Sports stats



Springfield Armor Accumulate Sixteen Players For Training Camp

November 5, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Springfield Armor News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA Nov. 5, 2009 - The Springfield Armor tonight accumulated eight players in the 2009 NBA Development League Draft. After receiving eight additional players earlier this week the Armor's list of training camp invitees is complete at 16.

"It is exciting to see our team start to take form", Brown said. "The level of talent and ability that these players supply is very encouraging as we march into our first year. I'm ready to get myself and the players out on the court during training camp and finalize our roster."

During the eight rounds, the following players were selected:

Round 1. JamesOn Curry: A 195 lb, 6'3" Guard from Oklahoma State University

Round 2. Major Wingate: A 255 lb, 6'10" Center from The University of Tennessee

Round 3. James Cripe: A 250 lb, 7'0" Center from Northern Kentucky University

Round 4. Craig Austrie: A 185 lb, 6'2" Guard from The University of Connecticut

Round 5. DeSean White: At 255 lb, 6'8" Forward from Northwood University

Round 6. Perrin Johnson: At 215 lb, 6'6" Forward from The University of Louisville

Round 7. Brandon Jones: At 205 lb, 6'6" Forward from Amherst College

Round 8. Brayden Billbe: At 234 lb, 6'10" Center from American University

The Armor's first pick of the night was JamesOn Curry from Oklahoma State University. Curry was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 2007 NBA Draft in the second round. He spent some time that season both with the Bulls, as well as with the Iowa Energy. He had spent the previous year overseas playing in the French ProA League.

Also picked in the draft was UConn alum and resident of Stamford Connecticut, 2009 NCAA Final Four participant, Craig Austrie. Austrie is well known for his calming ability on the court and composure in pressure game situations. Averaging 7.2 points per game in his senior year, Austrie remained a constant force for the Huskies in all four years at UConn.

Brandon Jones, a native of Hopatcong, New Jersey, spent a year over seas in Germany playing for the White Devils where he averaged 16.8 points per game. While at Amherst College, Jones was named MVP of the Seventh-Annual Ken Wright '52 Invitational and was a member of the Pioneer Valley Classic All-Tournament Team.

"Tonight was a great experience and extremely encouraging going into our first season," said Brown. "There is going to be a lot of talent on this team and I think we will have a great roster and a very successful beginning to our franchises history."

Along with the eight players accumulated through the Draft, the Armor added eight players through various channels including the Expansion Draft, a Local Player Allocation List and the Local Player Tryout which occurred early in October of this year.

Those players include:

1. Kentrell Gransberry: A 250 lb, 6'9" Forward/Center from The University of South Florida - Returning Player

2. Marcus Taylor: A 190 lb, 6'2" Point Guard from Michigan State University - Returning Player

3. Adam Harrington: A 210 lb, 6'5" Guard from Auburn University - Allocation Player

4. Maurice Maxwell: A 190 lb, 6'4" Guard from Goldey-Beacom College - Allocation Player

5. Julian Allen: A 205 lb, 6'4" Guard from Georgia Southern University - Local Tryout Player

6. Charles Easterling: A 235 lb, 6'3" Guard from Kilgore College- Local Tryout Player

7. Dante Milligan: A 210 lb, 6'4" Forward from The University of Massachusetts - Local Tryout Player

8. Tre Whitted: A 215lb, 6'9" Forward/Center from Marshall University - Local Tryout Player

Both Dante Milligan UMass alum and NIT All-Tournament Team 2008 UMass Athlete of the Week winner, as well as Charles "The Beast" Easterling, who played in the Hartford Pro-AM, are among the invitees who attended the local player tryouts early in October. Joining them at training camp is another former UMass player, and winner of the 2003 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, Maurice Maxwell. Maxwell played two full seasons at UMass before transferring to Goldey-Beacom College. Bernardston Massachusetts native, as well as former NBA player, Adam Harrington will also join the team in training camp next week. Harrington has played with the Dallas Mavericks as well as the Denver Nuggets.

The Armor will play their home opener on Friday, November 27th when they host the Iowa Energy at 7 p.m. for the very first game in franchise history. Individual tickets for all Springfield Armor home games can be purchased at the MassMutual Center Box Office located at 1277 Main Street in Springfield. Box office hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased anytime online at www.armorhoops.com or www.ticketmaster.com and at all area TicketMaster Outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000.hSeason and group tickets are available as well by calling the Armor at 413-746-3263.

• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...

NBA G League Stories from November 5, 2009


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.

Other Recent Springfield Armor Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central