Sports
Bucks player MarJon Beauchamp scores 83 (!!) points in a pro-am … – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
MarJon Beauchamp may just be finding his footing in the NBA heading into his second year with the Milwaukee Bucks. But at the Crawsover Pro-Am event in his hometown of Seattle over the weekend, Beauchamp was basically Kobe Bryant.
Beauchamp scored 83 points in a game at Seattle Pacific University to set an event scoring record. No, he wasn’t playing against top-flight talent, but he wasn’t playing guys who didn’t know how to play basketball, either.
The Seattle-based basketball league has been shepherded by NBA veteran Jamal Crawford since 2004. Players attend open tryouts and are thereafter invited to compete in the league, which existed as the Seattle Pro-Am as far back as 1995. The event draws a wealth of young and talented players, and NCAA players have been permitted to compete since 2017.
The league has drawn a number of NBA stars to the event over the years, including recent appearances from LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Porter Jr., Dejounte Murray. The idea is to host players from all over the world for league play with the NBA players stopping by as guest stars.
Last year, two-time NBA all-star Isaiah Thomas scored 81 points in a game, giving Beauchamp a mark to aim for. It appears everyone was fully aware of the record and Beauchamp met … limited resistance in securing the final buckets.
Beauchamp shot 32 of 45 from the field, including 8 of 17 from 3-point range and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds and four assists.
Crawford said he got to know Beauchamp when the 22-year-old was a young kid in Crawford’s basketball camps.
“So, to see his progression in his journey, to see how much better he’s gotten in a short amount of time it has been really fun,” Crawford told journalist Landon Buford. “I think people are excited there was a line outside so we’re excited to see him.”
Beauchamp attended multiple high schools during his rocky upbringing, including Rainier Beach during his junior season — also Crawford’s alma mater.
The 24th overall pick in the 2022 season, Beauchamp was one of the spotlighted players during the Bucks summer league and will likely see an increased role this season, though he won’t be one of the relied upon players for a veteran rotation that returns all of its top players.
Beauchamp appeared in 52 games last season and averaged 5.1 points per game. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that a reserve NBA player is still one of the best players in the world.
Wilt Chamberlain famously scored 100 points in a 1962 game for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Kobe Bryant is the player who has come closest, scoring 81 for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2006. Wilt Chamberlain has also scored 78 points in a game, 73 on two occasions and 72 once. Denver’s David Thompson scored 73 in 1978.