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NBA Announces D-League Affiliates for 2007-08 Season

July 10, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
Anaheim Arsenal News Release


ANAHEIM, Calif., July 10, 2007 - The National Basketball Association has announced the NBA affiliates for its Developmental League for the 2007-08 season. The Anaheim Arsenal will remain affiliated with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Orlando Magic, and will add the Atlanta Hawks as its third NBA partner. The recent expansion of the D-League to fourteen teams has required some realigning of teams, resulting in the Portland Trailblazers becoming an affiliate of the Idaho Stampede. Each NBA team has one Developmental League affiliate to which it may assign players who are in their first or second NBA season.

"Our organization is excited about the addition of the Atlanta Hawks to our affiliates," said Arsenal President Jeff Jones. "The Hawks are a great young team and I look forward to cultivating a relationship with the fans, players, coaches and front office."

"We are true believers in the NBA Development League and are excited to be affiliated with the Anaheim Arsenal," stated Harold Ellis Minor League/College Scout for the Atlanta Hawks. "We look forward to working with their coaching staff and the rest of the organization."

James Augustine of the Orlando Magic was assigned to the Arsenal midway through the 2006-2007 D-League season. He put up some impressive numbers, played numerous minutes, and returned to the Magic ready to contribute materially to the team.

The affiliation system for the 2007-08 D-League season features several intriguing storylines:

The San Antonio Spurs are the second NBA team to own their D-League affiliate, joining the Los Angeles Lakers. The Spurs purchased the Austin Toros on June 28 and will oversee the team operations from San Antonio. Former University of Missouri coach Quin Snyder enters his first season as head coach of the Toros.

The Detroit Pistons will re-connect to their roots in Fort Wayne, IN, as they will be affiliated with the new Fort Wayne Mad Ants. The Pistons entered the NBA in 1948 as the Fort Wayne Pistons. The Pistons will share their Mad Ants affiliation along with the Indiana Pacers.

The Idaho Stampede will be the affiliate for both the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics, the teams with the top two picks in the 2007 NBA Draft.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be affiliated with the new Rio Grande Valley Vipers, which is owned in part by two Cavaliers season ticket holders along with several local owners in the Rio Grande Valley area. The Cavaliers share its Rio Grande Valley affiliation along with the Houston Rockets and New Orleans Hornets.

The Boston Celtics will be affiliated with the Utah Flash. Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge played his college basketball in Utah at Brigham Young University. The Flash will also be affiliated with the Utah Jazz.

The Memphis Grizzlies will be the affiliates of the 2006-07 D-League champion Dakota Wizards. The Grizzlies recently hired former Dakota coach Dave Joerger as an assistant coach. The Washington Wizards will also be affiliated with Dakota.

"We expect to continue to expand the number of D-League teams going forward which will benefit all NBA teams as they seek to develop their young talent," said Reed.

"The assignment system provides a significant benefit to both NBA teams and our D-League affiliates," said Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, and NBA Basketball Operations. "The NBA teams have the chance to see their young players develop through in-game experience while the D-League teams are infused with outstanding young NBA talent."

With the D-League expanding by four teams -- Fort Wayne, Iowa, Rio Grande Valley and Utah --for the upcoming season, the league will feature a total of 14 teams. Two franchises that played in the 2006-07 season (Arkansas RimRockers, Fort Worth Flyers) will not operate during the 2007-08 season.

The D-League, the NBA's minor league established to develop talent across all disciplines for the NBA, will be relocating its headquarters from Greenville, S.C. to New York City to help foster the D-League's continued growth by giving it direct access to the support and resources of the NBA and WNBA. During the league's sixth season, 19 NBA teams assigned 24 players to D-League rosters, and 14 NBA teams called-up 16 players ('Gatorade Call-ups'). Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

The D-League continues to grow with four expansion teams set to begin play in 2007-08 (Des Moines, Iowa; Ft. Wayne, Ind.; Hidalgo, Texas; and Orem, Utah). 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 on the NBA Development League, visit D-LEAGUE.com.

2007-08 NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE TEAM AFFILIATIONS

Albuquerque Thunderbirds

Philadelphia 76ers

Phoenix Suns

Anaheim Arsenal

Atlanta Hawks

Los Angeles Clippers

Orlando Magic

Austin Toros

San Antonio Spurs

Bakersfield Jam

Golden State Warriors

Sacramento Kings

Colorado 14ers (Broomfield)

Denver Nuggets

New Jersey Nets

Toronto Raptors

Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, ND)

Memphis Grizzlies

Washington Wizards

Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Detroit Pistons

Indiana Pacers

Idaho Stampede (Boise)

Portland Trail Blazers

Seattle SuperSonics

Iowa Energy (Des Moines)

Chicago Bulls

Miami Heat

Los Angeles D-Fenders

Los Angeles Lakers

Rio Grande Valley Vipers (TX)

Cleveland Cavaliers

Houston Rockets

New Orleans Hornets

Sioux Falls SkyForce (SD)

Charlotte Bobcats

Minnesota Timberwolves

Tulsa 66ers

Dallas Mavericks

Milwaukee Bucks

New York Knicks

Utah Flash (Orem)

Boston Celtics

Utah Jazz

For more information on the Anaheim Arsenal, visit www.anaheimarsenal.com or call us at (714)635-BALL.

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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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