Dorsey Assigned To Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Published on November 13, 2009 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2009 - The Houston Rockets today assigned Joey Dorsey to the team's NBA D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The assignment is the first of the NBA D-League season and the second time Dorsey will join the Vipers in his two-year NBA career. Dorsey's assignment also marks the first time the Rockets have assigned a player since assuming control of the Vipers' basketball operations as part of their single-affiliation partnership in June.
Dorsey, a 6-8 forward/center, re-joins the Vipers following a seven-game assignment last season, when he averaged 9.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in five starts between Dec. 26, 2008 and Jan. 9, 2009. With Dorsey's assignment to the Vipers, who open their 2009 training camp tomorrow, he becomes the second Rocket to spend the NBA D-League preseason in Rio Grande Valley, following Steve Novak's stint in McAllen, Texas in 2007.
Dorsey will join the Vipers and former Memphis teammate Antonio Anderson, who was the Vipers' first-round selection in last week's NBA D-League Draft, this afternoon.
"Joey had a strong offseason and a solid training camp for us, but in continuing to focus on his development, we believe that at this point of the season the Rio Grande Valley Vipers offer him the best option for his basketball progression," Rockets Vice President of Player Personnel/General Manager of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers Gersson Rosas said. "In determining Joey's assignment, we were also encouraged by the fact that because of our single-affiliation partnership with the Vipers, we can offer him a valued opportunity to develop on a more active basis in terms of his ability to play. We know that Joey will be in good hands with Head Coach Chris Finch and his staff, as well as having all the resources necessary for him to be productive during his time in the D-League. This is one of the primary reasons for our single-affiliation partnership and we look forward to reaping the benefits of it through these development opportunities."
Yet to see 2009-10 regular season action with the Rockets, Dorsey averaged 3.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in six preseason games for Houston this season. Over the summer, Dorsey averaged 9.8 points and an NBA Summer League-best 14.8 rebounds for the Rockets, while blocking 13 shots and helping his team to a perfect 5-0 record in the desert classic. During his rookie year, Dorsey appeared in three games for the Rockets.
The 33rd overall selection in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Dorsey was traded to the Rockets on Draft night.
Dorsey averaged 6.7 points and 8.1 rebounds during his four-year career at Memphis, finishing his career as the all-time leader in rebounding in Conference USA history with 1,209 boards. He also earned First Team All-Conference USA honors as a junior and Second Team honors during his senior season.
NBA G League Stories from November 13, 2009
- Rockets Assign Joey Dorsey To Vipers - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Dorsey Assigned To Rio Grande Valley Vipers - G League
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