PIKEVILLE, KY. – Two East Kentucky Miners landed on ProBasketballNews.com’s Top 20 Minor Leaguers list that was released April 25. The list, complied by Pro Basketball News Editor Sam Amico, rated Miners guard Josh Pace as the fourth-best minor league professional basketball player. East Kentucky forward James “Boo” Jackson was ranked 11th overall in the Top 20 players list. 

Pace led the CBA in scoring during the 2007-08 season, averaging 23 points per game. A former New Zealand Player of the Year, Pace helped the Miners to a 26-22 regular-season record. Pace was also a member of the CBA American Conference All-Star team. During East Kentucky’s debut season, Pace had back-to-back triple-double performances. He ended the season with a league-high three triple-doubles. 

Pace is scheduled to work out for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors in June. 

“I'm very proud of what Josh was able to accomplish with us during our debut season,” said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. “He's a player that has a lot of upside and for Sam Amico to rate Josh so high says a lot about how far he has progressed. Josh will only get better.” 

Jackson finished East Kentucky’s inaugural season as the CBA’s sixth-leading scorer, averaging 21.4 points per game. Also an American Conference All-Star, Jackson was the CBA’s second leading rebounder, pulling down 10.4 boards per game. Jackson led the CBA in offensive rebounds (3.9 rpg) and shooting from the field (53.2 percent). He had a 40-point scoring outburst against Great Falls in a road game played February 13. 

“When I recruited Boo, he had very little pro experience and there were many unknowns about him,” Keathley confided. “After doing my homework and evaluating him in an individual workout I saw a player who had all the makings of being an important component to our basketball team. Boo is one of the more offensively fundamental bigmen in minor league basketball today. We are very happy for Josh and Boo.” 
 
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ProBasketballNews.com 
Top 20 Minor Leaguers 
 
1. Kasib Powell, 6-7, F, Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League) 
2. Randy Livingston, 6-4, G, Idaho Stampede (D-League) 
3. Daryan Selvy, 6-6, F, Oklahoma Cavalry (CBA) 
4. Josh Pace, 6-4, G, East Kentucky Miners (CBA) 
5. Anthony Anderson, 5-11, G, Manchester Millrats (ABA) 
6. Eddie Gill, 6-1, G, Colorado 14ers (D-League) 
7. Ronnie Fields, 6-4, G, Minot Skyrockets (CBA) 
8. Sun Yue, 6-9, G, Beijing Aoshen (ABA) 
9. Sean Banks, 6-8, F, Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League) 
10. Ian Mahinmi, 6-9, C, Austin Toros (D-League) 
11. James "Boo" Jackson, 6-9, F, East Kentucky Miners (CBA) 
12. Kaniel Dickens, 6-8, F, Colorado 14ers (D-League) 
13. Issa Konare, 6-8, F, Vermont Frost Heaves (ABA) 
14. Mario Kinsey, 6-2, G, Texas Tycoons (ABA) 
15. Lamond Murray, 6-7, F, Los Angeles Lightning (IBL) 
16. Andre Barrett, 5-11, G, Austin Toros (D-League) 
17. Eric Crookshank, 6-7, F, Halifax Rainmen (ABA) 
18. Desmond Ferguson, 6-7, G, Yakama Sun Kings (CBA) 
19. Rod Benson, C, Dakota Wizards (D-League) 
20. Moochie Norris, 6-1, G, Yakama Sun Kings (CBA)