#1. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Janis Blums (191-82, currently plays in Lithuania). He led Lietuvos rytas to a victory over the closely-ranked Juventus (8-7) crushing them 102-68 in the Lithuanian LKL in Tuesday night's game.
Blums was MVP of the game. He scored 16 points in a mere 16 minutes on the court.
Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (6-2) is placed eighth in the LKL.
There are only four games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Blums averages: 9.4ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 30.8% in the eight games he played so far.
He is currently a member of the Latvian senior national team.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward Maris Laksa (205-81, college: Providence, currently plays in Baltic League). Laksa was the main contributor in a BC Rakvere's victory against the closely-ranked Juventus (4-2) 100-85 in the Baltic League last Friday.
He was the best player in that game. Laksa scored 23 points.
BC Rakvere Tarvas (4-2) is placed second in group G.
There are only two games left until the end of the Baltic League Top 16. So now every game is very crucial.
It's Laksa's first season with the team.
He has relatively good stats this year: 13.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 2FGP: 34.7%, 3FGP: 39.4% and FT: 75.0%.
Laksa played for the Latvian national team in 2003.
#3. The Latvian player who performed third best last week abroad was an international small forward Davis Bertans (203-92, currently plays in Adriatic League), who plays in Serbia. He could not help Partizan (13-9) to beat Un.Olimpija (12-10).
Bertans recorded 9 points in 25 minutes.
But Partizan was edged 73-71 at home by the lower-ranked (#7) Un.Olimpija.
There are only four games left until the end of the Adriatic League Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
This year Bertans' overall stats are: 9.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 44.6% and FT: 75.8% in the 22 games.
He is also a member of the Latvian senior national team.
#4. Small forward Rihards Kuksiks (197-88, college: Arizona St., currently plays in Ukraine) contributed to an easy victory against the eighth-ranked Cherkasy (17-17) 90-75 in the Ukrainian Superleague in Sunday night's game.
Kuksiks recorded 12 points and added 4 passes.
Budivelnyk Kyiv (25-7) is placed first in the Superleague.
It was his team's seventh consecutive victory in a row.
Kuksiks' total stats this season are: 9.3ppg, 3.8rpg and 2.7apg.
He is also Latvian national team player.
#5. International point guard Janis Strelnieks (191-89, currently plays in Eurocup) was not able to help Spartak St.Petersburg (3-3) in their game against Cajasol (1-5) in the Eurocup.
Strelnieks scored 7 points and added 6 passes in 23 minutes.
The second-placed Spartak St.Petersburg was edged 68-66 on the road by the lower-ranked (#4) Cajasol in the group K of Eurocup.
There are only two games left until the end of the Eurocup Top 16. So now every game will be extremely important.
This year Strelnieks' total stats are: 5.8ppg, 1.3rpg and 2.9apg in the 12 games.
He plays currently for the Latvian national team.
#6. An experienced swingman Juris Umbrasko (197-79, currently plays in Baltic League) is a teammate of previously mentioned Maris Laksa and both played together in the last Baltic League game.
Umbrasko contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Juventus (4-2) 100-85.
He scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
This season Umbrasko has relatively solid stats: 12.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.1apg and 1.3spg.
He is a former international player as he played for the Latvian senior team five years ago.
#7. Former international forward Ernests Kalve (200-87, currently plays in Adriatic League) was the major contributor in Szolnok's surprising victory against the sixth-ranked Cedevita (12-10) 64-59 in the Adriatic League in Saturday night's game.
Kalve recorded 14 points in 24 minutes.
Szolnoki Olajbanyasz (7-15) is placed second from the bottom (#13) in the Adriatic League.
There are only four games left until the end of the Adriatic League Regular Season.
Kalve has averaged so far 9.1ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.1spg in the 22 games.
He used to play for the Latvian national team
three years ago.
#8. Center Kaspars Kambala (206-78, agency: Alti Sport, college: UNLV, currently plays in Turkey) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Istanbulspor (3-20) crushing them 87-55 in the Turkish TB2L (second division) last Friday.
Kambala was the top player that evening. He recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 14 rebounds.
Pi Koleji Ankara (8-15) is placed 16th in the TB2L.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Kambala has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 22.3ppg and 12.2rpg.
Kambala used to play for the Latvian national team
back in 2009.
#9. Former international swingman Mareks Jurevicus (197-85, currently plays in Italy), who plays in the Italian Lega2 (second division) was not able to secure a victory for Prima Veroli (7-12) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Prima Veroli lost 75-87 in Brescia to the much higher-ranked (#4) C.de Latte BRE.
Jurevicus was the second best scorer with 21 points in 34 minutes.
Jurevicus has reliable stats this year: 13.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.6apg and 1.4spg in the 19 games.
He used to play for the Latvian national team
two years ago.
#10. Forward Mareks Mejeris (208-91, agency: Players Group, currently plays in Spain), who plays in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) couldn't help CB Clavijo (8-11) in their last game on Friday. Despite Mejeris' good performance CB Clavijo was edged 84-81 on the opponent's court by the higher-ranked Palencia_Baloncesto (#4).
He recorded a double-double by scoring 14 points and getting 13 rebounds.
Mejeris has averaged so far 8.7ppg and 5.4rpg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Latvian National Team roster.
#11. Former international swingman Ingus Bankevics (195-85, also represented by Players Group, currently plays in France), who plays in the French NM1 (third division) couldn't help Saint Chamond (7-13) in their last game. Despite Bankevics' very good performance Saint Chamond lost 79-90 on the opponent's court to the higher-ranked (#9) Rueil.
He was the top scorer with 30 points. Bankevics also added 3 assists in 34 minutes.
Bankevics' stats this year are: 13.4ppg, 2.1rpg and 1.5apg in the 19 games.
He used to play for the Latvian national team
three years ago.
#12. Former international forward Ivars Timermanis (203-82, currently plays in Romania) contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider CS Dinamo Bucuresti crushing them 119-85 in the Romanian Liga Nationala on Saturday night.
Timermanis scored 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists.
Timermanis has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.1apg.
He used to play for the Latvian national team
back in 2007.
#13. International forward Oto Osenieks (203-90, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA couldn't help the Minnesota (6-8) in their last game. Despite Osenieks' good performance the Minnesota was crushed 71-45 in Columbus, OH by the Ohio State University.
He scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds (went 6 for 6 at the free throw line) in 27 minutes.
Osenieks has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.1apg in the 22 games.
He is also Latvian national team player.
#14. International point guard Edgars Jeromanovs (186-86, currently plays in Sweden), who plays in the Swedish Basketligan couldn't help Norrkoping Dolphins (1-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Jeromanovs' good performance Norrkoping Dolphins was defeated 80-67 in Lulea by the lower-ranked LF Basket (#8).
He scored 10 points and added 3 passes.
Jeromanovs is ranked seventh on the list of the best passers in the league.
He has very reliable stats this season: 12.4ppg, 3.0rpg, 4.4apg and 1.4spg.
Jeromanovs plays currently for the Latvian national team.
#15. Former international guard Kristaps Valters (190-81, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Baloncesto Fuenlabrada in their game against Real Madrid in the Spanish ACB.
He recorded 8 points in 26 minutes.
His team was crushed by 23 points 88-65.
Valters has averaged so far 8.8ppg, 2.1rpg and 2.8apg in the 13 games.
He used to play for the Latvian national team
four years ago.
The list of other players, who all have Latvian passport but never been selected to any of Latvian national teams:
#1.Martins Berkis (198-F-85, currently plays in Hungary), who plays in the Hungarian A Division could not help Marso NYKK (7-14) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Berkis' good performance Marso NYKK was crushed 94-63 at home by the leading Albacomp.
He scored 13 points, had 6 boards, passed 3 assists and added 4 steals.
Berkis' team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Berkis averaged so far 15.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.3apg and 1.6spg.
#2.Edmunds Tukiss (200-SF-89, currently plays in Germany) led Dragons Rhoendorf to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked ifm Baskets Konstanz (4-16) 96-78 in the German ProB (third division) in Saturday night's game.
He scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Dragons Rhoendorf (18-3) is placed first in Group South.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
Tukiss has averaged so far 8.7ppg and 2.6rpg in the 18 games he played so far.
#3. Experienced Gary Gandel (203-G/F-80, currently plays in Israel) managed to help Maccabi Hod Hasharon in a victory against the 12th-ranked Kiryat Tivon (4-15) 88-69 in the Israeli National League (second division) in Tuesday night's game.
He recorded 5 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 15 minutes.
Maccabi Hod Hasharon (15-4) is placed third in the National League.
It was his team's sixth consecutive victory in a row.
Gandel averaged so far 10.3ppg, 4.8rpg and 3.5apg in the six games.
He has a dual citizenship: Latvian and Israeli.
#4.Matiss Sakne (191-G-91, currently plays in Denmark) was not able to help Horsens IC (19-8) in their game against SISU (17-10) in the Danish Ligaen. Sakne cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 2 points in 14 minutes.
Horsens IC lost 78-89 on the road to the lower-ranked (#4) SISU.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Sakne has averaged so far 4.2ppg, 1.4rpg and 1.1apg in the 24 games.
#5.Martins Provizors (202-C-87, currently plays in Ireland) contributed to an easy victory against one of league's weakest teams Moycullen (7-12) 72-56 in the Irish Superleague last Sunday.
He scored 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 29 minutes.
DCU St.Vincents Dublin (8-10) is placed fourth in the Superleague.
It was his team's first victory after four consecutive loses.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Provizors is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his sixth year in DCU Saints' roster.
Provizors is currently fourth on the list of best rebounders with 11.7rpg.
This year he also averages: 13.5ppg, 2.2apg, 1.8bpg and 1.1spg in the 10 games.
FINAL
VEF Riga - Ventspils 74-72 (2-1)
VEF Riga takes LBL Finals lead at 2-1. Ventspils were trailing by 7 points at halftime but managed to get 5-point lead after three quarters before a 25-18 charge of VEF Riga, which allowed them to win the game. They made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international forward Kristaps Janicenoks (196-83) who led his team to a victory with 18 points [read more]
VEF Riga takes LBL Finals lead at 2-1. Ventspils were trailing by 7 points at halftime but managed to get 5-point lead after three quarters before a 25-18 charge of VEF Riga, which allowed them to win the game. They made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. It was a good game for the former international forward Kristaps Janicenoks (196-83) who led his team to a victory with 18 points. Lithuanian center Antanas Kavaliauskas (207-84, college: Texas A&M, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 7 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Four VEF Riga players scored in double figures. American guard Folarin Campbell (192-86, college: George Mason) answered with a double-double by scoring 27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and international forward Janis Timma (201-92, agency: FCM) added 12 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Ventspils. Ventspils' coach Roberts Stelmahers rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: VEF Riga: K.Janicenoks 18+1reb+2ast, E.Rowland 14+1reb+3ast, D.Zavackas 12+6reb+1ast, W.Daniels 11+1reb+1ast, G.Jahovics 8+2reb+2ast, A.Kavaliauskas 7+9reb+4ast Ventspils: F.Campbell 27+10reb+4ast, J.Timma 12+6reb+1ast, M.Laksa 10+3reb+2ast, A.Vairogs 7, S.Valters 4+4reb+4ast, M.Meiers 4+3reb
VTB League: Khimky secure the Semifinal berth - May 19, 2013
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VEF Riga - Khimky 60:82
Khimky secure the Semifinal berth in VTB League as they swept the series against VEF Riga. The Russian side posted an 82:60 win in Game 3 and sent Latvian side out of the Play-offs.
The game was mostly controlled by Khimky. VEF Riga was better in fourth quarter 21-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Khimky had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds [read more]
VEF Riga - Khimky 60:82
Khimky secure the Semifinal berth in VTB League as they swept the series against VEF Riga. The Russian side posted an 82:60 win in Game 3 and sent Latvian side out of the Play-offs. The game was mostly controlled by Khimky. VEF Riga was better in fourth quarter 21-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Khimky had a 29-18 advantage in offensive rebounds. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 28 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by VEF Riga's players. It was an exceptional evening for James Augustine (208-F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Illinois) who led the winners and scored 16 points and 7 rebounds. Kresimir Loncar (210-F-83, agency: Alti Sport) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds for the winning side. Lauris Blaus (204-C-90, agency: FCM) came up with 6 points and 11 rebounds. Will Daniels (203-F-86, college: Rhode Island) added 12 points and 6 rebounds respectively for VEF Riga in the defeat.
Armands Skele clinched the title in Estonia - May 18, 2013
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Armands Skele (192-G-83) wins the title in Estonia as his Kalev/Cramo became the Estonian champion for the third year in a row. In the fourth game Kalev/Cramo posted an 81:69 win for 4-0 in the series.
The game was mostly controlled by Kalev/Cramo. TU/Rock managed to win fourth quarter 25-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded TU/Rock 39-26 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds [read more]
Armands Skele (192-G-83) wins the title in Estonia as his Kalev/Cramo became the Estonian champion for the third year in a row. In the fourth game Kalev/Cramo posted an 81:69 win for 4-0 in the series. The game was mostly controlled by Kalev/Cramo. TU/Rock managed to win fourth quarter 25-22. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They outrebounded TU/Rock 39-26 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. It was a great shooting night for Kalev/Cramo especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 61.5 percentage. 29 personal fouls committed by TU/Rock helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of U.S. Virgin Islands center Frank Elegar who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 15 points and 12 rebounds and Ty Abbott who added 16 points and 6 rebounds during the contest. Four Kalev/Cramo players scored in double figures. Armands Skele added 13 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side Ivan Nelyubov responded with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks and Rain Veideman scored 19 points.
Barons kvartals: took 3rd place (5-5) in Group C of the First Stage, took
2nd place (5-1) in Group E, lost to Rudupuis 0-2 in the Semifinals !!!
Jelgava: took 4th place (4-6) in Group B of the First Stage, took 3rd place
(2-4) in Group F of the Second Stage
Liepaja: took 5th place (2-8) in Group B of the First Stage
Valmiera: took 3rd place (3-5) in Group D of the First Stage
Ventspils: took 1st place (10-0) in Group A of the First Stage, took 1st
place (5-1) in Group E of the Second Stage, beat Rudupuis 1-1 (+19) in the
Finals !!!
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