Zeke wants to join the NBA when he grows up

image from NBC News video

An 8-year-old deaf basketball player is making an impact on the hearing team he joined. NBC News has a video report about Zeke Ortiz of Frederick, Maryland here.

Hoops Tourney Starts

USADB National Basketball Tournament starts today in Bloomington, Minnesota and run through April 2nd. For more information, click here.

Gally: Best Season in Years

Gallaudet University completed its basketball season with the a 77-62 loss to York. That leaves the Bison with a 11-14. Despite the losing record, its one of the best records for Gallaudet in years. More Details.

1st Deaf NBA Player

The NBA has its first legally Deaf player. Lance Allred will soon hit the floor for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 6’11” center who’s been working out for the last two seasons with the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League (or D-league). He made the league's All-Star team, averaging more than 16 points and 10 rebounds a game. Allred may play a critical role for the Cavs because the team’s frontcourt combination of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace are fighting back problems. As a senior at Weber State, Allred was the third best rebounder in the entire NCAA. He playing hoops in Europe before joining the Stampedge. Born with only 25% hearing, Allred now has cochlear implants. Born in Salt Lake City, he didn't play his first organized basketball game until he was an eighth grader.

Champion Basketball Team

For the first time in history, a deaf team has won the New England Preps Schools Athletic Conference girls’ basketball title. The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham, Massachusetts won the NEPSAC Class D girls' basketball championship with a 43-35 win over Chase Collegiate of Waterbury, Connecticut. The Learning Center’s team is coached by Brad Crowell who is hearing but knows sign language. His team went 28-1 this year, dominated opponents and only losing three games in the past three seasons. The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council tournament committee had refused to recognize the Lady Ghosts until last year.