61-793: The College Park Skyhawks are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in College Park, Georgia , and are affiliated with the Atlanta Hawks . The Skyhawks play their home games at Gateway Center Arena at College Park after the franchise played its first two seasons in Erie, Pennsylvania , at the Erie Insurance Arena as the Erie BayHawks . The team became the sixteenth D-League team to be owned by an NBA team. On November 10, 2016,
122-540: A pro-rated portion of the NBA minimum rookie salary (which was $ 815,615 in the 2017–18 season). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two-way players in 2020–21 were initially allowed to play up to 50 games in the NBA. Late in the season, restrictions were further lifted, allowing them to play more than 50 games as well as being eligible for the NBA playoffs. Many former NBA draftees, waived players, and undrafted players have played in
183-636: A scouting event for NBA general managers and scouts, but evolved into a four-day event with each team playing two games apiece. From 2005 to 2017, 15 players were called-up or recalled during or immediately following the Showcase. As of 2019, the event's location was the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip . Because of limited space at the conference center site, all games are played without spectators , although TV and Internet coverage
244-749: A single-affiliation partnership. In June 2013, the Miami Heat announced that they had entered into a single-affiliated partnership with the Sioux Falls Skyforce . In July 2013, the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns (now the Stockton Kings ) entered into a single-affiliation. The Stampede ended their affiliation with the Trail Blazers after the 2013–14 season and in June 2014 announced their affiliation with
305-437: A standard NBA contract to its affiliated G League team. If more than two NBA players are assigned to a team, the team must reduce the number of G League players to keep the total roster size to 12. An NBA player will continue to be paid his NBA salary and will continue to be included on his NBA team's roster on the inactive list while playing in the G League. NBA teams can call up players as many times as they choose, and there
366-471: A team's playoff roster or play in a playoff game). Only players with four or fewer years of NBA experience are eligible for two-way contracts. The league's newest CBA, which took effect with the 2023–24 season , increases the per-team limit on two-way contracts to three. Unlike other G League players, who can be called up by any NBA team, two-way players can only be called up by their contracted NBA team. Players under two-way contracts are not counted against
427-603: A trend of NBA and D-League teams entering into single-affiliation agreements of both the hybrid and parent-team owned varieties. With more NBA involvement, the league once again began to expand and spread its footprint. By 2015, the last multiple-affiliate team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants , was purchased by the Indiana Pacers , leading to the first season where all D-League teams were affiliated with only one NBA team. As there were no longer any unaffiliated D-League teams left,
488-494: Is available for all games. The 2019 showcase was a series of mini-tournaments in which the winning team shared a $ 100,000 grand prize. Before Las Vegas, host cities were Columbus, Georgia (2005); Fayetteville, North Carolina (2006); Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2007); Boise, Idaho (2008); Orem, Utah (2009); Boise, Idaho (2010); South Padre Island, Texas (2011); Reno, Nevada in 2012 and 2013; Santa Cruz, California in 2015; and Mississauga, Ontario in 2017 and 2018. It
549-513: Is no limit to the number of times an NBA player with three years or less experience can be assigned to the G League. Starting in 2011–12, veteran NBA players could be assigned with their consent. The first example of such was with Yi Jianlian , who the Dallas Mavericks assigned to the Texas Legends for two games. The 2017 collective bargaining agreement for the NBA, which took effect with
610-418: Is the major source from which teams build their rosters. Team rosters are made up of returning players (players who were on the team during the previous season), players waived by an NBA team who are designated as an ' affiliate player ' to their respective G League affiliate, allocated players (players who have local significance), and drafted players. The eight round draft utilizes a serpentine format , meaning
671-598: The 2006–07 season , there would be no more teams in the southeastern United States until the 2016 expansion team, the Greensboro Swarm . After the 2006 to 2009 expansions, the league membership was fairly consistent with few relocations and suspensions. In 2009, the Houston Rockets entered into the first single-affiliation partnership, called the hybrid model, with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers . This began
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#1732845517292732-628: The 2014 draft , two D-League players were selected for the first time: P. J. Hairston was drafted 26th (which was also the first time a D-League player was drafted in the first round in the NBA), and Thanasis Antetokounmpo was the 51st pick. Other noteworthy D-League call-ups include 2019 NBA Champion Jeremy Lin ; Hassan Whiteside ; 2011 NBA champion J. J. Barea ; 2014, 2019 and 2020 NBA champion Danny Green ; 2015, 2017, and 2018 NBA champion Shaun Livingston ; and 2017 NBA champion Matt Barnes . The league held its first All-Star game February 17, 2007, at
793-465: The 2017–18 season , included changes allowing each NBA team to sign two players on two-way contracts . Those players spend most of their time on the team's G League roster, but can freely move to their respective NBA team for up to 45 days in the regular season, as well as be a part of the team's roster before the start of the season (including NBA training camps) and after the conclusion of the G League's regular season (though they are not allowed to be on
854-559: The 2021–22 season . On April 16, 2020, the NBA launched a new development program for potential NBA prospects and a new unaffiliated team called the NBA G League Ignite , which began play in the 2020–21 season. The Ignite team, however, folded after the 2023–24 season. Parent club ownership: Single affiliation/hybrid model: G League teams without an exclusive affiliate: Current member Former member or former names Future member Opted out of season Other league NBA G League players generally do not sign contracts with
915-725: The ABA for the 2005–06 season . In February 2006, the D-League expanded to California with the addition of the Bakersfield Jam . Two months later, the league announced that four teams from the CBA were joining the league: the Dakota Wizards , Sioux Falls Skyforce , Idaho Stampede , and a team originally slated for CBA expansion , the Colorado 14ers . Shortly after, the league announced expansion teams in
976-648: The Anaheim Arsenal and the Los Angeles D-Fenders . The D-Fenders were the first D-League team to be directly owned by an NBA parent team, the Los Angeles Lakers . However, the westward expansion contributed to the contraction of the NBA-owned Roanoke Dazzle and Fayetteville Patriots for that season. The Florida Flame suspended operations due to arena scheduling difficulties. After
1037-543: The Atlanta Hawks announced that they had bought and established a new NBA D-League team to play in a new arena in nearby College Park beginning with the 2019–20 season. In December 2016, the Orlando Magic purchased the original BayHawks franchise with the intent of relocating it to Florida for the 2017–18 season , eventually becoming the Lakeland Magic . In February 2017, the original BayHawks owners negotiated with
1098-589: The Austin Spurs ) and NBA team assignments . Each team also has local tryouts, and one player from the tryouts is assigned to the team. The minimum age to play in the G League is 18, unlike the NBA which requires players to be 19 years old and one year out of high school in order to sign an NBA contract or be eligible for the draft. The base annual salary is US$ 35,000 plus housing and insurance benefits. Players who are called up for NBA get bonuses totalling up to US$ 50,000. The NBA G League draft occurs each season and
1159-528: The COVID-19 pandemic -curtailed 2019–20 season , the G League postponed the start of the following season . In January 2021, the league announced it would play all games at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida , using the same isolation bubble as the 2020 NBA Bubble . Many teams opted out of participation, with only 17 of the 28 teams from the 2019–20 season plus the new Ignite prospects team choosing to take part in
1220-816: The Dakota Wizards , and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by James White of the Bakersfield Jam . The 2010 D-League All-Star game was held on February 13, 2010, at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas . The Western Conference team defeated the Eastern Conference Team, 98–81. Bakersfield Jam center Brian Butch , who scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, was named as the MVP of the game. The NBA D-League also ran their third annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. The inaugural Shooting Stars Competition
1281-694: The Greensboro Swarm , the Brooklyn Nets created the Long Island Nets , and the Chicago Bulls created the Windy City Bulls . In the 2017–18 season , the D-League entered into a multi-year partnership with Gatorade and rebranded as the NBA Gatorade League, which was officially shortened to "NBA G League" prior to the season. It also continued its membership changes with the relocation of
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#17328455172921342-908: The Los Angeles Lakers bought their own NBA D-League franchise, originally known as the Los Angeles D-Fenders and since 2017–18 as the South Bay Lakers . This was followed by the San Antonio Spurs purchasing the Austin Toros (now the Austin Spurs ) in 2007, and the Oklahoma City Thunder purchasing the Tulsa 66ers (now the Oklahoma City Blue ) in 2008. More NBA teams began to either purchase existing franchises or create expansion teams to have their own single-affiliation teams. In 2011,
1403-696: The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas , Nevada . It was part of the NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. As with the NBA's showcase game, a fan vote determined the starting lineup for each team. The East won, 114 to 100, with Pops Mensah-Bonsu named the game's MVP. The second annual All-Star game was held on February 16, 2008, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans . The Blue team beat
1464-596: The Mexico national team held in Los Angeles . After that event, this contest did not return in any form. Since 2022, select G League players participate in the Rising Stars Challenge alongside NBA rookie and sophomore players. The league stages an annual NBA G League Showcase in which all of the league's teams play each other in a "carnival" format. The showcase was first played in 2005 was originally intended solely as
1525-543: The NBA Development League ( NBA D-League ) in 2005. It received its present name in 2017 under a deal with Gatorade , becoming the first U.S. professional sports league named for an advertiser. Initially eight teams, the league expanded after 2005 under a plan by NBA commissioner David Stern to develop it into a true minor-league farm system , with each NBA D-League team affiliated with one or more NBA teams. By mid-2014, one-third of NBA players had spent time in
1586-703: The New Jersey Nets and Springfield Armor announced they would enter into a single-affiliate partnership that began in 2011–12. In June 2011, the New York Knicks and Erie BayHawks announced they would be singly affiliated. In May 2012, the Portland Trail Blazers entered into a single-affiliation partnership with the Idaho Stampede . The following month, the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws announced
1647-853: The New York Knicks became the seventh team to fully own and operate their own NBA D-League affiliate in the Westchester Knicks . In 2015, the Toronto Raptors created their own expansion franchise, the Raptors 905 . In 2017, the Timberwolves purchased the Iowa Energy and renamed the team the Iowa Wolves . In 2017, the Atlanta Hawks launched their team in under the Erie BayHawks name and then relocated
1708-518: The Portland Trail Blazers announced they would be launching their affiliate, the Rip City Remix , beginning with the 2023–24 season . The Phoenix Suns then launched the Valley Suns as its affiliate team beginning with the 2024–25 season . In 2009, the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers pioneered the single-affiliate partnership, also known as the hybrid model. In November 2010,
1769-573: The Tulsa 66ers while Powell had played for the Dakota Wizards , and both were selected as NBA Development League All-Stars that season, making them back-to-back number one draft picks who had previously been NBADL All-Stars. Note that from the 2001 through 2004 drafts, it was known as the NBDL Draft. From 2005 through 2016, it was known as the NBA Development League Draft in accordance with
1830-683: The Utah Jazz . The Armor moved to Grand Rapids , Michigan , after the 2013–14 season and affiliated with the Detroit Pistons . From 2014 to 2017, the Memphis Grizzlies had a single-affiliation with the Iowa Energy. In 2015, the last multiple affiliate team, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (now the Indiana Mad Ants ), were purchased by the Indiana Pacers , making the 2015–16 season the first with all teams having single-affiliations. In some cases,
1891-414: The one-and-done rule where players would play one season of college basketball and then leave for the NBA. The new select contract was an alternative for players who do not want to or cannot attend a college, with players earning up to $ 125,000 per season. The league launched its prospects team, the NBA G League Ignite , in 2020. The G-League Ignite team folded after the 2023–2024 season . Following
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1952-529: The southeastern United States (in Virginia , North Carolina , South Carolina , Alabama , and Georgia ). Each team logo was given NBDL branding that was differentiated by team colors. Eight players were called up to the NBA during the season, which included Chris Andersen , the first player drafted by a NBDL team. The league made sponsorship deals with Reebok and television broadcasting deals with ESPN2 and Fox Sports South to broadcast select games during
2013-643: The 2006–07 season, however, and so the possibility for players such as Mikki Moore to earn an All-Star selection was not possible. Moore was named the NBDL Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-NBDL First Team as a rookie in 2002–03. Fazekas, the first overall selection in 2010, and Powell, the first overall selection in 2009, each had previous NBA Development League experience prior to those respective drafts. In 2007–08, Fazekas had played for
2074-405: The 2017–18 season, G League players who are not on two-way contracts earn either $ 19,500 or $ 26,000 during the league's season. By contrast, two-way players' salaries while in the G League, which are pro-rated according to the number of days the player is with his G League team, are based on an annual salary between $ 50,000 and $ 75,000, and while these players are with their NBA team, they will earn
2135-698: The 2019–20 season. On May 10, 2019, the Hawks announced that rapper and College Park native 2 Chainz would join the Skyhawks' ownership group. Roster Last transaction: November 16, 2024 NBA G League The NBA G League , or simply the G League , is the minor league organization of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League ( NBDL ), renamed
2196-585: The Atlanta Hawks to activate their franchise early and play as the BayHawks until the new arena in College Park is completed. The new Hawks' minor league franchise then became the BayHawks and began play in the rebranded NBA G League for the 2017–18 season . The Hawks announced on February 21, 2019, that their G League affiliate would be known as the College Park Skyhawks when the team moved to Georgia for
2257-1075: The Cleveland Cavaliers purchased the New Mexico Thunderbirds to become the Canton Charge, and the Golden State Warriors purchased the Dakota Wizards , with the Warriors moving the Wizards a year later to become the Santa Cruz Warriors . In 2013, the Philadelphia 76ers purchased the inactive Utah Flash and moved them to Newark, Delaware as the Delaware 87ers ; the team is now the Delaware Blue Coats, and plays in Wilmington . In 2014,
2318-402: The Erie BayHawks to Lakeland, Florida , as the Lakeland Magic , a new Erie BayHawks franchise, and expansions in the Agua Caliente Clippers in Ontario, California (now known as the San Diego Clippers ), the Memphis Hustle in Southaven, Mississippi , and the Wisconsin Herd in Oshkosh, Wisconsin . The Los Angeles D-Fenders would also re-brand to the South Bay Lakers . In December 2017,
2379-451: The NBA D-League, up from 23% in 2011. As of the 2024–25 season , the league consists of 31 teams. All are single-affiliated or owned by an NBA team except the independent Mexico City Capitanes . On June 13, 2000, NBA Commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner Russ Granik announced the formation of the National Basketball Development League, to begin play in November 2001, with players required to be at least twenty years old. This
2440-415: The NBA G League. Bobby Simmons , Aaron Brooks , and Pascal Siakam are the only former D-League players to win an NBA end-of-season award; all won the Most Improved Player Award , with Simmons getting it with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004–05 , Brooks earning it with the Houston Rockets in 2009–10 and Siakam receiving it with the Toronto Raptors in the 2018-19 NBA season. Khris Middleton became
2501-426: The NBA and the live-streaming website Twitch announced that they would broadcast G League games on Twitch. Games have also been aired on the ESPN+ subscription service. For the 2019–20 season , the G League began to offer select contracts to players who are not yet eligible to enter the NBA draft . Since 2006, players must be at least 19 years old by the end of the calendar year, creating what became known as
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2562-557: The NBA team's regular roster limit, and can be assigned to a G League affiliate for development while also getting a larger salary whenever they are called up to the parent team. For teams that do not have a one-to-one affiliation with a G League team, a process similar to the "flexible assignment" rule is being used to determine the placement for their own two-way contracts in the G League until every team has their proper affiliation underway. In addition, salaries for two-way players are much higher than those for regular G League players. As of
2623-403: The Northern Arizona Suns beginning with the 2016–17 season . On October 20, 2016, the Sacramento Kings bought the majority ownership of their affiliate of the previous eight seasons, the Reno Bighorns, and would eventually move the team to Stockton, California , as the Stockton Kings after the 2017–18 season. On December 14, 2016, the Magic purchased their affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, with
2684-437: The Red team, 117–99, and Jeremy Richardson was named the MVP. In addition to the NBA D-League All-Star Game, the league debuted its first Dream Factory Friday Night events, which modeled after the NBA All-Star Saturday Night events. The events consists of Three-Point Shootout (won by Adam Harrington ), Slam Dunk Contest (won by Brent Petway ), and game of H-O-R-S-E (won by Lance Allred ). The 2009 D-League All-Star game
2745-469: The abbreviated bubble season beginning in February 2021. Ownership models vary across the NBA G League. Growing willingness among NBA organizations to invest in the G League has led to two main models: direct ownership of G League teams by parent NBA clubs and single-affiliate partnerships in which the G League team remains independently owned while the affiliate NBA team runs and finances basketball operations. Parent club direct ownership began in 2006 when
2806-412: The first former D-League player to be named an NBA All-Star when he was selected to participate in the 2019 All-Star Game . In the 2008 NBA draft , the Idaho Stampede 's Mike Taylor was drafted 55th by the Portland Trail Blazers . He became the first player from the NBA D-League to be drafted by an NBA team. He was subsequently traded and signed a rookie contract with the Los Angeles Clippers . In
2867-456: The first season (such as the NBDL Finals), which made them one of few minor league operations to have nationally televised games. The Greenville Groove won the first NBDL championship on April 8, 2002, after winning game 2 over the North Charleston Lowgators . The league saw an average attendance of 1,640 fans per game, lower than what the NBA expected. In 2005, the league's name was changed to NBA Development League (NBA D-League) as part of
2928-428: The franchise to College Park, Georgia , in 2019 as the College Park Skyhawks . In 2021, the Detroit Pistons relocated the Northern Arizona Suns to Detroit and renamed the team as the Motor City Cruise . In 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans launched their G League franchise as a third incarnation of the Erie BayHawks before relocating the team to Birmingham, Alabama , as the Birmingham Squadron in 2021. In April 2023,
2989-423: The hybrid affiliation led to the parent team buying their affiliate's franchise outright. On March 24, 2015, the Utah Jazz purchased their affiliate, the Idaho Stampede, and, after one more season in Boise , relocated the team to Salt Lake City . On April 11, 2016, the Phoenix Suns purchased their affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam , and announced the immediate relocation of the team to Prescott Valley, Arizona , as
3050-445: The individual teams, but with the league itself. G League team rosters consist of a total of 12 players, 10 (or fewer) being G League players and two (or more) NBA players. The rosters are made up in a number of ways: the previous year's players, players taken in the G League draft, allocation players (meaning players who are assigned to a team with which they have a local connection, such as a University of Texas player being assigned to
3111-401: The intention to relocate the team to Lakeland, Florida , in 2017. In 2017, the Miami Heat purchased the controlling interest in the Sioux Falls Skyforce after being its primary affiliate since 2013. In July 2019, the Boston Celtics acquired its affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, then became the Maine Celtics in 2021. Since 2020, the league added two teams without affiliation, with one of
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#17328455172923172-468: The new collective bargaining agreement with the NBA and a bid to appeal to more fans by showing the connection to the NBA. In the same offseason, Southwest Basketball, LLC led by David Kahn received league permission to operate four new teams. Southwest Basketball purchased three existing franchises and one expansion team: the Albuquerque Thunderbirds , Austin Toros , Fort Worth Flyers , and Tulsa 66ers . The Arkansas RimRockers were also added from
3233-509: The order alternates in each round; Team A who selected first in Round 1 will select last in Round 2, while Team B who selected last in Round 1 will get the first pick in Round 2. Round 3 was added in 2014. The league holds an annual Player Invitational, where prospects hope to earn eligibility for the upcoming draft. Since 2014–15, an NBA team that declines to sign an NBA draft pick can have them sign directly with their G League affiliate. Previously, an unsigned NBA pick could not be protected by
3294-608: The organization's G League affiliate, and the player might have ended up on the G League team of another organization. Players waived by an NBA team during training camp and up until the start of the regular season can be designated as "affiliate players" and allocated to the NBA team's G League affiliate. Each team is allowed four affiliate players. These are players that an NBA team is interested in developing in their own system. The affiliate players, however, still remain as free agents that any NBA team can sign. Each NBA team can assign two first-year or second-year players who are under
3355-406: The remaining NBA teams began purchasing expansion franchises or hybrid partnership teams and placing them near the parent team. In 2015, the Toronto Raptors placed their own team, Raptors 905 , in the Greater Toronto Area in Mississauga, Ontario . In 2016, the D-League expanded by three more NBA parent club-owned teams for the largest D-League expansion since 2007. The Charlotte Hornets created
3416-493: The season which the draft precedes, and have either graduated from high school or, if the player did not finish high school, had what would have been his graduating class graduate. No first overall picks have ever won the G League Most Valuable Player Award. Five players have been named to at least one NBA Development League All-Star Game : Andre Barrett , Eddie Gill , Chris Richard , Carlos Powell (twice) and Nick Fazekas . The first All-Star Game did not occur until
3477-410: The teams closing after several years. On December 12, 2019, the Mexico City Capitanes , which had been playing in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional , was announced as joining the NBA G League as an independent team in the 2020–21 season on a five-year agreement. Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, a normal 2020–21 season did not occur and the Capitanes' debut was then delayed to
3538-426: Was held on February 14, 2009, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona . The Red Team defeated the Blue Team, 113–103, and Blake Ahearn and Courtney Sims were named co-MVPs. Along with the All-Star game, the NBA D-League ran their second annual Dream Factory Friday Night events. H-O-R-S-E was won by Will Conroy of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds . The Three-Point Shootout was won by Blake Ahearn of
3599-458: Was not held in 2016. List of first overall NBA G League draft picks The NBA G League's first overall pick is the player who is selected first among all eligible draftees by a team during the annual NBA G League Draft (known as the NBA Development League Draft until 2017). For players to become eligible for the draft they must sign a general contract with the league. They must also be at least 18 years old, not attending college during
3660-407: Was not the first time the league had their own minor league system, as they had used the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) as a developmental league for over two decades. The NBA had attempted to buy the CBA in March 2000, but they were rejected. The league began its play as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) in the 2001–02 season ; the eight franchises were all located in
3721-405: Was won by a team of Pat Carroll , Trey Gilder and Carlos Powell . The Three-Point Shootout was won by Andre Ingram of the Utah Flash , and the Slam Dunk Contest was won by Dar Tucker of the Los Angeles D-Fenders . The game continued until 2017, with games continuing to be held during NBA All-Star Weekend at the same site. In 2018, it was replaced by a game between G League all-stars and
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