There are at least seven former Maine Red Claws players hoping their NBA-D League days are behind them.

The seven, Jamar Smith, Hamady Ndiaye, Chris Wright, Xavier Silas, Sherron Collins, Terrel Harris, and Trey Gilder, are all in NBA pre-season camps this month, according to the Red Claws.

Another former Red Claws player, 6-foot-2 guard Avery Bradley, is already on the Boston Celtics roster. He currently is unable to play, following surgeries on both shoulders.

Smith, a 6-3 guard, is also in the Celtics camp. A Red Claws player in 2010-11, Smith played in the Czech Republic last year. He signed with the Celtics this past summer. If he does not make the NBA team, the Celtics could keep him under contract and send him to Portland.

For the first time, the Red Claws are only affiliated with the Celtics, with the NBA team making the decisions on Maine’s personnel.

Ndiaye, Wright and Silas,all of whom were in Portland last season, could also return to the Red Claws if they don’t make their NBA rosters. Ndiaye, a 7-foot center, is in the Sacramento Kings camp. Smith, 6-8, is trying out with New Orleans. Silas, 6-5, is with the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Gilder and Harris played on the first Red Claws team in 2009-10. Gilder, 6-9, is in the Utah Jazz camp. Harris, a 6-4 guard, is with the Miami Heat again.

Collins, a 5-11 point guard, is with San Antonio.

The Celtics left Monday for Europe. They will play two exhibition games, Friday in Turkey, and Sunday in Italy, before returning to the U.S. for six more pre-season games. Boston’s regular season begins Oct. 30 in Miami.

The Red Claws season begins Nov. 23 in Canton, Ohio. Their home opener is Nov. 30, against Los Angeles.


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