Miller Lite And The NBA Development League Announce Winners Of "Miller Lite Go Pro Challenge"
July 18, 2007 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
NEW YORK and MILWAUKEE (July 18, 2007) - Miller Lite and the NBA Development League (D-League) today announced the 30 finalists of the "Miller Lite Go Pro Challenge," the fan generated content promotion that gives aspiring players an unconventional way to pursue their dreams of playing professional basketball. The 30 winners each submitted a 3-minute highlight reel to NBA.com/gopro and earned their spot in the "Miller Lite 30-Pack." All 30 winners will attend the NBA Development League Pre-Draft Camp presented by Miller Lite in Arlington, TX on July 28 and 29.
An expert basketball panel of judges comprised of professional scouts and administrators from the League offices selected 29 of the "Miller Lite 30-Pack." The final member of the "Miller Lite 30-Pack," Lance Hach, from Texas City, TX was selected by an online fan vote.
NBA forward Mikki Moore, former D-League standout and the official spokesperson of the "Miller Lite Go Pro Challenge," will also be attending the camp to share his unconventional path to the NBA with the 30 finalists during the D-League Pre-Draft Camp.
"The NBA Development League gave me the opportunity to achieve my NBA dream," said Mikki Moore. "For these players, this is their chance to impress the scouts and show us what they can do."
This initiative focused on engaging loyal fans through social networking sites like MySpace and emerging media including YouTube and communicating through video widgets and video podcasts. The "Miller Lite Go Pro Challenge" gave basketball fans the opportunity to get one step closer to their dream of becoming a professional basketball player. All submissions from the "Miller Lite Go Pro Challenge" can be viewed at NBA.com/gopro.
"Challenging conventional wisdom is what Miller Lite is all about," said Jackie Woodward, VP of Marketing Services for Miller Brewing Company. "We're trying to pave the way for one of these basketball players to take an unconventional path to the NBA and realize their ultimate hoop dream."
Following the camp, a series of vignettes profiling the Miller Lite 30-Pack will launch leading up to the NBA TV show that will air September 24, featuring the "real" story of the Miller Lite 30-Pack who attended the NBA Development League Pre-Draft Camp presented by Miller Lite. The show will highlight the winners and losers' stories and the challenges that these everyday people faced on their road to becoming a professional basketball player.
The Miller Lite 30-Pack:
1. Michael Adams - Jacksonville, FL
2. Lorenzo Baxter - Durham, NC
3. Michael Beal - New York, NY
4. Chris Blackman - Chicago, IL
5. Courtenay Brown - Gulfport, MI
6. CoCo Cofield - College Park, GA
7. Flance Dervishi - Flushing, NY
8. Ramon Dyer - Wilson, LA
9. Forrest Fisher - San Marcos, TX
10. Nana Gbewonyo - Jonesboro, AR
11. Bayete Gordon - Chicopee, MA
12. Eric Gulfield - Burlington, VT
13. Lance Hatch - Texas City, TX
14. Louis Hinnant - Clinton , MD
15. William Howard - Charlotte, NC
16. Trumaine Johnson - Ville Platte , LA
17. Brandon Lee - Mesquite, TX
18. Melvin Levett - Cincinnati, OH
19. Evan Mack - Montgomery Village, MD
20. Ntshiwa Mannathok - Marietta, GA
21. Rashawn McAllister - Central Pt, OR
22. Ryan Parker - New Braunfels, TX
23. Sidney Pointer - Rossville, GA
24. Ron Reed - Smithfrolle, NJ
25. Fred Robinson - Tulsa, OK
26. Marcus Saunders - Killeen, TX
27. Dwayne Shackleford - Washington, DC
28. Dwayne Smith - Orlando, FL
29. Terrance Todd - Neptune, NJ
30. John Waller - Richmond, VA
* Winners are subject to change
About Miller Brewing Company
As one of America's oldest brewers, Miller Brewing Company continues the commitment of founder Frederick J. Miller to brew 'confoundedly good beers' with 'uncompromising quality.' Through more than 150 years of innovation and brewing excellence, Miller has built a broad portfolio of award-winning beers that capture approximately 18% of the U.S. beer market. Miller's flagship brand, Miller Lite, is the great tasting, less filling beer that defined the American light beer category in 1975. The company also brews smooth, golden rich Miller Genuine Draft using a unique cold-filtering process Miller introduced in 1985. Miller's oldest brew is Miller High Life, the champagne of beers. Miller imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Foster's, and brews regional craft beers Leinenkugel's and Henry Weinhard's. Near-premium beers include Milwaukee's Best Light, Olde English 800, Mickey's Malt Liquor, Icehouse and Sharp's, a non-alcohol brew. Miller is a wholly owned subsidiary of SABMiller plc, the world's second largest brewer. For more information, visit www.MillerBrewing.com.
About the NBA Development League
Entering its seventh season, the NBA Development League - the NBA's minor league established to develop talent across all disciplines for the NBA - has relocated its headquarters from Greenville, S.C. to New York City to help foster the D-League's continued growth by giving it direct access to the support and resources of the NBA and WNBA. During the 2006-07 season, 19 NBA teams assigned 24 players to D-League rosters, and 14 NBA teams called-up 16 players (âGatorade Call-ups') while 31 D-League alumni participated in the NBA Playoffs. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed. The 2007-08 NBA season will also include the first-ever D-League coach to be promoted to the NBA with Sam Vincent taking over head coaching duties for the Charlotte Bobcats.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
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