Bland, Jennings Selected In USBL Draft

April 11, 2000

Coral Gables, FL – Former University of Miami basketball players Mario Bland (Jackson, MS) and Vernon Jennings (College Park, GA) were selected by the Florida Sea Dragons in the 2000 United States Basketball League (USBL) draft held Tuesday.

Bland (6-6, 265) was selected with the sixth pick of the first round while Jennings (6-4, 203) was taken with the third pick of the fourth round (36th overall).

Bland started all 34 games at center for Miami last season and earned second-team All-BIG EAST honors after averaging 12.6 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game.

The Jackson, MS native ended his UM career ranked 14th on the Hurricanes scoring list (1,199 points), 12th in rebounding (680), second in games played (120) and fourth in games started (97).

Jennings, a two-year starter at point guard, ends his UM career as the school’s all-time assist leader (520 assists). Jennings recorded 218 assists as a senior breaking the UM single assist record he set his junior season (167).

Jennings also led the BIG EAST in assists for the second consecutive season averaging 6.94 assists in league competition. Jennings is the first player since Sherman Douglas (Syracuse) in 1988-89 to repeat as BIG EAST assist champion.

Both Jennings and Bland played a major part in the Hurricanes rise to national prominence. During their four seasons the Hurricanes went 80-41, advanced to the post-season four straight seasons including three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, led Miami to the 1999-2000 BIG EAST regular-season title as well as the school’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. They also led the Hurricanes to a 48-22 BIG EAST record tying Connecticut for the best conference mark over the last four seasons.