D-League Showcase
Posted: Sat Jan 3, 2009 11:28 pm
http://www.nba.com/dleague/news/showcase_081222.html
NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2009 – The 2009 NBA Development League Showcase tips off its 16-game schedule on Monday, Jan. 5 and runs through Thursday, Jan. 8. The fifth annual event will take place at the McKay Events Center, home of the Utah Flash, in Orem, Utah and will feature all 16 NBA D-League teams playing two games apiece under one roof. Fans can stay in step with their favorite NBA D-League team by logging onto www.nba.com/futurecast to watch every Showcase game on-line for free.
The Sioux Falls Skyforce, currently 9-5 on the season and in third place in the Central Division, take on the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2-10) at 11 a.m. MT in the opening game of the Showcase. Action continues with three more contests during the afternoon and evening on Monday and the schedules for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday also includes four games each, beginning at 11 a.m. MT (see full schedule attached).
Nine members of the 2008 NBA Draft class are slated to participate in this year’s NBA D-League Showcase including NBA D-League players Joe Crawford (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (Reno Bighorns) and Richard Hendrix (Dakota Wizards) and NBA assigned players Joey Dorsey (Houston Rockets, playing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers), J.R. Giddens (Boston Celtics, playing with the Utah Flash), Malik Hairston (San Antonio Spurs, playing with the Austin Toros), Walter Sharpe (Detroit Pistons, playing with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Bill Walker (Boston Celtics, playing with the Flash), and Sonny Weems (Denver Nuggets, playing with the Colorado 14ers).
Additionally, six members of the 2007 NBA Draft class round out the NBA D-League Showcase rosters, including Sean Williams, currently on assignment with the 14ers from the New Jersey Nets and NBA D-League players Derrick Byers (Bakersfield Jam), Jermareo Davidson (Idaho Stampede), Jared Jordan (Rio Grande Valley), Chris Richard (Tulsa 66ers), and Marcus Williams (Austin).
The premier in-season basketball scouting event, the Showcase will welcome general managers, player personnel staff and scouts from each of the 30 NBA teams who will converge in Utah for four days to evaluate the league’s talent. The Showcase takes on an international flavor as numerous members of the international basketball community will also make the trip to Orem to watch the action unfold.
“With the extraordinary depth of talent in the NBA D-League this season, the NBA D-League Showcase affords NBA teams an opportunity to evaluate all of the League’s players in one location. Historically, we have seen NBA teams sign players immediately following the Showcase, and in some instances during the Showcase, too,” said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel for the NBA D-League. “We are excited about being in Orem, Utah for this year’s Showcase and look forward to an exciting four days of basketball.”
NBA D-LEAGUE SHOWCASE PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:
MON., JAN. 5
1 P.M., Sioux Falls Skyforce vs. Albuquerque Thunderbirds
3:45 P.M., Austin Toros vs. Colorado 14ers
6:30 P.M., Los Angeles D-Fenders vs. Bakersfield Jam
9:15 P.M., Reno Bighorns vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers
TUES., JAN. 6
1 P.M., Idaho Stampede vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants
3:45 P.M., Iowa Energy vs. Dakota Wizards
6:30 P.M., Erie BayHawks vs. Tulsa 66ers
9:15 P.M., Anaheim Arsenal vs. Utah Flash
WED., JAN. 7
1 P.M., Rio Grande Valley Vipers vs. Sioux Valley Skyforce
3:45 P.M., Fort Wayne Mad Ants vs. Iowa Energy
6:30 P.M., Albuquerque Thunderbirds vs. Erie BayHawks
9:15 P.M., Dakota Wizards vs. Reno Bighorns
THURS., JAN. 8
1 P.M., Tulsa 66ers vs. Idaho Stampede
3:45 P.M., Colorado 14ers vs. Anaheim Arsenal
6:30 P.M., Bakersfield Jam vs. Austin Toros
9:15 P.M., Utah Flash vs. Los Angeles D-Fenders