Eurobasket Daily News Report:

EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 5/20/2010

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Men News

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ARGENTINA

LigaA Finals: Atenas beats Penarol in Game 3 - by Eurobasket News
Atenas - Penarol 75-63
Atenas grabbed the first win in the Playoff Finals coming to 1-2 against Penarol. Diego Lo Grippo (198-F-78) top-scored in victory with 16 points. Federico Ferrini (194-G/F-83) had 15 points and 5 assists, while Juan Pablo Figueroa (184-G-86, agency: Interperformances) helped with 11 pts. In the loosing squad, Martin Leiva (208-F/C-80) collected 17 points and 12 rebounds. Game Four is scheduled for Thursday and Atenas will be the host once again.

Stats Leaders - LigaA

Points Per Game

David JACKSON
  La Union
  (196-G-82)
  Avg: 18.9

1. Jackson, La Union	18.9
2. Lamonte, Penarol	18.2
3. Lo Grippo, Atenas	17.7
4. Moodie, Boca Jrs	17.7
5. Funes, C.Entrer.	16.7
6. Nelson, Quilmes MP	16.4
7. Profit, Libertad S.	16.4
8. Cutley, C.Entrer.	16.2
9. Gonzalez, Quimsa	16.0
10. Marshall, C.Entrer.	15.7

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, Estudiantes	7.5
5. Leiva, Penarol	7.3
6. Assie, Quilmes MP	7.3
7. Wolkowyski, Libertad.	7.2
8. Gonzalez, Quimsa	7.1
9. McFarlan, Union S.	6.9
10. Mikulas, Boca Jrs	6.7

Assists Per Game

Fernando TITARELLI
  Quilmes MP
  (183-G-82)
  Avg: 6.3

1. Titarelli, Quilm.	6.3
2. Cequeira, Sionista	4.3
3. Victoriano, Lanus	4.1
4. Franco, Estudiantes	4.1
5. Martinez, Sionista	3.8
6. Labaque, Obras	3.6
7. Ginobili, Libertad S.	3.4
8. Williams, Olimpico.	3.1
9. Figueroa, Atenas	3.1
10. Aguirre, Boca Jrs	3.0

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 Jrs	1.6
4. Marshall, C.Entrer.	1.6
5. Funes, C.Entrer.	1.6
6. Franco, Estudiantes	1.6
7. Pelussi, Libertad S.	1.6
8. Figueroa, Atenas	1.4
9. Pau, La Union	1.4
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, Atenas	1.4
4. Alston, Boca Jrs	1.3
5. Bortz, Obras	1.2
6. Rollins, Gimnasia.	1.2
7. Williams, Union S.	1.1
8. Kammerichs, Regat.	1.1
9. Assie, Quilmes MP	1.0
10. Leiva, Penarol	0.8

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AUSTRIA

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Deteri MAYES
  Gmunden
  (189-G-74)
  Avg: 20.7

1. Mayes, Gmunden	20.7
2. Houston, Arkadia	20.2
3. Penigar, Furstenf.	19.7
4. Francois, Gussing	19.4
5. Parker, Oberwart	18.9
6. Roderick, Arkadia	18.5
7. Mahalbasic, Worth.	18.4
8. Paez, Oberwart	18.1
9. Nelson, Kapfenberg	16.6
10. Nagler, Klostern.	16.2

Rebounds Per Game

Jason JOHNSON
  Oberwart
  (202-F/C-77)
  Avg: 8.7

1. Johnson, Oberwart	8.7
2. Mahalbasic, Worth.	8.6
3. Houston, Arkadia	7.8
4. Conley, Wels	7.8
5. McCandies, Worth.	7.8
6. Penigar, Furstenf.	7.7
7. Forrestal, UBSC G.	7.6
8. Heard, Gussing	7.5
9. Moric, Klostern.	6.7
10. Oppland, Gmunden	6.7

Assists Per Game

Kelvin PARKER
  Oberwart
  (183-G-82)
  Avg: 6.4

1. Parker, Oberwart	6.4
2. Shavies, Furstenf.	5.9
3. Boylan, Gmunden	5.5
4. Danek, Arkadia	5.0
5. Schreiner, St.Po.	5.0
6. Lanegger, UBSC G.	4.8
7. Woschank, Kapfe.	4.4
8. Zeleznik, UBSC G.	4.1
9. O''Neal, Vienna	3.7
10. Richards, Gussing	3.6

Steals Per Game

Kevin PAYTON
  Vienna
  (196-G-86)
  Avg: 2

1. Payton, Vienna	2.0
2. Boylan, Gmunden	2.0
3. O''Neal, Vienna	1.9
4. Schreiner, St.Po.	1.9
5. Zeleznik, UBSC G.	1.8
6. Roderick, Arkadia	1.8
7. Shavies, Furstenf.	1.8
8. Richards, Gussing	1.7
9. Jandl, St.Polten	1.6
10. Moore, Wels	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Shelton COLWELL
  Furstenfeld
  (202-F-80)
  Avg: 1.4

1. Colwell, Furstenfeld	1.4
2. Heard, Gussing	1.1
3. Anderson, Vienna	1.0
4. Kohlmaier, St.Polten	0.7
5. Bralovic, Arkadia	0.7
6. Mahalbasic, Worth.	0.7
7. Levy, Oberwart	0.7
8. Roderick, Arkadia	0.6
9. Francois, Gussing	0.6
10. Ray, Furstenfeld	0.5

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BALTIC LEAGUE

Siauliai inks Darius Gvezdauskas - by Eurobasket News
BC Siauliai announced signing of 3-year deal with Darius Gvezdauskas (191-G-88). The player arrives to Siaulai from Nevezis Kedainiai, where he spent this season. Gvezdauskas appeared 16 times in Baltic league averaging 13.9 points and 3 rebounds. In LKL, he had 16 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 2.7 apg for 23 games.
Before Nevezis Kedainiai, Darius Gvezdauskas was a member of Marijampole Suduva-Arvi, LKKA-Atletas Kaunas and Aisciai-Atletas Kaunas. Recently he was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Lithuanian LKL Most Improved Player of the Year. His team finished with 6-18 record.

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BELGIUM

Playoff Quarterfinals: First games - by Eurobasket News
Oostende - M.Hainaut 67-58
Oostende outplayed Dexia Mons-Hainaut in Game 1 of the Playoff Quarterfinals. Bracey Wright (191-G-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Indiana) was the leading player in this victory with 24 points and 5 rebounds. Caleb Green

(203-F-85, college: ORU) secured a great help adding 13 points and 10 boards. Darrel Mitchell

(180-G-84, agency: Beo Basket, college: LSU) also scored 13 pts and handed out 5 assists beside that. On the other side, Ben Ebong

(202-F/C-76, college: Davidson) collected 15 points and 7 rebs. Justin Cage

(198-F-85, agency: Elfus-Siegel Management (ESM), college: Xavier) contributed with 12 pts and 8 boards. Second game is scheduled for Thursday.

Aalstar - Antwerp 82-84
Antwerp did a great job last night. They grabbed 82-84 road win against Aalstar making a big step forward to Playoff Semifinals. Roel Moors

(188-G-78, agency: Agency No 10) shined in victory with 22 points. Christophe Beghin

(207-F-80, agency: Court Side) netted two points less than him, while Trent Strickland (196-G-84, college: Wake Forest) had 16. For the home side, Brian Greene (204-F-81, college: Colorado St.) delivered 22. Jamar Wilson

(185-G-84, college: Albany) stopped on 17. Game Two is scheduled for Thursday.

Greene's a double-double lands him Player of the Week award - by Eurobasket
29-year old forward Brian Greene (204-F-81) put on an amazing game in the last round for Generali Okapi Aalstar and receives a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 36 at the end of Regular Season.
He had the game-high 8 points adding eleven rebounds and three assists for Aalstar in his team's victory, helping them to beat Verviers-Pep. (#7, 15-17) 73-62. Aalstar maintains the 4th position in Belgian league at the end of regular season. Greene turned to be Aalstar's top player in his first season with the team. Colorado State University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Greene is league's best scorer averaging so far 16.8ppg. Greene is in league's top in rebounds (9th best: 6.4rpg).

Second best performed player last round was Bryan Hopkins (183-G-83) of Antwerp Giants. He is American guard in his second season at Antwerp. In the last game Hopkins recorded impressive 27 points and 4 assists. Bad luck as Antwerp was edged by M.Hainaut (15-17) 78-77. Antwerp managed to keep the same 5th spot in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 15-17 record. Hopkins is well-known at Antwerp and he already established his position as the team's leader.

Third place about best performers goes to another Antwerp Giants' star - forward Brandon Gay (203-F-82, agency: Edge Sports). Gay scored 21 points. Despite Gay's great performance Antwerp lost 77-78 to M.Hainaut (15-17). But his team cannot count on just these two top stars as they also need help of the other teammates. Gay has a very solid season. In 32 games in Belgium he scored 10.3ppg. He also has 4.4rpg and FGP: 51.0%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Darnell Wilson (198-F-85) of VOO Verviers-Pepinster - 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists
5. DeMario Anderson (193-G-85) of Leuven - 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists
6. Brandon Freeman (191-G-83) of Verviers-Pep. - 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
7. Domien Loubry (186-G-85) of Gent - 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists
8. Travis Conlan (194-G-75) of M.Hainaut - 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
9. Bingo Merriex (204-F-80) of Aalstar - 13 points and 8 rebounds
10. Lionel Bosco (176-G-81) of Gent - 15 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists

Stats Leaders - Division I

Points Per Game

Brian GREENE
  Aalstar
  (204-F-81)
  Avg: 16.8

1. Greene, Aalstar	16.8
2. Black, Antwerp	16.2
3. Melson, Gent	16.0
4. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.	15.6
5. McNeal, M.Hainaut	15.3
6. Thomas, Liege	14.9
7. Green, Liege	14.3
8. Lojeski, Oostende	14.0
9. Freeman, Verviers.	14.0
10. Banks, Liege	13.9

Rebounds Per Game

Will THOMAS
  Liege
  (201-F-86)
  Avg: 9

1. Thomas, Liege	9.0
2. Ebong, M.Hainaut	8.6
3. Randle, Gent	8.3
4. Young, Leuven	7.8
5. Merriex, Aalstar	7.6
6. Brown, Antwerp	6.7
7. Pelle, Oostende	6.6
8. Hilliard, Verviers.	6.4
9. Greene, Aalstar	6.4
10. Tofi, Verviers-Pep.	5.8

Assists Per Game

Stanley BURRELL
  Verviers-Pep.
  (190-G-84)
  Avg: 4.6

1. Burrell, Verviers.	4.6
2. Gill, Oostende	4.5
3. Bosco, Gent	3.9
4. Johnson, Charleroi	3.8
5. Loubry, Gent	3.8
6. Green, Liege	3.8
7. Hamilton, Charleroi	3.0
8. Tabu, Charleroi	2.9
9. Black, Antwerp	2.7
10. Moors, Antwerp	2.7

Steals Per Game

Bryan HOPKINS
  Antwerp
  (183-G-83)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Hopkins, Antwerp	2.4
2. Stokes, Aalstar	2.3
3. Gill, Oostende	2.3
4. Black, Antwerp	2.0
5. Thomas, Liege	2.0
6. Bosco, Gent	1.9
7. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.	1.9
8. Pelle, Oostende	1.8
9. Greene, Aalstar	1.8
10. Anderson, Leuven	1.8

Blocks Per Game

Andre RIDDICK
  Charleroi
  (208-C-73)
  Avg: 1.2

1. Riddick, Charleroi	1.2
2. Wilkinson, Charleroi	1.0
3. Wilson, Verviers-Pep.	0.9
4. Pelle, Oostende	0.9
5. Young, Leuven	0.8
6. Randle, Gent	0.7
7. Brown, Antwerp	0.6
8. McNeal, M.Hainaut	0.6
9. Tofi, Verviers-Pep.	0.6
10. Enobakhare, Ooste.	0.6

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CANADA

Winnipeg Hosting 2010 Canada Basketball Male National Championchips - by John Gary
courtesy basketball ca. Basketball Manitoba is hosting the 2010 Canada Basketball Male National championchips this summer at the University of Manitoba. The 20 team event will run August 2-7 at the South Winnipeg Campus. Basketball Manitoba is calling on the provinces basketball community to come forward and volunteer their time and be a part of the biggest basketball event in Manitoba this year. Over 200 volunteers are needed for duties that include acting as minor officias,team hosts,floor crew,sales and admissions suupport,communications and transportation help.

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CBL

Standings

CBL Standings

1. Wilmington SD		4-1
2. Carolina C.		4-2
3. Savannah W.		2-2
4. Birmingham S.		1-3
5. Ga Gwizzlies		0-3

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CENTRAL AFRICA

Romain Sato is MVP in Italy - by Eurobasket News
The Regular Season in Italy is over, while the Serie A officials announced the winners of Season Individual Awards. Montepaschi Siena forward Romain Sato

(194-G/F-81, college: Xavier) won the 'Regular Season MVP' award for the 2009-10 season.
Romain Sato remained in the team since year 2006. He is the key player and plays well each season. Last season he played in Euroleague's 16 games and averaged 10.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.8spg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 43.9%, FT: 83.7%. In Italian League his stats read 12.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 63.2%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 77.8%
Season 2009-2010 Montepaschi Siena enjoyed another performance from the player from central Africa. In Euroleague's 16 games he improved to 13.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 85.5%.
One of his best games he produced recently over Pepsi Caserta. Montepaschi cruised past Pepsi Caserta as Romain Sato exploded with 30 points and 9 rebounds. Henry Domercant added 14 points for the league leaders. Fabio Di Bella accounted for 18 points for Juvecaserta.
On May 8th Montepaschi left no chance for NGC Cantu in Siena as Romain Sato nailed 6 points. Ksistof Lavrinovic knocked down 15 points and collected 6 boards for the league leaders. David Hawkins delivered 13 points in the victory. Vladimir Micov and Manuchar Markoishvili accounted for 14 points apiece for NGC Cantu.
In the last game of the Regular Season Montepaschi Siena earned the 26th win as they rolled past Bologna on the road. Terrell McIntyre delivered 17 points and 7 assists to lead the regular season champions. Romain Sato collected 7 points for the top team. David Hawkins contributed 15 points in the victory. Aaron Jackson notched 17 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds for Bologna.

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CHILE

LIBSUR format and news - by Gianni Pascucci
Thanks to Daniel Valencia, see here some updates for the Libsur league 2010. The first phase of the competition will be played in two groups, south and north, and then they will play playoffs. There some new teams for this season, the definitive line-up is as follows. In the next days, Latinbasket.com will publish the team rosters.

North Group
Club Deportes Carahue (CD Carahue)
Club Deportes Lautaro (CD Lautaro)
Club Deportivo Valdivia
Asociacion de Basquetbol Temuco (AB Temuco)
Club Deportivo Imperial
Club de Deportes Victoria (CD Victoria)
Club Deportes Las Animas (CD Las Animas)

South Group
Club Deportivo Espanol de Osorno (CD Espanol Osorno)
CD Universidad de Los Lagos
Club Osorno Basquetbol (CB Osorno)
Club Deportes Puerto Varas (CD Puerto Varas)
Club Deportes Castro (Deportes Castro)
Asociacion Basquetbol Ancud (AB Ancud)
Deportivo Aleman Puerto Varas

ANBP: the first Quadrangolar Tournment is ready to start - by Gianni Pascucci
On Monday 17, the officials of the four franchises that founded the first Chilean Pro league, named A.N.B.P. (Asociacin Nacional de Bsquetbol Profesional), attended the Official Draw of the inaugural tournment of the league, that will be named 'Cuadrangolar Top 4 - Copa Penaloen'. The competition is scheduled for Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, in Penalolen, near to Capital town Santiago. The teams involved will be CD Universidad Catolica de Santiago, CD Liceo Mixto de los Andes, Deportivo Espanol de Talca and CD Universidad de Concepcion The games will be played in Polideportivo Chimkowe Gym, a modern facility with a capacity of 2,000 people.

A new league is born - by Gianni Pascucci
Some weeks ago, four important Chilean teams traditionally competing in DIMAYOR decided to withdraw from that league, forming a new professional entity, named Asociacion Nacional de Basquetbol Profesional (ANBP). The main reason of their move was some continous organizing issues, totally bad run by the current DIMAYOR management. Their disappointment forced two founder teams of that league (CD Universidad de Concepcion and Deportivo Espanol de Talca) and two other DIMAYOR members (CD Universidad Catolica de Santiago and CD Liceo Mixto de los Andes) to build a new league, that will start operations the upcoming weekend, with the first of the projected quadrangolar tournments around the country.

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CROATIA

Stats Leaders - A1

Points Per Game

Toni BIZACA
  Trogir
  (202-F-82)
  Avg: 21

1. Bizaca, Trogir	21.0
2. Vragovic, Dubrava	20.7
3. Zoric, KK.	20.3
4. Gordon, Cibona	19.3
5. Peric, Zadar	19.0
6. Bogdanovic, Cibona	18.6
7. Spahija, Svjetlost	17.7
8. Filipovic, Sibenik	16.8
9. Stipcevic, Zadar	16.4
10. Drezga, Trogir	16.1

Rebounds Per Game

Jurica SPAHIJA
  Svjetlost
  (203-F/C-83)
  Avg: 10.2

1. Spahija, Svjetlost	10.2
2. Zoric, KK.	8.8
3. Ruzic, Zadar	8.5
4. Sakic, Dubrava	7.2
5. Krapic, Zabok	7.0
6. Vukicevic, Svjetlost	7.0
7. Krolo, Darda	7.0
8. Macura, KK Split	7.0
9. Peric, Zadar	6.8
10. Maric, Dubrava	6.5

Assists Per Game

Jamont GORDON
  Cibona
  (193-G/F-87)
  Avg: 4.5

1. Gordon, Cibona	4.5
2. Tomeljak, Zabok	4.1
3. Mulaomerovic, KK Za.	4.1
4. Bazdaric, Cedevita	3.9
5. Stipcevic, Zadar	3.7
6. Blajic, Trogir	3.7
7. Cosic, Svjetlost	3.7
8. Norac, Svjetlost	3.6
9. Camagajevac, Darda	3.6
10. Anderson, Cedevita	3.5

Steals Per Game

Vinko BOSNJAK
  Dubrava
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Bosnjak, Dubrava	2.4
2. Norac, Svjetlost	2.4
3. Stipcevic, Zadar	2.2
4. Sumic, KK Split	2.0
5. Katic, KK Split	1.9
6. Kruslin, Dubrovnik	1.8
7. Gordon, Cibona	1.7
8. Bizaca, Trogir	1.6
9. Car, Zadar	1.6
10. Tomeljak, Zabok	1.6

Blocks Per Game

Jere MACURA
  KK Split
  (205-F-80)
  Avg: 1.6

1. Macura, KK Split	1.6
2. Zoric, KK.	1.6
3. Vladovic, Sibenik	1.2
4. Sobin, KK Split	1.1
5. Gordon, Cibona	0.9
6. Petrovic, Cedevita	0.8
7. Andric, Cibona	0.7
8. Kamaldin, Darda	0.7
9. Bizaca, Trogir	0.7
10. Krolo, Darda	0.7

Game 1 (Semi-Finals) Zadar - Cedevita 83-63 - by Milord Nikolic
KK Zadar was too good today for Cedevita Zagreb. This game was expected to be close affair, but from first jumpball KK Zadar took control of game in their hands and never gaved opportunity to Cedevita Zagreb to challenge them. Hrvoje Peric

(203-F-85) was unstoppable with 32 points and 7 rebounds. Vladimir Boisa (209-F/C-81, agency: World Sport Agency) scored 15 points. Ricardo Marsh

(201-F-81, college: ODU) contributed with 13 points and 9 rebounds for guests.
After what we saw in first game, KK Zadar won't have much of problems dispatching Cedevita Zagreb from playoffs and they should easily move to final. <<>><<>>

Croatian A1 round 14 (Second Stage) best performance: Marino Bazdaric - by Eurobasket
Former international swingman Marino Bazdaric (197-G/F-78) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Cedevita Zagreb, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for last 14 round of Second Stage.
The 32-year old player was the main contributor (28 points, eight rebounds and three assists) to his team's victory, helping them to crush Svjetlost (#6, 4-10) with 17-point margin 100-83. Cedevita maintains the 3rd position in Croatian A1. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier in Second Stage. In the team's last game Bazdaric had a remarkable five three-pointers out of 10 attempts. He turned to be Cedevita's top player in his first season with the team. Marino Bazdaric has solid league stats. He is in league's top in assists (2nd best: 4.2apg) and averages impressive 58.3% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was young Matej Karlovic (200-F-89) of Svjetlost Slavonski Brod. Karlovic had a very good evening with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Bad luck as Svjetlost lost that game 83-100 to the higher-ranked Cedevita (#3, 11-3). Svjetlost managed to keep the same 6th spot in the standings. 10 lost games is too many comparing to just four victories Svjetlost managed to get this Second Stage. Karlovic is one of the most experienced players at Svjetlost and has a reputation of the team's most reliable player.

Third on the list of top players last round was former international forward Hrvoje Peric (203-F-85) of league's second-best KK Zadar. Peric scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He was a key player of Zadar, leading his team to a 87-71 easy win against the lower-ranked Trogir (#7, 2-12). Their 12-2 record is not that bad... Peric has a great season in Croatia. After 14 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 18.1ppg (6th best) and rebounds with 6.8rpg (9th best). He also has FGP: 60.6% and 3PT: 40.5%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Rok Stipcevic (188-G-86) of Zadar - 26 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists
5. Fran Pilepic (193-G-89) of Svjetlost - 26 points and 5 rebounds
6. Marko Tomas (201-G-85) of Cibona - 24 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Luka Zoric (211-C/F-84) of KK Zagreb CO - 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
8. Krunoslav Simon (197-G/F-85) of KK Zagreb CO - 22 points and 4 rebounds
9. Toni Bizaca (202-F-82) of Trogir - 20 points and 5 rebounds
10. Luksa Andric (210-C-85) of Cibona - 18 points and 8 rebounds

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CZECH REPUBLIC

NBL Round: 3 (Semi-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Novy Jicin - BK Prostejov 72-73
BK Prostejov rolled over Novy Jicin, with a Corey Muirhead

(198-F-83, college: W.Carolina) 's last minute turn-around jumper fell short at the buzzer, leaving the visitors with a 73:72 victory. Chan Ales nailed 20 points and Landry Kyle scored 16. Muirhead Corey delivered 24 points in the losing effort.

CEZ Nymburk - BK Pardubice 80-86
BK Pardubice remained alived in the Semi-Finals as they upset CEZ Nymburk 86:80 in Game 3.Maurice Hampton (188-G-84, college: Austin Peay St.) stepped up with 19 points for the winners, Wright Derek posted 17 and Bohacik Petr had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Bohacik Petr replied with 29 points in the losing effort.

Stats Leaders - NBL

Points Per Game

Myles MCKAY
  USK Praha
  (191-G-86)
  Avg: 22.7

1. McKay, USK P.	22.7
2. Thomas, Podebrady	17.0
3. Smith, BC Kolin	16.7
4. Hatcher, BK Decin	16.3
5. Stuchly, NH Ostrava	15.8
6. Meno, Basketbo.	15.4
7. Castleberry, Podeb.	15.1
8. Hampton, BK Pardu.	15.0
9. Stec, B&W Opava	14.3
10. Mulligan, BK Decin	14.2

Rebounds Per Game

Tremaine FORD
  USK Praha
  (207-F-86)
  Avg: 11

1. Ford, USK Praha	11.0
2. Castleberry, Podeb.	9.4
3. Meno, Basketbo.	9.0
4. Burke, NH Ostrava	8.1
5. Landry, BK Prost.	7.7
6. Chan, BK Prostejov	7.4
7. Houska, BK Decin	7.0
8. Payne, NH Ostrava	6.5
9. Arnold, BK Pardu.	6.4
10. Klimes, USK Praha	5.8

Assists Per Game

Brad JONES
  BC Kolin
  (186-G-85)
  Avg: 4.7

1. Jones, BC Kolin	4.7
2. Mitchell, NH Os.	4.5
3. Lawrence, BK Prost.	4.4
4. Sanders, Novy Jicin	4.4
5. Carnecky, B&W O.	4.3
6. Kotas, USK Praha	4.3
7. Hatcher, BK Decin	3.9
8. McKay, USK P.	3.8
9. Vrubl, Basketbo.	3.7
10. Wright, BK Pardu.	3.5

Steals Per Game

Eugene LAWRENCE
  BK Prostejov
  (184-G-86)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Lawrence, BK Prost.	2.4
2. Kotas, USK Praha	2.2
3. Mitchell, NH Os.	2.1
4. Wright, BK Pardu.	2.0
5. Meno, Basketbo.	1.9
6. McKay, USK P.	1.8
7. Sirina, B&W Opava	1.8
8. Mulligan, BK Decin	1.8
9. Muirhead, Novy Jicin	1.7
10. Hanavan, CEZ N.	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Ales CHAN
  BK Prostejov
  (214-C-80)
  Avg: 1.6

1. Chan, BK Prostejov	1.6
2. Ford, USK Praha	1.5
3. Walker, Novy Jicin	1.4
4. Meno, Basketbo.	1.3
5. Payne, NH Ostrava	1.2
6. Castleberry, Podeb.	1.1
7. Pelikan, Novy Jicin	1.0
8. Benda, CEZ Nymburk	1.0
9. Ricci, CEZ Nymburk	0.9
10. Steffel, Novy Jicin	0.9

*****************************************************

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Greer got Player of the Year award in France - by Eurobasket News
Ricardo Greer

(197-F/G-78, college: Pittsburgh) got Player of the Year award in France as he showed great performance abroad. The best player this year in French top league was definitely Dominican swingman from Nancy. He was the most versatile player in the league. He made top lists in rebounds (#3), assists (#4) and steals (#4). He played on both shooting guard and small forward positions. Greer received already Eurobasket.com All-French ProA Forward of the Year award, Eurobasket.com All-French ProA Import Player of the Year and was in Eurobasket.com French ProA All-Defensive Team.
Ricardo Greer remains in France since year 2007.This season he appeared also in EuroCup and in 6 games averaged 12.0ppg, 6.7rpg, 5.2apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 64.5%.
Greer recorded 27 points this season early in January. Ricardo Greer was totally the best player in this victory as he collected 27 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for Nancy over Dijon in a 95:74 win.
In the last game of the Regular Season Jeff Greer paced Nancy to this victory with 21 points and 5 assists over Poitiers 76:68, while Ricardo Greer added 19 points. Tommy Gunn collected 12 points and 6 boards in defeat
Ricardo Greer's Nancy finished the Regular Season on the fifth place with 19-11 record. They will meet Gravelines in the Quarterfinal series.

*****************************************************

ESTONIA

TU/Rock interested in signing Rain Veideman - by Eurobasket News
Rain Veideman (192-G-91) is in the sphere of interest of the KML champions TU/Rock. The 18-year-old guard had a remarkable season with Rakvere. He tallied 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Rain Veideman was named to All-Estonian League 2nd Team at the end of the season. Last year Veideman played for Kuremaa averaging 10.9 points, 4.4 boards and 1.9 assists. The guard also participated at the U18 European Championship in Sarajevo.

*****************************************************

FINLAND

KORISLIIGA: Vilpas Vikings inks now with players - by Rauno Hurmalainen
Vilpas Vikings (Salo) GM Keijo Poutiainen has been busy in these days. Poutiainen signed first a new Coach as Kimmo Vyyrylainen became Vilpas Head Coach. Then Roope Ahonen (186-G-90) (12,8 ppg - 2,4 apg) re-signed with Vikings and at the same time Vilpas captured Jukka Kataja (197-F-82) (4,5 ppg - 2,5 rpg) and Matti Nuutinen (200-F-90) (1,8 ppg - 1,1 rpg) away from Kouvot (Kouvola). Antto Nikkarinen (185-G-91) (5,7 ppg - 1,8 apg) instead stays at Kouvola the next three years and Juho-Matti Lehtoranta

(194-G/F-89) (6,0 ppg - 2,2 rpg) will continue the next two years on KTP (Kotka) roster.

*****************************************************

FRANCE

JA Vichy keeps Kareem Reid - by Eurobasket News
JA Vichy announced signing of 2-year contract extension with Kareem Reid (178-G-75, college: Arkansas). The new agreement will expire at the end of the season 2011/12.
Kareem Reid arrived to JA Vichy in October 2008. He played 30 games in ProA this season averaging 11.5 points, 7.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds. Reid finished it as No.1 in assists. He changed many teams in the past. Some of them are Bourg and Toulon.

Stats Leaders - ProA

Points Per Game

Derrick OBASOHAN
  Hyeres-Toulon
  (199-F-81)
  Avg: 19.8

1. Obasohan, Hyeres-T.	19.8
2. Roberson, Stras.	18.5
3. Spencer, Le Mans	18.4
4. Vassallo, Paris-.	17.8
5. Chatfield, Rouen	17.0
6. Banks, Orleans	16.5
7. Gray, Chalon	15.8
8. Greer, Nancy	15.8
9. Traore, AS.	15.6
10. Schilb, Chalon	15.6

Rebounds Per Game

Mouhamed SENE
  Hyeres-Toulon
  (213-C-86)
  Avg: 11.4

1. Sene, Hyeres-Toulon	11.4
2. Issa, Vichy	10.8
3. Nsonwu, Roanne	8.6
4. Greer, Nancy	8.5
5. Edwards, Grave.	7.8
6. Terrell, Hyeres-T.	7.6
7. Falker, Cholet	7.5
8. Gray, Chalon	7.3
9. Slaughter, Nancy	7.1
10. Jones, Le Havre	6.9

Assists Per Game

Kareem REID
  Vichy
  (178-G-75)
  Avg: 7.8

1. Reid, Vichy	7.8
2. Rogers, Rouen	6.8
3. Everett, Chalon	6.4
4. Greer, Nancy	6.1
5. Neitzel, Chalon	5.3
6. Pierce, Hyeres-T.	5.1
7. Sciarra, Orleans	5.1
8. Heurtel, Strasbourg	4.8
9. Woodside, Gravelines	4.8
10. Tchicamboud, Nancy	4.7

Steals Per Game

John LINEHAN
  Cholet
  (175-G-78)
  Avg: 2.8

1. Linehan, Cholet	2.8
2. Everett, Chalon	2.0
3. Flowers, Vichy	2.0
4. Issa, Vichy	1.9
5. Wright, Le Mans	1.9
6. Greer, Nancy	1.8
7. Mims, Roanne	1.8
8. Melody, Vichy	1.7
9. Rogers, Rouen	1.7
10. Hachad, Rouen	1.6

Blocks Per Game

Mouhamed SENE
  Hyeres-Toulon
  (213-C-86)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Sene, Hyeres-Toulon	2.4
2. Issa, Vichy	2.3
3. Akpomedah, Grave.	1.6
4. Badiane, Poitiers	1.6
5. Slaughter, Nancy	1.5
6. Akingbala, Nancy	1.3
7. Falker, Cholet	1.3
8. Simon, Strasbourg	1.2
9. Soliman, Rouen	1.1
10. Darden, Strasbourg	1.1

Stats Leaders - ProB

Points Per Game

Chris DAVIS
  Charleville
  (196-G/F-80)
  Avg: 18.2

1. Davis, Charleville	18.2
2. Siggers, Lille	18.1
3. Mohammed, Limoges	16.4
4. McKenzie, St Va.	16.2
5. Dunn, Maurienne	16.2
6. Gipson, Pau-Lacq.	16.1
7. Huertas, Fos Ouest	16.1
8. Carter, Nanterre	15.9
9. Ingram, Clermont	15.9
10. Taylor, Le Portel	15.7

Rebounds Per Game

Luc-Arthur VEBOBE
  Antibes
  (203-F-80)
  Avg: 10.6

1. Vebobe, Antibes	10.6
2. Giles, Nantes	9.6
3. Jennings, Boulazac	8.7
4. Bing, Clermont	8.6
5. McClark, Bourg	8.3
6. Lovedale, Quimper	8.1
7. Calasan, Charleville	8.0
8. McKenzie, St Va.	7.8
9. McHugh, Quimper	7.6
10. Badiane, Maurienne	7.4

Assists Per Game

Philippe DA SILVA
  Evreux
  (192-G-79)
  Avg: 8.3

1. Da Silva, Evreux	8.3
2. Downey, Nantes	7.4
3. Taylor, Le Portel	6.8
4. Kerckhof, Antibes	6.0
5. Mullins, Bourg	5.8
6. McIntosh, St Va.	5.7
7. Braswell, Limoges	5.7
8. Gipson, Pau-Lacq.	5.5
9. Cisse, Fos Ouest	5.3
10. Swift, Brest	4.8

Steals Per Game

Sami DRISS
  Bordeaux
  (196-G-82)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Driss, Bordeaux	2.9
2. Riley, Nanterre	2.7
3. Craven, Boulazac	2.5
4. Denave, St Vallier	2.2
5. Da Silva, Evreux	2.1
6. Mullins, Bourg	2.1
7. Siggers, Lille	2.0
8. Dunn, Maurienne	2.0
9. McKenzie, St Va.	1.8
10. Paelay, Charleville	1.8

Blocks Per Game

Tarvis WILLIAMS
  Bordeaux
  (205-F/C-78)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Williams, Bordeaux	1.8
2. Badiane, Maurienne	1.8
3. Ford, Limoges	1.7
4. Gay, Fos Ouest	1.7
5. Owona, Bordeaux	1.5
6. Taccoen, Lille	1.1
7. Gouez, Lille	1.0
8. Bauer, Pau-Lacq.	0.9
9. Badiane, Nanterre	0.9
10. Jennings, Boulazac	0.9

ProB Round: 1 (Quarter-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Pau-Lacq-Ort. - Evreux 66-67
Evreux shocked Pau-Lacq-Orthez in Game 1 celebrating 66-67 victory. Benoit Toffin (205-F-77) and Philippe Da Silva

(192-G-79) shined for the guests with 14 points each. Toffin had 7 rebounds beside that, while Da Silva handed out 7 assists. For the home side, Slaven Rimac

(195-G-74) delivered 13 points.

Maurienne - Bourg 84-73
Maurienne is 1-0 up against Bourg mostly owing to Simon Darnauzan (178-G-80), who scored 19 points and dished out 6 assists. Moses Sonko

(198-F-83, college: Co.Carolina) helped with 14 points and 7 boards, and Eric Joldersma

(197-F/G-77, college: Bethel (MN)) also had 14 pts in this game. Visitors got 16 points and 7 rebs from Gary Chathuant (196-F/G-83).

Limoges - Le Portel 74-69
Kevin Braswell (188-G-79, agency: Priority Sports, college: Georgetown) stepped up for Limoges last night with 17 points. Alhaji Mohammed

(192-G-81, agency: Edge Sports, college: Louisville) was the second scorer in victory with 12 pts. On the other side, Ronnie Taylor

(188-G-81, agency: Court Side, college: NC-Greensboro) shined with 19 points and 7 assists. Game Two is scheduled for May 21.

Lille - Nanterre 88-83
Lille celebrated against Nanterre in Game 1 of the Playoff Quarterfinals. Jason Siggers (187-G-85, college: Albany) shined for the hosts with 19 points. Adam Payton and Djordje Petrovic (202-F-84) (5 rebs) helped with 14 and 11 points respectively. In the loosing squad, Mykal Riley

(198-F-85, college: Alabama) replied with 20 points and 7 rebs.

*****************************************************

GEORGIA

Energy vs. TSU 2:1 GSAU won a bronze - by Akaki Bakradze
Energy vs. TSU 79:71

It was dramatic game. Due to the short bench, students are tired at the end of the match.
Rustavi won a very important game in Tbilisi and to retain the championship they need another win in Tbilisi

For Energy:
Babiashvili 25 pts.
Tujani 1pts.
Chochua 10 pts.
Boisa 10 pts.

For TSU:
Minashvili 27 pts.
Khetsuriani 14 pts.
Barbakadze D. 10 pts.
Kuchava 13 pts.

GSAU vs. MIA 75:72

After a hard game GSAU won a third place. Five players from GSAU scored more then 10 points.
Zviad Babiashvili�

� (199-F-78)

Energy: We are the champions! - by Akaki Bakradze
Energy vs. TSU 95:92

Students had a good chance to win. They led in score but missed advantages. They could win in overtime but are not able to keep advantages again and lost the game on the last
seconds. Rustavi won by remarkable game of Boisa. Energy fourth year in a row becomes a champion.

For Energy:
Babiashvili 16 pts. 13 rbs.
Tsekvava 17 pts.
Tugushi 12 pts.
Chochua 12 pts.
Boisa 22 pts.

For TSU:
Minashvili 14 pts.
Losaberidze 12pts.
Khetsuriani 17 pts. 5 ass.
Barbakadze D. 29 pts.
Anatoliy Boisa

(195-G-83, agency: World Sport Agency, college: Lincoln Memorial)

*****************************************************

GERMANY

Bundesliga Playoff results Wednesday May 19th: Skyliners Beat Berlin with Series Closing Game 4 win - by Michael Taylor
2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga Playoffs First Round

Wednesday May 19th

Deutsche Bank Skyliners 69 ALBA Berlin 58
(Frankfurt wins series 3-1)

Derrick Allen enjoyed an excellent 26pt 9reb performance in Deutsche Bank Skyliners series clinching game 4 69-58 home win over ALBA Berlin Wednesday night at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt. Along with Allen's top performance, Aubrey Reese added 12pt as the Skyliners closed out their first round upset over league power ALBA Berlin 3 games to 1.

Skyliners started the game with energy as Derrick Allen scored, Dragan Labovic followed with a basket and Allen got a dunk giving Frankfurt a 6-0 lead. ALBA Berlin head coach Luka Pavicevic called an early timeout. Out of the timeout, Rashad Wright got Berlin on the scoreboard with a 3. 2 Derrick Byers FT trimmed the gap to 1, 6-5 early on. But the Skyliners went on a run scoring 12 unanswered points as Dominik bahiense de Mello hit a 3, Aubrey Reese finished a 3pt play, Quantez Robertson got 2 dunks and Greg Jenkins sank 2FT pushing the Frankfurt lead to 18-5. Adam Chubb stopped the run with a basket at the 3:19 mark but 2 de Mello FT gave Frankfurt a 20-7 lead with 2:43 remaining in the 1Q. Julius Jenkins converted 1FT for ALBA before Greg Jenkins tipped in a basket for Frankfurt and the Skyliners led 22-8 at the 2min mark. But Berlin responded for a late 1Q run as Derrick Byers hit 1FT, Philip Zweiner got a basket and Adam Chubb sank 2FT cutting the gap to 22-13 at the end of 1Q.

In Q2, ALBA continued their comeback. Derrick Allen scored first for the Skyliners, but Berlin responded with back to back 3's by Steffen Hamann. After a shotblock by the hustling Hamann, Frankfurt used a timeout with just over 8min in the half. Berlin's Adam Chubb scored trimming the gap to 24-21 but Frankfurt rebuilt their lead to 29-21 as Derrick Allen scored five straight points. After several Berlin turnovers, a Dominik bahiense de Mello 3 extended the Skyliners lead to double digits 31-21 with 3:41 to play and ALBA Berlin took their second timeout. Out of the timeout, Berlin's Blagota Sekulic sank 1FT before Julius Jenkins added one of his own setting the score 31-23 with 3min in the first half. Blagota Sekulic scored again cutting the deficit to 31-25 with 1:44 to go. Sekulic scored again pulling Berlin to 31-27 and Frankfurt used a timeout with 34sec in the half. Skyliners came up empty on their final first half possession and the teams went to the halftime lockerrooms at Ballsporthalle in Frankfurt with the Skyliners leading 31-27. In the first half, Frankfurt shot 58% from the floor to take the lead. Although ALBA Berlin shot only 38% from the floor in the first half and suffered 10turnovers, the team overcame the early deficit and battled back into the game. The second half set up with tremendous intensity as Berlin focused for a big road win while Frankfurt aimed to finish the series.

Q3 opened with a Blagota Sekulic 3pt play for Berlin. Jimmy McKinney sank a 3 for the Skyliners giving the hosts a 34-30 lead. Dragan Labovic hit a 3 and added 1FT giving Frankfurt a 38-30 lead before a Derrick Allen score rebuilt the double digit margin 40-30. Allen scored again extending the advantage to 42-30 before Adam Chubb stopped the run with a basket for Berlin. Immanuel McElroy added 1FT for ALBA but Derrick Allen scored a basket and got a dunk on the following possession building the Skyliner lead to 46-33. Adam Chubb and Dragan Dojcin responded for Berlin with back to back baskets cutting the gap to 46-37. 1 Jimmy McKinney FT and a 3 from Derrick Allen rebuilt the advantage to 50-37. Steffen Hamann scored for Berlin but Quantez Roberston sank a 3 for the Skyliners and frankfurt led 53-39. Finally, Derrick Byers scored and the 3Q closed with Frankfurt up 53-41.

Frankfurt's Greg Jenkins opened the 4Q scoring with a dunk before Rashad Wright countered with 2FT for Berlin. Dominik bahiense de Mello got a bucket and Frankfurt led 57-43 at the 7min mark. A Philipp Zweiner 3 and Julius Jenkins basket sparked life into ALBA bringing them to 57-48 forcing a Frankfurt timeout at the 5:40mark. Out of the timeout Derrick Allen scored and Aubrey Reese finished a 3pt play pushing the Skyliners ahead 62-48. Julius Jenkins hit a big 3 for Berlin before Aubrey Reese made 4 straight FT over the next Skyliner possessions. Berlin countered with 2 Philip Zweiner FT bringing them to 66-53 with 2:16 to play. Reese pushed the Frankfurt lead to 68-53 before Adam Chubb scored for Berlin at the 1min mark making is 68-55. Reese added 1FT in the games final minute and with the game clock ticking down ALBA's Immanuel McElroy hit a 3 for the 69-58 final.

In the win, Frankfurt shot 43% from the floor making 5 of 18 threes (27%) and 14 of 20FT (70%) while Berlin converted 40% of their shots and 6 of 16 threes (37%) along with 14 of 19FT (73%). ALBA outrebounded Frankfurt 32-29 but suffered 18 turnovers to the Skyliners 9. Adam Chubb was the lone double digit scorer for ALBA in the season ending loss. After their outstanding run to the finals of the EuroCup and a strong season in the Bundesliga which saw them tie for the best record with Oldenburg but take the second seed on point differential, ALBA Berlin closes another successful basketball year while Deutsche Bank Skyliners aim to continue their post season hot play in the next round. Deutsche Bank Skyliners await the winner of the Gottingen-Bremerhaven series for the Bundesliga Semi-final round.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners Cage The Albatros And Send Alba Berlin Home For An Early Summer Vacation 69-58 Winning The Playoff Series 3-1 - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
The Deutsche Bank Skyliners didnt use a broom for the sweep, but needed a hoover as strong as a Shaq dunk, a doctor steel hammer Klitsko punch to the head and a mammoth tackle by the minister of defense Reggie White to vacuum clean the 8 time BEKO BBL champion Alba Berlin off the Ballsporthalle court with a convincing 69-58 win advancing to the semi finals. Skyliner forward Seth Doliboa is as used to my post game three answer questions to the article intro as is Ricky Paulding to the question tonight why Oldenburg couldnt beat Braunschweig in the playoffs. 'We were really mad tonight and as angry as the Incredible Hulk, as powerful as the rocket arms of Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn) and as strong as the current Cincinnati Reds who are playing unexpectedly well as we are', joked Seth Doliboa (203-F-80, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Wright St.) Frankfurt has had much luck in the playoffs against Alba Berlin as it was the second playoff series that they won against the Albatros, the last being in 2005, but the 2010 win had a special meaning. 'The feeling is just great right now. This was the biggest game of the season and it was a huge win and nobody expected us to win against the second seed. We played great defense to win. At halftime coach Herbert told us stay positive. Nobody got down and nobody panicked. He told us to get fast break points and take open shots', added Skyliner forward Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi).

The expectations of Alba Berlin was so big before the season, but they ended the season with no titles. 'We are very disappointed at the moment. This is not how we wanted to end our season. We felt that we had a champion calibre team. Frankfurt played very physical and wanted it more. Maybe our minds didnt want the title bad enough', stressed Alba Berlin American Derrick Byars (202-G/F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Vanderbilt). It was clear who started off better would have the best chances. 'We did not have enough energy in first minutes. It was tough playing catch up when Frankfurt had set the tone', added Alba Berlin center Adam Chubb

(207-F/C-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Pennsylvania)

(207-F/C-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Pennsylvania). ' The difference today was our defense and Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi). When Derrick plays like that, you wont loose often', added Seth Doliboa. It seemed like the pressure of fighting off three match points was simply too much for Alba Berlin. 'After getting down 0-2, that changed our mentality. Game three was tight and we played with urgency. It was really a difficult task to dig ourselves out of the hole and too win three games in a row was simply too much', stressed Derrick Byars (202-G/F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Vanderbilt).

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners had their second match ball in the Ballsporthalle and didnt want to waste another one and risk going back to Berlin for a game five on Friday as 4,830 fans came to support the home team and quickly witnessed a very focused team that jumped all over Alba Berlin from the jump ball. Frankfurt went on a quick 6-0 lead as Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) hit a jumper, Dragan Labovic

(207-C/F-87) scored inside and Allen stole the ball from Dragan Dojcin

(205-F-76, agency: Beo Basket) and finished with a one handed stuff. Alba Berlin lost the ball twice and missed a shot on their first three possessions which would set the tone for their lethargic play on offense. Alba Berlin then found a fast spurt of offense going on a 5-0 run as Rashad Wright

(189-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia) dropped a three pointer and Derrick Byars (202-G/F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Vanderbilt) hit two free throws. However despite this Alba Berlin run, it didnt faze Frankfurt in the least as they shifted up three gears on offense to go on a 12-0 run and lead 18-5. Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn) was very important in this phase as he combined aggressive defense which produced points on offense. Dominik Bahiense de Mello

(190-G-85, agency: Pro One Sports) started the rout with a catch and pop three pointer which was followed by an Aubrey Reese (183-G-78, agency: Interperformances, college: Murray St.) lay in and free throw. Frankfurt led 12-5. Then it was time for the Super Tez show. He started by finding a big hole in the zone and scooting through and finishing with a thunderous two handed dunk in which the Ballsporthalle erupted. Super Tez then made a steal and went coast to coast and made another two handed dunk. Alba Berlin looked so slow as if they had had too many sleeping pills. Greg Jenkins

(206-F/C-82, college: Iona) added two free throws and Frankfurt had the comfortable 18-5 lead.

In the last few minutes Alba Berlin was able to cut the Frankfurt lead down a bit, but Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern) and Derrick Byars (202-G/F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Vanderbilt) only made one of two free throws. Greg Jenkins

(206-F/C-82, college: Iona) made a tip in off a Pascal Roller

(180-G-76) miss. Alba Berlin finished the first quarter with a 5-0 run as little used German Philip Zwiener (198-F-85, agency: Court Side) made a running hook shot and Adam Chubb two free throws. 'We did a good job on defense as we held Alba Berlin to five points until late in the first quarter. Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) started hot from outside and when he gets going then he is unstoppable', stressed Skyliner forward Seth Doliboa. ' We came out aggressive from the start, making steals, converting the fast break and containing their big men', added Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn).The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 57% from the field and 50% from outside while Alba Berlin was shooting 33% from the field and 33% from outside. Frankfurt had the clear 8-4 edge under the boards and three turnovers while Alba Berlin had five turnovers.

In the second quarter, Alba Berlin was able to extend their 5-0run from the first quarter to an 8-2 run. Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) got Frankfurt on the board first with a pretty spin move around Adam Chubb, but then it was an unlikely scoring option as it wasnt Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern), but it was German National player Steffen Hamann

(194-G-81) who nailed two three pointers in a row something which was about as rare as Celtic big guy Kendrick Perkins (208-C-84) dishing out 10 assists in a game. Hamann not known for his three point shooting, but had an intense attitude which carried over into his offensive game. He then showed his defense skill blocking Pascal Roller

(180-G-76) from behind. After a Chubb lay in, Alba Berlin suddenly was only trailing 24-21. Who needs a Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern), when you have Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi). Allen not known for strong playoff performances had come to life in the Berlin series and scored seven unanswered points carrying Frankfurt to a 31-21 lead. Allen scored inside after getting a nice fake shot pass from Jimmy Mckinney, then answered with a turn around shot, free throw and fade away jumper direct from the Kevin Mchale video. 'Allen played with a lot of energy and always plays hard', stressed Adam Chubb. Alba Berlin finished the second quarter with a run of 6-0. Blagota Sekulic

(209-F/C-82, agency: FCM) and Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern) hit only one of two free throws. Sekulic then answered with a mid distance jumper from the wing and a turn around jumper. Alba Berlin only trailed 31-27 at intermission. The second quarter was dominated by runs, but Alba Berlin had massive problems always having to come back. 'Basketball is a game of runs. You have to try to keep the run of the opponent as short as possible while sustaining your own run. We simply didnt have the mental toughness to limit their runs and squeeze in some baskets during their runs', commented Alba Berlin center Adam Chubb The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 44% from the field and 13% from the three point line while Alba Berlin was shooting 40% from the field and 43% from the three point line. The rebounds were dead locked at 14 a piece and Frankfurt had seven turnovers and Alba Berlin 10.

In the third quarter, it seemed like Alba Berlin might be able to take momentum and the lead as they started with a 3-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to only 31-30. Sekulic scored inside beating Labovic and making a free throw. However there was nothing that was going to get in the way of the Frankfurt game as they once again escaped from a Alba Berlin comeback going on a 11-0 run which felt like it was done in one minute of play to lead 42-30. Mckinney started the run with a deep three pointer as the shot clock was going down, Labovic stepped out to make a three pointer, Allen made a steal like a guard would at the top of the key and darted for a lay up and he then snuck behind the defense on a fast break as they were coasting back for a fast lay in. 'We knew that they would go on their run. We kept our poise, made our plays and limited them to one shot', stressed Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn). Frankfurt was able to keep their healthy lead as Alba Berlin didnt have a solid offense flow as missed shots and turnovers seemed to dominate their play. After a Chubb lay in, it was Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) again who scored consecutive baskets making a lay up after a second try and then making another steal and coast to coast run for two points. Frankfurt led 45-33 and slowly Alba Berlin was starting to wonder when they would book flights back home. Alba Berlin kept trying to get production inside and at times it worked as Dragan Dojcin

(205-F-76, agency: Beo Basket) and Chubb scored cutting the Frankfurt lead to 45-37. Frankfurt kept their cool and continued having an uncanny knack for hitting big shots as the shot clock was down or with hands in their faces as Allen and Robertson nailed three pointers. Frankfurt led 53-41 after three quarters. 'We kept getting big shots and when Alba Berlin got close, we hit three pointers or got key offensive rebounds. Each guy stepped up and it was a team effort', said Seth Doliboa The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were shooting 48% from the field and 33% from the parking lot and Alba Berlin was shooting 42% from the field and 30% from the parking lot. The rebounding continued to be dead locked at 21 a piece. Frankfurt had only nine turnovers, but Alba Berlin 14.

Alba Berlin had 10 minutes left to save their season, but the 8 time BEKO BBL champion was unable to change the momentum of the game as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were able to hold their lead and finished the game in style. Alba Berlin was never able to cut the lead down to less than 9 points. Frankfurt continued their high intensity on offense and defense as Skyliner center Greg Jenkins

(206-F/C-82, college: Iona) finished with a two handed dunk after getting set up nicely from De Mello from the wing. De Mello soon after made a steal and made a pretty reverse lay up as Frankfurt led 57-43 and slowly Frankfurt fans were realizing that the semi final wasnt far away. Here and there, Alba Berlin had answer as Zwiener made a three pointer and Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern) a runner to cut the Frankfurt lead to 57-48. Frankfurt didnt allow Alba Berlin to come back any closer as they didnt have any real let downs on offense as they continued to score with an open Allen jumper as the Alba Berlin rotation was weak and Reese made a runner and free throw as Frankfurt had the 62-48 lead. As the minutes were winding down the body language of Alba Berlin was turning the tide to beaten. Despite an open Julius Jenkins

(187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern) three pointer to cut the Frankfurt lead to 62-51, he then made a huge mental error on their next possession losing the ball out of bounds even though no Skyliner was near him. With less than two minutes to play, both teams and each fan in the Ballsporthalle knew that there would be no Alba Berlin wonder on this day. Zwiener and Reese traded baskets as Frankfurt still lead comfortably 68-53. With seven seconds remaining, the hand shakes were already in motion as The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were headed toward the semi finals with a very satisfying 69-58 win. 'We did a good job in the second half playing tough defense, attacking the rim, making our open shots and rebounding', stressed Skyliner guard Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn).

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners were led by Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) with 26 points and nine rebounds. Aubrey Reese (183-G-78, agency: Interperformances, college: Murray St.) chipped in with 13 points. Alba Berlin only had one player in double figurers with Adam Chubb who registered 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners shot 44% from the field and 28% from outside and Alba Berlin only 40%. from the field and 38% from outside. Alba Berlin won the rebounding battle 32-29,but Frankfurt clearly won the points in the paint 32-22. A big reason for the Alba Berlin loss were their 18 turnovers. 'This game felt like tennis. We had a bunch of unforced errors that really shouldnt have happened', stressed Adam Chubb. There was a difference of opinion as to why key Alba Berlin players like Jenkins, Byars, Wright and Mcelroy were far away from their ideal form. 'You have to give a lot of credit to our guards. Mckinney and Tez did a great job chasing Jenkins off screens and pressuring their guards', said Seth Doliboa. 'We just tried being aggressive on their wing players denying them the ball and getting our hands into the passing lanes', stated Quantez Robertson (190-G-84, college: Auburn). Adam Chubb didnt want to criticise his teammates, but had another idea to why Alba Berlin couldnt get over the hump and win the game. 'I think it was less our offense that was the problem, but more our defense and our high number of turnovers. Frankfurt got many easy baskets as a result', said Adam Chubb The Deutsche Bank Skyliners now have to wait until Friday night to see who their opponent will be in the semi finals as BG Goettingen and The Eisbaeren Bremerhaven square off in game five. Adam Chubb didnt want to list Frankfurt as a title candidate, but is content that they will a hard team to stop. 'Frankfurt is very talented and capable of much especially when they play hard for 40 minutes like they did against us. If they stay focused and make their shots, then they will be hard to beat', warned Adam Chubb

1.Bundesliga Round: 4 (Quarter-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
NY Phantoms - EWE Baskets 78-76
Braunschweig sensationally eliminated the BBL defending champions Oldenburg in the first playoff round. The Phantoms celebrated the third win in the series at home court tonight to reach the semifinal round. Brandon Thomas

(198-G/F-84, agency: Rasmussen Services, college: Massachusetts) scored 15 points to lead the effort. Kevin Hamilton (193-G-84, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Holy Cross) added 14 points for the hosts. Rickey Paulding

(196-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Missouri) responded with 19 points for Oldenburg. Je'Kel Foster

(191-G-83, agency: Court Side, college: Ohio St.) tallied 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.

Dt.Bank SKY - ALBA 69-58
Deutsche Bank Skyliners advanced into the semifinals. They held off ALBA in Frankfurt to seal the next stage appearance. Derrick Allen

(203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) scored 26 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Aubrey Reese (183-G-78, agency: Interperformances, college: Murray St.) knocked down 13 points in the victory. Adam Chubb

(207-F/C-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Pennsylvania) replied with 12 points for ALBA.

Bremerhaven - Goettingen 90-83
Bremerhaven remained alive in the title race. They upset visiting Goettingen to level the series at 2-2. Andrew Drevo (202-F/C-81, agency: Warren Sports International, college: Nebraska) scored 17 points to lead balanced offensive effort. Jeff Gibbs

(188-F-80, college: Otterbein) contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds for Bremerhaven. Christopher McNaughton (211-C-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Bucknell) replied with 27 points for Goettingen.

Bundesliga Playoff results Wednesday May 19th: Bremerhaven forces Game 5 with 90-83 win over Gottingen! - by Michael Taylor
2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga Playoffs First Round

Wednesday May 19th

Eisbaren Bremerhaven 90 BG Gottingen 83

(Series tied 2-2)

Andrew Drevo led six Eisbaren in double figures with 17pt as Bremerhaven used a strong team performance to beat BG Gottingen 90-83 Wednesday night at Stadthalle in Bremerhaven to tie their 2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga First Round playoff series 2-2. Along with Drevo's 17, Jeff Gibbs added 16pt 8reb, Lou Campbell produced 15pt 6reb 7ast, Torrell Martin added 12pt 8reb, Brandon Brooks chipped in 11pt 4ast and Philipp Schwethelm finished with 10pt 3reb 3ast in the win.

Jeff Gibbs opened scoring for Bremerhaven with an early basket before John Little evened the game with 2FT for the visiting Violets. Michael Meeks hit to give Gottingen a 4-2 lead before Jeff Gibbs answered with 2FT to tie the game. Dwayne Anderson scored and Taylor Rochestie hit a 3 giving Gottingen a 9-5 lead but Bremerhaven went 1-2-3 as Torrell Martin hit 1FT, Philipp Schwethelm scored a basket and Andrew Drevo buried a 3 to take a 10-9 lead. Gottingen took a timeout. Christopher McNaughton scored a 3pt play giving Gottingen a 12-9 lead before Jeff Gibbs evened the game for the Eisbaren. Philipp Schwethelm hit 2FT for Bremerhaven, Dwayne Anderson reponded with a score for Gottingen before Torrell Martin gave the hosts a 16-14 advantage with 2:31 in the 1Q. Jeff Gibbs made 1FT but Lou Campbell added a 3 for Bremerhaven giving the hosts a 20-14 lead. McNaughton scored again for the Violets but Bremerhaven used 2 Brandon Brooks FT to go up 22-16. Taylor Rochestie trimmed the deficit with 30sec in the 1Q but Bryan Lucas answered with a basket of his own closing 1Q scoring. Bremerhaven held a 24-18 lead.

Q2 began with a scoreless 2min. Finally, a Michael Meeks 3 brought Gottingen to 24-21. Christopher McNaughton followed with a basket trimming the gap to 1, 24-23. Then McNaughton finished a 3pt play and gave Gottingen the lead 26-24 with 6:34 in the 2Q. Bryan Lucas and Michael Meeks exchanged 1FT each before Lucas scored to even the game at 27 at the 4:46 mark. McNaughton and Meeks scored back to back baskets before Andrew Drevo answered for Bremerhaven. But Taylor Rochestie buried a 3, Antoine Jordan got a bucket and Chester Frazier scored giving Gottingen a 38-29 advantage at the 2:16 mark. Andrew Drevo made 1FT for Bremerhaven, Chris Oliver sank 1FT for Gottingen before Lou Campbell added 1FT for the Eisbaren. A Chris Oliver basket at the 1:10 mark gave Gottingen a 10pt lead 41-31. Lou Campbell sank 2FT but Oliver scored for the Violets with 30sec to go in the half. Bryan Lucas countered with 14sec but 2 Chris Oliver FT with 4sec gave Gottingen a 45-35 lead. Lou Campbells last second look rimmed off and the teams went into halftime with the visiting Violets up ten.

Torrell Martin cracked the scoring column first for Bremerhaven in the 3Q before a Lou Campbell 3 brought the Eisbaren within 45-40. Gottingen took a timeout. A Philip Schwethem and1 brought Bremerhaven back to 45-43 but Taylor Rochestie scored to give Gottingen a 47-43 advantage. Schwethelm struck again sinking a big 3 for Bremerhaven and moments later Jeff Gibbs tied the game at 47 with 6:27 to play in the 3rd. Gibbs scored again for Bremerhaven, Chris Oliver sank 1FT and Gibbs converted 2 from the foul line. Gibbs and Gottingen's Dwayne Anderson traded baskets and Bremerhaven held a 53-50 lead with 5min remaining. Taylor Rochestie sank 2FT before McNaughton tied the game for Gottingen from the foul line 53-53 with 4min. Torrell Martin hit a 3 but McNaughton sank back to back baskets plus 2FT giving Gottingen a 59-56 with 1min in the 3rd. Rochestie tacked on 1FT but Bremerhaven's Andrew Drevo sank an important 3 bringing Bremerhaven back to 60-59 with 26sec. Continuing the 3Q fireworks, Lou Campbell sank 2FT with 6sec in the 3rd giving the Eisbaren a 61-60 lead but Taylor Rochestie scored at the buzzer reclaiming a 62-61 advantage for the Violets at the end of the 3rd.

IN the 4Q, Christopher McNaughton sank 2FT, Bryan Lucas answered for the Eisbaren before McNaughton scored giving Gottingen a 66-63 lead. Chris Oliver put the Violets up 5 but Andrew Drevo drilled a big 3 for Bremerhaven. Torrell Martin and Oliver exchanged FT's before Martin tied the score at 69 with 5:33 to play. Gottingen made 2FT to Bremerhaven's 1 to take a 1pt lead before Lou Campbell's and-1 bucket with 4:17 left claimed the lead for the Eisbaren. Christopher McNaughton evened the score 73-73 at the 4min mark. 2Brandon Brooks FT pushed Bremerhaven ahead, but a big Ben Jacobsen 3 and 1FT on the following possession put Gottingen in front 77-75 with 3:30 to go. Torrell Martin made 1FT before Andrew Drevo reclaimed the lead for Bremerhaven 78-77 but McNaughton fired back for Gottingen giving the Violets a 79-78 advantage with 3min to go. At the 2:33 mark, Brandon Brooks buried a big 3 for Bremerhaven lifting the Eisbaren back in front 81-79. With 1;44 to play, Dwayne Anderson hit 1FT but Gottingen's Jason Boone was whistled for an Unsportsmanlike foul. Bremerhaven capitalized as Jeff Gibbs sank both FT pushing the Eisbaren to an 83-80 lead with 1:34 to go. Down the stretch Andrew Drevo and especially Brandon Brooks made key FTs extending the Bremerhaven lead helping the Eisbaren claim the 90-83 series tying Game 4 home win.

In the win, Bremerhaven shot 49% from the floor making 8 of 22 threes (36%) and 34 of 50 FT (68%) while Gottingen hit 40% from the floor hitting 4 of 28 threes (14%) and 23 of 31FT (74%). Bremerhaven outrebounded Gottingen 38-36 and survived 21 turnovers in the win. Christopher McNaughton enjoyed a terrific game for Gottingen topscoring with 27pt 5reb on 10 for 13 floor shooting. Taylor Rochestie added 16pt 4reb 5ast and Chris Oliver finished with 11pt 8reb in the game 4 road loss.

A decisive 5th game is set for Friday May 21st tipping off 8:10pm at Lokhalle in Gottingen.

Bundesliga Playoff results Wednesday May 19th: NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig Upset Oldenburg! - by Michael Taylor
2010 Beko Basketball Bundesliga Playoffs First Round

Wednesday May 19th

NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig 78 Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 76
(Braunschweig wins Series 3-1)

Six Braunschweig players scored in double figures as the Phantoms used a terrific team effort in upsetting defending Bundesliga champions Ewe Baskets Oldenburg 78-76 in Wednesday nights Series clinching Game 4 victory. Brandon Thomas topscored for the Phantoms with 15pt 5ast while Kevin Hamilton added 14pt 5ast, Marcus Goree chipped in 12pt 6reb, Jason Cain had 11pt 7reb, Yassin Idbihi 11pt of his own and Heiko Schaffartzik finished with 10 as Head coach Sebastian Machowski and his 8th seeded Phantoms pulled off the big upset knocking off the topseeded Thunderbirds in the first round.

6100 basketball fans packed Braunschweig's Volkswagonarena for the exciting Game 4 matchup between the Phantoms and reigning Bundesliga champions Ewe Baskets Oldenburg. Through 3 games, Braunschweig and head coach Sebastian Machowski held a suprising 2-1 lead and were focused to close out the Thunderbirds on their home floor Wednesday night. But Oldenburg's team and Head coach Predrag Krunic are battle-tested after a challenging Euroleague schedule together and have demonstrated the heart of a champion. Oldenburg's back was against the wall, but from great challenges come great performances. Wednesday nights game was set up to be a fantastic playoff matchup.

Yassin Idbihi's strong play powered the Phantoms to an early 8-5 lead. Jason Cain energized the home crowd with a thunderous 1Q dunk. Braunschweig's John Allen made the big play at the quarter end with a length of the floor push before scoring to give the hosts a 21-16 lead. Oldenburg's extra effort on the boards helped them battle back into the game as the relentless Thunderbirds grabbed 15reb in the 1Half. At the 7min mark of the 2Q, Oldenburg took a 24-23 lead. The Thunderbirds, led by an inspired Ruben Boumtje Boumtje, capitalized on a poor shooting phase from the Phantoms to build a five point lead. But Braunschweig recovered in the closing minutes of the half and 2FT from Marcus Goree evened the score at 35. Oldenburg took a 37-35 lead going into the half.

As both teams worked to take control of the game, Braunschweig reclaimed the lead on a layup from Kevin Hamilton 42-41 at the midway point of the 3Q. Sparked by a big Heiko Schaffartzik 3 and strong play from Marcus Goree, the Phantoms built a 54-43 advantage with 2min in the 3rd. Taking control of the game in the 3Q, Braunschweig outscored Oldenburg 25-17 to build their 60-54 lead at the end of 3.

In the 4Q, Oldenburg fought their way back into the game. By the 6min mark the Thunderbirds had trimmed the deficit to 1, 64-63. But an 8-0 run by Braunschweig pushed their advantage to 72-63 with 4min to play. A big Je'Kel Foster basket cut the margin to 74-72 at 2:16 to play. In the closing moment, Oldenburg star Rickey Paulding went for the win. Down 2, Paulding's game-winning attempt rimmed out. Jason Cain ripped down the rebound and the ball found Kevin Hamilton streaking to the basket for the security score. Up 78-74, Braunschweig fans began their celebration. Marko Scekic's basket before the buzzer trimmed the gap to two, but the final horn sounded sending the Phantoms into the second round with their 78-76 upset series win over defending champions Ewe Baskets Oldenburg.

In the win, Braunschweig shot 50% from the floor making 9 of 17 threes (52%) and 11 of 21 FT (52%). Oldenburg was outstanding offensively in the hardfought loss making 63% of their shots but only 4 of 16 threes (25%) 14 of 24FT (58%). Oldenburg outrebounded Braunschweig 32-26 but the Thunderbirds suffered 16turnovers to the Phantoms 8. Rickey Paulding topscored for the Thunderbirds with 19pt while Je'Kel Foster added 15pt 6reb 4ast, Marko Scekic and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje finished with 12pt 6reb and Jasmin Perkovic finished with 12pt 9boards in the loss.

Advancing to the Semifinals, NewYorker Phantoms Braunschweig will face brose Baskets Bamberg in an exciting series.

2. Bundesliga Pro A: Market News - by Moritz Korff
33-year-old veteran Gordon Scott (195-G/F-76, college: Idaho) has been handed a one-year contract extension by the Kirchheim Knights. Scott will go into his fourth season with the Knights and is the second key player of the 2. Bundesliga Pro A club to renew his agreement with the Kirchheim team after Ryan De Michael (205-F/C-77, college: Tennessee-Martin) in the past few weeks. Scott appeared in 27 games for the Knights during the 2009-10 campaign and scored 12.3 points a contest. He also pulled down 4 rebounds per outing and dished out 2.9 assists a game. De Michael, who is currently in the process of applying for German citizenshp, played 30 times for Kirchheim in this past season, averaging 11.2 points and a team-high 6.9 boards a contest. With Scott, De Michael, Radivoj Tomasevic (180-G-78), Nils Menck (203-F-82) as well as Benjamin Lischka

(200-G/F-89) Kirchheim has already five players on board for the 2010-2011 season.

Science City Jena and Adrian Hill (203-F-84, college: Rutgers) have agreed to terms on a new deal for the 2010-2011 season, the club announced on its website just recently. The 26-year-old Rutgers graduate had joined the squad in December 2009 and suited up for Science City in 17 games until the end of the season. Hill grabbed 7.5 rebounds per contest for Jena and had 12.5 points a game. He also led his team in blocked shots per encounter (1.4bpg).

Stats Leaders - 2.Bundesliga

Points Per Game

Tyler KEPKAY
  ETB Wohnbau
  (183-G-87)
  Avg: 21.5

1. Kepkay, ETB W.	21.5
2. Holloway, Hannover	21.1
3. Jeka, Cuxhaven	19.6
4. Hodges, Heidelberg	19.4
5. Hodges, Heidelberg	19.4
6. Baxley, Braves	19.0
7. Roessler, Karlsruhe	18.4
8. Dorris, Cuxhaven	18.3
9. Brooks, Kirchheim	18.1
10. Burleson, Heidelberg	17.7

Rebounds Per Game

Alonzo HIRD
  Langen
  (206-F/C-83)
  Avg: 10.7

1. Hird, Langen	10.7
2. Smallwood, Braves	9.5
3. Richardson, Karls.	9.3
4. Black, Karlsruhe	9.1
5. Baker, Osnabrueck	8.8
6. Maras, B.Muenchen	8.3
7. Rastatter, Chemn.	8.2
8. Chones, ETB W.	7.8
9. Ferguson, Noerdlin.	7.6
10. Jackson-W., Jena	7.5

Assists Per Game

Whit HOLCOMB-FAYE
  Braves
  (185-G-84)
  Avg: 8.4

1. Holcomb-Faye, Bra.	8.4
2. Jeka, Cuxhaven	5.5
3. Bynum, Crailsheim	5.4
4. Watson, Noerdlin.	5.2
5. Holloway, Hannover	4.9
6. Zazai, Freiburg	4.9
7. Harrelson, Osnab.	4.7
8. Burleson, Heidelberg	4.4
9. Burleson, Heidelberg	4.4
10. Kepkay, ETB W.	4.2

Steals Per Game

Emmanuel HOLLOWAY
  Hannover
  (188-G-86)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Holloway, Hannover	2.4
2. Zazai, Freiburg	2.4
3. Dorris, Cuxhaven	2.3
4. Scott, Kirchheim	2.0
5. Brooks, Kirchheim	2.0
6. Hunter, Freiburg	1.9
7. Burleson, Heidelberg	1.9
8. Burleson, Heidelberg	1.9
9. Hodges, Heidelberg	1.8
10. Hodges, Heidelberg	1.8

Blocks Per Game

Anthony SLACK
  Hannover
  (202-F/C-84)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Slack, Hannover	2.2
2. De Michael, Kirchheim	1.7
3. Schoo, Hannover	1.5
4. Willis, Hannover	1.5
5. Fuller, Cuxhaven	1.4
6. Hill, Jena	1.4
7. Maras, B.Muenchen	1.3
8. Seward, Bayreuth	1.1
9. Buse, Osnabrueck	1.0
10. Zirbes, Braves	0.9

Stats Leaders - 1.Bundesliga

Points Per Game

David TEAGUE
  LTi 46ers
  (196-G-83)
  Avg: 20.4

1. Teague, LTi 46ers	20.4
2. Copeland, TBB Trier	16.8
3. Suput, Brose B.	15.1
4. Rochestie, Goett.	15.1
5. Allen, Dt.	14.9
6. Burns, ratiopharm	14.8
7. Jenkins, ALBA	14.8
8. Oliver, Goettingen	14.5
9. Jeffers, LTi 46ers	14.4
10. Travis, Walter Tigers	14.4

Rebounds Per Game

Jeff GIBBS
  Bremerhaven
  (188-F-80)
  Avg: 9

1. Gibbs, Bremerhaven	9.0
2. Ensminger, Telek.	8.5
3. Ovcina, LTi 46ers	8.1
4. Johnson, LTi 46ers	7.2
5. Kale, Phoenix Hagen	7.0
6. Turek, Phoenix .	6.6
7. Travis, Walter Tigers	6.5
8. Oliver, Goettingen	6.4
9. Burns, ratiopharm	6.3
10. Trice, ratiopharm	6.3

Assists Per Game

Louis CAMPBELL
  Bremerhaven
  (190-G-79)
  Avg: 5.8

1. Campbell, Bremerha.	5.8
2. Ratkovica, Walter T.	5.7
3. Hamilton, NY Phant.	5.4
4. Jordan, Telekom B.	5.3
5. Jordan, Phoenix .	5.3
6. Reese, Dt.	4.3
7. Gamqrelidze, MBC	3.8
8. Williams, LTi 46ers	3.6
9. Schaffartzik, NY Pha.	3.5
10. McElroy, AL.	3.4

Steals Per Game

Roderick TRICE
  ratiopharm
  (191-F-84)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Trice, ratiopharm	2.4
2. Hamilton, NY Phant.	2.0
3. Jenkins, Walter T.	1.9
4. Teague, LTi 46ers	1.5
5. Bernard, MBC	1.5
6. Anderson, Goett.	1.5
7. Foster, EWE B.	1.4
8. Burns, ratiopharm	1.3
9. Robertson, Dt.Ba.	1.3
10. Ratkovica, Walter T.	1.3

Blocks Per Game

John TUREK
  Phoenix Hagen
  (205-F/C-83)
  Avg: 1.4

1. Turek, Phoenix .	1.4
2. Pleiss, Brose B.	1.3
3. Boumtje, EWE B.	1.2
4. Lyde, Bremerhaven	1.1
5. Goree, NY Phantoms	1.1
6. Ohlbrecht, Telek.	1.1
7. Ovcina, LTi 46ers	1.0
8. Bryant, ratiopharm	0.9
9. Barrett, Pad.Bask.	0.9
10. Flomo, Telekom B.	0.8

*****************************************************

GHANA

Alhaji Mohammed makes it to All-French ProB 2nd Team - by Eurobasket News
Alhaji Mohammed

(192-G-81, agency: Edge Sports, college: Louisville) wrapped up the French ProB regular season on a high note. He was named into the All-French ProB 2nd team. The 28-year-old guard well deserved the honour. He tallied 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for Limoges. Alhaji Mohammed helped Limoges to 23-11 record worth the second spot in the ladder. The Ghanaian shot 32.8% from beyond the arc as well as 65.4% from close range. It is his second season in France. Last year Alhaji Mohammed also played for Limoges tallying 19.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per appearance. The guard also had stints in Holland, Germany and the CBA before moving to France. The Louisville graduate he was mentored by one of the biggest names in modern day coaching Rick Pitino . Alhaji Mohammed averaged 4.6 points, 2.0 boards and 1.2 assists in his senior season with the Cardinals. Later the guard moved to the CBA to play for the Idaho Stampede. Alhaji Mohammed moved to Europe in 2005 and made it to the Dutch Eredivisie All-Star Game in 2006 and 2007. He was also the Eredivisie leading scorer in 2007. That same year Mohammed was trumped the All-Star Game MVP.

*****************************************************

GREECE

Stats Leaders - A1

Points Per Game

David YOUNG
  Trikalla
  (196-G/F-81)
  Avg: 20.5

1. Young, Trikalla	20.5
2. Childress, Olympiakos	16.5
3. Green, AEK	15.1
4. Erceg, Panionios	14.7
5. Arnold, Perister.	14.7
6. Massie, Olimpia L.	14.4
7. Monroe, PAOK	14.3
8. Harris, VAP K.	14.2
9. Kleiza, Olympiakos	14.2
10. Gregory, PAOK	14.1

Rebounds Per Game

Christophe MASSIE
  Igokea
  (206-F-77)
  Avg: 10.7

1. Massie, Olimpia L.	10.7
2. Papadopoulos, PAOK	7.9
3. Walsh, Aris	7.8
4. Francis, AEK	7.6
5. Carter, Ilysiakos	7.0
6. Bryant, Panionios	6.9
7. Dozier, VAP K.	6.4
8. Homan, Marousi BC	6.2
9. Arnold, Perister.	6.2
10. Mavroidis, Marou.	5.8

Assists Per Game

Dimitris DIAMANTIDIS
  Panathinaikos
  (196-G-80)
  Avg: 5

1. Diamantidis, Panath.	5.0
2. Teodosic, Olympiakos	4.2
3. Lukas, Marousi BC	4.2
4. Karidas, Ilysiakos	4.1
5. Dickel, Trikalla	4.0
6. Papaloukas, Olymp.	3.9
7. Hammonds, Perister.	3.7
8. Vasiljevic, VAP K.	3.6
9. Green, AEK	3.6
10. Spanoulis, Panath.	3.5

Steals Per Game

Vonteego CUMMINGS
  Ilysiakos
  (192-G-76)
  Avg: 2

1. Cummings, Ilysiakos	2.0
2. Lukas, Marousi BC	1.9
3. Collins, Kavala/P.	1.8
4. Katsares, Trikalla	1.6
5. Karidas, Ilysiakos	1.5
6. Walsh, Aris	1.5
7. Hammonds, Perister.	1.5
8. Nikolaidis, AEK	1.5
9. Diamantidis, Panath.	1.5
10. Green, AEK	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Ian VOUGIOUKAS
  Panellinios
  (212-C/F-85)
  Avg: 1.4

1. Vougioukas, Panellin.	1.4
2. Mavroidis, Marou.	1.0
3. Harissis, VAP K.	1.0
4. Carter, Ilysiakos	0.8
5. Fotsis, Panathinaikos	0.8
6. Homan, Marousi BC	0.8
7. Papadopoulos, PAOK	0.8
8. Childress, Olympiakos	0.7
9. Monds, VAP K.	0.7
10. Bourousis, Olympiakos	0.7

*****************************************************

HOLLAND

Stats Leaders - Eredivisie

Points Per Game

Danny GIBSON
  ZZ Leiden
  (180-G-84)
  Avg: 18.3

1. Gibson, ZZ Leiden	18.3
2. Palmer, Upstairs.	17.6
3. Monroe, DeFriesl.	16.9
4. Boxley, ZZ Leiden	16.6
5. Thomas, M.Magix	16.5
6. Haryasz, GasTerra.	16.3
7. Hendley, Landstede	16.2
8. Calhoun, EclipseJet	15.9
9. Sanders, EclipseJet	14.8
10. LeMelle, ZZ Leiden	14.2

Rebounds Per Game

Patrick HILLIMAN
  Rotterdam
  (206-F/C-82)
  Avg: 10.2

1. Hilliman, Rotterdam	10.2
2. Palmer, Upstairs.	9.2
3. Haryasz, GasTerra.	9.0
4. Ellis, GasTerra F.	8.6
5. McGhee, ZZ Leiden	8.4
6. Gordon, Landstede	8.1
7. Monroe, DeFriesl.	7.6
8. Beasley, Eiff.Tow.	7.4
9. Griffin, Giants	7.2
10. de Randamie, Eclip.	7.0

Assists Per Game

Torey THOMAS
  Guaros
  (180-G-85)
  Avg: 6.8

1. Thomas, M.Magix	6.8
2. Jones, DeFriesland	5.5
3. Oliver, Eiff.Towers	5.4
4. Porter, Upstairs.	5.0
5. Bauscher, GasTerra.	4.3
6. Gibson, ZZ Leiden	4.3
7. Bostain, GasTerra.	4.1
8. Blackwood, DeFriesl.	4.0
9. Moore, DeFriesland	3.9
10. Defares, Giants	3.8

Steals Per Game

Torey THOMAS
  Guaros
  (180-G-85)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Thomas, M.Magix	2.9
2. Jones, DeFriesland	2.8
3. Bauscher, GasTerra.	2.7
4. Rodgers, EclipseJet	2.6
5. Dourisseau, GasTerra.	2.5
6. Mason, EclipseJet	2.4
7. Ellis, GasTerra F.	2.3
8. Flowers, M.Magix	2.3
9. de Randamie, Eclip.	2.2
10. Kimbrough, Giants	2.2

Blocks Per Game

James HUGHES
  M.Magix
  (211-C-83)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Hughes, M.Magix	1.8
2. Hilliman, Rotterdam	1.5
3. Haryasz, GasTerra.	1.4
4. Boxley, ZZ Leiden	1.1
5. Sanders, EclipseJet	1.1
6. Kuijper, ZZ Leiden	1.0
7. Slor, ZZ Leiden	1.0
8. Richardson, Eiff.Tow.	0.9
9. Porter, Upstairs.	0.9
10. Williams, Landstede	0.7

*****************************************************

HUNGARY

A Division Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Winsome FRAZIER
  Falco
  (193-G/F-82)
  Avg: 23.4

1. Frazier, Falco	23.4
2. Doyne, Marso-Vagep	21.4
3. Horvath, Falco	21.3
4. Watson, ZTE K.	18.6
5. Walker, Dombovar	18.4
6. Brooks, Soproni	18.2
7. Sitku, Marso-Vagep	17.9
8. Sirutaviaciu., Salgot.	17.8
9. Rice, Szolnok	17.4
10. LaGrange, Dombovar	17.3

Rebounds Per Game

Zoltan HORVATH
  Falco
  (207-F/C-79)
  Avg: 10.4

1. Horvath, Falco	10.4
2. Barro, Szolnok	10.1
3. Scott, Kormend	8.8
4. Knight, Soproni	7.9
5. David Vay, PVSK P.	7.3
6. Lee, Albacomp	7.1
7. Wilson, ZTE K.	6.9
8. Bader, Szolnok	6.8
9. Nuhanovic, Debre.	6.7
10. Clark, Atomeromu	6.6

Assists Per Game

Laszlo KALMAN
  Falco
  (186-G-72)
  Avg: 8

1. Kalman, Falco	8.0
2. Simon, Albacomp	7.4
3. Kelley, Szolnok	6.3
4. Hinnant, ZTE K.	6.1
5. English, Atomeromu	4.9
6. Fodor, Szolnok	4.9
7. Dejon, Kaposvari	4.7
8. LaGrange, Dombovar	4.7
9. Thomas, Kormend	4.4
10. Aleksic, Szolnok	3.9

Steals Per Game

Gytis SIRUTAVIACIUS
  Salgotarjani
  (195-F-83)
  Avg: 3.7

1. Sirutaviaciu., Salgot.	3.7
2. Frazier, Falco	3.6
3. Dejon, Kaposvari	2.9
4. Lee, Albacomp	2.8
5. English, Atomeromu	2.6
6. Wittmann, Kecsk.	2.5
7. Ames, PVSK P.	2.4
8. LaGrange, Dombovar	2.3
9. Simon, Albacomp	2.3
10. Clark, Atomeromu	2.3

Blocks Per Game

DuJuan WILEY
  Marso-Vagep
  (206-C-75)
  Avg: 1.6

1. Wiley, Marso-Vagep	1.6
2. Hendlein, Kaposvari	1.4
3. Clark, Atomeromu	1.3
4. Barro, Szolnok	1.2
5. Walker, Dombovar	1.1
6. David Vay, PVSK P.	1.1
7. Nuhanovic, Debre.	1.1
8. Scott, Kormend	1.0
9. Horvath, Falco	1.0
10. Sitku, Marso-Vagep	1.0

*****************************************************

IRAN

Iranian Updates - by Aydin Dianat
Rah-o-Tarabari Qom won the 1st division league and alongside Pouya, Melli Haffari moved to the Iranian Super League for next season. Shahrood should play with Sharekord in a playoff match for the last spot.
Iranian nationals began their camp with two A and B teams in Azadi sport Arena.. 47 players are devided in two teams and coach Matic supervise both teams to select the best players for the world cup in Turkey.
Hamed Haddadi (218-C-85, agency: Agency No 10) who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies is back in Iran and joined the national camp previous week.
Other Iranian nationals like Samad Nik Khah Bahrami , Mehdi Kamrani, Hamed Sohrab Nejad and Saman Veisi are with Mahram Basketball team competing in the Asian Club championship which starts on May 22nd in Doha. Mahram is the defending champion.
Iranian female nationals started their camp in Kish Island in Persian Gulf with 12 players, other nationals from Ararat Club weren't in the camp since they should comptete in West Asian games in Iraq.
Ali Farokhmanesh (183-G-88, agency: SportsList Inc.), Iranian American player playing in NCAA Div1 will not come for the national camp due to personal issues for gratuation and Iranian passport issues.
The Iranian Super League will probably start in late October 2010.

*****************************************************

ITALY

Stats Leaders - Lega2

Points Per Game

K.C. RIVERS
  Benetton TV
  (196-G/F-87)
  Avg: 24.5

1. Rivers, A.B. Latina	24.5
2. Whiting, Aget IM	22.3
3. Forte, Edimes PV	20.8
4. Kemp, Banco Sard.	20.8
5. Goss, Scafati .	20.7
6. Young, Umana Reyer	19.4
7. Crispin, Enel B.	18.9
8. Slay, Carmatic PT	18.8
9. Adams, Fileni Jesi	18.5
10. Hines, Prima Veroli	18.3

Rebounds Per Game

Ndudi EBI
  Edilizia
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 13.6

1. Ebi, Edilizia	13.6
2. Boykin, Edimes PV	10.2
3. Waleskowski, Fileni J.	9.7
4. Smith, A.B. Latina	9.0
5. Ezugwu, Aget IM	8.4
6. Chiacig, Scafati .	8.3
7. Hines, Prima Veroli	8.1
8. Thomas, Enel Brindisi	7.5
9. Smith, Trenkwalder	7.5
10. Brkic, Snaidero UD	7.5

Assists Per Game

Marcus HATTEN
  UCC Casalpus.
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 4.8

1. Hatten, UCC C.	4.8
2. Rowe, Banco Sard.	4.6
3. Forte, Edimes PV	4.2
4. Nissim, Prima Veroli	4.2
5. Levin, Fastweb CM	3.9
6. Young, Edimes PV	3.4
7. Brown, Snaidero UD	3.3
8. Bertolazzi, Miro R.	3.2
9. Whiting, Aget IM	3.1
10. Garris, Umana R.	3.1

Steals Per Game

Joseph FORTE
  Edimes PV
  (193-G-81)
  Avg: 3.8

1. Forte, Edimes PV	3.8
2. Hines, Prima Veroli	3.5
3. Hatten, UCC C.	3.5
4. Goss, Scafati .	3.3
5. Ebi, Edilizia	3.2
6. Young, Umana Reyer	3.1
7. Boyette, Miro R.	2.7
8. Whiting, Aget IM	2.6
9. Williams, Miro R.	2.6
10. Draper, Prima Veroli	2.5

Blocks Per Game

Troy OSTLER
  UCC Casalpus.
  (209-F-78)
  Avg: 2

1. Ostler, UCC C.	2.0
2. Di Giuliomar., Umana R.	1.7
3. Ebi, Edilizia	1.7
4. Hines, Prima Veroli	1.4
5. Valenti, UCC C.	1.1
6. Bryan, Enel Brindisi	1.1
7. Melli, Trenkwalder	1.0
8. Boykin, Fileni Jesi	1.0
9. Boykin, Edimes PV	0.9
10. Hall, Fastweb CM	0.9

Lega2 Round: 5 (Quarter-Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Trenkwalder - Miro Radici VI 72-68
Trenkwalder toppled Miro Radici Vigevano in the decisive fifth game of the series to advance into the semifinal stage. Robert Fultz

(190-G-82, agency: Interperformances) scored 22 points to lead Trenkwalder. Robert Hite

(188-G-84, college: Miami (FL)) and Giorgio Boscagin

(195-G-83) added 17 points each for the winners. Jason Williams

(197-G/F-83, college: UTEP) responded with 14 points for Vigevano. Matteo Bertolazzi (181-G-79) canned 11 points in the loss.

*****************************************************

JAMAICA

Sherman Gay is among best player in French ProB - by Eurobasket News
Sherman Gay (201-F-82, college: Loyola Marymount) had a strong season in French ProB League. The 27-year-old forward just wrapped up the regular season with Fos Ouest Basket. The Jamaican tallied impressive 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per appearance. His efforts were well noticed by our site. Eurobasket.com named Sherman Gay into the All-French ProB 2nd Team. Fos Ouest finished the season at 15-19 record just two steps away from the playoff zone. Sherman Gay moved to ProB back in January 2008. He played one and a half season for Etendard de Brest. Last year the forward averaged 16.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Gay also had stints in NBDL, French ProA and Hungary. Sherman Gay graduated from Loyola Marymount back in 2004. The player tallied 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in his senior season. He was trumped the All-WCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Sherman Gay also received an Honorable Mention for his performance in 2008.

*****************************************************

LITHUANIA

LUXEMBOURG

Ken Diederich expected to join Basket Esch - by Eurobasket News
Basket Esch entered the market. The first news is that Esch have reached the agreement with Ken Diederich (185-G-77). The 32-year-old guard spent 15 years playing for Contern. Last season Diederich averaged 17.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for AB Contern. He was named to Luxembourg All-Domestic Players 2nd Team at the end of the season.
Basket Esch is also reported to be in talks with Martin Rajniak (204-F-78, college: CSU Bakersfield). The Luxembourg international spent the previous season in currently playing for T71 Dudelange. He averages 18.1 points, 5.4 boards and 1.9 assists per game.

*****************************************************

MOLDOVA

Gamma Cahul is close to title - by Eurobasket News
Gamma Cahul have closed on the national title. They overcame ASEM in two opening games of the Finals. Gamma Cahul celebrated 86:79 and 87:82 victories at home court. The series will now move to Chisinau. The third and possible decisive game of the championship series is scheduled for May 22.
Gamma Cahul looked dominant in the opener. They built a 20-point lead at halftime and did not allow ASEM to turn things around in the second half. Roman Rusu (192-G-81) scored 26 points to lead the effort. Maxim Rusu (196-G-88) added 19 points in the victory. Vitalie Oprea (205-F-86) responded with game-high 29 points for ASEM.
The second game of the series was much closer battle. ASEM led by one point 20:19 at the first break. Gamma surged ahead in the second period taking a 3-point advantage at halftime. The teams entered the fourth period with the hosts leading by just two points but they withheld all ASEM attempts to save the game and celebrated a tough 87:82 victory at the end. Vladimir Kolesnikov (202-F/C-80) notched 33 points to top-score for Gamma. Maxim Rusu contributed 18 points in the victory. Evgheni Nartov (200-F-87) replied with 28 points for ASEM.
In the meantime UASM defeated Rabnita 105:77 in the consolation final opener.

*****************************************************

NAIA

Patrick Shaughnessy Transfers to Lee University Flames - by Stephan Ditgens

If at first you don't succeed, then try again. That has been a major recruiting factor for Tommy Brown during his five-year tenure as Lee University's head men's basketball coach.

'We're going to always try and recruit every Division I-type player in the Chattanooga area,'' said Brown after signing Charleston Southern transfer Patrick Shaughnessy on Friday morning. 'We've been able to get four or five of them on the second go-round and we've had a lot of success with them on and off the playing court.'

Brown admits that most of the better high school players in the region usually have Division I dreams. 'We see nothing wrong with that, and when we can get guys as sophomore transfers it shows our university made a good first impression the first time. Our doors will always be open to athletes who want to continue their careers and at the same time are seeking to get a degree.'

Shaughnessy is exactly the type of student-athlete Brown was talking about. 'Lee started recruiting me as early as the 10th grade,' said the 6-foot-9 post player. The former Grace School standout was all-district, all-region and all-state player. He was the Region 3-A MVP during his senior year and carried a 3.0 GPA

Before signing with Charleston Southern, UNC-Greensboro, Morehead State, Tennessee Tech, Eastern Kentucky and others came knocking on the door of the 235-pounder. He played in 19 games as a freshman, but started looking for a college closer to home.

Junior colleges and several NAIA programs came calling again, but Shaughnessy remembered what he saw at Lee. 'The location was a big factor,' he noted. 'The school is growing and the campus is nice. I felt comfortable here and Lee has built a strong program.'

Brown feels the former CSU player can step in and play immediately. 'He plays so hard and is so aggressive for a big man,' the coach added. 'He's added about 15 extra pounds and that will really help. With his work ethic, he's got a chance to play at the pro level someday.'

'I play hard because of my love for the game and a strong desire to excel,' said Shaughnessy. 'My goal for the next three years is to get bigger and stronger and improve my face-up game. I know I've got a whole lot more to learn about the game. I think I can help Lee with my motor (playing hard); with my rebounding and my ability to score in the post.'

'As a student he fits our culture at Lee,' added Brown. 'We are always excited when we are able to sign a student/athlete like Patrick.'
source: www.leeuniversity.edu

*****************************************************

NBA

Celtics 95, Magic 92: Double take for Boston - by Eurobasket News
The Boston Celtics might roll their way back to the NBA finals if they keep up this up.

Paul Pierce (6'7''-F-77, college: Kansas) scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo (6'1''-G-86, college: Kentucky) had 25 and the Boston Celtics again avoided a late collapse to take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 last night.

Boston bullied and bruised its way to a 2-0 series lead on the road against a Magic team that had won 14 straight until this series. The Celtics held the Magic to 39 percent shooting.

Dwight Howard (6'10''-F-85) had 30 points, and Vince Carter (6'5''-G-77, college: N.Carolina) and J.J. Redick (6'4''-G-84, college: Duke) scored 16 apiece for the Magic, who overcame an 11-point deficit to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter. But they couldn't hold it.

Jameer Nelson's desperation 3-point attempt airballed at the buzzer.

Game 3 is Saturday night in Boston.

'Our fans won't let us relax,' Pierce said. 'We're going to try and close it out in four games.'

The Celtics buckled down just enough to hold on late in this one.

Ahead 11 points to start the fourth quarter, that almost wasn't enough. The Magic, just as they did in Game 1, found their rhythm late.

They went on a 13-4 run to trim Boston's lead to 85-83 with about six minutes left. Carter's jumper with 4:05 remaining gave Orlando a 90-89 lead with 3:35 remaining, and then the Celtics summoned their championship form again.

Kevin Garnett (6'10''-F-76, agency: Pro Management Agency) and Rondo made consecutive jumpers, and after Nelson made a layup, Pierce answered with two free throws that put Boston ahead by three.

Carter missed two free throws with 31.9 seconds left that cost Orlando dearly. It must have felt all too familiar to Magic fans who watched Howard's damaging misses at the stripe in Game 4 of the NBA finals last year and Nick Anderson's four bricks in Game 1 of the 1995 finals.

Only another footnote for Boston's remarkable history.

Two years removed from their 17th NBA championship, the Celtics, once thought too old to contend for another title, have found their footing again. After ousting LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team with the league's best record, Boston is showing no signs of stopping.

'Just think our mindset was to be ready for the type of intensity they would bring after losing at home,' Pierce said. 'We know the Magic are a talented team and we won't take these two wins for granted.'

Boston again started fast.

The Celtics, who took a 20-point lead in Game 1, went ahead by 11 in the first quarter. It wasn't until backup center Marcin Gortat and Howard - a rare combination this season - teamed together that Orlando showed any fight.

With the the Magic big-time feeling postseason pressure for the first time this year, Orlando went on a 16-2 run behind the two centers. The powerful rebounding combo helped Orlando grab three straight on one possession, and Redick then hit a 3-pointer to put the Magic ahead 28-25.

All the pushing and pulling would finally spill over.

Pierce was knocked in the head hard by Howard on a layup attempt in the second quarter, a punishing display of anger that the Magic center rarely shows. Pierce got up after a minute, clearly upset, his headband twisted to the side. Howard was called for a flagrant foul.

The Celtics would go ahead by five after Howard picked up his third foul moments later. Before they could deliver another big blow, Matt Barnes hit a 3-pointer as the shot-clock buzzer sounded in the final seconds for Orlando to trim Boston's lead to 53-51 at the half.

NOTES: Magic coach Stan Van Gundy defended his close friend and Florida Marlins manager, Fredi Gonzalez, for benching Hanley Ramirez after the star shortstop didn't hustle for a ball. Van Gundy said Gonzalez was 'perfectly justified' and he and the Marlins' manager exchanged text messages about the situation. ... Even though Celtics coach Doc Rivers lives permanently near Orlando and is a former Magic coach, family ties apparently come first with his children. 'They're all more dad fans than NBA fans,' Rivers said. 'At least that's what they tell me when they ask for allowance.' ... Utah Jazz PF Carlos Boozer was sitting on the baseline for the second straight game.

Courtesy of www.milforddailynews.com

Cavaliers exercise team option on Leon Powe - by Eurobasket News
The Cleveland Cavaliers have exercised the team option on forward Leon Powe (6'8''-F-84, college: California), Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Per league and team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

In returning from a knee-injury that kept him out of action for the first half of the 2009-10 season, Powe returned to the court and played in 20 games (two starts), averaging 4.0 points on .429 shooting and 3.1 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.

In 209 career games (16 starts), Powe has averaged 6.3 points on .517 shooting and 4.1 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.

'Leon has worked hard to rehab and get himself back on the court this past season. Now he has a full summer to continue working, play more basketball and come back to start next season better than ever,' said Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry.

The 6-foot-8 forward was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 49th overall draft pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and traded for by Boston on draft night.

He signed with the Cavaliers as a free agent on August 12, 2009.

In 2005-06, Powe led the PAC-10 in scoring (20.5 points per game) and rebounding (10.1 rebounds per game) at California, becoming only the sixth player in conference history to accomplish the feat while earning All-PAC-10 honors.

Courtesy of www.wkyc.com

Wizards win first pick in 2010 NBA Draft Lottery - by Eurobasket News
With his championship ring on her hand and her late husband's dreams of another on her mind, Irene Pollin stood in shock as the Washington Wizards won the draft lottery.

Towering over her to the side, Mikhail Prokhorov watched the New Jersey Nets lose yet again.

The Wizards won the draft lottery Tuesday night, moving up from the No. 5 spot to earn the top pick in next month's draft, when it will likely choose between Kentucky freshman John Wall and national player of the year Evan Turner of Ohio State.

Washington was represented by Irene Pollin, who wore the 1978 Bullets championship ring of her late husband, longtime owner Abe Pollin. When the Wizards pulled off the surprising win, her jaw dropped and appeared to mouth 'Oh my God!!' with wide eyes.

Abe Pollin died at age 85 in November.

'This is very, very special. I have been in this my entire adult life and to be here, representing my husband, this is very special to me tonight,' Irene Pollin said. 'I think it's the culmination of my husband's dream because he wanted another ring and maybe this will get us another ring.'

The Philadelphia 76ers, another disappointment this season, moved up from the sixth spot to grab the No. 2 pick. The Nets continued the run of failure by teams with the best chance of winning, falling to the third.

Prokhorov, the 6-foot-6 Russian billionaire who was approved as Nets owner last week and had a front row seat for the loss, shrugged off the disappointment.

'Sometimes luck makes all the difference, but it never comes down to one player,' Prokhorov said. 'I'm sure we're going to get a great player. For our team, the only way is up.'

The lottery victory - despite only a 10.3 percent chance - is just about the only thing that has gone right in a disastrous year for the Wizards, marred by the suspension of All-Star Gilbert Arenas for bringing guns into the Verizon Center locker room. They finished 26-56 after being widely forecast to finish in the middle of the Eastern Conference.

Irene Pollin hopes the lottery win will help fans forget a turbulent season, when the Wizards also traded former All-Stars Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison to cut salary after things fell apart.

'Fans are fickle. But I think this is a wonderful thing for our fans who have really stuck by us,' Pollin said. 'They really have been through a very, very tough year. Actually when I got up and spoke to them, I was thanking them for sticking by us and being so supportive even though we had all the problems.'

Now they hope the No. 1 pick can help spark a quick turnaround under Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, who is close to completing a deal to buy the franchise from the Pollin family. Leonsis met with some NBA owners earlier Tuesday, and the sale is expected to be completed early in June.

'We have a lot of work to do with the franchise,' Leonsis said. 'The players, the culture, the expectations, the discipline around the team, but I do think it is a breath of fresh air and does revive the franchise and gives us a shot to be an exciting team with a lot of expectations. I know how hard it is to rebuild a team. I am going to be patient but I have a strong belief that our management team and ownership team is very focused.'

The Nets had a 25 percent chance of winning after going 12-70. Instead, the team with the worst record still hasn't won since 2004, when the Orlando Magic selected Dwight Howard.

Asked before the lottery about potentially changing the system to keep teams from losing on purpose to improve their probability of winning, commissioner David Stern said he thinks, 'the results of the lottery, if anything, are causing teams with the worst record to feel as though a paucity of wins is not being adequately recognized and compensated.'

So will Arenas play with the No. 1 pick or be replaced by him?

'I'm just going to come in and work hard ... just try to win games for the organization this year,' Wall said.

Team president Ernie Grunfeld told reporters on a conference call that earning the No. 1 pick would not affect the team's plans for Arenas.

'Gilbert is still with us. He's been down at our gym, working out and getting ready,' Grunfeld said. 'The more good players you have, the better.'

But the Wizards will have to do better than they did last time they had the No. 1 pick. That was in 2001, when Hall of Famer and former Washington executive Michael Jordan selected Kwame Brown, considered one of the biggest busts ever at No. 1.

The losers this time were the Minnesota Timberwolves, who fell from second to fourth. Sacramento (No. 5) and Golden State (No. 6) also tumbled - the second straight year the Kings went the wrong way in the lottery.

The Kings went from first to fourth last year, but did end up with Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans - who represented them Tuesday. So maybe the Nets shouldn't lose hope.

The NBA draft is June 24 in New York.

Philadelphia brought its own lucky charm, a used hockey stick from the Philadelphia Flyers' rally from 3-0 down to stun the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Still looking for a coach after firing former Wizards coach Eddie Jordan, they stand to grab either Turner or Wall.

'We had a rough year,' team president Ed Stefanski said. 'We feel that our talent was better than our record but we have to prove it now.'

Courtesy of www.charlotteobserver.com

Clips' Griffin cleared for all basketball activities - by Eurobasket News
The Los Angeles Clippers may not have won the NBA draft lottery for the second year in a row, but they are getting the No. 1 pick.

Last year's No. 1 overall pick, that is.

Blake Griffin (6'10''-F-89, college: Oklahoma), the Oklahoma star who missed all of his rookie season with a stress fracture in his left kneecap, has been fully cleared for all basketball activities.

'Right now Blake is working out with no restrictions, at full speed, 100 percent to the point where [strength coach] Rich Williams asked me to talk to Blake about dialing it back a little bit,' Clippers general manager Neil Olshey said.

'He's working out in May like we were ready to tip off in October. The only guy I feel bad for is the first one of his teammates that shows up and wants to play one-on-one with him.'

Griffin injured his knee in the Clippers' final preseason game on October 23. He rested for a few weeks and was hoping to return by the middle of the season. But the recovery process did not go as hoped and he was forced to have season-ending surgery.

'It's been a long year; it's been tough to sit out' Griffin said before the Clippers' final game of the season on April 14. 'But from my point of view, my rookie year is next year and I've got an up close and personal look at what I need to do and what I need to be prepared for.'

Olshey said that the team is still deciding whether to have Griffin play in the Las Vegas Summer League, where he was MVP last year, though it sounded as though he probably won't.

'Whether or not he defends his title as the summer league MVP, we'll take that as it comes,' Olshey said. 'But I don't know if we'll expose him to running around with a bunch of rookies and undrafted free agents.

'I don't know if playing five games in Vegas in July really makes a difference for what we need in October. But if he doesn't play with the team, it'll have nothing to do with health issues.'

Olshey said that doctors have indicated Griffin's stress fracture was a 'freak thing' that won't be a concern now that it's healed properly, and that his knee is actually feeling better than before because his tendonitis healed because of the extended layoff.

'The interesting thing is we're going to end up with a better rookie than we would've nine months ago just because of all the time he's spent in the gym working on his shooting mechanics,' Olshey said. 'He's in there every day.

'It goes to the type of kid he is. There's almost a guilt there when he saw what the other rookies are doing. He's almost trying to prove to us what we already knew about him, which is that we're not going to find a harder worker or a better kid. '

Courtesy of ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5200035)

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Kevin DURANT
  Oklah.City T.
  (206-G/F-88)
  Avg: 29.8

1. Durant, Oklah.Ci.	29.8
2. James, Clevelan.	29.6
3. Anthony, Denver N.	28.4
4. Bryant, LA Lakers	27.1
5. Wade, Miami Heat	27.0
6. Ellis, Golde S.	25.5
7. Nowitzki, Dallas M.	25.1
8. Granger, Indiana P.	24.1
9. Bosh, Toronto R.	24.0
10. Stoudemire, Phoeni.	22.8

Rebounds Per Game

Dwight HOWARD
  Orlando M.
  (207-F-85)
  Avg: 12.9

1. Howard, Orlando M.	12.9
2. Camby, LA Clippers	12.2
3. Lee, New York K.	11.7
4. Randolph, Memph.	11.7
5. Gasol, LA Lakers	11.4
6. Boozer, Utah Jazz	11.4
7. Noah, Chicago B.	11.2
8. Love, Minnesota T.	11.0
9. Bosh, Toronto R.	10.8
10. Haywood, Washingt.	10.3

Assists Per Game

Steve NASH
  Phoenix Suns
  (190-G-74)
  Avg: 10.9

1. Nash, Phoenix Suns	10.9
2. Paul, N.Orleans H.	10.7
3. Williams, Utah Jazz	10.5
4. Rondo, Boston C.	9.9
5. Kidd, Dallas M.	8.9
6. James, Clevelan.	8.4
7. Davis, LA Clippers	8.0
8. Westbrook, Oklah..	7.8
9. Harris, New J.	6.6
10. Wade, Miami Heat	6.5

Steals Per Game

Rajon RONDO
  Boston C.
  (186-G-86)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Rondo, Boston C.	2.3
2. Ellis, Golde S.	2.3
3. Paul, N.Orleans H.	2.1
4. Curry, Golde S.	1.9
5. Curry, Golde S.	1.9
6. Ariza, Houston R.	1.8
7. Wade, Miami Heat	1.8
8. Kidd, Dallas M.	1.8
9. Davis, LA Clippers	1.7
10. Iguodala, Philadel.	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Dwight HOWARD
  Orlando M.
  (207-F-85)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Howard, Orlando M.	2.9
2. Bogut, Milwauke.	2.5
3. Haywood, Washingt.	2.1
4. Camby, LA Clippers	2.0
5. Haywood, Dallas M.	2.0
6. Smith, Atlanta H.	2.0
7. Perkins, Boston C.	1.8
8. Andersen, Denver N.	1.8
9. Dalembert, Philad.	1.8
10. McGee, Washingt.	1.8

*****************************************************

NCAA1

Two North Carolina State players seek transfer - by Eurobasket News
Two of North Carolina State's reserves say they are transferring.

Wolfpack coach Sidney Lowe said Tuesday night that forward Josh Davis and guard Julius Mays (6'3''-G) were leaving the program in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

Davis played 31 games during his freshman season but did not play in the final five games of the season. He averaged nearly 3 points and 2 rebounds in roughly 10 minutes per game.

Mays primarily was the backup to Javier Gonzalez at point guard, but made six starts during two seasons. He averaged 4.7 points in 17 minutes.

School officials said Mays decided to transfer a few weeks ago but opted to wait until the end of the semester to announce his plans.

Courtesy of www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Providence kicks Jamine Peterson off team for violating team rules - by Eurobasket News
Jamine Peterson (6'6''-F-88) has been dismissed from the Providence men's basketball team for violating team rules.

Coach Keno Davis announced the dismissal on Tuesday, saying Peterson had broken unspecified team rules.

'Jamine had a productive season in 2009-10,' Davis said in a written statement. 'However, regardless of his athletic accomplishments, it is essential to the integrity of the program that every student-athlete meets the high standards and expectations we have at Providence College.'

Arthur Parks, an associate athletic director, declined to comment on Peterson's dismissal.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore started every game for the Friars and was the team's leading scorer last season, averaging nearly 20 points a game and more than 10 rebounds.

Providence finished 12-19, second-to-last in the Big East Conference.

His dismissal follows the arrests last month of teammates James Still and Johnnie Lacy. They were charged with assault and were suspended pending the outcome of a college investigation. Lacy already was planning to transfer.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

Singler, Smith named Duke captains - by Eurobasket News
Duke's announcement of its 2010-11 team captains won't surprise anybody who followed the team during its run to the 2010 NCAA title.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced Tuesday that he has named seniors Kyle Singler (6'8''-F-88) and Nolan Smith (6'2''-G-88) to captain the team. Singler considered leaving school early for the NBA draft but ultimately decided to return after being named the most outstanding player of the Final Four.

Smith, the team's third-leading scorer last season at 17.4 points per game, is expected to be a first-team All-ACC candidate along with Singler. Both players are first-time captains. They will fill a leadership void created by the loss of three senior starters - leading scorer Jon Scheyer, forward Lance Thomas and center Brian Zoubek.

'We're really excited about naming our co-captains so early this year, and the reason is obvious - Nolan and Kyle are our leaders,' Krzyzewski said in a statement. 'They have big shoes to fill. Losing the three seniors, who were all outstanding leaders, is the biggest gap we have to fill. But we're confident that these two young men can do it.'

Singler averaged 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game last season while leading the Blue Devils to a 35-5 record. He ranks 18th on the school's career scoring list with 1,767 points, and was named the most valuable player of the 2010 ACC tournament.

Although Singler is naturally soft spoken, Krzyzewski said when Singler announced his return that becoming more of a leader is the next step for him.

'Nolan and I have grown so much over the last three years, and now it is time for both of us to step foward and become vocal leaders,' Singler said.

Smith averaged 17.4 points per game as a junior, a 9.0 point per game increase over his sophomore season. He was named the most outstanding player of the South Regional in the NCAA tournament after scoring 29 points in a regional final win over Baylor in Houston.

'We have high goals set for this team, and the only way we can accomplish them is through hard work and great leadership,' Smith said.

Courtesy of www.newsobserver.com

Delany: Decision on Big 10 expansion months away - by Eurobasket News
Emerging from his self-imposed 'silent phase' for the second time in a month, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany jammed the brakes on a gathering perception of a ramped-up pace to the Big Ten's expansion study.

'The only thing I can tell you is we're months away from that decision,' he said Tuesday during the Big Ten meetings at the Sofitel Hotel.

In offering scant illumination of the scene, he also dangled a few morsels that seemed only to further muddle the picture.

By referring to census figures indicating demographic shifts southward, for instance, he lent new perspective to chatter that primarily had been fixated on Big East and Big 12 schools - including Missouri.

A population shift to the Sun Belt, he said, is 'reason by itself enough to look at the concept of expansion,' he said.

Noting that growth in the Big Ten footprint has slowed and has potential impact on everything from market sizes to student recruitment, he added, 'The question becomes, 'Are there ways to offset that?' '

He did not, however, elaborate on what that meant.

Was it a call to raid the South, or strengthen the North? Might it have something to do with where an institution's graduates tend to go, as Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith suggested?

Or was it just another red herring in a pond seemingly stocked with them?

Whatever he meant, don't expect the Big Ten's answer to be imminent.

Dousing hope of a swift resolution to a matter that has left much of the college sports world on edge because of the potential range of its impact, Delany joked that media would be welcome at the June 6 Big Ten presidents and chancellors meeting at which it was conceivable a vote on expansion would be cast.

'You bring the beer, we'll cook the brats,' he said, 'but if you think there will be any earth-shattering announcements on June 6, I don't think you'll get them.'

He later added that 'there will be no vote' then.

When a decision does come, roughly in the 12- to 18-month time frame the conference outlined in December 2009, Delany clarified the circumstances under which he would first notify a commissioner of a potentially affected conference.

'It will be before there's an announcement, but it will not be when we're in the process of gathering information,' he said, adding, 'Prior to the time membership is offered or applied for, I'll give someone a heads-up; they will know it before you will know it.'

Although he hedged on the specifics, Delany said a targeted school would have to apply for membership and would need eight yes votes among the 11 current members to be accepted.

Stopping short of saying schools would be invited to apply, he added, 'I would presume that nobody would apply without knowing they would be welcome to apply. So we're not interested in embarrassing ourselves or embarrassing anyone else.'

Delany acknowledged the stress the anticipation might be putting on others, either advantageously or adversely, and that the hush has led to rampant speculation and errant reports of offers already made 'premature would be a kind way to describe some of the reports,' he said.

But he reiterated the need for thoroughness in an enterprise that he suggested has been handled with less care over the last 20 years, during which he said there have been 252 changes of conference affiliation in Division I.

'A lot of (previous expansions) have, in my view, been improperly studied,' he said. 'Didn't understand the logistics. Didn't understand the culture. Didn't understand the academic fit. Didn't understand how people did their business. Didn't really understand whether they were doing a merger or whether they were doing an expansion.'

Although Delany agreed that Big Ten expansion could create broad ripples through other conferences, he disputed the contention that a larger Big Ten would automatically compel other conferences to follow suit.

'I don't necessarily see why if one group does something it thinks is in its best interest that somebody else would imitate it,' he said. 'Unless there were good reasons to imitate it.'

Despite a sense of the Big Ten holding great sway over other conferences in what's to come, Delany suggested expansion at its root is less about conferences than individual schools.

'I see this in many ways as institutions finding the right place for themselves,' he said, adding, 'I know that it has other implications, but that's what it's really about.'

In terms of what the Big Ten sees as the right places for itself to turn, the only criteria Delany spoke to was membership in the Association of American Universities, the 63-member group to which all 11 Big Ten schools belong as does Mizzou, among others considered of interest to the Big Ten.

But Delany wouldn't distinguish between whether he viewed AAU status as a must or a guideline.

'I think it's very important AAU membership is a part of who we are,' he said, adding, 'I don't know what's mandatory. Because we're not there.'

As for when they'll get there, Delany said he hoped it wouldn't take 19 months overall and that it could be only 11.

And what they'll have found when they arrive?

He flashed his cards no more visibly Tuesday than he did in December.

'Unless it's fiscally sound, a great academic fit and competitive fit, we won't expand,' he said, later adding, 'I always say that some of the best decisions are not acting.'

Courtesy of www.stltoday.com

*****************************************************

NIGERIA

Nsonwu Uchenna is the best center in French Pro league - by Eurobasket News
Uchenna Nsonwu

(208-F/C-78, agency: Beo Basket, college: Wyoming) of Roanne was named the best center in French Pro league. Nigerian player looked really awesome this season and rightfully received the honor. He also was a member of Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge 1st Team and Eurobasket.com EuroChallenge All-Imports Team.
In season 2008-2009 he started for Azovmash Mariupol in the Ukrainian League but left team and in February 2009 moved to Chorale de Roanne Basket. In 14 games he averaged 11.4ppg, Reb-5 (8.0rpg), 2.0apg, FGP: 57.9%, FT: 60.9%.
This season he experienced also in Eurocup and EuroChallenge.Chorale de Roanne Basket lost the series to Hap.Jerusalem from Israel in EuroCup as the Nigerian player brought 31 points in two games. In EuroChallenge he averaged 12.8 points per game.
Early in December Uchenna Nsonwu recorded 22 points as Roanne moved up to 8-3 mostly owing to the Nigerian player. On May 7th he nailed 12 points as his team overcame 97:74.
In the last round Roanne got 22 points and 7 rebounds from David Noel in the game versus Hyeres-Toulon and won 98:80. Mamoutou Diarra added 15 points and 5 boards, while Uchenna Nsonwu collected 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Roanne finished the Regular Season with 21-9 record on the third place. They will face Orleans in the Quarterfinal series.

*****************************************************

NORWAY

Taylor Mullenax stays in Ulriken - by Eurobasket News
Taylor Mullenax (201-F, college: St.Edward's) has reportedly signed a one-year deal with Ulriken. The forward arrived to Norway in November. He inked with Taylor Mullenax but appeared in just six games. The forward tallied 20.2 points, 15.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. It was the first pro-contract for the St. Edwards graduate.

*****************************************************

PALESTINE

Ibdaa Snatch the 2010 Title, De La Salle in 2nd place & League Recap - by Tamara Awartani

What a season!! Now you can catch your breath and look back on what happened, its a bit long but bear with me and let me know your thoughts.

Ibdaa (2009 champ) played 14 games and lost 1 against Eibal with one game left against AlAroob (99% win).
Ibdaa took part in the Arab clubs Championship, which reflected a major gap in comparison to the others but it was a good game experience for their players. Yahia Al Khatib (190-G-77) (thought injured in 2nd game) stood out with his great experience along with Iyad Yousef Abdalla (205-C-80), Mahdi Eid (194-F-81) also had a good perfomance while the young players Husam Obeid, Thaer Jaffal, Khaled Khamees and Firas Sha'lan gained good game experience that will give them a boost to work harder. Jimmy Williams (196-G-86, college: Alders.-Broad.) on the other hand did good but realized the different game level he needs to work on while it was a fair game for the other two imports George David & a good one for Cherad Gersolny Results were as follows: against Muthahed (Lebanon) 90 58, Sharjah (UAE) 100 62
Ibdaa players are known for their great fighting spirit in the court who appeared more organized this season with a good inside & outside game , they're a mixture of experienced players such as Yahia Al Khatib and Iyad Yousef Abdalla who give their team a boost along with the new addition to the team Mahdi Eid who fit quite well in the team giving a good performance as known (previously playing on AlAhli Team), while Nader Yousef and Kamal AlAzraq along with the young players Husam Obeid, Thaer Jaffal, Khaled Khamees, Firas Sha'lan added their touches with good playing have a bright future ahead of them if they continue working hard. Coach Terry Hill had a great effect on the team, keeping their stats to learn where they went wrong and building on it, while Jimmy Williams having played for the 2nd year with Ibdaa built better chemistry with his team mates especially Iyad Yousef Abdalla with their basic screen & role game pulling through most of the games.

De La Salle played 14 games and lost one against Ibdaa with one tough left Thursday against Sarriyeh.
De La Salle this year have played with a whole set of new young players who are full of passion for the game, energetic and organized. One of the few teams playing full court press, man-to-man defense, set plays, communication, great all around shooters giving them an edge in an outside game, and good inside game. Coach Derrick Crayton (202-F-75, college: UALR) surely had a role in putting them into action while Justin Bourne (198-F, college: Alaska-Fairb.) kept the team together in the court, motivated, with great outside and inside game.
Each and every one on the team had a role in getting the team where it is today: Tawfiq Richard, Telly Rafidi, Sari Amer, Hasan Awad, Hazem Khattab, Wisam Bitar, Murad Bakri, Kassissieh Issa (186-F-78),Johnny Ishaq, Jihad Yaghmour and Elie Nassrawi.

Sarriyet Ramallah played 14 games and lost 2 of them against Terrasanta and Ibdaa putting them in 3rd place with one game left against De La Salle which would be exciting to watch. Sarriyet Ramallah went throughout several changes during the season that surely affected their playing, having lost their coach Ozell Wells & player Michael Harrington beginning season then changing two other coaches, their main point guard Saleem Hussary injured sat out all the league. Sarriyeh mainly depended on their experienced player Ibrahim Al Habash (194-F-75) who was all around the court keeping his team together assisted by a good inside game through Saleem Sakakini, good experience & defense from Murad Abu Laban & Ibrahim Hussary, led by John Sa'deh, Jack Tannous, Hassan Jadeh who gave good performance with Safwat AlGhara a great addition to the team, while B.J. Benning (203-F-85, college: Lee) helped his team snatching several rebounds, great assists & good shots.

Orthodox Ramallah played 15 games and lost 4 of them against Sarriyeh, Catholic Action, Ibdaa and De La Salle. Orthodox Ramallah are known for their quickness giving them an edge in good defense and fastbreaks with a good outside game & fair inside game. The team mainly depends on Ahmad Deeb with his 3pointers and penetrations, Ahmad Amin & Ammar Halayqa also had a major role in scoring, with a great addition to the team Ahmad Qandeel ( Previously in De La Salle) who put his touches in each game, along with Ghazi Njoom and Nadeem Mousa with great potential playing under basket.
While their import (badly injured early in the league) continued playing & gave them a push in several of the games with great shots & penetrations.

Catholic Action played 16 games and lost 5 of them. Catholic Action players are known for their young players with good basics & skills playing fast and with their heart, not letting Coach Basil May'yah down (R.I.P.) playing their first league without him. Shadi Bahnan (180-G-87) kept his team going with penetrations & shots, along with young Ibrahim Habash, a 17 year old playing in the superleague showing talent and great skill, while Samer Hadad (192-F-82), Issa Qara'a, Riccardo Jiacaman, Osama Khaliliyeh, Yassin Sharabati and Elias Hosh added up to their team, while Ty Brunson (203-F/C-80, college: Mass.-Lowell) had a major effect in getting them there grabbing most of the rebounds and good inside moves.

Qalandia played 15 games and lost 5 of them, they're known for their outside game.
Jon Sheets (185-G-85, college: Maine) was their main player hitting several 3pointers every game great penetrations & assists along with Nizar Shehadeh's game experience, 3 pointers and shots. Adham Abdel Qader, Omar Jassar and Ismael Hamad all had a great role in scoring for their team as well as Ahmad AlOmari who has great potential, the other players are all young and gained good game experience.

Ebal played 15 games and lost 8 of them, one of the well known teams with great experienced players beating the champ of 2009 Ibdaa but major issues at the start of the league within the team put them in a critical situation, losing their renowned experienced coach Kareem Schahin and the tough situation in Nablus. Ebal led by Basheer Abdelazeez (178-G-78) one of the best point guards in Palestine had a major role scoring for his team along with the experienced players Raed Amouri (185-F-76), Anan Farhoud (188-F-79), Naeem Turabi (185-F-81) and Tamer Qanadeelo (192-F/C-80) (injured beg. League), with great potential for the younger players Qasem Turabi (194-F/C-90), Adli Schahin, Saleh Dwakat and Tareq AlTamimi. Jamal Walker (193-G/F-81, college: Briar Cliff) had a better outside game then inside game, with great 3pointers.

Orthodoxi Thaqafi Beit Sahour played 14 games and lost 8 of them with one tough game left against AlAhli. Beit Sahour a new comer to the superleague managed to prove their game and stay in the league even with all the obstacles. Its a merged team (Orthodox Beit Sahour & Thaqafi Beit Sahour) chemistry amongst the players was an issue, their well known coach Issa Sleibi had to leave, their import Andre Moss (201-F/C-84, college: Eckerd) got injured early in the league and had to sit out a couple of games but came back strong with great inside game and grabbing several rebounds. Paul Guerrero (ORC Beit Sahour last year's player) stepped in to help the team and had a major role in getting them together to where they are today. Mohammed Watad was also a great addition to the team.Oday Hilal, Maher Kassis, Rami Salsa' had a great outside game with their 3pointers, along with Husam Kokali's inside game, Ra'fat Banoura, Ward Qumsieh, Hanna Minnoli, Fares Kokali also had their share in scoring.

Orthodox Bethlehem played 15 games and lost 9 of them. Orthodox Bethlehem the new comer to the superleague also proved their skills & abilities to stay in the league with good inside outside game coached by Ibrahim AlBandak. Having Ibrahim AlBandak under basket, along with Tavaris Watts (203-F-85, college: UTEP) inside outside game snatching rebounds & shooting 3pointers, while Osama Abu Jaber had great penetrations and assists, led by Firas Freii the new addition to the team (Catholic Action Previously) with good assists & 3pointers, Emad Abu Hamameh, Khader Jiacaman, Bassem Freii and George Canawati (Catholic Action previously) also had a role in scoring for their team. The team was also affected by the loss of their main player Raed Barakat due to traveling.

Hiteen played 15 games and lost 9 of them. Hiteen known for the quickness, experienced players, good chemistry and teamwork. They had their ups and downs in the league this year as we all know the situation in Nablus clubs is tough but Coach Alaa Amer and Ammar Jeitem kept them together. Shadi Takruri (183-G-78), Mohammed AlHilu (185-G-77), Maisar Atmeh (184-G-79), Saed Darwazeh (191-F/C-79) Haitham Qanaaeer (186-F/C-81), Asad Afouri (192-C-87) and Ahmad Abdelhaq (175-G-84) played several years together giving them an edge with their teamwork along with their good individual skills. Radwan Wanni (169-G-87), Ameed Mbaslat (175-G-86) and Mahdi Shiko (186-F-87) also had their share in scoring for the team with their shots and penetrations. Malcolm Thomas (196-F/G-85, college: Widener) fit quite perfectly with the team, with strong drives, great shots snatching several rebounds.

Islami Bethlehem played 15 games and lost 9 of them with a very close call going down a division. Although everyone had their eye on this team since they got 8 new players, they barely stayed in the league, which makes one think at a point what went wrong! From the 8 players, very early in the league their main point guard Luis Sudah (De La Salle Jerusalem) got injured & sat out the rest of the league, their shooting guard Basheer Shatara (Orthodox Bethlehem) got injured & sat out several games, Ali AlAraj (De La Salle Bethlehem) played well the first few games then had to travel, Ameer Schahin (De La Salle Jerusalem) a very good player who didnt get his chance to play, which leaves us with 4 players Jamal Ward (198-F-79, college: Chattanooga) the most experienced player in the league who played with Ibdaa in the cup tournament & won, had a great game with Islami pulling them out several times with his 3pointers & assists along with Hanna Sahwani (De La Salle previously) who also had a major role in keeping Islami in the league with his quickness & 3pointers, Fares Sweiti (Ra'I Saleh) with his great under basket moves snatching several rebounds while Awad Hreimi (Orthodox Bethlehem) and Motaz Jawareesh gained good game experience and had a great role also in scoring for their team along with Husam Afaghani and Khaled Haj Meer.
I think that bringing out good new players needs to have a good all around base from the club to be able to make the best of their skills.

AlAhli played 14 games and lost 9 with one tough one to go against Orthodoxi Thaqafi Beit Sahour. AlAhli the only team who played without an import in the league managed to keep strong and stay in the league with their great team experience, individual skills and coach Ahmad AlShurafa.
Raed Diyab (184-G-74), Ammar Baghdadi (177-G-81) had a great role in leading their team with their 3pointers and assists, along with Ismael Sweiti (181-G-81), Rami Al Bakri (185-G-77), Samir Abdelatif (180-G-74) playing on the outside, while Sameh Hdeib (191-C-81), Nabeel Nasser (192-C-81) and Samer Dweik had a good inside game and a good experienced play for Ibrahim Alami and Muhammed Muheisen while Ayman AlHawa and Ali Sarraj gained good game experience.

Terrasanta played 15 games and lost 10 taking the team back to division I when it recently got raised to superleague. Terrasanta started off real strong beating Sarriyet Ramallah one of the leading teams in the league, however, a few obstacles also came their way that took them down, especially the loss of their main player Matia Nassar (203-C-87) due to injury sitting out the rest of the league who helped them a lot with his height snatching several rebounds and fast back on defense but mainly the loss of the teams confidence after a few losses in the beginning even with their coach Daud Maliha joining them to play it was a late wake up call. Terrasanata players have good skilled players, such as Peter Qandalt (188-G-85) who stood out in most of the games with great 3pointers and shots, along with Rafiq Nassrallah (193-C-87) stable game under basket grabbing several rebounds & shots, Maurice Salman (182-G-88), Vicken Deldelian (168-G-78) also had a huge role in their team with their shots along with Suheil Stiban under basket. Mark Aboudi and Tony Abu Ali (182-F-83) also had their share.
Their import Jeremy Schreiber (185-G-83, college: Webber) had a major role last year in getting them to the superleague, got better this year and put great effort scoring from all over the court.

AlAroob played 14 games and lost 11 the new comer to the league going back to division I with one game left against Ibdaa the champ. AlAroob has several good players who for sure gained good game experience in this league, however, also went through an issue with their import Tim Nelson (186-G-86, college: Oklahoma S&A) having to leave in the last couple of games due to family circumstances but had a major role in scoring for the team with his unstoppable 3pointers. Ghaleb AlHreimi's game experience surely played a role in keeping the team together also scoring for his team, Jamal Ashour, Bassem Qanam, Adham AlManwi, Mohammed AlJanazra and Ismael Isaa played well scoring for their team, while it was great game experience for the young players Mahmoud Jaber, Nathem Sha'lan and Ramzi Jaffal. A great addition to the team was Muhanned Attari who showed great skill & talent and added a flavor to the teams game.

Orthodox Beit Jala played 15 games and lost 12, the greatest shock in this league, from 2nd place in 2009 going back to division I in 2010 if that doesnt make you think what happened!!! The team is almost the same team that played last year with great well known experienced players. Led by Khalil Harb & Kamal Mukarker along with Charlie Qattan playing on the outside, while Raed Abu Rumman (188-F-81) & Rimon Zreineh played on the inside, along with the young 18 year old player Abdallah Adawi with great potential added up to the team. On the other hand, their import Mike Grinder (191-G/F-80, college: Simpson (CA)) played great last season with Orthodox Bethlehem however it wasnt his best this season especially with the continuous team losses but had several great 3pointers and penetrations.

Ra'I Saleh played 15 games and lost 13, going down to division I, after losing three main players from last season who went to Islami and Qalandia. However, the team consists of young players with great potential which could be a good base for an under 20 team, who showed good skill, organized and playing with their hearts every game throughout. Their American Coach surely had a role in their set plays keeping them motivated along with Nick Tuggle (198-G/F-84, college: E.Tenn.St.) who had showed great skill & talent, shooting from all over the court, penetrations, rebounds and assists to his teammates. Samer Hadad, Rami Majruh (180-C-75) and Bshara Michael (180-F-80) with their game experience, Abdel Qader Hijazi (180-G-90), Saif Barahmeh (192-F-89), Michael Michael (170-G-91), Qusai AlAnani (195-C-90), Mustafa Zghari (175-G-92) and Ahmad Nofal (176-G-90) all had a major role in scoring for their team playing for the love of the game showing great skill.

All in all, I think there have been up and down sides for this league and things to improve.
Finishing the league is a success, having imports on almost all the teams was a plus this year, as they raise the level of the game, I know some of you are against it, but it depends on how your team utilizes their presence is what counts, i.e. imports should raise the level of the practices making it tougher for the skilled players and transferring basic skills of the game to the ones who want to learn, as well as working on teamwork, different offenses, different defenses (not 2009 zone defense, 2010 3-2 zone and hardly/few man defense or anything). Another positive thing is that some teams gave the opportunity for the new young players (u20) to take part giving them good game experience since an under 20, under 18, under 16, under 14 leagues are non-existent. On the downside of the league, games were packed in one week especially towards the end of the league which was definite physical/financial stress on the club, coach, players and referees, as well as not knowing the game schedule except a few days before of every week. The number of qualified referees is very low making it very difficult for them to keep up with all the games. Games are not recorded by officials, some are by players, Statistics committee are non-existent, only few clubs do that for their players. I can go on and on, but as long as we are on the track of realizing the importance of these issues and solving them we are good. Im not trying to criticize anyone, on the contrary, its just pointing out a few things that we need to work on as a basketball community to raise Palestinian Basketball to be able to compete and not just take part in tournaments. Taking stats and recording games shows were the team went wrong, what they did good and work on it, motivates the players to do better, revealing great players, helps in choosing the national team I also think we have a problem reading the game, using different defenses against certain teams and which offenses to useWe have several qualified coaches that know all these things. There are two courses by WABA and FIBA in June to distinguish the coaches, work on their skills and update their knowledge. Another thing to point out is that Palestinian players play basketball because they love the game as 99% of them are not paid, it revives their spirit, giving them hope in life. Again, this only reflects my thoughts, no offense to anyone, Im just cursed with basketball passion, feel free to comment as Im all ears to any advise/ comment.
Together lets make Basketball in Palestine better.

Standings - Men

PBBA Standings

1. De La Salle		13-1
2. Ibdaa D.		13-1
3. Sarriyet		11-3
4. Orthodox R.		11-4
5. Catholic A.		10-5
6. Qalandia		10-5
7. Ebal		7-8
8. Orth. Thaq. BS		6-8
9. Bethlehem		6-9
10. Hiteen		6-9
11. Islami		6-9
12. Al Ahli		5-9
13. Terrasanta		5-10
14. AlAroob YC		3-11
15. Orthodox BJ		3-12
16. RaI AlSaleh		2-13

*****************************************************

POLAND

Dardan Berisha will join Anwil - by Eurobasket News
Dardan Berisha (192-G-88, agency: Global Sports Plaza) will join Anwil in the new season. The 21-year-old guard spent the last season in Polonia 2011. He tallied 16.0 points, 3.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Warsaw team. Last season Dardan Berisha shone bright for Polonia 2011 helping the team reach PLK. The guard tallied 16.3 points, 3.7 boards, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was named All-Polish 1Liga Player of the Year.

*****************************************************

PUERTO RICO

Lions take over 3rd place in 3 way tie - by Luis Ramirez
The Lions got their 3rd win in a row last night as they beat the Mayaguez Indians, 97-81. With this victory the Lions entered into a 3 way tie with the Quebradillas Pirates and the Santurce Crabbers. At this moment the Lions hold 3rd place based on goal average as they bet the Pirates twice and are currently winning their series against the Crabbers.

With a fast start the Lions took the 1st quarter, 23-19, and by the middle of the 2nd quarter were leading by 10 points, 41-31. The 1st half ended with the Lions in control of the game 51-38.

In the 2nd half the Indians would not seriously threat the Lions, the 3rd quarter ended with the Lions leading by 8 points 70-62. In the 4th quarter the Lions the Lions quickly went into an offensive run to put the game out of reach of the Indians.

For Ponce, Leon Rodgers (199-F-80, college: N.Illinois) scored 23 points with 8 rebounds followed by Lee Nailon with 17 points.

For Mayaguez, Alejandro Carmona scored 30 points and had 10 rebounds while both Alex Galindo and James Maye scored 10 points.

The Lions would make a decision on what import player they would replace as they have contracted Rodney White as their new import player and White will report on Wednesday to the team. Late breaking news indicates that the Lions have replaced Lee Nailon and kept Leon Rodgers (199-F-80, college: N.Illinois). White is scheduled to debut on Thursday when the Lions meet the Santurce Crabbers once again.

In the other BSN last night the Arecibo Captains once again squeezed out a victory as they beat the Santurce Crabbers 84-83.

The Crabbers took the 1st half with a score of 43-35, but the Captains managed to make up the difference in the 3rd quarter to take a 1 point lead, 64-63 which was sufficient to eventually win the game by the minimum.

For Arecibo, Larry Ayuso scored 21 points while Angelo Reyes scored 16 points with 13 rebounds.

For Santurce, Michael Sweetney scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, followed by Ricky Sanchez with 15 points.

Standings - BSN

BSN Standings

1. Bayamon		21-5
2. Capitanes		21-6
3. Quebradillas		14-12
4. Santurce		14-12
5. Ponce		13-12
6. San German		12-14
7. Guaynabo		10-16
8. Humacao		10-16
9. Isabela		9-17
10. Mayaguez		6-20

Stats Leaders - BSN

Points Per Game

Christian DALMAU
  Bayamon
  (194-G-77)
  Avg: 21.6

1. Dalmau, Bayamon	21.6
2. Galindo, Mayaguez	21.1
3. Hickerson, San G.	20.5
4. Carmona, Mayaguez	19.8
5. Maye, Mayaguez	19.7
6. Ramos, Quebradillas	19.4
7. Priutt, Isabela	19.1
8. Ayuso, Capitanes	18.4
9. Redhage, Quebradillas	18.2
10. Sweetney, Santurce	17.8

Rebounds Per Game

Shawn PRIUTT
  Isabela
  (208-C-85)
  Avg: 13.5

1. Priutt, Isabela	13.5
2. Ramos, Quebradillas	11.7
3. Sweetney, Santurce	11.5
4. Narvaez, Ponce	10.2
5. Traylor, Bayamon	9.9
6. Dyer, San German	9.2
7. Mays, Humacao	9.0
8. Reyes, Capitanes	9.0
9. Austin, San German	9.0
10. Aubry, Capitanes	8.9

Assists Per Game

C.J. BRUTON
  Quebradillas
  (188-G-75)
  Avg: 7.8

1. Bruton, Quebradillas	7.8
2. Dalmau, Bayamon	6.0
3. Rodriguez, Capit.	5.2
4. Hatton, Ponce	5.0
5. Cruz, Ponce	4.9
6. Rivera, Isabela	4.9
7. Copeland, San G.	4.7
8. Guzman, Guaynabo	4.6
9. Redhage, Quebradillas	4.3
10. Berdiel, Humacao	4.3

Steals Per Game

Ali BERDIEL
  Humacao
  (198-G-83)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Berdiel, Humacao	2.2
2. Carmona, Mayaguez	1.9
3. Rivera, Isabela	1.7
4. Dalmau, Bayamon	1.6
5. Mojica, Bayamon	1.5
6. Austin, San German	1.4
7. Galindo, Mayaguez	1.4
8. Pickett, Capitanes	1.4
9. Perez, Isabela	1.4
10. Mays, Humacao	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Michael SWEETNEY
  Santurce
  (203-F-82)
  Avg: 1.4

1. Sweetney, Santurce	1.4
2. Priutt, Isabela	1.2
3. Mays, Humacao	1.2
4. Traylor, Bayamon	1.1
5. Perez, Isabela	1.1
6. Nieves, Santurce	1.1
7. Reyes, Capitanes	1.1
8. Nailon, Ponce	1.0
9. Guzman, Guaynabo	0.9
10. Escalera, Guaynabo	0.9

*****************************************************

ROMANIA

Div.A Round: 3 (Finals) - by Eurobasket News
Ploiesti - U.Mobitel.CN 83-77
Ploiesti stepped closer to the title after they celebrated the third straight win over UMobitelco. This time Ploiesti held off their opponents at home court. Darius Hargrove (193-G-82, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: Virginia Union) scored 28 points to lead the hosts. Arvydas Cepulis (195-G-79) and Rashard Griffith (212-C-74, agency: Edge Sports, college: Wisconsin) added 14 points apiece in the victory. Zoran Krstanovic (205-C-82) responded with 22 points and 13 rebounds for UMobitelco. Kyndall Dykes (191-F-87, agency: Strategic Sports, college: New Orleans) delivered 19 points in the losing effort.

Stats Leaders - Men

Points Per Game

O''Darien BASSETT
  Craiova
  (188-G-86)
  Avg: 20.7

1. Bassett, Craiova	20.7
2. Krstanovic, U.Mobi.	20.7
3. Pesic, Timisoara	19.1
4. Peciukas, Mures	18.7
5. Mandic, Oradea	18.4
6. Hargrove, Ploiesti	17.9
7. Bubanja, Brasov	17.8
8. Mack, Steaua T.	17.6
9. Santana, Municipal B.	17.4
10. Smith, CSU Sibiu	17.1

Rebounds Per Game

Trevor HARVEY
  Craiova
  (211-C-80)
  Avg: 10

1. Harvey, Craiova	10.0
2. Herndon, CSU Sibiu	9.2
3. Masiulis, Mures	8.9
4. Krstanovic, U.Mobi.	8.8
5. Nicoara, Gaz Metan	8.6
6. Carutasu, Ploiesti	8.4
7. Paltinisanu, Timis.	8.1
8. Roschnafsky, Gladia.	7.9
9. Miskovic, CSU S.	7.7
10. Mijajlovic, Munici.	7.6

Assists Per Game

Jarrett HOWELL
  Gaz Metan
  (188-G-84)
  Avg: 5.9

1. Howell, Gaz Metan	5.9
2. Cooley, Mures	5.6
3. Cuic, U.Mobitel.CN	5.4
4. Dzambic, Timisoara	5.0
5. Dawson, Gladiato.	4.6
6. Fometescu, Dinamo B.	4.4
7. Howard, Gladiato.	4.4
8. Bassett, Craiova	4.3
9. Mitchell, Oradea	4.2
10. Helcioiu, Municipa.	4.0

Steals Per Game

JuJuan COOLEY
  Mures
  (175-G-82)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Cooley, Mures	2.4
2. Johnson, CSU Sibiu	2.3
3. Howell, Gaz Metan	2.3
4. Mitchell, Gaz Metan	2.1
5. Maric, Oradea	2.0
6. Mandache, Otopeni	1.9
7. Mitchell, Oradea	1.9
8. Seals, Otopeni	1.9
9. Dawson, Gladiato.	1.9
10. Medvedj, U.Mobite.	1.9

Blocks Per Game

Arturas MASIULIS
  Mures
  (210-C-80)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Masiulis, Mures	2.2
2. Lazar, Oradea	1.8
3. Herndon, CSU Sibiu	1.7
4. Dragusin, Pitesti	1.6
5. Harvey, Craiova	1.5
6. Dragovic, Craiova	1.4
7. Thomson, U.Mobite.	1.3
8. Wiggins, Steaua T.	1.1
9. Bubanja, Brasov	1.0
10. Pantelic, Steaua T.	1.0

*****************************************************

RUSSIA

Standings - Superleague B

B Superleague Standings

1. N.Novgorod		34-8
2. Saransk		30-16
3. Lok.Novos.		28-16
4. Severstal		28-16
5. Revda		27-19
6. Spartak-P.		26-20
7. Irkutsk		22-24
8. Rjazan		19-26
9. Ural Ekater.		19-27
10. Naltchik		18-28
11. Chelabinsk		17-27
12. Magnitogorsk		14-32
13. Tambov		9-32

*****************************************************

SENEGAL

Gorgui Dieng signs with Louisville - by Eurobasket News
Louisville secured the services of Gorgui Dieng. A 6-10 centre from Senegal has signed a letter-of-intent to continue his career at the University of Louisville. Gorgui Dieng averaged 15.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 7.2 blocks per game in his senior season at Huntington Prep. Gorgui Dieng was named the MVP of the Black Team in the 2010 Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic All-Star Game. Dieng also led Senegal past Team USA Midwest in the 2009 Nike Global Challenge in Oregon back in August of 2009.

*****************************************************

SERBIA

Standings - A Liga

A Standings

Super Liga
1. Hemofarm		8-1
2. Partizan		8-1
3. Radnicki K.		6-3
4. Crvena Zvez.		5-4
5. FMP		5-4
6. Tamis		2-7
7. Borac		1-8
8. Metalac		1-8
Only 1st Stage
1. Beograd		0-0
2. Ergonom		0-0
3. KG 06		0-0
4. Masinac		0-0
5. Mega Vizura		0-0
6. Napredak		0-0
7. Novi Sad		0-0
8. Proleter Naft.		0-0
9. Radnicki Basket		0-0
10. Sloga		0-0
11. Vojvodina		0-0

Stats Leaders - 1A

Points Per Game

Petar BEADER
  KG 06
  (205-F-85)
  Avg: 18.3

1. Beader, KG 06	18.3
2. Panic, Metalac	18.1
3. Mladenovic, Ergon.	17.8
4. Mihajlovic, Ergonom	17.5
5. Micic, Napredak	16.5
6. Markovic, Napredak	16.5
7. Vukosavljevi., Prolet.	16.4
8. Markovic, Tamis	16.1
9. Jorovic, Borac	15.6
10. Martinic, Vojvodina	15.4

Rebounds Per Game

Aleksandar MLADENOVIC
  Ergonom
  (207-F/C-84)
  Avg: 7.4

1. Mladenovic, Ergon.	7.4
2. Mikic, KG 06	6.9
3. Ilic, Metalac	6.8
4. Ljubojevic, Novi S.	6.2
5. Buric, Tamis	6.2
6. Bosnjak, Vojvodina	6.2
7. Jelovac, Mega V.	6.1
8. Borovcanin, Sloga	6.0
9. Lukovic, Radnic.	5.8
10. Pobric, Novi Sad	5.8

Assists Per Game

Vid ZARKOVIC
  Proleter Naft.
  (189-G-75)
  Avg: 7.2

1. Zarkovic, Prolet.	7.2
2. Kocergin, Masinac	4.9
3. Teodosic, Metalac	4.7
4. Stefanovic, Metal.	4.3
5. Rakic, Novi Sad	4.2
6. Korac, Beograd	4.1
7. Djordjevic, Sloga	4.0
8. Prolovic, Borac	3.8
9. Martinic, Vojvodina	3.7
10. Dimitrijevic, Sloga	3.6

Steals Per Game

Marko VULIN
  Proleter Naft.
  (196-G-83)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Vulin, Proleter Naft.	2.2
2. Martinic, Vojvodina	2.0
3. Zarkovic, Prolet.	1.9
4. Jereminov, Tamis	1.9
5. Rakic, Novi Sad	1.7
6. Borovcanin, Sloga	1.7
7. Kovacevic, Novi Sad	1.7
8. Dundjerski, Beograd	1.7
9. Djordjevic, Sloga	1.6
10. Milosevic, KG 06	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Nikola MARAVIC
  Mega Vizura
  (212-C-89)
  Avg: 1.2

1. Maravic, Mega V.	1.2
2. Mladenovic, Ergon.	1.2
3. Ilic, Metalac	1.1
4. Lukovic, Radnic.	1.0
5. Buric, Tamis	1.0
6. Ljubojevic, Novi S.	0.8
7. Arsic, Masinac	0.8
8. Bircevic, Metalac	0.8
9. Dramicanin, Borac	0.7
10. Cvetkovic, Mega V.	0.6

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SLOVAKIA

Stats Leaders - D1

Points Per Game

Jeremy FEARS
  Prievidza
  (196-G-85)
  Avg: 21.8

1. Fears, Prievidza	21.8
2. Glavinic, Handlova	20.5
3. Burrows, Komarno	17.9
4. Bosak, Prievidza	17.7
5. Polakovic, Svit	17.2
6. Nicholson, Pezinok	16.6
7. Polakovic, Inter B.	16.1
8. Mroz, Nova Ves	15.7
9. Laco, Svit	15.7
10. Stojanovic, Vahost.	15.6

Rebounds Per Game

Pawel MROZ
  Nova Ves
  (215-C-84)
  Avg: 8.5

1. Mroz, Nova Ves	8.5
2. Burrows, Komarno	8.1
3. Nicholson, Pezinok	7.7
4. Szalay, Prievidza	7.6
5. Skara, B.Bystrica	7.2
6. Tomek, Nitra	7.2
7. Micuda, Pezinok	6.7
8. Laco, Svit	6.4
9. Cvitanovic, Svit	6.4
10. Madaj, Komarno	6.2

Assists Per Game

T.J. BANNISTER
  Komarno
  (180-G-)
  Avg: 8.6

1. Bannister, Komarno	8.6
2. Glavinic, Handlova	6.8
3. Jefferson, Nova Ves	5.7
4. Fears, Prievidza	4.9
5. Scott, Nitra	4.5
6. Crawford, Nitra	3.8
7. Immink, B.Bystrica	3.7
8. Grznar, Levice	3.5
9. Milosevic, Pezinok	3.3
10. Bosak, Prievidza	3.1

Steals Per Game

Jan ZAVODNY
  Vahostav-Zilina
  (188-G-87)
  Avg: 2.7

1. Zavodny, Vahost.	2.7
2. Fears, Prievidza	2.4
3. Scott, Nitra	2.1
4. Jackson, Pezinok	2.0
5. Zilik, Inter B.	1.9
6. Crawford, Nitra	1.9
7. Jefferson, Nova Ves	1.9
8. Nuber, Handlova	1.8
9. Glavinic, Handlova	1.8
10. Bannister, Komarno	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Ivica BLAGOJEVIC
  Levice
  (206-C-74)
  Avg: 0.7

1. Blagojevic, Komar.	0.7
2. Burrows, Komarno	0.7
3. Polakovic, Svit	0.7
4. Cvitanovic, Svit	0.6
5. Madaj, Komarno	0.6
6. Klar, Levice	0.6
7. Bosak, Prievidza	0.6
8. Fears, Prievidza	0.6
9. Crawford, Nitra	0.6
10. Gudelj, Komarno	0.6

Pezinok are new Extraliga champions - by Eurobasket News
Pezinok - Nitra 71:62
Pezinok became the new Extraliga champions. The regular season champions overcame Nitra in the decisive fifth game of the series to clinch the trophy. Andrej Lukjanec (203-F/C-69) scored 15 points to lead the effort.
Pezinok dominated in this one and celebrated a well-deserved victory. The hosts stormed into the game and quickly built a 21:9 lead. Pezinok finished the opening quarter ahead by 9 points 25:16. Pezinok maintained the margin in the second frame. The home team opened a double-digit lead and sealed the first half outcome at 43:31. Nitra tried to change things in the third quarter. They cut the deficit at 7-point mark midway through the term. But Pezinok restored an 11-point buffer at the final intermission. Dametri Hill (202-C-74, college: Florida) and Edward Scott (186-G-81, college: Clemson) narrowed the deficit at 5 points with just over two minutes to go in regulation. However Andrej Lukjanec came up with timely three-pointer and Pezinok ran away for the win at the end.
David Jackson (193-G-86, agency: Liman Sports, college: W.Illinois) and Yemi Nicholson

(208-C-83, college: Denver) contributed 13 points each for Pezinok. Nenad Milosevic (190-G-83) added 12 points in the victory. Branislav Tomek (205-C-83) responded with 13 points and 7 rebounds for Nitra. Stanislav Votroubek (213-C-81) netted 11 points in the loss.

*****************************************************

SLOVENIA

Olimpija and Krka wins first semi-finals games - by Zeljko Zule
Union Olimpija and Krka have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Play-Off semis.
Union Olimpija-Sentjur 94-75: Olimpija went on a 12-1 run late in the final period to take a lead 74-58. Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency) netted 25 points including six 3-pointers, Vlado Ilevski added 19 points, Edin Bavcic 13 and Jaka Klobucar 11. Olimpija shot 16-of-28 behind the3-point line. For Sentjur, Teo Simovic posted 16 points, Marcus Crenshaw 14 and Luka Lapornik and Sandi Cebular 12 each.
Krka-Helios 83-65: With the game tied at 30 late in the second quarter, Krka embarked on a decisive 10-0 run over a span of 3:41 and few minutes later went on a 12-3 run to take a lead 56-37. Goran Ikonic scored 17 points, Jure Balazic 11, Simon Petrov 10 and Smiljan Pavic grabbed 13 rebounds. Helios was outrebounded 23-38. Alvin Snow posted 17 points and Jure Mocnik added 14.
Sentjur and Helios host Game 2 of the Semis Saturday.

Stats Leaders - 1A

Points Per Game

Sandi CEBULAR
  Sentjur
  (196-G-86)
  Avg: 20.6

1. Cebular, Sentjur	20.6
2. King, Polzela	20.6
3. Crenshaw, Sentjur	16.7
4. Cup, Elektra .	16.2
5. Mucic, Rudar	16.1
6. Ilievski, U.Olimpija	15.8
7. Dragic, Geoplin .	15.8
8. Drzic, Luka Koper	15.6
9. Snow, Helios	15.5
10. Djapa, Parklji	15.2

Rebounds Per Game

Shawn KING
  Polzela
  (208-C-82)
  Avg: 11.3

1. King, Polzela	11.3
2. Thondique, Polzela	8.1
3. Virijevic, Sencur C.	6.9
4. Miljkovic, Elektr.	6.7
5. Djapa, Parklji	6.4
6. Pavic, Krka	6.3
7. Cup, Elektra .	6.2
8. Markic, Luka Koper	6.2
9. Simovic, Sentjur	6.0
10. Nikolic, Krka	6.0

Assists Per Game

Tadej KOSTOMAJ
  Elektra Esotech
  (186-G-87)
  Avg: 5.4

1. Kostomaj, Elektr.	5.4
2. Crenshaw, Sentjur	5.1
3. Anzulovic, Rudar	4.1
4. Ilievski, U.Olimpija	3.9
5. Mocnik, Helios	3.8
6. Cmer, Zlatorog	3.6
7. Nachbar, Luka Koper	3.5
8. Venta, Polzela	3.3
9. Cebular, Sentjur	3.2
10. Jersin, Parklji	3.2

Steals Per Game

Jaka KLOBUCAR
  U.Olimpija
  (198-G-87)
  Avg: 2.1

1. Klobucar, U.Olimpija	2.1
2. Ilievski, U.Olimpija	1.8
3. Dragic, Geoplin .	1.8
4. Cebular, Sentjur	1.7
5. Snow, Helios	1.7
6. Ristic, Sencur CP	1.7
7. Mocnik, Helios	1.6
8. Markic, Luka Koper	1.6
9. Lapornik, Sentjur	1.5
10. Petrovic, Helios	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Shawn KING
  Polzela
  (208-C-82)
  Avg: 2.4

1. King, Polzela	2.4
2. Nikolic, Krka	1.2
3. Cup, Elektra .	0.8
4. Sebic, Polzela	0.7
5. Lucic, Krka	0.7
6. Sjekloca, Elektr.	0.7
7. Simovic, Sentjur	0.7
8. Cigoja, Geoplin .	0.7
9. Mucic, Rudar	0.7
10. Sviridov, Polzela	0.6

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SPAIN

Stats Leaders-LEB Silver

Points Per Game

Stevie JOHNSON
  Huesca
  (198-F-78)
  Avg: 17.4

1. Johnson, Huesca	17.4
2. Pigram, Andorra	16.3
3. Ferrer, Cajasur .	15.9
4. Vereen, Rosalia	15.8
5. Uriz, Santurtzi	15.5
6. Thompson, ADT T.	15.4
7. Barcelo, Plasencia	15.3
8. Zengotitaben., Hue.	15.2
9. Miller, Coruna	14.8
10. Higgs, L''Hospitalet	14.3

Rebounds Per Game

Ronald THOMPSON
  ADT Tarragona
  (208-F/C-81)
  Avg: 8.8

1. Thompson, ADT T.	8.8
2. Miller, Huelva	8.7
3. Howard, Guadalaj.	8.3
4. Santana, Caja Rioja	7.9
5. Johnson, Huesca	7.9
6. Williams, Matchmind	7.8
7. Ausina, Matchmind	7.7
8. Andrews, Huesca	7.3
9. Matali, Andorra	7.3
10. Wachsmann, Alcazar	6.9

Assists Per Game

Federico CASTELLO
  ADT Tarragona
  (187-G-79)
  Avg: 4.8

1. Castello, ADT T.	4.8
2. Busciglio, Caja Rioja	4.5
3. Rufian, Huelva	4.5
4. Canals, Alaior	3.8
5. Cardenas, Qalat C.	3.8
6. Gonzalez, Navarra	3.8
7. Rodriguez, Rosalia	3.7
8. Santamaria, ADT T.	3.7
9. Comas, Prat J.	3.6
10. Alonso, Matchmind	3.6

Steals Per Game

Nathan MILLER
  Coruna
  (193-F-87)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Miller, Coruna	2.4
2. Barcelo, Plasencia	2.3
3. Gomez, Huelva	2.2
4. Johnson, Huesca	2.1
5. Suka-Umu, Cajasur .	2.0
6. Ott, Caja Rioja	1.9
7. Martinez, Huelva	1.8
8. Adams, Navarra	1.7
9. Higgs, L''Hospitalet	1.7
10. Sastre Morro, Qalat C.	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Bismack BIYOMBO
  Illescas
  (204-C-92)
  Avg: 1.5

1. Byombo, Illescas	1.5
2. Adams, Navarra	1.3
3. Thompson, ADT T.	1.2
4. Andrews, Huesca	1.1
5. Bain, ADT Tarragona	1.1
6. Howard, Huelva	0.9
7. Joseph, Rosalia	0.9
8. Matali, Andorra	0.9
9. Sekulic, Plasencia	0.9
10. Williams, Matchmind	0.8

Bilbao sift the squad - by Eurobasket News
Bilbao have already started to make roster arrangements in the off-season. Yesterday it became known that Renaldas Seibutis

(196-G-85) had decided to leave the Basque team. The sides have reached the mutual agreement on terms of contract termination. Renaldas Seibutis joined Bilbao back in 2008. This season he notched 4.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per ACB game. In EuroCup his stats read 6.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per appearance. Renaldas Seibutis played in Sakalai, Olympiakos and Maroussi before moving to Spain.
Katsikaris also made it clear that Jerome Moiso (208-C/F-78, college: UCLA) and Damir Markota

(210-C/F-85) will not stay for the upcoming season. The French centre had a solid year with Bilbao. Jerome Moiso averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in EuroCup. In ACB the centre delivered 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds. Jerome Moiso moved to Bilbao from Joventut where he finished the previous season.
Damir Markota signed for Bilbao in January 2009. This season the 24-year-old Croatian came up with 4.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in the ACB action. In EuroCup he delivered 4.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per appearance.

Spanish ACB round 34 best performance: Juan Carlos Navarro - by Eurobasket
International guard Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for top-ranked Regal FC Barcelona, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for the last 34th round of regular season.
The 30-year old player was the main contributor (22 pointsthree assists) to his team's victory, helping them to crush Meridiano A. (#15, 13-21) with 17-point margin 85-68. It allowed Regal Barca to consolidate first place in the Spanish ACB at the end of regular season. Regal Barca has a very good season and after Euroleague title are considered to have a run for Spanish championship. They improved their record to 31-3. In the team's last game Navarro (also Euroleague Final Four MVP) had a remarkable four three-pointers out of 6 attempts. It's his second year at Regal Barca and it's hard to imagine this team without him. Juan Carlos Navarro has solid league stats. He is in league's top in points (7th best: 14.8ppg) and averages impressive 55.8% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was 27-year old Serbian Dusko Savanovic (204-F/C-83, agency: Beo Basket) of Cajasol Sevilla. Savanovic had a very good evening with 19 points and 4 rebounds. It was enough for Cajasol to edge slightly lower-ranked Gran Canaria (#8, 17-17) 70-65. Cajasol's 6th position in the standings has not changed. His team lost some distance to top teams. Savanovic is well-known at Cajasol and is a proven leader in his second season with the team. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 14.3ppg (#8). He also registered 4.8 boards per game.

Third on the list of top players last round was Serbian guard Milos Vujanic (192-G-80) of C.B. Murcia (#18). Vujanic showcased his all-around game by recording 27 points, six rebounds and six assists in the last round. Despite Vujanic's great performance CB Murcia lost 70-76 to the higher-ranked Granada (#10, 15-19). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. CB Murcia have extremely bad season and 5-29 record places them at the very bottom of the standings. Too bad for Vujanic he does not play for a better team. But maybe if he did, his season stats would not be that high. Vujanic has individually a great season in Spain. After 34 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 17.7ppg (3rd best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87) of Granada - 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Jaycee Carroll (188-G-83) of Gran Canaria - 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists
6. James Augustine (208-F-84) of Gran Canaria - 12 points and 7 rebounds
7. Rafael Martinez (191-G-82) of Valencia BC - 24 points and 2 rebounds
8. Nik Caner-Medley (203-F-83) of Estudiantes - 18 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists
9. Matt Nielsen (208-F/C-78) of Valencia BC - 15 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists
10. Sergio Llull (190-G-87) of MMC Real M. - 22 points and 2 rebounds

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.	17.5
3. Riera, Mallorca	17.3
4. Guillen, La Laguna	16.4
5. Morley, Burgos	15.6
6. Roe, Tenerife	15.5
7. Humphrey, Leon	15.5
8. Quinteros, CAI Z.	14.8
9. Hess, CB Tarragona	14.8
10. Rabaseda, Cornella	14.4

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, Melilla	8.7
4. Lima, Clin.Rincon	8.3
5. Arteaga, Palencia	8.2
6. Coleman, Breogan	7.7
7. Adrien, Breogan	7.7
8. Phillip, CAI Z.	7.5
9. Padgett, La Palma	7.4
10. Roe, Tenerife	7.3

Assists Per Game

Diego CIORCIARI
  Vive Menorca
  (185-G-80)
  Avg: 4.7

1. Ciorciari, Vive M.	4.7
2. Mendiburu, CB Tarra.	4.4
3. Cherry, Caceres	4.4
4. Mena, La Palma	4.1
5. Jimenez, Melilla	3.6
6. Bernabe, Leon	3.4
7. Perez, Cornella	3.4
8. Sabat, Girona	3.3
9. Hernandez, Burgos	3.3
10. Urtasun, Leon	3.0

Steals Per Game

Xavier RABASEDA
  Regal Barca
  (199-G/F-89)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Rabaseda, Cornella	2.4
2. Lescano, CAI Z.	2.3
3. Blanch, Mallorca	2.2
4. Fuentes, Clin.Rincon	2.1
5. Quinteros, CAI Z.	1.9
6. Boccia, Tenerife	1.9
7. Ayon, Tenerife	1.9
8. Howell, Ourense	1.8
9. Xavier, Breogan	1.7
10. Perez, Cornella	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Andrew NAYMICK
  Caceres
  (211-C-85)
  Avg: 1.9

1. Naymick, Caceres	1.9
2. Donaldson, La La.	1.6
3. Sinanovic, Clin.Rin.	1.6
4. Elonu, CAI Zaragoza	1.5
5. Diouf, CB Tarragona	1.5
6. Ayon, Tenerife	1.4
7. Joseph, Cornella	1.2
8. Samb, Cornella	1.2
9. Roe, Tenerife	1.0
10. Northen, Mallorca	0.9

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TURKEY

Trabzonspor adds another player - by Eurobasket News
Trabzonspor is pretty active these days. After signing of Evren Buker

(194-F-85), the team announced another arrival. It is Ersin Gorkem

(195-F-77), former player of Kepez. This season he appeared 30 times in TBL averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. Before Kepez, Gorkem was a member of Antalya, Banvit, Galatasaray and Darussafaka. Last year he played for Team Turkey in EuroBasket 2010 Qualifications.
As a reminder, Trabzonspor won the title in TB2L this season. They finished Top 4 stage as No.1 with almost perfect 5-1 record. Trabzon advanced to Playoff Eightfinals as No.2 of Group A with 19-3 score. In 1/8 Finals they eliminated Yesilyurt. Later in QFinals, Trabzon was too strong for Genc Telekom (2-1). Of course, they will compete in TBL next season.

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VENEZUELA

LPB 2010 - Thirds of Finals (May 19th): Guaiqueries levels things up to 3-3 - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Guaiqueries de Margarita returned home and with a big win they were able to tie things up to 3-3 and force Game 7 in Series C of the LPB 2010 Thirds of Finals round. Both teams are already in the Semis since the loosing side will get the lucky looser spot. The winner will play against Marinos de Anzoategui and the will do so against Cocodrilos de Caracas.

SERIES C (Series tied 3-3)
Guaiqueries de Margarita 97 - Gaiteros del Zulia 76
Ciudad de La Asuncion Arena - La Asuncion, Nueva Esparta

Quarter by quarter
GUAI: 18-25-27-27= 97
GAI: 20-13-23-20= 76

Scorers
GUAI: Tulio Cobos (196-F-86) 22 points, Kelvin Pena (193-G-81) 17 points, Cesar Silva (187-G/F-81) 14 points, Christopher Jackson (208-C-81) 9 points and 8 rebounds, Edgar Arteaga (198-F-76) 8 points, Evan Brock (204-F-84) 8 points and 6 rebounds, Douglas Chiquito (193-G-86) 7 points, Jackson Zapata (198-F-85) 7 points, Francisco Sanabria (190-G-77) 3 points, Carlos Cedeno (193-G/F-85) 2 points and 7 assists, Derwin Ramirez (191-F-82) 0 points, Rene Farias (188-G-86) 0 points
GAI: Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 18 points, Ronnie Fields (193-G-77) 16 points, Manny Quezada (188-G-85) 10 points, Francisco Centeno (201-G/F-85) 9 points and 7 rebounds, Jose Juan Bravo (200-C-80) 7 points and 3 blocks, Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) 6 points, Enielsen Guevara (204-F/C-82) 4 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 3 points, Johan Pinero (183-G-76) 2 points, TomJim Colina (186-G-77) 1 point

LPB 2010 - Thirds of Finals (May 15th): Semifinals defined, Guaros and Trotamundos are out - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- The LPB 2010 Semifinals round has been defined after Cocodrilos de Caracas completed a sweep over Trotamundos de Carabobo and Marinos de Anzoategui left Guaros de Lara out of the playoff run, making both Guaiqueries de Margarita and Gaiteros del Zulia qualified for the next round, no matter who wins in their matchup, which only serve to know the order in which they finish and who they'll be facing in the Semis.

SERIES A (Cocodrilos won 4-0)
Cocodrilos de Caracas 88 - Trotamundos de Carabobo 84
Forum of Valencia - Valencia, Carabobo

Quarter by quarter
TRO: 14-27-24-19= 84
COC: 14-25-29-20= 88

Scorers
TRO: Miguel Marriaga (208-C-84) 22 points and 16 rebounds, Julius Hodge (201-G-83) 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals, Danny Brown (193-G-84) 19 points, Richard Lugo (209-C-73) 15 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, Gordon James (198-F-79) 3 points, Jose Vargas (196-G/F-82) 2 points, Johnathan Polanco (190-G-82) 2 points, Manuel Berroteran (185-G-80) 0 points, Pedro Brito (204-F/C-82) 0 points, Leinert Zerpa (182-G-82) 0 points, Jorge Parra (206-C-84) 0 points, Yorvis Umbria (203-F-85) 0 points
COC: Luis Bethelmy (200-C-86) 18 points and 6 rebounds, Leandro Garcia Morales (186-G-80) 16 points and 6 steals, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81) 12 points and 6 rebounds, Windy Graterol (204-C-86) 12 points and 6 rebounds, Jesus Centeno (190-G-85) 10 points, Carl Elliott (193-G-83) 9 points and 6 rebounds, Keving Palacios (203-F/C-84) 6 points, Juan Herrera (197-F-81) 5 points, Henry Paez (184-G-70) 0 points, Derson Santos (197-F-84) 0 points, Jhoyfer Diaz (196-F-87) 0 points, Kenji Urdaneta (188-G-85) 0 points

SERIES B (Marinos won 4-1)
Marinos de Anzoategui 93 - Guaros de Lara 72
Domo Bolivariano - Barquisimeto, Lara

Quarter by quarter
GUA: 17-20-21-14= 72
MAR: 29-21-22-21= 93

Scorers
GUA: Heissler Guillent (186-G-86) 23 points and 6 assists, Romel Beck (203-G/F-82) 13 points, Carlos Morris (194-G-76) 9 points, Jose Martinez (196-F-82) 8 points, Heberth Bayona (210-C-78) 6 points and 6 rebounds, Pablo Machado (207-C-77) 6 points, Torey Thomas (180-G-85) 5 points, Sonys Reyes (181-G-86) 2 points, Leonardo Berroteran (192-F/G-81) 0 points, Curtis Withers (203-F-84) 0 points, Kervis Ramirez (190-G-78) 0 points, Askia Jones (196-G-71) 0 points
MAR: Donta Smith (201-G-83) 22 points, Axiers Sucre (198-F-78) 14 points and 6 rebounds, Diego Guevara (184-G-77) 13 points, Gregory Vargas (182-G-86) 13 points, Orien Greene (193-G-82) 12 points, Hector Romero (202-F-80) 8 points, Hatila Passos (211-C-86) 6 points, Luis Julio (199-F-80) 5 points and 11 rebounds, Edgar Lugo (189-G-82) 0 points, Adan Reyes (183-G-83) 0 points, Leonardo Cappare (186-G-80) 0 points, Juan Fontena (196-F-87) 0 points

SERIES C (Gaiteros leads 3-2)
Gaiteros del Zulia 95 - Guaiqueries de Margarita 88
Belisario Aponte Arena - Maracaibo, Zulia

Quarter by quarter
GAI: 19-25-23-28= 95
GUAI: 29-13-25-21= 88

Scorers
GAI: Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72) 27 points, Manny Quezada (188-G-85) 16 points, Ronnie Fields (193-G-77) 15 points, 10 assists and 4 steals, Francisco Centeno (201-G/F-85) 15 points and 7 rebounds, Johan Pinero (183-G-76) 9 points, Enielsen Guevara (204-F/C-82) 7 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks, Jose Juan Bravo (200-C-80) 4 points and 8 rebounds, Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) 2 points, Pedro Cubillan (187-G-82) 0 points, Gilberto Padilla 0 points, TomJim Colina (186-G-77) 0 points
GUAI: Kelvin Pena (193-G-81) 19 points, Christopher Jackson (208-C-81) 17 points and 8 rebounds, Evan Brock (204-F-84) 16 points and 4 steals, Cesar Silva (187-G/F-81) 9 points and 4 steals, Tulio Cobos (196-F-86) 8 points, Douglas Chiquito (193-G-86) 7 points, Carlos Cedeno (193-G/F-85) 5 points, Francisco Sanabria (190-G-77) 4 points, Jackson Zapata (198-F-85) 2 points, Derwin Ramirez (191-F-82) 1 point, Edgar Arteaga (198-F-76) 0 points, Rene Farias (188-G-86) 0 points

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Women News

*****************************************************

AUSTRALIA - Women

Australian National Team 2010 - by Eurobasket
Abby BISHOP
Elizabeth CAMBAGE
Hollie GRIMA
Kristi HARROWER
Kathleen MacLEOD
Jenna OHEA
Elyse PENALUNA
Erin PHILLIPS
Sally POTO
Samantha RICHARDS
Jennifer SCREEN
Deanna SMITH
Laura SUMMERTON
Marianna TOLO
Carly WILSON
Hanna ZAVECZ

Carrie Graf
Michele Timms
Peter Buckle
Phil Brown

Jackson steadies Storm past Sparks in return - by Eurobasket News
Healthy again, Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) wanted to make sure her first game this season was memorable for those that only recall her injuries of a year ago.

No one expected this performance to be notable for her defense.

Jackson did her part on offense, scoring 17 of her 23 points in the first half, but it was her defense on Los Angeles star Candace Parker that was even more impressive as the Storm pulled away for an 81-67 win over the Sparks on Sunday night.

'Candace Parker is a great player, there is no question about it. But Lauren Jackson's defensive tonight was unbelievable,' Seattle coach Brian Agler said. 'We have some [players] who can stay with Candace and a lot of teams don't have that. ... Lauren really did a great job.'

Kicking off the season before a sold out lower bowl at KeyArena, Tanisha Wright and Sue Bird both came up with big shots in the fourth quarter as Seattle turned a tight game into a comfortable opening win. Wright scored 17 points and Bird added 14, and Seattle outscored Los Angeles 22-5 in the final 8 minutes.

'In the last quarter our chemistry, the way it's been building over the years, it started to show,' Jackson said.

It was the first time for Storm fans to see Jackson in a Seattle uniform since late August of last season. Jackson missed the final six games of the regular season and all of Seattle's first-round playoff loss to the Sparks with stress fractures in her back.

Instead of playing in Russia as she has in the past, Jackson stayed in Australia during the offseason, playing for Canberra in the Women's National Basketball League.

She looked healthy and refreshed, matching up with Parker for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the Sparks faded late, perhaps a result of playing less than 30 hours after tipping off the WNBA season at Phoenix with a one-point loss to the Mercury. Los Angeles hung around for three quarters before the rested Storm pulled away.

Tina Thompson, the lone player remaining from the inaugural WNBA season of 1997, led Los Angeles with 19 points. Parker was held to two points in the first half and finished with 10 points on 4 of 11 shooting.

The message from Agler before the game: make sure it doesn't come easy for Parker. With Jackson marking her, nothing did.

'I think Lauren has a little more experience over Candace and she probably knows how to defend her,' Los Angeles coach Jennifer Gillom said. 'I thought she played pretty tough, but all that is going to do is get Candace better.'

With Hall of Famer Bill Russell watching from one of the regular seats about 15 rows up, the Storm flustered the Sparks in the fourth quarter, holding Los Angeles scoreless for nearly four minutes while Bird and Wright took control.

Bird's 3-pointer with 7:49 left pulled Seattle even at 62 and another 3-pointer 2 minutes later pushed Seattle's advantage to six.

Parker climbed over Ashley Robinson for a follow basket to slowly stem the momentum, but Wright and Bird scored seven straight points to turn a close game into a rout.

Swin Cash added 17 points for the Storm, which got all but four points from their starters.

DeLisha Milton-Jones added 13 for Los Angeles but sat for nearly a quarter after picking up her fifth foul midway through the third quarter. Parker and former Seattle guard Betty Lennox led a Los Angeles rally that gave them a three-point lead early in the fourth before Seattle took over.

'There was no fatigue. It was all mental,' said Parker, who grabbed 11 rebounds. 'We just didn't execute down the stretch.'

Seattle also outscored Los Angeles 30-18 at the free throw line. The Storm were 19 of 22 in the first half at the line, helping build a 43-36 halftime lead.

Courtesy of ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/wnba/recap?gameId=300516014)

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HUNGARY - Women

Market news from Sopron, Gyor and Szeged - by Adam Patonay
MKB Euroleasing Sopron wants to get back the titles from Mizo Pecs so, re-signed Amber Holt (183-G/F-85, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Kata Honti (175-G-87), signed Zane Tamane (181-C-83, college: W.Illinois) and WNBA star Angel McCoughtry (185-F-86, college: Louisville) who was the 1/1 on the 2009 NBA Draft. Diana Furesz (174-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) and Boglarka Kocsis (170-G-83, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) the guards of the hungarian national team also moved to Sopron.

SEAT Lami Ved Gyor would like to step up and have big planes before the season. They signed two WNBA players, Essence Carson (183-G-86, college: Rutgers) and Abi Olajuwon (193-C, college: Oklahoma) plus the national team PG Barbara Semsei (178-G-86) from MKB Euroleasing.

Szeviep Szeged signed four young talents: Rita Rasheed (182-F-89, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) from ZTE NKK, Anna Lakloth (182-G-88) and Reka Fejes (186-F-87, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) from Vasas Csata and Orsolya Farkasinszki (86) from Szolnoki NKK.

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ITALY - Women

Stats Leaders - Women

Points Per Game

Brooke SMITH
  Phoenix M.
  (191-F/C-84)
  Avg: 17

1. Smith, Comense	17.0
2. Robert, Faenza	16.7
3. Dixon, GMA Napoli	16.0
4. Macchi, Familia Schio	15.8
5. Walker, GMA Napoli	15.5
6. Machanguana, Bracco G.	15.3
7. Brunson, Taranto	15.1
8. Pascalau, Priolo	13.7
9. Cirov, Priolo	13.6
10. Bjelica, Vomero NA	13.6

Rebounds Per Game

Marcedes WALKER
  GMA Napoli
  (191-C-86)
  Avg: 10.2

1. Walker, GMA Napoli	10.2
2. Bjelica, Vomero NA	9.6
3. Robert, Faenza	8.7
4. Tillis, Familia Schio	8.3
5. Willis, Livorno	8.2
6. Harper, Umana R.	7.6
7. Smith, Comense	7.6
8. Brunson, Taranto	7.6
9. Machanguana, Bracco G.	6.9
10. Screen, Basket P.	6.4

Assists Per Game

Adriana PINTO
  Faenza
  (169-G-78)
  Avg: 3.4

1. Pinto, Faenza	3.4
2. Eric, Vomero NA	2.5
3. Macchi, Familia Schio	2.5
4. Dixon, GMA Napoli	2.2
5. Ballardini, Umana R.	2.1
6. Moro, Familia Schio	2.1
7. Martinez Pra., Bracco G.	2.0
8. Goryanova, GMA N.	1.9
9. Wambe, Taranto	1.9
10. Greco, Taranto	1.7

Steals Per Game

Angela ZAMPELLA
  Comense
  (170-G-78)
  Avg: 5.3

1. Zampella, Comense	5.3
2. Dixon, GMA Napoli	4.7
3. Pinto, Faenza	4.3
4. Martinez Pra., Bracco G.	4.3
5. Zara, Basket Parma	3.9
6. Macchi, Familia Schio	3.9
7. Smith, Comense	3.8
8. Eric, Vomero NA	3.8
9. Cirov, Priolo	3.7
10. Fazio, Comense	3.7

Blocks Per Game

Laura HARPER
  Umana Reyer
  (193-F/C-86)
  Avg: 0.9

1. Harper, Umana R.	0.9
2. Alexander, Faenza	0.9
3. Smith, Comense	0.9
4. Prystupa, Faenza	0.9
5. Tillis, Familia Schio	0.8
6. Van Malderen, GMA N.	0.6
7. Wabara, Bracco G.	0.6
8. Godin, Taranto	0.6
9. Mosby, Bracco Geas	0.5
10. Robert, Faenza	0.5

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NCAA1 - Women

Jim Delany says vote on Big Ten expansion 'months away' - by Eurobasket News
Emerging from his self-imposed 'silent phase' for the second time in a month, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany jammed the brakes on a gathering perception of a ramped-up pace to the Big Ten's expansion study.

'The only thing I can tell you is we're months away from that decision,' he said Tuesday during the Big Ten meetings at the Sofitel Hotel.

In offering scant illumination of the scene, he also dangled a few morsels that seemed only to further muddle the picture.

By referring to census figures indicating demographic shifts southward, for instance, he lent new perspective to chatter that primarily had been fixated on Big East and Big 12 schools - including Missouri.

A population shift to the Sun Belt, he said, is 'reason by itself enough to look at the concept of expansion,' he said.

Noting that growth in the Big Ten footprint has slowed and has potential impact on everything from market sizes to student recruitment, he added, 'The question becomes, 'Are there ways to offset that?' '

He did not, however, elaborate on what that meant.

Was it a call to raid the South, or strengthen the North? Might it have something to do with where an institution's graduates tend to go, as Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith suggested?

Or was it just another red herring in a pond seemingly stocked with them?

Whatever he meant, don't expect the Big Ten's answer to be imminent.

Dousing hope of a swift resolution to a matter that has left much of the college sports world on edge because of the potential range of its impact, Delany joked that media would be welcome at the June 6 Big Ten presidents and chancellors meeting at which it was conceivable a vote on expansion would be cast.

'You bring the beer, we'll cook the brats,' he said, 'but if you think there will be any earth-shattering announcements on June 6, I don't think you'll get them.'

He later added that 'there will be no vote' then.

When a decision does come, roughly in the 12- to 18-month time frame the conference outlined in December 2009, Delany clarified the circumstances under which he would first notify a commissioner of a potentially affected conference.

'It will be before there's an announcement, but it will not be when we're in the process of gathering information,' he said, adding, 'Prior to the time membership is offered or applied for, I'll give someone a heads-up; they will know it before you will know it.'

Although he hedged on the specifics, Delany said a targeted school would have to apply for membership and would need eight yes votes among the 11 current members to be accepted.

Stopping short of saying schools would be invited to apply, he added, 'I would presume that nobody would apply without knowing they would be welcome to apply. So we're not interested in embarrassing ourselves or embarrassing anyone else.'

Delany acknowledged the stress the anticipation might be putting on others, either advantageously or adversely, and that the hush has led to rampant speculation and errant reports of offers already made 'premature would be a kind way to describe some of the reports,' he said.

But he reiterated the need for thoroughness in an enterprise that he suggested has been handled with less care over the last 20 years, during which he said there have been 252 changes of conference affiliation in Division I.

'A lot of (previous expansions) have, in my view, been improperly studied,' he said. 'Didn't understand the logistics. Didn't understand the culture. Didn't understand the academic fit. Didn't understand how people did their business. Didn't really understand whether they were doing a merger or whether they were doing an expansion.'

Although Delany agreed that Big Ten expansion could create broad ripples through other conferences, he disputed the contention that a larger Big Ten would automatically compel other conferences to follow suit.

'I don't necessarily see why if one group does something it thinks is in its best interest that somebody else would imitate it,' he said. 'Unless there were good reasons to imitate it.'

Despite a sense of the Big Ten holding great sway over other conferences in what's to come, Delany suggested expansion at its root is less about conferences than individual schools.

'I see this in many ways as institutions finding the right place for themselves,' he said, adding, 'I know that it has other implications, but that's what it's really about.'

In terms of what the Big Ten sees as the right places for itself to turn, the only criteria Delany spoke to was membership in the Association of American Universities, the 63-member group to which all 11 Big Ten schools belong as does Mizzou, among others considered of interest to the Big Ten.

But Delany wouldn't distinguish between whether he viewed AAU status as a must or a guideline.

'I think it's very important AAU membership is a part of who we are,' he said, adding, 'I don't know what's mandatory. Because we're not there.'

As for when they'll get there, Delany said he hoped it wouldn't take 19 months overall and that it could be only 11.

And what they'll have found when they arrive?

He flashed his cards no more visibly Tuesday than he did in December.

'Unless it's fiscally sound, a great academic fit and competitive fit, we won't expand,' he said, later adding, 'I always say that some of the best decisions are not acting.'

Courtesy of www.stltoday.com

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POLAND - Women

Elina Babkina to play in Poland - by Eurobasket News
Lotos Gdynia have reached the agreement on terms of contract with talented Elina Babkina (172-G-89, agency: LBM Management). The 21-year-old guard will start the new season in the ranks of the Polish champions. Elina Babkina spent the previous season in France. The Latvian guard played for Challes-les-Eaux. Babkina tallied 7.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per appearance in French LFB. Earlier Elina Babkina played for TTT Riga and SK Cesis. She also participated at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

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ROMANIA - Women

Targoviste is the Champion! - by Eurobasket News
Municipal MCM Targoviste defended their title to become the Champion of 2009-2010 season. The team did not play that good in the start of the season, however was too good for the opponents in the Play-offs. Moreover Municipal MCM Targoviste swept the Final series over Arad to triumph in the country.
ICIM Univ Goldis Arad hosted the Champions in game 3 and started well in the game. The guests managed to take only 16-14 lead after the opening quarter. In the defensive second period Arad lost another two and trailed 4 points at the halftime. Municipal MCM Targoviste pushed the tempo in the third quarter and grabbed 18-13 lead in the stanza, while Arad won the last period 22-21. Chrissy Givens (180-F-85, agency: LBM Management, college: Middle Tenn.St.) led the way with 25 points, while Olena Ogorodnikova (186-F-81) nailed 14. Boriga Brosovszky scored 10 and Gabriela Toma (192-C-74) posted 8. Suzana Milovanovic (185-F-79, agency: LBM Management) responded with 17 points in the losing effort. Cherrisse Graham (171-G-82) notched 12 and Stoenescu delivered 10.
ICIM Univ Goldis Arad had more rebounds in the game 39 versus 37. Municipal MCM Targoviste made more steals (16-10) and blocks (2-0). Arad had better team game making 14 assists versus 9 from the winners.

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WNBA - Women

Sparks finally have their pieces in place - by Eurobasket News
The Sparks finally had their entire roster at practice on Tuesday - two games into the season.

With veteran players trickling in from overseas last minute and a huge chunk of the training-camp roster being cut at the league's Friday deadline, the Sparks tried to use last weekend's back-to-back road games to adjust to one another, a new coach and a new system.

It didn't go as planned.

The Sparks opened their season 0-2 for the first time since 1997, falling to the Phoenix Mercury, 78-77, and the Seattle Storm, 81-67.

Candace Parker (6'4''-F/C-86, college: Tennessee) said the team needs to work on its chemistry, which takes time. But in a 34-game regular season, the sand can fall down the hourglass at warp speed.

'Some teams take the whole year to figure it out, and never do,' Parker said. 'Some teams take a couple of days.'

The Sparks have two more practices before they play the Silver Stars in San Antonio on Saturday.

'Hopefully,' Tina Thompson (6'2''-F-75, agency: Merit Sports, college: USC) said, 'it's something we'll do quickly.'

Is it time to panic?

Parker is not overly concerned, pointing out that even excellent teams lose two games in a row. If the Sparks had two wins under their belt, she said, she wouldn't be overly optimistic either.

'If we were 2-0, everyone would be like, 'Oh my gosh they're going to win a championship,' ' Parker said. 'I'd still be like, 'No, we have a lot of work to do.' '

She pointed to her first season in the WNBA in 2008, when the Sparks opened with a 7-1 record, then struggled down the stretch, losing 11 of their last 21 games and almost missing the playoffs.

'It's not how you start,' Parker said. 'It's how you finish.'

Injuries and jetlag

Thompson, who's played 13 seasons in the league, said jetlag could be taking a bigger toll on some of the players than they might have realized.

'It's not something you're conscious of,' she said. 'If you get a couple of days to relax and get over it, you can. But if you're coming straight into something else, it could take weeks.'

The Sparks are also dealing with injuries. Marie Ferdinand-Harris was sidelined against the Storm because of a knee injury and Ticha Penicheiro played only a combined 31 minutes in the two games because of Achilles' tendon problems.

'We had a rookie point guard in the game,' Thompson said, referring to the team's top 2010 draft pick, Andrea Riley. 'Although she's doing a great job, she was probably put in a position she wasn't ready for.'

Centering Candace

Jennifer Gillom, in her first season as coach of the Sparks, acknowledged that she lacks a true center and has started Parker there in the two games.

Gillom says she told Parker to concentrate on being creative down low, and advised her to beat adversaries with finesse since she lacks sheer bulk.

'It's a huge adjustment for her,' Gillom said. 'She's lost over 20 pounds since having a baby and probably doesn't feel as strong in the post as she did last year.'

But Gillom also said she doesn't think a traditional center is necessary in the WNBA.

'The Phoenix Mercury won the championship last year without a true center,' she said.

While Gillom has described her system as fast-paced rather than brute strength, Thompson said it's about reacting to the defense.

'It's a pretty free system, actually,' Thompson said. 'Coach looks at matchups and we attack their defense.
'There's a method to our madness.'

Courtesy of www.latimes.com