Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Columbus Riverdragons were still active in 2004-05 and, in fact, produced one of the best seasons in franchise history. They finished 30-18, tied for the best regular-season record in the NBDL, and advanced to the championship game before falling to the Asheville Altitude. Jeff Malone’s team was built around defense, leading the league in points allowed while receiving major contributions from Reed Rawlings, Scott Merritt, Derrick Zimmerman, and shot-blocking center Mike Benton. The Riverdragons balanced veteran experience with emerging talent and spent much of the season near the top of the standings. Although the championship ultimately slipped away, Columbus closed its existence with a finals appearance and one of the strongest campaigns of the league’s early years.
Roster
| NO | PLAYER NAME | POS | HT | WT | DATE OF BIRTH | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Ben Adams | G | 6 ft 1 in | 180 lbs | May 6, 1979 | New Orleans |
| — | Mike Benton | C | 6 ft 9 in | 270 lbs | April 8, 1980 | Charleston |
| — | Kevin Braswell | G | 6 ft 2 in | 190 lbs | January 23, 1979 | Georgetown |
| — | Ramel Curry | G | 6 ft 3 in | 190 lbs | April 17, 1980 | Cal State Bakersfield |
| — | Seth Doliboa | F | 6 ft 8 in | 225 lbs | December 1, 1980 | Wright State |
| — | Obinna Ekezie | F-C | 6 ft 9 in | 270 lbs | August 22, 1975 | Maryland |
| — | Adam Harrington | G | 6 ft 5 in | 200 lbs | July 5, 1980 | Auburn |
| — | Leroy Hurd | F | 6 ft 7 in | 215 lbs | May 26, 1980 | Texas-San Antonio |
| — | Jason Lawson | C | 6 ft 11 in | 265 lbs | September 2, 1974 | Villanova |
| — | Scott Merritt | F | 6 ft 10 in | 240 lbs | January 3, 1982 | Marquette |
| — | Ricky Minard | G-F | 6 ft 4 in | 198 lbs | September 11, 1982 | Morehead State |
| — | Jeff Myers | G | 6 ft 2 in | 196 lbs | March 24, 1974 | Drexel |
| — | Randall Orr | F-C | 6 ft 10 in | 210 lbs | December 13, 1982 | Georgia Perimeter JC |
| — | Reed Rawlings | G-F | 6 ft 7 in | 225 lbs | September 1, 1978 | Samford |
| — | Kitwana Rhymer | C | 6 ft 10 in | 256 lbs | May 22, 1978 | Massachusetts |
| — | Neil Yanke | C | 6 ft 11 in | 260 lbs | January 5, 1979 | Yale |
| — | Derrick Zimmerman | G | 6 ft 3 in | 195 lbs | December 2, 1981 | Mississippi State |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Rawlings | F | 26 | 48 | 47 | 29.8 | 13.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 10.4 | 5.3 | .507 | 1.0 | 0.4 | .383 | 3.0 | 2.5 | .831 |
| Scott Merritt | F | 23 | 41 | 40 | 30.0 | 13.0 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 9.6 | 5.0 | .519 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | .753 | |
| Derrick Zimmerman | G | 23 | 48 | 48 | 30.0 | 8.4 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 7.3 | 3.4 | .469 | 0.2 | 0.1 | .375 | 2.6 | 1.5 | .556 |
| Mike Benton | C | 24 | 48 | 45 | 26.2 | 8.2 | 6.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 6.4 | 3.3 | .521 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.6 | 1.5 | .592 | |
| Adam Harrington | G | 24 | 35 | 1 | 22.0 | 11.2 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 10.0 | 4.3 | .433 | 1.3 | 0.6 | .455 | 2.4 | 1.9 | .800 |
| Ramel Curry | G | 24 | 25 | 21 | 30.0 | 15.0 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 2.5 | 13.4 | 6.7 | .497 | 0.4 | 0.2 | .400 | 1.9 | 1.5 | .787 |
| Ricky Minard | G/F | 22 | 17 | 17 | 30.2 | 16.6 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 15.9 | 6.4 | .400 | 0.4 | 0.2 | .500 | 5.4 | 3.7 | .692 |
| Leroy Hurd | F | 24 | 26 | 0 | 21.5 | 10.0 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 8.3 | 3.6 | .433 | 1.2 | 0.5 | .375 | 3.2 | 2.3 | .732 |
| Jeff Myers | G | 31 | 40 | 8 | 22.2 | 6.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 5.6 | 2.3 | .400 | 0.6 | 0.2 | .318 | 2.2 | 1.7 | .782 |
| Seth Doliboa | F | 24 | 23 | 2 | 20.2 | 6.3 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 2.3 | .384 | 0.3 | 0.1 | .333 | 2.1 | 1.6 | .755 |
| Kitwana Rhymer | C | 26 | 31 | 5 | 22.2 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 1.5 | .409 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 1.5 | .723 | |
| Neil Yanke | C | 26 | 33 | 0 | 16.6 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.6 | .434 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 0.8 | .565 | |
| Randall Orr | F/C | 22 | 16 | 3 | 24.4 | 8.2 | 6.8 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 8.8 | 3.3 | .376 | 0.2 | 0.1 | .333 | 1.6 | 1.5 | .923 |
| Obinna Ekezie | F-C | 29 | 11 | 0 | 25.3 | 12.6 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 9.5 | 4.3 | .448 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 6.1 | 4.1 | .672 |
| Kevin Braswell | G | 26 | 12 | 0 | 20.8 | 9.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 10.4 | 3.9 | .376 | 1.3 | 0.2 | .125 | 1.4 | 1.3 | .882 |
| Ben Adams | G | 25 | 8 | 0 | 17.9 | 8.0 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 2.9 | .575 | 0.1 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.8 | 2.3 | .818 |
| Jason Lawson | C | 30 | 4 | 3 | 16.3 | 4.8 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 1.8 | .538 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.3 | .625 |
Playoff Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOPG | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramel Curry | G | — | 2 | 2 | 37.0 | 16.5 | 8.5 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 21.0 | 8.0 | .381 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.000 |
| Reed Rawlings | G/F | — | 2 | 2 | 26.0 | 13.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.0 | 4.5 | .375 | 1.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1.000 |
| Derrick Zimmerman | G | — | 2 | 2 | 34.5 | 14.0 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 7.0 | 5.5 | .786 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | .667 | |
| Neil Yanke | C | — | 2 | 0 | 23.0 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 9.0 | 3.5 | .389 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | .333 | |
| Randall Orr | F/C | — | 2 | 2 | 26.0 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 9.0 | 3.0 | .333 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .500 | |
| Mike Benton | C | — | 2 | 2 | 19.0 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .375 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.5 | 3.0 | .667 | |
| Leroy Hurd | F | — | 2 | 0 | 22.0 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 7.0 | 2.5 | .357 | 1.5 | 0.5 | .333 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 |
| Adam Harrington | G | — | 2 | 0 | 14.5 | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 | 1.5 | .250 | 1.5 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.0 | 1.5 | .750 |
| Scott Merritt | F | — | 2 | 0 | 25.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.5 | 1.5 | .200 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | .750 | |
| Ben Adams | G | — | 2 | 0 | 12.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | .000 | 0.5 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.000 |
Regular Season Totals
| PLAYER | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reed Rawlings | 48 | 47 | 1430 | 642 | 147 | 79 | 61 | 16 | 47 | 499 | 253 | .507 | 47 | 18 | .383 | 142 | 118 | .831 | ||
| Scott Merritt | 41 | 40 | 1232 | 535 | 264 | 44 | 26 | 29 | 63 | 395 | 205 | .519 | 0 | 0 | 166 | 125 | .753 | |||
| Derrick Zimmerman | 48 | 48 | 1442 | 401 | 207 | 271 | 89 | 20 | 100 | 350 | 164 | .469 | 8 | 3 | .375 | 126 | 70 | .556 | ||
| Mike Benton | 48 | 45 | 1259 | 392 | 318 | 26 | 22 | 98 | 55 | 305 | 159 | .521 | 0 | 0 | 125 | 74 | .592 | |||
| Adam Harrington | 35 | 1 | 770 | 392 | 67 | 53 | 26 | 3 | 51 | 351 | 152 | .433 | 44 | 20 | .455 | 85 | 68 | .800 | ||
| Ramel Curry | 25 | 21 | 750 | 375 | 91 | 71 | 17 | 4 | 62 | 336 | 167 | .497 | 10 | 4 | .400 | 47 | 37 | .787 | ||
| Ricky Minard | 17 | 17 | 514 | 282 | 73 | 53 | 19 | 9 | 37 | 270 | 108 | .400 | 6 | 3 | .500 | 91 | 63 | .692 | ||
| Leroy Hurd | 26 | 0 | 559 | 260 | 97 | 36 | 7 | 3 | 46 | 217 | 94 | .433 | 32 | 12 | .375 | 82 | 60 | .732 | ||
| Jeff Myers | 40 | 8 | 889 | 255 | 130 | 130 | 50 | 5 | 70 | 225 | 90 | .400 | 22 | 7 | .318 | 87 | 68 | .782 | ||
| Seth Doliboa | 23 | 2 | 464 | 145 | 79 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 138 | 53 | .384 | 6 | 2 | .333 | 49 | 37 | .755 | ||
| Kitwana Rhymer | 31 | 5 | 687 | 141 | 152 | 15 | 8 | 47 | 35 | 115 | 47 | .409 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 47 | .723 | |||
| Obinna Ekezie | 11 | 0 | 278 | 139 | 74 | 19 | 7 | 4 | 29 | 105 | 47 | .448 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 67 | 45 | .672 | ||
| Neil Yanke | 33 | 0 | 547 | 132 | 138 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 122 | 53 | .434 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 26 | .565 | |||
| Randall Orr | 16 | 3 | 391 | 131 | 108 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 15 | 141 | 53 | .376 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 26 | 24 | .923 | ||
| Kevin Braswell | 12 | 0 | 250 | 111 | 23 | 32 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 125 | 47 | .376 | 16 | 2 | .125 | 17 | 15 | .882 | ||
| Ben Adams | 8 | 0 | 143 | 64 | 14 | 22 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 40 | 23 | .575 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 22 | 18 | .818 | ||
| Jason Lawson | 4 | 3 | 65 | 19 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 7 | .538 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | .625 |
Playoff Totals
| PLAYER | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramel Curry | 2 | 2 | 74 | 33 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 42 | 16 | .381 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | ||
| Derrick Zimmerman | 2 | 2 | 69 | 28 | 10 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 11 | .786 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | .667 | |||
| Reed Rawlings | 2 | 2 | 52 | 27 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 9 | .375 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 9 | 9 | 1.000 | ||
| Neil Yanke | 2 | 0 | 46 | 15 | 19 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 7 | .389 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | .333 | |||
| Randall Orr | 2 | 2 | 52 | 14 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 6 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | .500 | |||
| Mike Benton | 2 | 2 | 38 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 3 | .375 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 6 | .667 | |||
| Leroy Hurd | 2 | 0 | 44 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 5 | .357 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 2 | 1 | .500 | ||
| Adam Harrington | 2 | 0 | 29 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 | .250 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 4 | 3 | .750 | ||
| Scott Merritt | 2 | 0 | 51 | 9 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 3 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | .750 | |||
| Ben Adams | 2 | 0 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | .000 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 4 | 4 | 1.000 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Minard | Primary Scoring Wing (1.1) | 30.2 | High | 16.6 | 4.3 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 67.584 | As a downhill scoring wing, Minard carried a large offensive burden for Columbus before leaving during the season; the Riverdragons then filled his roster spot with Kevin Braswell. His Morehead State background as a high-volume scorer and creator translated into a perimeter role built around attacking and shot creation rather than spot-up duty. (OurSports Central) | |
| Ramel Curry | Lead Shot Creator (1.1) | 30.0 | High | 15.0 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 58.872 | Curry functioned as an aggressive perimeter scorer who could also initiate offense, and his efficient .497 field-goal mark suggests his production was not purely volume-driven. His Columbus season came after stops in Mexico and the ABA, while his later career showed the same scoring-oriented guard profile. (Euroleague Admin) | |
| Scott Merritt | Interior Scoring Anchor (1.1) | 30.0 | High | 13.0 | 6.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 52.756 | Merritt gave Columbus a physical interior presence after arriving from a Marquette program where he had been a starter on the 2003 Final Four team. His post-oriented game and rebounding were central to his development into a professional big, and Columbus ultimately won the NBDL regular-season title with him in the rotation. (Marquette Athletics) | NBDL Regular-Season Champion (2005); Second Team All-NBDL (2005); NBDL Rookie of the Year Runner-Up (2005) |
| Derrick Zimmerman | Defensive Floor General (1.05) | 30.0 | High | 8.4 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 2.3 | 51.912 | Zimmerman blended point-guard organization with disruptive perimeter defense. His combination of 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals reflected a player trusted to control possessions while pressuring opposing ball handlers, and his defensive impact was recognized league-wide during the season. (NBA.com: NBA Communications) | NBDL Defensive Player of the Year (2005) |
| Obinna Ekezie | Veteran Interior Scoring Option (1.05) | 25.3 | High | 12.6 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 50.820 | Ekezie arrived as a proven NBA veteran rather than a developmental prospect, and Columbus immediately used him as a substantial interior scoring and rebounding option. His November acquisition followed a season away from basketball while he rehabilitated an injury, making his return to a meaningful professional role notable. (OurSports Central) | |
| Reed Rawlings | Offensive Focal Point (1.1) | 29.8 | High | 13.4 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 47.674 | Rawlings operated as one of Columbus’s principal scoring outlets, with the team’s later season records identifying him as its leading scorer. His earlier Samford career also showed a clear offensive centerpiece profile, including a TAAC Player of the Year season and repeated conference recognition. | |
| Mike Benton | Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.05) | 26.2 | Medium | 8.2 | 6.6 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 37.380 | Benton was primarily an interior defensive presence, using his size to occupy the paint and protect the rim. Columbus’s season coverage specifically highlights his 98 blocks, while his college background at Charleston preceded a substantial role in the Riverdragons’ frontcourt. (LMU Lions) | |
| Leroy Hurd | Perimeter-Expanding Forward (1.05) | 21.5 | Medium | 10.0 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 35.805 | Hurd entered professional basketball after being a dominant Southland Conference forward, but contemporary reporting emphasized his need to continue developing his perimeter game after playing power forward in college. That transition helps explain the more versatile forward role reflected in his Columbus season. (goutsa.com) | |
| Adam Harrington | Perimeter Scoring Reserve (1.05) | 22.0 | Medium | 11.2 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 35.574 | Harrington’s value centered on perimeter shooting and secondary scoring rather than interior work. His professional trajectory around this period included a return to the Riverdragons after a brief stint in China, and contemporary career accounts note that he was particularly effective from three-point range. (Wikipedia) | |
| Randall Orr | Rebounding Frontcourt Reserve (1.05) | 24.4 | Medium | 8.2 | 6.8 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 35.490 | Orr supplied physical frontcourt depth, with his role leaning toward rebounding, interior defense and finishing rather than playmaking. His professional path began with Columbus in 2004-05, where his 6-foot-10 frame gave the Riverdragons another interior option. | |
| Kevin Braswell | Backup Floor General (1.05) | 20.8 | Medium | 9.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 34.188 | Braswell was brought in specifically to replace Minard, giving Columbus another ball-handling option after arriving from Florida. His previous NBDL stint had featured a much heavier playmaking load, so his Columbus role appears to have been more of a secondary organizer and scoring guard. (OurSports Central) | |
| Jeff Myers | Veteran Two-Way Guard (1.0) | 22.2 | Low | 6.4 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 28.800 | Myers brought veteran guard experience and defensive credibility to the rotation. Earlier in his NBDL career he had won the league’s inaugural Defensive Player of the Year award, while his Columbus tenure also produced notable scoring bursts, including a 33-point performance in the 2004 season. (OurSports Central) | |
| Ben Adams | Reserve Ball-Handler (1.0) | 17.9 | Low | 8.0 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 27.200 | Adams served as a compact reserve guard whose value came from handling the ball and making plays without requiring a high-volume offensive role. His college career at New Orleans included a much larger senior-year responsibility, giving him experience as a primary backcourt organizer before entering the professional ranks. | |
| Seth Doliboa | Stretch Frontcourt Reserve (1.0) | 20.2 | Low | 6.3 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 23.400 | Doliboa arrived in Columbus immediately after a productive Wright State career in which he developed into a reliable scoring and rebounding forward. His senior college season earned first-team All-Horizon League recognition, but his professional role was more complementary and frontcourt-oriented. (Wright State University Athletics) | |
| Kitwana Rhymer | Shot-Blocking Reserve Center (1.0) | 22.2 | Low | 4.5 | 4.9 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 23.400 | Rhymer’s identity was overwhelmingly defensive, with rim protection and rebounding defining his contribution. His 1.5 blocks per game placed him eighth in the NBDL in blocked shots, reinforcing the picture of a reserve center whose defensive activity exceeded his offensive responsibility. (umasshoops.com) | |
| Jason Lawson | Veteran Interior Reserve (1.0) | 16.3 | Low | 4.8 | 3.3 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 18.800 | Lawson provided veteran size and interior experience early in the season, but his Columbus stint was brief. The Riverdragons released him after four games when they acquired Ekezie, indicating that his role was ultimately short-term frontcourt depth rather than a central rotation position. (OurSports Central) | |
| Neil Yanke | Deep-Rotation Interior Defender (1.0) | 16.6 | Low | 4.0 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 18.200 | Yanke’s role was centered on interior positioning, rebounding and defensive size rather than offensive creation. Contemporary information on his professional season is limited, but his Columbus profile identifies him as a 6-foot-11 center whose contribution was primarily frontcourt depth. |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| PLAYER NAME | ROLE TIER | MPG | USAGE TIER | PPG | RPG | APG | STK | IMPACT INDEX | NOTES | AWARDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramel Curry | Primary Offensive Engine (1.1) | 37.0 | High (1.2) | 16.5 | 8.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 83.160 | Curry was the playoff scoring initiator, attacking off the bounce while also creating enough pressure to draw the defense inside. His 37.0 minutes and 21 field-goal attempts underline how much Columbus leaned on him offensively, while contemporary coverage shows the Riverdragons reaching their first NBDL Finals behind a balanced attack. (OurSports Central) | |
| Derrick Zimmerman | Franchise Floor General (1.1) | 34.5 | High (1.2) | 14.0 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 4.5 | 81.840 | Zimmerman controlled the playoff offense as the primary organizer, but his bigger value came from combining point-guard responsibilities with disruptive defense. His 7.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game fit the defensive identity that had already earned him NBDL Defensive Player of the Year, while Columbus relied on his command throughout its postseason run. (OurSports Central) | NBDL Defensive Player of the Year (2005); Second Team All-NBDL (2005) |
| Reed Rawlings | Primary Wing Creator (1.1) | 26.0 | High (1.2) | 13.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 55.440 | Rawlings operated as a scoring wing who could attack from the perimeter without abandoning the team’s inside-out balance. In the semifinal against Roanoke, he led all scorers with 23 points and had just produced another 20-plus-point performance in the preceding matchup, evidence that Columbus turned to him when its offense needed a shot-maker. (OurSports Central) | Honorable Mention All-NBDL (2005) |
| Neil Yanke | Defensive Rebounding Anchor (1.05) | 23.0 | Medium (1.1) | 7.5 | 9.5 | 0.5 | 4.5 | 50.820 | Yanke’s playoff role was built around size, rebounding position and paint defense rather than offensive creation. He was particularly useful against Roanoke’s frontcourt, and contemporary semifinal coverage noted his baseline jumper during a dominant Columbus first half while the Riverdragons controlled the glass. (OurSports Central) | |
| Mike Benton | Rim-Protecting Centerpiece (1.05) | 19.0 | Medium (1.1) | 6.0 | 7.5 | 0.0 | 6.5 | 46.200 | Benton was the interior deterrent in Columbus’s playoff rotation, with his value coming from contesting the rim, rebounding and making opponents work inside. His 2.5 blocks and 4.0 steals per game in this two-game sample point to unusually active defense, while his regular-season reputation earned him All-NBDL honorable mention. (OurSports Central) | Honorable Mention All-NBDL (2005) |
| Randall Orr | Interior Connector (1.05) | 26.0 | Medium (1.1) | 7.0 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 42.735 | Orr gave Columbus a physical interior option who could also keep the ball moving rather than forcing post touches. His 2.5 assists alongside 6.5 rebounds suggest a useful connective role, and later reporting on his career describes how his unusual size and mobility opened opportunities across several professional leagues. (lighthost.gsu.edu) | |
| Leroy Hurd | Defensive Utility Forward (1.0) | 22.0 | Medium (1.1) | 6.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 6.0 | 37.400 | Hurd played the playoffs as an athletic defensive forward capable of covering ground and creating activity away from the ball. Earlier basketball reporting described him as an unusually hard worker who had played multiple positions and deliberately worked on his all-around game, traits that fit the flexible role Columbus used him for. (University of Alaska Fairbanks Athletics) | |
| Scott Merritt | Interior Rotation Scorer (1.0) | 25.5 | Medium (1.1) | 4.5 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 33.000 | Merritt supplied frontcourt size and physicality even when his scoring disappeared in the playoffs. His development into a low-post player had been a defining part of his basketball background, and later reporting notes that he finished second in NBDL Rookie of the Year voting after helping Columbus win the 2004-05 regular-season title. (Big South Conference) | NBDL Rookie of the Year Runner-Up (2005); Honorable Mention All-NBDL (2005); NBDL Regular-Season Champion (2005) |
| Adam Harrington | Perimeter Shooting Reserve (1.0) | 14.5 | Low (1.0) | 4.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 20.000 | Harrington’s playoff minutes were limited, but his role remained perimeter-oriented, with shooting providing the clearest offensive pathway. His broader basketball career was built around that scoring identity; Harrington later described himself as someone who preferred playing in a high-paced offense, a style consistent with his guard role. (Auburn Tigers Athletics) | |
| Ben Adams | Reserve Point Guard (1.0) | 12.5 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 14.000 | Adams handled a small reserve workload and was primarily there to stabilize the backcourt when needed. Contemporary independent reporting on his Columbus playoff role is limited, so the available evidence supports describing him as depth rather than a major offensive initiator; his statistical profile and brief professional career reinforce that context. |