THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 17, 1995 TAG: 9506170481
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
The Hampton Roads Pro-Am Basketball League kicks off its fourth season today at Lake Taylor High, and for a change the big names aren't expected to be current NBA players like J.R. Reid and Bryant Stith, but future ones, like Allen Iverson and Joe Smith.
Both are expected to at least make appearances in the wide-open summer league.
Iverson, the current Georgetown and former Bethel High point guard, has been placed on a team.
Smith, the Maryland star widely expected to be the first player chosen in the June 28 draft, has carte blanche to drop in and get a run anytime, as he did last summer, when the Maury High graduate was voted Pro-Am MVP.
Complicating matters for Smith is his schedule of appearances and workouts for NBA teams. But Pro-Am commissioner Wayne Hoffler said Smith has told him he'd like to play.
Iverson, who was expected to stay in Washington and play in the Kenner League at Georgetown, has instead opted to spend the summer closer to home, Hoffler said.
``I think it's a done deal,'' Hoffler said. ``He told John (Thompson) he wanted to be home, and play in the Pro-Am. We're just waiting for some final paperwork from (Thompson).''
Boo Williams, Iverson's former AAU coach, also said the Big East Freshman of the Year planned to play.
Iverson and Smith would add spice to a league that once again features the usual collection of local college and ex-college players. San Antonio's Reid and Denver's Stith, who have played at least once in the league's first three years, are also expected to stop by.
Play begins today at 3 p.m. at Lake Taylor High. Admission is free. ILLUSTRATION: CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Staff file
Georgetown's Allen Iverson was expected to play in Washington, but
has instead opted to spend the summer closer to home.
PRO-AM LEAGUE INFO, ROSTERS
[For a copy of the roster, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB