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*** PREMIER BASKETBALL LEAGUE MAIN PAGE ***
 | PBL announces first Tryout Combine | |
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| |  | The Premier Basketball League will host the first of several National PBL Player Tryout Combines on Saturday July 26, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The PBL Combine will be held at the famed Attack Athletics facility from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Players can register online at www.pblproball.com Registration will also be accepted on site beginning at 8:00 a.m. Player agents and professional scouts are welcome at no charge but are asked to e-mail prior so credentials will be ready upon arrival. The PBL Mid-West Combine will be the first of several National Player Combines hosted by the Premier Basketball League, leading to the PBL Lottery Draft in early fall. Twenty-five (25) players will be selected from the tryout camps to become eligible to be selected by a PBL team. PBL teams will hold a lottery draw before the Draft to slot each club's selection order. Players included in the PBL Lottery Draft may also be considered for one of the limited League Franchise Player contracts. |
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| Halifax jumps to PBL too | |
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| | | The Halifax Rainmen will reunite with most of their former ABA rivals in the Premier Basketball League next season. Rainmen majority owner Andre Levingston announced that the team will join the PBL after their efforts to enter the NBA Development League by the fall were unsuccessful. Levingston said the NBA league hasn't made a decision on granting Halifax an expansion franchise by the 2009-10 season, and this caused the moving to the PBL. The total of the teams registered to play in the 2008-09 PBL is now 18, a dramatic enlargement from the 10 teams of the league inaugural edition. |
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| Mario Kinsey First and Only PBL player to be named one of the top 20 minor leaguers | |
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| | | Mario Kinsey (6'2''-G-82, college: Sam Houston St.) of the Texas Tycoons and the Dallas PBL team is the first player in the PBL's inaugural season to be named to Pro Basketball News top 20 minor leaguers. Mario is the first and only player with any PBL experience to be acknowledged on this well respected list of the top 20 minor league players in the country. Pro Basketball news composes the list of players from all US based minor leagues, including the NBA D-League, CBA, ABA, PBL and IBL as well as all other US minor leagues. Mario was rated the 14th best player in the country from the top 20 player list.
When asked about being considered indirectly the best player in the PBL Mario was humble about his accomplishment. 'Their is a lot of great talent in the PBL, it is quite an honor for me to be considered the only player from that league to make the top 20 list. I have a lot of work to do still, to obtain my dream of playing in the NBA.' Mario averaged close to 30pts a game in the PBL for Dallas, to help resurrect the season. For more information and to see the complete list please visit http://probasketballnews.com/minorstop20_042508.html |
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| The Krunk joins PBL | |
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| | | The Premier Basketball League announced that the Augusta Groove, formerly known as the Atlanta Krunk, have been accepted into the league for the upcoming 2008-09 season. The Krunk was purchased at the end of the 2008 CBA season and relocated to Augusta Georgia. 'We spent time examining both leagues and it was an easy decision to apply for membership into the PBL,' said Groove owner Gary Perry (6'1''-G-68, college: Boston Coll.). 'Having solid ownership groups and league initiatives benefiting all the teams, coupled with controlled expansion, solidified the PBL as a great fit for the Groove. We wish the CBA the best moving forward.' In addition to Perry, the ownership group consists of two other area businessmen Lavon Mercer and Ricky Brown. All three played in the NBA and met while playing overseas before coming together after leaving professional basketball. For information on the Augusta Groove, contact Gary Perry at (404) 863-7754 or Ricky Brown at (678) 898-5279 or via e-mail at Augustagroove@gmail.com |
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| New teams join the PBL | |
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| | | The 'big escape' of the better organized teams from the ABA hasn' t stopped yet. The Premier Basketball League officially announced that the Quebec City Kebekwa, of Canada, have been accepted into the league and will begin play in the upcoming 2008/2009 season. 'Quebec solidifies the PBL's expansion into Canada,' said PBL Chairman of the Board Dr. Severko Hrywnak . 'We have strong ownership groups in Canada which only adds to the overall strength of the league. Basketball fans in Canada have much to be excited about.' In the same time, the league announced that a franchise from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, have joined the PBL as an expansion team for the upcoming season. The team will be named Montreal Sasquatch and its ownership group is headed by Real Bourassa, CEO of Groupe Conseil Refrence Inc. The day after, it was announced that another team has joined the league, this too from the ABA, even if played only few games in 2007-08 season. The name of the team is Detroit Panthers, and is owned by Detroit native and successful businessman Kevin A. Carter , Chairman of the Carter Organization, Inc. The total number of teams announced to play in the PBL in 2008-09 season is now 13 and 11 of them were originally in the ABA. At this point, we are expecting a move from the Halifax Rainmen, another former ABA team that could join the PBL soon... |
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| Could this be the end for the ABA? | |
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| | | The Premier Basketball League announced today that the Vermont Frost Heaves and Manchester Millrats have left the American Basketball Association and will join the PBL for the 2008-2009 season. Reliable sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity have said Quebec City Kebekwa and Montreal Royals will also leave the ABA with that announcement to be made on Monday. Other sources are reporting the mass exodus will continue as the Texas Tycoons are set to leave the ABA with Tycoons owner Charles Key taking over operations of the Dallas Defenders.
These are moves that have been anticipated for many weeks as the solid ABA teams have grown weary of the leagues instability. Last year, 36 percent of the leagues games were played with 17 teams folding over the course of the season, including Halifax Rainmen who folded despite the fact they had qualified for the playoffs.
PBL President and CEO Thomas E. Doyle said in a news release, We receive a tremendous number of inquires and applications and are excited to welcome these solid organizations which will be great compliments to our current ownership groups,'
Just about everyone I have spoken with has said the instability of the ABA is going to be the reason for its downfall. Frost Heaves owner Alex Wolff said about his decision, When the season ended, we started to look at other opportunities, those being the CBA and the PBL. We needed to be with a league we could count on, and our loyal fans deserve better. Wolff also cited the Blizzard game and said he expects the level of competition to be much stronger in the PBL and there will be the revival of some old rivalries. Wolff said, We had a great run in the ABA with two titles, and we loved the tradition of the ABA, but we will also be able to continue some great rivalries with Rochester, Maryland and Wilmington.
Manchester Millrats GM Ian McCarthy said of the Millrats move to the PBL, We know what the ABA has not been able to deliver and we see this as a great opportunity for the franchise and our fans. McCarthy also responded to rumors that the PBL actively recruited the Millrats by saying, The PBL did not recruit us. At the end of the season we went to them (PBL) and the CBA because we needed to find a place that was more stable and has a better business model. The PBL has quite a few financial incentives as well where they pay for travel and officials.
In response to the departure of Vermont and Manchester, CEO Joe Newman said, We respect their decision and wish them well. Today, the ABA is bigger, stronger and more focused on the tremendous opportunity ahead. The 2008-2009 season will be a remarkable sign of growth for the ABA.
When asked how the defections of Vermont, et al will affect the ABA, in an e-mail message, ABA President and Chief Operating Officer Quinton Townsend said, The ABA is now entering its seventh year since its return. The ABA is bigger, stronger, and more focused on the tremendous opportunity ahead. The 2008-2009 season will be a remarkable sign of growth for the ABA as key adjustments are being made to solidify and secure a proper foundation that is both marketable and profitable. There will be several announcements over the next few weeks regarding new expansion teams, ABA regulations, and league scheduling.
I think the big question is whether or not the ABA can survive. The ABA has seen 185 teams (Including Manchester, Vermont, Montreal Royals and Quebec) depart the league since its rebirth in 2000-2001. There have been scandals where coaches have been fired during a timeout; the mysterious case of the Hawaii owner who sold season tickets and took off with the deposits, and who can forget the eight teams who left the league during the playoffs? Did I mention these teams had qualified for the playoffs?
The ABA needs to become more stable and they need to do it quickly. CEO Newman has previously stated new teams will be required to post a $30,000 entrance fee and prove a line of credit. On paper this is a good step, but according to sources, Newman is not collecting any of those fees and is allowing teams into the league at no cost. There have also been allegations Newman is intentionally putting teams into PBL and CBA markets to try and taint their respective leagues. These are things that have helped in ruining the reputation of the ABA.
Overall, this is a coup for the PBL and a blow to the ABA. The PBL has been able to secure four solid franchises with solid and reputable ownership and management. The PBL is making a strong case as being one of, if not the top league in minor league basketball and I only see that case being enhanced. The ABA on the other hand is going downhill fast.
Chris Munson is a freelance writer and broadcaster based in Burlington, Vermont. (Soon to be Jacksonville, Florida) Chris is the former Sports Director for ESPN Radio Vermont and has written for Our Sports Central, US Basket, Varsity Magazine, the Vermont Guardian and the Vermont Times. |
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| Manchester and Vermont join Premier Basketball League | |
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| | | Two of the top ABA teams in 2007-08 season, the Manchester Millrats and the Vermont Frost Heaves, have officially joined the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for the upcoming 2008-09 season. 'We receive a tremendous number of inquires and applications and are excited to welcome these solid organizations which will be great compliments to our current ownership groups,' stated Premier Basketball League President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas E. Doyle. The Vermont Frost Heaves were two time ABA Champions, and the Millrats were responsible for Vermont's four losses this season. As a first consequence of this move, the rivalry that was established between Vermont and Manchester will continue in the PBL. Other regional teams of interest currently in the PBL include the reigning league champions Rochester Razorsharks, the Maryland Nighthawks, the Reading (Pa) Railers, the Wilmington (NC) Sea Dawgs, and expansion teams in Buffalo and Toronto, Canada. |
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| 2008 PBL Top Single Game performers | |
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| | | With the same, strange one-month delay, the Premier Basketball League released also the 2008 single game performances. The list is as follows:
MOST POINTS, SINGLE GAME PTS
Randy Gill (6'2''-G-78, college: Bowie St.) Maryland v. Rochester February 24, 2008 45
Anthony Lumpkin (6'1''-G-78, college: SW Oklahoma St.) Jacksonville at Quad Cities March 15, 2008 45
FIELD GOALS MADE, SINGLE GAME FGM
Anthony Lumpkin Jacksonville at Quad Cities March 15, 2008 17
FREE THROWS MADE, SINGLE GAME FTM
Andrew Washington (6'3''-G-84, college: Delaware) Maryland v. Wilmington February 9, 2008 18
3-POINT FIELD GOALS MADE, SINGLE GAME 3PM
Ameer Watts (5'10''-G-82, college: Missouri So.) Rockford v. Dallas February 23, 2008 10
REBOUNDS, SINGLE GAME
Tearon Hill (6'9''-F/C-86) Dallas at Rochester March 5, 2008 24
ASSISTS, SINGLE GAME
Lonnie Randolph (6'1''-G-83, college: Drake) Dallas at Rockford January 13, 2008 19
STEALS, SINGLE GAME
Quinton Gibson (6'1''-G, college: Robert Morris) Quad Cities v. Dallas January 4, 2008 12
BLOCKED SHOTS, SINGLE GAME
Reggie George (6'10''-C-85, college: Robert Morris) Rockford v. Chicago February 24, 2008 9 |
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| PBL 2008 MVP and All-League teams announced | |
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| | | With a strange one-month delay, the Premier Basketball League announced the 2008 PBL MVP and All-League Teams. The list is as follows:
PBL Most Valuable Player: Jeremy Bell (6'0''-G-83, college: Williams Baptist) (6'0''-G-83, college: Williams Baptist), Arkansas Impact
PBL Playoff Most Valuable Player: Keith Friel (6'4''-G-77, college: Virginia), Rochester Razorsharks
PBL Coach of the Year: Rod Baker , Rochester Razorsharks
PBL First Team:
Player Pos Ht College 2007-08 Stats
Jeremy Bell, Arkansas G 6'1' Williams Baptist 23.0 ppg, League MVP
Tayron Thomas (6'3''-G, college: Philadelphia), Reading 17.4 ppg, 5.7 apg
James Reaves (6'8''-F-82, college: Niagara), Rochester 14.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg
Frank Richards (6'2''-G-82, college: Kansas St.), Rockford 17.1 ppg, 37 steals
Bobby Anderson (6'6''-G-79, college: Independence CC), Quad City 18.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg
PBL Second Team:
Player Pos Ht College 2007-08 Stats
Stanley Thomas (6'3''-G-80, King HS (Ill.)), |
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