Maine Red Claws Bring NBA Journeyman Andre Barrett Back to the D-League

With the 2013 NBA D-League Showcase set to take place this week, the league's most unique and promising prospects aren't the only ones who basketball fans have a chance to watch up close in Reno.

Alas, there will also be a handful of notable NBA veterans strutting their stuff in hopes of snagging yet another gig for themselves in The Association.

The likes of Troy Hudson (Sioux Falls Skyforce) and Luther Head (Austin Toros) highlight those with experience whom have donned an NBADL jersey all season long. After turning heads in last year's Showcase and parlaying his success into a spot on the Chicago Bulls, NBA champion Mike James (Texas Legends) is back in an attempt to do it all over again. Since being waived by the Cavaliers, young guard Donald Sloan (Sioux Falls Skyforce) has also since returned to the D-League as well.

In the days to come, this list is surely to grow even a bit more as past veterans realize the Showcase provides them quite the opportune chance to display their talents in front of a bevy of big league executives.

With that mentality in place, the Maine Red Claws were able to reel in a journeyed veteran of their own, though he ultimately won't don a jersey until after the Showcase itself.

Still, 31 year old Andre Barrett must still believe hitting the NBADL hardwood is his best shot at making back to The Association once again. No stranger to the minor league, the point guard emerged as a starring attraction in all of his other previous D-League stints, owning averages of 18.2 points (on 48% from the field and 39% from deep) and 7.5 assists through 102 contests.

Barrett has played with four separate D-League squads before, but this will be his first go around with the Red Claws.

The journeyman's efforts over the years have resulted in him breaking in to the NBA every now and again. He's appeared in 67 contests through four big league seasons.

Perhaps he has yet to receive his big break, but despite continuing to get up there in age, there's no mistaking Barrett's still existent solid level of talent.

Playing ball in France last season, Barrett put up steady numbers, averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 assists. His display of talent overseas was enough to earn him a spot on the French ProA All-Star Team.

It's one thing to take part in international competition, but having not appeared in an NBA game since the 2007-08 season, can the argument that Barrett can still keep up in stateside competition be made?

If there's any doubt of that, basketball fans, media, and executives alike have to look no further than the floor general's efforts on a Big Apple hardwood in late 2011.

With the NBA lockout going on, some of the league's better players took their talents to New York City to take part in the Nike Pro-City Basketball League at Baruch College.

The likes of Kevin Durant, Roy Hibbert, and NBADL alum Sundiata Gaines all happened to join forces during such competition. As fate would have it, with Gaines being a bit more aggressive when looking for his shot, it was the clear the talented group (that also included former St. John's' forward Justin Burrell) needed a floor general to help run the show.

A Bronx native and one to always give back to the New York City community, Barrett undoubtedly felt right at home when being looked upon to fill the void.

The savvy playmaker didn't disappoint the anxious crowd, who was filled with hunger for exciting basketball during the lockout.

Barrett could be seen running and gunning all over the place, spinning and winning as he fooled the opponent with his passes again and again. He continued to find his star-studded teammates with perfect looks to get the offense going.

The veteran may just be all of 5'10", but there's no doubt he can make up for it with his sweet court vision and explosiveness running the floor.

It would appear that even at this point in his career, Barrett still has plenty left in his basketball tank. Perhaps it's just a matter of giving him some burn on the hardwood to finally prove his worth once and for all.