Rashaad Singleton and the NBA?

Always wondered whether Rashaad could make it to the big leagues. My sense was that the answer was no, but then he got invited to the Knicks' summer camp back in 2009. Obviously, the pro scouts were intrigued by Singleton's upside.

Given his footwork problems and his seeming lack of desire, I wasn't surprised that Rashaad didn't stick with New York. Add to that his poor shooting form (he shot 25 percent from the free throw line during the Dawgs' 2005/2006 season and just 33 percent in 2006/2007), and I felt that his best bet was to be content with playing internationally.

Well, I'm starting to wonder again. He is fairly athletic, a legitimate 7-feet, and has a solid muscular build (fans may remember that he went from 210 to 250 while at UGA, and became the team weight-lifting leader). He is still young, having just turned 25 in May. To top things off, Singleton has apparently made a marked improvement in his shooting touch.

Singleton shot 73 percent from the free throw line in game earlier this year, completing a stat sheet of 25 points, 12 boards and 6 blocks in the Japanese League. Can Rashaad realize his potential and make it to the NBA? You might think that the answer is still, no, but then again, you need look no farther than the Atlanta Hawks' roster from last year to conclude that the answer is instead a definite maybe.

Jason Collins is the same size as Rashaad, being 7-feet and 255 pounds. Collins averaged just 1 point, 1 rebound, 0 assists and 0 blocked shots in 10 minutes per night for the Hawks this past season, shooting a paltry 40 percent from the field and a miserable 46 percent from the line. You would think that kind of production would have him on his way out of the NBA. Not hardly. Collins has had an 11-year career in the League, and he just signed a free agent contract with the Boston Celtics.

The Hawks signed another back-up center in February 2012, being 6' 11" 265-pound Erick Dampier. Dampier joined the squad and posted averages of 0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0 assists in 5 1/2 minutes per game, shooting 12 percent from the field. Admittedly, Dampier is nearing the end of his career, but my point is that Rashaad could hardly do worse. Shucks, how do you even shoot 12 percent when most of your attempts are right under the bucket?

A quick look at the rosters of the Hawks' competitors and the production of guys like,

Joel Przybilla, Milwaukee (2 points and 5 boards);
Jamaal Magloire, Toronto (1 point, 3 rebounds on 38 percent shooting);
Cole Aldrich, OKC (2 points, 2 boards in 7 minutes per game);
Solomon Alibi, Toronto (2 points and 3 boards last season, and just 0 points and 1 board per game, with 20 percent shooting from the field his rookie season);
Tony Battie, Philadelphia (1 point and 2 rebounds on 37 percent shooting);
Eddie Curry, Miami (2 points and 1 rebound); and,
Desagana Diop, Charlotte (1 point, 3 boards on 35 percent from the floor);

shows that if you are big enough to get even a couple of points and rebounds and body up on the opposing team's center, there can be a place for you in the NBA.

Rashaad looks the part, and if he can hit free throws consistently now, maybe the Knicks or even the Hawks should invite him to camp.

Rashaad

Rashaad Singleton Contributes to Sweep

Rashaad scored 8 points to go with 13 rebounds, 3 blocks and a steal. His Oita Heat Devils bested the Toyama Grouse in their first match by a score of 90 to 79.

It was more impressive play for Singleton in the re-match. Rashaad notched 12 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks.

Oita has improved to 7 victories against 9 losses so far this season. Considering where they were last year, their record shows marked improvement.

Rashaad has been leading the Japanese Basketball League in rebounds and blocked shots.

More later.

Rashaad Singleton Leads Heat Devils

Rashaad Singleton was invited to the New York Knicks team camp earlier in the year. Although he did not make the Knicks squad, Rashaad is continuing his basketball career, playing in Japan.

In his last game, Singleton scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Rashaad helped lead his team, the Oita Heat Devils, to victory.

Singleton will have to continue to play well for the Heat Devils to win. Last year, Oita went 8 and 44 on the season. The team has a new coach and a new 7-foot center, and a new record of 1 and 1 for the year.

Congratulations, Rashaad!

Knicks kick off Summer League Play

Rashaad Singleton did not see the floor.

I assume that the Knicks would not have him on the team if they didn't want him to play. However, I'm sure the team wants to see what they have in their draftees first.

Singleton Makes Roster

Rashaad Singleton, 7' 0" former player for UGA, has been named to the roster of the New York Knicks summer league squad.

Singleton had been invited to the Knicks organization to participate in workouts prior to the NBA draft. The summer league should give Singleton the chance to show what he can do before NBA, D-League and international scouts.

Rashaad Singleton Tries for NBA

Rashaad Singleton was in elite company earlier this month when he worked out for the NBA's New York Knicks. Singleton joined Stephen Curry, Duke guard Gerald Henderson, UCLA guard Jrue Holiday, and Ohio State's B.J. Mullens in the workouts.

Although Singleton was not drafted, he is working to follow his dream. Perhaps he can get a look with the D-League or an international squad.

Rashaad Singleton Gets Press

Rashaad Singleton has been recognized for the contributions he is making to his new team, the Florida Southern Moccasins.

Singleton, who arrived at Georgia as a thin, 7-foot prospect, later began to hit the weights constantly. He became the team's leading weight-lifter.

Singleton left UGA after he lost his starting position. He ended up transferring to Division II team, Florida Southern, to complete his final season.

He has given Florida Southern a defensive presence in the post, and has already started to set records for blocked shots.

Shot-Blocker

Rashaad Singleton battles Miami and former

UGA recruit Dequan Jones.

Florida Southern played Miami (Fl) yesterday. Although Miami overwhelmed Florida Southern, 96 to 60, Rashaad Singleton did pretty well. He scored 8 points with 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. He was 0 of 3 from the line and had 4 turnovers. Dequan Jones scored 7 for Miami.

If Rashaad Singleton ever cuts down on his turnovers and gets better form on his free throws, he could continue his playing career somehow. He may do so anyway, but you hate to see a guy who works as hard in the weightroom not maximize his talent in the other areas of the game.

Rashaad Singleton starts off the Year

Playing at a new school, Singleton is performing well.

Singleton decided to transfer last year after he was removed from Georgia's starting line-up. He found a home at Division II school, Florida Southern.

So far, Florida Southern has played in the Division II Tip-Off Classic, and has won its first two games. Singleton almost achieved a triple double in Florida Southern's last game, notching 8 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocked shots.

Prior to the Division II season beginning, Florida Southern played Purdue and Illinois in exhibition games. Although Florida Southern lost both of the games by large margins, Singleton was said to have dominated the center for Illinois, before leaving the game due to foul trouble.

Dated information, but for the sake of the record,

I wanted to include a post regarding Rashaad Singleton and his decision to transfer.

http://www.newsherald.com/sports/singleton_4252___article.html/darner_play.html?orderby=TimeStampDescending&oncommentsPage=1&showRecommendedOnly=1

He wants to make it to the NBA. Although I disagreed with his decision to quit after being removed from the starting line-up, I hope he can somehow garner the attitude and physical skills such that he can maximize his potential.