It was just a few days ago that Lonnie Walker IV re-entered the NBA after signing a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. He went overseas after being released by the Boston Celtics before the start of the regular season. A few days before that, the Charlotte Hornets waived one of their players. That player was Isaiah Wong who has reportedly resurfaced quickly as he will be joining a team in the EuroLeague. Not only that, but Wong is close to being a part of the team that Walker IV left for the NBA.
Recently Released Hornets Player Likely Headed To EuroLeague
Isaiah Wong Headed To EuroLeague
It was on February 13 that the Hornets waived the 6-foot-4 Wong from the team. He was on a two-way deal, and that newly opened up two-way slot was filled shortly after by Charlotte with Wendell Moore Jr. Wong had been rostered by Charlotte for a little over two months, originally agreeing to a two-way deal with the team on December 2.
Now a free agent, Wong reportedly won’t remain on the open market for much longer. According to BasketNews, the 24-year-old will likely soon be joining Zalgiris Kaunas of the EuroLeague. The Lithuanian squad will need to announce the signing shortly because the EuroLeague deadline to sign players is rapidly approaching (February 26).
Prior to being released, Wong appeared in 20 games for the Hornets this season. Playing 13.3 minutes per contest, he averaged 6.0 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. The second-year player shot 39.0% from the field, 39.4% from beyond the arc, and 73.5% from the free-throw line. In his second-to-last game prior to being waived, Wong dropped a career-high 17 points against the Detroit Pistons on February 9.
In the 2023 NBA Draft, Wong was selected late in the second round (55th overall) by the Indiana Pacers. Indiana signed him to a two-way deal, but he only saw action in one game for the team. He instead spent nearly the whole 2023-24 season playing for the Pacers G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants.
Wong spent four years playing collegiately for the Miami Hurricanes. In his senior year, he was named a Third Team All-American and was also named ACC Player of the Year. In that 2022-23 season, Wong and the Hurricanes reached the school’s first-ever Final Four.
Zalgiris Is Atop The Lithuanian Basketball League
If Wong does in fact join Zalgiris Kaunas, he will help attempt get them back over .500. The team is currently 12-14 in EuroLeague play. They are atop the Lithuanian Basketball League though with a 16-2 record.
They recently lost Walker IV to the NBA and look as if they will be replacing him with a former NBA player in Wong. The team already rosters a couple former NBA players in Ignas Brazdeikis and Alen Smailagic.
Meanwhile, Wong’s former team in the Hornets have struggled mightily. They have lost their last two outings by a combined 95 points. On Monday, Charlotte lost by 42 points against the Sacramento Kings. That was preceded by a 53-point loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
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