McKenzie grooms players for next level

December 7, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Minnesota Ripknees News Release


St. Paul, MN. Minnesota Ripknees head coach, Larry McKenzie, knows that in the business of basketball, players come and go. Some leave to pursue better opportunities; others just can't make the cut, and usually it's that latter of the two that begs to stay.

So when Ripknees forward Rock Winston (Lamar) got the call to play with the Universidad de Concepcion in the Chilean Basketball League, it was a humbling experience for McKenzie to hear how much he was torn between taking the new opportunity and leaving the team that had afforded it to him.

The 6'5" forward played eight games with the Ripknees and was a stable force, averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds a game. He greatly respected and appreciated the integrity of the Ripknees organizaton, and its coach, Larry McKenzie. Simply put, he didn't want to leave. Winston laid all the details out for McKenzie, and to McKenzie, it made more sense to go, both career wise and monetarily. McKenzie explained to Winston that this type of opportunity is what he hopes to prepare all of his players for. He game him a hug and told him not to miss the plane.

Winston signed a (however long) contract with the Universidad de Concepcion, replacing Jamal Johnson (Clayton State) who left the team due to injury. For more information, call Coach McKenzie at 651 324 9061 or email larry.mckenzie@ripknees.com or visit www.ripkness.com or www.abalive.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 December 7, 2006


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