News release from the Mad Ants:
Mad Ants Acquire Returning Player Rights of Christian Watford
(January 4, 2016) – The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, announced that they have acquired the returning player rights of Christian Watford from the Reno Bighorns in exchange for forward Kadeem Jack. The trade is subject to Jack passing his physical.
Watford, an Indiana University standout, finished his collegiate career averaging 13.11 points and 5.89 rebounds per game, earning him third team All Big-10 honors. In his time at IU, Watford left a mark on Hoosier history with his 3-point shot at the buzzer, causing the major upset over at the top ranked Kentucky Wildcats in his junior year. After two Sweet 16 appearances at the NCAA tournament his junior and senior years, Watford entered the 2013 NBA Draft, where he went undrafted and eventually joined the Dallas Mavericks (Las Vegas) and the Indiana Pacers (Orlando) in their Summer Leagues before going overseas to join the Israeli Hapoel Eilat team.
After spending time in the Boston Celtics’ training camp, Watford gained D-League experience with the Maine Red Claws during the 2014-15 season, playing 27 games with the team and averaging 12.00 points and 6.07 rebounds per game in that time. Watford most recently spent time in the Indiana Pacers summer league during the 2015 preseason.
Mad Ants General Manager, Brian Levy, stated, “This trade was an opportunity for us to acquire the rights to a player with great history in Indiana Basketball. Not only could Christian help us on the court, but he’s also a household name in this area. We also want to thank Kadeem for his hard work during his time with the team. We wish him the best of luck in Reno.”
The Mad Ants play their first of two NBA D-League Showcase games this Thursday, January 7th at 1:00 p.m. against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers live on NBA TV. Fans can purchase Mad Ants tickets anytime, which start at just $6, at the Memorial Coliseum Box Office, by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
About the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and the NBA Development League
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, are the NBA Development affiliate of the NBA Indiana Pacers. Established in 2007, the Mad Ants have marked their success in back-to-back Championship appearances, coming out on top in 2014 and returning to the Championship series in 2015. The 2014-2015 season also named the Mad Ants as the NBA Development League Development Champions, which recognizes the team that best embodies the NBA D-League’s goals of developing NBA-caliber basketball talent through call-ups and assignments. The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. 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. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on fortwayne.gleague.nba.com.
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