As coach of the Dakota Wizards, Duane Ticknor's job is developing young players. For the time being, the difference for Ticknor is that he is working with players younger than usual - a lot younger.

Ticknor is spending a couple of weeks this summer running Wizards camps for area youngsters in grades K-12. Last week Ticknor ran a camp for about 40 players in Underwood. This week the Wizards are expecting 60 or more in Beulah.

"It's been a great chance to get outside Bismarck and the word out about the Wizards, to spread the fan base," Ticknor said.

But soon enough Ticknor will be turning his attention back to the pros, starting with this week's NBA draft. Dakota's two NBA affiliates have two picks each.

Memphis has two choices in the first round, the fifth and 28th overall. Although the latter pick has a chance to end up with the Wizards, with the Grizzlies in full rebuilding mode, Ticknor says Memphis is likely to be hoarding young players.

Washington will select 18th and 47th. Dakota will paying especially close attention to whether Washington keeps or deals its second-round choice. That pick could be especially important to the Wizards, especially with the new rule that gives D-League teams the rights to their NBA affiliates' draft choices even if they get cut by the parent club.

After the NBA draft, it's on to Atlanta for the D-League's free agent camp. Last season more than a dozen future D-League regulars came out of the camp, according to Ticknor's estimation. This year the figures will be even more productive, with more than 200 players slated to attend and a higher talent level.

"With the two new (expansion) teams, you're looking at adding 20 more players, 40 if you count training camp spots," Ticknor said. "And as guys learn more about the camp, it's becoming more and more legit way to get into the league."

After the D-League camp wraps up, it's on to the NBA's summer leagues in Las Vegas, Orlando, Fla., and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Several members of last year's Wizards squad are expected to compete.

Rod Benson is with the Phoenix Suns, Dontell Jefferson is with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Lyde will be with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Utah Jazz. Renaldo Major, who sat out last season after having heart surgery, will continue his comeback with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Blake Ahearn is still property of the Miami Heat, but he will become a free agent on July 1. If he doesn't stay with the Heat, Ticknor said he has received interest from many other teams.

Others will be playing overseas.

Maurice Baker has reportedly signed a two-year deal with a European club, while Carlos Powell and Wil Frisby will be competing in a tryout camp for a Korean team.

The final order of business Ticknor must take care of if hiring an assistant coach. The Wizards have been flooded with applicants - Ticknor recalled one car trip when he received phone calls from seven interested coaches - but there is no timetable for hiring a replacement for Dean Martin.

"We're not going to drag it out. … We just want to make the right choice," Ticknor said. "We've targeted a couple of people."