Former NBA player Keith McLeod will replace Daryl ‘Majic’ Dorsey, who was released by the Tbirds. McLeod has played in the NBA for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers. He signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks, one of the Tbirds affiliate teams, in July 2008 and was waived by the Mavericks in late October 2008. During the 2006-2007 season, McLeod played for the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers, playing in 48 games, starting eight (8) and averaging five (5) ppg.

McLeod, 29, has played 200 games, starting 88 games, in the NBA.

In another transaction, Cheyne Gadson was traded to the Los Angeles D-Fenders for Jasper Johnson, the D-Fenders’ 13th overall NBA D-League draft pick. Johnson was averaging 11.3 ppg, 6 rpg and 3.3 apg with the D-Fenders.

Johnson attended Delta State University in his home state of Mississippi. As a senior at Delta State, Johnson, a power forward, averaged 20.6 points and 8.2 rebounds where he earned First Team All-Conference and NCAA Division II All-American honors and was named GSC-West Player of the Year. Johnson spent the last two years playing professionally in Argentina and Brazil.

“We’re excited about our newly acquired players, which will fulfill some of our needs and give us extra firepower. We’re also saddened by losing two special players. However, in order to get quality players you have to give up quality players, and we feel it’s a win-win for all involved,” commented Tbirds Head Coach John Coffino.

Johnson and McLeod will suit up and play with the Tbirds against the Austin Toros on the road on Friday, December 13, 2008 at 6:30pm MST.

To watch the game live visit www.abqtbirds.com. The Tbirds’ next home game, also against the Toros, on Thursday, December 18 at 10:30am, is one of two School House Jams. They will then play the Toros again on Friday, December 19 at 7pm at Tingley Coliseum at EXPO NM. For tickets please call 505.265.3865 (DUNK) or go online to www.abqtbirds.com.