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NBA D-League Update

February 7, 2012 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


NO DOUBTING THOMAS

Lance Thomas averaged 4.6 points over four seasons at Duke (2006-10). He wasn't listed on ESPN's Top 100 Draft Prospects heading into the 2010 NBA Draft. He wasn't one of the 60 players included on several prominent mock drafts. He didn't even get a profile in the NBA's Official Draft Media Guide.

Today, he's back in the NBA for his second stint with the New Orleans Hornets this season, after signing a 10-day contract with the team yesterday. He initially made the Hornets' opening-night roster, but was waived on Dec. 31, 2011.

Thomas, who's averaged 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds in 19 games for the Austin Toros this season, is a terrific illustration of what the NBA Development League is all about.

First off, he's used his time in the NBA D-League to improve as a player. Overshadowed by more talented players at Duke, Thomas has continued to work on his game. He's improved as a shooter. He's worked on his body. He's increased his skill level.

On top of that, he was a phone call away and able to fill a gap created by an knee injury sustained by the Hornets' Carl Landry. Having been with New Orleans in training camp and the first week of the season, he was working knowledge of what Coach Monty Williams is trying to do.

With NBA teams able to sign players to 10-day contracts beginning Feb. 6, expect to see more players from the NBA D-League capitalizing on opportunities created by injuries, or an NBA team hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with a player who's flown under the radar.

PROSPECT REPORT

Jeff Foote, Springfield Armor -- Said a longtime NBA scout about Foote prior to the 2010 NBA Draft: "I feel Foote might fit in on an NBA team that needs a backup center who can think the game, be a willing and adept passer and be a factor around the rim on both ends of the court. Foote has a little nastiness to him, but not a lot. Except for having a little less nastiness, he reminds me a lot of Jeff Foster, who is still around and helpful to the Indiana Pacers. Foote is taller than Foster and offers more shot-blocking, but Foster possesses a little more mobility to compete for rebounds away from his body. Both guys have a nice shooting touch from 15 feet and in. I believe Foote will get a serious look from NBA team and eventually land a spot as a situational center who can play against other seven-footers." Foote, who wasn't drafted in 2010 and spent his rookie season overseas, was in training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers, then returned to Springfield, where he's averaged 14.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in 21 games.

NEWS & NOTES

Springfield's Jerry Smith Named NBA D-League Performer of the Week

Jerry Smith of the Springfield Armor was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Jan. 30-Feb. 5, when the Armor went 2-0. Smith, a 6-2, 190-pound guard out of Louisville, averaged 26.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists, while shooting 60 percent from the floor last week. He recorded back-to-back double-doubles against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, recording 27 points and 11 rebounds on Feb. 2 and 26 points and 11 rebounds on Feb. 3. For the season, Smith is averaging 17.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 22 games for the Armor. More

Philadelphia Assigns Brackins to NBA D-League Affiliate Maine Red Claws

The Philadelphia 76ers have assigned second-year forward Craig Brackins to the Maine Red Claws, the Sixers? NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 34th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season, and it is the first assignment for Brackins this season and the fourth of his career. Brackins (6-10, 230, Iowa State), has appeared in eight games for the Sixers this season, scoring five points in 27 minutes. For his career, Brackins has seen action in 11 games, averaging 1.2 points in 5.5 minutes. Brackins returns to the NBA D-League following three assignments during his rookie campaign. In 18 games for the Springfield Armor last season, he averaged 20.1 points and 8.6 rebounds in 37.6 minutes. Originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (21st overall) of the 2010 NBA draft, Brackins was involved in a draft-day swap with the New Orleans Hornets who then traded him to Philadelphia in September 2010.

Minnesota Timberwolves Assign Lee to NBA D-League Affiliate Sioux Falls Skyforce

The Minnesota Timberwolves have assigned rookie guard Malcolm Lee to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Timberwolves? NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 33rd time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season, and it is the first assignment for Lee. Originally selected 43rd overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2011 NBA Draft, Lee (6-5, 200, UCLA) was acquired by the Timberwolves on Draft night. Lee appeared in two preseason games for Minnesota, recording 12 points, five assists and four rebounds in 28 minutes, but has yet to see action in the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee on Dec. 30.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Oklahoma City Thunder has recalled forward Ryan Reid from the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League. In his most recent stint with the 66ers, Reid averaged 11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 30.6 minutes in eight games (all starts). Overall this season, the forward is averaging 11.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 32.4 minutes in 16 games (all starts). Reid was originally signed by the Thunder on Dec. 13, 2011 but has yet to appear in a regular season game ... The San Antonio Spurs have waived Malcolm Thomas, who the team signed from the L.A. D-Fenders on Jan. 11, 2012. Thomas saw action in three games for the Spurs this season, totaling three rebounds, one point and one assist in 15 minutes ... The Dakota Wizards announced that rookie forward Chris Wright has been recalled by the Golden State Warriors. Wright appeared in three games with the Wizards, averaging 20.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.3 blocks in 31.0 minutes. He was originally assigned to the Wizards on January 26, 2012. Prior to his assignment to the NBA D-League, Wright appeared in five games for Golden State, averaging 1.0 points in 3.2 minutes.

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.-->

LOOKING AHEAD

As the NBA D-League converges on Reno for the 2012 NBA D-League Showcase, look for full coverage, including game recaps, features and video on NBADLeague.com.-->

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

MIKE D'ANTONI, on NBA D-League alum Jeremy Lin, who's posted back-to-back 20-point games for the Knicks: "Jeremy kind of settles everything, puts everything in perspective, and we can build on that. We hope. I don?t want to get too far ahead, but I am excited." The New York Times, Feb. 7, 2012

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