WBA update

Published on February 10, 2006 under World Basketball Association (WBA) News Release

Former NBA guard Lionel Chalmers is about to be released by Greek club AEK Athens, according to various reports. Chalmers is 6-0 and played 24 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, averaging 3.1 points and 1.4 assists. He was selected in the second round (No. 33 overall) of the 2004 draft by the Clippers. No reason has been determined for his impending release, although Chalmers reportedly will return to the U.S. to sign with a minor-league team.

Former Golden State draft pick Steve Logan is parting ways with AO Kolossos Rodou of Greece. Logan is a 6-0 point guard who was selected in the second round (No. 30 overall) of the 2002 draft by the Warriors. He reportedly is leaving Greece because of "family reasons," reports Eurobasket.com.

Feb. 7

Former NBA forward Anthony Bonner has signed with Argentian club Penarol Mar del Plata. Bonner, 37, is 6-8 and was selected by Sacramento in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the 1990 draft. He played for Sacramento, New York, and Orlando from 1990-96, compiling career averages of 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Former Atlanta forward Hiram Fuller is expected to sign with French club Pau, according to various reports. Fuller is 6-9 and played four games for the Hawks in 2003, when he averaged 2.0 points and 2.8 rebounds.

Former Philadelphia center Efthimios Rentzias reportedly will soon sign with Nicosia of the Cyprus league. Rentzias is 6-11 and played 35 games for the 76ers during the 2002-03 season.

Feb. 4

Former NBA center Jabari Smith has parted ways with Turkish club Besiktas Cola Turka and reportedly will sign to play in Greece. Smith is a 6-11 center and played in the NBA from 2000-04 with Sacramento, Philadelphia and New Jersey. He was selected in the second round (No. 45 overall) of the '00 draft by the Kings, and compiled NBA career averages of 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Former NBA guard Vonteego Cummings has signed with BC Partizan of Serbia & Montenegro. Cummings is 6-3 and had been playing for the Fort Worth Flyers of the D-League. He played in the NBA from 1999-2002 with Golden State and Philadelphia, after Indiana selected him with the No. 26 overall pick in the '99 draft. Cummings compiled NBA career averages of 6.9 points and 2.7 assists.

Former NBA guard Jamison Brewer has signed with Croatian club Cibona. Brewer is 6-4 and was selected by Indiana in the second round (No. 40 overall) of the 2001 draft. He played for the Pacers and Knicks from 2001-05, compiling averages of 1.6 points and 1.0 asssists.

Ex-University of Minnesota forward and NBA draft pick Rick Rickert has signed with the D-League's Fayetteville Patriots. Rickert is 6-11 and was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2003 draft. Rickert attended training camp with the Timberwolves on two occasions, and has played professionally in Slovenia.

Jan. 31

Former Temple University and NBA Developmental League forward Kevin Lyde has left Argentinean club River Plate, the team announced. Lyde is 6-10 and was selected by the Greenville Groove with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2002 D-League draft. He may be looking to play in the CBA.

Jan. 30

Former Utah center Ben Handlogten has been released by South Korean club Mobis Pheobus. Handlogten is 6-10 and played for the Jazz from 2003-05, compiling career averages of 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds.

Former Miami forward Tang Hamilton has signed with the Incheon ET Land Blackslamer in South Korea. Hamilton is 6-7 and played nine games for the Heat in the 2001-02 season.

Ex-University of North Carolina guard Melvin Scott has signed to play in Iceland. Scott is 6-2 and averaged 5.1 points for last season's NCAA champions.

Jan. 27

Former NBA forward Buck Johnson has signed with the ABA's Birmingham Magicians. Johnson is 6-7 and 42 years old, and played for Houston from 1986-92, starting in the frontcourt next to All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon. Johnson played his final season in Washington (1992-93). He compiled career averages of 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds.

Jan. 26

Former NBA Miami forward Jerome Beasley has signed with Polish club Polpak Swiecie. Beasley is 6-10 and was selected by the Heat in the second round of the 2003 draft. He has also spent time in the CBA and playing professionally in Turkey.

Former Hornets forward Terrance Roberson has been reached a "mutual agreement," to part ways with Italian club Bipop Reggio Emila. Roberson is a 6-7 forward who starred at Fresno State and played three games for the then-Charlotte Hornets during the 2000-01 season.

Jan. 24

Ex-Niagara University guard Alvin Young, who led the NCAA in scoring in 1999, has signed with Israeli club Nahariya. Young is 6-1 and has played professionally overseas since being bypassed in the '99 draft. Young averaged 25.1 points per game his senior year of college, despite not playing basketball in high school.

Former Louisiana-Monroe forward Kirby Lemons has signed with Venezuelan club Domo Bolivariano. Lemons is 6-7 and most recently played in Japan, where he averaged 28.6 points and 15.2 rebounds.

Jan. 23

Former second round draft pick Steve Logan has signed to play for Greek club Kolossos. Logan is a 6-0 point guard and was selected by Golden State in 2002 with the No. 30 overall pick -- the first choice of the second round. He played professionally in Turkey earlier this season.

Jan. 22

Former NBA guard Mateen Cleaves has signed with the Fayetteville Patriots of the NBA D-League. Cleaves is 6-3 and played in the NBA from 2000 until last month, when he released by Seattle. He also spent time with Detroit, Sacramento, and Cleveland. Cleaves was selected by the Pistons with the No. 14 overall pick in the '00 draft after leading Michigan State to the NCAA championship. He compiled NBA career averages of 3.8 points and 1.9 assists.

Former NBA and CBA guard Maurice Baker has signed with Lithunian club Lietuvos rytas. Baker is 6-1 and played a combined five games for Portland and the L.A. Clippers last season, his lone season in the NBA. He also played for the CBA's Dakota Wizards.

Jan. 21

Former NBA point guard Kenny Anderson has signed with Lithunian club Zalgiris Kaunas. Anderson is 6-0 and played in the NBA from 1991-2005 with with nine teams, including New Jersey, Boston, and Portland. He was selected by the Nets with the No. 2 overall pick in '91, and compiled career averages of 12.6 points and 6.1 assists.

Ex-Notre Dame guard Torrian Jones has signed with the NBA D-League's Florida Flame. Jones is 6-4 and was selected by the Flame in the 10th round of this past draft.

Jan. 19

Former NBA forward Carl Herrera has joined Venezuelan club Guaros de Lara. Herrera, 39, is 6-9 and played in the NBA from 1991-99 with Houston, San Antonio, Vancouver and Denver. He compiled career averages of 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Former NBA center Jelani McCoy has signed with Italian club Viola Reggio Calabria. McCoy is 6-10 and played in the NBA from 1998-2005 with Seattle, the L.A. Lakers, Cleveland, Toronto and Atlanta. He compiled career averages of 1.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Former Portland guard Geno Carlisle has been traded from the CBA's Yakama Sun Kings to the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Carlisle is 6-3 and played six games for the Trail Blazers last season as a rookie out of California.

Jan. 18

Former Chicago forward Randy Holcomb was named MVP of the CBA All-Star Classic, scoring 20 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in the Eastern Conference's 119-110 loss to the West. Holcomb is 6-9 and played four games for the Bulls earlier this season. Holcomb was selected by San Antonio in the second round (No. 57 overall) of the 2002 draft. For complete CBA All-Star results, visit cbahoopsonline.com.

Former NBA center A.J. Bramlett has parted ways with Spanish club Seville, team officials said. Bramlett is 6-10 and played eight games for Cleveland during the 1999-2000 season. He was selected by the Cavaliers in the second round (No. 39 overall) of the '99 draft.

Ex-University of Texas forward Chris Owens has been releaed by Granada in Spain. Owens is 6-7 and played one game for Memphis in the 2002-03 season. He was selected byMilwaukee in the second round (No. 46 overall) of the '02 draft.

Jan. 17

Ex-Oklahoma University guard Hollis Price and former Lakers guard Mike Penberthy have both been selected to the North squad for the Bundesliga All-Star-Game in Germany. Price is 6-1 and went undrafted after a noteworthy career with the Sooners that ended in 2003. He is OU's all-time leading free-throw shooter and was an Associated Press second team All-American his senior year. Penberthy is 6-3 and played with the Lakers from 2000-02, compiling averages of 4.9 points and 1.3 assists.

Jan. 16

Former NBA forward Brandon Hunter has signed with Panathinaikos in Greece. Hunter is 6-7 and played in the NBA from 2003-05 with Boston and Orlando, compiling career averages of 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. Hunter had been playing in the CBA, and was listed among PBN.com's top 20 minor league players.

Ex-Weber State guard Jermaine Boyette has signed to play with French club Nancy. Boyette is 6-3 and had been playing in the CBA. He has participated in the Utah Jazz's training camp on two occasions.

Jan. 15

Former NBA guard Rodney Buford is in negotiations with Spanish club Akasvayu Girona, and could sign with the team within the next few days. Buford is 6-5 and played in the NBA from 1999-2005 with Miami, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Memphis and New Jersey. He compiled averages of 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Jan. 14

Former NBA All-Star forward Jayson Williams has signed with the CBA's Idaho Stampede. Williams is 6-10 and played in the NBA from 1990-98 with Philadelphia and New Jersey, making the All-Star team in '98. The 37-year old Williams, who faces reckless manslaughter charges related to a 2002 shooting at his New Jersey mansion, has said he hopes to use the CBA as a springboard for his return to the NBA, according to USA Today. Williams compiled NBA career averages of 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds before knee problems forced him to retire. He played nine minutes in his opening game with the Stampede, just a few hours after signing with the team. He scored two points and grabbed four rebounds.

Ex-Fairfield University center Ajou Deng has signed with the Guildford Heat in England. Deng is 6-11 and the brother of Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng.

FRANCHISE/TEAM NEWS:

Rome News - Tribune

The best of 2005

Gladiators win World Basketball Association championship

After a disappointing inaugural season, the Rome Gladiators professional basketball team bounced back in 2005.

The Gladiators, under new ownership, took the World Basketball Association title in 2005.

Rome held off the Mississippi HardHats 103-100 to win the World Basketball Association championship in July, just one season after finishing with a 6-15 record, worst in the WBA.

Former Coosa Eagle and Atlanta Hawk Mike Glenn became the commissioner of the league, adding instant credibility to the organization.

Rome point guard Daryl "Majic" Dorsey won the league's Player of the Year award. Gladiators head coach Harold Ellis also received the Coach of the Year award for leading Rome to a 21-3 regular-season record, tops in the league, and the WBA's Central Division championship.

Dorsey and teammate Edmund Saunders were voted first team All-WBA by the league's executives, coaches and members of the media.

Rome Gladiators Team Picture Rome Gladiators Team Picture

2005 Coach of the Year Harold Ellis 2005 Coach of the Year Harold Ellis

COURTSIDE:

"Where Are They Now"- Rolando Blackman January 31, 2006 By Talia Bargil Dallas Mavs Asst. Coach - Rolando Blackman NBA Legend - Rolando Blackman

From Russia to Africa, longtime Dallas Maverick Rolando "Ro" Blackman has been around the world and back. Currently an assistant coach in the Lone Star State, it looks like he'll be staying put for a while.

After spending 13 successful NBA seasons competing night in and night out, Blackman ventured overseas to give professional ball a chance with teams including those in Greece, France and Italy.

"I still had a great burn and passion to play after the NBA, so my overseas experience was a great deal of fun," said the Panama City, Panama native. "It was a fantastic existence learning about different cultures, different foods. We traveled all over the place, and I enjoyed it all."

Blackman says after a heartbreaking loss to the Houston Rockets during the 1994 NBA Championships, he knew it was time to throw in the towel.

"I had enough of the running, the long practices, the preparation," he said. "The overseas schedule of playing 30 games as opposed to 82 a season was perfect for me at the time."

Upon returning to the United States, Blackman had some unfinished business to take care of.

Mavs Asst. Coach - Rolando Blackman"I had finished my playing career, and I knew it was time to finish the school part," said the Kansas State University graduate who left college with 13 unfinished hours. "I knew I was intelligent, and it was important for me to get away from the negative stigma that athletes don't complete school."

So after a stint as a student again - complete with the all the studying, class sessions and tests that come along with it - the 37-year-old proudly walked across the stage at his KU graduation ceremony.

"It was one of the most nerve-racking moments of my life," he said. "I was so filled with emotion - I hadn't been that nervous in a long time."

It wasn't long before the 1981 first-round draft pick's next opportunity practically fell into his lap. Blackman, with a gift for gab, stumbled into broadcasting and landed gigs on ESPN and CBS, as well as appearances during NCAA March Madness.

"I can still hear the sneakers squeaking," he said.

"Broadcasting was right there in front of me, and I really enjoyed it, especially watching young guys play. I got really good at it."

Now, after serving five seasons with the Mavs as a player development coach and two seasons as the program's director, Blackman, who is only one of two players in Mavericks history to have his number retired, is in his first season as an assistant coach.

"I've been with the Mavs a long time, and I have worked hard for this opportunity from Avery [Johnson]," he said. "I'm learning so much and continuously absorbing." With experience learning from one of the best coaches of all-time, Don Nelson, Blackman gained skill and perspective from whom he refers to as an "unconventional coach."

"Coach Nelson really utilized the power of changing a lineup...He'd put a 6'8" forward at the point guard position and a 2-guard on someone's center," he said. "This non-traditional lineup forced the opponent to react and have to substitute. It was great learning from him, an incredible experience all around."

In his fairly new role as assistant coach, Blackman works tirelessly to prepare his team before each contest, while continuously working on the development of his players.

"I could see myself as a head coach or in management one day," he said. "But for now, I want to make good of this opportunity. I am a loyal member of the Dallas Mavericks and very thirsty to move forward with this group and win."

With Mavs Owner Mark Cuban fighting for a title right alongside his players and coaches, it's clear Blackman's aspirations for his talented team are right on track.

Did You Know?

* He served as an assistant coach for the German National Team, helping to lead them to a bronze medal at the 2002 World Basketball Championships. * He is a husband and father of one son and three daughters. * He is the Mavericks' all-time leading scorer with 16,643 points. * He plays tennis and goes to the movies in his spare time.

PRO BASKETBALL NEWS:

Top 20 Minor League Players

1. Ime Udoka, 6-5, G (Florida Flame - NBA D-League) One of the best rebounding guards in the world, period. Strong mid-range game on offense and a staunch defender. Tough and driven. Averaging 18.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. 2. Will Bynum, 6-0, PG (Roanoke Dazzle - NBA D-League) Leads the D-League in scoring (22.9 ppg) and second in assists (6.9 apg). Very quick and understands what it means to be a leader. Will be back in the NBA before too long. 3. Anthony Grundy, 6-3, PG/SG (Roanoke Dazzle - NBA D-League) He and Bynum form best backcourt in all of minors. Can play either backcourt position equally well. Good range on jumper and an excellent defender. Averaging 22.2 points per game, second in league to Bynum. Tops in steals at 2.4 per game. 4. Jimmie Hunter, 6-4, SG (Gary Steelheads - CBA) Leads the CBA in scoring (27.3 ppg) and seems to improve each week. Very quick with an ability to take the ball to the basket or stop quickly for a pull-up jumper. Similar player to Seattle's Ronald "Flip" Murray. 5. Marcus Fizer, 6-8, SF (Austin Toros - NBA D-League) Former lottery pick continues to get back into shape and refine his game. Powerful down low and effective from the perimeter. Averaging 19.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. 6. Erik Daniels, 6-8, SF (Fayetteville Patriots - NBA D-League) Does everything well -- from score (18.2 ppg) to rebound (8.6 rpg) to defend. Clutch player who knows how to win. Plays hard and smart, and is likely to get a shot at the NBA soon. 7. Sun Yue, 6-9, PG (Beijing Aoshen - ABA) Has been called a Chinese Magic Johnson, mostly because he's big, can handle the ball and pass. Not afraid to bang underneath, either. Was a teammate of Yao Ming on the Chinese national team. Probably more like Hedo Turkoglu than Magic. 8. Marlon Parmer, 6-3, PG (Rockford Lightning - CBA) Heady floor leader who leads the CBA in assists (7.6 points per game). Can take just about anybody one-on-one, and loves to penetrate and dish. No slouch when it comes to scoring, either -- as his 22.3 points per game attest. 9. Rawle Marshall, 6-7, G/F (Fort Worth Flyers - NBA-D-League) Former Maverick is deadly from beyond the three-point arc, hitting 50 percent. Finds ways to get open, receive a pass, square up, and bury the shot. Good athlete who averages 18.6 points. 10. Lawrence Moten, 6-5, SG (Maryland Nighthawks - ABA) Former Grizzlies guard is a silky smooth shooter. Quiet killer who comes across as being laid-back, but capable of erupting for huge scoring outputs when he gets hot. Nighthawks once offered to trade him for Ron Artest. 11. T.J. Thompson, 5-10, PG (Albany Patroons - CBA) Top pick in CBA draft is the league's Allen Iverson. Remarkably quick and tough point guard with a shoot-first mentality. That doesn't keep him from being one of the league's premier passers. Averages 25.1 points and 5.6 assists per game. 12. Armon Gilliam, 6-9, PF (Pittsburgh Xplosion - ABA) Longtime NBA forward continues to be a force in the paint at 40. Possesses an excellent pair of hands and a knack of putting the ball in the basket in traffic. Could still help an NBA club that's seeking toughness off the bench. 13. Antwain Barbour, 6-5, SG (Yakima Sun Kings - CBA) Thin, wiry-type who possess the necessary athleticism to get to the basket. Deadly on three-pointers and seemingly everywhere at once on defense. One scout called him "a poor man's Richard Hamilton." 14. Cory Underwood, 6-10, PF, (Strong Island Sound - ABA) Has been a dominant force inside since coming over from Poland a few weeks ago. Draws fouls and is automatic from the free-throw line. Tenacious rebounder. 15. Anthony Goldwire, 6-2, PG/SG (Yakama Sun Kings - CBA) Longtime ex-NBA journeyman can't be rattled. Calmly runs team and hits big shots. Unselfish and a top-notch distributor. Underrated on defense, too. 16. Bernard McIntosh, 6-7, PF/SF (Gallup Talons - ABA) Powerful and athletic. A bully near the basket with soft hands and strong work ethic. Cofidence level provies him with the highly-sought winner's edge. Averages 23.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game for one of ABA's strongest clubs. 17. Rosell Ellis, 6-6, PF/SF (Yakama Sun Kings - CBA) Sturdy around the basket, and plays bigger than his listed height. Likes to mix it up, but also capable of playing the finesse game. Averages 17.0 points on 56 percent shooting, and grabs 8.1 rebounds per game. 18. Charles Hayes, 6-6, PF/SF (Albuquerque Thunderbirds - NBA D-League) D-League's top rebounder (12.2 rpg) understands the meaning of boxing out. As an added bonus, he can also out-leap opponents to grab an errant shot. Has seemingly come out of nowhere thanks to his great passion. Averages 11.6 points on 54 percent shooting. 19. Chandler Thompson, 6-4, SG (Indiana Alley Cats - ABA) Runs the floor and finishes as well as -- if not better than -- anyone in all of minor-league basketball. High-flyer who once won Spain's dunk contest. Offers a wealth of experience after playing overseas for 13 years. 20. Eric Chenowith, 7-1, C (Idaho Stampede - CBA) Rebounding machine who is underrated at doing the little things -- like passing out of double teams and freeing up shooters with picks. A throw-back center.

THE NEXT 20 21. Tim Hardaway, PG, Florida Pit Bulls (ABA) 22. Mike King, SG, Fayetteville Patriots (D-League) 23. Coleco Buie, SG, Pittsburgh Xplosion (ABA) 24. Alpha Bangura, SG, Idaho Stampede (CBA) 25. Vonteego Cummings, PG, Fort Worth Flyers (D-League) 26. Hiram Fuller, C/PF, Florida Flame (D-League) 27. Roger Powell, SG, Rockford Lightning (CBA) 28. Jerry Dupree, SF, Southern California Legends (ABA) 29. Joe Shipp, SG, Albuquerque Thunderbirds (D-League) 30. Kareem Reid, PG, Arkansas RimRockers (NBA D-League) 31. David Jackson, G, Idaho Stampede (CBA) 32. Kasib Powell, SG, Dakota Wizards (CBA) 33. Chris Carrawell, SF, Rochester RazorSharks (ABA) 34. Theron Smith, PF, Florida Flame (D-League) 35. Kenyon Gamble, C, Rockford Lightning (CBA) 36. Tim Ellis, PG, Tacoma Navigators (ABA) 37. Ronnie Fields, SG, Rockford Lightning (CBA) 38. Cheyne Gadson, PG, Yakama Sun Kings (CBA) 39. Shawn Fountain, PG, Indiana Alley Cats (ABA) 40. Damion Dantzler, PF, Dakota Wizards (CBA)

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