NBA Training Camps Feature 58 CBA Alumni
Published on October 13, 2005 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (October 13, 2005) - NBA training camps opened on October 4 in preparation for the upcoming 2005-06 campaign. Twenty six of the 30 NBA teams that opened camp last week have a Continental Basketball Association alum competing for a roster spot, with 58 CBA alums overall in camps. Of that list, 16 appeared in CBA games last season.
The Seattle Supersonics have the most CBA alums in camp with five, including Rick Brunson, Noel Felix, Mikki Moore, Alex Scales and Ezra Williams. Felix (Yakama, All-Defensive Team) and Williams (Great Lakes, All-CBA Second Team) played in the CBA last season. NBA teams with four CBA alums include Denver and Houston, while seven teams have three former CBA players on their roster.
Among the other CBA stars who are in NBA training camps: the 2005 CBA Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Sam Clancy (Idaho Stampede/Portland Trailblazers); All-CBA First Team and All-Star Jackie Butler (Great Lakes Storm/New York Knicks); All-CBA Second Team, All-Defensive Team, and All-Star Melvin Sanders (Dakota Wizards/San Antonio Spurs); and All-CBA First Team and All-Star Billy Thomas (Dakota Wizards/Washington Wizards).
The other 10 players in NBA camps that saw time in the CBA a year ago include: Lonny Baxter (Yakama Sun Kings/Houston Rockets); Kaniel Dickens (Idaho Stampede/Dallas Mavericks); Jimmie Hunter (Gary Steelheads/Indiana Pacers); Jermaine Jackson (Great Lakes Storm/Chicago Bulls); Lonnie Jones (Gary Steelheads/Sacramento Kings); Marlon Parmer (Yakama Sun Kings/Minnesota Timberwolves); Tommy Smith (Yakama Sun Kings/Milwaukee Bucks); Awvee Storey (Idaho Stampede/Washington); John Thomas (Sioux Falls Skyforce/Memphis Grizzlies); and Ray Young (Gary Steelheads/Golden State Warriors).
Aiding in the cause for former CBA players is the fact that there are nine NBA head coaches with CBA experience. Among that group are veteran head coaches who have been head coaches in the CBA, including Phil Jackson (Albany), George Karl (Montana/Albany), Flip Saunders (Rapid City/La Crosse/Sioux Falls), and Jerry Sloan (Evansville). Also among the current NBA coaches who have played or served as an assistant coach in the CBA are; Rick Carlisle (Albany, 1987-88), Maurice Cheeks (Asst. Coach Quad City, 1993-94), Eddie Jordan (Wyoming, 1983-84), Sam Mitchell (Wisconsin/Rapid City, 1985-87) and Terry Stotts (Montana, 1980-83, 1990-91).
The CBA had 14 call-ups to the NBA last season.
"The number of CBA alums that are not only competing for roster spots, but making major contributions to the NBA, reinforces the talent level that exists in the Continental Basketball Association and the fact that it is the longest running basketball league," said CBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Eric Chapman.
The following is a complete list of former CBA players that are on NBA training camp rosters for 2005-06.
Total roster spots held by former CBA players on 2005-06 NBA training camp rosters: 58
Total roster spots held by former CBA players who appeared on CBA rosters in 2004-05: 16
Atlanta (1): Mark Strickland
Boston (1): Mark Blount
Chicago (1): Jermaine Jackson
Cleveland (3): Ira Newble, Zendon Hamilton, Damon Jones
Dallas (3): Kaniel Dickens, Erick Strickland, Darrell Armstrong
Denver (4): Earl Boykins, Voshon Lenard, Mark Pope, Greg Buckner
Golden State (1): Ray Young
Houston (4): Rafer Alston, Lonny Baxter, Moochie Norris, David Wesley
Indiana (3): Eddie Gill, Jimmie Hunter, Stephen Jackson
LA Clippers (2): Amal McCaskill, Fred Vinson
LA Lakers (1): William "Smush" Parker
Memphis (1): John Thomas
Milwaukee (2): Josh Davis, Tommy Smith
Minnesota (3): Anthony Carter, Troy Hudson, Marlon Parmer
New Jersey (3): Ben Handlogten, Linton Johnson, Jeff McInnis
New York (1): Jackie Butler
Orlando (3): Ken Johnson, Mark Jones, Charles "Bo" Outlaw
Philadelphia (2): Lee Nailon, Kevin Ollie
Phoenix (2): Raja Bell, Paul Shirley
Portland (2): Sam Clancy, Charles Smith
Sacramento (2): Dan Langhi, Lonnie Jones
San Antonio (2): Bruce Bowen, Melvin Sanders
Seattle (5): Rick Brunson, Noel Felix, Mikki Moore, Alex Scales, Ezra Williams
Toronto (2): Mike James, Aaron Williams
Utah (1): Keith McLeod
Washington (3): Chucky Atkins, Billy Thomas, Awvee Storey
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