A complete look at the players returning to their D-League team from last season, as well as those who have been allocated based on territorial rights, and those who made teams via local tryouts.
Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Antonio Agudio (Veteran) - Returning player
Keith McLeod (Veteran) - Returning player
Cory Underwood (Veteran) - Returning player
Kevin Pittsnogle (Veteran) - Allocation player
Anthony Danridge (Rookie) - Allocation player
Shane Edwards (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Jason Horton (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Albuquerque has some solid firepower returning in their backcourt in the form of NBA veteran Keith McLeod and former Hofstra sharpshooter Antoine Agudio, and will likely be targeting size in tomorrow's draft.
Austin Toros
Justin Bowen (Veteran) - Returning player
Ryan Bright (Veteran) - Returning player
Fred Gibson (Veteran) - Returning player
Carldell Johnson (Veteran) - Returning player
Dwayne Jones (Veteran) - Returning player
Jason Parker (Veteran) - Returning player
Curtis Jerrells (Rookie) - Allocation player
Roderick Riley (Veteran) - Allocation player
Jawan Bailey (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
San Antonio Spurs' affiliate Austin has two solid options at the point in Baylor's Curtis Jerrells and UAB's Squeaky Johnson, as well as a rare big man with size, strength and athleticism in Dwayne Jones, after he was mysteriously cut by the Serbian team he signed with just a few days after arriving.
Bakersfield Jam
Terrance Gamble (Veteran) - Returning player
Justin Hawkins (Veteran) - Allocation player
Robert Swift (Veteran) - Allocation player
Benson Callier (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Ronald Johnson (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Joel Smith (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Rodney Webb (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Akeem Wright (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Robert Swift would be the big name here. It will be interesting to see how he looks after missing so much time over the past few years with injuries. Justin Hawkins will provide them with some scoring at the forward positions.
Dakota Wizards
Maurice Baker (Veteran) - Returning player
Romel Beck (Veteran) - Returning player
David Bell (Veteran) - Returning player
Carlos English (Veteran) - Returning player
Renaldo Major (Veteran) - Returning player
Manny Quezada (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Derick Payne (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Cameron Stanley (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Dakota is in excellent shape, returning a good part of their core that seems to be coming back year after year. Mo Baker is about as experienced a player as you'll find at this level, while Romel Beck brings serious scoring power. Renaldo Major is another proven player at this level, known for his defense and athleticism, while 3-point specialist David Bell could be another solid cog.
Erie BayHawks
Jarvis Gunter (Veteran) - Returning player
Ivan Harris (Veteran) - Returning player
Oliver Lafayette (Veteran) - Returning player
Jackie Manuel (Veteran) - Returning player
Cedric Jackson (Rookie) - Allocation player
Rob Kurz (Veteran) - Allocation player
Kyle Goldcamp (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Joseph Jones (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation: Erie's frontcourt seems to be fairly set, with the very reliable shooting and rebounding of Rob Kurz mixed in with the sweet touch of combo forward Ivan Harris and the low-post game of Texas A&M's Joseph Jones. The backcourt will likely be their biggest priority in tomorrow's draft.
Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Ron Howard (Veteran) - Returning player
Chris Hunter (Veteran) - Returning player
Anthony Kent (Veteran) - Returning player
DeWitt Scott (Veteran) - Returning player
Sean Sonderleiter (Veteran) - Returning player
Ryan Ayers (Rookie) - Allocation player
Kyle McAlarney (Rookie) - Allocation player
Jared Carter (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Brandon Cotton (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Fort Wayne has a nice mix of players to build around, starting with the extremely productive low-post presence of Chris Hunter, a major rarity in this league. Swingman Ron Howard is a solid all-around player at this level, while Notre Dame's Kyle McAlarney will surely light it up from time to time from beyond the 3-point line.
Idaho Stampede
Mildon Ambres (Veteran) - Returning player
Roberto Bergersen (Veteran) - Returning player
Lanny Smith (Veteran) - Returning player
Jeff Graves (Veteran) - Allocation player
Emmanuel Jones (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Ray Schafer (Veteran) - Local tryout player
John Vaughan (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Not a lot to talk about here, which makes sense considering the team lost their head coach Bryan Gates to the Sacramento Kings and their influential top assistant Randy Livingston to the Maine Red Claws. Roberto Bergersen is a veteran at this level, while former Kansas Jayhawk Jeff Graves has a big body and some scoring touch but has struggled with injuries.
Iowa Energy
Marvin Phillips (Veteran) - Returning player
Curtis Stinson (Veteran) - Returning player
Anthony Tolliver (Veteran) - Returning player
Jeff Trepagnier (Veteran) - Returning player
Mark Tyndale (Veteran) - Returning player
Darryl Watkins (Veteran) - Allocation player
Shy Ely (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Matt Trannon (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Adam Emmenecker (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Iowa doesn't appear to have as many holes to fill as some other teams, as they seem to have a solid group of players at a couple of different positions. Daryl Watkins is a big body who will take up space in the paint and use his athleticism to make the occasional play, while Curtis Stinson is a proven option at the point who knows how to get the job done. Anthony Tolliver is one of the best shooting power forwards in the D-League and also brings some NBA experience (with the San Antonio Spurs) to the table. Mark Tyndale is a versatile and athletic defender who could be a solid rotation player in the right setting.
Los Angeles D-Fenders
Earl Barron (Veteran) - Returning player
Joe Crawford (Veteran) - Returning player
Ryan Forehan-Kelly (Veteran) - Returning player
Longar Longar (Veteran) - Returning player
Gabe Pruitt (Veteran) - Allocation player
Diamon Simpson (Rookie) - Allocation player
Michael Fey (Veteran) - Local tryout player
James Jackson (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Horace Wormely (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
The Defenders are unlikely to be as down as they were last season, featuring a number of "big-name" players at this level with solid NBA resumes under their belts. Earl Barron is a sweet shooting 5-man who spent a couple of years with Miami. Gabe Pruitt is a young and athletic combo guard who was drafted by the Boston Celtics and could be one of the top guards in the D-League this season. Joe Crawford is an ultra aggressive scoring shooting guard who will likely be amongst the league leaders in scoring once again this year. Finally, St. Mary's Diamon Simpson is a hustling, rebounding power forward who is exactly the type of scrappy role player you want to have alongside this many scorers.
Maine Red Claws
Noel Felix (Veteran) - Returning player
Billy Thomas (Veteran) - Returning player
Will Blalock (Veteran) - Allocation player
Tyrelle Blair (Veteran) - Allocation player
Abdulai Jalloh (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Stanley Thomas (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Mike Williams (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Maine's brand new team has some decent experience right off the bat, as Noel Felix, Billy Thomas and Will Blalock have all been around the D-League for multiple years and know what it takes to be successful. Thomas in particular is a big asset with his hard-working demeanor, NBA experience and 3-point shooting skills. Boston College's Tyrelle Blair was amongst the NCAA leader in blocked shots a few years back, and should provide the team with some solid minutes of interior defense.
Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Stanley Asumnu (Veteran) - Returning player
Cliff Clinkscales (Veteran) - Returning player
Marcus Hubbard (Veteran) - Returning player
Kurt Looby (Veteran) - Returning player
Ernest Scott (Veteran) - Returning player
Julian Sensley (Veteran) - Returning player
Mike Harris (Veteran) - Allocation player
Garrett Temple (Rookie) - Allocation player
Henry Dugat (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
The Houston Rockets affiliate has some work to do in tomorrow's draft, but can already look forward to the presence of one of the top power forwards in the league in Mike Harris. LSU's Garrett Temple is another player to keep an eye on here, his versatility as a defender and passer could make him a call-up option at some point.
Reno Bighorns
Rod Benson (Veteran) - Returning player
Russell Robinson (Veteran) - Returning player
Daryl Dorsey (Veteran) - Returning player
Dave Noel (Veteran) - Returning player
Cezary Trybanski (Veteran) - Returning player
Mo Charlo (Veteran) - Allocation player
James Peters (Veteran) - Allocation player
Brian Laing (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Jamaal Smith (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Reno returns a couple of solid players from last year's team, mainly in the form of glass-cleaner Rod Benson and the much improved Russell Robinson, who looks much more comfortable as a scorer now. Mo Charlo will put points up from the 3/4 spot, and Dave Noel and Majic Dorsey are both solid role players with plenty of experience.
Springfield Armor
Kentrell Gransberry (Veteran) - Returning player
Marcus Taylor (Veteran) - Returning player
Adam Harrington (Veteran) - Allocation player
Maurice Maxwell (Rookie) - Allocation player
Julian Allen (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Charles Easterling (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Dante Milligan (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Trey Whitted (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Springfield is another team that appears to be in transition. Kentrell Gransberry was a terrific player in the Big East but has been a bust at the professional level thus far. Adam Harrington is one of the best shooters you'll find at this level.
Sioux Falls Skyforce
David Bailey (Veteran) - Returning player
Keith Brumbaugh (Veteran) - Returning player
Justin Johnson (Veteran) - Returning player
Michael Joiner (Veteran) - Returning player
Greg Stiemsma (Veteran) - Returning player
Joe Krabbenhoft (Rookie) - Allocation player
Bruce Price (Veteran) - Allocation player
Mike Nelson (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Sioux Falls returns a few very important cogs, mainly the presence of their point guard, David Bailey, who provides them with plenty of experience and scoring power. Athletic big man Greg Stiemsma is another interesting name to keep an eye on.
Tulsa 66ers
Keith Clark (Veteran) - Returning player
Moses Ehambe (Veteran) - Returning player
Steven Hill (Veteran) - Returning player
Yemi Ogunoye (Veteran) - Returning player
Larry Owens (Veteran) - Allocation player
Byron Eaton (Rookie) - Allocation player
Ansel Guzman (Veteran) - Local tryout player
Mitch Johnson (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Marcus Lewis (Rookie) - Local tryout player
Evaluation:
Tulsa will be looking to have a big night in the draft, in order to compliment the group of solid role players they have returning. Byron Eaton is a nice pickup for them at the point, while former Oral Roberts combo forward Larry Owens brings length and athleticism. Steven Hill has made an NBA roster already due to his size and athleticism on the defensive end.
Utah Flash
Bennet Davis (Veteran) - Returning player
Gavin Grant (Veteran) - Returning player
Andre Ingram (Veteran) - Returning player
Dontell Jefferson (Veteran) - Returning player
James Lang (Veteran) - Returning player
Carlos Wheeler (Veteran) Returning player
Lee Cummard (Rookie) Allocation player
Luke Nevill (Rookie) Allocation player
Sylvester Morgan (Veteran) Local tryout player
Evaluation:
The Utah Flash start off this season in much better position than they did last year, especially with the acquisition of two key rookies. BYU's Lee Cummard and Utah's Luke Nevill were two of the top players at their position in college basketball last season, and should provide an immediate return in both the win column as well as at the box office, feeding off their teams' rabid fan bases. Dontell Jefferson is one of the more talented guard prospects in the D-League, and will bring the team quite a bit with his athleticism and versatility. Andre Ingram and Gavin Grant are two more talented players who are more than capable of contributing on any given night, while James Lang has been with this team for some time now and should provide a solid presence in the paint.
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