
Legend sign center from China
March 30, 2006 - United States Basketball League (USBL)
Dodge City Legend News Release
Dodge City, KS - (March 30, 2006) The United States Basketball League's (USBL) Dodge City Legend have signed 7' 8 3/4" Sun Ming Ming, from China. The 2006 USBL season will be the first major competitive competition Ming Ming will face in his young career. Sun will give the Legend a rather large presence in the paint for the upcoming 2006 USBL season as he recovers from the medical conditions that threatened his life less than a year ago.
Sun was diagnosed with Acromegaly in June of 2005 and through a series of donations and loans was able to obtain the surgery needed for his condition. Ming Ming underwent the life saving surgery in Los Angeles to remove a tumor from his pituitary gland in September of 2005.
The Chinese National has been recovering and training in Ventura, CA. The successful surgery enabled Ming Ming to increase his strength, stamina, and speed over the past several months. With his recovery nearly complete, Ming Ming is looking forward to joining his new team in early April.
Legend General Manager and Head Coach, Dale Osbourne, is excited to welcome Sun as a member of the team. "The fans and team cannot wait for Sun to arrive. We feel that the USBL is the perfect opportunity for Sun to finally get on the basketball court and play the game he loves," stated Osbourne.
Sun is equally excited, "I am very happy and thankful to the people in Dodge City for this opportunity. I will always play hard and be a good team player. This has been a long process and it is still early in my career. I know I must continue to get faster and will put in the training necessary to accomplish my goals." Although Ming Ming is focused at working toward his future as a professional basketball player, he has not forgotten those who helped him along the way, "I want to once again thank all the families from around the country that donated money toward my surgery. Your generosity will never be forgotten."
The defending 2005 USBL Champion Legend will begin their quest for another title on April 23 as they host the Nebraska Cranes. The Legend had a 4-2 record against the Cranes in 2005.
Dodge City, KS will also be home to the 2006 USBL Post-Season Championship tournament held June 23-25. All eight USBL teams will compete in the single elimination tournament to crown the next USBL Champion.
Visit www.legendhoops.com and www.usbl.com for more information on Sun Ming Ming, the Dodge City Legend, and the 2006 USBL Post-Season Championship.
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