Lexington ABA team to have UK flavor

By James Pennington / jpennington@herald-leader.com

The Bluegrass Stallions, the American Basketball Association's newest team, took its first step Saturday toward filling its charter roster, and several of the players-to-be won't need an introduction to Lexington fans.

Three former University of Kentucky players attended Saturday's tryout: Bobby Perry, Ravi Moss and Preston LeMaster.

Delbert Ault, team executive vice president, said at least two other former Cats, Ramel Bradley and Jared Carter, are expected to make the team even though both had schedule conflicts for Saturday's first round of tryouts.

Perry will split his time three ways once the season starts in mid-November: his job at Lexington Mortgage Company, his new head coaching gig at West Jessamine Middle School and the Stallions.

"I might miss some games because of work, but I'll play in the games that I can," Perry said. "Definitely as many as I can. The flexible schedule I have at the mortgage company will make it so it shouldn't be much of a problem at all."

Moss will also be splitting his time three ways, he said. He sells in-home medical supplies, which he said he will continue to do. He also has a 2-year-old son, who Moss said was one reason he didn't pursue a professional basketball career overseas after he completed his eligibility at UK.

Moss and Perry had pre-existing relationships with Stallions Coach Kyle Macy, a fellow UK alumnus. Macy coached Moss on a basketball-related mission trip to China in the summer of 2005.

Macy also coached Perry on a similar trip, to Brazil in 2006.

"I think the world of Coach Macy. He's one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys I've ever been around," Perry said. "He not only cares about Kentucky basketball and the program at UK, but the community, too. That's one of the reasons he's the coach here."

Other players with Lexington ties attended Saturday's tryout, with at least one guaranteed a roster spot. Henry Clay and Georgetown College graduate Aubrey White has a secured spot because of ABA transfer rules, Ault said. White played last season on the ABA's Kentucky Bisons, based in Owensboro. When the Stallions formed, the family-oriented White jumped at the opportunity to play in his hometown.

"Some of my family is even here today, watching the scrimmages and tryouts," White said. "I can't wait to play in front of my family every night and in front of my hometown crowd."

Lafayette and Eastern Kentucky University graduate Darnell Dialls also attended Saturday's tryout. Macy said players with local connections won't be guaranteed a spot, but the face recognition doesn't hurt.

"We're not going to put them on the team if they can't play because the goal is to put the best players on the floor," Macy said. "But there obviously is some interest, if they're performing well, to have them on the team because of relationships and associations fans have with them.

"We'll give them good looks, that's for sure."

The Stallions' roster won't be set until after another round of tryouts in July, Macy said. The team hasn't even secured its playing court yet, although Macy said negotiations with the Kentucky Horse Park's arena are in progress. "It only makes sense to have Stallions at the Horse Park," Macy said.

Several variables around the team's November debut are still to be determined. But Perry, like others, said the opportunity to play in Lexington again was too good to pass up.

"I'm 24 years old, I have my whole life ahead of me, and I don't really know what I want to do," Perry said. "I want to take every opportunity I can that's worthwhile, and this is one of those opportunities. I can't wait."