Revelers Driving the Bus
February 3, 2003 - NBA G League (G League) News Release
For the better part of the 2002-03 National Basketball Development League season, the Fayetteville Patriots have been looking at the remainder of the league through the rearview mirror. Thanks to a seven-game winning streak, and nine wins over a just-completed 10-game homestand, the Mobile Revelers are now driving the NBDL bus into February. Coach Sam Vincent's club sports a 17-12 record and is one-half game ahead of the Patriots.
This week's NBDL schedule.
Tuesday Feb. 4, 2003 Mobile at Huntsville 11:00 a.m. CT
Tuesday Feb. 4, 2003 North Charleston at Columbus 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday Feb. 5, 2003 Fayetteville at Roanoke 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday Feb. 5, 2003 Greenville at Asheville 7:15 p.m. ET
Thursday Feb. 6, 2003 Columbus at Mobile 7:00 p.m. CT
Friday Feb. 7, 2003 Roanoke at North Charleston 7:00 p.m. ET
Friday Feb. 7, 2003 Fayetteville at Asheville 7:15 p.m. ET
Friday Feb. 7, 2003 Columbus at Huntsville 7:30 p.m. CT
Saturday Feb. 8, 2003 Mobile at Greenville 2:00 p.m. ET
Saturday Feb. 8, 2003 North Charleston at Asheville 7:15 p.m. ET
Saturday Feb. 8, 2003 Huntsville at Fayetteville 7:30 p.m. ET
"Fellas, This is the Interstate"
Mobile Coach Sam Vincent is reintroducing his team to life on the road with another installment of the I-65 Series Tuesday morning at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The Revelers haven't played on the road since Jan.. 3, an 89-81 loss at North Charleston. Over the recent 10-game homestand Mobile has beaten Huntsville twice. Tip off is set for 11 a.m. at the Von Braun Center to celebrate the first of two "School Days" promotions in conjunction with the Read to Achieve initiative. At halftime there will be an original performance by the Choice Players, a teen performance group with a strong anti-drug and alcohol message for kids.
Benjamin Signs a Second 10-Day
Former North Charleston Lowgators guard Corey Benjamin has signed a second 10-day contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Benjamin signed his first 10-day contract with the Hawks Jan. 22 and has averaged 14.1 minutes, 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds over seven games with Atlanta. Prior to his callup, Benjamin was the second-leading scorer in the NBDL at 18.0 points per game and fourth in the league in three-point field goal percentage at .435. Over 26 games (25 starts) he also averaged 30.6 minutes, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Tang Covers Hood for Double-Double Record Columbus forward Tang Hamilton scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the Riverdragons victory over Roanoke Sunday evening, earning the Mississippi State product the NBDL record for double-doubles in a season with 14. Derek Hood had 13 with the Mobile Revelers last season.
Filling In Nicely
Two NBDL assistant coaches have been forced to take the reins of their teams over the last week due to an injury or illness involving the head coach. Fayetteville assistant Sam Worthen stepped in for three full games and most of a fourth after head coach Jeff Capel had surgery on Jan. 20 to repair a torn rotator cuff. Worthen guided the Patriots to a 3-1 mark over that time. Columbus assistant Rob Werdann was forced to step in Sunday night while head coach Jeff Malone battled a case of food poisoning. Under Werdann's direction the Riverdragons defeated Roanoke, 85-73.
Coach B's Bunch
Roanoke assistant coach Mike Brown is stepping up large as well, only in a different way. Brown provides tickets to Roanoke area children who can't afford to purchase them. Brown has purchased 20 tickets to each Dazzle weekend home game for distribution to such organizations as the Roanoke City Social Services and Total Action Against Poverty, just to name a couple.
Let's Get Together This Weekend
League officials worked hard in the off-season to ensure that a majority of NBDL games in year two would be played on the weekend to best accommodate fans. It looks as if the fans are beginning to respond. Three NBDL games played this past Friday and Saturday averaged 3,442 fans per game.
Room For More Than Football
Despite being 1-4 over its last five home games, the people in Huntsville are beginning to embrace the Flight. Over the last three home games, the Flight has averaged 4,584 fans. And they said Alabama was a football-only state.
Lowgators Welcome Bob
The North Charleston Lowgators are welcoming one of the country's hottest celebrities to the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday. SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon's affable cartoon character will be making a special appearance when the Lowgators entertain the Roanoke Dazzle at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the first 2,000 kids will also receive a Lowgators replica jersey.
Recipe For Nine of 10
It's been said that if you don't shoot you can't score. The second part of that equation, however, is actually being able to make the shot. Making shots has been a key ingredient to Mobile's success over the last 10 games. During that time the Revelers have converted 49-percent (321-650) from the field, 79-percent (202-254) from the free throw line and an even more impressive 51-percent (44-86) from behind the three point arc.
Glad to Meet You
North Charleston held a preseason-type session to take player photographs following the Lowgators victory at Huntsville last Friday night. With four new players, three of which were making their NBDL debut, the Lowgators shot 60-percent from the field on the way to a 112-91 victory over the Flight. Newcomers Karim Shabazz, Norm Richardson, Courtney Eldridge and Alpha Bangura combined to convert 9-of-18 field goal attempts in the game before mugging for the camera.
Little Known Facts
- North Charleston's Karim Shabazz' brother Qayyim plays basketball at C.W. Post.
- Greenville guard Dean Oliver has his sights set on a post-basketball career in real estate investing.
- The home teams are 65-57 (.533) in the NBDL this year.
- Lowgator Peter Cornell was one shy of a league record with seven blocks at Huntsville last Friday.
- Roanoke's Cory Alexander has dished out 22 assists in the last two games.
- There has yet to be a triple-double recorded in the NBDL.
- Projected over a 48-minute game, Fayetteville's Devin Brown would be averaging 33 points a game.
- Greenville guard Donald Hand has hit 30 of his last 31 free throw attempts.
As The NBDL Turns
In case you haven't been tuned in, the following should catch you up on the most recent updates to the NBDL player personnel story line.
The Groove
On Feb. 3 the Greenville Groove signed point guard Dean Oliver, most recently of the Golden State Warriors and released 2002 NBDL Defensive player of the Year Jeff Myers. On Jan. 30, Coach Tree Rollins brought in forward Calvin Bowman and waived center Thomas Hamilton.
The Lowgators
The North Charleston Lowgators have also been busy. Damone Brown returned to the team Feb. 1 after spending 10 days with the Toronto Raptors and center T.J McKenzie was released to make room for his return. Center Karim Shabazz, along with guards Norm Richardson and Courtney Eldridge were signed on Jan. 27, 28 and 29, respectively. Guard Ty Shine was released when Eldridge came aboard. The Lowgators now field the NBDL limit of 10 players after being down to seven just a couple of weeks ago.
The Dazzle
The Roanoke Dazzle welcomed former Lowgators guard Larry Reid to the Star City when forward Gabe Muoneke asked for and was granted waivers on Jan.. 29.
Up Talent Scope
To decide one may have to look no further than defending NBDL champion Greenville. In just the course of the last week the Groove has waived a former first team All-NBDL performer, as well as the 2002 NBDL Defensive Player of the Year. The league's seventh NBA callup also came almost two months prior to the seventh callup last season.
NBA G League Stories from February 3, 2003
- Alexander Named Player of the Month - G League
- Revelers Driving the Bus - G League
- Benjamin Signs Second 10-Day Contract - G League
- Groove Acquires Dean Oliver - Greenville Groove
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.
