The Portland Trail Blazers, the Idaho Stampede, and the NBA Development League announced today that the Trail Blazers and Stampede have entered into a single affiliation partnership beginning with the 2012-13 season. Portland will be Idaho’s sole NBA affiliate and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations.   

This partnership, also referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” allows for NBA teams to secure control of, and cover the expenses related to, the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team while partnering with existing local ownership, which maintains responsibility for the team’s off-the-court business operations.   

The Fort Wayne Mad Ants have named Duane Ticknor as their head coach for the 2012-13 season. Ticknor has signed a two-year contract with the team.

“We are very excited to have Coach Ticknor join the Mad Ants,” said team President Jeff Potter. “Duane is well-respected by his peers in the basketball community, and his knowledge and skill in coaching is exceptional. Most notably, he has a history of winning everywhere he’s been. We are looking forward to having him get started this summer in building the winning team that our loyal fans and this great city deserve.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the best organization in the D-League,” Coach Ticknor said. “Fort Wayne is one of the best markets in our league, and I am excited to get to work and turn the Mad Ants into the winning team that I know they can be.”

Ticknor has 17 years of head coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels, including the NBA D-League. He served as head coach for the Dakota Wizards and led them to the playoffs in each of his two seasons there, with his 2007-08 team finishing 29-21 and winning the Central Division title. He then moved on to the Sioux Falls Skyforce from 2009-11, where he spent two seasons as assistant coach.

A record 24 teams will compete at the 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.  From July 13-22, 23 NBA teams, including 11 that participated in the NBA Playoffs, as well as a team of NBA D-League Select players will compete in Las Vegas.

The  2012  competition will mark the eighth summer that the league has been held in Las  Vegas since its inception in 2004. Each of the participating teams will play five game each for a total of 60 contests over the course of the event’s ten days.

The 2012 field for NBA Summer League (years participated) will be the following:

Atlanta Hawks (2010)*
Boston Celtics (2004-07)*
Charlotte Bobcats (2008) 
Chicago Bulls (2005, 2009-10)*
Cleveland Cavaliers (2004-10)
Dallas Mavericks (2005-10)*
Denver Nuggets (2004-10)*
D-League Select (2009-10)
Golden State Warriors (2005-10)
Houston Rockets (2006-10)
L.A. Clippers (2005-10)*
L.A. Lakers (2007-10)*
Memphis Grizzlies (2007-10)*
Miami Heat (2010)*
Milwaukee Bucks (2007-10)
Minnesota Timberwolves (2006-10)
New Orleans Hornets (2005-10)
New York Knicks (2005-10)*
Phoenix Suns (2004-10)
Portland Trail Blazers (2005-10)
Sacramento Kings (2005-10)
San Antonio Spurs (2007-10)*
Toronto Raptors (2008-10)
Washington Wizards (2004-10)

*Indicates 2011-12 NBA Playoff team.

Justin Dentmon, the 2012 NBA Development League Most Valuable Player, is joined by Reno Bighorns guard Blake Ahearn, now a member of the Utah Jazz, Dakota Wizards’ forward Edwin Ubiles, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Malcolm Thomas and Rio Grande Valley Vipers center Greg Smith on the 2012 All-NBA D-League First Team, as voted on the NBA D-League’s 16 head coaches.  All five members of the First Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.

Named to the Second Team were 2012 NBA D-League Impact Player of the year and 2012 Champion Eric Dawson of the Austin Toros, Springfield Armor center Jeff Foote, Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Courtney Fortson, who finished the NBA season with the Houston Rockets, Tulsa 66ers forward Marcus Lewis and Los Angeles D-Fenders guard Elijah Millsap.  Of the five members of the Second Team, three spent time in the NBA during the 2011-12 season.

The Third Team consists of Maine Red Claws guard Morris Almond, who finished the NBA season with the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles D-Fenders forward Brandon Costner, forward Dennis Horner and guard Jerry Smith, both of the Springfield Armor, and Texas Legends center Sean Williams, who is currently with the Boston Celtics.  Four of the five members of the Third Team earned Call-Ups during the 2011-12 season.