By: Jay Yeomans

Published: December 4, 2018

Even though the FIBA International basketball window for World Cup qualifiers has sidelined many of the former Cougar stars for the last couple of weeks, there has still been plenty of action with the players suiting up in Canada and the G-League along with a couple of players in Europe.

Kyle Collinsworth had his best game of the season the other night when the Raptors 905 hammered the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 136-116. The former BYU star shot lights out in the win, finishing with a season-best 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the floor, including a make on his only attempt from distance, while converting on 6 of 7 attempts from the free-throw line. He also registered seven rebounds (two on the offensive end), five assists and a steal in 33 minutes of work.

Here is a sweet pass from Collinsworth that led to an easy dunk.

Collinsworth followed that up with another strong outing in a 106-91 win over the Grand Rapids Drive. While he scored just eight points in the win, he did shoot the ball at a very efficient clip, connecting on 3 of 4 shots from the floor and both of his foul shots. He added five rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in 30 minutes.

Through seven games, Collinsworth is averaging 10.3 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor with 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.4 minutes for the team with the second best record in the Eastern Conference.

Bryant named league MVP for November

Elijah Bryant earned some major recognition on Tuesday as he was named the Winner League MVP for November.

It is a wildly impressive accomplishment for the first-year pro who averaged 20.3 points a game during an undefeated month on 61.8 percent shooting from the floor and 50 percent from 3-point land. He also chipped in with 8.3 rebounds (3.3 on the offensive glass), 2.0 steals and 1.8 assists in 33.3 minutes.

Bryant and his Hapoel Eilat squad will be back in action on Sunday with a matchup against Ironi Nahariya.

Haws has another big game against a former Ute

Tyler Haws continued his run of excellent scoring performances on Sunday as Levitec Huesca knocked off former Utah big man Tyler Rawson and his Barcelona Lassa team, 74-65.

The Cougars’ all-time leading scorer finished with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, including a blistering 4-for-6 from 3-point land. He added six rebounds and an assist in 31 minutes on the floor.

Thanks to three straight big scoring nights, Haws has moved to fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 16.1 points a night on 47.3 percent shooting from the floor and 92.5 percent at the foul line. He also chips in with 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 29:13.

Bartley makes first pro start

Frank Bartley IV has also been in action since our last update, and has found a new role with the struggling Saint John Riptide of Canada’s NBL. The former BYU guard was inserted into the starting lineup and had a solid performance in a 109-95 setback to the London Lightning. In the loss, he registered 11 points, four rebounds and a game-best three steals in 31 minutes of work.

Through five games, Bartley is averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 23.8 minutes.

Tavernari finds a new team

Jonathan Tavernari has found a new home during the FIBA break for World Cup qualifying. The former BYU sharpshooter departed Cantu but stayed in Italy, landing with Givova Scafati who participates in Serie A2.

Tavernari already played his first game with his new team, but struggled with his shot in a 97-65 loss. In the setback, he registered two points on 0-13 shooting from the field, including 0-for-8 from distance and 2-for-2 from the foul line. On the plus side, he did have eight rebounds, an assist and a steal in 23 minutes.