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Premier Basketball League and Maryland Nighthawks Bring First Thai Player to US Pro Basketball

December 11, 2007 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Maryland NightHawks News Release


Rockville, MD - The Premier Basketball League and the Maryland Nighthawks announced today that for the first time in the history of Thailand a Thai basketball player will be playing in a professional league in the United States. Ratdech Kruatiwa, known in Thailand as "J.O." will be joining several other international players on the 2008 Maryland Nighthawks roster.

"This is a very great day for the PBL as we continue to work with other countries to bring talented players to the US and to help develop basketball programs in these countries" stated Dr. Sev Hrywnak, Chairman of the Board for the PBL. "Not only will our fans in the States be able to see the talent that J.O is, but the people of Thailand will also be able to watch all of his games over the internet. Our Vice President of Global Strategies, Mark Schlossenberg is in Thailand now, and we will be hosting a National Press Conference on December 17, 2007 in Bangkok to celebrate this wonderful announcement."

Ratdech a 6'3' shooting guard has played for the Thailand National Team and was a member of the 2006 Asian Universidad in Vietnam championship team. He was also ranked first in three point shooting at the 2007 World Universidad in Bangkok and was the MVP in the 2005 and 2006 King's Cup.

PBL CEO and Maryland Nighthawks co- owner, Tom Doyle stated "I have seen film of J.O. and talked to many basketball people who have seen J.O. play, without a doubt he has immense talent and we look forward to having him here with the Nighthawks and the PBL."

The Premier Basketball League is a new ten-team independent league focusing on fan experience, high-quality organizations and community involvement. Doyle serves as President and CEO of the new league, and touts the product as "bringing the hardwood to the digital world" The PBL season begins on Friday, Jan. 4th. For more information on the league, please visit www.pblproball.com and www.marylandnighthawks.com

The Nighthawks tip-off the 2008 season on Saturday, Jan. 5, hosting the Wilmington Sea Dawgs at Georgetown Prep.

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