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NBA D-League Update

December 17, 2014 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


STILL GOT IT

The story is written every year: An aging former NBA player (or two or three) is attempting to make a comeback through the NBA D-League.

Last year it was Ricky Davis, Melvin Ely and Josh Howard. In other years it's been anyone from Rafer Alston to Delonte West. Some have proven to be on their last legs while others still have plenty left in the tank.

But if you need a reminder to never give up on a player, look no further than Rasual Butler, whose NBA days appeared numbered when he joined the Tulsa 66ers (now the Oklahoma City Blue) for nearly the entire 2012-13 season.

Two seasons later, Butler is a spry 35-year-old enjoying perhaps the best stretch of his 12-year career. Playing 21.6 minutes per game off the bench for the 18-6 Washington Wizards, the veteran of seven teams is averaging 11.0 points and ranks second behind only Atlanta's Kyle Korver in three-point percentage at a blistering 53 percent (35-for-73 in 20 games).

So while the NBADLeague.com Prospect Watch may be filled with up-and-comers with the potential to turn into long-term contributors, don't forget about the guys who've already proven their NBA chops:

Earl Barron, Bakersfield Jam

No matter how gaudy Barron's numbers with the Jam get - he has three 30-10 games this season - NBA teams already know what he can (and can't) do. The 33-year-old is a reliable, professional center who can play pick-and-pop and battle on the boards. He hasn't gotten a chance to do that for more than 12 games with one team since 2007-08. That said, Barron has used this NBA D-League stint to stretch his range out to the three-point line, and the experiment has gone fairly well: Through 13 games, he's shooting 39 percent from deep (16-for-41) after going 1-for-14 in 124 NBA games over seven seasons.

Damien Wilkins, Iowa Energy

Wilkins earned rave reviews from Philadelphia for the veteran presence he brought to the Sixers two years ago, then spent last season playing in China and Puerto Rico. Now he's bringing the same leadership to the Energy, not just off the floor but on it, as he's averaging 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists. While there may not be room for old-school mid-range/post-up specialists on the wing in the new-age NBA, Wilkins is staying warm in Iowa in case a team needs quick-fix bench help -- someone who won't need to be told where to be or what to do on both ends of the floor.

Dahntay Jones, Fort Wayne Mad Ants

It was just five years ago that Jones was one of the NBA's top wing stoppers, breaking out with the Western Conference Finalist Nuggets and landing a free-agent deal with the Pacers. Like Wilkins, he just didn't shoot well enough to last as teams began valuing the three-ball more and more. Still, Jones is out to prove he hasn't lost a step, and he's landed in a great spot in Fort Wayne. The Mad Ants -- affiliated with 13 NBA teams -- have been infused with NBA talent, allowing the 33-year-old to step right into his usual role as a glue guy. Now he just needs to rediscover the corner three that he developed in Indiana.

PROSPECT REPORT

Fuquan Edwin, Sioux Falls Skyforce -- Edwin has made the rounds since going undrafted this past June, despite being named the Big East's Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, and having some coveted skills from an NBA perspective. There was a short Summer League stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by a training camp cameo with the San Antonio Spurs, before a quick stop overseas with Pistoria of the Italian League, and eventually settling with the Skyforce. Edwin has appeared in 11 games with Sioux Falls, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals, while shooting 43 percent (28-for-65) from three-point range. Edwin is clearly auditioning for the role of "3 and D" guy to pretty strong results thus far. While he lacks the ability to make plays off the bounce and doesn't show much of a mid-range game at this point in his development, Edwin is a gifted defender for his size (6-6, 2015) with NBA caliber athleticism. And, he's continued to improve as a shooter from distance. With the NBA littered with talented mid-sized players, and teams placing such an emphasis on the three-ball, Edwin stands a really good chance to play in the league at some point.

NEWS & NOTES

Bakersfield's Earl Barron Named NBA D-League Performer of the Week

Bakersfield Jam center Earl Barron was today named the NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Dec. 8 - Sunday, Dec. 14. Barron (7-0, 245, Memphis) led Bakersfield to a 2-1 record, averaging 31.9 points on .571 shooting (40-for-70), to go along with 12.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Barron recorded point-rebound double-doubles in all three games, giving him eight on the season. On Dec. 8, he had 34 points, 14 rebounds and four assists in 119-100 victory over the Los Angeles D-Fenders. On Dec. 11, he scored 43 points, the second-highest scoring game of the season, and grabbed 12 rebounds in a loss to Canton. For the season, Barron is averaging 21.1 points (11th in the league), 10.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Other top performers considered include Iowa's Jordan Adams, Los Angeles' Roscoe Smith, Maine's Tim Frazier, Santa Cruz's Elliot Williams and Texas' Damion James.

Prospect Watch: Week Five

Quincy Miller is a high-upside small forward who at 22 is still learning the game. He possesses a rare combination of size (6-10, 220) and deep shooting range. He struggled offensively in first two NBA seasons, but with a 7-3 wingspan, could turn into two-way weapon as combo forward. He's taken over the top spot in this week's Prospect Watch.

AROUND THE D-LEAGUE

The Delaware 87ers today announced the team has re-acquired leading scorer and rebounder, Ronald Roberts, Jr. The 23-year-old rookie was called up by the Sevens NBA affiliate, the Philadelphia 76ers, last Friday. Roberts started all eight games for the 87ers prior to his signing, averaging 17.5 points and 11.8 rebounds. It was the 11th GATORADE Call-Up of the 2014-15 NBA D-League season, and the third time a Delaware player was signed by the Sixers ... The Sacramento Kings have recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the Reno Bighorns. Moreland was assigned to the Bighorns on Dec. 12, and totaled 24 points (9-15 FG), 21 rebounds and three assists in two games. The 6-10, 218-pound forward from Oregon State is averaging 13.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in seven games for Reno ... The Houston Rockets have assigned center Clint Capela to Houston's single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley. Capela (6-10, 245, France) has appeared in four games for the Rockets and recorded six rebounds, one assist, a steal and a block in 12 total minutes of playing time. This marks his second NBA D-League Assignment with the Vipers. In his first stint, Capela played in six games averaging 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks in 14.1 minutes per game The former Elan Chalon player out of France was selected by the Rockets 25th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft ... The Golden State Warriors have assigned center Ognjen Kuzmic to the Santa Cruz Warriors, the team announced today. Kuzmic will be in uniform for the NBA D-League team's home game tonight against the Oklahoma City Blue

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