GAMECOCKS IN THE PROS Walker Russell Former Jacksonville State guard Walker Russell (2003-06) became the first Gamecock to play in the NBA on Jan. 20, 2012, when he was signed by the Detroit Pistons and made his debut against the Memphis Grizzlies in the same day. An All-OVC player for the Gamecocks and a member of JSU’s 1,000-Point Club, Russell played the remainder of the 2011-12 season with Detroit after a five-year career in the NBA Developmental league that saw him earn multiple all-star nods and average 15.1 points, 8.3 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Norbertas Giga Former Jacksonville State forward/center Norbertas Giga became the first Gamecock to suit up in an NBA uniform in the summer of 2018 since Walker D. Russell in 2012. The Kaunas, Lithuania native received an invitation to mini camp with the Philadelphia 76ers, aced the tryout and was named to the Sixers’ NBA Summer League roster less than a week later. Giga made his NBA Summer League debut July 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring four points on two shots with an offensive rebound. He also grabbed a rebound and recorded one helper July 9 against the Washington Wizards. He posted a summer-high 12 minutes against the Phoenix Suns on July 12, scoring four points with an assist, a rebound and two steals. He grabbed a summer-best four rebounds July 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies, had one steal and scored a point in his final game. Following the Summer League, Giga signed to play basketball with Rytas Vilnius of the Lithuanian Basketball League.
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Jacksonville State Men's Basketball Media Guide 2021-22
