Dennis Rodman returns to Long Beach Jam

December 14, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Laguneros News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. (Dec. 14, 2004) - The American Basketball Association (ABA) Long Beach Jam re-signed forward Dennis Rodman today.

Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, said his client was to have played with the ABA's Orange County Crush this season but their stadium was not ready, opening up the opportunity to re-join his old team.

"The Orange County Crush is a great organization with terrific people," Rodman said. "But I decided to go in a different direction. I am excited about the opportunity to have NBA Legend Nate "Tiny" Archibald coaching me with the Jam and hope to be signed by an NBA team by the NBA all-star break."

The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year is scheduled to play his first game with the Jam Jan. 23 against Utah at 2 p.m. at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Rodman was a member of last season's ABA Championship squad, averaging 12 rebounds per contest in three games with the Jam, including 14 in the title game against the Kansas City Knights. The five-time NBA champion made his anticipated debut with the Jam on Jan. 16, 2004 in front of a standing-room only crowd of 4,373 at the Pyramid. With his hair dyed the Jam's colors, Rodman entered the game midway through the first quarter to a standing ovation. Despite being absent from professional basketball since 2000, he muscled his way to 14 rebounds in a 130-110 demolition of the Fresno HeatWave.

"It is a great to have Dennis back with our team," President Steve Chase said. "He was an integral part of our success on and off the court last season."

Rodman won an unprecedented seven consecutive rebounding titles in the NBA. Only Wilt Chamberlain has won more rebounding titles (11) than Rodman.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.



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