SAN DIEGO – Five former Aztecs saw action in the MLB, three more finished up their NBA regular seasons and advanced to postseason play, while another finished in the top ten at the Masters.
In the NBA, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) started all three of his team's contests. He averaged 25.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 0.3 blocks over those three games. Leonard never recorded fewer than 25 points during the week and closed out the season on a high note with 25 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in a win in Phoenix on Sunday to clinch a playoff spot. This season, he put up 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. The Clippers will go up against Phoenix again in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The series will begin on Sunday.
Forward Jalen McDaniels (2017-19) played in all four games for Philadelphia, starting two. On the week, he averaged 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.5 blocks. He recorded his third double-double of the season in Friday's win in Atlanta with 24 points and 11 rebounds. McDaniels finished the season averaging 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks in 80 games with 24 starts. With Charlotte, he put together 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. Following the trade to Philadelphia on February 9, McDaniels averaged 6.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks. The 76ers will face Brooklyn in the first round of the NBA Playoffs with game one coming on Saturday.
Guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared twice for Toronto. On Friday night, he scored four points and picked up an assist in six minutes. Flynn started for the second time this season in the regular season finale win over Milwaukee on Sunday. In that contest, he played 36 minutes and scored a season high 20 points, and added on four rebounds, four assists and a steal. In the regular season, he averaged 4.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks across 53 games with two starts. The Raptors will host Chicago in the play-in game on Wednesday as they look to advance to the playoffs.
In the MLB, Seattle infielder Ty France (2013-15) played in all six of his team's games last week at first base. He hit .296 with a .367 on-base percentage, two RBIs and seven runs scored. This season, he is batting .313 with a .365 on-base percentage, one home run, six RBIs, 10 runs scored and a stolen base. France also leads the American League with 11 games played so far this season.
Infielder David Hensley (2015-18) started in three games for Houston, with two at second base and one at first. On the week, he singled twice and walked while coming around to score all three times. This season, Hensley is batting .222 with a .300 on-base percentage, two RBIs, four runs scored and a stolen base.
Catcher Seby Zavala (2012-15) started twice at catcher for the Chicago White Sox. In Thursday's game against San Francisco, Zavala singled, stole a base and scored twice. This season, he is batting .300 with one home run, two RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base.
Colorado infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) started three of his five appearances this week. He played at third base in all five games with a few innings at second on Monday. Trejo had a stellar game on Monday night in a 7-4 win over St. Louis. The difference in the game, he singled and scored in the third inning before knocking RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings. This season, he is batting .357 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Pitcher Garrett Hill (2018) appeared twice for the Detroit Tigers. On Wednesday, Hill pitched an inning and a third against Houston, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out two. On Saturday, Hill pitched in long relief against Boston. He allowed two hits and three earned runs while striking out two over three and a third innings. This season, he has a 8.10 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with seven strikeouts and a save in six and two thirds innings.
Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2007-09) is on the 60-Day IL.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) tied for tenth in the Masters Tournament at four-under-par. Schauffele is ranked sixth in the world and 35th in the FedEx Cup and has won seven PGA Tour events in his career. J.J. Spaun (2009-12) ranks 71st in the world and 51st in the FedEx Cup with one career PGA Tour victory. Scott Piercy (1999-2001) has four career PGA Tour wins. Next weekend, all three will compete in the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina, April 13-16.
Aztecs in the Pros
