I'm one of those people who love college basketball. I remember the names like God Shammgod and what he did to Duke in the '97 tournament and often wonder where guys like Khalid El-Amin are.
While it is known that many former college stars are grinding in leagues everywhere from Turkey to Argentina, some of the best NCAA talent of the past decade or so not to make the big tome are hooping it up right here in the U.S. in the National Basketball Development League.
While many critics have seen the NBDL as an insignificant minor league, it has been the stepping stone for NBA careers, most notably for guys like Smush Parker (Lakers) and before he was destined for rehab, Chris Andersen (Hornets). This year's current rosters features a ton of players many should be familiar with along with a surprising bunch of names with prior NBA experience or NBA-ready credentials.
Among guards there is Bracey Wright, a former star for the Indiana Hoosiers who is averaging over 21.7 ppg for the Florida Flame after having a short cup of tea with the Timberwolves. A key component to Georgia Tech's Final Four run two years ago, Will Bynum is averaging 24.3 for the Roanoke Dazzle. Meanwhile, John Lucas, who sparked Oklahoma State's Final Four run a few years back, is averaging 16.1 ppg while shooting 51% from the field for the Tulsa 66ers.
Other former college backcourt dynamos putting up great stats are Andre Barrett (Seton Hall/Florida Flame; 17 ppg, 6.6 apg), Andre Emmett (Texas Tech/Austin Toros; 12.5 ppg), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State/Fayetville Patriots; 19.7 ppg, 7.7 apg), Aaron Miles (Kansas/Fort Worth Flyers; 8.3 ppg, 6.4 apg), Anthony Roberson (Florida/Arkansas Rimrockers; 17.7 ppg), Julius Hodge (NC State/Austin Toros; 15 ppg, 6.5 rpg), and Sharrod Ford (Clemson/Fayetville Patriots; 13 ppg, 8.4 rpg).
Two other notable names are Yuta Tabuse, who is struggling with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (6.5ppg), and Kareem Reid, better known at Rucker Park as streetball legend "The Best Kept Secret," who is posting an respectable 12.2 ppg and 7.7 apg for the Arkansas Rimrockers.
Notable names for big men are in abundance, as well, with guys like Lawrence Roberts (Mississippi State/Arkansas Rimrockers; 20.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Luke Schenscher (Georgian Tech/Fort Worth Flyers; 8.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.37 bpg), former Atlanta Hawk Donta Smith (Arkansas Rimrockers; 14 ppg), former Chicago Bull Marcus Fizer (Iowa State/Austin Toros; 20.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg), and international stars Peter Ramos (Roanoke Dazzle;15 ppg, 8rpg, 1.76 bpg) and 18-year-old Ersan Ilyasova (Tulsa 66ers; 10.4 ppg, 7rpg) making waves down South.
So while teams might be fighting over table scrap players like Tim Thomas or Eric Williams that are hoping for contract buyouts, there seems to be at least a few solid options out there in the D-League. Some guys have had short runs in the NBA, but with all the names mentioned, it can be said they have big-game experience and are probably more hungry for a roster spot than those certain players already in the league who are waiting to be bought out and sign elsewhere (Tim Thomas, I'm looking at you).
March has finally arrived and Madness will soon be in full swing, but it's also a good time to reminisce on those stars of tournament past. So for those of you Illinois fans who will be wondering why James Augustine doesn't get drafted in June, don't worry, there will be a place for him to make a name in the U.S. after graduation.
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