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Minor League Success Story- DuJuan Tate

January 8, 2008 - International Basketball League (IBL)
Las Vegas Stars News Release


Portland, OR-6'5" guard/forward DaJuan Tate has used a big 2007 season in the International Basketball League as a springboard to success in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Tate finished second in the IBL in scoring at 35.6 points per game for the Las Vegas Stars-leading the expansion team to a surprising .705 winning percentage.

Tate's outstanding performance at the 2007 IBL Tournament and All-Star Game earned him an invite to the prestigious Chinese Basketball Association 2007/2008 draft camp held in Hawaii by USBA executive Bruce O'Neill. Tate stood out in the CBA Hawaii draft camp in the same manner that he stood out in the IBL. Tate was the first guard selected in the draft, chosen #6 overall. Tate subsequently received a substantial contract for the entire CBA season. On December 9, Tate had one of the most prolific offensive games in CBA history, scoring 68 points and leading his Jinlin Northeast Tigers to a 133-124 victory over the Yunnan Honghe Running Bulls. Tate ended his regular season in the CBA as the league's fourth leading scorer at 26.3 points per contest.

Tom Newell, son of legendary coach Pete Newell, served as an assistant coach/advisor for the Tigers this past season. Newell, who has evaluated and developed basketball talent at the highest levels for decades (Director of Player Personnel for the Indiana Pacers, Assistant Coach for the Seattle Supersonics), said the following about Tate in his blog about his experiences in China: "He is genuinely one of the best offensive players I've ever worked with." Newell added, "If I'm an NBA scout, or GM, or Player Personnel Director I'm all over this kid, as he is demonstrating all to well that he is ready for his 'one' shot at the next level." For Newell's complete blog entry, visit http://familysportslifetoday.com/blogs/tigers/archive/2007/12/10/what-goes-up-must-come-on-down-spinnin-wheel-is-turnin-round-we-win-133-124-dtate-goes-for-68-on-the-road-no-less-wow.aspx

Las Vegas Stars owner Alexis Levi Scott- "I am thrilled to see DaJuan building on the success he had with the Stars. It has always been my vision for this team to be a means for players to further their basketball careers."

IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio- "I am happy for DaJuan and the other IBL players making a living playing basketball in China. You see, the IBL has never claimed to be a league where players make a true living playing basketball here (in America); rather, we strive to be a league that the very best players come to- to then get their game in top shape to go overseas. Dujuan Tate is a good example of this concept- as he made very little money playing in the IBL; in DaJuan's case he was able to use the 2007 IBL season to his advantage- great for him".

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International Basketball League Stories from January 8, 2008


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