BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Bellingham Slam have added another familiar face to their roster, signing former Western Washington Viking and local prep star Tyler Amaya to a contract today. Making the announcement was Slam general manager Robert Hofstetter.
Amaya, 25, played two seasons at WWU, averaging 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Amaya helped lead the Vikings to NCAA Division-II West Region Tournament appearances both seasons, reaching the Regional Final his senior season. Prior to joining the Vikings, Amaya played his freshman season at Gonzaga and his sophomore season at Dixie State.
Amaya was a standout at Mount Vernon High School, leading the Bulldogs to the 3A State Championship in 2001, scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in the title game against Rainier Beach, earning Tournament MVP honors. During his three seasons at Mount Vernon, Amaya helped the Bulldogs post a 77-4 overall record.
Most recently, Amaya played professionally this winter with the Düsseldorf Magics in Germany, where he averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. In 2007, Amaya played alongside Slam teammate Ryan Diggs with Aris Friesland in Holland.
Amaya will join the Slam this week and will be in uniform for the team’s two road games against the Edmonton Chill on Saturday and Sunday.
To make room on the roster for Amaya, the Slam have placed Erroll Knight on injured reserve, after he sustained a knee injury last week.