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NEW
YORK, April 16, 2011 – Dakota Wizards center
Chris Johnson, currently of the Portland Trail Blazers, has been chosen
as the NBA Development League’s Defensive Player of the Year, as voted
on by the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches.
Johnson joins Iowa Energy guard Othyus Jeffers, who ended the season
with the Washington Wizards, Texas Legends center Sean Williams, Tulsa
66ers forward Larry Owens, who also ended the season with Washington,
Utah Flash forward Tony Gaffney and guard Orien Greene, who earned a
GATORADE Call-Up to the New Jersey Nets this season, on the NBA D-League
All-Defensive First Team.
The All-Defensive Second Team features Idaho Stampede guard Cedric
Jackson, Maine Red Claws guard Mario West, who ended the season with the
New Jersey Nets, Erie BayHawks forward Ivan Johnson, Utah forward Ronald
Dupree and Austin Toros center Marcus Cousin, who is currently on the
Houston Rockets’ roster, on assignment to Rio Grande Valley. Both
All-Defensive teams were also voted on by the NBA D-League’s head
coaches.
“This season, our defense started with Chris, with his athletic ability
and timing to block shots,” said Dakota coach Rory White. “By working
hard on the defensive end, it set the tone for the rest of the team.”
In 35 games with Dakota this season, Johnson averaged 16.2 points, 9.2
rebounds and 2.8 blocks, ranking as the NBA D-League’s second-leading
shot-blocker and sixth-leading rebounder. An NBA D-League All-Star,
Johnson was the only player in the NBA D-League this year to block eight
shots in three separate games. Johnson earned three GATORADE Call-Ups to
the NBA this season, one with the Boston Celtics and two with the
Portland Trail Blazers, with whom he’ll appear in the NBA Playoffs
starting today.
“Chris grew his reputation as a defensive game-changer throughout the
course of the season, and it’s no wonder he earned three GATORADE
Call-Ups to the NBA,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball
Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. “I congratulate
Chris on his accomplishment as he prepares for the NBA Playoffs, as well
as the accomplishments of the All-Defensive First and Second Teams.”
Johnson joins Greg Stiemsma (Sioux Falls, 2009-10), Brent Petway,
(Idaho, 2008-09), Stephane Lasme (Los Angeles, 2007-08), Mouhamed Sene
(Idaho, 2007-08), Renaldo Major (Dakota, 2006-07), Derrick Zimmerman
(Austin, 2005-06; Columbus 2004-05), Karim Shabazz (Charleston,
2003-04), Mikki Moore (Roanoke, 2002-03) and Jeff Myers (Greenville,
2001-02) as winners of the NBA D-League’s Defensive Player of the Year
Award. This is the first year the NBA D-League has named All-Defensive
teams.
2010-11 NBA D-LEAGUE ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST
TEAM
Guard Orien Greene Utah Flash
Guard Othyus Jeffers* Iowa Energy
Forward Tony Gaffney Utah Flash
Forward Larry Owens* Tulsa 66ers
Center Chris Johnson* Dakota Wizards
Center Sean Williams Texas Legends
2010-11 NBA D-LEAGUE ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND
TEAM
Guard Cedric Jackson Idaho Stampede
Guard Mario West* Maine Red Claws
Forward Ivan Johnson Erie BayHawks
Forward Ronald Dupree Utah Flash
Center Marcus Cousin# Austin Toros / Rio Grande
Valley Vipers
*Currently on an NBA roster.
#On assignment from an NBA team.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor
league. Featuring 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises,
the NBA D-League is a proven developer of talent: 20 percent of players
in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League
experience, and the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and
front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s
connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health
and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in
educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA
D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and
development arm of the NBA. Throughout the league’s 10th
season, fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA FUTURECAST,
the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
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