Each season, players from respective D-League teams are called up to the NBA, and subsequently signed by a team. Below is a list of former D-Fenders that have been called up and signed to contracts with NBA clubs.
Lazar Hayward
Chosen No. 30 overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2010 NBA Draft
Appeared in 14 games and started one for the D-Fenders, averaging 15.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists
Signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 31, 2012, was waived, then signed a 10-day contract
Appeared in four games, totaling 10 points, four rebounds and three assists
Previously played for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2011-12 and the Timberwolves during his rookie season
Finished his Marquette career as the program’s second all-time leading scorer and fifth all-time in rebounds
Malcolm Thomas
Appeared in one game for the D-Fenders, recording 13 points, 17 rebounds (tying a franchise high), four assists, three steals and a block, leading L.A. to a 99-86 victory over the Texas Legends
Signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors, appearing in five games and totaling three points, five rebounds and two assists
Inked two 10-day contracts with the Chicago Bulls before signing for the remainder of the 2012-13 season
Has previously played in Korea and Israel
Jamaal Tinsley
Taken No. 27 overall out of Iowa State by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001 NBA Draft, traded immediately to the Atlanta Hawks and then Indiana Pacers
Selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA D-League Draft by the D-Fenders
Appeared and started in eight games, averaging 9.9 points, 7.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds
Set a franchise record by handing out 15 assists on Dec. 5, 2011
Signed with the Utah Jazz on Dec. 12, 2011, and the team exercised his right to be with the club for another year
Averaged 3.6 points and 4.0 assists in 103 total games (33 starts) with Utah
Played his first seven seasons in Indiana, averaging 10.4 points, 7.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds
Earned Big 12 Conference Player of the Year honors his senior year at Iowa State
Has also played with the Memphis Grizzlies
Malcolm Thomas
Undrafted out of San Diego State in 2011
Signed to the Lakers training camp roster in mid-December, but was waived prior to the start of the season
Signed with the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 11, 2012 and appeared in three games
Received a call-up with the Houston Rockets on Mar. 27, 2012 before rejoining the D-Fenders for the NBA D-League Finals
Totaled an 18-1 regular season win-loss record in a D-Fenders uniform
Appeared in 19 games and started 13 for the D-Fenders, averaging 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks
Averaged 17.9 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in seven NBA D-League playoff games
Set an NBA D-League Finals record by pulling down 25 boards on Apr. 24, 2012
Helped lead San Diego State to a program best 34-3 record during his senior year and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament
Courtney Fortson
Undrafted out of Arkansas in 2010
Appeared in 29 games and started 14 for the D-Fenders in 2011-12, averaging 17.0 points, 4.9 assists and 4.3 rebounds.
Called up by the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 16, 2012 and played four games (17 points, eight rebounds, five assists) before being waived
Signed a 10-day contract with the Houston Rockets later that season, and was later signed for the rest of the year
Appeared in six games for the Rockets, totaling 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists
Signed to the Clippers training camp roster on Sept. 29, 2012, but was later waived
Played for the D-Fenders during the 2012-13 season, and was named to the Futures All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game.
Averaged 17.8 points, 7.1 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 46 games played
Recorded 15 assists vs. Idaho on Feb. 22, 2012, tying a D-Fenders all-time game high
Has also played with the Reno Bighorns, Rio Grande Valley Vipers and in Venezuela
Ishmael Smith
Undrafted out of Wake Forest in 2010, but signed as a free agent with the Houston Rockets on Aug. 23, 2010
Hours after joining the D-Fenders during the 2011-12 season, he was called up by the Orlando Magic
Appeared in 20 games for Orlando that year, averaging 2.3 points and 1.6 assists
Appeared in 36 games with the Magic during the 2012-13 season before being traded to Milwaukee at the trade deadline
Stands as the only player in Wake Forest history with 1,000 points and 600 assists
Has also played with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors
Gerald Green
Drafted out of high school No. 18 overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics
2007 NBA Slam Dunk champion
Appeared in 22 games and started 13 for the D-Fenders, averaging 19.1 points and 4.6 rebounds
Made eight three-point field goals vs. Erie on Feb. 6, 2012, a D-Fenders franchise record for a single game
Named the NBA D-League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
Signed a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets on Feb. 27, 2012, and was later signed for the rest of the season
In 31 games played, he averaged 12.9 points and 3.5 rebounds in 25 minutes
Signed a three-year contract with the Indiana Pacers in the 2012 offseason
Appeared in 60 games and started seven, averaging 7.0 points and 2.4 rebounds
Has also played in Russia and China, for former D-League clubs Fayetteville Patriots and Florida Flame (folded teams) and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks
Jamario Moon
Undrafted out of Meridian Community College in 2001
Appeared in 12 games and started 10 for the D-Fenders during the 2011-12 season, averaging 17.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists
Signed with the Charlotte Bobcats for the rest of the 2012 season, appearing in eight games, and totaling 18 points and 22 rebounds
Played for the D-Fenders during the 2012-13 season and averaged 7.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 15 games
Competed in the 2008 Rookie/Sophomore Challenge and Slam Dunk Contest, placing third behind winner Dwight Howard and Gerald Green
Has played in the USBL, ABA, WBA, CBA and in Mexico, as well as for the Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers
Joe Crawford
Selected No. 58 overall out of Kentucky by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Draft
Appeared in 43 games and started 42 for the D-Fenders, averaging 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists
Netted a D-Fenders franchise high 44 points vs. Utah on Jan. 9, 2009
Signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks on Mar. 26, 2009, and was later signed for the rest of the season
Appeared in two games, totaling nine points and four rebounds
Has since played with clubs in China and Israel
Jelani McCoy
Selected No. 33 overall out of UCLA by the Seattle Supersonics in the 1998 NBA Draft
Appeared in 36 and started 25 games for the D-Fenders, averaging 11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 blocks
Signed with the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 29, 2007, becoming the D-Fenders first NBA call-up in franchise history
Appeared in six games with the Nuggets, totaling three points, seven rebounds and five blocks
Has since played with various clubs overseas in China, Spain, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Mexico
Stephane Lasme
Selected No. 46 overall out of UMass by the Golden State Warriors in the 2007 NBA Draft
Appeared in 37 games and started 14 for the D-Fenders during the 2007-08 season, averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks
