Halifax Rainmen sign two former NBA players
Posted Sep 19, 2011 02:37:20 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two former NBA players will take to the hard court for the Halifax Rainmen this season.
The team has signed Rodney “The Sherriff” Buford and Eddie “E-Rob” Robinson.
Buford is a 6’5″ guard who was a second round draft pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. He’s played for the Miami Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Sacramento Kings and the New Jersey Nets. He also played alongside Allen Iverson on the Philadelphia 76ers when they took on the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000-2001 NBA Finals. Since leaving the NBA, Buford has played in the highest divisions overseas, winning four championships in Europe.
The Milwaukee native says it was an easy decision to come to Halifax.
“I have 13-year-old twins and they haven’t seen me play in some time because I’ve been going over the water and they’re in school, so with me getting older, staying closer to home they can come see me play.”
The high flying, 6’8″ Robinson played ball with former Toronto Raptor Morris Petersen growing up in Detroit and was an undrafted free agent signing in the NBA, splitting five seasons with the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls. He says even though he hasn’t been with a team since 2008 when he was in the D-League, he’s ready to go.
“I’ve still been working out every day and working on my talent,” he explains. “When I got the call there was no way I was going to say no. It was another opportunity to go somewhere and play again. I love playing basketball and that’s what brought me here.”
Both players admitted they had never heard of Halifax before being contacted by the team, but said they found the city to be beautiful and friendly in the few days they’ve been here.
President and CEO Andre Levingston says the duo’s experience is unmatched.
“They’re definitely going to help us with the guys we’re looking to bring in – to teach guys just what it takes to be a professional basketball player.”
He hopes they’ll be leaders on and off the court and adds he isn’t done trying to add NBA talent to the roster.
“There are maybe one or two more guys that I’m talking to.” he teases. “I don’t know where that’s going to go because the lockout plays a lot into that, but we’re always looking to get better.”
As for the Denis Rodman rumors, Levingston says unequivocally Rodman will never play in Halifax.
