D-League Referee Kevin Cutler Called Up To The NBA At 6-foot-8 and 270 pounds, former Long Beach State player Kevin Cutler (1989-91) became the tallest and heaviest referee ever to work an NBA game last season. He was called up during the middle of it from the NBA Developmental League and wound up appearing in seven games. Well, Cutler must have made an admirable impression, since he recently was hired full-time by the NBA. Cutler began refereeing as a hobby eight years ago, was discovered at a Los Angeles camp by former NBA officiating director Ed Rush, and soon went to work in the D-League. I know Nicholas Buchert also got the call-up to full-time NBA officiating. Have to say I hope the powers that be can find suitable replacements because the D-League definitely benefited from having solid officials like these guys - hence, that's probably why they made the jump.

Dwayne Jones Is Taking His Talents Back To Phoenix I hope Jones sticks in the NBA this year, even if it isn't with the Suns. That said, he's only 151 rebounds and 311 free-throw attempts from becoming the D-League's career leader in both. From Paul Coro: The Suns took little risk in bringing back Jones. The structure of the one-year deal pays him a small amount to come to training camp and another small portion if he makes the opening night roster. The Suns would have the ability to waive him at no extended cost all the way up until the January date that contracts become guaranteed.

Former D-League Coach Scott Roth To Join Raptors Coaching Staff Scott Roth, who was hired by the Warriors at the start of last season, confirmed to CSNBayArea.com that he has taken a job as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. I can't help but think Roth deserved at least partial credit for the insurgence of D-League players in Golden State last season. For everything else you need to know about Coach Roth, I suggest you refer to Jon L's in-depth post.

Rio Grande Valley, Erie To Display Sponsor Logos On Jerseys Next Season NBA D-League franchises have often struggled to turn a profit, leading to 14 teams that have played in the league since the inaugural 2001-02 season no longer operating. But a monumental step is being taken that could change this, as two franchises announced Monday sponsorship deals that will display sponsor logos on jerseys, the first such deals in league history. The Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the first of the two teams to enter into their partnership, will be sponsored by Lone Star National Bank, while the Erie BayHawks will be sponsored by the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). Lone Star National Bank has been a title sponsor of the Vipers since the inception of the franchise in 2007, while LECOM has been the presenting partner of the BayHawks since its inception two years ago.

Utah Flash To Name Kevin Young Next Head Coach The NBA D-League's Utah Flash have been on a coaching search since early July when they decided that Brad Jones, the only coach in the team's three-year history, would not be returning next season. "We picked the right guy to help us start our franchise and it has been a pleasure working with coach Jones," Flash president Joe Brown said in a statement announcing the dismissal of Jones. "After careful consideration, we have decided that we now want to move in a different direction." One month later, the Flash are expected to name one of Jones' assistant, Kevin Young, as their next head coach, according to sources with knowledge of the hiring. Head over to Fanhouse for my thoughts on the hiring.

Jon Scheyer's Summer League Eye Injury Still Hasn't Healed The eye injury that Duke alum Jon Scheyer suffered at last week's NBA Summer League still hasn't healed according to his father. He lacerated his right eyelid and suffered a traumatic injury to his eye and is being treated with heavy doses of steroids to reduce the swelling in his eye. "Jon has not been allowed to work out since he injured his eye," his father Jim told the Tribune. "He has to wait until the swelling goes down before they can evaluate any damage to his vision and that could take awhile. He will resume some light workouts next week and we'll see what happens when the swelling goes down."

Luke Harangody Cares, Even During Summer League "Harangody took an elbow to the face going up for a rebound against, I believe, Ajinca. He went back to the locker room. Hope he's OK." -- via @ChrisLittman