NBA D-League Announces GATORADE All-League Selections

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:

* - player currently in NBA

# - player on assignment from the NBA

2008-09 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