ABA's Richmond Elite features VCU's Rozzell
HIGHLAND SPRINGS, VA (WWBT) - Brandon Rozzell may not have gone far to play college ball, but still, his first year away from VCU feels like a homecoming. Rozzell will play for his high school coach, in his high school gym, for the new ABA team in the River City, the Richmond Elite.
Rozzell signed with the team Wednesday, joining a team full of Richmond-cultivated stars who've gone on to play college basketball.
The Elite practice and play at Highland Springs High School, Rozzell's alma mater. And they're coached by his high school coach, the legendary George Lancaster.
Rozzell is still leaving himself open to playing overseas. He says his agent continues to work hard for him to find a team, but because of many of the NBA players filling up spots during the lockout, there have not been many opportunities for him.
But he's found a perfect situation while he waits - to play semi-pro basketball at home, and be near his newborn son, Tristan.
Rozzell was one of the stars of the VCU's run to the Final Four. Rozzell was the team's third leading scorer, despite coming off the bench. He averaged 11.5 points per game, and had a team-high 78 made 3 pointers.
The American Basketball Association, named after the professional league that merged with the NBA in 1976, is a semi-pro basketball league founded in 1999. There are over 60 ABA teams located throughout the country, with six in Virginia.
RICHMOND ELITE ROSTER:
Jack Browne G/F 6'7 190 College: St. Paul's
Keith Crump G 6'2 170 College: Ferrum High School: Varina
Earl Gee G 5'10 155 College: Longwood High School: Manchester
Demond Hickman F 6'7 235 College: Elizabeth City High School: L.C. Bird
Jelani Lawrence F 6'6 220 College: St. Francis High School: Blue Ridge
Brandon Macklin F 6'8 215 College: Charleston Southern High School: Meadowbrook
Aaron Mitchell G 6'2 190 College: Longwood High School: Matoaca
Maurice Reevey F 6'3 217 College: Virginia Tech High School: Highland Springs
Brandon Rozzell G 6'2 185 College: VCU High School: Highland Springs
Anthony Sally G 6'2 185 College: Western Kentucky High School: L.C. Bird
Tarik Wallace G 6'2 170 College: Arkansas High School: George Wythe
Chris Washington G 6'3 185 College: Virginia State High School: James River
Anthony Wynn F 6'7 205 College: St. Paul's High School: Varina
RICHMOND ELITE HOME SCHEDULE: (all games played at Highland Springs HS)
Sunday, Nov. 6th Greenville Trojans 5:00
Saturday, Nov. 19th Rocky Mt. Cougars 6:00
Sunday, Nov. 20th Portsmouth Cavaliers 5:00
Saturday, Nov. 26th Carolina Jaguars 6:00
Saturday, Dec. 18th Portsmouth Cavaliers 5:00
Saturday, Jan. 7th NoVa 5:00
Sunday, Jan. 22nd Portsmouth Cavaliers 5:00
Sunday, Jan. 29th Lynchburg/Fayetteville 2:00 & 7:00
Saturday, Feb. 4th Portsmouth Cavaliers 6:00
Sunday, Feb. 12th NoVa 5:00
Saturday, Feb. 19th Portsmouth Cavaliers 6:00
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