Rockets Make Tulsa's Lucas Gatorade Call-Up
Published on December 29, 2005 under NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C., December 29 - Houston Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson today announced the signing of Tulsa 66ers guard John Lucas, making him the first GATORADE Call-Up of the 2005-06 NBA Development League season and the 51st overall since the league began play in November 2001. He is the first player in Tulsa 66ers history to earn an NBA promotion.
In 14 games (14 starts) for the 66ers, Lucas averaged 32.7 minutes, 15.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He has averaged 25.3 points over his last three games, including a 36-point outburst against Arkansas on December 22, the second-best single-game scoring effort in the D-League this season. He converted 6-of-6 form behind the three-point line while scoring 30 points at Austin on Wednesday.
A rookie from Oklahoma State University, Lucas was an allocation player to the 66ers. At 5-11, 180, he was an All-Big 12 selection as both a junior and a senior at Oklahoma State after transferring from Baylor and is the son of 14-year NBA veteran and former Rocket first-round draft selection (1976) John Lucas.
The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-five (35) players have been called up to the NBA on 51 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, six athletic trainers, 14 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
Gatorade Thirst Quencher is a proud partner of both the NBA and the NBA Development League. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Backed by 35 years of research, Gatorade is the nation's leading sports drink. For more information, visit www.gatorade.com. Gatorade, it's in the D-League and the NBA, Is it in You?
NBA G League Stories from December 29, 2005
- Rockets Make Tulsa's Lucas Gatorade Call-Up - Tulsa 66ers
- Mavericks assign Marshall to Flyers - Fort Worth Flyers
- Fayetteville Acquires Hawkins, Waives Hurt - Fayetteville Patriots
- Tulsa 66ers Host Arkansas for New Year's Eve - Tulsa 66ers
- Albuquerque Acquires Coleman, Waives Johnson - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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