The ink had just dried on the press release announcing that the Texas Legends acquired former D-League MVP Justin Dentmon, when yet another huge acquisition – this time the signing of a former NBA First Round Draft Pick – was announced.
Dentmon, in his second stint as a Texas Legend, looked very sharp in his debut against the Reno BigHorns, as he put down 19 points in just 29 minutes of playing time. However, even the big news of his signing pales in comparison to word that former Dallas Maverick, Delonte West was headed back to Frisco.
Spotlight on: Delonte West
West, 31, and a veteran of eight NBA seasons with four different teams, is taking the first step towards reestablishing himself as a marquee professional basketball player.
Before being drafted by the Boston Celtics with the 24th overall pick in 2004, West starred alongside Jameer Nelson at Saint Joseph’s University. During his junior season, he averaged 18.9 ppg with 6.7 assists, as he helped lead St. John’s to an Elite Eight berth in the NCAA Tournament.
After electing to go pro after his junior year, West struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness during his rookie season with the Celtics. His next two seasons would prove to be two of his best in the NBA.
Entering the 2005-2006 season, West impressed enough to crack the lineup as an everyday starter. The ’05-’06 season would prove to be West’s best, as he averaged 4.6 assists per game, 4.1 rebounds and 11.8 points per game as he played in a career-high 71 games, starting each one. The next year would be a good one as well, as he reached a career high in points per game, averaging 12.2 over 69 games.
During the 2007-2008 season, West was traded to the Seattle Supersonics, where he was primarily a bench weapon, before being traded once again to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he reclaimed his status as a go-to, everyday starter.
West would stay with the Cavaliers, led by a young LeBron James for two years and some change, but ongoing legal problems as well as other off the court issues ultimately led to the Cavaliers trading him to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he was waived before playing in a single game.
West returned to the Boston Celtics on a one-year deal for 2010-2011 season and the Dallas Mavericks purchased his contract for the following year. He played in 44 games during the 2011-2012 season, his last in the NBA.
West was playing recently in China, and his recent acquisition by the Legends returns him to the D-League, where he averaged 10.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists for the Legends over an eight-game stint.
Upcoming Texas Legends Games
Come on out and watch Delonte West and Justin Dentmon do their thing live as the Texas Legends (18-20) finish off their three-game homestand this Saturday night against the Austin Spurs (29-12), at Frisco’s Dr Pepper Arena. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and tickets are available for purchase here. Even when the Legends are on the road, you can still keep up with all of the action via their official YouTube Channel.
