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NBA D-League Update

Published on March 21, 2014 under NBA G League (G League) News Release


THE RISING SUN

The story had been written: Gerald Green couldn't make it in the NBA. His basketball IQ wasn't high enough, he wasn't mature enough, he didn't have the right attitude.

Years later, a new story is being written.

Enjoying his best season yet for an overachieving Phoenix Suns squad, Green has matured, he's playing smarter and he's become an all-around shooter and defensive player. He's no longer just a dunker.

But what happened in between his leap from high school to the NBA in 2005 and the career-year he is finally having at age 28?

The History

Green was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft as the 18th pick by the Boston Celtics straight out of Gulf Shores Academy (HS) in Houston, Tex. He played under then-Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and peaked during his sophomore season in the League when he averaged 10.4 points a game.

Unfortunately, he would not see those numbers again for quite some time. Out of luck in Boston, the guard-forward was sent to Minnesota as part of the Kevin Garnett trade before the 2007-08 season. He bounced around again to Houston that season and then to Dallas the season after. Both seasons he averaged just over five points per game, matching his rookie season numbers. True to form, Green did display his world-class leaping ability during that time by winning the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk contest.

With nowhere to go in the NBA, Green realized that he needed to make some changes in order to continue his professional basketball career. He went overseas to play in Russia and China for a couple of years, but he was beginning to fall off the NBA radar.

Then came the NBA D-League.

Prospect Report

Darius Morris, Rio Grande Valley Vipers -- It's been a long year for Morris since he scored 24 points and dished out six assists for the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs on April 26, 2013. First, the Lakers did not extend a qualifying offer, despite Morris showing promise in his two seasons with the team which drafted him 41st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft after two seasons at Michigan. He began his third NBA season with the Philadelphia 76ers, but was waived on Nov. 20. He next signed 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, before finally being picked up by the Vipers on March 16. Morris has appeared in three games for the Vipers, averaging 16.7 points, 6.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds. His age (23) and position (big point guard with good vision) suggest a bright future, despite some setbacks in 2013-14. Morris will likely be with an NBA team over the summer in the hopes of re-establishing himself as an NBA player for the 2014-15 season.

NEWS & NOTES

Celtics Sign Babb to Multiyear Contract

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed guard Chris Babb to a multiyear contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Babb, a 6-5 guard, has appeared in six games for the Celtics this season averaging 2.2 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. He recorded a high of six points against Brooklyn on March 7, and a high of five rebounds against Golden State on March 5. He originally signed a 10-day contract with the Celtics on Feb. 28 after appearing in 33 games for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League where he averaged 12.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.18 steals in 37.5 minutes per game.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Miami Heat has assigned center Justin Hamilton to the Sioux Falls Skyforce for home games today and tomorrow against the Idaho Stampede. Following Saturday night's game, he will re-join the Heat in Miami for its contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Hamilton, who was signed by the Heat on March 14, appeared in 37 games (all starts) with the Skyforce earlier this season and averaged 19.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.03 blocks, 1.5 assists and 35.8 minutes ... The Reno Bighorns have acquired 6-9 forward/center Alfred Aboya from the available player pool. Aboya recently played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, before being released on Feb. 4. This season, Aboya is averaging 2.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14 games with the Mad Ants. Prior to his NBA D-League experience, he spent time overseas with Olympique Antibes, the Japan Basketball League, Liga Profesional de Baloncesto, Turkish Basketball Second League, Shiga Lakestars and Final Genclik. Aboya played collegiately at UCLA ... The NBA D-League announced that Devin Ebanks of the Springfield Armor has been suspended without pay for five games for violating the league's Anti-Drug Program.

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NBA G League Stories from March 21, 2014


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