The Eastern Basketball Alliance (EBA) today announced that it has added the Portsmouth Cavaliers to its 2010/2011 line-up of teams

"We are very pleased to welcome the Portsmouth Cavaliers and its President and CEO, Marvin Waters, Jr. to the EBA,' said league president Dick Anzolut. "Mr. Waters has assembled a management team that will assure the city of Portsmouth a quality team, both on and off the court."

Joining on the senior management team are Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Derry Haywood III, and Director of Player Personnel, Anthony Perry. The Cavaliers will be coached by Greg Edwards and will play at Portsmouth Catholic High School.

Visit the Cavaliers' website at www.portsmouthcavaliers.com

Congratulations to EBA's Washington Madness for their championship win of the world-famous Nike Pro-City Kenner League in Washington, DC.

Games were played in mid-summer in the McDonough Arena at Georgetown University.

As the New York Wizards continue to strive towards their ultimate goal in the EBA, a Championship, their community service and volunteering efforts have assisted others in reaching the championship level!

In the summer of 2009 a friendship between Wizards Guard Greg Cerillo Jr. and Clinton Brown III resulted in the Wizards appearing at the 2009 Little People of America National Conference in Brooklyn NY. The Wizards were a huge hit!

Much like many conferences the Wizards and their players exchanged contact information with many present, in particular local DAAA (Dwarf Athletic Association of America) basketball team and General Manager Clint Brown of the NY Towers, and all promised to stay in touch.

“Greg contacted me within about a week after the 2009 conference” Stated Clint Brown III of the NY Towers “We talked for awhile and found out we have a lot in common. It was during this conversation that Greg asked what he could do to help us. We finished 3rd at the 2009 DAAA Championships and all every player wanted to do was win a championship. Greg was a former NJCAA National Champion and a basketball instructor and we knew he would know exactly what we could do to win.”

A practice was soon arranged, which turned into several practices, and the NY Towers soon had a structure and foundation, which matched their work ethic and desire.

“Greg Cerillo Jr. showing up to our practice to help coach our players was a step towards our ultimate goal” Stated Clint Brown “It is rare indeed that a professional player is so willing to give of his time. In addition to being a great player Greg is a great guy”

The fruits of the NY Towers efforts can be seen in the below photo. Congratulations to the NY Towers who recently won the 2010 DAAA National Basketball Champions.

“I was glad to be recognized as any part of the success that the NY Towers have had this season” Stated Greg Cerillo Jr. “Truly though it is the efforts of Clint Brown and his team which secured this championship. Their story is inspirational to me and I certainly will share it with my teammates this year in our quest to accomplish what the Towers have accomplished.”

Winchester (VA) Storm has been announced as the newest member of the Eastern Basketball Alliance.

The team will be under the direction of Winchester, VA native, Norman Blowe. As General Manager, Blowe will be responsible for the everyday operation and marketing of the team.

The Storm was welcomed into the league at a joint press conference held at the Aloft Hotel in Winchester by league President, Richard Anzolut. “We’re looking forward to the Storm playing this upcoming season,” Anzolut said. “Geographically, they are ideally situated for our league, being halfway between existing teams in Roanoke and Harrisburg as well as within a comfortable driving distance of Washington, DC.”

Blowe will be naming a coach shortly and will conduct tryouts in August for the Shenandoah Valley athletes.

For information contact the Winchester Storm at winchesterstorm@yahoo.com or by calling (540) 327-8914.

The EBA will begin its games in November and continue through the playoffs in mid-March.

The Salem Mustangs are very excited to make this press release today (7-20-2010). We will no longer be known as the Salem Mustangs we have changed our name to the Old Dominion Mustangs. We are also very pleased to announce that the team will be playing at Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke this season. There is preparation going on in the gym to accommodate for a Pro Basketball team. We have painted the NBA Court markings and also are having shot clocks mounted in the gym. And the school is upgrading their PA system. The Mustangs will also have new Home and Away uniforms this season, and we have purchased 15 new “The Rock” Basketballs for game time warm ups and practice.

The Old Dominion Mustangs will be hosting a basketball jamboree on Oct.2 for official and table training for the EBA and we will also be evaluating players. The Old Dominion Mustangs will be playing the West Virginia Blazers of the ABA in a preseason game at the Roanoke Civic Center after the NBA preseason game between the Sixers and Nets. We plan on playing preseason games on OCT. 9,16,23,30 as well. We will hold (2) tryouts one on July 31 from 2-5pm and the other on August 28 from 2-5pm.

The Old Dominion Mustangs are very pleased to name Ed Green as the President of the team. Ed has coached College basketball and High School basketball for years and was an Athletic Director also. His experience will be a great asset to the team as we continue to grow as a franchise.

The team has a new website so you can keep up with the team: www.olddominionmustangs.com. We look forward to the 2010-2011 season in the EBA, and hope to improve both on and off the court this season.

 
What do Tiger Woods, the New York Yankees, the New York Knicks, Lebron James, and the EBA’s New York Wizards have in common?  They were all feature stories on Long Island/New York News12 Television on Wednesday 6/30/2010 potentially airing in approximately 3 Million People’s homes!
 
News12 did a feature story on former Long Island High School basketball stars playing for the New York Wizards.  The story originally aired at 5:50 PM on Wednesday 6/30 and was broadcast hourly throughout the entire evening.  Click on the link below to see the entire broadcast!
 
“People are beginning to clearly understand the quality of basketball in the EBA and the quality of the players representing the New York Wizards” Stated Wizards General Manager Stephen Geick “When you combine internet coverage, print coverage, television coverage, and our weekly radio broadcasts the Wizards have placed themselves in a unique position allowing maximum promotion for our league, our team, and individual players.”
 
On Sunday July 4th between 9:00 – 11:00 PM sports fans can tune into WGBB Radio 1240 on your AM dial and hear local Sports Broadcasting Legend Frank Maniscalco, known as “Frankie the Sports Guy”, interview Wizards Head Coach Greg Cerillo.  Frankie the Sports Guy will be the voice of the New York Wizards starting in November of 2010 broadcasting all NY Wizards Home Games Live! Theses upcoming live radio broadcasts are virtually unprecedented for minor league basketball!!!
 

6/16/2010

PASSAIC (NJ) – On Sunday June 13th, the North Jersey Pros held tryouts for players interested in being part of the 2010-2011 EBA season. There were about 25 players who showed up with exceptional basketball skills and experience. There were players who have played in countries such as Germany, Poland, Dominican Republic, and many other minor leagues and colleges in here in the U.S.

It was obvious to the coaches and team owner/player, Christian Villar, that there was enough talent in attendance to put the final pieces together of what is needed to make the North Jersey Pros a title contending team.

According to Villar, this only shows that the North Jersey Pros organization is catching the interest of talented players as well as the support of community leaders. Dr. Alex Blanco, the mayor of the City of Passaic, was in attendance supporting the North Jersey Pros.

It was also made clear to the players that skills and talent were only half of what it would take to play for the Pros, as Villar reminded players of the fact that players would have to be able to be active role models within the community.

One of the biggest priorities for the North Jersey Pros organization in the community is to use the game of basketball as a means to reaching out to youth and community leaders in order to address everyday issues that are affecting our youth, families, schools, and communities.

Dr. Blanco said in his address to the team. “When Chris came to my office and we spoke about the team and the concept, I fell in love with it. It is not just the sports aspect, but what you guys are made of that will help the city of Passaic, especially the youth, by being role models.”

“You guys are key players in the future of our children, and I want you to realize it because once you step outside, you guys are seen like role models, someone the kids will look up to. It is an honor for me to have the North Jersey Pros here in the city of Passaic, not only because of the basketball portion of it, but because of the passion for the children and education and betterment of the community.”

It all starts at home and giving back for the Pros and Dr. Blanco pushed that point once again when he left this parting shot for the players at the tryout.

The coaching staff and team owner will take a week to evaluate players' performances, playing experience, and ability to be committed to the team and community before any decision is made on who makes the team.

Once the missing pieces are added to the roster the team will play in exhibition games against other pro teams and start hosting community events to let everyone know the Pros will be winners on and off the basketball courts.

More...

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In an effort to create a flagship professional basketball franchise the New York Wizards have taken several steps, both on and off the court, to create an environment for their players and their team’s success.

From a basketball perspective the Wizards utilize a 52-week a year basketball philosophy, which attempts to keep their interested or primary players active and working as a team all year long. This philosophy has allowed the Wizards to:

Play at Madison Square Garden in 2009 as part of a NY Liberty Doubleheader
Participate in no less than 5 Charity and Fundraising events in 2009/2010
Run Off Season Camps and Clinics
Engage players in paid Private Instruction Opportunities
Schedule weekly practices
Schedule a 2-3 Day Overnight Training Camp in 2010
Schedule a Wizards Family Day in July of 2010 at an Upstate NY Campground inclusive of a team picnic, boating, music, and of course basketball
Schedule an Off Season game at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Mass in October of 2010

From a community, opportunity, and off court perspective, the Wizards have taken steps to match there on court success (The NY Wizards were Empire Division Champions this year and earned their way into the EBA Final Four in Washington DC in March of 2010). Over the past two seasons the Wizards have:

Secured no less than 6 current or former players full time employment at jobs which included 401 K, Tuition Reimbursement, Medical benefits, etc.
Provided players Part Time employment opportunities in basketball instruction related positions at salary ranges from $20 – 75 per hour
Had 2 current or former players sign with the Harlem Globetrotters
Had 2 current or former players sign overseas contracts

Now the Wizards are pleased to announce a business relationship with PrideStaff (www.pridestaff.com) of Melville NY. “PrideStaff is a national staffing organization delivering innovative solutions to the challenges employers face every day. Through a combination of strong leadership at the national and local level, PrideStaff has consistently delivered exceptional service to clients and field associates. PrideStaff has a 25 plus year history, and year after year their growth has consistently outpaced the growth of the staffing industry.”
“In my conversations via e-mail and telephone with Melville PrideStaff Owner and President Aaron Zweback, I knew they were a perfect fit for our overall goals” Stated Wizards Head Coach and Owner Greg Cerillo Sr. “PrideStaff will work with our Wizards players in an effort to help find them employment opportunities, in and out of season, which will allow them to continue to pursue their basketball dreams. With the assistance and effort of outstanding local business professionals like Aaron Zweback and his PrideStaff team, our Wizards team will be able to provide our players a unique opportunity few other minor league franchises can match.”

Monday, May 10, 2010 – Harrisburg, PA

The EBA today simultaneously announced their End-of-Year Honors and All-EBA Teams.

Fahreed Cheatham, forward from the Delaware Destroyers was named the EBA MVP. Dallas Comegys, former DePaul University All-American, repeated as EBA Coach of the Year, guiding his Destroyers to their second straight league title. Nick Carter, of the New York Wizards, was named Rookie of the Year.

Fahreed Cheatham garnered the league’s top award with his all-around stellar play throughout the entire season. He led his team to a repeat league championship, averaging 22.0 ppg combined with 11.0 rebounds. When his team needed him most, he scored his season-high 45 points against Harrisburg in the Round of 8.

Dallas Comegys won Coach of the Year honors for the second straight year as he led Delaware to a repeat EBA Championship with a 14-1 record. Finishing second in the ballots for Coach of the Year was Greg Cerillo of the New York Wizards. Greg reaped support for taking his second-year team to the EBA Final Four.

Rookie of the Year was awarded to New York Wizards', Nick Carter. The 6' 1" guard from C.W. Post averaged 21.6 ppg with 4.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds.

1st Team - All EBA
Fahreed Cheatham	Forward	6' 6	DE Destroyers
Earnie Graham	Forward	6' 9	Washington Madness
Calvin Brown	Center	6' 8	Metropolitan All-Stars
Angelo Hernandez	Guard	6' 4	Nova Hawks
Nick Carter	Guard	6' 1	New York Wizards
2nd Team - All EBA
Jason Clark	Forward	6' 8	Norfolk Tru Hope Trailblazers
Ed Jones	Forward	6' 7	Nova Hawks
Michah Davenport	Center	6' 7	Harrisburg Horizon
Dijuan Hankins	Guard	6' 1	Salem Mustangs
Darian Lee	Guard	6' 3	Washington Madness
Honorable Mention
Justin Carter	Guard	6' 3	Garden State Rebels
Philip Frazier	Guard	6' 0	Virginia Wolverines
Hugh Jones	Guard	6' 3	Washington Madness
Kojak McCoy	Guard	6' 4	DE Destroyers
Louis McCroskie	Forward	6' 5	Hudson Valley Hype
Mike McDuffie	Forward	6' 4	New York Wizards
Charles Parker	Guard	6' 4	Harrisburg Horizon
Kirk Stewart	Forward	6' 6	Elmira Bulldogs

The Eastern Basketball Alliance announced today that they will be partnering with the Midwest Opportunity Group for their 2010 Basketball Exposure Camp and Career Expo on May 26-29, 2010 in Cambridge, Ohio.

EBA President, Dick Anzolut, said "This is a perfect union for our league as we move into the Ohio Valley for the upcoming 2010/2011 season. The camp will give our team owners a look at the available talent from the Ohio region."

For more information about the Exposure Camp, call David Moore at (614) 859-3999 or email him at dmoore@midwestoppgroup.org.