Nashville Rhythm reaches out to displaced New Orleans player
September 21, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Nashville Rhythm News Release
Nashville, TN. In a continued nationwide effort to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina, the newly owned and reorganized Nashville Rhythm of the American Basketball Association have reached out to New Orleans resident and NBL Dynasty player John T. Rondeno, III. Rondeno, a single father, awill be relocated to Nashville by The Rhythm for their upcoming 2005-2006 basketball season as he and his six-year old daughter Cori begin a new life after the devastating storm.
Rondeno, a 6'3" guard for the New Orleans Dynasty, was forced to evacuate to Texas in the recent wake of Hurricane Katrina. With hopes to continue his basketball playing career and the plans for The New Orleans Dynasty unknown, Rondeno made a call to The Nashville Rhythm. He commented, "Out of all the teams I have spoken with, the Rhythm is the teamm that has shown me great compassion for my situation. I would love to make Nashville my new home."
Rondeno is a former standout collegiate player from Northern Arizona University. He currently ranks #8 in the all-time NAU record books for career 3-pointers made with 131. Post-graduation, he was drafted by the USBL's Tampa Bay Windjammers for two years holding numerous records just before the team folded in 1998. From there, he went overseas to South America playing for only one season before returning home to Louisiana and joining the New Orleans Dynasty in order to raise his first-born child.
"We are relocating John and his daughter with great hopes in giving a phenomenal basketball player a chance to continue his career," said Derek Watkins, Owner/GM of The Nashville Rhythm. "John's basketball career has proven to be a perfect fit with our team's goals and we believe that he is the final instrument to complete the Rhythm."
The Rhythm have found housing for Rondeno and Cori through a sponsor, Waterford Crossings Apartments, "Official Home of the Nashville Rhythm." The two will fly into Nashville today and move into their new apartment. Rondeno will begin his new season of life by participating in The Rhythm's Veterans Camp on September 24th.
The Nashville Rhythm espouse the ABA's philosophy of promoting community-based, fun and affordable professional basketball with a mixed blend of quality entertainment that's unparalleled in today's professional sports. We are dedicated to fair play, good sportsmanship, and integrity both on and off the court. We are committed to making a positive impact in the Nashville area as we seek partnerships with non-profit and community-based organizations to help our families, neighbors and children in need. As such, our goal is to assist the communities and the schools attain success.
For more information, email mrdsw03@hotmail.com, call 615 596 4003, or visit www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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