Julyan Stone heads out on latest D-League journey
DES MOINES, Iowa – Being a 6-foot-6 point guard has its advantages.
Seeing over the defense. Posting up smaller defenders. Utilizing long arms to impede passing lanes.
Leg room on an EMB-145 regional jet is not on that list.
Denver Nuggets guard Julyan Stone did his best to fold himself into seat 19A on Wednesday as he headed to Des Moines for an assignment with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League.
Still recovering from offseason hip surgery, Stone has played only two games for the Nuggets in the first three months of the season. The trip to Iowa could provide some needed minutes to improve his conditioning and sharpen his skills.
“I’m real excited,” Stone said as he waited to board his flight. “It’s been a long six or seven months. I’m ready to go out there and play and the rust out, get the kinks out.”
Stone, signed by Denver as an undrafted free agent in 2011, played three games for the Idaho Stampede during a D-League assignment last season, averaging 7.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists.