Johnson Leads Mad Ants Into Camp

CLICK ON THE VIDEO TABS TO SEE WANE'S COVERAGE ALONG WITH EXTENDED INTERVIEWS FROM JAJUAN JOHNSON, DUANE TICKNOR, AND WALKER RUSSELL, JR.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Mad Ants tipped off training camp this week at Concordia Theological Seminary with a former NBA first round draft pick leading the way.

Former Purdue star JaJuan Johnson was the no. 1 overall pick in the NBDL draft by the Mad Ants back on Nov. 2. Johnson - who was a first-round pick by the NBA's Boston Celtics in 2011 - is considered the no. 1 prospect in the D-League this year.

Also back are Fort Wayne staples Ron Howard and Walker Russell, Jr. Russell spent most of last season on the Detroit Pistons roster.

One new face is head coach Duane Ticknor. A NBDL coaching veteran, Ticknor will try and lead the Ants to the franchise's first-ever playoff berth.

The Ants open the regular season Friday, November 23 at home against Erie.

Mad Ants 2012-13 Training Camp Roster

Mike Anderson          VCU    Forward    6’8”     205

Bryant Austin   Indiana Tech      Forward    6’6”  215

Dominic Cheek     Villanova    Forward   6’6” 190

Lenny Daniel          Cal State Northridge   Forward    6’8”      215

Dariese Gary         New Mexico     Guard      6’1”  205

Ron Howard         Valparaiso     Guard        6’5”    185

JaJuan Johnson       Purdue           Forward     6’10”     220

Darryl Partin           Boston       Guard           6’5”            195

Sadiel Rojas         Oklahoma Wesleyan     Guard        6’4”           190

Walker Russell, Jr.       Jacksonville State     Guard             6’0”      170

Sean Sonderleiter         Iowa    Center      6’11”    245

Tommy Smith         Arizona State     Forward   6’10”      215

Bernard Toombs       Troy            Center       6’10”      230

Jason Warren      Missouri Western       Forward     6’7”  195

Dante Williams      East Tennessee State      Guard         6’0”        185