Heatwave sign first two players
Published on October 14, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Sacramento Heatwave News Release
Fresno, CA. ABA Fresno Heatwave Director of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Steve Tucker announced his first two signees for the upcoming 2005-2006 season.
Veteran forward, DeRon Rutledge (6'6") has agreed to terms with the Heatwave. He has played for Coach Tucker on numerous occasions during his professional career both in the US and abroad. Last season, Rutledge helped Tuckere make the Texas Tycoons one of the top teams in the ABA in its inaugural season by leading Texas to a 21-10 overall record and #4 in Power Ranking in the final ABA Power Ranking poll. Rutledge led Texas in scoring (18.5 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) while shooting 66% from the floor and 82% from the free-throw line. "DeRon clearly was our leader and go to guy last year. He has played a long time for me and he knows what to expect and he is a great leader for the other players on the team that will be adjusting to the way we do things. It is definitely a plus having him here in Fresno with me," states Tucker.
The team also announced the signing of 2005 Texas Professional Basketball League Player of the Year, Wendell Greenleaf. Greenleaf averaged 23.8 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 5.0 assists per game and 5.3 steals per game while leading his Houston Blaze to the 2005 TPBL Championship.
Coach Tucker is very excited about his new guard. "Wendell is an exciting young professional basketball player. It is just a flat out steal in signing him to play here with our Heatwave. Wendell is a complete player as a combo guard and his ability to defend is what truly amazes me. He is one of those guys that can lock you up so to speak. He is also extremely athletic. Wendell's only problem is that few people know about him, but I feel that is getting ready to change. I have no doubt that Wendell Greenleaf will be an excellent professional player and if he truly commits himself to becoming a more disciplined player, this will be a stepping stone for brighter things to come for him in the future," added Tucker.
The Fresno Heatwave players will report to Fresno the last weekend of October to begin Training Camp in preparation for the upcoming season which tips off in November. The first Heatwave home game is set for November 17th at Selland Arena, tipoff at 7pm. For more information, visit www.heatwavelive.com or email jigejag7@yahoo.com or visit www.abalive.com. -
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 October 14, 2005
- RazorSharks sign forward James Reaves - Rochester RazorSharks
- ABA Starz in motion breaks with new ad campaign - ABA
- Heatwave sign first two players - Sacramento Heatwave
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