Santa Cruz’s Elliot Williams named NBA D-League Performer of the Week

NEW YORK – Elliot Williams of the Santa Cruz Warriors was today named NBA Development League Performer of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 24.  This is the second such award this season for Williams, who also was honored on Dec. 21.

Williams (6-5, 183, Memphis) returned to Santa Cruz on Jan. 22 after a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, who made him a GATORADE Call-Up on Jan. 8.  In two games with Santa Cruz last week, both double-overtime victories over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Williams averaged a league-leading 42.0 points on 54.4 percent shooting (31-of-57) and added 7.0 assists (tied for fourth in the NBA D-League) and 6.0 rebounds.

On Jan. 22, Williams recorded 36 points, nine assists and six rebounds as Santa Cruz snapped a six-game losing streak with a 119-118 win over Rio Grande Valley.  The following night, he scored an NBA D-League season high of 48 points in a 128-126 win against the Vipers.

For the season, Williams leads the NBA D-League with 29.7 points to go with 7.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists.

Other top performers considered include Bakersfield’s Derek Cook Jr., Delaware’s Russ Smith, Idaho’s Treveon Graham, Raptors 905’s Ronald Roberts Jr., Reno’s Erick Green, Sioux Falls’ Tre Kelley and Texas’ Patrick Miller.

About the NBA Development League
The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.