Hodge, Harleys ride into Crown this weekend
March 7, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., March 7 - The Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA Development League will host three games in four days over the next week, including a traditional Patriots fan favorite and a game featuring a former Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year.
Saturday, March 11, is Cape Fear Harley Davidson Rock & Roll Night at the Crown Coliseum. A rock band will be performing before the game, during halftime and during the postgame autograph session. Fans will receive free t-shirts courtesy of Cape Fear Harley Davidson and there'll be a special bike show/contest taking place in the Crown as well. Fans who vote for their favorite in the contest will be eligible to win a brand new Harley Davidson motorcycle.
The Patriots will take on the Florida Flame, coached by former NBA star Jeff Malone, in the last of a four-game home-and-away series. Tipoff is slated for 7:30.
On Sunday, March 12, the Patriots will host the Austin Toros in the first of a two-game set. The Toros are coached by former Boston Celtics great Dennis Johnson and count among their players former N.C. State star Julius Hodge. Hodge, the 2004 ACC Player of the Year, was drafted in the first round by the Denver Nuggets last June. He was first assigned to the D-League by the Nuggets on Feb. 7 and recalled on Feb. 24. He was re-assigned on Feb. 25 and has averaged 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in seven games for the Toros. Tipoff will be at 5 p.m., allowing fans ample time following Sunday's ACC championship game to make the trip to the Crown Coliseum.
The second game in the series with Austin will be Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30.
The Patriots are 8-24, but have won two in a row for the first time this season. Former NBA player and Michigan State all-American Mateen Cleaves leads the team in scoring and assists. NBA players Amir Johnson and Alex Acker of the Detroit Pistons are currently on assignment with Fayetteville.
The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-eight (38) players have been called up to the NBA on 56 separate occasions. Eleven (11) former D-League coaches, six athletic trainers, 14 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.
For more information on the Patriots or the NBA D-League, visit fayettevillepatriots.com or call (910) 213-1000.
NBA G League Stories from March 7, 2006
- Nichols, Rowland Lead Flame Over Patriots, 99-90 - Florida Flame
- RimRockers add to Roster - Arkansas RimRockers
- Toros Host Cheerleading Night - Austin Spurs
- Mavs Assign Podkolzin to NBA D-League Flyers - Fort Worth Flyers
- Hodge, Harleys ride into Crown this weekend - Fayetteville Patriots
- Arkansas acquires Richardson - Arkansas RimRockers
- NBA D-League daily developments - G League
- Atlanta recalls Smith - Arkansas RimRockers
- Cavaliers recall Andriuskevicius - Arkansas RimRockers
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