Tharpe has strong start in D-League

By J-W Staff Reports     Nov 25, 2014

Former Kansas University point guard Naadir Tharpe has averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 assists a game in his first five games with the Los Angeles D-fenders of the NBA Developmental League. The team plays in the Lakers’ practice facility which seats under 200 fans.

Tharpe, 5-11 from Worcester, Massachusetts, left KU after three seasons. He said he wanted to be closer to his 2-year-old daughter who had medical issues. Tharpe told the Worcester Telegram and Gazette his daughter is fine and her health wasn’t the main reason he departed KU.

“It just didn’t work out how it was supposed to. That’s why I left,” said Tharpe. Remember, a risque photo of Tharpe and a woman appeared on the Internet prior to his departure, causing quite a controversy.

“It was basically both the coach’s as well as mine, but the majority of it was the coach’s decision,” Tharpe added of leaving.

“Being a point guard, you have to be able to lead in all aspects. So a couple of situations, I felt like I wasn’t leading my best, and everything falls back on the point guard. You’ve got to be able to want to take that toll and commit to that. There were certain situations he didn’t feel like I did my thing on the court. I also know myself that wasn’t my best play at Kansas. So we both just came to the decision that it wasn’t good for me to stay there.”

He decided against transferring because he was not sure the NCAA would grant him a waiver to play this season. He did not want to sit out a year.

“I definitely feel like I have a chance (to play in NBA),” Tharpe told reporter Bill Doyle. “I just have to be able to focus and showcase my skills. That’s what it comes down to. If I’m able to do that, scouts and other teams will be able to see me.”

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