NBA D-League Champion Mike Singletary Currently Playing Well Overseas

Just weeks removed from scoring 10 points off the bench in the Rio Grande Valley Vipers' NBADL championship clinching victory, swingman Mike Singletary has taken his talents to Dubai recently to continue playing competitive ball through the offseason.

A recent report cites that Singletary ventured overseas and has "played well" so far, helping his team earn three victories in as many games.

Singletary is playing for Barako Bull Energy Cola, a PBA team from the Philippines currently participating in a tournament in Dubai against other international opponents. The Philippines appears to be a popular landing spot for D-League products to strut their stuff over the offseason, as the likes of Henry Sims, Jerome Jordan, and Tony Mitchell (all minor league all-stars this past season) have also chosen to play there already thus far.

Barako Bull Energy Cola had originally aimed to reel in fellow D-League athlete Othyus Jeffers, but talks had broken down. Former NBA forward Rodney Carney was also reportedly an option, but the former first-round draft selection suffered an injury prior to joining the team. With the goal of adding an "import player" in time for their latest tournament still within reach, BBEC called Singletary's number instead.

The swingman is certainly no slouch with regard to available options. In addition to playing an important role off the bench for the recently crowned D-League champions, Singletary finished his rookie season in the minors with averages of 10.1 points (on 43% from the field and 41% from deep) and 4.9 rebounds through 49 contests.

The 24 year old began his season in RGV, but then was traded in a blockbuster deal (that also included D-League M.V.P. Andrew Goudelock and fellow NBA call-up Donald Sloan) to the Erie BayHawks. He didn't stay on the East Coast for much longer, however, as he was traded back to the Vipers in another deal prior to the deadline.

Though he spent less than a half a season in Erie, a source tells RidiculousUpside.com that Knicks' officials (New York is, of course, the NBA affiliate of the BayHawks) held Singletary in high regard and were excited to bring a player with his skill-set into the fold.

With that in mind, the BayHawks made a curious move in trading him back to RGV so quickly, but there's no denying that playing for the Vipers allowed the Texas Tech alum to be closer to home.

Now a veteran of both D-League and international ball (having also played overseas for a year prior to playing in the NBADL), Singletary appears to be taking advantage of the opportunities available to him, raking in some extra cash while staying in top shape as well.

Given how he's already caught the attention of executives from a couple of NBA squads, Summer League could be considered the next logical step in Singletary's journey. A very capable defender, a skillful long-range shooter, and a steady rebounder for a player his size, the swingman does all the complementary things well and has the ability to spread the floor efficiently for his teammates.

It'll be interesting to see what kinds of looks and/or consideration he receives from big league teams leading up to Summer League and/or training camp.