For Immediate Release: November 3, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Former BU basketball standout Billings selected for NBA Development League
School's career blocks leader chosen by Roanoke Dazzle in fifth round with 37th overall pick

League Web Site

VESTAL, N.Y. - Former Binghamton University seven-foot men's basketball center Nick Billings (Kodiak, Alaska) will begin his professional career in the NBA Developmental League. In the 5th Annual D-League Draft held Thursday night via conference call, Billings was chosen by the Roanoke Dazzle in the fifth round. There were 10 rounds and 80 players chosen. Billings was the 37th overall pick.

The D-League is comprised of eight teams, each with at least one affiliation to an NBA franchise. The Dazzle are affiliated with the New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers. Billings will head to Virginia on Monday to join the team. Roanoke plays its first game on November 18.

At Binghamton, Billings accumulated a school-record 336 blocks - a total that ranks second in America East Conference history. He also produced 868 points and 598 rebounds and was the face of a budding Division I Bearcats program.

A two-time America East all-star, Billings was the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2002-03. That year he ranked second in the entire nation with 4.3 blocks per game. Billings ranked among the nation's top-10 shot-blockers in three of his four collegiate seasons.

The D-League includes Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Arkansas RimRockers, Austin Toros, Fayetteville Patriots, Florida Flame, Fort Worth Flyers, Tulsa 66ers and the Dazzle. Last season, nine players from the D-League were called up to the NBA. Forty-six former D-League players were in NBA vet camps this year.