NBDL (NBA Development League) a.k.a the D-League has just announced the 2009 NBA D-League All-Showcase teams, in which members are chosen by a panel of NBA and NBA D-League coaches and front office staff members to play at the four-day, 16-game event at the McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah, home of the Utah Flash.
The main purpose of the event is to showcase the selected ballers’ ability, of course, with a hope that NBA teams can see what they’ve got and sign them to play in the NBA.
This Top 10 list is created based on the member of the First Team and Second Team of the 2009 NBA D-League Showcase.
Here are the profiles and analysis of the D-League ballers that can make it to the NBA:
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Will Conroy, Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Guard, 6-2, 195 lbs.
Stats highlight: 25.0 points per game, 7.6 assists per game, 2.6 steals per game
Will is currently playing at Point Guard position. In 2007, he signed a 10-day contract with NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in January, and later with the LA Clippers in February and in April – all with no contract extension signed. Perhaps, the Clippers would like to give him a shot (again?).
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Coby Karl, Idaho Stampede
Guard, 6-5, 215 lbs.
Stats highlight: 17.7 points per game, 5.5 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game.
Coby is the son of George Karl the NBA Head Coach. Coby played for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007-2008 season for 17 games (and 1 playoff game), registering 1.8 points per game in 4.2 minutes per game. He was sent (again) to the NBDL on October 27, 2008. He should play with George Karl’s team :)
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Trey Johnson, Bakersfield Jam
Guard, 6-6, 216 lbs.
Stats highlight: 19.8 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game.
Trey was signed with the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets on October 1, 2007 and released him on October 25, 2007. Later, he signed with the Phoenix Suns, with no recorded stats. ‘Nuff said.
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Antonio Meeking, Reno Bighorns
Forward, 6-7, 270 lbs.
Stats highlight: 20.5 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game.
A 6-7 270 lbs. strong, Antonio make his mark in the NBDL with his rebounding. Perhaps his rebounding skill could help the Memphis Grizzlies (they are currently on the last place in rebounds among NBA teams)?
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Courtney Sims, Iowa Energy
Center, 6-11, 230 lbs.
Stats highlight: 22.8 points per game, 12.4 rebounds per game, 2.6 blocks per game.
Dwight Howard’s numbers, but the poor-man’s version. Stat-wise, he could probably survive in the NBA, because he’s not only relying on his accurate shooting (.592), but also defensive-related prowess (12.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.) Maybe he should join the Orlando Magic to back Dwight Howard up?
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Dontell Jefferson, Utah Flash
Guard, 6-4, 195 lbs.
Stats highlight: 16.8 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game.
Dontell has an all-around game, at least stat-wise. A bit smallish in size to compete with NBA top 2-Guard, he probably need to strengthen up to be able to join the NBA elite.
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James White, Anaheim Arsenal
Guard-Forward, 6-7, 200 lbs.
Stats highlight: 24.0 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, .866 free throw percentage.
James White a.k.a Flight 75 due to his leaping ability was selected in the second round (31st overall) by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2006 NBA Draft, and immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers. James was cut by the Pacers in 2006, and sign with San Antonio Spurs afterward. His first NBA game debut was on March 26, 2007 in the Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors game, registering 9 points and 3 rebounds in 14 minutes of play. In total, he played for the Spurs in 6 games with 2 starts, recording 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game. Although waived in 2007 off-season, he did received the NBA Championships ring. He then went to play for Fenerbahce of Turkish basketball leage, and re-instated to the NBDL for a shot to play in NBA again. Joining the Spurs again would be nice for his career :)
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Cartier Martin, Iowa Energy
Guard-Forward, 6-7, 220 lbs.
Stats highlight: 20.5 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, .824 free throw percentage.
In my opinion, Cartier Martin doesn’t do much except shooting and scoring, but his ideal physical form could cut any NBA team’s fitness department work.
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Ronald Dupree, Tulsa 66ers
Forward, 6-7, 209 lbs.
Stats highlight: 18.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game.
Ronald Dupree is a well-seasoned player with some NBA experience. His NBA career is, unfortunately, declining from season to season. He signed with the Chicago Bulls in 2003-2004 season as an undrafted baller, and played in 47 games (8 starts) with 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The latest NBA season he played in is on 2007-2008 season with a total of 5 games (4 with Seattle Sonics and 1 with Detroit Pistons.) His NBA career average highlight is 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Will he be back to the NBA?
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Malik Hairston, Austin Toros
Guard-Forward, 6-6, 220 lbs.
Stats highlight: 20.7 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game.
He was drafted by the Phoneix Suns in 2008 NBA Draft and traded him immediately to the Spurs. He is currently playing with the San Antonio Spurs’ affiliate team, Austin Toros. He is yet to play an NBA game. As long as he perform like ‘the real’ NBA player, the Spurs might reinstate him back to the player roster.
Reference: NBA D-League Showcase news, NBDL Wikipedia, and Basketball-Reference.com Players Reference
Note: all stats are as accurate as January 13, 2009.