NEW YORK – Sioux Falls Skyforce General Manager and Miami Heat Assistant General Manager Adam Simon today was named the winner of the inaugural NBA Development League Basketball Executive of the Year Award, as selected by his fellow NBA D-League basketball executives.

Simon assembled a Skyforce team that went 40-10 in the regular season, surpassing the 2011-12 Los Angeles D-Fenders (38-12) for the best record in NBA D-League history.  The Skyforce shot a league-best 49.3 percent from the field and held opponents to a league-low 98.1 points per game.

Serving as the Skyforce general manager since the team entered into a one-to-one hybrid affiliation agreement with the Heat three seasons ago, Simon helped bring head coach Dan Craig, his fellow Heat employee, to Sioux Falls prior to this season.  Craig was named the 2015-16 NBA D-League Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year on April 15.

Simon’s accomplishments this season include acquiring Jarnell Stokes, the 2015-16 NBA D-League Most Valuable Player, after he was waived by the New Orleans Pelicans, and bringing DeAndre Liggins, the 2015-16 NBA D-League Defensive Player of the Year, back to Sioux Falls and the NBA D-League after he played overseas during parts of last season.

In addition, Simon’s Skyforce saw guard Briante Weber earn GATORADE Call-Ups to the Memphis Grizzlies and Heat, while the team helped develop Miami guard Josh Richardson during an assignment to Sioux Falls.

Currently in his 21^st season with the Heat, Simon started with Miami as an intern in the video room under current Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra   Simon’s other roles with the team have included director of player personnel and director of college/international scouting.

Simon will receive the NBA D-League Executive of the Year trophy prior to the Skyforce’s Eastern Conference Finals game against the Canton Charge on Sunday, April 17.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

About the NBA Development League

The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 19 teams with direct affiliations with NBA franchises for the 2015-16 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 38 percent of all NBA players at the end of the 2014-15 season boasted NBA D-League experience. 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. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.