NBA notebook: Draft prospect Huerter has hand surgery

[June 14, 2018]  Possible NBA lottery selection Kevin Huerter underwent right hand surgery to repair torn ligaments, ESPN reported Wednesday.

The 6-foot-7 Maryland product is projected as a sure first-round draft pick. His stock was rising during workouts last month, with some prognosticators viewing him as having played his way into a possible lottery pick. He is expected to be sidelined two months.

Huerter averaged 14.8 points and 3.4 assists per game last season as a sophomore for the Terrapins. He made a team-leading 73 3-pointers, and his 138 career threes ranks 12th in school history.

--Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea was named winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, an honor given to a player, coach or athletic trainer who displays outstanding service and dedication to the community.

Barea was one of five finalists in balloting conducted by more than 200 members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association. The 12-year NBA veteran participated in disaster relief efforts for his native Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. His parents and other relatives live in Puerto Rico, which was devastated by the September storm.

Barea coordinated five trips to Puerto Rico to deliver food, water, medical supplies, generators and other supplies. He also raised approximately $770,000 in cash and worked with the Mavericks to donate all single-game ticket sales revenue -- which came out to $114,000 -- from an Oct. 25 game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

--The Los Angeles Lakers have asked Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma to tone down their public barbs posted to social media, according to a report from ESPN.

Maryland Terrapins guard Kevin Huerter (4) drives to the basket defended by Michigan State Spartans guard Joshua Langford (1) at XFINITY Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers spoke with both players after Ball released a rap diss track titled "Kylie Kuzma" that offered some very personal jabs directed at Kuzma. The rap song is the latest in an escalating series of public jokes the two teammates and close friends have hurled at each other.

In a February interview with ESPN, both Ball and Kuzma said that their public taunts were good-natured and that neither of them took the insults personally.

--The Philadelphia 76ers picked up the fourth-year contract options for guard T.J. McConnell and forward Richaun Holmes, guaranteeing both will be under contract through the 2018-19 season.

McConnell was an undrafted free agent who signed with the 76ers in September 2015. Holmes was drafted 37th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.

--Field Level Media

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