history.

The G League trade deadline came and went on Thursday afternoon. Last Saturday, the Blue Coats acquired 7-foot-1 big man Dennis Clifford from the Austin Spurs in exchange for a 2020 second-round draft pick. On Deadline Day, the club acquired the returning player rights to Michael Frazier, Xavier Johnson and Hakim Warrick in three separate transactions.

Obligatory G League scoring leaderboard update: Shayok currently ranks third (through Thursday night’s games) with 23.2 points per game.

Without comparing the playing style of the two players below, check out Shayok’s G League scoring/shooting numbers next those of a guy who was featured right here in the Coat Check Two-Way Tracker all last season while with the Blue Coats—current 76er Shake Milton.

Shayok: 29 games played, 23.2 points per game, 8.9 field goals made per game, 19.6 field goals attempted per game

Milton: 27 games played, 24.9 points per game, 9.2 field goals made per game, 19.0 field goals attempted per game

Oh yeah, here are those Shayok highlights from his 33 point, 14 rebound double-double on Tuesday:

Marial Shayok, on what excites him for the rest of this season:

“I’m excited to just come together as a team and hopefully make that playoff push. I think if we can get into the playoffs and just take it a game at a time, we have a pretty good chance.”

Delaware returns to 76ers Fieldhouse for its Black History Month Celebration on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls). The game can be seen on DETV and Twitch and heard on 1450 WILM.

The team then hits the road for three games before returning home next weekend for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic) on March 8 at 2 p.m. The March 8th contest will air on NBA TV. 

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Coat Check | 2.29.20

Coming off the NBA All-Star Break, the Delaware Blue Coats (19-15) enter the stretch run of the NBA G League season right in the thick of the playoff hunt. A postseason berth would be the first in franchise history.

Six teams from each conference make the G League playoffs, so each of the 16 regular season games left on the Blue Coats' schedule is obviously important. All the while, development remains the primary goal.

The Blue Coats recently completed a six-day road trip that took the team down to College Park, Georgia; out to Fort Wayne, Indiana; and then up to Sioux Falls, South Dakota (G League fun fact: The affiliate of the Miami Heat is based in Sioux Falls—the Skyforce.)

Including connections, the recent trip included seven commercial flights over six days.

And two wins over three games—a success.

Tipping things off in Georgia, sharpshooter Jared Brownridge registered a career game. Brownridge, who has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Blue Coats, came off the bench to score a career-high 39 points (13-23 fg, 6-12 3fg, 5-7 ft) with six rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes of action.

The Coats led the Skyhawks (Atlanta Hawks), a team whose ownership group includes rapper 2 Chainz, by as many as 29 points in the game and held on for a 121-114 victory. They outrebounded the home team 58-51 to improve to 9-0 this season when collecting 55 rebounds or more.

It was time for a road matinee against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers) two days later. With his second blocked shot of the game, Blue Coats big man Christ Koumadje set the new franchise record for blocks in a single season. Koumadje surpassed Norvel Pelle (105 in 2018-19) and finished the game with six rejections, bringing his season total—at the time—to a league-best 110 blocked shots. This game was the team’s lone loss on the trip. 

The Mad Ants’ shuttle bus takes visiting teams to and from the airport, shootaround and the game. This is common practice in the G League. 

A flight from Indiana to South Dakota by way of Chicago landed the Blue Coats in Sioux Falls looking to steal a win and head home.

They trailed the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami HEAT) by 19 points at halftime. How about a 34-13 third quarter in favor of the Coats?

Brownridge tallied 14 of his 23 points for the Blue Coats in the third quarter, while Justin Robinson closed with 14 points of his own in the fourth quarter of what proved to be a 10-point win. Former Sixer and current Blue Coats assistant coach Xavier Silas brought the juice on the sideline and earned the Blue Coats hard hat in the locker room after the comeback. 

Playing without the services of 76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok for the fourth-straight game on Feb. 13, the Blue Coats fell to the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings) at home before the recent break in the schedule.

Last appearance in the Two-Way Tracker section for Norvel Pelle, but for good reason. The 76ers announced earlier this month that the team had signed Pelle to a standard NBA contract.

Pelle’s journey is a great story of hard work, persistence and growth. Don’t forget that he first arrived in Delaware as a 20-year-old in 2013. He returned last season and earned a two-way contract with Philadelphia over the summer, following an All-Defensive Team season with the Blue Coats. And, now, he’s on a standard NBA deal. 

Obligatory G League scoring leaderboard update: Shayok currently ranks fourth (through Thursday night’s games) with 23.3 points per game.

Since our last check-in, Shayok spent a chunk of time with the 76ers. He scored his first NBA points on a 3-point field goal on Feb. 6 in Milwaukee. He was also named to the Eastern Conference Midseason All-NBA G League Team earlier this month.

The rookie returned to the Delaware lineup last Thursday and tallied a game-high 25 points with four rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes of action. 

Marial Shayok, on this stage of his young basketball journey:

 (The phrase “Win The Day” appears in Shayok’s Twitter bio).

The Blue Coats Beat gives you an inside look at the Blue Coats, both on the court and in the community.

In the most recent episode, 76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok talks about his rookie season, growing up in a basketball family in Canada, how he chooses his sneakers and more. Also, learn about a day in the life of Marial!

The Blue Coats return to action on Friday night against the Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers) at 76ers Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the team will celebrate Beau Biden Foundation Night to support the protection of children. The Blue Coats will wear specially-themed Beau Biden Foundation uniforms. Game-worn, autographed player jerseys will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting the Foundation.

Following two road games in Oshkosh, Wisconsin next week against the Eastern Conference-leading Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks), the Blue Coats will return home to take on the Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls) on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.

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Coat Check | 2.21.20

After holding opponents to a league-low .417 field goal percentage in the month of January, the Delaware Blue Coats (17-13) are hoping to carry over their quality defensive play into the new month. 

7-foot-4 center Christ Koumadje helped tip off the team's February slate of games on a positive note with a monster performance in Saturday's 111-103 road win over the Erie BayHawks (New Orleans Pelicans). Koumadje recorded a triple-double for the Blue Coats with 18 points (7-10 fg, 3-5 ft), a career-high 20 rebounds, and a franchise-record 12 blocked shots in 37 minutes. 

76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok posted a team-high 27 points (11-23 fg, 3-4 3fg, 2-2 ft) with four rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes for the Blue Coats.

Delaware corralled a franchise-record 68 rebounds (17 offensive, 51 defensive) in the victory over the BayHawks. The club’s previous franchise record was 64 rebounds, set last season on 76ers Fieldhouse Opening Night against the Memphis Hustle. Delaware outrebounded Erie 68-51 in the contest, after previously recording 63 rebounds at home against the BayHawks one week prior to Saturday’s meeting. The Blue Coats are 8-0 this season when grabbing at least 55 rebounds.

On Wednesday night at 76ers Fieldhouse, the Blue Coats fell to the Windy City Bulls (Chicago Bulls), 114-103. Jared Brownridge racked up 21 points (7-16 3fg), four rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes off the bench for the home team. Brownridge has now converted seven triples on three separate occasions during the current campaign. He currently has 87 threes on the year, after leading the G League with 187 3-point field goals made last season.

Koumadje came on strong for the Blue Coats in the second half of Wednesday’s contest to secure his twelfth double-double of the season (11 points, 10 rebounds). The G League’s leading shot blocker (3.8 bpg) added five rejections and has now swatted at least five shots in eight games this season.

Blue Coats big man Doral Moore, on Delaware being part of his young basketball journey:

This week, Doral Moore discusses his first year with the team, playing high school basketball at Montverde Academy alongside 76ers All-Star Ben Simmons and current Blue Coats teammate Christ Koumadje, and more!

The Blue Coats embark on a three-game road trip that begins Friday night in Georgia against the College Park Skyhawks (Atlanta Hawks) at 7 p.m. ET. The team then visits the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers) on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET and the Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami HEAT) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Delaware returns home to 76ers Fieldhouse next Thursday for a meeting with the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings) at 7 p.m. ET. This Esports Night contest is a Dollar Dog Night and is set to feature 76ers Gaming Club (GC).

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Coat Check | 2.6.20

Thursday, Jan. 23, marked the one-year anniversary of the Blue Coats’ first game at their new home—76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington.

Last Friday and Saturday, the current squad celebrated the occasion by sweeping a home back-to-back at the arena, posting exactly 134 points in both games and outscoring its opponents by a staggering 70 combined points in the pair of victories.

This year’s Blue Coats (16-12) have posted a 2-1 mark since our last check-in. Following last weekend’s dominant 134-95 and 134-103 victories over the Greensboro Swarm (Charlotte Hornets) and Erie BayHawks (New Orleans Pelicans), respectively, the team dropped a road contest to the Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers) on Wednesday. Delaware still holds the fourth-best winning percentage (.571) in the Eastern Conference.

The recent homestand for the Blue Coats basically featured its own in-game dunk contest.

The Blue Coats posted season-high totals for 3-point field goals (22) and rebounds (63) in the win over Erie on Saturday. The team currently ranks in the top five in the G League in a number of categories: 1st in blocks per game (7.5), second in rebounds per game (50.7), third in field goal percentage (.478), and fifth in points per game (118.6).

76ers two-way contract player Marial Shayok checks in at No. 4 on the G League scoring leaderboard at 23.1 points per game.

Christ Koumadje ranks second in the league in blocks per game (3.5), while Doral Moore is fourth in field goal percentage (.704).

Blue Coats guard Xavier Munford, on Kobe Bryant:

“[Kobe Bryant] was really influential for kids like me growing up. And [for] kids around the whole world. Everybody watched Kobe and aspired to be like him. And he’s the reason that some players today picked up a basketball.”

[As a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Munford actually played three minutes in a game against Kobe Bryant on March 22, 2016.]

Blue Coats Assistant GM Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, on the team’s size and shot-blocking prowess: 

From Data Scientist to an NBA G League front office, former NBA player and current Delaware Blue Coats Assistant General Manager Ruben Boumtje Boumtje joins The Blue Coats Beat. A native of Cameroon who holds two degrees in mathematics from Georgetown, Boumtje Boumtje discusses his unique path back into the basketball world, the growth of the sport in Africa and more.

Episode Five of The Blue Coats Beat includes a Blue Coats Healthy Lifestyle Feature, presented by ChristianaCare.

On Saturday, the Blue Coats visit the Erie BayHawks (New Orleans Pelicans) for a 7 p.m. ET start on the road. 

The team’s next home game is ‘Baseball Night’ featuring the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Wednesday, Feb. 5 against the Windy City Bulls. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on DETV, ESPN+ and 1450 WILM. 

For information on Blue Coats tickets, visit SIXERS.COM/BlueCoats. 

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Coat Check | 1.31.20

The midway point of the NBA G League regular season is nearly upon us.  

Twenty-two games into the 50-game slate, the Delaware Blue Coats hold a 13-9 record, good for the fourth-best winning percentage in the Eastern Conference. 

Last Friday at 76ers Fieldhouse, the home team fell to the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons), 100-91, despite a standout performance from Zhaire Smith, who was on assignment from the 76ers. Smith scored a game-high 19 points (6-9 fg, 4-6 3fg, 1-1 ft) with three rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes for the Blue Coats. Smith’s 19 points matched his career-high total in the G League, while his four 3-point field goals made marked a new career high.  

In addition to his long-range shooting success in the game, Smith also showcased his renowned athleticism on the defensive end. 

Grand Rapids’ Adam Woodbury is listed at 7-foot 1:  

On Tuesday night down in Lakeland, Florida, the Blue Coats defeated the Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic), 108-95, to improve to an impressive 8-1 in true road games this season. Christ Koumadje registered his ninth double-double of the season for Delaware, posting 18 points (7-11 fg, 2-2 ft) and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Koumadje was the team’s leading rebounder for the tenth-straight game.  

With six blocked shots over his last two games, Koumadje has now blocked 62 total shots in just 17 games played. Eighteen of Koumadje’s rejections have occurred in the four games since the calendar flipped to 2020. His 3.6 blocks per game rank first in the G League, as the Blue Coats lead the league in blocks per game as a team (7.8) by more than one full rejection.  

Obligatory G League scoring leaderboard update: Shayok (as of Thursday afternoon) ranks in a tie for fourth place with 23.6 points per game.  

Shayok has not missed a free throw since going 1-for-2 at the charity stripe nearly a month ago on Dec. 19 against the Stockton Kings (Sacramento Kings) in Las Vegas. He is 12-12 at the line in the past seven games, and 41-45 (.911) on the season for that matter. Keep in mind that G League players only shoot one free throw per trip to the foul line, excluding the final two minutes of regulation and overtime.  

In four games with the 76ers this past week, Pelle averaged 4.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.8 minutes per game. He scored six points (3-3 fg) in Philadelphia’s win over the Boston Celtics last Thursday, and he corralled seven rebounds in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.  

Pelle currently has 17 blocked shots in 12 games with the Sixers. By recording 14 blocks in his first 10 career NBA games, he became only the fourth player ever to do so in less than 110 minutes (104).  

Assistant Coach Isaiah Fox, on the coaching staff’s chemistry:  

“It came together authentically this year. We all got together early. We were a part of what the Sixers were doing—we were helping them out with their training camp. We got to pick the brains of all their coaches and be around all of the Brett Brown meetings. And I think all of us are really passionate about learning, developing ourselves and becoming really good coaches.”  

The Blue Coats Beat gives you an inside look at the Blue Coats, both on the court and in the community.   

In episode three, Assistant Coach Isaiah Fox discusses working with the team’s big men, as well as his love for a very specific type of footwear and his background as a player for Naismith Hall of Fame Head Coach Lute Olson at the University of Arizona. The conversation also includes an update on the Blue Coats’ 'Books &amp; Basketball' children's literacy program.  

The Blue Coats remain on the road to take on the Grand Rapids Drive (Detroit Pistons) at 7 p.m. ET on Friday in Michigan. Delaware can capture the season series with a win in what will be the second and final game between the two clubs this season.  

The team will return home ahead of Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration game set to include an MLK sermon recital featuring Dr. John Moore. Tip-off with the South Bay Lakers is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at 76ers Fieldhouse. The Lakers are the first Western Conference opponent that the Blue Coats will face outside of the NBA G League Showcase this season.  

For information on Blue Coats tickets, visit SIXERS.COM/BlueCoats.  

Follow the Blue Coats on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! 

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Coat Check | 1.16.20

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