Anaheim Arsenal Franchise History

From Hoopedia

Team History

Anaheim officially joined the NBA Development League in the summer of 2006 and hosted local rivals, the Los Angeles D-Fenders, in their inaugural first game on November 24.

The Arsenal defeated the Arkansas RimRockers 93-92 for their first franchise win on November 28, 2006 and beat the Austin Toros three days later 107-105 for their first road victory and first overtime game in team history.

The 50-game 2006-07 regular season ends on April 12.

Past Players

With the first overall pick in the 2006 NBDL Draft, the Arsenal selected Corsley Edwards, a forward from Central Connecticut State who briefly played with the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA during the 2004-05 season. He left the team in February 2007 to play internationally after leading the D-League in double-doubles.

Two key players on the team currently are Jawad Williams, a forward from the University of North Carolina, and Andre Owens, a guard from the University of Houston and former member of the NBA’s Utah Jazz in 2005-06.

Past Coaches

NBA veteran and former champion Larry Smith was named the team’s head coach before their inaugural season. Smith won a title as a player with the Golden State Warriors and as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets. After 25 games with Anaheim, he is now the assistant coach of the Austin Toros.

Local basketball product Reggie Geary, a graduate of Orange County’s Mater Dei High School, is currently the team’s interim head coach as of January 2007. He played college ball at the University of Arizona and later joined their coaching staff under the legendary Lute Olson after playing in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs.