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Corey Williams Returns to Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D, Jan. 1, 2007 - The Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League has acquired guard Corey Williams.

Williams, 6-3, played in 27 games (25 starts) for the Skyforce last season, averaging 33.7 minutes, 14.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and a CBA-leading 9.8 assists per game. He was drafted in the ninth round (72nd overall) of the 2005 D-League Draft by the Austin Toros, but was released after training camp. The last player cut by the Toronto Raptors in 2005 and in 2006 camp with the Denver Nuggets, Williams has also played in Brazil, China, Spain and most recently with club Cholet in France.

Raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Williams played at Rice (NYC) High School before being named a junior college All-American at Penn Valley Community College in Kansas. He finished his collegiate career at Alabama State before signing on with the Harlem Globetrotters show to play for the Washington Nationals (2001-02). He also won the 2005 Last Man Standing Competition at Madison Square Garden.

Williams is expected to be in uniform when Sioux Falls visits Tulsa on Friday.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 1, 2007 - The Arkansas RimRockers of the NBA Development League have acquired former Vanderbilt forward Julian Terrell and waived forward Jason Smith due to injury.

Terrell, 6-9, 248, played on the Washington Wizards Las Vegas Summer League team (3G, 9.0 mpg, 1.3 ppg) after finishing his Vanderbilt career by averaging 28.5 minutes, 10.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 30 games as a Commodore senior. He also played in the 2005 Nation's Cup in Munster, Germany.

Smith was taken by Arkansas in the third round (30th overall) of the 2006 D-League Draft. He played in 14 games for the RimRockers, averaging 14.4 minutes, 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds.

Terrell is expected to be in uniform when Arkansas travels to Fort Worth on Friday.

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TULSA, Okla., Jan. 2, 2007 - Will Conroy of the Tulsa 66ers has been named the D-League Performer of the Week for January 1, 2007.

Conroy, a 6-2 guard, recorded two outstanding all-around efforts to lead the 66ers to two wins over the Arkansas RimRockers over the weekend. In a 103-98 win on Friday, Conroy posted the first triple-double of the D-League season with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was Conroy's third career triple-double, which is the D-League record. He enjoyed another productive game in Saturday's 110-106 victory, recording 14 points,14 assists, and seven rebounds. The 14 assists are tied for the highest single-game total in the D-League this season. For the two games, he posted averages of 15.0 points, 12.0 assists, and 9.0 rebounds.

Conroy is in his second season with the 66ers, and currently ranks second in the D-League with 8.8 assists and 40.9 minutes per game. He is also averaging 15.7 points per game, which ranks fourth on the team. The 66ers are in fourth place in the Eastern Division with an 8-7 record.

Honorable Mention: Renaldo Major, Dakota Wizards, Andre Owens, Anaheim Arsenal, Dijon Thompson, Albuquerque Thunderbirds.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, Jan. 2, 2007 - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League have reacquired forward/center Eddy Fobbs and waived center Manual Narvaez.

Fobbs, 6-11, 240 from Sam Houston State, was waived by the T-Birds on Dec. 22 to rehabilitate an ankle injury. Prior to that he had played in nine games, averaging 11.8 minutes, 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. Narvaez has played in 13 games (seven starts) for Albuquerque, averaging 20.1 minutes, 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Fobbs is expected to be in uniform when the Thunderbirds (7-7) are host to Austin (1-13) on Friday at Tingley Coliseum. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.

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ANAHEIM, Calif., January 2, 2007 -- The Anaheim Arsenal and Cox Communications have agreed to a four-game television package beginning with Saturday's game against the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, the defending NBA D-League Champs. Under the agreement, Cox3, Cox Communications' local channel serving Orange County, will produce and televise the games.

"We are excited to offer Arsenal fans a chance to see our games on TV," said Arsenal president Zack Wallace. "This exposure on Cox3 will be a great way for the Arsenal and our corporate partners to increase awareness in Southern California. We look forward to seeing the benefits of reaching Cox viewers."

Arsenal fans will be able to watch the Cox3 telecasts of the Arsenal games on January 6 against Albuquerque, January 27 against the Colorado 14ers, February 10 against the Dakota Wizards and April 7 against the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The game telecasts will also be shown throughout the weeks following these dates.

"Cox3 already has a reputation for bringing Orange County viewers sports coverage that they can't see anywhere else with programs like Game of the Week," said Duffy Leone, Cox Communications region vice president and general manager. "We're excited to bring these Arsenal games to our customers."

The Arsenal will return to action on Thursday, January 4 as they take on former Oregon star Luke Jackson and the Idaho Stampede at 7:00pm in the Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Cox3 programming can be viewed exclusively by Cox Cable subscribers in these cities: Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin and others. Visit www.cox3.com for more information.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M, Jan. 2, 2007 - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League have reacquired forward/center Eddy Fobbs and waived center Manual Narvaez.

Fobbs, 6-11, 240 from Sam Houston State, was waived by the T-Birds on Dec. 22 to rehabilitate an ankle injury. Prior to that he had played in nine games, averaging 11.8 minutes, 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. Narvaez has played in 13 games (seven starts) for Albuquerque, averaging 20.1 minutes, 5.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Fobbs is expected to be in uniform when the Thunderbirds (7-7) are host to Austin (1-13) on Friday at Tingley Coliseum. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT.

The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. This season, 19 NBA teams assigned 29 players to D-League affiliates. There were also 18 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

The NBA D-League is composed of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

For additional information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.

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FORT WORTH, Texas, January 2, 2007 - The Golden State Warriors have signed Fort Worth Flyers guard Kelenna Azubuike to a contract, making him the first GATORADE Call-Up of the

2006-07 NBA Development League season and the 69th overall since the league began play in November 2001.

Azubuike leads the D-League in scoring at 26.0 points and minutes played with 41.9 per game. In 12 games (12 starts), he is shooting .514 (113-220) from the floor and .485 (32-66) from behind the

three-point line, third in the league. He also averages 5.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Azubuike has scored 25 points or more in eight games, 30 or more three times, including a 35-point outing against Los Angeles on Dec. 2.

A second-year professional from the University of Kentucky, Azubuike has been in vet camps with both Cleveland (2005) and Houston (2006) since going undrafted in the 2005 NBA Draft. He played in 41 games for Fort Worth last season, averaging 25.6 minutes, 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists on the way to an honorable mention All-D-League selection.

Azubuike is expected to join the Warriors for their game tonight in Oklahoma City. He will wear jersey #7.

Fort Worth Flyers flex book and group ticket packages are currently available. For ticket information, log on to fwflyers.com or call (817) 698-8333.

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif.- The Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League have acquired former Rice University guard Jason McKrieth to fill the roster spot vacated by Devin Green, who has left the team.

From Schenectady, N.Y., McKrieth (6-4, 210), played in 33 games as a senior at Rice, averaging 33.2 minutes, 14.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists and was an All-Conference USA selection. Following his collegiate career, McKrieth played in the preseason for Pinar Karsiyaka in Turkey, but did not play in a regular season game.

Green played in 13 games (13 starts) for Los Angeles, averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

McKrieth is expected to be in uniform when the D-Fenders (9-6) are host to Dakota (9-3) this Friday, January 5, before the Lakers game, at STAPLES Center with a 3:30pm tip off. He will wear jersey #5.

Having a Lakers ticket for a STAPLES Center home game is also your ticket to a lower bowl seat for the

D-Fenders. Lakers season ticket holders who attend a D-Fenders home game will receive a special gift, while supplies last, by visiting the Season Ticket Holder Booth on the main concourse at the Figueroa Street Entrance.

On July 31, 2006 the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they had become the first NBA franchise in history to own an NBA Development League team. The Los Angeles D-Fenders play their home games at STAPLES Center pre and post Lakers home games. The Lakers devoted fans were given the opportunity to name the NBA D-League team in an online naming contest.

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THEY SAID IT: "My eyes were closed the entire time trying to go to a happy place." ... Anaheim forward Tyler Smith blogs his recent trip to the oral surgeon after losing a tooth in a game at Albuquerque. Click on http://www.nba.com/dleague/anaheim/tylersmith_blog.html for the rest of the story.

LEAGUE LEADERS...in steals, blocks and assists through games of Jan. 1 SPG Player/Team BPG Player/Team APG Player/Team
2.5 Renaldo Major, DAK 3.3 Justin Williams, DAK 9.3 Randy Livingston, IDA
2.2 Davin White, ANA 2.3 Cezary Trybanski, TUL 8.8 Will Conroy, TUL
2.1 Frank Williams, SF 2.2 Louis Amundson, COL 6.6 Julius Hodge, COL
1.9 Clay Tucker, ARK 1.8 Duane Erwin, LA 5.8 Brandon Dean, ARK
1.8 Brandon Dean, ARK 1.7 Peter John Ramos, IDA 5.7 Maurice Baker, DAK

PERFORMER OF THE WEEK: Tulsa G Will Conroy has been named by D-LEAGUE.com as the Performer of the Week for games played between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. In a 66ers win on Dec. 29 at Arkansas, Conroy posted the first triple-double of the D-League season with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. In a victory over the RimRockers on Dec. 30 he recorded 14 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds. For the two games, he posted averages of 15.0 points, 12.0 assists, and 9.0 rebounds.

LONG RANGERS: Dakota's James Maye and Sioux Falls' Jeff Varem are currently the league's most accurate gunners from beyond the 3-point line, each making better than 50-percent. Maye is converting .538 (14-26) and Varem .500 (12-24). Varem's Skyforce teammate Frank Williams leads the league in 3s made with 40, followed by Colorado's Von Wafer at 35.

THIS WEEK ON NBA TV
Day Date Time (ET) Show / Game
Wed Jan. 3 4 p.m. Game / Idaho at Fort Worth (from 12/29)
Thur Jan. 4 4 p.m. Game / Tulsa at Arkansas (from 12/30)
Fri Jan. 5 4 p.m. Game / Colorado at Dakota (from 12/31)
8:30 p.m. This Week in the D-League (live)
Sat Jan. 6 3:30 p.m. Game / Idaho at Fort Worth (from 12/29)
5:30 p.m. This Week in the D-League (tape from 1/5)
Sun Jan. 7 1 p.m. Game / Tulsa at Arkansas (from 12/30)
3 p.m. This Week in the D-League (tape from 1/5)
3:30 p.m. Game / Colorado at Dakota (from 12/31)

MONDAY MOVES: Arkansas acquired F Julian Terrell and waived F Jason Smith due to injury. Sioux Falls acquired G Corey Williams.

READING TIMEOUT ... links to a sampling of the latest news from around the NBA D-League
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...PGMUNBCNT1.DTL
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/...s/16363399.htm

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