Tony Bennett makes roster of Chicago ABA team

[Da Coach]

Tony Bennett has been selected to the roster of the Chicago team in the ABA, the Chicago Rockstars. Way to go Tony!
Now I might have another reason to go see the ABA play when the Rockstars play the Peoria Kings at the Riverplex. I wish he would have tried out here in Peoria for the Kings.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_9165.shtml (scroll about half way down to see the article about the Chicago Rockstars)

Here is what is said about the Chicago Rockstars--

Chicago Rockstars ... The ABA Chicago Rockstars have selected 16 players for their final 2006-2007 roster. The team will suit up 12 players each home game and 10 players on the road. They are: Ayinde Avery - DePaul University, Imari Sawyer - DePaul University, Jerrod Gee - University of Illinois, Marcus Liberty - University of Illinois, Tony Bennett - Bradley University, Corey Gupton - Park University, Derek Molis - Loyola University, Darren Randall - East Central University, Louis Smith - Loyola University, Larry Smith - East Central University, Phil Taylor - Lewis University, Jason Thurman - Robert Morris College, Brandon Weiss - Nova Southeastern University, Phillip Watson - St. Xavier University, and Brian Zirkle - University of St. Francis.

The team will play its home games at Northeastern Illinois University's Physical Education Complex located on 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue on the northeast side of Chicago. Tickets are now available online at www.rockstarbasketball .com/tickets. For more information, visit www.rockstarbasketball .com or www.abalive .com .

[BradleyBrave]

I am happy for Tony, no doubt. However, the quality of players on these teams is just terrible. If from what I hear about the practices is indicative of how the play will be, the quality of basketball is going to be awful too.

[Da Coach]

Here are a couple more links to the Chicago Rockstars website--

http://rockstarbasketball .com/

Roster--
http://rockstarbasketball .com/news/?p=66

http://rockstarbasketball .com/roster/index.htm

Here is their schedule. They play in Peoria November 24, January 13, and March 9.--
http://rockstarbasketball .com/schedule/index.htm

[smitty]

Congratulations Tony!

Another pro from last year's team!

[ChiTown fan]

Great for Tony-

Does anyone know where they play their home games?

[Da Coach]

They play their home games at Northeastern Illinois Physical Education Building. The University is located at 5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

They have some pictures of the court--

http://rockstarbasketball.com/tickets/general.html

http://www.rockstarbasketball.com/tickets/vip.html

and their ticket site-

http://www.rockstarbasketball.com/tickets/

[mike radigan]

I do not see this as a good thing. He surely cannot make a living at this level. If he cannot secure a position on a European team, then it is time to get a real job. Just my opinion.

[Da Coach]

I would agree, Mike.
If you watch the video highlights on their website from the first exhibition game, they play a style that is very similar to the "And 1" tour. In fact one of the their guards played on the And 1 tour the past year. A smart player with talent like Tony will not be able to show his real game with that kind of no-defense, showboating style of play.
When I see some of the marginal US players playing in Europe, I wonder why Tony didn't opt for that? I am sure he has the talent to play professionally overseas.

[BradleyBrave]

I would agree, Mike.
If you watch the video highlights on their website from the first exhibition game, they play a style that is very similar to the "And 1" tour. In fact one of the their guards played on the And 1 tour the past year. A smart player with talent like Tony will not be able to show his real game with that kind of no-defense, showboating style of play.
When I see some of the marginal US players playing in Europe, I wonder why Tony didn't opt for that? I am sure he has the talent to play professionally overseas.

I agree. Tony is every bit as good as James Gillingham IMO and is more athletic. He could find work overseas if he wanted to. Perhaps he's trying to find a way to stay close to home and still play basketball. Personally, I think he'd be better off doing so back in Peoria. I thought I remember him saying he wanted to move his family to Peoria after graduation.