Broomfield, Colo. - The Colorado 14ers basketball club announced the appointment of former Denver Nuggets player Joe Wolf as the team's first head coach in a press conference at the Pepsi Center this afternoon. Wolf will also serve as general manager of player personnel.
The 14ers, a member of the NBA Development League, is the farm team of the Nuggets, Toronto Raptors and New Jersey Nets. The 14ers will tip off its 50-game 2006-07 inaugural season with a two-game road trip Nov. 24-25 against the Idaho Stampede. The 14ers will host the Los Angeles D-Fenders Dec. 1 in the first basketball game played at the new, state-of-the-art Broomfield Event Center.
"My wife and I are very happy to return to the Broomfield Area. It's a tremendous opportunity to start a team from the foundation. I want to thank John Frew, Tim Wiens (co-owners) and Gary Hunter for this chance," said Wolf.
Wolf most recently coached the Idaho Stampede of the Continental Basketball Association. Wolf was the fifth head coach in the Stampede franchise, serving two seasons from 2004-2006. He compiled a 48-48 overall regular season record. He coached NBA players Britton Johnsen (Pacers), Kaniel Dickens (Nets, Clippers), Awvee Storey (Wizards), Randy Livingston (Bulls) and Josh Davis (Bucks, Rockets, Suns). Wolf previously served as an assistant coach at William & Mary, where his responsibilities included scheduling, scouting, recruiting and game strategy. He was also a volunteer coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.
As a player, Wolf graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he played in 128 games over his four year collegiate career. Wolf tallied 1,231 points (9.6ppg) for the Tar Heels as well as 707 rebounds (5.5 rpg). In his senior season, he totaled a career high 15.2 ppg while playing in almost 30 minutes per game. Like Wolf, current Nuggets Head Coach George Karl also played under Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith.
Wolf was a high prospect coming out of college and was drafted in the 1
st round (13
th overall) of the 1987 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. In a very talented draft year that included the likes of David Robinson (1
st overall) and Reggie Miller (11
th overall), Wolf was selected ahead of Mark Jackson (18
th overall) who went on to win the 1988 Rookie of the Year Award. Since then, Wolf spent the 1990-92 and 1997-98 seasons with the Nuggets. He also saw playing time with the Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks. Wolf averaged 4.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 11 NBA seasons.
Colorado is one of seven new markets and 12 teams for 2006-07. The 14ers will join the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Anaheim Arsenal, Bakersfield Jam, Idaho Stampede and Los Angeles D-Fenders to make up the Western Division. The Arkansas RimRockers, Austin Toros, Dakota Wizards, Fort Worth Flyers, Sioux Falls Sky Force and Tulsa 66ers will comprise the Eastern Division.
The 14ers' 50-game regular season schedule features 30 contests within the Western Division and 39 weekend games (Fri-Sun). In addition, the first ever D-League All-Star Game is set for Saturday, Feb. 17 to be played during Jam Session at the 2007 NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas.
Season seats are available now for the 2006-07 season by calling 303-465-HOOP. Season seats range from $10-$37 per game. For more information on season tickets and a full list of season ticket holder benefits, visit www.BroomfieldEventCenter.com.
About the Broomfield Event Center: Currently under construction on the south side of U.S. Highway 36, between 112
th and 120
th Streets, the Broomfield Event Center will be a state of the art 180,000 square foot multi-purpose event center and will include 6,000 seats, including 25 suites, 900 club seats, a sit-down restaurant, two themed bars and a separate basketball practice facility. The Broomfield Event Center will host more than 130 events per year, including concerts, trade shows, rodeos and sporting events. It is the future home of the Rocky Mountain Rage Professional Hockey Club (Central Hockey League) and the Colorado 14ers Professional Basketball Club (NBA Development League, Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors affiliate team). The new venue is scheduled to open in November.
About Arista: The Broomfield Event Center is a major anchor for the 215 acre multi-use development known as Arista. Other than the event center, the Arista development will include retail, office and residential space.
www.BroomfieldEventCenter.com