(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats are thrilled to announce that 5'11 superstar guard "Double-A" Anthony Anderson has agreed to terms to return to the Port City for the 2013-14 NBL Canada season, pending FIBA clearance.

Many thought Anderson was the leading MVP candidate last season until he departed in mid-February for a lucrative job in Qatar.   Through 31 games last season Anderson averaged 21.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 2 steals per game while shooting 46% from the field, 36% from three point range, and 83% from the line.

"I'm ready...tell Coach Spon let's go win this championship," said Anderson from a phone interview.

The hiring of Coach Spon was instrumental in Anderson's return.   Spon coached the Manchester Millrats to the Atlantic Division title in 2008-2009, but missed out on coaching Anderson because he was on his first overseas gig in Cypress.  Since then, Coach Spon has had to try and devise schemes to stop "AA" while coaching in Quebec and Halifax against the Mill Rats.

"It's a great day for the Mill Rats franchise to re-sign one of the best players in the NBLC last year, if not the best," said Mill Rats Head Coach Rob Spon.  "I've finally got my wish to coach AA come true instead of watching him torch me, I get to help him unleash his potential on other teams."

Anderson, originally from Lynn, Massachusetts, played college ball in-state at UMass from 2001-2005.   After two years away from the game tending to family, Ian McCarthy ran across him playing in streetball tournaments in Boston.  He agreed to join the Manchester Mill Rats in 2007 and was named MVP of the league his first year playing professional basketball.

He has had stints in Cypress, Poland, Iran, England, Venezuela, and Qatar but has always been loyal to the Mill Rats organization, returning to play when not abroad.

Here is some found memories of AA in action last season:

Next Friday September 20th the Mill Rats will be hosting FAN EVENT in Market Square at 5pm.   Mill Rats players including several new signees, Foreman George, and new Head Coach Rob Spon will be on hand.   And the Mill Rats Dance team and Mini-Millies will perform in as their new teams are revealed.  This will be followed by a mixer in the Ale House.

All players will be in town for the team's training camp slated to begin mid-October.  

2012-13 Season Ticket Holders will have until September 16th 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