
Los Angeles D-Fenders Announce 2011 NBA Development League Draft Selections, Camp Invitees
November 3, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release
EL SEGUNDO - With the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Development League Draft, the Los Angeles D-Fenders selected eight-year NBA veteran Jamaal Tinsley, it was announced today. Tinsley was one of eight players selected by the D-Fenders, who held picks in each of the D-League Draft's eight rounds.
"I'm humble and blessed for this opportunity," said Tinsley.
A two-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month with the Indiana Pacers in 2001-02, Tinsley was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.4 points and 8.1 assists in his first season out of Iowa State. Twice ranked among the league's top 10 in assists (2001-02, 2002-03) and steals (2002-03, 2006-07), Tinsley has career NBA averages of 9.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.59 steals in 436 games (366 starts) over eight seasons with Indiana and Memphis.
"Our goal all along with the first overall pick was to take the player who we felt gave the D-Fenders the best chance of winning right now," said head coach Eric Musselman. "In this case, we were able to do just that with the selection of Jamaal. The guard position was a point of emphasis for us entering the draft, and Jamaal's extensive experience in the backcourt provides the D-Fenders with a great foundation as we work towards our ultimate goal of winning a D-League Championship."
In addition to the first overall pick, Los Angeles held seven other selections in the draft. With those picks, the D-Fenders selected Anthony Gurley / Massachusetts in the second round (31st overall), Eniel Polynice / Seton Hall in the third round (32nd overall), Brandon Rozzell / Virginia Commonwealth in the fourth round (63rd overall), Courtney Fortson / Arkansas in the fifth round (64th overall), Franklin Session / Cal State Los Angeles in the sixth round (95th overall), Robert Diggs / George Washington in the seventh round (96th overall) and Troy Payne / Santa Clara in the eighth round (127th overall).
The D-Fenders also announced eight players who either tried out locally or are returning from the 2010-11 Utah Flash roster that will join the team's eight draft picks at training camp: Zach Andrews / Bradley (local tryout), Jordan Brady / Utah Valley (returning), Anthony Coleman / Long Beach State (local tryout), Brian Costner / North Carolina State (returning), Larry Cunningham / UC Riverside (local tryout), Otis George / Louisville (local tryout), Brian Hamilton / Louisiana-Lafayette (returning) and Terrence Roberts / Syracuse (local tryout).
LOS ANGELES D-FENDERS 2011-12 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER
NAME POS HT WT DOB SCHOOL STATUS
Zach Andrews F 6-8 225 3/9/85 Bradley Local Tryout
Jordan Brady F 6-6 235 6/21/83 Utah Valley Returning
Anthony Coleman F/C 6-11 215 10/6/82 Long Beach State Local Tryout
Brandon Costner F 6-9 235 7/21/87 North Carolina State Returning
Larry Cunningham G 6-2 190 1/16/85 UC Riverside Local Tryout
Robert Diggs F 6-9 210 5/20/87 George Washington Draft Pick
Courtney Fortson G 5-11 180 5/23/88 Arkansas Draft Pick
Otis George F 6-8 225 5/7/82 Louisville Local Tryout
Anthony Gurley G 6-3 185 1/21/88 Massachusetts Draft Pick
Brian Hamilton F 6-6 210 5/14/82 Louisiana-Lafayette Returning
Troy Payne F 6-6 220 5/8/88 Santa Clara Draft Pick
Eniel Polynice G 6-5 220 5/18/88 Seton Hall Draft Pick
Terrence Roberts F 6-9 230 8/14/85 Syracuse Local Tryout
Brandon Rozzell G 6-2 185 3/27/89 Virginia Commonwealth Draft Pick
Franklin Session G 6-2 175 1/23/89 Cal State Los Angeles Draft Pick
Jamaal Tinsley G 6-3 185 2/28/78 Iowa State Draft Pick
HEAD COACH
Eric Musselman (San Diego)
ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
Clay Moser (Wisconsin-La Crosse)
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Nina Hsieh (Cal State Fullerton)
The D-Fenders, the first franchise in D-League history to be owned by an NBA team (Los Angeles Lakers), begin the season November 25th with back-to-back road games at Dakota before opening their home schedule Monday, November 28 versus Reno. Returning for their fifth season of competition in 2011-12 after a one year hiatus, the D-Fenders will play all home games at Toyota Sports Center, the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo, CA.
Additionally, for the first time ever, the D-Fenders are offering season ticket packages for the 2011-12 season that include special Lakers ticket purchase opportunities as well as various other incentives. Ticket information is available on the team's website (www.d-fenders.com) or by contacting Nima Behboodi at (310) 426-6043 / nbehboodi@d-fenders.com.
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NBA G League Stories from November 3, 2011
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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