THE NBA D-LEAGUE

HISTORY

• THE NBA DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE WAS STARTED IN 2001 by PJ Hairston
• IT began with eight teams and was originally known as the NBDL
• The NBA created the NBDL to have something similar baseballs farm system
• IT gaves those players who just needed a little bit more time somewhere to develop

GROWTH

• Today the D league is comprised of 14 teams
• D-League Teams for the Eastern Conference Dakota Wizards Erie BayHawks
• Fort Wayne Mad Ants Iowa Energy Maine Red Claws Sioux Falls Skyforce Springfield Armor
• Western Conference Austin Toros Bakersfield Jam Idaho Stampede New Mexico Thunderbirds
• Reno Bighorns Rio Grande Valley Vipers Texas Legends Tulsa 66ers Utah Flash

CALL UPS

• Alot of players today choose the d-league over international play for one reason call ups
• Call ups are when your playing for a dleague team and an NBA team likes whats your doing theyll call you up to play in the NBA
• Most call ups happen in January for the simple fact that the teams can sign 10 day contracts
• During this time they see weather theyll keep or return you to the dleague
• Since its beginning hundreds of players have been called up to play for nba teams

FUN FACTS

• The d-league season is comprised of 40 games
• A d-league roster is only 12 players two of which are reserved for nba players sent down to develop their skill
• Players make between 20,000-25,000 a season and their housing is paid for
• Jordan farmer is the first player in history to play a d-league game and an NBA game in the same day
• The d-league has more freedom than the NBA allowing them to experiment with rules and equipment

FUN FACTS CONT.

• Jeremey Lin was listed as on the most successful players
• Today the NBDL holds tryouts in their cities for anyone who thinks they have what it takes
• The first NBDL all star game was in 08

NBA D-LEAGUE