Its been a very long time since I last posted on this blog. Ive had a battle back and forth to whether Ill even continue playing the great game of basketball as a professional. Getting to this point has been a lifelong dream of mine, one I have pictured over and over since I was a little kid, so to hang up the sneakers now seems surreal. But it appears that I may not have a choice and Ill let what will be, be and know that it will work out. So here is why Ive come to this point.
After hitting the deer in Hungary I thought it was best for my family and I to play somewhere else. The accident not only left me with a fear of deer on the road (or brown bushes) but cost a lot financially. The Hungarian government tried taking away my license for 3 months, making me pay for the deer I killed (up to $5,000) and also threatened to make me pay for the teammate that was riding with me hospital bill. They said I was liable because there was a deer warning sign a few KM back and because I was liable I also had to pay for the car I just totaled. Apparently insurance wouldnt cover it.
So after that great experience I went to Finland. I wanted a change in scenery and hopefully springboard my career to where I could get a good job for next year. Unfortunately I chose the wrong situation to do so. While my team was talented, we were unfortunately not compensated in a timely matter. The financial strain on my family (wife and 2 kids) was too much after the accident and not being paid that we felt it was best to leave Finland on the flight that was already purchased from Hungary. This was a very tough decision for me but I could not put my family at risk any longer being so far from home without a reliable income.
I have now moved to plan B, C and maybe even D. I have my door wide open to continue playing for the right situation. My family and I love to travel and would jump at the opportunity to continue living abroad. That is plan A. Plan B is not so bad either. I have started a management company with my Dad which owns and operates three companies. I was able to come home and get right to work which has been a major blessing. Its been a lot of fun putting my MBA education to work in a legitimate business. My basketball academy, Roots Basketball, has unfortunately suffered because of the other business but is starting back up next month. We will have clinics in the months of Sept and October and we are expecting over 40 kids. Lastly, if I cant play overseas I want to start an IBL team in my hometown and run it under a European model, sponsors on jerseys and rely on advertising for income not only ticket sales. No matter what Im going to find a way to keep playing competitively.
As August comes to a close I get a major itch to take an offer. So far I have had Hungary, Turkey, Romania and few other small leagues make offers but nothing that will pull me away from my business endeavors. Below are updated highlight tapes and game film for those who want to check it out. I finished with 17.9 PPG and 5.9 ASST in Hungary while averaging 13.3 PPG 3.1 ASST on 55% from the field, 48% from 3 and 93% from FT in Finland. The year was a great learning experience and I look forward to whatever may be next in my life.
Korisliiga, Finals, Game # 5: The very last game of the season 2012-13. Bisons (Loimaa) vs KTP (Kotka) and mentally stronger team won. Bisons winning last season Finnish Championship first time ever and now, when playing the second season in Top League, winning the second Finnish Championship. Bisons beat KTP 85-67 (37-32). Quarters: 13-15, 24-17, 21-21, 27-14. Victories then 3-2 for the Bisons.
The beginning of this important contest was so nervous [read more]
Korisliiga, Finals, Game # 5: The very last game of the season 2012-13. Bisons (Loimaa) vs KTP (Kotka) and mentally stronger team won. Bisons winning last season Finnish Championship first time ever and now, when playing the second season in Top League, winning the second Finnish Championship. Bisons beat KTP 85-67 (37-32). Quarters: 13-15, 24-17, 21-21, 27-14. Victories then 3-2 for the Bisons. The beginning of this important contest was so nervous. After 16 minutes 10 points had been done. Bisons was leading 6-4! But during the second and last quarter the hosts were so much better in shooting, in rebounds, in everything. The primus motor was Martin Zeno (196-G-85, college: Texas Tech), whose energy is almost unbounded. Zeno led Bisons with 23pts/12rbs/6a! Jeb Ivey (190-G-80, college: Portland St.) was 5/9 from down town, but he missed FT # 52 and the new record is then 51 FTs made in a row. Ivey has also made at least one 3-pointer in 159 consecutive games starting in September 2010, when playing on KTP roster. Ryan McDade (201-F-80, college: N.Arizona) grabbed 15 rebounds and Ville Makalainen (194-F-85, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management) surprised with 15 pts. KTP's Finnish players combined tiny two (2) points in this game! Sefton Barrett (196-SF-83, college: Cent.Michigan) led the visitors with 23 pts. Devonne Giles (203-F-83, college: Texas Tech) added 18 pts. KTP Head Coach Sami Toiviainen was disappointed - of course. "The better team won. My players hardly made any big shot in this fifth final". Bisons Head Coach Greg Gibson was a happy man. "My players were mentally tough, unbelievable tough!" Also game MVP Zeno was smiling, when the fight was over: "We are playing as a family. Fantastic Finals, fantastic season!" Bisons - KTP 85-67 (37-32). (Martin Zeno 23/12/6a, Jeb Ivey 22, Ville Makalainen 15, Ryan McDade 4/15. 1 - 67% (14/21), 2 - 68% (19/28), 3 - 35% (11/31). R: 27+12=39. TO: 13. - Sefton Barrett 23, Devonne Giles 18/6, Bojan Sarcevic 14, Antwine Williams 10. 1 - 65% (11/17), 2 - 54% (19/35), 3 - 25% (6/24). R: 19+8=27. TO: 12. A: 1256).
Korisliiga, Finals, Game # 4: KTP (Kotka) shooting well, winning the rebounds and saving this time the lead captured during the first half. Bisons (Loimaa) lost three quarters and KTP tied the wins 2-2. Final Game # 5 will be needed. The very last game of this season on Friday, May 17, at Loimaa. The digits tonight for KTP 94-78 (43-33). Quarters: 15-17, 28-16, 28-25, 23-20 [read more]
Korisliiga, Finals, Game # 4: KTP (Kotka) shooting well, winning the rebounds and saving this time the lead captured during the first half. Bisons (Loimaa) lost three quarters and KTP tied the wins 2-2. Final Game # 5 will be needed. The very last game of this season on Friday, May 17, at Loimaa. The digits tonight for KTP 94-78 (43-33). Quarters: 15-17, 28-16, 28-25, 23-20. Bisons had won two games in a row, when KTP's key player Devonne Giles (203-F-83, college: Texas Tech) had struggled and scored only 10 points in two contests. This time Giles had six pts already in 2:27 minutes and 21 in the game. Also Antwine Williams (192-F-75, agency: Prossin Sports Management Inc., college: N.Colorado) was finally on his own level, when leading KTP with game high 24 pts and eight rbs. When Sefton Barrett (196-SF-83, college: Cent.Michigan) scored 19 pts and Bojan Sarcevic (190-G-88) added 13 pts, KTP got 77 points from these four foreigners. Bisons' three Americans combined 41 points. When sharpshooter Mikko Koivisto (194-G-87, college: NC-Greensboro) netted only three pts and the whole team grabbed tiny 25 rbs, KTP was able to win and make the season go on. Well, one more game and Finnish Champion will be known. Friday night fever at Loimaa will be something to experience! KTP - Bisons 94-78 (43-33). (Antwine Williams 24/8, Devonne Giles 21/7, Sefton Barrett 19/7, Bojan Sarcevic 13/5. 1 - 83% (5/6), 2 - 69% (31/45), 3 - 47% (9/19). R: 26+9=35. TO: 10. - Martin Zeno 15/6, Jeb Ivey 15/6a, Ville Makalainen 15, Matti Nuutinen 12, Ryan McDade 11/8. 1 - 67% (8/12), 2 - 5 (% (23/40), 3 - 35% (8/23). R: 16+9=25. TO: 6. A: 1417).
American Terence Stansbury , 52, will return back to Finland. Stansbury and Top League (Korisliiga) Team Korikobrat (Lapua) have signed a 1+1 year contract. Stansbury will be Lapua's new Head Coach!
Lapua, starting the second season on top level in Finland, will get a lot of experience in Coach Stansbury [read more]
American Terence Stansbury , 52, will return back to Finland. Stansbury and Top League (Korisliiga) Team Korikobrat (Lapua) have signed a 1+1 year contract. Stansbury will be Lapua's new Head Coach! Lapua, starting the second season on top level in Finland, will get a lot of experience in Coach Stansbury. As a player two years in the NBA (Indiana Pacers) 1984-86, later six years in France, a year in Israel, one season in Greece, then one and a half years again in France, one and a half years in Belgium and two seasons in Holland. Finally coaching in Finland 2003-04 (BC JKL) and 2004-05 (Huima). Stansbury's coaching career continued in Luxembourg (three years) and in Holland (three years). This man knows this ball game. Very interesting "catch"!
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