truebluefan

Bakersfield, Calif., October 25, 2006- The Bakersfield Jam will hold the First Annual Draft Party on Thursday, November 2nd at 6 p.m. PT at Kosmos Restaurant & Sports Bar located at 1623 19th Street in Bakersfield, Calif.

The 2006 NBA Development League Draft will consist of 10 rounds and will be covered live by NBA TV, NBA Radio on SIRIUS and www.nba.com/dleague. The sixth annual draft will be conducted via conference call from Development League draft headquarters at the NBA TV studios and at locations in each of the 12 Development League cities.

NBA TV coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. PT with a pre-draft show hosted by Rick Kamla, designed to preview the selection process and to bring fans up to speed on the latest Development League news. The Development League's new basketball featuring Spalding's Cross TraxxionTM technology will also be unveiled during the preview show.

Draft coverage continues on NBA TV and begins on NBA Radio on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Channel 127) and on D-LEAGUE.com with the start of the draft at 6 p.m. PT. NBA director of scouting Marty Blake, along with assistant director of scouting Ryan Blake, will team up with Kamla and Development League Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Alpert to offer commentary throughout the event.

The Bakersfield Jam secured the 11th spot of the 2006 NBA Development League Draft through a lottery which was conducted during the annual coaches meeting in Dallas, Texas. Because the Draft is serpentine or "snaked", the draft order will be reversed in each of the 10 rounds. For example, the Jam ill have the 11th pick, followed by the 14th pick of the draft.

The selection process will operate with each team having one pick in each of the 10 rounds. Teams will have up to two (2) minutes to make a selection in each round. No trades will be permitted during the draft and only players signed to an NBA Development League Standard Player Contract are eligible to be selected.

The Development League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. In addition to the assignment of 20 players to Development League Affiliates, there were also 18 Gatorade Call-Ups from the Development League to the NBA last season. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the Development League while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the Development League also offers fun family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the Bakersfield Jam or the Development League, please visit www.bakersfieldjam.com or call 661.716.4JAM.