IBL announces all-league team

by IBL Press Release
June 19, 2001 - International Basketball League 1 (IBL 1)

IBL Press Release

Baltimore- The International Basketball League announced today its 2000-2001 All-IBL First Team Selections. Point Guard Roderick Blakney- Cincinnati Stuff; Shooting Guard Danny Johnson-St. Louis Swarm; Small Forward Raymond Tutt-Trenton Stars; Power Forward Antonio Smith-Grand Rapids Hoops; and Center Jeff Sanders-Rockford Lightning.

The IBL finished a successful second season this past May with the St. Louis Swarm capturing their second consecutive IBL Championship Title. These five players were chosen as the top five in their league of eleven teams, for demonstrating exceptional talent and leadership throughout the season.

Point Guard Roderick "Moo-Moo" Blakney joined the Cincinnati Stuff in 1999 when he was drafted in the fifth round. He spent his first season with the Stuff averaging 14.3 points and 5.6 assists, ranking fourth in the IBL. Blakney began his professional basketball career when the former IBA Dakota Wizards signed him as a free agent. His first season he was named Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, after finishing the year ninth in the league scoring 20.1 points per game, and leading the league with 8.2 assists per game. In three seasons at South Carolina State, Blakney led his team to the NCAA tournament twice.

Shooting Guard Danny Johnson was named the IBL 2000-2001 League Most Valuable Player. This past season he started 46 out of 48 games ranking number one on the St. Louis Swarm and fourth in the IBL in scoring. Johnson started all five games in the 2001 playoffs, averaging 14.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Before starting with the IBL, Johnson played overseas with Chalet of the France Pro A league, participated in the Indiana Pacers NBA Summer League, and the San Antonio Spurs Rookie/Free Agent Camp. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 1999.

Small Forward Ray Tutt came to the Trenton Stars in 1999. After his first season, Tutt was listed among the top 5 in scoring average, having scored 1,009 points in 59 games for an average of 19.4 points per game. With his 39 points on two separate occasions last season, he put himself in the record book as one of the top player performances for points scored in a game. This season Tutt continued in his excellence as he helped carry Trenton to a very close finish where they literally missed making it to the IBL finals by one second. Tutt, a graduate of the University of California-Santa Barbara, was All-Big West, and Big West MVP in 1997. He tallied an astonishing 2,481 points during his college career.

Power Forward Antonio Smith came to the Grand Rapid Hoops in 1999 and had a very strong rookie season. He was named to the CBA All-Star Rookie Team, averaging 4.2 points, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Smith continued to show off his top-level basketball skills when the Hoops integrated into the IBL this year, and demonstrated a leadership roll on the court. "Antonio has been a pleasure to work with again this season. He has done an outstanding job and deserves this honor. There is definitely a bright future ahead for him," said Hoops Coach Mark Hughes.

Center Jeff Sanders came to the Rockford Lightning last season after playing for the Fenerbache of the Turkish league. Sanders earned his 2000-2001 All-IBL First Team Selection by averaging 20.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Sanders was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft and played one season with them, as a teammate of his current Lightning head coach Stacey King. From there, he spent most of 1990-91 with the Albany Patroons. He was called up for three games in Charlotte that season. He split his 1991-92 seasons with three CBA teams and the Atlanta Hawks.

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