Jonas Valanciunas gets MVP of the Week award for VTB United League - Feb 5, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
Talented Jonas Valanciunas (210-C-92) had an amazing evening in the last round for Lietuvos rytas and that's him to receive a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 19. The 19-year old center had the game-high 21 points adding nine rebounds and two assists for Lietuvos rytas in his team's victory, helping them to outclass Enisey (#8, 3-7) with 39-point margin 101-62. [read more]
Talented Jonas Valanciunas (210-C-92) had an amazing evening in the last round for Lietuvos rytas and that's him to receive a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 19. The 19-year old center had the game-high 21 points adding nine rebounds and two assists for Lietuvos rytas in his team's victory, helping them to outclass Enisey (#8, 3-7) with 39-point margin 101-62. Lietuvos rytas is placed at 3rd position in VTB United League . Lietuvos rytas is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 6-5 record. It was one of impressive evenings for Valanciunas as usually he does not deliver so high stats. Valanciunas has impressive league stats. He is in league's top in rebounds (7th best: 6.8rpg) and averages solid 1.2bpg and 60.4% FGP.
The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was young Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas (213-F/C-90, agency: Interperformances) of Asseco Prokom. Motiejunas impressed basketball fans with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Of course Asseco Prokom cruised to a 77-66 relatively comfortable win over slightly higher-ranked CEZ Nymburk (#6, 6-6). Asseco Prokom's 7th position in the standings has not changed. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 5-7 record. Motiejunas is a newcomer at Asseco Prokom and it seems he did not have too much trouble to become one of team's leaders.
The third best performed player last round was American Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82) of Lokomotiv (#4). Massey scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He was a key player of Lokomotiv, leading his team to a 87-64 easy win against Minsk-2006 (#9, 0-12). Lokomotiv needs these victories very badly if they think about getting closer to top teams. Their record at this point is 6 victories and 5 lost games. Massey has a very solid season. In 10 games in VTB United League he scored 10.9ppg.
Other top performing players last week: 4. Zach Morley (203-F-83) of Budivelnyk - 17 points and 15 rebounds 5. Kaspars Berzins (213-F/C-85) of VEF Riga - 18 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists 6. Semen Antonov (202-F-89) of N.Novgorod - 21 points and 7 rebounds 7. Artur Drozdov (199-G-80) of Azovmash - 13 points and 11 rebounds 8. Dragan Labovic (207-C/F-87) of Krasnie Krilya - 15 points and 10 rebounds 9. Renaldas Seibutis (195-G-85) of Lietuvos rytas - 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists 10. Curtis Millage (185-G-81) of VEF Riga - 18 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists
The Player of the week is choosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc. The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy. The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)
Day 19 of Regular Season - Feb 4, 2012 (by Eurobasket News )
Ukrainian Budivelnyk (3-7) survived in overtime against Russian BC Nizhny Novgorod (6-6) by four points 80-76 on Saturday night. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of BC Nizhny Novgorod. Zach Morley fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Ukrainian champion maintains eighth place with 3-7 record, which they share with Enisey. BC Nizhny Novgorod at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Budivelnyk will face league's second-placed Khimky in Khimki in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. BC Nizhny Novgorod will play at home against the league's leader Unics Kazan having rather not much hope for a victory.
Other games of round 19 were very predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are: Khimky defeated Krasnie Krilya in Khimki 68-64. VEF Riga smashed BC Astana at home 84-62. Asseco Prokom lost to CSKA on the opponent's court 81-86. Lokomotiv outscored Minsk-2006 in a home game 87-64. Enisey was rolled over Lietuvos rytas on the road 62-101. Asseco Prokom defeated CEZ Nymburk on its own court 77-66. Azovmash was beaten by Spartak SP in St.Petersburg 57-48. The best stats of 19th round was 21 points and 9 rebounds by Jonas Valanciunas of Lietuvos rytas.
Ukrainian Budivelnyk (3-7) survived in overtime against Russian BC Nizhny Novgorod (6-6) by four points 80-76 on Saturday night. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of BC Nizhny Novgorod. BC Nizhny Novgorod trailed by 15 points after 3 quarters before a 27-12 run in the last quarter tied the game at the end of regular time, But then they lost eventually overtime period 5-9. BC Nizhny Novgorod was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. American forward Zach Morley (203-83, college: Wisconsin) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 15 rebounds for the winners. Lithuanian-Ukrainian center Michailis Anisimovas (214-84) chipped in 14 points. Four Budivelnyk players scored in double figures. Forward Semen Antonov (202-89) produced 21 points and 7 rebounds and guard Vadim Panin (203-84, agency: Alti Sport) added 12 points and 10 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defending Ukrainian champion maintains eighth place with 3-7 record, which they share with Enisey. BC Nizhny Novgorod at the other side keeps the third position with six games lost. Budivelnyk will face league's second-placed Khimky in Khimki in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. BC Nizhny Novgorod will play at home against the league's leader Unics Kazan having rather not much hope for a victory. Top scorers: Budivelnyk: Z.Morley 17+15reb+1ast, M.Anisimovas 14+4reb+3ast, R.Alijevas 10+4reb+4ast, J.McClinton 10+4reb+1ast, P.Burenko 9+1reb, S.Sehovic 6+6reb N.Novgorod: S.Antonov 21+7reb+1ast, D.Golovin 13+1reb+5ast, V.Panin 12+10reb, I.Savelyev 9+3reb+1ast, A.Yakovenko 9+4reb+1ast, N.Protic 4+2ast
There was no surprise in Samara where 5th ranked Krasnie Krilya (5-5) was defeated by second ranked Khimky (10-2) 68-64 on Saturday. The guests trailed by 16 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 4 points. Guard Vitaly Fridzon (195-85, agency: Alti Sport) fired 20 points and 5 steals (made all of his eight free throws) for the winners. Croatian forward Kresimir Loncar (210-83, agency: Alti Sport) chipped in 11 points and 7 rebounds. Serbian power forward Dragan Labovic (207-87, agency: Alti Sport) produced a double-double by scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Aaron Miles (186-83, college: Kansas) added 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals respectively for lost side. Four Krasnie Krilya players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Khimky maintains second place with 10-2 record having just -1 point less than leader CSKA. Loser Krasnie Krilya keeps the fifth position with five games lost. Khimky will face Budivelnyk (#8) in Kyiv in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. Krasnie Krilya will play on the road against VEF Riga and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Top scorers: Khimky: V.Fridzon 20+3reb+1ast, S.Monya 14+4reb+1ast, K.Loncar 11+7reb+2ast, C.Quinn 8+2reb+1ast, A.Zhukanenko 4+3reb, D.Khvostov 3+2reb+2ast Krasnie Krilya: D.Labovic 15+10reb+1ast, F.Likholitov 14+5reb, A.Miles 12+8reb+6ast, B.Rush 10+3reb+3ast, A.Surovtsev 7+2reb+1ast, E.Kolesnikov 4+2reb+1ast
No shocking result in a game when fifth ranked Latvian VEF Riga (6-6) smashed at home 7th ranked Kazakhstan BC Astana (5-8) 84-62 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by VEF Riga. BC Astana was better in second period 21-18. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. VEF Riga dominated down low during the game scoring 46 of its points in the paint compared to BC Astana's 20 and made 26-of-31 free shots (83.9 percent) during the game. They outrebounded BC Astana 37-26 including a 29-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. BC Astana was plagued by 27 personal fouls down the stretch. Latvian power forward Kaspars Berzins (213-85) fired 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. American guard Curtis Millage (185-81, college: Arizona St.) chipped in 18 points and 6 assists (made all of his ten free throws !!!). American-Guyanese guard Rawle Marshall (201-82, college: Oakland, agency: Beo Basket) produced 16 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian swingman Branko Cvetkovic (200-84, agency: Beo Basket) added 15 points and 4 assists respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Defending Latvian champion moved-up to third place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser BC Astana keeps the seventh position with eight games lost. VEF Riga will face Krasnie Krilya (#5) in Samara in the next round. Top scorers: VEF Riga: C.Millage 18+4reb+6ast, K.Berzins 18+8reb+6ast, S.Valters 10+7reb+3ast, S.Vene 8+1reb, A.Kavaliauskas 8+3reb, T.Cain 8+8reb BC Astana: R.Marshall 16+6reb+1ast, B.Cvetkovic 15+2reb+4ast, A.Ponomaryov 8+7reb, G.Cakic 5+2reb, J.Johnson 4+2reb+1ast, E.Williams 4+2reb+2ast
Very expected game when 7th ranked Polish Asseco Prokom (5-7) was defeated on the road by first ranked Russian CSKA Moscow (10-1) 86-81 on Saturday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. The hosts trailed by 4 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 11-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 86-81. Asseco Prokom was plagued by 25 personal fouls down the stretch. Lithuanian center Darjus Lavrinovic (212-79) fired 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Center Andrey Vorontsevich (204-87) chipped in 12 points and 8 rebounds. American guard Jerel Blassingame (175-81, college: UNLV) produced 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists and Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas (213-90, agency: Interperformances) added 10 points respectively for lost side. Four CSKA Moscow and five Asseco Prokom players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. CSKA Moscow have an impressive series of ten victories in a row. Defending Russian champion maintains first place with 10-1 record, which they share with Unics. Defending Polish champion Asseco Prokom keeps the seventh position with seven games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest. Top scorers: CSKA: D.Lavrinovic 13+7reb+2ast, J.Gordon 12+1reb+1ast, A.Vorontsevich 12+8reb+1ast, D.Sokolov 11+6reb, A.Shved 8+2reb+4ast, M.Teodosic 7+3reb+3ast Asseco Prokom: J.Blassingame 19+7reb+5ast, M.Kuebler 12+1reb+2ast, A.Lapeta 11+4reb+1ast, P.Szczotka 10+2reb+3ast, D.Motiejunas 10+4reb+2ast, L.Seweryn 6+1reb+2ast
Rather predictable result in Kuban where sixth ranked Russian Lokomotiv (6-5) outscored bottom-ranked Belarusian Minsk-2006 (0-12) 87-64 on Saturday. The game without a history. Lokomotiv led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Lokomotiv outrebounded Minsk-2006 42-30 including 29 on the defensive glass. American-FYR Macedonian forward Jeremiah Massey (202-82, college: Kansas St.) fired 25 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. French center Ali Traore (207-85, college: S.Idaho JC, agency: Beo Basket) chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Lokomotiv's coach Bozidar Maljkovic felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Aliaksei Lashkevich (204-78) produced 20 points and 5 rebounds and American forward Justin Hawkins (201-85, college: N.Mexico St.) added 17 points and 8 rebounds respectively for lost side. Lokomotiv moved-up to third place, which they share with Lietuvos rytas. Defending Belarusian champion Minsk-2006 still closes the standings with 12 games lost. Lokomotiv will have a break next round. Minsk-2006 will play at home against Enisey Krasnoyarsk (#8) and hopes to get finally their first victory. Top scorers: Lokomotiv: J.Massey 25+9reb+2ast, A.Traore 12+7reb+2ast, R.Blakney 11+4reb+5ast, S.Bykov 9+2reb+3ast, G.Shukhovtsov 8+10reb, K.Rivers 8+5reb+3ast Minsk-2006: A.Lashkevich 20+5reb+2ast, J.Hawkins 17+8reb+1ast, J.Knox 7+10reb+2ast, J.Sinica 7+1reb+1ast, C.Eldridge 4+1reb+1ast, A.Kojenets 4+2reb
Not a big story in a game in Vilnius where 8th ranked Russian Enisey Krasnoyarsk (3-7) was outplayed by fifth ranked Lithuanian Lietuvos rytas (6-5) 101-62 on Saturday. The game without a history. Lietuvos rytas led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 58 of its points in the paint compared to Enisey Krasnoyarsk's 34. They outrebounded Enisey Krasnoyarsk 43-21 including a 31-14 advantage in defensive rebounds. Lietuvos rytas looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Center Jonas Valanciunas (210-92) fired 21 points and 9 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. Lithuanian guard Renaldas Seibutis (195-85) chipped in 15 points and 5 rebounds. Four Lietuvos rytas players scored in double figures. Power forward Andrei Trushkin (206-81) produced 7 points and 7 rebounds and American center Lonny Baxter (204-79, college: Maryland, agency: Priority Sports) added 8 points respectively for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Lietuvos rytas moved-up to third place, which they share with Lokomotiv. Loser Enisey Krasnoyarsk keeps the eighth position with seven games lost. Lietuvos rytas will have a break next round. Enisey Krasnoyarsk will play at home against Azovmash (#5) in Mariupol. Top scorers: Lietuvos rytas: J.Valanciunas 21+9reb+2ast, R.Seibutis 15+5reb+3ast, T.Rice 14+2reb+3ast, S.Babrauskas 10+2reb+1ast, P.Samardziski 10+8reb+2ast, M.Katelynas 9+4reb+1ast Enisey: V.Zaytsev 9+3ast, S.Toporov 9+2reb+2ast, L.Baxter 8+4reb+2ast, A.Trushkin 7+7reb+2ast, D.Sakota 7+1reb, E.Kikanovic 6+3reb
There was a small surprise in Gdynia where seventh ranked Polish Asseco Prokom (5-7) won against 4th placed Czech CEZ Nymburk (6-6) 77-66 on Sunday. The game was mostly controlled by Asseco Prokom. CEZ Nymburk was better in fourth quarter 31-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding CEZ Nymburk to just 6 points in first quarter. Lithuanian power forward Donatas Motiejunas (213-90, agency: Interperformances) fired 21 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American guard Jerel Blassingame (175-81, college: UNLV) chipped in 12 points and 7 assists. Five Asseco Prokom players scored in double figures. American guard A.J. Abrams (180-86, college: Texas) produced 19 points and power forward Petr Benda (203-82, agency: Court Side) added 10 points and 6 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Polish champion maintains seventh place with 5-7 record. Defending Czech champion CEZ Nymburk dropped to the third position with six games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest. Top scorers: Asseco Prokom: D.Motiejunas 21+9reb+2ast, J.Blassingame 12+3reb+7ast, L.Seweryn 12, P.Zamojski 11+2reb+4ast, A.Hrycaniuk 10+8reb+1ast, F.Dmitriev 3+1reb CEZ Nymburk: A.Abrams 19+3reb+3ast, L.Palyza 12+3reb+1ast, P.Benda 10+6reb+2ast, P.Pumprla 7+1reb+1ast, L.Sokolovsky 7+3reb+1ast, L.Wilson 5+3reb+1ast
The game between closely ranked teams ended with 3rd placed Ukrainian Azovmash's (6-6) road loss to second ranked Russian Spartak St.Petersburg (9-2) 48-57 on Friday. Azovmash trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 16-14 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 48-57 at the end of the game. Spartak St.Petersburg held Azovmash to an opponent 24.5 percent shooting from the field compared to 38.5 percent accuracy of the winners. Slovenian power forward Miha Zupan (205-82) fired 12 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Montenegrin power forward Vladimir Dragicevic (205-86) chipped in 10 points and 4 assists. British-Ukrainian guard Artur Drozdov (199-80) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds and American swingman Ricky Minard (196-82, college: Morehead St.) added 12 points respectively for lost side. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Spartak St.Petersburg maintains second place with 9-2 record behind leader CSKA. Loser Azovmash keeps the third position with six games lost. Spartak St.Petersburg will have a break next round. Azovmash will play on the road against Enisey Krasnoyarsk. Top scorers: Spartak SP: J.Strelnieks 14, M.Zupan 12+5reb+3ast, V.Dragicevic 10+4reb+4ast, V.Likhodey 9+4reb, P.Sergeev 3+2reb+1ast, Y.Halperin 3+4reb+1ast Azovmash: A.Drozdov 13+11reb+1ast, R.Minard 12+4reb+1ast, R.Varda 6+2reb, M.Ivshyn 4+3reb, D.Ewing 3+2reb+2ast, D.Ivanov 3+2reb
Azovmash bolstered their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Jerome Randle (178-G-87, college: California). The guard started the season in Israel. He played for Elitzur Netanya. Jerome Randle tallied 14.9 points, 6.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per appearance in Premier League. Jerome Randle moved overseas in December. He joined Frisco Texas Legends in D-League. His stats read 7.0 points, 3.0 assists and 1.0 boards per game for the Legends [read more]
Azovmash bolstered their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Jerome Randle (178-G-87, college: California). The guard started the season in Israel. He played for Elitzur Netanya. Jerome Randle tallied 14.9 points, 6.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per appearance in Premier League. Jerome Randle moved overseas in December. He joined Frisco Texas Legends in D-League. His stats read 7.0 points, 3.0 assists and 1.0 boards per game for the Legends. In January Jerome Randle joined the Maine Red Claws. The guard averaged 14.9 points, 4.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Red Claws.
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