East Kentucky Miners re-sign Mike Dean
October 21, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - Another player familiar to East Kentucky Miners fans has signed to return to the men's professional basketball organization that calls Pikeville, Ky., home. Miners Coach Kevin Keathley has kept busy throughout the offseason, evaluating talent and signing players for the upcoming campaign. Earlier in the week, Keathley announced the re-signing of former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raider Mike Dean.
A proven scorer, Dean came to the Miners during the second half of the 2007-08 season. Dean - who at one time last season led the CBA in scoring during his stint with the Rio Grande Valley Silverados - made an immediate impact for the Miners.
Dean played 20 games for the Miners, making 10 starts and logging 663 minutes. He averaged 19.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for the East Kentucky pro basketball team.
"We're excited to get Mike back in a Miners uniform for next season," Keathley said.
"There's no question about it, outside of maybe Ronnie Fields in Minot, there wasn't a better two-guard scorer in the league last year in terms of ability to get to the rim and knock down open jump shots."
Dean settled in and played extremely well for the Miners.
"Last season, Mike came in late and it's always tough to make the adjustment to a new team," Keathley confided. "Our philosophy was different. We had a more spread offense and it took him some time to get adjusted to his fellow teammates and vise versa."
Dean shot a team-best 90-percent from the free throw line for the Miners. The sharpshooter hit 23-of-44 shots from behind the three-point line and dished out 70 assists.
Dean has enjoyed success at each of his professional basketball stops. He has played extensively in his native United States and overseas. "Mike was one of the best shooting guards in the league last season, and the great thing is, he still has a lot of upside left as a basketball player," Keathley added.
"I look forward to getting Mike back and helping him achieve his ultimate goal of playing at the highest level and working together to take the next step as a basketball team next season."
East Kentucky recently announced the signing of University of Kentucky legend Wayne Turner.
Dean joins former Miners Jason McLeish and Mike Crain as additional signees. The Miners organization has also inked veteran pro player Jermaine Blackburn for the 2008-09 season.
Dean helped East Kentucky to a 26-22 regular-season record and a postseason berth in the team's debut season.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from October 21, 2008
- East Kentucky Miners re-sign Mike Dean - East Kentucky Miners
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