MAINE AWARDED NBA D-LEAGUE FRANCHISE for 2009-2010

PORTLAND, MAINE - Feb. 25, 2009 – The NBA Development League awarded an expansion team to Portland, Maine for the 2009-10 season, NBA D-League President Dan Reed announced at a recent press conference at Portland High School. The team, which is the first expansion franchise awarded for the 2009-10 season, will play at the Portland Expo Center.

The franchise will be owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the chairman of TD Banknorth Group and Bill Ryan Jr., who owns and operates Oxford Plains Speedway. Jon Jennings, a partner in Maine Basketball, LLC and former Boston Celtics assistant coach, will serve as the team’s president and general manager.

The announcement, the NBA D-League’s first foray into New England, was held in front of the school’s student body while featuring Reed, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham, the Celtics Dancers, and a speech by the Portland High Student Body President Brian Furey.

“Expansion to Portland is another example of the health and growth of the NBA D-League,” said Reed. “We are very pleased to add Bill Ryan Sr., Bill Ryan Jr., and Jon Jennings to our ownership ranks, as they bring a wealth of business, sports operations, and basketball experience on behalf of the team and the community. I’m confident that fans throughout the state of Maine will enjoy our world-class level of basketball featuring current and future NBA players, as well as appreciate the team's family-friendly environment, affordable prices, and positive impact on the Portland and Maine community."

“I’m overjoyed to bring NBA D-League basketball to Portland,” said Jennings. “We’ve already established strong relationships with the people of this community, and we can’t wait to get underway next season. I know that this team will have a long and exciting future in Maine.”

Portland will be affiliated with two NBA team parent-clubs, which will be able to assign their first and second year players to the club a maximum of three times during a season. Thus far, the 2008-09 NBA D-League season has had 22 NBA players assigned on 24 occasions to NBA D-League affiliates as players continue to develop their game. An announcement regarding Portland’s NBA team affiliations will occur during the offseason.

About the NBA D-League
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout this season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ...

THURSDAY NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS … top performers from Thursday’s D-League games

- Marcus Williams led Austin with 25 points in the win over Rio Grande Valley, while DerMarr Johnson scored 10 and Justin Bowen finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

- Viper Ivan Johnson topped Rio Grande Valley scorers with 18 points in the loss.

- As his Wisconsin Badgers began play in the NCAA's, former Badger stand-out Alando Tucker scored a game-high 38 points for Albuquerque, during his assignment from the Phoenix Suns to lead the Thunderbirds to their season-high fifth-straight victory. Will Conroy chipped in with 21 points and 11 assists, Julius Hodge scored 28 points and dished out 11 assists, and Kevin Pittsnogle netted 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

- Tulsa’s Mike Hall scored 28 points, grabbing seven boards, while Dwight Jones finished with 21 points for Tulsa in the loss.

ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS … a look at D-League Alumni in last night’s NBA games

Here are the highlights:
- Ime Udoka scored 13 points in 27 minutes for the San Antonio Spurs.
- Los Angeles’ Jordan Farmar finished with 11 points in 17 minutes for the Lakers.
- Brandon Bass netted 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in 11 minutes for the Dallas Mavericks.