Sept. 30, 2005
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - After completing his career last March as the Broncos all-time leader in games and minutes played, former Santa Clara University men's basketball standout Kyle Bailey will have an opportunity to continue his career professionally with the defending NBA champions.
The Fairbanks, Alaska native, who lettered five seasons for Dick Davey's Broncos, signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He joined guard Stephen Graham and forwards Sharrod Ford, Melvin Sanders and Jawad Williams. Per club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"This is a great opportunity for Kyle and he certainly deserves it," said Davey, who coached another former Bronco into the NBA in last year's league MVP Steve Nash. "He works hard, has very good ability at the point guard position and makes other players around him better."
Bailey, a 6-2 guard, twice earned All-West Coast Conference honors during his five years at Santa Clara. He is tops on the Broncos all-time lists in games (127) and minutes played (3,897).
Ford averaged 4.3 points and 2.3 rebounds for the New Jersey Nets in the 2005 Reebok Vegas Summer League. Ford also earned Third Team All-ACC honors at Clemson after averaging 14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds during his senior season.
The 6-6, 215-pound Graham appeared in six contests with the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 Reebok Summer League where he averaged 10.5 points and 3.8 rebounds. He played for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in 2003-04 and 2004-05 after sitting out the 2002-03 campaign as a transfer from Central Florida.
Sanders suited up for the Silver and Black in the 2005 Rocky Mountain Revue. The 6-5, 210-pounder led the team with 14.5 points, while adding 2.4 rebounds in five games. During the 2004-05 season, Sanders was named Second Team All-CBA and All-Defensive First Team while playing for the Dakota Wizards.
Williams was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels 2005 National Championship team that lost its season opener 77-66 to the Bailey-led Broncos. He averaged 13.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in 37 games. Over the summer he appeared with Golden State Warriors in the Reebok Vegas Summer League where he averaged 6.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in five games.
