Wizards Guard Ahearn Selected to Compete in Three Point Shootout at D-League All-Star Game

Published on February 5, 2009 under NBA G League (G League)
Dakota Wizards News Release


Bismarck ND, Feb. 5, 2009 - The NBA Development League Dream Factory Friday night, an innovative skills competition modeled after the popular NBA All-Star Saturday Night, returns for the second straight year to Center Court at NBA Jam Session presented by adidas on Friday, Feb. 13, at 7:15 p.m. MT.

Twelve NBA D-League players, including six with NBA experience, four who were drafted by NBA teams and two returning champions from the 2008 NBA D-League Dream Factory Friday Night, will showcase their skills during the evening's competitions. This year's event includes a Slam Dunk Competition, a Three-Point Shootout featuring an all "money-ball" rack and the NBA D-League's second annual game of H.O.R.S.E.

Brent Petway, the 2008 NBA D-League Slam Dunk Champion and a member of the Idaho Stampede, will defend his title against first-time NBA D-League Slam Dunk competitors Patrick Ewing, Jr. (Reno), Keith Clark (Tulsa) and James White (Anaheim). Ewing Jr. and White both participated in NCAA Slam Dunk competitions. Ewing Jr. finished as the runner-up in 2008 while White was a finalist in 2006. The competition will consist of two rounds of two dunks each with the two top scorers from the first round advancing to the championship round.

The second annual game of NBA D-League H.O.R.S.E. returns to Dream Factory Friday Night and will feature Idaho's Lance Allred defending his 2008 title against Joe Crawford (Los Angeles), Erik Daniels (Erie), and Bobby Jones (Sioux Falls). Allred, who secured the title last year over Utah Jazz guard Morris Almond when he hit a bank shot from his knees, earned a GATORADE Call-Up to the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2007-08 season and will also participate in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game. Crawford was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Draft and will showcase his sharp shooting skills, while NBA veterans Jones and Daniels will unleash their on-court creativity on the competition. The competitors will engage the crowd with descriptions of their shots via wireless microphone.

Four NBA D-League marksmen will take to the court for the Three-Point Shootout, including Blake Ahearn (Dakota), Gary Forbes (Tulsa), and Trey Johnson (Bakersfield), who is currently playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ernest Scott (Rio Grande Valley). Ahearn and Johnson rank among the league's leaders, shooting 46 percent from three-point range, while Forbes and Scott are shooting 42 and 41 percent, respectively. Each competitor will have 60 seconds to sink up to 25 three-pointers from five shooting stations assembled around the three-point line. The initial four stations will have four orange balls (worth one point each) and one multi-colored "money ball" worth two points while the competition kicks into high gear as the final station will for the first time consist of five two-point "money balls". The shooters will compete in two rounds of action with the top two scorers from the first round advancing to the final round.

NBA D-League action in Phoenix continues on Saturday, Feb. 14, when the third-annual NBA D-League All-Star Game tips off on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas at 2 pm MT. The game features 20 of the D-League's finest as selected by fans and NBA D-League's 16 head coaches and will be broadcast live on NBA TV at 2 p.m. MT.

Complete Dream Factory Roster

SLAM DUNK COMPETITION

Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College

F Keith Clark (Tulsa) 6-8 245 7/16/1987 Oklahoma

F Patrick Ewing, Jr. (Reno) 6-8 240 5/20/1984 Georgetown

F Brent Petway (Idaho) 6-8 205 5/12/1985 Michigan

G James White (Anaheim) 6-7 200 10/21/1982 Cincinnati

THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT

Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College

G Blake Ahearn (Dakota) 6-2 190 5/27/1984 Missouri State

F Gary Forbes (Tulsa) 6-7 220 2/25/1985 Massachusetts

G Trey Johnson (Bakersfield) 6-6 216 8/30/1984 Jackson State

F Ernest Scott (Rio Grande Valley) 6-7 225 8/28/1982 Valdosta State

H.O.R.S.E

Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College

C Lance Allred (Idaho) 6-11 270 2/2/1981 Weber State

G Joe Crawford (Los Angeles) 6-5 207 6/17/1986 Kentucky

F Erik Daniels (Erie) 6-8 225 4/1/1982 Kentucky

F Bobby Jones (Sioux Falls) 6-7 215 1/9/1984 Washington

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