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G League Austin Spurs

Toros to Pick 10th in 2006 NBA Development League Draft

October 4, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Austin Spurs News Release


AUSTIN, Texas, October 4, 2006 - The Austin Toros secured the tenth overall selection in the 2006 NBA Development League Draft through a lottery conducted at the annual coaches meeting Tuesday. The Draft is scheduled for November 2 at 8 p.m. CDT. The venue for the Toros official draft party will be announced at a later date.

"Although we didn't receive the first pick, I feel good about our chances of selecting a great player with the 10th spot," said Toros head coach Dennis Johnson. "Now that we have learned our draft order it is time to start the homework to ensure a successful draft for the Toros 2006-07 squad."

Last season the Toros selected forward Jamar Smith with their first overall pick. Smith averaged 11.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 48 games and was selected to the 2005-06 All-NBA Development League second team. Most recently he signed a contract to participate in training camp with the Toros NBA affiliate San Antonio Spurs.

The Anaheim Arsenal and Sioux Falls Skyforce will have the first and second overall pick in a serpentine selection process, followed by the 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 first, Anaheim's next selections will be the 24th and 25th 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 2006-07 D-League season begins November 24 with five games. A 50-game schedule is highlighted by the Showcase on January 15-17 in Sioux Falls, S.D. and the inaugural NBA D-League All-Star Game February 17 in Las Vegas.

The Toros will open the 2006-07 season on the road against the defending D-League Champion Albuquerque Thunderbirds Friday, Nov. 24 in New Mexico. The Toros host the Fort Worth Flyers in the home opener Saturday, Nov. 25 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center.

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