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PIKEVILLE, KY (Aug 5, 2007) – Aspiring professional basketball players from as far away as Texas journeyed to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday for a highly-anticipated free agent camp.

The East Kentucky Miners, an expansion team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), held their inaugural free agent camp at the Pikeville College Gym. Twenty-one different players took part in the free agent camp, performing in front of East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley and other members of the Miners organization. Among the participants were former NCAA Division I players from Kentucky, Louisville, Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky.

"A lot of times, you never know what you'll get with a camp," Keathley commented at the end of the camp's second and final session. "With this camp, the talent was consistent. There were seven to 10 quality players. With the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University represented, you know you are getting a quality talent pool."

The camp was split into two sessions. In the evening session, four teams scrimmaged.

Several local players, including Pikeville College and Alice Lloyd College products, competed in hopes of catching the attention of the East Kentucky head coach. "On the local side, Pikeville College and Alice Lloyd College representatives held their own," Keathley said.

Former University of Louisville standout Bryant Northern, and Brandon Stockton, a former Kentucky Mr. Basketball who played for the University of Kentucky, were among the 21 participants. Northern played for Keathley as a member of the ABA's Kentucky Colonels.

"Bryant Northern is much more mature as a leader on the floor and he's stronger," Keathley said. "He's the type of player who would work well within my system. Brandon Stockton shot the ball extremely well and enjoyed some success when penetrating through the lane."

Prior to the free agent camp, Keathley remained busy looking for players for the first edition of East Kentucky Miners. "This free agent camp just adds to the talent pool we've been assembling," Keathley added. "There were several players who took part in the camp that really impressed me."

According to Keathley, another free agent camp could be held in late-September or early-October.

The following is a list of individuals who participated in the East Kentucky Miners' first-ever free agent camp held Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Pikeville College Gym.

 

No. Player College Pro Experience

9 Ramon Taylor, Eastern Illinois, IBL, ABA, Mexico

5 Brandon Stockton, Kentucky, ABA

41 Butch Jointer, Western Kentucky

3 John White, Eastern Kentucky

8 Robert Smith, Coppin St./Idaho St.

80 Ben Valentine, Pikeville

21 Tory Robertson, Evansville

12 Bryant Northern, Louisville/NKU, KIBA, KBDL, ABA

7 Neil Rasnake, Western Carolina, WBA

14 Tim Gray, Spaulding, ABA, Portugal

13 Mike Newsome ,N/A

17 Willie Richard, Jarvis Christian

60 Danny Rice, Southwestern

18 Micah Oden, Alice Lloyd/Pikeville

19 Jarvis Bogar, Jarvis Christian

20 Eugene Green, Indiana Wesleyan

40 Justin Chaffins, Alice Lloyd

10 Ernest Jones, Florida State, USBL, ABA

42 Jeremy Daniels, Alice Lloyd

2 Daniel Price, Pikeville

4 Mark King, Pikeville, ABA

 

Contact: Steve LeMaster, Director of Public Relations
Phone: (606) 437-9715
Fax:     (606) 437-9725
Email: stevenlemaster@ekminers.com