DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks do not have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but they have plenty to look forward to with player development ahead of the next season. Dereck Lively II has already solidified himself as a key contributor, but Olivier-Maxence Prosper remains an important developmental prospect.
Prosper averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 8.4 minutes per game in 40 appearances during his rookie campaign. Interestingly enough, back in July, the Mavericks felt there was a greater outlook for Prosper to earn playing time instead of Lively, but the opposite proved to be the case.
Apr 14, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (18) shoots a three-point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Prosper spent most of his season with the Texas Legends and showed intriguing progression as a shooter and scorer, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 33.3 minutes per game. In those 24 games played, he shot 51.2% from the floor, 42.5% from deep (5.3 attempts per game) and 76.7% from the free throw line.
The Mavericks continue to view Prosper as being a potential difference-maker defensively. It’s easy to see why, considering he’s a 6-foot-7 wing with a 7-foot-1 wingspan and a strong frame. It wasn’t uncommon to see him working on cone drills focused on lateral quickness throughout the season.
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During his media exit interview, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison confirmed Prosper will participate in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in July.
“O-Max is going to be good. We had his exit interview, and we just want him to have a really good summer, get back, get confidence and because the kid can play,” Harrison said. “He can play on both sides of the ball, and the goal for him is to come back in September in great shape with a lot of confidence and ready to compete for minutes. “
Harrison views Prosper as having a genuine outlook to earn playing time next season if he has a productive summer and enters training camp in great shape and having confidence.
“He’s a rookie playing with a team with a lot of good players in front of him,” Harrison said. “And so I think if he attacks this summer like he will, he has really hard work at the great kid that next year he comes, he comes back in great shape and confident enough to compete for minutes.”
Late in the regular season, Prosper emphasized the need for him to continue to slow down in his approach and grow his decision-making. “The biggest thing is just slowing down,” he said in April. “Slowing down out there, seeing what’s in front of me, taking the right shots, and just learning how to play with my teammates.”
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Prosper added the need for him to emphasize his development defensively. “I didn’t play as much with them this year, but just keep learning how to play with them and just keep working on my efficiency and my defense,” he said. “Defense is a big key of my game, and I take a lot of pride in that. And, you know, I’m going to end up guarding the best wings in the world. So I got to keep working on that, and that’s what I focus on.”
The NBA will hold Summer League from July 12 to 22 in Las Vegas at Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion.
Stick with MavericksGameday for more coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the NBA offseason.
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1 Oncor — I want to give a gold star to Oncor’s streetlight repair efforts. I have used their online tool to report failed streetlights several times, and they have been fixed within a few days.
The tool is very easy to use, as it shows a map of lights near your location. You just select the problem light and pick its problem from the list and then submit.
Neal Okerblom, Dallas
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2 Dallas Morning News carrier — We have the most amazing young man who delivers our newspaper. My husband Garry had neck surgery and was wearing his collar. He had taken our dog out in the front yard and Jesse (our carrier) saw my husband.
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He left his car and delivered the paper to him, telling Garry that the paper would be on the front porch. He did it daily. One day, he left a note that he would be on vacation for three days, so we’d have to get our papers on the sidewalk.
Jesse is back and our paper is on the front porch again. As an aside, Garry is doing well.
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A huge thank you to a thoughtful young man!
Deborah Wilhite, Allen
3 John McCaa — I always enjoyed McCaa’s television reporting and now I look forward to his columns in The Dallas Morning News.
I appreciate his honesty and that he addresses real problems in our community.
I’d like to thank him for sharing ideas that ring true. And thank you, Dallas Morning News, for featuring him as a contributing columnist.
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Andrea D. York, Forney
We welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here. If you have problems with the form, you can submit via email at letters@dallasnews.com
The MetLife Stadium turf, a perennial thorn in the side of NFL players, has struck again. This time, the victim is Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who was carted off the field during the team’s Thursday night victory over the New York Giants.
Parsons’ injury, a high ankle sprain, is the latest in a long line of player injuries directly attributed to the MetLife Stadium field.
The playing surface has been criticized for its inconsistency and susceptibility to divots and tears, leading to numerous player complaints and concerns about the safety of the game.
MORE: How the Cowboys can weather the storm without their defensive stars
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The Cowboys’ injury troubles continued as Parsons was not the only player affected. Cornerback Trevon Diggs left the game due to an injury sustained while attempting a tackle and was taken to the locker room for dehydration.
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Additionally, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence suffered a foot injury that will keep him sidelined for the next few weeks.
In previous years, we have witnessed some well-known players’ seasons come to an end on that very field.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles last year, 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL in a 2020 game against the New York Jets, DT Solomon Thomas and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also got injured, and former Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2022 season while running down the field.
As the NFL continues to prioritize player safety, it is imperative that league officials address the recurring issues with the MetLife Stadium field.
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A “hazmat problem” led to closures on Interstate 35 north of Dallas-Fort Worth, near Valley View, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation said Friday morning.
As of about 9 a.m., only one lane was open in either direction.
A three-vehicle crash involving a rock hauler and passenger vehicle carrying radioactive medical dye prompted the call for a hazardous materials team to inspect the area, according to emergency management officials in Cooke County.
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The outer container of one of the medical packages was opened though the interior packaging was intact, officials said.
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“Out of an abundance of caution, hazmat was called to assess the item,” according to a social media post from the county officials.“The item was assessed and removed to a safe location.”
The crash happened about 4 a.m. on the southbound side of I-35, near the Hockley Creek overpass, and involved three semi-truck trailers and a passenger vehicle. One of the trucks caught fire, and the driver died, officials said.
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Diesel fuel and vehicle oil were still awaiting cleanup late Friday morning. The interstate in that area was still congested.
Those planning to travel the highway in the area north of Denton, about 20 miles south of the Oklahoma border in Cooke County, should make a backup plan as the crews work to clear the road, TxDOT officials said.
