Suns Sign Jerel McNeal to 10-Day Contract
April 1, 2015 - NBA G League (G League)
Bakersfield Jam News Release
Jerel McNeal of the Bakersfield Jam
(Bakersfield Jam)
PHOENIX (April 1, 2015) - The Phoenix Suns have signed guard Jerel McNeal to a 10-day contract.
McNeal, whose first name is pronounced Jah-rell, has averaged 18.5 points, 4.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 27 games with the Bakersfield Jam this season. The 6-3 guard scored a season-high 40 points on 16-of-23 shooting for the Suns' NBA Development League affiliate on March 7 at Austin.
"I am extremely grateful and excited to have another opportunity to live out my lifelong dream," said McNeal. "I am also thankful for my Bakersfield Jam coaching staff and most of all my teammates, because without them none of this would be possible."
A two-time NBA D-League All-Star, this is McNeal's third career NBA regular season signing though he has yet to appear in an NBA game. The 27-year-old previously spent 10 days with the New Orleans Hornets from March 9-19, 2011, and ended the season with the Utah Jazz from March 27-April 17, 2013. Currently in his fourth career D-League season with Bakersfield (2012-15) and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2010-11), McNeal is the 55th GATORADE Call-Up from the D-League to the NBA this season.
"Jerel is an NBA player," said Jam Head Coach Nate Bjorkgren. "He continues to prove this every time he steps on the floor. He is an elite defender and knows how to make the right plays on the offensive end. I enjoy coaching him."
Undrafted out of Marquette University in 2009, McNeal has participated in NBA training camps with the Los Angeles Clippers (2009), Houston Rockets (2010) and Toronto Raptors (2012) and has also played professionally in Belgium, Italy and China. McNeal played four seasons at Marquette (2005-09) where he remains the Golden Eagles' all-time leading scorer (1,985 career points) and earned Associated Press All-America Second Team honors as a senior in 2008-09.
The Suns play at the Golden State Warriors tomorrow night with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Phoenix time). The game will be televised nationally on TNT and carried on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Images from this story
 Jerel McNeal of the Bakersfield Jam |
NBA G League Stories from April 1, 2015
- Legends Trample Stampede - Texas Legends
- Stampede Fall in Last Minute to Legends - Idaho Stampede
- Energy Win over the Westchester Knicks - Iowa Wolves
- Despite Noble Effort, Westchester Knicks Drop to Energy - Westchester Knicks
- Olekaibe's Big Night Helps Canton Top Maine - Cleveland Charge
- BayHawks Win Third Straight against 87ers - Erie BayHawks
- Skyforce Clinch Central with Road Win over Drive - Grand Rapids Drive
- Scotty Hopson Named NBA Development League Player of the Month - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Sioux Falls' Scotty Hopson Named NBA Development League Player of the Month - G League
- Suns Sign Jerel McNeal to 10-Day Contract - Bakersfield Jam
- Westchester Knicks Acquire Kris Clark - Westchester Knicks
- Phoenix Suns Sign Jerel McNeal from the NBA D-League's Bakersfield Jam - G League
- BayHawks Acquire Local Talent Conley - Erie BayHawks
- Cavs Recall Joe Harris - Cleveland Charge
- Bighorns Blowout Bakersfield During Final Home Game - Reno Bighorns
- Jam Dropped by Bighorns - Bakersfield Jam
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.
