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Greenville's Jeff Myers named 2001-02 NBDL Defensive Player of the Year

March 27, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Greenville Groove News Release


NEW YORK, N.Y., March 27, 2002 – Jeff Myers of the Greenville Groove was named the 2001-02 NBDL Defensive Player of the Year, it was announced today by NBDL Executive Director Karl Hicks.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard finished the 2001-02 NBDL inaugural season second in the league in steals with 2.11 spg and held a share of the league record for most steals in a game with eight. Myers also averaged 10.0 ppg on .462 (196-424 FGA) shooting along with 4.4 rpg and 3.6 apg over 27.4 mpg in 56 games (50 starts) for Greenville.

Myers was one of only two players to tally over 100 steals (118) during the season, and swiped at least three steals in 21 games leading the Groove to a 15-6 mark in those contests. Myers also registered at least one steal in 35 straight games from December 29, 2001 through the regular season finale on March 23, 2002, and notched at least one steal in 51 of 56 games played this season.

"Jeff has been the key to our defense throughout the entire season," said Greenville Groove head coach Milton Barnes. "It was our defensive effort that led to our 15-game winning streak this season and Jeff set the tone for this team."

Myers, a ninth round selection (67th overall) in the NBDL's Inaugural Draft, was one of just two members of the Groove to play in all 56 games this season and led Greenville in total minutes played (1,534). He was also one of only two players in the league to amass 200 or more assists, including 19 games with at least five assists.

"Jeff's gritty defensive play was the foundation of Greenville's second-half surge this season," said NBDL Executive Director Karl Hicks. "This award recognizes Jeff's growth and development as a player and a leader."

Myers played in the International Basketball League (IBL) during the 2000-01 and played for PAO in Cypress from 1997-2000. He was with the Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during the 1998-99 season, and played two seasons in the United States Basketball League (USBL) with the Philadelphia Power and the Camden Power.

Myers played three years at Drexel University (1995-97) and finished his collegiate career ranked ninth in school history in points (1,430) and assists (328), fifth in free throws made (381) and steals (132) and sixth in three-pointers made (139). He also holds the school record for most minutes played in a season (1,134 in 1996-97). As a senior, Myers averaged 16.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg leading the team to a 22-9 record and an appearance in the NIT. He earned a First Team NAC selection after his junior year, averaging 18.7 ppg and 6.0 rpg as he led the Dragons to the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

Other top votegetters for the NBDL's Defensive Player of the Year Award were Lee Scruggs of the Asheville Altitude, Derek Hood of the Mobile Revelers, Fred House and Neil Edwards of the North Charleston Lowgators, and Marshall Phillips of the Roanoke Dazzle.

The NBDL, the NBA's minor league, 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. Six NBDL players were called up to the NBA during the NBDL's inaugural season. The NBDL serves as a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 29 teams and as a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions in each NBDL city.

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