The National D-League Tryout Is Next Weekend In Chantilly, Virginia

Yes, you too could learn from the legendary Tracy Murray - or at least this year's version of Tracy Murray.

In less than a week, 200 potential D-Leaguers will be flocking to Chantilly, Virginia (apparently it's quite close to Washington, D.C.) with their $600 certified checks to showcase their skills in front of the NBA Development League's decision makers for the annual National Tryout Camp.

While paying $600 for what may or may not amount to a chance of playing in the D-League seems to be a bad investment, Jon L actually found out that there have been plenty of talented players that have made teams via the annual tryouts in posts here and here.

Most interesting on that list?  Oliver Lafayette, who went from the Fort Wayne Mad Ants to the Boston Celtics this season.  While Lafayette didn't attend the national tryout, my reports say that he attended a local tryout in Erie, Pennsylvania with the BayHawks.

Does that mean it was easier for him? No - Actually, it was probably more difficult because in Erie he only had one coaching staff watching him instead of representatives from around the D-League.  The odds were especially stacked against him when the BayHawks didn't bring him straight to camp, but instead let him enter the draft pool.

In the end, though, it seems it all paid off.