February 2017 – Page 8 – NBA Blog

NBA D-League to be renamed NBA Gatorade League (NBA G-League)

Beginning with the 2017-18 season, the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) will be renamed the NBA Gatorade League (NBA G-League) as part of a multiyear expanded partnership announced today by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Gatorade.

This marks the first time a U.S. professional sports league has named an entitlement partner.

Founded as a league to develop NBA talent, the NBA D-League has become an integral part of the NBA family, with 40 percent of current NBA players having spent time in the NBA D-League and four current NBA head coaches starting as coaches on NBA D-League benches. The league has tripled in size from eight teams during the inaugural 2001-02 season to a record 25 teams for the 2017-18 campaign. NBA owners have increasingly invested in the NBA D-League, with 15 NBA clubs purchasing an NBA D-League team since the 2012-13 season, bringing the total number of NBA-owned minor league franchises to 20 for next season.

“As one of the most iconic brands in the world and a founding partner of the NBA Development League, Gatorade is an ideal fit for this first-of-its-kind partnership,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO. “The NBA D-League has prepared hundreds of players for the NBA and Gatorade has always been focused on fueling players to perform at the highest level. We look forward to collaborating with the renowned GSSI team to enhance player development and our game.”

Connectivity between the NBA and the NBA’s official minor league continues to grow. Recent changes to the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement have reinforced that synergy, as NBA teams will be able to have up to two “two-way players” on their rosters beginning next season. These “two-way players” will gain experience in the NBA, but will primarily play in the NBA G-League as part of their NBA journeys.

“We have more than 50 years of experience working with athletes and using those insights to help improve athletic performance through innovative sports fuel and equipment,” said Brett O’Brien, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Gatorade. “This expansion of our NBA partnership is a great opportunity to not only work with the elite athletes of the NBA G-League, but also continue to lead the evolution of basketball performance.”

The partners will also collaborate on custom, behind-the-scenes video content which will capture NBA G-League players on their respective journeys, highlighting a shared commitment to enhancing performance through innovation.

A founding partner of the NBA D-League, Gatorade will continue to present the league’s Gatorade Call-Up platform. Since 2001, there have been nearly 500 Gatorade Call-Ups from the NBA D-League to the NBA.

Hornets sign Mike Tobey to second 10-day contract

The Charlotte Hornets have signed center Mike Tobey to a second 10-day contract. Tobey signed his first 10-day contract with Charlotte on Feb. 3 from the Greensboro Swarm, after becoming the first “Call-Up” call-up from the Swarm since its inception.

The 7-0 Tobey has appeared in 29 games (19 starts) for Greensboro in his first D-League season, averaging 11.0 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. He has scored in double figures 18 times and grabbed double-figure rebounds on 15 occasions, including each of the last five D-League games. Tobey has posted 12 double-doubles for Greensboro on the year.

The Monroe, NY, native played for the Hornets in the 2016 Orlando Pro Summer League and signed with the team on July 25, 2016. In two preseason games with the Hornets, Tobey posted averages of 6.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 block in 18.8 minutes.

A four-year player at the University of Virginia (2012-16), Tobey’s 138 games played rank first in school history. He owns collegiate career averages of 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per contest, and was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year following the 2014-15 season.

Cavs trade Chris Andersen to Hornets, who immediately waive him

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has acquired center Chris Andersen and cash considerations from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a protected second-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The second-round pick is top-55 protected. In a subsequent move, the Hornets have waived Andersen and the Charlotte roster stands at 14 players.

Andersen, who is in his 15th season in the NBA, appeared in 12 games for the Cavaliers before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right knee to repair a torn ACL. The 6-10 California native holds career averages of 5.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 17.7 minutes per game in 695 NBA contests.

Hornets sign Ray McCallum to second 10-day contract

Charlotte Hornets General Manager Rich Cho announced today that the team has signed guard Ray McCallum to a second 10-day contract. McCallum signed his first 10-day contract with Charlotte on Feb. 3, after earning a “Call-Up” from the Grand Rapids Drive.

The 6-3 McCallum has appeared in 30 games (all starts) for the Drive this season, averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.4 steals in 37.9 minutes per game, earning him a 2017 NBA D-League All-Star selection. The 25-year-old has recorded two triple-doubles on the year, tallying 23 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists against the Maine Red Claws on Dec. 23 and posting 18 points, 13 assists and 12 boards against the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Jan. 7.

Originally selected with the 36th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, McCallum has appeared in 154 career NBA games (46 starts) over three seasons with the Kings, Spurs and Grizzlies, averaging 6.0 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per contest. His last NBA action came during the 2015-16 season with Memphis, where he appeared in 10 contests (three starts) with averages of 6.9 points, 2.7 boards and 1.4 assists in 21.9 minutes. He was a member of the Detroit Pistons preseason roster prior to the 2016-17 season, but was waived on Oct. 24.

A native of Beverly Hills, Michigan, McCallum was a three-year collegiate player at Detroit Mercy (2010-13) and had career averages of 15.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals. He earned Horizon League Player of the Year honors for the 2012-13 season.

Cavs sign Derrick Williams to 10-day contract

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed forward Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today.

Williams (6-8, 245) appeared in 25 games (11 starts) with Miami this season and averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.1 minutes. Over his six-year NBA career, Williams has played in 401 games (112 starts) with Minnesota, Sacramento, New York and Miami, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 21.0 minutes. He was waived by the Heat on February 6.

Grizzlies sign Toney Douglas to second 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Toney Douglas to a second 10-day contract today.

Douglas (6-2, 195) has appeared in 11 games as a reserve for the Grizzlies this season and averaged 5.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes. The 30-year-old originally signed with Memphis as a free agent on Dec. 5 pursuant to the NBA’s hardship rule and was waived on Dec. 15. He then was re-signed by the Grizzlies to a 10-day contract on Jan. 30. Memphis has recorded a 10-1 record in the games Douglas has played this season.

Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (29th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft following his senior season at Florida State University, the Jonesboro, Ga. native has appeared in 381 regular season games (65 starts) and averaged 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 19.2 minutes during his eight-year NBA career with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies.

Milwaukee Bucks buy a D-League team

The Milwaukee Bucks and the NBA Development League announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the Bucks have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA D-League team that will begin play in Oshkosh, Wis., for the 2017-18 season.

As part of the deal, Fox Valley Pro Basketball led by Greg Pierce will be constructing a new 3,500-seat arena for the new minor league team. With the purchase, the Bucks become the 20th NBA team to own and operate an NBA D-League affiliate while the NBA D-League grows to a record 25 teams for next season.

“Our ownership group has been steadfast in its commitment to both build a championship-caliber basketball program and develop stronger partnerships with fans and communities throughout the state of Wisconsin,” Bucks co-owner Wes Edens said. “We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with the City of Oshkosh, Greg Pierce and his team, and the incredible basketball fans throughout the Fox Valley. This new team will be an invaluable resource for our basketball staff and an incredible vehicle for connecting with Wisconsin’s passionate sports fans.”

“NBA teams are increasingly recognizing the NBA D-League’s value in providing opportunities to players, coaches and front office executives,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner. “A record two-thirds of NBA teams now own an NBA D-League affiliate, and I’m excited to welcome Wes Edens, Marc Lasry, Jamie Dinan and the Bucks to that list.”

The Oshkosh Common Council recently approved plans for a new 3,500-seat arena that is expected to anchor the newly-designated “Sawdust District” located near Pioneer Drive Park along the shore of Lake Winnebago. Similar to the arena development currently under construction in Milwaukee, the Oshkosh arena project will serve as a catalyst for additional economic development in the surrounding area. The overall vision for the project calls for the 3,500-seat arena, which will also house a sports bar and team store, along with proposed future development that could include a hotel and additional dining and entertainment venues.

“I believe that Oshkosh’s Central City is on the verge of a renaissance,” Oshkosh Mayor Steve Cummings said. “The Bucks’ selection of Oshkosh as its location for their D-League team reinforces our reputation as a great place to work, play and learn. The new arena will be the cornerstone of a revived central city that will attract visitors and greater development opportunities to Oshkosh.”

“When we pitched this idea, the Fox Valley’s response was so immediate and enthusiastic, we knew this would be the ideal location for the team to expand,” said Greg Pierce of Fox Valley Pro Basketball. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Building a new arena, bringing the Sawdust District vision to life and expanding the sports and entertainment options in our region will have a transformative impact on our community.”

Fans interested in securing tickets for the inaugural season of NBA D-League action in the Fox Valley can reserve their seats online at www.foxvalleybasketball.com. All fans who submit a deposit towards season tickets by this Friday, Feb. 10, will receive a pair of tickets to the Bucks’ Fan Appreciation Night game vs. Charlotte on Monday, April 10. Visitors to the site are also encouraged to submit ideas for the official team name, which will be announced in the coming months.

As part of today’s announcement, the Bucks are also welcoming BMO Harris Bank as the first official sponsor of the new NBA D-League team. A longtime partner of the Bucks, BMO Harris Bank operates in nearly 200 branches in the state of Wisconsin, including 12 in the Fox Valley.

More than 75 NBA players have been assigned to the NBA D-League for development or rehabilitation this season, including half of the players selected in 2016 NBA Draft presented by State Farm. In total, more than 40 percent of the last five NBA Draft classes have honed their skills in the NBA D-League.

Two current Bucks, Khris Middleton and Rashad Vaughn, have NBA D-League experience. In total, the Bucks have assigned 10 players since the 2005-06 season, the first when NBA teams were able to send players to the NBA D-League.

Heat sign Marcus Georges-Hunt to 10-day contract

The Miami Heat yesterday (Wednesday) signed guard Marcus Georges-Hunt to a 10-day contract.

Georges-Hunt, a 2017 NBA Development League All-Star, has appeared in 32 games (27 starts) with the Maine Red Claws this season averaging 16.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.03 steals and 36.7 minutes while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 39.7 percent from three-point range and 86.1 percent from the foul line. He leads the NBA D-League in minutes (1,176) and among team leaders he ranks first in assists (133), second in rebounds (184), steals (32) and free throws made (118) and third in points (524) and field goals made (177).

Georges-Hunt was originally signed by the Boston Celtics on August 17 after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft. He appeared in two preseason games with the Celtics totaling six points, two rebounds and an assist while shooting 2-of-3 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the foul line before being waived on October 20. He played all four seasons at Georgia Tech totaling 129 starts, the most in school history. He finished his collegiate career ranking third in free throws made (468) and 11th in points (1,728) on the school’s all-time lists. Additionally, he became 19th player in school history to record at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

He will wear number 24 and join the team tomorrow and be available for Miami’s game in Brooklyn on Friday.

Dragan Bender undergoes ankle surgery

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender had routine arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle yesterday (Wednesday) to remove a bone spur. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ned Amendola at Duke University Hospital. Bender is estimated to return to full basketball activity in approximately four to six weeks.

The fourth overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, Bender is averaging 3.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.5 blocks and 12.7 minutes in 38 games during his rookie season. On Dec. 26 at Houston, the 19-year-old tallied career-highs of 11 points, 13 rebounds and three steals to become the youngest player in Suns history to record a double-double.

Jabari Parker knee injury is a torn ACL

Bucks forward Jabari Parker suffered a left knee injury during the third quarter of last night’s game vs. Miami at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. This morning, Parker underwent an MRI that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. Parker will undergo surgery to repair the injury and will miss the remainder of the 2016-17 season. The recovery and rehabilitation period is estimated at 12 months.

In 51 games (50 starts) this season, Parker averaged 20.1 points (2nd on team), 6.2 rebounds (3rd on team), 2.8 assists (4th on team) and 1.0 steals in 33.9 minutes (2nd on team) per game. He scored in double figures 47 times, including 20-plus points in 28 games.
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