After a successful debut last summer with six teams, the Vegas Summer League is set to return to the Cox Pavilion on the UNLV campus today with 16 teams and a bulked-up 43-game schedule along with a big-name brand sponsor in Reebok.
With the increase in teams and games, Las Vegas has quickly evolved into the premier summer league venue for the National Basketball Association.
In April, the league's Executive Director Wayne LeGarie forged a deal with Reebok to serve as the title sponsor of the summer league. The agreement gives the athletic shoe giant naming rights, product placement ability, in-venue signage, an online presence and many other promotional benefits from the event.
The Reebok Summer Vegas League -- which tips off today with at 1 p.m. game between the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks -- runs through July 15 and gives locals a fantastic chance to see current and future NBA stars up close and in-person.
Some of the games are scheduled to be televised live on NBA-TV (Channel 318 for Cox Communications subscribers).
This year efforts have been made to have the Las Vegas community play a bigger role in the event, with groups from the YMCA, the Las Vegas Department of Leisure Services, and others being provided with free blocks of tickets to come out and see some of the games.
Last year, NBA stars like the Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson, Keith Bogans and the NBA's No. 1 pick, Dwight Howard, and the Boston Celtics' Al Jefferson and Marcus Banks -- who starred for both UNLV and Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas -- participated in the league, which is evolving into an offseason proving grounds for NBA rookies and hopefuls.
Other teams besides the Nets and Mavericks appearing at the Cox Pavilion over the next 10 days include Banks' Celtics, the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.
Besides watching some of the veteran players in the league fight for roster spots, fans also will be able to see some of the top rookies in their first action ever with their new teams as the 2005 NBA Draft was held June 28. The Trail Blazers held the No. 3 pick and the Hornets the No. 4 selection in this year's draft.
On top all the action on the hardwood, the NBA Jam Van will make its first appearance in Las Vegas from July 8-10 in conjunction with the 10-year anniversary of this popular NBA experience. The NBA Jam Van is a 67-foot 18-wheeler which transforms into 8,000 square feet of free interactive basketball fun for fans of all ages.
For a full schedule of all the games at the RSVL, log on the league's Web site at www.vegassummerleague.com.
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