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SF David Lighty (Most Career Buckeye Wins, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket - France)

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David Lighty hones his craft during pro title campaign in France
Published: Tuesday, June 18, 2013
By Bob Finnan
[email protected]

Don't ever feel sorry for David Lighty.

Even though he didn't get selected in the 2011 NBA draft, the former Ohio State standout has fashioned a very successful career overseas. He played in France this year for JSF Nanterre, which went on to win the French Pro A LNB championship.

"I got to live in Paris," Lighty said. "I could see the Eiffel Tower from my apartment. I definitely enjoyed it."

What a tough life.

The former Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School star earned Most Valuable Player honors in the finals, as Nanterre defeated Strasbourg, 3-1.

Strasbourg, featuring 7-foot-2 former NBA center Alexis Ajinca, was heavily favored.

Nanterre barely qualified for the playoffs with a 15-15 record and finished eighth in the regular-season standings. They won a tiebreaker just to get into the field.

Once Nanterre got in the postseason, though, it caught fire. Nanterre knocked off top seed Gravelines Dunkerque, defending champion Elan Chalon and then eventually Strasbourg in the playoffs en route to its first Pro A league title.

Lighty, 25, was outstanding in the final game with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists. He converted 7 of 13 shots from the field. It was one of three 20-point efforts in the postseason.

"It was crazy," he said. "It was definitely exciting. We made it into the playoffs with the eighth seed. We got hot at the right time. For us to win it, it was like a Cinderella finish."

He said there was a huge media following in Paris for the playoffs.

"It was a major thing over there," he said. "Through the year, we were good. We knew we could win."

The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder played on a one-year contract with Nanterre. He's now entering free agency.

He's participating in a three-day workout in Milwaukee, which started Tuesday, for players not eligible for the 2013 NBA draft.

"I'm going to play in the (Las Vegas) summer league," Lighty said. "I just don't know for what team yet."

Lighty was Nanterre's second-leading scorer at 12.5 points and 2.7 assists in 35 games this season.

He is trying to find a home in the NBA this season.

"It's definitely realistic, especially after this year," Lighty said. "Teams had me on their radar. It's always a possibility. It's about finding the right fit."

Lighty, a former News-Herald Player of the Year, said he's improved as a player from where he was in 2011.

"I'm learning the game," he said. "Playing overseas, you learn a little more on how the game is played, the mindset. I've improved my shooting."

cont...
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http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2013/06/18/sports/nh7132398.txt?viewmode=fullstory
 
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The Nets are still putting together their summer league roster, but the two biggest names appear to a two-time ex-Net and the MVP of the French League Final. The real star of summer league in Orlando of course will be Jason Kidd, who will be coaching his first game ever next weekend.

Damion James has had two previous stints with the Nets. After two injury-scarred seasons, in which he played only 32 games, the Nets failed to renew his contract. Last season, the 6'7" James was signed to a 10-day contract, but wasn't renewed again. He played 28 seconds. James was a D-League All-Star with the Bakersfield Jam. He's now 25.

David Lighty played with Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. at Ohio State, but wasn't drafted in 2011. A 6'6" shooting guard, Lighty played in Italy and France the last two years. In June, he led the 8th seed, NSF Nanterre, to the French League (LNB) championship, winning the MVP. He shot 42.5 percent from deep and has a reputation as a solid defender.
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http://www.netsdaily.com/2013/6/30/4478934/david-lighty-damion-james-highlight-summer-league-roster
 
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Dave is now with Sacramento's summer league team....plays today at 6 ET

David Lighty already had a stint in the Orlando league with the Brooklyn Nets and while he shot the ball well from outside, he didn't do enough to make real headway. He has the ability to do it and should get plenty of chances playing next to McLemore and McCallum.
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http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/e...as-vegas-summer-league-what-to-watch-on-day-2

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpK1L2JWtLE"]David Lighty - Kings Summer League Mini-Camp Day 3 - YouTube[/ame]
 
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