Tucker Assigned to the Thunderbirds
November 29, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Albuquerque, N.M., November 29, 2007 - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds and the Phoenix Suns announce today that the Suns have assigned rookie forward Alando Tucker to the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. The official announcement was made by Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr.
The 29th selection in the 2007 NBA Draft, Tucker has made appearances in two games for Phoenix this season, averaging 6.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.0 minutes of action. This is the first time in the Thunderbirds team history a first round NBA Draft pick has been assigned to the organization.
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, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 134 games. During his senior season he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was named First-Team All-American by the Associated Press.
Tucker is the record-setting 12th NBA player assigned to the D-League this season. On this date last year there had been a total of three players assigned to the D-League. In 2005-06 there were eight players assigned to the NBA Development League at this point.
Tucker joins an Albuquerque squad with a 2-1 record on the season, coached by 1984 NBA All-Star Jeff Ruland and features 2004 NBA champion Darvin Ham.
Tucker is the 12th NBA player assigned to a D-League affiliate this season. Twenty-seven (27) NBA teams have designated 65 players to D-League affiliates since the start of the 2005-06 season.
Tucker is expected to be in uniform for Saturday's game when the Thunderbirds (2-1) visit the Idaho Stampede (2-1) wearing No. 42.
The Thunderbirds return home to take on the Colorado 14ers on December 7th and 8th. Both game times are set for 7:00pm at Tingley Coliseum. All Thunderbirds games can be heard on KBZU 96.3 "The Buzz" FM.
Thunderbirds 2007-08 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com 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 almost 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.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
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