It’s almost that time of year. No, I’m not the start of football season, though that’s certainly something to get excited about amid the disappointment that comes with the end of summer and the back-to-school blues.
But I’m talking about the NBA D-League’s annual open tryouts, which will take place across the country—typically in or around 16 cities of the D-League franchises—over the course of the next couple months.
The open tryouts do not occur on the same date in every city, and not every D-League team has released the specific dates for their open tryouts yet. However, they will begin as soon as next Saturay, Aug. 28, in Bakersfield, Calif., for the Bakersfield Jam and in Oakland, Calif., for the Reno Bighorns. To find out the details of every team’s open tryouts, bookmark this page of the D-League’s site.
I could not find exact numbers on players who earned D-League contracts or at least D-League training camp invites via the open tryout last season, but this post from D-League aficionado Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside written last year indicates more than 100 players who earned D-League contracts through the 2008 open tryout process.
The bottom line is the D-League open tryout process is a great way for players flying under the radar to get noticed, play their way onto a D-League roster and take one big step in the direction of realizing that dream to play in the NBA.
Click after the jump to read about two D-League players who were discovered at the open tryouts in Erie over the past two seasons.
Kyle Goldcamp
Goldcamp starred locally for Division II Gannon University in Erie, Pa., before trying out for the BayHawks. The coaching staff was aware of his career at Gannon, but it wasn’t until he showed his ability against pro competition, that they were sold he could contribute at the D-League level. After a slow start to the season, Goldcamp became a bigger part of the BayHawks late in the season, earning several starts down the stretch. He finished the year with 10 starts and averaged 3.3 points and 3 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game while developing a league-wide reputation as one of the most physical defenders and strongest screen-setters.
Jarvis Gunter
In 2008, the expansion Erie BayHawks discovered Jarvis Gunter at an open tryout. Gunter played in 38 games as a rookie out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and played in another 44 games for Erie last season. Known for his speed, athleticism, and shot-blocking ability, the 6’10″ Gunter shot 61.2 percent from the field last season, averaging 2.8 points in 13.6 minutes per game.
Who are your favorite players that have been discovered via the open tryouts? Let me know in the comments section below.
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Shane Edwards was a great find for the Thunderbirds last season.