Atlanta Hawks Sign Huntsville Guard Mike Wilks
Published on December 24, 2002 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. (December 24, 2002) - The Atlanta Hawks have signed Huntsville Flight guard Mike Wilks, making him the second National Basketball Development League player to be called up to the NBA this season and the 10th in less than a season and a half.
Wilks returned to Huntsville for a second season after being the Milwaukee Bucks' final cut prior to this season. The Bucks signed him as a free agent on Aug. 23, 2002.
Wilks played in and started 16 games for Huntsville this year, averaging 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. His top game this season was a 26-point showing on 11-for-13 shooting at Mobile on Dec. 3..
Originally a 12th-round draft pick by the Mobile Revelers in the 2001 NBDL Draft, Wilks was released by Mobile after six games before being signed by Huntsville on Dec. 24, 2002. He averaged 10.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 38 games, all starts, for the Flight last season.
Wilks was also named the inaugural recipient of the NBDL Sportsmanship Award, honoring the player who best represents the ideals of character and conduct on the court. He has also been very active in the Huntsville Boys and Girls Clubs while a member of the Flight roster.
Current Fayetteville Patriots guard Devin Brown was the first NBDL player to be called-up this season. He was signed by San Antonio Nov. 2 and played in seven games for the Spurs before returning to the Patriots Nov. 26.
Wilks played collegiately at Rice University, where he completed his career ranked 11th all-time in scoring (1,300), second in steals (184), fifth in assists (348), seventh in free throws made (361) and third in minutes played (3,482).
Eight NBDL players were called up the NBA last season, four of which remain on NBA rosters at this time. Wilks joins Denver's Chris Andersen, New Jersey's Anthony Johnson, Seattle's Ansu Sesay and Los Angeles Clippers' Tremaine Fowlkes as NBDL alumni in the NBA.
The NBDL, playing in its second season, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), North Charleston Lowgators (S.C.), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Mobile Revelers (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.), Greenville Groove (S.C.), and Asheville Altitude (N.C.).
The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. In addition to the players, three coaches and three game officials have also been called up to the NBA since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.
NBA G League Stories from December 24, 2002
- Flight Takes Down Columbus in Fourth - Columbus Riverdragons
- Flight Upend Columbus 69-66 Tuesday Afternoon - Huntsville Flight
- Atlanta Hawks Sign Huntsville Guard Mike Wilks - G League
- Roanoke Shoots out the Lights - G League
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