D-League announces All-Star team

NEW YORK, April 6, 2009 – Five NBA Development League players with NBA experience make up the 2008-09 GATORADE All-NBA D-League First Team, including Iowa center Courtney Sims - the 2008 NBA Development League’s Most Valuable Player currently playing for the New York Knicks - Dakota guard Blake Ahearn, Albuquerque guard Will Conroy, Erie forward Erik Daniels and Austin center Marcus Williams.

Two members of the Bakersfield Jam, guard Trey Johnson and forward Derrick Byars, earned spots on the GATORADE All-NBA D-League Second Team. The duo from Bakersfield is joined by Colorado forward Josh Davis, Fort Wayne center Chris Hunter and Anaheim guard James White, who is playing for the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

The GATORADE All-NBA D-League Third Team is made up of Colorado guard Eddie Gill, Utah forward Ronald Dupree and Idaho center Lance Allred and a pair of Charlotte Bobcats, guard Dontell Jefferson who was called-up from Utah and forward Cartier Martin who was called-up from the Iowa Energy.

In all, 13 of the 15 players selected to this year’s First, Second, and Third All-NBA D-League teams by a vote of the League’s 16 head coaches have NBA experience, while seven earned GATORADE Call-Ups this season.

“With so many talented players in the League this year, it was a challenge for our coaches to select the All-League teams,” said Chris Alpert, vice president of basketball operations and player personnel for the NBA D-League. “The League congratulates the First, Second and Third team selections, as well as the honorable mentions, for their sensational seasons.”

The All-NBA Development League team results:

2008-09 GATORADE ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Blake Ahearn Dakota Wizards
Guard Will Conroy Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Forward Erik Daniels Erie BayHawks
Forward Marcus Williams Austin Toros
Center Courtney Sims Iowa Energy*

2008-09 ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE SECOND TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Trey Johnson Bakersfield Jam
Guard James White Anaheim Arsenal*
Forward Josh Davis Colorado 14ers
Forward Derrick Byars Bakersfield Jam
Center Chris Hunter Fort Wayne Mad Ants

2008-09 ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE THIRD TEAM
Position Player Team
Guard Eddie Gill Colorado 14ers
Guard Dontell Jefferson Utah Flash*
Forward Ronald Dupree Utah Flash
Forward Cartier Martin Iowa Energy*
Center Lance Allred Idaho Stampede

2008-09 ALL-NBA DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE HONORABLE MENTION
Position Player Team
Guard Cedric Bozeman Anaheim Arsenal
Guard Joe Crawford Los Angeles D-Fenders
Guard Malik Hairston Austin Toros#
Guard Luke Jackson Idaho Stampede
Guard Othyus Jeffers Iowa Energy
Guard Walker Russell Fort Wayne Mad Ants
Guard Curtis Stinson Iowa Energy
Forward Will Frisby Dakota Wizards
Forward Richard Hendrix Dakota Wizards
Forward Jasper Johnson Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Forward Dwayne Jones Austin Toros
Forward Nick Lewis Bakersfield Jam
Forward Antonio Meeking Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Forward David Noel Reno Bighorns
Forward Trent Strickland Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Center Joe Dabbert Colorado 14ers
Center Kurt Looby Rio Grande Valley Vipers

* - Currently in the NBA
# - Currently on assignment from the NBA