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Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 but first, there is some catching up from yesterday.

The 2024 year ended with a quiet day of hoops for the most part. It was highlighted by Max Strus (Stagg), John Konchar (West Chicago) and Matt Mooney (Notre Dame).

Strus found his stroke from 3-point range in a big road win in Los Angeles.

Konchar got his second start in a row for the depleted Memphis Grizzlies.

And Mooney had a double-double in a win for his Australian team.

NBA Games

• Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Los Angeles Lakers, 122-110.
  • Anthony Davis (Perspectives) had a double-double in 10 of the 12 Lakers Games in December. He is up to 23 on the season
    • Davis had 28 points (12-23 FG, 2-4 3PT, 2-2 FT) with 13 rebounds (one offensive), four assists, three steals, two blocks, a turnover, and a -6 plus-minus in 37 minutes.
    • His 12 made field goals were a game-high tied with Cleveland Jarrett Allen.
    • His 23 field goal attempts were a game-high.
    • His 13 rebounds were a team-high.
    • His three steals were a game-high.
    • His two blocks were a team-high.
  • Max Christie (Rolling Meadows) has started nine straight games for Los Angeles.
    • Christie had five points (2-6 FG, 1-5 #PT) with a rebound, two assist, a steal, and a -17 plus-minus in 28 minutes.
    • His -17 plus-minus was a game-worst tied with his teammate Rui Hachimura.
  • Max Strus (Stagg) is starting to find his groove and set many new season-high s in his fourth game of the year.
    • Strus had 15 points (5-9 FG, 4-8 3PT, 1-1 FT) with three rebounds (one offensive), four assists, two blocks, and +5 plus-minus in 26 minutes off the bench.

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• Boston Celtics defeated Toronto Raptors, 125-71.
  • Drew Peterson (has played and scored in three straight games for Boston.
    • Peterson five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT) with four rebounds, two assists, a turnover, and a +17 plus-minus in 12 minutes off the bench.
• Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Minnesota Timberwolves.
  • Terrence Shannon Jr. (Lincoln Park) did not play due to a coach’s decision.
• Memphis Grizzlies defeated San Antonio Spurs, 117-112.
  • John Konchar (West Chicago) has started back-to-back games for Memphis.
    • Konchar had seven (3-7 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-1 FT) with 12 rebounds (four rebounds), four assists, a steal, a block, and a +1 plus-minus 36 minutes.
    • His four offensive rebounds game-high.
    • His 12 rebounds were a game-high.

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International Ball

Matt Mooney (Notre Dame) loves basketball and it has taken him all over the work. For college, he made stops at the Air Force, North Dakota and finished up at Texas Tech.

Mooney went undrafted in 2019 but his basketball journey has never stopped. He played for the Atlanta Hawks Summer League team but come the fall he joined the Memphis Grizzlies on an Exhibit-10 contract. Shortly after he waived and assigned to the their G-League affiliate, Memphis Hustle.

Come January 2020, he signed a two-way with the Cleveland Cavaliers where he would split time with them and their G-League affiliate, Canton Charge. Mooney made his NBA debut on Jan. 20 and finished with two points, a rebound and an assist in three minutes in a 106–86 loss to the New York Knicks.

He played for the Raptors 905 and the Mexico City Capitanes in parts of 2021. He finished the year signing a two 10-Day contract (Signed on December 21 and 31) with the Knicks.

Mooney played in just one game for the Knicks and had a steal.

Since taking a step away from the G-League in 2022, he has played in Spain, Germany, Turkey, Italy and most recently, Australia.

He currently plays for the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL.

To end 2025, Mooney had 23 points, 10 assists, and three steals to help lead the Breakers in a victory over Cairns Taipans,

He is currently averaging 14.4 points on 42 percent shooting with 2.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 19 games for the Breakers.

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