#1. This week's number one is an international guard Earl Rowland (188-83, college: St.Mary's, CA, currently plays in VTB United League). He led his Latvian team VEF Riga to a 2-point victory over the eighth-ranked CEZ Nymburk (2-4) 83-81 in the VTB United League in Sunday night's game.
Rowland was MVP of the game. He scored 26 points (!!!), had 6 rebounds and dished 8 assists in 31 minutes on the court.
VEF Riga (4-2) is placed third in group B.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
It's Rowland's first year with the team.
Rowland is the league's top scorer and also on the list of best rebounders (fifth place).
He has individually a very good year with high stats. Rowland averages: 20.0ppg, 7.3rpg, 6.5apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP: 66.7%(40-60), 3FGP: 37.5% and FT: 78.6% in the six games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Rowland played for the Bulgarian senior national team one years ago.
Strangely he has never played in Bulgaria.
#2. Second place goes to former international point guard Ibrahim Jaaber (187-84, college: Pennsylvania, currently plays in Euroleague), who plays in Lithuania. Jaaber could not help Zalgiris (5-1) to beat Cedevita (2-4).
He scored 8 points and added 4 passes.
The first-placed Zalgiris was edged in a double overtime (!!!) 108-106 on the road by the lower-ranked Cedevita (#5) in the group C of Euroleague.
They ended the series of five consecutive victories.
There are only four games left until the end of the Euroleague Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
It's Jaaber's first season with the team.
Jaaber is currently third on the league's list of most steals.
His overall stats this season are: 6.8ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.6apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 36.4% and FT: 85.7%.
Jaaber is a naturalized American.
He played for the Bulgarian national team in 2009.
Apparently Jaaber has never played in Bulgaria.
#3. The Bulgarian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Earl Calloway (191-83, college: Indiana, currently plays in Spain), who plays in the Spanish ACB. He was not able to help Unicaja Malaga (5-3) in their last game. Despite Calloway's good performance Unicaja Malaga lost 74-85 in Madrid to the lower-ranked (#8) Asefa Estudiantes.
He scored 11 points (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line) in 24 minutes.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
This year Calloway's overall stats are: 8.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 57.9%(11-19), 3FGP: 25.7% and FT: 83.3% in the eight games.
He is a naturalized American.
Calloway played for the Bulgarian national team two years ago.
Interesting that he has never played in Bulgaria.
#4. Power forward Dejan Ivanov (205-86, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in VTB United League) was the major contributor in a Lietuvos rytas' victory against the ninth-ranked Kalev/Cramo (1-5) 73-60 in the VTB United League in Monday night's game.
Ivanov scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (3-3) is placed sixth in group A.
But there are still lots of games to play and it's a long way to go.
This year Ivanov's total stats are: 9.2ppg and 4.6rpg in the five games.
He used to play for the Bulgarian national team
last year.
#5. International power forward Hristo Nikolov (200-85, currently plays in Romania) led U-Mobitelco to an easy victory against the 12th-ranked Giurgiu (3-5) crushing them 76-50 in the Romanian Division A on Monday night.
He scored 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 33 minutes.
CS U-Mobitelco Cluj Napoca (6-2) is placed third in the Division A.
Nikolov has very impressive stats this year: 16.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.8apg and 1.9spg in the eight games.
He plays currently for the Bulgarian national team.
#6. Center Jared Homan (206-83, college: Iowa St., currently plays in Germany) was not able to secure a victory for Bayern Muenchen (5-4) in their game against Brose Baskets Bamberg (7-1) in the German BBL.
Homan scored 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 19 minutes.
Bayern Muenchen lost 68-76 in Bamberg to the second-ranked Brose Baskets.
Homan has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg and 1.2bpg in the nine games.
He is a naturalized American.
Homan is a former international player as he played for the Bulgarian senior team two years ago.
However he has never played in Bulgaria.
#7. International power forward Cedric Simmons (206-86, college: N.Carolina St., currently plays in Italy) managed to help Enel Brindisi to win against the league outsider Sutor Montegranaro (2-6) 97-78 in the Italian SerieA on Sunday night.
Simmons scored only 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds.
Enel Brindisi (4-4) is placed eighth in the SerieA.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Simmons is ranked fifth on the list of the best blockers in the league.
He has averaged so far 7.8ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.4bpg.
Simmons is a naturalized American.
He is also Bulgarian national team player.
#8. Forward Hristo Petkov (202-85, college: Campbellsville, currently plays in Denmark), who plays in the Danish Ligaen couldn't help Aarhus BC (4-7) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Aarhus BC was crushed 80-48 in a derby game by the second-ranked Bakken.
Petkov had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 12 rebounds in 36 minutes.
Petkov has relatively good stats this year: 14.1ppg and 7.2rpg in the 11 games.
He used to play for the Bulgarian national team
back in 2001.
#9. International forward Kaloyan Ivanov (205-86, also represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Eurocup) couldn't help BC Donetsk (0-2) in their game against Galatasaray (2-0) in the Eurocup. Ivanov cannot count Wednesday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 3 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
BC Donetsk was defeated 72-68 in Istanbul by the leading Galatasaray.
There are only four games left until the end of the Eurocup Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
Ivanov has averaged so far 5.0ppg and 6.5rpg.
He used to play for the Bulgarian national team
last year.
#10. Shooting guard Pavlin Ivanov (194-93, another player represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Adriatic League) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams KK Zadar (3-6) 76-60 in the Adriatic League on Saturday night.
Ivanov scored only 2 points in 6 minutes on the court. It was his first game for Buducnost this season.
His team is placed fourth in the Adriatic League.
Ivanov is an international player who is currently on the senior Bulgarian National Team roster.
#11. Former international center Krum Doychinov (206-86, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Greece) led OFI to a victory against the seventh-ranked Lavrio 71-68 in the Greek A2 (second division) in Saturday night's game.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 12 points and getting 10 rebounds. Doychinov also added 3 assists and 2 blocks.
Doychinov is currently fifth on the league's list of best rebounders and also on the list of best blockers (third place).
He has averaged so far 9.3ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2bpg.
Doychinov used to play for the Bulgarian national team
two years ago.
#12. International small forward Filip Videnov (196-80, agency: Alti Sport, college: W.Kentucky, currently plays in VTB United League) contributed to an easy victory against the ninth-ranked Neptunas crushing them 84-63 in the VTB United League on Monday night.
Videnov scored only 2 points.
He has averaged so far 4.6ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.4apg.
Videnov is also in the roster of the Bulgarian national team.
#13. Former U20 international forward Simeon Iliev (203-89, another player represented by Interperformances, currently plays in Balkan League) couldn't help Kavala in their game against Teodo Tivat in the Balkan League. He cannot count Tuesday's game as one of the best ones.
Iliev scored only 3 points in 13 minutes.
His team was crushed by 27 points 98-71.
He has averaged so far 3.8ppg and 2.3rpg in the four games.
Iliev used to play for the Bulgarian U20 national team
three years ago.
#14. International guard Aleksandar Gruev (187-83, agency: Global Sports Plaza, currently plays in Romania) couldn't help CSU Sibiu in their game against Timisoara in the Romanian Division A.
He scored only 4 points.
His team was badly defeated by 19 points 85-66.
This season Gruev has relatively solid stats: 11.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 4.2apg.
He used to play for the Bulgarian national team
last year.
The list of other players, who all have Bulgarian passport but never been selected to any of Bulgarian national teams:
#1.Willie Deane (188-PG-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Purdue, currently plays in EuroChallenge) led his Ukrainian team Khimik to a 3-point victory over the fourth-ranked JDA Dijon (0-2) 76-73 in the EuroChallenge last Tuesday.
Deane was the best player in that game. He scored 17 points and added 6 passes.
Khimik-OPZ Yuzny (2-0) is placed second in group D.
There are only four games left until the end of the EuroChallenge Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
It's Deane's first season with the team.
Deane has relatively good stats this year: 12.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 4.0apg.
He is a naturalized American.
Deane used to play for PBC Lukoil Akademik Sophia in Bulgarian league.
#2.Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Euroleague) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Caja Laboral (1-5) 89-72 in the Euroleague on Friday night.
He scored 9 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (4-2) is placed third in group C.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
There are only four games left until the end of the Euroleague Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial.
This year Antic's overall stats are: 5.8ppg and 4.0rpg in the six games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: FYR Macedonian and Bulgarian.
#3.Ilian Evtimov (201-F-83, agency: Interperformances, college: N.Carolina St., currently plays in France) led Chalon/Saor to a victory over the closely-ranked Cholet (4-3) 99-95 in the French ProA on Sunday night.
Evtimov was the best player in that game. He recorded 19 points.
ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (5-2) is placed third in the ProA.
But the season is still in it's first stage and everything can happen.
Evtimov has relatively good stats this season: 12.1ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.0apg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bulgarian and French.
#4.Kee Kee Clark (180-PG-84, college: St.Peter's, currently plays in Italy), who plays in the Italian SerieA could not help Umana Venezia (3-5) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Clark's good performance Umana Venezia was defeated 75-67 on the road by the higher-ranked Lottomatica Roma (#5).
He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Clark also added 5 rebounds.
Clark is ranked seventh on the list of the top scorers in the league.
He has individually a very good season with high stats. Clark averages: 16.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg.
He is a naturalized American.
However Clark has never played in Bulgaria.
#5.Kristoffer Gafor (194-G-92, currently plays in Sweden) was the main contributor in Malbas' victory against the third-ranked Haga Haninge (6-2) 73-68 in the Swedish Basketettan (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Gafor was the best player in that game. He recorded a double-double by scoring 27 points and getting 11 rebounds. Gafor also added 4 assists.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group South. Malbas Oresund (6-2) is placed second.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Gafor is currently third on the league's list of top scorers.
This season he has very high stats. Gafor averages: 22.4ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.8apg and 1.8spg.
He has both Swedish and Bulgarian nationalities.
#6.Dimitar Karadzovski (190-G-84, agency: Global Sports Plaza, currently plays in Balkan League) was not able to help Kozuv in their game against Rilski Sportist in the Balkan League.
He scored 7 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 33 minutes.
His team was badly defeated by 19 points 75-56.
This year Karadzovski has relatively solid stats: 10.2ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.8apg and 1.4spg in the five games.
He also holds two passports: Bulgarian and FYR Macedonian.
#7.Galin Mihaylov (189-G-80, currently plays in Norway) managed to help Tromso Storm in a victory against the league outsider Ammerud Bskt 86-67 in the Norwegian BLNO on Saturday night.
Mihaylov scored only 3 points and had 3 steals in 10 minutes.
He has averaged so far 9.0ppg, 1.5rpg and 2.3apg in the 10 games.
Balkan and Rilski Sportist tied the Semifinals at 2-2 - May 15, 2013
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Balkan - Levski Sofia 92-80 (2-2)
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch [read more]
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Jordan Bozov (191-79, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian forward Vladimir Panic (194-82) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) during the contest. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. At the losing side Serbian point guard Marko Marinovic (183-83) responded with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian center Mladen Pantic (209-82, agency: Alti Sport) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Levski Sofia's coach Konstantin Papazov rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: Balkan: J.Bozov 22+6reb+3ast, V.Panic 20+7reb+3ast, A.Santos 14+6reb+2ast, S.Marinov 14+4reb+5ast, U.Petrovic 9+1reb+2ast, S.Slaveykov 9+2reb Levski Sofia: M.Marinovic 26+5reb+4ast, M.Pantic 14+7reb, C.Kostov 9+2reb+5ast, N.Varbanov 8+7reb, P.Ivanov 5+1reb+1ast, D.Anguelov 4+2reb
Rilski Sportist made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Lukoil Academik helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Serbian guard Branko Mirkovic (190-82, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!) and 8 assists. American-Italian forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-89, college: USF) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American center Darryl Watkins (211-84, college: Syracuse) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Brandon Heath (193-84, college: San Diego St.) added 27 points in the effort for Lukoil Academik. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Top scorers: Rilski Sportist: B.Mirkovic 36+1reb+8ast, T.Smith 19+2reb+1ast, A.Caloiaro 11+11reb+2ast, S.Vaklinov 11+4reb+1ast, H.Zahariev 8+1reb+4ast, T.Gugino 6+11reb+1ast Lukoil Academik: B.Heath 27+2ast, D.Watkins 19+13reb+1ast, B.Popovic 16+2reb+5ast, D.Haritopoulos 15+6reb+1ast, T.Stoykov 6+3reb+1ast, P.Marinov 3+4reb
Levski Sofia is now ahead 2-1 in the semifinal series of the championship against Balkan Botevgrad. In Game 3 The Greens from Botevgrad won at home 86-78 and kept alive their chances of reaching the finals. Game 4 is on Wednesday in Botevgrad.
Balkan had a great start to the match and scored the opening 12 points. Late in the first half the team went up by 22, but Levski started the third quarter well and came right back into the match [read more]
Levski Sofia is now ahead 2-1 in the semifinal series of the championship against Balkan Botevgrad. In Game 3 The Greens from Botevgrad won at home 86-78 and kept alive their chances of reaching the finals. Game 4 is on Wednesday in Botevgrad.
Balkan had a great start to the match and scored the opening 12 points. Late in the first half the team went up by 22, but Levski started the third quarter well and came right back into the match. In the last quarter the visitors cut their deficit to 5 points, but then Balkan scored a triple and a two-pointer and managed to hold on to their lead until the end.
Vladimir Panic (194-F-82) was the top scorer for the winners with 25 points, as he also added 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Jordan Bozov (191-G-79) had 16 points and Stanislav Slaveykov (198-F-86) scored 14.
Julian Radionov (187-PG-79) is the new head coach of one of the most respected Bulgarian teams - Tundja Yambol.
Long time national team player, outstanding playmaker and one of the most intelligent competitors in the country, Radionov decided to leave the floor and take the next challenge - on the sideline.
Radionov played for Tundja Yambol in the last four seasons, and has always been fan favorite, which he hopes will continue to be so when he is on the bench [read more]
Julian Radionov (187-PG-79) is the new head coach of one of the most respected Bulgarian teams - Tundja Yambol. Long time national team player, outstanding playmaker and one of the most intelligent competitors in the country, Radionov decided to leave the floor and take the next challenge - on the sideline. Radionov played for Tundja Yambol in the last four seasons, and has always been fan favorite, which he hopes will continue to be so when he is on the bench. Julian Radionov is inheriting the position from legendary Ivan Cholakov , who left basketball to pursue career in politics. Cholakov left Diana Hall in tears after an emotional ceremony on Tuesday.
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