G League NBA G League

NBA D-League Update

Published on January 14, 2014 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


MANNY HAPPY RETURNS

The Los Angeles D-Fenders' Manny Harris, on the strength of a 49-point explosion on Jan. 10, in a 133-124 win over the Idaho Stampede, earned NBA D-League Performer of the Week honors for the second consecutive week.

The 49 points set a franchise record and tied Idaho's Pierre Jackson for most points scored in a game this season. On the next night vs. Idaho, Harris recorded a double-double with 38 points and 10 rebounds.

He's hoping his Performer of the Week status turns into a steady NBA gig in the not-too-distant future.

It's the perfect time for Harris to shine, as it's officially 10-day contract season in the NBA, when teams are much more inclined to hold auditions. In 12 games with the D-Fenders, Harris has scored at least 30 points six times, and ranks second in the NBA D-League in scoring (29.7 ppg).

Harris appeared to have this whole making the NBA thing licked when he, despite going undrafted in 2010, after three very productive seasons at Michigan, made the Cleveland Cavaliers, and actually played decent minutes as a rookie. He spent the bulk of his second pro season with the Cavaliers as well, before signing to play in the Ukraine for the 2012-13 season.

After failing to catch on with the Orlando Magic in training camp this past fall, Harris opted for the NBA D-League in the hopes of working his way back to the NBA. He announced his presence with authority, hitting for 42 points in his debut with the D-Fenders on Dec. 14.

Harris' versatility and athleticism allowed him to excel at the collegiate level, but his lack of consistency as a perimeter shooter, combined with just average size for an NBA wing, has limited his effectiveness at the NBA level.

Harris does many things well, but sometimes when you're on the fringes of the NBA, you need a calling card to get over the hump. Still only 24, Harris has time and room for improvement, and he's certainly in the right place to get noticed by the NBA.

Prospect Report

Rodney Williams, Delaware 87ers -- Williams (6-7, 200) has the physical profile and then some to earn consideration from NBA scouts, despite a four-year stint at Minnesota that saw him go from sure-fire NBA Draft pick to undrafted free agent this past June, before hooking on with the Philadelphia 76ers over the summer. He's a supreme run/jump athlete, with great length and a lanky, yet muscular frame that screams NBA prospect. Williams is still trying to match his overall skill-set with his clear physical gifts, and it's a work in progress. In 10 games with the 87ers, Williams is averaging 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists. From an offensive standpoint, Williams relied heavily on his athleticism at Minnesota, getting points in transition and by simply out jumping players in the post for easy scores. From an NBA perspective, he'll need to improve as a ball-handler and perimeter shooter to increase his chances of making a roster. With length, athleticism and defensive versatility ever a premium in the NBA, he should continue to be on the radar, as there are usually some jobs available for energetic and bouncy combo forwards.

NEWS & NOTES

Philadelphia 76ers Sign Dewayne Dedmon from Santa Cruz Warriors

The Philadelphia 76ers have signed center Dewayne Dedmon to a 10-day contract. Dedmon is the 12th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2013-14 NBA Development League season. Dedmon (7-0, 255) was an early-entry candidate for the 2013 NBA Draft following his junior season at Southern California. He played for Miami in the Orlando Pro Summer League and for Dallas in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas before joining Golden State for training camp and preseason. This is the second time Dedmon has been called up to the NBA this season, appearing in four games with the Warriors, who signed him on Nov. 18, 2013. In 15 starts for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA D-League this season, Dedmon is averaging 15.0 points, a league-high 13.5 rebounds and over two blocks while shooting 54 percent from the floor.

Los Angeles' Manny Harris Named NBA D-League Performer of the Week

Manny Harris of the Los Angeles D-Fenders was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 6 - Sunday, Jan. 12. Harris, a 6-5, 185-pound guard from Michigan, led Los Angeles to a 2-1 record last week and averaged 35.0 points on .574 shooting (39-for-68). On Jan. 10, he scored a franchise record 49 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals in a 133-124 win over the Idaho Stampede. The 49 points ties Idaho's Pierre Jackson for most points scored in a game this season. On the next night vs. Idaho, he recorded a double-double with 38 points and 10 rebounds. This is the second consecutive Performer of the Week awarded to Harris and the fourth of his career. He is second in the NBA D-League in scoring with 29.7 ppg, and fifth in the league with 2.17 spg. Harris has tallied at least 30 points in six of his 12 games for Los Angeles this season. Other top performers considered include San Antonio Spurs' assignee/Austin's Nando De Colo, Idaho's Kevin Murphy, Maine's Chris Wright, Rio Grande Valley's Robert Covington, Sioux Falls' Justin Hamilton and Springfield's Darius Johnson-Odom.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Texas Legends have acquired guard P.J. Hairston from the University of North Carolina. Hairston (6-6, 220) will be the first player to enter the NBA Development League mid-season after having been enrolled in college to start the 2013-14 season. In 2011, Hairston was chosen a McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American. As a sophomore at North Carolina, he led UNC in scoring and was 10th overall in the ACC with 14.6 ppg ... The Delaware 87ers have acquired guard Vander Blue off of waivers. While at Marquette University, Blue (6-4, 200) was named to the 2012-13 All Big East Second team after averaging a team-high 15.0 points. Blue was an early-entry candidate for the 2013 NBA Draft and signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers on Sept. 27. Most recently, Blue played in the Israeli Super League with Rishon Le Zion. In a total of seven games played, he averaged 12.0 points and 3.0 assists in 25.0 minutes per game ... The Toronto Raptors have recalled rookie guard Dwight Buycks from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. Buycks was assigned to the Jam on Dec. 3. He appeared in five games, averaging 12.4 points, 4.0 assists and 26.4 minutes. He posted highs of 19 points in his debut Jan. 4 against Los Angeles and five assists Jan. 5 versus Sioux Falls. Buycks has appeared in 12 games for the Raptors this season, tallying 41 points, 10 assists, 20 rebounds and six steals in 121 minutes. He posted a season-best 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals Dec. 10 versus San Antonio ... The Sacramento Kings have assigned rookie guard Ray McCallum to the team's NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns. McCallum, selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, is averaging 0.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 2.8 minutes in eight appearances off the bench this season with the Kings. This is McCallum's second assignment with the Bighorns. In his first stint, McCallum averaged 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.33 steals and 38.0 minutes in three contests. McCallum was assigned on Nov. 21, and then recalled on Nov. 27 ...

Check out the NBA G League Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



NBA G League Stories from January 14, 2014


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.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central