17 former D-League players on 2005-06 NBA opening day rosters
November 1, 2005 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C., November 1 - Seventeen players who were on NBA Development League rosters over the last four seasons are members of NBA opening day rosters to begin the 2005-06 season.
The list includes two former NBA Development League Most Valuable Players, 2005 MVP Matt Carroll (Roanoke) with the Charlotte Bobcats and 2003 MVP Devin Brown (Fayetteville) with the Utah Jazz.
The Albuquerque Thunderbirds, formerly the Huntsville Flight, lead the way with four former players on NBA opening day rosters (Earl Barron, Miami; Mateen Cleaves, Seattle; Ronald Dupree, Minnesota; Mike Wilks, Cleveland), followed by the Fayetteville Patriots and Roanoke Dazzle with three each.
Following is the list of former D-League players on NBA opening day rosters:
Player NBA Team D-League Team
Rafer Alston Houston Rockets Mobile Revelers
Chris Andersen N.O./Okla. City Hornets Fayetteville Patriots
Matt Barnes New York Knicks Fayetteville Patriots
Earl Barron Miami Heat Albuquerque Thunderbirds**
Devin Brown Utah Jazz Fayetteville Patriots
Matt Carroll Charlotte Bobcats Roanoke Dazzle
Mateen Cleaves Seattle SuperSonics Albuquerque Thunderbirds**
Ronald Dupree Minnesota Timberwolves Albuquerque Thunderbirds**
Eddie Gill Indiana Pacers Tulsa 66ers*
Jason Hart Sacramento Kings Tulsa 66ers*
Anthony Johnson Indiana Pacers Mobile Revelers
Mikki Moore Seattle SuperSonics Roanoke Dazzle
Terence Morris Orlando Magic Austin Toros***
Smush Parker Los Angeles Lakers Florida Flame
Bobby Simmons Milwaukee Bucks Mobile Revelers
James Thomas Philadelphia 76ers Roanoke Dazzle
Mike Wilks Cleveland Cavaliers Albuquerque Thunderbirds**
The NBA Development League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, six athletic trainers, 14 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
*formerly Asheville Altitude **formerly Huntsville Flight ***formerly Columbus Riverdragons
(See attached file: D-Leaguers on 05-06 NBA Opening Day Rosters.doc)
Tune in tonight to the opening night of Premiere Week as the Nuggets take on the defending champion Spurs at 8:00 pm ET, followed by the Mavs vs. the Suns at 10:30 pm ET on TNT!
NBA G League Stories from November 1, 2005
- Flyers make first roster moves - Fort Worth Flyers
- Tulsa 66ers to Hold Live Draft Party - Tulsa 66ers
- Rimrockers announce direct buy's Jermain Taylor fight package to giveaway - Arkansas RimRockers
- 17 former D-League players on 2005-06 NBA opening day rosters - G League
- Toros to host draft party - Austin Spurs
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.
