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G League Grand Rapids Drive

Drive Make Two Additional Roster Moves

December 17, 2017 - NBA G League (G League)
Grand Rapids Drive News Release


GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (Dec 15, 2017) - The Grand Rapids Drive, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, announced today that the team has acquired KJ McDaniels off waivers and Marcus Thornton from the available player pool.

McDaniels, the 6-foot-6, 205-pound guard out of Clemson University (2011-14) had two strong seasons with the Tigers. During his sophomore year (2012-13), he averaged 10.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and finished second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in blocked shots with 2.1 per game. In his junior and final collegiate year (2013-14), McDaniels became one of the top players in the ACC. He averaged 17.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and led the ACC in blocks per game at 2.8. Following the conclusion of the regular season, he was named first team All-ACC and the conference Defensive Player of the Year. McDaniels declared for the 2014 NBA draft, foregoing his final year of college eligibility. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. McDaniels appeared in 52 games for the Sixers and averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 25.4 minutes per game. In 2015, he was traded to the Houston Rockets where he appeared in just 10 games for Houston to finish the regular season and signed a three-year contract (2015-17). In addition to the Rockets, McDaniels spent time with the Brooklyn Nets (2017) and the Toronto Raptors (2017).

McDaniels joins the Grand Rapids Drive for tonight's Friday night match-up against the Delaware 87ers and will wear number 11 while with the Drive.

Thornton, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound guard attended two years at Louisiana State University. In just two years, he finished with 1,347 points, 21st all-time and with a 20.4 scoring average, he ranked sixth all-time. He also finished eighth in school history with 168 three-pointers. The NBA Vet was selected with the 43rd overall pick by the Miami Heat in the 2009 NBA draft, but his rights were later traded to the New Orleans Hornets. With an NBA playing career from 2009-2017, Thornton has played on the New Orleans Hornets (2009-11), the Sacramento Kings (2011-14), the Brooklyn Nets (2014), the Boston Celtics (2014-15), the Phoenix Suns (2015), Houston Rockets (2015-16), and the Washington Wizards (2016-17). Throughout his overall career, he has appeared in 483 games, averaging 11.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game. He was NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2010), SEC Player of the Year (2009), and First-team All-SEC (2009).

Thornton will wear number 13 while with the team.

The team waived Malcom Bernard and Zeke Marshall.

The Grand Rapids Drive take on the Delaware 87ers for GVSU Takeover Night. Tip-off is at 7 PM (ET). For tonight's game, the Drive will dress in their away "blues" to support GVSU's "Blue Out" Theme. By showing a current GVSU ID, students and staff can enter the game for FREE. Grand Valley alumni, family and friends can purchase tickets at a 20 percent discount at www.NBAGrandRapids.com; use promo code "GVSU."

To purchase tickets or for general inquiries, contact the Drive Box Office at 844-GR-DRIVE (844-473-7483) or go online to www.nbagrandrapids.com.

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