All-D-League Awards 2006-07
Player of the Year - Randy Livingston (6'4''-G-75) of Idaho Stampede Defensive Player of the Year - Renaldo Major (6'7''-F-82) of Dakota Wizards Rookie of the Year - Louis Amundson (6'9''-F-82) of Colorado 14ers Sportsmanship Award - Roger Powell (6'6''-F-83) of Arkansas RimRockers Coach of the Year - Bryan Gates of Idaho 1st Team Elton Brown (6'9''-F/C-83) of Colorado 14ers Louis Amundson of Colorado 14ers Renaldo Major of Dakota Wizards Von Wafer (6'5''-G-85) of Colorado 14ers Randy Livingston of Idaho Stampede 2nd Team Jawad Williams (6'9''-F-83) of Anaheim Arsenal Kevinn Pinkney (6'9''-F-83) of Bakersfield Jam Jeremy Richardson (6'6''-G/F-83) of Fort Worth Flyers Jared Reiner (6'11''-C-82) of Sioux Falls Skyforce Barry Elder (6'4''-G-82) of Austin Toros Will Conroy (6'2''-G-82) of Tulsa 66ers Honorable Mention Dijon Thompson (6'7''-G/F-83) of Albuquerque Thunderbirds Roger Powell of Arkansas RimRockers Quemont Greer (6'7''-F/G-81) of Dakota Wizards Stephen Graham (6'6''-G-82) of Sioux Falls Skyforce Alan Anderson (6'6''-G/F-82) of Tulsa 66ers Kevin Lyde (6'9''-C-80) of Dakota Wizards Luke Schenscher (7'1''-C-82) of Fort Worth Flyers Peter John Ramos (7'4''-C-85) of Idaho Stampede Clay Tucker (6'5''-G-80) of Arkansas RimRockers Cheyne Gadson (6'4''-G-80) of Austin Toros Eugene Jeter (5'11''-G-83) of Colorado 14ers Brian Chase (5'10''-G-81) of Los Angeles D-Fenders Frank Williams (6'3''-G-80) of Sioux Falls Skyforce Oh What a Night; Wizards Claim D-League Title !!! Usually when four of your key players go 0-9 from behind the arc it is not a good sign for your team's shooting percentage. Maurice Baker (6'1''-G-79, college: Oklahoma St.) (0-3), Renaldo Major (6'7''-F-82, college: Fresno St.) (0-2), Quemont Greer (6'7''-F/G-81, college: De Paul) (0-1), and Chris McCray (6'5''-G-84, college: Maryland) (0-3) were just not on point from three on this night. Luckily, the Dakota Wizards suited up a guy named Rice Darius (6'10''-F/C-82, college: Miami, FL) tonight. Rice exploded for a D-League Post-season record 52 points including a D-League record 11 three pointers, as the Dakota Wizards held on for a 129-121 OT victory over the Colorado 14ers for the 2006-07 D-League Championship in Bismarck. The ex-Miami standout has always been known for his sweet shooting touch but he was nearly unconscious on this night as he erupted for a game high 25 points in the first half, and connected on 7 threes before the half concluded. A back and forth first half saw Colorado jump out to an early lead but Dakota turned on the defense in the second quarter and took a 64-56 lead into the locker room. On a night where the big three for Dakota (Renaldo Major, Quemont Greer and Kevin Lyde) combined for a pedestrian 15 points, it was the heroics of Rice Darius along with timely rebounding that helped them outlast the 14ers. The 14ers came out of halftime and trimmed the lead to one at 77-76 with about two minutes left but the Wizards got a lay-up from Jerome Beasley (6'10''-F-80, college: N.Dakota) and back-to-back three's from Rice and a long two from Chris McCray to close the quarter with a 86-80 advantage. In front of a D-League post-season record 5224 raucous fans the Wizards almost saw their title aspirations dashed as Colorado, behind the dynamic duo of Pooh Jeter (5'11''-G-83, college: Portland) and Elton Brown (6'9''-F/C-83, agency: college: Virginia), along with timely shooting from Tony Bobbitt, took every heavyweight punch Dakota could offer. A back and forth final quarter actually saw Colorado take the lead for the first time in the second half at 107-106 with an Elton Brown lay-up at the one minute mark. The final minute of regulation was one to remember. Dontell Jefferson (6'5''-G-83, college: Arkansas) missed a lay-up for Dakota with 10 seconds left and Pooh Jeter was then fouled after the inbounds. Jeter, 30 points on the night, calmly sank two free-throws to extend the 14ers lead to 109-106. After a Dakota timeout, the inbounds went to whom else but Rice Darius who calmly hit an uncontested three with 4.5 seconds left! On the inbounds Elton Brown three up a desperation three that nearly went in but rimmed out and the game was headed to overtime. In the overtime session the 14ers just seemed to run out of legs as Dakota utilized their extremely deep bench to out-run the 14ers and get to the line early and often. In the end the Wizards hit their free throws and worked the clock down, eventually coming away with the victory. 14ERS: Pooh Jeter (30p+8as), Tony Bobbitt (29p+7rb+5st), Elton Brown (22p+12rb), Mike Harris (15p+6rb) WIZARDS: Rice Darius (52p+7rb), Maurice Baker (19p+10rb), Rod Benson (12p+7rb+6bs), Corey Williams (11p) D-League All-Star Game 2007 The NBDL in conjunction with the NBA hosted its first All Star game in Las Vegas. After the NBA All Star practices at Mandalay Bay the future NBA hopefuls hit the court. The NBDL this season has had ten call ups to the NBA to date. Therefore this game provided an opportunity for these players to showcase their games to the NBA scouting community. Unlike the NBA Rookie - Sophomore game these guys came out and played with some intensity. Pops Mensah-Bonsu led all scorers in the first half with 15 points and a few amazing dunks. This game had a few thousand people anxious to see some quality basketball during the NBA All Star weekend. The entertainment for this event was first class as well with an assortment of NBA performers. However this contest was a coming out party for Pops Mensah-Bonsu ;  (6'9''-F-83,
agency: SportsTalent, college:
George Washington) who torched the West team for a game high of 30 points.Pops Mensah-Bonsu was named MVP of the first inaugural NBDL All Star affair. The game featured some exciting play from other future NBA hopefuls which included Allan Anderson, Pooh Jeter ; (5'11''-G-83,
agency: Life Sports, college:
Portland)
and Dijon Thompson (6'7''-G/F-83,
agency: Life Sports, college:
UCLA).This game was a great idea and will be a successful feature in future all star weekends. EAST: Pops Mensah-Bonsu 30+7rb, Alan Anderson 10, BJ Elder 8, Loren Woods 6, Will Conroy 5; Luke Schenscher 15+6rb, Clay Tucker 13+6ast, Renaldo Major 14, Stephen Graham 7, Quemont Greer 6 WEST: Elton Brown 16+6rb, Pooh Jeter 14+5ast, Jawad Williams 11, Von Wafer 5, Kevinn Pinkney 4; Brian Chase 15+5rb, Dijon Thompson 14, Rick Rickert 13+8rb, Ronell Taylor 6, Jerry McNamara 2 |
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