Scarlet Sunrise: Mike Conley Jr. named NBA's Teammate of the Year for second time
Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.
Mike Conley Jr. named NBA’s Teammate of the Year for second time
Former one-and-done Ohio State guard and current Minnesota Timberwolves playmaker Mike Conley Jr. was named the NBA’s Teammate of the Year this week for the second time in his 17-year pro career.
Conley also received the annual honor for his efforts during the 2018-19 season.
The Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award recognizes a player who is considered the most selfless teammate on and off the court as well as a role model for others on his team.
A panel of league executives selected 12 finalists, including six from each conference, and current NBA players picked the winner from that list.
The 12 finalists were…
Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings)
Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets)
Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (Denver Nuggets)
Mike Conley (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Markelle Fultz (Orlando Magic)
Al Horford (Boston Celtics)
T.J. McConnell (Indiana Pacers)
Larry Nance Jr. (New Orleans Pelicans)
Georges Niang (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks)
Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Conley is known across the league for his high character. He’s also won the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award four times, more than any other player.
Before he was taken No. 4 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, he became Ohio State’s all-time, single-season record holder for assists (238). He also set the program’s freshman, single-season record for steals (87) in 2006-07, his lone year with the program.
Conley has averaged 14.4 points and 5.7 assists in the 1,000-plus NBA games he’s played in. This season with the Timberwolves, he’s posted 11.4 points. 5.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Minnesota has advanced to the second round of the playoffs as the 3-seed in the Western Conference.
Progress Report: Evaluating Ohio State wide receivers after spring practice
Lettermen Row’s “Progress Report” series continued with an examination of where Ohio State’s wide receivers are at after spring practice.
It’s a group that’s headlined by senior Emeka Egbuka, although phenom true freshman Jeremiah Smith dominated headlines throughout March and April. The top overall prospect in this year’s recruiting class has lived up to expectations so far.
But which receiver was most improved this spring? And what’s one unanswered question still facing the position group known as Zone 6?
Find out here.
‘The dude’s unbelievable’: Cade Stover pumped for reunion with C.J. Stroud in Houston
While Cade Stover might have wanted to hear his name called earlier in the NFL Draft, the former Ohio State tight end couldn’t have ended up in a better spot.
The Houston Texans picked Stover in the fourth round, meaning the Mansfield, Ohio, native will reunite with his old Buckeyes quarterback and one-time fellow captain, C.J. Stroud.
“Just such an honor to play with C.J. again,” Stover told reporters last Saturday. “They got something really special going down there in Houston. So I’m just really, really excited to be a part of it here. A lot of emotions right now, hard to put into words. But I’m excited to contribute any way I can at that point.”
For the full story, go here.
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 122 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 213 days
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