Toros Season Ends
Gee named rookie of the year
By Mark Fagan, 12:05PM, Thu. Apr. 22, 2010
The Austin Toros championship run stalled out last night as they lost game three of their second-round NBA D-League playoff series to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 99-98. The Vipers – led by D-League MVP Mike Harris – advance to the finals against the Tulsa 66ers this Sunday in Tulsa at 4pm. Good luck to the Vipers who are the Houston Rockets D-League affiliate.
Curtis Jerrells, who scored 29 for Austin in the game, was called for an offensive foul with 1.4 seconds remaining allowing the Vipers to pick up the win. Eddie Basden and Alonzo Gee both picked up double-doubles for Austin with Marcus Williams scoring 18 in the loss. While this may be a heartbreaking exit for the Toros, their season has been a huge success considering their playoff run and the large steps taken in the careers of several of their star players.
Jerrells, Gee, Williams, Dwayne Jones all appear to have big things in their future and could go on to successful NBA careers like the Rockets ex-D-Leaguers Aaron Brooks and Chuck Hayes. Hayes is the perfect example of an ex-D-Leaguer grinding it out and earning a starting spot on an NBA team.
Gee was recently named the NBA Development League’s 2009-10 Rookie of the Year. Toros Head Coach Quin Snyder had this to say: “On behalf of the Toros and Spurs organizations, we are pleased and excited to have been able to share in Alonzo’s success this year. It has been a privilege to coach him. He has been relentless in his commitment to develop as a basketball player and most importantly, Alonzo is a great teammate. He is a young man that has had a positive impact on all of us, and we congratulate him on the award.”
Gee was called-up twice this season to the NBA. Once by the Washington Wizards (where he earned two starts), and once by the San Antonio Spurs.
Three Toros were also recently selected to the D-League's All-League teams. Jones (first team), Gee (second team), and Jerrells (third team).
Look for these guys to be playing in the playoffs again next year, hopefully in the NBA.
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curtis jerrells, austin toros, rio grande valley vipers, alonzo gee
