(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats are pleased to announce that the #1 overall pick in the 2012 NBL Canada Draft, 6'10 centre Robert Curtis, has agreed to return to Saint John - pending FIBA clearance.

Curtis was selected #1 overall by the Windsor Express and his rights were traded to the Mill Rats for the rights to the #5 selection, Mike Helms, and the rights to Isaac Kuon.  He played in two games last season for the Mill Rats before an opportunity in Thailand came about.

"Rob is a young player with tremendous upside," said Mill Rats President & General Manager Ian McCarthy. "He is ready to prove he was worthy of being the #1 pick and this will be a statement year for him.   He is a very mobile big with a good post skillset."

Curtis is the fourth 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

Doug Herring Jr. 6'3 Guard Utica College

Chris Matthews 6'4 Wing St. Bonaventure

Robert Curtis 6'10 Centre Wayland Baptist

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.

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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