El Segundo, CA- The Los Angeles D-Fenders will select 3rd in the 2009 NBA D-League Draft, it was announced today. The draft lottery took place at the D-League’s annual coaches conference in Dallas.

“I am very excited about the third pick because last year we had the 13th pick,” said D-Fenders Head Coach, Chucky Brown. “I am excited about this because I think we should be able to get the player that we want at number 3.”

The NBA D-League Draft order was determined by random drawing and utilizes a “serpentine” format, meaning the order will alternate in each of the ten rounds. For example, the team picking last in the first round will select first in the second round, giving them the 16th and 17th overall choices. The NBA D-League Draft consists of ten rounds, and no trades are permitted. Only players signed to NBA D-League Standard Player contract are eligible for the NBA D-League Draft which will be held in early November.

The order of the first round will be as follows:

1. Albuquerque Thunderbirds

2. Erie BayHawks

3. Los Angeles D-Fenders

4. Bakersfield Jam

5. Utah Flash

6. Austin Toros

7. Reno Bighorns

8. Maine Red Claws

9. Iowa Energy

10. Fort Wayne Mad Ants

11. Dakota Wizards

12. Rio Grande Valley Vipers

13. Sioux Falls Skyforce

14. Springfield Armor

15. Idaho Stampede

16. Tulsa 66ers

The D-Fenders tip of their fourth season on November 28th as they take on the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at 6pm at the Tingley Coliseum. The D-Fenders will host their first home game on December 1st versus the Utah Flash at 3:30pm at the Staples Center. The Los Angeles D-Fenders is the official minor league team of the Los Angeles Lakers. 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 will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Maine Red Claws and the Springfield Armor. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2008-09 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.