D-Fenders To Pick Seventh In 2006 NBA D-League Draft

Published on October 4, 2006 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO- The Los Angeles D-Fenders have secured the seventh overall selection in the 2006 NBA Development League Draft through a lottery conducted at the annual coaches meeting Tuesday in Dallas. The Draft is scheduled for November 2 at 9 p.m. ET.

The Anaheim Arsenal will have the first overall pick in a serpentine selection process, followed by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, 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 seventh, D-Fenders next selections will be the 18th and 31st 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.

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

Training camp rosters will consist of the 10 players selected in the Draft, up to four returning players, two allocation players of regional significance and a player invited from each team's open tryout. The four returning players for Anaheim, Bakersfield, Colorado and Los Angeles, all expansion teams, will be signed from the 10 players each selected in the Expansion Draft on September 19.

The Los Angeles D-Fenders open the 2006-07 season on the road on November 24 in Anaheim and then debut at home on the hardwood at STAPLES Center on November 28 at 3:30 p.m. against San Joaquin Valley rivals the Bakersfield Jam.

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 will 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.



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