Columbus, Georgia

Asheville lands a winner with NBDL's Altitude



By Asheville Citizen-Times

POSTED: Feb. 5, 2002 4:30 p.m.

The Asheville Altitude may have lost the ESPN-2 televised game on Monday

afternoon, but Asheville the city continues to be a winner in the NBDL lottery.

When Asheville was picked to host this team of NBA hopefuls, there was much

negative talk about what sacrifices would have to be made in order to

accommodate the Altitude and keep the ball rolling toward profitability.

The Altitude is no cash cow - but it is a source of great family entertainment

and a source of positive recognition for Asheville and Western North Carolina.

The National Basketball Development League began its inaugural season on Nov.

16 and has since built a fan base in other southern cities such as

Fayetteville, (N.C.), Greenville and North Charleston (S.C.), Huntsville and

Mobile (Ala.) Roanoke (Va.) and Columbus (Ga.). A total of 24 games will be

regionally televised on FOX Sports Net South and nationally broadcast on ESPN

and ESPN 2 - such as the one here on Monday - benefiting regional economic

development. Suddenly there are a lot fewer questions about the wisdom of

providing a first-rate entertainment facility in downtown Asheville. Clearly

there is a need. And with some creative thinking from government and business

leaders, there is a way to make it happen. As a team, the Altitude is a

developmental league upstart. But it's no small potatoes. And most the players

are no lightweights.

Back in December, Jason Hart, Asheville's 6-foot-3 point guard, signed a

contract with the San Antonio Spurs, making him the second player called up to

the NBA since the league launched. Hart, 23, was selected by the Milwaukee

Bucks in the second round (49th overall) in the 2000 NBA Draft. Also, earlier

this year, Rusty LaRue, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard for the Altitude, signed to

a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz. In 1997, he signed a one-year contract

with the Chicago Bulls after playing one season with the Connecticut Pride of

the Continental Basketball Association. LaRue was a member of the 1998 NBA

Championship Bulls team that defeated the Utah. As the fourth player overall

called up to the NBA - and the second player from the Asheville Altitude - it's

a sure bet that scouts will continue to keep an eye on our home team. These

call-ups are verification that the players are working hard and continuing to

develop.

In the same process that allows players to develop their talent in a

competitive environment, there is also an emergent sense of community that

benefits our area. While a majority of NBDL players have completed their

undergraduate degrees, the League offers players the opportunity to continue

their education through innovative on-line learning systems and to take part in

professional internships as part of its player development programs. A new

"3-Point Community Council" helps players become active members of their

community. Community leaders are recruited to assist in identifying internships

and off-season jobs with NBDL marketing partners, local industry and

governments and public service organizations. In some cases the League offers

discounts to active and retired military personnel and to children of deployed

military personnel. NBDL teams are involved in many volunteer activities -

reading events, autograph signings and coaches clinics - working with schools,

community organizations, and non-profits.

This is a great plus for Asheville that extends beyond the entertainment

aspect. And isn't that what we want from newly arriving business leaders -

community involvement from caring corporate neighbors?

The Asheville Altitude deserves local fan support for a number of reasons - not

the least of which are the economic development and entertainment contributions

to our local community and the Western region.