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G League Austin Spurs

Bell Rings in Austin, Williams Out to Rehab

December 30, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release


AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Toros of the NBA Development League have acquired guard Troy Bell, the 16th overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft. He fills the roster spot vacated by the second pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, guard Jay Williams, who was waived to rehabilitate a nagging injury.

Bell, 6-1, 180, out of Boston College, was the Thunderbird's first selection in the 2006 D-League Draft (12th overall). In 11 games (one start) he averaged 10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists before being waived by the Thunderbirds on Dec. 27. He was the 16th overall selection in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, who traded his rights to the Memphis Grizzlies. Bell played six games during the 2003-04 season with Memphis, averaging 5.7 minutes and 1.8 points. He had brief stints the next two seasons in both Spain (Real Madrid) and Germany (Frankfurt Skyliners).

Bell was named the Big East Player of the Year as a senior and Co-Player of the Year as a sophomore. He earned First Team All-Big East honors his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, finishing his collegiate career as Boston College's all-time leading scorer with 2,632 points, ranking 21st in NCAA history, as well as third on the Boston College career scoring list (21.7 ppg).

After being acquired by the Toros on Dec. 8, Williams is forced to put his return to basketball on hold after three games (one start) with the Toros, averaging 28.0 minutes, 6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Following his rookie year with the Chicago Bulls, Williams was severely injured in a motorcycle accident, putting his career on the shelf for three seasons. He averaged 26.0 minutes 9.5 points and 4.7 assists in 75 games as a rookie with the Bulls in 2002-03.

There is no injured list in the D-League, but the Toros will have first right of refusal on Williams when he is ready to play again. Bell is expected to join the Toros in time for Thursday's game at Bakersfield.

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