Tulsa D-League players learned much for the future
By KEVIN HENRY World Correspondent on Apr 23, 2013, at 2:27 AM Updated on 4/23/13 at 7:00 AM
Pro - 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League have announced plans for an open tryout.
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League tip off their season with back-to-back home games Nov. 22-23 against the Iowa Energy.
Despite the Tulsa 66ers season ending with Sunday's loss at Rio Grande Valley, head coach Darko Rajakovic believes the lessons learned by his young team this year will carry forward for years to come.
Tulsa's 113-106 defeat marked the end of a season that saw the 66ers finish with 29 total wins and make their third NBA Development League semifinal appearance in the last four seasons.
"I am sorry to see the season come to an end, but it has been a great experience and journey," Rajakovic said. "I love the system that we have in Tulsa and our relationship with the Oklahoma City Thunder. I know that we are doing things the right way and developing young players who are true professionals."
Serving as the home of NBA prospects and Thunder assignees, the 66ers led the D-League with 40 NBA assignments. Tulsa saw five Thunder players in uniform during the season in Reggie Jackson, Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb, DeAndre Liggins, and Daniel Orton.
"It's very rewarding to see the Thunder players coming to Tulsa and gaining confidence," Rajakovic said. "Those five guys played well for us and they've played well for Oklahoma City when given the chance. Our relationship with Oklahoma City is great. We know what they want to accomplish when they assign a player to Tulsa and the focus of our two organizations is the same."
However, it wasn't just the Thunder who benefitted from Tulsa's solid foundation as 66ers point guard Chris Quinn received a call-up from the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 20. Quinn averaged 11.1 minutes per outing in his seven games with Cleveland.
Other individual highlights include Andy Rautins establishing a new D-League record for 3-pointers made in a season with 223 and Rasual Butler being named the D-League's Impact Player of the Year.
Butler joined the 66ers on January 16 when the team held a 9-10 mark. Following his acquisition, Tulsa went 18-13, securing the seventh seed in the playoffs.
"Andy is a great player who is completely unselfish and someone who improved his game a lot this season," Rajakovic said. "Rasual was a great teammate and great leader for this young team."
"We want Andy and Rasual and all of our players to become better and enjoy success. We want them all to work hard and improve during the season so they can have a chance to live their dream of playing in the NBA."
Original Print Headline: For 66ers, it was a great ride
Pro - 66ers
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League have announced plans for an open tryout.
The Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League tip off their season with back-to-back home games Nov. 22-23 against the Iowa Energy.
