66ers get fast and athletic in D-League draft
November 3, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
TULSA, Okla., November 3, 2005 - The Tulsa 66ers selected Bernard King with their first pick in the 2005-06 NBA Development League draft. A 6-5, 195 pound shooting guard from Texas A&M, King finished the 2004-05 season in the French ProA League, averaging 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists.
King competed last season with the Huntsville Flight, averaging a team-leading 18.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 25 games. King played for Fenerbahce in Turkey in 2003-04, averaging 12.7 points and 4.4 rebounds in 9 games.
King finished his collegiate career as the top scorer in Big 12 conference history, as well as third all time in career assists. He was one of the few players in college history to lead his team in scoring and assists all four seasons. King, who started 108 of 115 career games, finished his college career as Texas A&M's all-time leader in points, 3-point field goals made, and was a second all-time leader in assists.
"I'm glad to have Bernard as our number one pick in the draft," said head coach Joey Meyer. "He has amazing potential. I know what kind of player he is because I coached against him last year and I'm eager to see him in camp."
"King is a relentless warrior," said Tulsa 66ers assistant coach Roy Rogers. "When the game is on the line, he's the one that wants the ball. You get a lot of guys that say that, but Bernard follows through. I was fortunate enough to coach him in Huntsville and he made tremendous progress. I'm hoping he'll start off where he finished last season," said Rogers.
The Tulsa 66ers selected Fresno State's second all-time leading shot blocker (140), Mustafa Al-Sayyad, as their second-round pick. Al-Sayyad earned Second Team All-WAC honors as a senior and was named to the WAC All-Defensive Team his junior and senior seasons. Originally from Sudan, he finished his collegiate career as the fifth all-time leader in career field goal percentage (.572) and recorded 10 career double-doubles. Al-Sayyad started 59 of 129 career games.
"Mustafa is a classy, young guy who wants to get better," said Meyer. "He hasn't played a lot of basketball, but he's got a good work ethic and a tremendous amount of potential."
Tulsa 66ers preseason training camp begins Saturday, Nov. 5 at the TCC Southeast campus. Each team will make their first cuts down to 12 players by Nov. 11 followed by the NBA Development League exhibition games scheduled to begin Nov. 12. Tulsa will face the Albuquerque Thunderbirds in their exhibition contest, Nov. 12, in Albuquerque, N.M.
"I am very pleased with the team we were able to put together," said Meyer. "We have some good players who are really going to compete hard for each of the roster spots. We're really excited about our picks. We have a young, athletic team that our fans will be excited to see play."
A crowd of more than 200 gathered at Cherokee Casino & Resort to watch the live draft board as all of the league's coaches made their picks and NBA director of scouting Marty Blake and assistant director of scouting Ryan Blake offered their opinions on the selectees.
"It was nerve-wracking, especially when you pick seventh...that's a lot to wait through. Fortunately we had a good backup plan and I'm really excited about camp," said Rogers.
"It was absolutely amazing to be a part of history here in Tulsa. This draft was a milestone for the community. The caliber of players being drafted tonight are the guys that I can imagine seeing in the NBA," said Robert Melton, Tulsa 66ers season ticket holder.
Additional 2005 Tulsa 66ers draft selections include: Desmon Farmer (USC), Otis George (Louisville), Seamus Boxley (Portland State), Will Conroy (Washington), Jerry Dupree (USC), Cezary Trybanski (Poland), Paul Marigney (St. Mary's) and Rasheim Wright (University of D.C.).
The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, six athletic trainers, 14 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
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NBA G League Stories from November 3, 2005
- 66ers get fast and athletic in D-League draft - Tulsa 66ers
- Patriots go large in D-League draft - Fayetteville Patriots
- Dazzle Finalize Training Camp Roster with 10 Picks in the 2005 D-League Draft - Roanoke Dazzle
- #1 Pick Andre Barrett Highlights Flame Draft Night Selections - Florida Flame
- Toros Announce 2005-06 Draft Selections - Austin Spurs
- NBA Development League announces 2005 draft results - G League
- NBA TV to carry draft coverage tonight - G League
- Florida Flame announce training camp additions - Florida Flame
- Flame tickets now available - Florida Flame
- Dazzle predraft roster continues to take shape - Roanoke Dazzle
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
