Former Utica Standouts to Play Professionally
August 22, 2007
From Utica College Sports Information Release
Former Utica College men’s basketball players Justin Cichon and Ray Bryant will play for the Corning Bulldogs of the American Basketball Association (ABA) this season. The Bulldogs will host their first game on November 10th at 7:15 against the Houston Takers in Corning, NY.
Cichon was a member of the 2005-2006 Pioneer squad that advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. He captained the team to the "Sweet 16" in his senior season. Cichon capped off an incredible four-year career with a remarkable senior season, averaging 15.4 points on 48 percent shooting from the field, 42 percent from beyond the arc, and a team-best 88 percent from the free-throw line. He was named to the Empire 8 All-Conference First-Team for his efforts.
Cichon finished his career as one of the Pioneers' all-time greats. He is first all-time in games started (108), and minutes played (3,417), while also topping the all-time list in 3-point field goals made (228) and attempted (593). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard is also second on the all-time scoring list (1,576), second all-time in field goals made (561) and attempted (1270), fourth all-time in steals (167) and free-throw percentage (79.6), and seventh all-time in assists (239).
Bryant, the 2007 Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year, D3hoops.com East Region First Team member and DIII News All-American Honorable Mention, guided the Pioneers to a 19-7 overall record and their second straight appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament Finals last season. He averaged 15.9 points and a career-best 9.6 rebounds per game this season. He shot 47% from the floor, while posting a career-best 75 assists.
The former NABC Division III All-American was a two-time E8 Player of the Week selection last season and was named to the D3hoops.com National Team of the Week for the week ending January 28, 2007. Bryant, a 6-foot-6 215-pound forward, was a two-time All-Conference First Team member and closed out his two year career with 913 points and 453 rebounds. He was also named 2007 NABC Division III East Region Player of the Year.
For more information on the ABA visit: http://www.abalive.com/. For the most current information concerning the Corning Bulldogs visit: http://www.corningbulldogs.com/