James White First Draft Pick in Red Claws' History
September 2, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Maine Celtics News Release
PORTLAND, ME - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, took their first step towards building their roster for their inaugural season with the 2009 NBA D-League Expansion Draft on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. The Red Claws and Springfield Armor selected from available players from the 2008-09 Anaheim Arsenal and Colorado 14ers "Returning Player Lists."
The Armor, as chosen by random drawing had the first overall selection, choosing Marcus Campbell, a 7'0" center out of the University of Mississippi. James White, a 6'7" guard out of Cincinnati became the first pick in Red Claws' history with the second pick of the 10-round expansion draft. White appeared in 34 games for the Anaheim Arsenal last season before being called up to the Houston Rockets on March 2, 2009. During his time in Anaheim, White averaged 25.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 41.4 minutes per game. White demonstrated his high-flying prowess when he captured the 2009 NBA Development League Slam Dunk championship during 2009 NBA All-Star festivities in Phoenix, AZ. The Red Claws first selection was announced by Effie Drew, a student at Portland High School and the winner of the First Fan Promotion Presented by First Portland Mortgage Corporation held earlier this year.
"We were ecstatic with how the draft went for the Red Claws today," said Jon Jennings, Red Claws President and General Manager. "Five of the players we were able to draft the rights to have NBA experience, six were NBA D-League champions with Colorado. Today was a big step in the right direction for the Maine Red Claws.
The ten players selected by the Red Claws were: James White (G, 6'7", 200 lbs., Cincinnati);Trey Gilder (F, 6'9", 185 lbs., Northwestern St.); Billy Thomas (G, 6'5", 215 lbs., Kansas); Noel Felix (F, 6'9", 235 lbs., Fresno St.); John Lucas (G, 5'11", 170 lbs., Oklahoma State); Kedrick Brown (G/F, 6'6", 225 lbs., Okaloosa Walton CC); Dominique Coleman (G, 6'3", 190 lbs., Colorado); Joe Dabbert (F/C, 6'10", 255 lbs., Creighton); Josh Davis (F, 6'8", 242 lbs., Wyoming); Andre Patterson (F, 6'8", 215 lbs., Tennessee)
"We were able to draft players with a great combination of ability and character," said Red Claws Head Coach Austin Ainge. "We also got experience, which will develop the young players that we add in the future and the young players our affiliates send to us. We knew what we wanted going into this draft, and we got exactly what we were looking for."
MAINE RED CLAWS: 2009-10 will mark the inaugural season for the Maine Red Claws. The NBA D-League team will begin play in November at the Portland Expo Building. The franchise is owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group, and Bill Ryan Jr., owner and operator of Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, serves as the team's president and general manager.
NBA Development League: The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams - including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
maine red claws selections
2009 NBA D-League Expansion Draft
Name Pos. Hgt. Weight School/Country
James White G 6'7" 200 lbs. Cincinnati
Trey Gilder F 6'9" 185 lbs. Northwestern St.
Billy Thomas G 6'5" 215 lbs. Kansas
Noel Felix F 6'9" 235 lbs. Fresno St.
John Lucas G 5'11" 170 lbs. Oklahoma State
Kedrick Brown G/F 6'6" 225 lbs. Okaloosa Walton CC
Dominique Coleman G 6'3" 190 lbs. Colorado
Joe Dabbert F/C 6'10" 255 lbs. Creighton
Josh Davis F 6'8" 242 lbs. Wyoming
Andre Patterson F 6'8" 215 lbs. Tennessee
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NBA G League Stories from September 2, 2009
- Springfield Armor Select Marcus Campbell First In 2009 - Springfield Armor
- James White First Draft Pick in Red Claws' History - Maine Celtics
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- NBA Development League Announce 2009 Expansion Draft Results - G League
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