French free-agent rookie Yakhouba Diawara said Sunday that he expects to sign a contract with the Nuggets today or Tuesday.
Diawara is expected to sign a two-year deal, worth $1.1 million. The former Southern Idaho Junior College and Pepperdine swingman played on the Nuggets’ summer league team and stood out defensively. He also plans on staying in Denver the rest of the offseason in preparation for next season.
“I can’t wait to start,” Diawara said. “They are trying to bring in a lot of young kids to play high tempo. It’s a good fit for me (shooting guard and small forward). I can also play some good defense.”
Last season, Diawara played for JDA Dijon Bourgogne, where he averaged 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 20 games, and finished the season at Climamio Bologna in Italy, averaging 10.6 points.
– Marc J. Spears
Takeittothebank wins Colorado Derby
Tangarae Farms’ Takeittothebank rallied strongly along the inside to overtake The Company Van in deep stretch to win the $27,650 Colorado Derby by a length Sunday at Arapahoe Park.
Ridden by Orlando Martinez, Takeittothebank covered the mile and a sixteenth over a fast track in 1 minute, 47.56 seconds. The Colorado-bred son of Cash Deposit, trained by Kenneth Gleason, returned mutuels of $15.20, $8.60 and $3.80.
The Company Van, ridden by Travis Wales, was disqualified from second and placed third for interfering with Silverbella in the stretch. Silverbella returned $8.20 and $5, with The Company Van paying $3.80 to show.
