To have your basketball journey end with being in the NBA is a special fraternity. It’s even more special when you hail from the same small, Indiana city. That is what has occurred in the case of South Bend standouts Blake Wesley (South Bend Riley) and Javon Small (raised in South Bend until high school). Wesley is in now with the Portland Trailblazers after being drafted in 2022 by the San Antonio Spurs. Small is in his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
On this February night, the Trailblazers got the win 122-115. Both players were effective with Small scoring a career high 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes. Wesley contributed 10 points in only 9 minutes of play.
They were able to do the jersey exchange after the game. Ironically, both also played for Team Indiana in 2021 at Prep Ball Stars Midwest Challenge in Indiana’s first championship at the event. The real winners are both players and their families. Congratulations and best of luck to both.
