The Colorado 14ers won the 2007 NBA Development League's draft lottery and will have the first overall selection in the upcoming draft. The lottery took place in Dallas, TX at the League's annual Coaches Conference.

"This is awfully exciting for the organization," said 14ers head coach Joe Wolf. "Last year we were able to grab Mike Harris, Von Wafer and Pooh Jeter with our first three picks. So it's great to have the ability to have three picks in the top 29."

The defending champion Dakota Wizards own the second selection followed by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Idaho Stampede, Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

The draft which will be conducted via conference call, will air live on NBA TV on November 1st beginning with pre-draft coverage at 8 pm EST. Marty Blake, the NBA's Director of Scouting and his son Ryan, NBA Assistant Director of Scouting, will once again serve as analysts.

A record 85 former NBA Development League players, including 52 who played in the league last season, are represented on training camp rosters for the 2007 NBA preseason.

"D-League coaches understand our league is about development," NBA Development League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel Chris Alpert said. "They spend countless hours assisting our players in developing their skills for the next level. It's extremely encouraging to see the NBA teams taking notice and utilizing the D-League as a primary source of talent."

The 85 former D-League players on NBA Training Camp rosters is an increase from 64 players one year ago.  Last season, all call-ups during the NBA season came from D-League rosters.

?I believe there will be a continued surge in the number of signings of D-League players by the NBA in the upcoming season,? D-League Director of Basketball Operations Shawn Respert said. ?It?s a tribute to the league and its teams, but also to those players who believed in our system and have used it to their advantage to help fulfill their dreams of making it to the NBA.?

Every NBA team has at least one former D-League player on its roster. The Miami Heat has the most players with seven including Earl Barron, Brian Chase, Devin Green, Alexander Johnson, Smush Parker, Dorell Wright and 2006-07 All-NBA Development League Second Team member Jeremy Richardson. Of the seven, a league-high five competed in the D-League last year.

NBA Development League President Dan Reed announced today that former NBA guard Shawn Respert will assume the role of Director of Basketball Operations for the D-League. Respert joined the D-League last season as Manager of Player Development.

?We are thrilled make Shawn an even more important figure in our basketball operations department,? Reed said. ?Shawn was a winner on the basketball court, he was a winner developing talent for us last year, and we are expecting a major contribution from him this upcoming season.?

In his new role, Respert will play an integral part in scouting players and coaches in college and on the pro level.  He replaces Terrance "Doc" Martin who was recently hired by the Portland Trail Blazers as a regional scout.

"Shawn?s experience as a player and his knowledge of the NBA will help us grow the D-League and improve our ability to identify and develop talent for the NBA,? said Chris Alpert, NBA Development League Vice President of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel.