New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to previews, recaps, features and exclusive coverage.

During the 2010 State Farm Slam Dunk Contest Competition, an ESPN announcer said Marqus Blakely “has a better elevator than we’ve got in our hotel room.”

He used to dazzle fans in Burlington with his vicious blocks and his high-flying dunks.

And now he gets to do that during NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando, Fla., as a Development League all-star.

Former Vermont Catamount Marqus Blakely, currently suiting up for the Iowa Energy, was named a D-League All-Star yesterday and will play for the East squad during the NBA all-star festivities in Orlando on Feb. 25. Blakely is among 20 of the game’s top prospects to be selected.

The two-time America East Player of the Year is averaging 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per games with the Energy this season. Blakely finished the 2010-2011 season with the NBA’s Houston Rockets, a stint that saw him dress for the final regular season game against the Timberwolves.

The Burlington Free Press keeps you updated on one of the best players in America East history.

For more of the Daily Word, check out the AExtra Blog.