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Columbus Riverdragons to Play Charleston on Post

January 24, 2004 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., January 24 -- The Columbus Riverdragons will host the league-leading Charleston Lowgators at Audie Murphy Gym Thursday in front of a capacity crowd composed predominately of troops from the U.S. Army Infantry Training Brigade and Reservist Group 2145 at Fort Benning. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.

Also appearing at the game will be former NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood and Atlantic Records recording artist Nappy Roots, who will be performing during half-time. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV on Monday, February 2 at 4 p.m. EST.

"We have always contended that the NBDL is more than just moving players back and forth to the NBA: It is also about giving back the communities where we live and work," said Columbus Team President J. Barry McMullin. "The Riverdragons will be providing the troops at Fort Benning with the best basketball outside of the NBA and the surrounding activities that are a trademark of the team. This is just a small way to say thank you to our military personnel for their sacrifice and for protecting our freedom."

This game is a continuation of the NBA's effort to thank America's soldiers for their dedication to our nation. Last summer, the NBA sent several current and Hall of Fame basketball players, as well as coaches and musical artists Nappy Roots, on a goodwill trip to Kuwait to visit with American Armed Forces personnel. NBA Commissioner David Stern and Columbus Riverdragons Team President Barry McMullin began initiating a mission to bring an evening of NBA-style entertainment on post to Fort Benning almost immediately after seeing the positive results of last summer's trip.

In addition to the contests and giveaways that are a staple for a Riverdragons game, Atlantic Records national recording artist Nappy Roots will perform both before the game and during half-time and former NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood will begin the game by tossing the first tip. Prior to the game, Nappy Roots and Haywood are scheduled to visit with military personnel on Post, as well as with students at Columbus area schools.

Selected members of the ITB and the 2145 will be providing color commentary for the broadcast alongside play-by-play man Rick Kamla. A follow-up feature on the activities will air on "This Week in the NBDL," also on NBA TV, immediately following the game. TNT will also provide live highlights and stories via satellite from the event to a national television audience during its NBA double-header Thursday night.

TNT will also provide live highlights and stories via satellite from the event to a national television audience during its NBA double-header Thursday night.

The NBDL, the NBA's minor league, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Charleston Lowgators (S.C.), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.) and Asheville Altitude (N.C.).

The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Twenty (20) players have been called up the NBA on 25 separate occasions. Four former NBDL coaches and six referees have also been called up to the NBA since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The NBDL is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.

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