Louis Amundson wins D-League Rookie of Year
InsideHoops.com NewsWire | Apr. 10, 2007
Forward Louis Amundson, who has split time between the Colorado 14ers, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz this season, has been selected by the league’s head coaches as the NBA Development League’s 2006-07 Rookie of the Year.
A native of Boulder, Amundson was allocated to Colorado by the D-League, and played in 25 games (25 starts) for the 14ers between stints with the Jazz and 76ers. He averaged 11.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game, converting 117-of-208 field goal attempts (117-208). Colorado was 19-6 with the 6-9, 225-pound UNLV product in the lineup.
"Louis was an integral part of our team and the success we had in our inaugural season,” said Colorado head coach Joe Wolf. “His personal development and the success of our team allowed him to be signed to the NBA for the rest of the season, and that is what this league is all about."
After completing a pair of 10-day contracts with both the Jazz and the 76ers, Amundson was signed for the remainder of the season by Philadelphia on March 28.
"The 76ers organization would like to congratulate Louis on being named D-League Rookie of the Year," said 76ers President Billy King. "It is a testament to his hard work and dedication that he earned both this award and a spot on our roster."
Amundson joins Will Bynum (Roanoke 2005-06), James Thomas (Roanoke 2004-05), Desmond Penigar (Asheville, 2003-04), Devin Brown (Fayetteville, 2002-03) and Fred House (Charleston, 2001-02) as winners of the annual award. Bynum and Thomas were also coached by current 14ers assistant coach Kent Davison when they won the award in Roanoke.
“With so many talented and promising young players in the D-League this year, it was a difficult task for our coaches to select the top rookie,” said D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel Chris Alpert. “As with many of the rookies in our league, Louis has a bright future ahead of him.”
The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders (Calif.), Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.). Expansion teams for the 2007-08 season have already been announced in Orem, Utah, the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and Des Moines, Iowa.
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