Reaching for success in second season
January 19, 2005 - World Basketball Association (WBA)
Kentucky Reach News Release
Elizabethtown, Kentucky - If you live in the state of Kentucky, chances are you love basketball. After March however, most Kentuckians begin to deal with a strong case of basketball withdrawl. Whether you bleed University Kentucky blue or University of Louisville red, the Bluegrass hoops season doesn't have to end with the conclusion of March Madness.
In April 2005, Kentucky Reach - an Elizabethtown, KY based World Basketball Association (WBA) franchise - will take the court for its second season.
Kentucky Reach made its debut in the WBA last season in compiling a 10-9 record and concluded the season with a final four berth in the WBA's post-season tournament. The Reach provided affordable, family sports entertainment for Elizabethtown, Hardin and surrounding counties. The Reach roster was loaded with aspiring basketball talent including former University of Kentucky standout Antwain Barbour, Kentucky Wesleyan's Marshall Sanders, University of Louisville standout James "Boo" Brewer, Bellarmine University and Elizabethtown High School star Jared McCurry and Berea College's Brandon Snowden.
The WBA is hoping to be a league of opportunity for those players who aren't quite ready for the NBA. Hopefully the second year league, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, can serve as a stepping stone for players to reach their potential and ultimately play overseas or maybe even in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Thirty-two players used experience gained from the WBA last season to secure contracts elsewhere. Two of those players â Kyle Davis (Rome Gladiators) and David Young (Raleigh Knights) â both signed with NBA teams. Davis landed a job with the New Jersey Nets, while Young garnered an opportunity with the Seattle Supersonics. Former Kentucky Reach star Antwain Barbour is currently playing for the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association.
The WBA places an emphasis on fundamental development, career development, community involvement and education. The league was founded by Leroy McMath in hopes of developing basketball players, coaches and personnel.
"Our goal is to create a marriage between professional sports and entertainment along with the local communities throughout the country, said McMath on the league's website (wbaball.net). "We believe the window of opportunity for NBA hopefuls is three years."
This year, the league will feature 13 or 14 teams playing in two divisions across the southern part of the United States. The WBA led minor league basketball in attendance in 2004. The Jackson (Mississippi) Rage franchise averaged nearly 4,000 per game. Kentucky Reach drew an opening night crowd of nearly 1,500 fans last season at Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, KY.
Teams expected to participate in 2005 include Tunica (Mississippi), Biloxi (Mississippi), Jackson (Mississippi), Cleveland (Tennessee), Birmingham (Alabama), Little Rock (Arkansas), Greenville (South Carolina), Norfolk (Virginia), Macon (Georgia), Rome (Georgia), Peachtree City (Georgia) and Raleigh (North Carolina).
Kentucky Reach owner Doug McAfee is confident the league can last despite a long list of other minor league basketball experiments that have failed.
"I am very excited heading into this season, said McAfee, a Campbellsville, KY native. "I believe the Reach will be an asset to the community. The Reach's games can be events for both the young and old. The games will not only offer exciting entertainment, but the team and staff plan to be totally involved and committed to community outreach."
Unlike a number of professional sports teams, Kentucky Reach is committed to being a Christian-based organization dedicated to providing excellent, affordable, professional family sports entertainment. The purpose of the organization will be to introduce Christ through basketball to people of all ages and to help develop the players to become more Christ-like. Roger McCurry, an Elizabethtown (Ky.) minister, will serve as the team's administrative advisor for the 2005 season.
"Our goal is to provide quality family entertainment at an affordable price," said an enthusiastic McCurry. "The games will be fun events with extra activities besides basketball. As far as I know, we are the first professional basketball Christian organization. Bringing in upstanding Christian players as role models to the fans, especially children, can be a big plus. We want to be involved in the community in as many ways as possible."
Games will include contests, giveaways, half-time and time-out entertainment. Kentucky Reach players will be available for autograph signings and will take an active role in assisting with various youth basketball camps throughout the season. Kentucky Reach is in the process of recruiting sponsors for its "Kids Reach" program. This special program provides an opportunity for children in the community who could benefit from the positive experience of professional basketball.
Those who provide a monetary donation to become a "Kids Reach" sponsor will be provided with 50 tickets to a home game, which includes a soft drink and popcorn for each ticket holder. Children will take part in basketball clinics with the Reach players and coaches, and hear motivational messages from the players. Some will even be allowed to participate as ball boys/girls throughout the course of a game night.
McAfee is excited about many of McCurry's ideas and is confident in his new advisor's leadership qualities.
"Roger (McCurry) brings to the table a fresh and new outlook for the Reach," said McAfee. "He is focused and has a mission. Roger brings administrative skills as well as an abundance of basketball knowledge. He loves the game. He will combine that love of the game with a determination to give an opportunity for Elizabethtown and Hardin County to realize the dream of a professional basketball team without a compromise of integrity."
Looking to continue its growth and develop a devoted fan base, the WBA recently appointed a new league commissioner, Mike "Stinger" Glenn. Glenn is a former NBA player with nearly a decade of playing experience including stints with the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. Glenn also served as a television analyst for the Atlanta Hawks. He also provided expert commentary for various media outlets, most notably ESPN, Sports South, TNT and CNN.
"I am looking forward to assisting in furthering the league's mission of developing well-rounded sportsmen," said Glenn on the WBA's website. "The league will continue to focus on teaching and entertaining, while at the same time involving youth organizations and local communities."
The WBA corporate office is striving to achieve quality business relationships. Currently the league is close to a deal with Magic Johnson's "Magic32" corporation. Johnson was one of the NBA's all-time greats and helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 1980s. Now exclusively a businessman and TV analyst for the NBA on TNT, Johnson's "Magic32" athletic product line includes game uniforms, attire, shoes and sneakers.
"The league is taking several steps in the right direction," said McAfee. "The addition of Mike Glenn (the new commissioner) will help to give the league more exposure. He has some good ideas and a plan. By actively pursuing sponsorships from major corporations such as Magic Johnson 32 Corporation and others like it will help raise the league to a new level. This will ultimately help the individual teams in promotion and recruiting."
The WBA has already achieved an agreement with Rebound FX Engery drink. Rebound FX will be the official drink of the WBA. The new drink was created in association with American Longevity, Inc., an international nutritional products company. Theo Ratliff, a current power forward for the NBA's Portland Trailblazers and former 2001 NBA All-Star, will help to promote the drink. More interestingly, Ratliff is also the owner of the WBA's Rome (GA) Gladiators.
Clearly, Kentucky Reach players will be playing for the love of the game. Unlike the superstars of the NBA where multi-million dollar contracts reign supreme. Kentucky Reach hoopsters will earn a marginal playing salary. Instead of chartered first-class flights, Reach players will make road trips in 15-passenger vans. There will be no four-star hotels, nor high-priced meals at fancy restaurants. Through hard work and dedication, a select few of the players might get an opportunity to realize their dream of shining on a bigger stage down the road, while earning a more substantial paycheck as well.
"Our players will have an opportunity to succeed and we will help them in pursuing their basketball dreams," added McCurry. "We will be a team that works hard, hustles, plays together and is fun to watch. We will provide a competitive team. Kentucky Reach will be committed to its purpose of ministry and helping in the community."
Much of the Reach's on-court direction will be orchestrated by newly appointed head coach Clifford Todd, a Jeffersonville, Indiana native. Todd was an assistant coach on last year's Kentucky Reach squad and is currently serving as an assistant with the Kentucky Colonels, an ABA franchise that plays its games in Louisville, KY.
Todd is no stranger to the professional coaching ranks. Two years ago, he served as head coach of the Frankfort (KY) Statesmen of the now defunct United Professional Basketball League. Todd played professionally in Cork City, Ireland after his collegiate career ended at Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne. From 2000-2002, he was an assistant basketball coach at Bellarmine University, a Division II school located in Louisville, KY.
Todd is excited about getting a second chance to be a head coach on the professional level.
"Words cannot express how excited I am about being the head coach of the Reach team, said Todd. "At this point in my life, I feel very blessed. Our organization's expectations are very high. We expect this team to be very competitive on the floor and role models off the floor."
While no one has officially signed to play with Kentucky Reach, James "Boo" Brewer has committed to be a player/assistant coach. Brewer, a former standout shooting guard at the University of Louisville, played with the Reach's inaugural team last year, but saw his season end prematurely due to an Achilles tendon injury. The smooth-shooting guard averaged 10 points per game during his senior year (1992-93) at U of L, and brings numerous overseas playing experience to the squad. In 2000-01, he averaged 24.3 points per game and 4.6 rebounds while playing internationally for Sloboda Dita (BIH).
Kentucky Reach will begin solidifying its roster in April, 2005. The Kentucky Reach Free Agent Camp will take place on the weekend of April 8th and 9th at Severns Valley Baptist Church's Christian Life Center. The camp will be coordinated by Reach administrative advisor Roger McCurry and there will be a non-refundable $75 tryout fee required of each participant. Interested player prospects can contact McCurry at (270) 304-9062 or via e-mail at roger@kentuckyreach.com. More detailed information can also be obtained at the official website of the Kentucky Reach (www.kentuckyreach.com). Businesses interested in sponsorship packages and the "Kids Reach" program may also contact McCurry.
"We want to involve as many local players in the state of Kentucky as possible, " said McCurry. "We will be looking for players with good character who can make an impact in the community."
The WBA will host its own free agent camp the weekend of April 15-16, 2005 at Life University located in Marietta, Georgia. Interested parties may call 1-800-543-3202 for more information on times, fees, etc.
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World Basketball Association Stories from January 19, 2005
- Reaching for success in second season - Kentucky Reach
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