Jam's top pick Sy waived due to leg injury
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 09:56 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 09:57 PM
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The Bakersfield Jam announced that Chris Ayer, Ramon Dyer, Benson Callier and Amara Sy have been waived, reducing its roster to 10 players for Friday's season opener at Albuquerque.
Callier (6-foot-6, 225 pounds) and Sy (6-8, 225), who the Jam selected in the first round pick of the 2009 NBA D-League Draft, were both waived due to injury. The Jam will have the right of first refusal to re-sign both players upon their return to health.
Jam trainer Tim DiFrancesco said Sy has a hairline fracture of his left ulna, and some capsular strains, and is expected to return to action within 2 weeks.
Dyer played with the D-League's Albuquerque Thunderbirds during the 2007-08 season and averaged 6.4 points per game, 4.8 rebounds per game and blocked a team-high 41 shots in 50 games.
Ayer, formerly of Loyola Marymount, played two seasons in the Japan-BJ League.
"This is always the toughest part as a coach," said Jam coach Will Voigt. "Chris and Ramon both demonstrated a great attitude throughout training camp."
Making the roster were: guard/forwards Reece Gaines (6-5, 210, Louisville), Justin Hawkins (6-7, 210, New Mexico State), Jared Newson (6-4, 210, Tenn.-Martin), guards Anthony Goods (6-3, 195, Stanford), Lance Hurdle (6-1, 183, Miami), Stephen McDowell (6-1, 190, Tenn.-Chattanooga) and Akeem Wright (6-6, 200, Kansas State), forward Rodney Webb (6-7, 220, Fla. Atlantic), forward-center Terrance Gamble (6-10, 255, Tarleton St. of Stephenville, Texas) and center Robert Swift (7-0, 245) out of Bakersfield and Garces high schools, who has played the with the NBA's Seattle Sonics and Oklahoma City Thunder since the 2004-05 season.
Notes
The Jam opens its season at Albuquerque on Friday, and follows that with a 9:30 p.m. game on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. at Los Angeles.
The team announced that practice player Taylor Mullenax has signed with the Ulriken Eagles of Bergen, Norway. Mullenax will head overseas on Friday to join the team, which plays in Norway's top professional league (the BLNO).
"I'm just really thankful for my time here in Bakersfield, and to have the opportunity to play with the caliber of guys that are here in camp," said Mullenax. "I learned so much in just the ten days I've spent here with Coach Voigt and the guys. Even though I'm moving on now, this is an experience I'll never forget."
Mullenax graduated with a marketing degree from St. Edwards University of Austin, Texas, where he starred for the Hilltoppers' basketball team as a senior in 2008-09. His 15.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game both led the team, and he finished the year with a remarkable 65.5 percent field-goal shooting.
