Dragons, Lowgators Going to Post
January 26, 2004 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
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, Ga. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
The 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 on a goodwill trip to Kuwait to visit with American Armed Forces personnel.
SPENCER HAYWOOD AND NAPPY ROOTS
Also appearing at the game at Fort Benning will be former NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood and Atlantic Records recording artist Nappy Roots, who will be performing during half-time. Nappy Roots and Haywood were both part of the trip to Kuwait and are donating their time to the event. Both are scheduled to visit with military personnel on Post, as well as with students at Columbus area schools.
ON NBA TV
The game played at Fort Benning will be televised nationally on a tape-delayed basis Monday at 4 p.m. ET on NBA TV. Selected members of the Infantry Training Brigade and Reservist Group 2145 will be providing color commentary for the broadcast alongside play-by-play man Rick Kamla. TNT is also expected to provide highlights from the event as part of their live NBA double-header package Thursday evening.
GATORADE CALLUP REPORT
There have been four NBDL-to-NBA player callups to date this season, but the buzz says there are more to come, and soon. Mikki Moore was the first "Gatorade Callup" this season, going from the Roanoke Dazzle to the New Jersey Nets. He was followed by Ronald DuPree going from the Huntsville Flight to the Chicago Bulls and Ime Udoka making the jump from the Charleston Lowgators to the Los Angeles Lakers. Charleston point guard Tierre Brown was signed to a 10-day contract by the New Orleans Hornets today.
2003-04 NBDL-to NBA Gatorade Callups
Player NBA Team NBDL Team
Mikki Moore New Jersey Nets Roanoke Dazzle
Ronald DuPree Chicago Bulls Huntsville Flight
Ime Udoka LA Lakers Charleston Lowgators
Tierre Brown New Orleans Hornets Charleston Lowgators
TOP PERFORMANCES LAST WEEK
Jan. 23: Charleston guard Jason Miskiri converted 7 of 11 three âpoint attempts, including the game-winner in double overtime, against Huntsville.
Jan. 24: Mikki Moore of Roanoke scored 30 points in a Dazzle loss to Columbus
MOORE BIG SINCE COMING BACK
Since returning to Roanoke from the New Jersey Nets six games ago Mikki Moore has averaged 21.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Overall, Moore leads the league in rebounding (9.0), minutes played (41.5) and is second in scoring (21.0).
MATEEN MAKING A PUSH
Huntsville point guard Mateen Cleaves scored a season-high 29 points in the Flight's win at Fayetteville last Saturday. Over the last three games, Cleaves has averaged 24.0 points and has converted 55.4-percent (31-56) from the field. The former Michigan State star was named to the ESPN Big 10 Conference Silver Anniversary Team last week.
SEEING DOUBLE IN FAYETTEVILLE
Four of the top five NBDL double-doubles leaders play for the Fayetteville Patriots. Forward Bryan Lucas leads the league with 10 double-doubles, followed by Jason Collier, Omar Cook and Britton Johnsen with five each. Hiram Fuller of Charleston rounds out the top five with five as well.
COMING UP THIS WEEK
Day Date Game Local Time
Thur. Jan. 29 Charleston at Columbus* 7:00 p.m. (NBA TV)
Fri. Jan. 30 Roanoke at Asheville 7:15 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 31 Columbus at Asheville 7:15 p.m.
Roanoke at Fayetteville 7:30 p.m.
Charleston at Huntsville 7:00 p.m.
*Game played at Fort Benning, Ga.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Scoring Desmond Penigar, F, Asheville, 21.2 ppg
Rebounding Mikki Moore, F, Roanoke, 9.0 rpg
Assists Omar Cook, G, Fayetteville, 8.7 apg
Steals Omar Cook, G, Fayetteville, 2.5 spg
FG% Kris Lang, F, Asheville, .561 (69-123)
3 PT % Kent Williams, G, Fayetteville, .500 (25-50)
FT% Gary Williams, F, Asheville, .935 (29-31)
Blocked Shots Ken Johnson, C, Huntsville, 2.7 bpg
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 20: COLUMBUS RIVERDRAGONS
Signed C Nick Sheppard. Waived C Marc Mazur
NBA G League Stories from January 26, 2004
- Tierre Brown is fourth Gatorade Callup this season - G League
- NBDL Game Airing Live From U.S. Army Post - G League
- Tierre Brown Signed by New Orleans - Charleston Lowgators
- Dragons, Lowgators Going to Post - G League
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.
