The G League season is in full swing. At our last Blue Coats check-in, we were taking early stock as players like Emoni Bates, Kennedy Chandler, MarJon Beauchamp and others made immediate noise. Now, just under a month later, the picture looks very different. Rotations have shifted, personnel has changed, and new storylines have emerged. There is no shortage of talking points, so let’s dive in.
MarJon Beauchamp continues to impress
In the last Blue Coat Check-In, I noted that Hunter Sallis was at risk of losing his two-way contract spot
with the Sixers and identified MarJon Beauchamp as a potential replacement. The Sixers made it official a few weeks ago, waiving Sallis and promoting Beauchamp to the third two-way contract. While we have yet to see Beauchamp suit up for the Sixers, he has been logging heavy minutes in the G League.
Beauchamp has appeared in 12 G League games so far this season, averaging 36.3 minutes per game along with 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.9 turnovers. He’s shooting 48.3 percent from the field and an impressive 40.8 percent from three.
The biggest question with Beauchamp has always been his shot, or lack thereof. Not only has he been knocking down shots in the G League, but he has been actively hunting them. His 8.6 three-point attempts per game rank towards the top of the league, and he is converting at a strong rate despite the high volume. Many of these are not simple catch-and-shoot looks either, as a significant portion come off the dribble or on the move.
While his jumper will likely always be the primary talking point, it is worth noting how the Blue Coats have used Beauchamp, which is often a strong indicator of how a player can translate to the NBA level. They have given him the freedom not only to handle the ball but to create consistently. He is averaging four assists during this stretch and is coming off an eight-assist performance in his most recent game. Beauchamp will never be a true point guard, per se, but his ability to make sound reads and generate quality looks for teammates could open the door to playing time.
If his shot is falling, Beauchamp has the physical tools and skill set to become a true Swiss Army knife. He is a strong rebounder for his size, has shown he can create and score, and is known as a tenacious defender.
It is not difficult to see why the Sixers signed him. He fits the stereotypical mold of players head coach Nick Nurse tends to favor, and there was growing buzz that he should be rostered just days before the move became official. It remains to be seen when Philadelphia will turn to him, and Kelly Oubre Jr.’s return certainly complicates that path. Still, Beauchamp’s production is becoming too hard to ignore. It feels more like a question of when, not if, the Sixers give him an opportunity.
Johni Broome’s rookie season in the G
The Sixers’ frontcourt is starting to look deep, which is a big reason we haven’t seen much Johni Broome in the NBA for his rookie season. So, how has the Sixers’ second -round pick been performing down in the G?
Broome has appeared in 15 G League games so far, averaging 33.1 minutes per game. He is posting 20.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per contest while committing just two turnovers per game. During that stretch, he is shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 23.3 percent from three, and 64 percent from the free-throw line.
As expected, the rookie’s season has featured its share of ups and downs. There have been some notable highs, particularly in December. On the 21st against the Texas Legends, Broome erupted for 32 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a win. He followed that performance on the 31st by scoring 32 again, adding eight rebounds and three blocks against the Iowa Wolves. However, his perimeter shooting has begun to trend sharply downward. Over his last six games, Broome is just 4-for-20 from three-point range.
Broome may be one of the more difficult players to evaluate, a theme that dates back to the draft. On one hand, he has a tremendous feel for the game. He finishes well around the rim, shows terrific touch, and possesses solid vision for an NBA big. On the other, his perimeter shot is inconsistent, a flaw that has been on full display over the past month. Defensively, he can look slow-footed at times, even by G League standards. Still, his high basketball IQ and wingspan help compensate for many of his physical limitations.
Broome’s game may not be aesthetically pleasing, but that is not why the Sixers drafted him. They selected him because he is a proven winner and a consistent producer. So far, he has delivered strong numbers for a rookie big man. While Philadelphia is unlikely to turn to him this season, the coming weeks and months will be important for Broome’s continued development in the G League. Look for him to re-find that perimeter shot, and produce some gaudy lines.
Justin Edwards on assignment
The Sixers sent Justin Edwards down for his second G League assignment of the season just a few days ago. The former undrafted prospect suited up for the Blue Coats and delivered a strong all-around performance, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and just one turnover in a win over the Birmingham Squadron. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range.
Unlike Broome, we have seen a meaningful sample of Edwards at the NBA level this season, and the results have been mixed. At times, it feels like Edwards is either swinging games in the Sixers’ favor or hurting them significantly. He has been a major variance player, and at the NBA level he would likely benefit from a more stable, low-variance role. Tough shooting nights are inevitable, especially given his limited opportunities, but too often those nights have dictated his overall impact.
In the grand scheme, one G League game does not mean much on its own. That said, Edwards performed well during this brief stint. He did not light up the box score the way he did during his first assignment, but he defended with intensity, moved the ball well, and contributed across multiple areas. Edwards is a capable player with a legitimate NBA wing frame and skill set, and this type of well-rounded production is something worth seeing more of when he is called upon at the NBA level. For now, it stands as a solid developmental rep.
A Charles Bassey update
A Sixer blogpost mentioning Charles Bassey in 2026? You bet.
The Blue Coats shocked the G League world a few weeks ago by trading away Emoni Bates and receiving Bassey in return. Bassey is a former draft pick of Daryl Morey and the Sixers, best remembered for one of the more notable contract disputes involving a late second-round pick in recent memory. The peak of his Sixers tenure came in a memorable performance against the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. Bassey was waived at the beginning of the following season during final roster cuts and has since bounced around the NBA.
When the Blue Coats initially reacquired him, it was unclear whether Bassey would actually report to Delaware once again. That question was answered shortly thereafter, as the Blue Coats moved him on Dec. 27 in a major deal by G League standards. Delaware sent Charles Bassey and a second-round pick in the 2026 G League Draft to the Santa Cruz Warriors in exchange for the returning player rights to forward Jackson Rowe, a first-round pick in the 2026 G League Draft, and a 2027 first-round pick.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact rationale behind the move. It is possible the Blue Coats were doing Bates a favor by sending him to a situation where an NBA opportunity felt more attainable. They also may have had genuine interest in adding Bassey, though that interest may not have been mutual given the complicated history between Bassey, his representation, and the Sixers’ organizational umbrella. Another plausible explanation is that Delaware acquired Bassey simply to flip him, which is far from unprecedented. Around the league, Bassey is widely viewed as one of the best, if not the best, available free-agent bigs.
Since the trade, Bassey has already suited up for the Santa Cruz Warriors. Considering how much Santa Cruz gave up, it is fair to assume there is at least some level of interest from Golden State’s NBA side. The Warriors may be the most center-needy team in the league at the moment, currently piecing together minutes at the position with a disgruntled Draymond Green, an aging Al Horford, and Quentin Post. With 10-day contracts looming as a variable, it would not be surprising if Bassey earns a legitimate look out West.
For those curious, it is unlikely Jackson Rowe will ever suit up for the Blue Coats, nor does it appear this move was made with him as the primary target. Rowe is a 28-year-old forward currently playing for Ironi Ness Ziona, an Israeli basketball club. Outside of a two-way stint with the Golden State Warriors that resulted in just 52 total NBA minutes, he has yet to see meaningful action at the NBA level.
For those who want to see them in action, Beauchamp, Broome and the rest of the Delaware Blue Coats will take the floor on Jan. 8 against the Windy City Bulls. The game will be streamed on the NBA G League website as well as on CHSN+.
