_(cropped).jpg) Bazley with theOklahoma City Thunder in 2022 | |
| No. 11 – Guangdong Southern Tigers | |
|---|---|
| Position | Power forward |
| League | CBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (2000-06-12)June 12, 2000 (age 24) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 216 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| NBA draft | 2019: 1st round, 23rd overall pick |
| Selected by theUtah Jazz | |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2019–2023 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2023 | Phoenix Suns |
| 2023–2024 | Delaware Blue Coats |
| 2024 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2024 | →Delaware Blue Coats |
| 2024 | Utah Jazz |
| 2024 | →Salt Lake City Stars |
| 2024 | Guangdong Southern Tigers |
| 2024 | Delaware Blue Coats |
| 2024–present | Guangdong Southern Tigers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Darius Denayr Bazley (born June 12, 2000) is an American professionalbasketball player for theGuangdong Southern Tigers of theChinese Basketball Association (CBA). He attendedPrinceton High School inSharonville, Ohio after playing his first two years atFinneytown High School. He was a consensus five-starrecruit and the top prospect in his state, earningMcDonald's All-American honors in2018.
Bazley initially committed to and signed withSyracuse but later chose to bypass college with intentions of joining theNBA G League, a decision that drew national attention. However, he instead chose to train independently as an intern forNew Balance throughout the season leading up to the2019 NBA draft. In the draft, he was selected 23rd overall by theUtah Jazz before immediately being traded to theMemphis Grizzlies and then to theOklahoma City Thunder. Bazley spent four seasons with the Thunder before being traded to thePhoenix Suns in 2023.
Bazley began playing high school basketball atFinneytown High School inSpringfield Township, Ohio. He was ruled ineligible for the first half of his freshman season.[1] As a sophomore, Bazley started drawing interest from several college programs, includingOhio State andWest Virginia.[2] On December 19, 2015, he posted 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks againstWoodward High School.[2] After averaging 15.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.4 blocks and 1.5 steals, he was named to the Division III Southwest Ohio all-district second team.[3][4]
Entering his junior campaign, Bazley was the top-ranked player in Ohio.[4] In July 2016, it was announced that he would transfer toPrinceton High School inSharonville, Ohio.[5] He was sidelined for his first 11 games because of transfer rules.[6] In August, Bazley committed to Ohio State, being rated a four-starrecruit by247Sports at the time.[7] On January 11, 2017, he debuted for Princeton, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a loss at the Flyin' To The Hoop Invitational.[8] In April, Bazley announced his de-commitment from Ohio State due to his desire for a "bigger stage."[9] About two months later, he committed toSyracuse, and in November, he signed aletter of intent.[10][11] On January 16, 2018, in his senior season, Bazley was named to the West team for the2018 McDonald's All-American Boys Game.[12] On January 19, he led his Princeton team with 24 points in a nationally televised game against top recruitRomeo Langford andNew Albany High School.[13] Bazley also took part in theJordan Brand Classic andNike Hoop Summit in April.[14][15]
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Bazley SF | Cincinnati, OH | Princeton (OH) | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Jul 3, 2017 | |
Star ratings:Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 93 | ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals:18 247Sports:23 ESPN:13 | ||||||
Sources:
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On March 30, 2018, Bazley announced that he would skip college with plans to join theNBA G League directly from high school.[16] In April, he hired sports agentRich Paul of Klutch Sports Group.[17] Syracuse head coachJim Boeheim, who Bazley was expected to play under in college before the move, responded, "I hope he does great. But I don't think it's the way it will be. I think it will be proven it's not the way to get to the NBA."[18] On August 27, Bazley announced that he would drop his G League plans altogether, opting instead to train on his own for the season.[19] On October 25, he began a three-month internship withNew Balance worth $1 million.[20] After concluding his internship, Bazley became one of the first players to enter the2019 NBA draft,[21][22] later being named one of 77 overall prospects invited to the 2019NBA Draft Combine.[23]
Bazley was drafted 23rd overall by theUtah Jazz but was traded to theMemphis Grizzlies,[24] who then traded him to theOklahoma City Thunder.[25] On November 15, 2019, Bazley made his NBA debut, recording five points in a 127–119 overtime win over thePhiladelphia 76ers.[26] On August 9, 2020, he scored a season-high 23 points, along with seven rebounds, in a 121–103 win over theWashington Wizards.[27]
On April 19, 2021, Bazley logged a season-high 26 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists, in a 107–119 loss to theWashington Wizards.[28] Two days later, he matched this total alongside nine rebounds in a 116–122 loss to theIndiana Pacers.[29]
On March 13, 2022, Bazley recorded a career-high 29 points, along with ten rebounds, in a 118–125 loss to theMemphis Grizzlies.[30] On March 28, he was ruled out for the remainder of the2021–22 season with atibial plateau fracture in his right knee.[31]
On February 9, 2023, Bazley was traded to thePhoenix Suns in exchange forDario Šarić, a 2029 second-round pick and cash considerations.[32]
On July 16, 2023, Bazley signed with theBrooklyn Nets,[33] but was waived on October 19.[34]
On December 8, 2023, Bazley joined with theDelaware Blue Coats of theNBA G League[35] and on February 20, 2024, he signed a 10-day contract with thePhiladelphia 76ers.[36] On March 1, he returned to Delaware.[37]
On March 12, 2024, Bazley signed with theUtah Jazz.[38] However, he was waived on July 24.[39]
On September 6, 2024, Bazley signed with theGuangdong Southern Tigers of theChinese Basketball Association.[40]
On November 15, 2024, Bazley returned to theDelaware Blue Coats.[41] However, he was bought out on December 16.[42]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Oklahoma City | 61 | 9 | 18.5 | .394 | .348 | .694 | 4.0 | .7 | .4 | .7 | 5.6 |
| 2020–21 | Oklahoma City | 55 | 55 | 31.2 | .396 | .290 | .702 | 7.2 | 1.8 | .5 | .5 | 13.7 |
| 2021–22 | Oklahoma City | 69 | 53 | 27.9 | .422 | .297 | .688 | 6.3 | 1.4 | .8 | 1.0 | 10.8 |
| 2022–23 | Oklahoma City | 36 | 1 | 15.4 | .449 | .400 | .554 | 3.4 | .9 | .5 | .8 | 5.4 |
| 2022–23 | Phoenix | 7 | 0 | 8.7 | .480 | .250 | .400 | 2.3 | .9 | .4 | .7 | 4.0 |
| 2023–24 | Philadelphia | 3 | 0 | 3.3 | .000 | — | — | .3 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| 2023–24 | Utah | 6 | 0 | 23.7 | .621 | .250 | .833 | 4.5 | .8 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 8.0 |
| Career | 237 | 118 | 23.4 | .414 | .309 | .677 | 5.2 | 1.2 | .6 | .7 | 8.9 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Oklahoma City | 7 | 0 | 18.0 | .419 | .500 | .900 | 6.7 | .9 | .0 | .4 | 6.6 |
| Career | 7 | 0 | 18.0 | .419 | .500 | .900 | 6.7 | .9 | .0 | .4 | 6.6 | |