Skyrockets Launch Off Players to International Teams

Published on December 30, 2005 under American Basketball Association (ABA)
Minot Skyrockets News Release


San Jose, CA. The ABA San Jose Skyrockets announced today that two of their big men have left the organization to sign on with overseas professional teams. Tyler Newton, a 6'10" power forward/center from University of the Pacific, has signed on with Dijon, France, an A-1 team. Newton commented, "This is a great career move for me. Thank you (the Skyrockets' organization) for everything."

Cameron Koford, a 7'1" center from the University of Utah, is the other big man who's signed onto a lucrative contract with a professional team in China. With previous playing experiences with Jilin in the Chinese Basketball Association as well as with the Utah Snowbears of the ABA, Koford characterized the Skyrockets as "the best minor league basketball organization I've ever been involved with." With a new baby on board, Koford looks forward to returning to China for additional money and exposure for his career.

Head coach Kermit Young stated, "Koford and Newton were two of our most improved players. Our continued goal is to provide such opportunities to all other players who join our team."

"We congratulate both these fine players for a job well done with the Skyrockets...and we will miss them," commented Kazumi Hasegawa, President and CEO. "We look forward to seeing them do well overseas and move onto greater heights. The philosophy of our organization is to help launch the careers of players, coaches, and staff members onto a higher level - and the fact that two of our key players managed to do so in a little over a month's time is testament that our organization is right on target."

The Skyrockets next host the Bellingham Slam on Jan 13th and 14th at the San Jose Civic Auditorium. For tickets, team merchandise and other information, please visit www.sjskyrockets.com or call 408 293 3788 or visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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American Basketball Association Stories from December 30, 2005


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