First saw this posted on Twitter, but instead of going with it, I checked the team website itself...Vashil Fernandez has signed to play for the Miami Heat.
http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-signs-vashil-fernandez
Now I have a reason to watch the NBA a little more closely. I now have a local guy in Fred Van Vleet playing for Toronto, and now Vashil in Miami. Congrats to Vashil for signing, and here's to a great, long NBA career!!
https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/788058035948294144
https://twitter.com/MiamiHeatshow/status/788079659070074880
https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/788070946833854465
https://twitter.com/NWIOren/status/788069192461348864
https://twitter.com/Manny_Navarro/status/788067299869720579
https://twitter.com/fredv21/status/788065966949298176
Tuesday night... at home against the Orlando Magic, 6:30pm Central time.
Absolutely thrilled for Vashil. Incredible athleticism, a body made for the NBA, and amazing upside potential. Smart move by Miami to land him now while he's still learning the game.
Hopefully he further develops in the D-League, and cracks an NBA roster in the near future! Ron Howard got so close a few times, while Berdiel had some dalliances in the D-League.
This is a guy who could hardly jump, rebound and land upright when he arrived at Valpo....
Here is a guy who has done it the right way. Congratulations, Vashil!
Of course it is great news that Vashil will have the chance to continue his career. However, I'm wondering if there isn't more to the story, like someone in the Heat organization telling Vashil the path to the NBA won't take long.
I'm reading that D-League players make between 13-25,000 plus small daily expenses. Why would Vashil take that when he undoubtedly could earn more in a number of foreign leagues and till have NBA scouts all over him?
Quote from: vu72 on October 17, 2016, 08:44:49 PM
Of course it is great news that Vashil will have the chance to continue his career. However, I'm wondering if there isn't more to the story, like someone in the Heat organization telling Vashil the path to the NBA won't take long.
I'm reading that D-League players make between 13-25,000 plus small daily expenses. Why would Vashil take that when he undoubtedly could earn more in a number of foreign leagues and till have NBA scouts all over him?
First of all, congrats to Vashil for getting this opportunity. Nice to see guys who put in hard work get rewarded.
To answer your question, the benefit of playing in the NBDL is that these players are immediately available for call-up to the NBA if the need arises. Guys in foreign leagues are under contracts that don't allow that. There's definitely a risk/reward for guys who take less money to stay stateside in the hopes of a getting the the NBA quickly. I would hope his agent or other advisers will help him make the best decision.
Going to wear the 14 for the Heat! Looks like my first basketball jersey purchase ever is not going to be one of the two I was thinking it would be!
'72 and zville - I think you guys are drastically understating what just happened here. Vashil signed a training camp contract with the Heat, not a D-league contract with the Heat's D-league affiliate. If he makes the final roster (probably not), he'll make the league minimum of 500k+. If he gets "assigned" to the D-league by the parent team, he'll get up to 100k between his D-league salaryand what the Heat continue to pay him. He'll also get housing and life and health insurance.
Everything you wanted to know about how this little game works:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.ridiculousupside.com/platform/amp/2015/9/14/9321859/why-the-nba-training-camp-contracts-arent-a-loophole-for-d-league?client=safari
The bottom line is this is a MUCH bigger deal and far more lucrative gig than Ron Howard signing a standard D-league contract with the Ants. Another article I read stated that a third of last year's NBA players have been "assigned" at one time or another.
More information here.....
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-erik-spoelstra-101716-story.html
Vashil interview:
http://www.nba.com/heat/video/2016/10/17/1476737249429-20161017_Practice_Sound_FERNANDEZ-863491/
Quote from: vu72 on October 18, 2016, 09:52:46 AM
Vashil interview:
http://www.nba.com/heat/video/2016/10/17/1476737249429-20161017_Practice_Sound_FERNANDEZ-863491/
Super representative of our program. Congrats Vashil
Quote from: talksalot on October 17, 2016, 02:57:56 PM
Tuesday night... at home against the Orlando Magic, 6:30pm Central time.
Apparently airs on Fox Sports Sun. So, maybe if you get all the regional sports networks...
The radio affiliate has a live stream at
http://player.listenlive.co/28441
http://www.theticketmiami.com/
I don't know if it works during games.
Vashil follower count: 958 on Twitter. Maybe only 63 or new, so far, since the Heat announcement.
Oh, wait... protected account. Was it always protected? I don't remember. But still has the 60 or so new-looking Miami followers.
1754 followers over on instagram. Maybe that account's _not_ protected? But I don't have an account, don't hang out there much.
Daughter Maia turns two today
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLtEGSbDXqO/
New job for dad - not a bad birthday present! OK, maybe not _all_ that exciting for her, in the moment.
The Heat win by 30, but don't empty the bench. They played 11 deep, but nobody less than 9 minutes. No appearance for Vashil, but fun to see his name on the roster!
Quote from: M on October 17, 2016, 07:00:23 PM
This is a guy who could hardly jump, rebound and land upright when he arrived at Valpo....
That "Don't pass him the ball!" feeling lasted into his second year, for sure.
And I'm pretty sure "Are you _sure_ you want to put the ball on the floor?" lasted until graduation.
Former Valparaiso center Vashil Fernandez's persistence nets Heat deal
Michael Osipoff
Post-Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-basketball-valparaiso-heat-vashil-fernandez-st-1019-20161018-story.html
Vashil Fernandez's faith didn't waver.
He continued to work to get faster and stronger, to improve his shot.
The former Valparaiso center was rewarded Monday when he signed a contract with the Miami Heat.
The 6-foot-10 Fernandez could start the season with the Heat or wind up with their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. On Monday night, the 24-year-old was appreciative and eager, still soaking in the well-earned situation.
"It's fantastic," Fernandez said. "I'm just thankful to God for the opportunity. I was just trusting Him and trusting the process with all I did this summer and before."
Fernandez — Valparaiso's record-holder for blocked shots in a game, season and career — went undrafted. He had a predraft workout with the Portland Trail Blazers. He had another scheduled with the Toronto Raptors, but his flight was delayed in Portland, he said.
Fernandez spent six weeks training at IMG Academy in Florida. He attended a tryout in Las Vegas for overseas teams.
When he wasn't traveling, he was staying ready by working out in Austin, Texas, where he lives with his family. In August, he and wife Bridget welcomed their second daughter.
Fernandez spent two days last month working out for the Heat.
"They had been watching me from behind the scenes, and when I came down here and did all their drills with some other players, they loved me," he said. "They told me they'd get in touch with me in the next few weeks."
They called last week and he arrived Sunday night in Miami. He practiced with the team Monday.
"It went pretty good," Fernandez said. "I didn't know the offense or the defense, so I basically just did the drills. There's a learning curve and I'm making the best of it."
The Heat have 20 players on their roster and teams have to get down to the limit of 15 by next Monday. Fernandez is hoping to become the first Crusaders player to appear on an NBA regular-season roster since Bryce Drew in 2004 with the New Orleans Hornets.
"The next step is to be here for the next week or so to see if I get to stay here or go to Sioux Falls for more development," Fernandez said. "I have to work hard and see what happens. But I'm excited for it."
Fernandez is accustomed to challenges. He grew up in Jamaica with modest means, and didn't start playing basketball until he was 17.
The NCAA did not rule him eligible to play his first season at Valparaiso, but he made dramatic strides throughout his career. He emerged as a game-changing defensive player especially his final two seasons, including the one he initially had lost after successfully appealing to the NCAA.
Fernandez is the Horizon League's only two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and he led the country with 3.31 blocks per game as a senior. He averaged 5.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in his final season with the Crusaders; and 6.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks as a junior.
He graduated from Valparaiso with a bachelor's and two master's degrees.
"We are extremely excited for the opportunity that lies ahead for Vashil," Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich said in a news release. "This opportunity couldn't happen to a better guy and a better teammate. I think that Miami saw what we here at Valpo have known for a long time — that Vashil was the best defensive player in the country in college basketball, and that he can bring those defensive skills to the highest tier of basketball and perform at an elite level.
"The attitude he brings with him to work each and every day adds value to the team as well. We expect nothing but great things for Vashil and wish him nothing but the best, and are excited to be big Miami Heat fans now."
Find the 8:52 Mark in the 4th quarter of tonight's heat game! Offensive rebound and put back for #14! Great to see Vashil in the box score. 9 minutes one basket, one shot, one rebound, one foul.
https://www.twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/789271046205480960/video/1
All the best to Vashil. It is great when opportunities and good things happen to really good people.
Quote from: wh on October 20, 2016, 11:17:32 PM
https://www.twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/789271046205480960/video/1
Would it have been better for him if it was a blocked shot???
Quote from: FWalum on October 21, 2016, 09:48:37 AM
Would it have been better for him if it was a blocked shot???
Yes, unfortunately it may be harder for Vashil to block shots by NBA players. He didn't have a blocked shot in the Charlotte game.
Quote from: talksalot on October 20, 2016, 09:33:05 PM9 minutes one basket, one shot, one rebound, one foul.
http://www.nba.com/heat/stats
it is fun to see the name in the overall stats. One more pre-season game tonight (Friday) at home against the 76ers.
Need a picture? Here's the link to the Heat montage for the game last night... Vashil is in the last (#11) in the bundle Perhaps if someone can capture that for this thread.
http://www.nba.com/heat/hpg1617-cha-161020
One free throw made
One free throw missed
One foul
Played the last 4:26 in a 113-110 loss.
End of pre-season. Cut announcement due momentarily.
It's 629 miles from the ARC to Sioux Falls... in case you're curious.
Vashil Fernandez Hopes To Make Mark With Heat
By Moke Hamilton
on October 20, 2016
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-vashil-fernandez-hopes-to-make-mark-with-heat/
Miami Heat waive Vashil Fernandez, Luis Montero, Beno Udrih, Briante Weber and Okaro White
http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=19848
White, Montero and Fernandez also are expected to be assigned to Sioux Falls, unless they take offers overseas.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article109908987.html#storylink=cpy
:(
Quote from: talksalot on October 21, 2016, 09:32:56 PMIt's 629 miles from the ARC to Sioux Falls... in case you're curious.
Or, they come to Fort Wayne November 20, Grand Rapids December 7, and Chicago March 4 (who knew we had a D league affiliate? OK - they actually play in Hoffman Estates, almost as far from Valpo as Ft. Wayne).
Quote from: agibson on October 18, 2016, 10:55:42 AM
Vashil follower count: 958 on Twitter. Maybe only 63 or new, so far, since the Heat announcement.
Oh, wait... protected account. Was it always protected? I don't remember. But still has the 60 or so new-looking Miami followers.
1754 followers over on instagram. Maybe that account's _not_ protected? But I don't have an account, don't hang out there much.
Up to 994 on Twitter, 1952 on Instagram.
Merely 10% boosts maybe, on top of not-small existing numbers.
Dam that Kid can block shots can't he.. We will miss him on the defenses side this year
Quote from: agibson on October 24, 2016, 09:27:59 AM
Quote from: talksalot on October 21, 2016, 09:32:56 PMIt's 629 miles from the ARC to Sioux Falls... in case you're curious.
Or, they come to Fort Wayne November 20, Grand Rapids December 7, and Chicago March 4 (who knew we had a D league affiliate? OK - they actually play in Hoffman Estates, almost as far from Valpo as Ft. Wayne).
The Windy City Bulls are playing their first year in the NBA Developmental League. They are an affiliate of and totally owned by the Chicago Bulls. They will be playing their home games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates (11,000). Which can be seen from the I-90 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. It's on the site of the former Poplar Creek Music Theater for those who remember that music venue.
-- Briante Weber has committed to a D-League return, which means more time with the Heat's affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
-- Also expected alongside in Sioux Falls are Keith Benson, Okaro White, Vashil Fernandez, Stefan Jankovic and Luis Montero.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/heat-blog/sfl-miami-heat-orlando-magic-blog-s102616-story.html
Quote from: wh on October 26, 2016, 10:59:44 PM
-- Briante Weber has committed to a D-League return, which means more time with the Heat's affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
-- Also expected alongside in Sioux Falls are Keith Benson, Okaro White, Vashil Fernandez, Stefan Jankovic and Luis Montero.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/heat-blog/sfl-miami-heat-orlando-magic-blog-s102616-story.html
For those who have been there Siouxland is no small metro area. It counts a total of 1 million people over all of Sioux Falls--Sioux City area.
Look who's coaching in Grand Rapids:
http://www.mlive.com/drive/2016/10/grand_rapids_drive_look_at_opt.html
It's still not clear to me if Vashil is under contract to the Heat or if he is someone who is eligible for the NBDL draft. Any experts out there?
Not sure of the exact answer but he would be considered an NBA Affiliated Player. The Heat signed him while cutting a returning player which makes them both eligible to play in Sioux Falls. If Fernandez is not one of the four waived players they want I am pretty sure is draft eligible.
This late signing to stock your D League team is becoming more frequent. Last week Memphis signed Butler's Kellen Dunham and cut him the next day for the same purpose. The Pacers signed Ben Bentil from Providence and cut him the same day as well to get him for Fort Wayne.
NBA D-League 101: How Rosters Are Built
Look at an NBA D-League roster and you will see players at different stages of their careers who took different paths to the pros: Recognizable names from high-profile schools; lesser-known small-school hopefuls. Undrafted players looking to catch eyes; NBA players assigned to gain seasoning.
Putting together a roster is a complicated process. To help make sense of it all, here's a breakdown of the various avenues where teams find players:
RETURNING PLAYERS
Teams hold the rights to any player who has played for them within the last two seasons, as long as they have not released that player.
Examples (2015-16): Vander Blue (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Sean Kilpatrick (Delaware 87ers), Tim Frazier (Bakersfield Jam
NBA AFFILIATE PLAYERS
When NBA teams trim their rosters during training camp and the preseason, they have the first crack at acquiring their waived players on their NBA D-League affiliate.
Organizations can designate up to four "affiliate players," though those players will remain NBA free agents. This still allows NBA front offices to identify prospects that they like and keep them in their system — especially given the current state of the league, in which all 22 NBA D-League teams are singly affiliated with an NBA parent club.
Examples (2015-16): Will Cummings (Houston Rockets/RGV Vipers), Tu Holloway (Dallas Mavericks/Texas Legends), Quinn Cook (Cleveland Cavaliers/Canton Charge)
LOCAL TRYOUT PLAYERS
NBA D-League teams hold tryouts during each offseason, inviting some players to participate for free while attracting locals who pay a small fee to participate. The teams can invite the cream of the crop (up to five players) to their training camps.
A few dozen tryout players each year make their way onto training camp rosters, and many have even made it into game action and beyond.
"Mr. Mad Ant" Ron Howard authored one Cinderella story among that group, parlaying a training camp invitation in 2007 into a seven-year career in Fort Wayne, capped by a championship and MVP season in 2014. Houston product Jonathon Simmons completed a journey from the Austin Spurs' local tryout in September 2013 to the San Antonio Spurs' roster in July 2015 before breaking out during the 2015-16 NBA season.
Examples: Raphiael Putney (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Ron Howard (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Jonathon Simmons (Austin Spurs)
NBA D-LEAGUE DRAFT PICKS
Every fall, more than 200 players are signed by the league office and placed in the NBA D-League Draft. About half of them are selected on Draft day, which features a field of NBA and NBA D-League vets, international pros, undrafted rookies and NBA D-League National Tryout players.
Many of the top picks arrive just days before the Draft after either arriving from overseas or being waived by NBA teams — a group that included eventual Westchester Knicks star Jimmer Fredette in 2015.
Examples (2015-16): Jeff Ayres (Idaho Stampede), Jimmer Fredette (Westchester Knicks), Jabril Trawick (Sioux Falls Skyforce)
NBA DRAFT RIGHTS PLAYERS
In 2014, the Oklahoma City Thunder made headlines for their decision to select Stanford forward Josh Huestis in the first round of the NBA Draft with the intent of adding him to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. He was called the league's first "domestic draft-and-stash" player.
The Thunder could do this through a rule that was implemented just three months before they drafted Huestis. The "draft rights player" rule allows NBA D-League teams to directly acquire players on their NBA parent club's draft list, bypassing the usual NBA D-League player selection processes, including the NBA D-League Draft and the in-season waiver wire.
Examples (2015-16): Andrew Harrison (Memphis Grizzlies/Iowa Energy), Dakari Johnson (Oklahoma City Thunder/Oklahoma City Blue), Satnam Singh (Dallas Mavericks/Texas Legends)
NBA ASSIGNEES
NBA teams can assign players with three years of service or less an unlimited number of times, and they're taking advantage of that rule each season.
In 2014-15, 56 different players were assigned to NBA D-League teams a record total of 195 times, including 14 first-round picks from the 2014 NBA Draft. With the advantage of having an affiliate within driving distance, several teams shuttled players back-and-forth between teams — including the Spurs with first-round pick Kyle Anderson.
Examples (2015-16): Josh Richardson (Miami Heat/Sioux Falls Skyforce), Cameron Payne (Oklahoma City Thunder/Oklahoma City Blue), Norman Powell (Toronto Raptors/Raptors 905)
NBA DRAFT-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
A player who has not yet entered the NBA Draft can instead enter the NBA Development League and maintain his NBA Draft eligibility.
If the player signs with the NBADL before the season, he is eligible for the NBA D-League Draft. If he signs mid-season, he is available for NBADL teams to claim in the league waiver pool.
Unlike the rest of the players signed by the D-League, NBA Draft-eligible players are not eligible to be called up by NBA teams.
Examples: P.J. Hairston (1st Round, 2014), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (2nd Round, 2014), Glen Rice Jr. (2nd Round, 2013)
FREE AGENTS
The NBA D-League rosters you see every fall are typically unrecognizable by wintertime. That's because the league is infused with talent throughout the season as players returning from stints overseas/NBA veterans working their way back into the league enter the player pool.
NBA D-League teams can place claims on the newly available players through a rotation waiver system.
Examples (2015-16): Josh Childress (Texas Legends), Baron Davis (Delaware 87ers), Erick Green (Reno Bighorns)
EXPANSION DRAFT
When new franchises join the league, an expansion draft is held prior to the start of training camps. Each team can protect the rights of up to 10 players while the three expansion teams can select up to 12 unprotected players, with no more than two selections coming from any one team. The teams will hold the rights to those players for two seasons.
Examples (2016): Peyton Siva (Long Island Nets), Scotty Hopson (Greensboro Swarm), Kiwi Gardner (Windy City Bulls)
Thanks, Indy...I think. :)
The signing of Dunham was, in part, what prompted my question and it seemed clear that teams were signing players they knew wouldn't make the parent team's roster, but were worth keeping an eye on and perhaps filling a roster need at the DL level. It seems, though, that teams cut more than four "affiliate players" as camps ended so I presume they have to designate which ones they want on their DL team and which they are willing to let go (through the DL draft?).
The D-league has now posted the names of 182 players eligible for its draft Sunday. Vashil is not on the list so that would seem to confirm that he is considered an affiliate player. Dunham also is not on the list, but Roosevelt Jones from Butler, Max Hooper from Oakland, Greg Mays from Green Bay, Joe Thomasson from Wright State and a few other former Valpo opponents are on the list.
http://siouxfalls.dleague.nba.com/roster/
Vashil is now listed on the Skyforce roster.... along with:
Brandan Kearney, Detroit-Mercy
Keith Benson, Oakland
Since now you will all be watching the D-League a little closer... they are the playground for rule changes... here are the new ones (the second one will be interesting for the folks at the table working the equipment)
NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2016 – The NBA Development League today announced experimental rules changes for the 2016-17 season:
Each team will be entitled to a "Reset Timeout" in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and final two minutes of any overtime period. "Reset Timeouts" do not allow teams to huddle, but otherwise mirror standard timeouts, allowing teams to advance the ball (when applicable) and make unlimited substitutions. If either team huddles or prevents the ball from immediately being put back into play, it will result in a delay of game being issued to the offending team. The "Reset Timeout" replaces the "Advance Rule" which had been used in the NBA D-League the past two seasons.
The 24-second clock will reset to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound or when the offensive team otherwise is the first team to retain possession after the ball contacts the rim.
A 75-second limit on the duration of instant replay reviews has been implemented, except in circumstances where the review is for a hostile act or altercation, could lead to an ejection, there is a technical equipment problem or other atypical circumstances.
The NBA D-League continues to serve as a research and development resource for the NBA, testing rules, equipment and technological advancements. For the third consecutive season, the league will play with the innovative coach's challenge, which allows coaches to dispute either called personal fouls charged to their own team or any play that is currently an NBA D-League replay trigger, other than flopping. Each team is awarded one challenge in the fourth quarter and each overtime period.
The 2016-17 NBA D-League season tips off on Nov. 11 with an all-time high 22 teams competing in a 50-game regular season.
Quote from: talksalot on October 31, 2016, 12:06:37 PM
Since now you will all be watching the D-League a little closer... they are the playground for rule changes... here are the new ones (the second one will be interesting for the folks at the table working the equipment)
NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2016 – The NBA Development League today announced experimental rules changes for the 2016-17 season:
Each team will be entitled to a "Reset Timeout" in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and final two minutes of any overtime period. "Reset Timeouts" do not allow teams to huddle, but otherwise mirror standard timeouts, allowing teams to advance the ball (when applicable) and make unlimited substitutions. If either team huddles or prevents the ball from immediately being put back into play, it will result in a delay of game being issued to the offending team. The "Reset Timeout" replaces the "Advance Rule" which had been used in the NBA D-League the past two seasons.
The 24-second clock will reset to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound or when the offensive team otherwise is the first team to retain possession after the ball contacts the rim.
A 75-second limit on the duration of instant replay reviews has been implemented, except in circumstances where the review is for a hostile act or altercation, could lead to an ejection, there is a technical equipment problem or other atypical circumstances.
The NBA D-League continues to serve as a research and development resource for the NBA, testing rules, equipment and technological advancements. For the third consecutive season, the league will play with the innovative coach's challenge, which allows coaches to dispute either called personal fouls charged to their own team or any play that is currently an NBA D-League replay trigger, other than flopping. Each team is awarded one challenge in the fourth quarter and each overtime period.
The 2016-17 NBA D-League season tips off on Nov. 11 with an all-time high 22 teams competing in a 50-game regular season.
I like the new rules. I wish the NCAA would adopt some of these. Instant replay in the NCAA tournament has been a complete joke. The shot clock is still too long and leads to more foul-fests in the last minute. There's also too much stoppage in the final 5 minutes overall due to coaches hoarding timeouts. As controversial as this is around here, I'd also like to see the advancement rule.
I believe EVN made a D league squad as well.
Quote from: M on October 31, 2016, 08:53:46 PM
I believe EVN made a D league squad as well.
Sounds like a training roster spot. So, maybe they'll have to trim their roster before games start?
[tweet]793255026277945344[/tweet]
[tweet]793169894145568768[/tweet]
Via a tryout, rather than the draft. But, still, sounds like a great opportunity!
Max Hooper from Oakland #16 overall. Butler's Roosevelt Jones #19. Mays from Green Bay #30. Joe Thomasson from Wright State #42 (probably I should remember him better?). 105 players drafted overall. 6 rounds.
http://dleague.nba.com/news/2016-nba-d-league-draft-board/