RED CLAWS ACQUIRE
MARIO WEST

Appeared in 117 Games with Atlanta Hawks

PORTLAND, ME - The Maine Red Claws, presented by Quirk Chevrolet, today announced that the team has acquired Mario West. To make room on the roster, the team waived Stanley Thomas. The announcement was made by Red Claws President and General Manager Jon Jennings.

West, 25, appeared in 117 regular season games with the Atlanta Hawks over the last two seasons. He saw action in five preseason contests with the Hawks this season, putting in 2.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 1.0 spg. He was waived by Atlanta on October 22. West signed an NBA D-League contract and was claimed by the Red Claws.

A walk-on at Georgia Tech, the 6-5, 210 lb. guard went on to be team captain as a senior and captured the 2007 State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest, netting a perfect score in the final round to edge Brent Petway.  West also received the Michael Isenhour Inspirational Award and the team's Excellence Award for overall achievement on and off the court his senior season.  Undrafted by the NBA out of college, he signed with Atlanta in 2007.

“When we saw Mario West’s name on the list of available players, we knew right away what he would add to our team,” Jennings said. “He brings a wealth of NBA experience to the team, and we expect him to be an integral part of the Red Claws’ success.”