Mill Rats Go Big Or Go Home at Draft
Published on August 20, 2013 under National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats went for the biggest player in the 2013 NBL Canada draft pool. With the #7th overall pick in the draft the Mill Rats selected 7'0 Canadian centre Mike Luby from Kenora, Ontario and Brock University.
"Mike is strong as an ox, rebounds extremely well, and has a nice skillset and shooting touch for a big man," explained new Mill Rats Head Coach Rob Spon. "We think he will exemplify hard work and represent the Mill Rats and Saint John very well."
With their second round pick (#17 overall), Saint John grabbed 6'4 wing David Louis from Long Island, NY and Kingsborough CC.
"We were sure David Louis would be gone well before we picked at #17 and so we were thrilled he was still on the board," said Mill Rats President and General Manager Ian McCarthy. "He was by far the most athletic wing in the draft and excelled in the open court, shooting the ball, and hawking on defense."
In the third round (#26 overall), the Mill Rats selected 6'7 forward Alex Johnson from St. Louis, Missouri.
Said Coach Spon of Jackson: "he's an exceptional athlete and very long limbed, and will have a chance to really make us a better defensive team."
The Draft saw the first ever Canadian player being selected #1 overall when the expansion Ottawa SkyHawks took 5'10 point guard Alex Johnson from North Carolina State. This seems to be the year for Canadians as Toronto native, Anthony Bennett, was selected #1 overall in the NBA Draft also. In fact 9 Canadians were selected in this year's NBL Canada Draft.
2012-13 Season Ticket Holders will have until September 15th to purchase their same seats for the upcoming season. All unsold seats from last season are open for the public to purchase as season tickets now. To buy or inquire about season tickets please contact Julia Higgins at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located in Brunswick Square or contact the Harbour Station Box Office or call 506-657-1234.
The full draft results were:
FIRST ROUND
1. Ottawa SkyHawks Alex Johnson (6'0", 246, PG,North Carolina State)(Canadian)
2. Brampton A's Brent Jennings(6'4" 200,G, Southern Polytechnic State)
3. Halifax Rainmen (a) Raven Barber 6'8", 220, F, Mt. Saint Mary's)
4. Mississauga Power Bol Kong (6'8", 220, F, St. Francis-Xavier(Canadian)
5. Halifax Rainmen Gerald Devaughn (6'8", 248, F, Stillman College)
6. Moncton Miracles Jermel Kennedy (6'6", 185, C, Lander)(Canadian)
7. SaintJohn Mill Rats Michael Luby (6'11", 280, C, BrockUniversity)(Canadian)
8. Windsor Express Denarryl Rice (6'0", 185, PG, Arkansas Tech)
9. The Island Storm Shawn Vanzant (6'0", 171, PG, Butler)
10. London Lightning Raheem Singleton (6'0", 205, PG, Maine)
SECONDROUND
1.Ottawa SkyHawks Manock Lual(6'6", F,University of PEI)
2. Brampton A's Niko Brooks(5'9", 165, PG, Westmont)
3. London Lightning (b) Willie Whitfield (6'6", 225, F, BarryUniversity)
4. Mississauga Power Dwight McCombs(6'8", 240, F, Central Florida)
5. Halifax Rainmen James Marcellus(6'9", 240, F-C,Delaware State)
6. Moncton Miracles Aleksandar MitroviÃâÃâ¡ (6'6", 200, F, McGill University)(Canadian)
7. Saint John Mill Rats David Louis(6'5", 192, F, Kingsborough CC [NY])
8. Windsor Express(c) Marcus James(6'7", 197, F, Sam Houston State)
9. The Island Storm Ryan Martin (5'9", 160, PG, Keene State)
10. London Lightning Colin Nickerson (6'3", 170,G, Fairfield)
THIRD ROUND
1.Ottawa SkyHawks Jerome Brown (6'5", 205,G, Panola)(Canadian)
2. Brampton A's Jayson Obazuaye (6'4", 215,G, Colorado)
3. Mississauga Power Eric Petty,Jr.(6'6", 220, F, Mississippi Valley State)
4. Halifax Rainmen Jason Dawson (6'1", 181, PG,Gardner-Webb)
5. Moncton Miracles Anto Raic (6'7", 205, F, Brock University)(Canadian)
6. Saint John Mill Rats Alex Jackson (6'6", 208, F, Missouri-St. Louis)
7. Halifax Rainmen (d) Keoni Watson (5'10", PG, Idaho)
8. The Island Storm Justin Leemow (6'1",G,North Carolina Central)
9. Mississauga Power(e) Branko VeljoviÃâÃâ¡ (6'4", 202,G,Hannibal)
National Basketball League of Canada Stories from August 20, 2013
- Rainmen Favor Big Men in Draft - Halifax Rainmen
- Mill Rats Go Big Or Go Home at Draft - Saint John Riptide
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