Logo NBA Development League |
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Sport | Basketball |
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Founded | 2001 |
Inaugural season | 2001–2002 |
No. of teams | 16 |
Country(ies) | United States |
Continent | FIBA Americas (Americas) |
Most recent champion(s) | Rio Grande Valley Vipers (1st title) |
Most titles | Asheville Altitude (2 titles) |
TV partner(s) | NBA TV Versus |
Official website | NBA D-League |
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL), the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001. In March 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern announced a plan to expand the NBA D-League to fifteen teams and develop it into a true minor league farm system, with each NBA D-League team affiliated with one or more NBA teams. For the 2010–11 season, the league consists of 16 teams. At the conclusion of the 2008-09 NBA season, 20 percent of NBA players had spent time in the NBA D-League.
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The league began play as the NBDL in the 2001–2002 season; the original eight franchises were all located in the southeastern United States (specifically in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia). Some of these teams were purchased by private owners and relocated—at the same time the league's name was changed—in the summer of 2005, in a bid to appeal to more fans nationwide. As a result, franchises were established in or moved to Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma. In February 2006, the D-League expanded to California for the first time with the addition of the Bakersfield Jam. Two months later, the league announced that four teams from the Continental Basketball Association were joining the league: the Dakota Wizards, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Idaho Stampede, and a team originally slated for CBA expansion, the Colorado 14ers.[1][2] A few days after that, the league announced that Anaheim, California, would be getting a team.[3] One week after that, they announced that the Los Angeles Lakers have purchased a team, making them the first NBA team to own a D-League team.[4] The westward expansion contributed to the contraction of the NBA-owned Roanoke Dazzle[5] and Fayetteville Patriots.[6] The Florida Flame have suspended operations due to arena scheduling difficulties. [7] Today, no NBA D-League teams remain in the league's original Southeastern footprint. On November 5, 2009, Frisco made history by hiring Nancy Lieberman as head coach, the first female head coach to lead an NBA or NBA D-League team.
On January 4, 2010, the league announced its first national television agreement with Versus. Versus is slated to carry 10 regular season games and 6 playoff games throughout 2010, airing on Saturday nights beginning January 16.
The NBA Development League held its first All-Star game February 17, 2007, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. As with the NBA's showcase game, a fan vote determined the starting lineup for each team. The East won 114 to 100, with Pops Mensah-Bonsu named the game's MVP.[8]
The second annual All-Star game was held on February 16, 2008, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Blue team beat the Red team, 117–99 and Jeremy Richardson was named the MVP. In addition to the NBA D-League All-Star Game, the league debuted its first Dream Factory Friday Night events, which modeled after the NBA All-Star Saturday Night events. The events consists of Three-Point Shootout (won by Adam Harrington), Slam Dunk Contest (won by Brent Petway) and game of H.O.R.S.E. (won by Lance Allred).[9]
The 2009 D-League All-Star game was held on February 14, 2009, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The Red Team defeated the Blue Team 113–103 and Blake Ahearn and Courtney Sims were named co-MVPs.[10] Along with the All-Star game, the NBA D-League ran their second annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. H.O.R.S.E., which debuted last year, was won by Will Conroy of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. The Three-Point Shootout was won by Blake Ahearn of the Dakota Wizards, and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by James White of the Bakersfield Jam.[11]
The 2010 D-League All-Star game was held on February 13, 2010, at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. The Western Conference team defeated the Eastern Conference Team 98–81. Bakersfield Jam center Brian Butch, who scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, was named as the MVP of the game.[12] The NBA D-League also ran their third annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. The inaugural Shooting Stars Competition was won by a team of Pat Carroll, Trey Gilder and Carlos Powell. The Three-Point Shootout was won by Andre Ingram of the Utah Flash, and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by Dar Tucker of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.[13]
The league stages an annual NBA D-League Showcase in which all of the league's teams play each other in a "carnival" format. The Showcase was first played in 2005 was originally intended solely as a scouting event for NBA general managers and scouts, but has evolved into a fan-friendly four day event in which each team plays two games apiece. Since the inception of the event in 2005, there have been 15 players called-up or recalled during or immediately following the Showcase. The Showcase has been hosted in Columbus, Georgia (2005), Fayetteville, North Carolina (2006), Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2007), Boise, Idaho (2008), Orem, Utah (2009), Boise, Idaho (2010), South Padre Island, Texas in 2011.
The NBA D-League Draft occurs each season and is the major source from which teams build their rosters. Team rosters are made up of returning players (players who were on the team during the previous season), allocated players (players who have local significance), and drafted players. The 10 round draft utilizes a "serpentine" format, meaning the order alternates in each round.
Players for NBA D-League teams do not sign contracts with the individual teams, but with the league itself. D-League team rosters consist of a total of 12 players, 10 (or fewer) being D-League players and 2 (or more) NBA players. The rosters are made up in a number of ways: the previous years' players, players taken in the D-League draft, allocation players (meaning players who are assigned to a team with which they have a local connection, such as a University of Texas player being assigned to the Austin Toros), NBA team assignments, and local tryouts. Each NBA team can assign two first or second year players to its affiliated D-League team. If more than two NBA players are assigned to a team, the team must reduce the number of D-League players to keep the total roster size to 12. Each team also has local tryouts, and one player from the tryouts is assigned to the team. The minimum age to play in the NBDL is 18,[14] unlike the NBA which requires players to be 19 years old and one year out of high school in order to sign an NBA contract or be eligible for the draft. The highest player ever to be assigned is Hasheem Thabeet, the second player selected in the 2009 NBA draft.
NBA teams can call up players as many times as they choose, but a player can only be assigned to the NBA D-League three times in a season.
Many former NBA draftees, waived players and undrafted players have played in the NBA D-League. Some of the called-up D-League players that went on to have successful NBA careers include Rafer Alston, Louis Amundson, Chris Andersen, Kelenna Azubuike, Matt Barnes, Devin Brown, Will Bynum, Matt Carroll, Eddie Gill, Stephen Graham, Jason Hart, Chuck Hayes, Anthony Johnson, Dahntay Jones, Jamario Moon, Mikki Moore, Smush Parker, Bobby Simmons, Ime Udoka, Von Wafer, C. J. Watson, and Mike Wilks.[15] Aside from these players, there are several successful NBA players who were assigned to the D-League in their first and second season, such as José Juan Barea, Brandon Bass, Andray Blatche, Aaron Brooks, Jordan Farmar, Marcin Gortat, Ramon Sessions and Martell Webster.[16]
In the 2009–10 NBA season, a record of 27 players have been called up for a record 40 times. Several of those players earned a season-long contracts after being key contributors, including Anthony Tolliver, Chris Hunter and Reggie Williams (all Golden State Warriors), Sundiata Gaines (Utah Jazz), Chris Richard (Chicago Bulls), and Mario West (Atlanta Hawks).[15]
Currently, there are only 11 players with D-League experience who won an NBA title: Tremaine Fowlkes with the Detroit Pistons in 2003–04; Devin Brown and Mike Wilks with the San Antonio Spurs in 2004–05; Earl Barron and Dorell Wright with the Miami Heat in 2005–06; James White with the San Antonio Spurs in 2006-07; Gabe Pruitt with the Boston Celtics in 2007–08; and Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, Sun Yue and Shannon Brown with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008–09.[17] Bobby Simmons and Aaron Brooks are the only former D-League players to win an NBA end of season award, taking Most Improved Player award with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004–05(Simmons), and with the Houston Rockets in 2009-2010(Brooks).[18]
In 2008 NBA Draft, Portland Trail Blazers drafted Mike Taylor from Idaho Stampede. He became the first player from the NBA D-League to be drafted by an NBA team. He was subsequently traded and signed a rookie contract with Los Angeles Clippers.[19]
Thirty-five former NBA D-League players were on the 2006–07 NBA opening day roster. The number increased to 44 players in 2007–08 and then 60 players in 2008–09.[20][21] In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, an all-time high of 49 players were named to playoff rosters, 17 of whom also spent time in the D-League that season.[22] In the 2009–10 season, the number of former D-League players on NBA opening day roster increased and reached the all-time high of 63 players.[16]
As of April 14, 2009, there are 143 call-ups to the NBA, involving 89 players. The franchise with the most call-ups in D-League history is Columbus/Austin (15). They are followed by Asheville Tulsa (14); Fayetteville (11); Colorado (9); Huntsville/Albuquerque, Charleston/Florida, Roanoke and Sioux Falls (8); Iowa (6); Fort Worth and Idaho (5); Dakota, Fort Wayne and Mobile (4); Bakersfield and Los Angeles (3); Rio Grande Valley and Anaheim/Springfield (2) and Arkansas, Erie, Greenville and Utah (1).[15]
NBA Development League | |||
Eastern Conference | |||
Team | City | Arena | NBA Affiliates |
Dakota Wizards | Bismarck, North Dakota | Bismarck Civic Center | Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards |
Erie BayHawks | Erie, Pennsylvania | Louis J. Tullio Arena | Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors |
Fort Wayne Mad Ants | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks |
Iowa Energy | Des Moines, Iowa | Wells Fargo Arena | Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns |
Maine Red Claws | Portland, Maine | Portland Exposition Building | Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats |
Sioux Falls Skyforce | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Sioux Falls Arena | Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves |
Springfield Armor | Springfield, Massachusetts | MassMutual Center | New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers |
Western Conference | |||
Team | City | Arena | NBA Affiliates |
Austin Toros | Cedar Park, Texas | Cedar Park Center | San Antonio Spurs |
Bakersfield Jam | Bakersfield, California | Jam Events Center | Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers |
Idaho Stampede | Boise, Idaho | Qwest Arena | Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers |
New Mexico Thunderbirds | Rio Rancho, New Mexico | Santa Ana Star Center | New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic |
Reno Bighorns | Reno, Nevada | Reno Events Center | Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers | Hidalgo, Texas | State Farm Arena | Houston Rockets |
Texas Legends | Frisco, Texas | Dr Pepper Arena | Dallas Mavericks |
Tulsa 66ers | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Tulsa Convention Center | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Utah Flash | Orem, Utah | McKay Events Center | Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz |
The Los Angeles D-Fenders are currently inactive for the 2010–2011 season. They are expected to return for the 2011–2012 season with a new venue, possibly in the Southern California.[23]
The Toronto Raptors are engaged in discussions to bring a D-League team to Southern Ontario,[24] most likely to Hamilton, but Oshawa remains a possibility.[25] The Inland Empire, California, region is also being considered as an expansion site.
The owner of the Halifax Rainmen, also of the PBL, is currently pursuing ownership of a D-League team in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[26] Other possible locations for D-League teams include Toledo, Ohio;[27] Harlem, New York; Youngstown, Ohio; St. George, Utah; Richmond, Virginia; Little Havana, Florida; and Trenton, New Jersey in the East; and Honolulu, Hawaii; Burlington, Vermont and Wenatchee, Washington in the West.[28]
Team | City | Active Year(s) | NBA Affiliates |
Los Angeles D-Fenders | Los Angeles, California | 2006–2010 | Los Angeles Lakers ("local" affiliate) |
Team | City | Active Year(s) | NBA Affiliates | Notes |
Anaheim Arsenal | Anaheim, California | 2006–2009 | Los Angeles Clippers ("local" affiliate), Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks | moved to Springfield, Massachusetts |
Arkansas RimRockers | Little Rock, Arkansas | 2004–2007 | Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat | Suspended by owners, folded by league |
Asheville Altitude | Asheville, North Carolina | 2001–2005 | N/A | moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma |
(North) Charleston Lowgators | Charleston, South Carolina | 2001–2004 | Miami Heat ("local" affiliate), Orlando Magic ("local" affiliate), Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, | moved to South Fort Myers, Florida |
Colorado 14ers | Broomfield, Colorado | 2006–2009 | Denver Nuggets ("local" affiliate), New Jersey Nets | moved to Frisco, Texas |
Columbus Riverdragons | Columbus, Georgia | 2001–2005 | San Antonio Spurs | moved to Austin, Texas |
Fayetteville Patriots | Fayetteville, North Carolina | 2001–2006 | Charlotte Bobcats ("local" affiliate), Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks | Folded by league |
Florida Flame | South Fort Myers, Florida | 2001–2007 | Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves | Folded by owners |
Fort Worth Flyers | Fort Worth, Texas | 2005–2007 | Dallas Mavericks ("local" affiliate), Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers | Suspended by owners, folded by league |
Greenville Groove | Greenville, South Carolina | 2001–2003 | None | Folded by league |
Huntsville Flight | Huntsville, Alabama | 2001–2005 | Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat | moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Mobile Revelers | Mobile, Alabama | 2001–2003 | None | Folded by league |
Roanoke Dazzle | Roanoke, Virginia | 2001–2006 | Washington Wizards ("local" affiliate), Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets | Folded by league |
Year | # Teams | Expansion Teams | Folded Teams | Annexed Teams | Suspended Teams | Relocated Teams | Renamed Teams |
2001–02 | 8 | Asheville Altitude North Charleston Lowgators Columbus Riverdragons Fayetteville Patriots Greenville Groove Huntsville Flight Mobile Revelers Roanoke Dazzle |
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2002–03 | 8 | ||||||
2003–04 | 6 | Greenville Groove Mobile Revelers |
Charleston Lowgators | ||||
2004–05 | 6 | Charleston -> Florida | Florida Flame | ||||
2005–06 | 8 | Fort Worth Flyers | Arkansas RimRockers | Asheville -> Tulsa Columbus -> Austin Huntsville -> Albuquerque |
Tulsa 66ers Austin Toros Albuquerque Thunderbirds |
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2006–07 | 12 | Anaheim Arsenal Los Angeles D-Fenders |
Fayetteville Patriots Roanoke Dazzle |
Bakersfield Jam Colorado 14ers Dakota Wizards Idaho Stampede Sioux Falls Skyforce |
Florida Flame | ||
2007–08 | 14 | Fort Wayne Mad Ants Iowa Energy Rio Grande Valley Vipers Utah Flash |
Florida Flame | Arkansas RimRockers Fort Worth Flyers |
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2008–09 | 16 | Erie BayHawks Reno Bighorns |
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2009–10 | 16 | Maine Red Claws | Anaheim -> Springfield Colorado -> Texas (will begin play in 2010–11) |
Springfield Armor Texas Legends |
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2010–11 | 16 | Los Angeles D-Fenders | Albuquerque -> New Mexico (stadium move only) | New Mexico Thunderbirds |
Season | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
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2001–2002 | Greenville Groove | 81–63, 75–68 | North Charleston Lowgators |
2002–2003 | Mobile Revelers | 92–82, 71–77, 75–72 | Fayetteville Patriots |
2003–2004 | Asheville Altitude | 108–106 (OT)[29] | Huntsville Flight |
2004–2005 | Asheville Altitude | 90–67[30] | Columbus Riverdragons |
2005–2006 | Albuquerque Thunderbirds | 119–108[31] | Fort Worth Flyers |
2006–2007 | Dakota Wizards | 129–121 (OT) | Colorado 14ers |
2007–2008 | Idaho Stampede | 89–95, 90–89, 108–101[32] | Austin Toros |
2008–2009 | Colorado 14ers | 136–131, 123–104[33] | Utah Flash |
2009–2010 | Rio Grande Valley Vipers | 136–131, 94–91[34] | Tulsa 66ers |
Note: For the 2001–02 and 2002–03 seasons, (and resuming with the 2007–08 season onwards) the championship has been a best-of-three game series.
Western Conference | Eastern Conference |
Austin Toros | Dakota Wizards |
Bakersfield Jam | Erie BayHawks |
Idaho Stampede | Fort Wayne Mad Ants |
New Mexico Thunderbirds | Iowa Energy |
Reno Bighorns | Maine Red Claws |
Rio Grande Valley Vipers | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
Texas Legends | Springfield Armor |
Tulsa 66ers | |
Utah Flash |
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