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Often times, the NBA D-League is all about helping the basketball world discover previously unknown diamonds in the rough. But as such players develop, they start to shine on the minor league stage, all the while continuing to pound down the door to the NBA as they become more deserving.
With that in mind, three of the league's most talented prospects in Elliot Williams, Erick Green, and David Stockton really stepped up their games over the past week. Each member of the aforementioned trio has graced the NBA hardwood before, and as their most recent efforts suggest, they shouldn't be too far behind from inching their way back.
In the case of Williams, he returned to Santa Cruz late last week after playing out a ten-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. And while the Warriors lost a previous matchup earlier in the week, Williams' re-arrival helped them soar to new heights in two thrilling double-overtime victories against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers over the weekend. The experienced guard led the way, averaging an eye-popping 42 points on 54% from the field to go along with 7 assists and 6 rebounds through both games. He did it all.
In similar fashion, Green and Stockton paired up to help carry Reno to two key victories last week. Green has been a scoring machine all season long, so his ability to pour in the points is never in question. Tallying 27 points through two games for the Bighorns, the guard did so in an efficient manner, posting 54% from the field, 61% from deep, and 82% from the charity stripe.
Green, much like Williams, has been known to explode for 30 or even 40 point outings over the course of his season. Luckily for him, there wasn't as much pressure to do. That's because Stockton asserted himself as well, tallying 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.5 assists (shooting 48% from the field, 55% from deep, and 80% from the line, respectively). Stockton even flirted with a triple-double during one contest, proving that his fingerprints can be found all over the place on any given night.
For these awing performances, Williams, Green, and Stockton headline as RidiculousUpside.com's Top Prospects for the week of January 17th to the 23rd. It's clear as the Bighorns lead their division that Green and Stockton are both key to their team's success. Given how the Warriors have struggled without Williams, one could say the same about him and his respective impact.
In any event, they should all continue to endear themselves yet again to NBA teams in the weeks that follow.