Early Success and Scoring Soaring

Published on January 12, 2004 under NBA G League (G League) News Release

GATORADE CALLUP REPORT...EARLY SUCCESS FOR DuPREE

Over the span of one day last week Ronald DuPree went from a starring role in the NBDL to a starring role in the NBA. DuPree, who was signed to a 10-day contract by the Chicago Bulls Jan. 7, met the Bulls in Miami and proceeded to score 18 points and grab nine rebounds in his NBA debut. Third in the NBDL in scoring when called up at 16.9 points per game, the former Huntsville Flight forward is averaging 24.3 minutes, 11.0 points 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists after three games with Chicago.

SCORING SOARING

Through the first 94 games of the season, the scoring average for NBDL teams has increased by 10.9 points per game over last season's totals and by 16 points over the league's inaugural season. The league's six teams are averaging 95.2 ppg this season, compared to 84.3 last year and 79.2 in 2001-02. The Roanoke Dazzle and the Charleston Lowgators lead the NBDL scoring parade, averaging 98.6 and 98.3 points per game, respectively.

THE STANDINGS (as of 1-12-04)

W L Pct Gb Last 5
Charleston Lowgators 12-5 .705 --- 4-1
Huntsville Flight 10-6 .625 1.5 1-4
Roanoke Dazzle 8-6 .571 2.5 2-3
Fayetteville Patriots 8-9 .470 4.0 2-3
Asheville Altitude 5-8 .384 5.0 3-2
Columbus Riverdragons 4-13 .235 8.0 2-3

COMING UP THIS WEEK

Day Date Game Local Time
Tue. Jan. 13 Fayetteville at Huntsville 7:00 p.m.
Columbus at Roanoke 7:00 p.m.
Wed. Jan. 14 Asheville at Charleston 7:00 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 16 Charleston at Columbus 7:00 p.m.
Roanoke at Huntsville 7:00 p.m.
Fayetteville at Asheville 7:15 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 17 Roanoke at Huntsville 7:00 p.m.
Fayetteville at Asheville 7:15 p.m. (NBA TV)

DOUBLE-HEADER WEEKEND

There will be plenty of Dazzle in Huntsville and lots of Patriots in Asheville as the Flight and the Altitude host weekend double-headers with Roanoke and Fayetteville, respectively. Asheville and Fayetteville played for the first time all season last weekend in Fayetteville, but will now play each other three times in seven days. Roanoke and Huntsville have also met just once, with the Flight winning that game.

SHAKING OFF THE RUST(Y)

NBA and NBDL veteran Rusty LaRue returned to the Asheville Altitude with a vengeance Saturday night, scoring 15 points in 14 minutes as the Altitude beat Fayetteville, 106-97, for its third consecutive win. LaRue connected on 5-of-6 field goal attempts, including 2-of-3 from three-point range.

SPEAKING ENGLISH

Charleston guard Carl English leads the NBDL in three-point field goals made (26) and attempted (60), but has really been lighting the lamp from behind the arc of late. Over the last six games English has connected on 55-percent (16- 29) from three-point land and the Lowgators have won five of those six games.

MIKKI'S BACK

Mikki Moore is returning to the Roanoke Dazzle roster after being released by the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 7. Moore returns to Roanoke as the NBDL's leading rebounder (9.8 pg) and as the league's second-leading scorer (20.8 pg). The former Nebraska star was signed by the Nets on Dec. 22 and played in four games before being released.

WHO'S HOT

The Charleston Lowgators have won four consecutive games and 12 of their last 14 to lead second place Huntsville by a game and a half. The Asheville Altitude has reeled off three consecutive victories, with two of those wins coming on the road.

WHO'S NOT

The Huntsville Flight has lost three straight and four of its last five games, but is still in second place in the NBDL standings.

TURN ON THE CAMERA

The Asheville Altitude has yet to lose a game played on NBA TV this season. Coach Joey Meyer's team is 5-8 on the season, 4-0 on the tube. Asheville hosts Fayetteville Saturday in a game that will be shown tape delayed by NBA TV on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m.

I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME

It's probably not a coincidence that the top two teams in the NBDL standings also have the league's best road records. The Charleston Lowgators are 7-2 on the road, while the Huntsville Flight is 6-2.

LEAGUE LEADERS

Scoring Desmond Penigar, F, Asheville, 21.0 ppg

Rebounding Mikki Moore, F, Roanoke, 9.8 rpg

Assists Omar Cook, G, Fayetteville, 8.0 apg

Steals Omar Cook, G, Fayetteville, 2.6 spg

FG% Phil Ricci, F, Huntsville, .579 (81-140)

3 PT % Kent Williams, G, Fayetteville, .513 (20-39)

FT% Gary Williams, F, Asheville, .926 (25-27)

Blocked Shots Ken Johnson, C, Huntsville, 3.2 bpg

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

Jan. 12

HUNTSVILLE FLIGHT -- Signed F Jamario Moon and C Ike Nwankwo. Waived C Nick Sheppard.

ROANOKE DAZZLE – Re-signed F Mikki Moore. Released C Chris Christoffersen.

Jan. 6

ASHEVILLE ALTITUDE -- Signed G Rusty LaRue. Waived G Tobe Carberry.

NBA G League Stories from January 12, 2004

• Moore Returns to Roanoke - G League
• Early Success and Scoring Soaring - G League
• Flight Acquires Moon, Nwankwo - G League

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