Canton Charge Roster Takes Shape After Draft

The Canton Charge essentially will start from scratch for the upcoming 2012-2013 NBA Developmental League season. After making a run in the playoffs in their inaugural season last year, the Canton Charge roster is bare, gone are the likes of TJ Campbell, and Tyrell Biggs. The Charge may retain one player from last year, that being guard Kyle Gibson  but will need to start over. That process began tonight as the Charge took part in the NBA Developmental League Draft. With their first round pick, Canton made what some might consider not a surprise pick at all. They selected guard D'Audray Brown from Cleveland State. Brown spent time with the Cavs during pre-draft workouts and also late in training camp, before being one of the final three to be waived before the start of the season. Brown is known as a defensive minded combo guard while playing for Cleveland State. Cavs coach Byron Scott really liked him when he spent time with the Cavs and some thought he might be protected after being waived by the Cavs. The Cavs instead decided to protect guard Kevin Anderson, forward Kevin Jones and Center Michael Eric. Charge GM Mike Gansey confirmed that he expects all three players to come to camp with the Charge. The Charge took a calculated risk by not protecting Brown but felt confident that they could get him with their first round pick. Charge coach Alex Jensen said “We felt pretty confident, but you get nervous up to the point that it happens,” Jensen also said that he has had the opportunity to work with Brown while he was in camp with the Cavs and feels he is a good player but can improve."He comes from the program, tough kids come out of Cleveland State and he is a defensive minded player, I think he is one of those kids that is a reason a team is successful and he is one of the guys on the team that dont get all of the publicity but is as big a part of that as a star player" Jensen was asked about what kind of player Brown is. Jensen also said that everyone the organization talked to spoke very highly of him as a player and a person.

Brown who went to Ursuline High School in Youngstown was at the Edgewood Community Center after being drafted by the Charge and was able to mingle with the season ticket holders who were invited to the Charge Draft Party. "It means a lot, to be acknowledged for working hard and just putting that effort in every day," Brown said after being asked how he felt about the Cavs and Charge organization showing their commitment by making him their first pick. On whether he felt that he could end up with the Charge after being cut late in the Cavs camp,"I knew it was a possibility" Brown said.  Brown said he is focused on playing defense in Canton and getting out on transition and working on his shot. He was able to enjoy the night with his family also being in attendance at the Edgewood Community Center. He said that his family is excited to only be an hour away to watch him play.

With the rest of the draft the organization was extremely excited about the players they were able to get. Charge GM Mike Gansey said "We got a lot of guys that we liked from watching film and doing background....were happy,". On the size they were able to draft this year unlike last year "it was a good draft for "bigs" and we were lucky to get ones we liked late."

The training camp roster is starting to take shape and with only three weeks to go until opening night Coach Jensen is ready to get started and has his work cut out with him.

DRAFTED:

1st Round:  D'Aundray Brown- Guard - Cleveland State- 6'4" 195lbs

2nd Round (19): Ryan Rossiter- Forward - Siena- 6'9" 255lbs

2nd Round (26): Jorge Gutierrez - Guard - California 6'3" 195lbs

3rd Round: JP Primm - Guard- UNC-Ashville- 6'1" 195lbs

5th Round: Omari Johnson- Forward- Oregon State 6'9" 220lbs

6th Round: Assane Sene- Center- Virginia- 7'0" 230lbs

7th Round: Jordan Eglseder- Center- Northern Iowa- 7'1" 280lbs

8th Round: Vernon Lewis- Forward- Paul Quinn- 6'6" 225lbs


CAVS DESIGNATED PROTECTED:

Kevin Jones- Forward- West Virginia- 6'8" 250lbs

Michael Eric- Center/Forward- Temple - 6'11" 240lbs

Kevin Anderson- Guard- France- 6'0" 175lbs



ALREADY ON ROSTER:

Kyle Gibson- Guard- Louisiana Tech - 6'5" 205lbs

Thomas Baudinet- St Anselm (D-II) - 6'3" 190lbs (acquired via trade on 11/2/12)



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