OREM -- The Utah Flash will kick off their 2008-2009 season this week with a weekend trip to Texas.
Following a Friday night game against the Toros in Austin, the Flash continue their two-game road swing with a Saturday contest against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Last year the Toros and Flash faced off Nov. 21 with Utah coming away with a 118-116 overtime win as Morris Almond poured through 51 points.
This year the Flash will have the services of Dontell Jefferson, who was acquired in a trade with the Dakota Wizards for first-round draft pick Denham Brown. Last year Jefferson averaged 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. Jefferson, who played at Arkansas with Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer, scored 25 points against Utah last season in the Flash's first-ever home game.
In Utah's only preseason game last Saturday, Boston Celtics rookie assignees J. R. Giddens and Bill Walker chipped in 16 points apiece as the Flash trampled the defending NBA D-League champion Idaho Stampede 91-65 in Burley, Idaho.
In the team's inaugural season in the NBA Developmental League last year, the Flash finished 24-26, good for a third-place finish in the West Division, but not quite good enough for a playoff appearance.
Last season the Flash relied heavily on the contributions of Utah Jazz assignees Almond and Kyrylo Fesenko. To start the 2008-09 NBA D-League season, however, both players are active on the Utah Jazz roster.
The Flash are coached by Utah Jazz regional scout Brad Jones. E-mail: jdavis@desnews.com
