'Poster guy' for IMG -
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Published on: 8/10/2005
Last Visited: 8/10/2005
BRADENTON -- Nobody was happier than Ricky Sanchez when he heard his name called during the recent NBA draft.But the moment was also pretty special for everyone associated with the basketball academy at IMG Academies.
While the 17-year-old Sanchez realized a dream when he was selected in the second round of the draft held June 28, the event may pay even bigger dividends for the academy.
"Watching the draft and seeing 'Rick Sanchez of IMG Academies' was really neat," said Joe Abunassar, director of the basketball academy based here.
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Sanchez is now the poster guy for that pledge, representing the first full-time high school player at the academy ever selected by an NBA team.
Sanchez's selection was a surprise because of how far he came in such a small amount of time.In less than a year, Sanchez went from a rail-thin questionable Division I player to a 6-foot-11, 220-pound small forward coveted by the NBA.
The timing of the breakthrough couldn't have been better.
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While the academy gained attention with the selection of Sanchez in the draft, the facility is already home to many post-high school players who hope to increase their opportunities, as well as many current NBA players who choose to train at the academy during the off-season.