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Hawks assign Donta Smith to RimRockers

December 2, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Arkansas RimRockers News Release


ATLANTA, Ga., December 2 - The Atlanta Hawks assigned guard Donta Smith to the Arkansas RimRockers of the NBA Development League today, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. The RimRockers have been designated as the Hawks' D-League affiliate for the 2005-06 campaign.

"Donta is a talented, young player who will get an opportunity to develop and work on his game in the D-League," Knight said. "Going to Arkansas will provide him the chance for more playing time, as he continues to hone his skills."

Smith is the eighth NBA player to be assigned to a D-League affiliate this season and joins Toronto's Pape Sow as the second to the RimRockers. The Milwaukee Bucks have assigned Ersan Ilyasova and the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets designated Sean Banks to Tulsa. The Minnesota Timberwolves have designated center Dwayne Jones and guard Bracey Wright to the Florida Flame, while the Washington Wizards have designated Peter John Ramos to the Roanoke Dazzle. The Phoenix Suns assigned Dijon Thompson to Albuquerque and recalled him after three games with the Thunderbirds.

"Donta is an incredibly good player that I've watched in Junior College and as a professional," RimRockers Head Coach Joe Harge said. "I'm thrilled to have him here. He will help us tremendously and I hope we can do the same for him and put him in a position to be a great NBA player."

Smith, a 6-7 guard, has appeared in six games for the Hawks this season, averaging 0.7 ppg and 0.5 rpg in 3.2 mpg (.400 FG%). He has missed seven contests due to coach's decision, and one while on the inactive list.

In five games at the Rocky Mountain Revue this past summer, he posted 3.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 1.6 apg in five contests.

Selected in the second round (34th overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft, Smith appeared in 38 games for Atlanta during his rookie campaign, and averaged 3.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 1.0 apg (.389 FG%, .688 FT%). He scored in double figures five times, including a career-best 12 on two occasions.

An early-entry candidate for the draft, Smith played two seasons at Southeastern Illinois College, earning NJCAA All-American First Team honors as a sophomore, after tallying 25.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 3.4 apg, leading his team to a 33-4 record.

Smith will begin play with the Arkansas RimRockers on Sunday, December 4 when they take on the Fayetteville Patriots at 3 p.m. Fans can come see Smith and get autographs after the game.

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