Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Players and coaches were welcomed back for the 2012-13 season at the Kids & Claws event on Nov. 17

Red Claws fast facts

In their first two seasons, the Red Claws set a D-League record by selling out every home game. In the 2009-10 season, total attendance was 73,126, followed by 73,080 in 2010-11 and 71,508 last season.

Last season the Red Claws were the NBA affiliate for three teams: Charlotte, Boston and Philadelphia. This season it's only the Celtics, the team's first with a single affiliate.

On March 4, 2012, Kenny Hayes set a franchise record for points, scoring 52 against Springfield. He also set team records for field goals made (18) and field goals attempted (29).

Twice in team history has a player recorded a triple-double. Mario West did it first on March 13, 2011 in a 117-94 win over Fort Worth with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Kenny Hayes was the second, recording 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists on Feb. 16, 2012, in a 122-100 loss to Dakota.

Promotions schedule

November
30: Sandou Trio (acrobatics)
December
21: Quick Change Artists
31: Zooperstars
January
12: Woodside One-Wheelers
21: Steve Max's Simon Sez Show
27: Military Appreciation Night
February
10: Kastaways mascot band
March
3: Jugglin' Josh Horton
8: Faith and Family Night
14: Stillson School of Irish Dance

Players

Chris Ayer, No. 50
Age: 29 Position: Center/forward
Height: 6-10 Weight: 250
Birthplace: Tucson, Ariz.
College: Loyola Marymount
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: Utah, Springfield (2009-10), Dakota (2010-11), Reno (2011-12).
Other experience: Leagues in Malaysia and Japan
Statistic: Averaged 6.9 points
and 4.0 rebounds in 46 games in Reno last year.
How obtained: Acquired from Reno November 2012 for a third-round draft pick

Justin Brownlee, No. 34
Age: 24 Position: Forward
Height: 6-7 Weight: 230
Birthplace: Tifton, Ga.
College: St. John's
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: Maine (2011-12)
Other experience: None
Statistic: Averaged 8.0 points
and 4.9 rebounds in 50 games
for the Maine Red Claws
last season.
How obtained: Signed as a free agent November 2011.

Brian Cusworth, No. 42
Age: 28 Position: Center
Height: 7-0 Weight: 255
Birthplace: St. Louis
College: Harvard
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: None
Other experience: Leagues is Estonia and Spain
Statistic: Averaged 9.7 points
and 3.8 rebounds in 2009-10
(Spain).
How obtained: Celtics affiliate player

Micah Downs, No. 15
Age: 26 Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-8 Weight: 200
Birthplace: Kirkland, Wash.
College: Gonzaga
NBA experience: Boston Celtics preseason camp (2012)
D-League experience: None
Other experience: Leagues in Croatia, Belgium and Spain
Statistic: Averaged 11.3 points
last year (Spain).
How obtained: Celtics affiliate player

Kris Joseph, No. 32
Age: 23 Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-7 Weight: 215
Birthplace: Montreal
College: Syracuse
NBA experience: Rookie, Boston Celtics (2012)
D-League experience: Rookie
Other experience: None
Statistic: Averaged 13.4 points with Syracuse last year.
How obtained: Assigned by Celtics,
November 2012

Shelvin Mack, No. 9
Age: 22 Position: Guard
Height: 6-2 Weight: 207
Birthplace: Lexington, Ky.
College: Butler
NBA experience: Washington Wizards (2011-12), Wizards preseason camp (2012)
D-League experience: None
Other experience: None
Statistic: Averaged 15.9 points at Butler in 2010-11.
How obtained: 2012 NBA D-League draft (first round)

Fab Melo, No. 41
Age: 22 Position: Center
Height: 7-0 Weight: 255
Birthplace: Brazil
College: Syracuse
NBA experience: Rookie, Boston Celtics (2012)
D-League experience: Rookie
Other experience: Brazil National Team (2011)
Statistic: Averaged 2.9 blocks with Syracuse last year.
How obtained: Assigned by Celtics November 2012

Champ Oguchi, No. 23
Age: 26 Position: Guard
Height: 6-6 Weight: 200
Birthplace: Houston
College: Illinois State
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: Maine (2010-11)
Other experience: Leagues in France, Lebanon, Venezuela and Phillipines. Nigerian Olympic team.
Statistic: 12.3-point average in 2012 Olympics.
How obtained: 2010 D-League draft (second round)

Omar Reed, No. 24
Age: 25 Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-6 Weight: 210
Birthplace: Tazewell, Va.
College: Bluefield (Va.) College
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: Austin (2011-12)
Other experience: League in England
Statistic: 6.5-point average in 22 games for Austin last year.
How obtained: 2012 D-League draft (fourth round)

Xavier Silas, No. 13
Age: 24 Position: Guard
Height: 6-5 Weight: 200
Birthplace: Austin, Texas
College: Northern Illinois
NBA experience: Philadelphia 76ers (four games, 2011-12), 76ers preseason camp (2012).
D-League experience: Maine (2011-12)
Other experience: League in France
Statistic: 9.8-point average in 40 games with Maine last year.
How obtained: Assigned by Philadelphia 76ers December 2011

Scott VanderMeer, No. 44
Age: 26 Position: Center
Height: 7-0 Weight: 260
Birthplace: Dyer, Ind.
College: Illinois-Chicago
NBA experience: None
D-League experience: Iowa (2010-11), Rio Grande (2011-12).
Other experience: Leagues in Switzerland, Mexico, Venezuela and Romania.
Statistic: Averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds in 18 games for Rio Grande last year.
How obtained: 2012 D-League draft (seventh round)

Chris Wright, No. 33
Age: 24 Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-8 Weight: 220
Birthplace: Trotwood, Ohio
College: Dayton
NBA experience: Golden State Warriors (24 games, 2011-12), Toronto Raptors preseason camp (2012)
D-League experience: Maine, Dakota (2011-12)
Other experience: None
Statistic: 17-point average in four games with Maine last year.
How obtained: 2011 NBA D-League draft (first round)

Coaching staff

Head Coach Mike Taylor
Age: 40
College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
D-League experience: Assistant coach Rio Grande (2011-12)
Other experience: Head coach in England and Germany; assistant coach in Czech Republic; assistant college coach at Clarion, IUP and Pittsburg State

Red Claws coaching history
2009-10 Austin Ainge 27-23 (4th place)
2010-11 Austin Ainge 18-32 (5th place)
2011-12 Dave Leitao 21-29 (6th place)

Assistant Coach Tunde Adekola
Age: 32
College: St. Michael's (Vt.)
D-League experience: None
Other experience: Assistant in Denmark and Germany; assistant college coach at Tampa.

Assistant Coach J.P. Clark
Age: 26
College: Flagler
D-League experience: None
Other experience: Assistant college coach at Central Florida, Colgate and Flagler.