Miners sign veteran pro player Blackburn
September 30, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - The East Kentucky Miners organization has signed a player many fans will immediately recognize. Jermaine Blackburn - a key player for the Yakama Sun Kings during the 2007-08 CBA season - has signed with the Miners. Blackburn (6-7, 215) averaged 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game for Yakama during the 2007-08 season. The former Boise State Bronco participated in the 2008 CBA All-Star Game.
"I'm really excited about Jermaine and what he brings to the table," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "He's the type of player that will excel in my system. I look for guys who can play multiple positions and he brings that."
Blackburn is a proven versatile performer. The Miners head coach sees Blackburn performing in a key role for the East Kentucky professional basketball team.
"He's 6'7 swing man, who can run the floor, defend, and he takes high percentage shots. He's been a key player at every stop. He told me he's ready to come to Pikeville and get to work. That's the type of player you want. He's eager, enthusiastic and he's ready to get started."
Blackburn possesses an impressive professional resume. The shooting guard/small forward averaged 10.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League during the 2005-06 season. He averaged 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Stampede during the 2006-2007 season.
Blackburn averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for the West Sydney Razorbacks of the NBL during the 2005-06, playing in a talent-heavy foreign league. He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2006 as part of the Toshiba Vegas Summer League.
"Josh Pace was a big part of our franchise last season," Keathley added. "I know Jermaine will help fill that hole."
Reaching double figures in the scoring column was routine for Blackburn during a two-year stint with Boise State. As a senior for the Broncos, Blackburn averaged 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during the 2004-05 season facing some of the nation's top competition on the NCAA Division I level.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from September 30, 2008
- Miners sign veteran pro player Blackburn - East Kentucky Miners
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