Category: G League

G League blog

G League: Capital City Go-Go promote Amber Nichols to general manager

The Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards’ NBA G League affiliate, announced today that Amber Nichols has been promoted to general manager, becoming the second female general manager in G League history. She will accompany the team’s flex-affiliate players (who will play with the Erie BayHawks) at the NBA G League single site in Orlando this season.

“The Go-Go has been a major part of our development strategy for both players and staff over the past two seasons and the plans we’ve made for this season allow us to continue down that path,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “Amber’s skills, experience and personality have earned her this promotion and with her overseeing our involvement in the bubble, we have the utmost confidence that our players will thrive in a unique and unprecedented situation.”

Nichols has been with the Go-Go since the team’s inception, starting as director of basketball operations during the team’s inaugural season before being promoted to assistant general manager of operations last season. She has managed all logistics for the Go-Go over the last two seasons, as well as working closely with the Wizards front office during NBA and NBA G League drafts and scouting events.

“I’m honored that the organization has given me this responsibility and I plan to do everything possible to make sure our players continue to grow and develop within the framework of our system,” said Nichols. “We have all worked together across the organization during the pandemic to find ways to improve despite difficult circumstances and I look forward to this opportunity to continue doing so.”

Nichols has also been instrumental with player engagement activities and events through her first two years with the team, engaging the players in educational seminars, financial awareness sessions and speaker series with former NBA personalities. She spent a season as a basketball operations analyst for the NBA G League in 2017-18 where she oversaw logistics for all League events and also helped with the selection of players for the NBA G League Elite Mini Camp and NBA G League Player Invitational through research and talent evaluation. Nichols played four years of college basketball at the University of Richmond, where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology, before continuing her education at the University of Georgia, where she received her master’s in kinesiology with a concentration in sport management and policy.

Jordan Bell, Yoeli Childs, Caleb Homesley and Marlon Taylor will be the Go-Go’s flex-affiliate players who will participate with the BayHawks in Orlando.

In G League, Long Island Nets name Bret Brielmaier as head coach

The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have named Bret Brielmaier as the team’s head coach. Brielmaier becomes the fourth head coach in Long Island history after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets.

“Bret has been an integral part of the Nets family for the past four seasons, and we are thrilled that he’ll be coaching the Long Island Nets,” said Long Island Nets General Manager Matt Riccardi. “His experience and vision are a perfect fit for leading the development of emerging players on Long Island, and we are eager to see the growth he inspires in our next generation of Nets talent.”

Prior to joining the Nets organization in 2016, Brielmaier spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was a member of the coaching staff when Cleveland won its 2016 NBA championship. The Mankato, Minn., native also spent four seasons (2009-13) with the San Antonio Spurs, beginning his career as a player development assistant before becoming the team’s video coordinator for his final three seasons.

Brielmaier played four collegiate seasons (2004-08) at the University of Arizona under the direction of Hall of Fame head coach Lute Olson. He was a member of four NCAA Tournament teams before earning his first coaching job as an undergraduate assistant coach under Arizona interim head coach Russ Pennell during the 2008-09 season.

Detroit Pistons G League affiliate team to be named as Motor City Cruise

The Detroit Pistons announced today the name and logo for their new NBA G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. Detroit’s newest professional franchise will play its games on the campus of Wayne State University starting with the 2021-22 season.

The new NBA G League club’s moniker pays homage to the region’s automotive history and love for the open road. The logo, unveiled this morning, incorporates the iconic red basketball from the traditional Pistons brand. The colors – red, white, blue and gray – and lettering align with the Pistons’ current font and color scheme. The new mark also features firing tail pipes that are symbolic of classic muscle cars and serve as a nod to the Pistons brand from the early 2000’s.

Dylan Martin of Grandville, MI, was the winner of the fan naming contest completed in August and was the first of 10 individuals to submit the name Motor City Cruise. He wins four courtside season tickets and a VIP package for the inaugural season. The other nine who submitted the name will receive two season tickets and prize packs.

Pistons owner Tom Gores made the decision to involve fans in the naming of the new NBA G League franchise as an opportunity to engage the community and create excitement for Detroit’s newest team.

“After considering many clever submissions, we are excited to announce the Motor City Cruise as the next professional sports franchise for the city of Detroit,” said Mr. Gores. “We wanted Pistons fans to help us with the naming process and engage with our new brand from the beginning. Our new G League team will create an affordable entertainment option in Detroit and also play an important role in our player development goals.

“We thank those who took time to offer suggestions.”

The Detroit Pistons and the NBA G League announced in July that the Pistons purchased the G League’s Northern Arizona Suns affiliate from the Phoenix Suns.

Will there be a 2020-21 G League season?

Will there be a 2020-21 G League basketball season? Hopefully. But there are rough waters to navigate, due of course to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

According to industry sources, there have been discussions of various scenarios for a G-League campaign, including not holding one at all and expanding NBA rosters instead.

One plan could feature having a handful of week-long G-League showcases in a bubble setting to ensure young players stay active. If a more normalized G-League season is attempted, sources said it would have to be with a regionalized schedule to reduce travel.

Because G-League teams have modest budgets, clubs mostly fly commercial, which is risky amid the COVID-19 crisis. Teams occasionally bus to games against nearby clubs…

There are safety concerns stemming from G-League players intermingling with NBA players, whether through emergency signings or the recently established two-way contracts.

All of these concerns are perfectly logical.

One idea I’m proposing right now is, they could have a G League season that doesn’t involve “call-ups.” Where G League players stay in the G League all season. Which would eliminate two-way contracts for a season. Which solves one issue. Leaving many far more complicated issues left to navigate.

G League team of elite youth prospects now has a name: NBA G League Ignite

The NBA G League today unveiled NBA G League Ignite as the name for its new team of elite prospects, which recently began training with head coach Brian Shaw in Walnut Creek, Calif. A team dedicated to developing top young players through a one-year program, NBA G League Ignite is focused on NBA Draft readiness and growth of professional life skills.

“We are thrilled to officially announce NBA G League Ignite as the name of our new team for elite prospects and we think it’s a fitting moniker for a group comprised of young players taking the first step of their promising professional careers,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “These players have a passion for the game and a desire to develop their skills for the next level and it brings us a lot of pride for them to blaze trails as inaugural members of NBA G League Ignite.”

Top high school prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Daishen Nix, Kai Sotto and Isaiah Todd, along with NBA Global Academy graduate Princepal Singh began their professional careers with NBA G League Ignite and are receiving mentorship and life skills training as part of the professional development program. Five-time NBA champion Shaw is serving as head coach of NBA G League Ignite, which is unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.

NBA G League Ignite has gathered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and started one-on-one skill development training with Shaw and his staff, which includes assistant coach Rasheed Abdul-Rahman, video coordinator Jerry Woods and athletic trainer Pete Youngman.

The bold, capitalized font of the NBA G League Ignite wordmark heralds the team’s energetic commitment to basketball development and serves as an anchor for the team’s full identity and uniform designs, which will be unveiled at a later date.

In G League news, Salt Lake City Stars hiring Nathan Peavy as new coach

The Salt Lake City Stars, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, have finalized an agreement for Nathan Peavy to become the team’s new head coach, it was announced today. Peavy, a three-year assistant coach of the Stars, becomes the Stars’ third head coach since the team relocated to Salt Lake City in 2016.

Peavy, 35, began his coaching career in the 2017-18 season as an assistant under Martin Schiller, the 2019-20 NBA G League Coach of the Year. As a member of Schiller’s staff, Peavy helped guide the Stars to two playoff berths and an improved winning percentage each season. He aided in the development of current Jazz players Tony Bradley, Jarrell Brantley, Juwan Morgan, Georges Niang, Royce O’Neale, Miye Oni, Rayjon Tucker, Nigel Williams-Goss and Justin Wright-Foreman while they appeared in games with the NBA G League franchise. Three players have earned GATORADE Call-Ups to the NBA during Peavy’s tenure with the team.

The Stars finished the 2019-20 season atop the Western Conference with a 30-12 (.714) record, amassing the most wins in a single season in Salt Lake City team history. The club also won the first-ever MGM Resorts NBA G League Winter Showcase Tournament last December in the midst of a 14-game winning streak, the longest in the NBA G League last season and tied for second-longest in a single season in league history. Peavy served as acting head coach in the team’s 134-128 victory over the South Bay Lakers at Vivint Arena on March 2.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Peavy played internationally for eight seasons in both Germany and Puerto Rico, including a stint as a member of the Puerto Rican National Team.

“Nathan has grown tremendously over the past three years due to his work ethic and devotion to his craft. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his playing career and has a passion for teaching the game,” said Bart Taylor, director of scouting for the Utah Jazz and vice president of basketball operations for the Stars. “He has been a pivotal part of establishing a solid foundation for the organization and is absolutely the right person to be the next leader of the team as we move forward.”

“I’m honored to be named the new head coach of the Salt Lake City Stars,” said Peavy. “I’m looking forward to building on the momentum we’ve created to help the Stars compete at the highest level on the court while continuing to help develop players and staff members for the Jazz, and to have a positive impact in our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity and eager to get started on preparations for the 2020-21 season.”

Pistons buy Northern Arizona Suns G League team from Phoenix Suns

The Detroit Pistons, the Phoenix Suns and the NBA G League today announced that the Pistons have agreed to purchase the Northern Arizona Suns from the Phoenix Suns. The rebranded team is expected to play in a new arena currently being constructed on the campus of Wayne State University beginning in the 2021-22 season.

“I’m excited to welcome Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons as NBA G League owners,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. “It’s always bittersweet for a team to relocate, and I thank Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns for their time in this league and the fans in Northern Arizona for their ongoing commitment to the team. I’m sure the fans in Detroit will welcome the team with open arms and I look forward to watching NBA G League basketball at Wayne State for seasons to come.”

Pistons owner Tom Gores said the NBA G League will be good for the Pistons organization and the community.

“This is another important investment in our franchise and in the city of Detroit,” said Mr. Gores. “Having an NBA G League team near our new performance center will be an advantage for our front office, our coaching staff and our young players. It will also generate more economic activity in the area and serve as a catalyst for additional development.”

The Pistons current “hybrid” affiliation with the Grand Rapids Drive will continue through the 2020-21 NBA G League season. The Phoenix Suns will continue to operate the Northern Arizona Suns for the 2020-21 season.

In May 2019, the Pistons announced a multi-faceted partnership with Wayne State University, including an NBA G League team to play in a new arena that the school is constructing for its men’s and women’s basketball programs less than two miles from both Little Caesars Arena and the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center.

In addition to playing games on the school’s campus, a move that will generate revenue and usage of the new facility, the organization will work with Wayne State administrators to create programs and internship opportunities for students in fields like sports marketing, community relations, physical therapy, rehabilitation and sports and entertainment business operations.

The NBA G League serves as the NBA’s developmental league preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers and front- office staff for NBA positions while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Playing with 28 teams for the 2019-20 season, the NBA G League is a proven developer of talent. A record 42 percent of NBA players to start the 2019-20 season had NBA G League experience, a number that rose to 57 percent when the season concluded on March 11.

Princepal Singh signs to play in NBA G League

NBA Academy graduate Princepal Singh, a 6-10 forward from Punjab, India, has signed to play in the NBA G League next season, it was announced today by NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Singh, who will train and compete alongside the new G League team featuring elite youth prospects, is the first NBA Academy graduate to sign with the NBA G League and first NBA Academy India graduate to sign a professional contract.

In 2017, Singh joined The NBA Academy India, an elite basketball training center in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) for the top prospects from throughout India, as part of the academy’s inaugural class of student-athletes. In November 2018, Singh transitioned to The NBA Global Academy – the league’s hub for top male and female prospects from outside the U.S. – in Canberra, Australia, where he continued his development before graduating this spring.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer Princepal the opportunity to begin his professional basketball journey in the NBA G League,” said Abdur-Rahim. “We’ve long hoped that our development pathway for elite high school players would include roster spots for emerging international talent, including players who have participated in the NBA Academy program, and we’re excited to have Princepal forge this new path and develop his skills in our league.”

“We are very proud of Princepal, who has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity as he continues to be a trailblazer for the NBA Academy program and basketball in India,” said NBA Vice President, Head of International Basketball Development Troy Justice. “Playing in the NBA G League alongside some of the most talented up-and-coming players and under the tutelage of head coach Brian Shaw will allow Princepal to build on the foundation and framework he developed under an incredible staff of NBA Academy coaches in India and Australia over the last several years.”

Throughout his time in the NBA Academy program, Singh participated in several high-profile international basketball events, including Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia 2018, BWB Global 2018 and the NBA Global Camp 2018. He also represented India in international competitions as part of the Indian Men’s Senior National Team.

The NBA G League gives top young prospects a chance to begin their professional careers while receiving mentorship and life-skills training. Singh will have the opportunity to accelerate his on-court development alongside top high school recruits from the class of 2020 Jalen Green, Isaiah Todd, Daishen Nix, Kai Sotto and Jonathan Kuminga who have signed to play in the NBA G League for the 2020-21 season. Five-time NBA champion Brian Shaw will serve as head coach of their team, which will be unaffiliated with any existing NBA G League franchise or NBA team.

In G League news, Tori Miller named General Manager of College Park Skyhawks

The Atlanta Hawks and their NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks, today announced multiple promotions and a hire within the Basketball Operations group, including the promotion of Tori Miller to General Manager of the Skyhawks. Miller’s promotion establishes her as the first woman to hold the title of General Manager in the history of the NBA G League. Former Skyhawks General Manager Derek Pierce will continue to oversee Atlanta’s scouting department in his role as Vice President of Player Personnel for the Hawks.

In addition to Miller’s announcement, Atlanta has promoted Dwight Lutz to Senior Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics, Zac Walsh to Director of Team Operations and Max Horowitz to Senior Data Scientist. The Hawks also announced the hiring of Justin Howe as Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist.

Miller, who was named Assistant General Manager of the Skyhawks on July 30, 2019, began her tenure with the organization as Manager of Basketball Operations three seasons ago with the Erie BayHawks. A native of Decatur, GA, Miller is a University of Miami graduate and spent time as a Basketball Operations Intern for the Phoenix Suns prior to her time in the G League.

Lutz finished his second season as Atlanta’s Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics in 2019-20. He joined the Hawks following an 18-month stint as a Basketball Operations Analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves and a four-year stay with the NBA where he served as Senior Manager of Game Analytics and Strategy. Lutz played four years of basketball while earning a degree in Mathematics from Trinity University before receiving a graduate degree in statistics from the University of Florida.

Walsh has been with the Hawks since 2002, holding the successive titles of Basketball Operations Intern, Equipment Manager, and Travel and Equipment Manager prior to earning a promotion to Director of Team Operations. The Atlanta native received the David “D.H.” Nordstrom Equipment Manager of the Year award in 2014 from the National Basketball Athletic Equipment Managers Association. Walsh earned a Business Management degree from Georgia Tech.

Horowitz served as a Data Scientist for the Hawks during the two most recent seasons prior to earning a promotion to Senior Data Scientist. The New York City native attended Carnegie Mellon University where he graduated with a degree in Economics and Statistics. He joined the Hawks after working first as a Specialist and then as a Basketball Strategy Senior Analyst for the NBA from June 2016 until October 2018.

Howe joins the Hawks in a full-time capacity after working with the Hawks’ Athletic Performance and Sports Medicine team in a part-time role in 2019-20. He attended Sheridan College and earned an undergraduate degree in Athletic Therapy before receiving a graduate degree in Sports Medicine and a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Georgia State University.

2019-20 NBA All G League Teams announced

NBA G League Most Valuable Player Frank Mason III of the Wisconsin Herd headlines the 2019-20 All-NBA G League Teams, which were announced recently along with the All-Defensive Team and the All-Rookie Team.

Mason is joined on the All-NBA G League First Team by Herd guard Jaylen Adams, Salt Lake City Stars forward Jarrell Brantley, South Bay Lakers forward Devontae Cacok and Memphis Hustle forward Jarrod Uthoff. Brantley, Cacok, Mason and Uthoff have played in both the NBA G League and the NBA this season.

The All-NBA G League Second Team features Grand Rapids Drive forward Donta Hall, Lakeland Magic forward BJ Johnson and guard Josh Magette, Agua Caliente Clippers forward Johnathan Motley and Maine Red Claws guard Tremont Waters. All five players have seen action in the NBA this season.

The All-NBA G League Third Team is composed of Long Island Nets forward Justin Anderson, Memphis guard Dusty Hannahs, Wisconsin forward Jemerrio Jones, Lakeland forward Vic Law and Delaware Blue Coats guard-forward Marial Shayok. Anderson, Hannahs, Law and Shayok have played in the NBA this season, bringing the total to 13 of 15 players on the three NBA G League Teams who have competed in both leagues in 2019-20.

Waters, the 2019-20 NBA G League Rookie of the Year, leads the NBA G League All-Rookie Team. He is joined by Salt Lake City’s Brantley, South Bay’s Cacok, Grand Rapids’ Hall and Delaware’s Shayok.

Delaware center Christ Koumadje, the 2019-20 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year, headlines the NBA G League All-Defensive Team. Joining Koumadje are Maine center Tacko Fall, Grand Rapids guard Tra-Deon Hollins, Canton Charge guard Sir’Dominic Pointer and Westchester Knicks forward Kenny Wooten.

The NBA G League canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season on June 4. The regular season was suspended on March 12 and had been scheduled to conclude on March 28.

Below are the complete All-NBA G League Teams, the All-Rookie Team and the All-Defensive Team. The league’s 28 head coaches and general managers selected each team.

2019-20 ALL-NBA G LEAGUE TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

Jaylen Adams – Wisconsin Herd

Jarrell Brantley – Salt Lake City Stars^

Devontae Cacok – South Bay Lakers*^

Frank Mason III – Wisconsin Herd^

Jarrod Uthoff – Memphis Hustle*

SECOND TEAM

Donta Hall – Grand Rapids Drive*#

BJ Johnson – Lakeland Magic*^

Josh Magette – Lakeland Magic^

Johnathan Motley – Agua Caliente Clippers^

Tremont Waters – Maine Red Claws^

THIRD TEAM

Justin Anderson – Long Island Nets*

Dusty Hannahs – Memphis Hustle*

Jemerrio Jones – Wisconsin Herd

Vic Law – Lakeland Magic*^

Marial Shayok – Delaware Blue Coats^

2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Jarrell Brantley – Salt Lake City Stars^

Devontae Cacok – South Bay Lakers*^

Donta Hall – Grand Rapids Drive*#

Marial Shayok – Delaware Blue Coats^

Tremont Waters – Maine Red Claws^

2019-20 NBA G LEAGUE ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM

Tacko Fall – Maine Red Claws^

Trae-Deon Hollins – Grand Rapids Drive

Christ Koumadje – Delaware Blue Coats

Sir’Dominic Pointer – Canton Charge*#

Kenny Wooten – Westchester Knicks*^

*Earned GATORADE Call-Up this season

^NBA Two-Way Player

#NBA Assignee