D-League MLK Showcase Begins Sunday, January 15
Published on January 9, 2006 under NBA G League (G League) News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C., January 9 - There will be eight NBA Development League games played in two days beginning Sunday at the Crown Coliseum, but the second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Showcase will be more than just a gathering of the best basketball players outside of the NBA. It will be a celebration of community and a legacy as well.
Every team in the D-League, along with more than 50 NBA scouts, will converge on the home of the Fayetteville Patriots for four games on Sunday and four more on Monday. Games begin at 11 a.m., 2, 5 and 8 p.m. ET each day. Every game will also be shown on a tape-delayed basis by NBA TV.
While the games go on, so will events to highlight the Fayetteville community and the legacy of Dr. King. The Patriots, in conjunction with local schools, are conducting Reading Time-Outs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Players, coaches and front office staff are also involved with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Telethon, a Candlelight Vigil at MLK Park and the MLK Parade in downtown Fayetteville. The D-League will also be represented at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast at the Crown Coliseum on Monday.
The D-League and Patriots are also combining with Fort Bragg to showcase the base to NBA and D-League visitors. The nation's largest military installation will host basketball executives and players for lunch with the troops, special weapons training, as well as a base museum tour. A VIP reception at Sports USA on Fort Bragg is scheduled to take place prior to the league conducting a Player Development Team Awareness Meeting, also on base.
Following is the schedule of games for the Showcase:
Time Sunday, January 15 Monday, January 16
11 a.m. Austin vs. Arkansas Albuquerque vs. Austin
2 p.m. Tulsa vs. Albuquerque Arkansas vs. Florida
5 p.m. Florida vs. Fayetteville Fort Worth vs. Tulsa
8 p.m. Roanoke vs. Fort Worth Fayetteville vs. Roanoke
High school bands from the surrounding area will participate in a "Battle of the Bands" that will take place throughout the entirety of the Showcase. Two bands will battle at halftime of each of the eight games.
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-six (36) players have been called up to the NBA on 52 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.
NBA G League Stories from January 9, 2006
- RimRockers team up with Yarnell's Ice Cream to offer limited edition carton - Arkansas RimRockers
- Tulsa Acquires Anthony Wilkins, Waives Hill Due to Injury - Tulsa 66ers
- D-League MLK Showcase Begins Sunday, January 15 - G League
- Flame Stay In Funk, Get Swept By Toros - Florida Flame
- NBA D-League Daily Developments - G League
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