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Washington named All-Star, Gill to compete in three point shooting contest

January 17, 2007 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maryland NightHawks News Release


Rockville, MD - The American Basketball Association announced that Nighthawks forward Andrew "Spongebob" Washington has been named to the 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star team. Washington will represent the Maryland Nighthawks at the 2007 ABA All-Star Game, to be played at Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on January 28, 2007.

The American Basketball Association also announced that Randy "White Chocolate" Gill will participate in the 3-point shooting contest. Gill won the ABA's three point shooting contest last season, scoring an impressive 36 points in the final round.

"Congratulations to Andrew and Randy," said Nighthawks Co-owner Jeanette McCool. "These two guys certainly deserve it, and our fans will be thrilled that Maryland will be represented in two events at All Star weekend."

"I am very happy for both Andrew and Randy that they received these well deserved honors," said Nighthawks General Manager Marco Fernandes. "They are both playing the game at a very high level."

This will be the first All-Star appearance for Washington. Washington is averaging 20.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals, while shooting 55% from the field in his first season with the Nighthawks.

"I'm proud to have these two players represent us in both the All Star game and three point shooting contest," said Nighthawks Head Coach Keith Williams. "They are very deserving of these honors, and I think it's a credit to our entire team."

Washington, a 2006 graduate from the University of Delaware has started all 18 games this season for the Nighthawks. Washington has recorded five double-doubles thus far this season, including a 35 point 10 rebound performance against the Strong Island Sound, and had the winning tip in at the buzzer against the Richmond Ballerz.

Gill, in his third season with the Nighthawks, has recorded five games in which he connected on at least four three pointers. Gill is averaging a team-high 2.4 three pointers made per game, while shooting 43.9% from long distance.

This marks the second time that Maryland will be represented by multiple players at the All-Star weekend. Last season, Randy Gill, Lawrence Moten, and Ray Cunningham represented the Nighthawks in the All Star game, the most players to play from a single team. Lawrence Moten started for the East, scored 16 points, and was in the running for the games MVP honors, while Randy "White Chocolate" Gill won the three-point shooting contest, and Ray "Hops" Cunningham was crowned the Slam Dunk champion.

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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