Two former Marshalltown Community College men's basketball players have been taking part in the NBA's Las Vegas summer league, looking for a shot to join a team's roster for the 2013-14 season. Tyler Brown was acquired by the San Antonio Spurs while Will Clyburn was assigned to the Sacramento Kings.
Brown played two years at MCC before transferring to Illinois State. Brown was a two-time Division I All-American at MCC, including a second-team selection during his sophomore campaign. In 2010-11, his final season at MCC, Brown averaged 21.2 points per game, good enough for 13th best in the nation.
In two seasons at Illinois State, Brown joined the 1000-point club, becoming just the third player in school history to reach the plateau in just two seasons.
Clyburn was a two-time All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) selection at MCC, including a first-team pick in 2010. During his sophomore season, Clyburn averaged 19.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game to lead the conference. Clyburn scored a career-high 54 points against Southeastern CC.
Following his stint at MCC, Clyburn transferred to the University of Utah for one season before heading back to the Midwest to play his final season at Iowa State. Clyburn was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and earned All-Big 12 second-team honors after finishing in the top-seven in the league in both scoring and rebounding.
MCC men's basketball coach Brynjar Brynjarsson applauded both athletes for their perseverance over the years. "Both Tyler and Will put themselves in this great opportunity through hard work and dedication in working on their game. To get invited to play for an NBA team is a special honor and they both deserve it 100 percent."
In four games for the Kings, Clyburn has averaged 17.2 minutes per game, including two starts. The 6'7" forward has averaged 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest. Clyburn led the Kings with 15 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 17.
Brown has not made an appearance for the Spurs in three games.
"It was special to have them both part of the MCC family" said Brynjarsson. "It's great to know that MCC set up their foundation to earn their four year degrees last spring."
