HUNT CONTINUES TO THRILL RAMS FANS:

SELECTED TO MAVS SUMMER ROSTER
July 5, 2006

FORT WORTH, Texas -  Ben Hunt has delighted Texas Wesleyan University basketball fans for the last two seasons. He is continuing to thrill Rams fans who can now watch the 6'2" sharp-shooting guard from Bendigo, Australia, suit-up with the Dallas Mavericks. Hunt has been selected to the Mavericks summer roster and will compete in the Summer Pro League in Los Angeles, Calif., July 8-19.

Hunt has already signed a two-year contract with the Perth Wildcats of Australia's National Basketball League. In early May he traveled to Qatar with the Wildcats to take on the Qatar National team. Hunt then returned to Fort Worth to complete his degree, and last weekend he participated in workouts with the Mavericks.

Hunt arrived at the American Airlines Center Saturday afternoon for introductions and a walk-through practice. Saturday night, he competed in an exhibition game against the Nigerian National team that ended in an 89-85 Mavs win. Sunday and Monday, he went through two-a-day practices and found out Wednesday that he had made the Mavericks' summer roster.

Hunt, who is normally his own biggest critic, said that he has already had a wonderful experience. "Under the circumstances, I feel pretty good about the way I have competed. I don't feel like I am out of my depth. It has been a great experience to be exposed to the NBA style of play."

While some of the Mavericks will be competing in Las Vegas and Utah this summer, Hunt will be with a group playing in the Summer Pro League in Los Angeles. The Summer Pro League, which runs from July 8-19, will feature players from four NBA teams; the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Washington Wizzards. Hunt will see his first action on Sunday, July 9, when the Mavs take on the Lakers at 12:45 p.m.

In two seasons at Texas Wesleyan, Hunt set six school records while rising to 13th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,183 points. He is a career 47.6% long-range shooter while hitting at a 90.7% clip from the free throw line; both are school records. He hit at least one three in 63 of 66 career games including each of his last 31 in succession. He also had a streak of 30 consecutive free throws made.

In an outstanding career he saved the best for last. In the NAIA national championship game, Hunt scored a career-high 34 points and delivered the program's first national title with a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Oklahoma City University 67-65.

Dallas Mavericks 2006 Summer League Roster

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