Xplosion re-sign Armon Gilliam
September 5, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
PITTSBURGH, September 5, 2006 - The Pittsburgh Xplosion announced today that Armon Gilliam agreed to a contract extension for the 2006-07 season.
In his first year with the Xplosion, Gilliam was named to the All-ABA Second Team after averaging 23.0 points and 9.0 rebounds. Selected as the Most Valuable Player of the ABA All-Star Game, he guided the team to an 18-12 record and the Second Round of the League playoffs.
"Basketball is on their radar again in Pittsburgh," related Gilliam. "I want to make this work and having a guy who played in the NBA can only be asset. I'm healthy, I can still contribute on the court and I want to bring championship back to my hometown."
"We're pleased that Armon has chosen to return for another season," stated Xplosion CEO Richard Hersperger. "He can still play the game at a very high level and also serve as a mentor for many of our younger players. He's a great ambassador for basketball in the region."
The native of Bethel Park, Pa. starred at Bethel Park High School and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He was a finalist for the prestigious Wooden Award after averaging 23.2 point and 9.3 rebounds as a senior while leading UNLV to the NCAA Final Four in 1987.
The second overall pick in the 1987 NBA draft, Gilliam enjoyed a 13-year NBA career playing for six NBA teams - the Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz.
After retiring from the NBA in 2000, Armon applied his basketball talent to coaching. He served as a volunteer assistant at Mount Lebanon High School in 2000-01. He then spent the 2001-02 season as the head coach at Penn State-McKeesport, guiding the Lions to a 13-9 record in his only year at the junior college. The next year, he was named head coach of Penn State-Altoona. He spent three years (2002-05) at the Division III program.
Season ticket packages start at $125. Call the Pittsburgh Xplosion ticket office at (877) 410-9900 for more information.
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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