May 20, 2004

Blue Ducks set for return to Brevard

Homestand begins with 7PM contest Friday against Brooklyn Kings, return of former Gator star, Teddy Dupay

Melbourne, Florida – He’s baaack!

Former Florida Gator Teddy Dupay makes his long-awaited return to the Brevard Blue Ducks when they take on the Brooklyn Kings Friday night at the Clemente Center at Florida Tech in Melbourne.

Dupay, who came to the Ducks along with fellow UF stars Brett Nelson, Kenyan Weaks and Brent Wright had yet to see action after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to clean up debris left from an ACL surgery a year ago.

“I am really looking forward to playing and helping out my Blue Ducks,” remarked Dupay.

The Gator experiment has been anything but successful thus far for Brevard. Nelson, thought to be a sure-fire NBA prospect while in his junior year at Florida, continued the shooting slump he began as a senior, connecting on only 23% of his shots for the Ducks. He was released two weeks ago. Brent Wright, whom the Ducks were counting on at the power forward spot got spooked at Nelson’s release and left the team. Weaks has been on the injured reserve list with sore knees since the season opener, though he’s expected to return to the active roster soon.

As a result, the chemistry the Ducks thought they’d have from the start of the season, hasn’t materialized.

“We certainly haven’t gotten the dividends we had hoped for with the UF connection so far,” remarked Duck owner, Mike Richman. “But the second half of the season marks a new beginning for us. We’re finally getting our guys together and we have no excuses as we prepare to make our run.”

The second half of the 2004 USBL season begins with a 10-day, 6-game homestand. Following Friday’s Brooklyn contest, the Ducks will host Brooklyn again on Sunday in a 5 PM game, followed by Wednesday (26th) and Friday (28th) against former New York Knick, John Starks and his Westchester Wildfire. They finish with games Saturday (29th) against the Kansas Cagerz and Sunday (30th) against the Cedar Rapids River Raiders.

The Blue Ducks recently began their third year of USBL action. The USBL is in its 19th season and has sent over 140 players on to the NBA. Stars such as Avery Johnson, Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Charlie Ward and former Orlando Magic player, Darrell Armstrong all came from the USBL.

For more information or for tickets, call 751-BLUE (2583) or log onto the Blue Ducks website at www.BrevardBlueDucks.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Clemente Center box office starting an hour before each game.

DUCK NOTES: In an effort to bolster their team for the second half of the season, the Blue Ducks have made several changes to their roster, bringing back from their first season, 6-9, 275 lbs. power forward Toshiro Germany (Cal State - Bakersfield) and 6-8, 235 lbs. forward, B.B.Waldon (Univ. S. Florida) as well activating Teddy Dupay and Kenyan Weeks. Also, activated: Randy “White Chocolate” Gill (Bowie State). Released: guards Terrence Simmons and Don Carlisle. Center Darrell Johns has been placed in injured reserve.

HOMESTAND GAME PROMOTIONS:

Friday – May 21st vs. Brooklyn Kings @ 7PM – Complete Business Solutions Basketball Night – The first 250 kids attending will receive FREE glow-in-the-dark mini basketballs.

FEATURING: Return of former Florida Gator, Teddy Dupay

Sunday – May 23rd vs. Brooklyn Kings @ 5PM – Complete Business Solutions Thunderstix Night - First 250 kids get a FREE pair of Brevard Blue Ducks collectable Thunderstix.

FEATURING: Return of street basketball legend, Randy “White Chocolate” Gill. SCCU Super Sunday. Half-price admission with SCCU coupons.

Wednesday – May 26th vs. Westchester Wildfire @ 7PM – Complete Business Solutions FM Radio Night – First 250 kids get a FREE FM “Walkman” style personal stereo.

FEATURING: Return of former New York Knick, John Starks to Brevard

Friday – May 28th vs. Westchester Wildfire @ 7PM - Cumulus Night. Meet WA1A DJ’s Adam and Jai.

FEATURING: John Starks last visit to Brevard this year.

Saturday – May 29th vs. Kansas Cagerz @ 7PM - Complete Business Solutions Thunderstix Night - First 250 kids get a FREE pair of Brevard Blue Ducks collectable Thunderstix.

FEATURING: Cagerz only visit to Brevard this year

Sunday – May 30th vs. Cedar Rapids River Raiders @ 5PM - Orlando Magic Night. The team will be giving away FREE Tracy McGrady baseball bats to the first 100 kids to arrive.

FEATURING: Raiders only visit to Brevard this year. SCCU Super Sunday. Half-price admission with SCCU coupons.

“WHITE CHOCOLATE” BIO: Randy “White Chocolate” Gill is at this time the most popular player on the “street basketball” scene. A featured performer in the Sprite Liquid Mix and AND 1 tours, he’s also been featured in the “EBC at Rucker Park” series as well as Magic Johnson’s MTV special, “Who’s Got Game?” (Where he won the $100,000 grand prize as the world’s best street basketball player). He currently plays for the D.C. Legends of the Street Basketball Association, a team that includes as honorary members, NBA players Steve Francis, Moochie Norris and Walt Williams.

He currently travels the world promoting basketball on his own tour and can be seen on TV playing hoops in the latest Coors Light commercial.

A resident of Maryland, Randy was an accomplished college player, leading his Bowie State team in scoring and assists, while helping them to their best record in school history in 2001.

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