Of the N.B.A.'s 30 teams, 19 have sent at least one player to the D-League, for a total of 29 players, including 5 first-round draft picks: Martell Webster, Boston's Gerald Green, Denver's Julius Hodge, Washington's Andray Blatche and Dallas's Pavel Podkolzin. Fifteen D-League players have been called up to the N.B.A. this season.

"I would not hesitate to send people again," Portland General Manager John Nash said. "The competition isn't as good as summer league in Vegas because in Vegas you have N.B.A. players. But this is the next best thing.

"Martell played effectively there. I just didn't want him to languish here on the bench. I wanted him to get a taste not just of the competition, but get a perspective. I think you can be a little surreal in your approach coming from high school to the N.B.A."

Next season, when the N.B.A.'s age requirement increases to 19, the D-League plans to lower its limit to 18 so players wishing to bypass college will have an alternative.

Players who can qualify academically will probably opt for a college program that offers more exposure.

"For business reasons, it would be good for us if everyone who didn't come to the N.B.A. went to college," N.B.A. Commissioner David Stern said. "If I had my druthers, this league would be for N.B.A. players who just needed a little more time."