clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Tim Ohlbrecht Returns to NBA D-League With Rio Grande Valley Vipers

After moving out to San Antonio earlier this month, former Rockets center Tim Ohlbrecht has re-signed with the RGV Vipers. The NBADL champion will look to earn himself another NBA call-up as he returns to familiar stomping grounds.

By Keith Schlosser
Dennis Grombkowski

The reigning NBADL champion Rio Grande Valley Vipers just added another major piece to their puzzle as they look to duplicate some of that same success this year as well.

Tim Ohlbrecht, the 25 year old German center, who was signed midseason by the affiliated Houston Rockets last season, has returned to the D-League.

The big man began last season with the Vipers, but quickly climbed up the ranks as he signed with Houston. Always a squad to take full advantage of the minor league system, the Rockets still had Ohlbrecht spend a decent amount of time in Rio Grande Valley, assigning back and forth between both teams throughout the year.

After averaging 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals through 32 regular season contests, Ohlbrecht was in town long enough to help the team win the D-League championship. After a successful run there, he was picked up by the Philadelphia 76ers (along with James Anderson) shortly after former Rockets executive turned 76ers General Manager Sam Hinkie went into office.

And though Ohlbrecht was soon let go by Philadelphia as well, RidiculousUpside.com reported earlier this month that the big man was opting to remain stateside while he worked on his game in hopes of snagging another big league gig.

After weighing his options (which included some international offers), the 25 year old has chosen to give things another go in Rio Grande Valley. Having moved out to San Antonio earlier this month, Ohlbrecht feels at home in the area.

Here's to hoping an increased comfort level, in addition to a full offseason behind him to improve his skills even further allows last year's NBADL All-Star to duplicate some of that same very success he found in the minor league last season en route to earning himself another NBA call-up even quicker.

A big man with a unique combination of skills, Ohlbrecht is a versatile player. Always one to display a nice touch of finesse on offense (he shot 61% from the field last season), the German National Team member also has very quick hands on the defensive end, and uses his instincts to put the pressure on his opponents under the basket.