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Mavericks #22 Rutledge to Retire

January 7, 2011 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Southeast Texas Mavericks News Release


Southeast Texas Mavericks power forward DeRon Rutledge will play his farewell game on Saturday night at Nutty Jerry's Entertainment Center in Winnie, TX vs the Texas Rimrockers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

The 6'6-245 power forward has been with the Mavericks since the pro basketball started in the Golden Triangle three years ago. Rutledge has played professional basketball now for fifteen years both in the USA and abroad. He is one of the most celebrated and honored players to have ever played professional basketball on this level.

Rutledge began his professional basketball career straight out of Texas A & M University-Kingsville in 1996 when he signed a professional contract to play in England. In the British Professional Basketball League he became an All-Star player. He then came back to the USA where he played for the Dakota Wizards in the International Basketball Association (IBA). He was a first team ALL-IBA selection all three seasons he played in the IBA and he won an IBA Championship in 2000. From there D-Rut (as he is referred to by teammates & coaches) played in the USBL, South America, Mexico, CBA, and in the ABA. In the ABA, he played for the Texas Tycoons, Jacksonville Jam, and the SETX Mavericks. In all of those places and in England his coach has been his present coach, Steve Tucker. "What can I say about DeRon, he is the best power forward that I've ever coached or seen on this level of pro basketball. He just is a Warrior and someone I have trusted for many years to deliver. Over the years he has done just that! I am very proud to say that I coached DeRon Rutledge!"

Rutledge helped lead the SETX Mavericks to a dynamic first season that saw SETX post a 26-1 regular season in their inaugural season before losing in Nashville, TN in the semi-finals of the ABA Play-off Finals and finishing that first season with a 27-2 record. Last season saw the Mavericks post a 27-4 record while winning the ABA National Championship. This season the Mavericks are off to another sparkling start as they have posted a 13-1 record. Rutledge has been All-ABA four times in his career and has been selected to play in three ABA All-Star Games. He was the 2008-09 MVP of the American Basketball Association.

DeRon has decided to step away from pro basketball to pursue a career opportunity with Union Pacific Railroad.

Known for his patented Jump Hook, DeRon Rutledge will be remembered for his Professionalism, Class and for his great Passion for the Game of Basketball. Come out Saturday night to bid farewell to one of the Mavericks and Pro Basketball Greats to have ever played the game. There will be a ceremony to honor DeRon that you'll not want to miss!

For more SETX Mavericks Pro Basketball information and ticket sales call 877-643-7508 or go to www.nuttyjerrys.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 January 7, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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