1st Legally Deaf Player Signed to NBA Contract

Ok. What I wanted to blog will have to wait til tomorrow because it requires photos and Blogger is not collaborating with me. So, I've stolen an article from Josh Swiller's Blog. (We all know I have a thing for him)Check it out!

Cavs hoping to get big help
With Ilgauskas, Wallace ailing, legally deaf player Allred signs for 10 days

By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter


Published on Friday, Mar 14, 2008

WASHINGTON: Lance Allred hopes it isn't his legacy, but he is now a part of history.

The Cavaliers signed the 6-foot-11 center to a 10-day contract Thursday as he was called up from the NBA Development League's Idaho Stampede. He will provide depth in the frontcourt with both Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace fighting back problems. But there is more to his story.

Allred is the first legally deaf player to play in the NBA. He's had about 75 percent hearing loss since birth but uses implants that allow him to be functional.

''It is an accomplishment. It's meaningful that I've made it to this stage,'' Allred said. ''I want to be known for more than that, but it is an honor.''


Allred played in college at Utah and then Weber State, where he was third in the NCAA in rebounding as a senior in 2005. He played a year in Europe and has played the last two seasons in the D-League, this year averaging 16.2 points and 10 rebounds to be named to the league's All-Star Game. He also played in summer league with the Boston Celtics last year.

''I am able to hear most things. Every now and then I will miss hearing a teammate, especially if he is behind me. I've been wiped out on some screens in my career,'' Allred said. ''But that means I have to pay extra attention and be very visually aware and sometimes that actually helps me see things before they happen.''
The Cavs allowed the 10-day contracts of Kaniel Dickens and Billy Thomas to expire. If the team wanted to keep either, they would've had to sign him for the rest of the season, under league rules.

In the locker room

• There's another magazine cover ahead for LeBron James. He's on the cover of next month's Vogue, along with supermodel Gisele Bundchen. James is one of just three men who have appeared on the cover during the magazine's 116-year history. The others were actors Richard Gere and George Clooney. He said it appealed to him because of his sense of fashion. James has been on the cover of Men's Health, Black Enterprise and Fortune over the last several months. He is also on the cover of ESPN the Magazine's 10th anniversary issue now on newsstands.

• James said Thursday he was still suffering some lingering pain and stiffness after a knee-to-knee collision with the New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter on Wednesday night. It was not enough to keep him out of the lineup.

• Delonte West is from suburban Washington, and he wanted to make sure his friends and family got to see him with his new team. He rented out a suite at the Verizon Center for his guests.



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*UPDATE*

CLEVELAND, OH - March 25th, 2008 - The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed center Lance Allred to a second 10-day contract, Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today. Allred has played in two games for Cleveland. He signed his first 10-day contract on March 13th.