Skyforce announce NBA affiliates
July 5, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Sioux Falls Skyforce News Release
Sioux Falls, S.D. (July 5, 2007) - The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today their NBA affiliates for the 2007-08 season, their second campaign in the NBA Development League. Sioux Falls will keep the Minnesota Timberwolves as an affiliate for the second straight season and the Charlotte Bobcats will replace the Detroit Pistons as their second NBA affiliate.
The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the first NBA teams to use the assignment system at the beginning of the 2005-06 season as they assigned Dwayne Jones and Bracey Wright to the Florida Flame. Minnesota did not assign anyone to the Skyforce last season as their young players received adequate playing time at the NBA level.
"We are excited that we will continue to be affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves," said Skyforce president/owner Mike Heineman. "They are our natural affiliate because of their location but we think that our relationship with them will continue to grow into a model for the league."
"We're excited to continue our relationship with the Sioux Falls Skyforce as our D-League affiliate," said Timberwolves General Manager Jim Stack. "The Skyforce is a first-class organization, and Head Coach Mo McHone is a great teacher of the game of basketball. The D-League has clearly proven itself as a very good training ground for young players in our league. It provides a tremendous opportunity for them to learn and play the game, continually work on their overall skill level and become better prepared for the NBA."
The Charlotte Bobcats will replace the Detroit Pistons as Sioux Falls other NBA affiliate. Charlotte utilized the assignment system for the first time last season as they assigned rookie center Ryan Hollins to the Fort Worth Flyers. In five games he averaged 12.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. Newly appointed Bobcats Head Coach Sam Vincent spent three seasons in the D-League as a head coach, winning a championship in 2003 with the Mobile Revelers. Additionally, three assistant coaches for the Bobcats have ties to the D-League as Jeff Capel (head coach), Paul Mokeski (assistant coach) and Lee Rose (supervisor of coaches) all spent time in the NBA's official minor league along with Assistant General Manager Karl Hicks, who served as executive director of the D-League from the league's inception in 2000 through 2003.
"The Bobcats are a very intriguing team to be affiliated with because of extensive D-League influence in the coaching and front office staff," said Heineman. "They understand the value of a solid relationship with their D-League affiliate."
"The D-League has provided an opportunity for players to improve their individual skills," said Bobcats Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bernie Bickerstaff. "It has also been a tool to enhance the development of younger players."
Beginning with the 2005-06 season, the NBA and the NBA Players Union agreed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement that players with zero or one year of NBA experience could be assigned to a D-League affiliate. The assignment system provides young players in the NBA an opportunity to develop their skills during actual in-game experiences while continuing to earn their NBA salaries and benefits.
Following is the list of players from Charlotte and Minnesota that are eligible to be assigned to the D-League this upcoming season:
Name NBA Team Years
Jermareo Davidson Charlotte Bobcats R
Jared Dudley Charlotte Bobcats R
Walter Herrmann Charlotte Bobcats 1
Ryan Hollins Charlotte Bobcats 1
Adam Morrison Charlotte Bobcats 1
Corey Brewer Minnesota Timberwolves R
Randy Foye Minnesota Timberwolves 1
Chris Richard Minnesota Timberwolves R
Craig Smith Minnesota Timberwolves 1
Once again this season the Sioux Falls Skyforce will host two NBA Affiliate Nights at the Sioux Falls Arena. On each night the Skyforce players will wear uniforms of one of their NBA affiliates which will we auctioned off for charity. Last season the silent auctions raised $3,662 for the Hot Stuff Warm Hearts Kids' Charities.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2007-08 season. For information please contact a Skyforce representative at (605) 332-0605.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
