Millrats Sign All-CBA Desmond Ferguson

[millratsgm]

(October 1, 2008 Manchester, NH): The Manchester Millrats of the Premier Basketball League (PBL) announce the signing of Desmond Ferguson, pending league approval. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

The sharp-shooting 6'7 guard was an All-CBA First Team selection in each of the last two seasons. In 2003-2004, Ferguson played with the NBA's Portland Trailblazers.

Last season he helped lead the Yakama Sun Kings to a 43-5 regular season record, while scoring 18.5 points per game on 44% shooting from beyond the arc. He also won the CBA's three point contest at the 2007 CBA All Star Game. Ferguson was named the 6th Best Player in all of the Minor Leagues in February by ProBasketballNews.Com.

Ferguson's basketball career has also taken him to various countries overseas including the Netherlands, Italy, the Philippines, Lebanon, the Dominican Republic, Bulgaria, Germany, and Venezuela.

"It's great to have one of the best three-point shooters in minor league basketball join our team," said Millrats Head Coach Rob Spon. "His nickname, 'Moneyball', speaks for itself. After coaching against him for a couple of years, it will be nice to have 'Moneyball' on our side! He has a quick release and can get his shot off against anybody. He also brings veteran leadership to the team on and off the court".

Manchester is looking to build on it's inaugural 28-win season, as the second year franchise enters its first year in the Premier Basketball League, and Ferguson is a great start.

"I've known Coach Spon for a while and he was very persistent in recruiting me to play in Manchester. And I had a great feeling after speaking to Jason Briggs, so we got it done and now I'm a Millrat," explained Desmond. "I've heard nothing but great things about the franchise and the city, and I'm ready to come to camp and help us prepare to win a championship."

The Millrats plan to sign the remainder of their players following an October 11th and 12th Veteran's Camp. The camp will be held at the Rockingham Athletic Club located at 175 Plaistow Road in Plaistow, New Hampshire. The camp sessions will be held from 9:00 am - 11:00 am and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm each day, and are open to the public.

For additional information please contact Millrats GM Ian McCarthy at millrats@gmail.com or feel free to visit www.manchestermillrats.com or www.pblproball.com.

[Chuck the Writer]

Desmond Ferguson is one of the best 3-point specialists in minor league hoops. He holds several CBA records, including most 3's in a game, best 3-point shooting percentage, and almost took the title for most threes in a season - despite the record being held in a year in which 56 games were played (Ferguson almost broke the record in a 48-game season).

I was at the SunDome during the CBA All-Star Game and was watching the three-point shooting contest between Aaron Cook (former Frost Heave, on 07-08 he was with the Butte Daredevils) and Ferguson. Cook had I believe 21 points in the final round, Ferguson surpassed that with the final two-point "money ball" and claimed the title.

I've also seen Ferguson take an opposing crowd out of the game. When DF was with Minot in 06-07 and the Skyrockets came to Albany, one night Ferguson hit eight or nine 3's, every time he touched the ball, even if he wasn't going to shoot, the crowd at Albany would grown, almost to a resolution of "Oh no, not again." Between him and T.J. Thompson, who was Albany's 3-point marksman that year, the two of them were raining down 3's like they were $100 bills at a strip club.

In other words... the PBL season ought to be REAL FUN right now. :)

[Alumni96]

Congratulations to Ian and the Millrats. That's a terrific signing. I look forward to watching the games between the Millrats and Frost Heaves. The season can't start soon enough as far as I'm concerned. Hopefully we'll see some preseason action between the 2 clubs.

[CHris902]

Manchester always manage to sign some great minor league players. It sort of amazes me. I don't know if it's a willingness to spend money or just being able to quickly identify who is available and getting to them before anyone else does, but it works.

Last season they basically put together two different teams - one first half of the season and one second half that were better than 95% of the teams in the ABA. (which may or may not actually be saying much given that it was the ABA)

[Frank Mart]

Desmond Ferguson plays 2 games in LEB (second league from Spain) with CB Granada (CB Granada waived after 2 games). Desmond is the best signing realized till now in PBL.

I know also Jaime Peterson, who played in Spain a big level in Complutense, León and Gandía. The veteran player would be an interesting signing for Millrats.

Thanks