This event is like no other in sports.

What other league takes a break in the middle of the season and has the entire league play 16 games in one location?

It is called the D-League Showcase, and it tips off today with four games in the McKay Events Center and runs through Thursday with four games per day.

The action gets underway at 11 a.m. with Sioux Falls taking on Albuquerque. Austin and Colorado follow at 1:45 p.m. Los Angeles and Bakersfield will play at 4:30 p.m. and the final game of the night will be Reno vs. Rio Grande Valley at 7:15 p.m.

The Flash (6-8) don't play today but will play on Tuesday night at 7:15 p.m. when they host the Anaheim Arsenal in the final game of the night.

All 16 Showcase games will be streamed live for free via NBA Futurecast, a platform that provides real-time, online video streaming to fans around the globe on NBA.com/futurecast.

"Hosting the Showcase here says a lot about our fans, sponsors and organization," said Flash owner Brandt Andersen. "We are excited to have it here and know the economic boost to the Utah County economy, which we believe will be over $1 million. It couldn't come at a better time."

Last year the Showcase was in Boise, Idaho. D-League teams can apply to host the game, but it is rare that new teams get the honor.

"It's a competitive application process and it's pretty rare that a team in its second season is able to host the event, but that's a tribute to the Utah Flash and the job that they've done to be able to host an event like this," said D-League President Dan Reed. "For four days, this becomes the center of the basketball world. It's the most prestigious in-season scouting event for NBA teams. It's affordable entertainment, a great value to the community."

The Showcase features several players on assignment from NBA teams, including: Joey Dorsey (Houston Rockets/Rio Grande Valley Vipers), J.R. Giddens (Boston Celtics/Utah Flash), Bill Walker (Boston Celtics/Utah Flash), Malik Hairston (San Antonio Spurs/Austin Toros), Walter Sharpe (Detroit Pistons/Fort Wayne Mad Ants) and Sonny Weems (Denver Nugget/Colorado 14ers).

"Last year, there were 29 call-ups and I think the talent level is even deeper this year. There are 40 players (in the D-League) that have been on NBA rosters," Reed said. "All 30 NBA teams will have a representative here. They'll be GMs like Danny Ainge and Steve Kerr that people know and there will be scouts."

The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league and features 16 teams with direct affiliations to NBA teams. The league has produced 15 percent of the players on 2007-08 end-of-season NBA rosters and continues to develop current NBA coaches and referees. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote youth basketball, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs.

In addition to the basketball action at the McKay Events Center, the Showcase will also show off the D-League's community involvement.

The D-League will be unveiling the remodeled Rippy Literacy Center, a learning center in Lehi that received new computers and a new roof, and on Wednesday, D-League players will participate in Habitat For Humanity project at a house in Provo.

2009 NBA D-League Showcase Schedule

Today

Sioux Falls vs. Albuquerque 11 a.m.

Austin vs. Colorado 1:45 p.m.

Los Angeles vs. Bakersfield 4:30 p.m.

Reno vs. Rio Grande Valley 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday

Idaho vs. Fort Wayne 11 a.m.

Iowa vs. Dakota 1:45 p.m.

Erie vs. Tulsa 4:30 p.m.

Anaheim vs. Utah 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday

Rio Grande Valley vs. Sioux Falls 11 a.m.

Fort Wayne vs. Iowa 1:45 p.m.

Albuquerque vs. Erie 4:30 p.m.

Dakota vs. Reno 7:15 p.m.

Thursday

Tulsa vs. Idaho 11 a.m.

Colorado vs. Anaheim 1:45 p.m.

Bakersfield vs. Austin 4:30 p.m.

Utah vs. Los Angeles 7:15 p.m.