NEW YORK – The schedule for the four-day, 16-game, NBA Development League Showcase, which features all 16 teams competing between Jan. 4-7, 2010, was released today.   The sixth annual event will take place at Qwest Arena, home of the Idaho Stampede, in Boise, Idaho.

Action tips off Monday, Jan. 4, when the Rio Grande Valley Vipers take on the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at 11:00 a.m. MT, and continues with three more contests that day.  On Tuesday, the NBA D-League’s newest teams, the Maine Red Claws and Springfield Armor, make their Showcase debut, as the Red Claws take on the Sioux Falls Skyforce at 11:00 a.m. MT and the Armor faces the Dakota Wizards in the nightcap at 7:15 p.m. MT.  The schedules for Wednesday and Thursday also include four games each, beginning at 11:00 a.m. MT (see full schedule attached).

Fans and families in the Treasure Valley can watch all of the action live with a total event pass including all 16 games for only $25, while fans who can’t make it to Idaho can catch every game live online for free at nba.com/futurecast.

“We’re excited to host what we consider the premier basketball event in Idaho for 2010,” said Bill Ilett, Stampede Managing Investor.  “The Treasure Valley has demonstrated its love for tournament basketball by supporting NCAA events in Boise in the past as well as the Showcase in 2008.  We are proud to be able to provide this event to the community that has given so much to this franchise.”

The Stampede, who also hosted the event in 2008, will welcome general managers, player personnel staff, and scouts from each of the 30 NBA teams who will be in attendance to evaluate the league’s talent.  Numerous members of the international basketball community will also attend the NBA D-League Showcase.

“We are excited to bring the world-wide basketball community back to Boise for this year’s NBA D-League Showcase,” Chris Alpert, NBA D-League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel said. “While the event provides our players with a tremendous opportunity to compete in front of NBA scouts, it also highlights one of our great markets. The Stampede did a fantastic job hosting the event in 2008, and Qwest Arena is a great setting for the basketball community to see the caliber of talent in the NBA D-League first-hand.”

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises.  For the 2009-10 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor.  A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front office staff for the NBA and its teams.  In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.  The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA.  Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

The complete 2009 NBA D-League Showcase schedule is attached.

2010 NBA D-League Showcase Schedule (all times local)

Monday, Jan. 4

Rio Grande Valley vs. Albuquerque               11 a.m.

Los Angeles vs. Maine                                   1:45 p.m.

Dakota vs. Reno                                              4:30 p.m.

Idaho vs. Springfield                                      7:15 p.m.

 

Tuesday, Jan. 5

Maine vs. Sioux Falls                                     11 a.m.

Tulsa vs. Utah                                                 1:45 p.m.

Austin vs. Iowa                                               4:30 p.m.

Springfield vs. Dakota                                    7:15 p.m.

 

Wednesday, Jan. 6

Reno vs. Erie                                                   11 am

Bakersfield vs. Rio Grande Valley                 1:45 p.m.

Sioux Falls vs. Austin                                     4:30 p.m.

Fort Wayne vs. Idaho                                     7:15 p.m.

 

Thursday, Jan. 7

Albuquerque vs. Tulsa                                    11 a.m.

Eris vs. Los Angeles                                       1:45 p.m.

Iowa vs. Bakersfield                                       4:30 p.m.

Utah vs. Fort Wayne                                       7:15 p.m.

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