Patroons name Richardson as head coach
December 14, 2004 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
Boise, ID (December 14, 2004) â The Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association announced during a Monday press conference that Micheal Ray Richardson has been signed as the Head Coach of the revitalized franchise, pending league approval.
"We are delighted to have Micheal Ray Richardson re-join the Patroons as our Head Coach," stated Patroons President and Owner Ben Fernandez.
Richardson played one season in the CBA with the Patroons during the 1987-88 campaign, leading the team to a 48-6 regular season record before winning the CBA Title. During the year, he posted 13.9 points and 3.1 assists per game. Prior to his season in Albany, Richardson played eight seasons in the NBA after being drafted in the First Round (4th overall pick) of the 1978 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. From 1978 through 1986, Richardson played for the Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and the New Jersey Nets, earning NBA All-Star honors four times (1981, 1982, 1983, 1986). He has played in 556 regular season NBA games with a career average of 14.8 points and 7.0 assists per game.
"This is a great opportunity for me and I am thrilled to be back in Albany with its great tradition," remarked Richardson, who most recently served as the Community Ambassador for the NBA's Denver Nuggets.
Also in attendance, and introduced at Monday's press conference was former Knicks, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic Head Coach Bob Hill, who was named as the Patroons Special Consultant for Player Recruitment.
"We owe it to the Albany fans to assemble the best talent available in our coaching staffs and players," said Patroons Vice President and General Manager Jim Coyne. "The legacy of the Albany Patroons will continue."
Added CBA Commissioner Gary Hunter, "The CBA is excited with the progress of the Albany Patroons organization. From their announced coaching staff to their early onslaught of season ticket sales, the Patroons will be a welcome addition to the league next season."
The Patroons will begin play during the CBA's 60th anniversary season in 2005-06 at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, New York. During the Patroons' original tenure in the CBA, from 1982-1992, the team was instrumental in graduating players and coaches like Phil Jackson, George Karl, Bill Musselman, Sidney Lowe, and Rick Carlisle to NBA coaching status.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 14, 2004
- CBA Transactions - CBA 1
- CBA weekly - CBA 1
- Patroons name Richardson as head coach - CBA 1
- Injuries hit Storm hard - Great Lakes Storm
- Have fun and learn basketball fundamentals - Rockford Lightning
- Steelheads burned by Sun Kings - Gary Steelheads
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.
