Los Angeles to Draft Eighth in 2007 NBA D-League Draft

Published on October 31, 2007 under NBA G League (G League)
Los Angeles D-Fenders News Release


EL SEGUNDO, CA - The Los Angeles D-Fenders were awarded the 8th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Development League's draft lottery.

The lottery took place in Dallas, TX at the League's annual Coaches Conference.

"Picking in the middle doesn't excite me, doesn't depress me," said Head Coach Dan Panaggio; "it's what we have to work with."

The Colorado 14ers won the lottery and will select first in the draft. The defending champion Dakota Wizards own the second selection followed by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Idaho Stampede, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Sioux Falls Skyforce and Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

The draft which will be conducted via conference call, will air live on NBA TV on November 1st beginning with pre-draft coverage at 8 pm EST. Marty Blake, the NBA's Director of Scouting and his son Ryan, NBA Assistant Director of Scouting, will once again serve as analysts.

The draft is "serpentine" or "snaked" which means the order will be reversed in each of the ten rounds. For example, after picking first, Colorado's next selections will be the 28th and 29th overall. The Iowa Energy will select last in the first round, but first in the second round, giving them the 14th and 15th picks overall. "It's the best way to evenly distribute the talent in the draft," said Chris Alpert the D-League's Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.

The order of the first round will be:

1) Colorado 14ers

2) Dakota Wizards

3) Albuquerque Thunderbirds

4) Idaho Stampede

5) Rio Grande Valley Vipers

6) Sioux Falls Skyforce

7) Fort Wayne Mad Ants

8) Los Angeles D-Fenders

9) Anaheim Arsenal

10) Utah Flash

11) Tulsa 66ers

12) Austin Toros

13) Bakersfield Jam

14) Iowa Energy

The D-Fenders tip off their second season in the NBA Development League on Sunday, November 25 at 2:30 p.m. when they host the Utah Flash at STAPLES Center. Having a game ticket for a Lakers home game also gives fans the opportunity to attend the D-Fenders game that same day at STAPLES Center.

The NBA Development League (D-League) is made up of fourteen (14) teams for the 2007-08 season. Teams include the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (NM), Anaheim Arsenal (CA), Austin Toros (TX), Bakersfield Jam (CA), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield, CO), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, ND), Idaho Stampede (Boise, ID), Los Angeles D-Fenders (CA), Sioux Falls Skyforce (SD) and Tulsa 66ers (OK). Expansion teams include the Utah Flash (Orem, UT), the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Hidalgo, TX), Fort Wayne Mad Ants (IN) and the Iowa Energy (Des Moines, IA).

Established to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information about the D-Fenders please visit www.d-fenders.com and for more information about the NBA Development League visit www.d-league.com.

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