Davis Bowne and Douglas McLaughlin-Williams are teammates once again!

Sean Kilmartin, USA Select Head Coach and General Manager is pleased to announce that The Bristol Academy Flyers of the England Basketball League Division 1 have signed 6’8” swingman, Douglas McLaughlin-Williams and 6’8” power forward, Davis Bowne. Both McLaughlin-Williams and Bowne shared successful collegiate careers at NCAA Division 1 Appalachian State University.

McLaughlin-Williams has 2 full season of professional basketball under his belt (one in the UK where he was the league leader is scoring, followed by a highly successful season in Australia). Bowne, the son of one of North Carolina high school’s top coach’s (Gary Bowne) is enjoying his first professional contract. The players follow a long line of Appalachian State University players who have played professionally in the UK over the recent years.

From the Bristol Flyers website:

Flyers Announce new signings: Big Tall Order Bristol Academy Flyers, Bristol’s first professional basketball team have announced their first 2 new signings ahead of the 2009/10 season.

The Flyers who compete in England Basketball’s Senior National League Division I begin the new season with a pre season friendly against the Team USA Select team on Thursday September the 17th. Flyers who currently play in the 500 seat WISE Arena have been buoyed by the fact that on October the 24th the Arena will unveil 600 additional seats installed ready for the new season making the venue a 1,000 seat Arena for game days. Flyers averaged crowds of 400 plus spectators last year and this season will see the home court Capacity grow ahead of the new season.

Flyers will be hoping to fill the arena with a flurry of new signings ahead of the season. Flyers can now confirm that their two American imports have signed contracts and have received work permits. The 2 players will fly in to join the team on Friday September 11th.

Doug Mclaughlin Williams a 6”8 guard joins the flyers after a stand out college career at NCAA Division I Appalachian State University, he comes with professional experience having played with Sheffield last year where he was selected for the Leagues All star starting 5. “Doug brings the team added experience and at 6”8 he adds some more height at the guard position, Doug is a proven scorer who will be a valuable asset to the club this season” Quotes Head Coach Andreas Kapoulas.

Also joining Williams will be 6”9 Centre Davis Bowen, who like William’s was a part of Appalachian State University programme. Bowen has just graduated and this will be his first professional contract but he will bring some more size to the Flyers team as they look forward to the new season. “Davis is a big guy and brings the team some added size in the front court; he can play both power forward and Centre and he comes with some very good references and his game tapes show he will be a physical presence on the boards” Comments Kapoulas.

Flyers first game will see the team face the USA Select team on Thursday September the 17th at 7.30pm at the WISE Arena. The USA select team which is full of College and University players from Division I and II NCAA programmes will see the a tough test for the new Flyers team.