GEORGIA SOUL ADDED TO RECORD-SETTING ABA EXPANSION

Indianapolis, IN.

The American Basketball Association (ABA) today announced that the Georgia Soul, located in Augusta, GA will join the record-setting number of expansion teams for the upcoming season.  “Augusta GA is a great city and in Ernesia Wright and the group she has put together, I have no doubt that the Soul will be one of the best teams in the ABA on and off the court.”

Ernesia Wright is the Owner/CEO of the team and is currently a Captain in the United States Army.  Ernesia earned her Masters of Human Resources at Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Sociology from Augusta State University  where she led the 2004 Augusta State women’s basketball team to its best year in school history culminating in an appearance at the NCAA Division II Elite 8 and a national top 10 ranking. While at ASU, Ernesia earned All-Conference and All-Region honors as well as being named ASU’s Female Athlete of the Year. Following college she played professionally and coached professionally in the US and internationally and was selected for the All-Army Women’s Basketball team.

William Avery will serve as General Manager of the team. In high school, he received 3rd team Parade All-American honors and was a national top 25 recruit. In 2 years at Duke University, William led the teams to a 69-6 record, 2 ACC regular season titles, an Elite 8 appearance and National Runner-Up while receiving All ACC Honors. One of the first players to ever leave Duke early for the NBA Draft, he was picked 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and played professionally for 12 years in the NBA and internationally.  He did go back to Duke and finished his undergraduate degree.

Vonteego Cummings will serve as Head Coach.  At the University of Pittsburgh, he had a 4-year average of 1.53 points, 4.4 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals and was a first round pick by the Indiana Pacers in ’99 before being traded to the Golden State Warriors.  He went on to play for the Philadelpha 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers before leaving to play for several teams internationally where he began his coaching career.  He is currently the Head Coach of the Georgia Soul Women’s basketball team in the WABA.

Oliver Ottley is the Assistant Coach.  Currently a Mental Health professional, Ottley has been playing and coaching for over 30 years after being a standout player at the Academy of Richmond County and Augusta University. He also played professionally.  Jawan Bailey is Skill Development Coach.  He played at T.W. Josey High School and Albany State University where he received a BS in Science Marketing and is currently

a Teacher/Coach.

“We are very excited about the upcoming season,” stated Capt. Wright.  “The Southeast Division of the ABA is one of the strongest in the league with many Top 25 teams.  I am very confident in the skills of William, Vonteego and Oliver to us compete at the highest level.”

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.abaliveaction.com.  The Georgia Soul website should be completed shortly.

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Thank you.

Joe Newman

ABA CEO