Reno, Nevada has been awarded an NBA Development League franchise and will begin play during the 2008-09 season, it was announced today at a press conference at the Boys and
Girls Club of Truckee Meadows.

?We?re thrilled to be bringing an NBA Development League team to Reno, one of the truly remarkable economic success stories in America the last several years,? said the team?s owner David Kahn, who also operates Southwest Basketball LLC. ?With the increase in population and the diversification of the economy, we believe the market is primed to support high-quality family entertainment at affordable prices.?

The announcement featured 300 local children, Kahn, Fat Lever, a two-time NBA All-Star and current Director of Player Development for the Sacramento Kings, and Dan Reed, the president of the D-League.

?There?s no doubt our league is thriving,? said Reed. ?Attendance is up over 20%, our team sponsorship numbers and team season ticket sales numbers are up as well, and we continue to provide NBA teams with high-quality players. I expect Reno will be very happy with the brand of basketball we feature, and also the positive impact our players make in
the communities that we serve.?

Although the NBA teams Reno will be associated with will not be determined until this summer, the team will be the affiliate of two or three NBA teams that can assign their first and second year players to Reno a maximum of three times per season.

This season there have been 30 players assigned to the D-League by NBA teams in order for the player to gain valuable playing time and enhance skills.