Hamilton Signs Pro Contract with Cheshire Phoenix
8/18/2020 6:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PITTSBURGH – Cheshire Phoenix Basketball Club announced today the signing of former Pitt forward/center Eric Hamilton.
Based in Ellesmore Port, Cheshire, England, the Phoenix are members of the British Basketball League (BBL). The Phoenix were in sixth place during the 2019-20 campaign with a 7-6 ledger before halting play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one season with the Panthers in 2019-20, Hamilton averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 31 contests. The Atlanta, Ga., native finished second on the team with a .492 field goal percentage (61-of-124) and third on the team in total rebounds (137) and blocks (15). Hamilton played a vital part for the Panthers at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Fla., posting back-to-back double-doubles in victories over Kansas State (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Northwestern (10 points, 12 rebounds).
"I chose to sign with Cheshire simply because of the conversations I had with Coach Ben [Thomas]," said Hamilton. "I'm looking to build on some of the things [the team] accomplished last year, hopefully, take it one or two steps further. I'm looking forward to my first year as a pro a lot actually, but more-so just continuing a lot of the habits that I've been able to cultivate over the last few years. It's going to be a continuation of the things that I've been doing, just becoming a professional every single day in my work habits, my workout routines and just bringing that same mentality to Cheshire. Hopefully, try to win as many games as we possibly can."
Hamilton joins former NCAA Division I players Jalen Hayes (Oakland), Devin Mitchell (Georgia State) and Kahron Ross (Lehigh) on the active roster for the 2020-21 season.
"I'm really pleased we have been able to secure Eric for next season," said Thomas. "He is very versatile, combing size and athleticism with a great skill set. The big thing for me though was watching his work ethic and hearing from his coaches that he plays hard 100% of the time is exactly what we were looking for. I'm looking forward to seeing him represent the Phoenix."
Based in Ellesmore Port, Cheshire, England, the Phoenix are members of the British Basketball League (BBL). The Phoenix were in sixth place during the 2019-20 campaign with a 7-6 ledger before halting play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one season with the Panthers in 2019-20, Hamilton averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 31 contests. The Atlanta, Ga., native finished second on the team with a .492 field goal percentage (61-of-124) and third on the team in total rebounds (137) and blocks (15). Hamilton played a vital part for the Panthers at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Fla., posting back-to-back double-doubles in victories over Kansas State (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Northwestern (10 points, 12 rebounds).
"I chose to sign with Cheshire simply because of the conversations I had with Coach Ben [Thomas]," said Hamilton. "I'm looking to build on some of the things [the team] accomplished last year, hopefully, take it one or two steps further. I'm looking forward to my first year as a pro a lot actually, but more-so just continuing a lot of the habits that I've been able to cultivate over the last few years. It's going to be a continuation of the things that I've been doing, just becoming a professional every single day in my work habits, my workout routines and just bringing that same mentality to Cheshire. Hopefully, try to win as many games as we possibly can."
Hamilton joins former NCAA Division I players Jalen Hayes (Oakland), Devin Mitchell (Georgia State) and Kahron Ross (Lehigh) on the active roster for the 2020-21 season.
"I'm really pleased we have been able to secure Eric for next season," said Thomas. "He is very versatile, combing size and athleticism with a great skill set. The big thing for me though was watching his work ethic and hearing from his coaches that he plays hard 100% of the time is exactly what we were looking for. I'm looking forward to seeing him represent the Phoenix."
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