Utah Jazz To Sign Blake Ahearn

The first few months of this season probably didn't go quite as planned for the sharpshooting Blake Ahearn, but the last few weeks have gone quite well for the NBA Development League's leading scorer this season. After taking the last few weeks of the D-League regular season off to tend to his duties as a first-time father, the veteran guard learned he's been called up to the Utah Jazz on Monday afternoon.

Ahearn played well for the Team USA entry at this past summer's Pan-American games, was invited to training camp with the Los Angeles Clippers (though that turned into him being on the outside looking in once Chris Paul was acquired) and then played quite well in 37 games of D-League action this year.

The 6-foot-3 guard led the D-League in scoring this season 23.8 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc. It looked like NBA scouts were going to be unwilling to overlook the stigmas that surrounded the shooter, though, and he was going to be on the outside looking for a little while longer.

There's no telling how much of an impact Ahearn is going to be able to make with the Jazz at this point of the season, but it's nice to see NBA teams electing to give players a chance that have paid their dues in the D-League -- especially when they need diaper money.

As a bonus, the floorleader is also adept at breaking up fights (and making massive amounts of consecutive free-throws):

And, for posterity's sake, check who was at the top of this list back in early January.