2016-17 NBADL Team Preview: Canton Charge

Projected Opening Day Starting Five

Point Guard: Quinn Cook

Shooting Guard: Chris Crawford

Small Forward: Roosevelt Jones

Power Forward: Eric Moreland

Center: Michael Dunigan

How Did They Do Last Year?

As has been the case since the team moved from New Mexico in 2011-12, the Charge had a very solid season where they finished well above .500 and was able to make the playoffs. Finishing with a 31-19 record, the Charge were able to make their fifth straight playoff appearance. Canton’s great regular season was led by the duo of NBADL Rookie of the Year Quinn Cook and 3-point marksman Nick Minnerath.

That duo allowed the Charge were able to sweep the Maine Red Claws in the NBADL Quarterfinals. However, trouble struck when they met Jarnell Stokes and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. During that Semifinals series, Sioux Falls swept the Charge as Rodney McGruder and Stokes was too much for the Charge to handle.

How Will They Do This Year?

Although Nick Minnerath went back to Europe to be that tattooed shooter that Europeans absolutely love. Despite his absence, the Charge should still has a great core led by the returning Quinn Cook. Alongside Cook, the team brings in Butler alum Roosevelt Jones, former Kings prospect Eric Moreland and returning Canton players Michael Dunigan, Chris Crawford and Jon Horford. Those surrounding pieces actually should allow Cook to improve on the prior season where he averaged 19.6 points, 5.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 46% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc. If he’s able to do that, then the Charge might be able to eclipse the Skyforce and finally land in the NBADL Finals.

Who Is The Most Likely Call-Up?

While Eric Moreland and Roosevelt Jones stand as solid D-League prospects, that nod will undoubtedly have to go to Quinn Cook. As we mentioned in the last section, Cook was the NBADL Rookie of the Year and stood as arguably the best backcourt player in the entire D-League. As might be apparent from those stats, Cook is a 6’2 point guard that stands out as a pretty versatile offensive weapon that’s proficient as both a perimeter shooter and facilitator. With another solid season in the D-League, Cook should be on his way to the NBA. And hopefully this time it’s permanent.

Most Likely Assignee?

Due to Cleveland’s status as the defending NBA champs and arguably the best team in the NBA, they pretty much their rotation already in place. That certainty gives Cleveland some freedom to assign some of their players to the Canton Charge. One of the more likely players is probably going to be 5’9 point guard Kay Felder. At this point in the season, Felder has only played one game with the Cavaliers, where he was on the court for just five minutes. Although Felder already has a pretty versatile offensive game, he could use the D-League to get more experience with playing against solid D-League competition, that would help him once he returns to the Cavaliers.