2009 NBA D-League Returning And Allocated Rosters

The T-Birds are looking to end a playoff drought and return a small group of players, highlighted by former Dallas Maverick Keith McLeod. McLeod averaged 14.4 points in 36 games in Albuquerque last season. The Thunderbirds were also allocated former player Kevin Pittsnogle, who is well known from his days of stardom at West Virginia, and local college star Tony Danridge. Danridge, all-Mountain West at New Mexico, won the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest at the Final Four in April.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Antoine Aguido	G	6-3	185	Hofstra
Keith McLeod	G	6-2	190	Bowling Green
Cory Underwood	F	6-10	240	Southern
Kevin Pittsnogle (Allocated)	G	6-2	225	West Virginia
Anthony Danridge (Allocated)	G	6-2	225	New Mexico
Shane Edwards (Tryout)
Jason Horton (Tryout)

The Toros gain some key performers back from last year's squad, highlighted by NBA veteran Dwayne Jones. Jones was one of the league's top rebounders last season after being acquired via trade from Idaho. Team sparkplug and former UAB star Carldell "Squeeky" Johnson is back for his third season at point guard for the Toros, while forward Justin Bowen and former NFL wide receiver Fred Gibson also return. The Toros also picked up Rod Riley, a big center who previously has played for Bakersfield and Colorado in the NBA D-League.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Justin Bowen	F	6-7	210	Illinois-Chicago
Ryan Bright	F	6-6	225	Sam Houston
Carldell Johnson	G	5-10	180	UAB
Fred Gibson	G	6-4	185	Georgia
Dwayne Jones	F/C	6-10	250	St. Joseph's
Jason Parker	G	6-2	180	Tulsa
Roderick Riley	F	6-11	260	Prairie View A&M
Jawan Bailey (Tryout)

The Jam were allocated a former lottery pick in the form of Bakersfield native Robert Swift, who was taken 12th overall by the Sonics in 2004 out of Bakersfield High School. Swift should be one of the league's top big men and should be eager to prove worthy of a return to the NBA after being hampered by injuries early in his career. The team also picks up forward Justin Hawkins, an All-WAC performer at New Mexico State. Forward Terrence Gamble, who played sparingly last season, in the only returnee from 2008-09's playoff squad.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Terrance Gamble	F	6-10	255	Tarleton State
Justin Hawkins	F	6-7	210	New Mexico State
Robert Swift	C	7-0	245	Bakersfield HS
Benson Callier (Tryout)
Ronald Johnson (Tryout)
Joel Smith (Tryout)
Rodney Webb (Tryout)
Akeem Wright (Tryout)

The Wizards bring back a solid corps from last season's playoff team, highlighted by the team's all-time leading scorer, Maurice Baker. 2009-10 will be the fourth straight season that Baker suits up for the Wizards. 2006-07 Defensive Player of the Year Renaldo Major also returns after averaging 17.0 points per game last season. Major will be joined at forward by Romel Beck, who was with the Rockets in preseason after joining the Wizards in February of last season. Beck, a member of the Mexican National Team, posted 15.9 points in the NBA D-League in 2008-09.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Maurice Baker	G	6-1	185	Oklahoma State
Romel Beck	F	6-8	195	UNLV
David Bell	G	6-0	195	Montana
Carlos English	G	5-9	170	Cleveland State
Renaldo Major	F	6-7	190	Fresno State
Manny Quezada (Tryout)
Derrick Payne (Tryout)
Cameron Stanley (Tryout)

The BayHawks bring back four players from last season's playoff team, and also add former Golden State and Notre Dame forward Rob Kurz. The 6-9 Kurz was with Cleveland in the NBA preseason and should be one of the NBA D-League's top frontcourt players if he sticks around. Former Ohio State player Ivan Harris is the leading returning scorer after posting 15.7 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, while Oliver Lafayette also scored in double-figures last season. NBA D-League veteran Jackie Manuel is also back for what will be his fourth season in the league.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Jarvis Gunter	F	6-10	220	Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Ivan Harris	F	6-7	220	Ohio State
Oliver Lafayette	F	6-2	190	Houston
Jackie Manuel	F	6-6	188	North Carolina
Rob Kurz (Allocation)	F	6-9	232	Notre Dame
Cedric Jackson (Allocation)
Kyle Goldcamp (Tryout)
Joseph Jones (Tryout)

The Mad Ants return two players who were in training camp with the New York Knicks this fall, with forward Ron Howard and center Chris Hunter both back. Hunter was an NBA D-League All-Star and earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Nicks last season while leading Fort Wayne with 19.3 points and 9.4 rebounds. Howard posted 18.7 points and returns for his third year as a Mad Ant. Fort Wayne was also allocated two Notre Dame players in forward Ryan Ayers and sharpshooter Kyle McAlarney.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Ron Howard	F	6-5	200	Valparaiso
Anthony Kent	F	6-11	225	Ball State
Chris Hunter	C	6-11	240	Michigan
DeWitt Scott	F	6-6	190	IPFW
Sean Sonderleiter	F	6-9	235	Iowa
Ryan Ayers	F	6-7	210	Notre Dame
Kyle McAlarney	G	6-0		Notre Dame
Jared Carter (Tryout)
Brandon Cotton (Tryout)

The Stampede, who just missed out on their third straight division title last season, return veteran guard Roberto Bergersen and reserves Mildon Ambres and Lanny Smith. Smith was recently in training camp with the Sacramento Kings after serving as a part-time starter at the point in Idaho last season. The team was also allocated former Kansas star Jeff Graves, who previously played for the Stampede in the 2006-07 season where he averaged 13.3 points and 8.0 rebounds.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Mildon Ambres	F	6-5	200	Southern Nazarene
Roberto Bergersen	G	6-6	210	Boise State
Lanny Smith	F	6-3	190	Houston
Jeff Graves (Allocated)	F	6-9		Kansas
Ray Schafer (Tryout)
Emmanuel Jones (Tryout)
John Vaughan (Tryout)

The Energy bring in three players with NBA experience in former GATORADE Call-Up Anthony Tolliver, former Syracuse center Darryl Watkins, and former Cavaliers first-round pick Jeff Trepagnier. The Energy also return guard Curtis Stinson, who was one of the top point guards in the league last season to the tune of 8.4 assists per game. Mary Tyndale, who posted 11.1 points for Iowa last season, also returns after a training camp stint with the Chicago Bulls.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Marvin Phillips	F	6-7	230	Claflin
Curtis Stinson	F	6-3	215	Iowa State
Anthony Tolliver	F	6-9	245	Creighton
Jeff Trepagnier	G	6-4	200	USC
Mark Tyndale	G	6-5	210	Temple
Darryl Watkins	C	6-11	258	Syracuse
Shy Ely (Tryout)
Matt Trannon (Tryout)
Adam Emmenecker (Tryout)

Joe Crawford, one of the league's top scorers and a GATORADE Call-Up to the Knicks in 2008-09, returns for his second NBA D-League season along with former Miami Heat center Earl Barron, who was in training camp with the Hornets. Ryan Forehan-Kelly is also back after a 12.1 point campaign last season. The team also picked up a big talent via allocation in the form of former USC star Gabe Pruitt, who has been a member of the Boston Celtics for the past two years. Pruitt averaged 18 plus points per game in 2007-08 during an assignment stint with the Utah Flash.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Earl Barron	C	6-11	230	Memphis
Joe Crawford	G	6-5	205	Kentucky
Ryan Forehan-Kelly	F	6-6	195	California
Longar Longar	C	6-11	230	Oklahoma
Gabe Pruitt	G	6-3	185	USC
Michael Fey (Tryout)
James Jackson (Tryout)
Horace Wormely (Tryout)

The Red Claws will go into their first season with one of the best guards in NBA D-League history after picking up the rights to Billy Thomas in the expansion draft. Thomas earned his second NBA D-League title last season and should be a top player and call-up candidate once again. The Red Claws were also allocated a point guard with NBA experience in former Piston Will Blalock and also will bring in veteran forward Noel Felix. Blalock excelled on the NBA D-League level in 2006-07 when the Pistons assigned him to the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Noel Felix	F	6-9	225	Fresno State
Billy Thomas	G	6-5	215	Kansas
Will Blalock (allocation)	G	6-1	195	Iowa State
Tyrelle Blair (Tryout)	C	6-11		Boston College
Abdulai Jalloh (Tryout)
Stanley Thomas (Tryout)
Mike Williams (Tryout)

The Bighorns will return several key contributors to last year's team that posted a .500 mark in Reno's first season. Rod Benson was a great acquisition last year via a trade with Dakota, where he led the league in rebounding in 2007-08. Benson was recently in training camp with the Indiana Pacers, while guard Russell Robinson also returns after a training camp stint with Cleveland. Robinson upped his game as the season went on and also in Summer League, so expect him to push toward stardom in his second year in Reno. Veteran guard Majic Dorsey, premier shot-blocker and former NBA center Cezary Trybanski, and reserve Dave Noel are also back from last year's team. The team also picked up NBA D-League veteran Mo Charlo, who starred at Nevada, via allocation.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Rod Benson	F	6-10	225	California
Majic Dorsey	G	6-1	185	Brevard CC
Dave Noel	G	6-3	205	Central Florida
Russell Robinson	G	6-1	190	Kansas
Mo Charlo	F	6-6	210	Nevada
James Peters (Allocation)
Brian Laing (Tryout)
Jamaal Smith (Tryout)

The Vipers will bring back a top center prospect in Kurt Looby, who led the league in blocks last season and is coming off of a preseason stint with the Denver Nuggets. He will be joined by promising forward Marcus Hubbard, who had an active summer with the NBA D-League team at Summer League and in the Asia Challenge. Other returnees include forward Stanley Asunmu, back for his third season in RGV, point guard Cliff Clinkscales, and three-point specialist Ernest Scott. The team was also allocated two former Houston Rockets in Mike Harris and Garrett Temple. Harris was a top pick in the 2006 NBA D-League Draft by Colorado and can be a star in the NBA D-League, while Temple enters the NBA D-League after a solid career at LSU and a stint with the Rockets in the preseason.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Stanley Asumnu	G	6-5	220	Tennessee
Cliff Clinkscales	G	6-1	165	DePaul
Marcus Hubbard	F	6-9	230	Angelo State
Kurt Looby	C	6-10	230	Iowa
Ernest Scott	F	6-7	225	Valdosta State
Julian Sensely	F	6-9	235	Hawaii
Mike Harris (Allocation)	F	6-6	240	Rice
Garrett Temple (Allocation)	G	6-5	176	LSU
Damone Morris (Tryout)

The Skyforce return a few key players as they look to rebound from missing the playoffs in 2008-09. Fan favorite David Bailey is back for what will be his fourth overall season in Sioux Falls and third in the NBA D-League. Bailey gives the team a proven NBA D-League scorer at the guard spot, while Keith Brumbaugh showed flashes of talent last season and brings back some NBA experience after spending time in training camp with the Denver Nuggets. Forward Michael Joiner also returns for his third season with the Skyforce. Allocated player Joe Krabbenhoft is a native of Sioux Falls and brings big-time college experience as a four-year rotation player at Wisconsin.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
David Bailey	G	5-8	165	Loyola (IL)
Keith Brumbaugh	F	6-10	215	Hillsboroough CC
Justin Johnson	G	6-6	190	Iowa
Michael Joiner	F	6-7	230	Florida State
Greg Stiesma	F	6-11	260	Wisconsin
Joe Krabbenhoft (Allocation)	F	6-7	219	Wisconsin
Bruce Price (Allocation)	G	6-1	190	Tennessee Tech
Mike Nelson (Tryout)	G	6-4	195	North Dakota State

The Armor picked up only two players from the expansion draft, acquiring Colorado reserve center Kentrell Gransberry and veteran guard Marcus Taylor, who played very briefly for Anaheim last season. Gransberry was very effective off the bench last season and could be ready to break out if he gets more playing time in Springfield. The team also picked up former Dallas Maverick Adam Harrington via allocation. Harrington played in the NBA D-League with Tulsa in the 2007-08 season and will be on the league's most accomplished long-distance shooters.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Kentrell Gransberry	F	6-9	270	South Florida
Marcus Taylor	G	6-4	195	Michigan State
Adam Harrington (Allocated)	G	6-5	200	Auburn
Maurice Maxwell (Allocated)	G	6-4	190	Goldey-Beacom
Julian Allen (Tryout)
Charles Easterling (Tryout)
Dante Milligan (Tryout)
Trey Whitted (Tryout)

The 66ers will be looking for improvement this season and return a few local products who played in 2008-09, highlighted by forward Keith Clark. Clark, who played college ball at Oklahoma, showed plenty of promise over the second half of last season and could be ready to emerge as a star in Tulsa. Center Steven Hill, who played for the team on assignment last season from Oklahoma City, is also back and will provide great defense and shot-blocking in the paint. The 66ers will have plenty of local flavor as former Oral Roberts stars Moses Ehambe and Yemi Ogunoye return for a second season, while former Oklahoma State standout Byron Eaton joins the team as an allocation player.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Keith Clark	F	6-8	245	Oklahoma
Moses Ehambe	F	6-6	200	Oral Roberts
Steven Hill	C	7-0	245	Arkansas
Yemi Ogunoye	F	6-9	210	Oral Roberts
Larry Owens (Allocation)	F	6-7		Oral Roberts
Byron Eaton (Allocation)	G	5-11	190	Oklahoma State
Ansel Guzman (Tryout)
Mitch Johnson (Tryout)
Marcus Lewis (Tryout)

The Flash appear to be well-stocked for a return to the finals with several key contributors from last season's team returning as well as two local college starts heading to Orem on allocation. Dontell Jefferson was the offensive power in Utah last year before a call-up to the Bobcats, where he finished the season. He should be one of the league's top scorers and a call-up candidate once again. Also back for another year are veteran center James Lang, guards Andre Ingram and Gavin Grant, and forward Carlos Wheeler and Bennett Davis. Davis brings back some NBA experience after playing for the Nets in the preseason. The team also will have two legit NBA rookie prospects in BYU guard Lee Cummard and Utah center Luke Nevill. Cummard is a smooth scorer who played college ball a few miles away from the Flash's arena at BYU, while Nevill brings a lot of size to the table at 7-2.

Name	Position	Height	Weight	College
Bennet Davis	F	6-8	220	Northeastern
Gavin Grant	G	6-7	220	NC State
Andre Ingram	G	6-3	190	American
Dontell Jefferson	G	6-4	195	Arkansas
James Lang	C	6-10	285	Central Park Christian HS
Carlos Wheeler	F	6-7	220	Campbellsville
Lee Cummard (Allocated)	G	6-7		BYU
Luke Nevill (Allocated)	C	7-2	180	Utah