Mikki Moore Gets Celtic Call-Up from NDBL (2003) - MLN SportsZone.com

Roanoke Dazzle

Celtic Dream
Mikki Moore gets the call-up

Originally scheduled to be riding a bus with his NBDL teammates to Asheville, N.C., on Monday night, Roanoke Dazzle forward-center Mikki Moore instead found himself at Boston's FleetCenter putting on the revered uniform of the NBA's Boston Celtics.

Earlier in the day, Moore became the first Dazzle player ever to be called up by the NBA when the Celtics announced they had signed the 6-foot-11, 227-pounder to a 10-day contract.

The 27-year-old Moore, a tough veteran who could play multiple front-court positions, is ready to compete.

He played 145 games for Detroit over four seasons and spent the 2002 preseason with San Antonio. He comes to Boston from the NBDL Roanoke Dazzle, where he was widely regarded as the top player in the minor leagues this season. He was averaging 15.0 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks for the Dazzle.

Mikki saw his playing time with Detroit drop dramatically last season, so he arranged a buyout of his contract. After San Antonio released him following the preseason, he went to the NBDL.

Averaging 4.7 points in his four seasons with the Pistons, Moore is the fourth NBDL player called up to the NBA this season, joining Fayetteville's Devin Brown (San Antonio), Huntsville's Mike Wilks (Atlanta) and Mobile's Bobby Simmons (Washington).

Moore's call-up from Roanoke leaves North Charleston as the only one of the eight NBDL franchises that hasn't had a player move up to the NBA in the second-year league's existence.

Beginning today, NBA teams can sign players to 10-day contracts. The Celtics can sign Moore to two 10-day contracts before they must make a decision about whether he will remain with the team the rest of the season.

To fill Moore's roster spot. the Dazzle signed 6-7, 250-pound forward Gabe Muoneke Muoneke averaged 17.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in 47 games last season with the NBDL's Columbus Riverdragons.