NBA plucks two Ducks
Published on October 1, 2004 under United States Basketball League (USBL)
Brevard Blue Ducks News Release
Melbourne, FL â As the NBA pre-season approaches, two Brevard Blue Ducks are inching closer to their goal of playing in the "Big Show."
Brevard Blue Ducks rookie Tony Bland, who won the 2004 USBL Rookie of the Year award, has been signed by the Sacramento Kings and will begin fighting for a spot on coach Rick Adelman's squad beginning this weekend.
In Detroit, the Ducks Terrence Shannon will by vying for a spot on the world champion Pistons team.
Bland, a 6-5, 200-pound guard from San Diego State ('03) led the Blue Ducks in scoring last season with 20.5 PPG. One of the best all-around players in the game, Bland also averaged 5.7 APG to go along with 5.5 RPG.
After a season in which he led the USBL in triple-doubles with three, he was named to the Golden State Warriors team that participated in the Southern California Summer Pro League this past July, before being plucked by the Kings.
"Tony was incredible for us," remarked Ducks owner, Mike Richman. He definitely deserves to be added to the Kings pre-season team and get a legitimate shot at the NBA."
Shannon, a 6-7, 210-pound forward from Elgin C.C. ('99) has been a member of the Blue Ducks organization since their inaugural season in 2002. That year, he was second to MVP Kwan Johnson in scoring, averaging 15.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG. He increased his scoring to 16.3 PPG to go along with 6.8 RPG in 2003. Unfortunately for Brevard, he spent the entire 2004 season on the injured reserve after hurting his foot in a post-season contest while playing for the NBDL's Roanoke Dazzle.
"It's good to see Terrence come back from his injury and get another shot," added Richman. "I know he was disappointed in missing the entire USBL season and subsequent NBA summer camps."
Though this will be his first time being a member of an NBA pre-season squad, Shannon is no stranger to NBA teams, having played last year for the New Jersey Nets in their free agent camp, the Miami Heat in a mini-camp and the Milwaukee Bucks in their rookie camp.
All of which makes team owner, Richman very happy.
"This shows the talent level in the USBL," remarked Richman. "We're happy for our players, happy for our organization and happy for our fans in Brevard who truly get a chance each year to see tomorrow's NBA stars today."
Duck Notes: Blue Ducks coach Robert Reid is charting a course back to the NBA that's a bit more circuitous.
Trying to gain more experience and visibility coaching, the former Houston Rocket is taking the long road back â through Hungary. Reid is currently serving as an assistant coach for team Debrecini Vadkakasok, which plays in the ULAB division of the European League.
"That's good experience for Robert," comments Richman. "The level of play there is very good. A lot of NBA teams are now drafting European players from that league."
United States Basketball League Stories from October 1, 2004
- NBA plucks two Ducks - Brevard Blue Ducks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
