The 2013/14 NBA D-League season got underway last night with 14 teams in action, and the remaining three clubs, including the defending champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers, start their seasons tonight.
Last year’s best teams, like the Vipers, Santa Cruz Warriors, Austin Toros, and Tulsa 66ers, benefited from their NBA affiliates (the Rockets, Warriors, Spurs, and Thunder, respectively) assigning young talent to the D-League. But D-League rosters are made up primarily of a mix of youngsters and veterans whose rights aren’t currently held by any NBA team.
It’s fairly safe to assume that all those D-League players are hoping for a call-up to the NBA, but not all of them are seeking their first shot at basketball’s biggest stage. Many players currently on D-League rosters have previous NBA experience, and are hoping to get a second (or third or fourth) chance.
Now that D-League squads have made their training camp cuts and begun their respective seasons, their opening night rosters have been finalized. So let’s take a look around the league at D-Leaguers who have previous NBA experience. This list doesn’t include NBA players currently on assignment, and only features players who have appeared in at least one NBA regular season game — so we’re not including training camp invitees, or players who were signed but didn’t see the floor.
Here’s the full list, with the player’s most recent NBA stint in parentheses:
Austin Toros:
- Eric Dawson (Spurs, 2011/12)
- Josh Howard (Timberwolves, 2012/13)
- Flip Murray (Bulls, 2009/10)
Bakersfield Jam:
- None
Canton Charge:
- Robert Hite (Heat, 2006/07)
- Kevin Jones (Cavaliers, 2012/13)
Delaware 87ers:
- None
Erie BayHawks:
- Ricky Davis (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Mustafa Shakur (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jeremy Tyler (Hawks, 2012/13)
Fort Wayne Mad Ants:
- Chris Hunter (Warriors, 2009/10)
- Chris Porter (Warriors, 2000/01)
Idaho Stampede:
- None
Iowa Energy:
- Othyus Jeffers (Wizards, 2010/11)
- Jarvis Varnado (Heat, 2012/13)
Los Angeles D-Fenders:
- Jamario Moon (Bobcats, 2011/12)
- Kareem Rush (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Malcolm Thomas (Bulls, 2012/13)
Maine Red Claws:
- Jermaine Taylor (Kings, 2010/11)
- Chris Wright (Warriors, 2011/12)
Reno Bighorns:
- DeQuan Jones (Magic, 2012/13)
Rio Grande Valley Vipers:
- Chris Johnson (Grizzlies, 2012/13)
- James Johnson (Kings, 2012/13)
Santa Cruz Warriors:¹
- Joe Alexander (Bulls, 2009/10)
- Hilton Armstrong (Hawks, 2010/11)
- Maurice Baker (Trail Blazers, 2004/05)
- Taylor Griffin (Suns, 2009/10)
- Mychel Thompson (Cavaliers, 2011/12)
Sioux Falls Skyforce:
- Quincy Douby (Raptors, 2008/09)
- DeAndre Liggins (Thunder, 2012/13)
- Bill Walker (Knicks, 2011/12)
Springfield Armor:
- JamesOn Curry (Clippers, 2009/10)
- Jeff Foote (Pelicans, 2011/12)
- Gary Forbes (Raptors, 2011/12)
- Dennis Horner (Nets, 2011/12)
Texas Legends:
- Chris Douglas-Roberts (Mavericks, 2012/13)
- Devin Ebanks (Lakers, 2012/13)
- Melvin Ely (Nuggets, 2010/11)
- Terrel Harris (Pelicans, 2012/13)
- Sean Singletary (Bobcats, 2008/09)
Tulsa 66ers:
- Larry Owens (Nets, 2011/12)
- Ben Uzoh (Raptors, 2011/12)
¹ Santa Cruz announced the signing of Armstrong today, so it’s not clear yet if one of the other players on their list was waived to make room.