Former Viper Brown To Compete In All Star Dunk Contest
Published on January 18, 2010 under NBA G League (G League)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers News Release
HIDALGO, Texas - The Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League (D-League) announced today that Los Angeles Lakers guard and Vipers alumnus Shannon Brown will be competing in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on February 13 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, part of NBA All-Star Saturday. Brown is the first former Viper to compete in an event during NBA All-Star Weekend. Brown will compete along side New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson and Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace. A fourth player will be determined through a "dunk-off" between Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon and Toronto Raptors forward DeMar DeRozan.
Brown was an NBA assignment player for Rio Grande Valley during the Vipers inaugural 2007-08 season. Brown, then a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers a former Vipers affiliate, averaged 23.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Vipers over the course of four games. Brown had a breakout game during the 2008 NBA Development League Showcase in Boise Idaho that led to his immediate re-call to Cleveland. On January 16th versus the Dakota Wizards, Brown scored a game-high 37 points and grabbed five rebounds and dished out three assists in Rio Grande Valley's 119-112 win.
Brown was traded to the Lakers in February 2009, along with Adam Morrison by the Charlotte Bobcats who had signed him during the 2008 off-season. Brown played sparingly at first for the Lakers but saw his minutes increase into the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Brown scored 4.9 points per game during the post-season, which saw him become the first former Viper to hoist the NBA Championship trophy. The Lakers beat the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals by winning the series four games to one.
Brown has developed into the Lakers first back up point guard. Brown has played in 40 games during the 2009-10 season for the defending NBA Champions. Brown is averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game this season for the Lakers who currently sit atop the Western Conference Standings with a record of 31-9.
NBA G League Stories from January 18, 2010
- Stampede Add Cory Underwood To Roster - Idaho Stampede
- Former Viper Brown To Compete In All Star Dunk Contest - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
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