Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz: Stars Add Bembry, Hill Continues Hearts & Hoops Tour

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Your late-week dish of Utah Jazz news, including the team’s D-League affiliate adding DeAndre’ Bembry and George Hill’s latest Hearts & Hoops stop.

The Salt Lake City Stars, D-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, welcomed a new player into the fold this week. However, this particular roster move had little to do with the Stars’ parent club.

DeAndre’ Bembry, who was selected with the 21st pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, was assigned to the Stars on Wednesday. Bembry had appeared in seven games for the Hawks this season, playing just 35 total minutes and averaging 1.3 points per game.

The move was possible because the Hawks are one of eight NBA teams without a D-League affiliation. The league’s flexible assignment system allows independent NBA teams to assign players to any club willing to take them. If no D-League team is willing, players are assigned to one of the hybrid affiliate teams via lottery.

The Hawks purchased an affiliate of their own last month. However, the club, which will be based in College Park, Georgia, won’t begin play until the 2019-20 season.

Bembry may be Hawks’ property, but his first-game performance may have fans wishing he was Utah-bound. The 6-foot-6 wing made his debut for Salt Lake City in Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles D-Fenders and was red hot. He scored 35 points on 16-of-22 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and dished out six assists in the game.

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George Hill Continues Hearts & Hoops Tour

Utah Jazz point-man George Hill may have missed Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat, but he continues to be active in the community. As part of CenturyLink’s Hearts & Hoops initiative that began last month, Hill will be collecting toys for Utah Toys for Tots and greeting fans at City Creek Center on Friday.

To help encourage participation and reward those dedicated to making a difference in the community, fans can enter the Hearts & Hoops Sweepstakes when making donations. CenturyLink will then select one winner at the end of the month to receive a VIP Jazz experience.

Hill will be on-hand at City Creek to greet fans, collect toys, sign autographs and take photos from 6:00-7:00 PM on Friday, December 2.

MEET ME at City Creek Center on Dec 2 from 6-7PM to hang out and help the community through @CenturyLinkUT’s Hearts & Hoops program! pic.twitter.com/ZmB4pTcKLi

— INDIANA GEORGE HILL (@George_Hill3) December 1, 2016