Albuquerque, N.M., February 7, 2008 – Albuquerque Thunderbirds forward Josh Gross has been selected to participate in the Three-Point Shootout during the inaugural Dream Factory Friday Night which will take place on Friday, Feb. 15 on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas.

“I’m happy that Josh will get the opportunity to participate in the D-League All–Star events,” Head Coach Jeff Ruland said, “He is a tireless worker on and off the court, I’m really happy for him and the organization.”

Dream Factory Friday Night, an exciting event modeled after the popular NBA All-Star Saturday Night will include perennial NBA fan favorite events, such as a Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk competition, while introducing H.O.R.S.E. and an interactive game of Hot-Shot with fans. Twelve D-League players, including an NBA assigned player and five others with NBA experience, will take to Center Court to showcase their skills throughout the evening’s competitions.

Gross was selected in the seventh round of the 2007 D-League Draft by the Thunderbirds (87th overall). He played with the Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2006 – 07, averaging 5.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 14 games, after being selected by the D-Fenders as the fifth pick in the 2006 D-League Expansion Draft.

D-League action in New Orleans continues on Saturday, Feb. 16, when the second-annual D-League All-Star Game presented by Spalding tips off on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session. The game, which begins at 3 pm EST, will be broadcast live on NBA TV and features 20 of the D-League’s finest as selected by fans and D-League coaches. NBA legends Rick Barry and Lenny Wilkens will serve as honorary team captains, while the squads will be coached by Idaho’s Bryan Gates and Los Angeles’ Dan Panaggio, along with their respective assistant coaches, Ray Lopes and Chucky Brown.

The Thunderbirds hit the road Friday, February 8th to take on the Tulsa 66ers. The game will be the first of a four game road trip leading up to the NBA All–Star break. The Thunderbirds will return home February 22nd to take on the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at Tingley Coliseum; game time is set for 7:00 pm.

Thunderbirds 2007–08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, any Ticketmaster location or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The Thunderbirds stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico. The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com