NEW YORK – The NBA Development League today announced the launch of the NBA D-League Virtual Scout, a first-of-its-kind fantasy game available on NBA.com/dleague.  This unique interactive game puts fans in the role of an NBA scout, evaluating player talent and projecting future NBA stars. The game highlights the NBA D-League’s unique GATORADE Call-Up system, which allows NBA teams to sign top NBA D-League performers to contracts throughout the season.

NBA D-League Virtual Scout will allow players to:

• Test their skills as an NBA scout by selecting five current NBA D-League players on a monthly basis who they think have the best opportunity to be called up to the NBA during each month of the season;
• Evaluate players with up-to-date statistics and video highlight packages posted on NBA.com/dleague to determine those that have the best shot to be the next NBA D-League GATORADE Call-Up;
• The opportunity to win monthly prizes for picking GATORADE Call-Ups;
• Enter to win a grand-prize trip to watch NBA scouts and GM’s in action at the 2010 NBA Draft for one lucky participant at the end of the season.

“The NBA D-League plays an integral role in the journey of many future NBA stars,” said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. “Last season alone, 20 percent (approximately one in five) of NBA players on end-of-season rosters had experience in our league. This first-of-its-kind fantasy game is the perfect way to put the talent of NBA D-League players on display while giving fans an inside look at how the scouting and GATORADE Call-Up processes work.”

During the 2008-09 season, an all-time-high 20 NBA D-League players earned GATORADE Call-Ups to the NBA a total of 24 times. At the end of last season, a total of 93 players had earned 143 GATORADE Call-Ups since the league was founded in 200.

NBA D-League Virtual Scout players will be required to sign up for a free NBA All-Access Membership to participate.  Users are eligible to sign up to play throughout the entire NBA D-League season. 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.

NBA Development League

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.