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Buford gets new team, NBA allure

By Curtis Bunn
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/09/08

He is the founder of an eight-team league and owner of one team, a basketball junkie whose passion for the game is eclipsed only by his love for his community.

Leroy McMath wanted something special for Buford, his hometown, so he provided it by establishing the Buford Majic of the World Basketball Association.

What is the WBA, you ask? Good question.

It is one of a few professional basketball leagues (NBDL, CBA being others) that serve as developmental leagues for the NBA. There are so many good players who hold on to the dream of playing at the highest level, the WBA is a viable resource.

For McMath, providing a platform for young talent was just one motivation for bringing a team to Buford. The overriding purpose was to add to a community that already has successful minor-league hockey, arena football, and the future home of the Braves' AAA affiliate.

"We want anyone and everyone involved," said McMath, who has been a record and movie producer for the last 17 years, "whether they partner with us for $5 or sponsor an entire game or season. This is the community's team.

"The whole concept of a minor-league system is to form true partnerships with the community, so that the businesses feel like the team is part of them. The community helps run the team."

Among connections the Majic has made are those with the Buford Best Western, which houses the team, and The Red Sky Cafe, which provides meals for the players.

Having the Majic is another boon for a city of champions (Buford's football team has four state championships, and the girls softball team won state this year), which relishes top-level sports. WBA teams are made of athletes with a maximum of five years' professional experience.

Making it to the highest level of basketball is a tough process that requires a true commitment —- and a lot of luck.

But the NBA exposure teams and league have produced many players who made it to the ultimate level, including Jamario Moon of the Toronto Raptors, Josh Powell of the L.A. Clippers; and former Hawks Anthony Grundy and Kyle Davis of the New Jersey Nets.

All told, more than 500 players play in various professional leagues around the world.

A trio of former Gwinnett County stars play for the Majic: Jakirra Millsap of Buford, Georgia "Mr. Basketball" Wayne Arnold and ex-Dacula standout B.J. Puckett.

The eight teams participating in the 2008 WBA exposure league season are in Marietta, Rome, and Macon; and Wilson, N.C.; Wise, Va.; Holly Springs, Miss.; and Palm Coast, Fla.

The Majic play their home games at the Bogan Park Gymnasium on Bogan Road in Buford. Tickets are $6 for adults, free for children under 6.

"Great family entertainment" is what coach and general manager Lionel Garrett called a night out to see the Majic.

The season lasts from May to July, so the hoops enthusiast who goes into shock once the NBA season ends in a few weeks still has an opportunity to get that basketball fix. It is not the NBA, but there certainly is talent in the league and on the Majic that merits watching.

Tickets for all games are on sale now and can be obtained by calling 770.451.6662 or purchase online at www.bufordmajic.com.

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NBA Exposure League Buford Majic Games Begin6.2.08
     Balanced Competition, Fast Action on the Court

Buford, Ga. ~ The World Basketball Association's (WBA) newest NBA Exposure Team, the Buford Majic, www.bufordmajic.com continued it's second weekend of games. So far the competition has been very balanced with all games being hotly contested.

Below are the game highlights:

Friday: 5/30/08

• Decatur Court Kings 100 Buford Majic 92

Magic: Roy Bright #23- 29pts, 4reb, Wayne Arnold (6'4''-G-84) #15- 20pts, 3reb, James St.Roberts #32- 19pts, 5reb
Both Roy Bright & James St.Roberts led Buford at the half with 14pts.

Court Kings: Anthony Miller (6'9''-C-71) #32- 31pts, 16reb, Al Stewart (5'10''-G-83) #10- 22pts, 7reb, Brandon Proby #1, 17pts, 3reb, 5/9 from 3pt range.

Anthony Miller led Decatur at the half with 14pts 9reb followed by Brandon Proby with 12pts, who was 4/7
from three point range at the half

1st qtr: Buford led 17-22, Half: Buford led 42-46, 3rd: Decatur led 75-63, Final Score: Decatur 100, Buford 92

Saturday: 5/31/08

• Buford Majic 114 Tri-State Crusaders 89

The Majic got back on the winning track with a relatively easy win over the Crusaders. Wayne Arnold exploded for 48 points in the Buford win, while B.J. Puckett also had 20 point. Buford moved to 2-1, while the Crusaders fell to 1-1.

WBA Standings

 1. Buford M.      2-1
2. Mississippi HH 2-1
3. Memphis B.          2-1
4. Decatur CK          1-1
5. Tri-State      1-1
6. Cartersville W.     0-3

For more game and team information, please see the World Basketball Association Web site: www.wbaball.net

For more information on the Buford Majic, see: www.bufordmajic.com

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WBA Exposure League opens its 2008 season with all teams in action...

Buford Majic 129 Memphis Blue Tornadoes 110...
Buford Majic toyed with the Memphis Blues in the first half, before breaking the game open and cruising to a 129-110 win.

Undersized, Memphis fought vailiantly until just after half-time, when the Majic had a big run to break it open. They led by as many as 24 going into the fourth quarter, behind the inside play of Ronald Allen (6'10''-F/C-84, college: Cincinnati), Markeal King (6'9''-C-77, college: Georgia St.) and B.J. Puckett (6'9''-F-83, college: Clayton St.).

Buford, coached by 2007 WBA Coach of the Year Lionel Garrett , had seven players in double figures, lead by duo Wayne Arnold (6'4''-G-84, college: Tennessee St.) and Roy Bright (6'6''-F-86, college: Cincinnati) with 22 each. Robert Kennedy of Memphis took game-high honors with 23.

Tri-State Crusaders 90 Cartersville Warriors 86...
Tri-State Crusaders jumped out to a huge first quarter lead, but had to hang on to edge Cartersville Warriors 90-86.

First year Head Coach Bobby Rouse , saw his Warriors squad struggle to score early, allowing the Crusaders to break out to an early 17 point advantage. The Warriors fought back through out the game and finally had the score whittled down to 87-86 with under 10 seconds remaining in the game. A costly Cartersville turnover allowed Tri-State to ice the game at the freethrow line at the end.

B.J. Walker (6'10''-F/C-84) of Oklahoma City University scored 27 and Mike Griffin followed with 20 for the Crusaders, who are coached by the timeless Gerald Oliver . Rookie Larry Cox (6'10''-C, college: Miss.Valley St.) paced the Warriors with 29 points, while Lemarr Farr (6'4''-G-83, college: Lambuth) scored 22 points, Jeremy Law (6'5''-G-82, college: Jacksonville St.) 14 and Ozzie Lee Henderson 12. The Warriors played without key roster players in Mike Dean, Jimmy Baxter, Joe Hamilton and Jermaine Spivey. Dean was working out with the Indiana Pacers, while Baxter was in Memphis working out for the the Grizzlies. Hamilton and Spivey both had previous family commitments. Last week, Cox worked out for the Celtics in Boston, but was able to make it back to get one practice in with the Warriors before Saturday's game.

Cartersville Warriors (0-1)
Lamarr Farr 4-8 12-13 22, Jeremy Law 3-9 6-6 14, Larry Cox 12-18 5-8 29, Donovan McMullen 0-4 0-0 0, Bayete Gordon 2-6 0-0 4, Erik Gainous 0-3 0-0 0, Rodney Mayes 0-3 2-2 2, Ozzie Lee Henderson 5-10 2-5 12, Antonio Simpson 1-11 0-0 3, El Amin Douab 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 27-75 27-34 86

Tri-State Crusaders (1-0)
Steven Elueyi 3-5 1-2 7, B.J. Walker 12-20 3-3 27, Tony Carr 6-14 3-3 15, Curtis Clark 4-8 3-4 11, Marcus Sims 0-0 0-0 0, Stephen Humphrey 0-1 0-0 0, Mike Griffin 6-15 6-8 20, Neil Wellington 3-7 0-0 6, Neil Rasnake 2-6 0-0 4. Totals 36-76 16-20 90

Mississippi Hardhats 104 Decatur Court Kings 98...
The Mississippi Hardhats, after falling behind by as many as 20, came back to slip by the visiting Decatur Court Kings 104-98.

Decatur, behind the guidance of Head Coach Reggie Fox, built a 20-point cushion only to see the Hardhats battle back to re-take the lead and eventually the win on opening night.

Kendrick Fox (6'7''-G/F-83) of Gulf Coast Bandits and Terrell Wilson scored 22 each for the 1-0 Hardhats. Dele Ojo Scored 17 and Al Stewart (5'10''-G-83, college: Drake) scored 15 points for the Court Kings, who start the season at 0-1.
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ABOUT WBA PRO EXPOSURE LEAGUE, INC.

The WBA Pro Exposure League (hereafter known as the WBA) is a league that teaches, develops, and exposes basketball players to NBA, D-League, CBA, and International Scouts while providing each community an exciting brand of basketball and entertainment.
The purpose of the WBA is to serve as a training ground to develop professional players, coaches, and personnel on and off the court. Emphasis is placed on fundamental development, career development, community involvement, and education.

The WBA talent pool consists of professional basketball players with 5 years or less experience and each team is limited 10 man roster with two reserves. We believe the window of opportunity for NBA hopefuls is 3 years while maintaining opportunities in other leagues such as the D-League, CBA, and European Leagues. Within 2 months of operation (May, and June) programs will be implemented to assist in furthering each player’s development in career, education, and community involvement.

The WBA is the league every player wants to play in to enhance their opportunities in basketball and beyond. The WBA is the league every professional scout wants to observe to find their future star!
The WBA is the next best thing to the NBA!
Our visions is to grow into a world recognized and respected Exposure basketball league.

The League offers entertainment at home games from local radio personalities and National and Local Recording Artists. We will offer quality entertainment by establishing a relationship with local radio stations, Newspapers and record labels.

Our promotional efforts afford us the opportunity to televise games on Local and National Cable Companies in order to build our audience base; the WBA projects to have a total of 12 teams by 2009.

WBA League (12 Game Season, Free Agent Camps, Personal Training); WBA Foundation (Fund Raisers, Benefit Basketball Games, Developing Youth Organizations and Educational Programs); WBA Productions (Documentaries and Marketing); WBA Licenses (Uniforms, Licensing Fees, Catalog Items, and Souvenirs); WBA Next Level Counseling (Life after Basketball, Career Opportunities, and Business Development/Placement). Each component serves as a separate WBA Revenue Generator.

We are offer our package to Corporations, Individual Cities, Investors, and Local Business Owners. We also help you with the following:

• Evaluate Goals and Market
• Assist in Obtaining Financing
• Develop and Execute Marketing Plan
• Assist in Working with Key Partners (i.e. venue, broadcast partners, etc.)
• Accounting Services, if necessary
• Financial Advice, if necessary

The WBA oversees all advertising for the League in order to receive the best coverage for each team. Each team is responsible for developing its own identity, players, coaches, logo, colors and market.

Within the first year, teams should do the following: Establish a fan base, obtain local sponsors, build a relationship with the Media, and make appearances at city functions. We are positioning ourselves as the First Step to the NBA.

Welcome to the World Basketball Association where,
“The Sky Is The Limit”.