Post by barrefan1 on Nov 24, 2010 10:48:48 GMT -5
BARRE — With only 12 days remaining until the opening of the Vermont Frost Heaves’ 2010 training camp, the team announced the re-signing of Markus Austin as well as new player signings Brian Kortovich and Casaan Bredeen.
Austin, a 6-foot-6 small forward from White Plains, N.Y., has re-signed to play his fourth season with the Heaves. He was a critical piece in the Heaves’ back-to-back National ABA title runs in 2007 and 2008. Austin, who played his collegiate ball at Eastern Michigan, marks the 3rd player re-signed by the Heaves from last year’s 12-8 club.
“Markus came up in some big situations for us last season. He is one of the premier defenders in the PBL, and we will look for him to provide leadership coming in as a fourth-year vet and to be our go-to lock down defender,” coach Joe Salerno said. “We are extremely fortunate to have Markus back for a fourth season.”
Joining Austin in the front court is the addition of 6-foot-8 small forward Casaan Breeden. Breeden, who is one of only three rookies who will be invited to training camp, started his college career playing three seasons for Florida State in the ACC before transferring to the College of Charleston for his senior year. In his first and only season for the Cougars, Breeden put up solid numbers, averaging eight points, five rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game — including a stellar performance in Charleston’s upset of the season against the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he poured in 15 points,eight rebounds and seven blocks.
“Casaan is a player that has been on our radar for a while. He was invited to the NBA D-Leagues Austin Toro’s training camp and made it to their final cut day. As soon as he was released, we made the call. He will bring a lot of versatility to our front court. He is extremely athletic for his size, and could potentially play the 3 or 4. His athleticism should fit well into our up and down style,” Salerno said.
The Heaves have also added depth to their back court with the signing of guard Brian Kortovich. Kortovich, a 6-foot-2 point guard, has quickly become one of the top point guards on some of NYC’s most talented street courts. A local fixture at Harlem’s world famous Rucker Park, his play at the 2007 EBC tournament got him national recognition with articles in Slam, and Bounce Magazine.
Kortovich has also spent substantial time playing professionally overseas. With stints in Italy, Kuwait and Israel, Kortovich’s most recent international job was in France, where he started for Feurs Enfants du Forez and averaged 14 points and 5 assists per game in 2007-2008. His success in Europe got him drafted in the NBA D-League’s Albuquerque Thunderbirds in 2009, where he was soon released. Kortovich played for the Battle Creek Knights in the IBL this past spring where he averaged 23 points and five assists per game. Most recently, he was invited to pre-season workouts with the NY Knicks, as well as the New Jersey Nets where he made it to the final cut, but was released the day before training camp opened.
“We found Brian at a private workout we had set up in Manhattan last week. He is an exceptionally talented player. His court awareness and ability to distribute the basketball is through the roof” commented Salerno. “He will bring a lot of excitement to the Barre Auditorium for sure.”
Austin, Breeden and Kortovich join PBL All-Stars Dwuan Rice and Ross Demasi, as well as newcomers Joe Jones, Andy Robinson, James Smith and Mike Williams. The Frost Heaves Training camp opens December 6, in Barre.
Austin, a 6-foot-6 small forward from White Plains, N.Y., has re-signed to play his fourth season with the Heaves. He was a critical piece in the Heaves’ back-to-back National ABA title runs in 2007 and 2008. Austin, who played his collegiate ball at Eastern Michigan, marks the 3rd player re-signed by the Heaves from last year’s 12-8 club.
“Markus came up in some big situations for us last season. He is one of the premier defenders in the PBL, and we will look for him to provide leadership coming in as a fourth-year vet and to be our go-to lock down defender,” coach Joe Salerno said. “We are extremely fortunate to have Markus back for a fourth season.”
Joining Austin in the front court is the addition of 6-foot-8 small forward Casaan Breeden. Breeden, who is one of only three rookies who will be invited to training camp, started his college career playing three seasons for Florida State in the ACC before transferring to the College of Charleston for his senior year. In his first and only season for the Cougars, Breeden put up solid numbers, averaging eight points, five rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game — including a stellar performance in Charleston’s upset of the season against the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he poured in 15 points,eight rebounds and seven blocks.
“Casaan is a player that has been on our radar for a while. He was invited to the NBA D-Leagues Austin Toro’s training camp and made it to their final cut day. As soon as he was released, we made the call. He will bring a lot of versatility to our front court. He is extremely athletic for his size, and could potentially play the 3 or 4. His athleticism should fit well into our up and down style,” Salerno said.
The Heaves have also added depth to their back court with the signing of guard Brian Kortovich. Kortovich, a 6-foot-2 point guard, has quickly become one of the top point guards on some of NYC’s most talented street courts. A local fixture at Harlem’s world famous Rucker Park, his play at the 2007 EBC tournament got him national recognition with articles in Slam, and Bounce Magazine.
Kortovich has also spent substantial time playing professionally overseas. With stints in Italy, Kuwait and Israel, Kortovich’s most recent international job was in France, where he started for Feurs Enfants du Forez and averaged 14 points and 5 assists per game in 2007-2008. His success in Europe got him drafted in the NBA D-League’s Albuquerque Thunderbirds in 2009, where he was soon released. Kortovich played for the Battle Creek Knights in the IBL this past spring where he averaged 23 points and five assists per game. Most recently, he was invited to pre-season workouts with the NY Knicks, as well as the New Jersey Nets where he made it to the final cut, but was released the day before training camp opened.
“We found Brian at a private workout we had set up in Manhattan last week. He is an exceptionally talented player. His court awareness and ability to distribute the basketball is through the roof” commented Salerno. “He will bring a lot of excitement to the Barre Auditorium for sure.”
Austin, Breeden and Kortovich join PBL All-Stars Dwuan Rice and Ross Demasi, as well as newcomers Joe Jones, Andy Robinson, James Smith and Mike Williams. The Frost Heaves Training camp opens December 6, in Barre.