Miners preparing for CBA Draft
August 29, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, Ky. - Shortly after the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, head coach Kevin Keathley started evaluating talent for the second edition of the East Kentucky Miners. This year's CBA Draft will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23. The draft will be comprised of players fresh out of the college ranks. East Kentucky drafted six players in the 2nd Annual Continental Basketball Association Draft held on Sept. 25, 2007. In the second round of last year's draft, East Kentucky picked DePaul University forward Marcus Heard with the 13th overall pick. Heard was a solid contributor for East Kentucky during the team's debut season as he ultimately earned an All-CBA Rookie Team nod.
"The CBA draft is essentially our kickoff to the new season," said Miners Coach Kevin Keathley. "I'm extremely excited about some of the potential prospects I'm looking at for this upcoming draft. I thought last year we did a good job of identifying players that would fit into our organization. Marcus Heard made an immediate impact for us. He earned ALL-CBA rookie Honors last year for us. Look for us to draft guys who will be good representatives of the East Kentucky Miners both on and off the floor."
Sixteen players that were selected in last year's CBA Draft participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Two players from NCAA Champion Florida (Lee Humphrey and Chris Richard) were selected. Other tradition-rich college basketball programs represented in last year's draft included Kentucky, Indiana, Memphis, Syracuse and Maryland.
East Kentucky made six picks as part of the 2007 CBA Draft. The 2007 Draft consisted of six rounds as 60 different players were selected.
"This year, I'm taking a closer look at some of the NAIA colleges in the state," Keathley commented. "There could be a player or two from the Mid-SoutH represented. I'm excited, we're close to naming the location for this years draft party."
In July 2007, during the East Kentucky professional basketball team's inaugural press conference, Keathley promised the most exciting brand of basketball to be found in the state. Players drafted in the 2008 CBA Draft could reflect the uptempo style of play the Miners coach favors.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from August 29, 2008
- Miners preparing for CBA Draft - East Kentucky Miners
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