The Chicago Bulls today assigned rookie forward Demetris Nichols to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Iowa Energy. Nichols is the 20th player assigned to a D-League affiliate this season and his assignment marks the 22nd of the season.
The 6-8, 216-pound forward was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft and was acquired by the Bulls on Dec. 7 from the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was signed on Oct. 29. Nichols has appeared in three regular season NBA games with Cleveland, averaging 0.7 points and 0.3 rebounds in 4.7 minutes and five preseason games with the New York Knicks where he averaged 4.8 points and 0.8 rebounds in 7.8 minutes.
A four year contributor at Syracuse, Nichols averaged 10.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 123 career games for the Orangemen, where he ranks third in career three-point field goals with 205. During his senior season Nichols led the Big East First Team in scoring with 18.9 points, also averaging 5.4 rebounds. For his efforts, he earned a spot on the All-Big East team and finished second in the 19th Annual State Farm College Three Point Championship in March 2007.
Nichols is expected to be available on Dec. 20 when the Energy hosts the Los Angeles D-Fenders.
