James Lewis, who current CSUSM Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Saia coached at Fresno Pacific University, was selected in the NBA D-League Draft yesterday.  Lewis was an 8th-round selection of the Austin Toros, the affiliate team of the San Antonio Spurs.

A 6'3" guard, Lewis was a two-time NAIA All-American and averaged 17.5 points per game as a junior under Saia.

Three more players with connections to the CSUSM coaching staff were selected in the draft.  Justin Johnson (3rd round, Dakota Wizards), Tron Smith (6th round, Rio Grande Valley Vipers), and Troy Payne (8th round, Los Angeles D-Fenders) all played under now-CSUSM Assistant Coach Josh Dunaj at Citrus College.

Out of all NAIA coaching staffs, the CSUSM coaching staff had the most players selected in last night's draft.  In his career, Coach Saia has coached 15 NBA players and continues to produce pros.