Dakota’s Renaldo Major Named Defensive Player of the Year
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GREENVILLE, S.C., April 9, 2007 – Dakota Wizards forward Renaldo Major has been selected as the NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year by a vote of the league’s head coaches.
Possibly the most well rounded player to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, Major also leads the Wizards and is in the top 10 in the league in scoring at 18.3 points per game. Basketball experts around the league point to areas of Major’s game that not only set him apart, but may also go unnoticed in a box score.
"Renaldo Major has proven that you can have a tremendous impact on the game at the defensive end of the floor,” NBA D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel Chris Alpert said. “Our coaches recognize Renaldo's hard work and ability to take over a game with his defensive prowess. He is the leader of his team, never takes a play off and brings energy and a contagious commitment to the defensive end of the floor every night.”
Among league leaders in steals per game (1.5 pg), Major also averages 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. He has recorded at least three steals in 11 games this season.
"Renaldo is a great player. He has accomplished a lot this season and has grown in many ways. Renaldo is a guy that can play at that next level,” Dakota coach Dave Joerger said. “His work ethic is amazing and he goes hard every time he laces up his shoes. That is why he is such a great player.”
As the first Dakota Wizard to win a major NBA D-League season award, Major joins Derrick Zimmerman (Austin 2005-06, Columbus 2004-05), Karim Shabazz (Charleston 2003-04), Mikki Moore (Roanoke 2002-03) and Jeff Myers (Greenville 2001-02) as winners of the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
