Quote:And a slam dunk from the foul line activates multi-ball.

Great timing: Terry Dehere's latest project brings pro-basketball back to Jersey City

Published: Tuesday, October 04, 2011
By Adam Maher/The Jersey Journal

Former St. Anthony standout, and NBA first-round draft pick Terry Dehere will take the reigns as head coach for the Express.

A harsh reality finally came to fruition last week for pro-basketball fans in Hudson County:

Partial owner Shawn ?Jay-Z? Carter officially announced that his NBA team, currently known as the New Jersey Nets, will be renaming itself the ?Brooklyn Nets,? to coincide with their relocation to the second most populated NYC borough for the 2012-13 NBA season.

I guess it really was all good just a week ago, Mr. Carter.

But a new hope that lies deep within Jersey City?s grassroots is set to fill the void.

Terry Dehere, the former LA Clippers NBA First Round Draft pick, and current life-long Jersey City resident, has assumed the position of head coach for Jersey City?s latest pro-basketball project - The Jersey Express, of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

"We want the people of Jersey City to be aware, and to be a part of something special in bringing pro-basketball back to the city,? Dehere proclaimed in a phone interview with the Journal Tuesday afternoon.

Dehere first achieved local celebrity status in the late 1980's, when he lead St. Anthony High School to its first ever national championship - happening at the same time, ironically, was the demise of the last Jersey City pro-bball team, The Jersey Jammers.

When asked to compare the modern ABA league to the NBA's D-League, Terry had plenty to say.

"The main difference is that the D-League is a direct affiliation of the NBA, meaning that the current NBA Lockout will govern it as well," Terry said.

"The the D-League may have a higher pool of D1 talent, but the ABA has some exciting rules that make for fast-paced, and high scoring games," Dehere said, " for example, if you steal the ball from your opposition and score before they get across half court, that's a four-point basket."

Team-owner Marsha Blount and Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy both look forward to hosting the Express as well.

?I?d like to thank Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy for his support, and commitment to the success of the team,? Blount said in an official press release, ?we look forward to Mayor Healy opening the new season for us on opening night, and we look forward to continuing our involvement in the city, with several upcoming community events and back-to-school initiatives.?

Luther Wright, also a former St. Anthony star turned NBA Draftee (Utah Jazz), will stand next to Dehere as assistant coach.

The team is holding its final open tryout at James J. Ferris High School in Jersey City on Oct. 15, 2011, at 12 p.m.

?It?s a great opportunity for local talent to be a part of a pro team here in Jersey City,? Dehere said.

Opening night for The Jersey Express is set for Nov. 19, 2011, at 7 p.m., with 14 regular-season home games to follow this winter at the National Guard Jersey City Armory, located at 678 Montgomery Street.