Jerrelle Benimon

admin

preseason-player-infographics

Preseason Player Infographics

DENVER, Sept. 29, 2014 – The Denver Nuggets will open training-camp with 19 players after signing F Jerrelle Benimon, F Alonzo Gee, F Pops Mensah-Bonsu and F Marcus Williams, Nuggets General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Benimon, 6-8, 245, went undrafted in 2014 out of Towson University where he was named the CAA player of the year in both his junior and senior seasons. The forward averaged 18.7 points while ranking second in the nation in rebounds (11.2 rpg) and third in double-doubles (21) during his final collegiate campaign in 2013-14. Benimon played for the Miami Heat in the Orlando Summer League and for the Nuggets in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 10.7 points, 11.3 rebounds (2nd overall) and 1.7 assists in three games.

Gee, 6-6, 219, has appeared in 277 career NBA games (173 starts), posting averages of 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.00 steals in five seasons with the Cavaliers, Spurs and Wizards. Gee was undrafted in 2009 after playing four years at the University of Alabama. He averaged 15.0 points and 7.2 rebounds and was named Second Team All-SEC as a senior. Gee appeared in 65 games (24 starts) for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2013-14.

Mensah-Bonsu, 6-9, 235, has four years of NBA experience and three seasons of international experience after going undrafted out of George Washington University in the 2006 NBA Draft. He’s appeared in 62 career NBA games for New Orleans, Toronto, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas, averaging 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Mensah-Bonsu averaged 8.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 55 games for Galatasaray of the Turkish League during the 2013-14 season.

Williams, 6-7, 203, was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 33rd overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft after he averaged 16.6 points and 6.7 rebounds as a sophomore at the University of Arizona. The forward has averaged 1.1 points and 3.0 minutes in 13 career NBA games over parts of two seasons with the Spurs and L.A. Clippers. He also appeared in 89 games for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League from 2007-2010, averaging 21.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Williams has spent the last three seasons with the Shanxi Zhongyu Brave Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.

The Denver Nuggets roster entering training-camp is as follows:

denver-nuggets-announce-2014-15-training-camp-roster

Denver Nuggets Announce 2014-15 Training Camp Roster

In Denver to begin preparing for his rookie season, Nuggets guard Gary Harris also got a head start on connecting with the community.

Harris flashed his ball-handling skills for a young fan as he and teammates Erick Green and Jerrelle Benimon helped collect sports gear during the third annual giveSPORTS Equipment Drive.

More than 25,000 pieces of equipment and $5,000 in cash donations were collected Saturday at Pepsi Center. The event was inspired by former Altitude Sports &amp; Entertainment intern Jessica Redfield Ghawi, who was killed in the Aurora theater shooting on July 20, 2012.

Kroenke Sports Charities, through a donation from Teammates for Kids, matched the $5,000, providing $10,000 to A Precious Child, a non-profit organization that works with more than 150 Denver-area community groups. The money will help provide financial assistance for sports-related registration fees.

“The generosity of our fans and neighbors continues to amaze us,” said Deb Dowling, vice president for community relations and fan development for Kroenke Sports Enterprises.

In addition to Harris, Green and Benimon, Nuggets coach Brian Shaw was on hand to help unload vehicles and lift the sports equipment into large moving trucks.

In past years, forwards Kenneth Faried, Quincy Miller and J.J. Hickson and general manager Tim Connelly have attended the event. Point guard Ty Lawson also donated $2,000 in gift cards to A Precious Child in 2013.

nuggets-rookies-gary-harris-erick-green-lend-hand-at-givesports-equipment-drive

Nuggets rookies Gary Harris, Erick Green lend hand at giveSPORTS Equipment Drive

2014-givesports-equipment-drive

2014 giveSPORTS Equipment Drive

How will Gary Harris adapt to the NBA game?

What did Erick Green learn during a season overseas?

What kind of leader will Quincy Miller be during his third visit to Las Vegas?

Which undrafted players will impress coaches and scouts at the Samsung NBA Summer League?

Those were among the questions on the table when the Denver Nuggets began a stretch of five games in seven days on the UNLV campus.

Though it’s impossible to come up with all the answers in just one week, plenty was revealed by the time the Nuggets packed up and headed back to Denver.

The Nuggets took 13 players to Las Vegas, and 11 averaged at least 10 minutes per game. In order of playing time, here is a look at how those 11 players fared:

The 19th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft started summer-league play with a bang, scoring 33 points in his debut. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well after that first game, but Harris ranked 9th in the summer league in scoring and impressed coaches with his ability to guard multiple positions. Overall, he showed that he will be ready to compete for playing time when training camp begins in October.

After being disappointed with his summer-league performance in 2013, the former second-round pick was probably Denver’s most consistent player a year later. Green showed poise running the offense and demonstrated an effective off-the-dribble jumper. His performance in Las Vegas ended a demanding 11-month stretch of basketball.

After playing in the Orlando Summer League, Benimon sat out Denver’s first two games in Las Vegas, but he certainly made up for lost time. The forward out of Towson posted a double-double (17 points, 15 rebounds) in the summer finale and showed a tremendous knack for the ball by leading the Nuggets in rebounding.

As the most experienced player in Denver’s roster, Miller had high expectations for Las Vegas. He lived up to those expectations by scoring 49 points in his first two games but then struggled with his shot. Miller’s summer was cut short when he sprained his right ankle, forcing him to sit out the Nuggets’ final game.

At 28, Thomas was the oldest player on Denver’s summer roster, and he brought a blue-collar professionalism to the court. The power forward didn’t put up huge numbers but showed maturity of several seasons overseas.

The big man out of James Madison displayed a nice shooting touch from inside 15 feet. He also showed some defensive prowess with three blocked shots in Denver’s final game.

For whatever reason, Wright couldn’t get anything to fall in his four games. He’s a much better shooter than the summer numbers showed. On a positive note, he finish tied with Green for the team lead in total assists.

The former University of Colorado guard got off to a good start with 10 points in the summer opener, but he never found much of a rhythm in the final four games. After a strong season in Israel, he should still earn an invite to an NBA training camp.

After an 0-for-4 start through two games, Harper found his shooting stroke, hitting 6-of-8 attempts – including 3-for-4 from 3-point range – in his final two appearances. He also attacked the glass and provided energy off the bench.

The former St. Joseph’s forward showed efficiency while playing within his game, hitting 6-of-8 shots in limited minutes.

In the two games that he received his most extensive playing time, the point guard out of Ohio State combined for 16 points and three assists in 36 minutes.

some-questions-answered-for-nuggets-during-nba-summer-league

Some questions answered for Nuggets during NBA Summer League

A desert drought did in the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets went more than six minutes without scoring in the second quarter Tuesday night and never recovered in an 87-69 loss to the Utah Jazz at the Samsung NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Rookie Gary Harris scored 18 points and Erick Green added 13 for the Nuggets, who finished preliminary play 1-2. They will begin single-elimination play on Wednesday against the NBA D-League Select team.

Denver jumped out to a 24-21 lead after one quarter and was tied at 26 before going scoreless for a 6:30 stretch of the second. The Jazz went on a 14-0 during that stretch and led 44-31 at halftime.

The Nuggets managed just 13 points in the third quarter and never got closer than 11 points in the second half.

Denver had difficulty finding a rhythm on offensive for much of the night. Quincy Miller went 3-for-17 from the field, and the Nuggets shot 31.5 percent at a team, including 11.1 percent (3-for-27) from 3-point range.

In addition to Harris and Green, big man Jerrelle Benimon was among the bright spots for Denver. He finished with nine points and 11 rebounds in 15 minutes.

second-quarter-drought-dooms-nuggets-in-las-vegas

Second-quarter drought dooms Nuggets in Las Vegas

predraft-workout-june-13-2014

Predraft Workout - June 13, 2014

With the 2014 NBA Draft two weeks away, the Denver Nuggets are scheduled to hold a workout Friday morning featuring Arizona’s Nick Johnson, Towson’s Jerrelle Benimon, and University of Central Florida’s Isaiah Sykes, and Metropolitan State’s Brandon Jefferson.

Johnson, a 6’3” guard who was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, led Arizona to the Elite Eight, averaging 16.3 points per game. Johnson scored in double figures in all but three games, proving to be an explosive athlete with shooting range.

Benimon, a 6’8” forward who won consecutive CAA Player of the Year awards, ranked second national in rebounds (11.2 rpg) and third in double-doubles (21). Setting a new Towson single-season record with 404 rebounds last season, Benimon is a big man who knows how to use his body to grab the boards.

Sykes, a 6’6” guard who finished his career with 1,545 points, made his mark on the Central Florida record books. Named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team, Sykes shot 47.5% from the field and recorded 24 double-digit scoring games.

Jefferson, a 5’9” guard from across the street, was named the NABC Division II Player of the Year. While leading Metro State to the Elite Eight for the second-straight season, Jefferson set a single season record with 734 points in his 36 minutes per game.

The Nuggets hold the No. 11 overall pick in the June 26 draft. They also have two second-round selections, No. 41 and No. 56.

nuggets-to-host-second-set-of-predraft-workouts

Nuggets to Host Second Set of Predraft Workouts

Come out to the Denver Nuggets 2022-23 Draft Party Thursday, June 23rd @ 6:00 p.m. at Tom's Watch Bar, presented by Miller Lite! 

Watch your Denver Nuggets make their pick, win team signed gear, and meet Super Mascot Rocky! For more information <a href="https://www.nba.com/nuggets/watch-parties">Click Here</a>