EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 5/21/2011

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Men News

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  ARAB CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Standings
Arab Club Championships Standings
Group A
 1. ASS Sale 3-0 
 2. Sharjah 2-1 
 3. Al Gharrafah 2-2 
 4. Al Riyadi 1-2 
 5. CRB Dar El-B. 0-3 
Group B
 1. Champville 4-0 
 2. Al Karkh 3-1 
 3. ASU 2-1 
 4. Banijas 2-2 
 5. Al Ahli 0-3 
 6. Al Sahel 0-4 


Champville celebrate fourth straight win in Abu Dhabi - by Eurobasket News
Champville earned the fourth straight win at the Arab Club Championship. They toppled Banijas 80:67 to stay on top of preliminary Group B. Banijas fell at 2-2 record after the loss. Fadi Khatib (199-F-79) erupted for 33 points to pace the Lebanese team. Garnett Thompson (207-F/C-80, college: Providence) accounted for 22 points in the winning effort.
Karkh toppled Sahel 97:85 to improve at 3-1 record in Group B.
In the meantime two-time defending champions Riyadi suffered the second straight defeat. They surrendered against ASS Sale of Morocco 69:86. ASS Sale registered the third consecutive win to climb on top of Group A.
Sharjah raced to the second win at the tournament as they outgunned ambitious Gharrafah 96:83.


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  ARGENTINA   


Stats Leaders
ddddffghhj

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  AUSTRALIA   


Townsville Crocodiles re-sign Peter Crawford - by Eurobasket News
The Townsville Crocodiles today can announce Peter Crawford (193-G-79) has re-signed as the fifth player on their roster for the 2011/12 NBL season. The 32 year-old guard will be staying local despite eager bids from other NBL teams.

Peter has been signed to a two year deal, and Crocodiles Chief Executive Officer Ian Smythe says he was a priority signing for the club. Coming off arguably a career-best season Smythe says they are thrilled PC has decided to stay and remain a Crocodile.

'This is a key signing for 2011/12, were really excited that PC has stayed loyal to the club, we can use his experience and leadership for the coming campaign' he said.

A contender for the Crocs MVP award, Smythe says PCs efforts in 2010/11 had not gone unnoticed and in 2011/12 the guards ability to shoot the ball and defend it, would benefit any side chasing a championship.

'He has proven himself that he is valuable player, he had a great year and contributed largely to the teams success,' he said.

Peter looks forward to another season with the Crocs and he may just prove to be what they need to bring the trophy home.

'A championship with the Crocs would mean more than a championship with any other team,' he said.

'I hope by staying loyal and by keeping the majority of the 2010/11 semi finalist team together, we are able to reward our supporters and bring home the championship this season'.

During the Crocs 2010/11 regular season Peter averaged 13 points, 3.5 rebounds 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals and shot 76.3 per cent from the free throw line.

Peter started with the Townsville Crocodiles in 1998/99 season as a development player after progressing through the

Town High Tropics and the Townsville Heat development programs. This will be Crawfords 13th season in the NBL and 9th with the Crocodiles.

Courtesy of NBL (www.nbl.com.au)

Standings - SBL
SBL Standings
 1. Cockburn C. 11-3 
 2. Lakeside L. 10-2 
 3. Wanneroo W. 10-4 
 4. Perry Lakes H. 9-4 
 5. Goldfield G. 7-5 
 6. Willetton T. 7-6 
 7. Perth R. 6-6 
 8. Stirling S. 6-6 
 9. Kalamunda E.S. 6-7 
 10. Rockingham F. 5-9 
 11. East Perth E. 4-8 
 12. Mandurah M. 4-8 
 13. Geraldton B. 4-8 
 14. AIS 0-0 
 15. SW Slammers 0-13 


Newley Brad tastes Silver in Lithuania - by Eurobasket News
Brad Newley (201-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) tastes Silver in Lithuania with his Lietuvos Rytas that however allowed Zalgiris to claim LKL title after two-seasons pause. They overcame Lietuvos Rytas in Kaunas tonight to clinch 4-1 victory in the title series. The teams traded baskets at the start of the game but then Arturas Milaknis and Marcus Brown gave the hosts an 18:11 lead. Zalgiris soon opened a double-digit lead before Babrauskas made it 22:29 at the end of the first quarter. Zalgiris piled up a 38:23 advantage at the start of the second term. The hosts maintained the pressure and the margin grew at 21-point mark late in the half. Capin capped the half with a three-pointer as Zalgiris earned a 54:32 lead. Lietuvos Rytas tried desperately to save the game. They went on a 10:0 run to cut the deficit to 13 points midway through the third term. Zalgiris finished the period strongly building a 72:54 advantage. Kenan Bajramovic dragged Lietuvos Rytas within 15 points early in the fourth quarter but Zalgiris quickly boosted the gap to as many as 20 points and never looked back en route to the win. DeJuan Collins and Paulius Jankunas provided 12 points apiece for Zalgiris. Arturas Milaknis had 10 points in the win. Kenan Bajramovic answered with 13 points for Lietuvos Rytas. D.J. Strawberry delivered 12 points and Brad Newley had 5 points and 4 rebounds.
In Lithuania this season for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius Brad Newley averaged 9.1 points per game and had 3.3 rebounds.


Men's Previews - Round 7 - by Eurobasket News
North Adelaide Rockets (2-4, 8th) v Central District Lions (1-5, 10th)

After a tough start to the season for both sides, the Rockets and Lions meet on Saturday following surprising results in their past two matches.

North began its 2011 campaign with consecutive one point losses, before being easily beaten by West and Norwood.

However, upset victories over the Sabres and Mavs sees the Rockets right back in the finals mix.

The win against Eastern came in spite of the fact 36ers Guard Rhys Carter went scoreless.

Standing up in his place were Josh Bond (185-G-91), who scored a CABL season high 40, and Ryan Franceschinis (26 points and 7 boards).

Five consecutive losses to start 2011 had extended the Lions woes to 19 consecutive defeats, before a 24-14 fourth quarter led them to a 77-66 win in Round 6.

In their previous match, they came agonisingly close to breaking their duck, but fell two points short against Eastern.

Centrals last road win was Round 4 2010, against North at Hillcrest.

Matt Atkins had a season high 18 points, while Joshua Kollasch (191-G, college: Lewis & Clark) had 14 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists.

With the evenness of the competition, a win would give the Lions some chance of making a playoff charge. Centrals sit just 2 wins behind fourth-placed Sturt.

However, a loss would see them lose touch with the top five.

I give the Lions a fighting chance, but North has played improved basketball in recent times, and will be desperate to end their home-court hoodoo.

I think the Rockets will take the points.

South Adelaide Panthers (2-4, 7th) v Sturt Sabres (3-3, 4th)

South Adelaide and Sturt will be looking to put their inconsistent starts behind them when they face off at Marion in Round 7.

After opening their account with two victories, the Panthers have dropped four straight games.

Two of those losses, against Southern and Woodville, they would have expected to win.

Despite Daniel Johnson (212-C-88, college: Pepperdine) s tremendous night (31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks), South went down to West 80-72.

Mitch Creek produced a mixed bag, scoring just 14 points, 6.5 below his average, as well as turning the ball over 8 times. However, he produced 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks.

The Sabres have experienced both highs and lows thus far.

Their last match against the Warriors was one of their highs, bursting out of the blocks with a 26-12 first quarter, en route to a 92-61 victory.

After being on the verge of a triple-double in his previous two matches, Jacob Holmes finally completed the feat with 21 points, 14 boards and 12 assists.

Darren Ng also had 21 points, while Jan Warbout had 17.

However, only two games ago, Sturt dropped a home match against previously winless North.

Before that, they smashed Forestville, so it is hard to know what to expect from the Sabres.

A week is a long time in basketball, but two weeks is an eternity, as Sturt has already proven once this season.

The break may be just what the Panthers needed, so do not be surprised if they rediscover their form of Round 1 and 2.

However, a lot rests on the shoulders of Creek and Johnson, and Sturt not only has the tools to combat the star duo, but has plenty of options at their offensive end.

Ultimately, I think the Sabres will get the victory.

Woodville Warriors (3-3, 6th) v Norwood Flames (5-1, 1st)

Both the Warriors and Flames were brought back down to Earth after an excellent start to the season.

On Saturday, Woodville and Norwood face off at St Clair, with the former hoping to get back into the top five, and the latter looking to cement its spot at the top of the ladder.

After shock victories over West and South, the Warriors were thrashed by the Sabres at Pasadena, where they were never in the game.

Leading scorer Josh Knight, who missed Woodvilles double boilover, returned to the line-up against Sturt, posting a team-high 10 points.

Cameron Wilson and Zane Reeves (195-F-86) combined for just 19 points, after the two collectively produced 54 against the Panthers.

The Warriors have added a new import to their side in Colin Matteson, who replaces Joseph Campbell.

Norwood came agonisingly close to continuing its unbeaten run, going down to Forestville 90-89 in Round 6.

After trailing all night up until the final few minutes, the Flames led by four (with possession) with just over a minute remaining, but could not hold on.

Todd Matthews, Andrew Webber and David Cooper combined for 65 points.

Webber has been red hot all season, averaging 26.8 ppg.

Corey Ottey and Nick Hambour completed the starting five, but collectively produced just 8 points.

Expect Norwoods loss to act as a wake-up call, giving them extra incentive to fire up and get the victory.

On paper, the Flames look too strong, but the Warriors have been able to produce quality basketball against most of the top sides.

I expect Woodville to be more competitive than it was against Sturt, but cannot see them matching the Flames for all four quarters.

Norwood should get up reasonably comfortably.

Forestville Eagles (4-2, 3rd) v Eastern Mavericks (3-3, 5th)

In the Match of the Round on Saturday, Forestville play host to Eastern, with each team hoping to stake their claim as a top five side.

After dropping games against Sturt and West, the Eagles bounced back with a stunning 90-89 road win over league-leaders Norwood.

Brad Sullivan scored a season-high 26 points, including a three-pointer with 4.1 seconds remaining that gave his side the lead for good.

Nic Blair, Brad Haydon, John Wernham and Rashad Tucker all scored in double figures, while Adam Doyle had 9 points and 7 assists.

With Trent Fildes missing, Simons used predominantly a six-man rotation throughout the match, with seventh man Majok Deng seeing just 6.24 of action.

The Eagles will be buoyed by the signings of James Boonstoppel (returning from US College) and Neil Mottram (returning from Sweden).

Both players will add some much needed depth to the sides slender roster, with Mottram also providing some extra size inside, taking the pressure off of Tucker.

The Mavs, on the other hand, have best typified how the CABL is another basketball league where Amazing Happens.

In a season where nothing is a given, Eastern are -7 against three of the competitions top four sides (Norwood, West and Sturt), but are only 4 points better off against the bottom three teams (North, Centrals and Southern).

In their last outing, the Mavs went down 111-96 against North.

The Rockets shot the ball at 53.2 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from beyond the arc.

Ben Madgen scored 21 points, but fellow NBL players Brad Hill (20 points on 4-13 shooting) and Aaron Bruce (9 points on 3-10 shooting) were well down on their season averages.

If Eastern produces this kind of performance against the Eagles, it will be a long night for Hills boys.

However, Forestville has a double-dilemma to face.

Assuming Boonstoppel and Mottram are in uniform, neither will have had much time to get to know the offences and defences.

If Coach Andy Simons decides to leave them out of the side or restrict their minutes, there will again be players forced to play big minutes.

The Eagles 10 point three-quarter time lead proved just enough against Norwood, but leading by 7 after the same timeframe against West was not, so this method has had mixed success.

Against the fast-paced Mavs, they could have their hands full.

As mentioned, Eastern has played well against the top sides this season, and after two weeks break, I am inclined to think they will bring their best basketball on Saturday.

This match is really difficult to pick, but my gut feeling is the Mavs will get the W.

Southern Tigers (2-4, 9th) v West Adelaide Bearcats (5-1, 2nd)

The CABLs two least members of the cat family with black on their uniforms have something in common, in that they have produced a mix of their best and worst basketball across their opening 240 minutes of basketball.

The difference is West has a winning record, and Southern have a losing one.

On Sunday, the Bearcats make the long trip south to tackle the Tigers.

Following their loss to an undermanned Woodville side, West has failed to return to its best form, but still managed to come away with back to back victories.

In their last match against the struggling Panthers, it took a mammoth night from Jeffrey Dowdell (205-F-87) for the Bearcats to claw their way over the line.

Dowdell had 30 points on 14-27 shooting and 14 rebounds.

No other West player scored more than 10 points, combining for just 20-54 shooting (37 per cent).

After their surprise victory over South, Southern became the first side to lose to Centrals for more than a year.

The Tigers went down 77-66, after trailing by just a point at three-quarter time against a side that had struggled down the stretch this season.

Southern shot just 25 per cent in the fourth quarter, while its opponents connected on 56.3 per cent of their attempts.

The Tigers were also outrebounded 45-36.

They will need an improved effort on the boards against a team which has a 269-196 rebounding edge on the season, having lost this statistic just once (against North Adelaide in Round 3).

Against the Lions, Marcus Robinson was on song with 22 points and 7 boards, while Michael Florance had 15 points and 6 boards.

Interestingly, Southern beat West in the corresponding fixture between the two sides last year.

Surely, though, the Bearcats will not let the same thing happen again.

West are due for a breakout game after three indifferent displays, and against the inconsistent Tigers, this could be the day.

Look for the Bearcats to gain the ascendancy early and run away with an easy victory.

By James Woite
Courtesy of: Central ABL



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  BRAZIL   


BRB/Brasilia draw first blood in Finals - by Eurobasket News
BRB/Brasilia - Vivo/Franca 92:72

BRB/Brasilia celebrated the first win in the NBB Finals. They stormed past Vivo/Franca at home court to take the lead in the best-of-five series. Six players scored in double figures for the hosts. Nezinho dos Santos (186-G-81) and Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) came up with 16 points each to pace the winners.
BRB/Brasilia put on an aggressive style from the starting moments. They scored 22 pints in the first stanza to earn a 5-point lead. BRB/Brasilia fired 31 points in the second term to aggravate the damage as they piled up a 20-point halftime advantage. Vivo/Franca struggled to find the rhythm in the second half. The teams exchanged baskets after the big break as BRB/Brasilia cruised to the victory. Arthur Luiz Belchior (200-G/F-82) had 15 points, while Alex Garcia finished with 14 points for the hosts. Dede Stefanelli (196-F/G-84) responded with game-high 22 points for Vivo/Franca. William Drudi (206-C/F-81) accounted for 14 points in the loss.

BRB/Brasilia: Nezinho dos Santos 16, Guilherme Giovannoni 16, Arthur Luiz Belchior 15
Vivo/Franca: Dede Stefanelli 22, William Drudi 14



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  CANADA   


Energy look to build off win - by Eurobasket News
They've beaten the best, now the Edmonton Energy are facing the next-best thing.

Coming off a win against the defending-champion Albany Legends last Sunday, the Energy host their home-opener this weekend against the 2010 runner-up Bellingham Slam.

The Energy will look to improve upon a 1-3 record after tipping off their season in New York last week against the Legends, who defeated the Slam 126-111 for the 2010 IBL title.

'It's a real challenge for us and we're excited because it gives us a chance to compete at a high level right away rather than maybe pick up some easy wins,' Energy head coach Skouson Harker said of the luck of the draw in scheduling the top two teams in the league back-to-back to start the season. 'We're looking at it as an opportunity to show the rest of the IBL that we're a team to beat in this minor league. So it's a good situation, I think, to be tested two weekends in a row and see where we are.'

This week, however, the Energy will enjoy home-court advantage as they return to the U of A Main Gym for the first time since defeating the high-powered Los Angeles

Lightning 146-131 in their final regular-season game last year on June 27.

This weekend's series against the Slam runs Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with Game 3 slated for Sunday at 2 p.m.

'We're real excited to get into the U of A and get to work there,' said Harker. 'We know it's going to be a challenge because Bellingham is a tremendous team. They made the final game last year and they won the IBL (in 2008).

'They can play and they've been together a long time, a lot of Western Washington kids. They're on the same page as part of their offensive strategy. They move the ball great and they shoot the ball fantastic. It's going to be very tough, but (last Sunday's) win definitely got us pointed in the right direction.'

The Energy already proved they can run with the top dogs, staying with the Legends throughout their series: falling 109-106 in Game 1 and 120-113 in Game 2 before coming back to dominate Game 3 124-108.

'It was down to the wire,' Harker said. 'Basically, the difference (last Sunday) was we took care of the basketball. We still had some turnovers but we shot the ball like we were capable of.'

Quinnel Brown (198-G/F-83, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: Auburn), who is coming off league MVP honours in the Premier Basketball League, currently leads the Energy with 70 points and 29 rebounds in three games, while fellow Energy guard Rashaun Broadus has a team-high 17 assists.

Opening the season on the road last week provided the Energy with some valuable team-bonding time.

'I think it really brought us together,' Harker said. 'You could kind of see in the locker room guys wanting to step up for each other. In as short as the season's been, I think we're going to have fantastic chemistry.

'A lot of times, believe it or not, you get guys with their own agenda as far as wanting to score and do things, but all signs early point that we're going to have fantastic team chemistry and it definitely brought us together.'

Courtesy of www.edmontonsun.com

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  CBL   


Sea Dawgs prepare for home opener - by Eurobasket News
The Wilmington Sea Dawgs will return from three games on the road to their home court at the Schwartz Center in downtown Wilmington to take on the Cary Invasion tomorrow, Friday May 20th, 2011. Tip-off is at 7:05 p.m with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.

The theme for the game is College Night. All college/university students, faculty and staff with valid college/university ID will be admitted FREE. There will also be $2.00 beer specials. Dynamic Martial Arts will be performing a karate demonstration at halftime.

Muscle Max will be providing promotional gifts to the first 50 fans as well as offering samples of their pre and post work out products.

Sea Dawgs player Alex Harper has been listed as inactive for Friday night's game.

The Sea Dawgs are excited for their fifth season in Wilmington and their second season as a part of the Continental Basketball League. The Wilmington Sea Dawgs offer an affordable, exciting entertainment option in historic downtown Wilmington. Experience our fun-filled family atmosphere both on the court and in our fan area. The games are fun for all and the team is going for the win with this week's home court advantage. Head Coach Dale Kuhl says, 'I can't wait to play in front of our home crowd... our fans are great.'

Courtesy of www.goseadawgs.com

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  CHINA   


Yao wants to stay with Rockets - by Eurobasket News
Ming Yao (7'5''-C-80) says his surgically repaired left ankle is healing properly and he would like to remain with the Houston Rockets.

Yao said Thursday that he won't know until later this summer if he'll be able to play next season. He becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

A stress fracture in the ankle kept Yao out of all but five games last season and he had surgery in January.

Yao spoke during a visit to a Houston elementary school. He answered questions in English, and taught the children to say 'good morning' in his native Chinese.

Courtesy of http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

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  CROATIA   


Cedevita and Zagreb take 1-0 lead in the Semifinals - by Eurobasket News
Cedevita and Zagreb were too strong for their rivals in Game One of the Playoff Semifinals. Cedevita managed to beat Cibona at home 75-72, while Zagreb did a great job in Zadar handing their host 79-98 defeat. Second games are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. Same teams will be the hosts.



Cedevita - Cibona 75-72 (1-0)
Cedevita managed to save their home court in Game One against Cibona. It was a very exciting game full of tension and Cedevita celebrated at the end 75-72. Dontaye Draper (180-G-84, college: Charleston) led the hosts with 20 points. Marino Bazdaric (197-G/F-78) and Bracey Wright (191-G-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Indiana) had 14 points each. In the loosing squad, Tomislav Zubcic (214-C/F-90, agency: Beo Basket) (9 rebs) and Bojan Bogdanovic (202-G/F-89) netted 17 points apiece. Bogdanovic had a chance to force an OT at the end, but he missed from behind the arc.

Zadar - KK Zagreb CO 79-98 (0-1)
The game was mostly controlled by KK Zagreb CO. Zadar was better in second period 27-9. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. KK Zagreb CO shot 64.9 percent from the field. KK Zagreb CO outrebounded Zadar 30-15 including 23 on the defensive glass. The former international power forward Luka Zoric (211-C/F-84) nailed a double-double by scoring 29 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks for the winning side and the former international swingman Krunoslav Simon (197-G/F-85) accounted for 19 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. KK Zagreb CO's coach allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Marko Car (188-G/F-85) came up with 21 points and 6 assists and center Ive Ivanov (201-C-85) added 16 points (perfect from the field making all six shots) respectively for Zadar in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Zadar: M.Car 21+3reb+6ast, I.Ivanov 16+4reb, B.Brown 15+4reb+1ast, J.Vladovic 10+1reb+1ast, I.Batur 6+1reb, P.Marcinkovic 6+1reb+1ast
KK Zagreb CO: L.Zoric 29+14reb+3ast, J.Heytvelt 25+4reb, K.Simon 19+8reb+7ast, D.Mulaomerovic 16+2reb+3ast, P.Babic 4, M.Hezonja 3



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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


Stats Leaders - NBL
Points Per Game
 Terry SMITH
  BC Kolin
  (185-G-86)
  Avg: 17.4
 1. Smith, BC Kolin17.4 
 2. Landry, BK Prost.15.4 
 3. Houska, BK Decin15.0 
 4. Horak, Svitavy14.7 
 5. Hatcher, BK Decin14.7 
 6. Sedmak, Basketbo.14.3 
 7. Veikalas, BK Prost.14.2 
 8. Blazek, B&W Opava14.0 
 9. Kotas, USK Praha13.7 
 10. Field, BC Kolin13.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 Boris MENO
  Basketbo.
  (203-F-83)
  Avg: 10.4
 1. Meno, Basketbo.10.4 
 2. Houska, BK Decin8.5 
 3. Landry, BK Prost.8.4 
 4. Arnold, BK Pardu.7.6 
 5. Burke, NH Ostrava7.6 
 6. Spagrud, NH Ostra.7.3 
 7. Frana, Plzen7.1 
 8. Kramny, Svitavy6.9 
 9. Gadri, BK Prostejov6.7 
 10. Klimes, USK Praha6.7 
Assists Per Game
 Stepan VRUBL
  Plzen
  (186-G-76)
  Avg: 6
 1. Vrubl, Plzen6.0 
 2. Lawrence, BK Prost.5.2 
 3. Jones, BC Kolin3.8 
 4. Carnecky, B&W O.3.7 
 5. Hatcher, BK Decin3.5 
 6. Kotas, USK Praha3.4 
 7. Sanders, BK Decin3.3 
 8. Maio, Basketbo.2.9 
 9. Channels, Novy Jic.2.7 
 10. Macela, Svitavy2.7 
Steals Per Game
 Lukas KOTAS
  USK Praha
  (194-F-84)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Kotas, USK Praha1.9 
 2. Wright, BK Pardu.1.8 
 3. Holloway, Basket.1.7 
 4. Smith, BC Kolin1.7 
 5. Hampton, BK Pardu.1.6 
 6. Sirina, B&W Opava1.6 
 7. Vrubl, Plzen1.4 
 8. Channels, Novy Jic.1.4 
 9. Gajdosik, Basket.1.4 
 10. Landry, BK Prost.1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Martin MIKLOSIK
  B&W O.
  (226-C-86)
  Avg: 1.2
 1. Miklosik, B&W O.1.2 
 2. Trybanski, NH Os.1.2 
 3. Hanke, USK Praha1.1 
 4. Gadri, BK Prostejov0.9 
 5. Kramny, Svitavy0.9 
 6. Egwuatu, Svitavy0.8 
 7. Meno, Basketbo.0.8 
 8. Houska, BK Decin0.8 
 9. Pelikan, Novy Jicin0.7 
 10. Miles, BC Kolin0.7 


*****************************************************
  D-LEAGUE   


Single affiliation with Nets should bolster Springfield Armor on and off court - by Eurobasket News
Other than the potential for a whole new coaching staff, the single affiliation between the Springfield Armor and the New Jersey Nets will likely not be noticeable in the first year.

After two years of being the development team for the Nets, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the Armor on May 1 became the sole affiliate of the Nets, a formula that has proven to be successful for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League.

The Vipers, the leagues only other hybrid affiliate (Houston Rockets), lost in the D-League finals to Iowa this year, but won the title in 2010.

The Austin Toros (San Antonio Spurs), Texas Legends (Dallas Mavericks) and Tulsa 66ers (Oklahoma City Thunder) also have single affiliations, but are owned outright by their NBA teams.

The partnership between the Nets and the Armor will mean more resources for scouting talent, less overhead for the Armor and owner Michael Savit, and potentially more resources for the Armor front office to market the team.

Essentially, the partnership means the Nets will handle what happens on the court and the Armor will be responsible for what happens off the court.

Its almost a separate element to the whole thing, Armor general manager Alex Schwerin said. My position and all the other positions in terms of the full-time business staff here like ticket sales, marketing and (public relations), all that stays the same.

Were still doing all those things on a day-to-day basis in terms of promoting the team, selling tickets, creating the entertainment for the games and getting involved in the community, he added. Really the only difference is that instead of me and Mike (Savit) deciding who the coach is going to be next year, its the Nets who will decide who the coach will be next year, and the assistant coach and the trainer. And deciding that, they will be directly supervising those people because they will be their employees.

Dee Brown, or whoever the Nets select to coach the Armor next season, and his staff will be part of the Nets staff and paid by the NBA team. The Armor had paid the salaries in the past.

Besides running the basketball staff, the Nets will utilize their scouting organization to find talent and fill the roster.

This change in monetary responsibility should allow the Armor to spend more on promoting the team in the community and at the MassMutual Center on game nights.

Schwerin says the hybrid affiliation is similar to that of minor league baseball with one exception the parent team does not hold the contracts of the players.

The major difference between minor league baseball and this scenario is that the 10 players who are on our roster are not under contract with the Nets, Schwerin said. For example, every player on the New Britain Rock Cats is under contract with the (Minnesota) Twins, are being coached by Twins coaches and running the Twins system.

In this instance, much of that is the same: the Nets choose the players, they find them and draft them from the D-League pool to go to Springfield, where they will be coached by Nets coaches in the Nets system and are the types of players the Nets like, he added. The difference is that those 10 players are not under contract with the Nets. If another NBA team likes some guy and the Nets havent committed a contract to that guy, then he can be signed by someone else.

Players assigned to D-League teams are under contract with their NBA teams, but all other players are under contract with the D-League and are free agents who can be called up by any NBA team.

Courtesy of www.masslive.com

*****************************************************
  FINLAND   


KORISLIIGA: Viljami Vanjoki continues - by Rauno Hurmalainen
YMCA Lappeenranta has signed the first players for coming 2011-12 season. Team and SG Viljami Vanjoki (194-G/F-86) have extended the contract for one more year. Vanjoki will start his fifth season on YMCA LPR roster. Last season Vanjoki averaged 9,3 ppg - 3,2 rpg in 26:10 mpg and in 33 contests. G Jouko Jarvinen (192-G-87) will return back to Lappeenranta. Last season Jarvinen was studying and playing in Germany (PSK Gequos Rastatt - Regionalliga).

*****************************************************
  FRANCE   


Stats Leaders - ProA
Points Per Game
 Rick HUGHES
  Hyeres-T.
  (204-C/F-73)
  Avg: 19
 1. Hughes, Hyeres-T.19.0 
 2. Jefferson, AS.18.7 
 3. Nichols, Vichy18.2 
 4. Mejia, Cholet17.8 
 5. Mensah-Bonsu, AS.17.2 
 6. Darden, Nancy17.2 
 7. Massie, Limoges16.9 
 8. Shuler, Vichy16.0 
 9. Hamilton, Paris-.15.6 
 10. Schilb, Chalon14.7 
Rebounds Per Game
 Pops MENSAH-BONSU
  AS.
  (206-F-83)
  Avg: 9.8
 1. Mensah-Bonsu, AS.9.8 
 2. Massie, Limoges9.2 
 3. Krupalija, Hyeres.8.9 
 4. Akingbala, Nancy8.3 
 5. Issa, Gravelines7.9 
 6. Jones, Le Havre7.7 
 7. Koffi, Le Mans7.6 
 8. Hughes, Hyeres-T.7.5 
 9. Sene, Gravelines7.5 
 10. Jefferson, AS.7.4 
Assists Per Game
 Kareem REID
  Vichy
  (178-G-75)
  Avg: 6.3
 1. Reid, Vichy6.3 
 2. Gipson, Pau-Lacq.5.9 
 3. Taylor, Limoges5.8 
 4. Woodside, Gravelin.5.6 
 5. King, Le Havre5.4 
 6. Linehan, Nancy5.4 
 7. Wright, Limoges5.3 
 8. Walsh, AS.4.9 
 9. Sciarra, Pau-La.4.7 
 10. Diabate, Roanne4.7 
Steals Per Game
 John LINEHAN
  Nancy
  (175-G-78)
  Avg: 3.1
 1. Linehan, Nancy3.1 
 2. Walsh, AS.2.1 
 3. Diot, Le Mans2.1 
 4. Dobbins, Hyeres-T.2.0 
 5. Darden, Nancy1.9 
 6. Elegar, Vichy1.8 
 7. Diabate, Roanne1.8 
 8. Sangare, Le Havre1.7 
 9. Dewar, Le Mans1.7 
 10. Greer, Strasbourg1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Cyril AKPOMEDAH
  Grave.
  (203-F-79)
  Avg: 2.1
 1. Akpomedah, Grave.2.1 
 2. Ebi, Limoges1.6 
 3. Elonu, Pau-Lacq.1.5 
 4. Falker, Cholet1.5 
 5. Jefferson, AS.1.4 
 6. Sene, Gravelines1.2 
 7. Akingbala, Nancy1.2 
 8. Koffi, Le Mans1.2 
 9. Issa, Gravelines1.2 
 10. Elegar, Vichy1.0 


*****************************************************
  FYR MACEDONIA   


Stats Leaders - Superleague
Points Per Game
 Darko MATIC
  Kumanovo.
  (192-G-84)
  Avg: 21.5
 1. Matic, Kumanovo.21.5 
 2. Jovanovic, Ultima.20.3 
 3. Trajkovski, Torus18.0 
 4. Petkovski, Pelist.16.8 
 5. Morban, Lirija16.4 
 6. Filipovic, Ovce Po.16.4 
 7. Blazevski, Rabotni.15.6 
 8. Mirakovski, Rabot.15.1 
 9. Nikolovski, MZT S.14.7 
 10. Anakievski, Pelis.14.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Gjorgje JOVANOVIC
  Ultima.
  (209-C-80)
  Avg: 10.6
 1. Jovanovic, Ultima.10.6 
 2. Pavlovski, Lirija8.4 
 3. Nikolovski, MZT S.8.4 
 4. Talevski, Pelist.8.1 
 5. Trajkovski, Torus7.8 
 6. Chappell, ABA S.7.7 
 7. Jelesijevic, Torus7.7 
 8. Rejnerio, Lirija7.6 
 9. Knezevic, Feni I.7.5 
 10. Filipovic, Ovce P.7.1 
Assists Per Game
 Carlos MORBAN
  Lirija
  (187-G-82)
  Avg: 5.1
 1. Morban, Lirija5.1 
 2. Kostovski, Torus S.4.7 
 3. Mirakovski, Rabot.4.6 
 4. Petrovski, MZT S.3.8 
 5. Blazevski, Rabotni.3.7 
 6. Mladenovic, Ultima.3.7 
 7. Lazic, Ultimate.3.3 
 8. Samardziev, Feni I.3.1 
 9. Vukotic, Kumanovo.3.1 
 10. Miljkovic, Torus3.0 
Steals Per Game
 Gjorgi ANAKIEVSKI
  Pelist.
  (185-G-85)
  Avg: 2.5
 1. Anakievski, Pelist.2.5 
 2. Morban, Lirija1.6 
 3. Lindsay, MZT S.1.5 
 4. Stojanovski, Feni1.5 
 5. Petrovski, MZT S.1.5 
 6. Blazevski, Rabotni.1.5 
 7. Boswell, ABA S.1.5 
 8. Dimcevski, Torus S.1.4 
 9. Mladenovic, Ultima.1.4 
 10. Frye, Feni Indist.1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Bojan TRAJKOVSKI
  Torus S.
  (206-C/F-88)
  Avg: 1.7
 1. Trajkovski, Torus1.7 
 2. Chappell, ABA S.1.4 
 3. Jelesijevic, Torus1.3 
 4. Dendra, Rabotnicki1.1 
 5. Petric, Kumanovo.1.1 
 6. Gocevski, Rabotnic.1.0 
 7. Simic, Rabotnicki1.0 
 8. Krstevski, Torus S.0.9 
 9. Frye, Feni Indistr.0.9 
 10. Avramovski, MZT S.0.8 


*****************************************************
  GEORGIA   


Geogian Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Beqa CHIKVILADZE
  GTU T.
  (195-G-91)
  Avg: 23.8
 1. Chikviladze, GTU T.23.8 
 2. Sanadze, Batumi21.1 
 3. Parghalava, Sokhu.19.2 
 4. Berishvili, TSU T.18.8 
 5. Matiashvili, TSU T.17.7 
 6. Panchulidze, TSU T.17.7 
 7. Dvalishvili, Samed.17.3 
 8. Tugushi, Army16.9 
 9. Tsekvava, Energy16.0 
 10. Kvimsadze, Kutaisi15.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Akaki DVALISHVILI
  Samed.
  (206-C-90)
  Avg: 11.2
 1. Dvalishvili, Samed.11.2 
 2. Berishvili, TSU T.9.7 
 3. Damus, Sokhumi9.4 
 4. Matiashvili, TSU T.9.4 
 5. Londaridze, TSU T.9.2 
 6. Keshelava, Batumi9.1 
 7. Imnadze, MIA T.8.9 
 8. Ugrekhelidze, Army8.7 
 9. Beruashvili, GTU T.8.6 
 10. Antadze, GTU T.8.6 
Assists Per Game
 Beka TSIVTSIVADZE
  MIA T.
  (190-G-89)
  Avg: 6.8
 1. Tsivtsivadze, MIA6.8 
 2. Gaprindashvi., TSU6.0 
 3. Kvimsadze, Kutaisi5.5 
 4. Tugushi, Army5.1 
 5. Artsividze, GSAU T.5.0 
 6. Parghalava, Sokhu.4.9 
 7. Harris, Sokhumi4.5 
 8. Didia, Kutaisi4.5 
 9. Tsivtsivadze, Ener.4.4 
 10. Rogers, Samedicino4.3 
Steals Per Game
 Vasili BERUASHVILI
  GTU T.
  (198-F-90)
  Avg: 3
 1. Beruashvili, GTU T.3.0 
 2. Tsekvava, Energy2.8 
 3. Antadze, GTU T.2.7 
 4. Berishvili, Kutaisi2.6 
 5. Gulisabedash., Sam.2.2 
 6. Berishvili, Army2.1 
 7. Gaprindashvi., TSU2.1 
 8. Panchulidze, TSU T.2.1 
 9. Sanadze, Batumi2.1 
 10. Parghalava, Sokhu.2.1 
Blocks Per Game
 Samuel LAMU
  Energy R.
  (204-C-81)
  Avg: 2.2
 1. Lamu, Energy R.2.2 
 2. Damus, Sokhumi1.5 
 3. Bekauri, Samedicino1.4 
 4. Toudjani, Energy R.1.2 
 5. Berishvili, TSU T.1.2 
 6. Dvalishvili, Samed.1.2 
 7. Imnadze, MIA T.1.1 
 8. Matiashvili, TSU T.1.1 
 9. Damus, Sokhumi1.1 
 10. Sharabidze, Army1.0 


Army wins the Final opener - by Eurobasket News
Army - TSU Tbilisi 75-71

Army wins the Final opener over TSU 75:71. The hosts trailed by 3 points after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 10-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 75-71. Army Sport Klub outrebounded TSU 53-40 including a 34-22 advantage in defensive rebounds. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Army Sport Klub made 7 blocks. 24 personal fouls committed by TSU helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Center Giorgi Sharabidze (210-90) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds for the winners and the former international forward Zviad Babiashvili (199-78) chipped in 22 points and 5 rebounds. At the losing side center Ilia Londaridze (205-89) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and the former international forward Mikheil Berishvili (205-87) scored 18 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Army: Z.Babiashvili 22+5reb+1ast, G.Sharabidze 19+13reb+1ast, K.Tugushi 13+6reb+6ast, R.Atanelishvili 10+7reb, A.Boisa 4+6reb+2ast, I.Sakvarelidze 3+12reb+5ast
TSU Tbilisi: M.Berishvili 18+4reb, I.Londaridze 16+10reb, R.Matiashvili 12+5reb+2ast, M.Panchulidze 11+3reb+1ast, Z.Korkotadze 6+1reb, G.Markhvashvili 3+2reb+1ast
gschID: 128558




*****************************************************
  GERMANY   


Ludwigsburg re-sign Alex Harris - by Eurobasket News
Alex Harris (196-G-86, agency: Interperformances) and Ludwigsburg have agreed on terms of contract extension. The deal is meant for another season. The 25-year-old guard joined the team at the start of the season. He showed solid stats averaging 16.0 points, 2.4 boards and 1.6 assists per game. The guard took part in German Bundesliga All-Star Game. Last season Alex Harris played in Poland. His stats read 9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game for Energa Czarni Slupsk. Alex Harris also had a stint with PGE Turow in Poland. The guard was named All-Big West Co-Player of the Year back in 2008 when he played for the University of California-Santa Barbara team.
In the meantime Ludwigsburg decided not to extend one-year contract of coach assistant Steven Clauss .


Jason Boone (BG Goettingen) If Frankfurt Wins Dallas Will Win And If Berlin Wins Then OKC Will Pull It Out - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Jason Boone (198-F/C-85, college: New York U.) is a 25 year old 198cm power forward/center from Sugar Loaf, New York. He just completed his third season with BG Goettingen. He played at New York University (NCAA 3) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 28 games averaging 14.1ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.4bpg, 2.9apg, FG: 63.0%, FT: 64.3%. Two seasons ago, he played at Bernau (Regionalliga) before making the jump up three leagues to MEG Goettingen. In 2008-2009, he averaged 4.4ppg, 4.0rpg, FG: 53.7%. Last season, he played EuroChallenge: 16 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 53.8%; German League: 35 games: 9.1ppg, 6.1rpg, FGP: 60.3%, FT: 55.9%. This season,he is averaging 8,5ppg and 5,9rpg currently. He spoke to eurobasket about the beko BBL Semifinals.


Last season, the first 4 beko BBL teams were ousted in the playoffs, but this season the top 4 teams are in the semi finals. Why werent their more upsets this season in the quarterfinals of the beko BBL playoffs?


The league on a whole was better last season, if Bremerhaven would have beaten Bamberg this year it would have been looked at as a much bigger upset than last year when Braunschweig beat Oldenburg. When teams with higher seeds can protect their home court it makes it extremely difficult for the other team to win the series.



The Brose Baskets Bamberg meet the Artland Dragons. What kind of series can we expect? How many games will we see?


Bamberg looked really good in their first round. Although I think at this point in the season a long (10 day) break is not necessarily a good thing. Both teams that got sweeps in round 1 are playing against teams that went the distance in the first round. So they better be ready to come out and get game one. I would say Bamberg is a little too deep though and will win in 4


The Brose Baskets Bamberg won all 3 games against Artland this season. What will be key for The Artland Dragons to win a 5 game series against Bamberg?


It depends how the referees are calling the games. If they let them play a little I think Artland needs to try and be as physical as possible. When we played against Bamberg this season we wanted to use our speed at certain times but definitely try to beat them up as much as possible. And if they can do that and tire them out as the series goes on they'll have a chance.

Does Artland have any other surprise up their sleeve should a Tyrese Rice be contained in a game?


Rice is an extremely talented player and although the Bamberg guards are very good defenders, I don't know if you are going to contain a Tyrese Rice. But Artland has a number of shooters on the wings and bigs that can score on the block. It will be a competitive series.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners meet 8 time beko BBL chmapion Alba Berlin. Alba Berlin swept the season series. what can we expect from this series and how many games will it go?


I think this will be a high scoring series and the team that is hitting their shots will be victorious. Neither team relies on their defense more than their offense to win games so it'll be fun to watch. Like Bamberg, Frankfurt hasn't played in a while and I think it'll actually have the opposite effect on them. I'm going to go with Alba in 4

Will Alba Berlin be able to do what no team really has been able to do and limit Dashaun Wood. Is it unhealthy to focus too much on Dashaun Wood or should any team focus on the whole Frankfurt team?

Like Rice, Wood is not going to be contained. He's just too talented, but I do think if the series has a 'physical' theme to it, it goes in Berlin's favor. Plus I know there is a little extra incentive for Derrick Allen. He'll be key in the series and I really think he can go off against Frankfurt.


Mike Dunleavy and Rick Adelman have been reported as being candidates as new Laker coach. Would Dunleavy be the right choice?

I heard Van Gundy's name in the mix too. Anybody but him will be okay. But yes Dunleavy is a solid coach with a ton of experience. I'm still trying to figure if Kobe makes a coaches job easier or harder, but one thing I know is that he won't underachieve two seasons in a row. Look for the Lakers to still be playing at this time in next years playoffs.

Boston celtic coach Doc Rivers was rewarded with a five year contract extension. What is the route of Boston now with many aging stars?


I am not sure, and don't know who they have in their sights to bring in but I have heard rumors that Paul Pierce may be looked to as a 6th man next season. I'm curious to see when/if that works out.

Who will win the Chicago Bulls-Miami Heat series and why?


I see that Chicago got game 1, but I called Miami in the beginning of the year and am still going to stick with them. It won't be easy though. Taj Gibson played out of his mind and I don't think he can sustain that level for the entire series. The Heat exposed Rose in the first half and if they continue to throw different defenses at him it'll work in their favor. Playoffs are about adjustments. The coaches that can make them are usually successful.



Who will win the Dallas Mavericks/Oklahoma Thunder series?


Dallas/OKC will be a very offensive based series as well. I'm going to say that, in being similar to the Frankfurt/Berlin series, if Frankfurt wins Dallas will win and if Berlin wins then OKC will pull it out. I'm going to go with OKC in 6


Thanks Jason for the chat


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


IBL's Bellingham Slam head north for weekend series in Edmonton - by Trask Frost
BELLINGHAM, Wash. The Bellingham Slam are hitting the road and crossing the border as they face the Edmonton Energy in a three-game series this weekend in Edmonton, Alberta. The series begins on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Albertas Van Vliet Centre. The teams face each other again on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. before wrapping up the series at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Bellingham, with a 6-2 record on the 2011 season, holds a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series with the Edmonton franchise. Noted as one of the IBLs toughest places to play, Edmonton has lost just seven times at home since the franchise was formed in 2008, but four of those setbacks have come against the Slam. Last season, the Slam went 1-2 in their three-game series in Edmonton, dropping the two games by a combined five points. The Energy have not made a trip to Bellingham since the 2009 season.

Edmonton comes into this weekends action with a 1-2 record after opening their season with a three-game road trip to New York, where they took on the defending IBL champion Albany Legends.

The Slam head into Fridays game after routing the Oregon Waves, 151-112, at home on May 13. In that game, guard Ryan Diggs enjoyed his best game of the year, leading Bellingham with 30 points, while rookie Blake Poole posted his fourth double-double of the season.

After ending the 2010 season on a scoring tear, guard Derrick Webb has heated up again, posting a then-career high 22 points in the Slams 115-100 win over Olympia on May 7. He quickly outdid himself by scoring 25 points the next weekend against Oregon. On the season, veteran guard Jacob Stevenson is the Slams leading scorer, averaging 20 points per game. In the post, Poole is enjoying a fine rookie campaign, averaging 11.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.

Following this weekends series in Canada, the Slam play one more road game in Portland next Thursday before finally returning home for a game against the Vancouver Volcanoes on May 27. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Whatcom Pavilion.

For more information, contact the Slam at (360) 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com

*****************************************************
  IRAN   


4th Games Are Waiting ... - by Mohammad Ahmadi
Season 2010-2011 could not find the Champion and 3rd place in 3 games and ZobAhan won Mahram in 3rd game and Towzin Beated Petrochimi at home.

Mahram Tehran 2 - ZobAhan Esfahan 1 :
Mahram went to Esfahan with 2-0 record in Final to win the game and get the Title in Esfahan but ZobAhan players showed a good performance and brought some hope to their team by beating Mahram and make the result 2-1 for Mahram. ZobAhan played strongly and won 1sta and 2nd quarter 19-12 and 30-10 , Mahram tried to reduce the difference and won 3rd quarter 12-21 but ZobAhan wanted to win the game and won 4th quarter 33-28 and beated Mahram 89-76 . So they have more hopes for tomorrow game as 4th Game to make the result 2-2.

But

Towzin Electric Kashan 2 - Petrochimi Imam Harbour 1 :
For 3rd place, Towzin Electric Kashan were waiting for Petrochimi in Kashan to get the Second Win and they did it. Towzin started well and won the 1st Quarter 21-17 but petrochimi continued well by starring Hamed Sohrabnejad (206-C/F-83) and won the first half 29-33. Again, Towzin Electric started second half strongly and made the score 49-49 and everything went to 4th Quarter where Towzin played better with good defence and good performance of Nenad Misanovic (217-C-84) as the best player of Towzin woth another Double-Double in this season, Vahid Hajian and Zlatko Jovanovic (181-G-84) and the final result was 71-68 for Towzin and now Towzin have more chance to stand on 3rd place .

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


Lega2 Round 4 of Quarter-Finals. Barcellona became semifinalists - by Eurobasket News
Barcellona - Sunrise Scafati 75-64

Barcellona toppled Sunrise Scafati to reach the LegaDue semis. The hosts trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 8-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 75-64. Sigma Barcellona forced 21 Sunrise Scafati turnovers and outrebounded them 32-21 including 23 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Sigma Barcellona made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Panamanian guard Michael Hicks (193-G-76, college: Texas A&M - C.C.) who helped to win the game recording 25 points and 6 steals. Scottish-Nigerian power forward Kieron Achara (208-83, college: Duquesne) contributed with 6 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Sigma Barcellona's coach Cesare Pancotto used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Patrick Baldassarre (200-86, agency: Players Group) replied with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds and naturalized Argentinian guard Marcos Casini (188-80) added 12 points in the effort for Sunrise Scafati. Four Sunrise Scafati players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Barcellona: M.Hicks 25+2reb+3ast, R.Bucci 14+3reb, J.Wise 10+3reb+1ast, A.Ghiacci 9+2reb+1ast, K.Achara 6+14reb+1ast, G.Sorrentino 6+3reb+2ast
Sunrise Scafati: P.Baldassarre 18+10reb, M.Casini 12+2reb, N.Radulovic 10+3reb, J.Hunter 10+2ast, M.Levin 8+1reb+1ast, F.Amoni 4+2reb
gschID: 128696


Prima Veroli - Immobiliare SR 85-83 2OT

Prima Veroli outscored Rimini in double-overtime drama to stay alive in the series. The hosts trailed by 5 points after three quarters before their 15-10 charge, which allowed them to tie the game at the end of regular time and get a 2-point victory in double-overtime. Prima Veroli forced 19 Immobiliare SR turnovers. Immobiliare SR was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Jarrius Jackson (188-85, college: Texas Tech) who helped to win the game recording 35 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. The former international forward David Brkic (210-82, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. The former international forward Demian Filloy (198-82, agency: Interperformances) replied with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 14 rebounds and American power forward Quadre Lollis (200-73, college: Montana St.) added 21 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Immobiliare SR. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game.
Top scorers:
Prima Veroli: J.Jackson 35+6reb+2ast, D.Brkic 15+8reb+1ast, R.Rullo 14, I.Gatto 11+6reb+2ast, G.Rosselli 8+7reb+3ast, J.Penn 2+4ast
Immobiliare SR: Q.Lollis 21+9reb+2ast, D.Filloy 21+14reb+1ast, G.Gurini 13+2reb+1ast, D.Vukcevic 12+3reb+2ast, A.Piazza 6+4reb+4ast, N.Metreveli 5+2reb
gschID: 128695




Brescia promoted to Lega 2 - by Gianni Pascucci
Yesterday night, Centrale del Latte Brescia Leonessa destroyed Basket Trapani 95-57 in the third game of Promotion Playoffs, completing a 3-0 sweep and claiming the promotion to Lega 2 in 2011-12 season. In this decisive third game, Lorenzo Gergati (188-G-84) led the way in Brescia at 17 pts, veteran Rodolfo Rombaldoni (190-G-77, agency: Players Group) added 15 pts and Mario Jose Ghersetti (200-F-81) 13. Marco Evangelisti (198-G-84) was the game top scorer with 24 points in losing effort for Trapani, that now waits for the team winner of the Treviglio-Ostuni showdown to start the Second Promotion Playoff.

Aubrey Coleman extends contract with Biella - by Eurobasket News
Angelico Biella decided to keep Aubrey Coleman (193-G-87, college: Houston) on the roster. They have extended his contract for one more season. The 23-year-old guard joined the team at the start of May. He appeared in three games averaging 20.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals per appearance. Aubrey Coleman started the season in Turkey. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.4 boards and 3.1 steals per game for Aliaga Petkim. In January the guard moved to D-League. His stats came up to 13.4 points, 4.5 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the Austin Toros. It is the first pro season for Aubrey Coleman. He graduated from the University of Houston in 2010. The guard made into C-USA All-Tournament Team that year.


A dilettanti Round 2 of Semi-Finals - by Eurobasket News
Trapani - Brescia 70-76

Guard Lorenzo Gergati (188-84) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points and 6 rebounds. The former international guard Rodolfo Rombaldoni (190-77, agency: Players Group) contributed with 14 points for the winners. Five Brescia players scored in double figures. The former international power forward Luca Bisconti (206-82) replied with 22 points and 8 rebounds and the former international forward Walter Santarossa (200-78) added 8 points and 15 rebounds in the effort for Trapani.
Top scorers:
Brescia: L.Gergati 17+6reb+2ast, F.Bushati 14+2reb, R.Rombaldoni 14+3reb+3ast, M.Rezzano 12+3reb+1ast, M.Farioli 10+9reb, N.Crow 9+3reb
Trapani: L.Bisconti 22+8reb+2ast, M.Evangelisti 13+6reb, F.Guarino 9+1reb+1ast, W.Santarossa 8+15reb+3ast, G.Cantagalli 7+1reb+2ast, C.Cappanni 6+3reb+1ast
gschID: 128628


Ostuni - Treviglio 78-59

Treviglio was ahead by 4 points at the halftime before a 43-20 second half run of Ostuni. The former international forward Mario Gigena (198-77) scored 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and naturalized Argentinian forward Silvio Gigena (200-75) chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds during the contest. Power forward Gabriele Zanella (204-81) responded with 12 points and 8 rebounds and swingman Andrea Vitale (199-82, agency: Interperformances) scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Treviglio's coach Simone Lottici rotated ten players seeing no chance for a win.
Top scorers:
Ostuni: M.Gigena 17+8reb+4ast, S.Gigena 13+9reb+1ast, V.Circosta 13+3reb+1ast, D.Morena 9+8reb+3ast, M.Bona 7+2reb, F.Basei 6+4reb
Treviglio: A.Vitale 15+6reb+1ast, G.Zanella 12+8reb+2ast, D.Reati 11+2reb+1ast, T.De Min 7+5reb+1ast, T.Milani 5+2reb+4ast, R.Castelli 4+6reb
gschID: 128627




stats leader
Points Per Game
 Marco EVANGELISTI
  Trapani
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 17.6
 1. Evangelisti, Trapa.17.6 
 2. Tassinari, Moncali.17.6 
 3. Musso, Perugia16.9 
 4. Rugolo, Molfetta16.8 
 5. Ricciardi, Palestr.16.8 
 6. Masper, Moncalieri16.7 
 7. Vico, Matera16.0 
 8. Carrizo, Ferentino15.9 
 9. Conte, Trento15.8 
 10. Benevelli, Trento15.5 
Rebounds Per Game
 Simone BAGNOLI
  Potenza
  (206-F/C-81)
  Avg: 11.4
 1. Bagnoli, Potenza11.4 
 2. Rosignoli, Biscegl.9.8 
 3. Corral, Molfetta9.4 
 4. Capitanelli, Pales.8.8 
 5. Zambon, Rieti8.7 
 6. Chiaramello, Recan.8.6 
 7. Basei, Ostuni8.6 
 8. Facenda, Senigallia8.1 
 9. Soloperto, Latina7.9 
 10. De Min, Treviglio7.9 
Assists Per Game
 Simone FERRARESE
  Trento
  (182-G-87)
  Avg: 4.9
 1. Ferrarese, Trento4.9 
 2. Marino, Treviglio4.7 
 3. Virgilio, Rieti4.0 
 4. Tomasiello, Comsum.3.7 
 5. Marcante, ASD P.3.7 
 6. Scarone, Piacenza3.7 
 7. Cantone, S.Antimo3.4 
 8. Passera, Piacenza3.4 
 9. Gnaccarini, Senig.3.4 
 10. Paparella, Potenza3.4 
Steals Per Game
 Francesco GUARINO
  Trapani
  (182-G-79)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. Guarino, Trapani3.5 
 2. Bonamente, Perugia3.2 
 3. De Nicolao, Castel.3.0 
 4. Gullo, Patti2.9 
 5. Malamov, Ruvo2.8 
 6. Bushati, Brescia2.7 
 7. Cisse, ASD Pavia2.7 
 8. Palombita, Castell.2.7 
 9. Musso, Perugia2.7 
 10. Valentini, S.Anti.2.6 
Blocks Per Game
 Andrea ZERINI
  Ruvo
  (201-F-88)
  Avg: 1.7
 1. Zerini, Ruvo1.7 
 2. Ancellotti, Patti1.6 
 3. Corral, Molfetta1.3 
 4. Capitanelli, Pales.1.1 
 5. Basei, Ostuni1.0 
 6. Raminelli, Castell.1.0 
 7. Spippoli, Palestri.0.9 
 8. Candido, Ferentino0.9 
 9. Biligha, ASD Pavia0.9 
 10. Pozzi, Molfetta0.8 


Stats Leaders - SerieA
Points Per Game
 James WHITE
  Dinamo Sassari
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 20.7
 1. White, Dinamo Sass.20.7 
 2. Thomas, Air AV17.7 
 3. Zoroski, Banca T.16.0 
 4. Ford, Fabi Shoes15.8 
 5. Hunter, Dinamo S.15.0 
 6. Milic, Vanoli CR14.8 
 7. Roberson, Enel B.14.6 
 8. Goss, Cimberio VA14.5 
 9. Hackett, Scavolin.14.3 
 10. Lavrinovic, Monte.14.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Sharrod FORD
  Fabi Shoes
  (206-F/C-82)
  Avg: 10.4
 1. Ford, Fabi Shoes10.4 
 2. Jones, Pepsi C.8.6 
 3. Troutman, Air AV8.3 
 4. Davis, Banca Terc.8.2 
 5. Homan, CS Bologna8.1 
 6. Ivanov, Fabi Shoes8.0 
 7. Lang, Enel Brindisi7.8 
 8. Hunter, Dinamo S.7.7 
 9. Skinner, Benetton.7.6 
 10. Suton, Angelico7.4 
Assists Per Game
 Marques GREEN
  Air AV
  (170-G-82)
  Avg: 6.9
 1. Green, Air AV6.9 
 2. Diener, Dinamo S.4.6 
 3. Sosa, Angelico BI4.5 
 4. Collins, Scavolin.3.9 
 5. Goss, Cimberio VA3.8 
 6. Zoroski, Banca T.3.8 
 7. Rowland, Vanoli CR3.8 
 8. Markovic, Benetton.3.5 
 9. Green, Bennet Can.3.5 
 10. Diener, Banca T.3.3 
Steals Per Game
 Earl ROWLAND
  Vanoli CR
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 2.9
 1. Rowland, Vanoli CR2.9 
 2. Stonerook, Montep.2.8 
 3. Troutman, Air AV2.7 
 4. Thomas, Air AV2.7 
 5. Goss, Cimberio VA2.6 
 6. Green, Air AV2.5 
 7. McCalebb, Montepa.2.5 
 8. Hackett, Scavolin.2.4 
 9. Hawkins, Armani MI2.4 
 10. Dasic, Lottomati.2.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Sharrod FORD
  Fabi Shoes
  (206-F/C-82)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Ford, Fabi Shoes2.3 
 2. Eze, Armani MI1.5 
 3. Crosariol, Lottoma.1.3 
 4. Toure, Enel Brindi.1.2 
 5. Lang, Enel Brindisi1.0 
 6. Hunter, Dinamo S.1.0 
 7. Szewczyk, Air AV1.0 
 8. Polonara, Banca T.0.9 
 9. Homan, CS Bologna0.9 
 10. Cusin, Scavolini0.9 


Stats Leaders - Lega2
Points Per Game
 Trent WHITING
  Aget Imola
  (185-G-76)
  Avg: 22.4
 1. Whiting, Aget Imola22.4 
 2. Robinson, Trenkwal.19.7 
 3. Crispin, Barcellona19.6 
 4. Jackson, Prima Ver.19.6 
 5. Gordon, Forli19.5 
 6. Ebi, Aget Imola19.2 
 7. Goldwire, Forli19.1 
 8. Clark, Umana Reyer18.6 
 9. Forte, Tuscany PT17.9 
 10. Marigney, Assigeco17.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Ndudi EBI
  Aget Imola
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 9.2
 1. Ebi, Aget Imola9.2 
 2. Filloy, Immobili.9.2 
 3. Varnado, Tuscany8.9 
 4. Boykin, Assigeco8.1 
 5. Dickens, San Seve.8.0 
 6. Waleskowski, Tezen.7.9 
 7. Chiacig, Trenkwald.7.9 
 8. Gordon, Forli7.8 
 9. Johnson, San Seve.7.8 
 10. Lollis, Immobili.7.6 
Assists Per Game
 Antonio PORTA
  Tezenis .
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 5.1
 1. Porta, Tezenis5.1 
 2. Crispin, Barcellona4.8 
 3. Goldwire, Forli4.5 
 4. Hickman, Fastw.4.2 
 5. Clark, Umana Reyer3.9 
 6. Marigney, Assigeco3.8 
 7. Whiting, Aget Imola3.8 
 8. Nardi, Forli3.7 
 9. Farabello, N.Fer.3.7 
 10. Mathis, Snaidero.3.7 
Steals Per Game
 Ndudi EBI
  Aget Imola
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 2.9
 1. Ebi, Aget Imola2.9 
 2. Piazza, Immobili.2.8 
 3. Robinson, Trenkwal.2.6 
 4. Roderick, Immobi.2.6 
 5. Davis, Sunrise2.6 
 6. Filloy, Immobili.2.5 
 7. Whiting, Aget Imola2.4 
 8. Cerella, Assigeco2.4 
 9. Hicks, Barcellona2.3 
 10. Achara, Barcellona2.3 
Blocks Per Game
 Jarvis VARNADO
  Tuscany PT
  (206-F-88)
  Avg: 3.1
 1. Varnado, Tuscany3.1 
 2. Ebi, Aget Imola1.4 
 3. Achara, Barcellona1.2 
 4. Maggioli, Fileni B.1.1 
 5. Frosini, Trenkwald.0.7 
 6. Boykin, Assigeco0.7 
 7. Cutolo, San Severo0.7 
 8. Bryan, Umana Reyer0.7 
 9. Taylor, Fastweb CM0.6 
 10. Nnamaka, Fastw.0.6 


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


Sigal Prishtina and Peja to fight for the title - by Eurobasket News
Sigal Prishtina and Peja will meet in the Superleague Finals. They eliminated Trepca and Bambi with perfect 2-0 in the Semis.
Sigal Prishtina destroyed Trepca 67-105 on the road in Game Two. In the first meeting, the team from Prishtina celebrated 92-68 victory.
Peja made a break in the first game against Bambi celebrating 90-108 win. In Game Two, which was played last night, Peja outplayed Bambi at home 88-78.
First game of the Superleague Finals is scheduled for May 26. The format is best-of-five. Sigal Pristhina will have a home court advantage (1-1-1-1-1), as they were regular season champions with 26-2 record. They are also defending champions from the last season. Actually, Sigal Pristhina won five straight tiles since 2006.

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


Diekirch League Round 2 of Semi-Finals. T71 Dudelange enter Finals - by Eurobasket News
T71 - Amicale 73-67 OT

T71 Dudelange used an overtime to tame visiting Amicale and advance into Diekirch League Finals. Amicale was tied after three quarters and then recorded another tie at the end of regular time. They were eventually defeated in overtime 7-13s. T71 made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. T71 outrebounded Amicale 49-36 including 36 on the defensive glass. American swingman Denell Stephens (193-G/F-86, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Slippery Rock) had a double-double by scoring 22 points and 22 rebounds (on 11-of-13 shooting from the field) to lead the charge for the winners and international guard Tom Schumacher (190-87, college: Cal.Baptist) chipped in 32 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. The former international guard Christian Schartz (180-86) responded with 28 points and the former international guard Eric Jeitz (191-86) scored 12 points.
Top scorers:
T71: T.Schumacher 32+5reb+2ast, D.Stephens 22+22reb, G.Ruffato 12+6reb+2ast, F.Muller 7+11reb+1ast, F.Siebenbour 0, A.Abreu 0
Amicale: C.Schartz 28+3reb+1ast, E.Jeitz 12+4reb, C.Jones 8+3reb+1ast, R.Birenbaum 7+4reb, A.Laurent 7+7reb+1ast, L.Birdsong 5+10reb
gschID: 128203


Sparta - Etzella 72-70

Sparta narrowly defeated Etzella at home court to force the decisive third game in the series. The hosts trailed by 4 points after three quarters before their 19-13 charge, which allowed them to win the game. American forward Lucas Hargrove (198-88, college: Auburn, agency: 540 Sports) had a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the former international forward Larrie Smith (197-75, college: Tennessee Tech) chipped in 17 points and 4 assists during the contest. Four Sparta players scored in double figures. The former international swingman Nelson Delgado (186-80) responded with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists and American center Karim Shabazz (218-78, college: Providence) scored 19 points and 9 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Sparta: L.Hargrove 24+10reb, L.Smith 17+3reb+4ast, R.Wolzfeld 14+4reb, J.Hublart 10+3reb, P.Arbaut 7+3reb+4ast, T.Wagner 0+1ast
Etzella: N.Delgado 22+7reb+6ast, K.Shabazz 19+9reb, J.Delgado 10+3reb, T.Giver 8+2reb+1ast, G.Polfer 6+2reb+1ast, D.Wilson 5+1reb
gschID: 128202




Scoring Leaders - DBBL
Points Per Game
 Lamonte ULMER
  Soleuvre
  (198-F-86)
  Avg: 26.5
 1. Ulmer, Soleuvre26.5 
 2. Kennedy, Residence25.6 
 3. McDaniel, Black S.23.0 
 4. Schumacher, T7122.6 
 5. Hargrove, Sparta22.0 
 6. Reimold, Basket E.20.9 
 7. Muller, T7120.1 
 8. Delgado, Etzella19.5 
 9. Gary, Contern19.1 
 10. Scott, Etzella18.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Lamonte ULMER
  Soleuvre
  (198-F-86)
  Avg: 15.5
 1. Ulmer, Soleuvre15.5 
 2. McDaniel, Black S.15.3 
 3. Gary, Contern13.2 
 4. Stephens, T7112.3 
 5. Hargrove, Sparta12.0 
 6. Kennedy, Residence11.8 
 7. Wurtz, Musel Pikes11.7 
 8. Scott, Etzella11.0 
 9. Wojnowski, Musel P.9.8 
 10. Birdsong, Amicale9.6 
Assists Per Game
 Christian SCHARTZ
  Amicale
  (180-G-86)
  Avg: 5.3
 1. Schartz, Amicale5.3 
 2. Schumacher, T714.0 
 3. Rausch, Black Star3.7 
 4. Delgado, Etzella3.6 
 5. Reimold, Basket E.3.3 
 6. Arbaut, Sparta2.9 
 7. Schwartz, Musel P.2.9 
 8. Koster, Residence2.9 
 9. McDaniel, Black S.2.7 
 10. Giver, Etzella2.5 
Steals Per Game
 Christopher JONES
  Amicale
  (186-G-90)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Jones, Amicale2.3 
 2. Kalmes, Contern1.9 
 3. Gary, Contern1.8 
 4. Kennedy, Residence1.7 
 5. Schartz, Amicale1.6 
 6. Delgado, Etzella1.5 
 7. McDaniel, Black S.1.5 
 8. Smith, Sparta1.5 
 9. Birdsong, Amicale1.4 
 10. Schumacher, T711.3 
Blocks Per Game
 Brandon GARY
  Contern
  (202-F-83)
  Avg: 2
 1. Gary, Contern2.0 
 2. McDaniel, Black S.1.9 
 3. Birdsong, Amicale1.8 
 4. Hoffmann, Etzella1.2 
 5. Ulmer, Soleuvre1.0 
 6. Abercrombie, Spa.0.9 
 7. Stephens, T710.9 
 8. Wurtz, Musel Pikes0.7 
 9. Scott, Etzella0.7 
 10. Reimold, Basket E.0.6 


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


Montenegrin National Team candidates - by Eurobasket News
Head Coach of the Montenegrin National Team, Dejan Radonjic, announced list of 24 candidates for the EuroBasket in Lithuania this summer. Some of the new names are Bojan Bakic, Boris Bakic and Blagota Sekulic. Team Montenegro will start with preparations on July 18. From 6 to 10 of August they will participate at the international tournament in Slovenia. Other participants are the host Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and FYROM. Later in August, Team Montenegro will go to Skopje for the games against FYROM, Bulgaria and Poland. The last tournament will be the one in Istanbul, where Montenegro will play against Turkey, Bulgaria and Bosnia. Last game before the EuroBasket is set for August 27 against Turkey.
Team Montenegro is placed to Group C of the EuroBasket 2011. Their rivals will be Greece, Bosnia, FYROM, Croatia and one more team who earns a place in qualifications.

1. Omar Cook
2. Goran Jeretin
3. Vladimir Mihailovic
4. Boris Bakic
5. Bojan Bakic
6. Vladimir Scepanovic
7. Suad Sehovic
8. Sead Sehovic
9. Vujadin Subotic
10. Vladimir Dasic
11. Milo Borisov
12. Milko Bjelica
13. Vladimir Dragicevic
14. Nikola Vucevic
15. Nikola Pekovic
16. Slavko Vranes
17. Vladimir Golubovic
18. Ivan Maras
19. Blagota Sekulic
20. Bojan Dubljevic
21. Nikola Ivanovic
22. Marko Todorovic
23. Nemanja Radovic
24. Nemanja Djurisic

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


Russell Westbrook OK with benching - by Eurobasket News
All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook (6'3''-G-88, college: UCLA) insists that it wasn't difficult to watch the entire fourth quarter of the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 2 win from the bench.

'Not when we're winning,' Westbrook said after the Thunder evened the Western Conference finals with a 106-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. 'I'm good. I'm just sitting there hoping to get my name called.'

Westbrook bounced back from his poor shooting performance in Game 1 by scoring 18 points, making seven of 15 field goal attempts, but he had four turnovers. However, Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks opted to play backup point guard Eric Maynor instead of Westbrook in the final quarter of a close game.

Oklahoma City was outscored by 10 points in Westbrook's 28 minutes. The Thunder had an 18-point advantage in the 19 minutes played by Maynor, who had 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and did not commit a turnover.

Maynor, who averaged 14.6 minutes per game during the regular season and has seen his playing time decrease slightly in the playoffs, had four points on 2-of-3 shooting and an assist in the fourth quarter. The Thunder pulled away for the win with sixth man James Harden scoring 10 of his 23 points in the final frame.

'I thought Eric did a good job,' said Brooks, who played four reserves with All-NBA forward Kevin Durant for almost the entire fourth quarter. 'I've [played Maynor instead of Westbrook in the fourth quarter] a few times during the year. It doesn't happen often.

'Russell is an incredible player. He's our starting point guard. But we weren't getting a lot of things done, and it was his time to come out and I stayed with Eric. I thought Eric was terrific handling the decisions on the court, and guys made big shots.'

Courtesy of ESPN

Jerry West set to join Warriors front office - by Eurobasket News
If Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wasnt already upset enough over not having a statue at Staples Center, hearing that Laker legend Jerry West will be accepting a job with another team probably will put him over the edge.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News reports that the logo will be joining the Golden State Warriors in an advisory role. Kawakamis report makes the hiring of agent Bob Myers more understandable. Myers mentor as an agent is Arn Tellem, who is close friends with West. Bringing in Myers helped them land West according to Kawakami.

West likely will not have a role in decision-making, but having him involved as an advisor can only be a plus. As GM of the Lakers, he helped build seven championship teams. He also helped Memphis reach the playoffs for the first time in frachise history when he was GM of the Grizzlies. Bringing in a two-time NBA Executive of the Year can only be viewed as a win for the Warriors.

Golden State had been looking to make a splash under co-owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. They were aiming high for their new head coach, reportedly getting turned down by Jerry Sloan and Jeff Van Gundy. Though it remains to be seen how much of a role West will have with the organization, having someone like him tied to the franchise will only be a help.

Courtesy of http://larrybrownsports.com

McHale meets Warriors, Rockets finalist - by Eurobasket News
Kevin McHale met with Golden State executives Larry Riley and Bob Myers to discuss the Warriors head coaching job, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Sources called the meeting informal and it could turn into a more serious sit-down later with team executives and ownership.

Also, the Warriors are meeting Boston Celtics assistant coach Lawrence Frank in Chicago for an interview on Saturday, sources said.

Ex-Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is still the leader to be offered the job, several sources told Yahoo! Sports.

McHale has a more serious second interview with Houston Rockets officials scheduled for later Thursday at the NBA draft combine. Hes one of three finalists for the Rockets coaching job, along with Frank and Dallas assistant Dwane Casey.

The Rockets have been researching candidates exhaustively for weeks, calling everyone from ex-players, agents, front-office executives and coaches. The hiring of a coach could come down to the willingness of a candidate to accept a deal on Houstons terms. Its possible that an offer could come with only two guaranteed years, and $2 million per season.

Another element of the Rockets job will be the prospective coachs willingness to include the Rockets D-League affiliates coach as an assistant. Rockets management is enamored with Rio Grandes Chris Finch, and some see him as a future head coach in the NBA. Finch left a European coaching career to join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in 2009. Hes won a D-League title and advanced to the finals in 2011.

Courtesy of Yahoo

Mark Cuban yells at officiating supervisor: 'You're not watching the same game I am' - by Eurobasket News
As Mark Cuban was heading off the floor at a mid-court tunnel at halftime, he yelled at Bernie Fryer, a longtime NBA ref who retired after the 2007 season and now helps oversee the league's officiating department.

Cuban voiced his opinion that moving screens and other judgment calls were not being made by the referee crew of Greg Willard, Bill Spooner and Tom Washington.

Fryer said only that the crew was doing 'great.''

'You're not watching the same game I am,'' Cuban said.

Cuban has had a code of silence during the playoffs since the first round against Portland.

Courtesy of http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com

Yao wants to stay with Rockets - by Eurobasket News
Ming Yao (7'5''-C-80) says his surgically repaired left ankle is healing properly and he would like to remain with the Houston Rockets.

Yao said Thursday that he won't know until later this summer if he'll be able to play next season. He becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

A stress fracture in the ankle kept Yao out of all but five games last season and he had surgery in January.

Yao spoke during a visit to a Houston elementary school. He answered questions in English, and taught the children to say 'good morning' in his native Chinese.

Courtesy of http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

Kyrie Irving, Cavs' likely first-round pick, will skip on-court workouts at combine - by Eurobasket News
Duke star point guard Kyrie Irving (6'2''-G-92) said Thursday he is having medical tests at the NBA combine but is skipping the on-court tests and drills.

'I'm just going doing medical here,' said Irving, the presumed No. 1 pick. 'There's no particular reason. I'm still working out around here (privately) but I'm not doing anything at the combine.'

Irving has been working out for two hours every day, agent Jeffrey Wechsler said. Irving likely will be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the draft lottery on Tuesday and will pick first.

Wechsler said Irving has no injury issues and is focused on 'getting in the best shape possible.' He's looking forward to visiting teams before the June 23 draft.

Irving played in just 11 games as a freshmen with the Blue Devils. He was sidelined for most of the season with a toe injury before returning for the NCAA tournament.

'I don't have to wear the special shoe any more,' Irving said. 'I have to wear a protective shank in my shoe at all times, but that's the only thing. It's not a hindrance at all. It's just a precaution.'

Irving said he didn't have any reservations about looking to the NBA after having his last season at Duke limited by injury.

'I came back for the NCAA tournament (because) one, I was ready and two, I just wanted to stop all the questions whether I was healthy and whether this toe injury was going to be a lingering effect on my career,' he said. 'If I didn't play in the NCAA tournament, I wouldn't have come out. But I thought I was ready to come out here and I thought it was the best situation for me and my family.

It was a trying part of my life, just based on I was away from the game for so long. And I've never been through something like that, never had an injury like that. It was a learning experience and I'm glad I moved on from that. I'm healthy now.'

Courtesy of www.cleveland.com

Report: Enes Kanter wants to be a Washington Wizard - by Eurobasket News
Kentucky big man Enes Kanter (6'9''-C-92), expected to be a top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, would like to be drafted by the Washington Wizards in the NBA Draft. This is according to CSN Wizards reporter Chris Miller who spoke with the Turkish center about the upcoming draft.

Miller said that Kanter would like to play for the Wizards and John Wall who is apparently a friend of his off the court. Miller also cited owner Ted Leonsis' comments that the Wizards need to improve in the rebounding category, in 2010-11 Washington ranked 15th in the league with 41.3 rebounds per game as a team.

While Kanter would like to play for the Wizards, their current standing at the 6th overall pick may prevent them from drafting him. Kanter is ranked as one of the top prospects in the entire draft class and would likely be off the board by the time the Wizards make their first selection. But, as Miller points out, they also possess the 18th pick in the draft and could conceivably broker a trade to move up and take Kanter or another top prospect that is available.

Kanter attended the University of Kentucky last season but did not play in any of the Wildcats games. He was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after accepting financial benefits as an amateur professional in his native country of Turkey. Instead of playing he spent the school year on the bench helping John Calipari out as a student-assistant coach.

Courtesy of www.csnwashington.com

Kahn explains comments, NBA considers fine - by Eurobasket News
NBA officials are evaluating whether to fine Minnesota Timberwolves president David Kahn for comments suggesting Tuesday night's draft lottery was rigged, sources told CBSSports.com.

A decision on what to do with Kahn over his latest insensitive and inapropriate public remarks could be delayed because top league executives are traveling and scattered for multiple events, including the pre-draft camp and competition committee meeting Wednesday in Chicago. Commissioner David Stern and general counsel Richard Buchanan have yet to confer with other top officials, and there is expected to be a difference of opinion on whether fining Kahn and the Timberwolves would simply draw more attention to the unfortunate comments.

Meanwhile, Kahn told CBSSports.com Wednesday that his comments were meant as a joke, but reiterated that he believes in 'the power of story.'

The Timberwolves drew the No. 2 pick Tuesday night, losing out to the Cavaliers -- who were represented by owner Dan Gilbert's 14-year-old son, Nick, who suffers from a disease that causes tumors to grow throughout his body. Instead of being gracious, Kahn unleashed the following apparent attempt at humor and cleverness, which instead resonated with arrogance, poor taste, and what one league official called 'bad karma.'

'This league has a habit, and I am just going to say habit, of producing some pretty incredible story lines,' Kahn said. 'Last year it was Abe Pollin's widow and this year it was a 14-year-old boy and the only thing we have in common is we have both been bar mitzvahed. We were done. I told Kevin (O'Connor, GM of the Jazz, who got the No. 3 pick): 'We're toast.' This is not happening for us and I was right.'

If you like to hear and see stupid things first-hand, rather than just read the quotes, you can watch Kahn's buffoonery here.

Speaking Wednesday to CBSSports.com at the Westin Hotel in Chicago, where league executives convened for the pre-draft camp and competition committee meeting, Kahn said his comments were made in jest and that he didnt intend to imply that the lottery was rigged. But then he may have unintentionally dug a deeper hole when he reiterated the essence of his comment, saying he believes in the power of story.

The first questions I was asked last night by the reporters were, did I feel that the Timberwolves were jinxed, Kahn said. You know, we have a poor lottery record. And I want to say for the record, I dont believe in jinxes, curses, hocus pocus, and I dont believe weve been harmed in any way. What I said last night, I do believe in the power of story. And I just felt it was a heck of a lot better story for a 14-year-old to beat out two middle-aged executives standing together on a stage on national TV, and that our league has had its own share of luck in being a part of those stories. Thats it. Anybody ascribing anything else to it is completely doing their own thing.

Kahn pointed out that his comment Tuesday night elicited laughter, and said, There was no follow-up question. Nobody said, Do you understand what you just said? No, because everybody knew context. But I do understand, to your point, just reading it dry, that somebody could infer that. So lesson learned.

Asked again Wednesday if he was simply reiterating his assertion that the lottery results were rigged to produce a better story, Kahn said, Absolutely not. Im just saying that, if you look at sports in general, typically fairy tale stories, Cinderella stories, whatever you want to say, those tend to dominate sports. I just knew when youre standing there with a 14-year-old kid, logically the 14-year-old kid it had nothing to do with being nefarious.

Kahn said he hadnt heard from the league about the comments, but said he wouldnt be surprised if he received a fine.

Ive had money taken away from me before, Kahn said. It probably wont be the last time. It is what it is.

Whether Kahns comments warrant a fine or not, his latest in a pattern of missteps had rival executives shaking their heads in exasperation and privately mocking him Wednesday. In one fell swoop, Kahn offended the family of late owner Abe Pollin, reduced an heroic 14-year-old suffering from a horrific disease to a storyline, and insinuated that the primary means for bad NBA teams to improve a process independently audited by an accounting firm was fixed. And worse, upon reflection, Kahn didnt seem to realize or care that he had done any of this.

He oozes smug, one rival team employee said.

Kahn and his organization were most recently fined $50,000 each last July for Kahns comments about Michael Beasleys marijuana use comments that were made soon after Kahn acquired Beasley in a trade with the Heat. This is not the kind of mistake that a seasoned, capable executive should make especially one who is so close to Stern, who is mostly responsible for Kahns continued gainful employment in the NBA. Kahns basketball career began as an attorney at Proskauer Rose, the Manhattan law firm which handled, and continues to handle, NBA litigation.

Even now, with his organization hoping to secure a commitment from 2009 first-round pick Ricky Rubio to leave Spain and join the Timberwolves next season, Kahns latest actions have threatened what should be a positive, forward-looking time for a team that has endured years of hopeless ineptitude some of it, Kahns own doing.

Overpaying for Darko Milicic and Nicola Pekovic while still having the lowest payroll in the NBA (when adjusted for Eddy Currys buyout) tells you all you need to know about Kahns basketball acumen. Its truly amateur hour when the same GM who drafted two point guards on consecutive selections in 2009 now complains about being denied the No. 1 pick in the lottery when the consensus top pick is, you guessed it, a point guard.

Had Minnesota gotten the No. 1 pick, Kahn wouldve had a controversy much bigger than this one on his hands being forced to explain why he did or didnt select Kyrie Irving first overall with Rubio, fellow 2009 lottery pick Jonny Flynn, and Luke Ridnour already Wolves property.

But thats presuming there wouldve been a controversy, Kahn said. Im not in a position to presume that and I wouldnt presume that if I were you. It hasnt been discussed, internally or externally.

In addition, the organization has needlessly dragged out the presumed firing of coach Kurt Rambis, whose representatives are meeting with Kahn in Chicago this week but still may not come away with a final answer on his future. Dont cry for Rambis, who will see the more than $4 million remaining on his contract either way, but thats not the point. The point is, Rambis deserves better. So do Wolves fans, and the rest of the NBA.

Courtesy of http://ken-berger.blogs.cbssports.com

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Wants a Statue - by Daniel Gibson
The nickname 'Big Baby' is already taken by Glen Davis (6'9''-F-86, college: LSU) but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6'6''-G/F-76, college: W.Kentucky) seems more deserving of that title.

Abdul-Jabbar has scored more points than another other player in NBA history.

More than Michael Jordan (6'7''-F-63, college: N.Carolina), Dr. J, Larry Bird, Karl Malone (6'10''-F-63, college: Louisiana Tech), Dominique Wilkins (6'9''-F-60, college: Georgia Tech), and all of the other legendary players that have hit the hardwood over the years.

He even has starred in an epic fight scene with Bruce Lee in the movie 'Game of Death.'

The Lakers have used him as an assistant coach and brought him in to groom their young center Andrew Bynum (7'0''-C-87, agency: David Lee services) to
prepare him to lead the franchise as Kobe gets older.

He claims he's not bitter but Abdul-Jabbar is attacking the franchise in interviews and on Twitter for not giving him a statue at the arena.

'What prompted me has been a steady diet of disrespect from the supposedly wonderful Laker family,' Abdul-Jabbar wrote via Twitter on Wednesday night.

'Its not about a getting a statue because I'm over it - its about RESPECT! Lakers have given me the absolute minimum of respect.'

When I first heard what he was saying I thought he was making up a mistake and coming off looking desperate.

If you are an NBA legend with your spot secured in history what are you doing begging for a statue? What does that even matter?

I always use this as a comparison but people talk about LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) bringing craving attention when he did the 'The Decision' over the summer but nobody is really talking about Abdul-Jabbar talking about how much he deserves a statue.

How conceited can a person get? Does he want people to bow down to his statue when they pass it on the street too?

If you're a great player, which he was, people know that.

The Lakers recognize how much he has done for the organization and they have already promised him that he would be next but they have no timetable set for when they create statues to honor athletes.

Abdul-Jabbar saw the Lakers honor Magic Johnson, Chick Hearn, and 'The Logo' Jerry West with statues and he cant understand what the holdup is in creating his.

This whole situation is annoying to me. I dont understand why Abdul-Jabbar sounds so desperate for a statue. He's coming off as a former superstar that is just looking for love and attention and bit more of the spotlight.

How about being humble and waiting for the Lakers to build your statue like they promised you they would?

I cant comment too much about the level of respect the Lakers have shown him because Im on the outside looking in but he has been on the coaching staff and a part of the organization after his time playing.

The Lakers paid him for years and he is always in the conversation of the greatest Lakers and all-time players with his unstoppable skyhook.

What more do you want?

He sounds like a 64 year old baby and if I was running the Lakers I would push his statue back 10 years.

*****************************************************
  NCAA1   


Kyrie Irving, Cavs' likely first-round pick, will skip on-court workouts at combine - by Eurobasket News
Duke star point guard Kyrie Irving (6'2''-G-92) said Thursday he is having medical tests at the NBA combine but is skipping the on-court tests and drills.

'I'm just going doing medical here,' said Irving, the presumed No. 1 pick. 'There's no particular reason. I'm still working out around here (privately) but I'm not doing anything at the combine.'

Irving has been working out for two hours every day, agent Jeffrey Wechsler said. Irving likely will be selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the draft lottery on Tuesday and will pick first.

Wechsler said Irving has no injury issues and is focused on 'getting in the best shape possible.' He's looking forward to visiting teams before the June 23 draft.

Irving played in just 11 games as a freshmen with the Blue Devils. He was sidelined for most of the season with a toe injury before returning for the NCAA tournament.

'I don't have to wear the special shoe any more,' Irving said. 'I have to wear a protective shank in my shoe at all times, but that's the only thing. It's not a hindrance at all. It's just a precaution.'

Irving said he didn't have any reservations about looking to the NBA after having his last season at Duke limited by injury.

'I came back for the NCAA tournament (because) one, I was ready and two, I just wanted to stop all the questions whether I was healthy and whether this toe injury was going to be a lingering effect on my career,' he said. 'If I didn't play in the NCAA tournament, I wouldn't have come out. But I thought I was ready to come out here and I thought it was the best situation for me and my family.

It was a trying part of my life, just based on I was away from the game for so long. And I've never been through something like that, never had an injury like that. It was a learning experience and I'm glad I moved on from that. I'm healthy now.'

Courtesy of www.cleveland.com

Brad Greenberg resigns at Radford after tumultuous 2010-2011 season - by Eurobasket News
Radford University mens basketball coach Brad Greenberg has resigned.

The university announced Greenbergs resignation on its website Thursday evening and said a national search for a replacement will begin immediately.

Radford Assistant Athletic Director Joey Beeler said Thursday night he could not comment on Greenbergs resignation.

The 57-year-old Greenberg was suspended for four games in February for NCAA violations tied to impermissible team travel and associated extra benefits for an ineligible player.

In four seasons, Greenberg compiled an overall record of 55-68 and a Big South conference record of 35-33. The Highlanders were 5-24 overall and 2-16 in the league last season.

Athletics Robert Lineburg issued a statement Thursday saying hes confident the opening will draw a lot of interest. He said we will be extremely thorough and hire the right person to lead our student-athletes in the classroom, in the community and on the basketball court.

Courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com

Big East/SEC Challenge expands to 12 games - by Eurobasket News
Each of the Southeastern Conference's 12 basketball teams will match up against Big East squads in December.

The expanded Big East/SEC Challenge will be held Dec. 1-3, with the venues split evenly between the leagues.

ESPN networks will televise all 12 games.

The matchups include St. John's at Kentucky, Georgetown at Alabama, Mississippi at DePaul and Providence at South Carolina on Dec. 1.

On Dec. 2 Florida heads to Syracuse, Vanderbilt visits Louisville, Cincinnati is at Georgia and Auburn plays at Seton Hall.

The final day features Tennessee hosting Pittsburgh, Arkansas at Connecticut, West Virginia at Mississippi State and LSU at Rutgers.

The past four years, the event has included four games at two neutral sites. The series is tied at 8-8.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Arizona Wildcats: Miller hires Pasternack as assistant coach - by Eurobasket News
Sean Miller has hired University of New Orleans head coach Joe Pasternack as an assistant coach for the Arizona Wildcats.

Pasternack, 33, is leaving a Privateers program that is being demoted from Division I to Division II next season.

Miller had also considered former UA player Damon Stoudamire, though Pasternacks well-regarded reputation and college experience made him a strong candidate if he wanted the job. He worked as a student under Bobby Knight at Indiana, then spent eight years on Ben Brauns staff at California before moving to New Orleans.

'I want to thank UNO and my players for the opportunity over the last four years,' Pasternack said in a statement. It is very difficult to leave the city of New Orleans.

'Joining one of the elite basketball programs in the country and working for one of the top coaches in college basketball - Sean Miller - was not an opportunity that I could pass up. I wish UNO the best of luck in its transition to Division II.'

There was a last-ditch effort to keep the program at Division I last month, which might have resulted in Millers extended wait to hire a replacement for brother Archie Miller, the former UA associate head coach who left to become Daytons head coach early last month.

Joe has been communicative throughout this process and this is an opportunity to return to one of the top leagues in the country, one which launched him to his first head coaching position, UNO athletic director Amy Champion said. We would like to thank him for his four years of service to UNO and the men's basketball program.

Courtesy of http://azstarnet.com

*****************************************************
  NCAA2   


Clemon Johnson Leaves Alaska-Fairbanks - by Sanjey Noriega
From alaskananooks.com

After four seasons at the helm of the Alaska men's basketball team, head coach Clemon Johnson is stepping down to take a Division I head coaching job at his alma mater, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).

Johnson finishes with a 28-74 overall record with the Nanooks.

Alaska fell just short of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference playoffs this season after finishing 8-17 (5-13 GNAC). He also recruited and coached the 2010-11 Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, Parrish West.

'The best part of my job is watching student-athletes go on to distinguished careers and seeing staff members pursue their dreams and move on to exciting professional opportunities, Alaska Director of Athletics Forrest Karr said. I couldn't be happier for Clem and his family.'

Johnson played for FAMU from 1974-1978, during which time he set rebounding records for a single game (25), a season (412) and a career (1,494). Those records still stand, and he still ranks in the top-twenty in scoring with 1,381 points.

The opportunity to return home is another blessed moment in my life, Johnson said. The departure from UAF is a bittersweet moment. I felt the incoming class and the returning players would recreate the stir heard during earlier years in the GNAC.

But coming home to Florida A&M University allows me to continue my growth in my desired profession on another level. The past four years has been a great learning experience for my coaching and life development. The athletic staff, my coaching staff and administrators have provided guidance, patience, encouragement and knowledge.

After graduating from FAMU with a degree in economics, Johnson was drafted to the NBA by the Portland Trailblazers in the second round of the 1978 draft. He played 761 professional games with four different teams, including the Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Seattle Supersonics.

Johnson retired from the NBA in 1988 and went on to play five years of professional basketball in Italy.

He then began coaching at the high school level in Florida before taking on a coaching internship with the Atlanta Hawks in 2006 and eventually making his way to Fairbanks the next year.

Last season, FAMU finished 12-20 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). They made the MEAC tournament, but lost 87-85 to Maryland Eastern Shore in the first round.

Alaska's head coaching position is posted on UAKjobs.com, NCAA.org and on various college coaching websites. The position will remain posted through Tuesday, May 17. A final decision will be announced by the end of May.

The hiring committee includes: Harry Davis, Mike Hajdukovich, Bart LeBon, Kevin McHenry, Al Svenningson and Joe Tremarello.

Davis was an original member of the Top of the World organizing committee. Hajdukovich, LeBon, McHenry and Tremarello are former Nanook players. McHenry recently resigned as head boy's coach at North Pole High School. Tremarello formerly coached the Alaska women's basketball team. Svenningson is a former Alaska men's basketball coach and holds the school coaching record for career wins with 245.

It is with this presentation of support that I move forward confident of the job I retired for 18 years ago, Johnson said. I will always be grateful to Fairbanks and UAF.



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


Standings Men
NBL Standings
 1. Bay Hawks 8-0 
 2. Wellington S. 8-1 
 3. Waikato P. 4-3 
 4. Southland S. 3-4 
 5. Manawatu J. 3-4 
 6. Auckland P. 2-4 
 7. Nelson G. 2-4 
 8. Taranaki MA 1-5 
 9. OceanaGold N. 0-6 


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Darryl HUDSON
  Manawatu.
  (196-G-85)
  Avg: 23.3
 1. Hudson, Manawatu.23.3 
 2. Leasure, Taranaki.22.0 
 3. Webster, Wellingt.20.7 
 4. Pledger, Waika.20.3 
 5. Jones, Nelson G.20.3 
 6. Pace, Bay Hawks20.3 
 7. Dora, Nelson G.20.2 
 8. Smith, Waikato P.19.4 
 9. Bradshaw, OceanaG.19.3 
 10. Allen, Waikato P.18.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Nick HORVATH
  Manawatu.
  (208-F/C-81)
  Avg: 11.7
 1. Horvath, Manawatu.11.7 
 2. Vukona, Nelson G.11.3 
 3. Pledger, Waika.10.3 
 4. Bradshaw, OceanaG.10.0 
 5. Allred, OceanaGo.9.8 
 6. Campbell, Taranaki.9.7 
 7. Trousdell, Bay H.9.5 
 8. Seay, Waikato P.9.3 
 9. Johnson, Wellingt.9.2 
 10. Frank, Wellington8.6 
Assists Per Game
 Kevin BRASWELL
  Southlan.
  (188-G-79)
  Avg: 6.3
 1. Braswell, Southlan.6.3 
 2. Dickel, Southland5.9 
 3. Tait, Wellington S.5.8 
 4. Crowe, Waikato P.5.0 
 5. Kench, Manawatu J.4.4 
 6. Smith, Waikato P.4.4 
 7. Martin, Auckland.4.2 
 8. O''Gallagher, Ocean.3.7 
 9. Webster, Wellingt.3.2 
 10. Leasure, Taranaki.3.2 
Steals Per Game
 Jerry SMITH
  Waikato P.
  (185-G-87)
  Avg: 3
 1. Smith, Waikato P.3.0 
 2. Crowe, Waikato P.2.3 
 3. Seay, Waikato P.2.3 
 4. Allen, Waikato P.2.0 
 5. Kench, Manawatu J.2.0 
 6. Dickel, Southland1.9 
 7. Frank, Wellington1.8 
 8. Trueman, Manawatu.1.8 
 9. Hudson, Manawatu.1.6 
 10. Leasure, Taranaki.1.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Alex PLEDGER
  Waika.
  (216-C-87)
  Avg: 3.3
 1. Pledger, Waika.3.3 
 2. Campbell, Taranaki.1.7 
 3. Seay, Waikato P.1.5 
 4. Iti, Southland S.1.4 
 5. Anthony, Waika.1.3 
 6. Spicer, Southlan.1.2 
 7. Vukona, Nelson G.1.0 
 8. Johnson, Wellingt.1.0 
 9. Brown, Auckland P.1.0 
 10. Adams, Wellington0.9 


*****************************************************
  NORWAY   


Tromso Storm looking for new head coach - by Eurobasket News
Tromso Storm are weighing in the options for contracting new head coach. Jeffrey Lange has decided to part ways with the team so several names have been mentioned as his successors. Among those David Swan, Bard Stoller (agency: Warren Sports International ), Kelvin Woods and Kenneth Webb .
David Swan has been working with Ulriken over 1996/2002 seasons. He led the team to the Norwegian championship title in 1999.
Bard Stoller (agency: Warren Sports International ) worked with BK Miners in 1Division last season. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Norwegian 1Division Player of the Year. Previously the specialist worked with Asket Aliens for five straight seasons.
Kelvin Woods is another candidate for the job. He worked as head coach of Ammerud back in 2005/2008 seasons. He also was the manager with Tromso.
Kenneth Webb is the US specialist who has been working with Horsens IC in Denmark over the last two seasons. He helped Horsens reach Danish League semis this season. Webb worked with the Storm back in 2004/2007 seasons.


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


Hala Bola! 2011 PBA All-Star Weekend Updates! - by Enzo Flojo


Slam Dunk Contest Winner: Kelly Williams (198-F-82, college: Oakland) of Talk N Text
How he did it: He caught a pass from teammate Jimmy Alapag, who was way up in the stands, and slammed it home with two hands!

It was a cakewalk for Williams as rivals Gabe Norwood and Jay Washington did not participate and finals competitor Rey Guevarra missed his final dunk.

Aside from Guevarra, Williams bested Elmer Espiritu, JC Intal, Ronald Tubid and Josh Vanlandingham.

Three-point Contest Winner: Mark Macapagal (188-G-79) of Coca-Cola
How he did it: He scored 17 points in the Final Round while Ronald Tubid had 16 and Jimmy Alapag only 15 to repeat as the 3-point king of the PBA.

Other participants were Dondon Hontiveros, James Yap, Joe Devance, Macmac Cardona, Sunday Salvacion and Ronjay Buenafe.

Strangely enough, Mark almost did not make the Final Round, producing only 12 points in the elimination round. He beat Salvacion by 1 to enter the final phase.

Obstacle Challenge Winner: Jonas Villanueva (184-G-83) of B-Meg Derby Ace
How he did it: He set a record by finishing the course in 29.5 seconds only the fastest ever.

Rain or Shines Ronjay Buenafe finished after 32.1 seconds and Chris Ross did it in 33.5 to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Eliminated early were Josh Urbiztondo, LA Tenorio, Miller, Alex Cabagnot, Sean Anthony (193-F-86), and Jimmy Alapag.

Rookies blast Sophomores in the Blitz Game!
Barangay Ginebra's Robert Labagala (175-G) and Powerade's Sean Anthony combined to produce a speedy backcourt that led the way for the Rookies. They defeated the Sophomores 114-109.

Labagala, a second round pick reserve and former UE Red Warrior, scored 25 points and dished out 8 assists, grabbed 3 rebounds and had a steal.

For his part, Anthony finished with a near-triple double: 12 points, 11 boards and 7 dimes. Both he and Labagala were named Co-MVPs of the game.

The Sophomores were led by Larry Rodriguezs 27 points and 15 rebounds even as Jervy Cruz added 21 points and a Blitz Game record 18 rebounds.

Injured Sophs Marcy Arellano, Ronnie Matias and Francis Allera were not able to play. Nonoy Baclao and Rabeh Al-Hussaini failed to suit up for the Rookies

Rookies 114 -- Labagala 25, Vanlandingham 17, Espiritu 16, Thiele 15, Wilson 14, Anthony12, Guevarra 9, Weinstein 6.
Sophomores 109 -- Rodriguez 27, Cruz 21, Gaco 19, Urbiztondo 15, Ross 14, Oreta 13.
Quarterscores: 27-23; 57-50; 82-84; 114-109.



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


DBE Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Ted SCOTT
  SKK Kotwica
  (188-G-85)
  Avg: 25.4
 1. Scott, SKK Kotwica25.4 
 2. Hodge, Zastal17.0 
 3. Frazier, AZS K.16.7 
 4. Hinson, Polonia Az.16.3 
 5. Reese, AZS Koszal.16.0 
 6. Thomas, PGE Turow14.6 
 7. Bennerman, Energa14.5 
 8. NaNa, Polonia Azb.14.4 
 9. Dylewicz, Trefl So.14.4 
 10. Ewing, Asseco P.14.2 
Rebounds Per Game
 Darrell HARRIS
  SKK K.
  (208-C-84)
  Avg: 11.4
 1. Harris, SKK K.11.4 
 2. Truscott, Siarka9.9 
 3. Burgess, Zastal9.4 
 4. NaNa, Polonia Azb.8.3 
 5. Easley, Polonia Az.7.0 
 6. Wysocki, PGE Turow6.9 
 7. Miller, Anwil6.6 
 8. Ceranic, Trefl S.6.5 
 9. Archibeque, Polph.6.2 
 10. Dylewicz, Trefl S.6.2 
Assists Per Game
 Igor MILICIC
  AZS K.
  (194-G-76)
  Avg: 6.6
 1. Milicic, AZS K.6.6 
 2. Blassingame, Energ.6.2 
 3. Thomas, PGE Turow5.7 
 4. Hodge, Zastal5.1 
 5. Skibniewski, Polph.4.8 
 6. Hawkins, PBG B.4.0 
 7. Vaughn, Polpharma3.5 
 8. Szubarga, Asseco3.5 
 9. Ewing, Asseco P.3.3 
 10. Harrington, Trefl3.0 
Steals Per Game
 Darnell HINSON
  Polonia Azbud
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 2.7
 1. Hinson, Polonia Az.2.7 
 2. Blassingame, Energ.2.6 
 3. Hodge, Zastal2.5 
 4. Pringle, Siarka2.4 
 5. Skibniewski, Polph.2.4 
 6. Thomas, PGE Turow2.3 
 7. Milicic, AZS K.2.3 
 8. Szubarga, Asseco2.1 
 9. Hawkins, PBG B.2.1 
 10. Reese, AZS Kosza.2.0 
Blocks Per Game
 Darrell HARRIS
  SKK K.
  (208-C-84)
  Avg: 2
 1. Harris, SKK K.2.0 
 2. Burgess, Zastal1.3 
 3. Easley, Polonia Az.1.3 
 4. Hicks, Anwil1.3 
 5. Lapeta, Asseco P.1.1 
 6. Davis, Energa C.1.0 
 7. Mirkovic, Polpharma0.8 
 8. Miller, Anwil0.8 
 9. Metelski, Polpharma0.7 
 10. Palmer, Polonia A.0.7 


PLK Round 6 of Finals. Asseco Prokom force decider - by Eurobasket News
FINAL
PGE Turow - Asseco Prokom 64-72

Asseco Prokom stayed in the title race. They bruised PGE Turow on the road to force the decider in Gdynia. American guard Daniel Ewing (191-83, college: Duke, agency: Alti Sport) scored 12 points and 5 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Bulgarian swingman Filip Videnov (196-80, college: W.Kentucky, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 14 points during the contest. Asseco Prokom's coach Tomas Pacesas used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was Australian-Dutch center Daniel Kickert (208-83, college: St.Mary's, CA) with 16 points and 8 rebounds and naturalized German forward Konrad Wysocki (201-82, college: Princeton, agency: Pro One Sports) scored 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Top scorers:
PGE Turow: D.Kickert 16+8reb+1ast, K.Wysocki 10+9reb+1ast, T.Thomas 10+3reb+4ast, D.Jackson 9+2reb+1ast, R.Tomaszek 9+5reb, M.Brkic 5+2reb
Asseco Prokom: F.Videnov 14+3reb+1ast, D.Ewing 12+2reb+5ast, K.Szubarga 10+2reb+4ast, P.Szczotka 9+7reb, R.Burrell 8+3reb, Q.Woods 8+5reb
gschID: 128477




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


Season Scout Alges - by Luis Filipe Cristovao
After five seasons in CNB, Sport Alges e Dafundo was back to Proliga and was able to secure their place in the last round. Flavio Nascimentos very young team didnt have a good first half season, but with some changes in their roster, they were able to win six games in the second half.

The Season
In their first 12 games, Sport Alges e Dafundo only beat Seixal, the winless Proliga team. As many expected their future to be written, the team incorporated Sergio Correia (197-F-85) and Sylvester Spicer (198-F-86, college: Rogers St.), which had turned Sport Alges e Dafundo game upside down. They had a very young team, and those two players were essential to Flavio Nascimentos team success. Beating stronger teams like Fisica de Torres and Sangalhos was their best moment, as that victory in Torres Vedras, in the last three rounds, secured their place in Proliga, for next season.

The Player
Sylvester Spicer. In his first European season, this NAIA awarded player found happiness in Sport Alges e Dafundo. He was the one that gave this team what they needed: heart, shooting, rebounds. Spicer changed the teams mentality, with his eagerness to win, after some sad months in Israel. He finished as the Man on this team, who had also benefited of Sergio Correia's comeback, after a season start in Angola. Correia is also a rebounding machine, a very strong defender, with a high rate steal skill. Both players were much better than all the others in Sport Alges e Dafundo, and lost them can make Sport Alges e Dafundo have to start from zero again.

The Prospect
Filipe Pinheiro (190-F-90). After completing pre-season in Barreirense, Pinheiro left to Sport Alges e Dafundo looking for minutes. The U18 Portuguese International was used in the teams rotation, and had good numbers in the teams victories against Guifoes, Galitos and Seixal. He wasnt the coachs favorite but profited this time in Sport Alges e Dafundo to show he has the capabilities to be a strong sixth player in Proliga.



Check for more: www.porbasket.blogspot.com





Arturo Alvarez in interview - by Bruno Baltazar
Arturo Alvarez the former Barreirense head coach said this week in a interview that Barreirense is already a big part in his life,the spanish coach said he is very happy coaching the portuguese team even thou if he could not help the team to stay in the main division in Portugal.
After 3 months in the team he also speaks about the great work of the team with the youth levels in the club ,he says they do a tremendous work and considers them as the best team in Portugal in that level of players...
He also says people like Antonio Liborio,Jorge Bruno ,Bruno Regalo,Jose Francisco ,Paulo Silvestre and Antonio Martins gives them the power of 100 years of history passing to the current history of people that give all they have for the team.
He also speaks about his assistant coaches as one of the bests he ever had due to their scouting job ,a special word he says for the international scouting of bringing the foreign players since the team does not always have the best budget for that ,but still produced players like Jakim Donaldson and this year Tyrone Curnell.
About the league he says it needs more teams and with a bit of work it will be with the best leagues in Europe.
He left the team this year but he is very happy with the chance he had ,and thanks all the people involved for the great chance he had,he also gives a advice to all the young spanish coaches that want to be in a team with history and great organization to give Barreirense a close look...

*****************************************************
  PUERTO RICO   


BSN Round 16: Mets defeat leader Vaqueros - by Eurobasket News
The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Vaqueros (11-6) in Bayamon on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Mets (12-7) 104-97. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 11-7 record before this meeting. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Mets made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Vaqueros outrebounded Mets 45-30 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of international swingman Angel Daniel Vassallo (198-86, college: Virginia Tech) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). The former international swingman Angel Luis Figueroa (196-81, college: Dowling, agency: Paris Global Sports) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American forward Terrence Shannon (203-79, college: Elgin CC, agency: Paris Global Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists for Vaqueros. Mets keep a position of league leader. Vaqueros at the other side dropped to the second place with six games lost. Mets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Vaqueros will play on the road against Caciques in Humacao and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in San German. Fifth ranked Atleticos (10-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Caciques (8-11) 88-86 on Thursday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mike Harris (198-83, college: Rice) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and Jaime Lloreda who added 12 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international guard Miguel Ali Berdiel (198-83, college: Valparaiso, agency: Paris Global Sports) responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds. Atleticos have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Caciques at the other side keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. They share it with Coamo. Atleticos will play against Gallitos (#9) in Isabela in the next round where they are favorite. Caciques will play at home against the league's second-placed Vaqueros in Bayamon and hope to get back on the winning track.
Very important is a home loss of third ranked Quebradillas (11-7) against sixth ranked Capitanes (9-9) on Wednesday night. Host Quebradillas were defeated by Capitanes in Quebradillas 83-73. The winners were led by Danilo Pinnock who scored that evening 24 points and 8 rebounds. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds by Peter John Ramos did not help to save the game for Quebradillas. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Capitanes maintains sixth position with 9-9 record. Loser Quebradillas keep the third place with seven games lost. Capitanes will meet at home Gallitos (#9) in the next round. Quebradillas will play against Indios (#10) in Mayaguez and hope to secure a win.
Bottom-ranked Indios managed to get a sixth victory. This time they edged fourth-ranked Cangrejeros in Mayaguez 86-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cangrejeros. Carlos Rivera fired 28 points and 5 assists for the winners. Indios' coach Eddie Casiano allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. Indios maintains tenth position with 6-12 record. Cangrejeros at the other side dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Indios' next round opponent will be higher ranked Quebradillas (#3) at home and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Cangrejeros will play against Maratonistas in Coamo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 16 Isabela beat Humacao on the road 77-71.


San German - Humacao 88-86

Important game to mention about took place in San German. Fifth ranked Atleticos (10-8) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 7th ranked Caciques (8-11) 88-86 on Thursday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Mike Harris (198-83, college: Rice) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists and Panamanian power forward Jaime Lloreda (201-80, college: LSU) who added 12 points and 11 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side the former international guard Miguel Ali Berdiel (198-83, college: Valparaiso, agency: Paris Global Sports) responded with 26 points and 6 rebounds and American power forward Ivan Johnson (203-84, college: Cal.St.-San Bernar.) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Atleticos have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to fourth place. Caciques at the other side keep the seventh position with 11 games lost. They share it with Coamo. Atleticos will play against Gallitos (#9) in Isabela in the next round where they are favorite. Caciques will play at home against the league's second-placed Vaqueros in Bayamon and hope to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
San German: M.Harris 25+18reb+4ast, J.Pellot-Rosa 13+4reb+2ast, J.Lloreda 12+11reb+1ast, J.Rodriguez 11+1reb+4ast, C.Strong 8+4reb, M.De Jesus 5+2reb+1ast
Humacao: M.Ali Berdiel 26+6reb+2ast, I.Johnson 22+10reb+1ast, D.Clemente 14+8reb+3ast, J.Life 11+2reb, J.Garcia 4+2reb+2ast, J.Maye 4+1reb
gschID: 125556


Humacao - Isabela 71-77

There was a small surprise when ninth ranked Gallitos (7-12) beat 7th ranked Caciques (8-11) in Humacao 77-71. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Caciques won third quarter 24-20. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. American forward Shavlik Randolph (208-83, college: Duke) fired a double-double by scoring 23 points and 19 rebounds for the winners. The other American import guard Lewis Clinch (191-87, college: Georgia Tech) chipped in 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Miguel Ali Berdiel (198-83, college: Valparaiso, agency: Paris Global Sports) produced a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals and British V.Islands center Kleon Penn (211-86, college: McNeese St., agency: Paris Global Sports) added 11 points and 13 rebounds respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Gallitos maintains ninth position with 7-12 record. Caciques at the other side keep the seventh place with 11 games lost. Gallitos' next round opponent will be higher ranked Atleticos (#4) in San German and they do not belong to the favorites in that game.
Top scorers:
Isabela: S.Randolph 23+19reb+1ast, L.Clinch 22+9reb+6ast, D.Hinson 13+2reb+4ast, F.Valencia 10+8reb+2ast, J.Soto 7+2reb, J.Verdejo 2+3reb+2ast
Humacao: M.Ali Berdiel 16+10reb+4ast, I.Johnson 15+5reb, D.Clemente 14+1reb+4ast, K.Penn 11+13reb+1ast, J.Life 5+2reb+1ast, J.Garcia 5+2reb+4ast
gschID: 125553


Quebradillas - Arecibo 73-83

Very important is a home loss of third ranked Quebradillas (11-7) against sixth ranked Capitanes (9-9) on Wednesday night. Host Quebradillas were defeated by Capitanes in Quebradillas 83-73. The guests trailed by 8 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 10 points. Capitanes dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Quebradillas' 32. The winners were led by American-Panamanian guard Danilo Pinnock (196-83, college: George Washington, agency: SportsTalent) who scored that evening 24 points and 8 rebounds and international guard Larry Ayuso (190-77, college: USC, agency: Global Sports Plaza) supported him with 23 points. Even 17 points and 8 rebounds by international center Peter John Ramos (222-85) did not help to save the game for Quebradillas. Australian forward Mark Worthington (202-83, college: Metro St.) added 18 points and 9 rebounds for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Capitanes maintains sixth position with 9-9 record. Loser Quebradillas keep the third place with seven games lost. Capitanes will meet at home Gallitos (#9) in the next round. Quebradillas will play against Indios (#10) in Mayaguez and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Arecibo: D.Pinnock 24+8reb+2ast, L.Ayuso 23+3reb, D.Santiago 12+9reb+2ast, D.Guillermo 11+5reb+3ast, D.Cortes 6+8reb+2ast, D.Copeland 3+4reb+1ast
Quebradillas: M.Worthington 18+9reb, P.John Ramos 17+8reb+3ast, R.Apodaca 11+3reb+3ast, J.Jones 10+6reb+2ast, C.Bruton 7+6reb+3ast, A.Alamo 6+5reb
gschID: 125554


Mayaguez - Santurce 86-85

Bottom-ranked Indios managed to get a sixth victory. This time they edged fourth-ranked Cangrejeros in Mayaguez 86-85. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Cangrejeros. Cangrejeros were ahead by 2 points at the halftime before a 27-21 third quarter run of Indios. They made 16-of-19 charity shots (84.2 percent) during the game. Indios outrebounded Cangrejeros 41-27 including a 23-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. Guard Carlos Rivera (187-83, college: Hofstra, agency: Paris Global Sports) fired 28 points and 5 assists for the winners. The former international swingman Alejandro Carmona (194-83) chipped in 24 points and 7 rebounds. Indios' coach Eddie Casiano allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. International guard Richard Chaney (196-84, college: Troy, agency: Court Side) produced 19 points and 8 rebounds (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) and naturalized Ivorian guard Walter Hodge (183-86, college: Florida) added 21 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side. Four Cangrejeros players scored in double figures. Indios maintains tenth position with 6-12 record. Cangrejeros at the other side dropped to the fifth place with eight games lost. Indios' next round opponent will be higher ranked Quebradillas (#3) at home and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Cangrejeros will play against Maratonistas in Coamo and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Mayaguez: C.Rivera 28+4reb+5ast, A.Carmona 24+7reb+2ast, E.Rodriguez 8+3reb, D.Jones 7+9reb, L.Steven Ramirez 6+1reb+6ast, R.Clemente 6+7reb+1ast
Santurce: W.Hodge 21+3reb+5ast, R.Chaney 19+8reb+3ast, M.Sweetney 17+7reb+1ast, W.Pagan 15+1reb+7ast, R.Sanchez 9+2reb+1ast, R.Melendez 4
gschID: 125555


Bayamon - Guaynabo 97-104

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Vaqueros (11-6) in Bayamon on Tuesday night. Hosts were defeated by Mets (12-7) 104-97. It was a key game for the top position in the league as both teams had the same 11-7 record before this meeting. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Mets made 21-of-25 free shots (84.0 percent) during the game. Strangely Vaqueros outrebounded Mets 45-30 including a 20-7 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of international swingman Angel Daniel Vassallo (198-86, college: Virginia Tech) who helped to win the game recording 30 points and 6 rebounds (made all of his seven free throws). The former international swingman Angel Luis Figueroa (196-81, college: Dowling, agency: Paris Global Sports) contributed with 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American forward Terrence Shannon (203-79, college: Elgin CC, agency: Paris Global Sports) replied with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international guard Christian Dalmau (194-77, college: Daytona Beach CC, agency: Paris Global Sports) added 25 points (made all of his nine free throws !!!) in the effort for Vaqueros. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Mets keep a position of league leader. Vaqueros at the other side dropped to the second place with six games lost. Mets will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Vaqueros will play on the road against Caciques in Humacao and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Guaynabo: A.Daniel Vassallo 30+6reb+3ast, R.Dalmau 21+1reb+1ast, A.Luis Figueroa 19+8reb+3ast, S.Pruitt 16+9reb+1ast, C.Escalera 11+4reb+7ast, S.Villegas 7
Bayamon: C.Dalmau 25+4reb+3ast, J.Mojica 21+7reb+1ast, T.Shannon 20+14reb+4ast, R.Rickert 14+10reb+3ast, C.Antrone Lee 11+7reb, R.Jose Hatton 6+1reb
gschID: 125552




Harris' double-double lands him Player of the Week award - by Eurobasket News
27-year old forward Mike Harris (198-F-83) put on an amazing game in the last week for San German and receives a Latinbasket.com Player of the Week award for week 16.
He had a double-double of 25 points and 18 rebounds, while his team edged out Humacao (#8, 8-11) 88-86. San German is placed at 4th position in Puerto Rican league. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. San German will need more victories to improve their 10-8 record. In the team's last game Harris had a remarkable 61.1% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at San German, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Rice University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Harris is in league's top in rebounds (5th best: 10.9rpg) and averages solid 1.2bpg and 59.2% FGP.

Second best performed player last week was Miguel Ali Berdiel (198-G-83, agency: Paris Global Sports) of Humacao. He is former international guard in his first season at Humacao. In the last game Berdiel recorded impressive double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Bad luck as Humacao lost that game 71-77 to slightly lower-ranked Isabela (#9, 7-12). This loss caused Humacao to drop to 8th position in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 8-11 record. Berdiel is one of the most experienced players at Humacao and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

Third place about best performers goes to forward Shavlik Randolph (208-F-83) of Isabela (#9). Randolph scored 23 points and grabbed nineteen rebounds (!!!). He was a key player of Isabela, leading his team to a 77-71 win against slightly higher-ranked Humacao (#8, 8-11). The chances of Isabela not to end season at such low position in the league, however are less than slim as they have already lost 12 games, recording just seven victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Randolph could try to bring Isabela's a little bit higher in the standings. Randolph has individually a great season in Puerto Rico. After 17 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 12.5rpg (2nd best).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Richard Chaney (196-G-84) of Santurce - 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists
5. Carlos Rivera (187-G-83) of Mayaguez - 28 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists
6. Miguel Ali Berdiel (198-G-83) of Humacao - 26 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
7. Terrence Shannon (203-F-79) of Bayamon - 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists
8. Kleon Penn (211-C-86) of Humacao - 11 points and 13 rebounds
9. Angel Daniel Vassallo (198-G/F-86) of Guaynabo - 30 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists
10. Lewis Clinch (191-G-87) of Isabela - 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists

The Player of the week is choosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3*(REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4*(2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3*(2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3*(3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

Standings - BSN
BSN Standings
 1. Guaynabo 12-7 
 2. Bayamon 11-6 
 3. Quebradillas 11-7 
 4. San German 10-8 
 5. Santurce 9-8 
 6. Arecibo 9-9 
 7. Coamo 8-11 
 8. Humacao 8-11 
 9. Isabela 7-12 
 10. Mayaguez 6-12 


Stats Leaders - BSN
Points Per Game
 Angel Daniel VASSALLO
  Guaynabo
  (198-G/F-86)
  Avg: 24.8
 1. Vassallo, Guaynabo24.8 
 2. Ramos, Quebradillas23.8 
 3. Dalmau, Bayamon21.7 
 4. Villegas, Coamo19.6 
 5. Johnson, Humacao18.9 
 6. Ayuso, Arecibo18.7 
 7. Romero, Mayaguez18.6 
 8. Clemente, Humacao18.5 
 9. Clinch, Isabela18.2 
 10. Harris, San German18.0 
Rebounds Per Game
 Manuel Antonio NARVAEZ
  Coamo
  (211-C-81)
  Avg: 12.5
 1. Narvaez, Coamo12.5 
 2. Randolph, Isabela12.5 
 3. Pruitt, Guaynabo11.8 
 4. Harris, San German11.5 
 5. Ramos, Quebradillas11.1 
 6. Lloreda, San G.10.8 
 7. Rickert, Bayamon10.5 
 8. Romero, Mayaguez9.7 
 9. Shannon, Bayamon9.4 
 10. Sweetney, Santur.8.6 
Assists Per Game
 Christian DALMAU
  Bayamon
  (194-G-77)
  Avg: 6.6
 1. Dalmau, Bayamon6.6 
 2. Brown, Quebradillas5.9 
 3. Guzman, Guaynabo5.1 
 4. Copeland, Arecibo4.8 
 5. Clinch, Isabela4.7 
 6. Clemente, Humacao4.6 
 7. Rivera, Mayaguez4.3 
 8. Vega, Coamo4.1 
 9. Apodaca, Quebradil.4.1 
 10. Pagan, Santurce3.9 
Steals Per Game
 Darnell HINSON
  Isabela
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Hinson, Isabela1.9 
 2. Robinson, Mayaguez1.9 
 3. Santiago, Santurce1.7 
 4. Clinch, Isabela1.6 
 5. Berdiel, Humacao1.6 
 6. Hodge, Santurce1.5 
 7. Robinson, Humacao1.5 
 8. Rivera, Mayaguez1.4 
 9. Dalmau, Bayamon1.4 
 10. Chaney, Santurce1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Herve LAMIZANA
  Mayaguez
  (207-F/C-81)
  Avg: 3
 1. Lamizana, Mayaguez3.0 
 2. Penn, Humacao2.6 
 3. Santiago, Arecibo2.1 
 4. Traylor, Bayamon2.0 
 5. Romero, Mayaguez1.9 
 6. Randolph, Isabela1.7 
 7. Sanchez, Santurce1.7 
 8. Aubry, Arecibo1.6 
 9. Shannon, Bayamon1.4 
 10. Robinson, Mayagu.1.3 


*****************************************************
  ROMANIA   


Stats Leaders - Men
Points Per Game
 LeRoy DAWSON
  Polite.
  (188-G-81)
  Avg: 22.5
 1. Dawson, Polite.22.5 
 2. Hannah, Miercure.21.2 
 3. Dykes, U.Mobite.20.5 
 4. Krstanovic, U.Mobi.20.4 
 5. Tomic, CSM B.19.9 
 6. Pesic, Timisoara19.8 
 7. Horton, Craiova19.6 
 8. Darby, Rovinari19.1 
 9. Vujacic, Pitesti19.0 
 10. Gennie, Pitesti18.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Kenneth SIMMS
  Craiova
  (203-C-)
  Avg: 11
 1. Simms, Craiova11.0 
 2. Coleman, Miercure.10.5 
 3. Bennett, CSM B.9.6 
 4. Bigus, Rovinari9.3 
 5. Krstanovic, U.Mobi.9.2 
 6. Nicoara, Gaz Metan8.9 
 7. Forte, Mures8.5 
 8. Carutasu, Steaua7.8 
 9. Burlacu, Ploiesti7.8 
 10. Eichelberger, Pit.7.7 
Assists Per Game
 JuJuan COOLEY
  Mures
  (175-G-82)
  Avg: 8.3
 1. Cooley, Mures8.3 
 2. Dzambic, CSM B.7.9 
 3. Hannah, Miercure.6.2 
 4. Stojakovic, Craiova5.2 
 5. Howell, Gaz Metan5.2 
 6. Blidaru, Ploiesti5.1 
 7. Cuic, U.Mobitel.CN5.1 
 8. Medvedj, Otopeni4.9 
 9. Gennie, Pitesti4.8 
 10. Dzambic, Timisoara4.7 
Steals Per Game
 Nikola STOJAKOVIC
  Craiova
  (188-G-84)
  Avg: 2.5
 1. Stojakovic, Craiova2.5 
 2. Harrison, CSU Sibiu2.4 
 3. Gennie, Pitesti2.4 
 4. Cooley, Mures2.4 
 5. Howell, Gaz Metan2.2 
 6. Mitchell, Gaz Metan2.1 
 7. Dykes, U.Mobite.2.0 
 8. Loyd, CSU Sibiu1.9 
 9. Eichelberger, Pite.1.9 
 10. Medvedj, Otopeni1.9 
Blocks Per Game
 Michael HARRISON
  CSU Sibiu
  (206-F/C-84)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Harrison, CSU Sibiu1.8 
 2. Capusan, Rovinari1.6 
 3. Eichelberger, Pite.1.6 
 4. Masiulis, CSU S.1.5 
 5. Herndon, CSU Sibiu1.4 
 6. Mladenovic, Mures1.4 
 7. Simms, Craiova1.3 
 8. Lazar, Oradea1.2 
 9. Dragusin, Gaz M.0.9 
 10. Burlacu, Ploiesti0.9 


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


Beverley number one in Russia for round 27 - by Eurobasket News
American guard Patrick Beverley (185-G-88) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Spartak SP, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 27.
The 22-year old player had a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while his team beat Enisey (#6, 12-15) 82-74. Spartak SP is placed at 4th position in Russian PBL. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Spartak SP will need more victories to improve their 17-10 record. Beverley just recently signed at Spartak SP, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Former The University of Arkansas star has very solid stats this year. Beverley is in league's top in rebounds (4th best: 6.8rpg) and averages impressive 2.1spg.

The second best player in last round's games was 28-year old former international swingman Viktor Khryapa (204-F/G-82) of league's second-best CSKA Moscow. Khryapa had a very good evening with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Of course he lead CSKA to another comfortable win outscoring the lower-ranked Krasnie Krilya (#7, 10-17) 86-65. CSKA's second position in the standings has not changed. His team's 18-9 record is not bad at all. Khryapa is one of the most experienced players at CSKA and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

Third on the list of top players last round was Eritrean swingman Thomas Kelati (195-G/F-82, agency: Beo Basket) of Khimky (#5). Kelati got into 30-points club by scoring exactly 30 points in the last round. He was a key player of Khimky, leading his team to a 86-78 win against the lower-ranked Dynamo (#9, 8-19). Khimky needs these victories very badly if they think about getting closer to top teams. Their record at this point is 17 victories and 10 lost games. Kelati has a very solid season. In 24 games in Russia he scored 10.0ppg. He also has FGP: 63.6% and 3PT: 46.5%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82) of Lokomotiv - 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists
5. Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) of CSKA - 16 points and 3 rebounds
6. Hasan Rizvic (212-C-84) of Unics - 13 points and 12 rebounds
7. Petr Samoylenko (185-G-77) of Unics - 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists
8. Denis Polokhin (195-G-90) of CSKA - 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists
9. Alexey Zhukanenko (210-F-86) of Dynamo - 16 points and 8 rebounds
10. Konstantin Nesterov (205-F/C-81) of Krasnie Krilya - 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists

The Player of the week is chosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)

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


Boban Marjanovic and Aleksandar Capin win third trophy with Zalgiris this season - by Eurobasket News
Boban Marjanovic (222-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) and Aleksandar Capin (186-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) finished 2010/11 season last night. They helped Zalgiris win the Lithuanian league title after they beat Lietuvos Rytas with almost perfect 3-1 in the Finals. In Game Four, Zalgiris blasted Rytas 95-69. Before the Lithuanian league title, Marjanovic and Capin already helped Zalgiris win the Baltic league and Lithuanian National Cup.
Boban Marjanovic joined Zalgiris in January this year on loan from CSKA Moscow. He appeared 17 times in LKL averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. In six Euroleague games with Zalgiris, Marjanovic had almost the same numbers: 5.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg. In Baltic league, he added 4 ppg and 3 rpg for two games.
Aleksandar Capin joined Zalgiris year and a half ago and he already won Baltic league title with them last season. This season Capin had 3.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 1.4 apg for 27 games in Lithuanian league. He also added 3.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 1.2 apg for five Euroleague games.

Standings - A Liga
A Standings
SuperLeague
 1. Partizan 13-1 
 2. Hemofarm 10-4 
 3. Radnicki 7-6 
 4. FMP 6-7 
 5. Metalac 5-8 
 6. Crvena Zvezda 5-8 
 7. Beograd 4-9 
 8. Mega Vizura 3-10 
Places 9-16
 1. Tamis 15-11 
 2. Napredak 12-14 
 3. Sloga 12-14 
 4. Novi Sad 12-14 
 5. Sloboda Uzice 12-14 
 6. Vojvodina 12-14 
 7. Borac 11-15 
 8. Proleter Naftagas 10-16 
 9. Crnokosa 9-17 
 10. Superfund 1-25 


*****************************************************
  SOUTH KOREA   


Incheon Elpehents free agent Seo Jang-Hoon traded to LG Sakers for Kang Dae-Hyup and Hyun-Min Lee - by Kevin Campigotto
The Changwon LG Sakers and Inchon ET Land Elephants announced a sign-and-trade today that will send 11 time All-Star forward Seo Jang-Hoon (207-C-74) to LG in exchange for guards Kang Dae-Hyup (188-G-77) and Lee Hyun-Min (176-G-83). Under the terms of the new one-year contract Seo will make a total of 350 million won (250 million guaranteed and 100 million in incentives). This will be Seo's fifth team in the KBL having previouisly played for SK, Samsung, KCC, Inchon and now LG.

When asked for comment about the trade new LG Head Coach Kim Jin said that inside/post players were very rare in Korea and every team needs more power forwards and size upfront. Jin went on to say that despite his age Seo is very strong and will greatly help LG immediately. He has very high hopes for Seo and believes that he may be the missing piece that will allow LG to contend for a championship. Seo has previously played for Jin with the Korean national team in 2002 where they won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Busan.

LG continued its free-agency activity by re-signing guard Kim Hyun-Joong (178-G-81).

With this move Inchon is clearly building around the speed and explosive scoring of naturalized standout Jarod Stevenson (200-F-75, agency: Alti Sport, college: Richmond) who played excellently in the playoffs before falling to KCC. Inchon will lose two guards, Jung Young-Sam (188-G/F-84) and Park SungJin (182-G-86), to military service this season and this move will help them fill the gaps. By replacing the aging veteran, Inchon expects to play a faster tempo game and still be as challenging. With this trade Inchon becomes younger, faster and smaller.


In a league that saw two teams led by big men contend for the championship this is a major move for LG. It gives them a very large front-court of Chris Alexander (216-C-80, agency: Priority Sports, college: Iowa St.), naturalized Korean Greg Stevenson (198-F-78, agency: SportsTalent, college: Richmond), and Seo who should match up better against the size of teams like KCC and Wonju Dongbu.



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


Stats Leaders - ACB
Points Per Game
 Jaycee CARROLL
  Gran Canaria
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 19.4
 1. Carroll, Gran Cana.19.4 
 2. Navarro, Regal B.16.4 
 3. Fitch, Unicaja15.6 
 4. McDonald, DKV J.15.3 
 5. Baron, Lagun A.15.0 
 6. Teletovic, Caja L.14.7 
 7. Caner-Medley, Estu.14.4 
 8. Martinez, Valencia14.0 
 9. Davis, Cajasol13.2 
 10. Freeland, Unicaja13.2 
Rebounds Per Game
 Robert KURZ
  Granada
  (206-F-85)
  Avg: 9.1
 1. Kurz, Granada9.1 
 2. Batista, Fuenlabr.8.4 
 3. Caner-Medley, Estu.7.6 
 4. Barac, Caja Laboral6.9 
 5. Donaldson, Menorca6.9 
 6. Wallace, Gran Cana.6.3 
 7. Doellman, Meridiano6.2 
 8. Slokar, Manresa6.2 
 9. Ayon, Fuenlabrada6.2 
 10. Miralles, Lagun A.6.1 
Assists Per Game
 Marcelinho HUERTAS
  Caja L.
  (191-G-83)
  Avg: 5.9
 1. Huertas, Caja L.5.9 
 2. Cook, Valencia5.4 
 3. Ciorciari, Menorca4.9 
 4. Valters, Fuenlabr.4.5 
 5. Rubio, Regal Barca4.3 
 6. Salgado, Lagun A.4.3 
 7. Green, Gran Canaria4.0 
 8. San Miguel, Manre.3.9 
 9. Dumas, Valladolid3.9 
 10. Prigioni, Real Ma.3.9 
Steals Per Game
 Omar-Sharif COOK
  Valencia
  (186-G-82)
  Avg: 2.2
 1. Cook, Valencia2.2 
 2. Kirksay, Cajasol1.9 
 3. Batista, Fuenlabr.1.8 
 4. Robinson, DKV J.1.8 
 5. Calloway, Cajasol1.8 
 6. Rubio, Regal Barca1.7 
 7. Victor, Menorca1.5 
 8. Van Lacke, Vallado.1.5 
 9. Ciorciari, Menorca1.5 
 10. San Miguel, Manre.1.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Bismack BIYOMBO
  Fuenlabr.
  (204-C-92)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Biyombo, Fuenlabr.2.3 
 2. Fischer, Real Madr.1.5 
 3. Ayon, Fuenlabrada1.4 
 4. Vazquez, Regal B.1.4 
 5. Kurz, Granada1.3 
 6. Barnes, Valladolid1.3 
 7. Barac, Caja Laboral1.1 
 8. Savane, Gran C.1.1 
 9. Batista, Fuenlabr.1.1 
 10. Andriuskevic., Me.1.0 


*****************************************************
  SWITZERLAND   


Jan Sainte-Rose and Yassine Khoumssi banned for life in Switzerland - by Kristian Santiago
The two players of Fiat Chene BC were banned for life by the Swiss basketball federation from any competition within the country due to the incidients happened in the play-off game between Chene and Swiss Basket Central in the LNB. Jan Sainte-Rose (204-F/C-84) beat up a ref after receiving his fifth foul and led to a riot of their fans against the visiting Basket Central-team, as well as the referees which had to be escorted out of the gym by the police.

Rodrigo Pastore will stay in Vacallo - by Eurobasket News
Rodrigo Pastore has agreed on terms of contract extension with SAV Vacallo. The Argentinean specialist will stay in the office for another season. He will be assisted by Rodrigo Martinez and Michele Sera. Rodrigo Pastore has been working with Vacallo since 2006. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Swiss LNA Coach of the Year in 2009. Pastore led Vacallo to LNA titles in 2006 and 2009.


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


TBL Quarterfinals: Olin Edirne blasts Banvit 81-52, forces Game Five - by Eurobasket News
The Semifinals picture will be completed on Sunday. Olin Edirne destroyed Banvit 81-52 last night tying the score at 2-2. It means that Game Five will give us an answer who will meet Galatasaray in the Semis. Banvit will be the host on Sunday and will try to recover from this heavy defeat.



Quarterfinals, Game 4: Olin Edirne - Banvit 81-52 (2-2)

The game without a history. Olin Edirne led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Lithuanian guard Renaldas Seibutis (196-85) fired 24 points and 5 assists for the winners. The former international forward Reha Oz (200-78) chipped in 13 points. Four Olin Edirne players scored in double figures. The former international guard Baris Ermis (194-85) produced 7 points and 6 assists and American center Lance Williams (206-80, college: De Paul) added 8 points respectively for lost side. Banvit's coach Orhun Ene gave up on the game allowing to play eleven players seeing no chance for a win.

Top scorers:
Olin Edirne: R.Seibutis 24+1reb+5ast, C.Ercan 15+2reb+1ast, V.Ginevicius 14+2reb+2ast, R.Oz 13+4reb+3ast, P.Samardjiski 8+8reb+2ast, C.Akin 6+3reb+3ast
Banvit: L.Williams 8+4reb+1ast, V.Golubovic 8+4reb, K.Simmons 8+2reb+1ast, B.Pacun 7+4reb, B.Ermis 7+2reb+6ast, E.Cinko 3+1reb

gschID: 128663




Report: Enes Kanter wants to be a Washington Wizard - by Eurobasket News
Kentucky big man Enes Kanter (6'9''-C-92), expected to be a top pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, would like to be drafted by the Washington Wizards in the NBA Draft. This is according to CSN Wizards reporter Chris Miller who spoke with the Turkish center about the upcoming draft.

Miller said that Kanter would like to play for the Wizards and John Wall who is apparently a friend of his off the court. Miller also cited owner Ted Leonsis' comments that the Wizards need to improve in the rebounding category, in 2010-11 Washington ranked 15th in the league with 41.3 rebounds per game as a team.

While Kanter would like to play for the Wizards, their current standing at the 6th overall pick may prevent them from drafting him. Kanter is ranked as one of the top prospects in the entire draft class and would likely be off the board by the time the Wizards make their first selection. But, as Miller points out, they also possess the 18th pick in the draft and could conceivably broker a trade to move up and take Kanter or another top prospect that is available.

Kanter attended the University of Kentucky last season but did not play in any of the Wildcats games. He was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after accepting financial benefits as an amateur professional in his native country of Turkey. Instead of playing he spent the school year on the bench helping John Calipari out as a student-assistant coach.

Courtesy of www.csnwashington.com

*****************************************************
  UBL   


UBL Metroplex Lightning represented well in this weeknd's Allstar Game in Dallas!! - by Torrence Moody
In the 1st season in the UBL the Metroplex Lightning record is 2-6 (1-2 in division) There is still high hopes with making the playoffs with 3 more division games left in the season.
'We have a great opportunity to win out of the regular season' says Coach Neal Mitchell. This weekend the 22 of May in Dallas, Texas. The UBL Metro Lightning will be represented in all 3 events.

3pt Contest
Dan Martin (6'3''-G)
Torrence Moody (5'10''-G-76)

Slam Dunk Contest
Ricky James (6'3''-G-84, college: Trevecca Naz.)
Dale Perkins (6'2''-G-83)

Allstar Game
Micah Reed (6'5''-F) (injured)

Torrence Moody (5'10''-G-76) *
Alonzo Butler (6'4''-G/F-84, college: Paul Quinn) **
Tim Polley (6'3''-G)
Terrance White (5'11''-G)
Chase Adams (5'10''-G-88, college: Pittsburgh)
Matt Watts (6'3''-G-77, college: San Diego)

*2nd UBL ALLSTAR SELECTION
** 3rd ALLSTAR SELECTION


UBL ALLSTAR GAME
MAY 22nd 6pm
Dallas Christian College
2700 Christian Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75234

UBL
COME GET SOME





LIGHTNING VS WRANGLERS - by Torrence Moody
The Southern Division of the UBL is heating up getting geared for the playoffs. It is a neck and neck race between the 3 teams. So this Texas shootout part 2 would definitely be a game to see. With the Wranglers squeaking by Metro just a few weeks prior by 2 points in Plano, Texas. So the UBL Lightning would be ready for revenge. This would be the 1st game for the new signees Adams and Randle to showcase what they have. Lightning came out firing with Moody not continuing his shooting slump from the night prior going 4-4 from the field in the 1st quarter. The Wranglers quickly called on Allstar Jonathan Walker, who last year posted a 50 point game. The fast paced game went in favor of Metro with the Wranglers not being able to keep up. Sidelined by an injury, the Lightning were without voted Allstar SF Micah Reed who 32ppg avg would greatly be missed. Lightning subbed in Chase Adams and Ryan Randle and there was not any looking back.Outstanding play ended the 3rd quarter with Lightning up by an outstanding 40 points. With Dale Perkins hustle and the shooting slump of the Wranglers, Metro thought the game was over. But there was still12 minutes to be played and Coach Denson called on 5'8 PG Kelso Alexander. Kelso seemed at ease with the fast paced style of play scoring in randon forms. A remarkable 26 points for the game is what Alexander finished with. UBL Wranglers with 4 minutes left to go in the game cut the once 40 point lead to 20. Coach Mitchell rapidly used both of his timeouts as the run continued, but he needed to get his starters back into the game. 'Didn't think they had anymore fight in them' said Polley. Final score 126-106 Metro. The series is split now 1-1 and the final game on the 24th of May at 8pm is a must win for Metro if they plan on making a run in the playoffs.

Scoring was as follows
Texas Wranglers

Kelso Alexander 26 points
Jonathan Walker (6'3''-G-86, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: McMurry) 20 points
Melvin Allen (6'7'') 13 points

Metro Lightning
Chase Adams (5'10''-G-88, college: Pittsburgh) 22 points
Torrence Moody (5'10''-G-76) 19 points
Dale Perkins (6'2''-G-83) 18 points




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

  UKRAINE   


Standings - Higher League
Higher Standings
Places 1-8
 1. Cherkasy 26-1 
 2. U-VolinBasket 18-8 
 3. Avantazh-Pol. 13-12 
 4. Aviastar 11-15 
 5. Dynamo DN 11-15 
 6. Kremen-KNU 9-17 
 7. Vinnitsky Zubry 8-16 
 8. Pulsar 7-19 
Places 9-13
 1. KTU Krivyi Rih 12-2 
 2. Koksokh-Stal 11-4 
 3. Striba 7-7 
 4. Sportlitsey 7-8 
 5. Ternopil 0-16 


Stats Leaders - Men
Points Per Game
 Steve BURTT
  Dnipro
  (185-G-84)
  Avg: 22.4
 1. Burtt, Dnipro22.4 
 2. Flores, BC Donetsk16.7 
 3. Washington, BC Od.16.4 
 4. Burns, Fe.16.3 
 5. Curry, Azovmash16.1 
 6. Wiggins, Halychyna15.1 
 7. Millage, Khimik14.9 
 8. Love, Mykolaiv14.7 
 9. Bakic, Kryvbasb.14.5 
 10. Fraser, DniproAzot14.5 
Rebounds Per Game
 Michael FRASER
  DniproAzot
  (203-C/F-84)
  Avg: 10.9
 1. Fraser, DniproAzot10.9 
 2. Wiggins, Halychyna9.3 
 3. Burns, Fe.7.9 
 4. Saltovets, BC Kyiv7.6 
 5. Austin, Dnipro7.3 
 6. Morrison, Halyc.7.2 
 7. Chappell, Hoverla6.7 
 8. Owens, Azovmash6.6 
 9. Guinn, Fe.6.6 
 10. Coleman, Hoverla6.5 
Assists Per Game
 Steve BURTT
  Dnipro
  (185-G-84)
  Avg: 5.5
 1. Burtt, Dnipro5.5 
 2. Abernethy, Halyc.5.2 
 3. Zimmerman, Hoverla4.9 
 4. Sparks, BC Odessa4.8 
 5. Funn, Halychyna4.7 
 6. Millage, Khimik4.5 
 7. Vasiljevic, BC Do.4.5 
 8. Brewer, BC Odessa4.5 
 9. Slipenchuk, Kryvba.4.2 
 10. Sirsnins, DniproA.3.9 
Steals Per Game
 Curtis MILLAGE
  Khimik
  (185-G-81)
  Avg: 2.4
 1. Millage, Khimik2.4 
 2. House, Azovmash1.9 
 3. Sparks, BC Odessa1.8 
 4. Sirutavicius, Dnip.1.5 
 5. Burns, Fe.1.5 
 6. Mazutis, Mykolaiv1.5 
 7. Burenko, BC Kyiv1.4 
 8. Sirsnins, DniproAz.1.4 
 9. Chappell, Hoverla1.4 
 10. Love, Mykolaiv1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 James HUGHES
  Mykolaiv
  (211-C-83)
  Avg: 2.1
 1. Hughes, Mykolaiv2.1 
 2. Kravtsov, BC Do.1.9 
 3. Morrison, Halyc.1.4 
 4. Zaitsev, Kryvbasb.1.4 
 5. Hunter, Fe.1.4 
 6. Turner, BC Odessa1.3 
 7. Coleman, Hoverla1.3 
 8. Pettway, Dnipro1.2 
 9. Balashov, BC Odes.1.2 
 10. Owens, Azovmash1.1 


*****************************************************
  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   


Bradford to Al Sharjah - by Ali Ahmed
After a great season in Egypt, Cory Bradford (191-G-78, agency: Edge Sports, college: Illinois) decided to sign with An Nahl Sharjah club to play the Arab Cup.

Awards/Achievements:
Big Ten Freshman of the Year -99
Big Ten 3rd Team -99
Big Ten All-Tournament Team -99
USA University Team -99
World University Games -99
NCAA 5th Team -00
Big Ten 2nd Team -00
USA Selected Team for the Exhibition Game against USA Olumpic Dream Team -00
NCAA I All-American Honorable Mention -01
Big 10 Conference Regular Season Champion -01
Big 10 Conference Honorable Mention -01
NCAA Final Eight -01
NCAA Sweet 16 -02
CBA All-Rookie Team -03
CBA National Conference Regular Season Champion -03
Hungarian Cup Semifinals -05
Hungarian League Semifinals -05, 08
Hungarian Cup Winner -06
Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League 2nd Team -06
Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Honorable Mention -08
Latinbasket.com Colombian Copa Federacion All-Import Players Team -09
Latinbasket.com All-Colombian Copa Federacion Import of the Year -09
Colombian Copa Federacion Regular Season Champion -09
Colombian Copa Federacion Finalist -09
Asian Club Championships -10 (Silver)


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


FIBA Americas and Uruguay announced the Oscar Moglia Cup - by Hector Lopez
FIBA Americas and the Uruguayan Federation (FUBB) will organiza each two years the Oscar Moglia Cup, and the first edition will be played in Montevideo from August 22 to August 24, it was announced by those organizations. Oscar Moglia was one of the best Uruguayan players. With Uruguay, he won two South American Championships (Montevideo 1953 and Cucuta 1955) and the Olympic Bronze medal (Melbourne 1956) He was also the best scorer in Cucuta 55 and Melbourne 56. He also played two World Championships (Rio de Janeiro 1954 and Montevideo 1967). He also won five Uruguayan torunaments. The first Moglia Cup will be played by Uruguay, Argentina B, Cuba and Venezuela.

Uruguay announced nine international games - by Hector Lopez
Uruguayan NT will play nine games preparing the team to play the preolimpic Tournament of the Americas, beginning their training
on July 18, it was announced by the FUBB, the local federation. The games announced were:
August 6/7 - vs. Brazil (two games), in a Brazilian city
August 10/14 - Super 4 with Argebntina, Dominican Rep. and Cuba, in Cordoba
August 19 - vs. Argentina, in Montevideo
August 22/23/24 - Oscar Moglia Cup against Argentina B, Cuba and Venezuela
The Uruguaya NT will be announced June 20, according to the HC, Gerardo Jauri
The Tournament of the americas will begin August 31 and Uruguay will play against Argentina, Puerto Rico Panama, and Paraguay. The other group will be played by Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Dominicana and Cuba

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


Standings - LPB
LPB Standings
 1. Cocodrilos 28-7 
 2. Marinos 26-9 
 3. Trotamundos 25-11 
 4. Gigantes 20-18 
 5. Guaiqueries 19-17 
 6. Bucaneros 19-17 
 7. Panteras 15-22 
 8. Guaros 12-24 
 9. Toros 12-25 
 10. Gaiteros 5-31 


LPB Round 45: Marinos beat Bucaneros in the most crucial game of the week - by Eurobasket News
The Regular Season in LPB is slowly approaching the end. But there may be still some important changes in the final standings in the last 9 rounds.

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in La Guaira. Second ranked Marinos faced 4th placed Bucaneros. Guests from Puerto La Cruz (26-9) defeated host Bucaneros (19-17) 92-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Bucaneros. Marinos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 26-9 record having just two points less than leader Cocodrilos. Bucaneros at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Marinos are looking forward to face Guaiqueries (#5) in Porlamar in the next round. Bucaneros will play at home against Panteras in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Caracas. First ranked Cocodrilos faced 3rd placed Trotamundos. Host Cocodrilos (28-7) defeated guests from Valencia (25-11) 103-86. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Cocodrilos have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 28-7 record. Trotamundos at the other side keep the third position with 11 games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaros (#8) in Barquisimeto in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trotamundos will have a break next round.
The game in Caracas was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Gigantes (20-18) played at the court of 7th ranked Panteras (15-22). Gigantes managed to secure a 7-point victory 78-71 on Wednesday. Gigantes moved-up to fourth place. Panteras lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 22 games lost. Gigantes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play against Bucaneros (#6) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.



Bucaneros - Marinos 86-92

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in La Guaira. Second ranked Marinos faced 4th placed Bucaneros. Guests from Puerto La Cruz (26-9) defeated host Bucaneros (19-17) 92-86. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Bucaneros. Marinos have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain second place with 26-9 record having just two points less than leader Cocodrilos. Bucaneros at the other side dropped to the fifth position with 17 games lost. They share it with Guaiqueries. Marinos are looking forward to face Guaiqueries (#5) in Porlamar in the next round. Bucaneros will play at home against Panteras in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
gschID: 121578


Panteras - Gigantes 71-78

The game in Caracas was also quite interesting. Sixth ranked Gigantes (20-18) played at the court of 7th ranked Panteras (15-22). Gigantes managed to secure a 7-point victory 78-71 on Wednesday. Gigantes moved-up to fourth place. Panteras lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the seventh position with 22 games lost. Gigantes will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Panteras will play against Bucaneros (#6) in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
gschID: 121580


Cocodrilos - Trotamundos 103-86

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Caracas. First ranked Cocodrilos faced 3rd placed Trotamundos. Host Cocodrilos (28-7) defeated guests from Valencia (25-11) 103-86. It ended at the same time the seven-game winning streak of Trotamundos. Cocodrilos have an impressive series of six victories in a row. They maintain first place with 28-7 record. Trotamundos at the other side keep the third position with 11 games lost. Cocodrilos will play against Guaros (#8) in Barquisimeto in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Trotamundos will have a break next round.
gschID: 121581




*****************************************************
  WBA   


WBA starts today - by Greg
The World Basketball Association Exposure League (WBA) has finalized its regular-season schedule and seven teams are set to tip off the league's eighth season Friday, May 20th.
There will be seven teams competing for bragging rights in the WBA this season, which runs from May to July. Included is a mix of new and returning franchises. The two-time reigning league champions Gwinnett Majic hope to show their dominance again. Returning franchises Marietta Storm, Rome Gladiators, and Conyers Court Kings hope to knock the Majic off the top spot. Three new franchises, Upsate Heat, Tennessee Tornadoes and Gainesville Knights, are looking to make some noise in league play as well.
After blowing out the Franklin Knights in last years championship game 133-113, the Majic begin their quest for a three-peat at home on May 20th against the Heat. The other opening night matchup pits the Kings and Gladiators against one another in Rome.
There are three more games scheduled for May 21 as the Storm and Tornadoes see their first action of the season against the Majic and Gladiators, respectively. Additionally, the Court Kings and Heat square off in Conyers. The full opening weekend schedule is as follows:
*All games are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 PM EST.

May 20
Conyers Court Kings @ Rome Gladiators
Upstate Heat @ Gwinnett Majic
May 21
Gwinnett Majic @ Marietta Storm
Tennessee Tornadoes @ Rome Gladiators
Upstate Heat @ Conyers Court Kings

Each team will play 10 regular-season games before the playoffs (with the exception of the Gainesville Knights), which are scheduled to start in mid-July. For more information go to the league's web site at www.wbaball.net


Standings
WBA Standings
 1. Conyers CK 0-0 
 2. Gainesville K. 0-0 
 3. Gwinnett Majic 0-0 
 4. Marietta S. 0-0 
 5. Rome G. 0-0 
 6. Tennessee T. 0-0 
 7. Upsate Heat 0-0 


Majic out for third straight WBA title - by Eurobasket News
David Akin spent this past basketball season coaching at Milton High, where he is an assistant to David Boyd, his old high school coach.

But the Berkmar grad is a head coach in the summertime, guiding the Gwinnett Majic, an ultra-successful World Basketball Association franchise that plays its home games at the Bogan Park Gym. The Majic won the past two WBA championships, returning the core of its roster this season along with some key newcomers to pursue a three-peat.

That pursuit begins today with a 7 p.m. opener at home against the Columbus Stars.

Our team this season is as talented a team as we have ever had, Akin said. We have guys on the team that have played in the ACC, SEC, Big East, in the NCAA Tournament. As the defending two-time WBA champions, it will be imperative that we play at our highest level every night. The pressure to win every night should bring out the best in our players and coaching staff.

Our team goal is to simply improve on a weekly basis, however our expectations are to win another title and become the top minor league basketball franchise in the Southeast.

The talent Akin spoke of includes Dacula grad B.J. Puckett, who has been one of the WBAs top players the past few seasons. He spends the bulk of his year playing international basketball professionally, but is home for the summer thanks to the Majic.

He joins three other Gwinnett products on the roster Berkmar grad Adrien Borders (6'0''-G-83, college: Wofford), Norcross grad Reggie Anderson II (6'5''-G/F-87, college: Carver Bible) II and 7-foot Shiloh grad Jonathan Mandeldove (6'11''-C, college: Connecticut), one of the teams newcomers. Mandeldove, who played for Connecticut, joins returning players Albert Jackson of Georgia and Puckett to give Gwinnett a strong frontcourt.

Georgia Techs Maurice Miller and Lance Storrs (6'5''-G-89, college: Georgia Tech) also are on the Majic roster, as is Georgia States Marcus Brown.

The team plays a 12-game regular season, with seven of those at Bogan Park.

We have enjoyed playing in Gwinnett the past two years and our fan base continues to grow and so does the excitement at each game, Akin said. Last season we had nearly 500 people at the championship game.

The Gwinnett Majics summer slate also includes a busy run of basketball camps at Bogan Park and Lenora Park. For more information, visit www.gwinnettmajic.com.


2011 Gwinnett Majic Roster
Name Position Height College

Reggie Anderson II II F 6-6 Carver Bible
Adrien Borders G 6-2 Wofford
David Brown G 6-3 Clark Atlanta
Marcus Brown F 6-7 Georgia State
Frank Davis G 6-3 Tennessee Tech
Andrew Dikas F 6-5 Brewton-Parker
Junard Hartley (6'3''-G-89, college: Campbell) G 6-3 Campbell
Albert Jackson C 7-0 Georgia
E.J. Kusnyer G 6-4 Mercer
Jonathan Mandeldove C 7-0 Connecticut
Maurice Miller G 6-2 Georgia Tech
B.J. Puckett F 6-9 Clayton State
Javon Randolph (5'10''-G-84, college: Savannah St.) G 6-0 Savannah State
Michael Sloan F 6-6 Clayton State
Lance Storrs F 6-5 Georgia Tech
Head coach: David Akin

Courtesy of www.gwinnettdailypost.com





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Women News

*****************************************************
  AUSTRALIA - Women  


Women's Previews - Round 7 - by Eurobasket News
North Adelaide Rockets (3-3, 6th) v Central District Lions (3-3, 5th)

The Central District Lions are on a two game winning streak, but their position inside the leagues top five could be under threat following the shock resignation of Tony Moore as coach.

In six matches, Moore had already won more matches as the Head Coach of the Lions CABL than any of Centrals recent previous coaches had mustered in a season or more.

However, Moore has left the team due to personal reasons, with a new coach yet to be named.

Their Round 7 opponents, the Rockets, bounced back from three straight defeats with a 78-50 win over bottom side Eastern.

North was far from convincing, requiring a 24-6 fourth quarter to put the game to bed, after trailing early.

Jo Hill was again on fire with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and is now averaging 17 ppg and 12.5 rpg on the season.

Jessica Smart (168-G) had her best game of the season with 15 points.

The Rockets will need to limit the impact of Jessica Smart (168-G), Alisha Heglund and most importantly, Jessica Mahony (169-G-83) if they are to get a win this Saturday.

Cummins backed up her triple-double against Eastern with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals in the win over the Tigers in Round 6.

Heglund is averaging a team-high 13.6 ppg, while Mahony is half an assist shy of averaging a triple-double.

The star Point Guard is averaging 10 ppg and 11 rpg, and had 16 assists, 16 boards, 15 points and 3 steals against the Tigers.

In a teams first game after a coaching change, things normally go as well as possible, or go pear-shaped.

With a leader like Mahony at the helm, it may well just be the former.

I believe the Lions will come out fired up, and ultimately get the edge in this one.

South Adelaide Panthers (1-5, 8th) v Sturt Sabres (5-1, 4th)

The South Adelaide Panthers have been competitive all season, but could not have asked for a tougher Round 7 opponent that a Sabres team on a five game winning streak.

At Marion on Saturday, the Panthers will have their work cut out to pull off their second win this year.

In their last match, South hung tough with the undefeated Bearcats, before being outscored 14-7 in the final period, en route to a 67-50 loss.

Jessica Mahony (169-G-83) starred with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks, while Sarah Peddle scored 15 points.

This was the teams biggest loss this season.

The Sabres, contrastingly, are having no trouble picking up victories.

Sturt has won its last 5 matches by an average of 42.6 points.

The most recent opponent buried by the Sabres was Woodville, who lost 98-29.

As a team, the Sabres shot 46.1 per cent compared to just 14.1 per cent, won the assist count 28-5, won the battle of the boards 67-28, and forced 24 turnovers.

At quarter-time of that match, the score was 32-2.

Despite being able to provide its key players with long rest, Sturt still had several players fill up the stat sheet, including Tess Madgen (29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals), Monique Bowley (12 points, 13 rebounds) and Nicole Seekamp (19 points, 9 rebounds).

Right now, it is hard to see anyone getting up against the Sabres.

Expect the Sabres to pick up another big win on Saturday.

Woodville Warriors (0-6, 9th) v Norwood Flames (6-0, 1st)

There have been many boilovers in the CABL this year, but Woodville beating Norwood would have to be the biggest upset of all.

The winless Warriors have a mammoth task ahead of them when they take on the unbeaten Flames at St Clair on Saturday.

Woodville suffered a humiliating defeat in its last match at Pasadena, going down by 79 points to Sturt, after trailing by 30 at quarter-time.

The Warriors three best players, Ashleigh White, Ursula Richards and Vida Bojanic, combined for 13 points on 5-31 shooting, though White did at least provide 10 boards.

Brooke Rule top-scored with just 9.

Woodville has produced some competitive performances in its losses, but this performance was not one of them.

After bailing out in the first round of the finals last season, the Flames have started this season in tremendous form.

It all started when they came back from a double-digit deficit to beat Sturt in Round 1 (The Sabres only loss).

Last round, it was Forestvilles turn to feel the pain, with Norwood getting up 68-51.

Jess Foley had 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, while 2010 Championship winner Kelsey Ireland had 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals against her former club.

Foley is averaging 17.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 3.3 spg.

Do not expect this to be much of a contest.

The Flames will pick up another big win and continue their unbeaten run.

Forestville Eagles (2-4, 7th) v Eastern Mavericks (0-6, 10th)

Megan Kermond will likely suit up for Forestville this week when the Eagles host the Mavericks.

Kermond, a member of Forestvilles 2009-10 premierships, returns home after spending time playing college basketball in the US.

This should provide an important boost to an Eagles side which has failed to reproduce its form of the last two seasons.

Forestville ranks fourth from the bottom, having lost its past three matches, albeit those losses have come against the top three sides (Norwood, West and Sturt).

However, save for a big third quarter run in the Sabres match, the Eagles have not looked in the contest in those games.

Jess Fergus continues to play hard and tough, averaging 15.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg.

Amazingly, 32 of the Eagles 74 free throws attempts have come off the fingertips of Fergus.

Georgia Minear has been shooting the ball well (43.2% FG, 48.4% 3FG, 81.8% FT), and is averaging a team-high 17.7 ppg.

However, Minear was held to just 14 points in Forestvilles most recent loss against the Flames.

The Mavericks are still yet to win a game, but showed improvement in their last match against North Adelaide.

Eastern actually led at quarter-time, and were within 10 at three-quarter time following its best 30 minute period of the season.

However, the Mavs scored just 6 points in the final period, and ultimately went down by 28.

17 year old Alex Wilson had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Tracey Beatty had a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds).

This match poses a great opportunity for the Eagles to get back into some form.

They will win the game, but it will be interesting to see the sort of showing they provide.

Southern Tigers (4-2, 4th) v West Adelaide Bearcats (6-0, 2nd)

In the womens Match of the Round, the Southern Tigers will have their work cut out to hold back the in-form juggernaut of the Bearcats.

West are flying after six rounds, sitting only percentage behind Norwood for top spot.

Nikita-Lee Martin had another sensational performance against the Panthers, scoring 21 points to go with 15 boards and 4 assists.

Kerrin Webber chipped in with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks, as the Bearcats easily accounted for the absence of Ashlea Vordermaier and Irene Sourlatzis.

The Tigers were ordinary in their last match, going down 74-59 against Central Districts.

Southern had only two more baskets than turnovers, and was outrebounded 52-38.

Teresa Kinross had a team-high 14 points, while Ashleigh Spencer had 12 points and 9 boards.

Although the Tigers sit fourth, they have not been overly convincing, with their four wins coming against the leagues bottom four sides.

In their last match against an undefeated side (Norwood), they got smashed 89-51.

Do not be surprised if Southern is on the end of another walloping; expect West to extend its winning streak with another comfortable victory.

By James Woite
Courtesy of: Central ABL



Australia U19 wins Shangluo Cup - by Eurobasket News
China hosted the four nation tournament in preparation for the FIBA U19 World Championship which is to be held in Chile from 21-31 July, 2011. China, USA, Australia and Czech Republic showed great game and effort in the Shangluo Cup.
In Day 1 Australia won over China 94:69. With China leading 28-35 and appearing to be in control of the game mid way through the second quarter, the momentum turned dramatically in favour of the Gems. Rebecca Allen (185-F-92) stepped up with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Gretel Tippett (190-F-93) netted 14. Kerryn Harrington (171-G-92) followed them with 13 points, while Carley Mijovic netted 12.
In Day 2 Australia overcame USA 83:79. In a tight final quarter with the margin no greater than five points the Aussies held on to win. Rebecca Cole (177-G-92) top-scored for the winners with 22 points and Tayla Roberts nailed 16.
In Day 3 Australia outscored Czech Republic 73:51 to win the tournament undefeated with 3-0 record.

Gems triumph in the Shuozhou Tournament - by Eurobasket News
Gems triumph in the Shuozhou Tournament as it became another trophy after Shangluo Cup. Shuozhou hosted another tournament of four nations in China.
In Day 1 the Gems sealed the game keeping China to nine points for the final quarter to reach 66:52 win. Gretel Tippett (190-F-93) paced all the winners with 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Rebecca Cole (177-G-92) added 12 points. Tayla Roberts (191-F/C-93) ended up with 10 points, whilst Sara Blicavs (188-F-93) scored 9.
In Day 2 USA overcame Australia 61:58 as the latter were unable to find a three with the final play. Tayla Roberts finished the night with 16 points and Nadeen Payne scored 11. Carley Mijovic (195-F-94) and Sara Blicavs delivered 9 points each in defeat.
In the final game of the tournament USA clashed with home team China. With the stadium filled to capacity, the vocal Chinese fans carried their team over the line for a four point victory, that also ensured tournament victory to the Gems. The latter overcame Czech Republic to finish with 2-1 record on top.



*****************************************************
  CHINA - Women  


Sun easily beat Chinese National Team in exhibition opener - by Eurobasket News
The Connecticut Sun missed the WNBA playoffs for the second consecutive season last year. Those who know the team best consider that more of an aberration than a trend.

They believe the Sun deserved a much better fate than their .500 record (17-17) in 2010. You know, a bounce here, a make there, could have made the difference.

'We were right there last season,' veteran guard Kara Lawson said. 'It wasn't like we were far behind the pack. I've been in this league a long time and playing .500 or over, it is very hard to do. And until the last weekend we were in the mix for the final spot.

'I don't think last year was necessarily horrible, although we were horrible on the road [5-12] and in close games. So those are two areas of focus for us this year. That cost us the playoffs.'

This year started Thursday for the Sun against the Chinese national team, the first of three preseason games leading up to the opener June 4 against the Washington Mystics.

And the Sun dominated from the start, spreading its around during a breezy 101-63 win at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Sun had five players in double figures led by Kalana Greene (5'10''-G-87, college: Connecticut) and Kelsey Griffin (6'2''-F-87, college: Nebraska) with 13 points each. Renee Montgomery (5'7''-G-86, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) added 12, Asjha Jones (6'2''-F-80, college: Connecticut) 11 and Tina Charles (6'4''-C-88, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) 10 points and 10 rebounds.

'We moved the ball [24 assists] and shot the ball well [50.7 percent],' Sun coach Mike Thibault said. 'With the exception of Kara and Renee, we hadn't made too many jump shots the last two days in practice.'

Incorporating two new players, Greene, the former UConn standout, and Danielle McCray, back from an ACL injury, the Sun hope to rely on better defense and the maturation of a young team to make it back to the postseason.

'With a year together, and hopefully staying healthy, we can lay another brick for this team in training camp and go from there,' Lawson said. 'We expect to be in the playoffs. This is a team that's good enough to be in the playoffs.'

Thibault started his four UConn players Montgomery, Charles, Jones and Greene along with Lawson.

The Chinese team featured a small percentage of their top players. The coaches are using this American tour to evaluate some younger players before the Asian championships this summer in Japan.

One who may have a problem making the team is center Zu Nuo. She picked up her fourth foul before the first quarter was over.

China was led in scoring by Ding Yuan (6'1''-F-91), who scored 17 points. China was 5 of 20 from three-point range.

The Sun took a 28-18 lead after the first quarter, their diverse attack led by Montgomery (six) and Greene, who made her Sun debut with five points in her first four minutes.

It was an aggressive, enthusiastic effort by the Sun, especially off the boards (46-20). They added to their lead by scoring the first 11 points in the second quarter, taking a 39-18 lead with 6:53 to play and a 54-28 halftime lead.

'We had great energy, talked on defense and you could see the camaraderie building,' Thibault said

Courtesy of www.courant.com

*****************************************************
  CROATIA - Women  


Lupa promotion lands Jurcenkova - by Zeljko Zule
Lupa Promotion Novi Zagreb reached an agreement with Slovakian national team member Anna Jurcenkova (195-C-85).She arrives from Dobri Anjeli Kosice, where she averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 34 Slovakian League games and 2.8 points and 1.9 rebounds in 12 games of 2010-11 Euroleague. Jurcenkova takes the place of American center Britany Miller (193-C-87, college: Florida St.), who moved to France.

*****************************************************
  CUBA - Women  


Cuba earn second straight win in Guildford - by Eurobasket News
Great Britain - Cuba 54:61

Cuban National Team registered the second consecutive win at the Guildford Invitational Tournament. They held off the hosts to improve at 2-0 record. Cuba will take on Germany for the title tomorrow. Great Britain in the meantime suffered the second straight defeat. They will face Latvia in the final game. Suchitel Avila (183-F-82) knocked down 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to pace the visitors.
Great Britain and Cuba got to a slow start. They teamed up for just 19 points in the opening frame as the hosts earned a 10:9 lead. But the tempo increased in the second period. The Latin American side scored 21 points in the quarter and grabbed a 30:26 halftime lead. Great Britain turned things upside down in the third stanza. The hosts erased the deficit and pulled in charge. They established a 44:39 advantage before the final frame. Cuba reacted with a 7:0 run early in the fourth period and regained control. They outgunned the home team 22:10 in the final term and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Yamara Amargo (180-F-85) had 16 points, while Oyanaisy Gelis (172-G-83) finished with 13 points for Cuba. JulieAnne Page (188-F/C-83, college: E.Washington) top-scored with 22 points and 11 boards for Great Britain. Natalie Stafford (173-G-76) produced 10 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.

Great Britain: JulieAnne Page 22+11 boards, Natalie Stafford 10
Cuba: Yamara Amargo 16, Suchitel Avila 15, Oyanaisy Gelis 13


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  CZECH REPUBLIC - Women  


Michaela Zrustova and Ilona Burgrova join USK Praha - by Eurobasket News
USK Praha strengthened their roster with addition of two players. The Czech champions signed deals with Michaela Zrustova (183-F-87) and Ilona Burgrova (197-C-84, college: S.Carolina).
Ilona Burgrova spent the last two seasons in Bourges. Last season she tallied 2.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per Euroleague game. In LFB the 27-year-old centre notched 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per appearance. Ilona Burgrova played for Czech Republic at 2010 World Championship. Her stats read 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game in Czech Republic.
Michaela Zrustova will move to USK Praha from Valosun Brno. The 24-year-old forward averaged 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game for Valosun last season. Michaela Zrustova played for Czech Republic University National Team. The forward posted 10.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists at 2009 Universiade in Belgrade.


*****************************************************
  EUROLEAGUE - Women  


Michaela Zrustova and Ilona Burgrova join USK Praha - by Eurobasket News
USK Praha strengthened their roster with addition of two players. The Czech champions signed deals with Michaela Zrustova (183-F-87) and Ilona Burgrova (197-C-84, college: S.Carolina).
Ilona Burgrova spent the last two seasons in Bourges. Last season she tallied 2.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per Euroleague game. In LFB the 27-year-old centre notched 6.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per appearance. Ilona Burgrova played for Czech Republic at 2010 World Championship. Her stats read 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game in Czech Republic.
Michaela Zrustova will move to USK Praha from Valosun Brno. The 24-year-old forward averaged 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game for Valosun last season. Michaela Zrustova played for Czech Republic University National Team. The forward posted 10.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists at 2009 Universiade in Belgrade.


Celine Dumerc is back to her Bourges - by Eurobasket News
Celine Dumerc (169-G-82) is back to her Bourges after two year of absence with Russian UMMC. The National team player is back to the team where he started her career in 2004.
Celine Dumerc split ways with UMMC. The 28-year-old point guard joined the team back in 2009. She tallied 6.0 points, 3.0 boards, 4.0 assists per game this season in PBL. In Euroleague her stats read 4.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 boards and 2.5 steals per appearance. In 2004-2005 Celine appeared in Cercle Jean Mace Bourges (LFB, starting five) and in 24 games averaged 6.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 47.4%, 3FGP: 26.7%, FT: 72.0%, while in Euroleague after 17 games her stats read 7.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, 0.1bpg, 2FGP: 57.6%, 3FGP: 34.2%, 3FGP: 67.9%. In 2005-2006 for Cercle Jean Mace Bourges (LFB, starting five) she improved to 10.1ppg, 3.5rpg, Assists-4 (5.0apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 84.1% and in Euroleague had 9.2ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-2 (5.2apg), Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 45.9%, 3PT-3 (40%), FT: 77.8%. The season 2006-2007 saw 10.0ppg, 4.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.9apg), 2.1spg, 2FGP: 50%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 83.0% in French League and in Euroleague Celine averaged 10.3ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-4 (4.5apg), 2.4spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 21.9%, FT: 86.1%. In her last season there before heading to Russia Celine Dumerc had 9.8ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-5 (4.3apg), Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 82.8% and in Euroleague averaged 10.3ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-5 (4.7apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 67.7%.


*****************************************************
  FRANCE - Women  


Celine Dumerc is back to her Bourges - by Eurobasket News
Celine Dumerc (169-G-82) is back to her Bourges after two year of absence with Russian UMMC. The National team player is back to the team where he started her career in 2004.
Celine Dumerc split ways with UMMC. The 28-year-old point guard joined the team back in 2009. She tallied 6.0 points, 3.0 boards, 4.0 assists per game this season in PBL. In Euroleague her stats read 4.2 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 boards and 2.5 steals per appearance. In 2004-2005 Celine appeared in Cercle Jean Mace Bourges (LFB, starting five) and in 24 games averaged 6.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 47.4%, 3FGP: 26.7%, FT: 72.0%, while in Euroleague after 17 games her stats read 7.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.6spg, 0.1bpg, 2FGP: 57.6%, 3FGP: 34.2%, 3FGP: 67.9%. In 2005-2006 for Cercle Jean Mace Bourges (LFB, starting five) she improved to 10.1ppg, 3.5rpg, Assists-4 (5.0apg), 2.0spg, 2FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 84.1% and in Euroleague had 9.2ppg, 3.4rpg, Assists-2 (5.2apg), Steals-3 (2.6spg), FGP: 45.9%, 3PT-3 (40%), FT: 77.8%. The season 2006-2007 saw 10.0ppg, 4.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.9apg), 2.1spg, 2FGP: 50%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 83.0% in French League and in Euroleague Celine averaged 10.3ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-4 (4.5apg), 2.4spg, FGP: 48.9%, 3FGP: 21.9%, FT: 86.1%. In her last season there before heading to Russia Celine Dumerc had 9.8ppg, 4.0rpg, Assists-5 (4.3apg), Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 82.8% and in Euroleague averaged 10.3ppg, 4.1rpg, Assists-5 (4.7apg), 2.3spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 41.1%, FT: 67.7%.


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  GERMANY - Women  


Germany roll past Latvia - by Eurobasket News
Germany - Latvia 78:56

Germany continued their winning run at the Guildford Invitational Tournament. They rallied past Latvia for the second straight win at the tourney. Sarah Austmann (179-G/F-85) nailed 20 points to lead the charge. Latvia slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Latvia started the game strongly. They scored 25 points in the opening frame to build an 8-point lead. Germany bounced back in the second quarter. They limited Latvia to just 5 points and surged ahead for a 37:30 halftime advantage. Germany maintained the pressure in the third frame. They boosted the gap to as many as 14 points at the final break. Germany did not allow Latvia to get any closer in the final period and rolled to a confident win at the end. Romy Bar (189-F-87, agency: LBM Management) notched 19 points, while Dorothea Richter (176-G-83) provided 11 points in the victory. Aija Putnina (191-F-88, agency: Josep and Nicolas) and Kristine Karklina (175-G-83) answered with 9 points apiece for Latvia. Elina Babkina (172-G-89, agency: LBM Management) and Zane Tamane (200-C-83, college: W.Illinois) finished with 8 points each in the loss.

Germany: Sarah Austmann 20, Romy Bar 19, Dorothea Richter 11
Latvia: Aija Putnina 9, Kristine Karklina 9


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  GREECE - Women  


A1 Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Kaili MCLAREN
  Apollon
  (188-F-88)
  Avg: 17.8
 1. McLaren, Apollon17.8 
 2. Milkova, Esperides17.1 
 3. Marginean, Panath.17.0 
 4. Delva, DAS A.16.7 
 5. Koch, Panionios16.3 
 6. Kotsopoulou, DAS15.4 
 7. Mazic, Panionios15.3 
 8. Frohlich, Proteas14.1 
 9. Henry, FEA Neas14.0 
 10. Stamati, FEA Neas13.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Kaili MCLAREN
  Apollon
  (188-F-88)
  Avg: 13.3
 1. McLaren, Apollon13.3 
 2. Delva, DAS A.11.6 
 3. Mazic, Panionios11.5 
 4. Frohlich, Proteas11.5 
 5. Skrba, Aris10.3 
 6. Skibbe, DAS A.9.8 
 7. Thompson, Olymp.9.4 
 8. Ducker, Esperides8.3 
 9. Nkele, Apollon8.2 
 10. Green, PAOK8.0 
Assists Per Game
 Natali PLOUBI
  DAS A.
  (169-G-81)
  Avg: 7.2
 1. Ploubi, DAS A.7.2 
 2. Koch, Panionios4.6 
 3. LeNoir, Aris4.4 
 4. Axiopoulou, Esperi.4.2 
 5. Lymoura, Athin.4.1 
 6. Stavridou, PAOK3.6 
 7. Hatzinikolao., Ath.3.5 
 8. Green, PAOK3.5 
 9. Fox, Proteas3.4 
 10. Kalogirou, Esperi.3.3 
Steals Per Game
 Roula KALOGIROU
  Esperides
  (172-G-81)
  Avg: 3.1
 1. Kalogirou, Esperid.3.1 
 2. Koch, Panionios2.7 
 3. Axiopoulou, Esperi.2.7 
 4. Murphree, Panathin.2.6 
 5. Derevjanik, Panath.2.3 
 6. Skrba, Aris2.3 
 7. Hatzinikolao., Ath.2.3 
 8. Green, PAOK2.2 
 9. Fox, Proteas2.2 
 10. Marginean, Panath.2.2 
Blocks Per Game
 Asimina KOUTSOUNOURI
  Olympi.
  (190-C-)
  Avg: 1.5
 1. Koutsounouri, Olym.1.5 
 2. Skrba, Aris1.4 
 3. Delva, DAS A.1.2 
 4. McLaren, Apollon1.1 
 5. Riley, Athinaikos1.0 
 6. Skiadopoulou, PAOK0.9 
 7. Rousou, Panionios0.8 
 8. Skibbe, DAS A.0.8 
 9. Nikolaidou, FEA N.0.6 
 10. Smirnaiou, DAS A.0.6 


Fenerbahce hires Georgios Dikaioulakos as new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News
Georgios Dikaioulakos (agency: FCM ) is the new Head Coach of Fenerbahce. He will replace Hungarian specialist Laszlo Ratgeber. Dikaioulakos also works as a Head Coach of the Latvian National Team.
Georgios Dikaioulakos arrives to Fener from Lotos Gdynia, with whom he won the Polish Cup this season. They also reached PLKK Semifinals. From 2008 to 2010, Dikaioulakos served as a Head Coach of Athinaikos. He led them to EuroCup title and was named Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup Coach of the Year -10. Athinaikos also was the Greek league champion in 2009 and 2010. Before he took it over Athiniakos, Dikaioulakos worked as assistant coach of Panellinios Athens, Panionis, Dafni and Olympiakos. From 2005 to 2009 he was the assists coach of Greek Women National Team.

*****************************************************
  HUNGARY - Women  


MKB Euroleasing signs Team Hungary captain Zsofia Fegyverneky - by Eurobasket News
Zsofia Fegyverneky (178-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) is a new member of MKB Euroleasing. The experienced guard signed a deal for 2011/12 season. Fegyverneky heads to Sopron from their biggest rival Pecs 2010. She appeared 28 times in Hungarian league last season averaging 11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. In Euroleague, Fegyverneky added 11.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 2.3 apg.
Zsofia Fegyverneky is active member of the Hungarian National Team. She appeared five times during the Qualifications to European Championships 2011 registering 17 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 3.4 apg. She is a member of Team Hungary since 2004.
At the same time, MKB Euroleasing announced signing of 2-year contract extension with Tijana Krivacevic (194-F-90) and Fanni Szabo (178-G-94). The team also landed Australian player Hanna Zavecz (182-F/G-85).

*****************************************************
  LATVIA - Women  


Germany roll past Latvia - by Eurobasket News
Germany - Latvia 78:56

Germany continued their winning run at the Guildford Invitational Tournament. They rallied past Latvia for the second straight win at the tourney. Sarah Austmann (179-G/F-85) nailed 20 points to lead the charge. Latvia slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Latvia started the game strongly. They scored 25 points in the opening frame to build an 8-point lead. Germany bounced back in the second quarter. They limited Latvia to just 5 points and surged ahead for a 37:30 halftime advantage. Germany maintained the pressure in the third frame. They boosted the gap to as many as 14 points at the final break. Germany did not allow Latvia to get any closer in the final period and rolled to a confident win at the end. Romy Bar (189-F-87, agency: LBM Management) notched 19 points, while Dorothea Richter (176-G-83) provided 11 points in the victory. Aija Putnina (191-F-88, agency: Josep and Nicolas) and Kristine Karklina (175-G-83) answered with 9 points apiece for Latvia. Elina Babkina (172-G-89, agency: LBM Management) and Zane Tamane (200-C-83, college: W.Illinois) finished with 8 points each in the loss.

Germany: Sarah Austmann 20, Romy Bar 19, Dorothea Richter 11
Latvia: Aija Putnina 9, Kristine Karklina 9


*****************************************************
  NCAA1 - Women  


UC Santa Barbara hires new women's hoops coach - by Eurobasket News
UC Santa Barbara has hired Rutger's assistant Carlene Mitchell as its new head women's basketball coach.

Mitchell replaces Lindsay Gottlieb, who was hired last month by Cal. Mitchell spent the past 10 seasons at Rutgers, the last three as associate head coach.

UC Santa Barbara athletic director Mark W. Massari calls Mitchell a tremendous choice to represent the university on and off the court.

Mitchell, a first-time head coach, takes over a program that has won 14 Big West regular-season titles in the past 16 years.

Courtesy of Yahoo

*****************************************************
  NIGERIA - Women  


Standings - Women
D1 Standings
1. First Deepwater 6-0
2. First Bank 6-0
3. Sunshine A. 6-0
4. Dolphin 3-3
5. FCT Angels 2-4
6. Delta Force 2-4
7. AHIP Queens 2-4
8. Immigration 2-4
9. Customs 1-5
10. Plateau Rocks 0-6


*****************************************************
  NORWAY - Women  


Norway get ready for exhibition games with Estonia - by Eurobasket News
Norwegian National Team is getting ready for the upcoming friendly games against Estonia. The games are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday in Bergen. Head coach Baard Stoller invited the following players to prepare for the games:

Hege Blikra (173-G-91), Anette Johansen (176-F-82, college: NYIT), Sigrid Skorpen (175-G-91), Tonje Milde (170-G-90), Katrine Fjaerestad (183), Torunn Ytrehus (81), Tina Moen (183-G-86, college: IPFW), Maren Hoff Austgulen (183-G/F-91), Therese Hager (183-F, college: Sam Houston St.), Tina Nesse (184-C-84), Nanna Sand (181-F-77, college: Arizona St.), Kristina Tattersdill (186-F/C-83) and Tori Halvorsen (187-F/C-88).

Norway will continue their European Championship in Division B campaign on June 5. They will host Portugal. Norway are currently at 0-3 record in Group A.


*****************************************************
  POLAND - Women  


Former WNBA player Dydek suffers heart attack - by Eurobasket
Former WNBA player Malgorzata Dydek (213-C-74) has suffered a heart attack and is in a medically induced coma in a Brisbane hospital.
Basketball Australia said Friday that the 37-year-old Poland-born Dydek, who played for the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks, suffered the heart attack on Thursday.
Dydek, who is pregnant with her third child, had been working as a coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League. She collapsed at her home in Brisbane and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
The 7-foot 2-inch (218 centimeter) Dydek was once said to be the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world.

CCC Polkowice add Iva Perovanovic - by Eurobasket News
CCC Polkowice signed a deal with Iva Perovanovic (190-C/F-83). The 27-year-old Montenegrin centre spent the last season in France. She played for Lattes Montpellier. Her stats read 11.0 points, 5.1 boards and 1.3 assists per LFB game. Iva Perovanovic made it into Eurobasket.com French LFB All-Bosmans Team after the season. Iva Perovanovic played for Montenegrin NT during Qualifications at 2011 EuroBasket. Her stats read 17.4 points, 8.4 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game for Montenegro. Previously Iva Perovanovic had stints in Spain, Italy and Montenegro. The centre also played in Poland. She spent 2004/06 seasons with Wisla Krakow. She became PLKK champion back in 2006 with Wisla.


*****************************************************
  ROMANIA - Women  


Slovakia edge Romania twice in Nitra - by Eurobasket News
Slovakia and Romania played two exhibition encounters in Nitra. The hosts celebrated back-to-back victories. However the game went with different scenarios.
First game turned a tough battle with neither side able to dominate. Slovakia successfully tipped off the game taking a 17:10 lead after ten minutes. They were able to stretch the gap to 8 points at halftime 34:26. The margin kept on growing in the third term. The hosts posted a 14-point lead but Romania did not surrender. They cut the deficit back to single digits however Slovakia hung on to eke out 73:65 victory at the end. Lucia Kupcikova (184-F-84) provided 13 points, while Romana Vynuchalova (193-F/C-86, college: Penn St.) and Simona Podesvova (186-F-83) added 10 each in the win. Anita Meszaros (190-C-88) replied with 13 points, while Annemarie Parau (175-G-84, agency: LBM Management) chipped in 11 points in the loss.
Next game was the easier challenge for Slovakia. The home team earned a comfortable 79:40 win at the end. Luisa Michulkova (179-F-84) scored 15 points to pace the effort. Slovakia built a 13-point lead at the interval. They limited Romania to 5 points in the third quarter to boost the gap to as many as 21-point margin and never looked back en route to the victory. Regina Palusna (192-C-89, agency: Josep and Nicolas) accounted for 12 points, while Lucia Kupcikova and Michaela Abelova (185-G-85) provided 8 points apiece in the win. Elisabeth Pavel (192-C-90) reacted with 11 points for Romania. Florina Diacona (176-G-82) finished with 7 points in defeat.


Zoran Visic takes the reins in ICIM Arad - by Eurobasket News
ICIM Arad have appointed new head coach. The Romanian champions signed contract with Zoran Visic (agency: Promotex ). The deal is meant for two seasons. The Serbian specialist is well-known in Europe. He worked with UMMC, Vojvodina, Crvena Zvezda, Mladost Zemun. Lately Zoran Visic (agency: Promotex ) guided Hemofarm Stada.


*****************************************************
  RUSSIA - Women  


Alexandra Kostina joins Spartak Saint Petersburg - by Eurobasket News
Spartak Saint Petersburg bolstered their frontcourt. They added Alexandra Kostina (191-C-87, agency: RIZO) to the roster. The 24-year-old centre signed a two-year deal with Spartak SP. Last season Alexandra Kostina spent in Spartak SHVSM Moscow. She tallied 9.4 points, 5.1 boards, 1.6 steals and 1.0 assists per game in PBL. Kostina is actually returning to Spartak Saint Petersburg where she spent two seasons 2008-2010. Alexandra Kostina played for Russian U18 National Team back in 2005.


*****************************************************
  SLOVAKIA - Women  


Slovakia edge Romania twice in Nitra - by Eurobasket News
Slovakia and Romania played two exhibition encounters in Nitra. The hosts celebrated back-to-back victories. However the game went with different scenarios.
First game turned a tough battle with neither side able to dominate. Slovakia successfully tipped off the game taking a 17:10 lead after ten minutes. They were able to stretch the gap to 8 points at halftime 34:26. The margin kept on growing in the third term. The hosts posted a 14-point lead but Romania did not surrender. They cut the deficit back to single digits however Slovakia hung on to eke out 73:65 victory at the end. Lucia Kupcikova (184-F-84) provided 13 points, while Romana Vynuchalova (193-F/C-86, college: Penn St.) and Simona Podesvova (186-F-83) added 10 each in the win. Anita Meszaros (190-C-88) replied with 13 points, while Annemarie Parau (175-G-84, agency: LBM Management) chipped in 11 points in the loss.
Next game was the easier challenge for Slovakia. The home team earned a comfortable 79:40 win at the end. Luisa Michulkova (179-F-84) scored 15 points to pace the effort. Slovakia built a 13-point lead at the interval. They limited Romania to 5 points in the third quarter to boost the gap to as many as 21-point margin and never looked back en route to the victory. Regina Palusna (192-C-89, agency: Josep and Nicolas) accounted for 12 points, while Lucia Kupcikova and Michaela Abelova (185-G-85) provided 8 points apiece in the win. Elisabeth Pavel (192-C-90) reacted with 11 points for Romania. Florina Diacona (176-G-82) finished with 7 points in defeat.


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  TURKEY - Women  


Saziye Ivegin moves from Fenerbahce to Galatasaray - by Eurobasket News
Galatasaray continues with signing during the off season. They are one of the most active teams in Europe at this moment and the latest news is that Saziye Ivegin (182-F-82) signed a deal with Galata for the next season. The club will also have an option for 2012/13.
Saziye Ivegin appeared 24 times in the league this season averaging 5.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. In Euroleague, she added 1.1 ppg for 7 games. She helped Fenerbahce win the TBBL title. Ivegin was a member of Fenerbahce from 2004 to 2007 as well. She has three more TBBL titles and two Cup trophies with them from that period. In the meantime, Ivegin split one season between New Wash Montigarda and Besiktas. She started 2008/09 as a member of Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region and later join Galatasaray winning the EuroCup title with them. Season 2009/10, Ivegin spent with Mersin.

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  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - Women  


Field Announced for 2011 Paradise Jam Reef Division - by David Edole
MILWAUKEE - The field for the Reef Division of the 2011 US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam at University of the Virgin Islands was announced Thursday by tournament officials.

Marquette will play Washington State, Prairie View A&M and Michigan during the three-day tournament Nov. 24-26 at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, USVI.

The Golden Eagles will open the tournament against Washington State on Thursday, Nov. 24 at 9 p.m. AST/7 p.m. CST. MU will face Prairie View A&M on Nov. 25 at 6:45 p.m. AST/4:45 p.m. CST and will close out the tournament against Michigan on Nov. 26 at 9 p.m. AST/7 p.m. CST.

The Golden Eagles won the 2006 St. John Division championship following wins over Western Michigan, Auburn and Xavier.

Remaining opponents, game dates and times for the 2011-12 season will be released at a later date.



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  UKRAINE - Women  


Gorbunova will continue in Hungary - by Eurobasket News
Olexandra Gorbunova (186-F-86) will continue in Hungary for MKB Euroleasing Sopron after giving birth to a baby on April. One of the best player of the National team played already three seasons for them and will be happy to go back.
After the season with in 2004, Olexandra Gorbunova moved to MKB Euroleasing Sopron (Hungary-A) and in Euroleague after 13 games averaged 8.2ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 37.5%, while in Hungarian League in 19 games her stats read 11.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 35.7%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 80%. In 2006-2007 for MKB Euroleasing Sopron (Hungary-A, starting five) she improved to 10.9ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 67.1%, 3FGP: 46.2%, FT: 86.7% in EuroLegaue and in Hungarian League after 21 games had 11.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 34.5%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT-3 (89.4%). In 2007-2008 her stats were improved to14.3ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 82.6% in Euroleague and in Hungarian League Olexandra averaged 14.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 65.8%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 83%.
Last season she played for Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (UPBL) and in Ukrainian League became the top-scorer with 20.5ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 76.8%. Together with the team Olexandra Gorbunova was named Eurobasket.com All-Ukrainian UPBL Domestic Player of the Year -10, Eurobasket.com All-Ukrainian UPBL 2nd Team -10, Eurobasket.com Ukrainian UPBL All-Domestic Players Team -10 and Ukrainian UPBL Regular Season Champion -10.



Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Alina IAGUPOVA
  Dnipr.
  (181-G-92)
  Avg: 20.3
 1. Iagupova, Dnipr.20.3 
 2. Rastorgueva, Donb.19.2 
 3. Maznichenko, Tim-S.18.1 
 4. Markotenko, Frank.18.0 
 5. Kochubei, Tim-Scuf17.8 
 6. Ragin, Dynamo17.3 
 7. Williams, Dnipr.17.2 
 8. Lubarskaya, Dynamo17.1 
 9. Yakunina, Lugans.16.5 
 10. Grishina, Lugans.16.2 
Rebounds Per Game
 Shantel RAGIN
  Dynamo
  (178-G/F-87)
  Avg: 10.9
 1. Ragin, Dynamo10.9 
 2. Alyoshkina, Orlan10.5 
 3. Vukovic, Yuzhna P.10.1 
 4. Rimarenko, Dynamo9.5 
 5. Maznichenko, Tim-S.9.5 
 6. Zarytska, Kozachka9.3 
 7. Yakunina, Lugans.8.7 
 8. Kiriyenko, Dnipr.8.5 
 9. Zhurauliova, Polit.7.8 
 10. Yaburova, Dnipr.7.8 
Assists Per Game
 Alisa SIROMATNIKOVA
  Yuzhna P.
  (165-G-87)
  Avg: 6.4
 1. Siromatnikov., Yuz.6.4 
 2. Dubas, Frankivsk4.7 
 3. Williams, Dnipr.4.7 
 4. Dubrovina, Kozach.4.6 
 5. Iagupova, Dnipr.4.6 
 6. Sharovka, Tim-Scuf4.5 
 7. Lapshynova, Polite.4.4 
 8. Kochubei, Tim-Scuf4.0 
 9. Pokoiova, Kozachka3.7 
 10. Panchenk-S., Koz.3.6 
Steals Per Game
 Olga DUBROVINA
  Kozachka
  (170-G-87)
  Avg: 3.9
 1. Dubrovina, Kozach.3.9 
 2. Markotenko, Frank.3.4 
 3. Iagupova, Dnipr.3.3 
 4. Sharovka, Tim-Scuf2.6 
 5. Williams, Dnipr.2.6 
 6. Kochubei, Tim-Scuf2.4 
 7. Siromatnikov., Yuz.2.3 
 8. Shapochkina, Yuzh.2.2 
 9. Polyanychka, Frank.2.2 
 10. Lubarskaya, Dyna.2.1 
Blocks Per Game
 Lyubov ALYOSHKINA
  Orlan
  (202-C-81)
  Avg: 3
 1. Alyoshkina, Orlan3.0 
 2. Zhyrakova, Polite.2.8 
 3. Yaburova, Dnipr.1.8 
 4. Bovykina, Dnipr.1.6 
 5. Shablynska, Polite.1.5 
 6. Kisilova, Kozachka1.3 
 7. Zherzherunov., Koz.1.2 
 8. Maznichenko, Tim-S.1.0 
 9. Berezinets, Tim-S.1.0 
 10. Kiriyenko, Dnipr.0.9 


*****************************************************
  UNITED KINGDOM - Women  


Cuba earn second straight win in Guildford - by Eurobasket News
Great Britain - Cuba 54:61

Cuban National Team registered the second consecutive win at the Guildford Invitational Tournament. They held off the hosts to improve at 2-0 record. Cuba will take on Germany for the title tomorrow. Great Britain in the meantime suffered the second straight defeat. They will face Latvia in the final game. Suchitel Avila (183-F-82) knocked down 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to pace the visitors.
Great Britain and Cuba got to a slow start. They teamed up for just 19 points in the opening frame as the hosts earned a 10:9 lead. But the tempo increased in the second period. The Latin American side scored 21 points in the quarter and grabbed a 30:26 halftime lead. Great Britain turned things upside down in the third stanza. The hosts erased the deficit and pulled in charge. They established a 44:39 advantage before the final frame. Cuba reacted with a 7:0 run early in the fourth period and regained control. They outgunned the home team 22:10 in the final term and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Yamara Amargo (180-F-85) had 16 points, while Oyanaisy Gelis (172-G-83) finished with 13 points for Cuba. JulieAnne Page (188-F/C-83, college: E.Washington) top-scored with 22 points and 11 boards for Great Britain. Natalie Stafford (173-G-76) produced 10 points and 6 rebounds in the loss.

Great Britain: JulieAnne Page 22+11 boards, Natalie Stafford 10
Cuba: Yamara Amargo 16, Suchitel Avila 15, Oyanaisy Gelis 13


*****************************************************
  WNBA - Women  


Former WNBA player Dydek suffers heart attack - by Eurobasket
Former WNBA player Malgorzata Dydek (213-C-74) has suffered a heart attack and is in a medically induced coma in a Brisbane hospital.
Basketball Australia said Friday that the 37-year-old Poland-born Dydek, who played for the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks, suffered the heart attack on Thursday.
Dydek, who is pregnant with her third child, had been working as a coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League. She collapsed at her home in Brisbane and was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
The 7-foot 2-inch (218 centimeter) Dydek was once said to be the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world.

Sun easily beat Chinese National Team in exhibition opener - by Eurobasket News
The Connecticut Sun missed the WNBA playoffs for the second consecutive season last year. Those who know the team best consider that more of an aberration than a trend.

They believe the Sun deserved a much better fate than their .500 record (17-17) in 2010. You know, a bounce here, a make there, could have made the difference.

'We were right there last season,' veteran guard Kara Lawson said. 'It wasn't like we were far behind the pack. I've been in this league a long time and playing .500 or over, it is very hard to do. And until the last weekend we were in the mix for the final spot.

'I don't think last year was necessarily horrible, although we were horrible on the road [5-12] and in close games. So those are two areas of focus for us this year. That cost us the playoffs.'

This year started Thursday for the Sun against the Chinese national team, the first of three preseason games leading up to the opener June 4 against the Washington Mystics.

And the Sun dominated from the start, spreading its around during a breezy 101-63 win at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Sun had five players in double figures led by Kalana Greene (5'10''-G-87, college: Connecticut) and Kelsey Griffin (6'2''-F-87, college: Nebraska) with 13 points each. Renee Montgomery (5'7''-G-86, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) added 12, Asjha Jones (6'2''-F-80, college: Connecticut) 11 and Tina Charles (6'4''-C-88, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) 10 points and 10 rebounds.

'We moved the ball [24 assists] and shot the ball well [50.7 percent],' Sun coach Mike Thibault said. 'With the exception of Kara and Renee, we hadn't made too many jump shots the last two days in practice.'

Incorporating two new players, Greene, the former UConn standout, and Danielle McCray, back from an ACL injury, the Sun hope to rely on better defense and the maturation of a young team to make it back to the postseason.

'With a year together, and hopefully staying healthy, we can lay another brick for this team in training camp and go from there,' Lawson said. 'We expect to be in the playoffs. This is a team that's good enough to be in the playoffs.'

Thibault started his four UConn players Montgomery, Charles, Jones and Greene along with Lawson.

The Chinese team featured a small percentage of their top players. The coaches are using this American tour to evaluate some younger players before the Asian championships this summer in Japan.

One who may have a problem making the team is center Zu Nuo. She picked up her fourth foul before the first quarter was over.

China was led in scoring by Ding Yuan (6'1''-F-91), who scored 17 points. China was 5 of 20 from three-point range.

The Sun took a 28-18 lead after the first quarter, their diverse attack led by Montgomery (six) and Greene, who made her Sun debut with five points in her first four minutes.

It was an aggressive, enthusiastic effort by the Sun, especially off the boards (46-20). They added to their lead by scoring the first 11 points in the second quarter, taking a 39-18 lead with 6:53 to play and a 54-28 halftime lead.

'We had great energy, talked on defense and you could see the camaraderie building,' Thibault said

Courtesy of www.courant.com

Fever looking forward to upcoming season - by Eurobasket News
The Indiana Fever are hoping an extended training camp and veteran players can produce a long-sought WNBA championship.

The Fever opened camp Sunday as they prepare for the June 4 opener against the Chicago Sky. Most of the players barely made it to Indianapolis in time for the 2010 season after playing in overseas leagues.

Four of the Fevers expected starters Tamika Catchings (6'1''-F-79, college: Tennessee), 31; Katie Douglas (6'1''-G/F-79, college: Purdue), 32; Tamara Sutton-Brown (6'4''-C-78, college: Rutgers), 33; new acquisition Tangela Smith (6'4''-F/C-77, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Iowa), 34 are older than 30.

In todays media day gathering, coach Lin Dunn acknowledged that the window of opportunity is closing.

These players are not on their last legs, but theyre seeing the end of their careers, Dunn said. Katies healthy, Catch is healthy, Tammys healthy. They had some off-season downtime.

'I would look just look at it that theres a greater sense of urgency. Once you turn 30, 31, 32, 33, youre now thinking about, OK, what am I going to do after basketball? When you finish a career, youd certainly like to have a championship to go with that career.'

Catchings, who is entering her 10th pro season, said she feels as good as she did as a rookie. She played for the U.S. team that won a gold medal in the World Championship last October, then took a break until playing 11 games in Turkey from mid-February until mid-April. She averaged 13.0 points in Turkey.

The Fever waived center Aisha Mohammed on Wednesday, trimming the roster to 14. The Fever must cut to 11 players by opening day.

Australian guard Erin Phillips (5'8''-G-85), who turned 26 today, arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday night and reported for her first practice today. She played three seasons for the Connecticut Sun before concentrating on her national team last year. She signed as a free agent in the offseason.

Phillips is expected to duel Briann January at point guard after the Fever decided not to re-sign Tully Bevilaqua, who had been the starter for six seasons.

Courtesy of www.indystar.com

New coach likes look of Liberty - by Eurobasket News
Three practices into training camp, Liberty coach John Whisenant already likes what hes seen from his new team.

Enough for him to talk about winning the WNBA championship on Thursday.

'They showed me we have the makings, the ingredients to be a champion', said Whisenant, also the team's general manager. 'That's my goal. That's Cappie's (Pondexter's) goal, thats Essence's (Carson's) goal, Nicole (Powell), all of our players all feel the same way.'

Theres optimism despite the third coach in three seasons and the start of a three-year stay at the Prudential Center while Madison Square Garden undergoes summer renovations.

Whisenant inherited a strong team that reached the Eastern Conference finals after finishing with a franchise-record 22 wins. The Libertys success came on the heels of a roster overhaul, led by the acquisition of Pondexter, which followed a 21-loss season the teams second-worst in 2009.

We definitely need to pick up where we left off, Pondexter said. We lost in the conference finals. It left a taste that wasnt really satisfying, so this summer we want to come out and bring great energy. Being here for the next three summers, its our home, so weve got to come in and take ownership.

As the Liberty get adjusted to Whisenants system, they will benefit from a delayed start to the season for the second time in three years. Usually, many players miss at least part of training camp while they finish up seasons overseas. Some arrive days or hours before WNBA teams play their openers. This time, players had time to return and rest before camp opened this week.

Its a much more ideal situation to come back from overseas, to be able to go home, recharge your batteries in a way with family and friends and my home, Powell said. And then to come back with a lot more energy coming into this training camp as opposed to last year I stepped off the plane and we had a game in two days.

Still, Whisenant doesnt expect the Liberty to be fully acclimated to his system by the season opener June 5 at Atlanta. He believes the adjustment will be a season-long process with the team improving along the way.

Itll take the entire season to develop the cohesiveness, our defensive philosophy, the team playing to be a champion, he said. As we go on each and every week well see improvement, and by the time we get to the end of August well be making the playoffs.

And by the time we get to September well be in the playoffs, and by the time Septembers over well be playing for the championship.

Whisenant led the Sacramento Monarchs to the WNBA championship in 2005. He served as GM of the Monarchs for seven years and was coach from 2004-06 and parts of the 03 and 09 seasons. He was selected the 2005 league coach of the year.

He was hired in his dual roles with the Liberty in October. He replaced coach Anne Donovan, who became coach at Seton Hall, and Carol Blazejowski in the front office.

Hes legendary, Pondexter said. Hes won a championship in the WNBA. Not many can say they have in the short span of the history of the league. Hes definitely made his mark in Sacramento. He jumped on this job to make one thing happen, and thats to win a championship. Im with him. I came here to do that, and Im excited.

The Liberty will have at least two new faces on the roster this year after veteran forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin signed with Minnesota in the offseason and second-year guard Kalana Greene was traded to Connecticut in a draft-day deal.

Third-year center Kia Vaughn could see increased playing time, and the Liberty also have rookie forward Jessica Breland (North Carolina) in camp. In the backcourt, the Liberty have added rookies Sydney Colson (champion Texas A&M) and 6-foot-1 guard-forward Alex Montgomery (Georgia Tech), along with fourth-year forward Crystal Kelly.

Im very excited. Im anxious to get started, Vaughn said. Im healthy, strong, mentally prepared. I just have to go out there and play and be myself.

The Liberty were officially welcomed to Newark during a news conference Thursday that included Mayor Cory Booker, New Jersey Devils owner and Prudential Center chairman and managing partner Jeff Vanderbeek and MSG Sports President Scott ONeil.

Afterwards, Pondexter beat Booker 4-0 in a brief game of 1-on-1.

The Liberty will play host to Washington in its preseason opener on Wednesday.

Courtesy of www.nypost.com