SAN ANGELO, Texas – With the NBA regular season opening on Christmas Day many fans will receive the gift of some highly intriguing contests, but the present that many Angelo State basketball fans want to see that day would be former Ram standout Marcus Hubbard, currently on the Los Angeles Clippers training camp roster, hopefully becoming the first ASU player to play in the NBA.
Hubbard played for the Rams from 2006-08 as a junior college transfer from Kilgore College and a part of head coach Fred Rike's first recruiting class. The 6-9 forward made an instant impact for the Rams averaging 21.7 points and 8.9 rebounds in his first season, earning First Team All-Lone Star Conference honors.
The West Palm, Fla. native would finish his ASU career by helping the Rams return to the LSC Championship Tournament in 2008 after a six year absence and earned another First Team LSC nod. He would finish his two-year stay at Angelo State with career averages of 18.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and is currently second all-time in blocked shots with 77. Hubbard would also earn Second -Team All-Region accolades as well.
After his ASU playing career, Hubbard bounced around the NBDL, the developmental league for the NBA, playing for six teams from 2008 to 2011. During that time he received training camp invites from the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs before this year's invite from the Clippers.
“We're excited for Marcus,” Rike said. “He's definitely paid his dues in the NBDL, been there about four years in the D-League and has been in several NBA training camps. I hope he has a chance to make the roster with the Clippers and that'll be great for him.
“I'm happy for Marcus because he put in a lot of work he was always in the gym shooting and working on his game and we're extremely happy for him. “
Hubbard was invited to make the Clippers training camp roster shortly after the NBA lockout ended with hopes of providing depth to Clippers front line of All-Star and Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin and former Texas A&M standout DeAndre Jordan.
The 230-pound forward has made the most of his opportunity this preseason. In the Clippers first preseason game on Monday, Hubbard played 12 minutes and had three points, three rebounds and a steal while playing tough defense against the Lakers frontcourt of All-Star Pau Gasol and seven-footer Andrew Bynum.
The Clippers will play its final game of the preseason in a rematch against the Lakers tonight before both teams began their respective seasons on Christmas Day.
Rike feels that Hubbard's opportunity will provide some positive feedback to his program for players looking to play professionally after their ASU career.
"We've had a lot of guys with the chance to play professionally the last five or six years," Rike said. "It says a lot about Division II basketball it's very strong and you have great players here at Angelo State the last five or six years and we're glad that they were a part of our family and wish them the best."
Related Links:
Marcus Hubbard's Photo Gallery with the Clippers via ESPN.com
Hubbard's video's at NBA.com
