Rob Kurz, Blake Ahearn Headed To Europe - Oh, And Sean Sonderleiter :-(

I'm going to make this update quick because the tears have welled up in my eyes, but the NBA Development League will be without the tremendous tandem of Rob Kurz, Blake Ahearn and Sean Sonderleiter next season.

Ahearn, the 2008 D-League Rookie of the Year who has spent time with the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs since coming out of little-known Missouri State, will play for Banca Tercas Teramo in Italy.  Ahearn was with the Houston Rockets in the NBA Summer League in Vegas.

Kurz was named the highly unofficial D-League Blogosphere's Most Improved Player this past season, an honor that made the Chicago Bulls call him up to end the season, and will reportedly sign with CB Granada in Spain.  Kurz was with the Los Angeles Lakers in Vegas and was playing well, but "suffered a gash to the forehead" and missed their final three games.

Last, but certainly not least, comes Sean Sonderleiter - hands down the player with the best mug shot in the D-League last season.  Sondy has signed in Germany to play for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany.  After improving quite a bit in the D-League this season, the 29-year-old earned an invite to play for the New Orleans Hornets in Vegas.

I've placed a special video remembering the highlights of one of the players, set to my favorite Macho Man Randy Savage diss track, after the jump.