As the 2007-08 season approaches, the D-Fenders Coaches and Front Office are preparing for the 2007 NBA D-League Draft. They will select 10 players to bring to training camp as they look to fill a roster determined on improving a 23-27 record in which the D-Fenders missed the playoffs by one game last season.

The draft which will be conducted via conference call, will air live on NBA TV, November 1st beginning with pre-draft coverage at 5:00pm PST/PDT. Marty Blake, the NBA's Director of Scouting and his son Ryan, NBA Assistant Director of Scouting, will once again serve as analysts.

The draft is "serpentine" or "snaked" which means the order will be reversed in each of the ten rounds. For example, after picking first, Colorado's next selections will be the 28th and 29th overall. The Iowa Energy will select last in the first round, but first in the second round, giving them the 14th and 15th picks overall. "It's the best way to evenly distribute the talent in the draft," said Chris Alpert the D-League's Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.

The order of the first round will be: (1) Colorado 14ers (2) Dakota Wizards (3) Albuquerque Thunderbirds (4) Idaho Stampede (5) Rio Grande Valley Vipers (6) Sioux Falls Skyforce (7) Fort Wayne Mad Ants (8) Los Angeles
D-Fenders (9) Anaheim Arsenal (10) Utah Flash (11) Tulsa 66ers (12) Austin Toros (13) Bakersfield Jam (14) Iowa Energy

Get to STAPLES Center early and experience twice the excitement of professional basketball with your Los Angeles D-Fenders playing before or after Lakers home games. Your Lakers ticket allows you to also watch the D-Fenders. The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. Last season there were 22 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA.

Head Coach: Dan Panaggio

What are your thoughts about receiving the 8th pick in the upcoming draft?

"Picking in the middle doesn't excite me, doesn't depress me, it's what we have to work with. The league is still signing players to contract, and we will make our selections from that group."

Assistant Coach: Chuck Brown

What have been you been doing this offseason?

"Most of my offseason is spent, I still play a little ball, but I work out a lot of guys out here (North Carolina). I spend time with my family and working guys out, that's about it. Basketball is year round for me, it was always like that and it's like that as a coach too."

With the 2007-08 season right around the corner, let's take a look at some D-Fenders who kept busy this offseason by participating in NBA training camps and preseason action.

Guards Brian Chase and Devin Green are sizzling in Miami, as both try to earn a spot on the Heat's opening day roster. Both players have had strong camps so far with Chase has averaging 8.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 1.7 apg in seven preseason games, while Green has played in six games averaging 5.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.0 apg.

Andre Patterson found himself in familiar territory as he stayed in the LA sun, joining the Lakers training camp. Patterson recorded two points, six rebounds, three steals and four blocked shots in 25 minutes over three preseason games with the Lakers, before being waived on 10/23.

Chet Mason (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jackie Manuel (Boston Celtics) also spent the summer learning the NBA game in their respective camps. During the 2007 D-League Expansion Draft, Manuel was selected 5th overall by the Iowa Energy.