INTERNATIONAL TEAM VALIANT IN DEFEAT AT NIKE HOOP SUMMIT
28^th March 1999

The International Team were the victims of a strong second half fightback as the US Junior Select National Team won the fifth annual Hoop Summit 107-95 at the University of Tampa in Florida today.
The victory gives the USA a 3-2 advantage in the series, sponsored by Nike and presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and benefiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It features the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team and an International Select Team consisting of some of the world’s leading under-20 players.
But, as expected, the International Team demonstrated the ever closing-gap between America and the rest of the world and led most of the first half before the hosts rallied to tie the score 51-51 at half time.
The International side, led by veteran Italian Olympic coach Sandro Gamba, started strongly with German based Nigerian Olumide Oyedeji particularly impressing a sell out crowd of 3,432, including a number of NBA scouts.
He helped his team build a 16-12 lead, stretching that advantage to as many as 10 points with 10:45 to play in the first half.
Croatia’s Bruno Sundov, drafted by the NBA Dallas Mavericks last year, also made an impact when he entered the game. He scored 8 points in 10 minutes during that strong run by the Internationals.
But the Americans finished the first half strongly and opened the second even stronger with a 13-4 burst that left the International stars trailing 66-55 and with a mountain to climb in the games final 17 minutes.
Still, they almost managed to shock the Americans and repeat last year’s memorable win in San Antonio, Texas. Captain Antonis Fotsis, the lone survivor from that game, scored 15 second half points as the International Team drew to within five, at 82-77, on a Fotsis dunk with nine minutes to play.
Eventually, the Americans’ three-point shooting – including six from Casey Jacobsen - removed any chance of a dramatic International come back.
Coach Gamba said: "To be 2-3 in this series is not bad, we always play on the road! We didn’t play very well as a team, there was a lot of individual action but we were too slow on defence. I’m a defensive coach but it takes months, there’s not so much you can do in four days.
"We had a lot of good players but little international experience and there were no international stars like last year when we had Dirk Nowitzki and Matthew Nielsen (Australia). But the whole team was very good and today I know these players will have great careers."
International: Ilievski (19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Miloserdov (7, 0, 2), Tetmadinger (4, 1, 0), Young (14, 8, 1), Oyedeji (3, 8, 3), Tabuse (0, 1, 3), Nachbar (8, 1, 0), Radmanovic (7, 2, 0), Fotsis (15, 2, 2), Guilherme (8, 2, 0), Kartelo (2, 1, 0), Sundov (8, 1, 0)
USA: Williams (14 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists), Jacobsen (31, 1, 0), Dunleavy (3, 0, 0), Collison (6, 5, 0), Watson (13, 9, 2), Gaines (20, 7, 2), Heinrich (7, 0, 2), Sanders (5, 5, 0), Johnson (4, 0, 0), Eidson (0, 0, 0), Stone (0, 0, 0), Parker (4, 3, 0)

For more Information:
Ian Whittell +44 161 881 7916, +44 468 822 938, iwhittell@aol.com
Julie Boden +44 161 881 7916, +44 966 186 261, julieboden@compuserve.com

1999 HOOP SUMMIT INTERNATIONAL TEAM

QUOTES

Sandro Gamba – Head Coach
"To be 2-3 in this series is not bad, we always play on the road! We didn’t play very well as a team, there was a lot of individual action but we were too slow on defence.
"I’m a defensive coach but it takes months, there’s not so much you can do in four days.
"We had a lot of good players but little international experience and there were no international stars like last year when we had Dirk Nowitzki and Matthew Nielsen (Australia). But the whole team was very good and today I know these players will have great careers."

Antonis Fotsis – 6’8", 203 lbs, forward from Greece currently playing at Greek champions Panathinaikos, 18-years-old. Captain.
"I have enjoyed my two Hoop Summits but, after winning last year, I was desperate to win this year, especially as captain.
"The rebounding was the difference, they were too good for us there and we missed Olumide when he was in foul trouble.
"Now I go back to my Greek club Panathinaikos for the Greek league play-offs but I think I am going back as a better player."

Guilherme Joanoni – 6’8", 210 lbs, guard/forward from Brazil currently playing for Pinheiros, Brazil, 18-years-old
"Obviously we are disappointed because we felt this was a game we could and should have won. But we didn’t play the quality basketball we can, and we didn’t defend.
"I have learned how patient American basketball is and how good the defence is. The European game is so patient as well whereas at home it is always, shot, shot, shot!
"It has been a tiring week and now I must fly home to play a league game on Tuesday."

Ivan Kartelo – 6’11", 235 lbs, forward/centre from Croatia currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachusetts, 19-years-old
"It has been a long week and I am very tired but I have enjoyed it. It showed me how much I have to improve, how I need to put on some pounds and get extra strength.
"A lot of us knew each other from NIKE Euro Camps but it has been a good experience to meet more new friends as well."

Alexander Miloserdov – 6’6", 185 lbs, guard from Russia currently playing at Autodor Saratov, Russia, 19-years-old
"We met a week ago and it’s been very difficult but we tried and worked hard. We lost because we let them play fast. We began slowly like Europeans but they got the fast break going and we weren’t able to keep up."

Bostjan Nachbar – 6’8", 212 lbs, forward from Slovenia currently playing for ZM Maribor Lumar, Slovenia, 19-years-old
"The Americans speeded up and outscored us, that’s why we lost. We couldn’t last the full 40 minutes and they’re a great team.
"But it’s a great opportunity to represent my country and an honour for me to be here with the best players in the world.
"This has been my first visit to the States and has been a great experience. I was able to go to an NBA basketball game, as well as the semi-finals of the NCAA Final Four. I’ve only been able to see games like that on TV and it was great to experience them in person.
"Of course, like anyone, I would dream of one day playing professionally in the United States but first I will go back to Europe and spend two or three years hopefully improving."

Olumide Oyedeji – 6’11", 237lbs, forward/centre from Nigeria currently playing for Wurzburg, Germany, 17-years-old
"First I would like to thanks my coaches and NIKE people and a lot of thanks to my team mates.
"We’re all very different people from a lot of different cultures and even though we didn’t come away with a win we come away with the experience from each other.
"The US were a good team and forced us to play to their pattern. We had a bad day but that is sport and that is what happens. We have to concentrate on the good things – the friends we have made – and take away the positives."

Bruno Sundov – 7’3", 230 lbs, centre from Croatia currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachuetts, USA, Drafted by Dallas Mavericks, 19-years-old
"We were in a position to win and I was disappointed not to get more time. I thought I did well, I played five minutes and scored eight points and I could have shown more. But that is the coach’s decision, I have no problem.
"But this has been a great week. I knew some of the International guys before and have made many good friends, it has been a good week and I think I have improved.
"I was in Dallas before the Hoop Summit and am returning there to the Mavericks tomorrow."

Yuta Tabuse – 5’8", 150 lbs, guard from Japan currently playing at Noshiro Kogyo in Japan, 18-years-old
"I felt that I was representing my whole country out there, it was a tremendous experience and I had fun, even when I was sat on the bench.
"It’s been a real learning experience and I know what I have to work on, which is my strength, I was surprised to find how fast I was and now I know I am fast enough to play here. Now it’s my strength I need to work on.
"I felt the excitement from the crowd when I made a good pass and I really enjoyed that. But the technique and speed of the US team was incredible and the experience that gave me was very important."

Liberto Tetimadingar – 6’7", 187 lbs, guard from France currently playing at Levollois, France, 18-years-old
"We thought we were going to win at half-time, even though they had come back and tied the score. But we didn’t play as a team in the second half. We played like five individuals and forgot what had got us in a winning position.
"I intend to come to play college basketball in the States next season so this was a good experience for me to play against some of the best high school players in the United States."

Jesse Young – 6’11", 208 lbs, centre from Canada currently playing at Peterbrough, Canada, 18-years-old
"They made some big shots in the second half and stepped up their defence but I thought it was the rebounding that hurt us. They were getting three or four shots every time down the floor and they’re bound to make at least one of them.
"It’s a disappointment but it has been a great week and I have learned a lot. I have also learned how much more I need to improve, especially physically, and I’m looking forward to doing that at George Mason next year."

INTERNATIONAL STARS AIM TO TAKE LEAD IN HOOP SUMMIT SERIES

26 March 1999

The International Select team are completing their preparations for the fifth annual Hoop Summit, confident that they can take the lead in the highly-competitive series with the US.

After a thrilling victory in San Antonio last season, the International team leveled the series at 2-2 and are optimistic about their chances of taking the lead for the first time in Sunday’s game in Tampa, Florida.

Head Coach Sandro Gamba, a former coach of the Italian Olympic team, has been involved in the four previous Hoop Summits. He said: "I am very happy with the way things have gone this week.

"They have worked very hard and now they have overcome jet lag and language difficulties, they are beginning to understand the tactical and technical part.

"Last year’s team probably had two or three individuals that stood out but this year we have a high level of players throughout the team in every position. I think this team is better but without having one big star on it.

"I am the only survivor of all four Hoop Summits and it would mean a lot to me if we could win it."

Croatia’s Bruno Sundov, drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s second round, may be the best known player on the International team, although 5’8" Japanese guard Yuta Tabuse certainly holds that honour in his homeland.

Assistant coach, Yugoslav Marin Sedlacek, said: "I am pleasantly surprised with Bruno, he has made great developments in the past six months. From the time he came to high school in the States he has developed his muscles, his technique.

"He has put on 15-20 pounds since I last saw him. There is no doubt that the NBA scouts are right when they say he can be some sort of cross between Kukoc and Sabonis. He looks that good."

Meanwhile, Tabuse, a high school player in Japan, has been followed to Florida by more than 35 journalists, including four camera crews. He also had the chance to meet his hero, NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, at an Orlando Magic game on Thursday.

The International players have been based in Orlando, Florida, using the practice facilities of local NBA team the Magic and watching their hosts play the Cleveland Cavaliers. As part of their visit, the players will also attend the Final Four semi-finals in St Petersburg, Florida tomorrow.

The Hoop Summit, sponsored by Nike and presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, is an international game benefiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It features the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team and an International Select Team consisting of some of the world’s leading under-20 players and takes place at the University of Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, March 28.

The fifth annual Hoop Summit game will be held on Sunday March 28 at 3 p.m. (EST) at the Bob Martinez Center (3,432 capacity) on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Held during the NCAA Men’s Final Four weekend, the game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

INTERNATIONAL STARS PREPARING FOR HOOP SUMMIT SHOWDOWN
24 March 1999

BRAZIL’S Guilherme Joanoni is one of 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Guilherme, 18, currently playing with Pinheiros in Brazil is a key member of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
Guilherme, a 6’8" guard/forward, said: Guilherme said: "I am looking forward to the game, it is an opportunity for us all to show the Americans what we can do. We all feel strongly that we want to show that we can compete with the Americans at this level."
The player’s own future may eventually lead back to the NBA, with a number of experts predicting he has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
He added: "I would like to play at least one more season in Brazil but if somebody came in with a good proposition, I don’t know.
"It has been a bad season for my team in Brazil but I have been playing a lot of minutes and am leading scorer so that has been a good experience."

CROATIANS Ivan Kartelo and Bruno Sundov are among 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Kartelo and Sundov, both 19, are currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachusetts and are key members of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
Kartelo, a 6’11" forward/centre, said: "It is a good experience mixing with all the different international guys but I am lucky because the Prep School I have been at in Massachusetts has guys from places like the Ivory Coast and Bulgaria on it."
The Croatian comes from the successful basketball region of Split, as does his school team mate Sundov.
Sundov, a 7’3" centre, said: "Prep school has been a good experience because it has shown us the differences between Europe and America. I have learned a lot in the last five or six months about the speed, athleticism and aggression of the game here.
"I have been lucky because in the summers I have been able to practice with players like Kukoc, Radja and Tabak and they have told me what I needed to do to get better and get to the States."
Sundov was drafted in the second round of the 1998 draft by the Dallas Mavericks who also chose Dirk Nowitzki, the outstanding player of last year’s Hoop Summit.
Sundov said: "I speak to Dallas and was there last week but the summer will be an important time for me. I will spend time there and that will decide what I am going to do with them."
For Kartelo, the NCAA beckons. He said: "Rhode Island, DePaul and Boston College are the three that most interest me, although maybe there is some other college out there I don’t know about who will see me on Sunday!"

FRANCE’S Liberto Tetimadingar is one of 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Tetimadingar, 18, currently playing with Levollois in France, is a key member of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
Tetimadingar, a 6’7" guard, said: "I played at the Nike All-America Camp last summer so I have some experience of playing with and against some of the best American players.
"It has already been a great experience and we feel we can do well and give the International Team the lead in the series."
The Hoop Summit could also be an important game for the Frenchman, who has attracted interest from NCAA schools, among them St John’s.
He added: "I have wanted to play in the NCAA for some time, that is why I have not played for the senior team in Levollois, only the junior side. I did not want to lose my eligibility.
"I saw last year’s game on tape and know how much good it did many of the International players. I hope it can do the same for some of us."

GREECE’S Antonis Fotsis is one of 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Fotsis, 18, currently playing with Panathinaikos in Greece is a key member of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
The highly-rated forward is a survivor from that victorious team and has been named captain of the 1999 International select.
Fotsis, a 6’8" forward, said: "It is a great honour to have been the only player to return from last year’s team and I am even more pleased to have been made captain of the team.
"The best thing I remember from last season was obviously winning but it was a fabulous experience to mix with players from so many different countries and to show what we could do against the Americans. We have a good chance again this year. I am not making any promises, but we will see."
The Summit offers Fotsis the chance to continue his development. At Panathinaikos, his minutes have been limited playing behind some of the greatest names in the European game.
He added: "It will be nice to hopefully play a few more minutes than usual in the Summit. I have played in about 15 games for Panathinaikos this season but it has been a great experience, playing behind players like Radja and Bodiroga."

CANADIAN Jesse Young is one of 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Young, 18, currently playing with Peterbrough in Canada is a key member of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
Young, a 6’11" centre, said: "I don’t know how we will do but hopefully we will win. The players on this team are of a very good standard and to be chosen as a part of this group feels good.
"I think playing together for a week before the game will help us to come together as a team. Even though we speak many different languages we all have basketball in common.
"Just playing in a situation like this will improve my game and I am sure I will learn a lot."
The Hoop Summit has proved a strong grounding for players to move on to college and, in the case of Dallas Mavericks rookie Dirk Nowitzki last season, the NBA.
Young has signed a letter of intent with division one college George Mason and added: "I like the school and I think I will fit in well. Hopefully I can show them what I am capable of on Sunday."

RUSSIAN Alexander Miloserdov is one of 12 leading international players preparing for Sunday’s Hoop Summit against the USA in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
Miloserdov, 19, currently playing with Autodor Saratov in Russia is a key member of the International under-20 team looking to repeat last year’s victory in the series, which is currently tied at 2-2.
Miloserdov, a 6’6" guard, said: "This is my second trip to the United States. I spent some time at high school a couple of years ago and they offered me a place but there were problems with a visa and I decided not to come.
"But this is a great experience and I think it will make me a better player, just as playing at the Nike Euro Camp did in Italy last summer."
Miloserdov started his senior career with leading European team CSKA Moscow but spent the last season gaining more minutes with their rivals Autodor Saratov.
Now he hopes exposure at Hoop Summit can further help his standing in the European game. He said: "My first plan is to spend the next couple of years in European, with a team in the Euro League and become a stronger player."
"I don’t know how we will do but hopefully we will win. The players on this team are of a very good standard and to be chosen as a part of this group feels good.
"I think playing together for a week before the game will help us to come together as a team. Even though we speak many different languages we all have basketball in common. Just playing in a situation like this will improve my game and I am sure I will learn a lot."

18 March 1999

TWELVE of the world’s top international under-20 players are hoping to showcase their talents at the fifth annual Hoop Summit, following in a proud tradition of International alumni to make the grade in NCAA basketball.
The Hoop Summit, sponsored by Nike and presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, is an international game benefiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It features the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team and an International Select Team consisting of some of the world’s leading under-20 players and takes place at the University of Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, March 28.
Nine International alumni have advanced to play at NCAA division one schools from the four previous Hoop Summits and a number of the 1999 team appear likely to follow their example.
Jesse Young of Canada has already committed to George Mason University while Croatia’s Ivan Kartelo and Liberto Tetimadingar of France have been actively recruited by a number of other schools.
Ralph Greene, Nike’s global director of basketball, said: "Basketball excites kids of all ages and it is a sport through which NIKE expresses its core values. We are committed to growing the game all over the globe.
"Our goal is to provide young people with the opportunity to play, improve and perform. Hoop Summit brings the best from around the world to play the best in the US -- A once in a lifetime experience for the young players involved. We are excited for the players and enthusiastic to show the world how global basketball really is."
Souleymane Camara, a member of the winning 1998 International Team, hails from Senegal, Africa and was recruited by NCAA champions the University of Kentucky. He is averaging 11.1 minutes, 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds a game in his freshman year and is part of the UK team that faces the University of Miami (Ohio) in the Midwest Regionals of the NCAA tournament this weekend (March 19, 21).
UCLA has also benefited from International alumni, recruiting Dan Gadzuric (Netherlands, 1998) and Jerome Moiso (France, 1997).
Other International players to play in the NCAA include: Joao Paulo Coehlo (Portugal, University of Miami), Darius Songaila (Lithuania, Wake Forest), Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (Cameroon, Georgetown), Peter Van Paassen (Netherlands, St. Bonaventure), Mark Dickel (Australia, UNLV) and Elvir Ovcina (Bosnia, Syracuse).
Of the latest vintage of International players, Young, a 6’11", 208-lbs centre from Peterborough, Canada, has recently committed to George Mason University (Virginia) who play in the Colonial Athletic Conference.
Kartelo, a 6’11", 235-lbs forward/centre from Croatia is currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachusetts, and has been recruited by Indiana and Boston College, among others.
Tetimadingar, a 6’7", 187-lbs guard has been recruited by St John’s.
The Hoop Summit series stands at 2-2 and the 1999 game will be held on Sunday March 28 at 3 p.m. (EST) at the Bob Martinez Center (3,432 capacity) on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Held during the NCAA Men’s Final Four weekend, the game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

    TWELVE of the world's top international under-20 players are aiming to follow in the footsteps of some illustrious alumni in the fifth annual Hoop Summit, to be played at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, March 28.
The Hoop Summit, sponsored by Nike and presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, is an international game benefiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It features the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team and an International Select Team consisting of some of the world’s leading under-20 players.
The International Team, coached by respected four-time Italian Olympic coach Sandro Gamba, are aiming to take the lead in the series which they tied last season with a roster that included current Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki and Dan Gadzuric of NCAA division one school UCLA.
The pair have fond memories of the event and, along with numerous other International alumni currently playing in the NCAA, offer an example of the opportunites Hoop Summit presents to its players.
Nowitzki, an NBA rookie, said: "I was pretty sick before the game and wasn't sure I was leaving Germany until the last minute. But I had a great time. It was a great game, and it was pretty lucky for me that I had a good day. The reaction to my performance was surprising to me."
The German scored 33 points and had 14 rebounds in an exciting 104-99 victory in San Antonio, as part of a team that included centre Gadzuric, a native of the Netherlands, who was attending high school in the US at the time.
He said: "It was an opportunity to get back with the international flavour, being in Boston at the time I had missed Europe and Europeans. I liked that. The whole organisation was fun to be with. They’re nice people."
The 1997 International Team included Gadzuric’s UCLA team mate Jerome Moiso, a French national player. As with the 1998 version, the 1997 game took place in Florida. Moiso added: "We went all around Orlando. We saw two NBA games and went to Walt Disney World. We had a good time. With the basketball, we tried to put something together to look good. It wasn’t hard because we were all good players."
The 1999 Hoop Summit will be held Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. (EST) at the Bob Martinez Center (3,432 capacity) on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Held during the NCAA Men's Final Four weekend, the game will be televised live nationally by ESPN.
Dallas Mavericks’ Assistant Coach Donnie Nelson, an Assistant on the 1998 International Team, summed up the status that Hoop Summit now holds in the world basketball community. He said: "As far as exposure is concerned, Hoop Summit is the pinnacle international event for players of that age.
"The eyes of the world are upon that game. Even though the game takes place during a closed recruiting period for NCAA schools, every major college coach from Division Two up has a copy of the game tape on his desk."

SUNDOV GIVEN CHANCE TO SHINE AT NIKE HOOP SUMMIT
BRUNO Sundov, a second round pick of the Dallas Mavericks in the 1998 NBA draft, is one of the star names on the International Select Team that will face their American counterparts at the fifth annual Hoop Summit on March 28 in Tampa, Florida.
The Hoop Summit, sponsored by Nike and presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, is an international game benefiting the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It features the USA Basketball Junior Select National Team and an International Select Team consisting of some of the world’s leading under-20 players.
Sundov, 19, a 7’3" center from Croatia, currently plays at Wichendon Prep School, Massachusetts. He was drafted 35^th overall by the Mavericks, the sixth player taken in the second round of the 1998 draft in Vancouver, Canada. Dallas also later traded for first round draftee, Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki, an alumnus of the International Hoop Summit team that beat the US last year.
Mavericks’ Assistant Coach Donnie Nelson was an Assistant on the 1998 International Team which beat the US 104-99 thanks to a 33-point, 14-rebound performance from Nowitzki, to level the series 2-2.
Nelson summed up the importance that Hoop Summit now holds in the world basketball community. He said: "It is a great week for the International players and a great event which now has the eyes of the world upon it.
"Nike does such a great job of hosting different events around the game and that helps bring the kids together and builds team spirit. I saw that last year at first hand and there is no doubt that the camaraderie on the International Team helped them win."
Nelson will be watching Sundov’s performance in Tampa with interest. He said: "We think he is a very skilled, big player who is still apparently growing. He is extremely skilled with really good instincts, he handles the ball well and shoots it well from out there.
"He won the MVP of the Prep School tournament recently and has had pretty good reviews. We are keen for him to enjoy the whole Hoop Summit experience, it will be terrific for him, and we look forward to working with him in the summer. As we did with Dirk, we drafted Bruno for what he can become down the line. He is one for the future."
Sundov attended the 1997 Nike Euro Camp in Paris, France where we was selected to the All-Star team and is a high school team mate of the Hoop Summit’s Ivan Kartelo. Before moving to the U.S. to attend school, he was a member of the Croatian Champions Split as well as a representative of Croatia at junior level. He is the tallest player at this year’s Hoop Summit.
The 1999 Hoop Summit will be held Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. (EST) at the Bob Martinez Center (3,432 capacity) on the campus of the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Held during the NCAA Men's Final Four weekend, the game will be televised live nationally by ESPN.

1999 International Junior Select Team
Player Country Team
Antonis Fotsis (GRE) Panathinaikos
Vlado Ilijevski (MKD) Partizan Belgrade (YUG)
Guilherme Joanoni (BRA) Pinheiros
Ivan Kartelo (CRO) Wichendon Prep School, MA
Alexander Miloserdov (RUS) Autodor Saratov
Bostjan Nachbar (SLO) ZM Maribor Lumar
Olumide Oyedeji (NGR) Wurzburg (GER)
Vladimir Radmanovic (YUG) Red Star Belgrade
Bruno Sundov (CRO) Wichendon Prep School, MA
Yutu Tabuse (JPN) Noshiro Kogyo
Liberto Tetmadinger (FRA) Levollois
Jesse Young (CAN) Peterbrough

PLAYER BIOGRAPHIES

Antonis Fotsis – 6’8", 203 lbs, forward from Greece currently playing at Greek champions Panathinaikos, 18-years-old
Fotsis is representing the International team for the second time having been a part of the 1998 winning team in San Antonio ... he scored 10 points and added 1 rebound and 1 assist in 14 minutes of the 104-99 victory … Fotsis also attended 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy where he was selected to the All-Star team … represents the Greek national team at junior level ... scored 11 points and added 3 rebounds in 30 minutes for the One World All-Stars who lost 107-75 to Ohio State in Columbus in November 1998 … rated among the top three prospects in Greece by respected Euro Basket service … previously with Ilusiakos, now with Panathinaikos … has seen limited action this season on a very strong Panathinaikos team that reached the last 16 of the ECM (European Championship) … team mate of former NBA star Dino Radja.

Vlado Ilijevski – 6’3", 172 lbs, guard from Macedonia currently playing for Partizan Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 19-years-old
This is Ilijevski’s first NIKE event … before signing to top European powerhouse Partizan was at Strumica ... made debut for full Macedonian national team this year, vs Portugal … also played against Romania and Hungary, final three qualifying games for the 1999 European Championships in France in which Macedonia finished second in their group to Russia … is expected to be part of the Macedonian team that plays in the Finals in France this summer … rated top prospect in Macedonia … part of the Macedonian team that won this season’s All-Star Game … player on the Partizan team that lost to Italy’s Benetton in the quarter-finals of the Sapotra (formerly European) Cup this season, having won their qualifying group with a 9-1 record.

Guilherme Joanoni – 6’8", 210 lbs, guard/forward from Brazil currently playing for Pinheiros, Brazil, 18-years-old
Joanoni was selected to this year’s Sao Paulo Championship All-Star team … considered the number one Brazilian prospect of 1999 ... as of March 5 was averaging 21 minutes, 9.4 points, 3.5 rebounds for Pinheiros (in 13 games) … as with all Brazilians, takes one nickname – Guilherme ... likely to be part of the senior Brazil national team that takes part in the pre-qualifying tournament for the 2000 Olympics in Puerto Rico this summer.

Ivan Kartelo – 6’11", 235 lbs, forward/centre from Croatia currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachusetts, 19-years-old
Kartelo is school teammates with Hoop Summit’s Bruno Sundov … received a scouting visit from Indiana’s Bobby Knight ... also attracting strong interest from Boston College … has been named as a possible top 25 college recruit.

Alexander Miloserdov – 6’6", 185 lbs, guard from Russia currently playing at Autodor Saratov, Russia, 19-years-old
Miloserdov was selected to the 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy where we was selected to the All-Star team ... was an established player with Russia powerhouse CSKA and attended Virginia Episcopal where he was rated as one of the top 40 sophomore players in the country ... He averages 7.3 points per game in 13.9 minutes in the Russian Super League and 2.8 points per game in 9.5 minutes in the Euroleague … Scored 20 points in 20 minutes against Spartak Moscow and 14 points in 13 minutes against Dinamo Maikop … favourite player is Allan Iverson and enjoys watching NHL, especially Yaromir Yagr of the Pittsburg Penguins … Miloserdov is a club teammate of American Kevin Simpson (Providence College) ... father Valeri was member of USSR bronze-medal winning Olympic team in 1976 and was his first coach.

Bostjan Nachbar – 6’8", 212 lbs, forward from Slovenia currently playing for ZM Maribor Lumar, Slovenia, 19-years-old
Nachbar attended the 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy where we was selected to the All-Star team ... before signing for Lumar, where he is a regular starter, was at Union Olimpija .. considered the fourth top prospect in Slovenia for 1999 ... Nachbar scored 16 points in the Slovenia versus Foreigners All-Star game last month .. is a member of the National team and has represented his country in the under-22 level … also standout member of the junior team, winning most valuable player in 97 and 98.

Olumide Oyedeji – 6’11", 237lbs, forward/centre from Nigeria currently playing for Wurzburg, Germany, 17-years-old
Oyedeji was selected to the 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy … former Wurzburg teammate of Hoop Summit Alumnus Dirk Nowitzki ... before joining Wurzburg played in the Russian Superleague for Dynamo Moscow … has won silver medal in Africa’s Nations Cup ... was the winner of this year’s German Slam Dunk contest where he performed a no-look dunk, started at the 3-point line with a T-shirt covering his head.

Vladimir Radmanovic – 6’9", 212 lbs, forward from Yugoslavia currently playing with Red Star Belgrade, Yugoslavia, 18-years-old
Radmanovic was selected to the 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy where he was selected to the All-Star team … represents Yugoslavian national team at junior level … member of the team that won the Junior Championship of Serbia in 1997 … teammate of former Charlotte Hornet Vladimir Divac and former Dallas Maverick Rastko Cvetkovic.

Bruno Sundov – 7’3", 230 lbs, centre from Croatia currently playing at Wichendon Prep School, Massachuetts, USA, 19-years-old
Sundov was drafted in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1998 NBA draft … attended the 1997 NIKE Euro Camp in Paris, France where we was selected to the All-Star team … school teammate of Hoop Summit’s Ivan Kartelo … before moving to the States to attend school, he was member of the Croatian Champions Split … represents his country at junior level ... tallest player at this year’s Hoop Summit.

Yuta Tabuse – 5’8", 150 lbs, guard from Japan currently playing at Noshiro Kogyo in Japan, 18-years-old
Tabuse is regarded as Japan’s best prep player … listed as the most efficient passer in the Asian Basketball Confederation.

Liberto Tetimadingar – 6’7", 187 lbs, guard from France currently playing at Levollois, France, 18-years-old
Liberto was selected to the 1998 NIKE Euro Camp in Treviso, Italy where he was selected to the All-Star team… French insiders consider him as one of the top players of his age … he averages 13.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 32 minutes per game for Levallois Espoir team (under 22) and has suited up for the senior team 3 times this season… describes himself as an all around player who likes to create and would like to become a Penny Hardaway kind of point guard … coached by Ron Stewart (St Johns) and teammate of American Hubert Register (N. Illinois).

Jesse Young – 6’11", 208 lbs, centre from Canada currently playing at Peterbrough, Canada, 18-years-old
The only North American member on the International team … has recently committed to George Mason University.

For More Information, please contact:
Ian Whittell: +44 161 881 7916/ +44 468 822 938
iwhittell@aol.com
Julie Boden: +44 161 881 7916/+44 966 186 261
julieboden@compuserve.com