Knox Raider CJ Massingale, right, will be reunited with his old college mate Lester Strong, who has signed with Knox for the 2008 season.IN what has already been a blockbuster two weeks of announcements, Knox Basketball is pleased to officially reveal their most recent signings for the 2008 SEABL Men’s season in CJ Massingale and Lester Strong.
The dynamic duo played together at Metro State University in Denver, Colorado in 2003-04, which went to the final four in Division II NCAA competition in a team that included two current Australian Boomers; Mark Worthington and Luke Kendall.
The re-signing of CJ will mark the fourth consecutive year the star import will suit up for the Knox Ford Raiders SEABL Men’s team, matching ex-Raider import Matt Rueter’s four-year tenure from 2002-2005.
CJ, who has just recently undergone successful knee surgery, will be eager to get back on the court for the Raiders in 2008 after having suffered an injury plagued past season, which still saw the stand-out average 23 points per game and 5 rebounds, including the memorable 55 point performance against eventual SEABL East Conference Champion, Geelong Supercats.
For Lester, it will also mark his fourth year playing in Australia, after playing the last three years in the Big V Championship competition with the Dandenong Rangers (2005 and 2006) and the Warrnambool Seahawks (2007).
Lester, who possesses phenomenal athleticism, has been leaving crowds in awe with his high-flying array of dunks and spectacular plays.
The newest member of the Knox Ford Raiders brings a long list of awards and recognition from the Big V Conference including; the 2006 Championship with Dandenong, the 2006 regular season MVP, and two Big V All-Star Five selections.
Knox Basketball CEO Laurie Joyce is excited at the thought of seeing CJ and Lester in action together in a Raiders uniform and believes it will be a welcome reunion of the two players.
“I think it’s great for our club to have already secured two proven players for next season. The advantage we have in this situation is that both have already been out here for three seasons and the adjustment period an import generally takes won’t be an issue,” said Joyce.
Surely the anticipation among the basketball community to see CJ and Lester in action together will reach extreme heights over the off-season.
Raider fans are urged to get their memberships, which will be available in the coming weeks, for what will be an action, packed 2008 season.
