Iowa Wolves facts for kids

The Iowa Wolves are a professional basketball team from Des Moines, Iowa. They play in the NBA G League, which is like a development league for the NBA. The team is connected to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a famous NBA team. The Wolves play their home games at the Casey's Center.

Before 2017, the team was known as the Iowa Energy. They changed their name after the Minnesota Timberwolves bought them. The team set a record for attendance at their first home game with 8,842 fans! They broke that record again in 2011 during the D-League Finals, with 14,036 fans watching. The Iowa Energy won the D-League Championship in 2011, beating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Team History

Starting the Team

On February 27, 2007, the D-League (now NBA G League) decided to add a new team in Des Moines, Iowa. This team was one of four new teams for the 2007–08 season. A local group called Iowa Basketball, LLC, owned and ran the team. They chose the Casey's Center as the team's home arena. Later, Nick Nurse, a former college basketball player, became the team's first head coach.

The team held a contest to pick its name. Some of the choices were Corncobs, Maize, and Scarecrows. But on June 29, 2007, the owners announced the name Iowa Energy. They also revealed the team's colors: purple, orange, and red. The team's first NBA partners were the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.

The Iowa Energy Years (2007–2017)

Early Seasons and Records

The Energy built their team by picking players in drafts in 2007. Their very first game in the D-League was on November 23, 2007. They won against the defending champions, the Dakota Wizards, with a score of 101–99. Their first home game was on November 26, 2007. They beat the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 101–98. This game set a new league record for attendance, with 8,842 fans! The Energy finished their first season with 22 wins and 28 losses, missing the playoffs.

For the 2008–09 season, the Energy partnered with the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. The team got much better, finishing first in their division with 28 wins and 22 losses. They made it to the playoffs but lost to the Dakota Wizards.

Two Energy players won big awards that season. Center Courtney Sims was named the D-League Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also got to play for NBA teams like the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks. Guard Othyus Jeffers won the Rookie of the Year Award. Both Sims and Jeffers were important players for the team.

In the 2009–10 season, the Energy moved to the Eastern Conference. Even without their former MVP, Courtney Sims, they had an amazing season. They won the Eastern Conference with 37 wins, which was the best record in the whole league! They chose to play the Utah Flash in the first round of the playoffs. They won that series 2–1. In the semifinals, they faced the Tulsa 66ers. The Energy won the first game, but the 66ers came back to win the series, ending the Energy's playoff run.

Winning the Championship in 2011

For the 2010–11 season, key players like Courtney Sims, Othyus Jeffers, and Curtis Stinson all came back to the Energy. Coach Nick Nurse also returned. The team had another fantastic season, winning 37 games and finishing first again. In the playoffs, they again chose to play the Utah Flash and won the series 2–1. Then, they faced the Tulsa 66ers in the semifinals, the team that had knocked them out last year. This time, the Energy won both games to reach the D-League Finals!

In the Finals, the Energy played against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The Energy won the first game 123–106, led by Curtis Stinson who had a "triple-double" (scoring double digits in points, rebounds, and assists). The Vipers won the second game, even though Stinson had another triple-double. That second game at the Casey's Center set a new league attendance record with 14,036 fans! In the final game, Stinson got hurt, but the Energy fought hard. They were behind by seven points after three quarters but played incredibly well in the last quarter, scoring 38 points to the Vipers' 23. This amazing comeback helped them win the D-League championship! Guard Stefhon Hannah led the team with 31 points in that game.

Curtis Stinson was named the D-League Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his great season. Both Stinson and Othyus Jeffers were named to the All-NBA D-League Team.

Later Years (2011–2017)

For the 2011–12 season, the Energy partnered with three NBA teams: the Bulls, the New Orleans Hornets, and the Washington Wizards. Coach Nick Nurse left to coach another team, and Kevin Young became the new head coach.

In the 2012–13 season, the Denver Nuggets also became an affiliate. Coach Young was replaced by Bruce Wilson during the season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves joined as an affiliate for the 2013–14 season, and Nate Bjorkgren became the new head coach. Led by Othyus Jeffers, who was a co-MVP that season, the Energy won their second Central Division title. However, they lost in the playoffs to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

The Energy used this logo from 2014 to 2017.

After the 2014 season, the Energy made a special deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. This meant the Energy's team colors changed to match the Grizzlies' colors. This partnership lasted until the end of the 2016–17 season.

The Iowa Wolves (2017–Present)

On January 23, 2017, it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves would buy the Iowa Energy. This deal was completed on May 3, 2017. On May 30, the team announced its new name: the Iowa Wolves! This new name and partnership connects the team even more closely with the Timberwolves. It's similar to how the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and the Iowa Wild (AHL) are connected in hockey.

Season Results

Here's a look at how the team has done each season:

Players

Current Roster

Awards and Honors for Players

Othyus Jeffers won Rookie of the Year in 2009 and was an All-Star.

Jordan Murphy

Lindell Wigginton

Some players from the Iowa Energy/Wolves have won special awards:

NBA D-League Most Valuable Player Award

• Courtney Sims (2009)
• Curtis Stinson (2011)
• Othyus Jeffers (co-MVP) (2014)

NBA D-League Rookie of the Year Award

• Othyus Jeffers (2009)

All-NBA D-League First Team

• Cartier Martin (2010)
• Courtney Sims (2009)
• Curtis Stinson (2010, 2011)
• Othyus Jeffers (2014)
• Alex Stepheson (2016)

All-NBA D-League Second Team

• Othyus Jeffers (2011)

All-NBA D-League Third Team

• Earl Barron (2010)
• Cartier Martin (2009)
• Damien Wilkins (2015)

NBA D-League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award

• Courtney Sims (2009, 2011)

Coaches

Here are the head coaches who have led the team:

NBA Team Connections

Iowa Energy Affiliates

The Iowa Energy partnered with several NBA teams over the years:

• Chicago Bulls (2007–2014)
• Denver Nuggets (2012–2014)
• Memphis Grizzlies (2014–2017)
• Miami Heat (2007–2008)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (2013–2014)
• New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2011–2014)
• Phoenix Suns (2008–2011)
• Washington Wizards (2011–2014)

Iowa Wolves Affiliates

Since becoming the Iowa Wolves, the team has one main NBA partner:

• Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–present)

See also

In Spanish: Iowa Wolves para niños