The Idaho Stampede selected five players in the 2015 NBA Development League Draft, including Jeff Ayres with the first overall pick.
 
Ayres played four years at Arizona State University (2005-09), establishing himself as one of the most efficient and productive players in the school’s history.  An NBA veteran Ayres, has made his way around the league having played with the Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.
 
In subsequent picks, the Stampede selected Travis Releford (6-6, 210, Kansas), Da’Shonte Riley (7-0, 233, Eastern Michigan), TJ Hallice (6-9, 205, Mercer), Jeremy Williams (6-7, 220, University of Texas – El Paso) and Steve Forbes (6-9, 29, Indiana University- Purdue University Fort Wayne). The Stampede via trade acquired 37th overall draft pick Justin Manns from the Santa Cruz Warriors in exchange for the returning player rights of Daniel Orton.
 
Releford, a shooting guard, played four years at Kansas averaging 33.8 minutes, 11.9 points, and 2.6 assists during his senior season. The Kansas City native has spent the last 2 seasons internationally, playing with Okapi Aalstar in Belgium and Mississauga Power in Canada.
 
Riley, a center from Eastern Michigan University, averaged 25.7 minutes, 4.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots a game his senior season. The Detroit, MI native played last season overseas with Mornar Bar.
 
Hallice, a 6’9” power forward, comes to the Stampede after just finishing his senior season with the Mercer Bears. He averaged 33.1 minutes, 9.1 points, and 6.5 rebounds a game during his senior season.
 
Williams played at University of Texas – El Paso for two seasons, averaging 29.7 minutes, 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds his senior season.  Williams comes to Idaho with international experience having played with KTP Basket in Finland, Quimper in France, the London Ligtning, Island Storm, and Saint John Mill Rats, all three located in Canada.
 
Forbes, a 6-9 forward from Indian University –Perdue University Fort Wayne, averaged 24.2 minutes, 14.11 points, and 6 rebounds a game during his senior season.  This will be the Clermont, Florida native’s first professional season as he graduated from IPFW in the spring.
 
Manns, a 6-11 forward/center from Kent State, averaged 16.6 minutes, 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds his senior season. Manns comes to Idaho after playing in the Premier Basketball League.
 
The players will report to training camp on Monday, Nov 2. The Stampede’s training camp schedule is listed below and the finalized roster will be released Nov. 1.

 

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