Iowa Wolves facts for kids

The Iowa Wolves are a professional basketball team from Des Moines, Iowa. They play in the NBA G League and are connected to the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA team. Their home games are played at the Wells Fargo Arena. They compete in the Western Conference of the NBA G League.

From 2007 to 2017, they were called the Iowa Energy and played in the NBA Development League (D-League). The Timberwolves bought them and changed their name. The team set a record for attendance at their first home game with 8,842 fans. They broke that record again in 2011 with 14,036 fans at a D-League Finals game. In 2011, they won the D-League Finals, beating the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Team History

How the Team Started

On February 27, 2007, the D-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 Wells Fargo Arena as the team's home court. Later, Nick Nurse, a former college basketball player, became the team's first head coach.

The team held a contest to choose its name. Some of the ideas were Corncobs, Maize, and Scarecrows. However, on June 29, 2007, the owners announced the name Iowa Energy. They also showed off the team's colors and logo. The logo was an orange basketball with the word "energy" below it. The team colors were purple, orange, and red. The Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat from the NBA became the team's first partners.

Iowa Energy Years (2007–2017)

Early Seasons (2007–2010)

The Energy built their team by picking players in the 2007 D-League Expansion Draft and the 2007 D-League Draft. Their first game was on November 23, 2007. They won against the Dakota Wizards 101–99. Their first home game at the Wells Fargo Arena was on November 26, 2007. They beat the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 101–98. A record 8,842 fans came to watch this game. The Energy finished their first season with 22 wins and 28 losses. This record was not good enough to make the playoffs.

For the 2008–09 season, the Energy partnered with the Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. The team got better and finished 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 the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks in the NBA. Guard Othyus Jeffers won the Rookie of the Year Award. Both Sims and Jeffers were chosen for All-NBA D-League teams.

The Energy moved to the Eastern Conference for the 2009–10 season. Even though they lost former MVP Courtney Sims, the team had a great season. They won the Eastern Conference with 37 wins, which was the best record in the whole league. They made it to the semifinals of the playoffs but lost to the Tulsa 66ers.

Championship Season (2011)

Many key players, including Courtney Sims, Othyus Jeffers, and Curtis Stinson, returned for the 2010–11 season. Coach Nick Nurse also stayed with the team. The Energy had another strong season, winning 37 games and finishing first in their conference again.

In the playoffs, the Energy faced the Utah Flash and won the series 2–1. Then, they played against the Tulsa 66ers, the team that had knocked them out last year. This time, the Energy won both games to reach the D-League Finals.

The Energy played against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the Finals. The Energy won the first game, 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. This game at the Wells Fargo Arena set a new league attendance record with 14,036 fans!

In the final game, Stinson got hurt, which limited his playing time. The Energy were behind by seven points after three quarters. But they played amazing in the fourth quarter, scoring 38 points to the Vipers' 23. This 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 for his great season. Stinson and Othyus Jeffers were both chosen for the All-NBA D-League Team.

Later Energy 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 the team and Kevin Young became the new head coach.

The Energy used this logo from 2014 to 2017.

In 2013, Nate Bjorkgren became the new head coach. The Minnesota Timberwolves also became a partner team. Led by Othyus Jeffers, who was co-MVP that season, the Energy won another division title. However, they lost in the playoffs.

After the 2014 season, the Energy partnered with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team's colors even changed to match the Grizzlies. This partnership ended after the 2016–17 season.

Iowa Wolves (2017–present)

On January 23, 2017, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced they would buy the Iowa Energy. This made the Energy their official D-League team. On May 30, the team changed its name to the Iowa Wolves. This is the second time a Minnesota team and an Iowa team have been connected, similar to the Minnesota Wild (NHL) and Iowa Wild (AHL) in hockey.

Season Results

Players

Current Roster

Awards and Honors

Othyus Jeffers won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2009. He was also chosen for two All-Star Games while playing for the Energy.

Jordan Murphy

Lindell Wigginton

NBA D-League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)

• 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

NBA Affiliates

Iowa Energy

• 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

• Minnesota Timberwolves (2017–present)

See also

In Spanish: Iowa Wolves para niños