G League Participant to Watch (March): Darius Days

Darius Days made this choice simple, actually. 

The 6-7 ahead was the apparent selection for this month’s “G League Participant to Watch”—not simply due to his absurd particular person manufacturing, however as a result of he led the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on a formidable run to sneak into the playoffs.

First, a quick historical past lesson. Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has been essentially the most profitable franchise within the historical past of the NBA’s official minor league, reaching six finals and claiming 4 championships since 2010. Final season, an RGV squad led by MVP Trevelin Queen cruised to the title, going undefeated within the playoffs. The Vipers additionally received all of it in 2019 with a roster that included Gary Payton II and Isaiah Hartenstein.

This 12 months…it wasn’t wanting good. Heading into March—the final month of the common season—RGV had a 10-12 document. The workforce had dropped 4 of its earlier 5, together with an embarrassing 26-point loss to the South Bay Lakers at residence. If the Vipers wished to maintain their streak of six straight playoff appearances (excluding the season canceled as a result of COVID) alive, then they needed to flip issues round immediately.

OK, again to Days. An undrafted rookie out of LSU, he signed a Two-Manner contract with the Houston Rockets again in October. The 23-year-old is a particularly versatile ahead, able to filling a number of positions together with his measurement, power and mobility. He has spent most of this season with the Vipers and confirmed to be a dependable 3-and-D participant. At the start of March, he stepped up massive time…

27 factors, 7 rebounds vs. Oklahoma Metropolis

33 factors, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Birmingham

26 factors, 10 rebounds vs. Greensboro

28 factors, 11 rebounds vs. Iowa

32 factors, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Iowa

22 factors, 12 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Memphis

The Vipers received all six of these video games to climb again into the playoff image, and after splitting their subsequent 4, they locked up the No. 6 seed within the Western Convention. Days posted 25.7 factors, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per sport throughout that stretch, capturing 50 p.c from the sphere and 40 p.c from three. He barely turned the ball over—simply seven occasions in 10 video games—regardless of averaging 38.6 minutes (the fifth highest mark within the league). Lower than 72 hours after the Vipers clinched their playoff spot, he was named G League Participant of the Month for March.

The Vipers upset the 2-seed Lakers within the Convention quarterfinals with guard Jalen Lecque sealing the cope with this robust game-winning lay-up. And Days? He delivered, in fact: 21 factors (on 7/13 capturing), 8 rebounds and a couple of blocks. 

You’ll be able to catch Days and the Vipers within the G League Finals as they face off in opposition to the Delaware Blue Coats. Tune in now by April 9 on ESPNU and ESPNews.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Luka Garza, Ahead, Iowa Wolves: 30.5 factors, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, 68 FG%, 46 3P% (4 GP)

Carlik Jones, Guard, Windy Metropolis Bulls: 26.3 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2.3 steals, 46 FG%, 35 3P%

Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, Oklahoma Metropolis Blue: 26 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 58 FG%, 38 3P%

Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors: 24.2 factors, 6.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 46 FG%

Jack White, Ahead, Grand Rapids Gold: 23.3 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 55 FG%, 38 3P%

Trevelin Queen, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants: 23.2 factors, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 50 FG%

Mfiondu Kabengele, Ahead, Maine Celtics: 21.7 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 61 FG%, 41 3P%

Zavier Simpson, Guard, Lakeland Magic: 17.2 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 50 FG%, 43 3P%

REGULAR SEASON CHAMPS

Japanese Convention: Lengthy Island Nets (23-9)

Western Convention: Stockton Kings (25-7)

Scoring Champ: Carlik Jones (26.1)

Assists Champ: Jacob Gilyard (9.7)

Rebounds Champ: Jayce Johnson (13.5)

Blocks Champ: Jay Huff (3.1)

Steals Champ: Jaden Springer (2.3)

3PT Champ: Mychal Mulder (129)

MARCH CALL-UPS

Luka Samanic, Ahead, Maine Celtics to Utah Jazz

Xavier Sneed, Ahead, Greensboro Swarm to Charlotte Hornets

Jay Scrubb, Guard, Lakeland Magic to Orlando Magic

Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors to Golden State Warriors (twice this month)

Trevor Keels, Guard, Westchester Knicks to New York Knicks

Lindell Wiggington, Guard, Wisconsin Herd to Milwaukee Bucks

Jamaree Bouyea, Guard, Sioux Falls Skyforce to Washington Wizards

Jared Butler, Guard, Grand Rapids Gold to Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

Sam Merrill, Guard, Cleveland Cost to Cleveland Cavaliers

Jay Huff, Middle, South Bay Lakers to Washington Wizards

Xavier Moon, Guard, Ontario Clippers to Los Angeles Clippers

Extra beneath:

Willie Cauley-Stein, Middle, Rio Grande Valley Vipers to Houston Rockets

Kobi Simmons, Guard, Greensboro Swarm to Charlotte Hornets

Gabe York, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants to Indiana Pacers

Skylar Mays, Guard, Mexico Metropolis Capitanes to Portland Path Blazers

Shaquille Harrison, Guard, South Bay Lakers to Portland Path Blazers

Jeenathan Williams, Guard, Salt Lake Metropolis Stars to Portland Path Blazers

Justin Minaya, Ahead, Mexico Metropolis Capitanes to Portland Path Blazers

Images through Getty Photographs.