Idaho Stampede, Blazers' Affiliate, Selects 6 Players In 2013 D-League Draft

The Idaho Stampede selected six players in the 2013 D-League Draft on Friday. The Stampede are in a single-affiliation agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Here's the release.

The Idaho Stampede selected Pierre Jackson with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2013-14 NBA Development League Draft. Jackson, a 5'10 guard, played at College of Southern Idaho for two years before transferring to Baylor for his Junior and Senior seasons.

"We're excited to have Pierre. He's had success at various levels and we hope he'll bring that success to Idaho," said Stampede Head Coach Mike Peck.

In subsequent picks, the Stampede selected forward Kellen Thornton (6'7, Tennessee St.), forward Tracy Smith (6'8, NC State), forward Mohamed Fall (6'8, Montana St.), guard Dion Dixon (6'3, Cincinnati) and guard Reggie Hearn (6'4, Northwestern) to complete their draft.

The players will report to training camp on November 9.

Dee Bost, Richard Howell and E.J. Singler were all invited to Blazers training camp and then released, and they are expected to head to Idaho for the 2013-14 season.

Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman wrote in October...

"We made a major investment in terms of giving partial contracts to ensure that guys would be willing to come to Boise if they didn't make the Trail Blazer roster, which I think will improve the product," [Blazers GM Neil] Olshey said. "Hopefully it's a nice introduction to some of our younger guys that might spend some time down here during the year."

The Blazers hired Rob Werdann and Zendon Hamilton as Stampede assistant coaches back in October. Former Stampede assistants Barry "Slice" Rohrssen and Scott Williams both left their posts after just one season during the 2013 offseason. Rohrssen was hired by the University of Pittsburgh while Williams joined the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Stampede finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 19-31. Both Rohrssen and Williams were hired by Blazers GM Neil Olshey last summer.

The Blazers set up a single-affiliation relationship with the Stampede last season but used the club sparingly.

Stampede Managing Investor Bill Ilett took some shots at the Blazers back in January after his team got off to a slow start. Ilett hoped that the Blazers would assign players for longer stretches to help build a relationship with the D-League team's fans. Shortly after making those comments, Ilett backtracked and said he needed to "take a pill."

The Blazers assigned Will Barton, Victor Claver, Joel Freeland and Nolan Smith to the Stampede at various points during the 2012-13 season but did not assign another player to the Stampede following Ilett's statements.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter