ALBANY — Teammates Arsenio Arrington and Ed Dyson III wanted to get out of an uncertain situation with the Kalmazoo (Mich.) Galaxy of The Basketball League.
Even with a 15-3 record, Albany Patroons coach Derrick Rowland wanted to improve his roster with the TBL postseason approaching.
They found each other three weeks ago.
“We could not stand pat,” Rowland said. “I saw what the other teams had and I knew we needed to add some guys. Again, everybody tries to get better before the playoffs, and I’ve been in this league a long time, and I understand that concept. You’ve got to get better.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday (vs. Tri-State), 7 p.m. Saturday (vs. Syracuse)
Where: Washington Avenue Armory, Albany
After losing their first game with Arrington and Dyson, the Patroons (18-4) have ripped off three straight victories heading into the final weekend of the regular season. They’ll play home games at 7 p.m. Friday against the Tri-State Admirals (3-18) and 7 p.m. Saturday against the Syracuse Stallions (15-7) at Washington Avenue Armory.
Saturday’s game was moved from Syracuse to the Armory because the Stallions had a venue conflict, according to Rowland, whose team can still win the Northeast Division title. The Patroons will have a home playoff game on Tuesday.
Arrington, a 6-foot-9 forward, is averaging 11.8 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Patroons. Dyson, a 6-4 guard, is averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Both have moved into the starting lineup.
“The process is actually smoother than most might think,” Arrington said. “We came here and we were like perfect fits for what the team needed. They needed another big, like myself, athletic, who can run the floor, block shots, rebound and then a bigger guard (Dyson) who can post up and take advantages of mismatches.”
Dyson said they found their new teammates to be welcoming, even though their arrival meant more competition for playing time.
“They all came to me,” Dyson said. “Usually coaches will be like, ‘Hey guys, this is Ed.’ Didn’t have to do that. The guys had already came to me with handshakes, hugs, stuff like that and it was just a perfect atmosphere for me.”
Both expressed gratitude to be with a winner after playing for Kalamazoo, a first-year franchise that is 8-15. Moreover, Arrington and Dyson said they missed paychecks in Kalamazoo. Dyson said he still hasn’t been paid for his final two games with the Galaxy.
They said Kalamazoo offered their release so they could sign with another team.
“I’m not bitter about it,” Dyson said. “I’m grateful for this situation and Arsenio, because he didn’t have a team. God works in mysterious ways.”
Rowland had seen Dyson play in the TBL All-Star Game in April in Easton, Pa. Dyson recommended Arrington, though Rowland already knew Arrington’s agent.
“It was great for us to have a chance to get those guys,” Rowland said. “Couldn’t be happier.”
Arrington said having Dyson with him in Albany made the transition easier.
“That was the main thing, as well,” Arrington said. “I told them when I was leaving Kalamazoo, I was like, ‘I hope to play with somebody I was just playing with. Hopefully we can in some way get a package deal and go somewhere together.’ It gave me the motivation to come because Ed was already here.”
Dyson, 31, played in college at Austin Peay. After finishing there in 2015, he retired from basketball for several years and became a physical education teacher. He returned this season.
“When I had my son (Jaxson), he gave me that motivation to get back out here,” Dyson said. “I still have love for the game and didn’t want to go into life thinking about ‘What if? ‘ ”
Arrington, 27, played at Aquinas College of the NAIA. His pro journey has taken him to Germany, Romania, Malta, El Salvador, Colombia, Hong Kong and Grand Rapids of the G League.
“It’s been fun — the easiest way to travel, I tell people,” Arrington said. “I probably wouldn’t have visited any of these countries if it wasn’t for basketball.”