The Canton Charge announced today that they have acquired the Idaho Stampede’s second round choice in the 2012 NBA Development League Draft and guard Loren Stokes (6-3, 175, Hofstra) from the Erie Bayhawks in a three-team deal.  Canton sent guard Keith McLeod and their own 2012 fourth round pick to the BayHawks and Idaho received guard Devin Green from Erie to complete the trade.

"Everyone in the Canton Charge organization would like to thank Keith for his leadership and professionalism as he played an integral part in the beginnings of this franchise in Canton,” said Charge General Manager Wes Wilcox.  “Because of his strong play and personal character, this was an opportunity for us to receive good value and a future asset in return. We wish Keith the best.”

The Mad Ants sent their second round pick in the 2012 NBA D-League draft to the Energy for Iowa’s Jarrid Famous.

Famous, a 6’11” 240 lb center from South Florida University, was one of the final cuts in the Indiana Pacers training camp.  In eight games for the Energy, Famous averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per contest shooting 55% from the field.

Famous will fill the roster spot of Chris Hunter who was waived today by the Mad Ants due to injury.

The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced that the team has acquired forward Trey Gilder from the Canton Charge in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2012 NBA Development League Draft. To make room for him on the roster the team waived guard Ryan Anderson (Nebraska). The active roster now stands at 10 players.

Gilder holds NBA Development League career averages of 13.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 95 games with the Colorado 14ers (50), Maine Red Claws (35) and Albuquerque Thunderbirds (10). He was named All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention after averaging 14.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in 45 games with Maine and Albuquerque in 2009-10.

The Mad Ants sent have Marvin Phillips to the Bayhawks for Erie’s fourth round pick in the 2012 NBA D-League draft.

With the roster spot vacated by this transaction, the Mad Ants have reacquired Sadiel Rojas who was released due to injury on December 27. 

Phillips is a 6’7” 235 lb forward from Claflin University who spent last season and the first 12 games of this season with the Mad Ants. In 50 games with the team last season, Phillips averaged nearly a double-double with 12 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. In addition to those strong contributions, Phillips shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly 80 percent from the free throw line. In the first 12 games of the 2011-2012 season, Phillips played 30 minutes a game and averaged 11 points per contest.

“I want to thank Marvin Phillips for all that he’s done for the Mad Ants both on and off the court,” said Mad Ants President Jeff Potter. “It’s never easy trading a man of Marvin’s talent and character, but we think this is best for the team at this point. We wish Marvin and his wonderful family all of the best in the future.”

Sadiel Rojas, a 6’4” 190 lb guard from Oklahoma Weslyan and 2011 NAIA Player of the Year returns to the Ants after a promising early season start with the team. In ten games this season, Rojas brought instant energy off the bench and contributed four points and four rebounds a game.