RealGM’s Player of the Week: Micah Downs (Erie BayHawks)

Downs had a pair of nice games in two victories this week. First, he posted a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in a 158-122 win at Delaware. In the following game, the 6-foot-8 small forward from Gonzaga had 32 points, including six threes, five rebounds, and five assists in a home win against Delaware. As a whole, he averaged 25.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and six assists per game this week. He’s a good athlete with range on his jumper. Downs has a good handle for the ball and possesses enough size to play the small forward position. Although he is a bit slender in his build, he can still hold his own on the defensive end. The 27-year-old has yet to play in the NBA throughout his career, but he’s been successful all around the world. If given the chance, Downs could compete at the NBA level.

Game of the Week: Texas Legends 93, Austin Toros 92

Throughout the closely contested matchup, it was evident that this would come down to the final possession. The prophecy came true, although maybe not in the way expected.

After a free throw from P.J. Hairston gave the Legends a 92-91 lead, the Toros answered when Ronald “Flip” Murray drew a foul on a drive to the basket. He knocked down one of two free throws and tied the game at 92 with 14.6 seconds remaining. Damion James got the ball on the next possession when he was fouled while shooting a jumper with under a second remaining. He missed the front end, but nailed the second free throw to give Texas the win.

The Legends received a team-high 18 points from Dallas Mavericks assignee Ricardo Ledo. Marcus Hubbard had 15 points and 17 rebounds for the Legends while Hairston chipped in 13 points and James added another 11.

Murray led Austin with a game-high 21 points while Dexter Pittman had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Courtney Fells and Jonathan Simmons added 16 points.

Five Stars

Lance Goulbourne (Santa Cruz Warriors): Goulbourne had a pair of double-doubles this week as he averaged 21 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 forward from Vanderbilt brings energy and rebounding to the lineup as the Warriors lost some key frontcourt pieces. He’s had a nice month in March after playing his first D-League game on March 3rd.

Ricardo Ledo (Texas Legends): The former McDonald’s All-American averaged 20 points, nine rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this week. He’s currently on contract with the Dallas Mavericks and has spent most of his rookie season in the D-League after being ruled academically ineligible at Providence. Ledo is still raw as a prospect, but it’s a good sign moving forward.

Adonis Thomas (Springfield Armor): After a brief stint with the Orlando Magic, Thomas returned to the D-League where he was very successful. In two games, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 25.5 points and five rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 56 percent (5-9) from three. He’s an athletic wing who’s developing an offensive game. Thomas has a legitimate opportunity to earn an NBA roster spot next summer.

Josiah Turner (Los Angeles D-Fenders): Following a troubled freshman season at Arizona, Turner turned pro and is now starting to show why he was previously ranked as a five star recruit. He averaged 20 points, three assists, and two rebounds per game this week in only 20.5 minutes of action. Turner is exceptionally quick for a 6-foot-3 point guard and he’s developing an outside jumper. He can be occasionally reckless and turn the ball over, but at only 21 years of age Turner has a chance to make an NBA roster next season. The talent is there, he just needs to end his bad work habits that got him into trouble at Tucson.

Shawne Williams (Los Angeles D-Fenders): A regular in the weekly wrap-up, Williams again showed why he was an NBA veteran. This week, he averaged 26.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game in a pair of D-Fenders victories. He was also extremely efficient, shooting 53 percent from the floor, 50 percent (11-22) from three, and 91 percent (21-23) from the free throw line. The 6-foot-9 small forward is a mismatch because of his ability to knock down jumpers or attack the rim off pick-and-roll situations.

Call-Ups

Willie Reed (Springfield Armor): The Sacramento Kings signed Reed for the remainder of the season with a team option for next season. The 6-foot-10 power forward from Saint Louis was averaging 14.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game for the Armor before signing the deal. He remains in the D-League at the moment, but has moved to Sacramento’s affiliate, the Reno Bighorns.

Reggie Williams (Tulsa 66ers): Only 12 days after being released at the conclusion of his 10-day contract, Williams signed another 10-day deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his return, Williams has scored six points in 13 minutes of action. The Thunder will have to decide to keep him for the rest of the season or let him go once this contract is over.

And One: The New York Knicks have filed for trademarks on five potential team names for its D-League affiliate that will be in Westchester next season. The options will be: The New York 914s, The New York ‘Bockers, The New York Plainsmen, The New York Empire, and The New York Hutch. Fans will soon get to vote, but mine will go towards the New York Empire, bringing a Gotham-like feel to the squad.