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NBA D-League Update

Published on February 14, 2012 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


EMMETT GETS THE CALL

Andre Emmett fell out of bed scoring points in a basketball game. Unfortunately, he also fell out of the NBA in 2005, after spending eight games with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Why, you ask, did such a gifted scorer, who led the Big 12 in scoring as a junior and senior under Bob Knight at Texas Tech, make such a brief cameo in the NBA after being taken with the 35th overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft by Seattle, then shipped to Memphis in a trade?

Part of it was probably timing. During the 2004-05 season, only six NBA teams averaged better than 100 points per contest. Coaches and general managers were clearly placing a higher premium on the ability to defend. Despite learning under Knight, defense has never been Emmett's strong suit.

By the time the emphasis started shifting back to the offensive end -- 13 teams averaged 100-plus in 2007-08 and 2008-09 -- Emmett, who last played in the NBA D-League in 2007, was long gone, making a name for himself as one of the top scorers overseas.

Emmett returned to the NBA D-League this season to take another crack at the NBA. Today, the New Jersey Nets made Emmett the 24th Gatorade Call-Up of the 2011-12 season. Emmett joins more than 90 NBA players with NBA D-League experience currently on 2011-12 rosters.

Selected as a 2012 NBA D-League All-Star, Emmett has appeared in 24 games for the Bighorns this season, averaging 23.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists, while shooting 53 percent in 36.8 minutes. For his efforts, he was named NBA D-League Co-Performer of the Week on Jan. 3.

With the Nets severely depleted by injuries, Emmett, who turns 30 in August, should get immediate playing time, and the chance to show he's worthy of a spot in the NBA.

PROSPECT REPORT

Gilbert Brown, Fort Wayne Mad Ants -- In contrast to Emmett, Brown fits the profile of what the NBA was really looking for five to seven years ago. Said a scout of Brown prior to the 2011 NBA Draft: "At 6-6 and 215 pounds, he can guard several positions and he lets you know he's around. He is certainly defensive-minded and mentally tough, two things he would need to defend big guards and small forwards at the NBA level. He could be a call-up type player in a year or two." A four-year stalwart at Pittsburgh, Brown, who was in training camp with the Boston Celtics, is averaging 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19 games for the Mad Ants this season. His handle and overall offensive feel is still a work in progress, though he's improved as a perimeter shooter the last several years. If he continues to polish his offensive skills, he could eventually claw his way into the NBA.

NEWS & NOTES

Memphis Grizzlies Assign Josh Selby to NBA D-League Affiliate Reno Bighorns

The Memphis Grizzlies have assigned guard Josh Selby to the Reno Bighorns, the Grizzlies? NBA Development League affiliate. The assignment marks the 26th time an NBA player has been assigned to his NBA D-League affiliate during the 2011-12 season and is the first assignment for Selby of his career. Selby (6-2, 183, Kansas) has appeared in 18 games for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 2.9 points and 1.4 assists on 39 percent shooting in 10.3 minutes. Originally selected by Memphis in the second round (49th overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft, Selby averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26 games as a freshman at Kansas last year.

Los Angeles' Gerald Green Named NBA D-League Performer of the Week

Gerald Green of the Los Angeles D-Fenders was named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Feb. 6-12, when the D-Fenders went 4-0. Green, a 6-8, 200-pound forward, averaged 27.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the floor last week. He recorded back-to-back 30-plus point games, including a 35-point performance in a 138-107 win over the Erie BayHawks on Feb. 6, and a 31-point outing on Feb. 8, in a 110-98 win over the Tulsa 66ers. For the season, Green is averaging 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19 games for the D-Fenders.

Dakota's Mickell Gladness Signs with Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have signed center Mickell Gladness of the Dakota Wizards to a 10-day contract for the 23rd GATORADE Call-Up of the 2011-12 NBA Development League season. Gladness joins more than 90 NBA players with NBA D-League experience currently on 2011-12 rosters. Gladness (6-11, 230) appeared in four games with the Wizards in 2011-12 where averaged 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He participated in the Heat training camp this season and was named to the 15-man opening day roster and appeared in three games this season prior to being waived on Feb. 7.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Canton Charge announced they have acquired forward Sharrod Ford (6-9, 225, Clemson) from the Erie Bayhawks in exchange for forward Frank Hassell . Ford was dealt after Erie claimed him on Monday with its waiver preference position. Ford, 29, was most recently with Sutor Montegranaro of the Italian League in 2010-2011, where he played in 30 games and averaged 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals in 31.7 minutes ... Former Missouri State big man Will Creekmore will sign with the Tulsa 66ers. The 6-9 Creekmore played for three seasons with Missouri State after transferring from Boston University in 2007. Last year, in his final season with the Bears, he averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, while helping lead MSU to its first ever Missouri Valley Conference regular season title.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

Cleveland's Alonzo Gee scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting in 28 minutes in a loss to the Toronto Raptors last night. Not drafted by an NBA franchise in 2009, Gee signed with the Austin Toros, and was named the 2009-10 NBA D-League Rookie of the Year, averaging 21.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 36 games with the Toros. After spending time with the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs at the end of the 2009-10 season, Gee was signed by the Cavaliers in December 2010, and went on to average 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 40 games.-->

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

DA'SEAN BUTLER, on chasing his NBA dream in the NBA D-League: "I like it [in the NBA D-League]. It's been an experience. I've learned so much through the players and as expected, the coaching staff. It's just great to have the opportunity to continue to do this." The Charleston Gazette, Feb. 14, 2012

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NBA G League Stories from February 14, 2012


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