(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats are happy to announce they have inked 6'2 combo guard Ashton Smith from Scarborough, Ontario - pending FIBA clearance.

Smith came onto the radar of Mill Rats management while playing in a Toronto summer pro-am league.

"Ashton is a very versatile and smooth player who exudes confidence on the floor," stated Mill Rats President and General Manager Ian McCarthy. "He is a high character young man as well and we are excited to add him to our team."

Smith played his college ball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was named a Division II All American in 2012, and the All-PSAC West Division Player of the Year.  At IUP he averaged 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

Last season he played professionally in Austria, earning the 'Import Player of the Year' award.

To preview Ashton Smith highlights, check out this video below:

Smith is the first player signing announced this season for the Mill Rats.  Here is the roster breakdown to date:

Signed:

Ashton Smith 6'2 Guard Indiana University of PA

Draft Picks:

Mike Luby 6'11 Centre Brock University

Doug Louis 6'5 Wing Kingsborough CC

Alex Jackson 6'6 Forward St. Louis-Missouri

Protected List:

Anthony Anderson 5'11 Guard Massachusetts

Jerice Crouch 6'0 Point Guard Tennessee-Chattanooga

Kenny Jones 6'6 Forward Kentucky State

Kevin Francis 6'7 Forward Cleveland State

Sheray Thomas 6'9 Centre-PF Kentucky

2012-13 Season Ticket Holders will have until September 15th to purchase their same seats for the upcoming season.  All unsold seats from last season are open for the public to purchase as season tickets now.  To buy or inquire about season tickets please contact Julia Higgins at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located in Brunswick Square or contact the Harbour Station Box Office or call 506-657-1234.

     -30-

For more team information, please like us  on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

For more information, visit www.millratsbasketball.ca or email hoops@millratsbasketball.ca.   

The Saint John Mill Rats are part of the National Basketball League of Canada.

National Basketball League of Canada founded in 2011, is a Canada's only professional basketball league. There are currently 10 teams, with 2 divisions: Central and Atlantic. The NBLC is committed to being one of the leading professional basketball leagues in the world. The NBLC provides Canadians, international athletes, coaches and officials the opportunity to participate in the game they love at the professional level. The NBLC is dedicated to raising awareness of the sport of basketball throughout Canada, by providing fans with an exciting and entertaining experience.

For more information on the league, please visit www.nblcanada.ca

Media Contact:

Apryll Stansfield             

Media Relations, Saint John Mill Rats

Phone: 1.506.214.4454

E-mail: astansfield@millratsbasketball.ca