[Innocent Bystander]

I just noticed that the minor league (probably more like semi-pro) basketball team here in Grand Rapids just signed Keith Salsheider from Liberty. What do you guys know about this guy. I see he has recently been playing in the CBA, but I know that the IBL (the league that the Grand Rapids Flight are in) has been compared to a "beer league" as far as the talent level is concerned. Can this guy play?

[TallyW]

I couldn't find anything on him... All I found said he came from St. Cloud State in '02

[LUconn]

yeah, I've never heard of him. Maybe there's some kind of Liberty community college.

[kel varson]

He's definitely Liberty. Although I think you butchered the spelling of his last name. Anyway, I remember him well. He was on the team during Hankinson's first season. He played with CJ Cowgill, Delawn Grandison, Jamal Bennett and friends. He didn't play much. I'm guessing he averaged less than 5 minutes a game on a team that was pretty awful. He was cut/or transferred the next season as the talent level increased. I think he was 6'4 or 6'5, and about 220.

[kel varson]

Here's his signing class:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketba/skhssgn1.htm

[WinthropEagleFan]

Wow, I haven't seen some of those names in a long time...Thanks for posting that link...

[kel varson]

Apparently Keith must have gotten much better. Here are some of his honors.

http://www.gsacsports.org/archives/mbk/ ... wards.html

Here's his picture. It's definitely the guy I remember.

http://www.iblhoopsonline.com/teamGrandRapids.html

About the league:

The International Basketball League is a second year professional basketball league featuring two rules that reduce dead time: 1) one timeout per quarter 2) an immediate inbound. The result is an athletic game that is very fun to watch. The IBL scoring average per team in 2005 was 127 pts per game. The IBL also is based on affordability for an owner. IBL owners will get very efficient schedules; owners are guaranteed a maximum of one trip that requires air travel. This efficiency of schedule means that once a team is founded, that team will survive and then thrive. For more articles beyond this one below, click on each team to the right. Videos can be found as well.


Another interesting article about Salscheider.

http://www.mlive.com/sports/muchronicle ... xml&coll=8

[PAmedic]

Beer league. Did I hear Beer league?