The NBA D-League does have its own All-Star game, held during the NBA's All-Star weekend in the moments it can find room in the league's busy schedule. And typically, it's a great deal more entertaining than the actual All-Star game. Whereas the actual All-Star game is an exhibition with no one playing with any intensity (and the occasional ridiculous dunk in the midst of a million completely botched alley-oops), the D-League All-Stars are aware that scouts are in the audience. With that kind of exposure, the game is usually a lot more competitive -- and this year's rosters promises some fireworks.
This year's crew features three players currently on NBA rosters (Anthony Tolliver, Sundiata Gaines and Joey Dorsey), alongside players with call-up experience like Cartier Martin. Alexis Ajinca is on assignment from the Bobcats, but he won't be playing due to a broken thumb (he's having surgery Friday). In short, these teams are stacked with talent.
The guard play in particular should be flashy. Antonio Anderson and Mike Harris from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers have been dynamite this season. Morris Almond once dropped 52 in a D-League game, Mustafa Shakur has some wild stuff in his repertoire, and, well, you know Yatta.
The D-League All-Star Game is Saturday, February 13th at 2 p.m. CT and will be televised on NBA TV. The rosters:
East All-Star Roster
Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College
G Morris Almond (Springfield) 6-5 210 2/2/1985 Rice
G Ron Howard (Fort Wayne) * 6-5 200 11/14/1982 Valparaiso
G Curtis Stinson (Iowa) 6-3 215 2/15/1983 Iowa State
G Reggie Williams (Sioux Falls) 6-6 210 9/14/1986 VMI
F Alade Aminu (Erie) 6-10 235 9/14/1987 Georgia Tech.
F Trey Gilder (Maine) 6-9 185 1/24/1985 Northwestern State
F Rob Kurz (Fort Wayne) 6-9 230 3/5/1985 Notre Dame
F Cartier Martin (Iowa) 6-7 220 11/20/1984 Kansas State
C Alexis Ajinca (Maine) 7-0 220 5/6/1988 St. Etienne, France
C Earl Barron (Iowa) 6-11 230 8/14/1981 Memphis
Head Coach: Nick Nurse (Iowa)
Assistant Coach: Nate Bjorkgren (Iowa)
Athletic Trainer: Tim Moran (Iowa)
West All-Star Roster
Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College
G Antonio Anderson (Rio Grande Valley) 6-6 215 6/5/1985 Memphis
G Sundiata Gaines (Idaho) # 6-1 195 4/18/1986 Georgia
G Dontell Jefferson (Utah) 6-5 190 12/15/1983 Arkansas
G Mustafa Shakur (Tulsa) 6-3 190 8/18/1984 Arizona
F Alonzo Gee (Austin) 6-6 220 5/29/1987 Alabama
F Mike Harris (Rio Grande Valley) 6-6 235 6/15/1983 Rice
F Carlos Powell (Albuquerque) 6-7 225 8/29/1983 South Carolina
F Anthony Tolliver (Idaho )# 6-9 240 6/1/1985 Creighton
C Joey Dorsey (Rio Grande Valley )# 6-9 265 12/16/1983 Memphis
C Dwayne Jones (Austin) 6-11 250 6/9/1983 St. Joseph's (PA)
Head Coach: Chris Finch (Rio Grande Valley)
Assistant Coach: Paul Mokeski (Rio Grande Valley)
Athletic Trainer: Joe Resendez (Rio Grande Valley)
* - Indicates an injured player
# - Indicates a player currently in the NBA
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