San Antonio Spurs forward Malik Hairston was assigned to the Austin Toros, the Spurs NBA D-League affiliate, it was announced today.  The assignment is the fifth of the 2009-10 NBA D-League season, and the third for Hairston from the Spurs to the Toros in two years.

Hairston has appeared in eight games for the Spurs this season, scoring six points in 33 minutes of action.  During his two-year NBA career, Hairston has appeared in 23 games for the Spurs, and owns career averages of 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 8.2 minutes.  

Originally selected in the second round (48th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Hairston was traded to San Antonio, where he spent 2008 training camp before being waived by the Spurs on Oct. 26 and joining the Toros.  He then earned a GATORADE Call-Up from the Toros to the Spurs on Dec. 22, 2008 and was twice assigned back to the Toros.  

In 30 total games for the Toros last season, Hairston averaged 22.9 points, good for third-best in the NBA D-League, to go with 5.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 41.3 minutes.  He scored an individual career-high 43 points against the Colorado 14ers on Jan. 11, and earned NBA D-League Honorable Mention honors along with NBA D-League Performer of the Week honors for games played during the Week of Dec. 15, 2008.