The NBA D-League Showcase came to a close on Sunday. The Showcase hosted representatives from all 30 NBA teams. This was the 2nd annual D-League Showcase. The D-League Showcase allowed all 19 D-League rosters to play in the same arena over a span of five days.
As teams could officially sign players to a 10-day contract as of January 10th, expect a slew of D-League players to receive call-ups throughout the season.
Let’s look at some D-League stars who could be receiving a call from NBA GM soon.
Jimmer Fredette
The famous BYU point-guard has not been able to figure out his NBA career yet, but he has been destroying the D-League. As a member of the Westchester Knicks, Fredette is averaging 23.6 points per game on 50.4% shooting from the field, 46% from the three-point line, and 91.3% from the free throw line. He is also averaging 5.2 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2 steals in 37.1 minutes per game. He dominated the floor in his Showcase debut. Fredette has even earned the name “Stephen Curry of the D-League.” The only aspect of Fredette’s game that is holding him back is his defense or lack of defense. If he can improve his suspect defense, he will lock himself up on a NBA roster for multiple seasons.
Sean Kilpatrick
Sean Kilpatrick has dominated the D-League this season. He is the clear-cut best player in the D-League after guards Elliot Williams and Lorenzo Brown were called up this past week respectively by the Memphis Grizzles and Phoenix Suns. Kilpatrick is a 6’4 shooting guard for the Delaware 87ers. He is averaging 27.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2 assists in nearly 39 minutes per game. While his shooting percentages are not as efficient as Fredette’s, his knack for scoring could help any NBA team’s struggling offense. He averaged 33 points in two games in the D-League Showcase. Kilpatrick has already earned one call-up in his career, and if his high scoring play continues, he will receive another call-up very soon.
After I had already written about Kilpatrick, Yahoo journalist, Shams Charania, announced that the Denver Nuggets will sign Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract.
Erick Green
We’ve talked about scoring above, but Erick Green is the definition of a pure scorer. His average of 27.7 points per game is the highest in the D-League, and his game does not stop there. He also chips in 4.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. While leading the league in scoring, he does it at a very efficient clip of 53.8%/47.9%/85.5%. Green also does a very good job protecting the ball. He averages 1.8 assists in 39.4 minutes per game. Both Fredette and Kilpatrick average more turnovers in less minutes. Green also averaged 33 points in two games in the Showcase. Green’s effectiveness will keep him as an enticing option for teams looking for a back-up guard.
Jordan Bachynski
All three of the players mentioned above are guards, but not Jordan Bachynski. Bachynski is a 7’2 center who currently plays for the Westchester Knicks. He was signed by the Detroit Pistons this offseason, but was cut prior to the beginning of the season. In the link you will find my interview with Bachynski from the over the summer. Bachynski averaged 20.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3,5 blocks in two games in the Showcase. He is averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks on the season. When I recently spoke with Bachynski on Monday, he told me he told me he brings a defensive presence to the court, with emphasis on the defensive end. He also said that he tries to bring efficiency on the offensive end of the court. And, something that stuck out to me, was when he specifically said he brings an “overall positive, hard-working attitude.”
I asked Bachynski what aspect of his game had grown the most this season in the D-League, and here is what he had to say:
“Patience when I get the ball. When I catch the ball in the post I am not in a hurry. All options are open to me as I watch cutters and see where my defender is, but then when I do make my move it is quick and decisive.”
Certainly one of the best centers in the D-League, expect to see Bachynski on a NBA roster before the season comes to a close.
These four prospects are just some of the few D-League players that have put together impressive seasons. The call-up season is upon us, and now the best of the best players in the NBA’s minor league will have a chance to build for themselves a future as a basketball player in the most prominent league in the world.
