Utah Flash host D-League Draft Party

Photo by Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune

I’ll be live chatting on NBA.com from the Utah Flash D-League draft party today at Noah’s in Lindon. Stop by and say hello.

The Flash will have the rare luxury of having a veteran team this season. I’m looking forward to good stuff from newcomer Ryan Thompson as well as new head coach Kevin Young and assistants Gene Cross and Norm DeSilva. Besides Thompson, the team should be very excited about the return of Kevin Kruger, fresh of a stint in Mexico.

The press release:

PROVO, Utah, Oct. 31, 2010 – Nine players, including returners Brian Hamilton, Kevin Kruger, Jordan Brady, Orien Greene, Andre Ingram and Dontell Jefferson, will join eight players selected by the Utah Flash in Monday’s annual NBA Development League Draft when training camp opens Nov. 9 at APX Alarm Headquarters in Orem.

Utah Jazz training camp invite Ryan Thompson has signed to play in the NBA D-League and will play for the Utah Flash along with Atlanta Hawks training camp invite Evan Brock. Thompson played for Rider University for four season averaging 17 points and five rebounds per game. Thompson was the only player in Rider University history to be in the top ten in points, rebounds and assists. Brock graduated from the University of Alabama and has played professionally in South Korea and Venezuela.

The Utah Flash have also invited guard Terry Martin to training camp. Martin was selected from an open tryout. He played at LSU and has played professionally in Austria.

“I feel good about the mix of players we have coming to training camp,” said head coach Kevin Young. “With the veteran group we have returning, and the players we’re looking to pick up in the draft, we could be a very good team this year.”

The Flash will hold its 2010 NBA D-League Draft Party at Noah’s Reception Center in Lindon beginning at 5 p.m. MT Monday. The entire draft will be audio streamed live on d-league.com. The public is invited to attend and observe how a professional basketball team is built, as well as enjoy free 5 Buck Pizza and drinks compliment of Pepsi. The Flash have the eighth selection in the first round of the serpentine formatted draft.

The Flash opens its season Nov. 20 by visiting the Reno Bighorns. The home opener is set for Dec. 3 when the Austin Toros visit the UCCU Center in Orem. Tickets can be purchased by calling 801-434-HOOP.

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COMPLETE LIST OF PLAYERS:

RYAN THOMPSON: 6-6, 210 lb. Guard from Rider University. Invited to training camp by the Utah Jazz. Only player in Rider University history to rank in the top ten in points, rebounds, and assists. Brother Jason plays for the Sacramento Kings.

ORIEN GREENE: 6-4, 210 lb. Guard from Louisiana Lafayette. Greene has played with the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings before spending last season with the Utah Flash. Greene averaged 17 points a game and led the league in steals averaging just under three steals per game in the 2009-10 season.

ANDRE INGRAM: 6-3, 190 lb. Guard from American University. The Utah Flash’s all time scoring leader, Ingram is coming to his fourth season with Utah. Last season Ingram won the 3-point contest at the NBA D-League All-Star festivities.

DONTELL JEFFERSON: 6-5, 181 lb. Guard from the University of Arkansas. Jefferson was the first ever Utah Flash player to earn a Gatorade Call-Up when he went to play for the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008-09 season. Jefferson returns for his third season with the Utah Flash.

JORDAN BRADY: 6-6, 210 lb. Forward from the Utah Valley University. Drafted by the Flash in the final round of the D-League draft in 2009. Played in 43 games for the Flash averaging five points and four rebounds per game.

KEVIN KRUGER: 6-2, 185 lb. Guard from University of Nevada Las Vegas. Has played with the Flash off and on for three seasons while also playing in Hungary, Mexico, and Bulgaria. Kruger is Utah’s all time assists leader has also spent time with the Utah Jazz on their summer league team.

BRIAN HAMILTON: 6-6, 195 lb. Forward from Louisiana Lafayette. An on and off player for the Flash, Hamilton made the team in Utah’s inaugural season from an open tryout. In his first season with the Flash Hamilton lead the D-League in steals. Has also played overseas and spent two season in training camp with the New Jersey Nets.

EVAN BROCK: 6-9, 220 lb. Forward from University of Alabama. Training Camp participant with the Atlanta Hawks. Played four seasons at the University of Alabama. Has played overseas in Venezuela and South Korea.

TERRY MARTIN: 6-6, 210 lb. Guard from Louisiana State University. Brought to training camp from open tryouts. Has played professionally in Austria.