Millrats Introduce Brewington, Gibbs
December 3, 2009 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
The Manchester Millrats are pleased to introduce their first two player signings for the 2009-2010 PBL season: 6'5 swingman Dwight Brewington and 6'3 shooting guard Tyrece Gibbs.
Dwight Brewington averaged 22.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last year for Maccabi Ashdod in Israel.
Brewington played two seasons at Providence College before transfering to Liberty College for his junior year. At Providence, he was the Friars' second leading scorer (13.3 ppg) as just a sophomore (behind current NBA star Ryan Gomes). After one season at Liberty, he submitted an early entry application into the 2007 NBA Draft.
After being passed over in the NBA draft, Brewington was a third round selection in the NBA Developmental League draft by the Tulsa 66ers. He was later acquired by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, where he posted averages of 9.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Brewington, who was born deaf, had to overcome people's perception of his handicap and prove that he can compete at a high level.
"I just want to make the NBA. That's it," said Brewington. "To be the first deaf player and show all the deaf kids and other handicapped kids and let them know that if you want to do something, don't let anyone stop you from getting there."
Brewington is the first deaf player to player in the Premier Basketball League.
Tyrece Gibbs is the first ever New Hampshire Wildcat to suit up for New Hampshire's only professional basketball team. Gibbs graduated this spring from UNH and left his name in the record books. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while knocking down 40% of his three point attempts.
Gibbs is only the second player in school history to record at least 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 200 assists, 80 steals and 45 points, joining 1995 graduate Eric Montanari.
Although a rookie, Gibbs will be looked on to contribute with his defensive prowess and scoring.
The players were introduced to the kids and faculty of the Lighthouse Charter School before conducting a clinic.
"We are very pleased to have Dwight Brewington and Tyrece Gibbs with the Millrats this season," explained Millrats GM Ian McCarthy. "Brewington is a very explosive scorer who has several years of professional experience, while Tyrece is a great defender and plays hard every minute - which is the kind of team we want to be."
The Millrats plan to announce more signings prior to opening training camp on December 12th.
The Manchester Millrats are a third year minor league franchise based in Manchester, NH. The Millrats are a member of the Premier Basketball League (www.pblproball.com) - the #1 independent minor league in the U.S.
Last season Manchester was the Atlantic Division champion (16-4) and reached the PBL playoff semifinals.
Manchester is slated to face the Halifax Rainmen on December 19th at 7:00pm in a preseason game in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax has presold all 10,000 tickets for the event, which features a rematch of the two-year rival franchises. Former Millrat and Portland Trailblazer, Desmond Ferguson, is now a member of the Rainmen.
Tickets are also onsale online at www.millrats.com for the Millrats season opener against the Vermont Frost Heaves on January 3rd at Southern New Hampshire University.
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Premier Basketball League Stories from December 3, 2009
- Millrats Introduce Brewington, Gibbs - Saint John Riptide
- Season Tickets On Sale - Vermont Frost Heaves
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