In an effort to stay close to his NBA dream, Damen Bell-Holter of Hydaburg, Alaska, will remain in the fold of the Boston Celtics by playing for the team's affiliate in the D-League.
The 6-foot-9 forward decided to play for the Maine Red Claws after getting cut by the Celtics a week ago after training camp and then turning down offers to play in Europe.
"It felt like a good decision and situation," he told me. "I could get call-ups with them and other [NBA] teams.
Bell-Holter, of Ketchikan High fame, is among a trio of players who will play in Maine after getting released by the Celtics after camp.
He saw action in three preseason games for Boston.
By playing in the D-League, Bell-Holter will be able to develop his skills on the pro level while learning Boston's system.
D-League players are regularly promoted to the NBA, often signing 10-day contracts to provide depth. Sometimes they stay with a team for the reminder of the season.
"I'm gonna work hard and put myself into a position to stick to a team," Bell-Holter said.
He will be the third Alaskan with ties to the D-League. Ramon Harris of Anchorage played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants during the 2011-12 season and G.J. Macon of Anchorage was drafted by the Arkansas RimRockers in 2006 but never played.
Van Williams, a 20-year local sports writer and the former sports editor of the Anchorage Daily News, writes about the athletic exploits of Alaskans for the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. He can be reached at alaskasportshall@yahoo.com.