ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., November 27, 2006 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds have acquired guard/forward Dijon Thompson from the NBA Development League available player pool. The T-Birds waived guard/forward Joe Shipp to rehabilitate an injury.

Thompson, 6-7, 195, was in training camp with the Golden State Warriors earlier this season after spending the majority of last season with the Phoenix Suns. The UCLA product was assigned by the Suns to Albuquerque for three games last season, averaging 39.0 minutes, 17.7 points and 7.7 rebounds.

A second round selection (54th overall) by the New York Knicks in the 2005 NBA Draft, Thompson played in 10 games for Phoenix last season, averaging 4.3 minutes, 2.8 points and 1.1 rebounds.

Shipp had played in two games (two starts) for Albuquerque, averaging 26.0 minutes, 9.5 points and 3.0 rebounds.

Thompson is expected to be in uniform when the Thunderbirds (2-0) visit Idaho (0-2) on Tuesday. He will wear jersey #12.

Thunderbirds 2006–07 season tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds Front Office. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA’s 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. This season, 19 NBA teams assigned 29 players to D-League affiliates. There were also 18 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

The NBA D-League is composed of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

For additional information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.