Slam announce roster changes
April 15, 2009 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam have announced a pair of roster changes today. Center Steve Newman has been activated from the team's reserve roster, and center Brian Dennis has been released. Making the announcement was Slam general manager Robert Hofstetter.
Newman, a 6-foot-9 graduate of the University of Georgia, most recently played in the NBA Development League with the Iowa Energy. Newman averaged 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in four seasons and 118 games with the Georgia Bulldogs, with his biggest game coming on Jan. 17, 2007, when he hit three three-pointers in the game's final two minutes in a buzzer-beating road victory over Arkansas.
After wrapping up his collegiate career, Newman headed overseas to play professionally in Germany in 2007 and in Australia in 2008. Last fall, Newman attended the same NBA D-League tryout camp with guard Ryan Diggs and played several games with Diggs for the Utah Flash before being acquired mid-season by Iowa. In addition to his professional experience, the past two summers Newman has traveled to China and Brazil, playing basketball with the sports ministry group Athletes in Action.
To make room on the roster for Newman, the Slam have released center Brian Dennis. Dennis concludes his Slam career second on the team in career games played, having been with the team since its inaugural season in 2005. Dennis holds several team records for the Slam, including the record for blocked shots in a game with 12. Dennis' most effective season in Bellingham came in 2006-07, when he averaged 6.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. In one game this season, Dennis saw limited action and scored four points and grabbed four rebounds.
Newman will arrive today in Bellingham from his hometown of Orlando, and will be in the lineup for the Slam's next home game this Saturday, against the Vancouver Titans. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion.
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International Basketball League Stories from April 15, 2009
- Slam announce roster changes - Bellingham Slam
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