EK Miners free agent camp attracts diverse talented group
September 8, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - Players from 14 different states and two countries participated in the East Kentucky Miners free agent camp held Saturday at the East Kentucky Expo Center. American players (many of whom have previous international experience) as well as one player from Canada showcased their talents in front of East Kentucky Miners head coach Kevin Keathley. Twenty-six players, including Miners veteran Mike Crain, participated in the free agent camp.
"Last year, we had some recognizable schools represented as well as some recognizable faces," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "This year, the talent level was higher and it was a more competitive camp. Twenty of the players we had in this year's free agent camp can play professionally. The players bought into what we were doing and it made for a great free agent camp."
Division I programs such as USC and Pittsburgh were represented. The players ranged in height from 5-foot-5 to 7-foot-2. The East Kentucky professional basketball franchise's second free agent camp in as many years also included an NAIA All-American.
The East Kentucky Miners head coach was eager to go back and look at film from the free agent camp.
"Now, we'll go back, evaluate and break this camp down with what myself and Director of Basketball Operations Brandon Paquin saw," Keathley commented at the conclusion of the camp. "The evaluation process will span over the next week to 10 days. We'll look to bring four to five of the free agent camp participants back for training camp."
The basketball hotbeds of Philadelphia, Louisville, Lexington, Detroit, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Columbia were represented during the free agent camp.
"I was really impressed with some of the rookies," Keathley added. "There were also some very talented veterans in the camp. Joe Buck, a veteran player, played extremely well."
It's business as usual for East Kentucky's professional basketball team. The Miners are busy preparing for the 2008-09 season.
"I'm excited with this being the kickoff to our active season," Keathley added. "From here, we go on to the CBA Draft on September 23."
East Kentucky is gearing up for its second season in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The Miners posted a 26-22 regular-season record and reached the playoffs during the 2007-08 season.
Participants in the Miners free agent camp were (colleges listed in parenthesis): Eric Tyrone Brown (Mount Olive); William Belton (Morehouse); Joe Buck (USC); Damien Goodman (UNC-Pembroke); Lamont Campbell (Lambuth); Omar Waller (Texas College); Demetrius Graham (Clarion); Michael Griffin (Lander); Anthony Wilson (Jacksonville State); Justin Taylor (Georgetown College); John Patterson (Centre); Eddie Wade (N/A); Gordon Chase (Georgetown College); Phil McKnight Jr. (Salem International); Raymond Rolley (Stillman); James Tyler (N/A); Jarron Brown (Pittsburgh); Kenneth Pascley (Tiffin); Lamarr Farr (Lambuth); Darius Davis (Lambuth); Juwon Reid (Cuyahoga); Neil Rasnake (Western Carolina); Brandon Moore (George C. Wallace); Sherone Edwards (UPEI); Mike Crain (Valdosta State); Bahi Handy (Maine).
Note: This is the first in a five-part series on the East Kentucky Miners Free Agent Camp. Next up: A look at Miners veteran Mike Crain's return to the East Kentucky Expo Center.
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- EK Miners free agent camp attracts diverse talented group - East Kentucky Miners
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