Miami Tropics ready for inaugural season
October 28, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Miami Tropics News Release
Miami, FL. In August, the ABA Miami Tropics were granted the ABA market for Miami. In September, the team had tryouts. And in October, a two-week training camp began. Over 30 players competed in the various camps and over 100 more had their agents lobby Tropics President Art "Pilin" Alvarez for a chance to join the team. This past week, Alvarez and Coach Ed Auricchio announced the 12 players who had survived all of that to make the final team. They are:
Andre Smith, point guard
Sirvaliant Brown, point guard
Marcus Barns, shooting guard
Carlos Escalera, shooting guard
Kotkenya "KC" Cullins, shooting guard
Eric Wilkins, shooting guard
Terrence Shelman, forward
Sylbrin Robinson, forward
Al Harris, forward
Rodrigue Djahue, forward
Jeff Aubrey, center
Karel Rosario, center
Auricchio said it was very difficult to make the final cuts which is why the team went with 12 players instead of the original plan to have only 10. "Jonathan (Castillo) was probably the toughest cut," Auricchio said. "But I think things became pretty clear at the end as to who the top guys were."
The Tropics may have to adjust their thinking if Barnes, who is in South Dakota, goes to the NBDL. If that happens, the Tropics could play with 11 or bring someone such as Castillo back. Alvarez said he wishes the best for Barnes. He also said he really likes the talent and chemistry on the Tropics.
"I can tell how much respect you guys all have for each other," Alvarez said to the team. "This team has a lot of heart and a lot of talent. We are a family already," added Shelman.
"It is a family that plans on winning," Auricchio said. He thinks Aubry will be one of the very best centes in the league and that Smith can be an All-Star at guard. Shelman at forward is another major talent. Others who figure to be in the running to start are Barnes, Escalera, Brown and Robinson.
To me, it's not about who starts, it's about who finishes games," Auricchio said. "But I know starting is important to players. All I will say is that I will give lots of guys opportunities. Just because you start the first game (Nov 11) doesn't mean you will start all of them. I play a deep rotation, usually about 10 players, so I can keep them fresh. The thing I want to find out about is combinations, who plays well with them."
When asked about the talent level on the team, Auricchio did not shy away from high expectations. "I don't think there is any question we can win this league. No doubt in my mind."
For more information, visit www.miamitropics.com or email miamitropicsgm@yahoo.com or visit 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.
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