Slam's Amaya cleared to play Saturday
Published on April 17, 2009 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Bellingham Slam have announced that forward Tyler Amaya has been activated from the team's injured reserve roster and has been cleared to play in the team's next home game against Vancouver on Saturday. Amaya had missed the Slam's first three games recovering from a groin injury sustained while playing in China this winter.
To make room on the roster, the Slam have released forward Brandon Smith. Through the first three games, Smith averaged 24.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and helped Bellingham to a 2-1 record.
Amaya, who starred locally at Mount Vernon High School and Western Washington University, joined the Slam early in the 2008 season, as a replacement for injured forward Erroll Knight. Amaya's impact with the Slam was felt immediately, as he scored 24 points in his first game and the team went on to win 14 of their next 16 games with him in the lineup. Bellingham captured the IBL championship last July, and Amaya was named co-MVP of the title game with 20 points and 13 rebounds. He finished the season with averages of 21.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
His success with the Slam in 2008 helped Amaya land a contact with the Chinese Basketball Association's Guangdong Southern Tigers, for whom he played last winter.
Amaya will be in the lineup when the Slam take on the Vancouver Titans on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion. The game will be the first of four for the Slam this season against their expansion rivals from the north. Vancouver comes into the game with a 3-0 record, sweeping their games at the International Basketball League Spring Showcase in Portland last weekend.
International Basketball League Stories from April 17, 2009
- Slam's Amaya cleared to play Saturday - Bellingham Slam
- Lightning Sign California Senator Tony Strickland - Los Angeles Lightning
- Los Angeles Lightning Sign Bryon Russell - Los Angeles Lightning
- High scoring Devon Green and the Snohomish Explosion tip off with first home game tomorrow night - Snohomish County Explosion
- Explosion Announce Roster Changes before Home Opener - Snohomish County Explosion
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.
