XPLOSION SIGN WVU'S PITTSNOGLE

KEVIN PITTSNOGLE (center) is flanked by former Duquesne star BRYANT McALLISTER (left) and former WVU/CalU star DREW SCHIFINO inside Mellon Arena.

PITTSBURGH, November 8, 2006 – The Pittsburgh Xplosion announced today the signing of former West Virginia University standout KEVIN PITTSNGOLE to a contract for the 2006-07 season. The Martinsburg, W.Va. native was the team's first round selection, sixth overall, in the 2006 Continental Basketball Association College Draft.

One of college basketball's premier players during his four-year career at WVU, Pittsnogle captured Honorable Mention All-America and First Team All-Big East accolades as a senior after averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and shooting 41 percent from three-point range. The sixth all-time leading scorer in program history with 1,708 points, the 6-10 forward guided the Mountaineers to three-straight postseason appearances, including trips to the NCAA Tournament's Elite 8 as a junior and the Sweet 16 as a senior.

The dynamic big man will be afforded the opportunity to work with several individuals affiliated with the Pittsburgh organization who have significant ties to the NBA. General Manager Freddie Lewis captured three titles in an 11-year pro career in the NBA and ABA; Armon Gilliam, a 13-year NBA veteran, returns for his second season with the club; and five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway serves as co-founder and chief basketball operations advisor for Trinity Sports and Entertainment Group which is the Xplosion's parent company.

“We're extremely excited to have Kevin join our team,” stated Lewis. ”He had a highly-successful college career at West Virginia and we believe the fans in Pittsburgh will embrace him. He has the ability to play at the highest level and we hope that we can provide him with the resources necessary to make it to the NBA.”

Former Duquesne star BRYANT McALLISTER (left) and former WVU/CalU star DREW SCHIFINO will also attend Xplosion Training Camp, beginning on November 14.

The Club 4 Life in Monroeville, Pa. serves as the Xplosion's training and practice facility. The team opens training camp on November 14. The club's 2006-07 Continental Basketball Association season kicks off at Albany on December 1 and its home opener versus the Indiana AlleyCats at Mellon Arena will be on Wednesday, December 6. Season ticket packages start at $150. Call the Xplosion ticket office at (877) 410-9900 for more information.

Left: KEVIN PITTSNOGLE speaks with WTAE's Jon Burton. RIGHT: Xplosion Head Coach LARRY ANDERSON speaks with Fox Sport Net's Dan Potash.

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