Open Tryout to be Held in Maine; Invite-Only Tryout to be Held in BostonPortland, Maine – The Maine Red Claws today announced that the Boston Celtics will hold two tryouts for prospective Red Claws players prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. There will be an invite-only tryout held at the Celtics’ HealthPoint practice facility in Waltham, MA on Saturday, September 28 and an open tryout held in Scarborough, ME on October 12. The single-day tryout format will include team drills, individual skills work and scrimmages.
Players interested in attending either tryout should mail a completed application to Red Claws Director of Basketball Operations Cam Twiss at PO Box 15180, Portland, ME 04112 or fax it to (207) 210-6659. Players wishing to be considered for both locations must complete applications for each; applications may be downloaded from the Red Claws’ website, www.maineredclaws.com.
The number of participants will be limited and must meet NBA Development League player eligibility requirements. Up to three players from tryouts may be invited to the Red Claws’ training camp in November. There will be no fee charged for the invite-only tryout in Boston; the registration fee for the open tryout in Maine is $150.
The Red Claws are entering their fifth season as the NBA Development League affiliate of the Boston Celtics and the second under the “hybrid” affiliation model. The hybrid model allows for NBA teams to secure control of and cover the expenses related to the basketball operations of an NBA Development League team while partnering with existing local ownership, which maintains responsibility for the team’s business operations.
“Tryouts are the first step in building the Red Claws roster for the 2013-14 season, and we are excited to build on the success the team had last season,” said Boston Celtics Director of Player Personnel Austin Ainge.
Maine Red Claw: 2013-14 will mark the fifth season for the Maine Red Claws. The Red Claws have been the minor league affiliate of the Boston Celtic since their inaugural season of 2009-10, and 2012-13 marked the first season of a new “hybrid” affiliation between the two teams. Under the hybrid model, the Boston Celtics have contracted to run the basketball operations for the Maine Red Claws, including the hiring and training of the coaching and training staff as well as the all player transactions and will act as the Red Claws’ sole NBA partner. The Red Claws play their home games at the Portland Expo Building. The franchise is owned and operated by Maine Basketball, LLC, which is principally owned by Bill Ryan Sr., the retired chairman of TD Bank, and Bill Ryan Jr. who serves as the team’s President and Chairman.
NBA Development League: The NBA Development League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 17 teams with direct affiliations to NBA franchises, the league offers professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Twenty percent of players in the NBA at the start of the 2012-13 season boasted NBA D-League experience. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA D-League games on nbadleague.com.
