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Riverdragons Place Four Players in NBA Training Camps

October 1, 2002 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, October 1, 2002 – For some, the NBA Dream starts in Columbus - and as NBA camps open this week - that dream continues to take shape all over the country. Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies added former Columbus Riverdragons forward Tang Hamilton to the Grizzlies training camp roster, signing the stand-out from Mississippi State University to a contract as a free agent. In keeping with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

With his singing, Hamilton joins forwards Tremaine Fowlkes, Sean Daugherty and Gabe Muoneke as former Riverdragons competing for roster spots on NBA teams. The NBDL, the NBA's own minor league, has now placed 18 former players in NBA training camps league-wide.

"That's what this league is all about," said Riverdragons head coach Jeff Malone. "You hope that all of them can make it. The NBDL should be very proud of these guys getting the chance to play with the best players in the world. On a personal note, I am very proud of my guys and wish them the best."

Hamilton, a 6-7 forward, averaged 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds over 21.4 minutes in nine games after joining the Riverdragons late last season. Hamilton started the final three games of the regular season for Columbus, averaging 13.0 points and 6.7 rebounds as a starter. Hamilton also started all three of the Riverdragons games in the 2002 NBDL Playoffs, leading the team in rebounding (7.3 rpg) against eventual league champion Greenville. Hamilton is looking to make his second stint in the NBA. The former Riverdragon played nine games for the Miami Heat in November of the 2001-02 season.

The first player in Riverdragons history to earn an NBA call-up, Tremaine Fowlkes signed with the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent last Friday. Fowlkes averaged 3.4 points and 2.9 rebounds over 15.6 minutes with the Clippers last season. Fowlkes became the first NBDL player to start an NBA game when he tallied four points and two rebounds February 25, 2002 at Memphis, just two days after being called-up from Columbus.

Muoneke, an All-NBDL honorable mention with Columbus in 2001-02, signed with the Detroit Pistons on Monday. The Riverdragons leading scorer and rebounder, Muoneke averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds over 29.9 minutes in 47 games of NBDL duty.

Daugherty, who hit 41.4% of his shots from 3-point range for the Riverdragons in 2001-02, signed with the Sacramento Kings in late September. Daugherty averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds after joining Columbus for the final 11 games of the NBDL's inaugural regular season.

The Columbus Riverdragons open training camp for the 2002-03 season Sunday, November 3 in Columbus. The Riverdragons home opener is slated for Friday, November 22 against the Roanoke Dazzle at the Columbus Civic Center. For Riverdragons ticket information, call (706) 225-1100 or visit columbusriverdragons.com.



NBA G League Stories from October 1, 2002


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