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Former Abbey Guard Signs Contract With ABA’s Carolina Cheetahs

Richard Barbee becomes third Crusader to sign professional contract.

Former Belmont Abbey men’s basketball guard Richard Barbee (2008-11) has signed a professional contract with the Carolina Cheetahs of the American Basketball Association. The Cheetahs are based in Greensboro, NC and begin their season on November 19. The Cheetahs are a member of the Mid-Atlantic Division and play their home games on the campus of UNC Greensboro.

Barbee, who was invited to the Charlotte Bobcats pre-NBA draft workout, is one of the most prolific scorers in school history, as he became just the fourth Crusader, and the first in 22 years, to score 2,000 career points in the Abbey’s 84-81 upset win at top-seeded Queens in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. He needed 15 points to reach 2,000 and finished with 19. His 2,018 career points are fourth on the school’s all-time list.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia product is the school’s first four-time all-conference selection. He earned first-team honors in 2009 and 2011 and garnered second-team honors in 2008 and 2010. He was the Conference Freshman of the Year in 2008. Only two other players in school history had been named all-conference three times.

Barbee is the third Crusader to sign a professional contract, joining Alex Pledger (New Zealand Breakers) and Chad Patus (AD UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO-Spain)