NEW YORK – The newly renamed NBA G League will tip off its historic 17^th season Friday, Nov. 3.  Through its partnership with Gatorade, the NBA G League is the first U.S. professional sports league with an entitlement partner.  As the new era launches, here are some facts and figures about the NBA’s official minor league:

• 167 – NBA opening-night rosters featured a record 167 players with NBA G League experience (38 percent of all NBA players)
• 26 – A record 26 teams will compete this season, more than triple the number that played during the inaugural season in 2001-02 (eight). The four teams joining the league this season are Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (L.A. Clippers), Lakeland Magic (Orlando Magic), Memphis Hustle (Memphis Grizzlies) and Wisconsin Herd (Milwaukee Bucks)
• 20 – At least 20 NBA G League games, including regular-season and postseason action, will air on ESPNU for the second consecutive season, beginning Monday, Nov. 6 when the Lakeland Magic meets the Sioux Falls Skyforce
• 16 – The 2017-18 season includes a record 16 jersey sponsorships
• 14 – The 14^th NBA G League Showcase, the league’s premier in-season scouting event, will take place from Jan. 10-13 in Mississauga, Ontario, home of Raptors 905
• 12 – Twelve teams will make the playoffs as part of a revamped postseason format, which will begin with three single-elimination rounds before culminating with a best-of-five Finals
• 4 – Four-person officiating crews will be used for all regular-season games in November
• 3 – Three NBA head coaches have NBA G League coaching experience: Dave Joerger, Sacramento Kings; Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz; Luke Walton, Los Angeles Lakers
• 2 – For the first time, NBA teams can sign two players to “two-way” contacts, allowing those players to be with their NBA parent team for up to 45 days and spend most of the season in the NBA G League