Darius Days made this resolution simple, actually.
The 6-7 ahead was the plain selection for this month’s “G League Participant to Watch”—not simply due to his absurd particular person manufacturing, however as a result of he led the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on a powerful run to sneak into the playoffs.
First, a short historical past lesson. Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has been probably the most profitable franchise within the historical past of the NBA’s official minor league, reaching six finals and claiming 4 championships since 2010. Final season, an RGV squad led by MVP Trevelin Queen cruised to the title, going undefeated within the playoffs. The Vipers additionally received all of it in 2019 with a roster that included Gary Payton II and Isaiah Hartenstein.
This 12 months…it wasn’t trying good. Heading into March—the final month of the common season—RGV had a 10-12 file. The group had dropped 4 of its earlier 5, together with an embarrassing 26-point loss to the South Bay Lakers at dwelling. If the Vipers wished to maintain their streak of six straight playoff appearances (excluding the season canceled attributable to COVID) alive, then they needed to flip issues round instantly.
OK, again to Days. An undrafted rookie out of LSU, he signed a Two-Method contract with the Houston Rockets again in October. The 23-year-old is a particularly versatile ahead, able to filling a number of positions along with his dimension, power and mobility. He has spent most of this season with the Vipers and confirmed to be a dependable 3-and-D participant. Firstly of March, he stepped up massive time…
27 factors, 7 rebounds vs. Oklahoma Metropolis
33 factors, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Birmingham
26 factors, 10 rebounds vs. Greensboro
28 factors, 11 rebounds vs. Iowa
32 factors, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Iowa
22 factors, 12 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Memphis
The Vipers received all six of these video games to climb again into the playoff image, and after splitting their subsequent 4, they locked up the No. 6 seed within the Western Convention. Days posted 25.7 factors, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per sport throughout that stretch, taking pictures 50 p.c from the sphere and 40 p.c from three. He barely turned the ball over—simply seven instances in 10 video games—regardless of averaging 38.6 minutes (the fifth highest mark within the league). Lower than 72 hours after the Vipers clinched their playoff spot, he was named G League Participant of the Month for March.
The Vipers upset the 2-seed Lakers within the Convention quarterfinals with guard Jalen Lecque sealing the take care of this robust game-winning lay-up. And Days? He delivered, after all: 21 factors (on 7/13 taking pictures), 8 rebounds and a couple of blocks.
You’ll be able to catch Days and the Vipers within the G League Finals as they face off in opposition to the Delaware Blue Coats. Tune in now by way of April 9 on ESPNU and ESPNews.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Luka Garza, Ahead, Iowa Wolves: 30.5 factors, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, 68 FG%, 46 3P% (4 GP)
Carlik Jones, Guard, Windy Metropolis Bulls: 26.3 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2.3 steals, 46 FG%, 35 3P%
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, Oklahoma Metropolis Blue: 26 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 58 FG%, 38 3P%
Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors: 24.2 factors, 6.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 46 FG%
Jack White, Ahead, Grand Rapids Gold: 23.3 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 55 FG%, 38 3P%
Trevelin Queen, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants: 23.2 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 50 FG%
Mfiondu Kabengele, Ahead, Maine Celtics: 21.7 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 61 FG%, 41 3P%
Zavier Simpson, Guard, Lakeland Magic: 17.2 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 50 FG%, 43 3P%
REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS
Jap Convention: Lengthy Island Nets (23-9)
Western Convention: Stockton Kings (25-7)
Scoring Champ: Carlik Jones (26.1)
Assists Champ: Jacob Gilyard (9.7)
Rebounds Champ: Jayce Johnson (13.5)
Blocks Champ: Jay Huff (3.1)
Steals Champ: Jaden Springer (2.3)
3PT Champ: Mychal Mulder (129)
MARCH CALL-UPS
Luka Samanic, Ahead, Maine Celtics to Utah Jazz
Xavier Sneed, Ahead, Greensboro Swarm to Charlotte Hornets
Jay Scrubb, Guard, Lakeland Magic to Orlando Magic
Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors to Golden State Warriors (twice this month)
Trevor Keels, Guard, Westchester Knicks to New York Knicks
Lindell Wiggington, Guard, Wisconsin Herd to Milwaukee Bucks
Jamaree Bouyea, Guard, Sioux Falls Skyforce to Washington Wizards
Jared Butler, Guard, Grand Rapids Gold to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
Sam Merrill, Guard, Cleveland Cost to Cleveland Cavaliers
Jay Huff, Heart, South Bay Lakers to Washington Wizards
Xavier Moon, Guard, Ontario Clippers to Los Angeles Clippers
Extra beneath:
Willie Cauley-Stein, Heart, Rio Grande Valley Vipers to Houston Rockets
Kobi Simmons, Guard, Greensboro Swarm to Charlotte Hornets
Gabe York, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants to Indiana Pacers
Skylar Mays, Guard, Mexico Metropolis Capitanes to Portland Path Blazers
Shaquille Harrison, Guard, South Bay Lakers to Portland Path Blazers
Jeenathan Williams, Guard, Salt Lake Metropolis Stars to Portland Path Blazers
Justin Minaya, Ahead, Mexico Metropolis Capitanes to Portland Path Blazers
Images by way of Getty Photos.
