Ex-Slam Dunk Champ "Close" to Signing with Fresh

August 24, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release

Fort Worth, TX. The "in-between the leg dunk" has been one of the more difficult dunks to do in recent time, but one athlete made it look so easy and was one of the first players ever to do it - "We're talking about the former 1st Round, 5th Overall NBA pick, "Isaiah "J.R." Rider," stated North Texas Fresh owner Jay Bowdy. "He might not be able to do the dunk anymore, but he can do everything else. I am just thrilled to have the opportunity to bring a player of his caliber in to better our current players who want the opportunity that J.R. had in his NBA playing days."

"While nothing has been cast in stone, we're having conversations," said Joe Lee, Rider's agent. "And we hope to get it done."

"We are making moves to better our team," added Bowdy. "Rider is someone who I feel I can trust to bring in and make a positive impact for these players and the organization with his experience, knowledge and understanding of the professional level of basketball. Hopefully we can come to a mutual agreement on things and add something great to our phenomenal training camp roster that we already have."

Rider was drafted in '93 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and won the Gatorade Slam Dunk Contest in 1994, and finished second in 1995 to Harold Miner. He also played with Portland, Atlanta, LA Lakers, Denver and won an NBA Championship ring with the Lakers in the 2000-2001 season. Rider's NBA points per game average stands at 16.8 ppg and 16.4ppg in the playoffs. He was also noted for the "shot of the decade" with his ball saving play that went towards the rim and went in. For any comments or questions, please call 817 770 1001 or email northtexasfresh@yahoo.com or visit www.northtexasfresh.com or www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

American Basketball Association Stories from August 24, 2009

• Ex-Slam Dunk Champ "Close" to Signing with Fresh - ABA
• Minneapolis/St. Paul to Hold First Tryouts - ABA

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