2013 NBA D-League Showcase Returning to Reno Tahoe
2013-01-01
"This
January, the eyes of the NBA will be on Reno," said Reno Bighorns owner,
Herb Santos, Jr. "For the second year in a row, Reno will roll out the red
carpet for NBA team GMs and scouts as well as NBA D-League teams and fans from
all over the United States. Basketball fans will be able to watch their
favorite NBA D-League players display their skills and show why they are ready
for the call to the NBA."
Conceived
prior to the 2004-05 season, the NBA D-League Showcase provides an opportunity
for NBA D-League players and coaches to perform in front of NBA general
managers, player personnel executives and scouts over four consecutive days at
one location.
“We
are excited to bring the basketball community back to Reno 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 Bighorns did a fantastic job hosting
the event last season, and the Reno Event Center is a great setting for the
basketball community to see the caliber of talent in the NBA D-League
first-hand.”
"Hosting the NBA Development League Showcase for the
second year in row is a terrific honor for Reno Tahoe USA. Lucky residents and
visitors will be able to watch talented athletes- many of whom will soon join
top NBA teams- up close and personal," said Christopher Baum, President
& CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, adding,
"We couldn't be more excited about the Showcase returning to Northern
Nevada." The 2013 NBA D-League Showcase is
estimated to generate direct, local economic impact in excess of $1 million.
Action tips off Monday, Jan. 7,
when the Rio Grande Valley Vipers take on the Los Angeles D-Fenders at 10:00am,
PT, and continues with three more contests that day. On Tuesday, the NBA D-League’s newest team,
the Santa Cruz Warriors, make its Showcase debut, as the team takes on the
reigning NBA D-League Champion Austin Toros at 10:00am, PT, to start the second
day of competition. The day concludes
with three more contests. Wednesday's
four-game schedule, which begins at 10:00am, PT, will be capped off with a slam
dunk competition and a three-point shootout, while Thursday's slate includes four
games also beginning at 10:00am, PT.
CBS Sports Network hits the hardwood for its first season of
NBA Development League coverage with two games from the NBA D-League Showcase.
The two featured games will be on Jan. 7 as the Springfield Armor visits the Reno Bighorns (7:00pm, PT), and Jan. 8 as the Los Angeles
D-Fenders takes on the Iowa Energy (7:00pm, PT). Additionally, CBS Sports
Network will provide exclusive coverage of the NBA D-League 3-Point Shootout
and the NBA D-League Slam Dunk Contest that will air on Thursday, Jan. 10 (4:00pm,
PT).
Twenty
percent of the players on 2012-13 NBA start-of-season rosters had NBA D-League
experience, many of whom participated in an NBA D-League Showcase since its
inception in 2005. During its eight-year history, more than 30 NBA D-League
players have earned GATORADE Call-Ups from the NBA D-League to the NBA during
or immediately after the NBA D-League Showcase; while an even larger number
benefited from the exposure afforded them at the NBA D-League Showcase.
