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NBA D-League Update

Published on January 27, 2012 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


REHAB ASSIGNMENT FOR BLEDSOE

It wasn't long ago Eric Bledsoe was a sticking point for the L.A. Clippers in a potential trade for Chris Paul. Today, he's a trend-setter, embarking on a two-game rehab stint with the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, the Clippers' affiliate.

Up until now, most assignments to the NBA D-League have featured a young player not in the rotation being sent down to get playing time and seasoning. Bledsoe, who averaged 6.7 points, 3.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes in 81 games as a rookie last season, is looking to go full speed in game action for the first time since undergoing surgery on Oct. 7 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee.

"Eric has reached the point in his rehab where playing in a game setting is the final step in satisfying his return to play criteria," Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey said in a statement. "If he performs as expected for Joe Resendez, our assistant trainer and Howard Eisley, our player development assistant, who will both accompany him on his assignment for the Jam's next two games, we anticipate him rejoining our team for our trip to Denver this Saturday."

In his first game with Bakersfield last night, Bledsoe scored 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, while dishing out a team-high seven assists in 19 minutes. He's expected to play again tonight for the Jam, then join the Clippers in Denver Sunday for a game against the Nuggets.

"I just think he needs to go play in some games and free his mind up a little bit of the injury and just get in game condition," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro told the Los Angeles Times. "He's such a tremendous athlete that it's not going to take him long. But I think it's a good opportunity for him to get some consistent minutes and get some consistent play to get back the feel of playing."

When he returns to the Clippers, Bledsoe will join a crowded backcourt rotation that includes Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams and Randy Foye. Minutes won't be guaranteed, though Del Negro still sees an opportunity for Bledsoe to make an impact.

"Obviously, he can bring us great speed and athleticism," Del Negro said. "He's just going to grow as a player as he gets an opportunity. But there's no question there's not a lot of minutes there in the backcourt with the number of guys that we have. But I think there are some skills that we hopefully can use with him because there's no question that he's talented."

PROSPECT REPORT

Ben Uzoh, Rio Grande Valley Vipers -- Uzoh may be on borrowed time with the Vipers, as his play of late could very well lead to a call-up. The reigning NBA D-League Performer of the Week is averaging 18.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists in six games this season. Not drafted out of Tulsa in 2010, Uzoh spent his rookie season with the New Jersey Nets, appearing in 42 games and averaging 3.8 points. He clearly brings a lot to the table from an NBA perspective. He has a strong and athletic frame for a 6-3 combo guard. He's an aggressive defender, who will also rebound from the backcourt. Though not a pure point guard, he's a solid decision maker with the ball who doesn't try to do to much. All told, he could easily be collecting an NBA check right now, and figures to be on everybody's call-up short list in the coming weeks.

NEWS & NOTES

Golden State Assigns Chris Wright to NBA D-League Affiliate Dakota Wizards

The Golden State Warriors have assigned rookie forward Chris Wright to the Dakota Wizards, the Warriors? NBA D-League affiliate. The assignment marks the 30th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and is the first of Wright's career. Wright, who earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Warriors from the Maine Red Claws in December 2011, has appeared in five games for Golden State this season, scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds in 16 minutes. Prior to his Call-Up, Wright played in four games for the Red Claws, averaging 17.0 points and 10.8 rebounds in 31.3 minutes. More

Cleveland Assigns Luke Harangody to NBA D-League Affiliate Canton Charge

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned forward Luke Harangody to the Canton Charge, the Cavaliers? NBA D-League affiliate. The assignment marks the 29th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and is the first of Harangody's career. Originally selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Harangody (6-7, 245, Notre Dame) was traded to Cleveland in February 2011. This season he has appeared in five games for the Cavaliers, averaging 2.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 7.6 minutes. In 54 career NBA games with Boston and Cleveland, Harangody is averaging 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds 7.6 minutes. More

L.A. Clippers Assign Eric Bledsoe to NBA D-League Affiliate Bakersfield Jam

The Los Angeles Clippers have assigned guard Eric Bledsoe to the Bakersfield Jam, the Clippers' NBA D-League affiliate. The assignment marks the 28th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and is the first of Bledsoe's career. Originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (18th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Bledsoe (6-1, 185, Kentucky) was traded to the Clippers on Draft night. In 81 games (25 starts) for the Clippers last season, Bledsoe averaged 6.7 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 22.7 minutes. He has yet to see action for the Clippers this season after undergoing surgery on Oct. 7, 2011 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. The injury originally occurred during an offseason workout. More

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Sioux Falls Skyforce has acquired Keith Benson from the available player pool. Benson was waived by the Atlanta Hawks in training camp after being selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft. He averaged 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in four seasons (135 games) at Oakland University ... The Idaho Stampede has re-acquired Will Foster (7-5, 254, Gonzaga) and Terrico White (6-5, 213, Mississippi). Foster is averaging 5.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and a league-leading 3.1 blocks in 17 contests. White is averaging 12.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in eight games this season ... The Bakersfield Jam has acquired forward Chu Maduabum . Maduabum was the first Jam player and the third player ever drafted from the NBA D-League by an NBA team. The Los Angeles Lakers selected Maduabum with the 56th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, then traded his draft rights to the Denver Nuggets. He appeared in three games with the Jam during the 2010-11 season, averaging 0.7 points in 7.0 minutes. A native of Nigeria, Maduabum played for the Dodan Warriors prior to joining the Jam, where he averaged 10.5 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 20 minutes ... The Austin Toros have signed 7-1, 240-pound center Luke Bonner, who's no stranger to the Toros roster, having played in 16 regular season games averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 2009-10. In six playoff games, Bonner averaged 17.0 points and 13.0 rebounds. Bonner's most recent play has been in Lithuania ... The Tulsa 66ers have signed forward Delroy James via the NBA D-League's available player pool. James most recently played in Israel for team Bnei Eshet Tours Hasharon, where he averaged 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 10 games. The forward played collegiately for the University of Rhode Island from 2007-2011. As a senior, he averaged 17.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 34 games.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Cleveland's Alonzo Gee scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting in 28 minutes in a loss to the Toronto Raptors last night. Not drafted by an NBA franchise in 2009, Gee signed with the Austin Toros, and was named the 2009-10 NBA D-League Rookie of the Year, averaging 21.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 36 games with the Toros. After spending time with the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs at the end of the 2009-10 season, Gee was signed by the Cavaliers in December 2010, and went on to average 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 40 games.-->

GATORADE CALL-UP BOARD

Boston's Ray Allen needs 28 threes to pass Reggie Miller (2,560) for first on the all-time list ... Boston's Kevin Garnett needs 60 rebounds to pass Charles Barkley (12,546) for 16th on the all-time list ... The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant needs 52 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for eighth on the all-time list. Bryant needs seven steals to pass Rod Strickland (1,616) for 22nd on the all-time list.

ASSIGNMENT BOARD

NBA Players Currently on Assignment in the NBA D-League:

Player NBA Team NBA D-League Team Assignment Date G PPG RPG APG

Hassan Whiteside Sacramento Reno 11/29/10 7 5.1 3.2 0.1

DeMarre Carroll Memphis Dakota 12/14/10 6 35.7 18.3 6.8

Pape Sy Atlanta Utah 12/27/10 6 24.0 5.5 5.0

Devin Ebanks L.A. Lakers Bakersfield 12/27/10 6 26.5 12.0 8.0

Garret Siler Phoenix Iowa 1/4/10 16.0 4.0 7.0

Cole Aldrich Oklahoma City Tulsa 12/30/10 28.8 7.3 8.1

Today's Quote

Erie guard KEITH McLEOD, who was recently acquired in a trade with Canton, on the ever-changing rosters of the NBA D-League: "To the D-League teams, with the way things can go, it hurts because you lose good players and it seems like you've got to start all over. I know that's frustrating for the coaches, but at the same time, it means they're doing their job also. Sometimes it's bittersweet." Erie Times-News, Jan. 27, 2012

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NBA G League Stories from January 27, 2012


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