Clippers sign Olden Polynice
Published on August 7, 2003 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release
San Diego, CA â Olden Polynice, the 38-year old 7-foot center who helped lead the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs to within one point of the USBL championship, signed with the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday.
Polynice, who appeared in 25 games for the ValleyDawgs in 2003, averaging 8.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, signed a one-year contract and is expected to make the opening day roster, serving as a player and mentor to the Clippers young players.
A 14-year NBA veteran, Polynice played for the Clippers from 1990-1992. After being waived by the 76'ers after the 2002 season, he saw action in the CBA and the Harlem Globetrotters in addition to the USBL. He burned the Blue Ducks in their last home game at the Clemente Center in Melbourne in June for 24 points and 14 rebounds in the ValleyDawgs 130 â 108 victory over Brevard. He also averaged a league-high 17.3 RPG in the USBL post-season tournament.
"I am glad to see that Olden is returning to the NBA with the Clippers. Olden came through with some outstanding performances this season for the ValleyDawgs and showed that he still has more than enough to return to the NBA and play at a high level. We here at the USBL wish him all the best," stated USBL Founder and Commissioner Daniel T. Meisenheimer III.
"If all the stars in the sky align one night, and the playing time is there, I might just go out and get 20 rebounds," remarked Polynice.
Polynice is the second USBL player to sign an NBA contract within a week.
Last week, 2002 USBL Rookie of the Year, Devin Brown, formerly of the Kansas Cagerz, signed a two-year contract with the 2003 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs.
Brown averaged 17.3 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Kansas Cagerz in 2002. He was a member of the USBL AllâRookie team as well as the USBL Post-Season Festival Tournament Team.
Brown, who had completed 10-day stints with the Spurs and the Denver Nuggets earlier in the season, also played in the NBDL where he garnered the 2003 NBDL Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year honors, along with being named a First Team All-NBDL selection, while playing with the Fayetteville Patriots.
"This is truly wonderful for the league," said Mike Richman, owner of the USBL's Brevard Blue Ducks. "It's amazing how many players have made it to the NBA from the USBL. We tell our fans that they can see tomorrow's stars today and that's exactly what continues to happen. They'll get a chance to see players right here in Brevard that they'll be watching in the NBA a few years from now."
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 Darrell Armstrong, formerly of the Orlando Magic, all got their start in the USBL.
United States Basketball League Stories from August 7, 2003
- Clippers sign Olden Polynice - Brevard Blue Ducks
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