Albany Legend's Sign EJ Gallup
January 18, 2011 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Albany Legends News Release
Albany, New York - The IBL's Albany Legends announce today that former area standout, 6'4" Guard EJ Gallup, Coastal Carolina '04 will be joining the team for the 2011 campaign. EJ is a Gloversville product that had taken his talents overseas for a number of teams, and is choosing to return home to the Legends.
A member of the 2005 and 2006 Albany Patroons (CBA), Gallup and Legends newly signed Head Coach Ben Smith (then Assistant) formed a professional relationship that fostered the move back to an area team this spring.
Gallup made a name for himself in the Capital Region through his consistent scoring and aggressive play in Gloversville, and his unchanged role at the University at Albany, where he scored a team-high 17.4 ppg in his freshman year, and followed it up with 9 games at an 18.4 ppg clip. Gallup left Albany in 2002, and continued his playing career at Coastal Carolina, his senior year scoring 17.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg.
Gallup has been signed by Smith to work in the shooting guard role, but is also adept at bringing the ball up the floor if needed. "EJ possesses the ability to play in the point guard role, but if we can keep him off the ball, I believe he is much more dangerous to opposing defenses." Coach Smith stated. "He is someone you absolutely have to keep track of [defensively], or he can go off in the scoring column - especially as a mid-to- deep threat." Coach Smith stated.
Along with his professional time with the Patroons through late November 2006, Gallup has been widely traveled as both a businessman and as a professional player. He spent portions of various off-seasons rebuilding homes that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina with his Father. He bought and owned a bar & restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC. Gallup has also in that time played for teams in Fracnce, Holland (DAA), & Germany (Ulm), and prior to his time in Albany, was in Camps for Italian League LegaBasket. He has been in camp for the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats ('04) and has also recently spent some workout time with the New York Knicks (August '10).
Gallup's professional career currently spans 6 years and he has won several awards during that time: 3 point shootout champion (Ulm, 08), 3 points made season-leader (Ulm, 08), Bundesliga League All-star (Ulm, 08), and in Czech Rep. League Preseason Tourney, he garnered the Tournament MVP (Ulm '07).
"I am very excited to be coming home in the spring to play for the Albany Legends and Coach [Ben] Smith." Gallup stated. "I know we will bring a thrilling up-tempo brand of basketball to the IBL, and all the fans of the Albany Legends." When asked about the opportunity to play at home again, Gallup added "I am grateful for the opportunity Coach [Smith] has afforded me. To be able to come home and play in front of family and dear friends from Gloversville and the fans in the Capital District, I couldn't be happier."
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International Basketball League Stories from January 18, 2011
- International Basketball League's Power Teams Load up for 2011 Championship - IBL
- Albany Legend's Sign EJ Gallup - Albany Legends
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