The South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau will host the seventh-annual NBA Development League Showcase at the South Padre Island Convention Centre, it was announced recently at the Convention Centre by NBA D-League President Dan Reed. Reed was joined at the press conference by South Padre Island Mayor Bob Pinkerton, executive director of the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Dan Quandt, and Rio Grande Valley Vipers President Brian Michael Cooper. The 2011 Showcase, which will feature all of the NBA D-League’s teams, will run from Jan. 10-13.

“We are thrilled to be have partnered with the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau to bring the 2011 NBA D-League Showcase to South Texas,” said Reed. “The NBA D-League Showcase is the premiere in-season destination for basketball’s top prospects to exhibit their talents in front of all 30 NBA teams and compete for a "call-up" to the NBA -- something that happened for 19 players that participated in last year's Showcase. I look forward to bringing our unique brand of fun, family friendly, and affordable basketball entertainment to South Padre Island next January." Conceived prior to the 2004-05 season, the NBA D-League Showcase provides exposure for NBA D-League players and coaches to NBA general managers, player personnel executives and scouts on four consecutive days at one location. The 2011 event will feature all of NBA D-League team competing in two games each over four days.

“We are truly excited to be hosting this tremendous basketball event,” said Quandt. “In January 2011, people attending will see the top talent in the NBA Development League, along with the top beach destination in the state of Texas.” Twenty percent of players on 2010 NBA end-of-season rosters had NBA D-League experience, many of whom participated in an NBA D-League Showcase since its inception in 2005. During its six year history, more than 30 NBA D-League players have earned GATORADE Call-Ups from the NBA D-League to the NBA during or after the NBA D-League Showcase; while an even larger number benefited from the exposure afforded them at the NBA D-League Showcase.

Game times, ticket packages and the broadcast schedule for the 2011 NBA D-League Showcase will be announced at a later date. The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2009-10 season, the league featured 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor, while a new team, the Texas Legends, will join the League for the 2010-11 season. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, 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 the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.