Iowa Wolves
Iowa Wolves logo
ConferenceWestern
LeagueNBA G League
Founded2007
HistoryIowa Energy
2007–2017
Iowa Wolves
2017–present
ArenaWells Fargo Arena
LocationDes Moines, Iowa
Team colorsMidnight blue, lake blue, aurora green, moonlight grey, frost white[1][2]
         
Head coachErnest Scott
OwnershipMinnesota Timberwolves
Affiliation(s)Minnesota Timberwolves
Championships1 (2011)
Conference titles1 (2011)
Division titles4 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)
Websiteiowa.gleague.nba.com

The Iowa Wolves are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Des Moines, Iowa, and are affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena and compete in the Western Conference of the NBA G League.[3] From 2007 to 2017, the team was known as the Iowa Energy in the NBA Development League (D-League) until being purchased and renamed by the Timberwolves. They broke the D-league attendance record on their first home game with 8,842 fans.[4][5] They later set the record again in game two of the 2011 D-League Finals with an attendance of 14,036 fans.[6][7] They won the 2011 D-League Finals, defeating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers two-games-to-one.

History

Formation

On February 27, 2007, the D-League awarded an expansion team to Des Moines, Iowa, as one of the four expansion teams for the 2007–08 season. The team was owned and operated by Iowa Basketball, LLC, a local ownership group led by attorney Jerry Crawford and also including Gary Kirke, Sheldon Ohringer, Paul Drey, Michael Richards and Bruce Rastetter. The team would play their home games at the Wells Fargo Arena, parts of the Iowa Events Center.[3] The team later hired former Northern Iowa player Nick Nurse as the team's first head coach.[8]

The team initially held a naming contest for the team. The choices listed on their website were Corncobs, Maize, River Rats, Scarecrows, and Thoroughbreds.[9] However, on June 29, 2007, the owners announced the name Iowa Energy, along with team colors and logos. The team logo was an orange basketball above the word "energy" and the team colors are purple, orange and red.[10] Two NBA teams, the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat, were announced as the team's NBA affiliates.[11]

Iowa Energy (2007–2017)

2007–2010

The Energy began to construct their roster by participating in the 2007 D-League Expansion Draft on September 5, 2007, and the 2007 D-League Draft on November 1, 2007. On November 23, 2007, the Energy played their first game in the D-League. They defeated the defending champion Dakota Wizards 101–99 to record the team's first win.[12] Their inaugural home game at the Wells Fargo Center was played on November 26, 2007. The Energy defeated the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 101–98 in front of a league-record attendance of 8,842.[4][5] The Energy finished the season third in the Central Division with 22 wins and 28 losses. The record was only the tenth best record in the league and therefore the Energy failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Before the 2008–09 season, the league announced that the Energy would be affiliated with the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. The Suns, who was previously affiliated with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, replaced the Heat, which would be affiliated with the Thunderbirds.[13] The Energy improved their performance and finished the season with the best record in the Central Division with 28 wins and 22 losses. They were seeded third for the playoffs and were paired with the Dakota Wizards in the First Round. However, they were defeated by the Wizards at home with a 109–114 loss.[14]

Energy center Courtney Sims, who averaged 22.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, won the D-League Most Valuable Player Award.[15] He also earned multiple call-ups to the NBA, signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks. Guard Othyus Jeffers, who was selected in the third round of the 2008 D-League Draft by the Energy, was named as the Rookie of the Year Award.[16] Sims was named in the All-NBA D-League First Team while Energy first-round draftee Cartier Martin was named in the All-NBA D-League Third Team.[17] Both Sims and Martin received call-ups to the NBA and were forced to miss the Energy's playoff games.

The Energy were reassigned to the Eastern Conference for the 2009–10 season as the league realigned itself to two conferences. Despite losing former MVP Courtney Sims to overseas, the Energy improved their regular season record.[18] They won the Eastern Conference with 37 wins, which was also the best record in the league. As one of the top three seeds, the Energy had the rights to choose their opponents in the first round of the playoffs.[19] They chose to face the seventh seed Utah Flash of the Western Conference.[20] They lost the first game of the series before they bounced back with two straight wins to advance to the semifinals.[21] In the semifinals, the Energy faced the eighth seed Tulsa 66ers, who eliminated the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the first round. The Energy defeated the 66ers 107–102 in the first game at Tulsa.[22] However, the 66ers won the second game at Des Moines to even the series.[23] In the decisive Game 3, the Energy lost 122–127 at home and were eliminated from the playoffs.[24]

2011 championship season

Courtney Sims, Othyus Jeffers and Curtis Stinson all returned to the Energy roster for the 2010–11 season.[25] The team also retained Nick Nurse as head coach after he briefly accepted a coaching position at Iowa State.[26] The Energy matched their previous season performance by recording 37 wins and clinched the first seed again. The Energy once again had the rights to choose their opponents in the first round of the playoffs. They chose seventh seed Utah Flash, who were defeated by the Energy in the first round of last year's playoffs. The Energy and the Flash each won one road game each before the Energy won the decisive Game 3 at home to advance to the semifinal.[27] In the semifinals, the Energy faced the Tulsa 66ers who eliminated them in last year's playoffs. The Energy recorded two straight wins and won the series 2–0 to advance to the D-League Finals.[28]

The Energy faced the third seed Rio Grande Valley Vipers, who defeated the second seed Reno Bighorns in the semifinals. The Energy, led by Curtis Stinson's triple-double, won the first game 123–106 at Hidalgo. Stinson scored 29 points along with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while five other Energy players scored in double figures.[29] The Vipers won the second game 141–122 despite Stinson's second straight triple-double.[30] That second game at Wells Fargo Arena was attended by a new league-record attendance of 14,036 fans.[6][7] In the decisive Game 3, Stinson suffered an injury that limited his playing time. The Energy trailed the Vipers by seven points after three quarters, but managed to outscore the Vipers 38–23 in the fourth quarter to clinch the D-League championship. Guard Stefhon Hannah led the Energy with 31 points, while five other Energy players scored in double figures.[31][32]

Stinson, who averaged 19.3 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, was named as the D-League Most Valuable Player Award.[33] Stinson and former Rookie of the Year Othyus Jeffers were named in the All-NBA D-League Team.[34] Two Energy stars, Jeffers and former MVP Courtney Sims, both missed the Energy's playoff games. Jeffers received a call-up to the Washington Wizards and signed a contract for the remainder of the season, while Sims left the team to play in China.

2011–2014

Before the 2011–12 season, the league announced that the Energy would be affiliated with three teams, the Bulls, the New Orleans Hornets and the Washington Wizards. The Energy ended their three years affiliation with the Suns as the Bakersfield Jam was announced to be the Suns' new affiliate.[35] On July 15, 2011, head coach Nick Nurse left the Energy and was hired by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to be their new head coach.[36] The Energy later named former Utah Flash head coach Kevin Young as the team's new head coach.[37]

For the 2012–13 season, Energy added the Denver Nuggets as an affiliate in addition to the existing affiliations with the Bulls, Hornets, and Wizards.[38] Young was fired in January 2013, replaced by Bruce Wilson on an interim basis.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were added as an affiliate for the 2013–14 season,[39] while Nate Bjorkgren as the franchise's new head coach.[40] Led by Othyus Jeffers, who was co-Most Valuable Player of the season along with Ron Howard, the Energy won its second Central Division title and fourth Division/Conference title overall, but fell to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the playoffs.[41]

2014–2017

The Energy used this logo from 2014 to 2017

Following the 2014 season, the Energy announced that they would be entering a hybrid single affiliation deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team's color scheme shifted towards that of the Grizzlies.[42] Jed Kaplan, a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, led the new affiliation deal and was named managing partner for the Energy ownership group. The agreement ended at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season as the Grizzlies began operating their own D-League team, the Memphis Hustle.[43]

Iowa Wolves (2017–present)

On January 23, 2017, it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be purchasing the Energy to serve as their D-League affiliate beginning with the 2017–18 season[44] and was finalized on May 3, 2017.[45] On May 30, the team announced it had rebranded to the Iowa Wolves. The affiliation between the Timberwolves and the Wolves is the second between the Twin Cities and Des Moines as the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League and the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League also share an affiliation.

Season results

Season Division / Conference Finish Wins Losses Win% Playoffs
Iowa Energy
2007–08Central3rd2228.440
2008–09Central1st2822.560Lost First Round to Dakota Wizards, 109–114
2009–10Eastern1st3713.740Won First Round vs. Utah Flash, 2–1
Lost Semifinals to Tulsa 66ers, 1–2
2010–11Eastern1st3713.740Won First Round vs. Utah Flash, 2–1
Won Semifinals vs. Tulsa 66ers, 2–0
Won D-League Finals vs. Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 2–1
2011–12Eastern5th2525.500Lost First Round to Los Angeles D-Fenders, 0–2
2012–13Central6th1436.280
2013–14Central1st3119.620Lost First Round to Rio Grande Valley Vipers, 1–2
2014–15Central3rd2624.520
2015–16Central3rd2624.520
2016–17Southwest6th1238.240
Iowa Wolves
2017–18Midwest3rd2426.480
2018–19Midwest4th2030.400
2019–20Midwest4th1924.442Season cancelled by COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21—18th213.133
2021–22Western7th1517.469
2022–23Western13th923.281
Regular season347375.481
Playoffs1010.500

Players

Current roster

Iowa Wolves roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
F 37 Bezhanishvili, Giorgi 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1998-11-16 Illinois
G 12 Carton, D. J. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-08-05 Marquette
G 0 Clark, Jaylen (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-10-13 UCLA
G 14 Cooke, Javonte 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-07-11 Winston-Salem State
G 31 Eastern, Nojel 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1999-05-26 Purdue
C 55 Garza, Luka (TW) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1998-12-27 Iowa
C 35 Giddens, Daniel 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1997-07-04 Vermont
G 13 Keels, Trevor 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 2003-08-26 Duke
G 22 Martin, Tyrese 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-03-07 Connecticut
G 15 Nix, Daishen (TW) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 226 lb (103 kg) 2002-02-13 Trinity International (NV)
F 27 Smith, Chris 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1999-12-24 UCLA
G/F 11 Stephenson, Lance 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1990-09-05 Cincinnati
F 24 Yat, Kok 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-06-12 Norcross HS (GA)
Head coach
  • Ernest Scott
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (P) Prospects
  • (NBA) On assignment from NBA affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 16, 2024

Awards and honors

Othyus Jeffers won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2009 and received two All-Star Game selections during his career with the Energy.
Jordan Murphy
Lindell Wigginton
NBA D-League Most Valuable Player Award
NBA D-League Rookie of the Year Award
All-NBA D-League First Team
All-NBA D-League Second Team
All-NBA D-League Third Team
NBA D-League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award

Coaches

# Head coach Term Regular season Playoffs Achievements
GWLWin%GWLWin%
1Nick Nurse2007–201120012476.6201596.600D-League Championship: 2011
Dennis Johnson Coach of the Year Award: 2011
NBA D-League All-Star Game coach: 2009, 2010, 2011
2Kevin Young2011–2013733142.425202.000NBA D-League All-Star Game coach: 2012
3Bruce Wilson201327819.296————
4Nate Bjorkgren2013–2014503119.620312.333
5Bob Donewald, Jr.2014–20161005248.520————
6Matt Woodley2016–201721219.095————
7Glynn Cyprien2017291019.344————
8Scott Roth2017–20191004456.440————
9Sam Newman-Beck2019–2021582137.362————
9Jeff Newton2021–2023642440.375————
10Ernest Scott2023–present––––————

NBA affiliates

Iowa Energy

Iowa Wolves

References

  1. ↑ "Timberwolves Unveil New Team Name & Identity for NBA Development Affiliate Iowa Wolves". Timberwolves.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. May 30, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Iowa Wolves Reproduction Guideline Sheet". NBA Properties, Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "NBA Development League Expands to Des Moines". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Emmert, Mark (November 28, 2007). "Reitz to be re-evaluated Wednesday". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Energy Surge Over Thunderbirds Keeps Iowa Unbeaten". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Bulls' NBA D-League affiliate Iowa Energy goes for title tonight". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 29, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  7. 1 2 "Vipers force deciding game in NBA D-League finals". USA Today. April 28, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  8. ↑ "D-League Des Moines Team Announces All-Iowa Coaching Staff". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. March 27, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Help Make Iowa Sports History". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Des Moines NBA D-League Team Becomes Iowa Energy". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 29, 2007. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  11. ↑ "NBA Announces Affiliations For Expanded Development League". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Defending Champs Fall Short In Season Opener". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 23, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  13. ↑ "NBA Announces Affiliates For Expanded Development League". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. June 11, 2008. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wizards Celebrate First Round Playoff Victory". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 16, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Iowa's Courtney Sims Named 2008–09 NBA D-League MVP". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on September 1, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Othyus Jeffers Named NBA D-League Rookie of the Year". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 6, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  17. ↑ "NBA D-League Announces GATORADE All-League Selections". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  18. ↑ "CSKA brings Sims for tryout". Euroleague. Euroleague Properties S.A. December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  19. ↑ "NBA D-League Announces 2010 Playoff Format". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  20. ↑ Brennan, Matthew. "2010 NBA D-League Playoffs 101". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Energy Advance to 2nd Round with 111–92 Win Over Utah". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 11, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  22. ↑ "66ers Fall Short in Game 1 to Energy". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 16, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  23. ↑ "66ers Force Game 3 with 117–106 Road Win over Energy". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 18, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  24. ↑ "66ers Defeat Energy To Advance To NBA D-League Finals". NBA.com/Dleague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 20, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  25. ↑ "2010 NBA D-League Returning, Affiliate, and Open Tryout Players". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 30, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  26. ↑ Brown, Rick (April 27, 2010). "Iowa State's McDermott accepts coaching job at Creighton". USA Today. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Haynes and Stinson Lead Iowa Comeback Victory". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 12, 2011. Archived from the original on April 19, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Tulsa Concludes Season with 107–94 Defeat at Iowa". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Energy take Game 1, 123–106". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Turnabout is Fair Play: Big Third Quarter Leads Vipers Past Energy in Game 2". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Energy Explode in Fourth: Beat Vipers for NBA Development League Championship". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 23, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  32. ↑ Brennan, Matthew (April 30, 2011). "Iowa Energy Use Team Effort To Win 2011 Finals". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Iowa's Curtis Stinson Named NBA D-League Most Valuable Player". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 18, 2011. Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  34. ↑ "NBA D-League Announces 2010–11 All-League Selections". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. April 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  35. ↑ "NBA D-League Announces NBA Affiliates For 2011–12 Season". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Finch Promoted to Rockets". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 15, 2011. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  37. ↑ "Iowa Energy Selects Kevin Young as New Head Coach". NBA.com/DLeague. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  38. ↑ Greene, Dana (July 17, 2012). "Reno Bighorns new Jazz D-League affiliate". ABC4.com. KTVX. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  39. ↑ Iowa Energy to be Minnesota Timberwolves 2013-14 NBA D-League Affiliate
  40. ↑ IOWA ENERGY NAME NATE BJORKGREN HEAD COACH
  41. ↑ "NBA Development League: Ron Howard and Othyus Jeffers Named 2014 NBA D-League Co-MVPS". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
  42. ↑ "Memphis Grizzlies and Iowa Energy enter into single-affiliation partnership". NBA. May 6, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Grizzlies News: D-League franchise coming to the Mid-South | FOX Sports". FOX Sports. 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
  44. ↑ "MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES TO PURCHASE NBA D-LEAGUE'S IOWA ENERGY". NBA. January 23, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Timberwolves finalize purchase of NBA D-League team Iowa Energy". Fox Sports North. May 3, 2017.
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