Kellogg offered some insight into what NBA executives and coaches are looking for when it comes to making it in the league.
"NBA teams are looking for guys that can help them win," he said. "They love rebounders and players who specialize on a specific craft. Every team has their superstars, but it's these guys who can help make a difference coming off the bench."
Marc Stein of ESPN is reporting that the Memphis Grizzlies have invited UMass basketball alum Tony Gaffney to their training camp. They are taking their camp on the road this season in an attempt to expand their fan base outside of western Tennessee. The squad will workout at Vanderbilt's Memorial Gymnasium from Oct. 1-5. Media Day is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30 in Memphis.
Hearing: With only 13 guaranteed deals, Grizzlies will bring vet forward Tony Gaffney to training camp to give him a shot at a roster spot
Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld conducted a video chat with Tony Gaffney (@TonyJGaffney) recently. Gaffney is in his first season playing professionally in Barcelona, Spain, after spending time in Germany last season. Tony talks about his career and how he knows the caliber player he is and that "this is going to be the summer I make the jump."
Former UMass stars Ricky Harris and Tony Gaffney squared off over the weekend as the respective German professional teams played each other on Saturday. Harris' S.Oliver Wurzburg team came away with the 71-61 victory, handing Gaffney's Telekom Baskets Bonn squad its first loss of the season. Gaffney (12 points) silenced the Wurzburg crowd early in the game with a pair of dunks, but Harris' (6 points) team would finish on top. Check out the large photo gallery from the game.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette has a nice story today on redshirt freshman center Andrew McCarthy. Vautour talks about the anticipated matchup with McCarthy's brother's team, NJIT, and Coach Kellogg talks about how the 7-footer could help the Minutemen against some of the bigger post players on the schedule.
Vautour also hits on a few other interesting topics in the notebook, including a possible appearance by Marcus Camby in Amherst, the closed scrimmage against Drexel, advice for Chaz Williams from Edgar Padilla, and Tony Gaffney and Ricky Harris facing each other in Germany.
UMass basketball alum Tony Gaffney, like Ricky Harris, picked up a win with his team, Telekom Baskets Bonn, in its season opener in the Beko Basketball League, a professional league in Germany. Gaffney started and scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds in a 80-76 victory over Bayern Munich. The former UMass star had the highlight of the game with a thunderous two-handed dunk in the second half that brought the crowd to its feet.
Matt Vautour of the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that UMass basketball alum Tony Gaffney has signed a professional contract with Telecom Baskets in Bonn, Germany.
"After working out for several NBA teams prior to the lockout, former University of Massachusetts standout Tony Gaffney has signed a contract to play overseas next season, and former Minuteman teammate Gary Forbes could follow him."
"With the lockout not expected to end quickly, many NBA hopefuls are signing contracts to play elsewhere in order to ensure themselves a paycheck."
A Berkley native, Gaffney said he's always wanted to return to his hometown to give back, but faced several scheduling conflicts until this summer.
"I didn't have time last summer because I was with the Celtics, and I couldn't the summer before because I was with Lakers," he said. "I'm glad I got this opportunity. It's great to give back to the town and serve as a positive role model for the kids ... to get them out of the house and away from the computer and Xbox for a little while."
Gaffney, who served as an inactive member of the Celtics in 2010, just finished a season with the National Basketball Development League team, the Utah Flash.
Gaffney said he is close to signing a deal in Germany, but has looming professional options in France and Spain as well.
Berkley native Tony Gaffney will be returning home to host a basketball camp on July 5 through July 8 at the Berkley Middle School. The camp is open to boys and girls entering grades 2 through 8.
Tony Gaffney and Stephane Lasme will take part in a free agent workout with the Charlotte Bobcats this week - capping what has been a busy month for the pair. The duo have reportedly travelled to several others free agent workouts including Utah and Denver looking to earn a spot with an NBA team with the Las Vegas Summer League being cancelled this year.
The three players left to talk about -- Gaffney, Kurz and Lasme -- have NBA talent, just not NBA contracts. Lasme and Gaffney have both made NBA rosters in the past (Gaffney with the Boston Celtics, Lasme with theGolden State Warriors and Miami Heat) with their stingy defense and lengthy wingspans while Kurz earned a spot on the Warriors his rookie season as a sweet-shooting stretch-four and then was called up to end the season with the Chicago Bulls in 2009-10 (for more on Kurz, who spent a season in the D-League and then Germany following the Warriors, click here.
The blog Welcome To Loud City currently has a photo of Lasme on its website with this story on the mini camp.
One of the invitees, Stephane Lasme, has seen time with two NBA teams and played on the pre-season roster of two others. He is known as an excellent defender and shot-blocker, although he is a bit undersized.
CeltsHub has a blog up looking back at the 2010 Summer League Team to see what those players have been up to since playing for Boston. The blog has a nice update on Tony Gaffney.
Tony Gaffney - The Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year for 2008-2009 at UMass was the last player cut by the Lakers in 2009. After spending time with Israel's Hapoel Gilboa Galil, he returned to the U.S. to treat an injured foot. The Celtics took a flyer on him as a roster filler towards the end of the season, but cut him just before the first game. He signed with Türk Telekom B.K., but negotiated a buy-out when the team went with new management and a new coach. He signed with the Utah Flash of the D-League, scoring 10.5 ppg while earning a spot on the D-League's All-Defensive team.
UMass alum Tony Gaffney was named to the NBA D-League All-Defensive First Team. Gaffney averaged 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks (10th in the D-League) and 1.43 steals per game for the Utah Flash in 35 games.
2010-11 NBA D-LEAGUE ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM Guard: Orien Greene Utah Flash Guard: Othyus Jeffers*, Iowa Energy Forward: Tony Gaffney, Utah Flash Forward: Larry Owens*, Tulsa 66ers Center: Chris Johnson*, Dakota Wizards Center: Sean Williams, Texas Legends
If NFL labor talk wasn't giving you your fill of legal fun, the NBA appears ready to follow suit as rumors of a basketball lockout continue to gather steam.
If the NY Daily News is right, the NBA Las Vegas summer league won't be happening this year. The league is usually a chance for rookies to prepare for their first season, while players who were undrafted, or played int eh D-League or overseas can use the league as a chance to get an invitation to somebody's camp. This helped earn Gary Forbes a job last year. Without a summer league there'll be fewer chances for someone to crack a roster.
If there is a work stoppage, even a short one, that postpones the start of the 2011-12 season. It's likely that NBA will have shorter training camps. Players with NBA experience will be safer invites to people camp. For someone like Gary Forbes, who'll be a free agent after the season, this is a good thing.
For someone like Tony Gaffney, who played this season in the D-League, or Anthony Gurley, who isn't expected to be drafted, there is less chance of becoming the next Gary Forbes.
UMass alum Tony Gaffney saw his NBA D-League season end last night as his Utah Flash dropped a 112-107 decision at the top-seeded Iowa Energy in Game 3 of the first-round of the playoffs. Gaffney had 13 points, four steals and two rebounds in 26 minutes.
We have an update on two of UMass' basketball pros. 2008 alum Gary Forbes continues to get a great chance to play major minutes with the Denver Nuggets. On Monday night, he scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds in a start as part of the Nuggets 134-111 win after Golden State. The win secured Denver a 50-win season and the No. 5 seed in the postseason. Denver will play Oklahoma City in the playoffs.
Tony Gaffney, who finished his UMass career in 2009, picked up a playoff win last night in the D-League as his Utah Flash upset the No. 1 seeded Iowa Energy, 119-118 in Iowa. The decisive Game 3 is tonight. Gaffney started and had eight points and three blocks for the Flash.
The NBA D-League playoffs began last night as the Utah Flash and UMass alum Tony Gaffney lost to the Iowa Energy, 103-96 in Orem, Utah. Gaffney had six points and four rebounds in a start for the Flash. Read more about the game
The NBA D-League Playoffs begin on Wednesday night and UMass alum Tony Gaffney will lead the Utah Flash into the postseason against the Iowa Energy. Gaffney and the Flash finished the 2010-11 season with a 28-22 record. Iowa had the best record in the D-League at 37-13.
Gaffney averaged 10.5 points and 7.1 rebounds along with 2.3 blocks per game in 35 contests with the Flash. He shot 54.2 from the floor.
UMass' other player in the D-League Stephane Lasme saw his season end with the Maine Red Claws (18-32). Lasme played in the final 10 games with Maine and averaged 7.0 points and 6.0 rebounds after returning from a broken foot.
UMass alum Tony Gaffney tallied a season-best 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Utah Flash in a 108-105 loss at Dakota on Sunday. Check out the highlights (with several Gaffney alley-oops) and stats on NBA.com.
The Utah Flash and UMass alum Tony Gaffney topped the Maine Red Claws and fellow alum Stephane Lasme for the second time in a week with a 105-99 overtime win in Orem, Utah last night. Gaffney continues to play at a high level as he posted 14 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks for the Flash. Lasme had two points and five rebounds in 18 minutes.
The highlights have a nice Gaffney dunk Watch here.
In a match-up of UMass alums in the D-League, Tony Gaffney and his Utah Flash clinched a postseason berth with a 112-77 win over Stephane Lasme and the Maine Red Claws on Tuesday in Utah.
Gaffney had a superb game with 12 points, and dominated the defensive effort with 11 rebounds, seven blocks and six steals.
Lasme had a team-high 10 rebounds and scored four in 19 minutes for the Claws. Watch the highlights with plenty of Tony Gaffney dunks: Highlights.
UMass' two alums in the NBA D-League have been playing well.
Tony Gaffney has scored in double-figures in each of the last five games with the Utah Flash. He had 11 points and 8 rebounds in a Saturday loss to Reno. For the year, Gaffney is averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 28 games.
With the Maine Red Claws, Stephane Lasme has played in three games and is averaging 5.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. In his last game, a had a season-best nine points and seven rebounds vs. Texas. Lasme rehabbed from a broken foot suffered in the preseason prior to the start of the season in November.
UMass alum Tony Gaffney has been playing better with the Utah Flash in his last few games.
He posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds on Friday against Tulsa. On Saturday he has eight points and six rebounds at Iowa on Saturday.
For the year, Gaffney is averaging 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 52.6 from the floor in 13 D-League games.
Check out Tony Gaffney's sensational alley-oop dunk as part of the D-League Showcase in Texas on Monday. Gaffney scored nine points and added six rebounds in a 95-93 loss to the Iowa Energy.
UMass' Tony Gaffney played a great all-around game for the Utah Flash in his second D-League game. He scored nine points, grabbed 10 rebounds, handed out five assists and had three steals in 36 minutes in 101-100 OT win over the Reno Bighorns on Saturday. Check out the highlights from the game, Gaffney is wearing No. 32 in grey.
You can watch Gaffney on NBA TV on Monday at 2:45 p.m., as part of the D-League Showcase in South Padre Island, Texas.
Former UMass star Tony Gaffney made his D-League debut last night with the Utah Flash in a 95-82 loss to the Reno Bighorns. Gaffney played 19 minutes and scored two points while grabbing a rebound and blocking a shot.
UMass alum Tony Gaffney has joined the D-League's Utah Flash an affiliate of the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks.
"Tony brings a high level of energy and athleticism which will be a welcomed shot in the arm to our team," said Flash Head Coach Kevin Young. "He is a tenacious rebounder and great defender. We look forward to helping him get back to the NBA."
The team confirmed the move with CBS 3 Springfield Wednesday afternoon. Gaffney told CBS 3 Springfield Sports he decided to leave his team in Turkey in December in order to pursue his dream of returning to the NBA.
He was on the Celtics' roster towards the end of the last season, before being cut in the preseason in 2010.
Sources confirms that Tony Gaffney has been cut by Turk Telekom Ankara and will likely join the D-League player pool according to Sportando. Gaffney was averaging 6 points per game in 8 games played in Turkish TBL.
In its Year In Review: the Fall River Herald News has a mention of UMass' Tony Gaffney as one of the highlights of the year.
Tony Gaffney. The Somerset High grad and the last preseason cut of the champion Lakers in 2009, signs with the Celtics in the spring in time to practice with Boston and to sit on the Celtics' bench (in spiffy street clothes) for the NBA Finals against the Lakers. Tony gets released from the C's during the 2010 preseason and plays pro ball in Turkey.
Former UMass basketball star Tony Gaffney is in the news from afar. Playing in Turkey, Gaffney posted on his Facebook page that one of his former NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers, could be the future of Carmelo Anthony. Here are various stories from blogs.
Here are stories on the UMass basketball team as the Minutemen prepare to face Sacred Heart tonight at the Mullins Center. The Daily Collegian ran its 2010-11 season preview with tons of coverage on the Maroon & White.
Less than a month ago, Celtic Tony Gaffney was, perhaps more than any NBA player, living his dream. He had grown up in a Massachusetts bedroom with parquet floor, covered in Celtics memorabilia. After college at the University of Massachusetts, then stints with the Lakers, and in Israel, he was a few weeks from wearing green in an NBA regular season game for the first time. Alas, there are no promises at the NBA's fringes, and Gaffney was cut in training camp. He quickly signed with Telekom, in Ankara, Turkey. He has agreed to update TrueHoop readers from time to time from abroad. His first installment: on ESPN.com True Hoop.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette has various basketball notes including an update on Gary Forbes, who is impressing with the Denver Nuggets.
Former Minuteman Tony Gaffney, who announced on Facebook that he had been cut by the Celtics on Saturday, also used the popular social networking site to say that he'd signed a contract to play in Turkey: "Got a contract offer from Turkey that was impossible to turn down, shipping out tomorrow night! If anyone wants to reach me while I'm out there, ya best bet is through Facebook or Twitter. See y'all around Christmas. Take care."
In addition to 7-footer Andrew McCarthy, West Springfield native Jordan Couture will also walk-on to the UMass roster. Couture, a 6-foot-3 freshman guard starred at Cathedral and is coach Derek Kellogg's godson. Bud Gaffney, Tony's younger brother who was a walk-on last year, has not returned to the Minutemen, according to Kellogg.
Tony Gaffney says he has been released by the Boston Celtics.
Check out ESPN Boston's Chris Forsberg with the complete report.
"Numbers, just a lot of numbers [in front] of him," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said when asked about Gaffney's departure. "He plays extremely hard. He's one of those guys that you would love to figure out a way to keep him on the team. At the end of the day, the numbers got him.
Here is the comment from Gaffney's Facebook page.
"All good things must come to an end. It was a great time being w the celtics, it ended today. I appreciate all the love n support. You guys are the best. My agent is back to the drawing board and stirring up something. So when the next move is finalized you all will know. Thanks again everyone."
He's the underdog. The long shot in the eyes of many. Tony Gaffney has faced long odds throughout his journey to reach the NBA, and they are staring him in the face once again as he enters training camp today in Newport RI to battle one of the deepest collections of NBA talent ever assembled in Celtic Green for a spot on the roster.
Celtics Hub had a chance to speak with the 6'8" UMass product, one on one, to gain some perspective on Tony's mindset heading into camp and what he must do to make this team:
Assuming the Celtics keep the maximum 15 players and depending on how other positions shake out, Gaffney could be in a battle with summer acquisition Von Wafer for one of the final roster spots. Despite that uncertain future, Gaffney has a good feeling about the Celtics this season.
"The environment in the locker room right now is something special," Gaffney said this morning before the C's charity golf tournament at the Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy. "There's obviously a lot of talk about the Miami Heat right now, but we're a team that's determined and looks ready to get this thing going."
Celtics Town has a snipet on Gaffney and his enthusiasm for the season.
On ESPNBoston.com read about Tony Gaffney and his thoughts heading into preseason camp.
Gaffney knows he's going to have to fight just to earn a spot on the 15-man roster, but after being a part of Boston's run to the cusp of an NBA title last season, he's aware of what's brewing this season.
"The environment in the locker room right now, it's something special," said Gaffney. "I know there's a lot of talk about the Miami Heat right now, but we're a team that's determined and looks ready to get this thing going."
Gaffney raved about the shape that players are arriving in Boston in, stressing how excited everyone is to get this season started. Rivers said he wanted his players to take it easy this offseason given the extended 2009-10 campaign, but admitted that guys were arriving in better shape that he could have imagined.
Gaffney also noted he's excited about the potential for having fellow UMass product Lasme in camp.
"It's nice to see a familiar face, even if I know all the guys [on the Celtics roster] really well now," said Gaffney. "[Lasme] looks really good, really fit. He'll bring a lot to camp."
Former UMass teammates will be reunited in Boston Celtics camp this fall. Tony Gaffney is pumped that Stephane Lasme has been invited to camp saying, "Steph worked out with today and was great. Gotta love him!"
Check out various stories on former UMass basketball All-American Stephane Lasme and his invitation to Boston Celtics preseason camp.
On NESN.com there is a story on two players trying to make the Celtics 2010-11 roster after a taste of the postseason last year.
On the evening of Wednesday, April 14, as the Celtics walked into the TD Garden to gear up for their 82nd and final game of the NBA's regular season, they entered the locker room to find two new faces staring back at them. The two new guys were Oliver Lafayette and Tony Gaffney, a pair of relatively unknown youngsters looking to get their big break in the NBA. Lafayette was a D-League castoff; Gaffney was a former UMass Minuteman returning from a brief stint in Israel. Neither had ever played a minute in the NBA.
Must read: Ron Chimelis' column in the Springfield Republican on Tony Gaffney his performance in the NBA Summer League with his hometown Boston Celtics.
With summer league play continuing last night, more Tony Gaffney coverage. Chris Forsberg talks about the Celtics giving Gaffney a good look for a roster spot.
The NBA Summer league began on Monday as Tony Gaffney and the Celtics opened up with an 87-82 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBA.com has the recap and box score. Looking at Gaffney's stats, he contributed three points in 25 minutes, going 3-for-4 at the free thow line, to go along with three assists, two steals and one block. Gaffney is also mentioned in this blog posting on Celticshub.com.
Dime Magazine has a story on interesting side notes from the NBA Finals with a section on Tony Gaffney. "He is a live body who brings length and athleticism to practice that I think the Celtics like about him," says UMass assistant coach Antwon Jackson. "He will always compete, and will do his best in his role for the team. I also had a chance to talk with Tony when he came to campus during the Orlando series, and he is living the dream. He's a humble kid who is just very grateful for the chance he's been given. He grew up in the Boston area and starred at UMASS, so he grew up rooting for the Celtics. So for him to have the chance to be part of the Celtics organization at all is a dream come true, and for him to be there while they are winning and in the NBA Finals is almost surreal for him."
