Future Blue Ducks Flock To Tryouts at Florida Tech
March 27, 2002 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release
Melbourne, FL â Whether you've played college, professional or street basketball, future United States Basketball League (USBL) Brevard Blue Ducks basketball players will flock to free agent tryout camp this weekend at Florida Tech.
Blue Ducks assistant coach Donald Royal, Blue Ducks director of player development and former Chicago Bulls legend, Artis "The A Train" Gilmore, Danny Schayes formerly of the Orlando Magic and Blue Ducks director of player personnel, Jim Tribbett will evaluate future team hopefuls as they dribble, shoot, hustle and compete in drills and one-on-one scrimmages. Players selected from tryout camp will return for veteran's camp to include the current protected roster of USBL players who have received official player contracts (please see attached player list and statistics), free agent signees, National Basketball Development League (NBDL), College Basketball Association (CBA), the European Leagues and other potential NBA athletes will follow on April 8, at Florida Tech.
"This free agent camp is our opportunity to meet these players, measure their talent and judge those important intangibles in person as we build this team, much just like finding the right pieces to fit in a puzzle," explained director of player personnel Jim Tribbett.
Tryouts will be held Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Florida Tech campus gymnasium, Clemente Center, at 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne FL, 32901.
"Basketball is a team sport. We want to find the best talent available and gauge how they interact with each other on a team level.
I believe the right combination of talent, professionalism and dedication will give us the best team possible," remarked assistant Blue Ducks coach Donald Royal.
Coaches say the response has been impressive so far with over 50 players expected to try out from as far away as Canada to even Holland. In addition, we have our own Space Coast favorites including Florida Tech's Junior Allen, Shaun Connelly and Mark Thomas to Brevard Community College and Cocoa's High's own Carlos Jones.
"This day is another first for Brevard. These talented players will have the first opportunity ever to play professional basketball on the Space Coast and possibly make the NBA," said Blue Ducks president & CEO, Mike Richman.
Registered camp participants vary as much in age as size! From 20 to 30 plus years in age, these players range in height from under 6' to over 7'6." The team will carry a roster of 12 players for the season including two rookies as part of the league's "rookie rule." A rookie is defined as someone who's never played professional basketball.
The Blue Ducks are part of the USBL, an independent league serving as a minor league to the NBA. In its 17th year, the USBL has 10 teams and has launched the careers of over 140 NBA greats such as Spud Webb, Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Mugsy Bogues, Charlie Ward and Orlando's own Darrell Armstrong, to name a few.
The Blue Ducks will hold their first game on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. against Darryl Dawkins' Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs, the USBL's defending champions. The opener will be at Bayside High, the county's largest state-of-the-art 2,250-seat gymnasium.
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United States Basketball League Stories from March 27, 2002
- Future Blue Ducks Flock To Tryouts at Florida Tech - Brevard Blue Ducks
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