Three Wolverines Selected Into NBDL; Sims Makes NBA
11/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK, N.Y. C Three former members of the University of Michigan men's basketball program were drafted into the NBA Developmental League at its 2007 Draft Thursday (Nov. 1) via conference call. Former forward Brent Petway (2004-07) was selected with the 25th pick by the Idaho Stampede, former guard Daniel Horton (2003-06) was scooped up with the next pick by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, and former forward J.C. Mathis (2003-05) rounded out the Wolverine draft class in the 62nd slot by the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The Wolverines also made additional news on the hardwood, as former Wolverine Courtney Sims (2004-07) made his NBA debut with the Indiana Pacers Wednesday (Oct. 31). Sims pulled down one board in eight minutes of action, rejoining the club on a 10-day tryout contract signed October 30th. Sims averaged 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in six preseason games with the Pacers.
The Stampede made Petway their second pick of the draft, taking him with the 11th pick of the second round. The 2007 Western Division regular season champions are the development league affiliate for the Portland Trailblazers -- the team "Air Georgia" spent the preseason with, averaging four points and three rebounds in two preseason games. Petway -- known for his spectacular dunks -- is one of 37 Wolverines in the 500-point, 500-rebound club.
Horton had his name called by the Thunderbirds with the very next pick, going 12th in the second round of the draft. After spending the 2006 NBA preseason with the Miami Heat, Horton went overseas for a stint in Turkey before he returned stateside to play with the NBADL's Los Angeles D-Fenders. He averaged 5.8 points in 15 games with Los Angeles. Horton finished his career at Michigan 11th on U-M's all-time scoring list.
The final Wolverine selected, J.C. Mathis, went to the Skyforce in the fifth round. Mathis has split his time between the World Basketball Association and the Gussing Knights of the Austrian League. With Gussing in 2006-07, Mathis averaged 17.0 points and 10.1 rebounds in the first stage of the season. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten, Mathis provided strong depth off the bench in his 46 games played at U-M.
The 10 players selected by each team in the draft will combine with the six to seven players already assigned via allocation, local tryouts or players returning from the previous season. The rosters for each of the 14 teams will be cut to 12 players on Nov. 14. Final 10-man rosters must be set by Nov. 21.
NBDL Draft Page
Indiana Pacers Site
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
