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Flyers Udoka Wins Sportsmanship Award

March 30, 2006 - NBA G League (G League) News Release


GREENVILLE, S.C., March 30, 2006 - Fort Worth Flyers swingman Ime Udoka has been named the recipient of the NBA Development League's 2005-06 Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award, which honors a player who best represents the ideals of character and conduct on the court. Udoka will be honored at the Flyers final home game on April 9.

The name of the Sportsmanship Award was changed beginning with this season to honor former Fayetteville Patriots, Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier, who passed away suddenly on October 15, 2005.

"By virtue of this award, Jason's memory will live forever in the league that helped provide him with the opportunity to develop his skills as a player, and become a quality young man whose life was taken away from us much too soon," Atlanta Hawks Executive Vice-President/General Manager Billy Knight said. "We are truly grateful to have shared time with him as a member of the Hawks family, and speaking on behalf of the coaches, players and the front office, we continue to miss him."

Collier was a first team 2003-04 All-D-League selection as a member of the Fayetteville Patriots, but more importantly, a player and person who exemplified the qualities of a faithful teammate, husband, father, son, brother and friend. He was ready to begin his sixth NBA season at the time of his unexpected death.

"Ime is well deserving of this honor. His commitment to working hard from the beginning to the end of the season is to be commended," Fort Worth coach Sam Vincent said. "He is a consummate professional and the heart of our team, not only on the court, but as a solid citizen, a loyal teammate and a guy coaches can depend on."

Udoka has been the cornerstone for a Fort Worth team on the cusp of capturing the D-League regular season championship in its expansion season. A first team All-NBA D-League selection by league coaches, he is currently sixth in the league in scoring (16.7 pg), second in steals (1.8 pg) and eighth in assists (3.6 pg).

"Ime is one of the most competitive players in our league, but at the same time he is respectful of his teammates, opponents and game officials," D-League Sr. Director of Basketball Operations and Player Personnel Chris Alpert said. "He is a true professional and always exhibits a respect for the game that is unparalleled in our league."

Other top vote getters for the Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award were Seth Doliboa and Kevin Owens of the Roanoke Dazzle, Austin Nichols of the Florida Flame and Ramel Curry of the Austin Toros.

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