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First-Round 2004 NBA Draft Pick Joins Rainmen

January 22, 2011 - Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Halifax Rainmen News Release


The Halifax Rainmen are pleased to announce the arrival of Kirk Snyder to the 2011 roster. In 2004, the Utah Jazz selected Snyder as the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft.

For four years, the 6'6 small forward had a budding career in the NBA, where he played for the Utah Jazz and later for the New Orleans Hornets.

In New Orleans, Snyder earned a position in the starting lineup where he averaged 20 minutes in 68 games. He was later traded to the Houston Rockets and then moved on to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In 2009, Snyder's career was put on hold when he was convicted of an isolated incident after experiencing a mental breakdown. Snyder has since been diagnosed with a mental illness and has begun receiving proper treatment.

Rainmen President & CEO, Andre Levingston, has been in contact with American lawyers, judges and medical specialists who believe Snyder was wrongly convicted of aggravated assault due to his previously undetected condition. These specialists have testified that if Snyder had been receiving proper medication leading up to the incident, it would have never occurred. All have written letters of support on Synder's behalf for Canadian Immigration Officials.

"I'm excited to give Kirk a second chance at having a professional basketball career and providing for his beautiful family," said Levingston. "We're happy that he has received the help he needed and look forward to having him join us in Halifax."

Snyder will make his debut with the Rainmen in their Sunday road game against the Kentucky Bluegrass Stallions. "I am very grateful to the Rainmen organization for giving me a second opportunity to live a life doing what I love, and to work toward my dream of returning to the NBA. I will work as hard as I can to bring a championship to Halifax, and hope that the city will welcome me as I prove that I can and will be a positive role model."

The former NBA standout will make his first appearance at the Metro Centre on Saturday, January 29 at 7 pm against the Saint John Mill Rats.

Tickets for the January 29 game can be purchased at any Ticket Atlantic location or at the Metro Centre Box Office. For information on group rates and student pricing, please visit www.rainmenbasketball.ca .

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