NBA D-League Showcase Cheat Sheet

By The Numbers

88 – The number of players currently in the NBA with NBA D-League experience.

22 – Percent of players in the NBA that have played in the NBA D-League, which falls just one percentage point shy of the record, set last year, of 23 percent.

10 – Number of players in the NBA who began the season in the NBA D-League.

62 – Number of players who began the year in the NBA D-League that were invited to NBA training camps, with representatives coming from each of the 16 teams.

18 – Number of times an NBA player has been assigned to his affiliate this season.

11 – Number of GATORADE Call-Ups thus far in 2011-12.

What is It?

The NBA Development League Showcase, now in its eighth consecutive year, is a yearly event that brings together every team in the NBA D-League, allowing scouts and executives from the NBA and around the globe to see more than 150 NBA prospects all in one place. No other basketball scouting event in the world can boast the talent and intensity of the Showcase.

How is it structured?

Each day of the four-day will feature four games, bringing the total to 16 from Monday through Thursday. Each team will play two games over four days.

How can I watch?

NBA TV will be broadcasting eight games – two each day – directly from Reno. Fans can also watch games live on NBA Futurecast, the league’s official broadband streaming platform. And now, thanks to NBA D-League Center Court, the league’s official app, fans can stream games live from anywhere.

Center Court also brings fans the latest news, scores, stats and more from the NBA Development League.

What are scouts looking for?

Here’s where the event differs from an AAU event. NBA teams generally have a crew of players who can score the ball. When scouts come to the Showcase, they’re looking for ballplayers who can play a role on a squad. Players who can shut down their opponents, get the ball and give the starting five a rest without sacrificing quality on the court. Defense is the main attraction, although rebounding and ball control can also make a player stand out.

Why should I care?

For NBA fans, the Showcase is a glimpse into the future. From role players to budding stars, legions of NBA players have come through the Showcase before earning a spot in the bigtime.

And this year, because of the condensed NBA season (and teams’ wariness in playing their dinged-up stars, like the Heat last week), NBA hopefuls crammed into the D-League like an open American Idol casting call. So, as a result, the talent has never, ever been better.

And if the NBA D-League is built on dreams, the Showcase is the kick. When Friday’s over, you either wake up and find that you’re where you started, or open your eyes to a whole new world.

Is this really an open audition for all the players in the league?

Yes. Mostly. The only people who aren’t open game are the players down in the league on assignment, which gives scouts almost 150 players to choose from.

Who should I be watching?

Every NBA team has different needs, and going into the weekend, we count more than 60 players with legitimate chances to earn a call-up either at Showcase or sometime in the next two weeks. However, we’re looking at maybe a dozen spots.

Click here for the list of Top 15 prospects, along with all the names of players who stand a very good chance of getting a call-up either in Reno or in the time shortly thereafter.

2012 Showcase Schedule

Lessons in Lingo

Prospect: Any player who’s playing ball in the NBA D-League that isn’t under contract with an NBA team – or, in other words, every single player in the league that isn’t on assignment. Even though each NBA D-League team has either one or multiple NBA affiliates, NBA teams do not have rights to the players on their affiliates, unless they have those players under contract.

Call-Up: A GATORADE Call-Up occurs when an NBA team signs a player from the NBA D-League to a contract. Often, big league teams will extend 10-day contracts to call-ups, but others have secured yearlong deals. For the list of call-ups from this year, click here.

Assignment: When an NBA team sends a player under contract down to their NBA D-League affiliate. Due to new provisions in the collective bargaining agreement, teams can now designate NBA veterans (defined as players with more than two years experience) to the D-League with the players’ consent. Formerly, veterans could not play in the NBA Development League. Teams are also permitted, starting in 2012-13, unlimited assignments for players with three years or less experience. For the full list of assignments this year, click here.

Affiliate Player Rule: Especially pertinent this year, when 16 players used it, the Affiliate rule gives an NBA team’s D-League affiliate the first opportunity to claim a player cut from NBA training camp.