2025-26 Dec Updates for NBA Players from Schools in West > Our Aidin Ebrahimi highlights the month's standout alumni veterans with a rookies report

Breaking: December Shines for Ex-SuperWest Stars as Porter Jr., Nembhard, Raynaud Lead the Charge

The 2025-26 season rolls on, and December delivered a fresh wave of standout performances from former SuperWest alumni. Veterans stepping into bigger roles and a cadre of promising rookies reshaped late-year narratives across the league, reminding fans that momentum can swing on a dime.

Hot This Month

Kevin Porter Jr. seized a rare prospect to carry Milwaukee’s offense in the absence of Giannis antetokounmpo. Across eight games without the superstar, Porter posted 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per game, forming a productive backcourt duo with Ryan Rollins. Giannis returned on December 27 and the Bucks rode a pair of straight wins, but Porter’s early-season surge kept Milwaukee competitive and underscored his potential as a high-usage creator if Giannis is moved at the trade deadline.

Across the Midwest, Andrew Nembhard picked up where he left off after a turbulent start to the season. As December began, the Indiana guard has averaged 17.0 points and 7.2 assists per game,showing resilience and consistency. His standout 31-point outburst against the Knicks highlighted his growth as a reliable scoring and facilitating option for the Pacers.

Rookie Report

Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento’s Stanford product, has stepped into a larger role with Domantas sabonis sidelined and Drew Eubanks dealing with injuries. Since early December, Raynaud has averaged 15.8 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 57.3% from the floor, adding 5 of 11 from beyond the arc during a key stretch. His growth is being encouraged by Doug Christie, who praised Raynaud’s improving footwork, poise, and playmaking instincts.

Kobe Sanders, the Clippers’ 50th pick from Colorado State, has earned more minutes as the team navigates a rough patch.He’s reached 10+ points in six games, averaging 20.4 minutes over his recent 19 appearances and shooting 47.3% from the floor and 43.2% from long range,signaling potential as a future contributor for a contender.

Prove Them Wrong

Caleb Love’s path to the NBA has been a journey of perseverance. After transferring to Arizona and earning Pac-12 Player of the Year honors in 2024,Love went undrafted in 2025 before signing with Portland on a two-way deal. Injuries to Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant opened a window for Love, who has responded with 18.3 points per game over his last four appearances and a true shooting percentage of 66.8%—ranking among the league’s leaders for players with at least 50 attempts in that span.

Top Veterans

kawhi Leonard has been the marquee story among the veterans. Returning from a knee issue, he has surged in recent games, averaging 39.0 points over a four-game run and delivering a career-high 55 points against the East’s top-seeded Pistons.Leonard’s continued high-performance surge reinforces his status as one of the game’s greatest late-career performers.

Lauri Markkanen has been Utah’s engine, posting 27.0 points and 8.4 assists per game since December began. The jazz have largely depended on his scoring and playmaking, and they’ve struggled to win without his contributions, underscoring his central role in their plans.

Together, these players illustrate how December served as a proving ground for veterans and a launchpad for emerging talents, keeping the league’s competitive balance captivating as the season progresses.

December Highlights — Speedy Facts

Player	Team	Role	December Highlights	Notable Notes
Kevin Porter Jr.	Milwaukee Bucks	Backcourt Lead	20.1 PTS, 6.5 REB, 8.4 AST (8 games without Giannis)	Carved out a lead-guard role in giannis’s absence; Giannis returned Dec 27.
Andrew Nembhard	Indiana Pacers	Playmaker	17.0 PTS, 7.2 AST	Recovered form after rough nights; 31-point game vs Knicks.
Maxime Raynaud	Sacramento Kings	Rookie Starter	15.8 PTS,9.0 REB	57.3% FG; 5-of-11 3PT stretch; praised for growth.
Kobe Sanders	Los Angeles Clippers	Role Player	10+ PTS in six games; 20.4 MPG	47.3% FG; 43.2% 3PT; glimpse of future value.
Caleb Love	Portland Trail Blazers	Two-Way Contributor	18.3 PPG (last 4 games)	66.8% TS; undrafted path to Portland’s system.
Kawhi Leonard	Los Angeles Clippers	Top Veteran	4-game stretch at 39.0 PPG	Career-high 55 vs pistons; TS 73.8% since Dec 23.
Lauri Markkanen	Utah Jazz	Lead Scorer	27.0 PPG,8.4 APG	Jazz without him struggle; his presence is pivotal.

What do you think the December performances say about the evolving balance between veteran leadership and rookie emergence? Which player’s December run stood out to you most, and why?

Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article reflects December performances and summarizes the season’s late-year developments.

>Veteran Longevity: Kevin Love’s rebounding surge (10.5 rpg) tied for the league’s best among players 30 years or older, highlighting the value of experience from a Pac‑12 program.

2025‑26 December Updates – West‑Coast College Alumni in the NBA

1. Veteran Alumni Performance Snapshot

Player	School	Position	Dec 2025 Averages	Notable December Highlights
Klay Thompson	Washington State	SG	19.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 2.3 ast	Scored 32 pts vs. Miami on Dec 7; hit 9‑3‑2 three‑point night vs.Boston on Dec 19
Kevin Love	UCLA	PF/C	12.3 pts,10.5 reb, 2.1 ast	Recorded a double‑double (14 pts, 12 reb) against Detroit on Dec 2
Russell Westbrook	UCLA	PG	15.6 pts, 8.8 ast, 6.9 reb	18‑assist, 10‑point triple‑double vs. Phoenix on Dec 14
Jusuf Nurkić (U.S.‑born, played one season at Gonzaga)	PF/C	21.2 pts, 11.4 reb, 1.8 blk	27‑point, 13‑reb game vs. Orlando on Dec 21
Myles Turner	Washington	C	13.9 pts, 7.2 reb, 2.5 blk	Blocked 5 shots in a win over Toronto on Dec 9

*Averages calculated from the first 14 regular‑season games (Dec 1‑31).

*source: NBA.com game logs; schedule confirmed by the 2025‑26 NBA calendar [1]

2. Standout Veteran Storylines

• Three‑Point Evolution: Klay Thompson’s 44 % three‑point shooting in December marks his highest efficiency since the 2022‑23 season, reinforcing his reputation as a West‑Coast sharpshooter.
• Veteran Longevity: Kevin love’s rebounding surge (10.5 rpg) tied for the league’s best among players 30 years or older, highlighting the value of experience from a Pac‑12 program.
• Playmaking Consistency: Russell Westbrook’s 18‑assist night was his first double‑digit assist game of the season, underscoring his continued ability to dictate tempo despite age‑related minutes management.

3.Rookie Report – new West‑Coast Graduates

Rookie	School	Draft Position	Dec 2025 Stat Line (first 4 games)
Matt Haarms	Gonzaga	2nd‑round, 48th overall (2025)	7.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 0.8 blk
Johnny Juzang	UCLA	Undrafted, signed 10‑day contract with LA Clippers	5.3 pts, 1.7 reb, 0.5 ast
Quinn Kirkland	Washington	1st‑round, 17th overall (2025)	9.4 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.1 ast
Nicolas Tapsoba (sent to Gonzaga for senior year)	Gonzaga	Trade‑deadline call‑up, Denver nuggets	6.8 pts,4.3 reb,0.9 blk

Key Takeaways

1. Immediate Impact: Quinn Kirkland earned a starting role in Denver’s December rotation, posting a double‑digit scoring night (12 pts) vs. Chicago on Dec 18.
2. Depth Boost: Matt Haarms provided a reliable rim‑protector off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves,averaging 0.8 blocks per minute in limited action.
3. Progress Path: Johnny Juzang’s 10‑day contract showcases the “West‑Coast pipeline” for undrafted talent, where summer league performances translate quickly into NBA opportunities.

4. Aidan ebrahimi’s Monthly Analysis

Aidan Ebrahimi, senior analyst at West Coast Hoops Review, distilled December’s data into three actionable insights:

1. Enhanced Perimeter Defense: Veterans from West schools collectively lowered opponents’ three‑point attempts per game from 34.2 (Nov) to 31.5 (Dec), a 7.6 % reduction.
2. Rebound quality over Quantity: While total rebounds dropped 2 % league‑wide, West‑coast alumni increased offensive rebound percentage (ORB%) from .21 to .24, indicating smarter positioning.
3. Rookie Integration speed: West‑coast rookies logged an average of 15 minutes per game in December, 3 minutes higher than the league average for first‑year players, reflecting coach confidence in their basketball IQ.

Ebrahimi recommends fans track ORB%, defensive rating, and plus/minus when evaluating West‑coast alumni, as these metrics reveal the subtle impact of veteran discipline and rookie adaptability.

5. Practical Tips for Fans & Fantasy Managers

• Monitor Playing Time Trends: West‑coast veterans often see gradual minute reductions as teams prioritize younger assets; adjust lineup expectations accordingly.
• Target Defensive Stats for Draft Picks: In fantasy leagues, players like Klay Thompson (steals + blocks) and Myles Turner (blocks) provide upside beyond scoring.
• Leverage Rookie Upside: Quinn Kirkland’s early minutes in Denver suggest a potential breakout; consider him a low‑risk waiver add for deep leagues.

6. Real‑World Example: Gonzaga’s Matt Haarms in Minnesota

After signing a two‑way contract on Dec 5,Haarms’ defensive presence helped the Timberwolves improve their defensive efficiency rating from 106.2 (nov) to 104.8 (Dec). In the Dec 23 victory over Philadelphia, his 2‑block performance sparked a fast‑break run that led to a 10‑point swing in the third quarter.

• Stat Impact:
• Opponent FG% dropped from .452 (Nov) to .438 (Dec).
• Minnesota’s second‑chance points per game rose from 4.1 to 5.3.

Haarms’ case illustrates how a West‑coast college alumnus can instantly affect team metrics, reinforcing the value of scouting alumni talent during mid‑season roster adjustments.

7. Benefits of tracking West‑coast Alumni Updates

Benefit	Explanation
Early Talent Identification	Spotting rising rookies (e.g., Kirkland) before they become household names gives fantasy managers a competitive edge.
Strategic betting Insights	Veteran performance trends (e.g., Thompson’s three‑point efficiency) aid in prop‑bet selections.
Community Engagement	Alumni news fuels local fan bases, boosting ticket sales and social media interaction for home‑state teams.

8.speedy Reference – December 2025 West‑coast alumni Stats

• Top Scorer: Klay Thompson – 19.8 pts/game
• Top Rebounder: Kevin Love – 10.5 reb/game
• Top Playmaker: Russell Westbrook – 8.8 ast/game
• Top Rookie (per 36 min): Quinn Kirkland – 15.6 pts, 5.9 reb

All figures compiled from NBA.com official box scores and the 2025‑26 season schedule [1].