Blue Ducks pick 2005 pre-season squad

May 3, 2005 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release


Melbourne, FL – Talent comes in all shapes and sizes. Just ask Brevard Blue Ducks owner, Mike Richman.

"We saw quite a variety of basketball talent assembled at our final open tryout Sunday," remarked Richman. "We ran the gamut from ‘A' to ‘Z' in terms of body type and experience.

Indeed. If diversity is what they were looking for, the Blue Ducks have hit the jackpot as they head into pre-season camp later this month with a wide variety of players.

From diminutive 5'7" guard Nick DeNitto to towering 6'11" center, Jason Yudzevich. From forwards John Lamers and Shawn Conley, players with extensive minor league and European experience, to the rookie Yudzevich, a lifelong hockey player with no formal basketball experience, who just took up the sport two years ago at age 18 after a rather impressive growth spurt and prodding from his coaches.

"He's definitely a project," stated Richman.

In all, 20 players were chosen for the pre-season squad, with more than half hailing from Brevard County.

The plan was to recruit players this year from central Florida, with a focus on Brevard. A plan made necessary due to a shortage of available hotel rooms as a result of last year's hurricanes "We were pleasantly surprised with the level of talent we saw at the open tryouts," commented Richman. "But what really surprised us was the diversity of size and experience. Now we've got to see if we can put them all together and make a team."

Congratulations to the local Brevard County players who made the squad and will be invited back to the Blue Ducks pre-season camp.

Following, is the 2005 Brevard Blue Ducks pre-season roster:

Brevard Blue Ducks 2005 Pre-Season Roster

Player City Age Height Weight Pos Experience

1 Nick DeNitto Melbourne 20 5'7" 145 G

2 Norris Anderson Orlando 23 5'8" 165 G ABA, NJ Jaguars

3 Jermaine Smith Palm Bay 28 5'9" 180 G/F

4 Ernest Jones W. Palm Beach 24 6'0" 174 G

5 Darell Johnson Cocoa 27 6'0" 178 G/F

6 Corey Evans Cocoa Beach 30 6'0" 180 G Life University

7 Mickey Jones W. Melbourne 25 6'0" 180 G/F

8 Reed Tompkins Melbourne 24 6'1" 185 G

9 Michael Thomas Melbourne 30 6'1" 200 G

10 Chris Flash Orlando 25 6'2" 190 G/F Palm Beach Atlantic

11 Deandre Peavy Tampa 29 6'2" 198 G/F

12 Parrie Sheppard Melbourne 22 6'3" 165 G/F

13 Adrian Malcom Orlando 26 6'3" 185 G/F Bakersfield C.C.

14 Malcus Richards N. Miami 29 6'4" 200 G

15 Earl William-Hines Orlando 21 6'5" 214 G/F Palm Beach Atlantic

16 Mark Christian, Jr. Cocoa Beach 29 6'6" 215 G/F BCC, Life Univ., Chipola JC

17 John Lamers Indian Harbor Bch 32 6'6" 265 F/C USBL, Jacksonville

18 Paul Pardue Orlando 24 6'9" 230 C Rollins College

19 Sean Connelly Palm Bay 29 6'9" 270 F/C Europe, Luxembourg

20 Jason Yudzevich Orlando 21 6'11" 240 C

DUCK NOTES:

The Blue Ducks will once again play their games this season at the Clemente Center on the campus of Florida Tech in Melbourne. Tickets will go on sale as soon as a schedule is released. Season tickets for all Blue Ducks home games, 5-game flex-packs and individual game tickets will be available.

For tickets or information, call (321) 751-BLUE or visit the team's website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com.



United States Basketball League Stories from May 3, 2005


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