Malik Hairston Chris Covatta/NBAE/Getty Images

NEW YORK, March 25, 2008 – San Antonio Spurs forward Malik Hairston was today assigned to the Austin Toros, the Spurs NBA D-League affiliate, it was announced today. Hairston, who was previously assigned to the Toros from Dec. 26, 2008 to Jan. 31, 2009, marks the 37th assignment of the 2008-09 NBA D-League season.

Hairston has appeared in 15 games for the Spurs this season following his GATORADE Call-Up to the team on Dec. 22, averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.3 minutes.

Originally selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Hairston was traded to San Antonio, where he spent 2008 training camp before being waived by the Spurs on Oct. 26 and joining the Toros.

In his previous stints with the Toros, Hairston averaged 21.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 23 games. He scored in double figures 22 times, including notching a Toros season-high and an individual career-high 43 points against the Colorado 14ers on Jan. 11. He earned NBA D-League Performer of the Week honors for games played during the Week of Dec. 15.

A four year starter at Oregon, Hairston finished his NCAA career averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists, while earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 during his sophomore and senior seasons.

Hairston is expected to join the Toros this afternoon and be available on Saturday, March 28 when the team faces the Sioux Falls Skyforce on the road.