Mired in a three game losing streak, the Texas Legends hit the highway for a lengthy road trip. After a flurry of trades last week, coupled with a key free agent pickup, the Legends boast their strongest lineup of the season as they look to get back into second place in the D-League’s Southwest Division.
Brandon Young to make Legends debut
The Legends showed that, even after last week’s trade that brought guards William Buford and Myck Kabongo to Texas, they weren’t done improving their roster.
The Legends swooped in and selected Young, a former four-year starter at DePaul, from the available D-League talent pool. The Baltimore, Maryland native had an impressive NCAA career, averaging over 15 points and over four assists per game during his collegiate career.
Young also holds the distinction of being the only player in DePaul’s history with at least 1,200 points, 400 assists and 100 three-pointers.
Undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, Young will have a chance to improve the Legends’ play-making abilities, as well as tighten up their perimeter shooting.
Spotlight on: Dwight Powell
The 6’11” Powell came to Texas in the same trade that brought the Dallas Mavericks Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics. The Mavericks shipped Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and Brandan Wright to seal the deal.
And just as Rondo has been an immediate impact talent for the Mavericks, Powell has been a boon for the Texas Legends. Powell proved quickly that the D-League was no match for his skill set, as he knocked down 26 points with 21 rebounds, to notch a most impressive double-double during his Legends debut on December 27.
It only took that one game in the D-League, for the Dallas Mavericks to purchase the Bradenton, Florida native’s contract and punch his ticket for the NBA.
Powell, a second round pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, was a four-year starter at Stanford, winning an NIT Championship in 2012, and earned First-team All-Pac-12 nods in his junior (2013) and senior seasons (2014).
With the Dallas Mavericks boasting one of the deepest benches in the NBA, we might be treated to an occasional Powell sighting in Frisco – so keep your eyes peeled.
Upcoming Games
The Texas Legends kicked off a four game road trip with wins in Austin (113-110) and Westchester (93-92). Today, they’ll be in Delaware (tipoff: 4pm CST), before returning to the Lone Star State as they visit the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on their home court on Friday.
All games can be watched for free via the Legends’ official YouTube Channel. Be sure to purchase your tickets now for their next home game at Dr Pepper Arena on Saturday, January 31, at 7:00 PM against the Vipers.
