King County Royals to play first game Sunday
November 11, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
King County Royals News Release
SEATTLE - The King County Royals, an expansion team in the American Basketball Association are set to open the 2006-07 regular season Sunday with a home game against the Bellingham Slam, the team announced today. The game is set to tip-off at 5 p.m. at the newly-renovated Wellness Center building on the campus of North Seatlle Community College in Northgate. The Royals are offering free admission to all fans at their home opener Sunday.
The Royals are directed by general manager and head coach Rick Turner. Turner is in his third year as an ABA head coach, and was named 2005 ABA Coach of the Year for leading the Bellevue Blackhawks to the ABA championship game. On the floor, the Royals are led by 6'1" guard Jamaal Miller, a graduate from Garfield High School and Green River Community College, where he averaged 25.5 points per game and 8.3 assists per game. Last season, Miller played in the ABA with the Tacoma Navigators, averaging 24 points and eight assists per game, including a 27-point performance on Jan. 26 against the Bellingham Slam.
The Slam return five players from their 2005-06 squad that went 20-15 in their inaugural season and reached the quarterfinals of the ABA championship tournament. Of the five returnees, Mike Parker led in scoring with 16.0 points per game on 54 percent field goal shooting. Brandon Hartley was a close second, averaging 15.7 points on 50 percent shooting. Brian Dennis led the Slam last season in rebounding, pulling down an average of nine rebounds per game.
Sunday's game will mark the first regular season action for both clubs. Following the season opener, the Royals next home action will take place on Nov. 20 as they entertain the Beijing Olympians at 8 p.m. at North Seattle Community College. For more information contact the Royals by e-mail at info@kingcountyroyals.com or visit their website at www.kingcountyroyals.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.
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