The Sydney Kings today announced the signing of import power forward, Darnell Lazare. The 6’8″ 240lb former LSU collegiate player comes to the Kings with three seasons of NBA Development League experience.
Lazare’s apparent skills as a solid banger down low will complement the inside-outside game of Kings centre, Ian Crosswhite. Lazare averaged 15.5ppg and 7.0rpg last season with the Forth Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League, his second with the team. In 2011/12 he started all 44 games that he played with the team. The team’s leading scorer, Ron Howard (17.5ppg), will be known to Adelaide 36ers fans.
Kings coach Shane Heal signed Lazare after reportedly talking to former New Zealand Breakers forward Gary Wilkinson.
“Lazare played very well in the NBA D-League over the past couple of years. He is a very good all round player and plays tough defence which is what we need,” Heal said.
“He had a great season with the Mad Ants last year – coming out as their top scorer for the year. Darnell can score but has a very rounded game and I expect him to complement the other players on our team,” he added.
“Our recruiting process has been long and thorough; especially with our imports. We needed a good Power Forward and we believe we have one in Darnell Lazare. He had a great college career at Louisiana State University (LSU) and has been very well coached. He could not have come more highly recommended by his past coaches, which is always a great sign,” Heal said.
The 27-year old joined the Maine Red Claws in his first D-League season (2009/10), after four years at Louisiana State University, with whom he visited the NCAA Final Four in 2006. In Decemeber 2011 he was signed by the Indiana Pacers, but did not go on to play any games for them before being released.
His other achievements include playing in the 2012 D-League All-Star Game, Ukrainian UBL League All-Star Game 2009; Ukrainian UBL Cup Semi-finals – 2009;Eurobasket.com All-Ukrainian UBL Honourable Mention, 2009; and Eurobasket.com Ukrainian UBL All-Defensive Team, 2009.
Watching video of Lazare, he has a back to the basket game which is lacking in most of the remaining Kings roster and his numbers indicate a willingness to get on the boards and rebound. In short, he seems to be the perfect fit in the four spot for the team as it is currently constituted.
The team’s other import, point guard Corin Henry, along with fellow perimeter players in Aussies Ben Madgen and James Harvey will no doubt appreciate the balance that “House” Lazare provides down low.
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