CBA alumni impact NBA opening night rosters
Published on November 2, 2004 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (November 2, 2004) â The Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Hornets rosters both feature four former Continental Basketball Association players, the most former CBA players on any 2004-05 National Basketball Association opening night roster.
In all, 37 CBA alums, including 11 players from the 2003-04 season, have made the final cut on 21 different NBA teams before Tuesday's opening night. The Nuggets roster features Earl Boykins, a 2000 CBA All-Star, Greg Buckner, Voshon Lenard, the 2004 NBA three-point shootout champion, and Mark Pope. The Hornets roster showcases Darrell Armstrong, Junior Harrington, Lee Nailon, a 2003-04 CBA-to-NBA call-up recipient, and David Wesley, a 1993 CBA All-Rookie First Team member.
"With 20 in-season call-ups last season and 11 players from last year securing NBA opening night roster spots, the CBA is quite pleased with the talent level league-wide," stated CBA Deputy Commissioner Wade Morehead. "Training camps begin on Thursday, and fans can expect to see that quality of player every night in the CBA this season."
Players from the 2003-04 CBA season who made the cut are 2003-04 CBA Most Valuable Player Josh Davis (Philadelphia 76ers), Anthony Miller (Atlanta Hawks), William "Smush" Parker (Detroit Pistons), Eddie Gill (Indiana Pacers), Zendon Hamilton (Milwaukee Bucks), Rodney Buford (New Jersey Nets), Nailon and Harrington (New Orleans Hornets), Bruno Sundov (New York Knicks), Linton Johnson (San Antonio Spurs), and Keith McLeod (Utah Jazz).
CBA training camps begin Thursday, November 4, with 18 available roster spots for each team. On Wednesday, November 17, training camps end and rosters must be cut down to 10 players. The CBA's 59th consecutive season tips-off on Friday, November 19, when the expansion Michigan Mayhem host the Great Lakes Storm at the L.C. Walker arena in Muskegon, Michigan. Also on opening night, the Dakota Wizards begin defense of their 2003-04 CBA Title when they host the Sioux Falls Skyforce, and the Yakima Sun Kings host the Idaho Stampede in Yakima, Washington. The Gary Steelheads and Rockford Lightning play their first game on Saturday, November 20, when the Lightning travels to Gary for a game at the Genesis Convention Center against the Steelheads.
FORMER CBA PLAYERS ON 2004-05 NBA OPENING NIGHT ROSTERS
Total roster spots held by former CBA players on 2004-05 NBA opening night rosters: 37
Total roster spots held by former CBA players who appeared on CBA rosters in 2003-04: 11
Total number of former CBA players on 2003-04 NBA training camp rosters: 65
Atlanta (1): Anthony "Pig" Miller
Boston (1): Mark Blount
Chicago (1): Adrian Griffin
Cleveland (2): Jeff McInnis, Ira Newble
Denver (4): Earl Boykins, Greg Buckner, Voshon Lenard, Mark Pope
Detroit (1): William "Smush" Parker
Golden State (1): Ansu Sesay
Indiana (2): Eddie Gill, Stephen Jackson
L.A. Clippers (2): Rick Brunson, Mikki Moore
L.A. Lakers (1): Chucky Atkins
Miami (1): Damon Jones
Milwaukee (2): Zendon Hamilton, Mike James
Minnesota (2): Anthony Carter, Troy Hudson
New Jersey (2): Rodney Buford, Aaron Williams
New Orleans (4): Darrell Armstrong, Junior Harrington, Lee Nailon, David Wesley
New York (2): Moochie Norris, Bruno Sundov
Philadelphia (2): Josh Davis, Kevin Ollie
Phoenix (1): Paul Shirley
San Antonio (2): Bruce Bowen, Linton Johnson
Toronto (1): Rafer Alston
Utah (2): Raja Bell, Keith McLeod
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from November 2, 2004
- CBA Transactions - CBA 1
- Steelheads ink Jimmie 'Snap' Hunter for 2004-2005 CBA campaign - Gary Steelheads
- CBA alumni impact NBA opening night rosters - CBA 1
- Teddy Dupay returns to Lightning - Rockford Lightning
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.
