NBA Development League

The NBA Development League, or D-League, is the National Basketball Association's officially sponsored and operated developmental basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL), the D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001. In March 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern announced a plan to expand the D-League to fifteen teams and develop it into a true minor league farm system, with two NBA teams sharing each D-League team. For 2006-07, the league will have 12 teams, with each D-League team being affiliated with between 1 and 3 NBA teams.

The league began play as the NBDL in the 2001-2002 season; the original eight franchises were all located in the southeastern United States (specifically in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia). Some of these teams were purchased by private owners and relocated — at the same time the league's name was changed — in the summer of 2005 in a bid to appeal to more fans nationwide. As a result, franchises were established in or moved to Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma. In 2006, the D-League is taking an even further westward direction, as in February the Bakersfield Jam announced their entry into the league, being the first team from California. Two months later, the league announced that four teams from the Continental Basketball Association were joining the league: the Dakota Wizards, Sioux Falls Skyforce, Idaho Stampede, and a team originally slated for CBA expansion, the Colorado 14ers ^*." target="_blank" > A few days after that, the league announced that Anaheim, California, would be getting a team. Los Angeles Lakers have purchased a team, making them the first NBA team to own a D-League team. ^*." target="_blank" > The westward expansion and box office struggles have led to the closing of the NBA-owned Roanoke Dazzle Fayetteville Patriots ^*." target="_blank" > The Florida Flame have suspended operations due to arena scheduling difficulties (but hope to return in 2007-08) [http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3307417.

Many former NBA draftees and waived players participated in the league's inaugural season. Soon, NBA teams began signing successful players from the NBDL. Some of the more successful NBA players who have played in the NBDL/D-League include Rafer Alston, Chris Andersen, Devin Brown, Bobby Simmons, Marcus Fizer, and Mateen Cleaves.