Kurt Looby is Tearing Up the NBA D-League

Frankly, I never pictured Kurt Looby as an NBA prospect when he played at Iowa. I didn't even picture him as an NBA D-League prospect.

Well, Looby is playing his way toward a roster spot on somebody's NBA summer league team, and he's doing it in the D-League.

The 6-foot-10 Antiguan is making the most of the minutes he's getting with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (yes, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers) of the D-League.

He had 14 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocked shots Sunday in the Vipers' win over the Austin Toros.  It wasn't an unusual performance from him.

After spending much of the season in a reserve's role, playing time opened up for Looby the last dozen games or so. In his last eight outings, he has averaged 9.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and 4.1 blocks.

This from a guy who averaged 3.6 points and 4.6 rebounds last year as a senior for the Hawkeyes.

Now, the D-League isn't the NBA. But it's a cut above the Big Ten, that's for sure. Looby is playing against men. One of them, former Michigan center Courtney Sims, got a call-up to the New York Knicks Monday from the Iowa Energy.

I always liked Looby's energy and personality. It's good to see he's found a "system" that works for him.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=kurt_looby