The 2009 NBA Development League Showcase tips off its 16-game schedule on Monday, Jan. 5 and runs through Thursday, Jan. 8.   The fifth annual event will take place at the McKay Events Center, home of the Utah Flash, in Orem, Utah and will feature all 16 NBA D-League teams playing two games apiece under one roof.  Fans can stay in step with their favorite NBA D-League team by logging onto www.nba.com/futurecast to watch every Showcase game on-line for free.  

The Sioux Falls Skyforce, currently 9-5 on the season and in third place in the Central Division, take on the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2-10) at 11 a.m. MT in the opening game of the Showcase. Action continues with three more contests during the afternoon and evening on Monday and the schedules for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday also includes four games each, beginning at 11 a.m. MT (see full schedule attached).

Nine members of the 2008 NBA Draft class are slated to participate in this year?s NBA D-League Showcase including NBA D-League players Joe Crawford (Los Angeles D-Fenders), Patrick Ewing, Jr. (Reno Bighorns) and Richard Hendrix (Dakota Wizards) and NBA assigned players Joey Dorsey (Houston Rockets, playing with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers), J.R. Giddens (Boston Celtics, playing with the Utah Flash), Malik Hairston (San Antonio Spurs, playing with the Austin Toros), Walter Sharpe (Detroit Pistons, playing with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Bill Walker (Boston Celtics, playing with the Flash), and Sonny Weems (Denver Nuggets, playing with the Colorado 14ers).  

Additionally, six members of the 2007 NBA Draft class round out the NBA D-League Showcase rosters, including Sean Williams, currently on assignment with the 14ers from the New Jersey Nets and NBA D-League players Derrick Byers (Bakersfield Jam), Jermareo Davidson (Idaho Stampede), Jared Jordan (Rio Grande Valley), Chris Richard (Tulsa 66ers), and Marcus Williams (Austin).