Raptors recall Solomon Alabi from D-League

The Toronto Raptors announced Friday rookie centre Solomon Alabi has been recalled from the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League.

Alabi was reassigned to the BayHawks on January 6. He appeared in four games during his latest stint with Erie, averaging 9.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 20.8 minutes. He posted his second double-double of the season with 20 points (9-11 FG) and 11 rebounds in 31 minutes January 9 versus the Maine Red Claws.

Alabi’s first assignment to the BayHawks was from November 15 – December 9. He has played a total of 11 games for Erie where he has contributed averages of 8.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 22.1 minutes.

Alabi has appeared in five games with the Raptors, totaling five rebounds in 15 minutes.

Alabi will be available for tonight’s game versus Detroit at Air Canada Centre. Game time is 7 p.m. (TSN/Sportsnet Radio FAN 590)

Jason Richardson loved hockey first

Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Jason Richardson loved hockey first

Orlando Magic guard Jason Richardson has done exceptionally well playing a sport that wasn’t his first love.

He has become wealthy and famous, but playing pro basketball wasn’t in his dreams even as he headed into his teenage years.

His feet just got too big for his hockey skates.

“I really wanted to play in the NHL,” Richardson said. “At the time, I think there were only two or three African-American players. I wanted to be the fourth one.”

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Richardson, who turns 30 on Thursday, was exposed to hockey growing up in Saginaw, Mich.

His mother bought him skates one Christmas, and he taught himself how to skate at local rinks and on frozen ponds. The pick-up games he played in back then were on ice, with a wooden stick he curved and shaved himself.

Celtics assign Avery Bradley to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard Avery Bradley to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League.  Bradley is the team’s first assignment to the Development League this season.

Bradley, a 6’2” guard, has appeared in 14 games for the Celtics this season averaging 1.1 points in 4.7 minutes per game.  The 19th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft recorded a season-high four points and a steal against the Sacramento Kings on January 12.

Injured Iverson expects to resume career

The AP reports:

Injured Iverson expects to resume career

Allen Iverson says he expects to continue playing basketball at the highest level possible once he has a lesion in his right leg examined in the United States.

Iverson posted on his Twitter page Friday that he was returning home for examinations, and possibly surgery. Iverson says he has no plans to retire and still loves the game.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Iverson is still playing overseas, in Turkey. I haven’t heard any rumors that he’s headed back to the NBA anytime soon, or at all.

Flip Murray signs in Turkey

Flip Murray signs in Turkey

Euroleague.net reports: Less than a week before the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16 starts, Turkish powerhouse Efes Pilsen has reinforced its perimeter game with the addition of veteran scorer Ronald ‘Flip’ Murray, the club announced Friday. Murray (191, 31), who signed until the end of the current season, has spent his entire professional career in his native United States, playing for eight NBA teams in as many years. Murray last played with Chicago, averaging 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 29 games after arriving there in February of 2010. He has also played for NBA teams in Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta and Charlotte.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I’m a bit surprised Murray was unable to find a job in the NBA this season. He’d have been a decent scoring option off a bench for the league minimum.