Darius Days has made this decision really easy.
The 6-7 forward was the obvious choice for this month’s “G League Player to Watch” — not just because of his ridiculous solo output, but because he led the Rio Grande Valley Fibers on an impressive run to sneak into the playoffs.
First, a brief history lesson. Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has been the most successful franchise in official NBA minor league history, reaching six Finals and claiming four championships since 2010. Last season, RGV, led by MVP Trevelin Queen, went undefeated. in the playoffs. The Vipers also won it all in 2019 with a roster that included Gary Payton II and Isaiah Hartenstein.
This year… it didn’t look so good. Heading into March—the final month of the regular season—RGV posted a 10-12 record. The team had dropped four of their previous five, including an embarrassing 26-point loss to the South Bay Lakers at home. If the Vipers want to keep their six-game playoff streak (barring a season canceled due to COVID) alive, they need to turn things around. immediately.
Well, back to ‘the days’. An undrafted rookie from LSU, he signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets in October. The 23-year-old is a very versatile striker, capable of filling a multitude of positions with his size, strength and mobility. He’s spent most of this season with the Vipers and has proven to be a dependable 3rd and D player. At the beginning of March, it went up big time…
27 points, 7 rebounds vs. Oklahoma City
33 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Birmingham
26 points, 10 rebounds vs. Greensboro
28 points, 11 rebounds vs. Iowa
32 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals vs. Iowa
22 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals vs. Memphis
The Vipers won all six of those games to get back into the playoff picture, and after their next four splits, they locked up the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Days posted 25.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game across that stretch, shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. He barely turned the ball over – just seven times in 10 matches – although he averaged 38.6 minutes (the fifth-highest mark in the league). Less than 72 hours after the Vipers clinched their playoff spot, he was named the G League Player of the Month for March.
The Vipers upset the 2-ranked Lakers in the Conference Quarterfinals with guard Jalen Lecque sealing the deal with This is a difficult situation to win the game. and days? Presented course: 21 points (on 7/13 shooting), 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Watch Days and the Vipers in the G League Finals as they take on the Delaware Blue Coats. Tune in now through April 9 on ESPNU and ESPNews.
Honorable mentions
Luka Garza, Forward, Iowa Wolves: 30.5 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 blocks, 68 FG%, 46 3P% (4 GP)
Carlik Jones, Guard, Windy City Bulls: 26.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, 2.3 steals, 46 FG%, 35 3P%
Jahmi’us Ramsey, Guard, Oklahoma City Blue: 26 points, 4.4 rebounds, 58 FG%, 38 3P%
Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors: 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 46 FG%
Jack White, Forward, Grand Rapids Gold: 23.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 55 FG%, 38 3P%
Trevelin Queen, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants: 23.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 50 FG%
Mfiyondo Capengil, RF, Maine Celtics: 21.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 61 FG%, 41 3-points%
Xavier Simpson, guard, Lakeland Magic: 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 50 FG%, 43 3P%
regular season tournaments
Eastern Conference: Long Island Nets (23-9)
Western Conference: Stockton Kings (25-7)
Scoring Champion: Carlick Jones (26.1)
Assists: Jacob Gaillard (9.7)
Rebounds Champion: Jason Johnson (13.5)
Blockchain Champion: Jay Huff (3.1)
Champion steals: Jaden Springer (2.3)
3PT Champion: Mychal Mulder (129)
March appeal
Luka Samanec, forward, Maine Celtics to Utah Jazz
Xavier Snead, forward, moved Greensboro to the Charlotte Hornets
Jay Scrapp, guard, Lakeland Magic to Orlando Magic
Lester Quinones, Guard, Santa Cruz Warriors to Golden State Warriors (twice this month)
Trevor Kells, guard, Westchester Knicks to New York Knicks
Lindell Wigington, guard, Wisconsin herd to the Milwaukee Bucks
Jamaree Bouyea, guard, signed the Sioux Falls Skyforce to the Washington Wizards
Jared Butler, guard, Grand Rapids Gold to the Oklahoma City Thunder
Sam Merrill, guard, Cleveland Charge to the Cleveland Cavaliers
Jay Huff from the South Bay Lakers to the Washington Wizards
Xavier Moon, guard, Ontario Clippers to Los Angeles Clippers
More below:
Willie Cooley-Stein, center, Rio Grande Valley Vipers to the Houston Rockets
Kobe Simmons, Guard, Greensboro Squadron to Charlotte Hornets
Gabe York, Guard, Fort Wayne Mad Ants to Indiana Pacers
Skylar Mays, guard, Mexico City Capitanes to Portland Trail Blazers
Shaquille Harrison, Gard, South Bay Lakers to Portland Trail Blazers
Jennathan Williams, guard, Salt Lake City Stars to Portland Trail Blazers
Justin Minaya, forward, Mexico City Capitanes to Portland Trail Blazers
Images via Getty Images.