Tulsa 66ers Now a Stop on SuperSonic Route to NBA
Published on June 11, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
Tulsa 66ers News Release
Tulsa, Okla., June 11, 2008 - The National Basketball Association announced today the affiliation system for the 2008-09 NBA Development League season. The Tulsa 66ers will be affiliated with the Seattle SuperSonics and the Milwaukee Bucks.
"We are excited to add the Sonics and extend our affiliation with the Bucks," said Jim Brylewski, Tulsa 66ers president. "The Bucks have been a great partner and the SuperSonics were active D-League participants this past season, assigning center Mouhamed Sene and guard Mickael Gelabale. They also had two Gatorade Call-Ups during the 2007-08 season, including 66ers forward Ronald Dupree."
With the NBA D-League expanding by two teams -- Erie, PA and Reno, NV -- for the upcoming season, the league will feature 16 teams. The 2008-09 season will be the first in which each NBA D-League team is affiliated with a maximum of two NBA teams.
Beginning in late November, the Tulsa 66ers will play their 2008-09 home games in the new SpiritBank Event Center in South Tulsa. Season tickets, starting at just $8 a game, are available now by calling 918-585-8444. For more information crash the net at Tulsa66ers.com.
"Tulsa has been instrumental in the growth of several of our young players, including Ersan Ilyasova, Ramon Sessions and David Noel," said Dave Babcock, Milwaukee Bucks director of player personnel. "We are very fortunate to keep our relationship with the 66ers and look forward to working with them in the future."
The NBA D-League continues to be a breeding ground for elite basketball talent, with more NBA players than ever boasting NBA D-League experience. Twenty-nine of 30 NBA teams featured players with NBA D-League experience during the 2007-08 season. Former NBA D-League players made up more than 15 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 end-of-season rosters. During the first three seasons of the NBA D-League's assignment system, NBA teams have assigned 76 players a total of 130 times to play in the NBA D-League.
Additionally, the NBA D-League's affiliation system is having a positive impact on recent NBA draft picks who are increasingly utilizing the system as a springboard to NBA success. More than 25 percent of players from the last three NBA Draft classes have played in the NBA D-League. Last season, 19 prospects from the 2007 NBA Draft played in the NBA D-League, including first-round selections Daequan Cook (No. 21), Morris Almond (No. 25), Aaron Brooks (No. 26) and Alando Tucker (No. 29). Milwaukee Bucks second-round selection Ramon Sessions returned from assignment with the Tulsa 66ers and earned a spot in the starting lineup before being named Eastern Conference T-Mobile Rookie of the Month for April
NBA G League Stories from June 11, 2008
- Arsenal to serve as affiliate to Clippers, Hawks - Anaheim Arsenal
- Pistons and Pacers Remain Mad Ants' Affiliates for the 2008-09 Season - Indiana Mad Ants
- The Albuquerque Thunderbirds Welcome Their 2008-2009 NBA Parent Teams - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Tulsa 66ers Now a Stop on SuperSonic Route to NBA - Tulsa 66ers
- Dakota Continues Relationship with Grizzlies and Wizards - Dakota Wizards
- Skyforce Remains Affiliated with Timberwolves, Bobcats for 2008-09 Season - Sioux Falls Skyforce
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