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| Left-to-Right: Donnie Nelson, Del Harris, Nancy Lieberman, Spud Webb |
November 5, 2009
Frisco, Texas -– Donnie Nelson and Evan Wyly, co-owners of Frisco’s NBA Development League team, announced today the hiring of three prominent basketball veterans to lead the Metroplex’s newest professional sports team. Nelson and Wyly have tapped Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman as the franchise’s first head coach, while former NBA head coach Del Harris will be the team’s general manager and former NBA superstar Anthony “Spud” Webb will become president of basketball operations.
Lieberman, widely considered one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball history, will become the first female head coach to lead an NBA or NBA D-League team. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996 after a decorated career. She played four years at Old Dominion University where she won back-to-back national championships, was a three-time Kodak All-American and twice won the Wade Trophy given to the National Player of the Year. Lieberman went on to a prolific professional career in a number of leagues. She holds the distinction of being the oldest player to play in the WNBA, was the first female to play for a men’s professional basketball team when she played for the Springfield Fame of the USBL and took part in two NBA Summer Leagues (Lakers, 1980 and Jazz, 1986). From 1998-2000, Lieberman served as the general manager and head coach of the WNBA’s Detroit Shock and has been a basketball analyst for ESPN from 1981-2009.
Harris brings over 50 years of coaching experience to his role as general manager. Harris has served three stints as an NBA head coach and holds a career record of 556-457 (.549 winning percentage). Harris led the Houston Rockets to a Western Conference Championship in his first NBA head coaching job before making stops with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. In Los Angeles, he led the Lakers to three consecutive 50-win seasons and was named Coach of the Year in 1994-95. Harris’ ties to the Metroplex began in 2000 when he became an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks until 2007. He and his family reside in Frisco.
Webb, a Dallas native, enjoyed a 12-year career with Atlanta (twice), Sacramento, Minnesota and Orlando. In 814 career games, Webb averaged 9.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 24.9 minutes per game. Webb, who was the first athlete under six-feet tall to win the Slam Dunk Contest, attended Midland Junior College (Midland, Texas) after graduating from Wilmer-Hutchins High School. Webb earned NJCAA All-America honors before transferring to North Carolina State where he averaged 10.0 points and helped the Wolfpack to a Sweet 16 appearance. He is a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Nelson, Lieberman, Harris and Webb will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs on November 7 and 8 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Dr Pepper Center in Frisco where the team will be holding its first select-a-seat open house event. For more information please call 214.469.0822.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and featured 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams during the 2008-09 season. This fall, two new NBA Development League teams will begin play in Portland, Maine and Springfield, Mass.-- the birthplace of basketball. Eighty-four former NBA Development League players were on 2008-09 NBA end-of-season rosters, amounting to almost 20 percent of NBA players, and 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 Development League Cares programs. The NBA Development League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA Development League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at www.nba.com/futurecast.
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| Send an e-mail to Bill |
Bill Boyce brings a combination of business and legal experience to NBA D-League Frisco, most recently as the founder and President of William J. Boyce, P.A., a private law practice founded in 1996 and serving the needs of corporations and individuals in a wide variety of matters including commercial and residential real estate transactions, commercial loan documentation, commercial litigation, foreclosures, and title insurance. Bill also brings experience as a mortgage originator and financial advisor.
His expertise includes:
Bill experienced early career success as a Summer Associate and Associate with Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A, a respected law firm in Tampa, Florida.
His experience in basketball includes broadcasting for Wheaton College, spending time licensed as an NBA agent, co-founding Newell-Boyce International, a company that marketed Roger Newell’s computerized basketball scouting system to the European market, and helping start Black Star Academy Basketball, a basketball academy intended for all ages and skill levels which targets students who are dedicated and determined to reach their maximum potential.
Bill graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in English Literature and from Stetson University College of Law with a J.D. cum laude.
Bill and his wife Elizabeth have two kids.
Become a Fan of NBA Frisco on Facebook!
Frisco, Texas – Frisco's new NBA Development League team held a job fair on Thursday, September 17, 2009.
Applicants who were unable to attend may e-mail resumes to info@nbadleaguefrisco.com.
Information on available positions can be found here.
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| (From L to R) Frisco Mayor Maher Maso, NBA Development League President Dan Reed and teamowners Donnie Nelson and Evan Wyly at the announcement of the new NBA D-League Frisco team. More Photos Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images |
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For More Info: Email info@nbadleaguefrisco.com |
Colorado 14ers to Move Operations to Frisco -- Team to Begin Play in 2010
FRISCO, TX June 18, 2009 – Texas D-League Management, LLC, has purchased the Colorado 14ers and will relocate the team to Frisco, Texas, it was announced today by NBA Development League President Dan Reed. The team will begin play in Frisco at the Dr. Pepper Arena for the 2010-11 season, but will not play during 2009-10 in order to transition.
Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, will be the principal owner and operator of the team. Nelson brings 23 years of NBA experience with him to the team in Frisco, including 11 years in Dallas’ front office, along with coaching stints with the Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Nelson’s ownership group includes Evan Wyly, a Dallas native and the Chairman of Green Mountain Energy, the nation’s leading provider of cleaner electricity and carbon offset solutions. Colorado 14ers owner Tim Wiens will retain a minority ownership stake in the team. Nelson, Wyly and Frisco Mayor Maher Maso joined Reed at today’s announcement, which was held at the Mavericks’ practice facility located inside American Airlines Center.
“We’re very excited to be in Frisco, an area with deep fan support and a history of successful sports teams,” said Reed. “We're thrilled to welcome such a well-respected and experienced group to the NBA D-League ownership ranks. Not only are Donnie Nelson’s basketball credentials terrific, but he has assembled a group with impressive business credentials as well. Donnie’s investment in an NBA D-League team is a great validation of both our league’s past success and future growth prospects.”
The Frisco team’s new name, colors and logo, along with the coaching staff, will be announced at a later date.
"Texas is one of the hottest basketball markets in the world. We plan to bring an exciting, high octane brand of basketball that's both affordable and fun for the entire family,” said Nelson. “Our team will have a chance to hone their skills in the newly renovated Dr. Pepper center in Frisco. The NBA D-League continues to provide high level competition and excellent opportunities for both its fans and players."
When the team begins play in 2010, it will be directly affiliated with up to three NBA teams, which will be able to assign first and second year players to the club up to three times during a season.
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league and featured 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams during the 2008-09 season. This Fall, two new NBA D-League teams will begin play in Portland, Maine and Springfield, Mass.-- the birthplace of basketball. Eighty-four former NBA Development League players were on 2008-09 NBA end-of-season rosters, amounting to almost 20 percent of NBA players, and 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.
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