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Anaheim Arsenal to select first in 2006 NBA D-League draft

October 4, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Anaheim Arsenal News Release


Anaheim, Calif., October 4, 2006 - The Anaheim Arsenal secured the first overall selection in the 2006 NBA Development League Draft through a lottery conducted at the annual coaches' meeting Tuesday. The Draft is scheduled for November 2 at 9 p.m. ET.

"We are excited about having the top pick," Arsenal head coach Larry Smith said. "(Assistant) Coach (Reggie) Geary and I will get together, study all the players available in the draft pool and come out with a great player with the first selection."

The Sioux Falls Skyforce will have the second overall pick in a serpentine selection process, followed by the Colorado 14ers, Fort Worth Flyers, Dakota Wizards, Arkansas RimRockers, Los Angeles D-Fenders, Tulsa 66ers, Idaho Stampede, Austin Toros, Bakersfield Jam and Albuquerque Thunderbirds.

Since the draft is serpentine, or "snaked," the order will be reversed in each of the 10 rounds. For example, after picking first, Anaheim's next selections will be the 24th and 25th overall. Albuquerque will select last in the first round, but first in the second round, giving the T-Birds the 12th and 13th overall picks.

"It's going to be interesting with the new format," Smith said. "We really have to do our homework, but we will get some players that basketball fans in Orange County will look forward to watching play."

The roster-building process for the Arsenal will begin on October 14 and 15 at the American Sports Centers in Anaheim as they will host their local player tryouts. Training camp rosters will consist of the 10 players selected in the Draft, two allocation players from Southern California and a player invited from the open tryout. The four remaining players for the Arsenal, Bakersfield Jam, Colorado 14ers and Los Angeles D-Fenders, all expansion teams, will be signed from the 10 players each selected in the Expansion Draft on September 19.

"The Arsenal is committed to bringing the best quality professional basketball to Anaheim," said Arsenal majority owner Louise Jones. "We are overjoyed at the opportunity to build our team around the top draft pick. The steady hand of NBA veteran head coach Larry Smith combined with the able assistance of Mater Dei and University of Arizona star assistant coach Reggie Geary will produce a team Orange County can truly be proud of. We can hardly wait for the season to start."

To be eligible for the 2006 Draft, a player must have signed a standard D-League player contract. Previous top picks currently in NBA training camps include Chicago Bulls guard Andre Barrett (2005) and New Jersey Nets forward Mikki Moore (2002).

The Arsenal open the 2006-07 D-League season November 24 as they take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders at 6:00pm in the Arena at the Convention Center. A 50-game schedule is highlighted by the Showcase on January 15-17 in Sioux Falls, S.D. and the inaugural NBA D-League All-Star Game February 17 in Las Vegas.

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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.

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