Albuquerque, N.M., January 3, 2008 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds are back in action when they host the Fort Wayne Mad Ants at Tingley Coliseum on Saturday, January 5 at 7:00 pm for 76ers Affiliate Night. This will be the second occasion in which the Thunderbirds will take part in NBA Nights presented by adidas.

The Thunderbirds will wear the black jerseys of one of their NBA parent club, the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Mad Ants will wear the red jersey of one of their NBA parent clubs, the Detroit Pistons. In addition, the first 1,000 fans in the door that night will receive a giveaway item courtesy of the 76ers. Fans will also have the opportunity to sign up to win various autographed items provided by the 76ers.

The Thunderbird’s other NBA parent, the Phoenix Suns, assigned D.J. Strawberry to the Thunderbirds following the recall of Alando Tucker, who was on assignment for 2 ½ weeks. The Thunderbirds have planned an additional NBA Nights with the Suns later in the season. "More than 10 percent of NBA players are former D-Leaguers and there are 15 current NBA players on assignment playing in the D-League right now," said NBA Development League President Dan Reed. "NBA Nights are yet another example of the D-League's strong bond with the NBA, and provide a fantastic experience for our fans."

NBA Nights, is a 14-game celebration of the relationship between the NBA and the NBA Development League, will feature D-League teams wearing the uniforms of their NBA-affiliated teams in games spanning two months. The program, tipped off its second season on December 7, in which D-League teams could see dance teams and mascots from around the NBA as well as NBA team giveaways.

The Thunderbirds hit the road after the game on January 5 making stops Austin, Rio Grande Valley, Sioux Falls and Dakota before returning home on January 23 for a matinee game vs. the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at 10:30 am. January 23, is also the first of two “School House Jam” games geared towards education. Both Thunderbirds games can be heard on KBZU 96.3 “The Buzz” FM.

Thunderbirds 2007–08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, Ticketmaster 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 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 over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives of the NBA and its teams, provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.

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.