USBL Alumni Make the Grade
October 28, 2003 - United States Basketball League (USBL) News Release
MILFORD, CT â The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL) continues to be "The League of Opportunity for 28 alumni today. These 28 alumni have all found their way to the NBA as coaches, players, and front office staff.
Players making the list include Avery Johnson, who is entering his 16th season of play in the NBA, to 1999 USBL "Player of the Year" Adrian Griffin, to Devin Brown, 2002 USBL Rookie of the Year.
Players are not the only USBL alumni that are in the NBA. Nine former USBL players and coaches are patrolling the sidelines this season. Eric Musselman returns to the Golden State Warriors for his second season as Head Coach and Eddie Jordan begins his tenure as the Head Coach of the Washington Wizards. Seven former alumni are serving as assistant coaches this season.
Players and coaches are not the only alumni to be making an impact in the NBA. Three time USBL Champion Head Coach Kevin Mackey is currently the Director of Player Personnel with the Indiana Pacers, Adirondack Wildcat trainer Charlie Weingroff is now the assistant trainer with the Philadelphia 76ers, and former ValleyDawg Director of Public Relations Joe Heyer is now the Director of Corporate Sales with the 76ers. Texas Rim Rockers owner David Wesley will again suit up for the New Orleans Hornets.
"This is quite an impressive list of USBL alumni in the NBA. People tend to forget that players are not the only people to 'graduate' to the NBA. Coaches and front office staff also make their way to the NBA. To have players such as Avery Johnson and Darrell Armstrong continuing to play, then have Eric Musselman and Eddie Jordan coaching and then have Kevin Mackey working in the front office, it shows that the USBL is a showcase for people to get noticed for their considerable talents. Congratulations go out to all of our alumni," stated USBL Founder and Commissioner Daniel T. Meisenheimer III.
PLAYER | NBA TEAM | USBL TEAM |
Mark Blount | Boston Celtics | New Jersey Shorecats â 2000 |
Mike James | Boston Celtics | Long Island Surf â 1999 |
Charlie Ward | New York Knicks | Jacksonville Hooters â 1994 |
Kevin Ollie | Cleveland Cavaliers | Connecticut Skyhawks â 1997 |
Ira Newble | Cleveland Cavaliers | Oklahoma Storm - 2000 |
Darvin Ham | Detroit Pistons | Jacksonville Hooters â 1996 |
Damon Jones | Milwaukee Bucks | Jacksonville Barracudas â 1998 |
Darrell Armstrong | New Orleans Hornets | Palm Beach Stingrays â 1992 |
Michael Curry | Toronto Raptors | Long Island Surf â 1992 |
Moochie Norris | Houston Rockets | Washington Congressionals â 1999 |
Adrian Griffin | Houston Rockets | Atlantic City Seagulls â 1999 |
Keith McLeod | Minnesota Timberwolves | St. Joseph Express â 2002 |
Devin Brown | San Antonio Spurs | Kansas Cagerz â 2002 |
Raja Bell | Utah Jazz | Florida Sea Dragons â 1999 |
Avery Johnson | Golden State Warriors | Palm Beach Stingrays â 1991 |
Olden Polynice | Los Angeles Clippers | Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs â 2003 |
COACHES | NBA TEAM | USBL TEAM |
Eric Musselman | Golden State Warriors | Florida Sharks â 1996 |
Eddie Jordan | Washington Wizards | Jersey Jammers â 1985 |
Lionel Hollins | Memphis Grizzlies | St. Louis Skyhawks â 2002 |
Sam Mitchell | Milwaukee Bucks | Westchester Golden Apples â 1986 |
Mark Hughes | Orlando Magic | Florida Sharks â 1995 |
Chris Jent | Philadelphia 76ers | Atlantic City Seagulls â 1997 |
Hal Wissel | Memphis Grizzlies | Westchester Golden Apples â 1986 |
Mario Elie | San Antonio Spurs | Miami Tropics â 1987 |
Rory White | Los Angeles Clippers | Florida Sharks -1997 |
United States Basketball League Stories from October 28, 2003
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