The D-League was founded in 2001 as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) and later as the NBA Development League. The league, now known as the NBA G League, serves as the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization.

In 2005, the league's name was changed to NBA Development League (NBA D-League) as part of the new collective bargaining agreement with the NBA and a bid to appeal to more fans by showing their connection to the major league.