IBL news by Chris Monter

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IBL News
By: Chris Monter
Date: 04/17/2000
Saddi Washington (from Western Michigan) scored 23 points, making five
of seven three-pointers to lead the San Diego Stingrays to an 102-89 IBL
win over the Richmond Rhythm. Richmond had a 80-75 lead, but San Diego
hit consecutive three-pointers and outscored Richmond 27-9 the rest of
the way.
Saddi Washington (from Western Michigan) scored 23 points, making five
of seven three-pointers to lead the San Diego Stingrays to an 102-89 IBL
win over the Richmond Rhythm. Richmond had a 80-75 lead, but San Diego
hit consecutive three-pointers and outscored Richmond 27-9 the rest of
the way. Kris Clack, last year's Desert Classic MVP from Texas, added 21
points. Curt Smith (Drake) had 18 points and Galen Robinson (Houston)
added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Smith was named IBL player of the Week
last week. Demone Webster (Cal State Fullerton) was a perfect six-of-six
from the field and scored 13 points for the Stingrays. Former NBA first
round draft pick John Morton (Seton Hall) led Richmond with 23 points.
Larry Robinson (Centenary), a former player with Washington, had 22
points. Kermit Holmes (Oklahoma) had 14 and Jerod Ward (Michigan) added
11 points and ten rebounds.
The game drew an announced crowd of 1,116. The Stingrays have completely
overhauled their team since the start of the season. NBA shooter Jeff
Malone has moved up from assistant coach to replace veteran "Smokey"
Gaines. San Diego has won their last two games to improve their record
to 16-41. They are 27 games behind first place St. Louis.
The IBL has struggled with attendance in many of its markets and the San
Diego franchise has reportedly lost one million dollars this season. The
league is made of former CBA, NBA and overseas players. The Richmond
team had five players who have previously played in the NBA, while San
Diego does not have a former NBAer.
NBA scouts have watched the IBL, especially two players who are draft
eligible. Soumaila Samake is a 7-2, 235 pound center with the Cincinnati
Stuff. He is averaging 7.6 rebounds per game, seventh in the league and
2.7 blocked shots, which leads the IBL. He has shown tremendous
improvement since the start of the season and he has a good upside. He
not a great athlete, but he runs the floor well. The native of Boubacar,
West Africa ranks third in the IBL in field goal-percentage (.602).
Samake is averaging 10.0 points per game and he will likely play in the
Chicago pre-draft camp.
DeeAndre Hulett of the Las Vegas Silver Bullets played in the Chicago
pre-draft camp last season, but decided to pull his name out of the NBA
Draft after just a so-so performance. He had planned on returning to the
College of Sequoias, but decided to turn pro since he would not be
eligible to transfer to a Division I school since he had applied for the
draft. Hulett has averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. He
needs to improve his outside shooting and he has made just four of 36
three-pointers this season. Hulett has not overly impressed NBA scouts
and he would need to return to Chicago to raise his stock.
The IBL season ends May 2nd. The following are the standings as of April
16th.
IBL EAST
Cincinnati 39-18
Trenton 26-30
Richmond 21-36
Baltimore 13-43 (20 straight losses)
IBL WEST
St. Louis 43-15
New Mexico 36-21
Las Vegas 34-25
San Diego 16-41