Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Austin Toros’ 2005-06 season marked the arrival of the franchise in Austin following its relocation from Columbus, giving the city its first NBA Development League team. Led by former NBA lottery pick Marcus Fizer, the Toros finished 24-24 and remained in postseason contention until late in the year, ultimately falling short of a playoff berth. The roster featured several players with NBA experience or aspirations, including Julius Hodge, Andre Emmett, and Derrick Zimmerman, reflecting the league’s role as a proving ground for professional talent. While the expansion-era campaign did not produce a playoff appearance, the 2005-06 season established the foundation of the Toros organization and introduced Austin basketball fans to a franchise that would later become one of the D-League’s most successful clubs.

Roster

NO PLAYER NAME POS HT WT DATE OF BIRTH COLLEGE
2 Derrick Zimmerman G 6 ft 3 in 195 lb December 2, 1981 Mississippi State
3 Quannas White G 6 ft 2 in 190 lb January 21, 1981 Oklahoma
4 Ezra Williams G 6 ft 4 in 235 lb November 2, 1980 Georgia
6 Gerald Fitch G 6 ft 3 in 188 lb August 12, 1982 Kentucky
7 Ramel Curry G 6 ft 3 in 190 lb April 17, 1980 Cal State Bakersfield
10 Ben Adams G 6 ft 1 in 180 lb May 6, 1979 New Orleans
14 Andre Emmett G 6 ft 5 in 215 lb August 27, 1982 Texas Tech
15 Scott Merritt F 6 ft 10 in 240 lb January 3, 1982 Marquette
21 Marcus Fizer F 6 ft 8 in 260 lb August 10, 1978 Iowa State
23 Omar Thomas G/F 6 ft 5 in 205 lb February 25, 1982 UTEP
24 Anthony Fuqua C 6 ft 11 in 225 lb February 16, 1983 Texas-San Antonio
25 Alex Scales G 6 ft 4 in 185 lb July 3, 1978 Oregon
32 Julius Hodge G 6 ft 7 in 210 lb November 18, 1983 North Carolina State
42 Jamar Smith F/C 6 ft 9 in 230 lb December 5, 1980 Maryland
50 Jeff Hagen C 7 ft 0 in 270 lb February 16, 1982 Minnesota

Per Game

PLAYER NAME POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Marcus Fizer F 22 35 35 34.6 22.7 7.8 3.3 0.8 0.5 2.7 15.9 8.2 .513 1.5 0.5 .321 8.0 5.9 .742
Ramel Curry G 23 44 43 35.0 16.8 3.4 2.8 1.3 0.1 2.1 13.9 6.3 .457 3.7 1.5 .417 3.0 2.6 .851
Andre Emmett G 20 47 18 26.8 12.4 4.3 1.5 1.3 0.2 1.7 9.4 4.9 .516 1.5 0.6 .394 3.3 2.1 .622
Jamar Smith F/C 21 48 17 29.1 11.4 7.2 1.1 0.7 0.5 1.7 10.4 4.7 .450 0.1 0.0 .000 3.2 2.0 .634
Ezra Williams G 21 42 29 27.6 12.5 3.8 1.9 1.1 0.2 1.6 10.0 4.6 .464 3.5 1.4 .393 2.3 1.9 .835
Scott Merritt F 20 43 41 28.6 10.7 5.8 0.7 0.4 1.0 1.3 8.8 4.3 .493 0.1 0.0 .250 2.7 1.9 .722
Derrick Zimmerman G 22 45 43 36.5 8.5 4.8 6.4 1.9 0.6 2.9 7.3 3.5 .473 0.5 0.0 .048 2.8 1.5 .539
Alex Scales G 24 23 6 25.3 9.7 2.3 1.8 1.0 0.3 1.8 7.7 3.1 .407 3.2 1.1 .356 2.8 2.3 .815
Julius Hodge G 19 11 4 30.1 17.7 5.5 2.7 0.8 0.4 3.5 12.2 6.0 .493 1.0 0.5 .455 7.1 5.3 .744
Jeff Hagen C 21 44 3 14.5 3.2 3.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 1.0 2.8 1.2 .430 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.8 .740
Omar Thomas G/F 20 10 0 18.3 8.7 2.9 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.0 6.4 3.0 .469 0.6 0.2 .333 3.2 2.5 .781
Ben Adams G 23 7 0 14.3 5.3 2.1 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.7 4.1 1.9 .448 1.0 0.1 .143 2.1 1.4 .667
Anthony Fuqua C 19 24 0 6.8 1.5 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.8 0.3 .389 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.9 .618
Gerald Fitch G 20 3 1 23.0 11.7 4.3 2.0 0.7 0.3 2.0 13.0 3.7 .282 3.7 0.7 .182 3.7 3.7 1.000
Quannas White G 22 10 0 12.4 2.9 1.3 1.5 0.9 0.0 0.9 2.9 1.3 .448 1.0 0.2 .200 0.2 0.1 .500

Totals

PLAYER NAME POS AGE GP GS MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TOV FGA FGM FG% 3PA 3PM 3P% FTA FTM FT%
Marcus Fizer F 35 35 34.6 22.7 7.8 3.3 0.8 0.5 2.7 15.9 8.2 .513 1.5 0.5 .321 8.0 5.9 .742
Ramel Curry G 44 43 35.0 16.8 3.4 2.8 1.3 0.1 2.1 13.9 6.3 .457 3.7 1.5 .417 3.0 2.6 .851
Andre Emmett G 47 18 26.8 12.4 4.3 1.5 1.3 0.2 1.7 9.4 4.9 .516 1.5 0.6 .394 3.3 2.1 .622
Jamar Smith F/C 48 17 29.1 11.4 7.2 1.1 0.7 0.5 1.7 10.4 4.7 .450 0.1 0.0 .000 3.2 2.0 .634
Ezra Williams G 42 29 27.6 12.5 3.8 1.9 1.1 0.2 1.6 10.0 4.6 .464 3.5 1.4 .393 2.3 1.9 .835
Scott Merritt F 43 41 28.6 10.7 5.8 0.7 0.4 1.0 1.3 8.8 4.3 .493 0.1 0.0 .250 2.7 1.9 .722
Derrick Zimmerman G 45 43 36.5 8.5 4.8 6.4 1.9 0.6 2.9 7.3 3.5 .473 0.5 0.0 .048 2.8 1.5 .539
Alex Scales G 23 6 25.3 9.7 2.3 1.8 1.0 0.3 1.8 7.7 3.1 .407 3.2 1.1 .356 2.8 2.3 .815
Julius Hodge G 11 4 30.1 17.7 5.5 2.7 0.8 0.4 3.5 12.2 6.0 .493 1.0 0.5 .455 7.1 5.3 .744
Jeff Hagen C 44 3 14.5 3.2 3.4 0.7 0.4 0.6 1.0 2.8 1.2 .430 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.8 .740
Omar Thomas G/F 10 0 18.3 8.7 2.9 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.0 6.4 3.0 .469 0.6 0.2 .333 3.2 2.5 .781
Ben Adams G 7 0 14.3 5.3 2.1 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.7 4.1 1.9 .448 1.0 0.1 .143 2.1 1.4 .667
Gerald Fitch G 3 1 23.0 11.7 4.3 2.0 0.7 0.3 2.0 13.0 3.7 .282 3.7 0.7 .182 3.7 3.7 1.000
Anthony Fuqua C 24 0 6.8 1.5 1.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.8 0.3 .389 0.0 0.0 1.4 0.9 .618
Quannas White G 10 0 12.4 2.9 1.3 1.5 0.9 0.0 0.9 2.9 1.3 .448 1.0 0.2 .200 0.2 0.1 .500

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Marcus Fizer Primary Offensive Engine (1.1) 34.6 High 22.7 7.8 3.3 1.3 92.66 Fizer functioned as Austin’s interior scoring hub, combining power-post offense with enough passing to punish double teams. His availability also mattered: Austin went 21-14 when he played versus 2-8 when he was out, and coach Dennis Johnson described him as a dominant force. ESPN report on Fizer’s 2005-06 season NBA D-League MVP (2006); All-NBA D-League First Team (2006)
Ramel Curry Primary Combo-Guard Creator (1.05) 35.0 High 16.8 3.4 2.8 1.4 61.49 Curry operated as a high-minute creator who could shift between lead-guard duties and perimeter scoring. Contemporary D-League coverage also singled him out alongside Ezra Williams during a decisive scoring run, illustrating his value as a pressure release when Austin needed offense. All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006)
Julius Hodge Instant-Offense Wing Creator (1.0) 30.1 Medium 17.7 5.5 2.7 1.2 59.62 Hodge arrived on assignment from Denver and immediately became a featured wing creator for Austin, producing 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists across his 11 Toros appearances. His short stint was essentially a developmental opportunity built around giving a first-round rookie meaningful professional minutes. Nuggets Recall Hodge From D-League —
Derrick Zimmerman Franchise Floor General (1.05) 36.5 High 8.5 4.8 6.4 2.5 55.94 Zimmerman was the Toros’ organizing point guard, controlling tempo and creating advantages without needing a large scoring burden. His 6.4 assists and 1.9 steals reflected a two-way table-setting role, while his heavy workload and late-season NBA opportunity underscored the trust placed in his floor leadership. ShamSports player profile All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006)
Jamar Smith Starting Interior Presence (1.05) 29.1 Medium 11.4 7.2 1.1 1.2 48.28 Smith supplied Austin with physical interior play and second-chance pressure rather than perimeter spacing. His strong rebounding profile made him particularly useful around the basket, and his season earned recognition from league coaches as one of the D-League’s better forwards. All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006)
Andre Emmett Secondary Scoring Wing (1.05) 26.8 Medium 12.4 4.3 1.5 1.5 45.51 Emmett’s role leaned toward direct scoring and attacking closeouts, with his efficient interior finishing complemented by enough perimeter shooting to keep defenses honest. An AP account of Texas Tech’s earlier season had already portrayed him as a central offensive figure, and that scoring-oriented identity carried into Austin. —
Ezra Williams Perimeter Shot-Making Wing (1.05) 27.6 Medium 12.5 3.8 1.9 1.3 45.05 Williams gave the Toros a genuine perimeter scoring option, particularly as a spot-up and movement shooter. His 39.3% three-point rate and repeated stretches of efficient shooting fit a floor-spacing role, while contemporary D-League coverage also noted his involvement in Austin’s game-changing offensive bursts. ShamSports retrospective on Williams —
Scott Merritt Rebounding Two-Way Big (1.05) 28.6 Medium 10.7 5.8 0.7 1.4 42.97 Merritt provided a sturdy interior complement to Fizer, with his value coming from rebounding, finishing and rim protection rather than perimeter creation. He was also trusted heavily enough to start 41 games, and league coaches selected him to the second team. All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006)
Gerald Fitch Emergency Scoring Guard (1.0) 23.0 Low 11.7 4.3 2.0 1.0 38.00 Fitch’s Austin stint was brief because he joined the Toros late after an NBA assignment, so his role was more situational than structural. Houston specifically described the move as an opportunity to obtain valuable playing time and evaluate him against other young professionals. Fitch Assigned to Austin Toros —
Alex Scales Bench Scoring Guard (1.0) 25.3 Medium 9.7 2.3 1.8 1.3 33.22 Scales functioned as a scoring-oriented reserve who could stretch the defense and attack from the perimeter. His limited starts suggest a change-of-pace role rather than a primary lineup assignment, while his shooting range gave Austin another way to open the floor when the second unit entered. —
Omar Thomas Slashing Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) 18.3 Medium 8.7 2.9 0.4 0.8 28.16 Thomas was used as a compact scoring forward who relied more on physical drives and interior finishing than volume three-point shooting. Contemporary coverage of his later development identifies the same inside-oriented skill set that eventually made him a productive professional scorer. —
Ben Adams Backup Point Guard (1.0) 14.3 Low 5.3 2.1 1.9 0.8 20.20 Adams served primarily as depth in the backcourt, giving Austin a steady secondary ball-handler without a large scoring mandate. His limited playing time points to a reserve organizer role rather than a rotation built around his individual offense. —
Jeff Hagen Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.0) 14.5 Low 3.2 3.4 0.7 1.0 16.60 Hagen’s job was largely structural: occupy the paint, rebound and provide size behind Austin’s more mobile forwards. His 7-foot frame and interior defense gave the Toros a traditional center option, although his minutes indicate a situational frontcourt role. —
Quannas White Veteran Ball-Movement Reserve (1.0) 12.4 Low 2.9 1.3 1.5 0.9 13.20 White brought experienced point-guard instincts to a crowded backcourt, with his value centered on ball movement and decision-making rather than scoring volume. Earlier independent Oklahoma coverage highlighted his assist-to-turnover control and ability to run the offense efficiently. Oklahoma coverage of Quannas White —
Anthony Fuqua Frontcourt Depth Piece (1.0) 6.8 Low 1.5 1.5 0.1 0.3 6.80 Fuqua was primarily a reserve interior option, supplying size and occasional rebounding when Austin needed additional frontcourt bodies. His role remained limited, but his previous UTSA career showed a more substantial interior presence before he reached the professional developmental league. —
TEAM TOTALS — 155.7 — 161.7 60.4 28.8 17.9 607.69 2005-06 Austin Toros season. Fizer — D-League MVP (2006); Fizer — All-NBA D-League First Team (2006); Smith — All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006); Merritt — All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006); Curry — Honorable Mention (2006); Zimmerman — Honorable Mention (2006)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Marcus Fizer Primary Offensive Engine (1.1) 34.6 High (1.2) 22.7 7.8 3.3 1.3 92.66 Post-up scorer and interior focal point who carried Austin’s half-court offense; coach Dennis Johnson called him a “dominant force,” and the Toros went 21-14 when he played compared with 2-8 when he was unavailable. (OurSports Central) NBA D-League MVP (2006); All-NBA D-League First Team (2006)
Ramel Curry Primary Combo-Guard Creator (1.05) 35.0 High (1.2) 16.8 3.4 2.8 1.4 61.49 Curry blended lead-guard creation with aggressive perimeter scoring, and his late-season 25-point performance against Fort Worth showed how Austin could lean on him when its offense stalled. (OurSports Central) All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006)
Julius Hodge Slashing Wing Creator (1.0) 30.1 Medium (1.1) 17.7 5.5 2.7 1.2 59.62 Hodge was used as a high-touch wing scorer during his brief Denver assignment, giving Austin another player capable of attacking with the ball rather than simply spacing the floor. His stint also reflected the D-League’s developmental purpose for NBA prospects. (Wikipedia) —
Derrick Zimmerman Defensive Floor General (1.05) 36.5 High (1.2) 8.5 4.8 6.4 2.5 55.94 Zimmerman organized Austin’s offense while taking the toughest perimeter defensive assignments; his defense earned league-wide recognition, and his play ultimately produced a late-season Nets call-up. (NetsDaily) NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year (2006); All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006)
Jamar Smith Physical Power Forward (1.05) 29.1 Medium (1.1) 11.4 7.2 1.1 1.2 48.28 Smith supplied Austin with strong interior rebounding and physical forward play; contemporary scouting described him as quick, agile and powerful while also flagging his shooting as a limitation. (NetsDaily) All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006)
Andre Emmett Interior Scoring Wing (1.05) 26.8 Medium (1.1) 12.4 4.3 1.5 1.5 45.51 Emmett’s game was built around strong downhill and interior scoring rather than a large three-point diet. His Austin season preceded a move back into the international professional market after his NBA opportunities had narrowed. —
Ezra Williams Perimeter Shot-Making Specialist (1.05) 27.6 Medium (1.1) 12.5 3.8 1.9 1.3 45.05 Williams functioned as a perimeter scoring outlet, with his shooting reputation carrying over from a second-place CBA scoring finish the previous season. His Austin stint kept him on the NBA fringe and led to another summer-league opportunity. —
Scott Merritt Rebounding Interior Forward (1.05) 28.6 Medium (1.1) 10.7 5.8 0.7 1.4 42.97 Merritt gave the Toros a dependable interior presence alongside the team’s higher-usage scorers. He was a regular starter before an injury interrupted the season, and his production was strong enough for second-team league honors. (OurSports Central) All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006)
Gerald Fitch NBA-Assignment Scoring Guard (1.0) 23.0 Low (1.0) 11.7 4.3 2.0 1.0 38.00 Fitch’s role was essentially an NBA evaluation stint: Houston sent him to Austin specifically to get meaningful game action after he had been inactive following the trade from Miami. (OurSports Central) —
Alex Scales Veteran Perimeter Creator (1.0) 25.3 Medium (1.1) 9.7 2.3 1.8 1.3 33.22 Scales brought a broad offensive skill set and international experience to Austin, then quickly moved to Real Madrid. A later account from former Toros assistant Bryan Gates described him as talented and in need of the right opportunity. (San Antonio Express-News) —
Omar Thomas Slashing Forward Reserve (1.0) 18.3 Medium (1.1) 8.7 2.9 0.4 0.8 28.16 Thomas arrived late in the season after being a high-volume scorer in the Philippines, giving Austin a physically oriented scoring option for the stretch run rather than a long-established rotation role. (OurSports Central) —
Ben Adams Secondary Ball-Handling Guard (1.0) 14.3 Low (1.0) 5.3 2.1 1.9 0.8 20.20 Adams served as backcourt depth before Austin waived him in December; the move made room for Scales, an experienced perimeter player returning to the D-League. (OurSports Central) —
Jeff Hagen Traditional Paint Big (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 3.2 3.4 0.7 1.0 16.60 Hagen provided conventional center size behind Austin’s primary frontcourt pieces, with his value centered on occupying the paint and absorbing reserve minutes. Independent coverage of his 2005-06 stint is limited, so the role assessment is necessarily cautious. (University of Minnesota Athletics) —
Quannas White Reserve Floor Organizer (1.0) 12.4 Low (1.0) 2.9 1.3 1.5 0.9 13.20 White joined Austin late as an experienced point guard after stops in Argentina and the CBA, giving the Toros another ball-handler and organizer for the final portion of the regular season. —
Anthony Fuqua Deep Rotation Center (1.0) 6.8 Low (1.0) 1.5 1.5 0.1 0.3 6.80 Fuqua occupied a deep frontcourt role, with limited minutes but enough size to provide a traditional interior option when the rotation required it. Independent season-specific reporting is sparse, so there is limited evidence for a more expansive tactical role. —
TEAM TOTALS — 362.9 — 155.7 60.4 28.8 17.9 607.69 2005-06 Austin Toros regular season. Fizer — NBA D-League MVP (2006); Fizer — All-NBA D-League First Team (2006); Zimmerman — NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year (2006); Smith — All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006); Merritt — All-NBA D-League Second Team (2006); Curry — All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006); Zimmerman — All-NBA D-League Honorable Mention (2006)