Miners sign former EKU Colonel Alonzo Hird
October 27, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
East Kentucky Miners News Release
PIKEVILLE, KY. - The East Kentucky Miners professional basketball organization has signed the second Eastern Kentucky University Colonel in team history. Forward Alonzo Hird (6-9) has signed to play for the Miners during the 2008-09 season. An accomplished player with international experience, Hird played overseas in Germany in the ProA league during his most recent international stint. In 30 games for Schalke during the 2007-08 season, Hird averaged 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds. He shot a blistering 67.5-percent from the floor. Hird is recognized as an excellent post defender and an athletic player who is a solid rebounder.
"Hird will give us a stronger presence on the blocks this season," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "He's a rebounder and shot blocker who can beat his man down the floor. Last season, we lacked a player who could defend at a very high level. In Hird, I think we have found an important part to this year's team."
Former EKU guard Jason McLeish played for the Miners during the team's debut season.
McLeish has re-signed for a second season with the Miners. Hird and McLeish will be able to reunite as members of the Miners team.
Hird came to EKU following a successful stint at Sante Fe Junior College. He averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks per game for Sante Fe during the 2003-04 season.
Hird claimed All-Area and All-Conference honors during the junior college portion of his career.
During the 2004-05 season - his first in an EKU uniform - Hird averaged 9.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. In the 2005-06 season, Hird averaged 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Colonels.
During his stint at EKU, Hird helped the Colonels to the 2005 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) championship.
"Former EKU coach Travis Ford has said that Hird is the best defensive post player he has ever coached," Keathley added. "That says a lot about Hird's ability."
Fresh out of college, Hird signed to play in the Slovakian League during the 2006-07 season. As a member of his team's starting five, Hird played in 22 games, averaging 7.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
East Kentucky continues to prepare for the 2008-09 season after reaching the CBA Playoffs in its debut season.
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Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from October 27, 2008
- Miners sign former EKU Colonel Alonzo Hird - East Kentucky Miners
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