Ex-UCLA stars Martin, Bailey join the Lightning
Darrick Martin played 13 years in NBA; 7-footer Parada also signs
Darrick Martin, a 13-year NBA veteran and the third-leading assist man in UCLA history, has signed to play for the Los Angeles Lightning. Toby Bailey, another ex-UCLA standout, has returned from pro ball in Germany to join the Lightning, which features six former NBA players -- Martin, Bailey, Lamond Murray, Bryon Russell, Juaquin Hawkins and Fred Vinson.
The Lightning (8-3) will take on the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Flight on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (5:30 p.m.) at Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks. Murray (eye injury), who leads L.A. in scoring at 25.3, and Hawkins won't be playing this weekend.
L.A. also signed its first 7-footer, Adam Parada, a former UC Irvine star and Mexican National team player.
Martin, a 5-11 point guard, played 13 years in the NBA for six teams, averaging 6.9 points and 2.9 assists. He tossed in a career-high 38 points on Dec. 30, 1996 vs. Utah as a member of the L.A. Clippers. He had his best two scoring seasons for the Clippers, playing in all 82 games in 1997-98 (10.9 ppg) and '98-99 (10.3).
The former Harlem Globetrotter was the MVP of the 2003 CBA playoffs when he guided the Yakima Sun Kings to the league title.
Bailey, who led UCLA to the 1995 NCAA title with 26 points in the championship game as a freshman, averaged 11.6 points and 4.3 rebounds for the Artland Dragons in Germany's BBL. Last year, he averaged 24.3 points for the Lightning.
After this weekend, the Lightning have four home games remaining. They'll play host to the Arizona Red Rock Raptors on June 20-21 and the Nevada Pride on June 27-28. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
