Theo Pinson
Pinson with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019
No. 11 – Texas Legends
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (1995-11-05) November 5, 1995 (age 28)
Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight212 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High schoolWesleyan Christian Academy
(High Point, North Carolina)
CollegeNorth Carolina (2014–2018)
NBA draft2018: undrafted
Playing career2018–present
Career history
2018–2020Brooklyn Nets
2018–2020→Long Island Nets
2020–2021New York Knicks
2021Maine Celtics
2021–2023Dallas Mavericks
2022→Texas Legends
2023–presentTexas Legends
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing the  United States
FIBA Americas U16 Championship
Gold medal – first place 2011 Mexico Team

Theophilus Alphonso Pinson (born November 5, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. A 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) swingman, Pinson was the starting shooting guard for the Tar Heels' 2017 NCAA championship team.

High school career

Pinson in the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game

Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Pinson attended Wesleyan Christian Academy in nearby High Point, where he was coached by Keith Gatlin and teammates with future and fellow NBA player Harry Giles III. He was named a McDonald's All-American in his senior year.[1] In the summer of 2011, Pinson was named to the USA Basketball U16 team, where he won the gold medal with future Tar Heel teammate Justin Jackson.[2]

College career

Pinson's college career was marked by injury early, as he broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot and missed 14 games of his freshman season. His sophomore season was injury free; however, he broke the same bone (fifth metatarsal) in his right foot, causing him to miss the first 16 games of his junior season.[3] While on the court, Pinson's passing, defense and leadership played a key role in the Tar Heels' run to consecutive National Championship Title Games. Pinson was also acknowledged as a positive factor in the locker room for these teams, as he developed a reputation as a prankster in both the locker room and with the media.[4][5] During the Tar Heels' 2017 championship run, Pinson's playmaking helped the team defeat Kentucky in the South Regional Final, as his full-court drive and pass set up a game-winning shot by forward Luke Maye.[6] As a senior, he averaged 10.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game.[7]

Professional career

Brooklyn Nets (2018–2020)

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Pinson joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2018 NBA Summer League. He posted 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in five summer league games. On August 6, 2018, Pinson signed a training camp contract with the Nets,[7] which was confirmed to be a two-way contract for the 2018–19 season. Under the terms of the deal, he will split time between the Nets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.[8][9] Pinson made his NBA debut on October 20, 2018, in a 132–112 loss to the Indiana Pacers, scoring two points with a rebound and two assists in six and half minutes of play.[10] On April 10, 2019, the Nets converted Pinson's two-way deal to a full NBA contract.[11][12] On April 15, Pinson made his postseason debut scoring 9 points shooting 3 for 5 from the field and 3 for 4 from 3.[13] On July 8, 2019, the Nets re-signed Pinson to a reported two-year contract,[14][15] after the Nets rescinded their qualifying offer to Pinson on July 6.[16][17]

In December 2019, Pinson began to see more minutes for the Nets due to an Achilles injury to David Nwaba.[18] On February 4, 2020, Pinson scored 32 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in the G League as the Long Island Nets defeated the Wisconsin Herd 117–110.[19] On June 23, Pinson was waived by the Nets.[20]

New York Knicks (2020–2021)

Three days later after leaving the Brooklyn Nets, on June 26, 2020, Pinson was claimed off waivers by the New York Knicks.[21]

On November 19, 2020, the Knicks announced that they did not exercise the team option on Pinson, making him a free agent.[22] On November 29, the Knicks re-signed Pinson to a two-way contract with the Westchester Knicks.[23]

Maine Celtics (2021)

Pinson joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[24]

On September 28, 2021, Pinson signed with the Boston Celtics,[25] but was waived at the end of training camp.[26] On October 23, he signed with the Maine Celtics as an affiliate player.[27] Pinson averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.[28]

Dallas Mavericks (2021–2023)

On December 20, 2021, Pinson signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[28][29] He signed a second 10-day contract with the Mavericks on December 31.[30] He signed a two-way contract on January 10, 2022.[31]

On July 1, 2022, Pinson re-signed with the Mavericks on a one-year deal.[32] In the last game of the 2022–23 season, he recorded his first triple-double in a 117–138 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.[33]

Texas Legends (2023–present)

On October 29, 2023, Pinson re-joined the Texas Legends.[34]

Career statistics

Legend
  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

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 Brooklyn 18 0 11.7 .342 .261 .864 2.0 1.2 .3 .0 4.5
2019–20 Brooklyn 33 0 11.1 .290 .188 .938 1.6 1.7 .5 .1 3.6
2020–21 New York 17 0 2.0 .111 .000 .000 .3 .1 .0 .0 .1
2021–22 Dallas 19 0 7.8 .359 .333 1.000 1.1 .9 .3 .1 2.5
2022–23 Dallas 40 1 8.1 .356 .355 .846 1.6 1.2 .2 .0 2.4
Career 127 1 8.5 .320 .261 .902 1.4 1.1 .3 .1 2.7

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2019 Brooklyn 3 0 7.3 .375 .429 — 1.0 1.0 .7 .0 3.0
Career 3 0 7.3 .375 .429 — 1.0 1.0 .7 .0 3.0

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 North Carolina 24 1 12.5 .368 .269 .611 3.0 1.5 .6 .2 2.8
2015–16 North Carolina 40 7 18.7 .420 .290 .636 3.2 2.9 .6 .3 4.8
2016–17 North Carolina 21 13 23.8 .381 .237 .702 4.6 3.7 .9 .2 6.1
2017–18 North Carolina 37 37 29.7 .473 .226 .818 6.5 5.1 1.1 .5 10.3
Career 122 58 21.7 .431 .257 .734 4.4 3.4 .8 .3 6.3

References

  1. ^ Walker, Edgar (January 29, 2014). "Three UNC basketball signees named McDonald's All-Americans". Daily Tar Heel. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  2. ^ Durham, Andy (June 13, 2011). "2011 USA Basketball men's U16 national team finalizes roster: Theo Pinson makes the cut". GreensboroSports.com. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. ^ Spears, Marc J. (April 4, 2017). "Theo Pinson perseveres to celebrate NCAA title with Tar Heels". USA Today. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  4. ^ Auerbach, Nicole (April 2, 2017). "Infectious both on and off the court, Theo Pinson charges North Carolina". USA Today. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  5. ^ Schnell, Lindsay (March 30, 2016). "The Tar Heels' X-factor? Theo Pinson, who has stolen the spotlight and the podium in UNC's Final Four run". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  6. ^ Rosenberg, Michael (March 27, 2017). "UNC's Luke Maye etches his name in tournament lore with shot to beat Kentucky". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  7. ^ a b "BROOKLYN NETS SIGN THEO PINSON". National Basketball Association. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  8. ^ Dowd, Tom (September 21, 2018). "Brooklyn Nets Training Camp: What to Watch For". National Basketball Association. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  9. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Exercise Two-way Player Conversion On Theo Pinson". National Basketball Association. October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  10. ^ Nash, Tim (November 30, 2018). "Theo Pinson treats Long Island Nets teammates to home cookin' in Greensboro". Greensboro.com. News & Record. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Theo Pinson". National Basketball Association. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  12. ^ "Nets fill 15th roster spot by signing Theo Pinson to standard deal". NetsDaily.com. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  13. ^ "Embiid leads offensive explosion as 76ers tie series with Nets". TheBrooklynGame.com. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Re-Sign Theo Pinson". National Basketball Association. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  15. ^ "Nets sign Garrett Temple, Wilson Chandler, Theo Pinson". NetsDaily.com. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019. All three reportedly received two-year deals.
  16. ^ "Nets renounce Theo Pinson Rights, says Yahoo's Smith". NetsDaily.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  17. ^ "Nets sign Temple, re-sign Pinson". Reuters.com. Reuters. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  18. ^ "Nets' Theo Pinson: Re-enters rotation". CBS Sports. December 30, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  19. ^ "Nets' Theo Pinson: Catches fire in G League". CBS Sports. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  20. ^ "Brooklyn Nets Waive Theo Pinson". National Basketball Association. June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  21. ^ "New York Knicks Claim Theo Pinson Off Waivers". National Basketball Association. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  22. ^ "Knicks Announce Roster Moves". National Basketball Association. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  23. ^ "Knicks Sign Theo Pinson to Two-Way Contract". National Basketball Association. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  24. ^ "Theo Pinson Playing on the Milwaukee Bucks's NBA Summer League Team". 247Sports. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  25. ^ "Boston Celtics Announce 2021–22 Training Camp Roster". National Basketball Association. September 28, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  26. ^ Keith Smith [@KeithSmithNBA] (October 16, 2021). "Official Boston Celtics waivers: Chris Clemons Luke Kornet Garrison Mathews Theo Pinson Boston now has 16 players under contract. 15 standard deals, 1 Two-Way deal. One Two-Way spot remains open for the Celtics" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "Celtics Acquire Two in Draft, Announce Training Camp Roster". National Basketball Association. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  28. ^ a b Martin, Ross (December 20, 2021). "Theo Pinson Signs with the Dallas Mavericks". 247 Sports. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  29. ^ Boston, Evans (December 20, 2021). "Theo Pinson Signs 10-Day Contract With Dallas Mavericks". National Basketball Association. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  30. ^ Rader, Doyle (December 31, 2021). "Mavericks sign Theo Pinson and Marquese Chriss to second 10-day contracts". Mavs Moneyball. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  31. ^ "Mavericks keep Pinson, Chriss; waive McLaughlin". National Basketball Association. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  32. ^ "Theo Pinson Re-Signs With Mavericks". Hoops Rumors. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  33. ^ "Theo Pinson records triple double in 2022–23 season finale". Yahoo!. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  34. ^ Wynn, Britney (October 29, 2023). "LEGENDS DRAFT FOUR, FINALIZE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.

External links

Texas Legends current roster
North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball 2016–17 NCAA champions
Categories