Philadelphia 76ers’ Jordan McRae Dominating Abroad
By Taylor Sturm
@TSturmRS
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
It may not be the NBA, but it sure is nice to see a former standout Tennessee basketball player having professional success.
Jordan McRae led the Vols in scoring last season en route to a trip to the Sweet 16 of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The team’s late-season success arguably led to his rising NBA Draft stock and eventually led to him being drafted in the second round. McRae was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs but traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he enjoyed a decent Summer League.
Instead of joining the 76ers this regular season, McRae chose to go to Australia’s Melbourne United in the NBL. Currently, he sits at first overall in average points per game with 22.6, nearly four points per game ahead of the second-highest total. He is also shooting nearly 44 percent from the floor and is 88 percent from the free throw line.
McRae seems to have found a niche in Australia, along with fellow former SEC basketball star Scottie Wilbekin. Wilbekin, who plays for the first place Cairns Taipans, is fourth in the league in scoring and fifth in assists.
It’s not the NBA, but McRae’s success is no fluke. Expect him to get a chance with the 76ers, who still maintain his rights, in the near future, as Philadelphia needs all the help they can get offensively.
But for now, all that matters is moving sixth place Melbourne United up the standings and putting on a show for 76ers, Vols and Melbourne fans alike.
Taylor Sturm is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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