Off The Glass

Coastal Carolina alum Leasure prospering in New Zealand

Coastal Carolina alum Jack Leasure is scoring 22 points per game for the Taranaki Mountain Airs this season in New Zealand.

Leasure scored a season-high 27 points in his most recent contest, a 101-99 win that helped the Airs improve to 2-8 this season.

For occasional updates on Leasure, check back here or visit his website.

North Myrtle Beach's Charles Ward earns CBL honor

CBL photo

North Myrtle Beach native Charles Ward has been named player of the week by the Continental Basketball League. Ward is in his first season with the Cary (N.C.) Invasion.

Here's the release he sent me:

In two Invasion wins this week, one against the Wilmington Sea Dawgs and the other against an athletic Fayetteville Crossover team, Charles averaged 21 points and 9 rebounds per game.   Enhancing his reputation as a fan favorite, he had multiple acrobatic dunks and tossed in several 3 pointers in the wins.

The 6 foot 7 inch Ward was an acclaimed college player at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina and is an experienced minor league veteran who has played for various teams overseas and in U.S. leagues including the USBL, ABA, PBL, NBDL, and the CBL.

 He has received multiple All Star accolades in his career in these leagues.   He has also participated in several NBA camps and summer leagues.   Charles is an impact player known for his offensive rebounding and ability to score around the basket.   Charles has a winning smile and post-game demeanor that also makes him a favorite among kid fans.

Former Myrtle Beach standout Brandon Armistead joins CBL team

Former Myrtle Beach High School basketball standout Brandon Armistead was on to his second professional basketball team not long before his third came calling.

Armistead is getting set for his debut with the Continental Basketball League's Florida Flight, whom he played against in his first game with the Gainesville Galaxy before being traded.

Armistead, who played for the ABA's Florida Makos in his first professional stop, is excited to join the Flight on Thursday.

"I have played with with or against my new teammates in the spring league and a official CBL [game], which I scored 18 and the owner/coach said 'you need to be playing with us' after the game," Armistead said Monday night. "I love the new team and they are very professional down to the wire. The coach/owner has a passion for the game and still loves to play. He is a coach that will make you better and challenge you and also put you in a position to win in life and in the game of basketball."

After playing for the Makos, Armistead said he "tried out, played a couple of games with [the Galaxy] and just as of this evening I wanted out from the team and traded to another team in the CBL. It was unorganized and we had a good coach and he left for a better job in Mexico."

Now, as he joins the Flight he brings some experience with him after having his first professional stint with the Makos.

In some ways, playing professional ball is a way of survival, he says he has learned so far.

"Working hard on your game while everyone is in club you have to be in the gym. You are on a different level than others who don't love the game of basketball," Armistead said. When you are not working someone one else is in the gym working in the gym harder than you. When you are sleeping someone is working in gym to take your spot. Basketball is 365 days a year. As for example, the NFL has a lockout and you still see players working on their game.

"Also it's all about who you know. You can't be quiet when it comes to people and you have to carry yourself as a professional cause there is always someone watching you."

A perfect example of that would be the Flight, whom now have Armistead on their roster. And he has a few to thanks for helping him.

"I have to thank God for giving me the talent to continue playing and my girlfriend Katelyn Fitz for pushing me to strive for my dreams."

 

ProBasketballTalk via Newsday: Knicks have eyes on Sessions again?

A report from Newsday that has spread over the net has brought up the Ramon Sessions-from-Cleveland-to-New York discussion. Of course, it is the summer, isn't it?

Check out what's being said here.

NBA star Ramon Sessions to host charity golf event in Myrtle Beach

The Sun News file photo

Myrtle Beach native Ramon Sessions is giving back to the area again by hosting his first charity golf tournament at Heron Point Golf Club. The event will be July 16, two days before his annual basketball tournament at Myrtle Beach High School.

The information is as follows:

July 16 | First annual NBA Star Ramon Sessions Charity Golf Tournament, Heron Point Golf Club. 9 a.m. shotgun start, format four-man captain’s choice. Price is $65 per player or $260 per team and food will be provided from local restaurants. Prizes will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place teams. Other contests and prizes will be given out, including hole-in-one prizes at all par-3s. Proceeds to benefit Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Department. For more information, call the Heron Point Golf Club pro shop at 650-6664.

San Jose paper's blogger hates on Myrtle Beach's Ramon Sessions

Views on Myrtle Beach's Ramon Sessions seem to be all over the place. Many think he's an up-and-coming star, others say he is a solid backup and others just, well, hate on him.

We go to the San Jose Mercury News for this Hater-ade:

In naming his fourth annual No Defense First Team - which included Sessions - Tim Kawakami wrote of the Cavaliers point guard:

* Ramon Sessions, Cleveland. Does not appear that he even tries to play D and gets the unofficial Guard-Who-Can’t-Penetration award, following the lead footsteps of Jose Calderon and Monta Ellis, the two previous winners.

The Cavaliers–the CAVALIERS–were immensely worse defensively when Sessions played than when he didn’t. That’s really bad. All he does is think offense, he’s under-sized and he is terrible defensively: Yes, Sessions does seem born to be a Warrior.

Snapshot: Sessions is 6-3 (maybe), but only had 60 steals this year. Kevin Garnett had 95.

Coastal Carolina alum Harris makes debut with Albany Legends

Former Coastal Carolina standout Joseph Harris made his debut with the International Basketball League's Albany Legends on Friday night, scoring four points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The Legends, who also feature former Chant and Grand Strand resident E.J. Gallup, extended their winning streak to four games, beating the Edmonton Energy 109-106. Albany improved to 8-2.

Gallup added 13 points and three rebounds for the Legends.

Coastal Carolina alum Joseph Harris set to play for Albany Legends

A pair of former Coastal Carolina standouts are set to join forces in upstate New York.

Coastal Carolina alum Joseph Harris is joining another former CCU standout, E.J. Gallup, on the International Basketball League's Albany Legends, according to Facebook posts by the two.

Gallup said on his Facebook just after midnight, which officially would be early Friday morning: "On the way to the airport to pick up the newest legend jo jo harris....everyone make sure to come out and support the legends this weekend its a battle for first place w two old CHANTS getting busy."

Harris also posted on Facebook around the same time: "just landed in my new home NY. It's been real beach. I'm a legend, Chants back 2gether!!! #leggoo"

Harris is fresh off playing for the first time professionally for the Leicester Riders in London. Now, he joins the Legends, who feature Gallup, a hometown star there. The Legends are 7-2 thus far.

Gallup formerly lived in Myrtle Beach for many years and owned a business here. Harris stayed in Myrtle Beach upon leaving Coastal before heading to England.

Gallup joined the Legends after taking a year off from professional basketball after starring in Germany. He said he hopes to eventually go back overseas to play. Harris, meanwhile, has said he plans on trying out for the NBA or NBA Development League in the coming summer.

North Myrtle Beach's Ward off to good start with Cary Invasion

North Myrtle Beach High School graduate Charles Ward has joined the Continental Basketball League's Cary Invasion, making an immediate impact and beating his old team in the process.

Ward had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Invasion's season-opening 101-95 win over the Wilmington Sea Dawgs on Friday.

The Invasion host the Sea Dawgs again on Friday at 7 p.m. and play their first road game at Wilmington the following Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Ramon Sessions' annual camp in Myrtle Beach set for July 18-21

Myrtle Beach native and Cleveland Cavaliers standout Ramon Sessions will hold his annual basketball camp this year from July 18-21 at Myrtle Beach High School.

Sessions, who is fresh off his first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has said in the past that working with the youth, especially in his hometown, is very important to him.

Check back for more information as the event nears.