T-Birds To Hold Open Tryouts in Philly October 28

The Philadelphia 76ers and their NBA Development League farm team, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, will join together on Sunday, October 28. The tryout will be held at the Belfield Recreation Center at 2100 Ogontz Ave., beginning at 9 a.m.

The Thunderbirds open tryout is an opportunity for local free agent athletes from the Philadelphia area to showcase their talents for D-League coaches, including Thunderbirds Coach Jeff Ruland and assistant coach Sam Worthen. Every player that attends will be competing for an invitation to the Thunderbirds training camp, where they will compete against the returning players and those selected by the team in November’s draft to make the final roster.

Basketball staff from the 76ers are expected to attend.

“This is a great way for young athletes to evaluate themselves and prove their ability,” said Team President Billy Widner. “Conducting tryouts in Philadelphia gives us an opportunity to evaluate talent in a new market and extends the reach of the NBA Development League.”

“Player tryouts are what the D-League is about,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jeff Ruland. “Chasing your dreams and trying to make it happen, the D-League affords you that opportunity.”

Registration fees for the tryouts are $150 per player, and are due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on October 25. Tryouts are limited to the first 150 players to register and registration fees may be paid in the form of credit card (pre-registration only), cash and money order only. No personal checks will be accepted. For registration forms, please contact the Thunderbirds front office at (505)-265-DUNK, or online at www.abqtbirds.com.

The Thunderbirds season tips off at home on November 23 against the Idaho Stampede at 7 p.m. Thunderbirds 2007–08 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The Thunderbirds continually stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked almost 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.

Entering its seventh season, the NBA Development League, the NBA’s minor league established to develop talent across all disciplines for the NBA, has relocated its headquarters from Greenville, S.C. to New York City. The move provides the D-League with direct access to the support and resources of the NBA and WNBA. During the 2006-07 season 19 NBA teams assigned 24 players to D-League rosters and 14 NBA teams called-up 16 players (‘Gatorade Call-ups’). In addition to players, the D-League has also provided the training ground for every referee hired by the NBA since 2002, and this season the first former D-League coach will lead an NBA team as Sam Vincent takes over the reigns with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com