
D-Fenders Acquire Morris Almond and Mike Taylor from Iowa Energy
January 30, 2013 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
EL SEGUNDO - The Los Angeles D-Fenders have acquired Morris Almond and Mike Taylor from the Iowa Energy in exchange for Jarrid Famous and a 2013 first round draft pick, it was announced today.
Almond, a two-time NBA Development League All-Star (2008, 2010) and NBA D-League Impact Player of the Year (2008), has averaged 23.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 137 career NBA D-League games (128 starts) with Iowa, Maine, Springfield and Utah. In 18 games (17 starts) this season with the Energy, Almond (6'6" / 225lbs) is averaging 19.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. Originally selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (25th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Almond, who also received an NBA GATORADE Call-Up to the Washington Wizards in 2012, has appeared in 38 career NBA games over three seasons, averaging 3.1 points and 1.2 rebounds in 9.5 minutes. Almond, named the All-Conference USA Player of the Year (2007) and recipient of All-Conference USA First Team honors (2006, 2007) at Rice University, finished his career with the Owls as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer (1,825 points scored).
Taylor (6'2" / 170lbs), who most recently played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Republic), returns to the NBA D-League for the first time since playing for the Energy during the 2010-11 season. Taylor, the first player to ever suit up for an NBA D-League team and later join the NBA through the draft, has averaged 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 52 career NBA D-League games with Idaho and Iowa. Originally selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2008 NBA Draft (2nd round, 55th overall) and later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, Taylor has appeared in 51 career NBA games, averaging 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 15.1 minutes.
Almond and Taylor will both be available tonight when the D-Fenders take on the Bakersfield Jam (NBA Affiliates: Atlanta, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix, Toronto) at 7pm in El Segundo. Ticket information can be found on www.d-fenders.com or by contacting Benny Garcia at (310) 426-6043 / bgarcia@d-fenders.com.
NBA G League Stories from January 30, 2013
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- D-Fenders Acquire Morris Almond and Mike Taylor from Iowa Energy - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Energy Obtain Jarrid Famous and 2013 1st Round Draft Pick from Los Angeles in Trade - Iowa Wolves
- Denver Nuggets Assign Julyan Stone to NBA D-League Affiliate Iowa Energy - Iowa Wolves
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- Cavaliers Assign Kevin Jones to Charge - Cleveland Charge
- Cleveland Cavaliers Re-Assign Kevin Jones to NBA D-League Affiliate Canton Charge - G League
- Denver Nuggets Assign Julyan Stone to NBA D-League Affiliate Iowa Energy - G League
- Iowa Energy Acquire Hite and Gilchrist - Iowa Wolves
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.
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