NEW YORK, Nov. 14, 2008 – San Antonio Spurs’ center Ian Mahinmi was assigned to the Austin Toros, the D-League team owned and operated by the Spurs, it was announced today.

Mahinmi and Golden State's Richard Hendrix are the first and second NBA players, respectively, assigned to an NBA D-League team this season. An all-time high 31 NBA players were assigned to NBA D-League affiliates during the 2007-08 season.

Mahinmi is entering his second season with the Spurs after splitting his rookie season between the Spurs and the Toros. The 6-11, 230-pound center appeared in six games for the Spurs in 2007-08, averaging 3.5 points in 3.8 minutes. He was assigned to the Toros on Nov. 21, 2007.

In 46 games with the Toros, Mahinmi averaged 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 29.6 minutes. Selected in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft (28th overall), Mahinmi ranked 19th in scoring for the D-League and was named to the 2008 All-NBA Development League First Team. He ranked second in the D-League in field goal percentage, eighth in rebounds and ninth in blocks, and posted 16 double-doubles. Mahinmi averaged 18.3 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks in four playoff games, while leading the Toros to the NBA D-League Finals.