Fresno-Washington Raptors Unveiled
December 22, 2008 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Washington-Fresno Raptors News Release
Rochester, WA -- The Fresno Rebels and the Washington Raptors professional basketball clubs of the ABA are proud to announce a merger between the two organizations that will shake the basketball world. Dominick Young, Diego Redd, Regina Joseph, and Tim Joseph have been in discussion regarding the successful outcome, impact, and benefits this will provide the new club.
After traveling 10 hours to Washington for a history making four game series, which ended up being cancelled due to a heavy snowstorm blanketing most of western Washington, Rebels players, Willie Johnson, Luis Compose, Tre'von Kinchen, Chris Covey, Richard Blowe, Dene Young, and Bayo Simmons instead enjoyed the accommodations at the Chehalis Tribe's Eagle's Landing Hotel at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, WA.
Over the weekend Raptors' owner, Regina Joseph, Tim Joseph, Raptors' President/GM, and Rebels' co-owner, Dominick Young stayed in close contact as to the status of the games to be played.
Young and the Joseph's then began discussing basketball operations, strong teams, and marketing. Young was also in contact with Rebels' co-owner Diego Redd, of Rebel Entertainment. The discussion lead to the idea of merging both squads and the Fresno-Washington Raptors became a unanimous decision.
Dominick Young, the first player to be drafted by the ABA in 2000, will become the Raptors' head coach. Young is a graduate of Fresno State, and also played for legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian. He just returned from his head coaching position with the Tijuana Galgos of the LNBP. "We are excited about all of the experience Dominick is bringing to this team", stated the Josephs.
Diego Redd is well known all over the United States and the World for his involvement in the Hip Hop industry with world famous talent who seek him out. A quote from one source: "One of the hottest out of the West Coast or all over the United States" - Kanye West
"Diego brings a huge piece to the organization, we are proud and honored to be associated with a true icon", commented the Josephs.
Regina Joseph, Owner and CEO of the Raptors, worked for the state of Washington, under Secretary of State, Sam Reed, for 16 years and has been in the library field for more than 25 years. Mrs. Joseph also has 10 years of experience working alongside her husband in the professional sports industry.
Tim Joseph, President/GM and Founder, has over 20 years of experience in professional sports having worked for the Seattle Sonics, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, NFL Celebrity Sports Challenge, Seattle Sounders FC, Tacoma Sabercats, and Lenny Randle's Pro Baseball Academy representing the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and California Angels of Major League Baseball. Most recently, Mr. Joseph has been involved in the IBL for the past four years.
Home games expected to be played in Washington are Phoenix (Fury), Salt Lake City (Saints), Beijing (Aoshen Olympian), and Modesto (Bearcats). There are no excuses for missed games by the aforementioned teams, if so the Fresno-Washington Raptors would expect to be given a win by forfeit. This will strengthen the league in games played over all and make teams accountable.
The Fresno-Washington Raptors will be a California based organization, final details of the merger will take place this week, which will result in the Fresno Rebels dissolving.
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.
American Basketball Association Stories from December 22, 2008
- Fresno-Washington Raptors Unveiled - Washington-Fresno Raptors
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Siakam's 21 Points Propel Kentucky To Win Over Nashville - Kentucky Bisons
- ABA expands to College Park, Georgia in 2009 - ABA
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