Joshua Primo
Joshua Lincoln Alexander Primo (born December 24, 2002) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Ontario Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
No. 12 – Los Angeles Clippers | |
---|---|
Position | Shooting guard |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | December 24, 2002
Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Listed weight | 189 lb (86 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
|
College | Alabama (2020–2021) |
NBA draft | 2021: 1st round, 12th overall pick |
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | |
Playing career | 2021–present |
Career history | |
2021–2022 | San Antonio Spurs |
2021–2022 | →Austin Spurs |
2023–present | Los Angeles Clippers |
2023–present | →Ontario Clippers |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
High school career
Primo played basketball for Huntington Prep School in Huntington, West Virginia, where he was teammates with JT Thor.[1] He transferred to Royal Crown Academic School in Scarborough, Toronto.[2] Primo reclassified to the 2020 class and graduated early.[3] Considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports, he committed to playing college basketball for Alabama, choosing the Crimson Tide over Creighton.[4]
College career
In his freshman season, Primo was the youngest player in college basketball. He averaged 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman Team.[5] Primo missed three games with a left medial collateral ligament sprain.[6] On April 21, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[7] However on June 30, Primo announced he would remain in the draft due to a strong performance at the NBA combine.[8]
Professional career
San Antonio Spurs (2021–2022)
Primo was selected with the 12th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs.[9][10] Primo was later included in the 2021 NBA Summer League roster of the Spurs.[11] On August 11, 2021, the San Antonio Spurs announced that they had signed Primo.[12] On October 20, 2021, Primo made his NBA debut, coming off the bench in the final five minutes with three points in a 123–97 win over the Orlando Magic. Primo was the youngest player who attended college to play in the NBA.[13] On October 27, 2021, Primo received his first assignment to Austin Spurs.[14]
Primo was the youngest player in the NBA during the 2021–22 season.[15]
Indecent exposure allegations
Primo was waived by the Spurs on October 28, 2022.[16] In a statement released by ESPN through Adrian Wojnarowski, he is seeking mental health treatment due to a "previous trauma".[17] The next day, it was revealed that Primo allegedly exposed himself to several women.[18] In November, the team's sports psychologist filed a lawsuit against Primo and the team, alleging multiple incidents of indecent exposure.[19] Primo's lawyer then released a statement which denied any wrongdoing, asserting that any exposure was unwitting, and that the accuser was not acting in good faith.[20]
Los Angeles Clippers (2023–present)
On September 29, 2023, Primo was suspended for four games without pay.[21] Later that day, he signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.[22]
National team career
Primo represented Canada at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in Greece. At age 16, he was the youngest player on the team and averaged 4.2 points per game.[23][24]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 | San Antonio | 50 | 16 | 19.3 | .374 | .307 | .746 | 2.3 | 1.6 | .4 | .5 | 5.8 |
2022–23 | San Antonio | 4 | 0 | 23.3 | .346 | .250 | .778 | 3.3 | 4.5 | .3 | .5 | 7.0 |
Career | 54 | 16 | 19.6 | .372 | .302 | .750 | 2.3 | 1.8 | .4 | .5 | 5.9 |
Play-in
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | San Antonio | 1 | 1 | 10.4 | .000 | – | – | 2.0 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Career | 1 | 1 | 10.4 | .000 | – | – | 2.0 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
Personal life
Primo's older sister, Keshia, played college basketball at the University at Buffalo, Coffeyville Community College, and Southern Connecticut State University.
References
- Hall, Erik (February 4, 2021). "Joshua Primo: 4 things to know about the Alabama men's basketball guard". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Mikre, Mickias (January 10, 2020). "Joshua Primo Returns to Canada, Commits to Royal Crown". North Pole Hoops. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Blackwell, Joey (December 11, 2020). "Freshman Guard Josh Primo Already Developing into Solid Contributor for Alabama Basketball". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- South, Hank (April 15, 2020). "Five-star guard Josh Primo signs with Alabama". 247Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Givony, Jonathan (April 21, 2021). "Alabama's Joshua Primo to enter NBA draft but stay eligible to return to Crimson Tide". ESPN. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Vitale, Josh (March 14, 2021). "Alabama basketball 'hoping' Joshua Primo can play in NCAA Tournament". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- "Alabama guard Josh Primo makes NBA Draft decision". Saturday Down South. April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Givony, Jonathan (June 30, 2020). "Alabama's Joshua Primo, projected first-round pick, opts to stay in NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- Inabinett, Mark (July 30, 2021). "Josh Primo: 'I don't know if I was ready for that'". Al.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
- "SPURS SELECT JOSHUA PRIMO AND JOE WIESKAMP IN 2021 NBA DRAFT". NBA.com. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
- "Spurs announce 2021 Summer League roster". NBA.com. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
- "Spurs sign 2021 first round pick Josh Primo". NBA.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- "Vassell, Walker lead balanced Spurs past Magic, 123-97". ESPN.com. October 20, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- "San Antonio assigns Josh Primo to Austin Spurs". NBA.com. October 27, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- @darrenrovell (20 October 2021). "Youngest player in the NBA: Josh Primo, who was 5 months old when David Robinson retired in June 2003" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- saslpederson (October 28, 2022). "SPURS WAIVE JOSHUA PRIMO". NBA.com. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- "Spurs waive 2021 lottery pick Joshua Primo, who says he is focusing on 'mental health treatment'". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- "Sources: Joshua Primo allegedly exposed himself to women". ESPN. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- Rieken, Kirstie (3 November 2022). "Canadian Josh Primo, San Antonio Spurs sued by former team psychologist". CBC. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- "Josh Primo, Spurs sued by former team psychologist". AP NEWS. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- "NBA suspends Joshua Primo 4 games without pay". NBA.com. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- Adams, Luke (September 29, 2023). "Clippers Sign Joshua Primo To Two-Way Contract". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- Givony, Jonathan (March 27, 2020). "Canadian prospect Josh Primo commits to Alabama". ESPN. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Harper, Jordan (February 20, 2020). "Getting to know Alabama basketball target Josh Primo". Rivals. Retrieved May 13, 2021.