Albuquerque, N.M., March 19, 2008 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds acquired guard Cheyne Gadson in a trade with the Austin Toros. The trade sends newly acquired center Yemi Nicholson who the Thunderbirds acquired within the past 14 hours to the Austin Toros.

Gadson has spent time in the NBA summer league with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. A graduate of Oklahoma State, Gadson has played in 34 games with the Toros this season, averaging 10.8 points per game and 5.6 assists.

“Cheyne is a terrific combo guard and we feel very fortunate to be getting him,” Albuquerque Head Coach Jeff Ruland said. “He will really help our depth and should be a great performer.”

Nicholson, who was picked up yesterday by the Thunderbirds was sent to Austin. Nicholson is a 6’10 center from Denver University. Nicholson led the Denver Pioneers his senior season with 19.9 points per game.

Gadson is expected to be in uniform Thursday night, wearing jersey number 18, when Albuquerque takes on the Tulsa 66ers; 7:00pm at Tingley Coliseum.

In order to create a roster spot for Gadson the Thunderbirds waived guard Dwight Brewington on Wednesday. Brewington played in 8 games for the Thunderbirds averaging 17.1 minutes and 9.4 points.

Albuquerque gets back to action Thursday, March 20th and Friday, March 21st against the Tulsa 66ers. Both game times are set for 7:00 pm, from Tingley Coliseum. Friday’s game will be “Take Over Tingley”, $2 tickets will be available for purchase prior to the game.

Thunderbirds 2008–09 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For single game tickets and 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 like the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. The League also 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