May 17, 2005
For immediate release
Contact: Bob Lowe, SID
(336) 272-7102, x279

Allentown, Pa. -- Former Greensboro College basketball student athlete Dshamal Schoetz has signed a professional basketball contract with the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs of the United States Basketball League (USBL).

The 7-foot German native played his first pro game last Friday. He had four rebounds and scored three points in 13 minutes in Pennsylvania's 90-84 loss to Westchester. Former NBA center Daryl Dawkins is listed as the ValleyDawg's coach.

Schoetz, who did not play for The Pride this past year due to injury, averaged Averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds for the 2003-04 GC team. He was second in the USA South Athletic Conference with 33 blocks.

An honor student the past two years, Schoetz graduated from Greensboro College earlier this month. Schoetz, who prepped at High Point Wesleyan, spent his first two college seasons at Wake Forest University. 

The USBL provides an opportunity for basketball players to gain further exposure and earn pro roster spots. The eight-team circuit claims more than 150 of its players have reached the NBA ranks in the past 16 years. In addition, the USBL traditionally places numerous players overseas.

The list of premiere rookies from the USBL who have made their mark in the NBA includes the USBL Class of 1985: 7-7 center Manute Bol (NBA blocked shots leader as a rookie in 1985-86), 5-7 guard Spud Webb (1986 NBA Slam-Dunk Champion), forward John “Hot Rod” Williams (NBA All-Rookie selection in 1986-87) and guard Michael Adams (1992 NBA All-Star). Other notable USBL alumni who graduated to the NBA are Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues and Charlie Ward.

He joins a handful of former Greensboro College student-athletes who have played professional sports. The current list is as follows:

Chad Alligood, baseball, Karlskoga Bats, Swedish Elite League 
Brad Apple, basketball, Europe 
Kevin Beard, basketball, South Korea 
Dan Collins, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Glen Collins, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Nicole Durand, soccer, New York, indoor league 
Priest Everhart, football, Ghostriders, AIFL 
Buddy Forward, soccer, Carolina Dynamo USL and Wilmington Hammerheads, USL 
Mike Grimsley, soccer, indoor league 
Reggie Koranteng, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Vicki Layton, golf, women's tour 
Carlton Mack, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Tom Misuraca, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Ricky Moore, football, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, af2 
Ryan Nelsen, soccer, DC United, MLS and Blackburn Rovers, English Premiereship 
Richard Ronemus, soccer, Carolina Dynamo, USL 
Dshamal Schoetz, basketball, Pennsylvania, USBL 
A.J. Siriani, baseball, Adirondack, Northern League 
Mark Stillwell, golf, Hooters Tour 
James Thomas, football, Greensboro Prowlers, af2