SAL1 Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Top NBA draft pick visits BlueClaws July 21

July 15, 2004 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws News Release


Former Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep basketball star J.R. Smith will visit FirstEnergy Park July 21 when the Lakewood BlueClaws face the Hagerstown Suns at 7:05 p.m.

The New Orleans Hornets selected the young talent as the 18th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. During his senior year at St. Benedicts, Smith averaged 23.9 points and 5.0 steals. Smith, also went on to set school single-season records for points (700), three-pointers (108) and field goal percentage (.541) and also scoring 30 or more points in a game seven times.

Smith spent his freshman (2000-01) and sophomore (2001-02) years attending Lakewood High School where he helped lead his team to a South Jersey Group III Championship in 2002 and a combined 43-9 record, averaging 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks.

"He is such a young talent and has potential to be a very big star at the professional ranks," Lakewood BlueClaws general manager Geoff Brown said. "Getting the chance to meet this local product now is definitely something a lot of basketball fans will be excited about."

Also appearing at that night's game, Jody McDonald, co-host of the "Mac and Sid" midday sports talk show on WFAN in New York. "Jody Mac" will meet and greet fans and sign autographs during his visit at FirstEnergy Park. The midday talk host will join Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Richard Neer and Sid Rosenberg as other members of the Sports Radio 66 Team who all have visited the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The BlueClaws host Hagerstown on July 21 at 7:05 p.m. in the middle of a five-game home stand that features appearances by Birdzerk on Monday, July 19, the Phillie Phanatic on Tuesday, July 20 and fireworks on Thursday, July 22. For ticket information call 732-901-7000, Option 2 or for more information visit the team's official website, www.lakewoodblueclaws.com.

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