EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 05/10/2010 1:00:00 AM

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Men News

*****************************************************
  ABI   


Americas Basketball International Free Agent Camps 2010 - by Gianni Pascucci
Despite the continous delays in the league tipoff, the Americas Basketball International league seems yet alive. Commissioner Anthony Toney sent to Usbasket.com a new announcement for ABI free agent/selection camps, to be held in June.
'The league is still looking for players that can play on the next level. All those willing like to play in the Freewill Games 2010 against the teams from China and the ABI teams from El Salvador and Guatemala, please contact Commissioner Toney at 205-276-8132 or go to www.abibasket.com
ABI tryout camp will be held on June 4-5, 2010 in Birmingham, Alabama and June 11-12, 2010 in Detorit, Michigan at Detriot Mercy University, Ann Arbor, Michigan. The league Pre Daft Camp will be August 10-12, 2010 in a site TBA.

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  ARAB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Arab championship (Day 4) :Kuwait,Riyadi, Ansar and Etoile du Sahel wins - by Mohamed Hafez
Day four in the Arab clubs champion ship held at Alexandria arena starts today with four games from group C and D and the results were as follows :

First game: Al Kuwait SC (Kuwait) win over Al Maktaba (Sudan) 125 / 87
Second game: Etoile du Sahel win over Ittihad de Tanger 81 / 69
Third game: Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon) win over Al Gharrafah (Qatar) 102/95
Game Four: Al Ansar (KSA) win over Al Ahli (Oman) 78/58


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  ARGENTINA   


Argentino is 2-0 up in TNA Finals - by Eurobasket News
Argentino - San Mart.C. 78-77
Argentino grabbed thriller win last night for 2-0 lead in TNA Finals. Javier Ceci (183-G-79) was a key player for the hosts with 23 points. Mariano Garcia (202-F-86) added 10 pts in this victory. In San Martin C, Brice Assie (201-F-83, college: W.Connecticut) collected 25 points and 8 boards. Game Three is scheduled for May 11th.

Stats Leaders - LigaA
Points Per Game
 Kyle LAMONTE
  Penarol
  (191-G-84)
  Avg: 19
 1. Lamonte, Penarol19.0 
 2. Jackson, La Union18.9 
 3. Lo Grippo, Atenas18.0 
 4. Moodie, Boca Jrs17.7 
 5. Funes, C.Entrer.16.7 
 6. Profit, Libertad S.16.4 
 7. Nelson, Quilmes MP16.4 
 8. Cutley, C.Entrer.16.2 
 9. Gonzalez, Quimsa16.0 
 10. Gutierrez, Penarol15.9 
Rebounds Per Game
 Federico KAMMERICHS
  Regatas C.
  (203-F/C-80)
  Avg: 11.8
 1. Kammerichs, Regat.11.8 
 2. Williams, Union S.8.1 
 3. Rollins, Gimnasia.7.8 
 4. Griffin, Estudiantes7.5 
 5. Assie, Quilmes MP7.3 
 6. Wolkowyski, Libertad.7.2 
 7. Leiva, Penarol7.2 
 8. Gonzalez, Quimsa7.1 
 9. McFarlan, Union S.6.9 
 10. Mikulas, Boca Jrs6.7 
Assists Per Game
 Fernando TITARELLI
  Quilmes MP
  (183-G-82)
  Avg: 6.3
 1. Titarelli, Quilm.6.3 
 2. Cequeira, Sionista4.3 
 3. Victoriano, Lanus4.1 
 4. Franco, Estudiantes4.1 
 5. Martinez, Sionista3.8 
 6. Labaque, Obras3.6 
 7. Ginobili, Libertad S.3.4 
 8. Figueroa, Atenas3.2 
 9. Williams, Olimpico.3.1 
 10. Aguirre, Boca Jrs3.0 
Steals Per Game
 Frank WILLIAMS
  Olimpico LB
  (191-G-80)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Williams, Olimpico.1.8 
 2. Moldu, Libertad S.1.7 
 3. Aguirre, Boca Jrs1.6 
 4. Marshall, C.Entrer.1.6 
 5. Funes, C.Entrer.1.6 
 6. Franco, Estudiantes1.6 
 7. Pelussi, Libertad S.1.6 
 8. Figueroa, Atenas1.5 
 9. Lamonte, Penarol1.4 
 10. Cutley, C.Entrer.1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Derrick ALSTON
  Olimpico LB
  (208-C/F-72)
  Avg: 2
 1. Alston, Olimpico.2.0 
 2. Billings, Regatas C.1.6 
 3. White, Atenas1.4 
 4. Alston, Boca Jrs1.3 
 5. Rollins, Gimnasia.1.2 
 6. Bortz, Obras1.2 
 7. Kammerichs, Regat.1.1 
 8. Williams, Union S.1.1 
 9. Assie, Quilmes MP1.0 
 10. Alloatti, Obras0.8 


Atenas eliminates Sionista, joins Penarol in LigaA Finals - by Eurobasket News
Atenas - Sionista 74-72
Atenas grabbed 74-72 victory in decisive Game Five and booked a spot for the Playoff Finals. Juan Manuel Locatelli (198-F-75) stepped up for Atenas last night scoring 19 points. Diego Lo Grippo (198-F-78) and Federico Ferrini (194-G/F-83) followed him with 11 points each. On the other side, Sionista got 25 points and 5 boards from Javier Martinez (189-G-78). Atenas will meet Penarol in the Finals and first meeting is scheduled for May 12.


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  AUSTRALIA   


Big V and Central ABL results - by Eurobasket News
Ringwood overcame Sherbrooke 100:86 at he Monbulk Secondary College. Kevin Ratzsch (201-F, college: Northern St.) top-scored or the winners with 31 points and 12 rebounds, while Daryl Corletto (193-G-81) notched 18. Willie Weimer produced 16 and Matthew Snowball scored 11. Christopher Payne (187-G-84) ended up with 26 points in the losing effort.
Ringwood rolled over Diamond Valley 94:88 at the Maroondah Indoor Sports Centre. Daryl Corletto stepped up with 35 points for the winners and Kevin Ratzsch delivered 14. Bart Strzebonski replied with 25 points in the losing case.
Melbourne edged Hume City 101:73 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. They started with 23-18 in the opening quarter and added 25-17 in the second period. Bennie Lewis top-scored for the winners with 25 points, whilst Yusuf Qaafow brought 16. Robert Stone (186-G, college: Lassen CC) and Bo Westover followed them with 13 points apiece. Vlad Boer ended up with 18 points for Hume City.
In Central ABL North Adelaide Rockets lost to West Adelaide Bearcats 69: 74 at the Hillcrest. Eastern Mavericks were beaten by Norwood Flames 67: 81, while Woodville Warriors overcame Southern 73:54. Sturt Sabres beat Central Districts Lions 111:73 and Forestville Eagles rolled over South Adelaide Panthers 113: 84.


Willetton Tigers improved to 10-3 record at SBL - by Eurobasket News
Willetton Tigers improved to 10-3 record at SBL as they overcame Perry Lakes Hawks 99:82. Daniel Johnson (212-C-88, college: Pepperdine) stepped up with 22 points for the winners and Cameron Tovey (200-F-85, college: Augusta St.) collected 21 points and 13 boards. Ty Shaw had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Brayden Santich and Mark Jones 11 apiece.
Geraldton Buccaneers outscored Perth Redbacks at the Tip Top Stadium 104:101 for 9-3 record. Trailing after the opening quarter the favorites needed 21-15 in the last stanza to win the game. Ryan Zamroz (191-G, college: Master's) stepped up with 30 points for the winners and Brian Connolly collected 25 points and 11 rebounds. Ben Pepper (213-C-75) nailed 19 and Daniel Thomas scored 18. Jon Meriweather (201-F) responded with 33 points and 16 rebounds in defeat. Wagstaff posted 16 and Ryan Neil added 13.
In another games Southwest Slammers were smashed by Wanneroo Wolves 101:155. Eight players scored in double digits for the winners as Greg Hire top-scored for the winners with 27 points and 15 rebounds. David Clarkson replied with 21 points in the losing effort.Cockburn Cougars lost to East Perth 75:109 while Goldfields Giants were defeated by Lakeside Lightning 94:100. Rockingham Flames overcame Stirling Senators 105:100.


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  BELARUS   


Minsk wins the Final opener - by Eurobasket News
Minsk-2006 won the Final opener over Grodno-93 90:57 last night. The favorites started with 30-7 and never looked behind after. Grodno however won the second period 25-15, but scored only 3 points in the third period. Minsk was too good after the break producing 26-3 in the next 10 minutes. Grodno won the last period 22-19 for the final score. Game 2 is scheduled for tonight.


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  BELGIUM   


D1 Round: 34 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Liege - Leuven 63-60
Liege closed Round 34 with tiny home win against Leuven remaining on top of D1 standings with 22-8 record. Will Thomas (201-F-86, agency: Interperformances) shined for the hosts with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Christopher Young (206-F/C-79, agency: Court Side, college: Michigan) replied with 18 points and 14 boards in defeat. His Leuven dropped to 9-21.

Antwerp - Verviers-Pep. 103-84
15th victory of the season for Antwerp, who got 28 points from Bryan Hopkins (183-G-83, college: SMU). Christophe Beghin (207-F-80, agency: Court Side) was behind him with 22, while Trent Strickland (196-G-84, college: Wake Forest) helped with 18 points and 8 boards. In the loosing squad (15-15), Stanley Burrell (190-G-84) collected 22 points and 5 boards.

M.Hainaut - Gent 79-72
14-16 for Dexia Mons-Hainaut and 8-22 for the last ranked Gent after this meeting. Nate Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) stepped up for the hosts with 24 points. Monwell Randle (203-F/C-83, agency: Court Side, college: SE Missouri St.) registered double-double in defeat: 16 points and 12 boards.

Oostende - Charleroi 93-64
Oostende blasted Charleroi in derby and both teams have 19 wins now. Stephane Pelle (204-C/F-80, college: Colorado) came up with 22 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts, while Veselin Petrovic (194-G/F-77, agency: Beo Basket) helped with 21 points and 10 boards. Petrovic was MVP of this game with valuation 26. In Charleroi, Dwayne Broyles (196-F/G-82, college: JMU) netted 18 pts.


Standings - Division I
D1 Standings
 1. Liege 22-8 
 2. Charleroi 19-11 
 3. Oostende 19-12 
 4. Aalstar 15-15 
 5. Verviers-Pep. 15-15 
 6. Antwerp 15-16 
 7. M.Hainaut 14-16 
 8. Leuven 9-21 
 9. Gent 8-22 


Stats Leaders - Division I
Points Per Game
 Brian GREENE
  Aalstar
  (204-F-81)
  Avg: 17.1
 1. Greene, Aalstar17.1 
 2. Black, Antwerp16.7 
 3. Melson, Gent16.3 
 4. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.15.5 
 5. Thomas, Liege15.3 
 6. McNeal, M.Hainaut15.3 
 7. Green, Liege14.5 
 8. Lojeski, Oostende14.5 
 9. Banks, Liege14.3 
 10. Freeman, Verviers.13.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Will THOMAS
  Liege
  (201-F-86)
  Avg: 9.2
 1. Thomas, Liege9.2 
 2. Ebong, M.Hainaut8.8 
 3. Randle, Gent8.2 
 4. Young, Leuven7.8 
 5. Merriex, Aalstar7.3 
 6. Hilliard, Verviers.6.6 
 7. Brown, Antwerp6.6 
 8. Pelle, Oostende6.5 
 9. Greene, Aalstar6.4 
 10. Beghin, Antwerp5.7 
Assists Per Game
 Stanley BURRELL
  Verviers-Pep.
  (190-G-84)
  Avg: 4.7
 1. Burrell, Verviers.4.7 
 2. Gill, Oostende4.7 
 3. Bosco, Gent4.0 
 4. Green, Liege3.9 
 5. Loubry, Gent3.9 
 6. Johnson, Charleroi3.7 
 7. Hamilton, Charleroi3.0 
 8. Tabu, Charleroi2.9 
 9. Moors, Antwerp2.6 
 10. Black, Antwerp2.5 
Steals Per Game
 Loren STOKES
  Aalstar
  (190-G-83)
  Avg: 2.5
 1. Stokes, Aalstar2.5 
 2. Hopkins, Antwerp2.4 
 3. Gill, Oostende2.4 
 4. Black, Antwerp2.0 
 5. Thomas, Liege2.0 
 6. Greene, Aalstar1.9 
 7. Bosco, Gent1.8 
 8. Green, Liege1.8 
 9. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.1.8 
 10. Anderson, Leuven1.8 
Blocks Per Game
 Andre RIDDICK
  Charleroi
  (208-C-73)
  Avg: 1.3
 1. Riddick, Charleroi1.3 
 2. Wilkinson, Charleroi0.9 
 3. Pelle, Oostende0.9 
 4. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.0.9 
 5. Young, Leuven0.8 
 6. Randle, Gent0.7 
 7. Barber, Aalstar0.7 
 8. Tofi, Verviers-Pep.0.6 
 9. Enobakhare, Ooste.0.6 
 10. McNeal, M.Hainaut0.6 


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  BRAZIL   


Wins for Flamengo and Universo/BRB - by Eurobasket News
Flamengo recorded the second win in the series against Vivo/Franca. They claimed an 80:73 victory in Game 3. Marcelinho Machado (199-F/G-75, agency: Interperformances) knocked down 23 points for the defending champions. The teams were tied at 22 after ten minutes. Flamengo then stepped on the gas and stormed to a 52:31 lead at the interval. Vivo/Franca refused to give up as they narrowed the deficit at 8-point mark with ten minutes to go. Vivo/Franca won the final frame but it was too late to save the day. Eduardo Machado (195-G-82) delivered 17 points for the home side. Helinho Garcia (186-G-75) responded with 19 points for Vivo/Franca. Marcio Dornelles (194-F-75) netted 15 points in defeat.
Universo/BRB returned the lead in the series against Pitagoras/Minas. The Brasilia team clinched a 102:86 victory in Game 3. Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) stepped up with 21 points for the hosts. Universo/BRB did not give a single chance for the visitors. Universo/BRB built an 11-point halftime lead. They stretched the margin at 22 points and did not look back en route to the victory. Jose Estevam Ferreira (211-C-78) knocked down 19 points for the winners. Luiz Felipe Campos (191-G-80, college: BYU) responded with 24 points for Pitagoras/Minas.


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  COSTA RICA   


The league has started, but .. - by Gianni Pascucci
Costarican First Division, named also LBS, started on May 4, but only two games of the first Round were regularly played, simply because two gymnasiums were found not meeting the FIBA standards for the competition. This is why the only results for Day 1 were the win, 72-68 of USJ Arba San Ramon over Cartago and the triumph of Ferreterias Brenes Barva, 70-65 over Escazu, in the replay of 2009 Finals. Another time more, Amir Alvarado (198-F-84, college: Marshalltown CC) was the main performer in Barva, and Isaac St.Rose (190-G/F-83, college: John Brown) was very effective he too. Michael Jackson (192-F-87) confirmed his superstar status by leading Escazu with 22 points. The absence of Dario Fraile (195-F-80), injured, limited the Escazu game, however. Over the past weekend, were played the games of the Day 2 of the competition, and Barva took another win, this time 79-68 on the road over USJ Arba San Ramon, while Kolbi Liceo de Costa Rica defeated San Luis Gonzaga, 85-56. The best performers of the game were Henry Martinez (186-G/F-75) with 19 pts and Clifford Smith (193-G-80, college: Barry) with 15. Liceo is yet without Harry Montoya (195-C-73), injured, and Lemarck Clark (202-F/C-88), but hopes to have both them in roster for the game vs. Barva, that is scheduled for next week.

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  CROATIA   


Game of the day (Round 12): Zagreb 101-75 Zadar - by Milord Nikolic
KK Zadar lost its first game in domestic championship against KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje. They didnt just lose, they were humiliated, losing with 26 points difference. Andrej Stimac (204-F/C-79) (204-F/C-79) scored 19 points for hosts. He was in a big form against his former team. KK Zadar players looked really tired and hosts were clicking on all cylinders. Next for KK Zadar is another big test when they face KK Cibona VIP Zagreb and its going to be very interesting to see which KK Zadar will show up for that game.

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  EGYPT   


Arab championship (Day 4) :Kuwait,Riyadi, Ansar and Etoile du Sahel wins - by Mohamed Hafez
Day four in the Arab clubs champion ship held at Alexandria arena starts today with four games from group C and D and the results were as follows :

First game: Al Kuwait SC (Kuwait) win over Al Maktaba (Sudan) 125 / 87
Second game: Etoile du Sahel win over Ittihad de Tanger 81 / 69
Third game: Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon) win over Al Gharrafah (Qatar) 102/95
Game Four: Al Ansar (KSA) win over Al Ahli (Oman) 78/58


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  ESTONIA   


EMKL Round: 4 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Rakvere - TU/Rock 66-87
TU/Rock recorded the second straight win over Rakvere in the KML Finals. Silver Leppik (185-G-83) delivered 17 points as the Tartu team drew things level in the series. Scott Morrison (212-C-86, college: Portland St.) knocked down 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the visitors. Rain Veideman (192-G-91) responded with 14 points for Rakvere in the loss.


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Charron FISHER
  Kalev/Cramo
  (193-G/F-85)
  Avg: 22.4
 1. Fisher, Kalev/Cr.22.4 
 2. McGee, Kuremaa19.2 
 3. Reed, Tallinna Kalev16.5 
 4. Covington, Tallin.16.4 
 5. Toome, TTU K.16.1 
 6. Kriisa, Rakvere16.0 
 7. Raap, Parnu15.2 
 8. Tamsalu, Parnu15.1 
 9. Akognon, Kalev/Cr.15.0 
 10. Veideman, Rakvere14.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Brett MCGEE
  Kuremaa
  (198-G/F-84)
  Avg: 11
 1. McGee, Kuremaa11.0 
 2. Ringmets, Parnu9.6 
 3. Reed, Tallinna Kalev9.2 
 4. Toome, TTU K.8.9 
 5. Fisher, Kalev/Cr.8.3 
 6. Rinkevicius, Valga W.8.0 
 7. Erm, Parnu7.9 
 8. Tagamets, Valga W.7.7 
 9. Keerles, Kalev/Cr.7.5 
 10. Talts, TU/Rock7.2 
Assists Per Game
 Valmo KRIISA
  Rakvere
  (190-G-74)
  Avg: 4.5
 1. Kriisa, Rakvere4.5 
 2. Sokk, Kalev/Cramo3.7 
 3. Rannula, Valga Welg3.2 
 4. Sokk, TU/Rock2.7 
 5. Winston, Kuremaa2.6 
 6. Saage, Rakvere2.6 
 7. Tein, TU/Rock2.6 
 8. Leppik, TU/Rock2.6 
 9. Toome, TTU K.2.6 
 10. Pokla, TTU K.2.5 
Steals Per Game
 Silver LEPPIK
  TU/Rock
  (185-G-83)
  Avg: 2.2
 1. Leppik, TU/Rock2.2 
 2. Covington, Tallin.2.2 
 3. Raap, Parnu2.1 
 4. Fisher, Kalev/Cr.2.1 
 5. Karner, Parnu2.0 
 6. Saage, Rakvere1.9 
 7. Veideman, Rakvere1.8 
 8. Ringmets, Parnu1.7 
 9. Pokla, TTU K.1.6 
 10. Kriisa, Rakvere1.6 
Blocks Per Game
 Kennyetta JOHNSON
  Kalev/Cramo
  (210-C-78)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Johnson, Kalev/Cr.2.3 
 2. Rinkevicius, Valga W.1.9 
 3. Toome, TTU K.1.5 
 4. Morrison, TU/Rock1.1 
 5. McGee, Kuremaa1.1 
 6. Talts, TU/Rock1.0 
 7. Hallik, Rakvere0.9 
 8. Ringmets, Parnu0.7 
 9. Anderson, Rakvere0.6 
 10. Owens, Kalev/Cramo0.6 


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  EUROLEAGUE   


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Linas KLEIZA
  Olympiakos
  (203-F-85)
  Avg: 17.1
 1. Kleiza, Olympiakos17.1 
 2. Woods, Assec.Pr.16.9 
 3. Tomas, Cibona16.4 
 4. Batiste, Panathin.16.3 
 5. Langford, Khimky15.5 
 6. Logan, Assec.Pr.15.3 
 7. Childress, Olympiakos15.2 
 8. Langdon, CSKA15.0 
 9. Teletovic, Caja L.14.8 
 10. Maric, Partizan14.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 Travis WATSON
  Zalgiris
  (203-F/C-81)
  Avg: 9.5
 1. Watson, Zalgiris9.5 
 2. Maric, Partizan8.4 
 3. Roberts, Partizan7.4 
 4. Kleiza, Olympiakos6.5 
 5. Javtokas, Khimky6.4 
 6. Khryapa, CSKA6.3 
 7. Woods, Assec.Pr.6.2 
 8. Kasun, Efes Pilsen5.8 
 9. Batiste, Panathin.5.7 
 10. Fotsis, Panathinaikos5.5 
Assists Per Game
 Omar COOK
  Unicaja
  (186-G-82)
  Avg: 5.9
 1. Cook, Unicaja5.9 
 2. Popovic, Lietuvos.5.4 
 3. McIntyre, Montepas.5.1 
 4. Papaloukas, Olymp.5.1 
 5. Teodosic, Olympiakos4.9 
 6. Prigioni, MMC R.4.5 
 7. Sciarra, Orleans4.2 
 8. Rubio, Regal Barca4.2 
 9. Khryapa, CSKA4.0 
 10. Huertas, Caja L.3.9 
Steals Per Game
 Bojan POPOVIC
  Efes Pilsen
  (191-G-83)
  Avg: 2.4
 1. Popovic, Lietuvos.2.4 
 2. Lukauskis, AS.2.3 
 3. Jaaber, Lottomat.2.2 
 4. Khryapa, CSKA2.0 
 5. McCalebb, Partizan2.0 
 6. Dobbins, Orleans1.9 
 7. McIntyre, Montepas.1.9 
 8. Smith, Efes Pilsen1.9 
 9. Gordon, Cibona1.8 
 10. Perperoglou, Panath.1.8 
Blocks Per Game
 D''or FISCHER
  Maccabi T-A
  (211-C-81)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Fischer, Maccabi .1.8 
 2. Vranes, Partizan1.5 
 3. Asik, Fener.Ulker1.4 
 4. Sow, Assec.Prokom1.4 
 5. Lasme, Maccabi T-A1.4 
 6. Begic, Zalgiris1.3 
 7. Javtokas, Khimky1.2 
 8. Vazquez, Regal B.1.2 
 9. Tomic, MMC R.1.1 
 10. Kaun, CSKA1.0 


Euroleague's Final: Barcelona - Olympiakos 86-68 - by Chris Mammides
The Catalonians of Coach Pasquale beat the Greeks of Coach Giannakis and won the Eurloeague trophy for a second time in their history. The top scorer and MVP of the game was Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) who was really amazing from the parameter. From Olympiakos it was obvious that the food poison which Milos Teodosic (195-G-87) suffered on Friday and after the semi-finals was really crucial as the MVP of the Euroleague for the seazon 2009-2010 was not able to play and help his team, while the Lithuanian super stat Linas Kleiza was below average in his most crucial game in his European career (until now). The Lithuanian was blocked 100% from the amazing defense of the Catalonians and couldn't help his team at all. The only player that tried and gave his best self was the american Josh childress but he was all alone and couldn't beat a whole team by himself so the result was a triumph for Barcelona which was musch better in both edges, in defence with 9 block shots!! and in offence of course by oversoring the Greek team with as many as 23 points (at a stage).
The best team won tonight in a really very nice game. The quarters were: 28-19, 47-36, 64-50, and 86-68.
The top scorers were:
Barca: Navarro 21 points, Mickael 14
Olympiakos: Childress 15, Kleiza 13


32 Point Langdon Looking For Success Elsewhere - by Paul Nilsen
Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, college: Duke) landed 32 points to fire CSKA Moscow into a thrilling third place at Euroleague Final Four but is already turning his attention to the Russian play-offs as another European campaign ends for the Russian club.Speaking after securing third place in Paris with success against Partizan, the hot-shot said,

'Its important for us because we needed a win going into the Russian play-offs. It was an important test for us. We played a tough semi-final against Barcelona. I thought we played well in that game, too but we just didnt make the plays at the right time that hey made.'

'So today, we faced a very good Partizan team. We had to play 45 minutes but we pulled it out in the end. They are a huge team at every position and have many good options. They run good players in and out, and they made it difficult on us. They are a good team. They showed it all year by playing the best teams really ell. They are one Josh Childress dunk away from being in the Final. Its a very good team that plays well together.'

Meanwhile Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) who enjoyed a solid weekend numbers and performance-wise underlined the thoughts of Langdon.

'It was a very fun game, what can I say? Both teams wanted to win even though we were both very tired., but we finished it. Now we have to go to the Russian League and win it. The Final Four is over for us so we have to focus on the Russian League play-offs that start in a few days.'


Barcelona Crowned Euroleague Kings After Routing The Reds - by Paul Nilsen
The atmosphere was fantastic at the start of the 2010 Euroleague Final Four championship game between Regal FC Barcelona and Olympiacos. The Reds were hoping to shrug off fatigue after their thrilling overtime semi-final win against Partizan while Barca were looking to deliver only a second ever Euroleague Trophy as tournament favourites. Barca went with Rubio, Navarro, N'Dong, Lorbek and Mickeal while Olympiacos put their faith from tip-off in Penn, Teodosic, Childress, Kleiza and Schortsanitis. On tip-off the entire Palais Omnisport seemed to be rocking up and down with both sets of fans bouncing on their feet and it led to great anticipation of the main event.

The first action saw Teodosic draw an early foul on Navarro before Kleiza showed his class with a triple from the corner. Rubio responded with a nice jump shot and then Mickeal opened the perimeter account for Barca. Teodosic then finished and there was a nice flow to the game in the first couple of minutes with the teams tied at 5-5. Childress went up for a big dunk and looked to have been blocked but amidst jeers from the Catalans, the foul was called on N'Dong and the American made his second foul shot. N'Dong had an impressive semi-final and he finished sweetly inside off an assist from Navarro. Both teams then had a scrappy passage of play until Vazquez got the ball from Navarro off as pick and roll and handed off to Mickeal who flushed it down. After a strong inside play by Schortsanitis, 'La Bomba' buried a triple. At 12-8, Teodosic responded by Navaro was at it again with his trademark inside running floater over the top of the defence. Much of the talk before the game had been about the point guard clash and after Teodosic sunk a three, Rubio drained one immediately after to keep Barca ahead at 17-13 with the first quarter developing into a shootout. Vazquez then repeated another nice dish to Mickeal from almost the exact same spot as earlier and this time, he finished the play again and also completed the 'And-1 to take the lead out to 7! Vazquez was causing the Reds plenty of trouble with his interior game and he found himself on the line with just under three minutes to play and he stretched the advantage even further with two foul shots. Olympiacos turned to Papaloukas but on the next offence his pass to Kleiza ended up in the active Vazquez blocking him. Mickeal danced to the hoop to take the lead out into double-figures but a triple by Childress limited the damage. With Pascual taking off the impressive Rubio, Navarro, Mickeal and Vazquez it was down to the bench to carry on the good work and Sada cut to the hoop for a nice lay-up off the glass. With just over a minute to go Kleiza made a couple of free-throws but everything was coming tough offensively for Olympiacos. What Mickeal had done twice, Morris took over by collecting the ball on a strong baseline slash to the hoop from the corner and he threw it down just like his team-mate earlier. Papaloukas then finished off the scoring in a high tempo first period which Barca dominated 28-19.

At the beginning of the second, Barca controlled he boards and Basile buried a triple from the corner after great perimeter ball movement only for big man Bourousis to again show he has range by doing the same, this time from the wing. Vazquez was back in the game and he scored to move to four points to go with his spectacular 4 blocks. The Barca crowd were loving it with their team up by 11 points at 33-22 and looking slick offensively and imperious defensively. They were controlling the tempo also and things were getting tougher for the Reds but Bourousis managed to get one to drop after a post-move. Vazquez then took advantage of some slack defence by going straight to the hole and finishing with ease. Coach Giannakis turned to veteran Vujcic to try and stop the rampant Barca front-court and he scored quickly but it was defence that Olympiacos needed. Papaloukas then made one of the best plays of the weekend off a Vujcic steal with a stunning move on the break as he sent Navarro the wrong way and threw down a spectacular dunk. The army of Reds fans erupted and and at 35-28 with just over five minutes until the break they had renewed hope in their team - the two veterans doing the business for their team. After a TV timeout, the joy of the Greeks was short-lived as Navarro fired-up from long range to restore the double-digit lead. Bourousis then blocked Navarro on a three-point attempt which got the fans going in the Red end, as did another score from their hero Papaloukas. Lorbek then made a huge three-pointer with just over three to go with a hand right in his face from Vujcic. Things got worse for Olympiacos whose fans momentarily became quiet after a steal and score by Rubio which took Barca out to a 13 point lead, their biggest of the night at that point although a Bourousis tip-in reduced that gap quickly. Vazquez then let the Reds off the hook with two missed foul shots and the Greeks went with Teodosic and Papaloukas. With Schortsanitis back on the floor, Olympiacos looked inside but the big man missed both shots from the line after being fouled under the hoop. Navarro drained his third triple of the game to make it 46-32 and Papaloukas continued the fight at the other end with another textbook classy move to get himself a lay-up with a minute left. After a time-out Navarro made one of two foul shots before a miss by Bourousis who thanks to a Childress steal and assist, got a second chance and he slammed it down. This led to another time-out with 21 seconds to go until the teams left the court again, this time for the interval. Childress in particular needed to raise his game - easier said than done but to have any chance the NBA man needed to show up. He had the chance of a triple on the buzzer but didn't make it meaning Barca went into the second half 47-36 ahead. Not that you would have known it judging by the noise coming from the Greek fans who finally stopped to give themselves a deserved break too.

The second half started with Penn and Patrick back on the floor Olympiacos but it was Schortsanitis than came up with the good early inside and that was followed up by a lay-up from Childress after a rare Schortsanitis steal as the Reds cut the gap to seven inside 30 seconds. Schortsanitis then blocked N'Dong and it looked like a Reds comeback but he got blocked himself next time down. Barca went scoreless for three minutes until Mickeal made a turnaround jump shot to steady Barca nerves. Vazquez picked up a quick third foul and sat down and Kleiza made a nice move in the paint to again reduce the lead. However Navarro was enjoying himself from outside and he knocked down a triple from the wing but a fired-up Childress replied instantly from the opposite end with a three of his own. Both sets of fans were now in full flow vocally and raising the temperature inside the Palais Omnisport even further with just under five minutes of the second half having elapsed. Childress then made two big defensive plays with a block and steal before Papaloukas made a play to the hoop for a Bourousis tip-in. However Barca came storming back as N'Dong slammed home the dunk while being fouled and before he got the chance to finish the three-point play, it was time-out 54-47 Barca with 4m 25 s remaining of the third. When the play resumed, N'Dong converted his free-throw. Sada then made it a mountain for Olympiacos once more with a step back three to take the margin to 11 again - the same as at the half-time break. An effortless jump-shot by N'Dong then increased the lead again at 60-47 and Childress took a seat having done his best to fire up the Reds. Kleiza missed one and made one foul shot with three to go and the Reds needed stops desperately to keep in touch. They got one but couldn't convert and Navarro punished them with an outrageous one handed finish over the top of Beverley. Kleiza finished sweetly when getting the ball down low from Papaloukas with a minute left but it was a rare moment of joy for the top scorer of the Reds who was tightly shackled by the Barca defence. Morris wrapped up the production for both teams from the line to give Barca a 64-50 lead heading into the final quarter.

Rubio hammered the first nail into the Olympiacos coffin with a lay-up thanks to Morris stripping Kleiza, or at least that is how it felt with a 16 point deficit. Schortsanitis got the first points of the fourth period for the Reds from the line. After three minutes both teams were struggling offensively and not surprising with some big defensive plays and none more so than Morris who spectacularly blocked Schortsanitis. When Mickeal made it 68-52 Barca it was already looking like the Catalans had one hand on the trophy. Only a spectacular collapse would stop them at this point and it was highly unlikely with their quality rotation at the disposal of Coach Pascual and the Reds enduring a drought and maybe trying to force things offensively - - not surprising in their difficult predicament. When the excellent Morris drained a triple from the top it was effectively game over and entering blowout territory at 19 points. The only thing left to really wonder about was who would get MVP with Navarro and Mickeal leading the way. Kleiza made two from the line and tempers began to almost spill over on the court after Kleiza almost bumped Navarro into the courtside VIP seats. It also led to technical fouls on Mickeal and Teodosic which cancelled each other out. Childress added some respectability with a nice finish under pressure from Mickeal who fouled and with a free-throw to follow it was time-out with 4m 41s to go and Barca up 71-56. The NBA man made his bonus and with the game descending into an anti-climax due to the score, it was only a matte of time unless he Reds could produce something spectacular. Lorbek then got his second score of the game while Papalpoukas got himself to the hoop to move to 12 points in the game. Sada stroked home a couple of free-throws while Kleiza made only one in response. Childress picked up his fourth and Morris also made one foul shot with the Barca fans already celebrating and three minutes away from their second ever Euroleague title. As the game petered out, Kleiza fouled out after hard fouling Navarro again and then picking up a technical foul. As he converted free-throws the chants of MVP went up as the Barca fans heralded their favourite player. The icing on the cake came when Trias and Lakovic finally got some court time and the cherry on top was when Basile and Lorbek drained back to back triples near the end to help Barca reach the top of the podium in style and become the new Euroleague champion for 2010.



'La Bomba' Grabs Euroleague Final Four MVP Crown - by Paul Nilsen
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) was crowned the EuroLeague Final Four MVP of 2010 after inspiring his team to a second Euroleague title in their history. The only member of the team to have played back in 2003 finished with a game high 21 points including four triples and the fans idol winning the accolade made it a truly memorable occasion. However there were plenty of choices other than the Spanish International after a truly sensational team performance by Barca.

INSEP win Nike International Junior Tournament - by Eurobasket News
INSEP - FMP 83:73

INSEP claimed the Nike International Junior Tournament title. They defeated FMP in the championship game at the Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy today. Jean-Charles Livio (202-F/C-93) scored 15 points for the French team. The player was named the MVP of the tournament after the game.
INSEP looked better at the start of the game. The French outfit surged ahead and claimed a 17:11 lead after ten minutes of action. But the Serbians recovered in the second stanza. They adjusted their offense and cut the margin at just 4-point mark at the interval. FMP continued to mount the pressure on their opponents. They clipped the distance to three points with ten minutes to go. Hugo Invernizzi (194-F-93) exploded with two three-pointers midway through the fourth frame as INSEP managed to clear off. The French team maintained the lead till the final buzzer. Hugo Invernizzi top-scored with 16 points for the winners. Ulysse Adjagba (183-G-93) contributed 15 points for INSEP. Nenad Miljenovic (194-G-93) finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for FMP. Nemanja Bezbradica (205-F/C-93) delivered 15 points in the losing case.

NIJT All-Tournament Team:
Rafael Freire (Unicaja)
Dovydas Redikas (Zalgiris)
Hugo Invernizzi (INSEP)
Jean-Charles Livio (INSEP)
Nikola Jankovic (FMP)


Euroleague : History Makers - by Paul Nilsen
Todays big Euroleague showpiece game is a repeat of the 1997 final when Olympiacos downed Barca 73-58 in the title game. This has so far, been the only Euroleague title won by the Greek giants.

Similarly Barcelona also only have one Euroleague crown in their collection, when they finished top of the podium in 2003. They are looking to avoid what would be a sixth loss in the title game.

In the 12 head-to-head meetings in Euroleague, Regal FC Barcelona lead 8-4 in terms of successes.

Tonights match-up is of course also a repeat of last years third and fourth place game in Berlin which first brought the two respective coaches up against each other for the very first time. While Xavier Pascual is still on the first stages of what could be a long coaching career, it is a different story for Giannakis. He has the opportunity to win the Euroleague title as both a player and a coach, something only Armenak Alachachan, Lolo Sainz and Svetislav Pesic have done previously. He would also become the ninth coach to win both the Eurobasket and Euroleague titles, the last person to do this was Bogdan Tanjevic with Bosna and Italy.

Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) is the only member of the 2003 victorious team still at the Catalan club. Navarro has the opportunity to lift a Euroleague title while being a reigning World Champion. Only 14 other players have managed this feat. La Bomba also belongs to an elite club of 22 players that have won Euroleague, Eurobasket and World Championship titles. Interestingly, he is the only player on this illustrious list not to come from the former USSR or Yugoslavia.

Another veteran star of the European game Thodoros Papaloukas (200-G-77, agency: FCM) is also ready to write more history. Already the Euroleagues all time leader in assists and steals, the guard is looking for a second MVP award having won the accolade in 2006 in Prague. Only Toni Kukoc and Dejan Bodiroga have won multiple MVP awards.

Back to Barca and Ricky Rubio (192-G-90). A young player who if successful, can add himself to an exclusive group of players to have lifted the EuroCup and Euroleague titles. Only four other players have done that and they are Tomasevic, Papadopoulos, Fotsis and Javotkas.

Terence Morris (207-F-79, college: Maryland) meanwhile has already made history by becoming the first player to have reached three successive Euroleague Final Fours with three different clubs. Morris reached the 2008 Final Four with Maccabi, then with CSKA last season and now with Barca. Only four players have even been to Final Four with three different clubs, let alone consecutively they are Smodis, Jasikevicius and now Barca team-mate Lorbek.

If Barcelona prevail then Boniface Ndong (213-C-77) will be only the third player from Africa to get a champions medal, following in the footsteps of Marc MBahia and Richard Dacoury who won the title in 1993 with Limoges.

Finally Linas Kleiza (203-F-85, college: Missouri) is trying to break a bit of a curse. He is the Alphonso Ford Top Scorer trophy winner but since the award was chosen before the start of the 2004-05 season, no Ford Trophy winner has led hi team to the Euroleague title!


Barca Big Men Look To Win Boards Battle In Final - by Paul Nilsen
The Barca big guys have warned they are ready to win the battle of the boards in todays EuroLeague Finale against Olympiacos in Paris. The numbers on the glass will no doubt be crucial and Fran Vazquez (210-C-83) claimed,

'We have to be ourselves and play the way we have until now. We cannot make the same mistakes we made early in the semi-final against CSKA. We have to be calm and play hard. Controlling the boards will be very important in this game. CSKA had a lot of offensive rebounds and we must improve.'

Of course if Barca are going to win the duel in the paint, they will have to neutralise the considerable threat of Sofoklis Schortsanitis (206-C-85) a fact not lost on Vazquez.

'It is tough to stop Sofoklis Schortsanitis, especially for a player like me that weighs so much less than him. I have to try to make him get the ball as far away from the basket as possible and once he is in there, try to keep him from getting easy points. We have to play strong against him in the best way possible.'

Similarly forward Terence Morris (207-F-79, college: Maryland) also believes the match-ups inside will be a pivotal factor. He said,

'I think the game will be decided by the defence of the big men inside. How we try to lock those guys down and take tough shots over us. If we can do that, well be alright. If we can limit them to one shot, rebound and get out and run, I think we can beat them.'

'While Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78) plays less of a role for the Reds these days, Morris highlighted that the veterans influence will still be felt on the game.'

'Its scary to play against Vujcic because hes such a smart player. Even though he doesnt have the ability he did because he cant really jump and do all the things he used to when he was younger, hes still smart enough to coach the other players out there. Even if he doesnt play he can be a factor.'


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  GERMANY   


Olaf Stolz is the new Head Coach at Sparta - by Daniel Poerschke
As the Luxemburgish cupwinner BBC Sparta Bertrange announced yesterday, that german basketball coach Olaf Stolz will be the new headcoach for the upcoming season and will replace Douglas Marty, who leaves the club at the end of this season. Stolz led BBC Sparta Bertrange already to one championship title in 2007. After that he moved back to Germany to coach Rhoendorf in the Pro B and this season Paderborn in the BBL. Stolz was released in Paderborn shortly before the end of this season, because the club did not manage to win enough games to stay in the BBL.

Bundesliga Playoff results Sunday May 9th: Skyliners upset Berlin - by Michael Taylor
2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga Playoffs First Round Game 1

Sunday May 9, 2010

Deutsche Bank Skyliners 76 ALBA Berlin 71

Deutche Bank Skyliners edged ALBA Berlin in an exciting 76-71 Game 1 of their Beko Basketball Bundesliga playoff series Sunday afternoon at O2 World Arena in Berlin. Clutch free throw shooting and strong defensive play helped Frankfurt, the number 7 seed, earn the upset road win capping an outstanding weekend of playoff games in the Bundesliga.

After the Skyliners gained possession, forwards Derrick Allen and Derrick Byars drilled three pointers opening scoring for each team. Frankfurt's Dragan Labovic and Aubrey Reese registered back to back baskets for the Skyliners building an early 7-3 lead. ALBA's Immanuel McElroy and Dragan Dojcin countered to even the scoreboard at 7 at the 7min mark. After a McElroy 3 gave ALBA a 10-7 lead, Derrick Allen added two for Frankfurt before Adam Chubb sank 2FT for Berlin giving the hosts a 12-9 advantage. Seth Doliboa added one foul shot for the Skyliners but ALBA's Julius Jenkins connected from 3 pushing Berlin's lead to 15-10 with 3min in the 1Q. In the closing moments of the 1st, Seth Doliboa sank a 3 and the quarter closed with Berlin up 15-13.

As Q2 opened, Jimmy McKinney drilled a 3 reclaiming the lead for Frankfurt 16-13. Julius Jenkins answered for ALBA and Berlin went up 17-16. With under 7min remaining, Skyliner G Dominik Bahiense de Mello scored for Frankfurt and a basket by Derrick Allen followed putting the guests up 20-17. Berlin used a timeout. Out of the timeout, ALBA's Adam Chubb cut the score to 1 but a Seth Doliboa 3 put the Skyliners up 23-19. Rashad Wright scored back to back baskets for Berlin with a Doliboa bucket in between and Frankfurt led 25-23 with 4min in the half. A Dragan Labovic 3 pushed Frankfurt to a 28-23 lead before Rashad Wright buried a big 3 for Berlin with just over 3min. Domink Banhiense de Mello scored and the Skyliners were up 30-26 when the teams huddled in a timeout with 2:41 in the half. Teams exchanged empty possessions on offense thanks to excellent defensive play until Jurica Golemac was fouled with 31sec remaining. Frankfurt used their second timeout. Out of the TO, Golemac sank both FT making the game 30-28. Golemac then blocked a Skyliner shot with 12sec left but Byars and Dojcin came up empty before the buzzer sending the teams into halftime with a two point difference. At the half, the teams were very even statistically with Frankfurt outrebounding Berlin 21-16 but ALBA converting 4 of 5 FT compared with 1 of 2 for the Skyliners.

As the 3Q began, Berlin started strong. A Rashad Wright bucket was followed by 1 Blagota Sekulic FT before Immanuel McElroy put ALBA up 33-30. The Skyliners took a timeout at the 7min mark. Out of the timeout, a Derrick Allen 3 evened the scoreboard for Frankfurt. Derrick Allen scored again and Julius Jenkins evened the game at 35. Quantez Robertson and Aubrey Reese sparked the Skyliners to a 39-35 lead before Rashad Wright and 2FT from Julius Jenkins evened the score at 39 with 3min in the 3rd. Greg Jenkins sank 2FT for Frankfurt and the Skyliners edged ahead 41-39 but Adam Chubb tied the game with a big basket for Berlin. Quantez Robertson made 1FT to give Frankfurt a 42-41 lead with 2min to go. 2 more FT from Greg Jenkins followed and Frankfurt was up 44-41 and Jimmy McKinney capped the Skyliners late 3Q run with a bucket before the buzzer giving the guests a 46-41 lead after 3.

In the 4th, Jurica Golemac scored but Frankfurt maintained their margin with 2FT from Seth Doliboa. The Skyliners run continued as Greg Jenkins scored inside before Jimmy McKinney buried a 3 extending the Skyliner lead to ten 53-43. ALBA huddled in a timeout with just over 8min to play. A 3pt play from Blagota Sekulic brought ALBA to 53-46 but a Greg Jenkins basket rebuild Frankfurt's lead to 55-46. Rashad Wright drilled a key 3 but McKinney matched it making the score 58-49 with 6:30 to play. Immanuel McElroy finished a 3pt play for ALBA and Blagota Sekulic added 2 cuttingn the gap to 58-54 with 5:30 to play. Seth Doliboa gave the Skyliners a cushion with a 3 and Frankfurt was up 61-54. Immanuel McElroy drew a foul and Frankfurt used a timeout with 4:26 to play. Out of the timeout, McElroy added 1Ft pulling ALBA within six, 61-55. But Aubrey Reese converted both FT at the other end giving the guests a 63-55 advantage with 4min to go. Dragan Dojcin drilled a critical 3 for Berlin with 320 remaining and Julius Jenkins came up with a steal and score trimming the deficit to 63-60. But a big 3 from Seth Doliboa put Frankfurt up 66-60 with 224 left. Julius Jenkins drew a foul and sank 2FT setting the score at 66-62 at the 210 mark. Derrick Allen sank 2FT with 1:51 but Julius Jenkins came through in the clutch hitting a big 3 for ALBA with 1:37 left. Aubrey Reese scored for Frankfurt and the Skyliners led 70-65 with 1:14 to play. After a Skyliner miss, ALBA attacked and Immanuel McElroy drew a foul with 27sec to go. McElroy made both FT and Berlin was within 3, 70-67. ALBA tactially fouled Derrick Allen then Aubrey Reese on the inbound play, sending Reese to the foul line with 24sec on the clock. The Frankfurt pg made both clutch FT giving the Skyliners a 72-67 lead. At the other end, Rashad Wright was fouled and made his 2FT pulling Berlin back within 3 72-69 with 16sec left. Berlin fouled Allen again on the inbound. This time, Allen would shoot 2FT with 15sec on the clock. ALBA called a timeout. Derrick Allen cooly sank both FT giving the Skyliners a 74-69 lead. At the other end, Allen made a play on defense blocking an Immanuel McElroy 3pt attempt with 7sec to go. McElroy scored a late bucket pulling Berlin back to 74-71 and Frankfurt used a timeout with 3sec to play. Out of the timeout, Frankfurt's Aubrey Reese put the finishing touches on their 76-71 game 1 road win in Berlin.

Seth Doliboa led the Skyliner attack with 17pt while Derrick Allen added 16pt, Aubrey Reese 11pt 5ast and Jimmy McKinney 10pt on 3 of 5 from three. As a team, Frankfurt hit 43% of their shots including 10 of 24 from three (41%) and 16 of 18 FT (88%) while ALBA made 42% from the floor with 7 of 24 from three (29%) and 16 of 21 FT (76%). Frankfurt outrebounded Berlin 35-32. Julius Jenkins and Rashad Wright shared topscoring honors for ALBA Berlin with 16pt apiece while Immanuel McElroy added a 15pt 10reb double double.

Game 2 in this excellent First round playoff series is set for Thursday May 13th 6pm at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt.


Josh Wilson Made A Name For Himself In Ehingen - by Manuel Schust
This season many great point guards entered the german Pro B league and their stats could serve them as a stepping stone to a great career in Europe.
One of these promising players is former Northern Arizona playmaker Josh Wilson (188-G-87, agency: Beggs and Lane, college: N.Arizona). The 22-year old point guard had a nice college career (All-time Assist leader in NA history) and started his pro career with Erdgas Ehingen this season. On a young team full of german talents Wilson had to show his leadership skills and had an impressive rookie season in Europe. Just check out his highlight tape!
He took some time to talk to Eurobasket correspondent Manuel Schust about his first experiences in Europe.

After 4 years of NCAA basketball with Northern Arizona you turned pro last summer. Was that something you always planned to do? And how did you end up in Germany?

Becoming a professional basketball player is something that every basketball player dreams about. Its something I strived for every day in my high school and college career. To be able to see it happen here in Germany has been a very fulfilling experience. I ended up here in Germany through my website, www.joshwilsonbasketball.com that has video and information about me and I sent the information out to teams. Nico Drmota saw my website and asked my former teammate Kristian Kuhn (208-C-87, college: N.Arizona) on the team about me. It ended up working out well and I got the opportunity to come to Ehingen.

In your senior season with Northern Arizona your numbers dropped in almost every category. What were the main reasons for that? And did this hurt your chances on becoming a pro baller?

My last year at Northern Arizona was an extremely difficult one in almost every way. I was hurt pretty much the entire season with, patellar tendonitis, iliopsoas tendonitis, sprained ankle, and I ended the season with a broken right foot. I tried to play through it all but I wasnt near 100%. It was very disappointing because of our record as a team and my production as an individual. I might have still been ok going pro but I broke my foot a second time in the summer. When the end of the summer came around I thought for sure I wouldnt get a job due to my injuries but luckily Ehingen took a chance with me and allowed me the time to get healthy. I am very thankful for the opportunity they have given me.
How difficult was it for you to adapt your style to the European game? And what are the major differences between NCAA basketball and Germanys ProB for you as a player?
Some of the things that I had to get use to are the differences between a travel and what is considered an offensive foul. Ive been taught my whole life to do things a different way so its been hard to do. Ive definitely had a few more offensive fouls and travels then I would have liked this year. The 24 second shot clock also took some getting use but that is a difference that I enjoy. The game is much faster which makes it fun as a player. NCAA basketball is much more physical and has deliberate style of grinding out each possession. That can sometimes make it more tactical, but in the end basketball is basketball.

I often hear about rookies complaining about being homesick, isolated and bored during their first year overseas. How did cope with living in another country and being away from home? Or are you the kind of guy who enjoys spending time in Europe?

Being overseas has been difficult as well as enjoyable for me. I feel in college I was able to get use to being away from home so that wasnt as big of a deal. What has been hard is I recently got engaged and my fianc is at home going to school which has made me very homesick. That to go along being so far from my family has been a challenge. But its something in the end you are grateful for because you learn to appreciate them even more. Dealing with isolation and boredom isnt really an issue for me because I am pursuing a Masters in Business Administration online, which has kept me busy in my spare time. I want to make sure I am in a good position whenever my basketball career ends, and I believe using my spare time for education will do just that. As far as being in Europe, I love it. I majored in History in college so being surrounded by the history I learned so much about has been an amazing experience.

What did you know about German basketball in general and Ehingen before you came here?

I knew a little bit about German basketball from my college teammate, Kelly Golob, who played here a few years back. My friend Ross Jorgusen currently coaches in Germany for a NBBL team who often plays our youth program, so he was able to reassure me on my decision to come to Ehingen. Other than that the only information I had was what I could find on the internet. Wikipedia said it was close to Ulm where the tallest church in the world is and where Albert Einstein was born. But thats about it. There wasnt too much information on Ehingen though, haha.

Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule is especially known for its fine youth program. The average age of the team is the youngest in the league with just 19.4 and you are the third oldest player being just 22 years old. But according to your Eurobasket profile your strengths are running a team along with your mental toughness and leadership skills. Was that the kind of role you were hoping and looking for in Europe? Or would you rather have signed with a first division team that offers a backup job for 5 minutes per game?

That role is definitely something I am use to and for the most part enjoy. I believe I did an ok job leading the young guys this year but I feel I could have done better. I saw myself coming to Europe playing with guys much older than me so it was unexpected to be in such a familiar role. My role for Ehingen was very similar to my college role with young players. I believe there have been many advantages of playing with the younger guys that I wouldnt have had playing on a first division as a backup. I was able to improve my leadership skills, learn from my mistakes, and gain a better perspective on what to concentrate on improving this summer. I dont believe as a back I would have had that chance. That being said I probably could have learned a variety of things in the backup role, but I think would have enjoyed my time much less.

At the age of 22 you are still very young and it seems logical that you could have benefited from having a mentor yourself. Instead you need to be a mentor and leader to the young players at Ehingen. Did you experience that more as a challenge or was it sometimes difficult?

It was definitely difficult at times. I often have had to remind myself how young the players I play with are. My patience wasnt always there wish I regret but again I was able to learn a ton from it. The players on my team are extremely talented and I think will turn out to be great players. I think I would benefit greatly from a mentor or a point guard with pro experience. I have never had the opportunity to play alongside an older more experienced point guard. This last summer I got to know Dan Dickau (183-G-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Gonzaga) who lives in Vancouver, WA where my family lives, but being injured I didnt have very many opportunities to play with him. I plan on working for his basketball academy this summer and hope to suck up as much information as I can from him on what it takes to be a point guard at the professional level.

I dont think it is just the hair. But in some ways your game reminds me of Steve Nash. Is the two-time NBA MVP something of a role-model for you? Or to what NBA player would you compare your game to?

I think any smart point guard would try to take things from Steve Nashs game and apply them to his own. He is so creative in how approaches the game and his work ethic is something that I greatly admire. If I had to pick an NBA player to compare myself to I would most definitely say I strive to be like Steve Nash. Steve Nash is also a good person and a hard worker. Two things I hope I can become more than any set of basketball skills.

You can shoot the ball, penetrate to the basket, organize the offense and you can even dunk the ball. On what aspects of your game do you still need to improve?

First, thank you for the kind words. I personally feel there is an enormous amount for me to improve on to become the player that I want to be. I am very excited to be 100% healthy and have an entire summer to work on my game. I will go into the summer looking to focus on some key aspects. Number one is turnovers. My turnover numbers were too high and I will not allow that to continue on to next year. I will focus on European footwork, balance, and of course continue to improve ball handling.
I want to concentrate on becoming more athletic in my first step, flexibility, and balance. I will implement some of my old track workouts and football running back drills that I used in high school. I think they worked very well then and from what Ive been reading sounds like the way to go. Now that I am healthy I have no excuse for being a mediocre defender. Defense is something that has to be worked on just like a jump shot and I will devote a large portion of the summer to defense. Other than that I hope to continue working on all facets of my game to become a well rounded point guard.

There are a lot of good Americans in the ProB this season. Especially on the playmaker position players like Will Chavis (181-G-81, agency: Rasmussen Services, college: Texas Tech), Ahmad Smith (194-G-84, college: St.Bonaventure) or Willis Gardner (185-G-86, agency: Stanley International, college: Colorado St.) were impressive. Who was your toughest opponent this season?

Its hard to say who the toughest player I played against was. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to play against Willis Gardner but I have a very high opinion of the other two you mentioned. You have to respect Will Chaviss consistency this season. He constantly had one great performance after another. That being said I am going to have to go with Ahmad Smith. He is a very well rounded player, which is obvious if you look at his statistics. As a point guard youre not use to having the player you guard crashing the offensive glass that hard. He also has great patience in letting the game come to him which reminded me of Rodney Stuckey (Detroit Pistons) who played for Eastern Washington in my college conference. You can never relax when guarding Ahmad. It will fun to see where some of the players from this season end up next year.

Stephen Sir (195-G-82, college: N.Arizona) is the only other import player on your team. He has spent his college days at Northern Arizona, too and you were teammates from 2005-2007. Did you recommend the management to sign him? Or was it just coincidence that two Northern Arizona alumnis ended up in Ehingen this season?

I dont know how, but Steve didnt have a job in December which worked out great for us after Nolan Richardson left. I wasnt sure if it would work out but I let our management know about Steve and what great shooter he was. They trusted my opinion and luckily it worked out well for everyone and I got the chance to play with him again. I dont think many people get the chance to play with a college teammate and friend so I feel fortunate for that. As I said earlier Kristian Kuhn also played with me at NAU for a few months which makes it even more unique.

Sometimes the world of basketball seems very small. Are there some players in Germany you still know from your college days? I think e.g. former Idaho State and MBC player Matt Stucki (198-G-83, college: Idaho St.) played in the Big Sky Conference.

There are a few players from the Big Sky that I know are in Germany but I didnt get the chance to play against or see them this year. J.R. Moore and Andre Murray from Portland State play here and I knew Matt Stucki did as well. Over Easter Steve Sir and I had the chance to go see another college teammate in the Czech Republic, Kyle Landry which was very cool. I kept saying how crazy is this. Im from Longview, WA you two are from Canada, we went to school in Flagstaff, Arizona and now we are hanging out in the Czech Republic. Pretty crazy. Its amazing where basketball can take you. It definitely makes the world seem small.

Your teammate Ruben Spoden (202-F-89) had some nice words for you when I asked him about you. What do you think about him and his development this season? And what is your opinion about other German talents like Cornelius Adler (195-G/F-89) and Justin Raffington (206-F-91)?

Ruben has done an excellent job for us this season. You can easily see the improvements he has made from the beginning of the season until now. Ruben is one of those guys who are in the gym everyday working on his shot, something you have to have in order to be great. I expect big things from Ruben in the future. The other guys are also very talented. Cornelius and Justin have a ton of ability and will only improve with experience. Even the rest of the young guys such as Mario Blessing (184-G-92), Felix Engel (191-G-91), Kevin Bright (198-F/G-92) and Tobias Korndoerfer (202-F-90) have very bright futures ahead of them. I know Justin is already headed to University of San Francisco next year, but it will be fun to see where the rest of them end up as well. Our program does an outstanding job in developing young talent.

Ehingen was one of the top teams this ProB season. But you did not make it to the top 2 teams to get promoted to the ProA league. What was the team still missing to reach that goal?

I think what we missed most was consistency. At times we played very well, well enough to beat anyone. But we also proved that when we played bad we could also lose to anyone. If we could have came ready to play every game I feel we would have finished in the top two spots. We definitely had the talent to. I was really hoping to help Ehingen move up and am disappointed that I couldnt be a part of achieving that. I am fully confident that the management and players here will do what it takes to compete again next year for the top spot.

You averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game combined with some decent shooting percentages (FG: 45%, 3P: 40%, FT: 76%) this season. You really left a mark in the ProB. How do you see your future? Are you considering coming back to Germany?

Honestly I am just hoping to be in a good position for my fiance and I. Im not sure what will come up and where that will be but hopefully it wont be as nerve racking as it was last summer. I hope to end up in a place that fits my style of play and genuinely wants me to be a part of their team. I would absolutely consider coming back to Germany. The people here are very friendly and its an easy transition from the states. It seems as if everyone in Germany speaks a little English which makes it extremely convenient for us American basketball players. I also think the first league here in Germany is a great thing to strive for and would love to someday end up there. Like any other person who loves playing the game of basketball I just want to keep playing until I cant. So hopefully next year I get the opportunity to keep playing the game we all love.

Thanks for the chat, Josh. I hope to see you in Germany again next season.
If you are interested in Josh Wilson you can contact him via e-mail: jdubball21@yahoo.com


1.Bundesliga Round: 1 (Quarter-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Goettingen - Bremerhaven 91-73
Goettingen edged Bremerhaven 91:73 at the start of the Quarter-Finals Round 1. Dwayne Anderson (198-G/F-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Villanova) poured in 24 points for the winners and Jacobson Ben scored 15. Jacobson Ben ended up with 16 points in the losing case.

Telekom B. - Brose Baskets 78-80
Brose Baskets upset Telekom 80:78 away from home as Predrag Suput (200-F-77, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 18 points for the winners and Worthington Mark netted 16. Ohlbrecht Tim produced 16 points in the losing case.

ALBA - Dt.Bank SKY 71-76
ALBA was surprised by Dt.Bank SKY 71:76 at the last game of the Quarter-Finals Round 1. Seth Doliboa (203-F-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Wright St.) stepped up with 17 points and Allen Derrick notched 16. Jenkins Julius and Wright Rashad nailed 16 points apiece for the hosts.

EWE Baskets - NY Phantoms 83-67
EWE Baskets rolled over NY Phantoms 83:67 as Rickey Paulding (196-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Missouri) led the way with 19 points and Foster Je'Kel followed him wih 17. Idbihi Yassin responded with 19 points in the losing effort.


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  GREECE   


A2 Round: 27 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
KAOD - Ikaroi Serron 61-51
KAO Dramas was better than Ikaroi Serron improving to 15-12 record. Giannis Kiriakopoulos (185-G-83) stepped up for the hosts with 15 points, while Zeliko Zupic (205-F-81, college: Denver) added 13 points and 9 boards. In Ikaroi Serron (11-16), Kostas Totsios (191-G-78) collected 19 points and 8 rebs.

Xanthi - Ermis Lagk. 62-66
Important road win for Ermis Lagkada, who now has 10-17 score (14th place). Tasos Dimitriadis (201-C-82) (7 rebs) and Kostas Behlivanis (180-G-74, agency: FCM) led the visiting squad with 15 and 14 points respectively. The hosts (13-14) got 16 points and 7 boards from Konstantinos Christou (203-C/F-77).

AGOR - Ikaros Esperos 51-77
Ikaros Esperos destroyed AGOR on the road for 22nd victory of the season. Iraklis faced with defeat in this round meaning that Ikaros Esperos is once again alone on top of A2 standings. Sotiris Katoufas (206-F-79) was the leading player in victory with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Damir Latovic (204-C-80) collected 22 points and 15 boards in defeat.

Olimpiada P. - Peramatos 64-65
Thriller win for Peramatos, whose leading player was Nikos Liakopoulos (201-F-76, agency: FCM) with 18 points and 8 assists. Leonida Skoutaris (200-F-76, college: Cleveland St.) helped the guests with 12 points. For the home side, Predrag Kosanovic (203-F-76, agency: BeoExcell) collected 20 points and 5 boards. Peramatos 12-15, Olimpiada 16-11.

Arkadikos - Dafni 75-94
Dafni cruised past Arkadikos on the road getting 20 points from Sasa Avalic (197-G-80). Marko Pekovic (193-G-81, agency: BeoExcell) and Nikos Tsoutsos (203-F-82) helped with 19 points each. On the other side, Giorgos Sourlis (190-G-85, agency: FCM) replied with 19 points. Dafni 12-15, Arkadikos 14-13.

Amyntas - OFI 84-66
11-16 for Amyntas and 9-18 for OFI after this game. Char Samothrakis (189-G-83) was totally the best player in victory as he scored 27 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. Visitors got 21 points and 10 boards from Stavros Danil (201-F-76).

Pagrati - Iraklis 88-84 OT
Pagrati crushed Iraklis in overtime handing them 6th loss of the season. Nikos Kaklamanos (189-G-81) exploded in this game scoring impressive 36 points (6 triples). Fotis Lambropoulos (206-F-83) answered with 22 points in defeat. Pagrati 18-9, Iraklis 21-6 (dropped to second place).

Egaleo - Near East 85-96
12th victory of the season for Near East, who got 30 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists from Nikos Michalos (192-G-77). He reached valuation 38 in this game. For the home side, Christo Karavolas (197-F-83, agency: Court Side) collected 26 points and 8 boards. Near East 12-15, Egaleo 7-20.

Euroleague's Final: Barcelona - Olympiakos 86-68 - by Chris Mammides
The Catalonians of Coach Pasquale beat the Greeks of Coach Giannakis and won the Eurloeague trophy for a second time in their history. The top scorer and MVP of the game was Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) who was really amazing from the parameter. From Olympiakos it was obvious that the food poison which Milos Teodosic (195-G-87) suffered on Friday and after the semi-finals was really crucial as the MVP of the Euroleague for the seazon 2009-2010 was not able to play and help his team, while the Lithuanian super stat Linas Kleiza was below average in his most crucial game in his European career (until now). The Lithuanian was blocked 100% from the amazing defense of the Catalonians and couldn't help his team at all. The only player that tried and gave his best self was the american Josh childress but he was all alone and couldn't beat a whole team by himself so the result was a triumph for Barcelona which was musch better in both edges, in defence with 9 block shots!! and in offence of course by oversoring the Greek team with as many as 23 points (at a stage).
The best team won tonight in a really very nice game. The quarters were: 28-19, 47-36, 64-50, and 86-68.
The top scorers were:
Barca: Navarro 21 points, Mickael 14
Olympiakos: Childress 15, Kleiza 13


Div.B Standing
B Standings
 1. Lavrio 22-4 
 2. Panelefsiniakos 22-4 
 3. Periko/Arhel. 20-6 
 4. Panerythraik. 18-8 
 5. Apollon 16-10 
 6. AEK/Pegasus 15-11 
 7. Apollon Kal. 14-12 
 8. Aias Evosmou 13-13 
 9. Doukas 12-14 
 10. Anagennisi 10-16 
 11. MENT 9-17 
 12. M.Alexandros 8-18 
 13. Agia Paras. 8-18 
 14. Keravnos Aigio 7-19 
 15. Komotini 7-19 
 16. Mantoulidis 6-20 


Standings - A2
A2 Standings
 1. Ikaros Esperos 22-5 
 2. Iraklis 21-6 
 3. Pagrati 18-9 
 4. Olimpiada P. 16-11 
 5. KAOD 15-12 
 6. Arkadikos 14-13 
 7. AGOR 13-14 
 8. Xanthi 13-14 
 9. Dafni 12-15 
 10. Near East 12-15 
 11. Peramatos 12-15 
 12. Amyntas 11-16 
 13. Ikaroi Serron 11-16 
 14. Ermis Lagk. 10-17 
 15. OFI 9-18 
 16. Egaleo 7-20 


Week 26: Second Division - Results and Scorers - by Chris Mammides
Lavrio and Panelefsiniakos added another one victorious result in their successful season and they are mathematically in the A2. A great night for the veteran Giannis Gakis (186-G-69) who helped his team (probably) to remain in the division as he scored 30 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and gave 5 assists in the crucial game against Agia Paraskevi. At the same time another player Giorgos Melas (204-F-82) scored 32 points to help his team to beat Megas Alexandros and basically block any chances for the Thessaloniki team to remain in the division. In the other results the derby between the Argos team and the Aigio team was magnificent and the final result of just one basket was mainly due to the great game of the duet Dimitris Papantoniou (190-G-83) and Thanasis Nikolopoulos (201-F-86).
The results and the top scorers were as follows:

Apollon Kalamarias - MENT 81-72
Apollon Kamarias: Panagiotis Nanis (195-F/G-80) 25, Tzinopoulos 14, Gamouras 10.
MENT: Athanasiadis 15, Godopoulos and Makris 12 points each.

Pierikos Arhelaos - Anagennisi Floga 79-72
Quarters: 26-20, 46-38, 65-59, and 79-72
Pierikos Arhelaos: Mitsakis 15, Yiannis Rodostoglou (197-G-83) 24, Cuk 19
Anagennisi Floga: Kothras 19, Zarogiannis 15, Spiropoulos 14.

Komotini - Apollon Patras 73-65
Quarters: 23-8, 35-29, 58-46, 73-65
Komotini: Lehoudis 13, Dinas 10, Koutsovasilis 18, Koutsogiannis 10
Apollon Patras: Nikoloudis 10, Koronides 14, Jelic 12, Traianos 10.

Doukas - M. Alexandros 94-80
Quarters: 22-19, 52-34, 71-64, and 94-80
Doukas: Stamopoulos 12, Kakkavas 18, Giorgos Melas 32, Yfantis 14.
M. Alexandros: Chrysohou 22, Bakos 16

Lavrio - Panerythraikos 72-61
Quarters: 24-12, 41-32, 57-45, and 72-61.
Lavrio: Karvounis 10, Dionysios Giannakopoulos (195-G/F-82) 18, Psileas 13
Panerythraikos: Mantzioris 20, Hopson 17

Mantoulidis - Agia Paraskevi 81-63
Quarters: 19-15, 36-31, 60-51, and 81-63.
Mantoulidis: Giannis Gakis 30, Katsivelis 10, Trantas 14
Ag. Paraskevi: Hatzikostis 16, Rois 16, Christodoulos 13.

Aias Evosmou - Panelefsiniakos 66-68
Quarters: 13-19, 34-33, 54-49, 66-68
AIAS Evosmou: Paritsis 13, Triantafillidis 16, Marousic 12.
Panelefsiniakos: Prokos 10, Tyrlas 10, Theos 19

AEK Argous Keravnos Aigiou 73-71
Quarters: 26-17, 44-38, 60-52, and 73-71.
AEK Argous: Dimitris Papantoniou 19, Bitzis 14, Gavanopoulos 10, Thanasis Nikolopoulos 18
Keravnos Aigiou: Bourdanos 13 Georgarosc 18, Vasilis Ekine (201-F-83) 18.


Div.B Stats Leaders
Greek B Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Rodostoglou, Pier. 16.6
2 Psileas Lavrio, 16.4
3 Cuk, Pierikos, 16.1
4 Melas, Doukas 16
5 Veskoukis, Apol.P.13.7
6 Theos, Panelefs. 12.9
6 Jelic, Apollon Pat. 12.2
7 Koronides Apoll.P 12.1
Rebounds Per Game
1 Cuk, PArhelaos 7.9
1 Jelic, Apollon P 7.5
2 Theos, Panelefs. 6.2
2 Papoulidis, Doukas 6.2
4 Papadopoulo, Pan. 5.8
4 Gamouras, AKalam.5.8
6 Maltesios, MAlex. 5.7
7 Kyriakidis, KAigiou 5.6
Assists Per Game
1 Koronides, APatras 1.5
2 Filiousis, AIAS 1.4
2 Kothras, AFloga 1.4
4 Trantas, Mantoul. 1.2
4 Katsivelis, Mantou. 1.2
6 Hatzikostis, AParas. 1
7 Giannakopoul, Lav. 1
Steals Per Game
1 Rodostogl, PArhel. 2.6
2 Hopson of Paneryt. 2.5
5 Melas, Doukas 2
6 Sfeikos, MENT 2
7 Gavanopoulos, AEK 2
Blocks Per Game
1. Jelic, Apoll. Patras 1.7
2. Cuk, Pierikos 1.7
3. Papadopoulos 1.5
4. Hopson 1.4
5. Psileas 1.3


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  GUATEMALA   


Australian Milk improves its record - by Gianni Pascucci
Thanks to some new additions, Australian Milk seems now able to battle for the post season. In last LPB game, this team clearly defeated Universidad Rafael Landivar, 83-68 at the Gimnasio Roberto Palomo Castellanos de la UP. With 20 points, Alejandro Carrillo (192-F-88) was the top performer in Australian Milk, folllowed by Ryan Forbes (193-F/C-78), who scored 15. URL was limited by a poor 33% in FG, and had the best playerts in Mynor Castillo and Fernando Fernandez (F), who scored 21 points each.

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  HOLLAND   


PromotieDivise Playoffs: Amsterdam2 2010 PromotieDivisie Champions! - by Terry Cooper
This week in PromoiteDivisie was the 5th Annual NBB Final Four at TopSportcentrum in Almere. With the play of Mohammed Kherazzi and Hicham Kherrazi (195-F-88), Amsterdam2 won their second PromoiteDivise Championship defeating newcomer Binnenland 63-53. Binnenland got to the championship winning over last season runner-up MSV Log.in in the semi-finals 69-67 on the road while cruising to a 87-66 win at home. Amsterdam2 made easy work over the Red Giants of Meppel winning on the road 81-54 and home 90-71. Just as the teams finished in the regular season is how they finished in the playoffs. Congratulations to all teams in the Final Four and for another outstanding season in the league. As the season is now to an end, hopefully teams have realized that the league is only getting better year after year and changes by both teams and NBB must be made in order for further progress to take place. So many talented players and not enough exposure to get them to higher grounds even beyond the EreDivisie. Also, many players have spoken of having a faster season which can be done by having games twice a week only once each quarter to cut the league season 3-4 weeks early. Statistics so that players can be evaluated not only for the Eredivise but other leagues as well. A guy once said, 'The worst thing in the world is wasted talent.' there is so much in this league and wasted due to a lack of exposure on the european network. I can only do so much with Eurobasket and I give fair exposure to as many players as possible even to the point of asking coaches and managers to send in their updated rosters so that players will have the much needed exposure. Some teams do their work for the benefit of their players while other teams do nothing which shows how much they are really concerened about a players future in this sport. I only hope that the 2010-11 season will bring forth many changes in the Promoite with not only new teams but a new structure and schedule that benefits players, coaches, and NBB to the fullest. Only time will tell if this will be a part of the much needed but minor changes asked for from all. To all teams and fans, thank you for staying tuned, have a great summer vacation, and see you next season!

Semi-Finals:

MSV Log in - Binnenland 67 - 69
Red Giants - Amsterdam2 54 - 81
Binnenland - MSV Log in 87 - 66
Amsterdam2 - Red Giants 90 - 71

Championship Game: Amsterdam2 - Binnenland 63 - 53

Final places:
1st Amsterdam2
2nd Binnenland
3rd MSV Log.in
4th Red Giants

Eredivisie Semifinals: Third games review - by Eurobasket News
GasTerra F. - ZZ Leiden 67-63
GasTerra Flames outsmarted ZZ Leiden taking 2-1 lead in the series. Jason Ellis (201-F-82, college: Boise St.) stepped up for the Groningen team with double-double of 19 points ad 12 rebounds. Matt Bauscher (188-G-85, agency: 540 Sports, college: Boise St.) and Jason Dourisseau (196-G-83, college: Nebraska) added 12 points each. On the other side, Seamus Boxley (201-F-82, college: Portland St.) collected 17 pts and 9 boards.

Giants - DeFriesland 95-97
DeFriesland survived last night coming to 1-2 against the Giants. Darryl Monroe (201-F-86, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: George Mason) top-scored in victory with 33 points. Sam Jones (188-G-78, college: Northwood) (10 as) and Craig Moore (191-G-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Northwestern) secured a great help adding 15 points each. For the home side, Jordan Collins (208-C-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: N.Carolina St.) delivered 24 points.

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  ITALY   


Lega2 Round: 1 (Quarter-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Trenkwalder - Miro Radici VI 56-78
Vigevano shocked Trenkwalder on the road. Gabriele Ganeto (200-G/F-87) scored 18 points and pulled down 7 rebounds to lead the visitors. Mario Jose Ghersetti (200-F-81) netted 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Vigevano. Robert Hite (188-G-84, college: Miami (FL)) finished with 18 points for the Reggio Emilia team.

Fastweb CM - Snaidero UD 69-73
Snaidero Udine stole the road win over Fastweb Casale to surge ahead in the quarterfinal series. Demetric Bennett (193-G-85) scored 25 points to lead the effort. CC Harrison (194-G-76, agency: Court Side, college: N.Carolina St.) had 22 points in the victory. Jarrius Jackson (188-G-85, college: Texas Tech) notched 15 points for Fastweb Casale.

Banco Sard. - Carmatic PT 92-82
Banco Di Sardegna overcame Carmatic Pistoia in the opener. Jiri Hubalek (209-C-82, agency: Interperformances, college: Iowa St.) and Marcelus Kemp scored 24 points apiece to lead Banco Di Sardegna. Jason Rowe (178-G-78, college: Loyola (MD)) finished with 19 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in the winning case. Pistoia responded with 19 points from Marcos Casini (188-G-80).

Prima Veroli - Scafati Basket 94-90
Prima Veroli earned a tough win against Scafati Basket in the opening game of the quarterfinal series. Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86) knocked down 24 points and pulled down 8 rebounds for Prima Veroli. Dontaye Draper (180-G-84, college: Charleston) added 20 points for the winners. Roberto Chiacig (210-C-74) answered with game-high 28 points for Scafati Basket.


SerieA Round: 29 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Armani MI - Sigma Coat. 81-58
Jonas Maciulis (198-G/F-85, agency: Interperformances) scored 17 points and pulled down 5 boards to lead Armani Jeans past Montegranaro. Morris Finley (180-G-81, college: UAB) added 13 points for the winners. Greg Brunner (201-F-83, college: Iowa) responded with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the losing case.

Carife FE - Pepsi Caserta 58-73
Pepsi Caserta cruised past Carife Ferrara on the road. Timothy Bowers (188-G-82, college: Mississippi St.) knocked down 20 points to lead the visitors. Jumaine Jones (201-F-79, college: Georgia) delivered 14 points and 9 caroms as Juvecaserta earned the 17th win. Sharrod Ford (206-F-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Clemson) and Sven Schultze (208-C-78, agency: Court Side) knocked down 13 points each in the loss.

Cimberio VA - Vanoli CR 98-78
Randolph Childress (190-G-72, college: Wake Forest) fired 30 points as Cimberio Varese toppled Vanoli Cremona. Michel Morandais (197-G/F-79, college: Colorado) added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the win. Marko Milic (202-F-77) canned 17 points and pulled down 9 boards for Cremona.

Air AV - Angelico BI 77-74
Air Avellino narrowly defeated Angelico Biella at home court. Dee Brown (185-G-84, college: Illinois) notched 20 points to pace the home side. Szymon Szewczyk (209-C-82) produced 16 points and 12 rebounds in the win. Vanja Plisnic (207-F/C-80, agency: Beo Basket) netted 16 points for Biella in defeat.

Lottomatica - CS Bologna 78-59
Jacopo Giachetti (191-G-83) netted 19 points to lead Lottomatica past CS Bologna. Kennedy Winston (198-F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Alabama) delivered 14 points as Lottomatica climbed at 15-12 record. Riccardo Moraschini (195-G-91) and Aaron Jackson (193-G-86, college: Duquesne) had 9 points each in the loss.

Montepaschi - NGC Cantu 82-59
Montepaschi left no chance for NGC Cantu in Siena. Ksistof Lavrinovic (210-C-79) knocked down 15 points and collected 6 boards for the league leaders. David Hawkins (193-G-82, agency: Buck Andre, college: Temple) delivered 13 points in the victory. Vladimir Micov (203-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) and Manuchar Markoishvili (195-G-86) accounted for 14 points apiece for NGC Cantu.

Banca Tercas - Benetton TV 82-86
Benetton stole a road win over Banca Tercas to improve at 12-15 record. Davor Kus (192-G-78, agency: Interperformances) scored 18 points and issued 5 assists to pace Benetton. Jasmin Hukic (204-G/F-79, agency: Beo Basket) added 15 points for the winners. Goran Jurak (203-F/C-77) and Bobby Jones (201-F-84, college: Washington) responded with 17 points each for Banca Tercas.


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  JORDAN   


Zaid Abbas To ASU For 1 Month ! - by Omar Shafaamri

After Hard negotiations between Jordan NT Star Abbaas Zaid (203-F-83) and Applied Sciences University Club management , Finally both agreed the terms in a 1 Month Contract for Zaid abbaas to represent the Club in Asian Clubs championship (22-30 May) in Qatar .

Zaid abbaas had a great Season in Chinese Basketball League (CBA) with Shanghai Sharks leading his team to the League Semis before losing to CBA Champions Guagndong .

*****************************************************
  LUXEMBOURG   


Olaf Stolz is the new Head Coach at Sparta - by Daniel Poerschke
As the Luxemburgish cupwinner BBC Sparta Bertrange announced yesterday, that german basketball coach Olaf Stolz will be the new headcoach for the upcoming season and will replace Douglas Marty, who leaves the club at the end of this season. Stolz led BBC Sparta Bertrange already to one championship title in 2007. After that he moved back to Germany to coach Rhoendorf in the Pro B and this season Paderborn in the BBL. Stolz was released in Paderborn shortly before the end of this season, because the club did not manage to win enough games to stay in the BBL.

Diekirch League Round: 10 (Second Stage) - by Eurobasket News
Group 1-6 place
Contern - Etzella 83-75
Contern finished the second stage of the tournament with a home win over league leading Etzella. Brandon Gary (202-F-83, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: Hutchinson CC) scored 23 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and issued 3 assists to lead Contern. Ken Diederich (185-G-77) added 22 points for the winners. Tim Giver (184-G-80) responded with 19 points for Etzella.

T71 - Amicale 94-86
T71 prevailed against Amicale to improve at 21-7 record in the second position in the ladder. Martin Rajniak (204-F-78, college: CSU Bakersfield) delivered 27 points to lead the winners. Denell Stephens (192-G-86, agency: ZAG Advocates, college: Slippery Rock) contributed 21 points and 15 caroms for T71. Travis DePree (199-F/C-83, college: Albion) finished with 19 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.

Musel Pikes - Sparta 88-87
Fletcher Walters (201-F-86, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Amherst) fired 27 points and collected 10 rebounds to lead Musel Pikes to a narrow victory over Sparta. Guy Schmit (185-G-80) added 23 points and 8 rebounds for Musel Pikes. Phil Grant (202-G/F-79, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: Iona) replied with 19 points, while Larrie Smith (197-F-75, college: Tennessee Tech) tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists for Sparta in the losing effort.


Standings
Diekirch Standings
1-6 places
 1. Etzella 22-6 
 2. T71 21-7 
 3. Amicale 20-8 
 4. Sparta 17-11 
 5. Contern 15-13 
 6. Musel Pikes 12-16 
7-10 places
 1. Residence 12-12 
 2. Soleuvre 8-16 
 3. Racing 3-21 
 4. BBC Nitia 2-22 


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  MEXICO   


Cook's a double-double lands him Player of the Week award - by Eurobasket News
30-year old Letheal Cook (208-C/F-80) put on an amazing game in the last round for second-ranked Mineros de Cananea and receives a Latinbasket.com Player of the Week award for round 32.
He had a double-double of 42 points and 12 rebounds, while his team beat Mexicali (#9, 13-19) 91-82. Cananea maintains the 2nd position in Mexican league. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Cananea will need more victories to improve their 23-9 record. Cook just recently signed at Cananea, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Bowie State University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Cook is in league's top in points (8th best: 24.3ppg) and averages solid 63.0% FGP.

Second best performed player last round was Jeral Davis (216-C-84) of Tijuana Zonkeys. He is American center in his first season at Tijuana. In the last game Davis recorded impressive double-double of 35 points and 16 rebounds. Bad luck as Tijuana lost that game 78-91 to the higher-ranked Nogales (#7, 17-15). Tijuana is still in a red zone at 11th spot in the standings. 25 lost games is too many comparing to just seven victories Tijuana managed to get this year. Davis is one of the most experienced players at Tijuana and has a reputation of the team's most reliable player.

Third place about best performers goes to forward Ira Brown (193-F) of Coras de Tepic (#12). Brown scored 28 points and grabbed ten rebounds. Despite Brown's great performance Tepic lost 86-101 to the higher-ranked Culiacan (#1, 24-8). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. Tepic can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have extremely bad season and 6-26 record places them at the very bottom of the standings. Too bad for Brown he does not play for a better team. But maybe if he did, his season stats would not be that high. Brown has individually a great season in Mexico. After 28 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 24.6ppg (5th best) and assists with 3.0apg (6th best). He also has 1.2bpg and FGP: 61.3%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Jeremy Bell (183-G-83) of Obregon - 38 points and 2 assists
5. Gene Shipley (206-C-79) of Mexicali - 29 points and 10 rebounds
6. Jerome Habel (208-F-85) of Guaymas - 28 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists
7. Mychal Henderson (198-G/F-85) of Tepic - 23 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists
8. Benny West (191-G-80) of Los Mochis - 20 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists
9. Joseph Shipp (197-F-81) of Obregon - 31 points and 7 rebounds
10. Emmanuel Little (196-F-85) of Hermosillo - 24 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists

Changes announced for the LNBP - by Carlos Chapa
After two days of work in the city of Xalapa, where the National Congress of the LNBP was held, some changes were announced.

The 2010 edition of the LNBP will feature three new teams: Mayas de Yucatan Merida, Tecos de la UAGuadalajara, and Estrellas Indebasquet, all of them returning after one year of absence.

Three other franchises will relocate to new cities, Cosmos de Tijuana will now be the Navegantes de Ensenada, Algodoneros de La Comarca - Torreon will play as the Ola Verde de Poza Rica, and Jaguares de Puerto Vallarta will replace Lobos de la UAC Saltillo.

The 2010-2011 season will start on September 2, on the brink of the 200th aniversary of the Mexican Independence, events regarding the celebration of the bicentenary will be announced progressively.

Best players of Mexican CIBACOPA round 31 - by Eurobasket News
American Letheal Cook (208-C/F-80) had an amazing evening in the last round for league's second-best Mineros de Cananea and that's him to receive a Latinbasket.com Player of the Week award for round 31.
The 30-year old had a double-double of 35 points and thirteen rebounds, while his team outclassed Mexicali (#9, 13-18) with 32-point margin 127-95. Cananea maintains the 2nd position in Mexican CIBACOPA. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Cananea will need more victories to improve their 22-9 record. Cook just recently signed at Cananea, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Letheal Cook averages this season 23.7ppg and 6.4rpg.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was -year old American forward Ira Brown (193-F) of Coras de Tepic. Brown impressed basketball fans with a double-double of 32 points and 10 rebounds. Bad luck as Tepic lost that game 78-90 to the higher-ranked Culiacan (#1, 23-8). Tepic are still at the very bottom. 25 lost games is too many comparing to just six victories Tepic managed to get this year. Brown is one of the most experienced players at Tepic and has a reputation of the team's most reliable player. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 24.5ppg (#6). His other stats are also decent: 7.9rpg and 3.0apg.

The third best performed player last round was American Jeral Davis (216-C-84) of Tijuana Zonkeys (#11). Davis scored 28 points and grabbed fourteen rebounds (!!!). Despite Davis' great performance Tijuana lost 84-94 to the higher-ranked Nogales (#7, 16-15). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. Tijuana can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have rather bad season and 7-24 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Too bad for Davis he does not play for a better team. But maybe if he did, his season stats would not be that high. Davis has individually a great season in Mexico. After 19 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 9.3rpg (5th best). He also has 3.8bpg and FGP: 69.3%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Benny West (191-G-80) of Los Mochis - 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Callistus Eziukwu (208-F/C-85) of Hermosillo - 26 points and 17 rebounds
6. Ronald Selleaze (197-F-76) of Mazatlan - 22 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Jovan Harris (191-G/F-81) of Mazatlan - 31 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
8. Derek Thomas (193-F-84) of Cananea - 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists
9. Mychal Henderson (198-G/F-85) of Tepic - 12 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists
10. Louis McCullough (198-G/F-82) of Guasave - 28 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists

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


East and West Semifinals: Third games - by Eurobasket News
East
Cleveland C. - Boston C. 124-95
LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) and the Cleveland Cavaliers only needed one quarter to elbow their way back into the lead of their Eastern Conference semifinal with the Boston Celtics. James scored 21 of his 38 points in the first quarter to help Cleveland beat Boston 124-95 on Friday night, handing the Celtics their worst home playoff loss ever and taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals. Showing no ill-effects of an elbow problem that was the talk of Cleveland during the long layoff, James finished with eight rebounds and seven assists. The 21 points in a quarter was a franchise postseason record. Antawn Jamison (6'9''-F-76, college: N.Carolina) had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland, while Shaquille O'Neal (7'2''-C-72, college: LSU) added 12 points and nine rebounds. Rajon Rondo (6'1''-G-86, college: Kentucky), who had 19 assists in Boston's Game 2 victory on Monday, had 18 points and eight assists. The Celtics missed 10 of their first 13 shots, hitting just 27 percent in the first quarter to spot Cleveland a 21-point lead. The Cavaliers shot 67 percent from the field in the first -- and 59 percent for the game -- and Boston was never able to recover. The Celtics' previous worst home playoff loss was 97-70 to Indiana on May 7, 2005, in Game 7 of the first round. Game 4 is Sunday, and the Celtics need a victory to split their home games and assure themselves of another. *Courtesy of www.cbssports.com

Orlando M. - Atlanta H. 105-75
Rashard Lewis (6'10''-F-79) scored 22 points and the backups helped Orlando pull away early with Howard on the bench as the Magic romped to another playoff blowout, moving to the brink of their second straight sweep with a 105-75 victory over the Hawks on Saturday. Howard had 21 points and 16 rebounds but was hardly dominating. No problem for the Magic, who have so many complements to Superman and allowed many of them to shine in Orlando's seventh straight postseason victory and 13th straight win overall. Lewis knocked down four 3-pointers. Jameer Nelson (6'0''-G-82, college: St.Joseph's) scored 14 points. Mickael Pietrus (6'6''-F-82, agency: Court Side) chipped in with 13, hitting three shots from outside the arc. Marcin Gortat, Howard's backup, grabbed six rebounds in less than 10 minutes. All 10 Orlando players who got on the court made it to the scoresheet… The Hawks shot only 35 percent (29 of 83), and their best player was the biggest culprit. Joe Johnson made only 3 of 15 attempts to finish with eight points. Jamal Crawford (6'5''-G-80, college: Michigan) led the Hawks with 22 points. *Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

West
LA Lakers - Utah Jazz 111-110
After winning the first two games by dominating inside, the Los Angeles Lakers went outside in Game 3 and took a 3-0 series lead on the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference playoffs. Kobe Bryant (6'6''-G-78) and Derek Fisher (6'1''-G-74, agency: Priority Sports, college: UALR) hit back-to-back 3-pointers during an 8-2 run in the final minute and the Lakers held on for a 111-110 victory over Utah Jazz on Saturday that put Los Angeles on the verge of a sweep. The Lakers outlasted the Jazz in a frenzied fourth quarter, which included 12 lead changes before Utah's final attempt bounced off the rim in the final second. 'It was fun basketball to watch, I'm sure,' said Bryant, who scored 35 to lead the Lakers. 'Guys just coming down making big shot after big shot, and big play after big play. It was certainly fun to be a part of.' From the Lakers' perspective, it was a blast. They never led by more than four, but stayed close enough to win it in the final minute and steal away Utah's first home game of the series. The Jazz had two chances to win it in the final 4 seconds, but Deron Williams (6'3''-G-84, college: Illinois) missed from the top of the key and Wesley Matthews' tip just before the buzzer also missed. Williams had 28 points and nine assists and Kyle Korver added a career playoff-high 23 points for the Jazz, making all five of his 3-point attempts. Fisher finished with 20 points and Pau Gasol added 14 points and 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which can close out the four-game sweep with a win Monday night in Game 4. *Courtesy of www.sportingnews.com

Phoenix Suns - San Antonio S. 110-96
The Phoenix Suns would be thrilled to finally beat the Spurs in the playoffs by any margin. But a sweep? That would be especially sweet. Phoenix is one win away from ending years of playoff misery against San Antonio, taking a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals with a 110-96 victory Friday night, putting the Spurs in a historically irreparable hole. 'I think it's safe to say that may have been the best fourth-quarter performance I have ever seen in a playoff game,' Suns forward Grant Hill (6'8''-F-72, college: Duke) said. He wasn't talking about the team. He was just talking about Goran Dragic (6'5''-G-86, agency: Interperformances). The backup point guard scored 23 of his 26 points in a brilliant fourth quarter, rendering Steve Nash unneeded until the final 3 minutes. Amare Stoudemire? He never even took off his warmups in the fourth quarter. Dragic hit nine of 11 shots in the fourth, including all four 3-point attempts. After his last one with 5.7 seconds left, the Suns impatiently waited for the final seconds to tick away before swarming Dragic. The Spurs shuffled away in a 3-0 deficit - which no team in NBA history has ever come back from. Stunned Spurs fans could still be overheard muttering 'Goran Dragic? Goran Dragic?' long after most of the AT&T Center emptied. It was about that time that Suns coach Alvin Gentry, having finished his postgame news conference, walked back across the court. Goran Dragic? 'He's my secret weapon,' Gentry said while breezing past the scorer's table, smiling wide. 'I don't know where he came from, either.' Dragic said he's been there all along. He was apparently disguised under the 7.9 points he averaged during the regular season, and his 5.6 scoring average in the playoffs entering Game 3. 'During halftime I was talking with Coach Gentry and he told me I have to be more aggressive and drive the lane,' said Dragic, playing in his first career postseason. 'When I came back on the court I just did what he told me.' The Spurs have put Phoenix through a decade of postseason misery, ousting the Suns from the playoffs four consecutive times since 2003. Another win finally ends all that. Leandro Manu Ginobili (6'6''-G-77, agency: Interperformances) led the Spurs with 27 points while welcoming Tony Parker (6'0''-G-80) back to the starting lineup, but it was a move that didn't work out as the Spurs planned. Game 4 is Sunday night in San Antonio. *Courtesy of www.foxsports.com


Celtics 97, Cavaliers 87: Rajon Rondo powers Boston past Cleveland in Game 4 - by Eurobasket News
Rajon Rondo (6'1''-G-86, college: Kentucky) carried the Celtics with a triple- double, finishing with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists to lead Boston to a 97-87 Game 4 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers to tie their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Kevin Garnett (6'10''-F-76, agency: Pro Management Agency) and Ray Allen (6'6''-G-75, college: Connecticut) each scored 18 points for the Celtics, who rebounded from the worst home playoff loss in franchise history in Game 3 to send the series back to Cleveland on Tuesday knotted at two games apiece.

Paul Pierce (6'7''-F-77, college: Kansas) had another subpar game, scoring just nine points, but Tony Allen (6'4''-G-82, college: Oklahoma St.) put in a 15-point effort off the bench to spark the victory.

LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) logged 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Cleveland, which was held without a field goal for the final 4:34 of the contest. Shaquille O'Neal (7'2''-C-72, college: LSU) and Antawn Jamison added 17 and 14 points, respectively, for the Cavs, who shot 29.4 percent over the final 12 minutes.

Boston held Cleveland scoreless for the first 4:45 of the fourth quarter, and Rondo sparked a 10-0 flurry with a layup and two nice passes to Glen Davis en route to an 84-72 advantage.

Mo Williams ended the Cavs' drought with a floater, and after a Rondo make, the Cavs scored 10 straight in a little over two minutes to make it a one- possession game, as Anderson Varejao capped the rally on a three-point play.

That bucket proved to be the last successful field goal attempt for Cleveland. A series of misses preceded Varejao's 1-for-2 effort at the free throw line for an 88-85 game with 2:43 remaining.

Rondo then dished to a streaking Pierce on the baseline for a slam, and, following a Williams turnover, put back a Garnett miss for a 92-85 lead with 1:34 to go.

James missed a jumper, and two Pierce free throws with 1:23 showing made it 94-85. Anthony Parker and James each missed from long range on Cleveland's next two possessions, and the Celtics held on from there.

Cleveland got out to a fast start for the second consecutive game, as a James turnaround jumper gave the visitors a 7-0 lead just over two minutes in.

This time around the Celtics had an answer, with Pierce finishing off a 9-0 run a little later for a 14-12 edge.

Rondo's stepback jumper in the final minute of the opening quarter pushed the Celtics' lead to 31-22, and an evenly played second quarter ended with the hosts holding a 54-45 advantage.

The lead reached 11, 58-47, early in the third, but buckets from Jamison and James started a 9-2 spurt the pulled the Cavs within 60-56 with just over eight minutes remaining in the third.

Three Delonte West free throws with 1:41 remaining in the frame gave Cleveland its only lead of the second half, 70-69.

Williams and Parker chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively, for Cleveland, which shot 4-of-21 from three-point range, slightly better than Boston's 1- for-14 showing from behind the arc...Boston outscored Cleveland in second- chance points, 13-0, and in fast-break points, 23-7...West shot 0-for-7 from the field in the loss...James had seven of Cleveland's 17 turnovers.

Courtesy of www.sbnation.com


Phoenix Suns complete sweep of San Antonio Spurs to reach West finals - by Eurobasket News
The Phoenix Suns swept away seven years of bad playoff memories brought by the San Antonio Spurs.

Steve Nash (6'3''-G-74, college: Santa Clara) scored 20 points and played with a right eye that was swollen shut as Phoenix swept San Antonio from the Western Conference semifinals with a 107-101 win Sunday night. Amare Stoudemire (6'10''-F-82) led the way with 29 points to help the Suns get past the Spurs in the playoffs for the first time in five tries.

'That was ugly,' Suns forward Channing Frye said walking off the court.

Kind of like Nash's black-and-blue, stitched-up eye.

But it didn't bother Nash, who scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help smother a rally by the Spurs. Nash was accidentally struck by one of Tim Duncan (6'10''-F-76, college: Wake Forest) 's elbows in the third quarter and briefly went to the locker room. He came back with an ice pack on his eye when he finally returned to the court.

It was reminiscent of the 2007 West semifinals, when Nash had his nose sliced open when he and Tony Parker (6'0''-G-80) collided head-to-head in Game 1. The gash in Nash's nose bled profusely, and the Suns went on to lose the series.

Not this time.

The Suns are keeping one of the more remarkable stories of the playoffs going. Three months after Phoenix was on the brink of trading Stoudemire and calling it a season, the Suns are returning to the West finals for the first time since 2006.

General manager Steve Kerr has said it would've taken an offer 'really good for us to break up the team,' and good thing it never came along.

Phoenix sealed its third trip to the West finals since 2005, and gets another crack at returning to the NBA finals for the first time since 1993.

The Suns will either play the Los Angeles Lakers or the Utah Jazz in the West finals. The Lakers lead that series 3-0, and no team in NBA playoff history has ever come back from that deficit to win.

Add these Spurs to that list.

Parker scored 22 points to lead the Spurs, who were swept out of the playoffs for the first time since 2001. George Hill (6'2''-G-86, college: IUPUI) had 17 points, and was fouled while hitting a 3-pointer with 26.5 seconds left that gave the Spurs a flicker of hope.

The Spurs trailed 103-101 after Hill sank the free throw to complete the four-point play. But Manu Ginobili (6'6''-G-77, agency: Interperformances) missed a 3-pointer the next time down, and San Antonio's season was over seconds later.

It was an abrupt ending for the Spurs, who will have a summer to chew on some uncomfortable questions facing the winningest franchise of the last 13 years.

Courtesy of www.azcentral.com


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  NCAA1   


Promise for Eldridge? - by Mike Allen
Word on the street is that Osiris Eldridge (6'3''-G-88, agency: N.E.T.) has already has a team ready to draft him on June 24. Sometime last week, a secret workout took place in Chicago, where Eldridge's agent and the team hoped they could avoid publicity. Word leaked and soon thereafter, I received feedback from two of the four teams with only 2nd round picks, that Eldridge's agent had refused workout invitations. This puts Eldridge no lower than 45.

Eldridge certainly is an NBA level athlete. I question only his shot and shot selection. Apparently, Eldridge had improved under the guidance of Tim 'the Target' Sullivan, who Coach Jim Boeheim of Syracuse calls, the greatest shooting coach in the country.'

I am speculating that the suitors are among Detroit (36) . Miami (41,42). or Memphis (28).

*****************************************************
  NCAA3   


Camontae Griffin Signs with Sports Management Worldwide - by Arnault Desira
From St Mary's (Md) athletics website; Courtesy of Sports Management Worldwide:

Camontae Griffin (5'9''-G-86), economics major, now has his sights on the next level. With his undergraduate eligibility exhausted, the All-Capital Athletic Conference and Division III standout contacted Sports Management Worldwide, a sports agency headquartered in Portland, Oregon, for representation.


Edgar Velez, an agent advisor from SMWW in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, answered the call and last Wednesday, April 7, he was on a plane to Baltimore to meet Griffin. On Thursday, Griffin officially became an SMWW client at a hotel lobby in Linthicum.


Griffin is a good get for SMWW. In the words of Velez, 'Tae is probably the best little man in basketball few people outside of the Mid-Atlantic region know about. He scored 51 points in a single game last year. He may be short in stature, but he has deep religious values and a huge heart.'


Griffin, a Baltimore native and a product of basketball powerhouse Dunbar High School, was part of the 2003 and 2004 Maryland state championship teams. He made his mark in his senior season with St. Mary's (Md.), averaging 21.6 points per game (ranked No. 17 in NCAA Division III). His career-high 51 points came at last year's Pride of Maryland NCAA Division III Men's Basketball State Tournament against Hood College.





*****************************************************
  NEW ZEALAND   


NBL Round: 10 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Otago - Wellington 80-94
Wellington cruised past Otago as Eric Devendorf (193-G-87, college: Syracuse)f unloaded 31 points. Nick Horvath (208-F/C-81, college: Duke) notched 24 points and 9 rebounds for the Saints. Tyler Amaya (199-F-82, college: W.Washington) dropped 31 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and issued 6 assist but could not prevent the Nuggets from losing the 10th straight game.

Southland S. - Wellington 69-81
Wellington recorded the fifth straight win as they shot down the Southland Sharks on the road. Eric Devendorf scored 23 points to lead the charge. Nick Horvath contributed 22 points and 9 rebounds for the visitors. Mike Helms (184-G-82, college: Oakland) responded with 25 points for the Sharks.

Harbour Heat - Waikato 71-78
Waikato remained on top of the ladder after they prevailed against Harbour on the road. Thomas Abercrombie (198-G/F-87, college: Washington St.) notched 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons. Tony Ronaldson (203-F-72) had 16 points and 7 rebounds in the winning effort. Benny Anthony (198-F-88) and Corey Webster (185-G-88, college: Lambuth) delivered 15 points apiece for the Heat.

Taranaki - Bay Hawks 76-99
The Bay Hawks romped past Taranaki on the road. Josh Pace (198-G-83, agency: Dynasty Sports, college: Syracuse) scored 24 points and dished out 5 assists to lead the visitors. Everard Bartlett (191-G-86), Christopher Daniel (197-G/F-85) and Jon Rogers (204-F/C-84, college: Valdosta St.) added 17 points apiece in the win. Aaron Nowell (195-G-81) answered with 21 points and 7 rebounds for the Mountain Airs. Demarshay Johnson (206-F/C-82, agency: Duran International, college: Nevada) had 17 points in the losing effort.

Manawatu - Nelson 86-106
Nelson cruised past Manawatu on the road. Phill Jones (196-G-74) accounted for 34 points in the victory. Michael Harrison (206-F/C-84, agency: Interperformances) delivered 29 points for the visiting side. Darryl Hudson (196-G-85, college: Howard) posted 27 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the Jets.

Bay Hawks - Nelson 80-54
Bay Hawks held off Nelson at home court as Josh Pace knocked down 18 points. Jon Rogers accounted for 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Phill Jones finished with 18 points in the third loss for the Giants.

Cougars - Waikato 83-88
Waikato posted a tough road win over Christchurch. Thomas Abercrombie delivered 31 points, 6 boards and 3 assists for the Pistons. Hayden Allen (187-G-79) knocked down 19 points for the defending champions. Dan Peck (196-G-88) responded with 23 points for the Cougars.


Back to business - by Rene Rougeau
Whats up everybody?? Just want to wish all the mothers out there a happy mothers' day!! Love you mom!!! A lot has gone on in the past 2 weeks since my last blog starting off with us renewing our rivalry with the Otago Nuggets where we were able to beat them and win the ILT Southland Shield.. The orange ruffies were well prepared for the Nuggets when they came to our place.. Orange outfits all over the place and plenty of great signs all throughout the crowd.. It was a great win for our team going into a bye week which was much needed in order to keep us on track for the playoffs.. During our off week we were able to catch up on a lot of coaching at the different schools all around Invercargill.. One school in particular, Thornbury elementary stuck out more than any other school seeing there were chicken hens out walking around after lunch time.. My teammate Mike Helms (184-G-82, college: Oakland) was not a fan of this at all and almost had a collision with of them if I didn't warn him of the hen coming from his blind side!! ha ha good times and some great memories thats for sure!! The bye week was a great look because we were able to rest up and get prepared for the second half of the season.. This past weekend we hosted the Wellington Saints and once again we had another amazing crowd but couldn't pull out the win in the end.. Eric Devendorf (193-G-87, college: Syracuse) and Nick Horvath (208-F/C-81, college: Duke) hurt us all night and much credit is given to their team defense as well.. We had a great first half but just wasn't able to keep it going and ended up going ice cold in the second half.. It was a frustrating night for myself especially seeing i shot 3 for 18 in the game and definitely lost my composure towards the end of the game, the saying is so true that 'every dog has its day!!'.. Mike and Gareth Dawson (C) played great for us and our latest addition Arthur Trousdell (203-F-81, college: Cameron) played good as well.. Only thing to do is to work out even harder and put myself in a better situation next time around.. Next up for us is the top team the Waikiato Pistons so we're really looking forward to getting after them and trying to get back on track.. Have a great week and talk to you soon!!

Standings Men
NBL Standings
 1. Waikato 10-1 
 2. Nelson 8-3 
 3. Wellington 8-3 
 4. Harbour Heat 8-4 
 5. Bay Hawks 7-5 
 6. Southland Sharks 5-6 
 7. Cougars 5-9 
 8. Taranaki 4-5 
 9. Manawatu 0-9 
 10. Otago 0-10 


*****************************************************
  PARAGUAY   


Another win for Cerro Porteno - by Gianni Pascucci
After winning last year the Second Division, Cerro Porteno Asuncion, well coached by Santiago Maciel , is making waves in Metropolitan League - Copa Comuneros Tournment. This team is yet unbeaten after six Rounds. In the last game, Cerro defeated Deportivo Sajonia, 81-72, thanks to 28 points from newly added Jose Fabio (198-F-77), from Argentina, and 20 from Hugo Paredes (198-F-84). Agustin Carnovale (195-G-86) scored 23 in Sajonia and Mario Olmedo (178-G-78) added 16, but it wasn't enough

Metropolitan League Standings
Metropolitan L. Standings
Top 5
 1. Olimpia 7-1 
 2. Libertad 6-2 
 3. Sol de Amer. 4-4 
 4. Felix Perez 3-5 
 5. D.San Jose 0-8 
Copa Estadio Comuneros
 1. Cerro Porteno 6-0 
 2. Univ.Catolica 4-2 
 3. Ciudad Nueva 3-3 
 4. Dep.Sajonia 3-3 
 5. Sportivo SL 1-5 
 6. Univ.Autonoma 1-5 


*****************************************************
  PHILIPPINES   


Latest games - by Eurobasket News
Air21 - Rain or Shine 102-106 OT
Jai Lewis (201-F-83, agency: Court Side, college: George Mason) knocked in a trey at the buzzer to force overtime then the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters roared on in the extra period to top the Air21 Express, 106-102, in the first game. The Elasto Painters rose from the ashes and once again hit the .500 mark as they sent the Express reeling to a franchise worst skid of seven straight defeats. 'We're really just lucky Jai hit that trey. We were playing not the way we should. Jai's big shot then our good start in overtime saved our day,' said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia. Sol Mercado and Lewis put in personal conference-high outputs, leading Rain or Shine to a fourth win in eight starts. Mercado pumped in 28 points, Lewis got 26 points while Jay-R Reyes (202-C-84) and Gabe Norwood (196-G/F-85, college: George Mason) combined for 34 points and 22 rebounds as Rain or Shine dealt the slumping Air21 team an eighth loss against a lone win. Air21 appeared headed for a win when Ronjay Buenafe canned in two foul shots giving the team a 90-87 lead with only 5.8 ticks left in regulation period. The Express, however, lapsed in defense the closing seconds when Reggie Larry (201-F-87, college: Boise St.) doubled at Mercado, leaving Lewis free from the left quartercourt. Getting the ball from Mercado, Lewis unleashed a set shot that swished through the net at the buzzer. Reyes, who came through with a double-double game with 19 points and 12 rebounds, started the overtime play with a three-pointer and the Elasto Painters held on to the lead to the finish. Though falling behind by eight, 90-98, the Express actually still managed to get back into the game at 102-103 on clutch shots by Buenafe. *Courtesy of www.philstar.com

Ginebra - Derby Ace L. 82-95
Derby Ace came through with its most productive game since its all-Filipino championship run as it turned back Barangay Ginebra, 95-82, to gain solo third place in the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night. James Yap (191-F/G-82), Clif Brown (200-F-84, agency: ZAG Advocates, college: Niagara), Nino Canaleta (196-F-82), Rafi Reavis (203-C-77, college: Coppin St.) and Don Carlos Allado (198-F-77) tossed in double-digit outputs as the Llamados dished out a solid showing on both ends of the court, beating the Kings for their fifth win in eight starts. 'We really did what's required defensively, and we made sure to see progress on our offense,' said Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio after their best-scoring game in the tournament thus far. Worst in the league in offense with an average of 82.14 before the game, the Llamados showed big improvement in this contest on a 42.6-percent clip. 'That's something we're really working on - scoring. It's a relief that my players are getting challenged and rising to the occasion,' said Gregorio. 'Our import getting into foul-trouble situation gave me some anxious moments in the game, but the locals were determined to play and see us through,' Gregorio added. 'It's nice to win games especially against quality teams like Ginebra.' The Kings couldn't keep up with the Llamados, suffering a fourth loss against the same number of wins. *Courtesy of www.philstar.com


*****************************************************
  POLAND   


PLK Round: 1 (Semi-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Anwil - Polpharma 86-75
Anwil held off Polpharma in the series opener. Andrzej Pluta (182-G-74, agency: Court Side) stepped up with 20 points for Anwil. Rashard Sullivan (203-F/C-84, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: S.Indiana) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds for the home side. Uros Mirkovic (205-F/C-82, agency: BeoExcell) knocked down 17 points and collected 7 rebounds for Polpharma. Tony Weeden (186-G-83, college: Chicago St.) had 15 points in the loss.

Assec.Prokom - Trefl Sopot 82-74
Asseco Prokom surged ahead in the semifinal series against Trefl Sopot. The defending champions won the opener in Gdynia. David Logan (184-G-82, college: Indianapolis) scored 19 points to lead the hosts. Daniel Ewing (191-G-83, college: Duke) contributed 16 points for the winners. Gintaras Kadziulis (193-G-80) responded with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Trefl Sopot.


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


Standings - Superleague A
A Superleague Stage Two Standings
Group A1
 1. CSKA 15-4 
 2. Khimky 15-4 
 3. Unics 12-7 
 4. Dynamo M. 9-10 
Group A2
 1. Lokomotiv K. 10-10 
 2. Triumph 8-12 
 3. Spartak SP 7-13 
 4. Krasnie Krilya 7-13 
 5. Enisey 5-15 
Stage One Standings


*****************************************************
  SLOVAKIA   


Stats Leaders - D1
Points Per Game
 Jeremy FEARS
  Prievidza
  (196-G-85)
  Avg: 21.8
 1. Fears, Prievidza21.8 
 2. Glavinic, Handlova20.5 
 3. Burrows, Komarno17.9 
 4. Bosak, Prievidza17.7 
 5. Polakovic, Svit17.2 
 6. Nicholson, Pezinok16.6 
 7. Crawford, Nitra16.3 
 8. Polakovic, Inter B.16.1 
 9. Laco, Svit15.7 
 10. Mroz, Nova Ves15.7 
Rebounds Per Game
 Pawel MROZ
  Nova Ves
  (215-C-84)
  Avg: 8.5
 1. Mroz, Nova Ves8.5 
 2. Burrows, Komarno8.1 
 3. Nicholson, Pezinok7.7 
 4. Szalay, Prievidza7.6 
 5. Skara, B.Bystrica7.2 
 6. Tomek, Nitra7.2 
 7. Micuda, Pezinok6.6 
 8. Cvitanovic, Svit6.4 
 9. Laco, Svit6.4 
 10. Batka, Nova Ves6.2 
Assists Per Game
 T.J. BANNISTER
  Komarno
  (180-G-)
  Avg: 8.6
 1. Bannister, Komarno8.6 
 2. Glavinic, Handlova6.8 
 3. Jefferson, Nova Ves5.7 
 4. Fears, Prievidza4.9 
 5. Scott, Nitra4.6 
 6. Crawford, Nitra4.0 
 7. Immink, B.Bystrica3.7 
 8. Grznar, Levice3.5 
 9. Milosevic, Pezinok3.4 
 10. Bosak, Prievidza3.1 
Steals Per Game
 Jan ZAVODNY
  Vahostav-Zilina
  (188-G-87)
  Avg: 2.7
 1. Zavodny, Vahost.2.7 
 2. Fears, Prievidza2.4 
 3. Scott, Nitra2.1 
 4. Crawford, Nitra2.0 
 5. Jackson, Pezinok2.0 
 6. Zilik, Inter B.1.9 
 7. Jefferson, Nova Ves1.9 
 8. Nuber, Handlova1.8 
 9. Glavinic, Handlova1.8 
 10. Mielczarek, Nova V.1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Jaraun BURROWS
  Komarno
  (203-F-85)
  Avg: 0.7
 1. Burrows, Komarno0.7 
 2. Polakovic, Svit0.7 
 3. Blagojevic, Komar.0.7 
 4. Gudelj, Komarno0.6 
 5. Bosak, Prievidza0.6 
 6. Fears, Prievidza0.6 
 7. Madaj, Komarno0.6 
 8. Cvitanovic, Svit0.6 
 9. Klar, Levice0.6 
 10. Glavinic, Handlova0.5 


Extraliga Finals, matchday two - by Tomas Kottra
The finals are evened at 1:1 after second match, when Nitra came to life after very bad away performance in match one. There were doubts if Nitra can handle powers of Pezinok at home, but they did and won with plus ten gap in comparison with game one - 85:58.
Away players opened the game with three pointer, but that was their last lead, they were struggling, could not find quality shot-position, not finishing their chances - 'The game was absolutely the same as first one, only the jerseys were switched. This time ours were light and opponent had those dark. We did it by quality defense work and were able to keep the lead for the whole game,' said Lubomir Urban , coach of BK SPU Nitra and he said everything important.
Pezinok players were not able to finish from three-point line as they were used to, 15 points of Nenad Milosevic (190-G-83) were just not enough. On the other hand - Dametri Hill (202-C-74, college: Florida) came to play with 22 pionts, Branislav Tomek (205-C-83) and Daniel Novak (201-F/G-78, agency: Interperformances) did 22 rebounds together and those were decisive! Nitra was able to rebound the ball in offensive zone 18 times. No, that is true! 18! 44:20 in the rebound statistics.
As coach of AB Cosmetics Pezinok said, 'Nitra did greatly both in defense and offense today. There's nothing to do, we have to prepare better for the third match!'

Extraliga Round: 2 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Nitra - Pezinok 86-58
Nitra easily won over Pezinok 86:58 in Game 2 to tie the Final series at 1-1. Dametri Hill (202-C-74, college: Florida) top-scored for the winners with 22 points and Crawford Clifford followed him with 19. Nicholson Yemi responded with 16 points in defeat, while Milosevic Nenad nailed 15.


*****************************************************
  SLOVENIA   


Sandi Cebular gets MVP of the Week award for Slovenian Telemach League (Second Stage) - by Eurobasket News
Former international guard Sandi Cebular (196-G-86) had an amazing evening in the last round for KK Sentjur and that's him to receive a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 12 (Second Stage).
The 24-year old guard had the game-high 18 points adding seven rebounds and two assists for Sentjur his team's victory, helping them to edge out Rudar (#6, 4-8) 72-71. Sentjur maintains the 5th position in Slovenian Telemach League. Sentjur is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. But it was their 6th lost game this season out of 12 games. In the team's last game Cebular had a remarkable three three-pointers out of 7 attempts. He turned to be Sentjur's top player in his first season with the team. Cebular has impressive league stats. He is league's best scorer averaging so far 21.0ppg. Cebular is in league's top in and averages solid 50.4% FGP.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was 27-year old forward Sasa Mucic (202-F-83) of Zasavje PRO-TEK Rudar. Mucic impressed basketball fans with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Bad luck as Rudar was edged by slightly higher-ranked Sentjur (#5, 6-6) 72-71. Rudar managed to keep the same 6th spot in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 4-8 record. Mucic is a newcomer at Rudar and it seems he did not have too much trouble to become team's real leader. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 16.6ppg (#4). He also registered 5.4 boards per game.

The third best performed player last round was Croatian Drazen Bubnic (207-F-86) of Zlatorog Lasko (#7). Bubnic scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Despite Bubnic's great performance Zlatorog lost 77-84 to slightly lower-ranked Geoplin Slovan (#8, 2-10). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. Zlatorog can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have rather bad season and 2-11 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Too bad for Bubnic he does not play for a better team. But maybe if he did, his season stats would not be that high. Bubnic has a very solid season. In 33 games in Slovenia he scored 14.4ppg. He also has 5.8rpg and FGP: 57.0%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Marcus Crenshaw (178-G-86) of Sentjur - 15 points, 2 rebounds and 6 assists
5. Aliaksei Laskevic (203-F-78) of Helios - 13 points and 14 rebounds
6. Goran Ikonic (196-G-80) of Krka - 20 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists
7. Miha Cmer (182-G-77) of Zlatorog - 16 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists
8. Milan Klepo (211-C-80) of Geoplin Slovan - 20 points and 5 rebounds
9. Zoran Dragic (196-G-89) of Geoplin Slovan - 20 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists
10. Alvin Snow (188-G-81) of Helios - 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists

Stats Leaders - 1A
Points Per Game
 Sandi CEBULAR
  Sentjur
  (196-G-86)
  Avg: 21
 1. Cebular, Sentjur21.0 
 2. King, Polzela20.6 
 3. Crenshaw, Sentjur16.8 
 4. Mucic, Rudar16.6 
 5. Cup, Elektra .16.2 
 6. Feeley, Elektra .16.0 
 7. Dragic, Geoplin .15.9 
 8. Ilievski, U.Olimpija15.9 
 9. Drzic, Luka Koper15.6 
 10. Snow, Helios15.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 Shawn KING
  Polzela
  (208-C-82)
  Avg: 11.3
 1. King, Polzela11.3 
 2. Feeley, Elektra .8.5 
 3. Thondique, Polzela8.1 
 4. Virijevic, Sencur C.6.9 
 5. Nuhanovic, Elektr.6.8 
 6. Miljkovic, Elektr.6.7 
 7. Djapa, Parklji6.6 
 8. Pavic, Krka6.5 
 9. Markic, Luka Koper6.2 
 10. Cup, Elektra .6.2 
Assists Per Game
 Tadej KOSTOMAJ
  Elektra Esotech
  (186-G-87)
  Avg: 5.4
 1. Kostomaj, Elektr.5.4 
 2. Crenshaw, Sentjur5.3 
 3. Anzulovic, Rudar4.0 
 4. Mocnik, Helios3.8 
 5. Ilievski, U.Olimpija3.8 
 6. Cmer, Zlatorog3.7 
 7. Nachbar, Luka Koper3.5 
 8. Venta, Polzela3.3 
 9. Jersin, Parklji3.2 
 10. Perko, Luka Koper3.1 
Steals Per Game
 Salih NUHANOVIC
  Elektra Esotech
  (210-C-82)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Nuhanovic, Elektr.1.8 
 2. Klobucar, U.Olimpija1.8 
 3. Dragic, Geoplin .1.8 
 4. Snow, Helios1.8 
 5. Ristic, Sencur CP1.7 
 6. Markic, Luka Koper1.6 
 7. Jovanovic, Sencur C.1.6 
 8. Cebular, Sentjur1.6 
 9. Mocnik, Helios1.6 
 10. Lapornik, Sentjur1.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Shawn KING
  Polzela
  (208-C-82)
  Avg: 2.4
 1. King, Polzela2.4 
 2. Nuhanovic, Elektr.1.4 
 3. Nikolic, Krka1.2 
 4. Cup, Elektra .0.8 
 5. Sebic, Polzela0.7 
 6. Sjekloca, Elektr.0.7 
 7. Djapa, Parklji0.7 
 8. Cigoja, Geoplin .0.7 
 9. Simovic, Sentjur0.7 
 10. Mucic, Rudar0.7 


*****************************************************
  SPAIN   


LED Gold: Melilla is the last semifinalist - by Eurobasket News
Melilla - Girona 87-61
Melilla blasted Girona in decisive Game 5 of the Playoff Quarterfinals and will meet Burgos at the next stage. Taylor Coppenrath (205-F-81, college: Vermont) stepped up for the hosts with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Oscar Gonzalez (183-G-77, agency: Interperformances, college: Pittsburg St.) and Rafael Huertas (189-G-84, agency: Court Side) added 14 points each in this victory. In Girona, Josep Ortega (201-C-84) collected 14 points and 8 boards.


ACB Round: 33 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Manresa - Cajasol 72-58
Manresa was too strong for Cajasol improving to 14-19 record. Sergiy Gladyr (196-G/F-89) was the leading player in victory scoring 22 points. Jordi Grimau (195-G-83) and Larry Lewis (201-F-69, college: Morehouse) followed him with 13 points each. On the other side, Cajasol (18-15) got 17 points and 10 rebounds from Dusko Savanovic (204-F/C-83, agency: Beo Basket).

Regal Barca - Bizkaia Bilbao 86-55
This game was played of April 29. Regal Barca celebrated 30th victory of the season getting 15 points from Gianluca Basile (192-G-75). Boniface Ndong (213-C-77) helped with 12 points and 6 boards. In Bilbao (15-18), Alex Mumbru (202-F-79) netted 16 points.

Estudiantes - Meridiano A. 83-77
Estudiantes outsmarted Alicante and the last round will decide who will be number five in regular season. Pancho Jasen (199-G-78) stepped up for Estu with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Nik Caner-Medley (203-F-83, agency: Priority Sports, college: Maryland) collected 15 points and 5 boards. On the other side, Pape Sow (208-F-81, college: Cal.St. Fullerton) collected 23 points and 10 boards. Estu 18-15, Alicante 13-20.

DKV Joventut - Xacobeo BS 92-73
15-18 for DKV Joventut and 8-25 for Xacobeo BS after this game. The hosts had Pere Tomas (202-F-89) (6 rebs), Uros Tripkovic (197-G-86, agency: Beo Basket), Henk Norel (212-F/C-87) and Luka Bogdanovic (210-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) (5 rebs) with 13 points each. Visitors got 19 points and 8 boards from Reyshawn Terry (203-F-84, college: N.Carolina).

Gran Canaria - Valencia BC 78-63
Gran Canaria outplayed Valencia and secured a spot in the Playoffs. Marcus Norris (185-G-74, agency: SportsTalent, college: Ball St.) and Jim Moran (200-F/G-79, college: William & Mary) shined for the hosts with 17 points each. Jaycee Carroll (188-G-83, agency: Priority Sports) added one point less. For the guests, Marko Marinovic (183-G-83) netted 14 pts. Granca 17-16, Valencia 22-11.

Fuenlabrada - MMC Real M. 72-86
Real Madrid cruised past Fuenlabrada mostly owing to Sergio Llull (190-G-87), who drained 20 points. Felipe Reyes (203-F/C-80) secured a nice help adding 14 points and 7 boards. For the home side, Leonardo Mainoldi (204-F-85) delivered 19 pts. Real Madrid 26-7, Fuenlabrada 12-21.

Caja Laboral - Lagun Aro GBC 96-61
Caja Laboral blasted Lagun Aro GBC to keep the second place with 27-6 record. Pau Ribas (193-G-87) led the Vitoria team with 20 points. Marcelinho Huertas (191-G-83, agency: Edge Sports) added 17 points and 8 assists. In defeat, Andy Panko (204-F-77, college: Lebanon Valley) collected 16 points and 10 boards.

Granada - Unicaja 79-86
18th victory of the season for Unicaja, who got 18 points from Georgios Printezis (206-F-85, agency: FCM). Gary Neal (193-G-84, college: Towson) was the second scorer in this victory with 13 pts. In the loosing squad, Jimmie Hunter (196-G-77, college: Life) shined with 22 points. Unicaja 18-15, Granada 14-19.

Valladolid - CB Murcia 83-82
Thriller win for Valladolid, who got 24 points from Brian Chase (178-G-81, college: Virginia Tech). Isaac Lopez (196-F/G-78) also came of the bench in this game and was second scorer of the team with 15 pts (5 boards). For the last ranked Murcia, Milos Vujanic (192-G-80) delivered 27 points. Valladolid 13-20, Murcia 5-28.

Barcelona Crowned Euroleague Kings After Routing The Reds - by Paul Nilsen
The atmosphere was fantastic at the start of the 2010 Euroleague Final Four championship game between Regal FC Barcelona and Olympiacos. The Reds were hoping to shrug off fatigue after their thrilling overtime semi-final win against Partizan while Barca were looking to deliver only a second ever Euroleague Trophy as tournament favourites. Barca went with Rubio, Navarro, N'Dong, Lorbek and Mickeal while Olympiacos put their faith from tip-off in Penn, Teodosic, Childress, Kleiza and Schortsanitis. On tip-off the entire Palais Omnisport seemed to be rocking up and down with both sets of fans bouncing on their feet and it led to great anticipation of the main event.

The first action saw Teodosic draw an early foul on Navarro before Kleiza showed his class with a triple from the corner. Rubio responded with a nice jump shot and then Mickeal opened the perimeter account for Barca. Teodosic then finished and there was a nice flow to the game in the first couple of minutes with the teams tied at 5-5. Childress went up for a big dunk and looked to have been blocked but amidst jeers from the Catalans, the foul was called on N'Dong and the American made his second foul shot. N'Dong had an impressive semi-final and he finished sweetly inside off an assist from Navarro. Both teams then had a scrappy passage of play until Vazquez got the ball from Navarro off as pick and roll and handed off to Mickeal who flushed it down. After a strong inside play by Schortsanitis, 'La Bomba' buried a triple. At 12-8, Teodosic responded by Navaro was at it again with his trademark inside running floater over the top of the defence. Much of the talk before the game had been about the point guard clash and after Teodosic sunk a three, Rubio drained one immediately after to keep Barca ahead at 17-13 with the first quarter developing into a shootout. Vazquez then repeated another nice dish to Mickeal from almost the exact same spot as earlier and this time, he finished the play again and also completed the 'And-1 to take the lead out to 7! Vazquez was causing the Reds plenty of trouble with his interior game and he found himself on the line with just under three minutes to play and he stretched the advantage even further with two foul shots. Olympiacos turned to Papaloukas but on the next offence his pass to Kleiza ended up in the active Vazquez blocking him. Mickeal danced to the hoop to take the lead out into double-figures but a triple by Childress limited the damage. With Pascual taking off the impressive Rubio, Navarro, Mickeal and Vazquez it was down to the bench to carry on the good work and Sada cut to the hoop for a nice lay-up off the glass. With just over a minute to go Kleiza made a couple of free-throws but everything was coming tough offensively for Olympiacos. What Mickeal had done twice, Morris took over by collecting the ball on a strong baseline slash to the hoop from the corner and he threw it down just like his team-mate earlier. Papaloukas then finished off the scoring in a high tempo first period which Barca dominated 28-19.

At the beginning of the second, Barca controlled he boards and Basile buried a triple from the corner after great perimeter ball movement only for big man Bourousis to again show he has range by doing the same, this time from the wing. Vazquez was back in the game and he scored to move to four points to go with his spectacular 4 blocks. The Barca crowd were loving it with their team up by 11 points at 33-22 and looking slick offensively and imperious defensively. They were controlling the tempo also and things were getting tougher for the Reds but Bourousis managed to get one to drop after a post-move. Vazquez then took advantage of some slack defence by going straight to the hole and finishing with ease. Coach Giannakis turned to veteran Vujcic to try and stop the rampant Barca front-court and he scored quickly but it was defence that Olympiacos needed. Papaloukas then made one of the best plays of the weekend off a Vujcic steal with a stunning move on the break as he sent Navarro the wrong way and threw down a spectacular dunk. The army of Reds fans erupted and and at 35-28 with just over five minutes until the break they had renewed hope in their team - the two veterans doing the business for their team. After a TV timeout, the joy of the Greeks was short-lived as Navarro fired-up from long range to restore the double-digit lead. Bourousis then blocked Navarro on a three-point attempt which got the fans going in the Red end, as did another score from their hero Papaloukas. Lorbek then made a huge three-pointer with just over three to go with a hand right in his face from Vujcic. Things got worse for Olympiacos whose fans momentarily became quiet after a steal and score by Rubio which took Barca out to a 13 point lead, their biggest of the night at that point although a Bourousis tip-in reduced that gap quickly. Vazquez then let the Reds off the hook with two missed foul shots and the Greeks went with Teodosic and Papaloukas. With Schortsanitis back on the floor, Olympiacos looked inside but the big man missed both shots from the line after being fouled under the hoop. Navarro drained his third triple of the game to make it 46-32 and Papaloukas continued the fight at the other end with another textbook classy move to get himself a lay-up with a minute left. After a time-out Navarro made one of two foul shots before a miss by Bourousis who thanks to a Childress steal and assist, got a second chance and he slammed it down. This led to another time-out with 21 seconds to go until the teams left the court again, this time for the interval. Childress in particular needed to raise his game - easier said than done but to have any chance the NBA man needed to show up. He had the chance of a triple on the buzzer but didn't make it meaning Barca went into the second half 47-36 ahead. Not that you would have known it judging by the noise coming from the Greek fans who finally stopped to give themselves a deserved break too.

The second half started with Penn and Patrick back on the floor Olympiacos but it was Schortsanitis than came up with the good early inside and that was followed up by a lay-up from Childress after a rare Schortsanitis steal as the Reds cut the gap to seven inside 30 seconds. Schortsanitis then blocked N'Dong and it looked like a Reds comeback but he got blocked himself next time down. Barca went scoreless for three minutes until Mickeal made a turnaround jump shot to steady Barca nerves. Vazquez picked up a quick third foul and sat down and Kleiza made a nice move in the paint to again reduce the lead. However Navarro was enjoying himself from outside and he knocked down a triple from the wing but a fired-up Childress replied instantly from the opposite end with a three of his own. Both sets of fans were now in full flow vocally and raising the temperature inside the Palais Omnisport even further with just under five minutes of the second half having elapsed. Childress then made two big defensive plays with a block and steal before Papaloukas made a play to the hoop for a Bourousis tip-in. However Barca came storming back as N'Dong slammed home the dunk while being fouled and before he got the chance to finish the three-point play, it was time-out 54-47 Barca with 4m 25 s remaining of the third. When the play resumed, N'Dong converted his free-throw. Sada then made it a mountain for Olympiacos once more with a step back three to take the margin to 11 again - the same as at the half-time break. An effortless jump-shot by N'Dong then increased the lead again at 60-47 and Childress took a seat having done his best to fire up the Reds. Kleiza missed one and made one foul shot with three to go and the Reds needed stops desperately to keep in touch. They got one but couldn't convert and Navarro punished them with an outrageous one handed finish over the top of Beverley. Kleiza finished sweetly when getting the ball down low from Papaloukas with a minute left but it was a rare moment of joy for the top scorer of the Reds who was tightly shackled by the Barca defence. Morris wrapped up the production for both teams from the line to give Barca a 64-50 lead heading into the final quarter.

Rubio hammered the first nail into the Olympiacos coffin with a lay-up thanks to Morris stripping Kleiza, or at least that is how it felt with a 16 point deficit. Schortsanitis got the first points of the fourth period for the Reds from the line. After three minutes both teams were struggling offensively and not surprising with some big defensive plays and none more so than Morris who spectacularly blocked Schortsanitis. When Mickeal made it 68-52 Barca it was already looking like the Catalans had one hand on the trophy. Only a spectacular collapse would stop them at this point and it was highly unlikely with their quality rotation at the disposal of Coach Pascual and the Reds enduring a drought and maybe trying to force things offensively - - not surprising in their difficult predicament. When the excellent Morris drained a triple from the top it was effectively game over and entering blowout territory at 19 points. The only thing left to really wonder about was who would get MVP with Navarro and Mickeal leading the way. Kleiza made two from the line and tempers began to almost spill over on the court after Kleiza almost bumped Navarro into the courtside VIP seats. It also led to technical fouls on Mickeal and Teodosic which cancelled each other out. Childress added some respectability with a nice finish under pressure from Mickeal who fouled and with a free-throw to follow it was time-out with 4m 41s to go and Barca up 71-56. The NBA man made his bonus and with the game descending into an anti-climax due to the score, it was only a matte of time unless he Reds could produce something spectacular. Lorbek then got his second score of the game while Papalpoukas got himself to the hoop to move to 12 points in the game. Sada stroked home a couple of free-throws while Kleiza made only one in response. Childress picked up his fourth and Morris also made one foul shot with the Barca fans already celebrating and three minutes away from their second ever Euroleague title. As the game petered out, Kleiza fouled out after hard fouling Navarro again and then picking up a technical foul. As he converted free-throws the chants of MVP went up as the Barca fans heralded their favourite player. The icing on the cake came when Trias and Lakovic finally got some court time and the cherry on top was when Basile and Lorbek drained back to back triples near the end to help Barca reach the top of the podium in style and become the new Euroleague champion for 2010.



'La Bomba' Grabs Euroleague Final Four MVP Crown - by Paul Nilsen
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) was crowned the EuroLeague Final Four MVP of 2010 after inspiring his team to a second Euroleague title in their history. The only member of the team to have played back in 2003 finished with a game high 21 points including four triples and the fans idol winning the accolade made it a truly memorable occasion. However there were plenty of choices other than the Spanish International after a truly sensational team performance by Barca.

Standings - ACB
ACB Standings
 1. Regal Barca 30-3 
 2. Caja Laboral 27-6 
 3. MMC Real M. 26-7 
 4. Valencia BC 22-11 
 5. Unicaja 18-15 
 6. Cajasol 18-15 
 7. Estudiantes 18-15 
 8. Gran Canaria 17-16 
 9. Bizkaia Bilbao 15-18 
 10. DKV Joventut 15-18 
 11. Granada 14-19 
 12. Manresa 14-19 
 13. Valladolid 13-20 
 14. Meridiano A. 13-20 
 15. Lagun Aro GBC 12-21 
 16. Fuenlabrada 12-21 
 17. Xacobeo BS 8-25 
 18. CB Murcia 5-28 


Stats Leaders - LEB Gold
Points Per Game
 Darren PHILLIP
  CAI Zaragoza
  (201-F-78)
  Avg: 18.1
 1. Phillip, CAI Z.18.1 
 2. Donaldson, La La.17.6 
 3. Riera, Mallorca17.3 
 4. Guillen, La Laguna16.4 
 5. Morley, Burgos16.3 
 6. Humphrey, Leon15.5 
 7. Roe, Tenerife15.5 
 8. Hess, CB Tarragona14.8 
 9. Quinteros, CAI Z.14.8 
 10. Rabaseda, Cornella14.4 
Rebounds Per Game
 Jakim DONALDSON
  La Laguna
  (203-C/F-83)
  Avg: 10.9
 1. Donaldson, La La.10.9 
 2. Sinanovic, Clin.Rin.9.1 
 3. Starosta, Melilla8.7 
 4. Lima, Clin.Rincon8.3 
 5. Arteaga, Palencia8.2 
 6. Adrien, Breogan7.7 
 7. Coleman, Breogan7.7 
 8. Phillip, CAI Z.7.5 
 9. Padgett, La Palma7.4 
 10. Humphrey, Leon7.3 
Assists Per Game
 Diego CIORCIARI
  Vive Menorca
  (185-G-80)
  Avg: 4.7
 1. Ciorciari, Vive M.4.7 
 2. Cherry, Caceres4.4 
 3. Mendiburu, CB Tarra.4.4 
 4. Mena, La Palma4.1 
 5. Jimenez, Melilla3.6 
 6. Perez, Cornella3.4 
 7. Bernabe, Leon3.4 
 8. Hernandez, Burgos3.3 
 9. Sabat, Girona3.3 
 10. Urtasun, Leon3.0 
Steals Per Game
 Xavier RABASEDA
  Regal Barca
  (199-G/F-89)
  Avg: 2.4
 1. Rabaseda, Cornella2.4 
 2. Lescano, CAI Z.2.3 
 3. Blanch, Mallorca2.2 
 4. Fuentes, Clin.Rincon2.1 
 5. Ayon, Tenerife1.9 
 6. Quinteros, CAI Z.1.9 
 7. Boccia, Tenerife1.9 
 8. Howell, Ourense1.8 
 9. Perez, Cornella1.7 
 10. Xavier, Breogan1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Andrew NAYMICK
  Caceres
  (208-C-85)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Naymick, Caceres1.9 
 2. Donaldson, La La.1.6 
 3. Sinanovic, Clin.Rin.1.6 
 4. Elonu, CAI Zaragoza1.5 
 5. Diouf, CB Tarragona1.5 
 6. Ayon, Tenerife1.4 
 7. Joseph, Cornella1.2 
 8. Samb, Cornella1.2 
 9. Roe, Tenerife1.0 
 10. Coleman, Breogan0.9 


*****************************************************
  TURKEY   


TB2L Round: 5 (Top 4) - by Eurobasket News
Hacettepe Un. - Trabzonspor 55-76
Trabzonspor cruised past Hacettepe getting 15 points from Caner Oner (200-F-87). Hakan Yapar (203-C-84) also had very important role in this victory scoring 14 pts. In the loosing squad, Kemal Sems Tunceri (189-G-74) collected 14 pts.

Olin Genclik - Selcuk Univ. 53-67
Easy win for Selcuk, whose leading player was Cemal Bayraktar (184-G-82, agency: 1x1 Sports) with 16 points and 6 assists. Azizcan Ozdemir (201-F-88, agency: 1x1 Sports) collected 14 points and 11 boards in this victory. On the other side, Ozgun Onver (195-G/F-82) delivered 19 points in loss.


*****************************************************
  UKRAINE   


Superleague Round: 2 (Semi-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Budivelnyk - BC Kyiv 76-62
Budivelnyk are now just one win shy of the Superleague title series. Budivelnyk shot down BC Kyiv for the second straight victory in the semifinal series. Khalid El-Amin (178-G-79, agency: Beo Basket, college: Connecticut) knocked down 21 points to lead the charge. Michailis Anisimovas (214-C-84) added 14 points for the winning side. Viacheslav Kravtsov (212-C-87, agency: Interperformances) finished with 17 points for BC Kyiv.

Ferro-ZNTU - Azovmash 95-87
Ferro-ZNTU caught up with Azovmash in the semifinal series. They outgunned the Superleague defending champions in Game 2 of the series in Zaporozhye. Vincent Hunter (208-F-84, college: Arkansas) and Heorhi Kandrusevich (198-F-78, agency: Promotex) scored 18 points each coming off the bench to lead Ferro-ZNTU. Steve Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) added 16 points and 7 assists for the winners. Demetrius Alexander (204-F/C-75, agency: Buck Andre, college: Alabama) delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds for Azovmash. Hasan Rizvic (212-C-84) finished with 21 points in the loss.


*****************************************************
  VENEZUELA   


LPB 2010 - Week 12 (May 7th): Gaiteros and Trotamundos advance to the playoffs - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Toros de Aragua dimished the playoff options of Panteras de Miranda by defeating them as hosts in the first of a crucial two-game series in which Panteras was practically obligated to win both games, in their fight with Trotamundos de Carabobo to get the final of six playoff spots in LPB 2010 regular season.

Panteras de Miranda 94 - Toros de Aragua 93
Rafael Romero Bolivar Arena - Maracay, Aragua

Quarter by quarter
TOR: 32-20-19-22= 93
PAN: 22-28-22-22= 94

Scorers
TOR: Ernesto Mijares (190-G-76) 20 points and 6 assists, Jamahr Warren (194-G/F-79) 18 points and 8 rebounds, Randy Holcomb (204-F/C-79) 16 points, David Cedeno (190-G-83) 12 points, Jesus Urbina (201-F-84) 11 points, Ryan Forehan-Kelly (197-F/G-80) 9 points, Jhon Romero (199-F-85) 7 points, Peter Kvietek (203-C-77) 0 points, Rodrigo Rodriguez (198-F-80) 0 points, Elvis Montero (193-G-78) 0 points, Jesus Tovar (183-G-90) 0 points
PAN: Marcus Elliott (191-G-84) 25 points, Kimani Ffriend (211-C-77) 23 points and 8 rebounds, Michael Flores (192-G-85) 14 points, Eduardo Torres (195-F-81) 9 points and 6 rebounds, Elvis Burguillos (194-G/F-82) 9 points, Richard Mejias (187-G-78) 8 points, Roque Osorio (206-C-76) 4 points, Darwin Jaramillo (192-F-86) 2 points, Kojo Mensah (185-G-85) 0 points, Deivis Ananguren (192-F-85) 0 points, Julio Rausseo (200-F/C-77) 0 points

Gaiteros del Zulia 106 - Gigantes de Guayana 95
Belisario Aponte Arena - Maracaibo, Zulia

Quarter by quarter
GAI: 19-34-27-26= 106
GIG: 21-25-21-28= 95

Scorers
GAI: Johan Pinero (183-G-76) 21 points, Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 17 points and 7 assists, Ronnie Fields (193-G-77) 17 points and 7 rebounds, Jose Juan Bravo (200-C-80) 13 points, Francisco Centeno (201-G/F-85) 12 points, Enielsen Guevara (204-F/C-82) 12 points, Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) 7 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 7 points, Jason Edwin (197-G/F-81) 0 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, Gilberto Padilla 0 points
GIG: Clarence Matthews (201-F-83) 35 points and 6 rebounds, Jorge Diaz (195-F-77) 14 points and 5 steals, Lenin Lopez (198-F-91) 14 points, Ruben Contreras (196-F-87) 14 points, Omar Quintero (183-G-81) 11 points and 8 assists, Albert Arias (89) 4 points and 7 rebounds, Julio Miglionico (202-F/C-91) 3 points, Victor David Diaz (195-F-68) 0 points, Douglas Rodriguez (185-G-79) 0 points, Antonio Sucre (193-F-83) 0 points, Elvis Baez (189-G-89) 0 points, Nestor Moran (178-G-87) 0 points

Trotamundos de Carabobo 110 - Bucaneros de La Guaira 90
Rafael Romero Bolivar Arena - Maracay, Aragua

Quarter by quarter
BUC: 30-18-21-21= 90
TRO: 22-21-36-31= 110

Scorers
BUC: Alejandro Barrios (205-C-79) 18 points, Kevin Young (206-C-84) 18 points and 6 rebounds, Aaron Nixon (188-G-83) 16 points, Rafael Guevara (194-F-79) 13 points and 6 assists, Hernan Salcedo (198-F-80) 13 points, Elder Jimenez (186-G-91) 5 points, Samuel Marseille (193-G-91) 2 points, Oswaldo Gonzalez (203-F/C-79) 2 points, Leonardo Betancourt (C-92) 2 points, Yonaiker Ecker (179-G-90) 1 point, Jose Yovera (194-G/F-75) 0 points
TRO: Jose Vargas (196-G/F-82) 21 points, Danny Brown (193-G-84) 20 points, Richard Lugo (209-C-73) 19 points and 12 rebounds, Julius Hodge (201-G-83) 18 points and 9 assists, Miguel Marriaga (208-C-84) 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks, Manuel Berroteran (185-G-80) 9 points and 7 assists, Yorvis Umbria (203-F-85) 4 points, Pedro Brito (204-F/C-82) 2 points, Fernando Funes (193-G-83) 0 points, Leinert Zerpa (182-G-82) 0 points, Javinger Vargas (206-C-90) 0 points, Jorge Parra (206-C-84) 0 points

Guaiqueries de Margarita 87 - Marinos de Anzoategui 77
Luis Ramos Arena - Puerto La Cruz, Anzoategui

Quarter by quarter
MAR: 24-18-18-17= 77
GUAI: 13-26-27-21= 87

Scorers
MAR: Hector Romero (202-F-80) 27 points and 9 rebounds, Edgar Lugo (189-G-82) 16 points, Ron Howard (196-G/F-82) 10 points and 6 steals, Jaime Lloreda (201-F/C-80) 10 points, Gregory Vargas (182-G-86) 6 points and 5 assists, Adan Reyes (183-G-83) 4 points and 5 assists, Luis Julio (199-F-80) 2 points, Leonardo Cappare (186-G-80) 2 points, Juan Fontena (196-F-87) 0 points, Dennison Rodriguez (202-F-89) 0 points, Jorge Prada 0 points, Jean Pierre Ortega 0 points
GUAI: Carlos Cedeno (193-G/F-85) 21 points and 6 assists, Francisco Sanabria (190-G-77) 15 points, Kelvin Pena (193-G-81) 13 points, Christopher Jackson (208-C-81) 11 points and 13 rebounds, Cesar Silva (187-G/F-81) 10 points, Tulio Cobos (196-F-86) 9 points, Evan Brock (204-F-84) 8 points and 8 rebounds, Jackson Zapata (198-F-85) 0 points, Rene Farias (188-G-86) 0 points, Edgar Arteaga (198-F-76) 0 points, Derwin Ramirez (191-F-82) 0 points, Douglas Chiquito (193-G-86) 0 points

LPB 2010 - Week 12 (May 6th): Toros diminished playoff options for Panteras - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Toros de Aragua dimished the playoff options of Panteras de Miranda by defeating them as hosts in the first of a crucial two-game series in which Panteras was practically obligated to win both games, in their fight with Trotamundos de Carabobo to get the final of six playoff spots in LPB 2010 regular season.

Toros de Aragua 102 - Panteras de Miranda 98 (OT)
Rafael Romero Bolivar Arena - Maracay, Aragua

Quarter by quarter
TOR: 15-26-26-15-20= 102
PAN: 18-21-23-20-16= 98

Scorers
TOR: Ryan Forehan-Kelly (197-F/G-80) 24 points, Jamahr Warren (194-G/F-79) 22 points and 6 rebounds, Randy Holcomb (204-F/C-79) 19 points, Jhon Romero (199-F-85) 8 points and 9 rebounds, Ernesto Mijares (190-G-76) 8 points, David Cedeno (190-G-83) 8 points, Peter Kvietek (203-C-77) 8 points, Jesus Urbina (201-F-84) 3 points, Rodrigo Rodriguez (198-F-80) 2 points, Elvis Montero (193-G-78) 0 points, Roberto Basanta (192-F-82) 0 points, Jesus Tovar (183-G-90) 0 points
PAN: Kimani Ffriend (211-C-77) 21 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals, Marcus Elliott (191-G-84) 18 points, Michael Flores (192-G-85) 14 points and 8 rebounds, Richard Mejias (187-G-78) 14 points, Darwin Jaramillo (192-F-86) 11 points, Roque Osorio (206-C-76) 7 points and 6 rebounds, Elvis Burguillos (194-G/F-82) 6 points, Eduardo Torres (195-F-81) 5 points, Edgar Sifontes (185-F-85) 2 points, Deivis Ananguren (192-F-85) 0 points, Julio Rausseo (200-F/C-77) 0 points, Rosmel Blanco (205-C-76) 0 points


LPB 2010 - Week 12 (May 5th): Guaros to the playoffs, Trotamundos get closer - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Guaros de Lara got their ticket to the LPB 2010 playoffs, while Trotamundos de Carabobo took a big step towards the same goal by completing a sweep over Gaiteros del Zulia. Marinos de Anzoategui and Guaiqueries de Margarita split their series and Cocodrilos de Caracas ended their regular season with another sweep, this time over Bucaneros de La Guaira.

Marinos de Anzoategui 98 - Guaiqueries de Margarita 94
Ciudad de La Asuncion Arena - La Asuncion, Nueva Esparta

Quarter by quarter
GUAI: 25-24-16-29= 94
MAR: 25-25-23-25= 98

Scorers
GUAI: Carlos Cedeno (193-G/F-85) 29 points, Kelvin Pena (193-G-81) 16 points, Evan Brock (204-F-84) 14 points, Christopher Jackson (208-C-81) 12 points and 9 rebounds, Cesar Silva (187-G/F-81) 9 points, Francisco Sanabria (190-G-77) 7 points, Tulio Cobos (196-F-86) 6 points, Edgar Arteaga (198-F-76) 1 point, Douglas Chiquito (193-G-86) 0 points, Rene Farias (188-G-86) 0 points, Derwin Ramirez (191-F-82) 0 points, Jackson Zapata (198-F-85) 0 points
MAR: Donta Smith (201-G-83) 30 points and 7 rebounds, Axiers Sucre (198-F-78) 26 points and 12 rebounds, Ron Howard (196-G/F-82) 15 points, Diego Guevara (184-G-77) 11 points, Hector Romero (202-F-80) 10 points, Leonardo Cappare (186-G-80) 6 points, Jaime Lloreda (201-F/C-80) 0 points, Adan Reyes (183-G-83) 0 points, Edgar Lugo (189-G-82) 0 points, Luis Julio (199-F-80), Juan Fontena (196-F-87) 0 points, Jorge Prada 0 points

Guaros de Lara 114 - Gigantes de Guayana 87
Domo Bolivariano - Barquisimeto, Lara

Quarter by quarter
GUA: 27-24-39-24= 114
GIG: 31-19-19-18= 87

Scorers
GUA: Torraye Braggs (203-F/C-76) 29 points, Cheyne Gadson (192-G-80) 16 points, Romel Beck (203-G/F-82) 14 points, Heissler Guillent (186-G-86) 14 points, Sonys Reyes (181-G-86) 13 points, Pablo Machado (207-C-77) 8 points and 8 rebounds, Heberth Bayona (210-C-78) 7 points, Askia Jones (196-G-71) 6 points, Jose Martinez (196-F-82) 3 points, Carlos Morris (194-G-76) 2 points, Kervis Ramirez (190-G-78) 2 points, Leonardo Berroteran (192-F/G-81) 0 points
GIG: Clarence Matthews (201-F-83) 23 points and 6 rebounds, Omar Quintero (183-G-81) 17 points, Victor David Diaz (195-F-68) 9 points, Ruben Contreras (196-F-87) 9 points, Douglas Rodriguez (185-G-79) 5 points, Jorge Diaz (195-F-77) 4 points, Nestor Moran (178-G-87) 4 points, Albert Arias (89) 4 points and 6 rebounds, Elvis Baez (189-G-89) 4 points, Julio Miglionico (202-F/C-91) 4 points, Antonio Sucre (193-F-83) 4 points, Lenin Lopez (198-F-91) 0 points

Trotamundos de Carabobo 114 - Gaiteros del Zulia 86
Forum of Valencia - Valencia, Carabobo

Quarter by quarter
TRO: 23-33-22-36= 114
GAI: 17-19-23-27= 86

Scorers
TRO: Danny Brown (193-G-84) 29 points, Richard Lugo (209-C-73) 16 points and 12 rebounds, Julius Hodge (201-G-83) 16 points, Miguel Marriaga (208-C-84) 15 points and 9 rebounds, Jose Vargas (196-G/F-82) 13 points and 9 steals, Pedro Brito (204-F/C-82) 7 points, Alexander Morillo (G-92) 5 points, Fernando Funes (193-G-83) 4 points, Manuel Berroteran (185-G-80) 3 points and 7 assists, Javinger Vargas (206-C-90) 2 points, Yorvis Umbria (203-F-85) 2 points, Leinert Zerpa (182-G-82) 2 points
GAI: Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 22 points, Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) 12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals, Jose Juan Bravo (200-C-80) 12 points, Norman Nolan (202-F/C-76) 11 points and 7 rebounds, Jason Edwin (197-G/F-81) 8 points, Francisco Centeno (201-G/F-85) 8 points, Johan Pinero (183-G-76) 8 points, TomJim Colina (186-G-77) 3 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 2 points, Enielsen Guevara (204-F/C-82) 0 points

Cocodrilos de Caracas 116 - Bucaneros de La Guaira 80
Naciones Unidas Park - Caracas, D.C.

Quarter by quarter
COC: 33-22-28-33= 116
BUC: 19-19-24-18= 80

Scorers
COC: Henry Paez (184-G-70) 16 points, Luis Bethelmy (200-C-86) 15 points and 6 rebounds, Jesus Centeno (190-G-85) 15 points, Kenji Urdaneta (188-G-85) 13 points, Carl Elliott (193-G-83) 13 points, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81) 10 points and 8 rebounds, Windy Graterol (204-C-86) 10 points, Juan Herrera (197-F-81) 7 points, Abraham Ramos (206-C-88) 7 points, Keving Palacios (203-F/C-84) 4 points, Derson Santos (197-F-84) 3 points, Kevin Nino 2 points
BUC: Elder Jimenez (186-G-91) 23 points, Hernan Salcedo (198-F-80) 19 points, Dennis D'Adezzio (191-G-81) 13 points, Kevin Young (206-C-84) 9 points, Samuel Marseille (193-G-91) 6 points, Rafael Guevara (194-F-79) 2 points, Aaron Nixon (188-G-83) 2 points, Alejandro Barrios (205-C-79) 2 points, Noiver Pinero 2 points, Yonaiker Ecker (179-G-90) 2 points, Oswaldo Gonzalez (203-F/C-79) 0 points, Leonardo Betancourt (C-92) 0 points

LPB 2010 - Week 12 (May 8th): Trotamundos completes the pack, regular season ends - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Trotamundos de Carabobo completed the pack of teams qualified for the LPB 2010 playoffs as the regular season ended and they got a series split against Bucaneros de La Guaira as visitors. They left Panteras de Miranda out of the race. Meanwhile, Gaiteros del Zulia completed a sweep over Gigantes de Guayana to finish in fourth place. The playoff series in the QF round will be Cocodrilos-Trotamundos, Marinos-Guaros and Guaiqueries-Gaiteros.

Gaiteros del Zulia 80 - Gigantes de Guayana 73
Belisario Aponte Arena - Maracaibo, Zulia

Quarter by quarter
GAI: 12-28-22-18= 80
GIG: 23-16-11-23= 73

Scorers
GAI: Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 24 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists, Ronnie Fields (193-G-77) 13 points and 5 steals, Jose Juan Bravo (200-C-80) 12 points and 9 rebounds, Jason Edwin (197-G/F-81) 12 points and 6 rebounds, Johan Pinero (183-G-76) 9 points, Enielsen Guevara (204-F/C-82) 7 points, Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) 3 points, Francisco Centeno (201-G/F-85) 0 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 0 points, Gilberto Padilla 0 points
GIG: Clarence Matthews (201-F-83) 20 points and 7 rebounds, Ruben Contreras (196-F-87) 19 points, Nestor Moran (178-G-87) 11 points, Jorge Diaz (195-F-77) 8 points and 6 rebounds, Albert Arias (89) 6 points and 13 rebounds, Antonio Sucre (193-F-83) 4 points, Douglas Rodriguez (185-G-79) 3 points, Julio Miglionico (202-F/C-91) 2 points, Lenin Lopez (198-F-91) 0 points, Omar Quintero (183-G-81) 0 points, Victor David Diaz (195-F-68) 0 points, Elvis Baez (189-G-89) 0 points

Bucaneros de La Guaira 97 - Trotamundos de Carabobo 87
Rafael Romero Bolivar Arena - Maracay, Aragua

Quarter by quarter
BUC: 23-26-20-28= 97
TRO: 22-22-21-22= 87

Scorers
BUC: Kevin Young (206-C-84) 22 points and 10 rebounds, Aaron Nixon (188-G-83) 19 points, Alejandro Barrios (205-C-79) 18 points and 6 rebounds, Rafael Guevara (194-F-79) 18 points, Oswaldo Gonzalez (203-F/C-79) 9 points, Dennis D'Adezzio (191-G-81) 5 points, Hernan Salcedo (198-F-80) 4 points and 11 rebounds, Elder Jimenez (186-G-91) 2 points, Samuel Marseille (193-G-91) 0 points, Leonardo Betancourt (C-92) 0 points, Yonaiker Ecker (179-G-90) 0 point, Jose Yovera (194-G/F-75) 0 points
TRO: Jose Vargas (196-G/F-82) 28 points, Danny Brown (193-G-84) 16 points, Gordon James (198-F-79) 15 points, Miguel Marriaga (208-C-84) 11 points and 8 rebounds, Julius Hodge (201-G-83) 8 points, Manuel Berroteran (185-G-80) 6 points, Yorvis Umbria (203-F-85) 3 points, Richard Lugo (209-C-73) 0 points, Pedro Brito (204-F/C-82) 0 points, Leinert Zerpa (182-G-82) 0 points, Javinger Vargas (206-C-90) 0 points, Jorge Parra (206-C-84) 0 points

Marinos de Anzoategui 81 - Guaiqueries de Margarita 75
Luis Ramos Arena - Puerto La Cruz, Anzoategui

Quarter by quarter
MAR: 15-25-15-26= 81
GUAI: 16-16-24-19= 75

Scorers
MAR: Hector Romero (202-F-80) 26 points and 9 rebounds, Gregory Vargas (182-G-86) 14 points, Donta Smith (201-G-83) 12 points, Luis Julio (199-F-80) 10 points and 7 rebounds, Leonardo Cappare (186-G-80) 6 points, Edgar Lugo (189-G-82) 5 points, Hatila Passos (211-C-86) 5 points and 7 rebounds, Ron Howard (196-G/F-82) 3 points, Adan Reyes (183-G-83) 0 point, Juan Fontena (196-F-87) 0 points, Dennison Rodriguez (202-F-89) 0 points, Jorge Prada 0 points
GUAI: Tulio Cobos (196-F-86) 26 points and 10 rebounds, Edgar Arteaga (198-F-76) 18 points, Cesar Silva (187-G/F-81) 14 points and 6 rebounds, Derwin Ramirez (191-F-82) 9 points, Rene Farias (188-G-86) 5 points and 7 assists, Francisco Sanabria (190-G-77) 3 points, Rogers Washington (198-F-77) 0 points, Carlos Rodriguez (206-C-89) 0 points, Jorge Rondon (193-G/F-90) 0 points, Jackson Zapata (198-F-85) 0 points, Douglas Chiquito (193-G-86) 0 points

Standings - LPB
LPB Standings
1. Cocodrilos 29-7
2. Marinos 25-11
3. Guaiqueries 21-15
4. Gaiteros 20-16
5. Guaros 19-17
6. Trotamundos 18-18
7. Panteras 18-18
8. Toros 13-23
9. Bucaneros 10-26
10. Gigantes 7-29




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Women News

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  BELARUS - Women  


Minsk-2006 and Berezina sweep the Semifinal series - by Eurobasket News
Minsk-2006 and Berezina sweep the Semifinal series and will face each other in the Finals. Minsk-2006 overcame Sozh 75:56 and won the series 3-0. The favorites started with 24-19 in the opening quarter, while the hosts managed to produced 13-13 in the second period. The third stanza was decisive in the game as Minsk had 18-3 in it. In the last quarter Sozh produced 21-20 but was too far to catch up with the guests. Minsk rightfully won the game and swept the series.
In another Semifinal Berezina outscored Olimpia 90:73 to win the series also 3-0. Berezina won the opening quarter 23-14 and added massive 27-19 in the second period. The guests never looked behind after and led the winning account. In the third period Berezina added 14-12 for the bigger lead and did not mind about the rest of the game. Olimpia managed to win the last stanza 28-25, but they could not come closer to the winners. Berezina clinched the third straight win and heads to the Finals.
In the games for the 5-8 places Victoria smashed the series over Temp beating them 59:54 in Game 3. BRGU won over RGUOR 69:66 to take 2-1 in the series.


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  GERMANY - Women  


DBBL Round: 4 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Wasserburg - Saarlouis 56-63
Saarlouis stayed alive and forced the fifth game in the championship series. The Royals posted the second straight win to draw things level in the Finals. Petra Manakova (192-F/C-82, college: Oakland) scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the visitors. Tyresa Smith (183-F-85, agency: LBM Management) contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Dorothea Richter (176-G-83) produced 17 points for Wasserburg. Tamara Tatham (187-F-85, college: Massachusetts) had 11 points in defeat.


Stats Leaders - Women
Points Per Game
 Alissa PIERCE
  Rhein MB
  (182-G/F-86)
  Avg: 19.5
 1. Pierce, Rhein MB19.5 
 2. Guzman, Halle17.8 
 3. Bender, Halle17.0 
 4. Paunovic, Freiburg17.0 
 5. Hayes, Wasserburg16.3 
 6. Terzic, Herner16.2 
 7. Danckert, Donau.15.7 
 8. Greunke, Rhein MB15.2 
 9. Sanders, Leipzig14.6 
 10. Austmann, Oberh.14.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Sabrina SCOTT
  Wolfenbuettel
  (190-C-81)
  Avg: 12.2
 1. Scott, Wolfenbu.12.2 
 2. Mircheva, Donau.10.5 
 3. Tracey, Freiburg9.6 
 4. Triggs, Marburg8.9 
 5. Almind, Oberhausen8.5 
 6. Greunke, Rhein MB8.1 
 7. Sanders, Leipzig7.9 
 8. Thompson, Rhein MB7.8 
 9. Danckert, Donau.7.7 
 10. Wilson, Donau-Ries7.6 
Assists Per Game
 Romy BAR
  Saarlouis
  (189-F-87)
  Avg: 3.6
 1. Bar, Saarlouis3.6 
 2. Guzman, Halle3.0 
 3. Mersch, Oberhausen2.8 
 4. Pop, Wasserburg2.7 
 5. Davidson, Marburg2.7 
 6. O''Rourke, Herner2.7 
 7. Hightower, Herner2.6 
 8. Greunke, Rhein MB2.6 
 9. Sanders, Leipzig2.5 
 10. Flasarova, Leipzig2.4 
Steals Per Game
 Amy SANDERS
  Leipzig
  (180-G-83)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. Sanders, Leipzig3.5 
 2. Bar, Saarlouis3.0 
 3. Tracey, Freiburg2.9 
 4. Richter, Wasse.2.5 
 5. Austmann, Oberh.2.4 
 6. Hayes, Freiburg2.3 
 7. Guzman, Halle2.3 
 8. O''Rourke, Herner2.2 
 9. Hightower, Herner2.0 
 10. Bejtic, Halle1.9 
Blocks Per Game
 Romy BAR
  Saarlouis
  (189-F-87)
  Avg: 1.4
 1. Bar, Saarlouis1.4 
 2. Danckert, Donau.1.2 
 3. Tracey, Freiburg1.0 
 4. Triggs, Marburg1.0 
 5. Bingham, Saarlouis0.9 
 6. Damm, Halle0.9 
 7. Smith, Saarlouis0.9 
 8. Diaz, Leipzig0.9 
 9. Mohr, Opladen0.8 
 10. Glaser, Opladen0.8 


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  LUXEMBOURG - Women  


Standings - Women
Diekirch Standings
1-6 places
 1. Musel Pikes 27-1 
 2. Etzella 18-10 
 3. Basket Esch 18-10 
 4. T71 Dudelange 16-12 
 5. AB Contern 15-13 
 6. Residence 11-17 
7-10 places
 1. Racing 13-11 
 2. Amicale 7-16 
 3. Black Star 4-20 
 4. Grengewald 2-21 


Diekirch League is ready for semifinal stage - by Eurobasket News
Musel Pikes entered the semifinal stage with just one loss in 28 games played. The league leaders finished the second stage of the tournament with a 71:64 victory over Basket Esch. Musel Pikes had to erase a 9-point halftime deficit to sneak to the 27th win at the end. Irina Mazjoukhina (181-F-76) scored 20 points to lead the charge. Christine Fisher (183-F-83) added 18 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Breanne Watson (185-F-85, college: Washington) finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds for Basket Esch.
T71 Dudelange cruised past Residence 82:47 at home court. Kim Bruck (171-G/F-87) knocked down 24 points for the winning side. Anouk Wagener (158-G-89) delivered 18 points for the home team. Michele Orban (190-C-86) delivered 17 points and 7 caroms for Residence.
Etzella lost their final game of the second stage of the tournament but it did not prevent them from taking the second overall position. Etzella lost to Contern 81:88 away from home. Amanda Stowe (186-F/C-79, college: Wisc.-Green Bay) fired 30 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for Contern. Tania Correia (178-F-91) had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort. Katie Donovan (183-F-82) delivered 23 points for Etzella. Lynn Schreiner (165-G-91) notched 19 points in the loss.


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  PORTUGAL - Women  


Liga Feminina Round: 1 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
AD Vagos - Olivais 73-58
AD Vagos earned the lead in the Liga Feminina Finals. They crushed Olivais in the opener. Clarissa Santos (182-C-88) scored 25 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and issued 4 assists to lead the hosts. Joana Lopes (185-F-86) knocked down 14 points and pulled down 6 boards for AD Vagos. Danyel Crutcher (188-F-86, agency: Merit Sports, college: Illinois) tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds for Olivais. Jhasmin Player (178-G-87, college: Baylor) had 18 points and 7 steals in the loss.


Liga Feminina Round: 2 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
AD Vagos - Olivais 87-59
AD Vagos are now one win away from the title. They coasted to the second straight win over Olivais to take a comfortable 2-0 lead in the championship series. Izabela Andrade (182-F-86) scored 28 points to lead AD Vagos tonight. Clarissa Santos (182-C-88) added 24 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Danyel Crutcher (188-F-86, agency: Merit Sports, college: Illinois) and Jhasmin Player (178-G-87, college: Baylor) responded with 17 points each for Olivais Coimbra.