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BREAKERS TAKE G-MAC IN 2006 USBL DRAFT
April 11, 2006 By USBL
Gerry McNamara was the 1st overall selection of the 2006 USBL Draft (Photo courtesy of Syracuse Athletics)
.jpg "The Storm selected Tim Barnes of Cal. St.-Bakersfield shown here with the 3rd overall pick (Photo courtesy of Roadrunner Athletics)")
The Storm selected Tim Barnes of Cal. St.-Bakersfield shown here with the 3rd overall pick (Photo courtesy of Roadrunner Athletics)
A former member of the Dominican national team, Flores was selected 2nd overall by Long Island (Photo courtesy of E. Oklahoma St. JC Basketball)
Milford, CT – (April 11, 2006) The United States Basketball League (USBL) held its 21st annual college draft selection this evening. The draft picks were made via a teleconference call and then posted on the USBL web site in real-time.
“’With the first pick in the 2006 USBL Draft, the NEPA [Northeast Pennsylvania] Breakers select, Gerry McNamara, a six-foot two-inch guard from Syracuse University,’” said Bill Fleming, managing partner of NEPA Sports Group that owns the Breakers organization. A heralded player throughout his high school and collegiate career, the Scranton native, becomes the first draft pick for the NEPA Breakers organization.
McNamara was the 2005-06 recipient of “The Chip Hilton Award” that is presented to a senior Division I men’s basketball player who demonstrates outstanding character, leadership, and talent. The 6-2 point guard averaged 16 points and 6 assists during his senior season at Syracuse University. Gerry ranks fourth on Syracuse’s All-Time Points Scored list with 2,099 and is only one of four players in school history to start every game during their four year playing career.
The second overall pick added some international flavor to the draft as Long Island selected 6-8 forward, Alejandro Flores, from Eastern Oklahoma State Junior College. Flores, a member of the Dominican National team, is a versatile player with a great potential. Flores frequently creates match up problems for opposing coaches with his athletic ability.
With the first of their two first round selections, the Oklahoma Storm selected Tim Barnes, a 6-0 Guard from California State-Bakersfield with the third pick in the 2006 USBL Draft. Tim averaged 12.7 ppg and 4.3 apg for the Roadrunners last season, earning him All CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) First Team honors. Prior to transferring to Cal St.-Bakersfield, Barnes was the fourth leading scoring in the Big XII conference in 2004 for the Iowa State Cyclones.
The Nebraska Cranes selected 6-9 forward, Wes Wilkinson, of Nebraska with the 4th overall pick. Wilkinson averaged 11.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 1.9 bpg and was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention for the Cornhuskers in 2005-06.
The Kansas Cagerz selected Wichita State’s Paul Miller with the 5th pick. The 6-10 forward recently helped the Shockers to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, earning the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award in the process. Dodge City selected Chris Hernandez with their first round draft choice. Hernandez had a successful collegiate career at Stanford and twice was voted to the All-Pac10 Team. The Storm made Lorenzo Gordon the 7th choice with their second pick of the first round. Gordon played one season at Illinois State, earning recognition as the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2005 before transferring to Oklahoma City University. Brooklyn didn’t stray too far from home, selecting 6-4 Farleigh Dickinson guard, Chad Timberlake with the final pick of the first round. The 6-4 guard averaged 15.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg this season for the Devils.