Toronto Raptors send Ed Davis to D-League
The Toronto Raptors assigned rookie forward Ed Davis to the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA Development League, the team announced in a press release on Monday 22 November.
Davis, who was selected by the Raptors as the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, hasn’t played a single game this season after sustaining a knee injury during the off-season, and his
D-League stint would measure if he is already fit to play for the Raptors.
“This is a great opportunity for us to gauge where Ed is physically with regard to his knee and his overall basketball conditioning,” said Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo.
“This is a perfect example where the D-League can be used as a ready-made and convenient tool in getting an injured player back on the court.”
Davis, who averaged 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in his sophomore year at the University of the North Carolina, was thrilled with his impending stint in the D-League, but he
admitted that he needs some more time to get his old form back after undergoing surgery last September.
“It's going to take a little time to figure everything out,” Davis said. “See how my body works. It's going to take playing five-on-five.”
The 21-year-old forward practiced with the Bayhawks on Monday 22 November, and Raptors assistant strength and conditioning coach Jon Lee, was impressed with what he saw from Davis, and he’s
hoping that the rookie big man will gain enough confidence to make an impact for the Raptors this season.
“His hustle in the suicide drill, he really tried,” Lee said. “He's still trying to get back in shape. He hasn't really run like that on the floor in a long time.”
Davis, who is expected to make his debut for the Bayhawks on Friday 26 November and Sunday 28 November, will play alongside Solomon Alabi, who was also assigned by the Raptors to the Bayhawks,
and Cleveland Cavaliers assignee Christian Eyenga.
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