EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 2/13/2008

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Men News

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BELGIUM

Transfer and Injury News -by Peter Buyse


Two changes took place at Bree, Scott Emerson (206-F-80, college: Mercer) has left the team and is headed to the French ProB league where he will play for Besancon.

The incoming player is Ronnie McCollum (192-G-78, college: Centenary) who has already played for several Belgian teams in the past, most recently Liege in 06-07.


Optima Gent had to do without John Turek (206-F/C-83, college: Nebraska) this weekend in their road game vs Leuven.

Turek who suffers from a back injury tried to warm up for the game but to no avail.



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BELIZE

BECOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF THIS FRIDAY!!! -by David Magana
The annual BECOL basketball tournament will get underway this weekend, at the Falcon Field in San Ignacio Town. The opening ceremonies will kick off at 7 p.m. with the introduction of all 19 participating teams, followed by L.A. Tigers taking on SHC in the Under - 17 Category. In the nightcap, Christ for Life from Roaring Creek will go up against the defending senior champs, E-Three Light.

On Saturday night, game 1 will feature Hydro Power vs. Cayo Ballers in the Under - 20 Division, followed by ICB Veterans vs. Hydro Power in the Over - 35 Category. The nightcap will be a seniors game, as Venus Warriors will do battle against SHJC/BNE Harpies.

Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs, The Only Undefeated Team In U-26 Tournament!!! -by David Magana
Last night in an epic battle for supremacy the Belize Bank Bulldogs proved to be the best and only undefeated team in the U-26 tournament. The veteran experience of Paul Swasey (193-F-82) and Darwin 'Puppy' Leslie prove to be a bit too much for the young Future team, despite a valiant effort by Winston 'Air Jun' Pratt. The game ended 76-70 in favor of the Junior Bulldogs. For the winning team, Paul Swasey ended with 23 pts / 10 rebounds / 3 assist / 6 blocks / 5 steals and Darwin Leslie (191-F/G-81) 18 pts / 8 rebounds / 4 assist / 2 blocks. For the loosing team, Winston 'Air Jun' Pratt 34 pts / 8 rebounds and
Ludrick Beeks 10 pts / 6 rebounds.
In the second game of the night, The Belmopan Young Gunz got their second win of the tournament after bombing the Complex Bombers 82-66. Complex Bombers were unable to overcome the offensive onslaught amassed by the Young Gunz in the 33 - 16 first quarter. For the winning team, Jay Chavarria (191-F) scored 19 pts / 4 rebounds / 4 assist and Dorian 'Cheesy' Jones 15 pts / 8 rebounds. For the Bombers, Lester Cadle (188-G-80) had 31 pts (4-3's) / 10 rebounds / 3 steals and Alfred Bainton (193-F) 14 pts / 11 rebounds / 2 assist / 1 steal.
In the last game, after trailing the first 2 quarters, the brother combo of Aston and Tyrone Edwards (186-G, college: Hillsdale) turn up the heat with brother Tyrone finding brother Aston for 5 consecutive 3 pointers in the final minute of the 3rd quarter which finally gave Lake I a lead that they would not relinquish. Mesop. mounted a comeback and brought the game to within 3 points in the closing seconds where Bernard Felix had not 1 but 2 opportunities to tie the game but was unable to connect ending the game Lake I Boyz 74 (12-3's) - Mesop. Complex Bombers 71. For the winning team, Aston Edwards scored 35 pts (9-3's) / 4 rebounds / 3 assist / 4 steals and Tyrone Edwards 11 pts / 2 rebounds / 6 assist / 1 steal. In a losing effort, Egbert'Eggy' Walford scored 22 pts / 2 rebounds / 2 assist / 1 steal
and Dwayne 'Kila' Davis 16 pts / 6 rebounds / 1 assist / 3 steals

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BOSNIA

Siroki wins Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup -by Sead Buljina

After a semifinal thriller vs. Bosna, Siroki beat Borac in another close game in the finals 74:72. Thus, Siroki is the 2007/2008 National Cup winner.

Arena: Skenderija, Sarajevo
Attendance: 500

SIROKI: Bubalo, Laver 22, Stemberger 10, Perincic 3, Dijan 3, Zupic 7, Sola 5, Spralja 11, Naletilic, Fajardo 9, Zimmerman 4, Holm.

BORAC: Atanackovic 13, Z. Jovanovic 14, Stupar, Rothbart 6, V. Jovanovic 6, Gemaljevic, Ugrehelidze, Hopkins 11, Pavlovic, Milinovic, Velimirovic 12, Paunovic 10.



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CAMEROON

Collegiate News...Bitee the "Perfect" fit for Rhode Island!!! -by Yann Tientcheu
Parfait Bitee (188-G-85) was the national torch-bearer for the week ending feb. 13th. His team, the Rams of Rhodes Island University are comfortably sitting on a winning records of 20-4, while being
proudly undefeated at home (11-0). Bitee, evidently does not stand aloof from such a brillant result. The Senior starting Point Guard originally from Yaounde saw an average
of 30mns of action during the past 24 games, and has been efficiently putting the obvious trust of Coach Jim Barron into use for his team by producing numbers such as 5.1 Asts/g, 11pts/g,
and a total of 20 steals for the past 24 meetings. One of the particularities of the Cameroon national team Point guard is his ability to illustrate himself valuably in all the statistical categories including blocks
in which his realizations can be summed up at 5 despite his relatively limitating hight of 6'2' in a conference as tough as the Atlantic 10. Bitee is featured among the Rams statistical
leaders as being 1st in 3-Point percentage (51.1%), 2nd in free Throw percentage (80%), 3rd in points (11pts/g), 5th in rebounds (2.6rbds/g), 4th in steals (0.8/g), 4th in blocked
shots (0.4/g) and 1st in minutes (30mns/g). His scoring highlight for the season until now are 17pts a piece on Nov. 28th against Norhteastern, and on Feb. 10th against Fordham ,and 18pts
in a stunning victory against Syracuse on Dec. 8th (4 for 4 from the 3-point line and 7 asts).

Akini Akini (6-10, 231 forward) of Florida A&M posted 12pts, 3rbds and 1blk in the Rattlers' 80-78 conference loss to North Carolina A&T on Feb. 9th, and signed a double-double on Feb. 11th with 12pts and 10rbds
in a 77-66 loss of Florida A&M to Norfolk State. Akini also had 3blks that night.

Brice Nengsu (193-G-83, college: Creighton) is building a reputation of fierce 3-point shooter with the the Rams of Angelo state University. He currently has the best 3-point percentage of his team with 41.5% of his 3-point shots
converted (49 3-pointers made until now), while averaging 11pts and 6rbds per game. Nengsu displayed 13pts and 2rbds in a 84-78 loss of Angelo State University against West texas A&M on feb 9th (4 for 6 from the 3-point line). This follows his 18pts (team high) and 6rbds registered during the 79-76 win of Angelo State overs Texas A&M-Kingsville on Feb. 6th. He was 4 for5 from the 3-point line that night.

Cedric Essola (203-F-87) was instrumental in Florida International's win of feb. 9th (66-60) over Middle Tennessee with 9pts and 4rbds.

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CYPRUS

A' Division: Keravnos finished at the top of the league in the regular season -by Chris Mammides

Keravnos Strovolou succeeded it 6th road win and finished at the top of the league in the regular season. Keravnos's captain, Giorgos Giorgos Anastasiadis (194-G/F-77) was amazing with 6 three pointers and 22 points proved once more that he is in a great shape even though he is not used in the team as the previous years. In Cyprus, and for a second consecutive year there is a unique phaenomenon, there is no relegation!!!

Achilleas Kaimakli is the only team in the world which will not be relegated in the second division even though was finished in the last position of the regular season with a record of 2-14 (exactly like last year which happened the same with Etha Engomis) simply because the Cyprus Basketball Federation decided so at the beggining of the seazon!
The quarters of the specific game were: 21-31, 34-47, 53-67 and 82-86.
Top scorers:
Frederick Achilleas: Bonu 4, Zujovic 14, Stylianou 7, Wallas 4, Zotovic 5, Garner 25, Theocharidis 23 (7 out of 7 three pointers).
Keravnos Strovolou: Stefanovic 3, Pilavas 7, Giorgos Anastasiadis 22, Smith 12, Lee 18, Damianovic 7, Trisokkas 9, Kosanovic 2, Radojevic 6.

Pizza Express Primetel Apollon - Ydra Asfalistiki ENAD 65-57
Quarters: 17-10, 29-30, 49-39, 65-57
Top scorers: Chris Kaskiris (206-C/F-79) 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 block shots, Hatzitheodosiou 12, Kazoulis 8, Markou 6, Foklas 5, Ierodiakonou 7
ENAD: Achilleos 8, Elhadji 7, Stavrinou 3, Konstantinou 4, Pilakoutas 3, Kupros Koutsokoumnis (180-G-88) 17, Frageskou 11, Ioannou 4.

Omonoia - BMC AEK Larnakas 109-104
Quarters: 21-23, 41-38, 61-58, 89-89. OT 109-104
A great game took place in Nicosia where the home team beat in the extra time the Larnaka team with the NBA like score 109-104
Top scorers were: Davis 17, Jankevicius 17, Zaric 6, Mouhtaris 6, Darrin Fowlkes (198-F-67, college: Butler) 17, Prjstojevic 18, and Stone 28.
BMC AEK: Fantousis 3, Kouzapas 2, Cvetkovic 2, Kuprjanov 3, Isaac Burton (191-G-73, college: Arizona St.) 19, Dann 28 (4), Kandic 18 (4), Panteli 23 (4), Simunovic 6.

Aspis Apoel - Proteas EKA AEL 78-71
Quarters: 26-15, 44-34, 63-47, 78-71
Top scorers:
Aspis Apoel: Van Dorpe 7, Hansen 2, Miceta 3, Jones 19, Lopatka 9, Radunovic 11, Weeller 10, Pantouris 2, Garcia 15
Proteas EKA AEL: Liatsos 7, Zianveni 4, Souchu 4, Aleksic 9, Randle 12, Sudov 15, Ilunga 3, Woodwort 17 (2).



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D-LEAGUE

Last Night's Results -by Surujh Roopnarine
Albuquerque Thunderbirds (94) at Colorado 14ers (111)
T-BIRDS: Daniel Horton (6'3''-G-84, college: Michigan) (28p+6rb+9as), Kevin Pittsnoggle (18p), Josh Gross (11p+6rb), Jamaal Thomas (10p+7rb)
14ERS: Brian Greene (6'9''-F-81, college: Colorado St.) (17p+10rb), Roderick Riley (18p+7rb), Elton Brown (14p+11rb+5to), Justin Cage (16p+5rb+5as)

Idaho Stampede (92) at Utah Flash (99)
STAMPEDE: Mickael Gelabale (6'7''-F-83) (24p+6rb), Mike Taylor (24p), Randy Livingston (14p+5as+5to), Lance Allred (6p+10rb)
FLASH: Morris Almond (6'6''-F-85, college: Rice) (21p+5rb), Kyrylo Fesenko (13p+11rb), James Lang (17p+8rb), Brian Jackson (16p+7rb)

Latest Transactions -by Surujh Roopnarine

Tulsa: Signed Freddy Robinson (6'5''-F-83, college: Colorado St.) and waived Dwight Brewington (6'5''-G-84, college: Liberty). Robinson was drafted by Sioux Falls in the 10th round of the 2007 D-League Draft and attended training camp with the Skyforce. A former McDonald's High School All-American, Robinson struggled through a very serious back injury early on at Colorado State.

Brewington, averaged 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 20 games for the 66ers.
Bakersfield: Acquired Lukasz Obrzut (7'1''-C-82, college: Kentucky) and announced that James Smith (7'0''-F/C, college: Marist) has left the team.



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EUROLEAGUE

Lottomatica Roma signed Ibrahim Jaaber -by Dragan Jankovski
Lottomatica Roma agreed terms yesterday with guard Ibrahim Jaaber (188-G-84, college: Pennsylvania), ex player of Greek Egaleo where he was the league's top scorer this season averaging 22.4 ppg in 15 games. Jabber will replace Jacopo Giachetti, who suffered serious knee injury and will be out for the rest of the season. Jabber signed contract with Rome until the end of season 07/08 and he supposes to make debut on Wednesday against CSKA Moscow.

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FRANCE

NM1 Day 21: Blois is on the podium -by Chris Spiesser
The receveing leaders all won this week. This means that Blois beat Fos which loses a second time in a row and is kicked from the podium. While Antibes had an easy victory against Andrezieux, Charleville impressed in the other blockbuster game of the week against the GET Vosges. Angers is still on its winning trend after its game in Bordeaux, while Lievin made the move of the week with a win @St-Chamond. Longwy is putting pressure on Boulogne, Bordeaux and Mulhouse who remain under the relegating cloud, the gap shrinking to 2 wins after this 21st Day.

The results:
Antibes 88-59 Andrezieux
Charleville 86-70 GET Vosges
Blois 88-76 Fos
Bordeaux 70-78 Angers
Centre Federal 55-75 Mulhouse
Longwy 82-70 Feurs
Boulogne 81-79 Lille
Saint-Chamond 55-66 Lievin
Challans 104-88 Toulouges

The main facts:
120 ranking points and 27 assits by Antibes against Andrezieux.
58% from the field by Charleville and a clean sheet by Ivo Kresta 13pts (5/5), 7rbs, 4ass.
29pts (7/11 3pts) by Teddy Maizeroi against Fos nicely helped by Brazil (23pts, 7rbs, 4ass)
The US players were in shape in Bordeaux: 18pts, 10rbs for Kent and 19pts, 5rbs, 5ass for Michael Doles.
Double-double by Mouhamed N'Dour (16pts 6/8, 12rbs) against the CFBB led by its 1992ers, Westermann and Fournier.
Jean-Victor Traore (203-F-85) posted 17pts (8/11), 12rbs and 3stl for Longwy.
23pts, 7rbs for Momo Kante and Boulogne who overcame Lille, too unaccurate (39%) like Jasaron 26pts 9/19.
Poor figures in St-Chamond where no team reaches 50 ranking points. Lievin wins with no players at 10rkg points, nevertheless Cilly posted a double-double (11pts, 12rbs).
Challans took quickly control of Toulouges with a bright Driss (20pts) but coach Masse is wondering about Darryl Dora's future. He spoke about a replaceman in the newspaper 'Ouest France'.

French NT : Michel Gomez is the new head coach -by Aurelien Hipp
*The news has been announced today during a press conference. Michel Gomez is the new coach of the french NT and will be assisted by Jean-Louis Borg , currently coach of the '08 Semaine des As finalist, Jean-Louis Borg .

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FYR MACEDONIA

Swisslion Pelister victorious in Skopje -by Todor Chalovski
Swisslion Pelister had their first ever win against Fersped Rabotnicki in Skopje, beating their opponents 85:81.
Keoni Watson, Milan Miljkovic and Srdjan Stankovic had a great game.

Amak SP, led by the Americans Willian O'Neal and Jared Frey, beat Strumica 2005.

Feni Industri and Vardar Osiguruvanje were also victorious in this Round.

FERSPED RABOTNICKI - SWISSLION PELISTER 81:85
Result by quarters: 32:22; 14:21; 16:23; 19:19.

FERSPED RABOTNICKI: Stojanovski 10, Brchkov, Veselinovski 12, Filipovic, Janeski, Karakolev 6, Mirakovski 15, Zivcevic 16, Trajkovski 15, Petrushev, Majkic 5, Markovski.
Coach: Marin Dokuzovski.

SWISSLION PELISTER: Petkovski, Watson 27, Bendevski, Savovic, Apcev, Atanasoski, Held 8, Stankovic 22, Djokic 7, Miljkovic 18, Talevski 4, Zaharievski.
Coach: Miodrag Perisic.


AMAK SP - STRUMICA 2005 83:74
Result by quarters: 17:12; 19:17; 19:23; 28:22.

AMAK SP: D. Stojanovski 9, Tasevski 11, Stojanov 6, Frey 31, Cvetnic, Vegov 2, Gjorgoski, Taylor, V. Stojanovski 7, Nedelkov, Nikolovski, O'Neal 17.
Coach: Igor Gacov.

STRUMICA 2005: Bogoev 14, Cvetkov, D. Sokolov 8, Grujic, Tasovski 13, Grncharov 2, Krstevski 3, Bosnjak 8, Pupovic 13, Karamanolev, Latovic 13, Zaev.
Coach: Jordancho Davitkov.


KARPOS SOKOLI 2000 - VARDAR OSIGURUVANJE 73:106
Result by quarters: 16:25; 16:25; 19:32; 22:27.

KARPOS SOKOLI 2000: Kacarski 3, Stojchevski 13, Neshovski 9, Mitkov 2, Ristov 2, Georgievski 25, Zlatkovski, Dishliev 2, Nuri 10, Jovanchev 2, Vasilev 5.
Coach: Milan Naumovski.

VARDAR OSIGURUVANJE: Sazdov 7, Dimchevski 6, Kochov 2, Sovkovski 13, Kralevski 17, Simonovski 11, Nakic 15, Trifunovski, Maric 20, Krstevski 10, Blazevski 8, Mitic.
Coach: Tihomir Matevski.


FENI INDUSTRI - MZT FON UNIVERZITET SKOPJE 81:70
Result by quarters: 19:16; 17:26; 24:12; 21:16.

FENI INDUSTRI: Angelov, Prekovic 13, Basnarkov, Brown 9, Krstev, Radulovic 6, Popovic 14, Gocevski 11, Gjurov 6, Jovovic 11, Mihajloski 10, Samardziev 10.
Coach: Emil Rajkovic.

MZT FON UNIVERZITET SKOPJE: Thaci 14, B. Nikolovski 2, Gjorevski, Zivkovic 23, Ramadan, Hill 9, Konzulov, K. Nikolovski, Smith 9, Milanovski, Agoc 18, Despotovic.
Coach: Marjan Lazovski.

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GEORGIA

Vita trashs Energy in Rustavi -by Levan Mikeladze
Vita beat the regular season's leader, Energy at its own place without its two key members, Giorgi Markoishvili (200-G/F-83) and Davit Berdzenishvili (208-C-76, agency: Interperformances). Since the start of the game, Vita jumped to a huge lead, mainly, thanks to a great shooting from forward Davit Gvimradze (203-F-86), who finished the first quarter 4/4 on long shots and with 16 points.

An extraordinary play from the visitors' playmaker Giorgi Markhvashvili (190-G-85), who finished as the MVP of this round - he made 11/14 free throws and caused a lot of problems for the opposing guards. As for the hosts, they missed a lot of long shots and made only 17 percent (6/34) of those ones. They also finished with 16 errors.

New playmaker of Energy, Mikhel Chitashvili (185-G-84) finished the match with 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Exceptional was former fellow citizen of Al Capone Jovan Stefanov (208-F-83, college: Ill.-Chicago) who was the best from Rustavi team by grabbing 12 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block shots.

In the end, it was 79:67 for Zurab Tomaradze 's team, that took a very important win and made the fighting for the play offs even tougher. The remainder of the regular season promises to be a real battle.

Interview with Viktor Sanikidze -by Levan Mikeladze

Viktor Sanikidze (born April 1st, 1986 in Republic of Georgia) is a Georgian professional basketball player who plays the small forward position.

He was selected with the 42nd pick of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, but his rights were traded the same day to the San Antonio Spurs for a 2005 second-round draft pick and cash considerations. The Spurs still hold his NBA rights, but they have yet to sign him to a contract, and he continues to play overseas. In July 2007, Sanikidze played for San Antonio during the Rocky Mountain Revue, scoring 15 points in a Spurs loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 2001-2002, Sanikidze attended and played basketball for Globe Tech JC in New York City. In the 2002-2003 seasons, he returned home to Georgia to play for Academy Tbilisi, an amateur basketball team in his hometown. In 2003 he signed with JDA Dijon Bourgogne in the French Pro A League. He played three seasons in France (2003/2004, 2004/2005 and 2005/2006). He signed with MMT Estudiantes Madrid in the Spanish ACB in 2006/2007. Currently is not playing in any team.

Eurobasket Georgia made an interview with Viktor Sanikidze on February 12th in Tbilisi. So, read on!

Q. Viktor, first question I want to ask you is pretty rhetorical and I need your short answer. Let me ask you what are you doing in Tbilisi?
V.S. I had rehabilitation period for two months. Now I started practice with Dinamo Tbilisi and I am waiting for the final answer of physicians to confirm that I am fully recovered.

Q. How seriously you were injured?
V.S. Pretty seriously. I went in Germany for try out and on one practice I didn't feel good on my knee. So, I checked my knee with German doctors and they told me to stop playing, otherwise I would risk my career.

Q. There are many gossips about your current team. You played this round in Georgian League with Dinamo Tbilisi. Koln 99ers got bankrupted and you left from Estudiantes as well. Will Spurs Free Agent player end current season in Georgian League?
V.S. I don't think so because for me is better to try my forces in any better teams in Europe, just to end up this season.

Q. Last year Georgian compassionates were mad about your brief playing minutes in Estudiantes. How you comment on that?
V.S. I didn't like that too. (Smiles) There were many reasons that I was not playing much. First of all I arrived in Spain later because I was called in Georgian National Team. Than I talked with general manager and assistant coach and they didn't know why I was not playing. I thought that I was not good on practices but nobody mentioned that to me. Afterwards team management fired a head coach and assistant coach went up to the head coach position. He gave me more minutes than. Later I had a surgery on my appendix.

Q. Your brief comment on qualification games with National Team?
V.S. First of all I liked a coach. He trusted me and he let me play pretty much. I am always proud to play in my National Team. We disappointed every Georgian and that is our fault. We had not to lose against National Team of Iceland. There were many little things on that game but I don't even want to remind that. I really think that Georgia deserves Division A. and we will make it happen.
RE: Like you did it on U20 right?
V.S. (Smiles) Exactly.

Q. 42nd overall pick in 2004, MVP of U20 European Championships, key player of the Georgian National Team. Is it you Viktor?
V.S. I guess. Ya, that's me... (Laughs)

Q. Viktor, do you have any ideas so far regarding your future club from the next season?
V.S. I do not really care my future European team at this time, as I am very focused on NBA Summer League for San Antonio Spurs.

Q. You are fifth player in the NBA from Georgia; if we include Iokovos Tsakalidis whose origin is Georgia. What do you think who will be the next one in Georgians list in the NBA?
V.S. I think that Manuchar Markoishvili and Giorgi Tsintsadze because its their last chance to get drafted as they will not be eligible next year. I think that they both will be late second round picks.

Q. What about Giorgi Shermadini?

V.S. Giorgi is very talented player with bright future. I am not really familiar about his plans, but if he puts his name on draft board he has to make it.

Q. And when we should expect to see Viktor Sanikidze hosting the games in AT&T Center?
V.S. I think that I will make it happen this year. (Laughs)

Well, thank you very much Viktor. I wish every success in your LIFE and career and hope to see you next time in San Antonio.



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GERMANY

Yaldiz working out in Wolfenbuettel -by Moritz Korff
Ismail Yaldiz (184-G-78) has joined the Wolfenbuettel Dukes (2. Bundesliga Pro B) for a tryout. The 29-year-old Guard is a proven scorer and averaged 19.7 points per contest for UBC Hannover last season. Yaldiz already played for Wolfenbuettel in the 1998-1999 season and in 2000-2001.

Two fresh players for Iserlohn -by Moritz Korff
According to reports in the local newspaper IKZ the NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos (2. Bundesliga Pro B) have added two new players to the roster who should help to avoid the drop to the Regionalliga. The German Post-Player Malik El-Tamer (208-F/C-77, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: Charlotte) has joined the Kangaroos as well as Canadian Guard James Hudson (188-G-83, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: The University of Alberta). Meanwhile, Phillip Freeman (211-C-79, college: Miles) is going to leave at the end of February.
El-Tamer owns a lot of experience and shot hoops for several teams of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in the past. His last reported club was CSKA Sofia from the Bulgarian league. Hudson played college-basketball at The University of The University of Alberta in the CIS and suited up for 2. Regionalliga-side Citybasket Recklinghausen since 2006.

Wolfenbuettel: Coach Hundt leaves the Dukes -by Moritz Korff
Andreas Hundt is no longer the Head Coach of the Wolfenbuettel Dukes (2. Bundesliga Pro B). The 50-year-old stepped back from his position on Tuesday. 'It is only about the Dukes und the basketball in Wolfenbuettel, not about the person Andreas Hundt ', he stated on the Dukes' website. Assistant Coach Janusz Klimek will lead practice until the game against Muenchen on Sunday. A new Head Coach will be named next week.

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GREECE

Second Division: Match Day 18 - Six teams for three positions!! -by Chris Mammides
After the first 18 weeks, there are 6 teams with Near East in the top place and another 5 teams follow in the second place. All these teams will fight untill the end for the three positions to give the promotion in the A2 division.
The results and the scorers are as follows:
Near East - Anagennisi/Floga 82-63
Quarters: 17-17, 29-29, 57-42, 82-63.
Near East : Thomas Nikou (185-G-79) 12, Michalos 28, Neofytou 3, Christos Gavanopoulos (198-G-85) 10, Sizopoulos 2, Papargyropoulos 9, Fasoulopoulos 3, Stamatis 7, Karabas 2, Lykogiannis 4, Papoulidis 3.
Anagennisi/ Floga: Rozolis 1, Moisiadis 15, Galanidis 8, Pittakas 5, Zarogiannis 18, Spyropoulos 6, Pallis 12

Alimos - Lavrio 71-89
Quarters: 26-23, 38-51, 52-76, 71-89.
Alimos: Moutoupas 3, Thomas 4, Kalatzis 4, Tsolakis 13, Yfantis 15, Kallimanas 6, Tsougarakis 8, St. Vrinas 9, El. Vrynas 10 (2).
Lavrio: Rallis 8 (1), Tsiros 4, Kousoulas 5, Giannakopoulos 20, Agapitos 14, Notis 3, Kassanos 8, Bakas 8, Psileas 19 (1).

Milonas - Doukas 74-77
Quarters: 19-22, 35-40, 59-56, 74-77
Milonas: Kalaitzakis 10, Ventouris 16, Karababas 16, Vlavianos 20, Bourazanis 2, Efstratiou 7, Balas 2, Despotou 1.
Doukas: Tsohlas 5 (1), Kamariotis 14, Petrakis 7, Arsenis 14, Ahis 2, Kouvaris 1, Kritsalos 19, Matzioris 15.

Makedonikos - Olympiakos Volou. 73-62
Quarters: 21-16, 34-31, 57-48, 73-62
Makedonikos: Dalpas 2, Tanakidis 19, Mitsakis 9, Kogias 4, G. Karipidis 28, Samopurelis 11.
Olympiakos Volou: Vogiatzis 6, Politis 2, Nanis 16, Tsourelis 20, Tsolis 9, Mihos 2, Fountas 7

Ikaros Kallitheas - Ikaroi Serron. 61-50
Quarters: 7-13, 22-22, 46-28, 61-50.
Ikaros: Martzos 10, Georgiou 3, Emmanouilidis 11, Papadakis 2, Evangelitsis 2, Karastamatis 7, Katoufas 16, Koukouras 8, Aggelopoulos 2
Ikaroi Serron: Pehlivanidis 7, Sdrakas 11, Iosifidis 6, Georgantzas 21, Papoudas 5, Asimakis 11, Topouzis 9.

Aigio - Goumenissa 75-65
Quarters: 17-13, 30-28, 52-42, 75-65
Aigio: Deraos 8, Prokos 26, Gioupis 6, Mandalakis 2, Tirlas 15, Manolas 4, Stavroulakis 9, Liggos 5.
Goumenisa: Bagi 3, Imeridis 4, Hatzinikolaou 4, Matenidis 10, Klepkos 13, Darakis 6, Antoniadis 20, Gotsos 4, Tatsis 3.

Komotini - KAOD 84-75
Quarters: 16-14, 40-31, 60-57, 84-75
Komotini: Mouzakitis 22, Mouratoglou 4, Dinas 20, Koutsovasilis 6, Tsakonitis 10, Veli 8, Souflias 13, Halil 1.
KAOD: Bourdanos 13, Papadopoulos 8, Kiosses 4, Filiousis 7, Michaelidis 1, Koukouravas 14, Daliaris 24.

Amyntas - Ermis Lagkada. 64-62
Quarters: 14-17, 33-31, 43-44, 64-62.
Amyntas: Æoupas 6, Barbas 3, Samothrakis 15, Grammatikos 6, Boutros 7, Dorkofikis 2, Vogiatzis 6, Alexandr Moumouris (201-F/C-74) 19 (2),
Ermis: Troulialis 8, Kloutzos 4, Paritsis 8, Papakonstantinou 14, Siolios 10, Gamouras 8, Akepsimaidis 2, Dimitriadis 8 (1).

Top scorers after 18 weeks:
Dimitris Prokos (192-G-74) of Aigio 393 points
Panagiotis Nanis (195-F/G-80) of Olympiakos Volou 326 points (in 17 games)
Nick Psileas (200-F-80) of Lavrio 321 points
Panagiotis Tsolis (194-F-81) of Olympiakos Volou 301 points (in 17 games)
Giorgos Tirlas (198-F-80) of Aigio 288 points
Nicos Papakonstantinou (182-G-84) of Ermis Lagkada 274 points
Konstantinos Pehlivanis (192-G-79) of Ikaroi Serron 268 points
Kostas Dinas (189-G/F-80) of Komotini 266 points
Michalis Tanakidis (190-G-81) of Makedonikos 255 points
Giorgos Filiousis (198-G-77) of KAOD 255 points
Sotiris Katoufas (206-F-79) of Ikaros Kallitheas 255 points
Tassos Baggi (187-G-75) of Goumenissa 245 points
Tasos Dimitriadis (201-C-82) of Ermis Lagkada 226 points
Theologos Vlavianos (196-G-86) of Milonas 221 points
Dionysios Giannakopoulos (195-G/F-82) of Lavrio 210 points
Nikos Michalos (192-G-77) of Near East 202 points
Mihalis Ifantis (204-F-72) of Alimos 202 points
Nikos Moisiadis (180-G-80) of Anagennisi Floga 199 points
Nikos Kritsalos (192-G-77) of Doukas 199 points
Dimitris Karatzios (202-F-78) of Doukas 184 points (in 17 games)

*****************************************************
IBL

Arthur Lewis returns to Hotshots with protege' -by Trask Frost
Bend, OR—The Central Oregon Hotshots have announced that Arthur Lewis (5'10''-G-79, college: Bowie St.) will return to the team for a final season in 2008. Lewis has been a cornerstone of the Hotshots, playing for the team every season and serving as team captain and developing a tremendous relationship with Hotshots' fans. Terrance Whiters, who has been mentored by Lewis, will also join the team this season.

Lewis, 5'10', had his finest season for the Hotshots in 2007, finishing with a 21.7 ppg scoring average, and earning IBL All-Star honors for the second consecutive season. Lewis credits a new workout regiment designed by personal trainer Keith Williams.

Despite his connection to the community and the positive experiences he has had in Bend the last three years, 2008 will likely be Lewis' final season as a Hotshot. Lewis, a native of Maryland, understandably feels the need to stay closer to his family. 'I will treasure the memories and relationships I have made in Bend,' said Lewis. 'I am really looking forward to making this coming season a great one.'

Joining Lewis on the roster is Terrance Whiters, who Lewis believes has ‘superstar' potential. Whiters, 6'0', played high school basketball at Mt. Zion (North Carolina), where his teammates included Amare Stoudemire and Jarret Jack. Following high school, Whiters attended Loyola University in Chicago and was recognized as the Horizon League Freshman of the Year by The Sporting News.

As a junior at Arkansas Tech, Whiters averaged 22 points and 4 assists while leading the conference in steals. Whiters was averaging 19 point and 5 assists as a senior but left the team after 11 games due to family issues.

Whiters has been scouted by NBA teams Atlanta and Utah, but needs IBL experience to vault forward. Lewis, who calls Whiters his ‘little brother', sees Whiters as an ‘Iverson type—a big time scorer, a very intense player'.

'Arthur has spoken so highly of Bend and the people there—I can't wait for the season to start,' said Whiters. 'Having the chance to play with Arthur and officially jumpstart my professional career is tremendously exciting.'

The Hotshots 2008 season kicks off with a home game on Friday, April 25 against a team from China—the Shanxi Kylins. For information on Hotshots season or single-game tickets, contact the team at (541) 848-8562 or visit the Hotshots team page at www.centraloregonhotshots.com

Edmonton Chill schedule second free agent camp -by Trask Frost

Edmonton, Alberta— On Sunday February 17, the Edmonton Chill are holding their second free-agent camp of the year. The event will be held at Louis St. Laurent High School located at 11230 43rd avenue and will run from 11-4pm.

The camp will be administered by head coach Paul Sir as the Chill continue to look for more local talent to attend the team's training camp in March of 2008. The cost will be $50, which includes lunch and their official jersey from the camp. The tryout is for serious applicants only. Interested players should contact Paul Sir at info@edmontonchill.com or (780) 438-7283.

The Chill will also be taking deposits for 2008 season tickets any fan that does so will be able to choose their exact seats and will receive a free gift of Edmonton Chill merchandise, courtesy of the Edmonton Chill and All-Star Sports, the team's official merchandise distributor.

If you have any questions or for comments from the Chill organization, contact Assistant GM Nick Padow at nick@edmontonchill.com or by phone at (780) 710-6425.

Elkhart Express schedule open tryout -by Trask Frost
Elkhart, IN—The Elkhart Express will be having a free agent try-out on Saturday, March 1. This is an open try-out for anyone free agent that is currently looking to have an opportunity to be a part of a championship organization. The Elkhart Express are the two-time defending champions of the IBL.

You can sign up via the contact information below, or at the doors. Contact before the camp is preferred.

The information is listed below:

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Elkhart Memorial High School
2608 California Road
Elkhart, IN 46516

Fee:
$75

To register, contact Scott Sassaman, the Express' Director of Scouting, at (574) 320-3461 or email him at sassaman@elkhartexpress.com.

The Express' quest for a third consecutive IBL title gets underway on Saturday, March 22 with a trip Gary to take on the Steelheads. Elkhart will host the Windy City Soldiers in their home opener on Saturday, March 29 at the North Side Gym. For ticket information, contact the Express at (574) 522-9911 or visit www.elkhartexpress.com.

IBL vets Bowden, Johnson join Steelheads -by Trask Frost
Gary, IN—The Gary Steelheads have announced that IBL veterans DeAnthony Bowden (6'1''-G-80, college: Creighton) and Rashi Johnson (6'2''-G-82, college: Michigan St.) will join the team for the upcoming IBL season. Bowden helped lead the Elgin Racers to a 16-6 mark last season, while Johnson was a key component to the Elkhart Express' run to the title in 2006 and 2007.

Bowden, 6'2', was the IBL's third leading scorer last season at 32.9 points per contest. Bowden finished his college career at Creighton University following a transfer from Jacksonville J.C. Bowden has played for two NBDL squads (Iowa Energy, Arkansas RimRockers), and also played in the USBL last season for the Oklahoma Storm. Currently, Bowden is playing for the Oklahoma Cavalry (CBA).

After twice earning NJCAA All-American honors at Mott College, the 6'2' Johnson played for Tom Izzo at Michigan State University to close out his college career. Johnson is currently playing in the PBL where he is among the league leaders in steals and assist to turnover ratio.

The Steelheads' inaugural IBL season gets underway at the Genesis Center on Friday, March 14. Tickets start at $5—for more information, contact the Steelheads at (219) 883-3000 or visit www.steelheadshoops.com.

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IRELAND

Killester and Tigers get wins in Round 15 -by Eurobasket News
The Irish Superleague leaders Killester and Tigers gained victories in Round 15. Killester overcame St. Vincent 99:93. Killester acquired a 3-point lead after the opening frame and continued to stay ahead after the intermission. However St. Vincent were able to keep the hosts in visibility. The home team finished the first half up by a single point 50:49. John Behan (193-G-85) ignited a run that opened up a 10-point lead for Killester in the third stanza. St. Vincent struggled to come back as the gap grew to 14 points heading into the fourth period. Killester ensured the winning outcome in the fourth term and posted their 13th win in the season. Michael Bonaparte (196-F-82, agency: IceBasket, college: Coll.of the Ozarks) led all scorers with 29 points. Arnaud Dahi (202-F-83, agency: IceBasket, college: ODU) contributed 22 points for the winners. Kenneth Gamble (201-F-75, college: N.Alabama) answered with 23 points for St. Vincent. Tim Madson (185-G) had 17 points as St. Vincent fell to 9-6 record.
Meanwhile Tigers secured their 12th success in the championship as they got to an 89:78 victory over Neptune on the road. Tigers dominated the game from the start and managed to accumulate a 45:36 advantage at halftime. Mathew Gorman (203-C-84, college: Syracuse) worked hard for Neptune to deny the deficit but his effort was not enough to change the complexion of the encounter. Tigers drove to an overall win and improved to 12-2 record in the standings. Mathew Gorman led the action with 34 points. Kieran O'Brien (203-F/C-82) added 15 points in a loss. Carl Hadley (193-F, college: Sam Houston St.) shone for Tigers with 28 points. Paris Katsimpas (183-G-84, college: Park) netted 19 points for the visitors.
Killester will take on Tigers in the key clash of the next round.

*****************************************************
ISRAEL

Market News -by Yarone Arbel
- Nigerian forward Ekene Ibekwe (206-F-85, college: Maryland) decided to leave Gilboa/Afula without notice after an off-court incident with locals which scared him, and made him leave the country immediately. Quickly the club signed two players. Adam Hall (196-F/G-80, college: Virginia) was landed after he was cut from Charleroi in Belgium will try to add the outside shooting dimension for the team, and he was targeted before the departure of Ibekwe. Ryvon Covile (206-C-84, college: Detroit Mercy), who was cut from Alerta Cantabria Lobos in Spain will finish his first season overseas with Afula/Gilboa and will take the spot of Ibekwe.

- Hapoel Jerusalem landed Jayson Wells (202-F-76, agency: SportsTalent, college: Indiana St.) for another campaign with the club. Wells, who already spent two and a half seasons in Israel, started this one in Den Bosch in Holland, but was waived after the ULEB Cup season was over.

- Bnei HaSharon are looking for a guard to take the spot of Julius Page (191-G-82, college: Pittsburgh) who has been injured and cut.

- After sinking to the last place in the standings Ironi Ashkelon decided to fire Coach Arik Alfasi . It seems Roni Bossani will be the new coach of the club.

*****************************************************
ITALY

Serie A transactions -by Gianni Pascucci
Virtus Lottomatica Roma added to the roster Ibrahim Jaaber (188-G-84, college: Pennsylvania) from Egaleo, Greece and Andrea Crosariol (212-C-84, college: Fairleigh Dickinson) from Virtus Bologna. To make them room in roster, Lottomatica did no extend the contract of Yannis Gagaloudis (191-G-78), who is now free agent. Cimberio Varese traded Romel Beck (203-G/F-82, agency: Interperformances, college: UNLV) to Pierrel Orlandina Basket. Benetton Treviso agreed to loan Giuliano Maresca (191-G-81) to Armani Jeans Milano till the end of the current season.

*****************************************************
KOSOVO

For the coaches of U-18 and U- 20 categories -by Edona Shabani
Professional Council of BFK asks form all the coaches who work with youngsters in basketball clubs or basketball schools, to propose 3 or maximum 4 players for NT of Kosova, Junior Category( players born on 1990 and 1991) and also women category U-20 (players born on 1988 and 1989).

Together with their names, must be written also the birthday of the player, his/her height, the name of the club or the school as well as the position he/she plays. The deadline for submitting these information is February 15, 2008 because of the meetings which will be organized due to selecting potential candidates for NT.

Required information should be sent in this e-mail address:
albert@basketbolli.com

Source: www.basketbolli.com

Mabetex Super League Schdule for XVIII week -by Edona Shabani
This is the schedule:

On 13.02.2008( Wednesday)

AS PRISHTINA - KOSOVA, on 13,30
Referees: Mehdi Gashi,Daut Mehmeti,Atdhe Gocaj
Monitors: Agim Visoka

TREPCA - YLLI, on 18,00
Referees: Hajredin Zeka,Hektor Grezda,Faton Kurshumliu
Monitors: Bajrush Ademi

PEJA - KASTRIOTI, on 18,00
Referees: Agim Halili,Fisinik Ramadani,Isa Prebreza
Monitors :Muhamet Ahma

SIGAL PRISHTINA - DRITA, on 20,00
Referees: Arbnor Rifati,Urim Hasani,Zaim Zenuni
Monitors: Lulzim Maloku

The remaining matches of the XV week in 'Mabetex Super League'

YLLI - BAMBI ,Friday,15.02.2008 on 13,30 (Sports and Youth Hall Prishtina)
Referees: Hajredin Zeka,Faton Kurshumliu,Arben Elshani
Monitors: Tafil Hoxha
Source: www.basketbolli.com

*****************************************************
KUWAIT

Al Jahraa sign Curtis Williams -by Eurobasket
Al Jahraa agreed terms with 30-year old American power forward Curtis Williams (205-F/C-77, college: Louisiana Tech). Williams played most recently at Provincial Osorno (Chile). Williams has a huge experience playing pro basketball on 4 continents. It will be his 13th league he plays in. Most of his professional career he spent in Latin America. He was very close to sign in Venezuela for Trotamundos. However Venezuelan pro league (LPB) has the rule which prevents to sign import players with another team if they already played in the league less than 2 years ago. So he choose the contract in Kuwait. He is familiar with the area as he previously played in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

*****************************************************
LATVIA

Latvian Basketball League, Division II -by Gunars Gailitis

Latvian Basketball League

Division II

February, 11

Ventspils augstskola - Cesis Remarks 89-54 (33-8, 17-15, 14-15, 25-16)

Zakis 22+18reb, Kanbergs 18; Knostenbergs 13, D.Rozitis 11


Jurmalas Sports/Fenikss - LU/Ridzene 98-68 (24-23; 23-7; 23-22; 28-16)


Atis Ozols 31, Ramma 21, Sprogis 16; Zeidaks 17+13reb, Mizis 15, Elbakjans 14




*****************************************************
MONTENEGRO

BUDUCNOST win in MNT Cup 2008 -by Dragan Scepanovic

Basketball Club Buducnost Podgorica from Podgorica win in Final game of Montenegrin Cup 2008 against BC Primorje from H.Novi 99-57.Before final game in Semi Final game on date February 09,2008 BC Buducnost Podgorica win against BC Mogren Budva 102-61 and BC Primorje H.Novi win against BC Niksic after 3 extra times period.MVP of Final Four MNT Cup 2008 was Vladimir Micov (BC Buducnost Podgorica) , best scorer was Denis Mihajlovic (Primorje)


Buducnost - Primorje 99:57 (21:13, 24:9, 26:17, 28:18)

Ref. Sutulovic(Podgorica),Lepetic(H.Novi),Rutesic(Niksic)

Buducnost (99) :
Otasevic 7, Micov 20, Popovic 9, Gordic 5, Mijatovic 13, Sehovic 3, Rakocevic , Bakic 2, Maras 6, Dasic 11, Dragicevic 9, Dragojlovic 14,

Primorje (57) :
Pejic 8, Mujic 6, Bladvin, Miljanic 4, Djecevic 15, Palaisa, Zambelic 2, Raickovic 7, Mihailovic 3, Bogojevic, Pajovic 6, Sucevic 6,



MNT1B : BC Budva new champion of MNT1B Division 2007-2008 -by Dragan Scepanovic

Basketball club BUDVA Mega Promet form Budva after new win in derby game of 14 Round of MNT1B Division against BC Kotor 73-50 are new champion of MNT1B division four round before the end of league.Best player of the game once again was Filip Goranovic (208-F/C-85) 16 points and 6 rebounds.Basketball Club Budva in season 2008-2009 will play in MNT1A Opportunity League.


No.

Name and previous BC

Position

Born

4.
STOJANOVIC PETAR , BC Lovcen Cetinje MNT1A - Loan for season 2007/2008

185, G

1990

5.

MILOVIC ALEKSANDAR

201, F

1987

6.

KUNJIC IGOR

202, F

1987

7.

SUSIC MILOSAV

203, C

1968

8.

FRANETA DALIBOR

197, F

1983

9.

KRIVOKAPIC RAJKO

198. F

1985

10.

NIKIC DRAZEN

195, F-G

1982

11.

IVANOVIC IVAN

202, C-F

1974

12.

GORANOVIC FILIP

208, C

1985

13..

MARICIC ZELJKO

185, G

1990

14.

CIZMOVIC VLADIMIR , BC Niksic MNT1A - Loan for season 2007/2008

201, F-C

1989

20.

BOZOVIC DEJAN

199, F-G

1982

21.

SEKULOVIC MILIJA

187, G-F

1987

22.

IVANOVIC UROS

186, G

1993

PRESIDENT

PINJATIC DJOKO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

RAJKOVIC MILOS

SPORT DIRECTOR

MIJUSKOVIC RASA

COACH

KRIVOKAPIC VESELIN

DOCTOR

STIJOVIC RANKO

FISIOTER.

LAZAREVIC ZORAN



*****************************************************
NBA

Larry Hughes pours in season-high 40 points against Orlando -by Eurobasket News
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally got what they were looking for throughout the whole season - the scorer to back up LeBron James (6'8''-F-84). Larry Hughes (6'5''-G-79, college: St.Louis) lived up to the role yesterday firing season-high 40 points including 4/5 from outside the arc to pace the Cavs past the Orlando Magic. The Cavaliers got some troubles getting to Orlando and arrived just hours before tip off. It however never stressed them to much as Larry Hughes produced season-high performance, while LeBron James provided 29 points and 10 assists for the winners. It was all tied at 86 with three quarters played but Cleveland held the hosts to only 2 points in the opening 4 minutes of the final term and ran away to a decisive 98:88 advantage. Stan Van Gundy criticized Dwight Howard (6'10''-F-85) for the lack of aggressiveness in defense and an offensive selfishness. Dwight Howard managed 16 points and just 9 boards in the third loss for the Magic in the last 5 games. Hidayet Turkoglu (6'9''-F-79) netted 25 points for Orlando. Cleveland improved to 29-22 record but still missed three players on the squad. Anderson Varejao (6'9''-C-82), Aleksandar Pavlovic (6'7''-F-83) and Daniel Gibson (6'3''-G-86, college: Texas) are all injured.
The LA Lakers once again proved their impressive recent form with a comprehensive victory over Charlotte. The Lakers led all the way through the encounter to post their 34th win in the season 106:97. Kobe Bryant (6'6''-G-78) scored 31 points, while Pau Gasol (7'0''-F/C-80) accounted for another 26 in success. The Lakers won 4 out of five games after the acquisition of Spanish center. The Bobcats meanwhile lost the 7th consecutive game and slipped to 18-34 record. Raymond Felton (6'5''-G-84, college: N.Carolina) dropped 29 points, while Nazr Mohammed (6'10''-C-77, college: Kentucky) tallied 22 points and 11 boards in a loss. Gerald Wallace (6'7''-F-82, college: Alabama) yet another game as a strained right foot keeps him away from the action. Didier Ilunga-Mbenga (7'0''-C-80) was signed by the Lakers for the reminder of the season after the expiration of his 10-day contact.

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NPBL

Caputo joined NPBL -by Gianni Pascucci
Last week, the National Professional Basketball League announced the addition of Matt Caputo to their front office staff. Caputo, an assistant editor at SLAM magazine and a Queens, NY native, will serve as the NPBL's Director of Basketball Development. The hopes of the NPBL officials are that Caputo could help the league to further development. 'After speaking with the President of the league, we've came to agree that I could help them continue to build a league where both local players and owners can be introduced to professional basketball; and make positive contributions to their communities,' stated Caputo. 'We're going to do our very best to continue to build a league of functioning basketball clubs and not to get ahead of ourselves'. Besides helping to build on game day staff in each NPBL market, Caputo hopes to buils initiatives for both pre and in-season marketing and promotions. His first goal is to announce some additions to the NPBL very soon. The NPBL should start the 2008 season at the beginning of March.

*****************************************************
PORTUGAL

Dennie left CTM -by Sergio Silva
Shane Dennie (188-G/F-81, college: Humber) has decided to left CTM V.Pouca de Aguiar (Proliga) due to personal reasons and returned to Canada. CTM looses his best player and scorer (18.0ppg). We must wait now to see if the club will hired another player to substitute Shane Dennie.

Only 3 coaching changes until now -by Sergio Silva
Until now, only three teams from the 2 more important leagues (UZO Liga and Proliga) have changed their coach since the season has beginned. The first club was forced to do it, because Luis Magalhaes left Ovarense Aerosoles (UZO Liga) to go to Angola and take care of 1º de Agosoto of Luanda. Manuel Povea was hired from Lusitania (UZO Liga) and Francisco Marques took his place in the Azores club. Two weeks ago, the only change in Proliga took place. Jorge Dias was replaced by Francisco Gradeco in Sampaense/Tec.Coimbra.

*****************************************************
RUSSIA

Triumph wins in Samara -by Eurobasket News
Triumph gained a spirit-boosting away from home win over Samara at the weekend. Triumph thus climbed to 12-4 record at the third spot in the Superleague ladder. Samara meanwhile dropped at 7-9. Triumph dominated the game from tip off as they ran away to a 27:14 distance after 10 minutes of action. Samara tried to even things in the second quarter but a well-balanced offense from the visitors was an unsolvable task for Samara's defensive schemes. Triumph pretty easily accumulated a 51:33 advantage at halftime and hardly looked back thereafter. Igor Igor Zamansky (202-F-77) and Terrell Lyday (190-G-79, college: BYU) provided 16 points apiece to pace Triumph. Sergei Toporov (197-F-81) and Ognjen Askrabic (207-C/F-79) fired 14 points each for the visitors. Evgeni Voronov (192-G-86) responded with game-high 22 points for Samara. Marque Perry (186-G-81, agency: Naiditch Entertainment, college: St.Louis) and Alex Scales (192-G-78, college: Oregon) dropped 13 points apiece in a loss. Triumph outmuscled the home team under the rims outrebounding them 35:22. The visiting side also converted solid 62% from the field.
Spartak Primorie overcame struggling Ural Great 71:67 in Vladivostok today. Perm outfit kept control over the game in the first half. They piled up a narrow 36:32 halftime lead and continued to maintain it after the break. Ural Great entered the fourth period up by 9 points and seemed to be comfortable with the advantage. But Spartak found the way to bounce back. The hosts exploded with a 23:10 rally in the fourth term to leave Ural Great flabbergasted. Vadim Panin (203-G-84) poured in 21 points to topscore for Spartak. J.R. Bremer (191-G-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: St.Bonaventure) tallied 16 points, 8 boards and 6 assists for the winners. Aleksei Surovtsev (202-G-84) scored 14 points for Ural Great as they fell to 8-9 record.

*****************************************************
SERBIA

Market news -by Dragan Jankovski
Milan Rakic (193-G-86), who terminated the contract with Hemofarm STADA couple of days ago, agreed terms with participant of Serbian A league BC Masinac from Kraljevo. Rakic spent last 5 years in Hemofarm winning the Adriatic league 2005 and playing two times in ULEB Cup semifinals. He was member of Serbian U18, U20 (bronze and gold on EC) and University National Team, which won silver medal last summer in Bangkok. Rakic signed contract until the end of the season.

Management board of Serbian Basketball Federation named Dragisa Vucinic on the head of special body of expert advisers.

Players of BC Vojvodina Srbijagas didn't show up on regular practice yesterday afternoon and today morning what was one of their latest protests. According to the Vojvodina's captain Ivan Ivanovic players got only one monthly salary since summer 2007. Because of bad financial situation Miroslav Markovic, Uros Duvnjak and Marko Lekic already left the team this season but despite all of these problems Vojvodina demonstrates nice performance in Adriatic league where the Tulips has 10 wins and 10 defeats. Their biggest success was the victory against Cibona in Zagreb 68-78.

*****************************************************
TAIWAN

SBL All-Star Game starters named -by Chris Wang
Starters of the 2008 SBL All-Star Game, which will be held in Taipei Arena on Feb. 23, have been decided by online fan voting Feb. 10. Taiwan Beer forward Lin Chih-jay led all votegetters with 60240 votes while his teammate Wu Dai-hao not far behind, receiving 59970 votes.

Top two votegetters at the forward and guard positions and the top votegetter at the center position will be the starting five for Team Red and Team White in the annual festivity. The remaining seven substitutes on each team will be named by Yulon head aoach Lee Yun-kwang, who will lead Team Red, and TB head coach Yen Jia-hua who will coach Team White.

According to the voting results, Team Red starters will be Chen Hsin-an and Tien Lei at forward, Tsun Wen-din at center, and Lee Hsueh-lin and Su Yi-chieh at guard. Tien could sit out the game due to injury. If Chou Shih-yuan is added to the starting lineup, that will be four Yulon players in five starters.

Anyway, that is not supposed to surprise anyone, huh?

As expected, defending champion Taiwan Beer also dominates the voting results with four players -- Lin Chih-jay, Ho Sho-jen, Wu Dai-hao and Yen Hsin-shu -- voted as starters.

And think about it. Chou Jun-san, who acted as an assistant all season although he was listed as a player as well, still garnered more than 6000 votes. Which tells you that this is a fan thing. It's too bad that dmedia's Jon Sanders and Ouyang Jin-hen have to be subs.

-- Team Red (Yulon, PY, Dacin, BOT)
Forward
Chen Hsin-an (Yulon) 50981
Tien Lei (Dacin) 30077
Chou Shih-yuan (Yulon) 11167
Yang Che-yi (Yulon) 5537
Chen Tse-wei (Dacin) 5123
James Mao (PY) 4917

Center
Tsun Wen-din (Yulon) 53423
Chien Jia-hong (PY) 31919
Lee Fong-yong (Dacin) 30645
Lee Chi-yi (Yulon) 14656

Guard
Lee Hsueh-lin (Yulon) 39335
Su Yi-chieh (Dacin) 31142
Wang Chih-chun (Dacin) 17801
Chen Chih-chung (Yulon) 15336

-- Team White (TB, TM, dmedia)
Forward
Lin Chih-jay (TB) 60240
Ho Sho-jen (TB) 20011
Ouyang Jin-hen (dmedia) 17308
Liu Shen-yao (TM) 9102
Cheng Jen-wei (dmedia) 8603
Yang Chin-min (TB) 8393

Center
Wu Dai-hao (TB) 59970
Jon Sanders (dmedia) 47266

Guard
Yen Hsin-shu (TB) 36934
Wu Yong-jen (TM) 28567
Chen Shih-nian (TB) 27687
Lo Shin-liang (TB) 10204
Chou Jun-san (TB) 6766

*****************************************************
TPBL

EL PASO/JUAREZ GALLOS WIN 2 GAMES AT W.T. STORM -by Chris Cardenas

GALLOS basketball - Los Gallos de pellae are quickly becoming the team to beat in the TPBL. With an undefeated record they went to take on the West Texas Storm and took care of business. here are the results of last weeks game.

1st. Game - W.Tx storm vs. Gallos de Pelea
Gallos de Pelea 111 Pts .
West Tx. 85 Pts .

HIGH SCORERS FOR GALLOS
Omar Duran 13 Pts .
DanyAnaya 13 Pts .
morgan A.J. 17 Pts .
Cross Ira 19 Pts .

2nd. Gamen W.Tx. vs. Gallos de Pelea
Gallos de Pelea 83 Pts .
West Tx. 73 Pts .

HIGH SCORERS FOR GALLOS
Dany Anaya 22 Pts .
Leonard Owens 16 Pts .
Simmons Ned 19 Pts .
Ceoos Ira 18 Pts .

*****************************************************
URUGUAY

Cook signed for Hebraica -by Hector Lopez
Letheal Cook (208-C/F-80, college: Bowie St.) signed to play for Hebraica Macabi, with three games pending for the regular season, and just minutes remaining for the expiration to hire import player for the current season. Cook will replace Kofi Danqua.

Bigua is number 1 for the playoff -by Hector Lopez
Martin Osimani (194-G-81, college: Duquesne) netted a 2 point shot with 26 seconds remaining when Bigua beat Atenas 86-85, to win the regular season for the LUB and the numer 1 for the semifinal playoff. The Dominican Marlon Martinez (204-F/C-77, agency: Duran International) with a two point shot and a free throw lead union Aletica to beat Defensor Sporting 74-71.
The results and main scorers:
Union Atletica 74 - Marlon Martinez 21 points 7 rebounds. The other import player Mark Flavin (211-F/C-82, college: Maine) netted 3-
Defensor Sporting 71 - David Jackson (196-G-82, college: Penn St.) 22 points, Nathan Mielke (210-F-81, college: Wisc.-Milwaukee) 8 and 4 rebounds.
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Bigua 86 - Leandro Garcia Morales (186-G-80, college: Texas A&M) 30 points, Kevin Young (206-C-84, college: Missouri) 14 points and 13 rebounds, Mark Alan Bortz (208-F-82, college: Buffalo) 7 points 11 rebounds
Atenas 85 - Luis Silveira (190-G/F-71) 26, Wendell Gibson (201-F/C-83, college: Hofstra) 23, Hakeem Rollins (202-C/F-83, agency: CAA Sports, college: Washington) 18 points and 9 rebounds.
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Trouville 89 - Juliano Rivera (202-C-72) 24, Delano Thomas (203-F-82, college: Shawnee St.) 4 points 6 rebounds, Thurman Zimmerman (196-F/G-83, agency: AMI, college: S.Carolina St.) left the field injured after 6 minutes.
Hebraica 81 - Gustavo Barrera (194-G-85) 26, Grady Reynolds (198-F-80, agency: Strategic Sports, college: St.John's) 20 and 8 rebounds, Letheal Cook (208-C/F-80, college: Bowie St.) 10 points.
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Malvin 96
Welcome 88



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Women News

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CZECH REP. - Women

USK Praha cruises past Valosun Brno in Round 16 -by Eurobasket News
USK Praha got closer to Gambrinus in the ladder with a 114:63 win over third-ranked Valosun. The game never resembled of the two Top 3 ranked squads. USK Praha enjoyed an overwhelming dominance and began proving it right from the start. Michaela Pavlickova (190-F-77) and Katerina Elhotova (179-G-89) teamed up for 8 points as USK Praha took a 10:4 lead early in the game. Katerina Elhotova later added 7 more points for the visitors as they accumulated a massive 27:10 lead after the opening frame. Romana Hejdova (181-F-88) and Michaela Zrustova (183-F-87) tried to keep Valosun in the game but with little success. Michaela Pavlickova and Katerina Elhotova soon paced USK Praha to a stunning 50:18 advantage. Eva Kotlanova (175-G-88) and Michaela Hartigova (192-C-83) capped the first half with bunch of jumpers to set things at 62:27 at the interval. Valosun tipped off the second half with a 6:0 run to trim the difference but USK Praha answered with an 11:4 run shortly after and restored a safe distance. Both teams actually cruise to the end of the game with the outcome pretty vivid. Michaela Pavlickova finished with game-high 24 points and 9 boards. Elodie Godin (190-C-85) secured 19 points and 10 boards for the winners. Michaela Zrustova had 15 points for Valosun. Miloslava Svobodova (188-C-84) added 14 points and 8 rebounds in a losing case. USK Praha outrebounded the home team 50:25 and limited them to just 30% accuracy from the field.
Hradec Kralove used the loss of Valosun to come as close as one win from them in the ladder. Hradec Kralove overcame Usti 91:78 in Round 16. Katerina Krizova (184-F-80) stepped up with 23 points and 11 boards for Hradec Kralove. Milena Steffanova (179-F-81) nailed 20 points in a win. Gabriela Medunova (186-F-91) notched 22 points and 7 boards for Usti as they fell to 1-15 record at the bottom of the table.

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DENMARK - Women

Team Denmark wins Dameligaen All-Star Game -by Eurobasket News
Team Denmark - Team World 87:84

The Danish Dameligean enjoyed the All-Star Game at the weekend. Team Denmark comprised of local stars clashed with Team World teaming up the best imports around the league. Team Denmark celebrated a close victory in a spectacular battle. Team World got to a better start as they led 21:19 after the opening frame. But Team Denmark stroke back in the second stanza outscoring their opponents 28:10 and claiming the lead for good. The rules for the game was slightly changed as the action continued for 48 minutes - 4 terms with 12 minutes in each. But even 24 minutes of the second half were not enough for World All-Stars to deny the deficit as they had to surrender at the end. Sarah Lini (183-F-82, college: Colorado) led Team Denmark with 22 points. Anne Thorius (179-G-77, college: Michigan) contributed 20 points, while Emma Kiis (183-F-89) added 11 points and 7 boards for the winners. Kalis Loyd (183-F-89) shone for Team World with game-high 31 points. Chelsea Lutha and Margaret Maggie O'Hara (191-F, college: Washington) secured 9 points apiece in defeat.

Team Denmark: Sarah Lini 22, Anne Thorius 20, Emma Kiis 11
Team World: Kalis Loyd 31, Chelsea Lutha 9, Margaret Maggie O'Hara 9

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IRELAND - Women

Hotel Cork remains undefeated -by Eurobasket News
Hotel Cork continued their perfect run in the Irish Superleague. They thumped Killester 100:54 on the road at the weekend to maintain their spotless record. The beginning of the game never looked like a disaster for the home side. Shauna O'Connor (183-F-88) and Caitlin Malcolm kept the hosts tuned and they trailed by just 5 points after 10 minutes 18:23. However Jennifer Strong (183-F-84, college: Dayton) could hardly be stopped and she continued to pile up her stats. She paced the visitors to a 49:36 advantage at the interval. Hotel Cork switched to the pressing in the third term and it paid off. Killester came up with numerous turnovers and the visiting side extended the lead to as many as 25 points after 30 minutes of action. The situation never changed in the fourth period and Hotel Cork took fully over and cruised to an overall victory at the end. Jennifer Strong paced the winners with 27 points. Michelle Fahy (-82) had 15, while Niamh Dwyer (176-G-82, college: Monmouth) provided 11 points for Hotel Cork. Malcolm answered with 16 points for Killester.
UL Aughinish suffered their 4th loss in the season as they were outscored by the Waterford Wildcats 66:73 at home. Michelle Aspell (168-G) produced 25 points for the visitors. McNamara drained 15 points in a winning clause. Caitlin Oneill (175-G) posted 25 points for UL Aughinish in defeat.
Meteors were also victorious away from home as they handled Tolka Rovers 66:59. Leah Truncale (180-G-80, college: Binghamton) issued 22 points, while Caroline O'Sullivan accounted for 15 more in a win. Jolie McKiernan (188-C) responded with 27 points in a losing case.

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ISRAEL - Women

Liron Cohen in Spain -by Gil Goshen


The M.V.P of the Spenish league ( round 16th ) is Liron Cohen !!!!

with 33 points ( 7/8 from the 3 points and 10/11 from the free line ) led her team Leon to win the game vs. the Spenish champion and the cup holder CASARES VALENCIA 73:71.
For Valencia it was the second loss. Leon team is ranking now 2-3 with Salamanca both have 3 losses.Liron Cohen (173-G-82) agency: GG basketball

Round 17th leaders -by Gil Goshen

Day 17 Leaders
POINTS

1. M. Woods 32.0
2. D. Jackson 31.0
3. J. Constatns 30.0

REBOUNDS

1. D. White 15.0
2. D. Vilipic 12.0
3. M. Williams 12.0


ASSISTS

1. R. Taylor 8.0
2. N. Djuric 7.0
3. R. Grinboym 7.0

EFFICIENCY

1. M. Woods 40.0
2. D. Jackson 36.0
3. M. Williams 29.0

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SERBIA - Women

Partizan promoted three young players -by Dragana Vukovic
The last game of the 14th round was very interesting not in competitive way,but because of promotion of three young players in Partizan Beograd team.At the half time score was 53:30 for Partizan Beograd,so coach decided to give the chance to the young players.Milica Savic (170-G-94) took her first senior minutes and scored 2 points.Ana Andrejic (195-C-90),also,got the first senior minutes on the floor and scored 4 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.Natasa Kovacevic (-94) had a chance to play on the previous games,but today she scored her first points in the senior team.She spent 10 minutes on the floor,scored 5 points and grabbed 2 rebounds.
On Tuesday Partizan Beograd will play final game of Cup of Serbia against Celarevo,the team which is competing in the second division,but in the semi-final surprisinglly won against ZKK Kraljevo.

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SPAIN - Women

Foundation to fill Queen's Cup with related activities -by Ivan Villar
Seville will hold a basketball fest from February 15th-17th when the Queen's Cup Tournament takes place. The Social/Cultural Basketball Foundation will carry out related activities with the Ministry of Culture, the General Management of Correctional Facilities, and the Women's Delegation.

While the top eight teams of the Women's League fight it out for the Queen's Cup trophy, the Social/Cultural Basketball Foundation of the Spanish Basketball Federation will continue providing activities related to women and culture. During the quarterfinal games on Friday, February 15th, informative pamphlets about employment and co-education will be distributed in the stands of the San Pablo arena, with the collaboration of the Delegation of Women of Seville.

On Saturday the 16th, coinciding with the semifinal games of the tournament, informative pamphlets about domestic violence will be distributed and the Plan to Promote Reading will be presented, as one of the first activities that the Foundation will carry out along with the ministry of Culture with the objective of promoting and spreading interest in Spanish culture among basketball players throughout the country. In addition, copies of the 'Big in Japan' book, which narrates the story of how the men's national team won the gold medal at the world championship games of Japan in a comic book style, will be handed out. On Sunday the 17th, before the final game of the Queen's Cup, the Foundation, along with the General Management of Correctional Facilities, will organize a basketball game where players from Andalusia will take on a team made up of inmates of the Penitentiary Center of Cordoba. This initiative is part of the Basketball Without Limits program which is bringing the sport to eleven penitentiary centers all over the country with the objective of using basketball as an element of integration.

Along with this activity, the Foundation, with the Andalusian Basketball Federation, will organize training activities for coaches and referees at the San Pablo auditorium. Evaristo Perez, national women's team coach; Victor Mas, of the FEB referee staff; and German Morales, director of the Andalusian Committee of Referees, will lead the presentations.

Lastly, international players Raul Perez and Elisabeth Cebrian (195-C-71) will inaugurate the Third Masters in Basketball Journalism directed by Miguel Gallardo, which will be held at the Hotel Vertice in Seville and is supported by the Andalusian Athletics Institute

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U.KINGDOM - Women

More wins for the Hatters and the Rebels -by Eurobasket News
Rhondda Rebels and Sheffield Hatters extended their winning streaks with respective wins at the weekend. They are now knotted at 11-0 record atop of the EBL Division I ladder. The Rebels played their Round 12 encounter against London Heathrow Acers. The fans gathered at the Spelthorne College did not observe any kind of a heated battle as Rhondda easily surpassed their opponents 92:45. The Rebels stormed past the Acers 21:8 in the opening stanza. The league leaders extended the margin to 21 points at the break 41:20. London team never recovered after the halftime intermission and lost their 9th game in the season. Martina Gandzalova (180-G/F-78, college: Missouri Baptist) provided 15 points for Rhondda in a win. Kirby Copeland (178-G-85, agency: LBM Management, college: Virginia Tech) and LaNedra Brown (188-C-81, agency: LBM Management, college: Seton Hall) notched 13 points apiece for the Rebels. Luci da Silva (191-C) answered with 11 points for the Acers.
Sheffield had to withstand a tougher opposition from the Manchester Mystics to claim the 11th win. The Mystics stunned the visitors 20:13 in the starting frame and looked dominant at early stages. But the Hatters changed the course of this one in the second period. Stephanie Gandy (178-F-82, college: Michigan) and Sarah Naylor (183-F-83) combined efforts to carry Sheffield in front. The guests took a 39:36 advantage at halftime and breathed easily in the second half. Stephanie Gandy was unstoppable for the Hatters as they stepped on gas after the break. Manchester struggled to match their tempo and had to play a catch-up game through the reminder of the game. With little success though. Sheffield ensured the positive outcome at the end and stayed leveled with the rival Rhondda Rebels in the standings. Stephanie Gandy registered game-high 37 points for the Hatters. Sarah Naylor dropped 21 points, while Lisa Hutchinson (173-G-83) scored 12 in a win. Georgia Jones (169-G-90) poured in 27 points for Manchester as they slipped to 7-5 record.

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U.S.VIRGIN ISL. - Women

UVI Lady Bucs win -by David Edole
The University of the Virgin Islands Lady Bucs won their second game of the weekend by defeating UNE, 69 - 35. Tiffany Reddick led the way with 25 points, 14 rebounds and Angelina Prince added a double doube with 18 points and 18 rebounds. Not to be outshined point guard Teal Hetrick chipped in with 17 points and 6 assists.
The win allowed the Lady Bucs (2-1) to rebound from their Home Opener loss last weekend.
The Bucs did not play their scheduled game against UPR Central Bayamon because of a scheduling conflict. Action resumes next weekend when the teams hit the road again to face UPR Carolina and UPR Humacao, Friday and Saturday respectively.

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WBCBL - Women

League Looking Bigger and Stronger -by Willie McCray
A couple of last minute additions push the WBCBL to 27 teams and a new region! The 2008 season will cover 10 North American states, primarily in the southern states of the US. For the upcoming season, we will feature an International region, in which, select WBCBL teams will compete against teams outside of the United States.

The growing popularity of the WBCBL has also captured the attention of a few International organizations. By 2010, the WBCBL may very well be found in countries, such as, Germany, Japan, and South America. (Pray for us!)

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WNBA - Women

Atlanta Dream Build Inaugural Roster With 13 Picks In 2008 Expansion Draft -by Bruno Baltazar
The Atlanta Dream began the process of building its inaugural roster by choosing 13 players in the 2008 Expansion Draft and completing several trades, the WNBA announced today.
Betty Lennox (5'8''-G-76, college: Louisiana Tech), Katie Feenstra, Kristin Haynie and Erika DeSouza Highlight Selections of WNBA's Newest Franchise --

-- Ivory Latta, Iziane Castro Marques
Also Acquired Via Trade
'We have been very selective with our list and were able to obtain some great size, athleticism, character and depth through today's expansion draft,' said Atlanta Head Coach and General Manager Marynell Meadors. 'Each player understands the opportunity to get our Atlanta Dream franchise started in a positive direction and we are all looking forward to our inaugural season.'

The list of players selected includes: Carla Thomas (Chicago Sky), Erika DeSouza (Connecticut Sun), Katie Feenstra (Detroit Shock), Roneeka Hodges (Houston Comets), Ann Strother (Indiana Fever), LaToya Thomas (Los Angeles Sparks), Kristen Mann (Minnesota Lynx), Ann Wauters (New York Liberty), Jennifer Lacy (Phoenix Mercury), Kristin Haynie (Sacramento Monarchs), Chantelle Anderson (San Antonio Silver Stars), Betty Lennox (Seattle Storm) and Yelena Leuchanka (Washington Mystics).

Additionally, Atlanta immediately orchestrated three trades involving players in the expansion draft. The Dream traded the fourth overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and guard Roneeka Hodges to Seattle in exchange for the eighth pick in the draft and veteran guard Iziane Castro Marques. They also traded the 18th draft pick and forward LaToya Thomas to Detroit in exchange for second-year guard Ivory Latta. In the third trade, the Dream acquired the 24th overall draft pick from Indiana, in exchange for agreeing not to select specific unprotected Fever players.

Atlanta selected from a pool of available players as determined by each of the other 13 WNBA franchises. Each team submitted a maximum of six players who were 'protected' and therefore not eligible for selection in the Expansion Draft. Atlanta had the option to choose one player from each team without regard to current contract status, provided they pick no more than one unrestricted free agent. The Dream now have the right to designate that unrestricted free agent -- Betty Lennox -- as a 'core' player, giving the team exclusive negotiating rights to her in exchange for an offer of a one-year, fully guaranteed contract at the maximum salary.

All teams now enter into the WNBA's free agency period, as defined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Qualifying offers and 'core' player designations must be made by Feb. 11. Teams and players can negotiate from Feb. 12 to Feb. 18, while contracts and offer sheets may be signed beginning on Feb. 19.

Players on the Dream roster with ties to the southeast region include former Vanderbilt and SEC players Anderson and Carla Thomas as well as former University of North Carolina and ACC star Latta, a native of McConnells, South Carolina. The team's roster now also boasts four international players -- Castro Marques (Brazil), DeSouza (Brazil), Leuchanka (Belarus) and Wauters (Belgium).

The Dream -- who now hold the eighth, 24th and 32nd picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft to be held in April -- will open the regular season May 17 on the road against the Connecticut Sun and then host the Detroit Shock in their home opener at Philips Arena on May 23. For information or to purchase season tickets for the Atlanta Dream's inaugural season, please call (404) 604-2626 or visit www.atlantadream.net. Email inquiries should be sent to tickets@atlantadream.net.