Former University of Detroit Mercy standout Nick Minnerath is having a great season playing for the NBDL's Canton Charge and he was recently featured in SB Nation as having a great shot to make the NBA.
 
The Charge are currently second in the Central Division at 23-13 and Minnerath is a big reason as he is tallying 17.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from behind the arc.  He has 14 games with 20 or more points, including three with 30 or more highlighted by his season high of 34 against Bakersfield in December. He also has eight double-doubles.
 
Minnerath played three years with the Titans – redshirting one season – and was First Team All-Horizon League as a senior in 2013. He was named to the NABC District 12 Second Team that season after finishing second on the team – and fifth in the Horizon League - in scoring with 14.6 points per game, while topping the Titans with 5.9 rebounds per game.
 
Can Nick Minnerath Carve Out A Future in the NBA for Himself?
By Keith Schlosser, @KeithBSchlosser
Full Story Here

While the NBA D-League is undoubtedly often a proving ground for up and coming youngsters, it's also a place for players with a few years of experience under their belt to show notable progress. With that in mind, Nick Minnerath is quickly proving that, at 26 years old, he may still have the time and necessary opportunity to carve out an NBA future for himself.

With the Canton Charge on one hell of a hot streak, currently winners of their last ten games, Minnerath has played quite an important role all season long. Mostly one to be utilized off the bench, the forward still plays key minutes en route to posting averages of 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds 50% shooting from the field, 40% from deep, and 90% from the charity stripe. At 6'9", it's quite rare (and arguably equally as impressive) to see a "big man" post such percentages.

Minnerath's versatility and unorthodox combination of skills draws comparisons to two very different D-League alumni --- Steve Novak and Chris Andersen. Obviously, Minnerath is a stretch four who can shoot the lights out and keep defenses honest. But on the other side of the floor, he boasts a certain mental and physical toughness that isn't commonly matched. He's physical, pestering, and asserts himself rather well down low. Minnerath isn't one to back down from challenges, and he makes an opposing shooter's life difficult. He plays with an intimidating nature on the defensive end, which is exactly what a team desires from big man defenders.

Both Novak and Andersen spent time in the D-League before going on to make notable impacts on the NBA level. Coupled with his added maturity and overseas experience to date, Minnerath may not have to spend too much more time in the minor league before he breaks into The Association next. There's surely a role for him somewhere, because he stands to add value in a number of different ways. After spending training camp with the Cavaliers last fall, perhaps this season is merely about gaining the necessary exposure he needs to be seen and convince another NBA team he's, not only worth taking a chance on, but also holding on to, next campaign.

Minnerath is already a seasoned vet in his own right, and even continues to come into his own as a player as this season progresses. In coming off the bench for Canton, Minnerath is proving he doesn't need to be utilized as a central figure to make an impact. As it just so happens, the role he's playing now is very similar to that of what he might excel in on the NBA level.

Aside from his individual prowess, Minnerath is obviously adding value to a strong team in a winning situation. His positive impact to a team like Canton should scream volumes. If he's smart, Minnerath will not plan on simply using this past D-League campaign to cash in on a more lucrative contract overseas next season, but instead capitalize on the increased awareness and notoriety he has hopefully gained across NBA circles.