Flurry of Activity at Deadline Nets Mill Rats Blackburn
Published on February 17, 2012 under National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): A flurry of activity right up until the NBL Canada transaction deadline netted the Saint John Mill Rats 6'7 small forward Jermaine Blackburn.
Blackburn, who was a member of the Quebec Kebs for 17 games this season, posted averages of 12.47 points on 46% shooting and 4.2 rebounds per game. He has logged experience in the NBA Development League, the CBA, PBL, ABA, as well as overseas. He is considered by many to be one of the top players in the U.S. not currently in the NBA.
His multifaceted skill set is evident by being the only player in CBA history to record a quadruple double in one game.
"After the last stretch of games we really felt that we needed another player who could create offensive, particularly off the dribble, and this is something Blackburn has done well for a number of years," stated Mill Rats Head Coach Jaren Jackson. "He is a veteran player and he will relieve some scoring burden on our guards as we make a run at the playoffs."
Saint John had considered a number of different scenarios to take advantage of their final two rosters moves before the deadline expired at 5:00pm today (Friday). This was all the more a challenge because the team was on a three-day road trip to Ontario and the deadline would expire after the team was already on their flight home.
On Tuesday evening, Saint John used a move to add a familiar face in 6'9 power forward/centre Stanley Ocitti, who had returned from a season in Japan. With one last move to use and the deadline looming, the Mill Rats were informed that Kevin Francis had received a contract to play professionally in Venezuela. The plan was then hatched to replace Francis with Blackburn.
However upon arriving at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto for the team's return flight home today, the team encountered Francis who was showing up to fly back with the team to New Brunswick. It was then learned that the overseas opportunity for Francis had fallen though and he was still a Mill Rat. In order to retain Francis and still sign Blackburn, the decision was made upon boarding the Porter flight to move Drew Stratton to the inactive list.
"Blackburn is a top flight talent and he has been brought in with one thought in mind - the playoffs. Drew Stratton has been a consummate pro and team-first person every minute he's been with us, and he remains a part of our team although he is inactive for games."
In order to make the transaction happen, the Mill Rats traded the rights to Antoine Tisby for the rights to Jermaine Blackburn first. Both players were on inactive lists of their respective clubs for refusing trades. Tisby will not join the Kebs this season, but his rights will remain with Quebec going into next season.
Other transactions around the league that were approved included the Halifax Rainmen signing 6'7 forward Darnell Hugee, and the Quebec Kebs signing 6'7 PBL MVP Quinnel Brown.
The Mill Rats host the Halifax Rainmen on Monday at 7pm at Harbour Station as they fight for the 4th and final playoff spot.
Mill Rats single game and flex tickets are now on sale at the Harbour Station box office 657-1234 or the Mill Rats office 214-4454.
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from February 17, 2012
- Flurry of Activity at Deadline Nets Mill Rats Blackburn - Saint John Riptide
- Rainmen Sign Darnell Hugee - Halifax Rainmen
- All-Star Tickets on Sale - NBL Canada
- Oshawa Power Welcomes Back Jushay Rockett - Mississauga Power
- NBL Canada Inaugural All-Star Voting Begins - NBL Canada
- Mill Rats Playoff Drive in Swing - Saint John Riptide
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