“I am so pleased to welcome the newest members of the Flight Crew dunk team: Adam Rapezzi and David Robinson,” said Hooper (though his sign interpreter). “They will each be excellent additions to the extreme talent we already have in our three returning members: Glen Clark, Samer El-Awad and Dan Thomas.”

Besides having a great basketball name, Robinson, 17, impressed Hooper with his passing and jumping ability. “One of David's biggest strengths is his consistency in passing,” Hooper said. “For a team that performs so many multiple-person dunks, and relies on precision passes, David will be a huge asset.”

A junior at Macomb Lutheran High North, Robinson said he hopes to put the same time and energy into the Flight Crew that he would into playing a varsity sport. “I just hope to become close with the team,” he said. “Hopefully we can make the fans in the crowd have fun. I love to entertain and to be part of a team that’s entertaining.”

Rapezzi, 19, is another local addition from Sterling Heights, where he grew up jumping on a trampoline since he was eight years old. “I love Adam's enthusiasm,” Hooper said. “His experience jumping on his backyard trampoline has made him very comfortable in the air, and the aerial stunts he performed during tryouts will add excitement to our shows.”

Rapezzi was first introduced to Flight Crew fans in the story “Taking Flight” on Pistons.com July 27. The story chronicles the pre-tryout training session where returning members worked with aspiring Flight Crew performers.

“We are so fortunate to welcome back three veteran members this year. Dan has been with me since the formation of "Hooper & The Flight Crew,” said Hooper, who has directed the trampoline-propelled dunk team since its inception for the 2005-06 season. “Much like Tayshaun Prince, his long reach has saved many bad passes and turned them into incredible dunks. Glen adds creative style and finesse to his dunks. His powerful slams still have me staring in amazement. Years of gymnastics training have prepared Samer to do anything on our trampoline. I love his motivation and drive to try new dunks and push the limits of what has been done. All three of these guys make me look good out there."

The 2007-08 Flight Crew appearance schedule has yet to be finalized. Contact Taylor Griswold at tgriswold@palacenet.com or call 248-377-8607 to learn more about bringing Hooper and his Flight Crew to your event.