NBA D-League Daily Developments
Published on February 15, 2009 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
SIMS AND AHEARN NAMED CO-MVPs AS RED DEFEATS BLUE IN ALL-STAR GAME
Courtney Sims, who signed a second 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns Friday, and Blake Ahearn, a three-time GATORADE Call-Up, shared MVP honors as the Red Team defeated the Blue Team, 113-103 in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game which was played yesterday afternoon on Center Court at NBA Jam Session presented by adidas.
Sims, a center on assignment from Phoenix with the Iowa Energy, tallied 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for the Red squad, which trailed 51-43 at the half. Ahearn, the third-leading scorer in the NBA D-League playing for the Dakota Wizards, scored 13 points and dished out 13 assists, while only committing two turnovers.
Both players went undrafted in 2007 before catching on briefly with NBA teams during the 2007-08 season. Sims appeared in three games with the Indiana Pacers while Ahearn signed two 10-day contracts with the Miami Heat. Ahearn also earned a Call-Up to the Spurs earlier this season.
Ahearn, who is averaging 6.0 assists this season, took home the NBA D-League's Three-Point Shoot-Out Championship last night at the NBA D-League's second annual Dream Factory Friday Night skills competition.
Bakersfield's Derrick Byars added 18 points for the Red Team, while his teammate Trey Johnson, who just earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Cleveland Cavaliers, finished with 15 points, four assists and four rebounds in the win.
Reno's Antonio Meeking paced the Blue Team with 17 points, while Fort Wayne's Walker Russell added 14 points and eight assists. Former NBA player Ronald Dupree of the Utah Flash finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
FORMER D-LEAGUER COOK TAKES SHOOTOUT TITLE
Miami's Daequan Cook won the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout on Saturday in Phoenix, becoming the second former NBA D-League player to win an NBA All-Star Saturday Night event. Daequan Cook ended Jason Kapono's two-year reign as the NBA's best exhibition sharpshooter Saturday night. The Miami Heat guard needed overtime to do it, besting Orlando's Rashard Lewis in a Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout that surprisingly lacked drama despite the extra session. Cook set up a winner-take-all by rallying late to tie Lewis at 15 and eliminate Kapono during the three-man finals. Cook nailed the money ball to force another 60 seconds and five racks.
GATORADE CALL-UP BOARD:
Player NBA Team D-League Team Call-Up Dates
Blake Ahearn San Antonio Dakota 11/16/08
Malik Hairston San Antonio Austin 12/22/08
Jermareo Davidson Golden State Idaho 1/5/09
Courtney Sims Phoenix Iowa 1/20/09
Anthony Tolliver New Orleans Iowa 1/21/09
Cartier Martin Charlotte Iowa 1/29/09
Trey Johnson Cleveland Bakersfield 2/03/09
Eddie Gill Milwaukee Colorado 2/09/08
ASSIGNMENT BOARD:
Player NBA Team D-League Team Assignment Dates
J.R. Giddens Boston Utah 11/15-1/8, 2/5
NBA G League Stories from February 15, 2009
- Former Iowa Energy Star Wins NBA 3-Point Shootout - Iowa Wolves
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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