72 CBA alums appear on NBA training camp rosters
October 1, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
ALBANY, NY (October 1, 2008) - NBA training camps opened on September 30 in many locations in preparation for the upcoming 2008-09 season. A majority of NBA teams have Continental Basketball Association alum competing for roster spots or have coaches staffing the sidelines. Seventy-Two players and coaches who are CBA alums overall are in camps with three players from last season alone. The lone player from the 2007-08 season to make it onto an NBA Training Camp roster is Cory Underwood with the Philadelphia 76ers. Underwood averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in five games for the Pittsburgh Xplosion last season.
The Dallas Mavericks have the most CBA alums in camp with six, including Keith McLeod and Cheyne Gadson along with coaches Rick Carlisle, Terry Stotts, Mario Elie, and Brad Davis. The San Antonio Spurs have five alums, and the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Sacramento Kings each have four former CBA veterans.
Among the former CBA stars in NBA training camps: 1999 CBA MVP Adrian Griffin (Connecticut Pride/Chicago Bulls), 2006 CBA Defensive Player of the Year Noel Felix (Sioux Falls Skyforce/Cleveland Cavaliers), 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Jamario Moon, 2006 Rookie of the Year Roger Powell, 2004 CBA MVP Josh Davis, and 1999 Newcomer of the Year Damon Jones.
Along with players, there are nine NBA head coaches with CBA experience. Among that group of veteran head coaches who have been head coaches in the CBA, including Phil Jackson (Albany), George Karl (Montana/Albany), and Jerry Sloan (Evansville). Also among the current NBA coaches who have played or served as an assistant coach in the CBA are; Maurice Cheeks (Asst. Coach Quad City, 1993-94), Eddie Jordan (Wyoming, 1983-84), Sam Mitchell (Wisconsin/Rapid City, 1985-87), Rick Carlisle (Albany 1987-88), Michael Curry (Omaha 1995-96), and Marc Iavaroni (Sioux Falls 1991-92).
"CBA alums are continuing to make their presence felt in the NBA," said CBA Commissioner Dennis Truax. "This shows the level of talent the CBA has produced over the years and how much the NBA values the players that have come through the CBA. We are happy for all of our alums."
The following is a complete list of former CBA players and coaches that are on NBA training camp rosters for 2008-09.
Total roster spots held by former CBA players and coaches in 2007-08 training camp rosters: 72
CBA ALUMNI OF NBA TRAINING CAMP ROSTERS
Atlanta (1): (Duane Ferrell)
Boston (1): (Clifford Ray)
Charlotte (1): (Herb Brown)
Chicago (2): (Pete Myers), Roger Powell
Cleveland (1): (Chris Jent)
Dallas (6): (Rick Carlisle, Mario Elie, Terry Stotts, Brad Davis), Cheyne Gadson, Keith McLeod
Denver (4): (George Karl), Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins, Smush Parker
Detroit (4): (Michael Curry, Dave Cowens, Darrell Walker, Harold Ellis)
Golden State (3): (Keith Smart), Stephen Jackson, Ronny Turiaf
Houston (3): (Elston Turner), Rafer Alston, Marcus Campbell
Indiana (4): (Lester Conner), Stephen Graham, Josh Davis, Maceo Baston
LA Clippers (2): (Rory White, Fred Vinson)
LA Lakers (3): (Phil Jackson, Craig Hodges), Ira Newble
Memphis (3): (Marc Iavaroni, Dave Joerger), Greg Buckner
Miami (1): Mark Blount
Milwaukee (4): (Joe Wolf, Jim Boyland), Adrian Griffin, Damon Jones
Minnesota (1): Kevin Ollie
New Jersey (3): Eddie Gill, Awvee Storey, Darrell Armstrong
NO: (2): (Kenny Gattison), Mike James
New York (1); (Kenny Atkinson)
Oklahoma City (2): (Scott Brooks, Ralph Lewis)
Philadelphia (2): (Maurice Cheeks), Cory Underwood
Phoenix (1): Raja Bell
Portland (1): (Bill Bayno)
Sacramento (4): (Kenny Natt, Jason Hamm), Mikki Moore, Noel Felix
San Antonio (5): (Don Newman, Chip Engelland), Bruce Bowen, Brian Morrison, Charles Gaines
Toronto (3): (Sam Mitchell), Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker
Utah (2): (Jerry Sloan), Britton Johnsen
Washington (2): (Eddie Jordan), Linton Johnson
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from October 1, 2008
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
