Brevard Blue Ducks sign two more free agents
Published on February 24, 2003 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release
Melbourne, FL â Believing you can never have enough depth at the point guard position, the Brevard Blue Ducks signed former Purdue star Carson Cunningham today.
Cunningham, a Merrillville, Indiana native started 75 games in three seasons with Purdue, leading the Boilermakers in assists as both a Junior and Senior. Cunningham transferred to Purdue after a sensational freshman season at Oregon State in 1996-97 where he lead the Beavers in scoring (14.9 PPG) and assists (5.2 APG). That year Cunningham became the first freshman to start at point guard for the Beavers since Gary Payton. He set the school's all-time freshman points scored record while earning All-Pac 10 Freshman First Team recognition
A 6'1" 190 lb. swingman who was second to Mike Bibby as Freshman of the Year, Cunningham was a three-time NCAA Tournament Point Guard at Purdue and was also named to the All-Tournament 2000 NCAA West Regional Team. In 123 games â 101 as a starter, he compiled 440 Assists and 1,289 Points, averaging over 10.PPG in his college career.
Also looking to add bigger bodies to the mix, the Ducks signed former University of Houston standout, Mark Younger. The 6'9" 230lb. forward averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Cougars and led the team with 25 blocked shots in his senior season. He started 88 consecutive games and ranks among the top 25 career scoring and rebounding leaders in UH history.
After Houston, Younger went to Europe, playing in Finland, where he averaged 23.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 59.6 percent from the floor. That got the attention of former NBA star Lionel Hollins, coach of the USBL's St. Louis Skyhawks, who drafted him last season. Kenny was the third leading scorer on the Skyhawks at 12.7 PPG and their leading rebounder with 7.4 RPG and was named the team's MVP.
Both players most recently played for the Rockford Lightning of the CBA.
"I can't tell you how delighted we are in the Blue Ducks organization to bring in two players with such successful backgrounds," commented Ducks owner, Mike Richman. "Again, we are looking for some pedigree with our players this year. Bringing in guys who come from good, solid programs who have been major players for their teams."
Cunningham and Younger join former Indiana player, Dane Fife, former Blue Ducks forwards D.J. Harrison, Darryl Hardy and former Orlando Magic player, Dennis Scott as the Blue Ducks try to defend their Eastern Conference championship.
The Ducks are still focused on bringing back as many of their protected players from last season as possible in addition to signing more available free agents. There is also an open tryout, which will be held March 29th at the Clemente Center in Melbourne. Then there is a college draft that will be held on April 8th.
The Blue Ducks begin their second season in the United States Basketball League (USBL) on April 19th, playing at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech, in Melbourne. Tickets are available by calling (321) 751-BLUE (2583) or by visiting the Blue Ducks website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com. A seating chart for the Clemente Center is also available on the site.
In their inaugural season, led by former NBA star Harvey Grant - twin brother of the Magic's Horace Grant, the Blue Ducks posted the best record in the USBL and took home the Eastern Conference Championship.
The USBL serves as a minor league to the NBA and is the oldest continuously running minor league in the United States. It has sent over 140 players to the NBA in its 18-year existence.
NBA stars such as Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Mugsy Bogues, Spud Webb, Charlie Ward, Avery Johnson and Orlando's own Darrell Armstrong all got their start in the USBL.
United States Basketball League Stories from February 24, 2003
- Brevard Blue Ducks sign two more free agents - Brevard Blue Ducks
- Brevard Blue Ducks sign free agent Fife - Brevard Blue Ducks
- Brevard Blue Ducks renew first two players from last season - Brevard Blue Ducks
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.
