Lindell Wigginton producing in G League while hoping for another NBA shot

FRISCO, Texas — It was just another productive night for Lindell Wigginton: 29 points, nine rebounds, five assists on 8-of-16 shooting while going 4-for-4 at the foul line over 40 minutes for Wisconsin of the NBA G League.

However, the most important aspect of this road game at Texas was the Herd earned a much-needed, 123-122 win, a victory secured by a last-second block.

“Yeah, that’s all I want is a win. It’s a good win,” Wigginton, a former Iowa State star, said after the game before going to see his brother who lives in Texas and attended the game.

In 18 games with the Herd this season, the ex-Cyclone is averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Those are numbers Wisconsin Coach Chaisson Allen feel only partly show why Wigginton is so invaluable.

“He’s been with me two years now,” Allen said. “Brings a lot of energy. Played at the highest level, so he brings a lot of leadership as well on the floor.

“(His leadership]) is a mix of the two styles. As he’s picked up on the system, he’s able to voice a little more on the floor. Obviously, shows it every night and competes. Does a lot on the floor to show that leadership.”

And Wigginton, 24, has enjoyed building a strong relationship with Allen, much like the one he forged with ex-ISU head coach Steve Prohm during his two seasons in Ames (2017-18 and 2018-19).

“It was good,” he said. “Obviously, we had a good second-year team, a lot of guys that went on to play pro. It was good there playing for Steve Prohm and with the guys I played with there.”

As a freshman, he averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists and earned a spot on the 2018 Big 12 Conference All-Newcomer Team. In 2018-19, he averaged 13.4 points per game, four rebounds and 2.1 assists, numbers which garnered him the 2019 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year award.

In his 56 career games at ISU (33 starts), he averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game.

After his sophomore season, he declared himself draft-eligible. After going undrafted, he played in the NBA Summer League before landing with the Iowa Wolves of the G League for the first of two stints there.

Wigginton enjoyed returning to Iowa and the 57 games he played for the Wolves in such familiar surroundings.

“Yeah, it was definitely cool to be back in Iowa. We had a lot of fans coming from Iowa just to see me play,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere each and every night. To see that support, it’s amazing.”

In 2020, he ventured overseas, signing to play in Israel during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made playing abroad different. It was still a good experience, though.

“Yeah, it was kind of different because it was during COVID, but it was cool,” he said. “It wasn’t too bad.”

In October 2021, he signed with the Herd. Several months later, he inked a two-way deal with the Herd’s parent club, the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. Under a two-way contract, players divide their time between the NBA and G League.

Wigginton’s NBA debut came on Jan. 13, 2022 when he played the final four minutes against Golden State. He played a total of 19 games for the Bucks, an experience he won’t soon forget.

“Just a learning experience being able to play with one of the best players in the world (Giannis Antetokounmpo), with one of the best point guards, two-way guards (George Hill) in the NBA,” Wigginton said. “It was definitely a learning experience, a great experience that I had. I’m hoping to get back there.”

When asked how he’s changed most since leaving Ames just a few years ago, Wigginton didn’t hesitate in naming one major difference in his game then compared to now.

“I would say just my pace. The game’s slowing down for me,” he said. “I’m not rushing things. My shot is more consistent now and I’m bigger, stronger.”

Despite spending just two seasons at ISU, he continues keeping tabs on how the Cyclones are faring under current head coach TJ Otzelberger and likes what he has seen thus far from the fiery ISU boss.

“Man, he’s doing an amazing job. Hopefully I get back there to see a game,” Wigginton said. “He’s doing an amazing job, especially on the defensive end.

“I feel that’s the biggest improvement that he’s made. He’s got a great team. He’s a player’s coach and guys want to go play for him. The intensity that he brings each and every night is amazing.”

Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas