NBA D-League Update
Published on December 6, 2011 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
TULSA'S TIBBETTS GETS THE CALL
Nate Tibbetts had just completed a practice in Mexico, where he was leading the NBA D-League select team in the 2011 Pan American Games in late October.
"It's unbelievable. Every morning I get up and put on a USA shirt, and I'm so thankful for this opportunity," said Tibbetts, who guided the U.S. to a bronze medal. "The USA Basketball folks have been so good to all of us. Sometimes in the D-League, travel can be a little tough. We've been getting first class treatment. They really treat us like professionals. It's been a great experience."
First class treatment will now be the norm for Tibbetts, who yesterday was hired as an assistant coach by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the 30th NBA D-League coach to receive a call-up.
"Nate comes from an organization that has developed a young core and a similar belief system in creating success with a defense-first mentality," said Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott in a press release.
In his two full seasons at the helm in Tulsa, Tibbetts guided the 66ers to a 60-40 (.600) regular-season record and consecutive postseason appearances, with the team advancing to the NBA D-League Finals in 2010. During Tibbetts? tenure, Tulsa had players earn four total GATORADE Call-Ups during the season, the most for an NBA D-League team.
Prior to joining the 66ers for the 2009-10 season, Tibbetts spent four seasons with the NBA D-League's Sioux Falls, taking over as head coach prior the 2007-08 season. In two years at the helm, Tibbetts guided Sioux Falls to a 53-47 (.530) mark including a playoff berth during the 2007-08 season.
"Nate kind of has the total package," Mike Heineman, President of the Sioux Falls Skyforce, told the Argus Leader. "First of all, he's a nice person ? that always helps you get in the door. But he just seemed to have a high basketball IQ from the beginning. He's friendly and relates well to basketball players, which isn't always easy to do. He just seems to be the right fit for anybody."
Current Tulsa assistant Dale Osbourne will take over for Tibbetts. Osbourne began his third season as assistant coach for the 66ers in November. Prior to Tulsa, he spent time as an assistant with the NBA D-League's Utah Flash and Austin Toros. From 2004-06, Osbourne served as head coach and general manager of the USBL's Dodge City Legend, where he led the team to consecutive regular season and division championships in 2004 and 2005.
PROSPECT REPORT
Jarrid Famous, Iowa Energy -- Former NBA Director of Scouting Marty Blake was once asked to note the positive attributes of a particular seven-footer he had recently scouted. "He's alive," Blake said. At the time, Blake was accentuating the allure of size. While that has changed somewhat over the years, the combination of Famous' size (6-11) and athletic ability has turned heads early in this NBA D-League season, to the point where Famous, according to internet reports, has secured an invite to an NBA training camp. Famous, who was not drafted in 2011, took the junior college route before playing his final two seasons at South Florida. Though still a bit raw offensively, Famous is averaging 21.0 points on 63 percent shooting through six games, while pulling down 12.3 rebounds per contest.
Tyren Johnson, Rio Grande Valley Vipers -- At the conclusion of the 2010 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a long-time NBA scout described Johnson this way: "A rangy athlete who whips around the court making plays on both ends, Johnson is as likely to help his team with a steal or block as with a basket or rebound. He is a perfect player for the NBA D-League as he develops a greater understanding of the game and refines his fundamental skills. This is the type of player that needs to be further developed because he has an excellent athletic package and his skill set - while not polished - is developing in all kinds of areas." Johnson was not drafted in 2010, and played with the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA Summer League before heading overseas for the 2010-11 season. He's averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists through six games this season.
NEWS & NOTES
Fort Wayne's Russell Named NBA D-League Performer of the Week
Walker Russell of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Nov. 25 ? Dec 4. A 6-0, 175-pound guard out of Jacksonville State, who has been in training camp with the New York Knicks, Russell led Fort Wayne to a 2-1 record for the week, averaging 20.3 points, 11.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Russell recorded back-to-back point-assist double-doubles to open the season, tallying 20 points and 12 assists during a 110-106 win on Nov. 25 vs. Sioux Falls, and posting 24 points and 14 assists on Dec. 2 during a 118-110 win at Springfield.
Former Bighorns Assistant Coach McCreary Joins Cleveland Cavaliers Staff
Former Reno Bighorns assistant coach Aubrey McCreary will join the Cleveland Cavaliers staff as a player development assistant/video coach for the upcoming NBA season. Last season was McCreary's first season in the NBA D-League, serving as a player development coach for the Bighorns during their Western Conference Championship run. McCreary previously made a name for himself with his high-energy training sessions with some of the world's best basketball players, such as Derek Fisher, Paul Millsap and Deron Williams.
AROUND THE D-LEAGUE
The Los Angeles D-Fenders traded Nkem Ojougboh to the Tulsa 66ers in exchange for a 2012 third round draft pick. Ojougboh, a 6-9 forward out of Northeastern University, played last season for the NBA D-League's Utah Flash, averaging 5.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 46 games. In three playoff games with the Flash, he averaged 12.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks ... Jamaal Tinsley handed out 15 assists for the L.A. D-Fenders in a win over Rio Grande Valley last night, breaking his own team record of 13, set on Nov. 28 against Reno ... Bakersfield Jam center Brian Butch -- who missed the entire 2010-11 season when his kneecap dislodged into his mid-thigh -- looks to be fully healthy again. Through four games, the 6-11 Wisconsin product is second in the league in rebounding (12.5 rpg) and 15th in scoring (19.8 ppg). He's attempted almost seven threes a game, hitting 44 percent of them ... The Mad Ants added two players to their roster Monday in anticipation of NBA camps opening Friday. Jabril Banks and Ramon Harris, who were waived during the Ants? training camp, were reacquired Monday when the NBA Development League announced that teams could temporarily expand their rosters from 10 to 12 in preparation for possible reduction.
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS
Boston's Ray Allen needs 28 threes to pass Reggie Miller (2,560) for first on the all-time list. Boston's Kevin Garnett needs 60 rebounds to pass Charles Barkley (12,546) for 16th on the all-time list. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant needs 52 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for eighth on the all-time list. Bryant needs seven steals to pass Rod Strickland (1,616) for 22nd on the all-time list.
-->LOOKING AHEAD
There are nine upcoming NBA D-League televised games this week -- two live and seven on tape delay. Live tilts include: Canton at Erie on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. on Time Warner Cable (Erie), and and Fort Wayne at Erie on Saturday, Dec. 10 on Time Warner Cable (Erie). More
GATORADE CALL-UP BOARD
Boston's Ray Allen needs 28 threes to pass Reggie Miller (2,560) for first on the all-time list ... Boston's Kevin Garnett needs 60 rebounds to pass Charles Barkley (12,546) for 16th on the all-time list ... The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant needs 52 points to pass Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) for eighth on the all-time list. Bryant needs seven steals to pass Rod Strickland (1,616) for 22nd on the all-time list.
ASSIGNMENT BOARD
NBA Players Currently on Assignment in the NBA D-League:
Player NBA Team NBA D-League Team Assignment Date G PPG RPG APG
Hassan Whiteside Sacramento Reno 11/29/10 7 5.1 3.2 0.1
DeMarre Carroll Memphis Dakota 12/14/10 6 35.7 18.3 6.8
Pape Sy Atlanta Utah 12/27/10 6 24.0 5.5 5.0
Devin Ebanks L.A. Lakers Bakersfield 12/27/10 6 26.5 12.0 8.0
Garret Siler Phoenix Iowa 1/4/10 16.0 4.0 7.0
Cole Aldrich Oklahoma City Tulsa 12/30/10 28.8 7.3 8.1
-->Today's Quote
New Tulsa coach Dale Osbourne, on replacing Nate Tibbetts: "It's sad to see him leave, but this is a great opportunity for him. That's what this league is all about. I have a lot of mixed emotions right now, but we're going to continue our goal of getting better through hard practice. Tulsa World, Dec. 6, 2011
NBA G League Stories from December 6, 2011
- BayHawks Make Roster Moves - Erie BayHawks
- NBA D-League Update - G League
- Bighorns Former Coach McCreary to Join Cavaliers Staff - Reno Bighorns
- Wizards Seeking Game Night Volunteers - Dakota Wizards
- D-Fenders Bite Vipers To Extend Win Streak To Three - Los Angeles D-Fenders
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.
