At least seven former Maine Red Claws basketball players are hoping their NBA D-League days are behind them.
The seven — Jamar Smith, Hamady Ndiaye, Chris Wright, Xavier Silas, Sherron Collins, Terrel Harris and Trey Gilder — are in NBA preseason camps, according to the Red Claws.
Another former Red Claws player, 6-foot-2 guard Avery Bradley, is already on the Boston Celtics’ roster. He is unable to play following surgeries on both shoulders.
Smith, a 6-foot-3 guard, is also in the Celts’ camp. A Red Claws player in 2010-11, Smith played in the Czech Republic last year and signed with the Celtics this past summer. If he doesn’t make the NBA team, Boston could send him to Portland.
For the first time, the Red Claws are only affiliated with the Celtics, who make the decisions on Maine’s personnel.
Ndiaye, Wright and Silas, all of whom were in Portland last season, also could return to the Red Claws if they don’t make their NBA rosters. Ndiaye, a 7-foot center, is in the Sacramento Kings’ camp. Smith, 6-8, is trying out with New Orleans. Silas, 6-5, is with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Gilder and Harris played on the first Red Claws team in 2009-10. Gilder, 6-9, is in the Utah Jazz camp. Harris, a 6-4 guard, is with the Miami Heat again.
Collins, a 5-11 point guard, is with San Antonio.
The Celts will play exhibitions Friday in Turkey and Sunday in Italy before returning for six more exhibitions. The regular season starts Oct. 30 in Miami.
The Red Claws open Nov. 23 at Canton. The home opener is Nov. 30 against Los Angeles.
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