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D-Fenders Set Roster, Open Season On Road

November 22, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, Calif.- The Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League announced today their roster for the 2006-07 Season. The D-Fenders kick-off their inaugural season this weekend with a pair of road games and then debut at STAPLES Center for their first home game of the 2006-07 season.

Ten of the seventeen training camp hopefuls have survived the final round of cuts to become the first players to wear a D-Fenders uniform on the court this weekend for the start of the NBA D-League regular season.

"I like our team. We still have some question marks going into the season and we'll see how our backcourt responds. But overall, I like the work ethic and attitude of our guys," Head Coach Dan Panaggio stated.

Starting the season on the road, the D-Fenders visit the two other new California teams, freeway rivals the Anaheim Arsenal and San Joaquin Valley rivals the Bakersfield Jam.

The D-Fenders visit Anaheim on Friday, November 24, with a 6pm tip-off at The Arena at The Anaheim Convention Center. This will be the first regular season meeting of the two freeway rivals, who had met in the preseason when the D-Fenders defeated the Arsenal with a 129-94 victory. On Sunday, November 26 the D-Fenders head north to face the Bakersfield Jam at Rabobank Arena for a 4pm tip-off.

"I like playing on the road," said Assistant Coach Chucky Brown. "The best part about playing on the road is silencing the opposing team's crowd. Anaheim will be looking for revenge and they have motivation from us beating them in the preseason game."

The D-Fenders return home to Los Angeles and hit the hardwood at STAPLES Center for Opening Day on Tuesday, November 28 with tip-off at 3:30pm as they host Bakersfield.

"I am looking forward to the debut of the Los Angeles D-Fenders at STAPLES Center," said Lakers Executive VP, Business Operations Jeanie Buss. "I believe our front office has assembled an impressive team and coaching staff that the Lakers fans will enjoy watching perform."

Having a Lakers ticket for that same evening's game at STAPLES Center is also your ticket to a lower bowl seat for the D-Fenders. Lakers season ticket holders who attend a D-Fenders game will receive a special gift, while supplies last, by visiting the Season Ticket Holder Booth on the main concourse at the Figueroa Street Entrance.

On July 31st of this year the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they had become the first NBA franchise in history to own an NBA Development League team. The Los Angeles D-Fenders play their home games at STAPLES Center pre and post Lakers home games. The Lakers devoted fans were given the opportunity to name the NBA D-League team in an online naming contest.

Los Angeles D-Fenders 2006-07 Regular Season Roster

No. Name POS HT WT SCHOOL

51 Akin Akingbala C 6-10 220 Clemson

21 Aloysius Anagonye PF 6-8 260 Michigan State

28 Duane Erwin PF 6-9 240 Memphis

11 Devin Green SG 6-7 210 Hampton

30 Josh Gross SF 6-6 185 UNC Greensboro

20 Kevin "Butter" Johnson SF 6-8 215 Charlotte

5 Andre Joseph SG 6-3 185 Oregon

6 Jackie Manuel SG 6-5 195 North Carolina

23 Chet Mason PG 6-4 184 Miami (Ohio)

36 Andre Patterson SF 6-7 217 Tennessee

Head Coach: Dan Panaggio

Assistant Coach: Chucky Brown

Athletic Trainer: Marco Nunez

Equipment Manager: Thomas Archie

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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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