Suns Re-Assign Tucker To Thunderbirds
Published on January 11, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Albuquerque, N.M., January 11, 2008 The Albuquerque Thunderbirds and the Phoenix Suns announced today that the Suns have re-assigned their first round draft choice, forward Alando Tucker to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr announced today. Tucker was previously assigned on Nov. 28 and recalled on Dec. 24. Tucker's second assignment is the 30th of the season for the D-League.
"We are glad to have two great NBA parent clubs in the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns," said Head Coach Jeff Ruland. "It's hard to see D.J. go back to Phoenix, but it is great to see Alando back in the rotation."
During his first assignment, Tucker played five games for the Thunderbirds, averaging 28.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists. The 29th overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, Tucker has made appearances in five games for Phoenix this season, averaging 2.4 points in 4.5 minutes. He earned D-League.com Performer of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 17, 2007.
A product of the University of Wisconsin, Tucker finished his college career as the all-time leading scorer with 2,217 points, averaging 16.5 points, to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 134 games. During his senior season he earned Big Ten Player of the Year and was named First-Team All-America by the Associated Press.
Phoenix recalled Strawberry Thursday following his D-League.com Performer of the Week nod after averaging 34.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 24-of-41 (.585) from the field and 8-of-14(.571) from behind the three-point arc.
Tucker is expected to be in uniform Saturday wearing No. 42 when Albuquerque (6-8) plays game two of a two game set in Austin (13-4) at Austin Convention Center, 6 pm (MST) start.
The Thunderbirds continue on the road for their next six games starting Saturday, January 12th against the Austin Toros, before returning home to take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Wednesday, January 23rd for a 10:30 am "School House Jam" game. The game on January 23rd will be the first of two "School House Jam" games for the Thunderbirds this season.
Thunderbirds 2007-08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, any Ticketmaster location or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.
The Thunderbirds stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.
The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives of the NBA and its teams, provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.
Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad
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