Rodney Williams debuts but Royce White loses game for 76ers
By Frank Bi
Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Rodney Williams (33) during a media day photo shoot at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Rodney Williams made his first NBA preseason appearance on Monday night for the Philadelphia 76ers. The former Golden Gopher played 19 minutes and did not score, but recorded a block, steal, assist and a defensive rebound in what was a good first step for the undrafted rookie.
But the best stat of the night for Williams was that he had zero turnovers. Compare that to another Golden Gopher on the 76ers roster, and you know who’s the best behaving Gopher on that roster.
Royce White played again for the 76ers — his fourth preseason appearance this season. In 17 minutes, he notched seven points, six rebounds and five turnovers. He fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, drawing a technical on his last foul, and giving their opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the free throws to take the lead for good.
The former Hopkins High School prodigy is averaging more than four fouls a game this preseason and has also been sloppy with the ball, turning it over 3.5 times per game.
At one point, Trevor Mbakwe was also on the 76ers roster along with Williams and White, but he signed a contract to play in Europe this year for Virtus Roma of the Italian League.