Bill Walker Assigned to Maine Red Claws

By Chris in Celtics, Red Claws ⋅ November 21, 2009 at 4:09pm ⋅ Post a comment

The Celtics have made the first assignment in the Maine Red Claws history sending Bill Walker to Maine to join the Red Claws. The move is aimed towards helping Walker get into game shape after recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2009 – Boston Celtics guard/forward Bill Walker was assigned to the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ NBA Development League affiliate, it was announced today. The assignment is the first for Maine, which begins its inaugural season in the NBA D-League, and the second for Walker, who was assigned to the Utah Flash last season.

Walker, 6-6, has appeared in one game for the Celtics this season, playing two minutes. Last season, Walker appeared in 29 games for Boston, averaging 3.0 points and 1.0 rebound in 7.4 minutes.

In 15 games in the NBA D-League last season, Walker averaged 18.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 points in 30.5 minutes. Scoring in double-figures in 14 games, Walker scored a career-high 29 points in a Nov. 29, 2008 road loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in McAllen, Texas.

Originally selected in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2008 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, Walker was acquired by Boston on June 28, 2008.

In two years at Kansas State, Walker averaged 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 26.6 minutes earning Third Team All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press and the league coaches as a redshirt freshman in 2007-08. He also earned Big 12 All-Rookie Team honors and was twice selected as Big 12 Rookie of the Week.

Walker, the season’s second player to be assigned to an NBA D-League affiliate, is expected to join the Red Claws in Portland, Maine today, in time for Monday’s preseason game against the Springfield Armor at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine. The Red Claws tip off the season on Nov. 27 when the team travels to the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. to face off against the Armor.

Celtics fans can follow Walker and the rest of the Red Claws by logging onto nba.com/futurecast to watch all of the team’s games live, online, for free.

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams. 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. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

Tags: Bill Walker, Maine Red Claws