The NBA preseason is underway as all 30 teams gear up for the official season, tipping off on Oct. 21. As preseason kicked off on Oct. 2, some former Wildcats including Carter Bryant, Keshad Johnson and Pelle Larsson have all gotten to find their footing on the professional court.
Bryant, the No. 14 overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs, along with Johnson who signed a two-way contract in 2024 with the Miami Heat and Larsson, a guard for the Heat, faced off in a Oct. 8, matchup in Frost Bank Center.
Larsson was selected No. 44 overall by the Houston Rockets in 2024, but was traded on draft night to the Heat, in exchange for AJ Griffin in a three-way trade involving the Atlanta Hawks.
Bryant entered the game in the first quarter with about five minutes left, immediately defending the frontcourt. Soon after, Johnson and Larsson stepped on the court as the Wildcat energy took over the floor.
#### **Game recap and highlights**
Larsson, Bryant and Johnson all entered the game somewhat halfway through the first quarter.
A pass by Bryant that was stolen and turned over by Kasparas Jakucionis gave Johnson the opportunity to make a 1-foot dunk. Shortly after, Larsson put up a 22-foot 3-pointer, extending the Heat’s lead 33-32 with just five seconds left in the first.
With eight minutes remaining in the second, Bryant switched to defending Larsson, where he was forced to give up the ball as he passed it to Kel’el Ware for an alley oop dunk. Despite the score of the game neck-and-neck, the Spurs outscored the Heat in the second quarter 28-24 as San Antonio went into halftime with a 61-57 advantage.
All three former Wildcats began to come in as substitutes around the halfway mark in the third quarter. Larsson continued to find open looks for his teammates, assisting on a 25-foot 3-pointer made by Norman Powell.
Despite some missed shots and turnovers, the former Wildcats combined in total for 13 rebounds. Beginning the fourth quarter, both Bryant and Johnson assisted their teams within a minute of each other’s possession.
About 10 minutes remained in the game with the score at 91-85, both teams did their best to gain possessions and try to get stops. 6-foot-8 Bryant was able to hit a shot from 9-feet away, putting the Spurs up 103-101.
Late in the game with 2:09 remaining, Bryant leveled out the score at 107 after hitting a 15-foot pullup jump shot, assisted by Bismack Biyombo.
A foul called on Johnson sent Bryant to the line with 13 seconds remaining as he hit back-to-back free throws, allowing San Antonio to seal the game.
The 19-year-old Spurs rookie played a pivotal role in the matchup, hitting clutch free throws to put away the game 112-107. San Antonio is now ranked second seed in the Western Conference, following the New Orleans Pelicans, with both teams advancing to a 2-0 record so far in the preseason.
Larsson attempted multiple shots throughout the game, but ended up going 1-for-6 from the field, collecting 4 points, two assists and one steal. Johnson went 1-for-3 from the field, securing 3 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Bryant was able to put up 8 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal. During the 19 minutes he saw on the floor, he got to the line multiple times, hitting 4-for-6 of his free throw attempts.
The Spurs (2-0 in preseason) meet against the Utah Jazz tomorrow, Oct. 10, while the Heat (0-3 in preseason) play their next matchup on Sunday, Oct. 12, against the Orlando Magic.
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