Former Collection Agency Owner Invests in NBA Developmental League Team

AUSTIN, TX – Local businessperson Jim Tracey has become an investor in the NBA Development League team in Austin, David Kahn, principal of Southwest Basketball, LLC, announced today.

“We are excited to have Jim Tracey join our ownership team and become the local owner for our Austin team,” said Kahn. “Jim has a big heart and a proven track record in business. We promised that our teams would be run by, and partly owned by locals. This announcement reinforces our commitment to this end.”

A native of San Angelo, Texas and a passionate basketball fan, Tracey brings excitement as well as personal business savvy to Southwest Basketball. A self-educated entrepreneur, Tracey founded Diversified Collection Services, Inc., a national firm that specializes in providing repayment services for various types of both State and Federal debt. DCS earned its reputation as the nation’s leader in this unique and specialized industry, and grew to become the largest provider of repayment services for federally funded, student loans.

In a cramped room of a fourth-floor attic, Tracey and two partners started DCS with $5000 of borrowed money. Over the next 28 years DCS grew to become one of the most prominent debt collection companies in the country, with more than 750 employees in three states.

Tracey sold DCS Inc. earlier this year, but continues to play an active leadership role at the company. A veteran of the United States Air Force (1961-1966), he currently is developing Great Stuff, Inc., a research and development firm for new products. Tracey and his wife Teresa reside in Austin with their youngest son, Jonathon, 16.

“Professional basketball in Austin is a great idea,” said Tracey. “I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with basketball, something I love, and look forward to becoming a fanatic fan of the team and an owner”.

Announced by NBA Commissioner David Stern on March 21, Southwest Basketball was awarded teams in Albuquerque (N.M.), Tulsa (Oka.), Austin and Fort Worth (Texas). Led by Kahn, a former Indiana Pacers general manager, Southwest Basketball, LLC will provide NBA minor league basketball to regions unable to take advantage of the League’s previously southeastern base.

The NBA Development League includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Tulsa 66ers (Okla.), as well as teams in Albuquerque (N.M.), Austin (Texas) and Fort Worth (Texas).

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA’s umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Ten (10) former D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league’s inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA’s 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.