Rams sign fringe NBA player
The Canterbury Rams have rounded out their squad with a defensive-minded American forward, who was once on the radar of NBA side, the San Antonio Spurs.
Canterbury confirmed the signature of 26-year-old small forward Julian Washburn on Tuesday, fresh off an NBA G-League title with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s affiliate team.
Houston native Washburn arrives on Thursday and will be the Rams’ third US import, joining guard Xavier Thames and forward Winston Shepard, who were college team-mates at San Diego State from 2012-14.
Washburn went close to cracking the NBA, being signed by San Antonio in October 2015, but was waived two days later, just prior to the start of the season.
He has spent time with the Austin Spurs, as well as playing in the German Bundesliga for Tigers Tubingen. During the NBA’s Summer League, he has been involved with the Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers in 2015 and 2016.
Washburn, who is 2.03m tall, played in 50 games for the championshipwinning Austin side this past season, averaging five points and 3.2 rebounds in just over 24 minutes per game.
His father, Chris, a centre, played 72 games in the NBA for Golden State and Atlanta Hawks between 1986-88.
Washburn attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and was renowned for his defensive toughness. He captured the Conference USA’s defensive player of the year award in his senior season in 2014-15.
Mark Dickel-coached Canterbury will field a vastly revamped roster with youngsters Max de Geest and Max Darling, who played minor minutes last season, the only returning players.
‘‘We will be evaluating our season based on our effort and selflessness as a team,’’ Dickel said in a statement.
‘‘We will have a team that will make the extra pass, give tremendous defensive effort for each other and play in such a way that reflects the people of our city and region.’’
Veteran Fijian forward Marques Whippy, who had committed for another campaign, made himself unavailable last week, but will be involved with the Rams’ organisation from a mentoring and coaching standpoint.
Whippy would have been classified as an import under the NBL’s new ruling, where Oceania players are no longer considered locals.
Teams are permitted three restricted players (unable to represent New Zealand). Canterbury will lean heavily on their three American imports for leadership and scoring production.
Thames could be a contender for the league’s leading scorer.
The 27-year-old has impressive credentials, playing professionally in the highest leagues in Spain, Macedonia, Israel and Greece, while also having a stint with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G-League in 2015-16.
Thames was selected with the 59th pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors, but never played an NBA game.
The Rams will join the other seven NBL teams in Palmerston North this weekend for a pre-season Blitz tournament from Friday to Sunday.