Central Basketball Association

Following the 2015 CBA season, Mississippi Eagles' guard, Mardracus Wade, was named the league's Most Valuable Player, where he was second in the CBA in total points scored (178), second in the league in total steals (23), sixth in the league in total assists (30), and scored the most points in a regular season game (40). He finished the 2015 season averaging 22.2 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, and 2.9 steals per game.

After participating in the CBA Global Opportunities Program last summer in Taiwan, the former University of Arkansas product received a contract with the Iowa Energy, the NBA D-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies. During the 35 games he played during the 2015-2016 NBA D-League season, Wade averaged 5.9 points per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 50.0% 3-point field goal percentage. 

Following the NBA D-League season, Wade returned back to play for Mississippi during the 2016 CBA season. Earlier this month, the 6-foot-3 guard was offered a second contract in the NBA D-League, resigning with the Iowa Energy for a second consecutive season and looking to build upon last year's success during this year's 2016-2017 NBA D-League season. 

Wade's former CBA teammate, Jeremy Williams, also had similar success last year. The 6-foot-8 forward was drafted with the first pick in the 5th Round by the Idaho Stampede, the NBA D-League affiliate of the Utah Jazz.

The former big-man from University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) averaged 19.0 points per game and 13.0 rebounds per game for the Mississippi Eagles during the 2015 CBA season, including a 19-point, 17-rebound performance in the quarterfinals loss versus the Fort Wayne Flite. Prior to joining the CBA, Williams played professionally in Finland (2011), Mexico (2012), NBA D-League (2013), and Canada (2014). 

During the 2015-2016 NBA D-League season, Williams played 40 games, averaging 8.9 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, and shot 33.6% field goal percentage from 3-point range. After a successful season in the NBA D-League last year, Williams resigned earlier this week with the Salt Lake City Stars, who were renamed after the Idaho Stampede moved to Utah this past summer. 

Wade and Williams become the first two CBA players to earn second contract opportunities in the NBA D-League, as well as the first players to earn consecutive deals in back-to-back seasons. Since 2013, the CBA has helped over 150 athletes receive opportunities to play on international soil, and seven contracts in the NBA and NBA D-League since last year. 

(Photo by: Theron Malone / CBA Photos)