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NBA D-League Update

December 6, 2013 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


THE MARSHALL PLAN

The Marshall Plan of 1948, an American initiative named after Secretary of State George Marshall, sought to help rebuild European economies in the wake of World War II.

The Marshall Plan of 2013, named after former NBA lottery pick Kendall Marshall, centers on Marshall resurrecting his NBA career as a member of the Delaware 87ers.

The NBA D-League's newest franchise, owned and operated by the Philadelphia 76ers, was named in honor of Delaware being the first state to ratify the Constitution in 1787. Marshall is hoping to quickly amend his reputation in NBA circles.

The 13th overall pick of the 2012 draft by the Phoenix Suns, Marshall averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 assists in 48 games as a rookie last season while backing up Goran Dragic. He was traded by the Suns to the Washington Wizards on Oct. 24, as part of a larger deal that included Emeka Okafor and Marcin Gortat switching teams, then cut by the Wizards three days later, still receiving his full salary for the 2013-14 season.

After weighing his options, Marshall elected to sign an NBA D-League contract and was picked up the 87ers through the waiver system. The Sixers will have a bird's eye view of his progress, but other NBA teams will be keeping a close watch on the 22-year-old Marshall, who as a sophomore at North Carolina averaged 9.8 assists.

It's hard to fathom Marshall falling out of favor in Phoenix so quickly, but there were some extenuating circumstances, namely a regime change, with the team hiring Ryan McDonough as its general manager on May 7, 2013. Toss in a new coach (Jeff Hornacek) and a trade for Eric Bledsoe, and all of sudden the heir apparent to Steve Nash became expendable. Getting waived two days prior to the start of the season also didn't help, with many teams having already made pressing roster decisions.

Marshall has some limitations from an NBA perspective. His game in not predicated on speed and quickness, which is a common trait among many successful NBA point guards. He's not a scorer, and lacks consistency as a perimeter shooter. It also remains to be seen if he can stand up to the defensive challenges of the NBA, and having to guard superior athletes on a nightly basis. That said, Marshall has terrific size (6-4) for the point guard position, is a superb passer and has a great feel for how to run a team.

Marshall was extremely impressive in his 87ers debut last night, finishing with 31 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals in a 139-126 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He shot 11-for-18 from the floor, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. More performances like this one could lead to a brief stay in Delaware.

Prospect Report

Richard Howell, Idaho Stampede -- That Howell wasn't drafted in June after a strong senior campaign at N.C. State was a mild surprise, though very much in keeping with what was a tumultuous season for a Wolfpack team that grossly underachieved in 2012-13. For his part, Howell led the ACC in rebounding (10.9 rpg), and finished sixth nationally with 18 double-doubles on his way to earning First Team All-ACC honors. He went to training camp with the Portland Trail Blazers, who already had 15 guaranteed contracts, so his odds of making the opening night roster were slim at best, but he's had a very strong start for the Trail Blazers' affiliate, averaging 21.7 points and 12.3 rebounds through three games. While Howell lacks some of the athletic attributes NBA teams covet at the power forward position (especially lift), he plays with exceptional muscle and desire, and has terrific hands. Rebounding is something that often translates at the NBA level, and is something Howell does extremely well.

NEWS & NOTES

Hawks Assign Jenkins to the Bakersfield Jam

The Atlanta Hawks have assigned guard John Jenkins to Bakersfield, it was announced today by President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Danny Ferry. Jenkins has seen action in 10 games for the Hawks this season, averaging 3.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 13.5 minutes per game. In two games with the Jam last season, Jenkins averaged 25.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 33.0 minutes per game.

Cavaliers Assign Sims and Felix to the Canton Charge

The Cleveland Cavaliers have assigned center Henry Sims and guard/forward Carrick Felix to the Canton Charge, it was announced by Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. Sims has appeared in six games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 1.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per game, and Felix has appeared in three games, averaging 1.3 points in 5.0 minutes per game. Both players will be available for Saturday night's game in Erie, Pa., at the Erie Insurance Arena as the Charge take on the Erie BayHawks at 7:00 p.m.

Lakers' Ryan Kelly Re-Assigned to NBA D-League affiliate L.A. D-Fenders

Forward Ryan Kelly has been re-assigned to the Los Angeles D-Fenders from the Los Angeles Lakers, it was announced last night. Kelly has averaged 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals in three games this season for the D-Fenders. The Duke product tallied 30 points in his last game at Bakersfield on Dec. 1, and is currently ranked fifth in the NBA D-league in scoring average this season.

Prospect Watch: Big Prospects Arrive

While Thanksgiving feasts may have left many turkey eaters growing in unwanted areas (see: your belt buckle), the NBA D-League experienced a welcomed kind of growth over the break: the addition of size. Three former NBA big men -- Hilton Armstrong, Tim Ohlbrecht and Arinze Onuaku -- all recently signed with teams and debuted in the top 15 of this week's report.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Atlanta Hawks have recalled guard Jared Cunningham from the Bakersfield Jam. Cunningham appeared in five games for the Jam, all starts, and averaged 15.0 points, 4.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game. Cunningham has appeared in one game for the Hawks this season, logging four minutes at Denver on Nov. 7 ... The Bakersfield Jam has acquired forward Damion James, who appeared in 44 games with the Jam last season, and averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He was named a NBA Development League All-Star, where he posted 12 points, four rebounds and two assists for the Prospects Team. The University of Texas product was also selected to the All-NBA D-League Defensive First Team and to the All-NBA D-League Second Team. In addition, on Jan. 13, 2013, James received a GATORADE Call-Up to the Brooklyn Nets. Most recently, he was a member of the 2013 Denver Nuggets' training camp where he averaged 3.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in seven preseason games ... The Fort Wayne Mad Ants have acquired Bennie Lewis. To make room for Bennie on the roster, the Mad Ants have waived forward Terrance Thomas. Lewis, a 6-8 forward out of Benedict College, has spent the past three seasons playing for the Melbourne Tigers in the Australian NBL.

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