As the Kentucky Mavericks prepare to move to Owensboro later this year, it appears the team still has the full support of its new, largely Bowling Green-centric roster.

The Daily News on Tuesday reached eight Mavericks players - who were formally introduced Friday, three days before Monday’s announcement about the American Basketball Association franchise’s move - about the relocation.

The responses were similar. For the players, excitement remains high.

“Oh, definitely I’m still going to play,” former Greenwood standout Sean Clark said. “I think the team has bought a charter bus and we’re still going to practice in Bowling Green and everything, so making a drive to Owensboro 15 times a year isn’t going to be too bad.

“I just want the opportunity to play again.”

A common sentiment is held among the players that as long as there’s a chance to play professional basketball, they’re on board.

“I haven’t had a chance to really sit down and talk to anybody about it yet, but from what I’ve seen on the news and stuff, it looks like we’re just going to use a gym up there to play games,” Southern University product and Bowling Green resident Brandon Wardlow said. “As long as there’s basketball to be played, I’ll be a part of it.”

For certain players, the move is actually a benefit. The Mavericks have several players who either grew up in Owensboro or have family closer to that town than to Bowling Green.

“I’m actually from Owensboro, still living there right now and was packing and getting ready to move to Bowling Green - but this might actually work better for me,” former Florida International player Michael James said. “I think that Owensboro is one of the leading sports cities around, so it kind of works in our favor, too ... there are a lot of kids and other people there that don’t have as much to look forward to as far as a college team or professional team, so I think it works out.”

For Butler County native and Bellarmine product Jamie Jackson, playing in either Bowling Green or Owensboro didn’t matter. Either is closer to home than his original summer plan: Europe.

“I’m just excited to be playing basketball here at all,” Jackson said. “I was going to go to Europe and play, that was my original plan, and to be able to play here in front of my family and in front of all the people I grew up around is a blessing in itself.

“I can’t complain at all.”

Even though most aren’t worried about the team suddenly moving to another city - even after Mavericks CEO Jason Smith specifically told the media last week that it wouldn’t - most said playing professionally in Bowling Green was something they were looking forward to, and still hope to have chance to do in the future.

“I was disappointed,” Kentucky State product Marlon Walls said. “I looked forward to playing (in Bowling Green) because I know they have a really nice fan base here, and I really don’t know too much about Owensboro.

“But I’m really not going to let that change anything.”

Sportscenter denies set price

Although Smith said Tuesday that a deal was in place with the 5,000-seat Sportscenter in Owensboro, Sportscenter facility manager Hal Mischel said no rental fee has been agreed upon.

Mischel did say the Mavericks and the venue have agreed on dates for the team’s home games. The two parties are expected to meet today in Owensboro.

“They’ve contacted us and we’ve agreed on some dates,” Mischel said Tuesday. “We’ve talked about price just last week and they’re supposed to be coming to Owensboro here in the next few days to meet and try to work something out.”

Smith said Tuesday the team will pay about $700 a game to play at the Sportscenter and that the deal was “signed, sealed and delivered.”