Top 10 Returning Players in the NBA D-League
The NBA D-League is fun to watch because we all like to root for the underdog. We want the nerdy kid to get the hot girl, we yearn for the No. 16 seed to beat a No. 1 seed in March Madness and ultimately, we want lesser known guys plugging away to get their chance to shine in the NBA.
While the unknowns are fun, the returning players to the D-League each year can be intriguing in their own right. A lot of these guys, while not household names, are known to rabid basketball fans and most are right on the cusp of earning a spot in the NBA.
The D-League season is set to start Thursday and, as a sort of preview, let’s take a look at my top 10 returning players to watch.
10. Scott Suggs – Raptors 905 – 6-6 – SG
D-League Stats: 2013-14 – 18.5 points and 3.9 rebounds on 47.6/40.3/83.9
Suggs is a versatile guard who spent last season playing in France’s top league for Chalon. He turns 26 in a couple days and is excited about his chance to make an NBA roster. Suggs will suit up for the expansion Raptors 905 and stands to be a vital cog in their offense.
9. Thanasis Antetokounmpo – Westchester Knicks – 6-7 – SF
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks on 46.0/23.2/61.8
Thanasis is a firecracker, plain and simple. This is going to be his third season in the D-League, but it’ll actually be the first season he’s eligible for a call-up from any team in the NBA — he was prepping for the NBA Draft in his rookie season and the Knicks owned his draft rights last year. His defense is the high point but if he can add a consistent jumper, he will be on every team’s radar quickly.
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8. Devin Ebanks – Grand Rapids Drive – 6-9 – SF
D-League Stats: 2013-14 – 23.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 45.7/33.7/81.1
Ebanks was a world traveler last season playing in Israel, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Now, he’s back in the D-League. One thing that has not changed is his silky 6-9 frame and his ability to guard multiple positions. Grand Rapids is going to be fun to watch this year and he’s a big reason why.
7. DeAndre Liggins – Sioux Falls Skyforce – 6-6 – SG/SF
D-League Stats: 2013-14 – 14.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.6 steals on 39.0/32.6/78.3
Liggins is a defensive monster. He won the NBADL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014 and I’m sure he will bring that same rugged attitude with him in his return from playing overseas last season. The question with Liggins has always been his consistency on offense.
6. Jarell Eddie – Austin Spurs – 6-7 – SF
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 12.9 points and 3.4 rebounds on 44.2/45.2/87.6
Eddie is a sniper. At 6-7 he possesses the ability to step out and knock down any semi-open jumper with a lightning quick release. He can sing a little bit, too, as he proved during training camp with the Golden State Warriors.
5. Malcolm Thomas – Los Angeles D-Fenders – 6-9 – F
D-League Stats: 2013-14 – 18.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks on 58.3/43.5/63.3
The D-Fenders’ roster is stacked this season, but Thomas is perhaps the most exciting player heading into the 2015-16 campaign. He gets it done on both ends and is a highlight reel waiting to happen. While not really a small forward or power forward, he might have a real shot at making some noise in today’s position-less NBA.
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4. Toure’ Murry – Texas Legends – 6-5 – PG
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 6.0 assists on 42.0/25.4/74.6
Murry is the consummate pro. At 6-5 he presents a real problem to opposing point guards and he has the ability to get to the cup and get teammates involved. His rights were recently acquired by the Legends and they will see immediate returns on the trade.
3. Earl Clark – Bakersfield Jam – 6-10 – PF
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks on 45.0/33.3/85.2
Earl Clark is a former lottery pick who has played 261 games in the NBA. Last year he spent a short time with the RGV Vipers before signing in China. Now, he’s back and still, somehow, only 27-years-old.
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2. Darington Hobson – Santa Cruz Warriors – 6-7 – SG/SF
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 42.2/38.5/68.5
Hobson is one of the more versatile players in the entire league. At 6-7 he can play point-forward, off guard, small forward and even guard some of the power forwards in the D-League. He projects as a shooting guard or small forward in the NBA and has no qualms on how he feels about his game.
1. Bryce Cotton – Austin Spurs – 6-1 – PG
D-League Stats: 2014-15 – 22.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 47.3/45.2/90.0
Cotton is the cream of the crop to me. He didn’t play very well during preseason with the Utah Jazz, which led to his waiver, and he’s back with the Austin Spurs. However, I don’t think he will be here for an extended period of time — before his call-up last season, he was arguably the best player in the league.
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