NBA D-League Daily Developments
March 3, 2009 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
ALBUQUERQUE'S JASPER JOHNSON NAMED NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Jasper Johnson of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds has been named NBA Development League Player of the Month for games played in February. In seven games for the Thunderbirds, Johnson, a 6-8 forward, averaged 26.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.0 assists while shooting 68-of-115 (.596) from the field and leading Albuquerque to a 5-2 record. During the month Johnson scored in double digits in all seven games, while scoring a season-high 42 points to go with 19 rebounds in a 120-114 win at Tulsa on Feb. 21.
Also receiving consideration for NBA D-League Player of the Month for February Dakota's Blake Ahearn, Bakersfield's Derrick Byars, Albuquerque's Will Conroy, Austin's Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Los Angeles' Dwayne Mitchell, Anaheim's James White, Rio Grande Valley's Jawad Williams and Austin's Marcus Williams.
AUSTIN'S MARCUS WILLIAMS NAMED NBA D-LEAGUE PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Marcus Williams of the Austin Toros has been named NBA D-League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Feb. 23, 2009. Williams, who earned the honor once during the 2007-08 season, joins Malik Hairston as Toros players to earn the honor this season. Williams led Austin to a 3-0 record this week, averaging 26.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. He scored 30 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Saturday's win over Tulsa, which was Austin's seventh win in its last eight games. A 6-7 forward from Arizona, Williams is in his second season with the Toros. Last season, he earned Third Team All-NBA D-League honors and received GATORADE Call-Ups from the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers. He ranks fifth in the NBA D-League with 22.2 points per game and has led Austin to a league-best 25-9 record.
Other top performers last week included Tulsa's Keith Clark, who averaged 23.5 points and 12.0 rebounds in two games for the 66ers; Fort Wayne's Ron Howard, who averaged 26.3 points and 8.7 rebounds in three games for the Mad Ants; Albuquerque's Jasper Johnson, who averaged 28.3 points and 10.8 rebounds in four games for the Thunderbirds; Iowa's Demetris Nichols, who averaged 26.0 points in two games for the Energy; Sioux Falls' Frank Williams, who averaged 32.0 points while making 15 three-pointers in two wins for the Skyforce; and Rio Grande Valley's Jawad Williams, who averaged 26.3 points and 6.7 rebounds in three games for the Vipers.
MONDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS...top performers from Monday's games
Former Wizards guard Billy Thomas made his return to Dakota a memorable one scoring 19 and dishing six assists with five rebounds for the 14ers. Colorado's starting five all scored in double figures. Guard John Lucas finished the night off with the a game high 29 points, while forward Dominique Coleman nailed 24 points while flirting with a triple double 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
Dakota was led in scoring by guard Blake Ahearn with 22 points and six assists. Forward Richard Hendrix grabbed his 18th double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while center Rod Benson grabbed a double-double of his own with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS: A look at D-League Alumni in last night's NBA games:
13 players with D-League experience competed in five NBA games last night, four as starters.
Both Mike Taylor and Steve Novak started for the Los Angeles Clippers in last night's action. Taylor finished with 13 points and eight rebounds. Novak added 11 points.
Starting for Washington, Andray Blatche notched 12 points in 28 minutes of action.
As a starter for Miami, Jamario Moon scored 11 points and added eight rebounds.
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, 2/13/09
Anthony Tolliver New Orleans Iowa 1/21/09
Cartier Martin Charlotte Iowa 1/29/09
Trey Johnson Cleveland Bakersfield 2/03/09, 2/20/09
Eddie Gill Milwaukee Colorado 2/09/08
Pops Mensah-Bonsu San Antonio Austin 2/25/09
ASSIGNMENT BOARD:
Player NBA Team D-League Team Assignment Dates
Hamed Haddadi Memphis Dakota 2/17/09
Nate Jawai Toronto Idaho 2/26/09
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