Several basketball players from the Myrtle Beach area and beyond have already said they are interested in playing for the South Carolina Warriors, an upstart ABA team that is set to debut in Myrtle Beach this fall.
Myrtle Beach High alum Jeremy Howard, for one, is all in.
"Yes, I am ... I want to because it's happening in my home town," said Howard, who last year played for the ABA's Savannah Storm. "I talked to the owner and he wanted me to come down on the tryout dates and help out. He said he probably won't let me try out but run through some drills with the guys.
"He said since I played in the ABA before and from there haven't been in that league wouldn't have the experience I had playing in it this past season. But most likely I think I will be getting evaluated as I play in the scrimmages they will have."
Others will be looking for their first professional opportunity when tryouts take place Sept. 10-11 at Pepper Geddings Recreation Center (with registration from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. and tryouts from 10 a.m.-noon). The cost to try out is $100.
"When I first heard about it I was shocked," said Socastee alum Antwon Allston, who played collegiately at Voorhees. "But after a while when I got more info I said maybe it is true. I think it will give people like myself a chance to expose their talents at a higher level."
Fellow Socastee alum Cornell Holmes shared the excitement.
"When I heard Myrtle Beach was getting an ABA team I was happy and shocked at the same time because we finally got a professional team in my home city," he said.
Pat Lewis, a Hemingway High School alum who has played for professional teams in the Southeast in recent years, is keeping the Warriors as an option for the upcoming season.
"I'm willing to take that option if it's given to me," he said. "I'm going to check it out when the workouts start."
Former Coastal Carolina standout and overseas veteran E.J. Gallup, who lived in Myrtle Beach for many years, was excited about the Warriors though it's unlikely he'll be suiting up for the team this season.
But he didn't rule out the possibility. Neither did Georgetown High alum Brendon Knox, who played at Auburn in college and in the NBA Development League and overseas last season. Knox, like Gallup, is also hoping to wind up overseas again.
Still, the support is there.
"I think that it could do well and there could be a market for it at the beach as long as they get the word out there," Gallup said. "I would definitely play, but it's looking like I'm going to be all signed to go back to the first league in Germany [soon]."
Hemingway High School alum and veteran professional Travis Taylor echoed the support, mainly for other players because he is again pursuing a shot in the NBA Developmental League.
"Sounds like a good opportunity for a lot of guys," he said, adding that his prospects for the team are unlikely "but who knows, if my agent likes it and he thinks it's legit I may give it a try. I've got a lot of workouts to attend this summer, including some NBA D-League workouts. So who knows which way God will send me."
Brandon Armistead, who started his pro career with the ABA's Florida Makos and has also played for the CBL's Florida Flight, is taking a cautious approach considering the difficulties many lower level pro teams face in the United States.
He said he'll need more details before seriously considering an upstart team at this point.
"It depends on who is funding the program and if their ducks are in a row," he said. "If there is no money, then there will be no Brandon."
And then there are others who are on the fence as of now.
"Not sure yet, but I'm thinking about it," Myrtle Beach High alum and former college player Mike Small said.
While nothing is guaranteed for local players, one thing is certain: There is quite a buzz about the new team coming to town, no matter who ends up on it.
"I think this is going to be big for the area, not just Myrtle Beach but the Socastee area, North Myrtle Beach and Conway," Howard said. "This pro team is for all of us."
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