News release from the Mad Ants:
Howard Returns to the Ants
(March 14, 2011) – The Fort Wayne Mad Ants announced today that they have acquired Ron Howard. Howard has spent the 2010-11 season in Australia and has recently been waived. Howard will fill the spot of Carlos English who was waived by the team last week.
Howard, nicknamed “Mr. Mad Ant”, is a Fort Wayne fan favorite since he has been with the Ants since their inaugural season. Howard has played in 124 games for the Ants, has recorded a total of 2,018 points, and has averaged 16.3 points per game in his career. He averaged 20.6 points per game and was named to the 2009-2010 NBA D-League All-Star team last season.
Howard is expected to join the team in practice this week and will make his return in an Ant jersey on Thursday and Saturday night as the team takes on the Springfield Armor.
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA’s official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams – including the debut of the Texas Legends. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. 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. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the league’s 10th season, which tips off Friday, Nov. 19, fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.