Stockwell ’07 signs pro contract to play in England
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| Rob Stockwell ’07 will play small forward in the 07-08 season for the Luna Mansfield Stars of the English Basketball League. |
Bates graduate Rob Stockwell ’07 has signed a contract to play pro basketball in England for the Luna Mansfield Stars, less than six months after concluding his outstanding career with the Bobcats.
Stockwell said via e-mail that he will be playing small forward for the Stars, a club currently in the English Basketball League’s Division 2 and aiming to compete in Division 1 next season.
“It feels great to sign this contract,” said Stockwell. “I am really excited about experiencing a new country and culture. I will also be helping out coaching younger kids as a part of my contract, which I am looking forward to.”
The Stars’ director of basketball operations, Martin Shaw, was quoted by the Mansfield Chad as saying, “We had the opportunity to sign Rob and had to move quickly to secure him contractually. We know the calibre of player we are getting in Rob Stockwell — we have watched extensive video game footage of him and he is mightily impressive.”
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound native of Temple, N.H., was more of a power forward at Bates, albeit a very versatile one. He led the team in scoring and rebounding in his last three seasons, winning All-NESCAC honors all three years, including a First Team nod in 2007. He rose to fourth place on Bates’ all-time scoring list with 1,512 points and grabbed 868 career rebounds while also proving to be a dangerous three-point threat. Along with his close friend Zak Ray ’07, Stockwell led the Bobcats to a 75-29 record in his four years, over which he played a rugged 104 of Bates’ 105 games.
The Stars, known only a month ago as Mansfield Express, contacted Bates head coach Joe Reilly to inquire about Stockwell, the economics major said. Their season runs from the end of September until the end of April. Stockwell will leave for his new home in late August.