Detroit Pistons swingman Stanley Johnson scored 86 points as he led Team OVO to an overtime win over Team CIO in the fifth annual OVO Bounce, a summer basketball tournament in Toronto sponsored by rapper Drake. According to Ballislife.com's David Astramskas, Johnson scored 16 points in the final 20 seconds of the fourth period to send the game to overtime.
Several NBA stars took to Twitter to praise Johnson’s performance, including Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers, former Washington Wizards guard Brandon Jennings and Denver Nuggets playmaker Jamal Murray.
Jennings, who played with Johnson with the Pistons, personally witnessed his former teammate’s great feat. Jennings added that around five active NBA players participated in the event while the rest of the rosters presumably rounded out by semi-pro players.
It was an incredible performance from the 21-year-old Johnson, who averaged just 4.4 points in 77 games for the Pistons last season. Johnson has spent his offseason working out at the Peak Performance Project facility in California, where his every move is monitored to check his performance.
Andre Drummond shines in Africa
In his first game since undergoing nose surgery to repair a deviated septum, Pistons center Andre Drummond tallied 14 points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes of action off the bench to help Team World to a 108-97 win over Team Africa in Saturday’s NBA Africa Game.
Drummond even made a three-pointer and scored on a sweet dunk off a nice pass from Boston Celtics sophomore Jaylen Brown, who led Team World with 15 markers. New York Knicks big man Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 14 points while Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry added 13 points for Team World. Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after firing a game-high 28 points for Team Africa.
Drummond bothered by trade rumors
In an earlier interview with the Detroit Free Press, Drummond said he and his family are bothered by persistent trade rumors after his performance dipped last season. After averaging 16.2 points and 14.8 boards in the 2015-16 season, Drummond was rewarded with a five-year, $127 million deal.
However, his performance dropped last season, averaging just 13.6 points and 13.8 rebounds in 81 games. Rumors have connected to a trade involving Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said Drummond is affected by trade rumors, but the organization is convinced that he can get his play back on track in the coming season.
