Pilgrim out, Conn in
By Jahred Salazar
Brunei Barracudas’ American import, Michael Pilgrim (in dark blue), has been sacked due to disciplinary issues. Pilgrim has played in all the 14 games of the Barracudas and contributed a steady 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. (Photo © Red Sports file photo)
In an unprecedented move, Australian forward/center Simon Conn has been brought in to replace Mike Pilgrim in the Brunei Barracudas line-up ahead of their do-or-die ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) match against league leaders Philippine Patriots today.
This is Barracudas’ second sacking since the ABL inauguarated. Former American import, Lonnie Jones, was also sent home shortly after the league tipped-off. Reggie Larry was then brought in to replace him and has played alongside Pilgrim since.
Sacked due to disciplinary issues, Pilgrim has played in all the 14 games of the Barracudas and contributed a steady 16.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. Pilgrim had an ABL career-high of 22 points in two separate games and 15 rebounds in two other games.
But in Pilgrim’s final game against the Singapore Slingers, the American import could only managed 4 baskets in 9 attempts and made 4 out of 7 free throws in 28 minutes of action. While disciplinary concerns are believed to have triggered the sacking, his underperformance definitely pushed the button.
Simon Conn is a 6’9″, 250 lbs. forward/center who last played for Hanzevast Capitals (now known as the GasTerra Flames ) in the 2008-2009 Dutch Basketball League. He averaged 10.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19 games before injuries struck in January of 2009.
Prior to that, Conn played for 4 years in the US NCAA D1 team of Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs where as a senior, he averaged 15.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He is listed in the starting line-up of the Sandringham Sabres in the South East Australian Basketball League before being called by the Barracudas.
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Too bad, first time i seen Pilgrim in their very first game against Slingers, i knew that there is still something in him more, that ABL fans not yet seen.
Only 1 game for Conn, as i read above, he has also good credentials.
Conn looked soft against the Patriots. 6’9 250 pounds, Dixon had him boxed out all game (12 pts 14 reb) and Freeman was very sneaky in getting all those offensive rebounds (20 pts 21 reb). i think he had something like 10 points and 5 rebounds.