The Rio Grande Valley Vipers, NBA G League Affiliate of the Houston Rockets, announced the acquisition of center Diamond Stone. The Vipers waived Stanford Robinson to create a roster spot to accommodate Stone. Stone (6-11, 255) was selected 40th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on draft night. Stone spent time with the Santa Cruz Warriors and the Salt Lake City Stars during the 2016 season. During the 2017-18 season Stone was a member of the Windy City Bulls but was later traded to the Salt Lake City Stars in exchange for Henry Sims' rights and third round 2018 pick. At Salt Lake, Stone averaged 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.6 minutes of action. Prior to the 2018-19 season, Stone competed in the 2018 NBA Summer League with the Utah Jazz. The Iowa Wolves then acquired the rights to Stone from the Salt Lake City Stars in exchange for returning player Wes Washburn and a 2019 NBA G League third-round draft pick. While with the Iowa Wolves Stone averaged 9.8 points and 16.1 minutes. He averaged 4.6 rebounds and shot 51.9% from the field. Robinson (6-4, 193) played a total of 11 games with RGV averaging 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.4 minutes of action. The Vipers return to action at home with a back to back on Friday, January 11 versus Westchester Knicks. On Saturday, January 12, the Vipers will take on Santa Cruz Warriors Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. for both games. For more information, contact the RGV Vipers at 956-56-ARENA or visit www.rgvipers.com. News Release
