Eurobasket Daily News Report:

EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 5/3/2011

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Men News

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

ABA

Helicopter Pursuing Overseas Opportunity - by Travis McAvene
John Humphrey, a 62 shooting guard for the St. Louis Pioneers is one of the best all -around players in the ABA. This past season, Humphrey averaged 36.0ppg and 8.0rpg.

Humphrey finished his college career at Middle Tennessee State University in 2003. Immediately following his college career Humphrey got his start with the And 1 Streetball Tour Team. During this time, John was nicknamed the Helicopter due to his unbelievable open court dunks.

John is a great athlete that can play a variety of positions, said Travis McAvene. He is a very physical guard that does not fear anyone.

In 2004 Humphrey was a standout for the Boston Frenzy (ABA), averaging 31.1ppg. In 2005 Humphrey finally got his overseas shot playing in Japan for the Tokyo Apache, where he was coached by Kobe Bryant's father Joe Jellybean Bryant. Humphrey was considered one of the best players in the Japanese BJ League. Humphrey was named to the All-Japanese BJ League 2nd Team in 2006, 2007, and 2009.

My goal is to get back overseas and make good money, said John Humphrey. Im in great shape right now and feel like I can produce anywhere I go in the overseas market.
John Humphrey (6'2''-G/F-80, agency: Court Side, college: Middle Tenn.St.)

Usbasket.com All-United States Awards 2010-2011 - by Eurobasket
Traditionally at the end of each year Eurobasket announces the European awards for last year. So for the first time Usbasket would like to announce its 2010-2011 National Awards.

It's the 1st such ranking prepared by Usbasket.com staff. Usbasket has a network of almost 200 correspondents, while most of them are located in the United States and participated in preparing the ranking below.

We have the policy of not involving the fans as it may influence the final ranking and instead of that we rely on the opinions of experts.

All-United States category applies only to American Professional Basketball (not the NBA), but also these, who played overseas (mostly in NBA). The minor leagues were selected off of number of games, stats, players going overseas and overall talent.

Ahead of them all has to be the NBA D-League. The D-League by far has the most talent in the United States. Not only do they have the most talent they are branded by the brand (NBA). The D-League has sent over 20 players up to the NBA this season including Usbasket.com All-United States Player of the Year Othyus Jeffers and 2nd Team member Jeff Adrian.

The UBA may be the most impressive league of them all under the power houses. The UBA has sent over 40 players overseas in just 2 seasons. Not only do their players move on to the next level they all play well. Over 50% of the UBA players go to their mid-level countries and average the same numbers as they did in the UBA league.

The IBL and the PBL have to be two of the most entertaining and profitable leagues going in the United States. The PBL has the largest budget than all of the minor leagues and continue to add big talent. The IBL has been carried by power teams like the Los Angeles Lightning and ex NBA players like Bryon Russell and Toby Bailey.

The ABA is one of the longest running leagues in the minor league circuit. No doubt about it, the SE Texas Mavericks are a power and have to be respected.

This year, Othyus Jeffers dominated the votes and was named Player of the Year award and also United States 1st Team.

The first team was dominated by NBA D-League players, with Non D-League selected just in the 2nd best team.

Best point guard of the year is Curtis Stinson. The D-League star had a terrific season with Iowa Energy, leading the team to the best record in the NBA D-League. Stinson led the NBA D-League in assist this season with 9.9 and scored an impressive 19.5ppg. Stinson was also named the 2011 NBA D-League MVP. There is no question that Stinson will be next in line for a call-up.

Shooting Guard of the Year may be the biggest surprise, Jermaine Barnes. Barnes has played internationally for the last 5 years (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Mexico), but is known for his jaw dropping scoring ability in the minor league circuit. Barnes scored a UBA record 60 points this season and led the league in scoring (27.2ppg).

In small forward position there is Washington Wizards player Othyus Jeffers. This year, Othyus Jeffers was named Player of the Year award. The Robert Morris Star spent this season in the D-League with Iowa Energy, along with Curtis Stinson, being the best scorer in league with 22.1 point per contest.

Power forward of the year is one of the best athletes in the country: Gordon Klaiber. The IBL star was one of the key players of the Albany Legends Championship run. Klaiber is currently playing in Japan for the Kyoto Hannaryz averaging a solid 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Best center of the year is one of the biggest revelations of the previous season: Ivan Johnson. The big man had an impressive year with Erie Bay Hawks averaging 22.6ppg and 8.0rpg. He is by far the best big in the NBA-DLeague.

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

ACPBL

Usbasket.com All-United States Awards 2010-2011 - by Eurobasket
Traditionally at the end of each year Eurobasket announces the European awards for last year. So for the first time Usbasket would like to announce its 2010-2011 National Awards.

It's the 1st such ranking prepared by Usbasket.com staff. Usbasket has a network of almost 200 correspondents, while most of them are located in the United States and participated in preparing the ranking below.

We have the policy of not involving the fans as it may influence the final ranking and instead of that we rely on the opinions of experts.

All-United States category applies only to American Professional Basketball (not the NBA), but also these, who played overseas (mostly in NBA). The minor leagues were selected off of number of games, stats, players going overseas and overall talent.

Ahead of them all has to be the NBA D-League. The D-League by far has the most talent in the United States. Not only do they have the most talent they are branded by the brand (NBA). The D-League has sent over 20 players up to the NBA this season including Usbasket.com All-United States Player of the Year Othyus Jeffers and 2nd Team member Jeff Adrian.

The UBA may be the most impressive league of them all under the power houses. The UBA has sent over 40 players overseas in just 2 seasons. Not only do their players move on to the next level they all play well. Over 50% of the UBA players go to their mid-level countries and average the same numbers as they did in the UBA league.

The IBL and the PBL have to be two of the most entertaining and profitable leagues going in the United States. The PBL has the largest budget than all of the minor leagues and continue to add big talent. The IBL has been carried by power teams like the Los Angeles Lightning and ex NBA players like Bryon Russell and Toby Bailey.

The ABA is one of the longest running leagues in the minor league circuit. No doubt about it, the SE Texas Mavericks are a power and have to be respected.

This year, Othyus Jeffers dominated the votes and was named Player of the Year award and also United States 1st Team.

The first team was dominated by NBA D-League players, with Non D-League selected just in the 2nd best team.

Best point guard of the year is Curtis Stinson. The D-League star had a terrific season with Iowa Energy, leading the team to the best record in the NBA D-League. Stinson led the NBA D-League in assist this season with 9.9 and scored an impressive 19.5ppg. Stinson was also named the 2011 NBA D-League MVP. There is no question that Stinson will be next in line for a call-up.

Shooting Guard of the Year may be the biggest surprise, Jermaine Barnes. Barnes has played internationally for the last 5 years (Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Mexico), but is known for his jaw dropping scoring ability in the minor league circuit. Barnes scored a UBA record 60 points this season and led the league in scoring (27.2ppg).

In small forward position there is Washington Wizards player Othyus Jeffers. This year, Othyus Jeffers was named Player of the Year award. The Robert Morris Star spent this season in the D-League with Iowa Energy, along with Curtis Stinson, being the best scorer in league with 22.1 point per contest.

Power forward of the year is one of the best athletes in the country: Gordon Klaiber. The IBL star was one of the key players of the Albany Legends Championship run. Klaiber is currently playing in Japan for the Kyoto Hannaryz averaging a solid 12 points and 8 rebounds.

Best center of the year is one of the biggest revelations of the previous season: Ivan Johnson. The big man had an impressive year with Erie Bay Hawks averaging 22.6ppg and 8.0rpg. He is by far the best big in the NBA-DLeague.

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

ALGERIA

Standings

D1 Standings

Group A
1. GS Petroliers		4-0
2. CRB Dar El-B.		2-2
3. Blida		2-2
4. Arreridj		0-4
Group B
1. CSMC		3-1
2. WA Boufarik		2-2
3. Staoueli		2-2
4. O Batna		1-3
Group C
1. ASPTT		0-0
2. NAH Dey		0-0
3. Sidi-bel-Abbes		0-0
4. U.S.M.		0-0
Group D
1. Annaba		0-0
2. CRB Temouch.		0-0
3. Skikda		0-0
4. USMM Hadjout		0-0

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AUSTRALIA

Stats Leaders - NBL

Points Per Game

Gary ERVIN
  Hawks
  (186-G-83)
  Avg: 20.1

1. Ervin, Hawks	20.1
2. Penney, Breakers	20.0
3. Redhage, Wildcats	18.0
4. Khazzouh, Kings	17.4
5. Williams, Tigers	17.3
6. Clark, Blaze	17.1
7. Worthington, Blaze	16.8
8. Wilkinson, Breakers	15.8
9. Ballinger, 36ers	15.3
10. Harvey, Blaze	14.8

Rebounds Per Game

Julian KHAZZOUH
  Kings
  (211-C-86)
  Avg: 10

1. Khazzouh, Kings	10.0
2. Davidson, Hawks	8.0
3. Vukona, Breakers	7.6
4. Nevill, Tigers	7.4
5. Worthington, Blaze	7.0
6. Holmes, 36ers	6.8
7. Clark, Blaze	6.8
8. Schenscher, Croco.	6.8
9. Williams, Tigers	6.8
10. Brown, Wildcats	6.7

Assists Per Game

Corey WILLIAMS
  Tigers
  (191-G-77)
  Avg: 6.1

1. Williams, Tigers	6.1
2. Gibson, Blaze	5.5
3. Ervin, Hawks	4.5
4. Shannon, 36ers	4.4
5. Braswell, Breakers	4.2
6. Saville, Hawks	4.1
7. Carter, 36ers	4.0
8. Ubaka, Taipans	3.9
9. Blalock, Crocodiles	3.5
10. Martin, Wildcats	3.2

Steals Per Game

Damian MARTIN
  Wildcats
  (188-G-84)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Martin, Wildcats	2.4
2. Crawford, Croco.	1.5
3. Shannon, 36ers	1.4
4. Saville, Hawks	1.4
5. Dorsey, Taipans	1.4
6. Carter, 36ers	1.4
7. Ellis, Crocodiles	1.3
8. Tovey, Wildcats	1.3
9. Ervin, Hawks	1.3
10. Williams, Tigers	1.3

Blocks Per Game

Adam BALLINGER
  36ers
  (205-F-79)
  Avg: 1.9

1. Ballinger, 36ers	1.9
2. Khazzouh, Kings	1.8
3. Clark, Blaze	1.2
4. Worthington, Blaze	1.1
5. Nevill, Tigers	1.1
6. Schenscher, Croco.	1.1
7. Crosswhite, Taipa.	1.0
8. Gilder, Kings	0.9
9. Sanders, Kings	0.9
10. Abercrombie, Brea.	0.8

Standings - ABA

ABA Standings

Big V
1. Waverley F.		6-1
2. Bulleen B.		5-2
3. Eltham W.		4-3
4. Sherbrooke S.		4-3
5. Melbourne		3-4
6. Ringwood H.		3-4
7. Hume City		2-5
8. Diamond V.E.		1-6
Central ABL
1. Norwood F.		5-0
2. W.Adelaide B.		4-1
3. Forestville E.		3-2
4. Eastern M.		3-2
5. Woodville W.		3-2
6. South.Tigers		2-3
7. Sturt S.		2-3
8. S.Adelaide P.		2-3
9. N.Adelaide R.		1-4
10. C.District L.		0-5
QBL
1. Brisbane C.		0-0
2. Bundaberg B.		0-0
3. Caboolture S.		0-0
4. Cairns M.		0-0
5. Gladstone P.		0-0
6. Gold Coast R.		0-0
7. Ipswich F.		0-0
8. Mackay M.		0-0
9. Maroochydore		0-0
10. Northside W.		0-0
11. Rockhampton		0-0
12. SW Metro P.		0-0
13. Toowoomba		0-0
14. Townsville H.		0-0
SEABL-East
1. Bendigo B.		5-1
2. Knox R.		5-1
3. Dandenong		3-2
4. Ballarat M.		2-3
5. Brisbane S.		2-4
6. Canberra G.		2-4
7. Kilsyth C.		1-5
SEABL-South
1. NW Tasmania		4-1
2. Nunawading S.		4-2
3. Sandringham S.		3-2
4. Geelong S.		3-3
5. Hobart C.		3-3
6. Frankston B.		2-2
7. Mt Gambier		2-4
8. Albury W.B.		1-5
WARATAH
1. Newcastle H.		6-1
2. Sydney C.		6-2
3. Hills H.		6-2
4. Parramatta W.		4-2
5. Manly Warr.		4-3
6. Hornsby S.		4-4
7. Illawarra H.		3-2
8. Sutherland S.		3-3
9. Norths Bears		3-4
10. Bankstown B.		2-4
11. Maitland M.		2-5
12. C. Coast C.		1-6
13. Canberra N.		1-7

Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL Awards 2010-11 - by Eurobasket

Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL 1st Team 2010-11

Wilkinson

Penney

Ervin

Khazzouh

Schenscher

* The players should play at least 20 games

Player of the Year: Gary Wilkinson (206-F-82) of Breakers
Guard of the Year: Kirk Penney (196-G-80) of Breakers
Forward of the Year: Gary Wilkinson (206-F-82) of Breakers
Center of the Year: Luke Schenscher (216-C-82) of Crocodiles
Domestic Player of the Year: Kirk Penney (196-G-80) of Breakers
Import Player of the Year: Gary Wilkinson (206-F-82) of Breakers
Defensive Player of the Year: Julian Khazzouh (211-C-86) of Sydney K.
Coach of the Year: Trevor Gleeson of Crocodiles

1st Team
G: Kirk Penney (196-80) of Breakers
G: Gary Ervin (186-83) of Hawks
F: Gary Wilkinson (206-82) of Breakers
C: Julian Khazzouh (211-86) of Sydney K.
C: Luke Schenscher (216-82) of Crocodiles

2nd Team
G: Corey Williams (191-77) of Tigers
F: Mark Worthington (202-83) of Blaze
F: Shawn Redhage (203-81) of Wildcats
C: Ian Crosswhite (212-82) of Taipans
C/F: Ira Clark (203-75) of Blaze

Honorable Mention
Adam Ballinger (205-F-79) of 36ers
Mika Vukona (197-F-82) of Breakers
Thomas Abercrombie (198-G/F-87) of Breakers
Ronald Dorsey (197-G/F-83) of Taipans
Ayinde Ubaka (193-G-85) of Taipans
Damian Martin (188-G-84) of Wildcats
Oscar Forman (205-F-82) of Hawks
Glen Saville (197-G/F-76) of Hawks
Larry Davidson (207-C-83) of Hawks
Peter Crawford (193-G-79) of Crocodiles

All-Imports Team
G: Gary Ervin (186-83) of Hawks
F: Gary Wilkinson (206-82) of Breakers
F: Shawn Redhage (203-81) of Wildcats
C/F: Ira Clark (203-75) of Blaze
C: Julian Khazzouh (211-86) of Sydney K.

Where are your favourite NBL players playing this off-season - by Duncan Matheson
With the 2010-11 NBL season coming to an end tomorrow night, eurobasket takes a look at where your favourite NBL players will spend their 2011 off season playing in the minor/second tier competitions around Australia & New Zealand.

New Zealand Breakers

Paul Henare (182-G-79) Easy LPG Bay Hawks (NZNBL)
Thomas Abercrombie (198-G/F-87, college: Washington St.) Waikato Pistons (NZNBL)
Mika Vukona (197-F-82) Fico Finance Nelson Giants (NZNBL)
Corey Webster (185-G-88, college: Lambuth) Wellington Exodus Saints (NZNBL)
Leon Henry (200-G/F-85, college: S.Idaho JC) Wellington Exodus Saints (NZNBL)
Beny Anthony Waikato Pistons (NZNBL)
Dillon Boucher (196-F-75) Auckland Pirates (NZNBL)
Alex Pledger (216-C-87, college: Belm.Abbey) Waikato Pistons (NZNBL)

Sydney Kings

Luke Martin (182-PG-81, college: UTEP) Auckland Pirates (NZNBL)
Mark Dickel (187-G-76, college: UNLV) Zero Fees Southland Sharks (NZNBL)
Joel Wagner (184-G-87) Perth Redbacks (SBL)
Jarrad Weeks (180-G) Hornsby Spiders (WBL)
Ben Hollis (193-F/C) Hornsby Spiders (WBL)
Kevin White (193-G-87, college: Alaska-Anch.) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (WBL)
Luke Cooper (183-G-84, college: Alaska-Anch.) Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (WBL)
Ben Madgen (193-G-85, college: Augusta St.) Eastern Mavericks (CBL)
Graeme Dann (204-G/F-83) Parramatta Wildcats (WBL)

Jarrod Scoines (197-G/F) Ballarat Miners (SEABL)

Gold Coast Blaze

Darryl Hudson (196-G-85, college: Howard) McDonalds Manawatu Jets (NZNBL)
Adam Gibson (188-G-86) Gold Coast Rollers (QBL)
Chris Goulding (190-G-88) Northside Wizards (QBL)
Tom Garlepp (203-F-86, college: UCSB) Brisbane Capitals (QBL)
Shaun Gleeson (189-G-86) Northside Wizards (QBL)
Pero Vasiljevic (209-F/C-78, college: Kansas St.) Rockhampton Rockets (QBL)
Brendan Teys (188-G-90) South West Metro Pirates (QBL)
Luke Kendall (193-G-81, college: Metro St.) Nunawading Spectres (SEABL)

Perth Wildcats

Jeremiah Trueman (206-F-87, college: Alaska-Anch.) McDonalds Manawatu Jets (NZNBL)
Greg Hire (201-F-87, college: Augusta St.) Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (SBL)
Jarrod Balcombe (198-F-90) East Perth Eagles (SBL)
Stephen Weigh (198-G/F-87) Rockhampton Rockets (QBL)
Cameron Tovey (200-F-85, college: Augusta St.) Willetton Tigers (SBL)

Skytrans Cairns Taipans

Lindsay Tait (194-G-82, agency: Impact Basketball) Wellington Exodus Saints (NZNBL)
Phill Jones (196-G-74) Fico Finance Nelson Giants (NZNBL)
Gareth Dawson (C) Zero Fees Southland Sharks (NZNBL)
Daniel Dillon (191-G-86, college: Arizona) Waverley Falcons (Big V)
Kerry Williams (185-G-87) Cairns Marlins (QBL)
Dean Brebner (201-F-84, college: Augusta St.) Cairns Marlins (QBL)
Aaron Grabau (196-G-78) Cairns Marlins (QBL)

Adelaide 36ers

Darren Ng (189-G-83) Sturt Sabres (CBL)
Jacob Holmes (201-F-83) Sturt Sabres (CBL)
Tom Daly Sturt Sabres (CBL)
Mitchell Creek (195-F-92) South Adelaide Panthers (CBL)
Daniel Johnson (212-C-88, college: Pepperdine) South Adelaide Panthers (CBL)
Rhys Carter (190-G-84) North Adelaide Rockets (CBL)
Brad Hill (198-G/F-86) Eastern Mavericks (CBL)
Jeff Dowdell (205-F-87) West Adelaide Bearcats (CBL)
Aaron Bruce (191-G-84) Eastern Mavericks (CBL)

Townsville Crocodiles

Chris Cedar (185-G-88) Townsville Heat (QBL)
Ben Allen (211-C-86, college: St.Mary's, CA) Townsville Heat (QBL)
Bradley Williamson (197-F/G-81) Ipswich Force (QBL)
Todd Blanchfield (200-F-91) Townsville Heat (QBL)

Melbourne Tigers

Corey Williams (191-G-77, college: Alabama St.) Brisbane Spartans (SEABL)
Benny Lewis (203-G/F-87, college: Benedict) Melbourne Giants (Big V)
Cameron Tragardh (209-C/F-83, college: ORU) Eltham Wildcats (Big V)
Tommy Greer (201-F-83, college: Nova SE) Eltham Wildcats (Big V)
Daryl Corletto (193-G-81) Ringwood Hawks (Big V)
Edin Zunic (205-C-88) Gladstone Port City Power (QBL)
Lucas Walker (203-F, college: St.Mary's, CA) Dandenong Rangers (SEABL)

Wollongong Hawks

Rhys Martin (193-G-86, college: Nova SE) Mackay Meteors (QBL)
Timothy Coenraad (201-G/F-85, college: Nova SE) Mackay Meteors (QBL)
Tim Behrendorff (212-C-81, college: Gardner-Webb) Ipswich Force (QBL)
Zac Delaney Illawarra Hawks (WBL)
Tyson Demos (192-G-88) Illawarra Hawks (WBL)
Jordan Barry (195-G-92) Illawarra Hawks (WBL)
Daniel Jackson (200-F-88) Illawarra Hawks (WBL)

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

BAHRAIN

Ahli and Hala win in style - by Yousef Ahmed
CHAMPIONS Al Ahli and a resurgent Al Hala registered contrasting victories last night in the Zain Bahrain Basketball League at Zain Arena in Um Al Hassam,Ahli battled to claim an 82-77 victory over Isa Town, while Hala enjoyed a one-sided 102-62 triumph over an overmatched Al Ettihad. Ahli claimed their 10th win in the league after 14 games and they are now tied for first place on points with Muharraq and Manama, who both have played one game less. Hala, on the other hand, evened their win-loss record to 7-7. They rose to fourth place overall and they continued their recent winning run while strengthening their hopes of securing a berth in the league play-offs.

In Ahli's win, the victors welcomed their newest addition in a grand way as former National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran Lamond Murray (201-F-73, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: California) was playing his first game with the club. Murray, who had previously suited up for Muharraq for two-and-a-half seasons, replaced compatriot Michael Bell on the Ahli roster. Ahli also had fine contributions from Bahraini talents Hussain Shaker, Maytham Jameel, Mahdi Ashoor and Hesham Sarhan. Isa Town, meanwhile, were paced by their own American import, Jamal Holden (206-C-80, college: UALR), who had in the past helped steer Ahli to the league title.

Hassan Ramadan, Ali Traif and Ebrahim Al Durazi did their best to contribute, but their combined effort was not enough to get Isa Town over the hump. In yesterday's other game, professional big man Patrick Simpson (206-F-83, college: SMU) scored 29 points to lead a balanced Hala attack against Ettihad. Simpson was a perfect 14-of-14 from the field in the game, as he enjoyed playing without an opposing import. Simpson also grabbed 11 rebounds and had four blocked shots. Ali Abbas added 18 points in the win, while Abbas Jawadi contributed 15 and Ahmed Haji had 10. After taking a commanding 32-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, Hala virtually sealed the victory by the end of the second when they moved up 57-32. It was smooth sailing the rest of the way.

League action continues today with Muharraq taking on Nuwaidrat at 5.30pm, followed by Manama locking horns with Sitra at 7.15pm.

Source GDN Posted on Monday, May 02, 2011 by Patrick Salomon.

Standings

Premier League Stage Two Standings

1. Muharraq		11-2
2. Al Manama		11-2
3. Al Ahli		10-4
4. Al Hala		7-7
5. Issa Town		7-7
6. Nuwaidrat		6-7
7. Sitra		6-7
8. Al Ittihad		4-12

Stage One Standings

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

BELGIUM

Standings - Division I

D1 Standings

1. Charleroi		23-5
2. Aalstar		20-9
3. M.Hainaut		18-10
4. Oostende		17-12
5. Antwerp		15-14
6. Leuven		10-18
7. Verviers-Pep.		10-18
8. Liege		10-19
9. Gent		5-23

Stats Leaders - Division I

Points Per Game

Stefon JACKSON
  Verviers.
  (196-G-85)
  Avg: 16.8

1. Jackson, Verviers.	16.8
2. Lojeski, Oostende	16.1
3. Black, Antwerp	15.6
4. Mallet, Charleroi	15.6
5. Freeman, Verviers.	15.4
6. Copeland, Aalstar	15.3
7. Waters, Verviers.	15.1
8. Miller, Leuven	15.0
9. Hilliard, Aalstar	14.9
10. Taylor, M.Hainaut	14.9

Rebounds Per Game

Rashaun FREEMAN
  Verviers.
  (206-C/F-84)
  Avg: 7.9

1. Freeman, Verviers.	7.9
2. Young, Aalstar	7.7
3. Hilliard, Aalstar	7.5
4. Randle, Gent	7.4
5. Stipanovic, Liege	7.3
6. Brown, Antwerp	6.9
7. Tofi, Leuven	6.5
8. Jackson, Verviers.	6.3
9. Dagunduro, Leuven	6.2
10. Gay, Verviers-Pep.	6.0

Assists Per Game

Darrel MITCHELL
  Oostende
  (180-G-84)
  Avg: 4.1

1. Mitchell, Oostende	4.1
2. Dagunduro, Leuven	3.7
3. Hatten, M.Hainaut	3.7
4. Waters, Verviers.	3.5
5. Moors, Antwerp	3.1
6. Bosco, Gent	2.9
7. Black, Antwerp	2.9
8. Miller, Leuven	2.7
9. Burrell, Aalstar	2.6
10. Mallet, Charleroi	2.6

Steals Per Game

Michael JENKINS
  Liege
  (191-G-86)
  Avg: 2.8

1. Jenkins, Liege	2.8
2. Hatten, M.Hainaut	2.4
3. Wilson, Antwerp	2.2
4. Mallet, Charleroi	2.2
5. Dagunduro, Leuven	2.2
6. Mitchell, Oostende	1.8
7. Taylor, M.Hainaut	1.8
8. Lojeski, Oostende	1.7
9. McCauley, M.Hai.	1.6
10. Bosco, Gent	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Andre RIDDICK
  Charleroi
  (205-C-73)
  Avg: 1.6

1. Riddick, Charleroi	1.6
2. Mejri, Antwerp	1.5
3. Johnson, Aalstar	1.0
4. Randle, Gent	0.8
5. Young, Aalstar	0.8
6. Tofi, Leuven	0.6
7. Pelle, Oostende	0.5
8. Freeman, Verviers.	0.5
9. Wilson, Antwerp	0.5
10. Dagunduro, Leuven	0.4

Belgian D1 round 32 best performance: Christopher Young - by Eurobasket News
American-Lithuanian power forward Christopher Young (206-F/C-79, agency: Court Side) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for second-ranked Generali Okapi Aalstar, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 32.
The 31-year old player was the main contributor (19 points, eight rebounds) to his team's victory, helping them to outclass Charleroi (#1, 22-5) with 27-point margin 71-44. The game was between two of the league's top four teams. Aalstar maintains the 2nd position in Belgian D1. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Aalstar will need more victories to improve their 20-9 record. Young turned to be Aalstar's top player in his first season with the team. Former University of Michigan star has very solid stats this year. Young is in league's top in rebounds (2nd best: 7.7rpg) and averages impressive 77.2% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was 24-year old Croatian Andrija Stipanovic (208-C-86) of Liege. Stipanovic had a very good evening with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Of course he lead Liege to another comfortable win 72-59 over slightly lower-ranked Gent (#9, 5-23) being unquestionably team leader. Liege's 8th position in the standings has not changed. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 10-19 record. Stipanovic is well-known at Liege and is a proven leader in his second season with the team.

Third on the list of top players last round was American Rashaun Freeman (206-C/F-84) of VOO Verviers-Pepinster (#7). Freeman scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Despite Freeman's great performance VOO Verviers-Pepinster lost 70-78 to the higher-ranked M.Hainaut (#3, 18-10). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of VOO Verviers-Pepinster not to end season at such low position in the league, however are less than slim as they have already lost 18 games, recording just ten victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Freeman could try to bring VOO Verviers-Pepinster's a little bit higher in the standings. Freeman has individually a great season in Belgium. After 28 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 15.4ppg (5th best) and rebounds with 7.9rpg (#1 in league).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Marcus Hatten (186-G-80) of M.Hainaut - 11 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists
5. Wen Boss Mukubu (198-G/F-83) of Liege - 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists
6. Ronell Taylor (196-G-82) of M.Hainaut - 16 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Darius Hargrove (193-G-82) of Verviers-Pep. - 17 points and 6 rebounds
8. Ahmad Nivins (206-F-87) of M.Hainaut - 9 points and 4 rebounds
9. Anthony Hilliard (193-G/F-86) of Aalstar - 12 points and 5 rebounds
10. Domien Loubry (186-G-85) of Gent - 9 points and 2 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)

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BOSNIA

MVP Goran Ikonic led Krka to the FIBA Eurochallenge title! - by Nedzad Kladusak
Slovenian Krka sensationally became the winner of the FIBA Eurochallenge cup. After an amazing 79-65 victory against Belgian Oostende the Bosnian NT guard contributed sensational 26 points and grabbed 6 boards. In the final.Krka faced Russian Lokomotiv that eliminated Spartak. Most experts didnt give a dime on rather unknown Krka but they have been surprised by a bravely fighting Slovenian underdog.Goran Ikonic (196-G-80) scored 12 points along with 5 assists and led his team to a 83-77 victory which is the greatest success of Krka.
Goran Ikonic has been voted for MVP which is is the most important personal achievement of our guard.
Henri Domercant, another Bosnian NT player had 33 points in the classification match but it turned out to be not enough to win against Oostende.

League Six: Regular season is over, Igokea is No.1 - by Eurobasket News
The Second Stage in D1 just ended. Igokea is No.1 with almost perfect 9-1 record. Four teams advanced to Playoff Semifinals, which start on Saturday, May 7.

League Six
1. Igokea 9-1
2. Siroki TT 8-2
3. Mladost 5-5
4. Borac Nektar 4-6
5. Capljina 2-8
6. Bosna 2-8

Semifinals paris:
Igokea - Borac Nektar
Siroki - Mladost

Bosna - Mladost 94-88

The most important game in the last round took place in Sarajevo between third ranked Mladost (5-5) and sixth ranked Bosna ASA BHT (2-8) on Saturday night. Mladost was defeated by Bosna ASA BHT in a tough game on the road 88-94. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 21-12. But Mladost won third quarter 22-14. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Bosna ASA BHT made 20-of-26 free shots (76.9 percent) during the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Mladost helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Guard Muhamed Pasalic (192-87) scored 32 points and 4 assists to lead the charge for the winners and Swedish-Serbian power forward Aleksandar Damjanovic (206-73) chipped in 25 points and 9 rebounds (on 10-of-13 shooting from the field) during the contest. Bosna ASA BHT's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side Serbian guard Milijan Bocka (186-82) responded with 30 points and 7 assists and Serbian power forward Ranko Velimirovic (203-72, agency: Beo Basket) scored 22 points and 5 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Bosna: M.Pasalic 32+3reb+4ast, A.Damjanovic 25+9reb+2ast, E.Camdzic 12+1ast, M.Batina 11+4reb+4ast, D.Hodzic 7+4reb+4ast, S.Sehovic 5+4reb+2ast
Mladost: M.Bocka 30+4reb+7ast, R.Velimirovic 22+5reb, M.Komatina 19+6reb+2ast, N.Milosevic 10+8reb+4ast, P.Ivanic 5+1reb, M.Kezic 2+2reb+3ast

Siroki TT - Borac Nektar 80-59

The game between Top Four teams took place in Siroki Brijeg. Second ranked host Siroki TT Kabeli (8-2) smashed 4th ranked Borac Nektar (4-6) 80-59. The game was mostly controlled by Siroki TT Kabeli. Borac Nektar was better in second period 20-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Borac Nektar to just 7 points in first quarter. Siroki TT Kabeli forced 22 Borac Nektar turnovers. Forward Boris Barac (205-92) notched 13 points and 8 rebounds to lead the effort and Croatian power forward Ivan Grgat (210-74, agency: Court Side) supported him with 15 points (made all of his seven free throws). Even a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds by center Drasko Albijanic (211-86) did not help to save the game for Borac Nektar. Serbian-Montenegrin guard Slobodan Tosic (195-80, agency: BeoExcell) added 12 points and 4 assists for lost side. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
Siroki TT: I.Grgat 15+4reb+1ast, B.Barac 13+8reb+1ast, S.Stemberger 11+2reb+3ast, D.Planinic 9+8reb+1ast, J.Bilinovac 8+2reb+1ast, D.Persic 6+1reb+1ast
Borac Nektar: D.Albijanic 12+12reb+2ast, S.Tosic 12+1reb+4ast, N.Pavlovic 11+3reb+1ast, I.Josipovic 9+1reb+3ast, R.Ivic 8+6reb+1ast, M.Trikic 4+1ast

Igokea - Capljina 90-50

D1 top team - Igokea (9-1) had no problems winning another game on Saturday. This time they crushed fifth ranked Capljina Lasta (2-8) in Aleksandrovac 90-50. The game was mostly controlled by Igokea. Capljina Lasta managed to win third quarter 13-12. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Igokea had a 35-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Capljina Lasta's players. American guard James Florence (185-G-88, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mercer) fired 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. The other American import center Donnell Harvey (203-80, college: Florida) chipped in 8 points and 9 rebounds. Igokea's coach Slobodan Klipa felt very confident that he used 11 players and allowed the starting five to rest. Serbian guard Stefan Fekete (188-86, agency: Beo Basket) produced 15 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international power forward Samir Leric (204-74) added 12 points and 5 rebounds respectively for lost side. Igokea have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 9-1 record.
Top scorers:
Igokea: J.Florence 14+5reb+6ast, C.Vitkovac 10+5reb+1ast, B.Djurica 10+4reb+2ast, S.Nadjfeji 9+4reb+4ast, M.Djerasimovic 8+1reb+4ast, M.Dozet 8+2reb+1ast
Capljina: S.Fekete 15+6reb+4ast, S.Leric 12+5reb+3ast, B.Pelkic 8+3reb, J.Brkic 8+9reb, S.Matic 3+1reb+1ast, N.Blazevic 2+6reb

Stats Leaders - D1

Points Per Game

Boris LALOVIC
  Hercegovac
  (206-C-81)
  Avg: 19.9

1. Lalovic, Hercegovac	19.9
2. Albijanic, Sloboda	17.4
3. Opacak, Celik	17.0
4. Fekete, Capljina	17.0
5. Kahrimanovic, Kak.	16.9
6. Rahimic, Bosna	16.8
7. Sakic, Zrinjski HT	16.7
8. Kahrimanovic, Zrin.	16.6
9. Komatina, Mladost	16.5
10. Gajovic, Hercegov.	16.3

Rebounds Per Game

Andrija PEJOVIC
  Hercegovac
  (205-C-83)
  Avg: 8

1. Pejovic, Hercegovac	8.0
2. Sakic, Zrinjski HT	7.6
3. Kuzmic, Celik	7.3
4. Jagodic Kuri., Bor.	7.2
5. Hajric, Zrinjski HT	7.2
6. Fekete, Capljina	6.4
7. Albijanic, Sloboda	6.4
8. Markovic, Varda HE	6.4
9. Vukovic, Slavija	6.2
10. Lalovic, Hercegov.	6.2

Assists Per Game

Vladimir RADOVANOVIC
  Herce.
  (194-G-81)
  Avg: 6.1

1. Radovanovic, Herce.	6.1
2. Pasalic, Bosna	4.7
3. Jovanovic, Borac N.	4.4
4. Fekete, Capljina	4.3
5. Boljkovac, Slavija	3.6
6. Markovic, Varda HE	3.5
7. Zdravkovic, Caplji.	3.5
8. Stanic, Slavija	3.4
9. Jovanovic, SL IAT	3.3
10. Bijelica, Capljina	3.2

Steals Per Game

Srdjan STANIC
  Slavija
  (186-G-84)
  Avg: 3.5

1. Stanic, Slavija	3.5
2. Radovanovic, Herce.	2.4
3. Gajovic, Hercegovac	2.3
4. Fekete, Capljina	2.1
5. Savovic, Slavija	2.1
6. Vranjes, Borac N.	2.0
7. Bijelica, Capljina	1.8
8. Lalovic, Hercegovac	1.7
9. Komatina, Mladost	1.7
10. Lesko, Brotnjo	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Ognjen KUZMIC
  Celik
  (215-C-90)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Kuzmic, Celik	1.8
2. Zimic, Bosna	1.6
3. Jocovic, Borac N.	0.8
4. Pejovic, Hercegovac	0.7
5. Pelkic, SL IAT L.	0.7
6. Durasovic, SL IAT	0.7
7. Brkic, Capljina	0.7
8. Duranovic, Mladost	0.7
9. Albijanic, Sloboda	0.7
10. Crnobrnja, Varda	0.6

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BRAZIL

Pinheiros/Sky scrape past Joinville into NBB semis - by Eurobasket News
Pinheiros/Sky made it into NBB semifinals. They defated pesky Joinville in the fifth decisive game of the quarterfinal series. Marquinhos Vinicius (207-F-84) stepped up with 31 points to lead the winners. Pinheiros/Sky will now take on the winners of BRB/Brasilia vs. Uberlandia clash.
Joinville won the previous two outings and started this game strongly. They outgunned the hosts 19:17 in the opening frame. Pinheiros/Sky gradually recovered and erased the deficit in the second stanza. The home team established a 40:36 halftime lead. Pinheiros erupted for 28 points in the third stanza to boost their lead. They entered the final period up by 9 points and withheld all of comeback efforts from Joinville to celebrate a tough win at the end. Shamell Stallworth (196-F-80, agency: Interperformances, college: USF) provided 20 points in the winning effort. Olivinha Rodriguez (202-F-83) contributed 14 points for Pinheiros/Sky. Andre Luiz Brugger (192-G-81) responded with 29 points for Joinville. Paulinho Boracini (183-G-84) delivered 13 points in defeat.

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BULGARIA

Priest Lauderdale is the MVP of regular season in Bulgaria - by Valentin Anguelov
Priest Lauderdale (221-C-73, college: Central State) from Levski is most valuable player - MVP for the regular season in the National Basketball League. The big guy returned to Bulgaria in the team of Chernomorets, where he started the season, then he moved in the midseason to Levski. He was again a dominant force under the hoop and showed his class. 37-year-old PL had average of 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 18 games in his NBL. Thus, its efficiency of 24.8 per game and gives him the title MVP of the regular season in the rankings. In order to get in every player needed to play at least 12 games.

Second position in the prestigious ranking is shared between two basketball players. The first is the winner of last year's title of MVP and best scorer for the past two seasons Aaron Harper from Levski. It records an average of 23.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists. The captain of Spartak Pleven Hrisimir Dimitrov was ranked again very high and finished the regular season with 19.0 points averaged. 6.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists. Those two basketball players have efficiency factor 20.6 per game and rank among the best of the season.

Fourth is a Ivan Lilov from Rilski Sportist. The young Bulgarian has shown what he is capable and has grown even more in his game this season, and its indicators are 21.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. It occupies the second place in the scorer list and the his efficiency is 19.2 points.

Interesting and happy for Bulgarian basketball is the fact that during the last 5 seasons in elite male championship always top 5 by a factor had more foreigners than Bulgarians. Now, however, the Bulgarian representatives in the Top 5 are three, and foreigners - two.

The Foreigners won HDI All Star Game - by Christomir Rackov
The Foreigners won HDI All Star Game in Yambol. They defeated the Bulgarians 128-126 in an entertaining game. The foreigner started better the game and took the early lead. The were in front for most of the game and led 75-60 at the break.
Durint the break there was the dunk contest that was won by Donald Cole. The 3-point shooting award went to Martin Durchev from the team of Yambol.
In the second half the Bulgarian tried to cut the deficit and started to do so. With 3 minutes to go the score was tied 121-121 but until the end The Foreigners were able to pull in front and win.
Aaron Harper (199-G/F-81, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Mississippi) was chosen MVP of the game with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Travis Peterson added 19 points.
For the Bulgarian team Bojidar Avramov had 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Nikolay Varbanov had 19 points and 16 boards, while Yulian Radionov also had 19 points.

FULL STATS FROM HDI ALL STAR GAME

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Priest LAUDERDALE
  Cherno.
  (221-C-73)
  Avg: 23.2

1. Lauderdale, Cherno.	23.2
2. Harper, Levski	23.2
3. Lilov, Rilski S.	21.9
4. Dimitrov, Spartak	19.0
5. Bozov, Balkan	17.0
6. Naydenov, Chernom.	16.8
7. Davidov, Balkan	15.8
8. Govedarov, Tundja	15.5
9. Lauderdale, Levski	14.9
10. Kambala, Lukoil A.	14.4

Rebounds Per Game

Priest LAUDERDALE
  Cherno.
  (221-C-73)
  Avg: 13.1

1. Lauderdale, Cherno.	13.1
2. Varbanov, Tundja	10.5
3. Yanev, Cherno More	8.4
4. Todorov, Spartak	7.6
5. Kolev, Cherno More	7.3
6. Radojevic, Rilski	7.1
7. Georgiev, Levski	6.8
8. Peterson, Lukoil A.	6.7
9. Kambala, Lukoil A.	6.7
10. Dimitrov, Spartak	6.5

Assists Per Game

Jason CROWE
  Levski
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 5.6

1. Crowe, Levski	5.6
2. Alexiev, Cherno M.	4.3
3. Bozov, Balkan	4.1
4. Dyakovski, Spartak	4.1
5. Heath, Lukoil A.	4.0
6. Govedarov, Tundja	3.9
7. James, Lukoil A.	3.9
8. Gruev, Rilski S.	3.4
9. Lilov, Rilski S.	3.3
10. Dimitrov, Spartak	3.2

Steals Per Game

Jason CROWE
  Levski
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Crowe, Levski	2.4
2. Heath, Lukoil A.	2.2
3. Zahariev, Chernomo.	2.1
4. Radionov, Tundja	2.0
5. Bozov, Balkan	1.9
6. James, Lukoil A.	1.9
7. Dimitrov, Spartak	1.7
8. Stojanovski, Lukoi.	1.6
9. Marinov, Balkan	1.6
10. Bowman, Lukoil A.	1.6

Blocks Per Game

Priest LAUDERDALE
  Cherno.
  (221-C-73)
  Avg: 2.4

1. Lauderdale, Cherno.	2.4
2. Doychinov, Balkan	1.3
3. Varbanov, Tundja	1.0
4. Radojevic, Rilski	1.0
5. Lauderdale, Levski	0.9
6. Neuhaus, Chernomo.	0.8
7. Banev, Lukoil A.	0.7
8. Mijovic, Rilski S.	0.6
9. Vaklinov, Rilski S.	0.6
10. Iliev, Cherno More	0.6

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CYPRUS

Standings - Division B

Division B Standings

1. APOP Paphou		17-3
2. Anagennises		17-4
3. Doxa		17-4
4. Onisilos		13-8
5. Zinon		10-9
6. Athanasiou		7-12
7. Olympos		7-13
8. Achilleas Agrou		5-14
9. Argonaftes		5-16
10. Enosis		4-16
11. Asteras		2-6
12. Athl.Aradippou		1-2
13. Akademia		0-0
14. Athl.Ey Zin		0-0

23rd ISF World School Championship Basketball: The Cyprus team in the 7th place - by Chris Mammides
The Lyceum of Saint-Nicolaos in Limasol finally got the 7th place in the World tournament which took place between the 23rd of April to 1st of May, 2011 in the town of Zhangjiangang of Republic of China. The young talents of Coach Ninos Eliadis had the unfortunate decision of the Management team to be part of a much difficult group than the one which they supposed to be as instead of the second place which they earn in teh first round, the Chinese management of the Tournament put them in the first position which change entirely the dynamics of the teams which were participating in it. That was resulted that the Cypriot players to be play against the strong teams of France (lost in the final against Chinese School) 45-66, then played against the Denish lyceum which they lost in the final stage 66-62 (The Danish team ended up in the fifth place.
The the young Cypriots played against the team of Italy - Liceo Scientifico 'Galileo Galilei' - Trieste which they beat with 61-51 and they finally won the 7th place of the Global tournament in 18 countries.

It is worth mentioned that the Champion team of High School att. Tsinghua University - Beijing played against the young Cypriots in the first round and the young Cypriots lost by one basket at the end 50-48.

Top performers for the Cyprus team were the following:
Roberto Alexander Mantovani (200-F-94)
Renos Georgiou (185-G-94)
Stefanos Iliadis (183-G-94)
Dimitris Aristotelous (185-G-94)

23rd ISF World School Championship Basketball: The Cyprus team in the 7th place - by Chris Mammides
The Lyceum of Saint-Nicolaos in Limasol finally got the 7th place in the World tournament which took place between the 23rd of April to 1st of May, 2011 in the town of Zhangjiangang of Republic of China. The young talents of Coach Eliadis had the unfortunate decision of the Management team to be part of a much difficult group than the one which they supposed to be as instead of the second place which they earn in teh first round, the Chinese management of the Tournament put them in the first position which change entirely the dynamics of the teams which were participating in it. That was resulted that the Cypriot players to be play against the strong teams of France (lost in the final against Chinese School) 45-66, then played against the Denish lyceum which they lost in the final stage 66-62 (The Danish team ended up in the fifth place.
The the young Cypriots played against the team of Italy - Liceo Scientifico 'Galileo Galilei' - Trieste which they beat with 61-51 and they finally won the 7th place of the Global tournament in 18 countries.

It is worth mentioned that the Champion team of High School att. Tsinghua University - Beijing played against the young Cypriots in the first round and the young Cypriots lost by one basket at the end 50-48.

Top performers for the Cyprus team were the following:
Mantovani

An interview with Dabkus Valdas - by Michael Aristidou
One of the best players of InterCollege Etha Engomis this season was lithuanian Valdas Dabkus (204-F-84). This year was probably the best season of the players career.

1) End of season in Cyprus league and your team Etha is celebrating the double. What are your feelings?

It was fantastic. Reaching the double and participation in Eurochallenge was everything I could expect before the season. I am also very happy for the club, because all the hard work off the court also paid off. It was well deserved victories.

2) That was if am not wrong your first title after the polish championship back in 2003. Eight years was enough?

Yes, it has been a long time. But the taste of success always remains. As a competitor, every time you step on the court you give everything you have at a time. And sometimes it brings you medals.

3) Your contribution to Etha success was very important. Do you consider this year one of your best in your career?
Definitely so. I think I had good Eurochallenge campaign and I hope I was able to help the team as much as I could during the whole season.

4) You are named also in All-Cyprus League 2nd team and Cyprus League All-Bosmans 1st team. A double award from Eurobasket. What are your comments about that?
Personal awards do not win championships. I am lithuanian and we are always taught to play team basketball. Of course it is nice to receive such recognition, but now I am a lot more pleased to be a Cyprus champion and a Cup winner.

5) How do you see next year for your team if we considered that Etha renew your contract.

I liked everything here - coaching staff, management, teammates, conditions to live as an import player. And if the club wants to see me next season again, I think will not think a lot.

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D-LEAGUE

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

EUROCHALLENGE

Sunday's EuroChallenge games: free video highlights now online - by Bert Larsimont

Free fibatv.com video highlights of the 2011 EuroChallenge's game for third place and final are available online.
These video highlights of yesterday's FIBA EuroChallenge Final Four action can be viewed:

- Spartak Saint Petersburg vs. Telenet Oostende (in English, source fibatv.com) on http://www.fibatv.com/page/Video/0,,12805~1759434,00.html?tabb=highlights&pnumber=1

and

- Lokomotiv Kuban vs. KRKA Novo Mesto (in English, source fibatv.com) on http://www.fibatv.com/page/Video/0,,12805~1759470,00.html?tabb=highlights&pnumber=1.

Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge Awards 2010-11 - by Eurobasket

All-EuroChallenge 1st Team 2010-2011

Ikonic

Woodside

Massey

Booker

Wilkinson

Player of the Year: Goran Ikonic (196-G-80) of Krka Slovenia

Guard of the Year: Goran Ikonic (196-G-80) of Krka Slovenia

Forward of the Year: Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82) of Lokomotiv Russia

Center of the Year: Christopher Booker (208-F/C-81) of Krka Slovenia

European Player of the Year: Goran Ikonic (196-G-80) of Krka Slovenia

Import of the Year: Christopher Booker (208-F/C-81) of Krka Slovenia

Defensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82) of Lokomotiv Russia

Coach of the Year: Aleksandar Dzikic of Krka Slovenia

1st Team
G: Ben Woodside (180-85) of Gravelines France

G: Goran Ikonic (196-80) of Krka Slovenia

F: Jeremiah Massey (202-82) of Lokomotiv Russia

F/C: Christopher Booker (208-81) of Krka Slovenia

F: Michael Wilkinson (204-81) of Lokomotiv Russia

2nd Team
G: Anton Ponkrashov (200-86) of Spartak SP Russia

G: Adrian Banks (191-86) of Elitzur Netanya Israel

F: Caleb Green (203-85) of Oostende Belgium

F: Kyle Landry (206-86) of BK Prostejov Czech Republic

C/F: Joakim Kjellbom (213-79) of Norrkoping Sweden

3rd Team
G: Henry Domercant (192-80) of Spartak SP Russia

G: Matt Lojeski (198-85) of Oostende Belgium

G/F: Rashad Anderson (195-83) of Ventspils Latvia

F: Andre Smith (203-85) of Karsiyaka Turkey

F: Pero Antic (210-82) of Spartak SP Russia

Honorable Mention
Damjan Stojanovski (197-F-87) of Lukoil Academik Bulgaria

Zoran Dragic (196-G-89) of Krka Slovenia

Germaine Jackson (195-PG-76) of Maccabi Haifa Israel

Lionel Chalmers (184-G-80) of Lokomotiv Russia

Mohammed Abukar (208-F-85) of Lugano Tigers Switzerland

Callistus Eziukwu (208-F/C-85) of TU/Rock Estonia

Curtis Millage (185-G-81) of Khimik Ukraine

John Linehan (175-G-78) of Nancy France

Salah Mejri (214-C-86) of Antwerp Belgium

Jovo Stanojevic (208-C-77) of Karsiyaka Turkey

Darnell Wilson (198-F-85) of Antwerp Belgium

All-Europeans Team
G: Anton Ponkrashov (200-86) of Spartak SP Russia

G: Goran Ikonic (196-80) of Krka Slovenia

F: Damjan Stojanovski (197-87) of Lukoil Academik Bulgaria

F: Pero Antic (210-82) of Spartak SP Russia

C/F: Joakim Kjellbom (213-79) of Norrkoping Sweden

All-Imports Team
G: Ben Woodside (180-85) of Gravelines France

G: Adrian Banks (191-86) of Elitzur Netanya Israel

F: Jeremiah Massey (202-82) of Lokomotiv Russia

F/C: Christopher Booker (208-81) of Krka Slovenia

F: Michael Wilkinson (204-81) of Lokomotiv Russia

BC Oostende defeats Spartak in a thriller to earn third place - by Bert Larsimont

2000 people, mostly local fans, attended the 2011 EuroChallenge game for third place on Sunday afternoon. Spartak's US star Patrick Beverley, a former Miami Heat player, was left on the bench because of injury.

After some nice moves by the big men of Spartak and BCO (Petar Popovic on one side and William Thomas on the other side), it was the turn of Matt Lojeski (198-G-85, college: Hawaii), well assisted by Darrel Mitchell (180-G-84, agency: Beo Basket, college: LSU) and Veselin Petrovic (196-G/F-77, agency: Beo Basket), to give the local Yellows a 7-11 advantage. Despite a great BCO defense, Spartak came closer: 11-12, when Van den Spiegel first came onto the floor. After several missed attempts on both sides of the court, Henry Domercant (192-G-80, college: E.Illinois) eventually hit a three for Spartak and was immediately imitated by Telenet Oostende's Bosnian shooter Veselin Petrovic: 13-15 for BCO. The game was pleasant and Spartak's US player Henry Domercant looked much concentrated from shooting range. He even fixed the score at 20-20 on a great dunk just before the end of the first quarter.

Trevor Huffman (185-PG-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Kent St.) could easily find Thomas Van Den Spiegel (214-C-78) in the paint to give him assists but it was showtime on Spartak's side with Antic, Dragovic and Zupan completing impressive and spectacular offensive plays: 27-23. With young local talent Quentin Serron (190-G-90) giving assists to Thomas VDS, just like Mitchell and Huffman did previously in this game, BCO came back in the race and even took the lead: 27-29 with 6:53 remaining in the second quarter. After 33-37 by Mitchell on two converted free-throws for BCO, Spartak Saint Petersburg, despite the hard work of Popovic inside and Anton Ponkrashov on the wings, could not avoid a deficit of 7 points (38-45) later on. And even 8 points after the last succesful three-pointer hit by BC Oostende's US player Will Thomas! Score at the half: 40-48. Domercant (10 points) for Spartak and Lojeski (11 points) for BC Oostende had been the best scorers.

Quickly after the break, the Russian squad tied the game at 48-48 (by Antic, Ponkrashov and Domercant) but BCO reacted well and made 48-53. The game was really pleasant to watch and fans, present at the Sleuyter Arena, really enjoyed it! Spartak's deaf player Miha Zupan of Slovenia showed the way to his mates and helped his team by scoring twice: 57-59. Spartak even made 59-59 and 62-59 by Domercant from behind the arch. A dunk by Will Thomas was needed to put Telenet Oostende on the right track again. Coach Svi Sherf, obviously unhappy, took a time-out before the end of the third quarter to tell his guys to select better shots. It did not happen in the last seconds but BCO players missed the defensive rebounds and gave a chance to Domercant to make 64-61 on two free throws. An unexpected big three from downtown by young Belgian player Quentin Serron fixed the score at 64-64 on the buzzer at the end of the third quarter.

Huffman put BCO into orbit on two long three-pointers and a jump shot: 69-74 but Spartak stars Domercant and Antic had not said their last word in this game. It was 74-76 on a bonus hit by Henry Domercant with just 4 minutes left in the game. Spartak kept being close despite the hard defensive work of BCO players Thomas Van Den Spiegel and Matt Lojeski. Spartak took the lead again at 78-77. Both teams played tough defense. Mitchell was allowed to shoot from the free-throw line and hit the two shots to bring BC Oostende ahead 78-79 with 1:15 remaining on the clock. ... Spartak center Pero Antic had his fifth foul in the meantime. Henry Domercant only made 1/2 from the line a few seconds later to make 79-79 and so did Will Thomas on the other side to make 79-80.... Domercant, again from long range seemed to definitely give the lead to the Spartak squad. But Huffman, again from the free-throw line after the fifth foul of Aleksey Kotishevskiy, tied the game at 82-82 with 9 seconds remaining. Domercant, already 29 points until then, missed his last three-point attempt and a first overtime in this Final Four was going to be played.

It seemed to be just a free-throw issue... The scoring in the first part of the OT was almost exclusively from the free-throw line indeed. After an impressive dunk by Zupan, Spartak led 89-86 with 1:55 remaining on the clock. A bad pass by Mitchell allowed Spartak to set a fastbreak and Domercant was fouled. He hit the two free throws to give the Reds a 91-86 lead. But in a very thrilling comeback, BC Oostende still emerged (thanks to a great job by Lojeski and Mitchell, hitting a crucial three-point shot) 92-94 despite the last desperado by Nikola Dragovic and after the fifth and offensive fouls called on Henry Domercant.

This game had been tied 15 times and 13 lead changes were recorded, this shows how close this fantastic match really was.

Best scorers for Spartak: Henry Domercant 33, Aleksey Ponkrashov 13, Pero Antic 13, Nikola Dragovic 11, Miha Zupan 10.
Best scorers for BC Oostende: Darrel Mitchell 18, Matt Lojeski 15, Will Thomas 15, Trevor Huffman 15.

2011 EuroChallenge: KRKA Novo Mesto of Slovenia brings the trophy back home - by Bert Larsimont

It was a lounge atmosphere at the Sleuyter Arena as only 2000 people showed up to attend the 2011 EuroChallenge Final. Both teams, Lokomotiv Kuban and KRKA Novo Mesto, played on a good rhythm and none of both was really dominating in the fist minutes of the game. Jeremiah Massey (202-F-82, college: Kansas St.) hit a three-point shot to give his Spartak team the lead 4-3 but the tough KRKA defense made the difference afterwards. After several fastbreaks, KRKA Novo Mesto was ahead 6-12 with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter when Coach Kestutis Kemzura took a first important time-out. A crucial one indeed as his team tied the game later on at 14-14 after two easy baskets by Michael Wilkinson (204-F-81, agency: Interperformances, college: Wisconsin) and a great three by Lionel Chalmers (184-G-80, college: Xavier). After Aleksandar Dzikic's time-out for KRKA, Goran Jeretin (192-G-79, agency: Beo Basket) and Sergey Toporov (197-F-81) of Lokomotiv kept giving assists to Michael Wilkinson who was well present underneath the basket to score. A last three-pointer at the last second of the first quarter even gave Lokomotiv a lead by 2 points: 20-18.

Christopher Booker (208-F/C-81, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Purdue), the only non-European player of KRKA Novo Mesto, had done a good job in the first quarter and kept doing so in the beginning of the second one. He and young Slovenian talent Zoran Dragic (196-G-89) put their team in front: 20-26. Dragic agains grabbed an important rebound to make 22-30. The game turned out to be very spectacular: Alando Tucker on the Lokomotiv side (alley oop) and Christopher Booker on the KRKA side (two shots from downtown). After 28-35, the Russian team was again able to speed up and come back at 34-35. Well led by Dusan Djordjevic (195-G-83, agency: Beo Basket), KRKA re-took one larger positive margin at 34-41 but Lokomotiv on a last rush in the first half avoided a large deficit. The scoreboard showed 41-43 at the half. A big difference compared with what happened Friday night, much more points came from the bench this time for Lokomotiv: 21 on the whole. Christopher Booker of KRKA was the best scorer with 13 points in this game at half-time.

Goran Ikonic (196-G-80), the hero of Friday night, hit two three-pointers in a row to put his KRKA team ahead: 43-49. At the middle of the third quarter, the scoreboard showed 50-51. Goran Ikonic of KRKA had been forcing too many shots and the game got physically tougher and the two teams were more agressive. Lokomotiv's key players Michael Wilkinson and Goran Jeretin even gave a 55-54 lead to their team. It was an almost perfect game as no team was willing to give up and kept scoring spectacular baskets. Booker came back on the floor for KRKA but despite his great efforts as well as the ones of Zoran Dragic and Edo Muric (202-F-91), Lokomotiv had a larger lead at the end of the third quarter: 65-61.

A time-out for KRKA at 67-63 in the beginning of the last quarter proves that it was a very strategic game played by both teams. Zoran Dragic, young brother of NBA Houston Rockets' Goran Dragic (194-G-86), kept his team alive at 69-65 with 6:30 left in this final game. Michael Wilkinson, very efficient, gave then Lokomotiv the right to be very hopeful: 72-65 to enter the moneytime. A big three by Surovtsev of Lokomotiv was followed by one on the other side: 75-70 by Booker from long range indeed. A few seconds later, Ikonic even made 75-72 on an uneasy crucial lay-up with 3:29 left on the clock. Lokomotiv kept losing balls and turning the ball over under the Slovenian pressure and KRKA was again in front at 75-76 (Booker and Pavic inside). Dragic first and Djordjevic on a three-pointer made 75-81 with 1:04 remaining on the clock. One last time-out and last efforts by Lokomotiv did not change anything, KRKA Novo Mesto is definitely the 2011 FIBA EuroChallenge title winner thanks to a last impressive 16-0 scoring run. 77-83 is the final score! The Slovenians can cut the net as they will bring the trophy back home.

Goran Ikonic was voted MVP of the 2011 EuroChallenge Final Four.

Best scorers for Lokomotiv Kuban: Michael Wilkinson 21, Alando Tucker 10, Jeremiah Massey 11.
Best scorers for Krka Novo Mesto: Christopher Booker 20, Zoran Dragic 12, Smiljan Pavic 13, Dusan Djordjevic 8, Goran Ikonic 12.

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

FINLAND

Stats Leaders - Korisliiga

Points Per Game

Jonathan HEARD
  Tarmo
  (198-G/F-86)
  Avg: 21.9

1. Heard, Tarmo	21.9
2. Wilson, Honka	21.8
3. Wood, Karhu	20.6
4. Lewis, LrNM.	20.5
5. Bailey, LrNM.	19.6
6. Barrett, KTP	19.5
7. Blanchard, ToPo	19.4
8. Walker, Kouvot	19.4
9. Williamson, Honka	19.2
10. Baxley, Karhu	18.5

Rebounds Per Game

Jeremiah WOOD
  Karhu
  (200-F-85)
  Avg: 13

1. Wood, Karhu	13.0
2. Kaunisto, Kouvot	10.6
3. Doaks, Salon Vilpas	10.1
4. Mathis, Namika Lah.	9.9
5. Williams, Pyrinto	9.7
6. Young, Tarmo	9.6
7. Vinson, Kouvot	9.0
8. Blanchard, ToPo	9.0
9. Coleman, LrNM.	8.8
10. Belser, Honka	8.5

Assists Per Game

Malik MOORE
  LrNM.
  (192-G-77)
  Avg: 4.8

1. Moore, LrNM.	4.8
2. Johnson, Karhu	4.8
3. Suonio, Namika Lah.	4.3
4. Williams, Pyrinto	4.2
5. Wood, Karhu	3.9
6. Virtanen, Kataja	3.9
7. Fields, KTP	3.6
8. Ivey, KTP	3.6
9. Sarcevic, Korihait	3.5
10. Wilson, Honka	3.3

Steals Per Game

Jerald FIELDS
  KTP
  (201-F-82)
  Avg: 2.1

1. Fields, KTP	2.1
2. Wood, Karhu	2.1
3. Moore, Korihait	1.9
4. Williams, Pyrinto	1.9
5. Conerly, Tarmo	1.8
6. Heard, Tarmo	1.7
7. Lewis, LrNM.	1.6
8. Richards, ToPo	1.6
9. Sarcevic, Korihait	1.6
10. Newson, Kataja	1.6

Blocks Per Game

James REAVES
  Korihait
  (203-F-82)
  Avg: 0.8

1. Reaves, Korihait	0.8
2. Wilson, Honka	0.7
3. Heard, Tarmo	0.7
4. Hendley, Namika La.	0.7
5. Bailey, LrNM.	0.7
6. Young, Tarmo	0.6
7. Blanchard, ToPo	0.6
8. Wright, Korihait	0.6
9. Heinonen, Korihait	0.6
10. Suonio, Namika La.	0.6

KORISLIIGA: It was a thriller! - by Rauno Hurmalainen
Korisliiga, The Finals, Game # 4: It was a real thriller! The home Team (Kataja, Joensuu) winning again at home and the visitor (Pyrinto, Tampere) losing this time by four: 74-70 (41-26). Quarters: 14-10, 27-16, 16-21, 17-23. Kataja almost crushing Pyrinto during the first half. Pyrinto's Damon Williams (201-F-73, college: Colorado St.-Pueblo) to TV-reporter at that moment: 'Our game is terrible! No heart'. But Pyrinto came back to the game. Kenneth Lowe's (192-G-80, college: Purdue) 3-pointers 5/5 in the game, but Pyrinto missing too many FTs. D.Williams himself was 2/8 from the charity stripe. Kataja's biggest lead was 19 points (49-30 at 24:00), but Pyrinto was leading by three (62-65), when there was 2:43 minutes to go. Jason Conley (196-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Missouri) and Jared Newson (195-G/F-84, agency: Court Side, college: Tennessee-Martin) were the key players at the end. Conley was in Finland 2008-09 and helped YMCA Lahti to win Finnish Championship. Take Conley on the roster and win it all! We will see on Wednesday, May 4, if this is true! Game # 5 in Tampere at 6:30 p.m. Pyrinto after the second, Kataja after the very first Finnish Championship.
Kataja - Pyrinto 74-70 (41-26). (Jason Conley 26, Jared Newson 18, Darren Fells 12/13. 1 - 85% (17/20), 2 - 46% (18/39), 3 - 33% (7/21). R: 25+11=36. TO: 11. - Kenneth Lowe 28, Antwine Williams 16, Damon Williams 15/11. 1 - 56% (9/16), 2 - 39% (17/44), 3 - 45% (9/20). R: 25+16=41. TO: 14. Kataja - Pyrinto 2-2.

Kataja tied the series against Pyrinto - by Eurobasket News
Kataja - Pyrinto 74-70

The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Tampereen Pyrinto won third quarter 21-16. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Joensuun Kataja made 17-of-20 free shots (85.0 percent) during the game. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Jason Conley (196-81, college: Missouri, agency: Pro One Sports) who helped to win the game recording 26 points. Power forward Darren Fells (201-86, agency: Court Side) contributed with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Guard Kenneth Lowe (192-80, college: Purdue) replied with 28 points and 6 rebounds (perfect from downtown making all five shots) and forward Damon Williams (201-73, college: Colorado St.-Pueblo) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Tampereen Pyrinto.
Top scorers:
Kataja: J.Conley 26+3reb+1ast, J.Newson 18+6reb, D.Fells 12+13reb+3ast, J.Nenonen 8+2reb, A.Kanervo 5+3reb, P.Virtanen 4+1reb+3ast
Pyrinto: K.Lowe 28+6reb+1ast, A.Williams 16+5reb+1ast, D.Williams 15+11reb+1ast, A.Nikkila 6+8reb+1ast, J.Harjula 3+2ast, A.Lehto 2+1ast

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

FRANCE

Lamont Hamilton claims French ProA weekly honour (by BasketStore) - by Eurobasket News

American Lamont Hamilton (208-F-84) had an amazing evening in the last round for Paris-Levallois and that's him to receive a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 28.
The 26-year old forward had a double-double of 26 points and eleven rebounds, while his team beat Orleans (11-17) 77-72. The game was not the highest importance and did not have significant influence on the top of the standings. Paris-Levallois is placed at 12th position in French ProA. Paris-Levallois is rather a weak team placed in lower part in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 11-17 record. In the team's last game Hamilton had a remarkable 69.2% from 2-point range. It's his second year at Paris-Levallois and it's hard to imagine this team without him. St.John's University graduate has very impressive stats this year. Hamilton is in league's top in points (9th best: 15.3ppg) and averages solid 55.4% FGP.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was 27-year old British forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (206-F-83, agency: SportsTalent) of ASVEL. Mensah-Bonsu impressed basketball fans with a double-double of 24 points and 17 rebounds. It was enough for ASVEL to edge the lower-ranked Limoges (#16, 8-20) by 4 points 79-75. ASVEL's 6th position in the standings has not changed. His team lost some distance to top teams. But 17-11 record is not bad and everything may still change. Mensah-Bonsu is one of the most experienced players at ASVEL and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players.

The third best performed player last round was Nigerian Chinemelu Elonu (208-F/C-87, agency: Impact Basketball) of Pau-Lacq-Orthez (#10). Elonu scored 22 points and grabbed twelve rebounds (!!!). Despite Elonu's great performance Pau-Lacq-Orthez lost 79-81 to the higher-ranked Chalon (#2, 19-9). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Pau-Lacq-Orthez not to end season at such low position in the league, however are less than slim as they have already lost 17 games, recording just eleven victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Elonu could try to bring Pau-Lacq-Orthez's a little bit higher in the standings. Elonu has a very solid season. In 13 games in France he scored 8.6ppg. He also has 6.7rpg, 1.4bpg and FGP: 62.5%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Alex Acker (196-G-83) of Le Mans - 33 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists
5. Mouhamed Sene (213-C-86) of Gravelines - 13 points and 14 rebounds
6. Antywane Robinson (203-F-84) of Cholet - 19 points and 9 rebounds
7. Antoine Diot (191-G-89) of Le Mans - 16 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists
8. Joao Paulo Batista (207-F/C-81) of Le Mans - 19 points and 11 rebounds
9. Bernard King (196-G-81) of Le Havre - 21 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists
10. Slaven Rimac (195-G-74) of Pau-Lacq-Orthez - 23 points and 5 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)

Stats Leaders - ProA

Points Per Game

Davon JEFFERSON
  AS.
  (203-F-86)
  Avg: 18.4

1. Jefferson, AS.	18.4
2. Hughes, Hyeres-T.	18.4
3. Mejia, Cholet	18.0
4. Nichols, Vichy	17.3
5. Darden, Nancy	17.1
6. Massie, Limoges	16.9
7. King, Le Havre	15.8
8. Shuler, Vichy	15.8
9. Hamilton, Paris-.	15.3
10. Woodside, Graveli.	14.6

Rebounds Per Game

Pops MENSAH-BONSU
  AS.
  (206-F-83)
  Avg: 9.9

1. Mensah-Bonsu, AS.	9.9
2. Massie, Limoges	9.2
3. Krupalija, Hyeres.	8.9
4. Akingbala, Nancy	8.4
5. Issa, Gravelines	8.1
6. Jones, Le Havre	7.8
7. Hughes, Hyeres-T.	7.6
8. Koffi, Le Mans	7.6
9. Jefferson, AS.	7.3
10. Sene, Gravelines	7.1

Assists Per Game

Kareem REID
  Vichy
  (178-G-75)
  Avg: 6.3

1. Reid, Vichy	6.3
2. Woodside, Gravelin.	5.9
3. Taylor, Limoges	5.8
4. King, Le Havre	5.7
5. Wright, Limoges	5.5
6. Gipson, Pau-Lacq.	5.5
7. Linehan, Nancy	5.5
8. Walsh, AS.	5.0
9. Diabate, Roanne	4.7
10. Sciarra, Pau-La.	4.7

Steals Per Game

John LINEHAN
  Nancy
  (175-G-78)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Linehan, Nancy	2.9
2. Diot, Le Mans	2.3
3. Walsh, AS.	2.2
4. Darden, Nancy	2.0
5. Dobbins, Hyeres-T.	2.0
6. Elegar, Vichy	2.0
7. Albicy, Paris-Le.	1.8
8. Diabate, Roanne	1.8
9. Sangare, Le Havre	1.8
10. Schilb, Chalon	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Cyril AKPOMEDAH
  Grave.
  (203-F-79)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Akpomedah, Grave.	1.8
2. Falker, Cholet	1.5
3. Jefferson, AS.	1.5
4. Elonu, Pau-Lacq.	1.4
5. Akingbala, Nancy	1.3
6. Sene, Gravelines	1.3
7. Issa, Gravelines	1.3
8. Koffi, Le Mans	1.2
9. Fofana, AS.	1.1
10. Wilkinson, Le Hav.	1.0

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

GERMANY

The Walter Tigers Tuebingen Sign Josh Young - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Only 15 days ago, Josh Young (185-G-88, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Drake) was sitting behind the Telekom Baskets Bonn bench in Frankfurt watching The Deutsche Bank Skyliners take apart Bonn and dreaming about the chance to play in the beko BBL someday, now his chance to play in the top league in Germany has become a reality as The Walter Tigers Tuebingen wasted no time getting an early jump on the 2011-2012 transfer market signing the American. Young is a 23 year old 185cm combo guard from Oklahoma. This is an interesting signing by Tuebingen in that Young comes from the PRO B. He tore up the German PRO B for Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-ProB, starting five) coming late in the season in December playing 11 games: 26.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 45.3%, FT: 79.0%. Young had had a tryout with Tuebingen in April and convinced coach Igor Perovic of his abilities. 'With Josh Young, we have gotten a very interesting player for next season. He is very quick on his feet, is athletic, can pass well and has a good shot. We want to make our game quick again', warned Walter Tigers Tuebingen coach Igor Perovic . Young also is thrilled about getting a chance to show his best stuff in the beko BBL for Tuebingen next season. 'I am looking forward to the challenge in Tuebingen. My first impression was a good one and I felt at home. A very family like atmosphere with good management didnt make my decision hard. I like the playing style of coach Perovic which fits my game well', added Josh Young. Young played at Drake from 2006-2010 playing together for some time with ex Skyliner Adam Emmenecker. In his senior year, Young played 32 games: 14.4ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 73.0%. In 2010, he was drafted by the Austin Toros (D-League,3rd (14). Some awards and achievements in his short career so far have been MVC All-Freshman Team -07, MVC All-Newcomer Team -07, NABC Division I All-District 12 Second Team -08, MVC Regular Season Champion -08, MVC Tournament Winner -08, All-MVC 1st Team -08, 10, MVC All-Scholar-Athlete 1st Team -08, NABC Division I All-District 16 Second Team -09, All-MVC 2nd Team -09, MVC Scholar-Athlete 1st Team -09, NABC Division I All-District 16 1st Team -10, Eurobasket.com All-German 2. Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -11, and Eurobasket.com German 2. Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -11.

Source: Walter Tigers Tuebingen

Torvoris Baker (s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg) We Had Tunnel Vision And Focused On Putting Away BV Chmenitz - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Torvoris Baker (201-F-83, college: Detroit Mercy) is a 201 cm forward that was born in Albany, New York and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He played at Detroit-Mercy (NCAA) from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 32 games averaging 8.9ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.3apg, FG: 50.6%, 3PT: 11.1%, FT: 64.1%. In 2006-2007, he came to Europe and played for Neptune Cork (Ireland-SuperLeague, starting five): 16 games: 23.0ppg, 14.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 65.5%, FT: 44.2%. In 2007-2008, he played for Hertener Lwen (Germany-ProB, starting five): 30 games: 18.8ppg, Reb-2 (11.6rpg), 2.2apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 58.3%, 3FGP: 28.0%, FT: 58.7% In 2008-2009, he played for Chemnitz 99 (Germany-ProA, starting five): 30 games: 12.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 48.9%, 3PT: 7.1%, FT: 55.7%. In 2009-2010, he played for GiroLive-Ballers Osnabrueck (Germany-ProA, starting five): 27 games: 16.1ppg, Reb-5 (8.8rpg), 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 34.2%, FT: 62.2%. This season, he played for the S. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg playing 30games averaging 5.6ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 18.9%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to eurobasket concerning winning the 2011 PRO A title.

Congrats on the 77-61 win against BV Chemnitz and reaching the beko BBL. What was your first thought as the buzzer sounded after 40 minutes?

After game regulation, I thanked GOD for helping use climb out the hole we made. But winning a championship game at home was a great feeling. I like to call it a case of pursuit to happiness.

Where would you rate this win with other big games in your career?

Well I only been in one championship in my career and that was in college. We lost by 1point to make it to the dance. So for sure the feeling this season was the best.

How was the mood in the team shortly before the game? Was there more nervousness or just healthy self confidence?

The mood was more of like an anxious feeling, ready for a battle and thats what we did. Battled!!!

Wurzburg had the 40-30 lead at halftime. What was key in the first half for having the comfortable lead?

Our main goal was to defend the ball, stop their fast break and rebound the ball. Looking back on the first meeting in Chemnitz, we lost in ever category there was. It being out rebound, hustled, defensive stops, smart decision. But this is why we prepare for games. To correct our weaknesses and build on our strengths.

In the second half, Wurzburg kept control of the game. What was the biggest strength of Wurzburg in the second half?

To tell you the truth I believe we had tunnel vision and focused on putting the team away. After we accomplished that, the game became fun.

Tim Burnette came very late to the team. How important has he been for the ability of Wurzburg moving up to the beko BBL?

Tim Burnette was a great addition to the team. He was with us in the pre-season and should've continue but better late than never. I know Tim from my Herten days and liked his game because you can build off his intensity.

BV Chemnitz had a lot of support from usual guys like Johnson, Harbut and Zazai, but was a big difference the benches?

As a player coming off the bench I can absolutey say we out hustled them. With encouragement from all players we won that war.

What did you enjoy most this season with s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg?

What I enjoyed the most about wrzburg was that we had accesses to whatever we needed. It was like having anything you needed within reach. Oh yeah, many thanks to the Wrzburg fans. Without them there was no use.

Kevin Love was named the most improved player. Were you surprised by his rapid development this season?

Kevin Love is a work horse. He deserve everything he gets.

The Los Angeles Lakers have the 2-1 lead over the Hornets. Is this series over?

LAKE SHOW!!!!!!

Rajon Rondo exploded against The New York Knicks with 15 points, 20 assists and 11 rebounds. After struggling the last months, is Rondo back for good or was this just a fluke?

Rondo never left the building in my opinion. His performance may have not been up to expectations but it's playoff time and as long as he his getting job done now is what counts because no one is really concerned about what he didn't doand just get back to the finals.

Please end this sentence. The Indiana Paces coming back down from 3-0 to win ove r the Chicago Bulls 4-3 is as likely as.............

Well not to take away any credit from the Pacers but no way they were going to stop D. Rose and Boozer.

Thanks Torvoris for the chat.

Ronald Ross (MBC Wolves) 2011 beko BBL Playoff Thoughts - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Ronald Ross (188-G-83, college: Texas Tech) is a 27 year old 188cm guard that just completed his first season for MBC. He is originally from Hobbs New Mexico and played at Texas Tech from 2001-2005. In his senior year, he averaged 17.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 3.0apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 51.9%, 3Pts: 43% and reached the NCA Sweet 16. He started his professional career with Univer Castelletto Ticino (Italy-Lega2) and then moved on to the CBA in 2006-2007 for Butte Daredevils playing 48 games averaging 15.2ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-2 (2.4spg), FGP: 49%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 74.2% and in 2007 for the Albany Patroons (USBL, starting five) playing 21 games: Score-3 (17.4ppg), 3.0rpg, Assists-4 (4.0apg), Steals-1 (2.5spg), FGP: 47.6%, 3FGP: 41.4%, FT: 84.2%. In 2007-2008, he played for ENBW Ludwigsburg playing 34 games and averaging 14.4ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.3apg, Steals-2 (1.7spg), 2FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 77.9% reaching the cup final in 2008. In 2008-2009 he started in Israel before moving on to the Artland Dragons playing 12 games and averaging 15.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 57.1%, FT: 70.0%. Last season for the Artland Dragons, he played 12 games: 10.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 83.0%; German League: 32 games: 11.3ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 27.1%, FT: 75.7%. He spoke to eurobasket about the quarterfinal playoff games in the beko BBL

Do you think the first round of the beko bbl playoffs will be as exciting and unpredictable as the current NBA playoffs?

No, you can't compare anything to the NBA playoffs. Everybody knows that...lol

What is your own personal summary of the 2010-2011 Phoenix Hagen season? What were the highlights of the season?

They played good and surprised a lot of people this year. I was glad to see them be successful, but I was even happier to see my man David Bell ball out.

How do you see the series Bamberg-Bremerhaven? Will this be a sweep for Bamberg?

I think Bremerhaven is a good team, but I think Bamberg has the upside in that series. I'm not sure about the sweep though.

What will Bremerhaven have to do to win this tough series?

They would have to play at a high level consistently to win. I like the underdogs though. I'm not into counting people out before the game is even played.

How do you see the series Alba Berlin-EWE Baskets Oldenburg? This could be one of the exciting ones?

Yeah, I think this will be the most exciting series and I definitely think it will go 5 games. I can't really choose though. I'm just interested to see what happens to be honest.

Does Alba Berlin have what it takes to become champion? Could Taylor Rochestie be the missing piece to puzzle?

Absolutely, Berlin is very capable of winning it all, but everybody on their team will play a great role in their success. I can't say there is missing piece to the puzzle.

How do you see the Frankfurt-BG Goettingen series?

I think Goettingen can pull off the upset, but we'll see. Goettingen has to bring it every game though and get a game a Frankfurt's house.

How do you see the series Artland Dragons-Braunschweig?

Artland will have their hands full with Braunschweig and I definitely think it will go five games. This is gonna be a good one to watch as well.

Could one of these teams reach the beko BBL final

I think Artland could reach the finals. They can really go on a roll when they want.

Why are the Lakers, Spurs and Mavericks playing so weak?

Lakers just want to keep it interested.lol....Spurs and Mavericks though, I can't call it....No a big fan of either team. GO LAKERS!!!!! LOL

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Case 39, a nice little thriller!

Thanks Ron for the chat.

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

GREECE

Div.B Standing

B Standings

1. Nea Kifisia		22-4
2. OFI		20-6
3. Ermis Perama		18-7
4. Doxa Lefkadas		18-8
5. Anagennisi		17-9
6. MENT		16-10
7. Aias Evosmou		15-11
8. Doukas		12-13
9. Diagoras		12-14
10. Aiolos Trik.		12-14
11. Stratoni		12-14
12. Apollon KL		9-16
13. Egaleo		9-17
14. Filippos Veroias		7-19
15. M.Alexandros		5-21

Greek A2 round 24 best performance: Kostas Kakaroudis - by Eurobasket News
Center Kostas Kakaroudis (204-C-83) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Ikaroi Serron, receiving a Eurobasket.com A2 Player of the Week award for round 24.
The 27-year old player was the main contributor (23 points, nine rebounds) to his team's victory, helping them to beat AEK/Argous (#12, 10-14) 75-69. Ikaroi Serron maintains the 4th position in Greek A2. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Ikaroi Serron will need more victories to improve their 15-9 record. In the team's last game Kakaroudis had a remarkable 80.0% from 2-point range. He turned to be Ikaroi Serron's top player in his first season with the team. Kostas Kakaroudis averages this season 14.4ppg and 5.4rpg.

The second best player in last round's games was 29-year old Kostas Vardavas (193-G-81) of Amyntas Dafnis Athens. Vardavas had a very good evening with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Of course Amyntas Dafnis cruised to a 72-65 relatively comfortable win over the higher-ranked Arkadikos (#6, 13-11). This victory allowed Amyntas Dafnis to move up to 9th position in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 11-13 record. Vardavas is a newcomer at Amyntas Dafnis, but is already one of team's top players.

Third on the list of top players last round was center Apostolos Koutroulias (206-C-76) of Olimpiada (#11). Koutroulias scored 27 points and grabbed seventeen rebounds (!!!). Despite Koutroulias' great performance Olimpiada lost 82-96 to the lower-ranked Near East (#16, 5-19). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Olimpiada ranking at the top of the league, however are very questionable as they have already lost 14 games, recording just ten victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Koutroulias could help Olimpiada to bring them higher in the standings. Koutroulias has a great season in Greece. After 24 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in points with 18.0ppg (2nd best) and rebounds with 9.3rpg (#1 in league).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Yiannis Kakiouzis (205-F-78) of Lavrio - 20 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists
5. Nikos Pettas (195-G-81) of Koroivos - 19 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists
6. Nikos Psileas (200-F-80) of Lavrio - 22 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists
7. Nikos Argyropoylos (188-G-78) of Apollon Patras - 26 points and 4 assists
8. Andreas Sizopoulos (189-G-83) of Panerythraikos - 23 points and 2 assists
9. Predrag Kosanovic (203-F-76) of Koroivos - 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists
10. Savvas Dorkofikis (201-F-82) of Amyntas Dafnis - 17 points and 3 rebounds

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)

Stats Leaders - A2

Points Per Game

Yiannis KAKIOUZIS
  Lavrio
  (205-F-78)
  Avg: 18.4

1. Kakiouzis, Lavrio	18.4
2. Koutroulias, Olimp.	18.0
3. Argyropoylos, Apol.	16.7
4. Gizogiannis, AEK/A.	16.6
5. Totsios, Ikaroi S.	16.5
6. Giannakopoul., Lav.	15.9
7. Michalos, Pagrati	15.5
8. Psileas, Lavrio	15.3
9. Pettas, Koroivos	15.2
10. Kosanovic, Koroiv.	15.2

Rebounds Per Game

Apostolos KOUTROULIAS
  Olimp.
  (206-C-76)
  Avg: 9.3

1. Koutroulias, Olimp.	9.3
2. Pantelic, Apollo.	8.9
3. Latovic, AGOR	8.7
4. Gizogiannis, AEK/A.	8.0
5. Macheras, Pagrati	7.5
6. Kartelo, AE.	7.5
7. Jovanovic, KAOD	7.2
8. Amato, Near East	7.1
9. Kakiouzis, Lavrio	7.0
10. Kosanovic, Koroiv.	7.0

Assists Per Game

Thomas NIKOU
  Panelefs.
  (185-G-79)
  Avg: 5.7

1. Nikou, Panelefs.	5.7
2. Katsares, KAOD	5.2
3. Kaberidis, Ikaroi	4.8
4. Zoupas, Amyntas	4.8
5. Makris, Olimpiada	4.4
6. Giannakopoul., Lav.	4.2
7. Kiriakopoulo., AGOR	4.0
8. Vasilopoulos, Pagr.	3.8
9. Rallis, Ermis Lagk.	3.7
10. Argyropoylos, Apo.	3.7

Steals Per Game

Nikos KATSARES
  KAOD
  (190-G-83)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Katsares, KAOD	2.3
2. Pettas, Koroivos	2.0
3. Makris, Olimpiada	2.0
4. Michalos, Pagrati	1.9
5. Giannakopoul., Lav.	1.8
6. Pappas, Near East	1.5
7. Nikou, Panelefs.	1.5
8. Papadakis, Arkad.	1.4
9. Zoupas, Amyntas	1.4
10. Koumoulos, AGOR	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Djordje PANTELIC
  Apollo.
  (204-F-84)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Pantelic, Apollo.	1.8
2. Kartelo, AE.	1.6
3. Kasabalis, AE.	1.4
4. Jovanovic, KAOD	1.4
5. Mprozos, Arkadikos	0.9
6. Margaritis, KAOD	0.8
7. Papachristos, Peri.	0.8
8. Amato, Near East	0.7
9. Karavanas, Panery.	0.7
10. Psathas, Apollon	0.7

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

HOLLAND

Results Dutch Basketball League Semifinals: Gas Terra Flames, Magixx Kidsright Win Game #1 - by Eurobasket
On Sunday in Game #1 of the Dutch semifinals, the defending champs GasTerra Flames Groningen continued on their march to repeating as champions cruising past Eiffel Towers Den Bosch, while Magixx KidsRights Nijmegen steal a victory and homecourt advantage on the road vs. Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden 2 in a comeback win.

In the Martiniplaza through the efforts of lead guard Robby Bostain (194-G/F-84, college: Furman)'s coolness in the clutch, as well as their opponent's lack of control being their control, the Gas Terra Flames overcame a deficit to win a 77-74 thriller over Eiffel Towers Den Bosch. Bostain would score 15 of his 17 points. in the clutch, helping the Flames overcome a cold spell, which they found themselves down 60-49 with 7:17 remaining. That is the moment when Bostain would make his move, scoring 8 straights points to get the Flames closer at 68-66 with 2:39 remaining. Bostain's inspiring play rubbed off on Matt Haraysz and Jason Dourisseau, whose clutch three-pointer at 0:31 remaining made it 74-72 for the Flames. After two made free throws by guard Rogier Jansen tied things up at 74-all, Eiffel hurt themselves with two turnovers in the clutch that the Flames converting into free throws, Matt Bauscher coming up with two free throws to give the Flames the lead for good, and hero Bostain's free throw the icing on the cake. League MVP Dourisseau led Donar in scoring with 18 pts. and Bostain added 17. Stefan Wessels led all scorers with 20 pts. The Flames controlled the lass, including snatching down 20 offensive rebounds (48-32 difference). Game #2 is on Tuesday in Den Bosch.

In the Vijfmeihal Magixx KidsRights Nijmegen rode into town and did not leave empty handed, with a topsy turby 1st half and winning 87-79. In the 1st half Magixx had the #1 seed on their heels, having early leads of 14-3 and 21-10 at the end of the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter ZZ fought back, tying things up at 33-all at the end of the 1st half. In the 2nd half, Magixx seized control of the momentum, with a 15-2 run making the difference, capped off by a Geoff McDermott dunk to extend the lead at 77-59. From there ZZ could show not enough resistance for the guests, plus did not value their possessions well enough (21 turnovers). Magixx had too much firepower and balanced scoring for ZZ to be able to make a move. Brian Laing led five Magixx players in double figures with 24 pts. Seamus Boxley led ZZ with 22 pts. Game #2 is Tuesday night in Nijmegen.

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

HUNGARY

Trotter to play for Hungary NT - by Balazs Radics
American borned Obie Trotter (186-G-84, agency: Court Side, college: Alabama A&M), currently playing for Hungarian Cup Winner and League Finalist Szolnoki Olaj soon can be a hungarian citizen and play for the National Team. The 27 years old pointguard avaraging 16.9 ppg, 6.5 apg, 5.7 rpg in the league and finnished the EuroCup with 19.4 ppg, 5.3apg, 4.3rpg. The process of paperworks have already started and hopefully he can be available for Lajos Meszaros and Branislav Dzunic for the European Championship qualifiers.

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

IBL

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

Player of the Year: Othyus Jeffers (6'5''-F-85) of Iowa E. (D-League)
Point Guard of the Year: Curtis Stinson (6'2''-G-83) of Iowa E. (D-League)
Shooting Guard of the Year: Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-G/F-82) of GIE Morrow (UBA)
Small Forward of the Year: Othyus Jeffers (6'5''-F-85) of Iowa E. (D-League)
Power Forward of the Year: Gordon Klaiber (6'9''-F-83) of Albany Legends (IBL)
Center of the Year: Ivan Johnson (6'8''-F/C-84) of Erie Bay H. (D-League)
Coach of the Year: Steve Tucker of SE Texas M. (ABA)

1st Team
F: Othyus Jeffers (6'5''-85) of Iowa E. (D-League)
G: Curtis Stinson (6'2''-83) of Iowa E. (D-League)
G/F: Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-82) of GIE Morrow (UBA)
F/C: Ivan Johnson (6'8''-84) of Erie Bay H. (D-League)
F: Jeff Adrien (6'7''-86) of Rio Grande VV (D-League)

2nd Team
G: Josh Pace (6'6''-83) of SE Texas M. (ABA)
G: Trey Johnson (6'5''-84) of Bakersfield J. (D-League)
C: Chris Johnson (6'11''-85) of Dakota W. (D-League)
F: Gordon Klaiber (6'9''-83) of Albany Legends (IBL)
F: Dailey Jermaine (6'8''-86) of GIE Morrow (UBA)

3rd Team
C: Jared Carter (7'1''-87) of Rochester RazorSharks (PBL)
F: Norman Plummer (6'7''-84) of Columbus Crush (UBA)
F: Hugh Jones (6'3''-80) of Beltway Bombers (ACPBL)
F: Donnie Stith (6'7''-85) of Norfolk Tru Hope Trailblazers (ACPBL)
C: Devin Uskoski (6'6''-85) of Vancouver V. (IBL)

Honorable Mention
Marcus Landry (6'7''-F-85) of Reno Bighorns (D-League)
Jacob Stevenson (6'4''-G-81) of Bellingham S. (IBL)
Jon Rogers (6'9''-F/C-84) of SE Texas Mavericks (ABA)
Mychal Kearse (6'5''-G-83) of Dallas Stars (UBA)
Elvin Mims (6'5''-G/F-79) of Lawton Fort Sill Cavalry (PBL
Odell Bradley (6'4''-F/G-81) of SE Texas Mavericks (ABA)
Joshua Dollard (6'8''-F-86) of Halifax Rainmen (PBL)

Rob Ridnour notches 100th professional coaching victory - by Trask Frost
Portland, Oregon. Bellingham Slam head coach Rob Ridnour earned his 100th career professional coaching victory as they defeated the USA All-Stars, 115-75, at Cascade College on Sunday to wrap up a busy weekend of games.The Slam (4-1) played the game on short rest after falling to the Vancouver Volcanoes, 118-108 in overtime, on Saturday night.

On Sunday, the Slam looked eager to rebound from their first loss of the season as they raced out to a 20-7 lead in the first five minutes of the game.

With the Slam leading 52-41 at intermission, the All-Stars got the deficit down to 8 points on a opening second half three-pointer, but after that shot, it was all Bellingham Slam. The Slam went up by as many as 29 point, 89-60, on a jumper by Jacob Stevenson with a minute left in the third quarter.

Stevenson led five Slam players in double figures with 19 points, while rookies Blake Poole and Michael Duty had perhaps their best games thus far for the Slam; both posted double-doubles, with Poole recording 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Duty finished with 13 and 11.

With the victory, Ridnours all-time coaching record with the Slam stands at 100-43.

The Slam return home for a pair of games this weekend, on Friday against the West Coast Hotshots in a special game at Lynden High School, and then on Saturday versus the Olympia Reign back at Whatcom Pavilion. Tip-off for both games is set for 7 p.m.

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

Portland Chinooks name returns to the IBL- David Lucas wears #20 and goes for 60 in a Chinooks win - by Trask Frost
May 2, 2011: Portland area businessman, Terry W. Emmert is proud to announce the return of the Portland Chinooks to the International Basketball League (IBL). Mr. Emmert guided the Portland Chinooks from their inception in 2005, through their 2008 season. In 2009 and 2010, the Portland market was owned by Terrance Dickens who named his team-the Oregon Waves (the Waves will now be called the Portland Chinooks). During the 2007 season, the Portland Chinooks won the Western Division, went 20-7 and in fact, played in Indiana for the International Basketball League championship. Terry Emmert has agreed to lease the name 'Portland Chinooks' to Terrance Dickens starting immediately. Emmert International will again be supporting the Portland Chinooks and rooting them on to another run at the IBL Championship. Terry Emmert invites the basketball fans in the Portland Metropolitan area to rejoin the Portland Chinooks in another exciting season of IBL basketball.

Four videos showcase the history of a Portland IBL team:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhuC0prYUwU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA6HZA8tEq0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04HAOeyEGKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-5N1odQpZw

Coach Terrance Dickens-believes that with a lot of key acquisitions and 4 players coming to Portland from around the nation- that 'the Chinooks will have a championship level season'. Dickens believes that this year will be the most interesting to date in that he has 'ten players at the Division 1 overseas level and/or NBDL or above level'.

Portland Chinooks 2011 roster:

1. 6' 8'' forward David Lucas will be in his fifth season with the IBL, Lucas led the IBL in scoring with 37 ppg in both 2007 & 2008. Lucas was a two-time All-PAC 10 performer for the Oregon State Beavers (2004/2005) before moving on to a professional career. Lucas led the IBL in scoring in 2007 and 2008 (37.0 ppg in 2008). David is son of former NBA great Maurice Lucas; David will wear #20 in his fathers honor. In the first game of the season Sunday night May 1st against the USA All Stars (a typical early season win), David Lucas scored 60 points in three quarters. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if David Lucas can score as easily as a three (his new position) versus his past position as a four... so far, so good but that 60 points was against the USA All Stars, a team currently 0-12 composed of collegiate experienced players giving it their best shot per week against IBL teams from around the country. Stay tuned as Lucas the Portland Chinooks play on Tuesday at the Olympia Reign.

2. Robert Day (6' 4'') - Western Oregon. Day is a star player in the Mexican league, the top league there, recently having been named to the All Star game. Day was a star player at Western Oregon and has played professionally, internationally over the last 6 years.

3. JS Nash (6' 2'') - Oregon State. JS is considered one of the best two-guards in the IBL.

4. Lamar Hurd (6' 4'') - Oregon State. Hurd is well known for his play for the Oregon State Beavers- a 4 year starter for Oregon State.

5. Josh Tarver (6' 4')- point guard Oregon State University

6. David Jackson (6' 5'') - Oregon. Jacksonfinished his collegiate career at the University of Oregon. A veteran of NBA camps (Portland, Cleveland), and NBA summer league teams (Portland, San Antonio, Orlando, Seattle), Jackson also has extensive experience overseas in Italy, China, Spain and Turkey. The following is a link to highlights of a recent Korean basketball league championship game where Jackson scored 44 points http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tejH-5sydjc

7. Mike Johnson (6' 6'') - a forward fromOregon State; IBL 2009 averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds.

8. Isaiah Fox (6' 9') - a forward from University of Arizona

9. 6' 11' Center- Lester Ferguson- from Robert Morris University

10. 6' 4' Guard- Quentin Patin- from University of Toledo

11. 6' 7' Forward- Jermaine Blackburn- from Boise State, played in the NBD-league

For more information about the International Basketball League, visit www.iblhoopsonline.com

International Basketball League expands to the East Coast- new team joins from New Jersey - by Trask Frost
IBL heads into 7th year; New Jersey will head into its 1st year of IBL play

IBL Media news release May 2nd, 2011: The International Basketball League is excited to announce that it will be expanding to the East Coast. Already a team from Albany New York has enjoyed the IBL product, talent level and efficiency of scheduling; this Albany New York team is currently in its 2nd year after winning the IBL Championship in 2010. A team from New Jersey will now join the IBL as well. Owner Tim Butts is a New Jersey resident and a vice president of an international insurance company and has worked on Wall Street for years. His newest interest is in bringing professional level basketball to the Hoboken/Jersey City area. Pro Player Development LLC will own the team; the team name is tentatively namedthe New Jersey Titans.

Media Members notes:
To use a variety of IBL images or logosvisit the IBL web site and click on the images/logos link
Players and Agents- contact New Jersey owner Timothy Butts call (phone) 201-349-0300 or email: tbsportsagent@aol.com
For information about the IBL, visit the following page and/or visit the web site www.IBLhoopsonline.com
To contact IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio, call (ph) 503-380-4539 or email- mikal@iblhoopsonline.com

About Timothy Butts: Tim Butts graduated from William Penn University with a Liberal Arts Degree in 1982 where he played college football and where he ran Track & Field. After college, Tim tried his hand at semi-professional football but moved on shortly thereafter to the business world. Tim is currently a vice president at one of the largest international insurance companies in the world with offices in 32 countries. Tim Butt is also a sports agent representing athletes from snowboarders to Division 1 football and basketball players. Recently, Tim Butts began brainstorming ideas of how he could offer elite free agent basketball players in his area an opportunity to showcase their talents. He decided the best way to do that was to own a professional level basketball team. Tim selected the International Basketball League (IBL) as the best fit for his team. Tim said, 'There are great basketball players in the NYC/NJ area who have the ability to play at the next level. Bringing the IBL to the NYC/NJ area will give basketball players a chance for exposure and development.' Tim intends to recruit elite players for the New Jersey Titans who have the drive and determination to make it to the next level.

www.IBLhoopsonline.com

Standings

IBL Standings

Continental Division
1. Bellingham S.		4-1
2. Olympia R.		2-1
3. Vancouver V.		2-1
4. W.C. Hotshots		2-1
5. L.Angeles L.		0-0
6. USA All-Stars		0-12
International Division
1. Albany L.		4-2
2. Kankakee S.		4-2
3. Gary Splash		3-3
4. Oregon W.		2-0
5. Edmonton E.		0-0
Branding Team
1. Lansing C.		2-1
2. Las Vegas P.		0-0
3. Ohio H.G.		0-0
4. Phoenix R.		0-0
5. Lake Co.		0-1

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

IRAN

Towzin , Mahram , ZobAhan and Petrochimi in Semi Final ... - by Mohammad Ahmadi
Season 2010-2011 Superleague Basketball is in Semi final and Towzin Electric Kashan , Mahram Tehran, ZobAhan Esfahan finished first round of play off games in 2-0 and Petrochimi won Azad University on 2-1 and they are Top4 of Iran superleague in this season.

Towzin Electric played second game of 1st round in Qom after winning first game with 31 points in Kashan. Qom players did a great job and by support of fans and 100% of 3pts shot, won the first half with 15 points. Towzin coaches explained everything about first half and analized it for player in half time; Qom also got first 2pts of second half but Towzin came back to the game and did their job well and decrease the difference to 5 points on 54-49 for Qom at the end of 3rd quarter. Towzin continued good performance and passed Qom 2minutes to end of game and finished the game 61-69 for Towzin and Towzin Electric will fight in top4 in the rest of the league.
Saeid Davarpanah (189-G-87) and Zlatko Jovanovic were best scorers of Towzin with 20pts and 21pts and Zlatko Jovanovic had 7 assists and 4 steals and Mohammad Hassanzadeh with 11 rebounds (6 offensive rebound) played a big role in this Win.

Mahram and ZobAhan won their games easily and beated Caspian Qazvin and Gorgan.

Petrochimi beated Azad University with 9 points in Mahshahr to have third game again in Mahshahr. Third game was a tough game and Petrochimi won the game 82-81 after Extra Time and joined other 3 teams in Semifinal.

On Thursday, Towzin will play with Mahran and Petrochimi with ZobAhan and each team with 3 wins out of 5 games will be in Final. <<>><<>>

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

ITALY

Italian Lega2 round 29 best performance: Bobby Jones - by Eurobasket News
American forward Bobby Jones (201-F-84) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Forli, receiving a Eurobasket.com Lega2 Player of the Week award for round 29.
The 26-year old player had a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds, while his team edged out Fastweb CM (#1, 20-9) 91-90. Forli maintains the 14th position in Italian Lega2. Forli is rather a weak team placed in lower part in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 11-18 record. In the team's last game Jones had a remarkable 54.5% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at Forli, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Bobby Jones averages this season 16.5ppg and 9.0rpg.

The second best player in last round's games was 33-year old Swedish Mats Levin (188-G-77) of Sunrise Scafati Basket. Levin had a very good evening with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Of course he lead Sunrise Scafati to another comfortable win outscoring slightly lower-ranked Fileni BPA (#8, 14-15) 93-63. Despite this victory Sunrise Scafati slide down in the standings to 6th position. His team lost some distance to top teams. But 18-11 record is not bad and everything may still change. Levin is a newcomer at Sunrise Scafati and despite he is not a team leader yet, every game he becomes more reliable player. Hopefully performances like the last one will happen more often.

Third on the list of top players last round was former international center Michele Maggioli (212-C-77) of Jesi (#8). Maggioli scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Despite Maggioli's great performance Fileni BPA lost 63-93 to slightly higher-ranked Sunrise Scafati (#6, 18-11). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Fileni BPA ranking at the top of the league, however are very questionable as they have already lost 15 games, recording just fourteen victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Maggioli could help Fileni BPA to bring them higher in the standings. Maggioli has a very solid season. In 29 games in Italy he scored 17.0ppg. He also has 7.5rpg, 1.1bpg and FGP: 53.5%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Troy Bell (186-G-80) of Trenkwalder - 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists
5. Tuukka Kotti (205-F/C-81) of N.Ferrara - 20 points and 7 rebounds
6. Paul Marigney (192-G-82) of Assigeco - 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists
7. Patrick Baldassarre (200-F-86) of Sunrise Scafati - 25 points and 4 rebounds
8. Kieron Achara (208-F/C-83) of Barcellona - 16 points and 5 rebounds
9. Gerald Lee (208-F-87) of Snaidero UD - 15 points and 11 rebounds
10. Guido Rosselli (196-G-83) of Prima Veroli - 19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 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)

Italian SerieA round 28 best performance: James White - by Eurobasket News
American guard James White (198-G-84, agency: Court Side) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Dinamo Sassari, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 28.
The 26-year old player was the main contributor (31 points, four rebounds and three assists) to his team's victory, helping them to beat Cimberio VA (#6, 14-14) in overtime 88-83. Dinamo Sassari is placed at 9th position in Italian SerieA. Dinamo Sassari is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 13-15 record. White turned to be Dinamo Sassari's top player in his first season with the team. Former University of Cincinnati star has very solid stats this year. White is league's best scorer averaging so far 20.6ppg. White is in league's top in and averages impressive 2.5spg and 62.4% FGP.

The second best player in last round's games was another Dinamo Sassari's star - 28-year old American Travis Diener (183-G-82). Diener had a very good evening with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds. It was enough for Dinamo Sassari to edge the higher-ranked Cimberio VA (#6, 14-14) in overtime 88-83. This victory allowed Dinamo Sassari to move up to 9th position in . His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 13-15 record. Diener is a newcomer at Dinamo Sassari, but is already one of team's top players.

Third on the list of top players last round was American guard Daniel Hackett (196-G-87) of Scavolini Spar Pesaro (#10). Hackett scored 23 points and grabbed five rebounds. Despite Hackett's great performance Scavolini PS lost 55-63 to the higher-ranked Bennet Cantu (#2, 21-7). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Scavolini PS ranking at the top of , however are very questionable as they have already lost 15 games, recording just thirteen victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Hackett could help Scavolini PS to bring them higher in the standings. Hackett has a very solid season. In 28 games in Italy he scored 14.1ppg. He also has 2.5spg and FGP: 58.1%. Daniel Hackett has also Italian passport and can play in the league with a status of domestic player.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Sharrod Ford (206-F/C-82) of Fabi Shoes - 16 points and 16 rebounds
5. Stefan Markovic (194-G-88) of Benetton TV - 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists
6. Ksistof Lavrinovic (210-C-79) of Montepaschi - 24 points and 4 rebounds
7. Eric Williams (206-C-84) of Pepsi Caserta - 19 points and 10 rebounds
8. Linton Johnson (203-F-80) of Air AV - 13 points and 13 rebounds
9. Diego Fajardo (208-C-76) of Cimberio VA - 16 points and 12 rebounds
10. Jared Homan (206-C-83) of CS Bologna - 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 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)

A dilettanti Round 1 of Quarter-Finals - by Eurobasket News
Ostuni - Ruvo 57-61

The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Ostuni won third quarter 16-13. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Forward Francesco Modica (203-82) stepped up and scored 16 points and 5 rebounds for the winners and forward Andrea Zerini (201-88, agency: Interperformances) chipped in 11 points and 9 rebounds. At the losing side naturalized Argentinian forward Silvio Gigena (200-75) responded with 14 points and 5 rebounds and center Francesco Basei (207-83) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Ruvo: F.Modica 16+5reb+2ast, F.Ihedioha 11+5reb+1ast, A.Zerini 11+9reb+2ast, S.Bonfiglio 7+3reb+1ast, A.Pilotti 6+3reb+1ast, S.Provenzano 5+3reb
Ostuni: S.Gigena 14+5reb+2ast, F.Basei 10+10reb+1ast, V.Circosta 8+2ast, A.Ruggiero 8+3reb+3ast, M.Gigena 6+5reb+2ast, C.Tommasini 5+5reb

Brescia - Perugia 79-66

The game without a history. Brescia led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. Brescia forced 19 Perugia turnovers. Naturalized Albanian guard Franko Bushati (188-85) nailed 16 points and 5 rebounds for the winning side and naturalized Argentinian forward Mario Jose Ghersetti (200-81) accounted for 6 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international guard Mattia Caroldi (185-82) came up with 16 points and naturalized Argentinian guard Bernardo Musso (193-86) added 13 points and 5 steals respectively for Perugia in the defeat. Four Perugia players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Brescia: F.Bushati 16+5reb+2ast, S.Stojkov 13+3ast, L.Gergati 12+1reb+2ast, N.Crow 9+6reb+2ast, M.Rezzano 8+4reb, M.Farioli 8+7reb+1ast
Perugia: M.Caroldi 16+3reb+1ast, B.Musso 13+2reb+3ast, S.Bonamente 12+3reb, G.Carenza 11+5reb+1ast, M.Pazzi 4+8reb+1ast, F.Baldi Rossi 4+2reb

Trapani - S.Antimo 73-66

It looked good early as S.Antimo took an 3-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then Trapani had a 16-12 second period charge getting the lead and S.Antimo was not able to take back game control losing it eventually 66-73. Trapani made 19-of-23 charity shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They outrebounded S.Antimo 30-15 including a 24-12 advantage in defensive rebounds. The former international power forward Luca Bisconti (206-82) fired 22 points and 5 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Guard Marco Evangelisti (198-84) chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. Guard Carlo Cantone (187-85) produced 12 points, 5 assists and 5 steals and forward Filippo Gagliardo (204-78) added 14 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Trapani: L.Bisconti 22+5reb+1ast, M.Evangelisti 19+6reb+1ast, F.Guarino 13+1reb+5ast, W.Santarossa 10+9reb+1ast, A.Svoboda 8+2reb, G.Cantagalli 1+3reb
S.Antimo: D.Calabria 15+1reb, F.Gagliardo 14+4reb, C.Cantone 12+1reb+5ast, G.Eliantonio 11+1reb, A.Iardella 6+2reb, J.Valentini 6+1reb

Piacenza - Treviglio 69-68

The hosts were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Piacenza outrebounded Treviglio 41-30 including 26 on the defensive glass. 25 personal fouls committed by Treviglio helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international power forward Riccardo Perego (203-81) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. Swingman Nelson Rizzitiello (198-84) contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Piacenza players scored in double figures. Guard Tommaso Marino (190-86, agency: Interperformances) answered with 27 points and swingman Andrea Vitale (199-82, agency: Interperformances) added 14 points in the effort for Treviglio.
Top scorers:
Piacenza: N.Rizzitiello 15+7reb, R.Perego 13+10reb+1ast, M.Passera 13+3reb+6ast, G.Scarone 10+3reb+4ast, R.Cazzaniga 6+5reb, M.Trapella 5+4reb
Treviglio: T.Marino 27+2reb+2ast, A.Vitale 14+2reb+1ast, G.Zanella 7+5reb+1ast, D.Reati 5+7reb, M.Planezio 5+1reb, J.Borra 4+1reb+1ast

stats leader

Points Per Game

Marco EVANGELISTI
  Trapani
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 18.3

1. Evangelisti, Trapa.	18.3
2. Tassinari, Moncali.	17.6
3. Musso, Perugia	17.3
4. Ricciardi, Palestr.	16.8
5. Rugolo, Molfetta	16.8
6. Masper, Moncalieri	16.7
7. Vico, Matera	16.0
8. Reati, Treviglio	16.0
9. Marino, Treviglio	15.9
10. Carrizo, Ferentino	15.9

Rebounds Per Game

Simone BAGNOLI
  Potenza
  (206-F/C-81)
  Avg: 11.4

1. Bagnoli, Potenza	11.4
2. Rosignoli, Biscegl.	9.8
3. Corral, Molfetta	9.4
4. Basei, Ostuni	9.0
5. Capitanelli, Pales.	8.8
6. Zambon, Rieti	8.7
7. Chiaramello, Recan.	8.6
8. Facenda, Senigallia	8.1
9. Soloperto, Latina	7.9
10. De Min, Treviglio	7.8

Assists Per Game

Tommaso MARINO
  Treviglio
  (190-G-86)
  Avg: 5

1. Marino, Treviglio	5.0
2. Ferrarese, Trento	4.9
3. Scarone, Piacenza	4.2
4. Virgilio, Rieti	4.0
5. Marcante, ASD P.	3.7
6. Tomasiello, Comsum.	3.7
7. Gnaccarini, Senig.	3.4
8. Cantone, S.Antimo	3.4
9. Paparella, Potenza	3.4
10. Passera, Piacenza	3.3

Steals Per Game

Francesco GUARINO
  Trapani
  (182-G-79)
  Avg: 3.8

1. Guarino, Trapani	3.8
2. Bonamente, Perugia	3.1
3. De Nicolao, Castel.	3.0
4. Gullo, Patti	2.9
5. Bushati, Brescia	2.9
6. Malamov, Ruvo	2.8
7. Cisse, ASD Pavia	2.7
8. Palombita, Castell.	2.7
9. Bonfiglio, Ruvo	2.7
10. Parente, Moncalie.	2.6

Blocks Per Game

Andrea ZERINI
  Ruvo
  (201-F-88)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Zerini, Ruvo	1.8
2. Ancellotti, Patti	1.6
3. Corral, Molfetta	1.3
4. Capitanelli, Pales.	1.1
5. Raminelli, Castell.	1.0
6. Candido, Ferentino	0.9
7. Spippoli, Palestri.	0.9
8. Biligha, ASD Pavia	0.9
9. Basei, Ostuni	0.9
10. Pozzi, Molfetta	0.8

Stats Leaders - SerieA

Points Per Game

James WHITE
  Dinamo Sassari
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 20.6

1. White, Dinamo Sass.	20.6
2. Thomas, Air AV	18.4
3. Zoroski, Banca T.	15.9
4. Dean, Air AV	15.7
5. Ford, Fabi Shoes	15.7
6. Roberson, Enel B.	15.3
7. Milic, Vanoli CR	14.8
8. Goss, Cimberio VA	14.8
9. Hunter, Dinamo S.	14.7
10. Troutman, Air AV	14.6

Rebounds Per Game

Sharrod FORD
  Fabi Shoes
  (206-F/C-82)
  Avg: 10.4

1. Ford, Fabi Shoes	10.4
2. Jones, Pepsi C.	8.4
3. Davis, Banca Terc.	8.3
4. Troutman, Air AV	8.3
5. Homan, CS Bologna	8.2
6. Ivanov, Fabi Shoes	7.9
7. Lang, Enel Brindisi	7.8
8. Hunter, Dinamo S.	7.7
9. Suton, Angelico BI	7.4
10. Johnson, Air AV	7.0

Assists Per Game

Marques GREEN
  Air AV
  (170-G-82)
  Avg: 6.8

1. Green, Air AV	6.8
2. Diener, Dinamo S.	4.8
3. Sosa, Angelico BI	4.5
4. Goss, Cimberio VA	3.9
5. Rowland, Vanoli CR	3.8
6. Collins, Scavolin.	3.8
7. Zoroski, Banca T.	3.6
8. Stipcevic, Cimberi.	3.6
9. Green, Bennet Can.	3.6
10. Markovic, Benetto.	3.5

Steals Per Game

Earl ROWLAND
  Vanoli CR
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 3

1. Rowland, Vanoli CR	3.0
2. Stonerook, Montep.	2.8
3. Thomas, Air AV	2.7
4. Troutman, Air AV	2.7
5. Green, Air AV	2.6
6. Hawkins, Armani MI	2.6
7. Hackett, Scavolin.	2.5
8. Djedovic, Lottomat.	2.5
9. Goss, Cimberio VA	2.5
10. White, Dinamo Sas.	2.5

Blocks Per Game

Sharrod FORD
  Fabi Shoes
  (206-F/C-82)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Ford, Fabi Shoes	2.3
2. Eze, Armani MI	1.3
3. Crosariol, Lottoma.	1.3
4. Toure, Enel Brindi.	1.2
5. Hunter, Dinamo S.	1.1
6. Cusin, Scavolini PS	1.0
7. Lang, Enel Brindisi	1.0
8. Szewczyk, Air AV	1.0
9. Homan, CS Bologna	0.9
10. Drozdov, Vanoli CR	0.9

Stats Leaders - Lega2

Points Per Game

Trent WHITING
  Aget Imola
  (185-G-76)
  Avg: 22.8

1. Whiting, Aget Imola	22.8
2. Crispin, Barcellona	20.9
3. Robinson, Trenkwal.	20.4
4. Gordon, Forli	19.5
5. Jackson, Prima Ver.	19.5
6. Ebi, Aget Imola	19.2
7. Forte, Tuscany PT	18.8
8. Goldwire, Forli	18.7
9. Clark, Umana Reyer	18.6
10. Marigney, Assigeco	18.1

Rebounds Per Game

Ndudi EBI
  Aget Imola
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 9.2

1. Ebi, Aget Imola	9.2
2. Filloy, Immobili.	9.2
3. Varnado, Tuscany	9.0
4. Dickens, San Seve.	8.2
5. Chiacig, Trenkwald.	8.2
6. Waleskowski, Tezen.	8.1
7. Boykin, Assigeco	8.1
8. Lollis, Immobili.	8.0
9. Gordon, Forli	7.8
10. Johnson, San Sev.	7.8

Assists Per Game

Antonio PORTA
  Tezenis .
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 5

1. Porta, Tezenis	5.0
2. Crispin, Barcellona	5.0
3. Goldwire, Forli	4.7
4. Farabello, N.Fer.	3.8
5. Mathis, Snaidero.	3.8
6. Hickman, Fastw.	3.8
7. Marigney, Assigeco	3.8
8. Whiting, Aget Imola	3.8
9. Clark, Umana Reyer	3.7
10. Levin, Sunrise	3.6

Steals Per Game

Ndudi EBI
  Aget Imola
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Ebi, Aget Imola	2.9
2. Robinson, Trenkwal.	2.8
3. Roderick, Immobi.	2.7
4. Achara, Barcellona	2.5
5. Filloy, Immobili.	2.5
6. Davis, Sunrise	2.5
7. Hunter, Sunrise	2.4
8. Cerella, Assigeco	2.4
9. Whiting, Aget Imola	2.4
10. Piazza, Immobili.	2.4

Blocks Per Game

Jarvis VARNADO
  Tuscany PT
  (206-F-88)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Varnado, Tuscany	2.9
2. Ebi, Aget Imola	1.4
3. Achara, Barcellona	1.2
4. Maggioli, Fileni B.	1.1
5. Bryan, Umana Reyer	0.7
6. Cervi, Trenkwalder	0.7
7. Cutolo, San Severo	0.7
8. Boykin, Assigeco	0.7
9. Frosini, Trenkwald.	0.7
10. Kotti, N.Ferrara	0.6

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JAPAN

BJ League Round 1 of Play-Offs - by Eurobasket News
Fukuoka Rizing - Shimane 86-80

The hosts trailed by 9 points after first quarter, but they rallied back and won the game by 6 points. Fukuoka Rizing made 18-of-21 free shots (85.7 percent) during the game. They also forced 21 Shimane Magic turnovers. American players dominated the game. Worth to mention a great performance of swingman Michael Parker (200-81, college: Evergreen St.) who helped to win the game recording 34 points (!!!) and 8 rebounds. Guard Nile Murry (193-83, college: TCU) contributed with 22 points and 5 assists for the winners. Forward Reggie Golson (201-81, college: SE Missouri St., agency: Court Side) answered with 24 points and 8 rebounds (on 11-of-14 shooting from the field) and center Jeral Davis (216-84) added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks in the effort for Shimane Magic. Five Shimane Magic players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Shimane: R.Golson 24+8reb+2ast, J.Davis 12+7reb+1ast, W.Caudle 12+3reb+1ast, T.Ishizaki 11+1reb+4ast, T.Evans 10+7reb+1ast, E.Yamamoto 5+3reb+2ast
Fukuoka Rizing: M.Parker 34+8reb+1ast, N.Murry 22+2reb+5ast, A.Takeno 12+3reb+6ast, A.Kuso 8+4reb, T.Cordeiro 6+2reb+1ast, M.Kano 2+1reb+1ast

Shiga Lakestars - Kyoto Hannaryz 80-88

The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they rallied back to get the 8-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 88-80. Kyoto Hannaryz had a 31-20 advantage in offensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Shiga Lakestars helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Reginald Warren (204-81, college: W.Florida) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Trinidad and Tobago power forward Kibwe Trim (208-84, college: Sacred Heart) contributed with 17 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Five Kyoto Hannaryz players scored in double figures. American power forward Gary Hamilton (208-84, college: Miami, FL) answered with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 17 rebounds and the other American import guard Mikey Marshall (196-81, college: Texas Tech, agency: Warren Sports International) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Shiga Lakestars. Shiga Lakestars' coach Haruyuki Ishibashi rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Shiga Lakestars: G.Hamilton 25+17reb+3ast, Y.Okada 15+1reb+1ast, M.Marshall 12+9reb+2ast, L.Rice 9+3reb+3ast, T.Fujiwara 6+5reb+3ast, M.Joho 6+3reb+2ast
Kyoto Hannaryz: K.Trim 17+9reb, M.Fey 15+5reb, M.Abdul-Rauf 14+1reb+2ast, R.Warren 14+14reb+4ast, H.Kusaka 12+3reb+2ast, N.Nakamura 7+1reb+3ast

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

KENYA

Nairobi City outscore JUBA for Inter-Cities title - by Eurobasket News
Nairobi City - JUBA 68:60

Nairobi City clinched East Africa Inter-Cities Basketball Championship title. They held off debutants JUBA for the trophy. The final game turned into a worthy battle. Nairobi City managed to steal the victory in the final stanza only. Nairobi City led by 6 points after the opening term. JUBA recovered in the second term. They erased the deficit and ensured a 31:30 halftime lead. The teams stayed neck and neck in the third frame. JUBA entered the final stanza up by one point. Simon Mayien stretched the margin to four points early in the fourth frame but the defending champions bounced back. Nairobi City outscored their opponents 22:13 in the final period and celebrated the victory at the end.
Kusa claimed the third position beating Dar 60:54.

Ancette Wafula (198-F/C-70) was named the tournaments first MVP. Simon Mayien was trumped the second MVP. Thomas Olumbo received Top Coach award. Nelson Mandela won the Slam Dunk Contest. Three-Point Shootout was won by Moses Msosi.

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

KOSOVO

Standings - Superleague

SuperLeague Standings

1. Sigal Prishtina		24-2
2. Peja		22-6
3. Bambi		21-4
4. Trepca		14-12
5. K.EuroSporti		10-18
6. Kosova		9-19
7. Bashkimi		8-19
8. Mitrovica		0-28

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

LATVIA

LBL D2 Round 4 of Finals. BAA Riga force the fifth game - by Eurobasket News

3-4 place

Jurmala - Gulbene 58-72

Gulbene clinched the third position beating Jurmala on the road. The game was mostly controlled by Gulbene. Jurmala managed to win second period 18-17. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Ingars Aizpurs (193-F-92) posted 23 points and 7 rebounds to pace Gulbene. Gundars Rauza (192-F-79) added 22 points, 16 boards and 6 assists in the victory. Kaspars Raiskums (202-F-84, agency: Promotex) answered with 15 points for Jurmala.

FINAL

BAA Riga - Ventspils Aug. 75-68

BAA Riga leveled things up in the championship series against Ventspils Augustskola. It looked good early as Ventspils Augstskola took an 10-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then BAA Riga took control and eventually winning the game that evening by 7 points. Visvaldis Bikse (186-G-93) notched 17 points, 7 boards and 6 assists for BAA Riga. Arturs Lusis (197-F-93) provided 15 points in the victory. Karlis Apsitis (198-F-92) topscored with 24 points for Ventspils Augustskola.

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LITHUANIA

Stats Leaders - LKL

Points Per Game

Vilmantas DILYS
  Naglis-Adakris
  (208-F-87)
  Avg: 16.4

1. Dilys, Naglis-Adak.	16.4
2. Dimsa, Nevezis	16.0
3. Kieza, Juventus	15.4
4. Dilys, Perlas	14.9
5. Alijevas, Nevezis	14.9
6. Vasylius, Neptunas	14.8
7. Sirvydis, Sakalai	14.0
8. Ruikis, Neptunas	13.9
9. Juskevicius, Rudup.	13.7
10. Leonavicius, Tech.	13.6

Rebounds Per Game

Aurimas KIEZA
  Juventus
  (202-F-82)
  Avg: 9.6

1. Kieza, Juventus	9.6
2. Sarakauskas, Siaul.	9.2
3. Valanciunas, Lietu.	7.8
4. Klimavicius, Zalgi.	7.1
5. Dimsa, Nevezis	7.1
6. Jankunas, Zalgiris	6.7
7. Adomavicius, Alytu.	6.5
8. Vasylius, Neptunas	6.5
9. Dilys, Naglis-Adak.	6.4
10. Valukonis, Techa.	6.4

Assists Per Game

Rolandas ALIJEVAS
  Nevezis
  (192-G-85)
  Avg: 5.9

1. Alijevas, Nevezis	5.9
2. Broadus, Siauliai	5.2
3. Rinkevicius, Techa.	5.0
4. Juskevicius, Rudup.	4.5
5. El-Amin, Lietuvos.	4.4
6. Viskontas, Perlas	4.3
7. Lowe, Naglis-Adakr.	4.1
8. Janavicius, Siauli.	4.0
9. Collins, Zalgiris	4.0
10. Vasiliauskas, Ais.	3.8

Steals Per Game

Gintaras LEONAVICIUS
  Techa.
  (194-G-83)
  Avg: 2.1

1. Leonavicius, Techa.	2.1
2. Vasylius, Neptunas	2.1
3. Juskevicius, Rudup.	2.0
4. Lowe, Naglis-Adakr.	1.9
5. Rinkevicius, Techa.	1.9
6. Valukonis, Techas.	1.7
7. Razutis, Naglis-A.	1.7
8. Alijevas, Nevezis	1.7
9. Jasikevicius, Aisc.	1.6
10. Sinica, Rudupis	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Deng GAI
  Naglis-Adakris
  (206-F-82)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Gai, Naglis-Adakris	2.9
2. Begic, Zalgiris	2.4
3. Valanciunas, Lietu.	1.9
4. Silinskis, Techasas	1.6
5. Cresnar, Nevezis	1.5
6. Volkus, Techasas	1.1
7. Cepukaitis, Juven.	0.9
8. Gumenyuk, Siauliai	0.8
9. Jankauskas, Rudup.	0.8
10. Klimavicius, Zalg.	0.8

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MEXICO

Standings - CIBACOPA

CIBACOPA Standings

1. Cananea		21-5
2. Hermosillo		19-7
3. Culiacan		17-9
4. Guasave		15-11
5. Guaymas		14-12
6. Nogales		13-13
7. Mexicali		13-13
8. Tijuana		11-15
9. Tepic		4-22
10. Los Mochis		3-23

CIBACOPA Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Davin WHITE
  Cananea
  (186-G-81)
  Avg: 28.3

1. White, Cananea	28.3
2. Gale, Mexicali	28.3
3. Sowell, Culiacan	27.3
4. Brown, Tepic	25.3
5. Sims, Los Mochis	24.3
6. Gabbidon, Tijuana	23.9
7. White, Los Mochis	23.6
8. Thomas, Cananea	23.3
9. Tate, Tijuana	23.1
10. Barrett, Guasave	23.1

Rebounds Per Game

Ryan MOSS
  Nogales
  (200-F/C-74)
  Avg: 10.7

1. Moss, Nogales	10.7
2. Angounou, Guasave	9.8
3. Brown, Tepic	9.4
4. Broxsie, Nogales	9.3
5. Malloy, Los Mochis	8.7
6. Shipley, Tijuana	8.6
7. Avila, Culiacan	8.4
8. Rougeau, Culiacan	8.1
9. Gonzalez, Culiacan	7.4
10. Tate, Tijuana	7.3

Assists Per Game

William FUNN
  Guasave
  (188-G-82)
  Avg: 8

1. Funn, Guasave	8.0
2. Watson, Tijuana	6.4
3. White, Los Mochis	5.5
4. Thomas, Hermosillo	4.9
5. Nungaray, Guaymas	4.7
6. White, Cananea	4.4
7. Marentes, Guaymas	4.3
8. Brown, Tepic	4.2
9. Monreal, Hermosillo	4.2
10. Ford, Tepic	4.1

Steals Per Game

Davin WHITE
  Cananea
  (186-G-81)
  Avg: 2.2

1. White, Cananea	2.2
2. Thomas, Cananea	1.9
3. Rougeau, Culiacan	1.8
4. Brown, Nogales	1.8
5. Matthews, Nogales	1.7
6. Funn, Guasave	1.7
7. Gale, Mexicali	1.6
8. White, Los Mochis	1.6
9. Sowell, Culiacan	1.4
10. Gonzalez, Culiacan	1.3

Blocks Per Game

Kevin SOWELL
  Culiacan
  (190-G-81)
  Avg: 3.2

1. Sowell, Culiacan	3.2
2. Thomas, Hermosillo	2.7
3. Webb, Culiacan	2.6
4. Brown, Nogales	2.3
5. Gale, Mexicali	2.3
6. Tate, Tijuana	2.3
7. Habel, Guaymas	2.2
8. Matthews, Nogales	2.2
9. Brown, Tepic	2.2
10. Shipley, Tijuana	2.2

Sowell number one in Mexico for round 25 - by Eurobasket News
American guard Kevin Sowell (190-G-81) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Guasave, receiving a Latinbasket.com Player of the Week award for round 25.
The 29-year old player was the main contributor (25 points, five rebounds and eight assists) to his team's victory, helping them to beat Tijuana (#8, 10-15) 103-96. Guasave maintains the 4th position in Mexican CIBACOPA. They would have been even better if they hadn't lost a few games earlier this season. Guasave will need more victories to improve their 15-10 record. In the team's last game Sowell had a remarkable 55.6% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at Guasave and it was his first game, where he immediately became new team's leader. Kevin Sowell has solid league stats. He is in league's top in points (3rd best: 25.0ppg) and averages impressive 4.0bpg and 55.6% FGP. Worth to mention Sowell played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball.

The second best player in last round's games was 29-year old Canadian Jermaine Watson (193-G-81, agency: KMG Sports Management) of Tijuana. Watson had a very good evening with a triple-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Bad luck as Tijuana lost that game 96-103 to the higher-ranked Guasave (#4, 15-10). Tijuana is still second from the bottom in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 10-15 record. Watson is one of the most experienced players at Tijuana and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. Former Boston College star Watson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market.

Third on the list of top players last round was Bahamas forward Ryan Moss (200-F/C-74) of Nogales (#5). Moss scored 26 points and grabbed fourteen rebounds (!!!). Despite Moss' great performance Nogales lost 84-86 to the higher-ranked Cananea (#1, 20-5). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. The last thing Nogales needs is to lose another game like this one. They lose more and more distance to the top teams. Their record is 13 victories and 12 lost games. Moss has a great season in Mexico. After 25 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 10.4rpg (#1 in league). He also has 1.8bpg and FGP: 64.2%.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Michael Gale (193-G-82) of Mexicali - 35 points and 10 rebounds
5. Davin White (186-G-81) of Cananea - 31 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists
6. Julio Everardo (200-C-81) of Tepic - 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Terrance Thomas (198-F-80) of Hermosillo - 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists
8. Cleotis Brown (198-G/F-77) of Tepic - 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists
9. Francisco Ibarra (210-C-84) of Los Mochis - 16 points, 15 rebounds and 2 assists
10. Rene Rougeau (198-G-86) of Culiacan - 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 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)

CIBACOPA Round 26: Caballeros de Culiacan edges Rayos de Hermosillo by one point - by Eurobasket News
The most exciting game of round 26 in the CIBACOPA took place in Hermosillo. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (19-7) to third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (17-9) 69-68 on Saturday evening. Rayos de Hermosillo trailed by 14 points after 3 quarters before a 18-5 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 68-69 at the end of the game. Strangely Rayos de Hermosillo outrebounded Caballeros de Culiacan 38-23 including 30 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Caballeros de Culiacan made 11 blocks. The best player for the winners was American guard Marcus Moore (198-80, college: Washington St.) who scored 32 points and 4 assists. Naturalized American forward Quentin Gonzalez (200-84, college: McNeese St.) chipped in 16 points. Caballeros de Culiacan's coach Jonathan Meza used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Jordanian-American swingman Jamal Abu-Shamala (196-87, college: Minnesota) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Caballeros de Culiacan have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 17-9 record having four points less than leader Cananea. Rayos de Hermosillo at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Caballeros de Culiacan are looking forward to face Bomberos de Mexicali (#7) at home in the next round. Rayos de Hermosillo will play against Frayles de Guasave (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Important game to mention about took place in Tijuana. Eighth ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (11-15) saved a 3-point victory at home edging higher ranked Frayles de Guasave (15-11) 112-109 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Frayles de Guasave. Canadian guard Jermaine Watson (193-81, college: Boston Coll., agency: KMG Sports Management) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Travis Gabbidon contributed with 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners. Tijuana Zonkeys' coach Giovanni Rivera allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American guard Kevin Sowell (190-81) replied with 40 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field) for Frayles de Guasave. Tijuana Zonkeys maintains eighth position with 11-15 record. Frayles de Guasave at the other side keeps the fourth place with 11 games lost. Tijuana Zonkeys will play against bottom-ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (#10) on the road in the next round. Frayles de Guasave will play against the league's second-placed Rayos de Hermosillo (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Leader Mineros de Cananea delivered the twentieth first victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Fuerza Guinda Nogales (13-13) 96-86. Derek Thomas scored 32 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. Mineros de Cananea's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Ryan Moss responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 17 rebounds. Mineros de Cananea maintains first position with 21-5 record. Loser Fuerza Guinda Nogales dropped to the sixth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Mexicali. Mineros de Cananea will meet Ostioneros de Guaymas (#5) on the road in the next round. Fuerza Guinda Nogales will play against Coras de Tepic and hope to secure a win.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Tepic. Local Coras de Tepic (4-22) lost to sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (14-12) 90-76. The game was dominated by American players. Craig Winder notched 19 points to lead the effort. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ostioneros de Guaymas have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Coras de Tepic lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 22 games lost. Ostioneros de Guaymas' next round opponent will be league's leader Mineros de Cananea at home and it may be quite challenging game. Coras de Tepic will play against Fuerza Guinda Nogales (#6).

In the last game of round 26 Mexicali defeated Los Mochis in a road game 99-90.

Hermosillo - Culiacan 68-69

The most exciting game of round 26 in the CIBACOPA took place in Hermosillo. This derby game ended with only one-point home defeat of second-ranked Rayos de Hermosillo (19-7) to third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (17-9) 69-68 on Saturday evening. Rayos de Hermosillo trailed by 14 points after 3 quarters before a 18-5 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 68-69 at the end of the game. Strangely Rayos de Hermosillo outrebounded Caballeros de Culiacan 38-23 including 30 on the defensive glass. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Caballeros de Culiacan made 11 blocks. The best player for the winners was American guard Marcus Moore (198-80, college: Washington St.) who scored 32 points and 4 assists. Naturalized American forward Quentin Gonzalez (200-84, college: McNeese St.) chipped in 16 points. Caballeros de Culiacan's coach Jonathan Meza used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. Jordanian-American swingman Jamal Abu-Shamala (196-87, college: Minnesota) produced 14 points and 7 rebounds and American center Marquise Gray (206-86, college: Michigan St.) added 14 points and 8 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Four Rayos de Hermosillo players scored in double figures. Caballeros de Culiacan have an impressive eight-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains third position with 17-9 record having four points less than leader Cananea. Rayos de Hermosillo at the other side keeps the second place with seven games lost. Caballeros de Culiacan are looking forward to face Bomberos de Mexicali (#7) at home in the next round. Rayos de Hermosillo will play against Frayles de Guasave (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hermosillo: J.Manuel Esteva 15+6reb+1ast, J.Abu-Shamala 14+7reb+2ast, M.Gray 14+8reb+1ast, T.Thomas 11+6reb+4ast, J.Lopez 8+7reb+2ast, R.Rivera 4+1reb+1ast
Culiacan: M.Moore 32+2reb+4ast, Q.Gonzalez 16+2reb+2ast, D.Meza Rogel 9+3reb, A.Henning 6+3reb+1ast, R.Rougeau 4+10reb+2ast, J.Gonzalez 2+1reb

Nogales - Cananea 86-96

Leader Mineros de Cananea delivered the twentieth first victory on Saturday night. This time they beat 5th ranked Fuerza Guinda Nogales (13-13) 96-86. The game was mostly controlled by Mineros de Cananea. Fuerza Guinda Nogales managed to win third quarter 27-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Mineros de Cananea made 16-of-20 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. American forward Derek Thomas (193-84, college: Appalachian St.) scored 32 points and 7 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and the other American import forward Brandon Brown (201-85, college: Cal.St.-San Bernar.) chipped in 25 points and 13 rebounds during the contest. Worth to mention Brown played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Mineros de Cananea's coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Bahamas power forward Ryan Moss (200-74, college: UALR) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 17 rebounds and American-Venezuelan forward Jermaine Walker (198-77, college: Miami, FL) scored 23 points. Four Fuerza Guinda Nogales players scored in double figures. Mineros de Cananea maintains first position with 21-5 record. Loser Fuerza Guinda Nogales dropped to the sixth place with 13 games lost. They share the position with Mexicali. Mineros de Cananea will meet Ostioneros de Guaymas (#5) on the road in the next round. Fuerza Guinda Nogales will play against Coras de Tepic and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nogales: J.Walker 23+1reb+1ast, R.Moss 20+17reb+2ast, D.Brown 14+6reb+1ast, B.Heredia 11+2reb+2ast, H.Rivera 8+1reb, J.Mercado 6+5reb+1ast
Cananea: D.Thomas 32+7reb, D.White 26+2reb+7ast, B.Brown 25+13reb+1ast, D.Onofre 5+1reb, M.Valenzuela 3+2reb+1ast, E.Swanson 3+1reb+3ast

Tijuana - Guasave 112-109

Important game to mention about took place in Tijuana. Eighth ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (11-15) saved a 3-point victory at home edging higher ranked Frayles de Guasave (15-11) 112-109 on Saturday evening. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Frayles de Guasave. The hosts were already 15 points ahead after 3 quarters before a 35-23 Frayles de Guasave's run in the last quarter cut the lead to 112-109 at the end of the game. Tijuana Zonkeys made 25-of-30 charity shots (83.3 percent) during the game. They brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. Canadian guard Jermaine Watson (193-81, college: Boston Coll., agency: KMG Sports Management) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 26 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists. American forward Travis Gabbidon (201, college: UTSA) contributed with 33 points (!!!) and 4 assists (was perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line !!!) for the winners. Watson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Tijuana Zonkeys' coach Giovanni Rivera allowed to play the deep bench players in such tough game. American guard Kevin Sowell (190-81) replied with 40 points (!!!), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks (on 16-of-21 shooting from the field) and the former international swingman Alonso Izaguirre (200-76) added 21 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Frayles de Guasave. Five Tijuana Zonkeys and four Frayles de Guasave players scored in double figures. Tijuana Zonkeys maintains eighth position with 11-15 record. Frayles de Guasave at the other side keeps the fourth place with 11 games lost. Tijuana Zonkeys will play against bottom-ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (#10) on the road in the next round. Frayles de Guasave will play against the league's second-placed Rayos de Hermosillo (#2) and will have a slim chance for a victory.
Top scorers:
Guasave: K.Sowell 40+7reb+4ast, A.Izaguirre 21+6reb, R.Barrett 17+3reb+2ast, W.Funn 14+4reb+7ast, M.Strobbe 9+9reb+2ast, J.Acosta 5+1reb
Tijuana: T.Gabbidon 33+4reb+4ast, J.Watson 26+7reb+10ast, C.Tate 21+6reb+2ast, E.Zuniga 12+1reb, L.Ramirez 12+2reb+2ast, Z.Alvidrez 5+1reb

Los Mochis - Mexicali 90-99

There was no surprise when 10th ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (3-23) were defeated at home by seventh ranked Bomberos de Mexicali (13-13) 99-90. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Pioneros Los Mochis won third quarter 22-14. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Strangely Pioneros Los Mochis outrebounded Bomberos de Mexicali 44-29 including a 21-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. They brought some defensive toughness making 8 blocks. 26 personal fouls committed by Pioneros Los Mochis helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Michael Gale (193-82, college: Centenary) notched 37 points (!!!), 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals to lead the effort and the other American import forward James Penny (198-76, college: TCU) supported him with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Even 23 points and 7 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) by American guard Detrick White (184-76, college: Mississippi St.) did not help to save the game for Pioneros Los Mochis. Guard Juan Favela (183-91) added 18 points and 7 rebounds for the hosts. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Bomberos de Mexicali moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Nogales. Pioneros Los Mochis lost eleventh consecutive game. They stay dead last with 23 lost games. Bomberos de Mexicali's next round opponent will be higher ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (#3) on the road and it may be quite challenging game. Pioneros Los Mochis will play against Tijuana Zonkeys (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Los Mochis: D.White 23+7reb+2ast, J.Favela 18+7reb+3ast, F.Ibarra 14+8reb+1ast, J.Estrada 13+2reb+1ast, E.Hare 8+6reb+1ast, A.Araujo 5+4reb
Mexicali: M.Gale 37+8reb+4ast, J.Penny 22+8reb, F.Fisher 12+1reb+2ast, A.Gonzalez 11+2reb, P.Giron 9+2reb, J.Ortega 4+4reb

Tepic - Guaymas 76-90

The game with biggest result difference took place in Tepic. Local Coras de Tepic (4-22) lost to sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (14-12) 90-76. The game was mostly controlled by Ostioneros de Guaymas. Coras de Tepic was better in fourth quarter 29-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Ostioneros de Guaymas shot 60.7 percent from the field and made 16-of-21 charity shots (76.2 percent) during the game. The game was dominated by American players. Guard Craig Winder (188-84, college: Texas, agency: Prossin Sports Management) notched 19 points to lead the effort and forward Jerome Habel (208-85, college: San Diego St.) supported him with 16 points and 7 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field). Even 26 points and 9 rebounds by forward Ira Brown (193-82, college: Gonzaga, agency: Dream Team Management) did not help to save the game for Coras de Tepic. Swingman Cleotis Brown (198-77, college: Illinois, agency: Dream Team Management) added 17 points for the hosts. Five Ostioneros de Guaymas and four Coras de Tepic players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Ostioneros de Guaymas have an impressive six-game winning streak. They moved-up to fifth place. Coras de Tepic lost sixth consecutive game. They keep the ninth position with 22 games lost. Ostioneros de Guaymas' next round opponent will be league's leader Mineros de Cananea at home and it may be quite challenging game. Coras de Tepic will play against Fuerza Guinda Nogales (#6).
Top scorers:
Tepic: I.Brown 26+9reb+3ast, C.Brown 17+2reb+2ast, J.Pablo Bravo 14+2reb+2ast, J.Parker 10+3reb, J.Everardo 3+4reb+2ast, H.Ibanez 2+2ast
Guaymas: C.Winder 19+3reb+1ast, J.Habel 16+7reb, O.Lopez 15+3reb, H.Nungaray 15+7ast, R.Navarro 10+2reb+1ast, J.Luis Bucio 7+3reb+3ast

CIBACOPA Round 25: Mineros de Cananea defeats Fuerza Guinda Nogales in the closest game of the week - by Eurobasket News
Coincidentally all visitors won their games.

Fifth-ranked Fuerza Guinda Nogales (13-12) gave a tough game to first ranked Mineros de Cananea (20-5) on Friday. The visitors from Cananea managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected much easier game. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mineros de Cananea made 9 blocks. American guard Davin White (186-81, college: Cal.St. Northridge) stepped up and scored 31 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import forward Derek Thomas (193-84, college: Appalachian St.) chipped in 19 points. At the losing side Bahamas power forward Ryan Moss (200-74, college: UALR) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds. Mineros de Cananea maintains first place with 20-5 record. Fuerza Guinda Nogales at the other side keep the fifth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Guaymas. Mineros de Cananea will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fuerza Guinda Nogales will play again at home against the league's leader Mineros de Cananea (#1) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
The game between Top Four teams took place in Hermosillo. Their biggest opponent host Rayos de Hermosillo (19-6) lost to third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (16-9) 87-81. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Marcus Moore (198-80, college: Washington St.) nailed 28 points and 5 assists for the winning side and Rene Rougeau accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds. Caballeros de Culiacan's coach Jonathan Meza allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Terrance Thomas (198-80, college: Baylor) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists for Rayos de Hermosillo in the defeat. Caballeros de Culiacan have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 16-9 record having four points less than leader Cananea. Rayos de Hermosillo at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Caballeros de Culiacan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rayos de Hermosillo will play again at home against Caballeros de Culiacan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game in Tijuana was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Frayles de Guasave (15-10) played at the court of 8th ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (10-15). Frayles de Guasave managed to secure a 7-point victory 103-96 on Friday. Kevin Sowell fired 25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. Jermaine Watson produced a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for lost side. The victory was the third consecutive win for Frayles de Guasave. They maintain fourth place with 15-10 record. Tijuana Zonkeys lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Frayles de Guasave will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tijuana Zonkeys will play again against Frayles de Guasave (#4) and hope to secure a win.
9th ranked Coras de Tepic (4-21) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (13-12) with the biggest margin this round 106-81. Worth to mention a great performance of Jerome Habel who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 8 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ostioneros de Guaymas. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Nogales. Coras de Tepic lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 21 games lost. Ostioneros de Guaymas will have a break next round. Coras de Tepic will play again at home against Ostioneros de Guaymas (#6).

In the last game of round 25 Mexicali won against Los Mochis on the opponent's court 90-81.

Los Mochis - Mexicali 81-90

Rather expected game when 10th ranked Pioneros Los Mochis (3-22) were defeated at home by seventh ranked Bomberos de Mexicali (12-13) 90-81. Pioneros Los Mochis were ahead by 2 points at the halftime before a 46-35 second half run of Bomberos de Mexicali. They made 29-of-35 charity shots (82.9 percent) during the game. They brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. 24 personal fouls committed by Pioneros Los Mochis helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Michael Gale (193-82, college: Centenary) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 35 points (!!!) and 10 rebounds. Swingman Arturo Vazquez (194-78) contributed with 15 points for the winners. American guard Detrick White (184-76, college: Mississippi St.) answered with 30 points and 5 rebounds and the former international center Francisco Ibarra (210-84) added 16 points and 15 rebounds in the effort for Pioneros Los Mochis. Bomberos de Mexicali maintains seventh place with 12-13 record. Pioneros Los Mochis lost their tenth game in a row. They stay dead last with 22 lost games. Bomberos de Mexicali will have a break next round. Pioneros Los Mochis will play again at home against Bomberos de Mexicali (#7).
Top scorers:
Los Mochis: D.White 30+5reb+2ast, F.Ibarra 16+15reb+2ast, J.Favela 14+4reb+3ast, A.Araujo 8+2reb+2ast, E.Hare 5+9reb+3ast, A.Verdugo 4+4reb+1ast
Mexicali: M.Gale 35+10reb+1ast, A.Vazquez 15+4reb+3ast, J.Penny 15+4reb+2ast, A.Gonzalez 9+5reb+1ast, R.Lopez 9+5reb+2ast, F.Fisher 4+5reb

Tepic - Guaymas 81-106

9th ranked Coras de Tepic (4-21) was outscored at home by sixth ranked Ostioneros de Guaymas (13-12) with the biggest margin this round 106-81. The game without a history. Ostioneros de Guaymas led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Coras de Tepic's 40 and made 17-of-21 charity shots (81.0 percent) during the game. Ostioneros de Guaymas brought some defensive toughness making 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Jerome Habel (208-85, college: San Diego St.) who helped to win the game recording 14 points and 8 rebounds. The former international center Omar Lopez (203-80, college: Cal.Baptist) contributed with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. American swingman Cleotis Brown (198-77, college: Illinois, agency: Dream Team Management) answered with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and center Julio Everardo (200-81) added 24 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for Coras de Tepic. Five Ostioneros de Guaymas and four Coras de Tepic players scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. The victory was the fifth consecutive win for Ostioneros de Guaymas. They moved-up to fifth place, which they share with Nogales. Coras de Tepic lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the ninth position with 21 games lost. Ostioneros de Guaymas will have a break next round. Coras de Tepic will play again at home against Ostioneros de Guaymas (#6).
Top scorers:
Tepic: C.Brown 26+6reb+6ast, J.Everardo 24+7reb+4ast, J.Parker 17+4reb+2ast, J.Pablo Bravo 14+2ast, A.Ayala 0+4reb, R.Aguilar Nery 0
Guaymas: C.Winder 16+4reb+3ast, O.Lopez 15+8reb+1ast, J.Habel 14+8reb+2ast, F.Benitez 13+2reb, H.Nungaray 13+1reb+7ast, R.Benitez 10+3reb

Hermosillo - Culiacan 81-87

The game between Top Four teams took place in Hermosillo. Their biggest opponent host Rayos de Hermosillo (19-6) lost to third ranked Caballeros de Culiacan (16-9) 87-81. The guests started the game with a very strong first quarter 31-20. But Rayos de Hermosillo won second period 23-19. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when Caballeros de Culiacan won last quarter 20-16. Americans were the main players on the court. Guard Marcus Moore (198-80, college: Washington St.) nailed 28 points and 5 assists for the winning side and guard Rene Rougeau (198-86, college: UNLV) accounted for 18 points and 8 rebounds. Caballeros de Culiacan's coach Jonathan Meza allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Terrance Thomas (198-80, college: Baylor) came up with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists and center Marquise Gray (206-86, college: Michigan St.) added 21 points and 5 blocks (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field) respectively for Rayos de Hermosillo in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Caballeros de Culiacan have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. Defending champion maintains third place with 16-9 record having four points less than leader Cananea. Rayos de Hermosillo at the other side keeps the second position with six games lost. Caballeros de Culiacan will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Rayos de Hermosillo will play again at home against Caballeros de Culiacan and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Hermosillo: M.Gray 21+3reb, J.Manuel Esteva 17+4reb+2ast, T.Thomas 14+11reb+7ast, J.Lopez 10+11reb+1ast, E.Medina 9+2reb, J.Abu-Shamala 7+2reb+1ast
Culiacan: M.Moore 28+4reb+5ast, A.Henning 18+3reb, R.Rougeau 18+8reb+2ast, Q.Gonzalez 10+8reb, J.Gonzalez 5+1reb, M.Antonio Luna Armenta 3

Nogales - Cananea 84-86

Fifth-ranked Fuerza Guinda Nogales (13-12) gave a tough game to first ranked Mineros de Cananea (20-5) on Friday. The visitors from Cananea managed to secure only two-point victory 86-84. However their fans expected much easier game. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mineros de Cananea made 9 blocks. American guard Davin White (186-81, college: Cal.St. Northridge) stepped up and scored 31 points and 7 rebounds for the winners and his fellow American import forward Derek Thomas (193-84, college: Appalachian St.) chipped in 19 points. At the losing side Bahamas power forward Ryan Moss (200-74, college: UALR) responded with a double-double by scoring 26 points and 14 rebounds and American-Venezuelan forward Jermaine Walker (198-77, college: Miami, FL) scored 21 points and 5 rebounds. Mineros de Cananea maintains first place with 20-5 record. Fuerza Guinda Nogales at the other side keep the fifth position with 12 games lost. They share it with Guaymas. Mineros de Cananea will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Fuerza Guinda Nogales will play again at home against the league's leader Mineros de Cananea (#1) and are hoping to prove to their supporters that this time they can win.
Top scorers:
Nogales: R.Moss 26+14reb, J.Walker 21+5reb+1ast, B.Heredia 10+4reb+4ast, D.Brown 8+1reb, J.Mercado 4+2reb, H.Rivera 3+2reb+2ast
Cananea: D.White 31+7reb+3ast, D.Thomas 19+2reb+3ast, B.Brown 11+5reb, O.Zuniga 8+5reb+2ast, C.Uribe 7+8reb, D.Onofre 4

Tijuana - Guasave 96-103

The game in Tijuana was also quite interesting. Fourth ranked Frayles de Guasave (15-10) played at the court of 8th ranked Tijuana Zonkeys (10-15). Frayles de Guasave managed to secure a 7-point victory 103-96 on Friday. Tijuana Zonkeys were tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Frayles de Guasave shot 62.9 percent from the field. It was a great shooting night for Frayles de Guasave especially from behind the arc, where they had solid 57.1 percentage. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Frayles de Guasave made 16 blocks. American guard Kevin Sowell (190-81) fired 25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks for the winners. His fellow American import guard William Funn (188-82, college: Portland St.) chipped in 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Sowell is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Canadian guard Jermaine Watson (193-81, college: Boston Coll., agency: KMG Sports Management) produced a triple-double by scoring 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and American forward Travis Gabbidon (201, college: UTSA) added 23 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The victory was the third consecutive win for Frayles de Guasave. They maintain fourth place with 15-10 record. Tijuana Zonkeys lost their fifth game in a row. They keep the eighth position with 15 games lost. Frayles de Guasave will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Tijuana Zonkeys will play again against Frayles de Guasave (#4) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Tijuana: J.Watson 29+10reb+10ast, T.Gabbidon 23+3reb+2ast, C.Tate 15+5reb+3ast, L.Ramirez 14+3reb+4ast, E.Zuniga 10+6reb+3ast, A.Ornelas 3+1ast
Guasave: K.Sowell 25+5reb+8ast, R.Barrett 23+4reb+2ast, W.Funn 17+7reb+7ast, M.Strobbe 17+3reb, A.Izaguirre 15+5reb+2ast, F.Sanchez 6+2reb

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

NBA

Nets begin single affiliation with Springfield Armor D-League team - by Eurobasket News
The New Jersey Nets today began their single affiliation with their NBA Development League affiliate, the Springfield Armor, assuming full control of the Armor's basketball operations. The Nets become the second NBA team, along with the Houston Rockets (Rio Grande Valley Vipers), with such a partnership, also known as a hybrid affiliation, and are now the fifth NBA team with a single-affiliated NBA D-League team.

'This is an exciting time for The Nets as we head into this new partnership', said Nets General Manager Billy King.

In a structure similar to other minor leagues, this model allows for NBA teams to secure control over and cover the expenses related to the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team, while partnering with existing local ownership, which maintains responsibility for the teams off-the-court business operations.

The Nets now become the fifth NBA team to have a one-to-one relationship with their NBA Development League affiliate for next season, which reflects our importance and success as a development engine for the NBA, said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. Its a great time for the NBA Development League, and were looking forward to a very successful future for the Springfield Armor.

After entering into a hybrid affiliation with the Houston Rockets prior to the 2009-10 season, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers have led the NBA D-League in Call-Ups the last two seasons, sending eight different players to the NBA 13 times. The other NBA teams that were solely affiliated with an NBA D-League team during the 2010-11 season were the Dallas Mavericks (Texas Legends), Oklahoma City Thunder (Tulsa 66ers) and San Antonio Spurs (Austin Toros). Both the Thunder and the Spurs fully own and operate their affiliates, while the Legends are owned by Mavericks General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson.

The Nets shared their affiliation with the Armor this season with the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. The Sixers and Knicks new NBA D-League affiliations will be announced at a later date.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

Pacers contact Spurs Lindsey about job - by Eurobasket News
Despite the Indiana Pacers having a president and general manager in place, a franchise official called the San Antonio Spurs for permission to speak to assistant general manager Dennis Lindsey about a prominent front-office job, Eastern Conference sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Jim Morris, who runs the organizations business side, reached out to Spurs officials to talk to Lindsey, sources said. The call was received with trepidation, sources said, as Lindsey and the Spurs made clear there would be no conversations as long as Pacers president Larry Bird and GM David Morway still occupied their current jobs.

It is unclear whether the call was made with the blessing of Bird, or made discreetly on behalf of owner Herb Simon.

Pacers president Larry Bird is expected to meet with Simon in the next several days to discuss his future with the franchise. Birds contract expires in July, and league sources believe Simon wants Bird to continue at a lower salary.

Bird wants to be sure he still answers directly to Simon, not other business operations and financial people within the Pacers, sources said.

The most likely scenario would be the Pacers recruiting Lindsey to serve as the GM under Bird. Morway has been considered more vulnerable with his contract expiring this year, despite the fact the Pacers have accumulated several promising young players and played the top-seeded Chicago Bulls tough in an opening-round playoff loss. Morway has the GM title, but works under and reports directly to Bird. Most of the Pacers front-office staff members, including scouts and coaches, are working under expiring contracts.

Pacers interim coach Frank Vogel is expected to get serious consideration to be promoted to the full-time job, but its doubtful the coaching situation will be resolved until theres clarity in the front office.

Lindsey is a respected executive, and has been considered on the cusp of taking over his own franchise. He turned down the Minnesota Timberwolves job in 2009 and pulled out of the Phoenix Suns search in 2010. Lindsey spent 11 years with the Houston Rockets before joining the Spurs in 2007.

Courtesy of Yahoo

Kings to stay in Sacramento at least one more year - by Eurobasket News
The Sacramento Kings will remain in the California capital for at least one more season after dropping plans to relocate to Anaheim, the NBA said on its website on Monday.

The Maloof family, owners of the Kings, had been investigating a move to Orange County after its efforts to secure a new arena deal in Sacramento stalled.

'We are heading back to Sacramento,' Kings co-owner George Maloof told the Sacramento Bee. 'It was a tough decision.'

'Ticket holders were reaching out to us, and it was the right thing to do to give it a shot at one more season.'

The Kings had until Monday afternoon to file relocation papers with the NBA.

Courtesy of www.vancouversun.com

Heat 99, Celtics 90: C's scorched in Game 1 - by Eurobasket News
Dwyane Wade (6'4''-G-82, college: Marquette) knew his regular-season numbers against Boston were lacking.

He also knew that wouldn't matter in the playoffs.

And Game 1 - which seemed more like Round 1 - of what's already an emotionally charged series went to Wade and the Miami Heat.

Wade scored 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting, James Jones (6'8''-F-80, college: Miami, FL) set a Miami postseason record with 25 points off the bench, and the Heat beat the Celtics 99-90 yesterday to open their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

'We're going to have to fight for every inch, every game we get,' Wade said. 'Right now, we won Game 1. We're supposed to. We'll go back and focus on winning Game 2. We're at home, we have home-court advantage. They're just trying to come in and steal one like they've done in the past. So it's our job to come out with the same mentality in the next one.'

LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) finished with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for Miami, which led by as many as 19 before a fiery finish that saw plenty of players jawing at each other - more than that in some cases. Paul Pierce was ejected with seven minutes left, after picking up two technicals in skirmishes with Wade and Jones within a span of 59 seconds.

Ray Allen (6'6''-G-75, college: Connecticut) scored 25 points for Boston, which lost for the first time in five games this postseason. Pierce scored 19 and Delonte West (6'4''-G-83, college: St.Joseph's) finished with 10 for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett were held to a combined 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting.

'There's so many things we need to do to get better,' Allen said. 'I think everybody in that locker room knows that, just from a small conversation we just had.'

Game 2 is tomorrow night in Miami.

Given how Boston ousted Miami last season, and ended James' playoff runs with Cleveland in 2008 and 2010, these teams have history - and more than a bit of dislike, and that was apparent. It was physical throughout, with West earning a technical and Jermaine O'Neal (6'11''-F-78) picking up a flagrant foul along the way, before things really got hot in the fourth.

Pierce took offense with a hard foul by Jones, each getting double-technicals there, and Pierce and Wade - who have a bit of history themselves - renewed acquaintances not long after that.

Referee Ed Malloy called both for double-technicals, and Pierce was screaming as he departed. Boston coach Doc Rivers said he thought Jones and Wade went at Pierce too aggressively on the two plays that ended his forward's night.

'I thought both were flagrant fouls, personally, and I don't think we should react to either one,' Rivers said.

Wade acted like he didn't hear what Pierce said to him on the play with seven minutes left, dismissing it as 'gibberish.' Crew chief Dan Crawford said Pierce's second technical was merited because he directed profanity at Wade.

'And in the rulebook, that is a verbal taunt,' Crawford said. 'And it just so happened to be Pierce's second technical foul.'

Pierce's first technical, Crawford said, came after he made contact with Jones during a dead ball period. Rivers said he knew the Heat would try to play physical ball, but said what he saw yesterday didn't apply.

'That's chippy,' Rivers said. 'That ain't physical.'

Countered Wade: 'Very interesting that Doc said that.'

Pierce did not speak with reporters postgame.

After he departed, the Celtics tried to rally. Allen made a 3-pointer to get within 90-82, but Chris Bosh (6'11''-F-84, college: Georgia Tech) and Wade had Miami's next two baskets, restoring a double-digit lead that wasn't again seriously threatened.

'Every game is going to go like this,' Wade said. 'We look forward to the challenge.'

Wade averaged 12.8 points on 28 percent shooting against the Celtics in four regular-season matchups, his worst numbers in both categories against any opponent this season.

Whatever wasn't working then, well, it was fixed for Game 1.

He had nine field goals and 23 points by halftime - while the entire Boston starting five combined for eight field goals and 21 points in the first 24 minutes. He had a steal to set up Mario Chalmers' layup with 0.1 seconds left in the first quarter that put Miami up 20-14, and added a more spectacular buzzer-beater near halftime.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wanted a 20-second timeout to set up the final possession of the half, only to get overruled - surely without complaint, either. Wade waved it off, then kept waving his arm to clear his teammates away, setting up a drive past West for a bank shot with 0.8 ticks remaining that put Miami ahead 51-36 at the break.

Boston was completely out of sorts, perhaps rusty from sitting around for a week after sweeping the New York Knicks, and partly because Miami's defense bottled up everything the Celtics tried. Rondo was on the bench with three fouls for the final 11 minutes of the half, and the Celtics missed 20 of their first 26 shots from the field.

'Ultimately, what we're trying to do is beat the Boston Celtics in basketball, the game of basketball, four times,' Spoelstra said. 'We have one of them right now.'

Jones drew Rondo's third foul on a play where he ended up sprawled out under the Boston basket, grabbing his lower back and writhing in pain. Jones inflicted hurt the rest of the quarter, shooting 4-for-5 from 3-point range in the second period alone.

'JJ probably had the best game of anybody,' James said.

Jones took down Pierce and Allen in the 3-point shootout at All-Star weekend - and some of that same form returned yesterday.

'Someone had to step up,' Jones said. 'I got some good looks. All of our playmakers got me good looks and I was able to knock them down with confidence because these guys trust me in the big moments.'

Courtesy of www.metrowestdailynews.com

Series Preview: (1) Bulls vs. (5) Hawks - by Daniel Gibson
CHICAGO---This Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks series is a tough one for me to pick.

On one hand, the Bulls had the best record in the NBA during the regular season. They survived a tough battle from the Indiana Pacers, they play lock down defense, and are coached by Tom Thibodeau who is the coach of year.

They also have this guy named Derrick Rose (6'4''-G-88, college: Memphis) who is pretty good too...

On the other hand, there's the Atlanta Hawks who have been flying under the radar all season. This team is hard to read.

The Hawks have the athletes to compete with any team in the league. They have scorers in Joe Johnson (6'8''-F-81, college: Arkansas) and Jamal Crawford (6'5''-G-80, college: Michigan), one of the best pure athletes in the game in Josh Smith, and a talented young big man in Alfred Horford (6'10''-F/C-86, college: Florida).

Kirk Hinrich (6'3''-G-81, college: Kansas) was a big pick up for them because he is a defensive minded point guard that can run the offense and knock down shots. He used to be on the Bulls and he has experience defending Rose in practice, not that it will help him stop Rose but he should know some of his tendencies.

Hinrich suffered a hamstring injury in the final game against Orlando and he may be forced to miss time.

Marvin Williams (6'9''-F-86, college: N.Carolina) is a solid player that will score in double figures and has the size and quickness to guard multiple positions. The Hawks also have a couple of centers in Zaza Pachulia (7'0''-C-84) and Jason Collins (6'10''-C-78, college: Stanford) who can provide some scoring (Pachulia) and toughness in the paint.

If Rose thought Jeff Foster (6'11''-F/C-77, college: Texas St.) was throwing bows in the last series he can expect more of the same from Collins and Pachulia this round.

Still, with all the talent that the Hawks have it is too difficult to know which team will show up.

The team that is locked in and focused on the game, or the team that lost to the Bulls by 33 points earlier in the season?

Its hard for me to go against such a tough competitor as Rose but I think that the Hawks will upset the Bulls and win the series in 6 games.

Against Orlando the Hawks played Dwight Howard (6'10''-C/F-85) straight up and let him do his best and didn't send double teams often. Instead, they chose to stay home on the three point shooters and force them to drive and create shots.

I can see them sticking to that game plan against Rose and the Bulls.

Nobody can stop Rose but Atlanta has athletes, size, and quickness that will make it tough for him to get clean looks at the basket. If he is struggling with his jump shot like he did against the Pacers it could be a long series for the Bulls.

Chicago will need Carlos Boozer (6'10''-F/C-80, college: Duke) to give Rose some offensive support and he will also have his hands full attempting to defend Horford.

If Atlanta comes ready to play each game and doesn't get locked into trying to beat this tough Bulls defense with isolation plays every time down the court I see them winning.

It was a tough decision because I know Rose will not go down easily.

East and West Semifinals: First games - by Eurobasket News

East

Chicago B. - Atlanta H. 95-103
The Atlanta Hawks stared down Superman and they weren't blinking against the Bulls, either. Joe Johnson (6'8''-F-81, college: Arkansas) scored 34 points and Atlanta beat top-seeded Chicago 103-95 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. As if the loss itself wasn't bad enough, the Bulls got a scare when Derrick Rose (6'4''-G-88, college: Memphis) came up limping after he turned his left ankle at the end of the game. Their MVP candidate stepped on Jamal Crawford's (6'5''-G-80, college: Michigan) foot as he dribbled out the final seconds and was helped off by teammates and a trainer. ''I should be OK,'' Rose said. ''I'll probably get treatment right now, go home, get some more treatment and be ready to go for (Game 2) Wednesday.'' There were several media reports Monday night that Rose would be announced as the MVP, making him the youngest player to receive the award and only the second Bull along with Michael Jordan. That announcement is expected Tuesday, with the presentation at Game 2 on Wednesday. If the Bulls keep playing like this, that could be their final appearance at the United Center. The Hawks went on a 15-2 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to turn a 69-65 deficit into an 80-71 lead with 10:27 remaining. Johnson hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points during that stretch, and the Hawks hung on. Johnson was brilliant, hitting 12 of 18 shots and all five 3-point attempts. Crawford scored 22 points, and Jeff Teague added 10 while starting at the point for the injured Kirk Hinrich and wound up getting the game ball from coach Larry Drew. *Courtesy of http://msn.foxsports.com

Miami Heat - Boston C. 99-90
Dwyane Wade (6'4''-G-82, college: Marquette) knew his regular-season numbers against Boston were lacking. He also knew that wouldn't matter in the playoffs. And Game 1 - which seemed more like Round 1 - of what's already an emotionally charged series went to Wade and the Miami Heat. Wade scored 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting, James Jones set a Miami postseason record with 25 points off the bench, and the Heat beat the Celtics 99-90 yesterday to open their Eastern Conference semifinal series. 'We're going to have to fight for every inch, every game we get,' Wade said. 'Right now, we won Game 1. We're supposed to. We'll go back and focus on winning Game 2. We're at home, we have home-court advantage. They're just trying to come in and steal one like they've done in the past. So it's our job to come out with the same mentality in the next one.' LeBron James (6'8''-F-84) finished with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists for Miami, which led by as many as 19 before a fiery finish that saw plenty of players jawing at each other - more than that in some cases. Paul Pierce was ejected with seven minutes left, after picking up two technicals in skirmishes with Wade and Jones within a span of 59 seconds. Ray Allen (6'6''-G-75, college: Connecticut) scored 25 points for Boston, which lost for the first time in five games this postseason. Pierce scored 19 and Delonte West finished with 10 for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett were held to a combined 14 points on 6-for-19 shooting. 'There's so many things we need to do to get better,' Allen said. 'I think everybody in that locker room knows that, just from a small conversation we just had.' Game 2 is tomorrow night in Miami. *Courtesy of www.metrowestdailynews.com

West

LA Lakers - Dallas M. 94-96
Dirk Nowitzki (6'11''-F-78) scored 28 points and made two go-ahead free throws with 19.5 seconds left before Pau Gasol (7'0''-F/C-80) and Kobe Bryant (6'6''-G-78) made a crucial turnover, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied for a 96-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. Nowitzki had 14 rebounds for the Mavericks, who dramatically came back from a 16-point deficit in the second half of the perennial playoff teams' first postseason meeting in 23 years. Bryant scored 21 of his 36 points in the second half for the Lakers, but he fell down while trying to get the ball from Gasol with five seconds to play. After one free throw by Jason Kidd (6'4''-G-73, college: California), Bryant missed a three-pointer just before the buzzer. Game 2 is Wednesday night at Staples Center. Gasol had 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the second-seeded Lakers, who lost their second consecutive series opener. Their loss to New Orleans two weeks ago was much more surprising than this loss to the playoff-tested Mavs, but the Lakers' lack of poise down the stretch should be scary to anybody anticipating a threepeat. *Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

Oklah.City T. - Memphis G. 101-114
Zach Randolph (6'9''-C-81, college: Michigan St.) and the Memphis Grizzlies powered their way to another playoff upset - not that Randolph considers it one. Randolph had a playoff career-high 34 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who outmatched the Oklahoma City Thunder inside for a 114-101 victory in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday. 'We believe,' Randolph said. 'We definitely believe. Our confidence is up high. I tell the guys we can compete and play with anybody.' Just as they did in a first-round upset of top-seeded San Antonio, Randolph and Marc Gasol (7'0''-C-85, agency: Interperformances) - who had 20 points and 13 rebounds - provided enough punch to give eighth-seeded Memphis a road victory in game one. 'I think we always try to do that. The thing is that it's not always possible,' Gasol said. 'We always try to come out and execute and play the right way. It's not always possible. Teams are going to adjust, and they're going to do something different. 'We've got to keep being hungry, keep being unselfish offensively and defensively and keep playing the right way.' Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points and 11 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook (6'3''-G-88, college: UCLA) scored 29, but the All-Star tandem couldn't overcome a big advantage in the paint for Memphis. Durant went on to say that he considers Randolph, a 10-year veteran who's bounced around the league with no postseason success until this year, to be 'the best power forward in the league.' 'I've got to agree with that. Thanks, KD,' Randolph said with a smile. 'I appreciate that.' *Courtesy of www.kansascity.com

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Kevin DURANT
  Oklah.Ci.
  (206-G/F-88)
  Avg: 28

1. Durant, Oklah.Ci.	28.0
2. James, Miami Heat	26.5
3. Wade, Miami Heat	25.5
4. Bryant, LA Lakers	25.3
5. Anthony, Denver N.	25.2
6. Rose, Chicago B.	25.1
7. Stoudemire, New Y.	24.7
8. Ellis, Golde S.	24.1
9. Martin, Houston R.	23.5
10. Nowitzki, Dallas	23.4

Rebounds Per Game

Kevin LOVE
  Minnesota T.
  (208-C-88)
  Avg: 15.2

1. Love, Minnesota T.	15.2
2. Howard, Orlando M.	14.2
3. Griffin, LA Clipp.	12.1
4. Randolph, Memph.	11.9
5. Bogut, Milwauke.	11.1
6. Noah, Chicago B.	10.4
7. Humphries, New J.	10.4
8. Camby, Portland TB	10.2
9. Gasol, LA Lakers	10.0
10. Lee, Golde S.	9.8

Assists Per Game

Steve NASH
  Phoenix Suns
  (190-G-74)
  Avg: 11.4

1. Nash, Phoenix Suns	11.4
2. Rondo, Boston C.	11.2
3. Paul, N.Orleans H.	9.9
4. Williams, Utah Jazz	9.7
5. Felton, New Y.	9.0
6. Calderon, Toron.	8.9
7. Wall, Washington W.	8.3
8. Kidd, Dallas M.	8.1
9. Westbrook, Oklah..	8.0
10. Harris, New J.	7.6

Steals Per Game

Chris PAUL
  N.Orleans H.
  (183-G-85)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Paul, N.Orleans H.	2.3
2. Ellis, Golde S.	2.1
3. Rondo, Boston C.	2.1
4. Felton, New Y.	1.8
5. Allen, Memphis G.	1.8
6. Westbrook, Oklah..	1.8
7. Wall, Washington W.	1.8
8. Kidd, Dallas M.	1.7
9. Conley, Memphis G.	1.7
10. Gay, Memphis G.	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Andrew BOGUT
  Milwauke.
  (212-F/C-84)
  Avg: 2.6

1. Bogut, Milwauke.	2.6
2. Ibaka, Oklah.Ci.	2.6
3. McGee, Washingt.	2.4
4. Howard, Orlando M.	2.3
5. Duncan, San A.	2.0
6. Milicic, Minnesota	2.0
7. Stoudemire, New Y.	1.9
8. Bynum, LA Lakers	1.9
9. Jefferson, Utah J.	1.9
10. Jordan, LA Clippe.	1.8

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

NCAA1

Larranaga helping Johnson evaluate his draft chances - by Eurobasket News
The deadline for underclassmen to withdraw their name from the NBA Draft is a week from today, and Hurricanes center Reggie Johnson (6'10''-C) still hasnt made a decision.

And hes not expected to before he attends a pre-draft camp for underclassmen this weekend in New Jersey.

'I dont think he knows yet because he hasnt gone up there yet and figured out how good he is', newly hired Miami coach Jim Larranaga said Friday. 'He's going to go there, compare himself.'

Larranaga flew up to Winston-Salem, N.C. the day after he was hired to meet with Johnson and his mom as Johnson was home for Easter weekend.

Really just to introduce myself and give him a heads up on what we intend to do, what direction the program will go in, Larranaga said. And then he filled me in on his aspirations and his plans.

Larranaga and Johnson met again Thursday, this time with Larranaga's assistant coaches also present.

Larranaga said he planned to talk to Stu Jackson, the NBAs executive vice president for basketball operations, soon about Johnsons draft prospects. Larranaga and Jackson have a long-standing relationship he recruited Jackson as a player coming out of high school. Larranaga also planned to consult NBA Director of Scouting Ryan Blake.

Larranaga spoke to Kenny Anderson again on Friday morning. At this point, its uncertain whether the former NBA star will join Larranagas coaching staff because Larranaga retained his three assistants from George Mason Eric Konko, Michael Huger and Chris Caputo as well as Mike Summey, who was director of basketball operations for former UM coach Frank Haith.

Ill be looking into it and seeing what we can do, Larranaga said. Id love to help him get into college coaching. Hes a great guy. I know hes got a lot of talent to coach the game. My high school coach has endorsed him heavily. But its a matter of opportunity. Im not sure yet if we can even create the opportunity for Kenny now.

Larranaga notched his first major victory as UM coach on Thursday when Bishop Daniels, a 6-foot-2 combo guard from Raleigh, N.C., called Larranaga and Huger to tell them he was still coming to Miami.

Daniels, who committed to the Canes in October and signed in November, announced in early April after Haith left to become Missouris coach that he was looking to be released from his national his letter-of-intent.

Larranaga and Huger flew to Raleigh last week and persuaded Daniels to stick with the Canes. With Daniels, the Canes will have eight guards on the roster next season in addition to swingman DeQuan Jones.

Larranaga has been able to fit some fun into his schedule his first nine days on the job. Thursday night, he attended the Billboard Latin Music Awards at the BankUnited Center. Sunday afternoon, he threw the ceremonial first pitch before Miamis baseball game against Florida State.

When he hasnt been on the road, Larranaga has been staying at a condo belonging to Miami president Donna Shalala while he and his wife, Liz, search for a permanent place in South Florida.

Courtesy of www.sun-sentinel.com

Ex-con helped lure Ware to UCF - by Eurobasket News
In late March, after the University of Tennessee fired Coach Bruce Pearl , a talented high school guard from the Atlanta area named Kevin Ware (6'4''-G-93) decided to rescind his commitment to the Volunteers. Considered one of the nations top 100 high school players, Ware drew interest from high-profile suitors like Georgia, Louisville and U.C.L.A.

Ware ended up picking the University of Central Florida, which has never won an N.C.A.A. tournament game and plays in a second-tier league, Conference USA.

Central Florida, it turns out, had an ally in its recruitment of Ware: Kenneth Caldwell, a Chicago man with a substantial criminal record and apparent ties to a prominent sports agency. Ware said Caldwell called him repeatedly to talk up Central Florida, traveled to Atlanta to meet with his family and even arranged joint phone conversations with the universitys basketball coach, Donnie Jones, and his staff contact prohibited by the N.C.A.A.

He was pushing for U.C.F., Ware said of Caldwell in a telephone interview Thursday.

Informed of Caldwells background, Ware on Thursday said he would not attend Central Florida.

Ware is one of three highly regarded recruits who had some dealings with Caldwell and who then decided in recent months to commit to Central Florida, a degree of recruiting success that baffled many people involved in college sports.

Caldwell, interviewed at length this week, said he did not regard himself as formally recruiting for Central Florida, and he denied being affiliated with any sports agent. He said he had merely become impressed by Central Florida and was doing nothing more than promoting its advantages.

If telling someone about a place is a crime, Caldwell said, lock me up.

Central Florida officials have largely been silent on Caldwell and the potential N.C.A.A. violations, declining to address specific questions on Caldwells connection to university officials and his role in recruiting. Jones and Central Floridas athletic director, Keith Tribble, both of whom have listed Caldwell as a person they follow on Twitter, declined multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.

N.C.A.A. rules identify permissible recruiters, Joe Hornstein, Central Floridas associate director for athletics, said in a statement. If there is information that indicates that other individuals are involved in recruiting activities, we will take corrective action.

Ware and his family said coaches at Central Florida acknowledged to them during the recruitment process that they had known Caldwell for about a year. But the coaches told the family they had no direct affiliation with Caldwell.

Ware and his family, then, are still wondering exactly what Caldwell does, whom he works for and how he came to be involved in selling the virtues of Central Florida.

Caldwell, based on interviews and a review of records, inhabits a murky but expanding corner of the college recruiting world. It is a place teeming with talented young athletes, agents eager to ingratiate themselves with those athletes, and a variety of characters, some known as runners, who often act as middlemen, moving between agents, universities and athletes.

Caldwell, based on interviews and a review of records, appears to fit the profile of a runner. He denies being a runner, but said if he were he would be the best in the country, and you could not stop me.

Caldwells LinkedIn page, which he admitted creating, says he is a recruiter of potential N.B.A. players for ASM Sports, a prominent agency based in New Jersey and run by Andy Miller, an agent with a history of questionable practices in procuring clients.

Darryl Woods, who is listed on ASMs Web site as an associate with the agency, said of Caldwell in a phone interview on Wednesday, He works for us.

Oliver Purnell, the basketball coach at DePaul, said Caldwell introduced himself as someone who worked with Andy Miller and talked with him extensively about at least two of Millers clients.

Miller, for his part, insisted that Caldwell has no relationship with him or his agency, and that Woods was unauthorized to speak for ASM Sports.

In this business, theres a lot of people who claim an association, Miller said of Caldwell.

Wares mother, Lisa Mack, when told of Caldwells background and affiliations, was angry at the entire recruitment process, and in particular the coaches at Central Florida.

Im pretty much just disgusted, she said. Who dreams of something thats supposed to be about the kids and the achievements hes received to this point to receive a scholarship? It has been made something dirty. I feel violated.

From the prestigious East Bank Club in Chicago, where he plays basketball nearly every day, to the gyms around Chicago, there is one certainty about Caldwell he loves to talk.

Caldwell, 42, says he relishes his nickname Financial, and he says he earns a living working as a delinquent tax buyer. He has done well enough, he makes a point of noting, to have driven both a black and a white Bentley in recent years.

Caldwell, by his own account, sees himself as a basketball mentor, someone involved with talented Chicago youngsters to whom he occasionally offers advice on which colleges would be a good fit.

But there is more to Caldwells rsum. According to court records, Caldwell has served time in prison for multiple felony convictions. Records show he received a six-year sentence for a 1991 home invasion and armed robbery. In 1998, he was arrested in downtown Chicago for driving a stolen Mercedes-Benz and sentenced to another six years for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. He was paroled in that case in 2001.

Caldwell, in an interview, admitted to serving 18 months in prison, but said most of the arrests on his record were for crimes his brother committed.

They arrested me so many times for this dude, he said. Every time they let me out.

He refused to comment further on his criminal record.

Caldwell, it seems, has also had money problems, Bentleys or not. The Internal Revenue Service issued a federal tax lien against him for $240,229 in 2006. It still has not been paid, according to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

Caldwell said he did not mind the details of his past being made public.

Its not going to change my perception or lifestyle one bit, he said. Not one iota. Youll make me a legend in Chicago. Because thats what Chicago feeds off of, they love that. You want to make me a legend, do that.

Before his recent flurry of activity with high-profile prospects like Ware, Caldwell was best known in basketball circles for his involvement with the Ferrari summer basketball program in Chicago.

Caldwell said he spent more than $200,000 on Ferrari and that he helped more than 130 youngsters receive college scholarships. He claims friendships with many of Chicagos top players. Ive taken so many kids off the streets of Chicago, he said.

Tyrone Slaughter, who runs Ferrari and considers Caldwell a friend, laughed when told of those statements. He said the numbers would be more accurate if they were less than $2,000 and fewer than 10 players.

Caldwell, according to interviews, tends to tell coaches he is affiliated with Justin Zanik, an agent at ASM. Caldwell bragged recently on his Twitter page about having drinks with Zanik.

Zanik said he has a personal relationship with Caldwell, but that Caldwell has never been employed by me. Zanik said he had been in contact with Jones, Central Floridas coach, about some aspects of his contract, but does not currently represent him.

Caldwell says he sees himself as a well-connected basketball philanthropist whose goal is to help youngsters. Others have different, more disturbing views.

He runs around and acts like hes this agent and works for this person and that person, said Reggie Rose, the chief executive and founder of the Derrick Rose All-Stars, and the brother of the Bulls star Derrick Rose. When its all said and done and the draft comes up, he doesnt have players. That guy is a cancer to everything he touches.

Caldwell said his initial interest in Central Florida began when a high school player from Chicago, A. J. Rompza, joined the Conference USA program three seasons ago. Caldwell is close to Rompza and likes to refer to him as his son. Rompza is now a junior on the team.

Jones, who had served as an assistant at Florida and later head coach at Marshall, took over Central Florida last year. Around the same time, Caldwell and a person he calls his very close friend, the former high school all-American Brandon Bender, began to become involved with prominent recruits around the country, including athletes who went to universities other than Central Florida.

Two recruits, whom Caldwell refers to as his nephews, a term for players he advises, have ties to Bender and both wound up committing to U.C.F. One is the 6-foot-10 Michael Chandler, one of the countrys top-5 centers, who committed first to Louisville, then to Xavier two legitimate powers before stunning the basketball establishment by choosing Central Florida.

I never even heard of Central Florida until he committed to them, said Jack Keefer, Chandlers coach at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis.

Chandlers uncle, Allen Chandler, said his nephew had chosen U.C.F. on its merits.

But Abigail Grantstein, an assistant director of enforcement for the N.C.A.A., visited Lawrence North this week to ask about Chandlers recruitment to Central Florida, Keefer said.

Meanwhile, at Seneca High School in Louisville, Louis Dover, the schools veteran football coach, said he was halfway waiting for N.C.A.A. investigators to visit him.

Dovers star quarterback, DaMarcus Smith, opted for Central Florida this winter after being recruited by Ohio State, Oregon and Tennessee. Dover said that Smith, who had committed to attend Louisville, was harassed into signing his letter of intent to Central Florida by his mother.

Both Caldwell and Bender had been counseling Smith. Caldwell said he had spoken to both Smith and his mother about Central Florida, and Bender was there for a news conference when Smith made his decision to go to U.C.F. Bender refused to discuss his dealings with Caldwell or any recruits.

Smith and his mother could not be reached for comment.

Dover said that the dealings over Smith felt distinctively suspect. Smith is now seeking to void his commitment to Central Florida, which has yet to let him out of his letter.

Its completely ridiculous, Dover said. The whole situation is disgusting.

Outside Atlanta, Ware does not know which university he will play for next fall. He and his family said they were upset by U.C.F.s apparently misleading accounts of what they knew of Caldwell. Wares mother and the man he considers his stepfather, Wesley Junior, said they had been unaware of the fact that Caldwell allowed Central Florida coaches to patch themselves into conference calls during their sons recruitment until he told them this week.

That I think bothers us the most, Junior said.

As Ware now goes about choosing his third college, his family hopes others use their story as a cautionary tale.

Theres a lot of things that have happened in this process, Junior said, that a lot of kids could learn from.

*Courtesy of www.nytimes.com

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

NEW ZEALAND

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Jerry SMITH
  Waikato P.
  (185-G-87)
  Avg: 21.8

1. Smith, Waikato P.	21.8
2. Mickens, Auckland.	21.7
3. Hudson, Manawatu.	21.7
4. Dora, Nelson G.	21.3
5. Leasure, Taranaki.	21.3
6. Polyblank, Southla.	20.7
7. Pace, Bay Hawks	20.5
8. Allen, Waikato P.	19.8
9. O''Gallagher, Ocean.	19.7
10. Johnson, Wellingt.	19.7

Rebounds Per Game

Kareem JOHNSON
  Wellingt.
  (205-C-80)
  Avg: 11.3

1. Johnson, Wellingt.	11.3
2. Bradshaw, OceanaG.	11.3
3. Allred, OceanaGo.	11.0
4. Frank, Wellington	10.7
5. Seay, Waikato P.	9.3
6. Dawson, Southlan.	9.0
7. Henry, Wellington	9.0
8. Anthony, Waika.	9.0
9. Bartlett, Auckland.	8.7
10. Brown, Auckland P.	8.7

Assists Per Game

George LE''AFA
  Wellingt.
  (178-PG-78)
  Avg: 7.3

1. Le''afa, Wellingt.	7.3
2. Kench, Manawatu J.	6.7
3. Dickel, Southland	6.0
4. Martin, Auckland.	4.7
5. Frank, Wellington	4.7
6. O''Gallagher, Ocean.	4.0
7. Smith, Waikato P.	3.8
8. To''omata, OceanaG.	3.3
9. Leasure, Taranaki.	3.0
10. Kenny, Bay Hawks	2.8

Steals Per Game

Jeremy KENCH
  Manawatu J.
  (187-G-84)
  Avg: 2.7

1. Kench, Manawatu J.	2.7
2. Allen, Waikato P.	2.5
3. Smith, Waikato P.	2.5
4. Dickel, Southland	2.3
5. Seay, Waikato P.	2.3
6. Polyblank, Southla.	2.0
7. Maxey, Wellington	2.0
8. Dawson, Southlan.	1.7
9. Hudson, Manawatu.	1.7
10. Frank, Wellington	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Marcus CAMPBELL
  Taranaki.
  (214-C-82)
  Avg: 2.5

1. Campbell, Taranaki.	2.5
2. Anthony, Waika.	1.5
3. Henry, Wellington	1.5
4. Seay, Waikato P.	1.5
5. Frank, Wellington	1.3
6. Spicer, Southlan.	1.3
7. Brown, Auckland P.	1.3
8. Beck, Auckland P.	1.0
9. Bailey-N., Taranak.	0.8
10. Smith, Waikato P.	0.8

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

NIGERIA

DStv PBL: Union Bank upstage Comets 71-63 (16-24, 19-09, 10-17, 26-13) - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Union Bank basketball club at the weekend defeated one-time champion of the Nigeria league Comets basketball club in a local derby at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos by 71-63 points.

The week-13 Atlantic conference pairing of the DStv Premier Basketball League kept fans at the edge of their seat throughout the forty minutes duration of the game as both sides gave a good of account of themselves with Union Bank basketball club going down by 16-24 points in the first quarter but rose to the occasion in the second quarter taking the quarter by 19-09 point to go into the break with a 35-33 points advantage.

The Stallion boys as the bankers are also referred to was pushed back into their territory in the third quarter with Comets catching in on the frequent turn-over by Union Bank BC a situation which made the team head coach, Ayinla Johnson to be on his feet for the entire duration of the quarter which they lost by 10-17 points for a five points decifit entering the last quarter.

With defeat staring Union Bank BC in the face the bench and the players rally round each other to upstage Coach Ayo Bakare and his Comets side in the last quarter with so much determination and team-work running away with a 26-13 points to carry the day by 71-63 points.

With Saturday victory Union Bank thus possess the best record in the Atlantic conference 12-1 as their closest rival Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt has a 11-2 record after seeing off Islanders basketball club of Lagos by 83-43 points at the Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Sunday while third placed Comets is now 8-5 enough to guarantee them a place in the final-8 playoffs cut leaving the fourth slot in the Atlantic conference to either Dodan Warriors basketball club or Islanders basketball club.

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

PALESTINE

Standings - Men

PBBA Standings

1. De La Salle		10-0
2. Ibdaa D.		10-0
3. Bethlehem		6-3
4. Al Ahli		5-4
5. Hiteen		5-4
6. Sarriyet		5-4
7. Berzeit Club		5-4
8. Beit Sahour		4-5
9. Orthodox R.		4-6
10. Ebal		3-6
11. Qalandia		2-7
12. Islami		1-8
13. Al Fara		0-9

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

PBL

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

PERU

Standings - Superior

Superior Standings

1. Real Club		8-0
2. Regatas		8-0
3. Inmaculada		5-3
4. San Marcos		4-4
5. Ejercito		3-5
6. Centro Naval		1-7
7. Rinconada		0-0
8. Escuela Fap		0-2
9. Real Amist.		0-2
10. Circolo/UAP		0-4

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

POLAND

1Liga Round 4 of Semi-Finals. LKS Lodz and MMKS DG are tied - by Eurobasket News
LKS Lodz - MMKS DG 79-53

LKS Lodz posted the second win in a row and caught up with MMKS DG in the semifinal series. The hosts trailed by 1 point at the halftime before their 52-25 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. LKS Sphinx made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. LKS Sphinx outrebounded MMKS Dabrowa Gornicza 38-27 including 27 on the defensive glass. Worth to mention a great performance of guard Bartlomiej Szczepaniak (187-G-81) who helped to win the game recording 27 points. Forward Marcin Salamonik (202-83) contributed with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Swingman Marek Piechowicz (203-88) replied with 15 points and guard Lukasz Szczypka (185-80) added 12 points in the effort for MMKS Dabrowa Gornicza. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games.
Top scorers:
LKS Lodz: B.Szczepaniak 27+4reb+1ast, M.Salamonik 11+8reb+4ast, J.Dluski 10+5reb, K.Sulima 9+9reb+1ast, D.Kalinowski 8+5reb+2ast, P.Trepka 6+1reb+4ast
MMKS DG: M.Piechowicz 15+3reb+1ast, L.Szczypka 12+4reb+1ast, A.Lisewski 6+3reb+1ast, R.Lemanski 5+1ast, M.Piotrkowski 5+3reb+1ast, T.Wrobel 3+3reb+3ast

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

PORTUGAL

This Is No David vs Goliath Story - by Nate Bowie
Alot of people tend to take the back seat when it comes to performing on the court. Many like to play the underdog role. But not us we continued to surprise teams, scouts, eurobasket, Portugal, the island as we beat teams that was supposely better than us. We are done with the pity of other people, we are here to STAY. This is no David and Goliath story. Some people are afraid to fail but I took the pledge that I will not let me or others doubts conquer my life and dreams. I beileve if we continue to try and try as a team then results and blessings will follow. As we enter the playoffs as a mere 6 seed tied for 5th, nobody had us winning any games beside my friend Eurobasket Editor Luis Filipe Cristovao. Thanks by the way for that. We was matched up to play an over confident Angra team which was ranked a 3rd seed. We came in as hungry as a pack of wolves as we hunt our prey. The first two matches was set away at their place because the top four teams have home court advantage. I told my team if we could steal at least one win at their place then we did our job. But my team had a different mindset, coming to play with no fear of anything, no fear of taking that extra mile to secure a win. We won two games at their place which automatically put us in the driver seat, as we raced to the finish line without any seat belts but still careful for the outcome. We pulled out Game 3 at our place this past Saturday. As the final buzzer sounded I was happy but not content knowing that this was nothing but the first stepping stone; the first architectural plan in building wins. As I read blogs, facebook status, texts I see that most people talk about what they will do and how things will be, but I do all my talking on the COURT. We enter this week focusing on playing Povoa which is also a tough team that beat 2nd seeded Galitos. I want to give best wishes to Angra Basket in its future endevors and also my friends Kevin Jolley and Terrence Mack for having an outstanding season here on the island.

In conclusion I wanted to say that this long season this long race to the finish line I couldnt have endured this alone, but God runs it for me and he always runs the extra mile. Im very bless right now. Lets go Terceira Basket. Nate Bowie (183-G-86, college: Cent.Arkansas)

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

PUERTO RICO

Weekly BSN Team Rankings-Week 5 - by Eric de la Cruz
This is a weekly segment that will be published every Monday, where I will rank the 10 teams of the BSN based primarily on Point Differential and Strength of Schedule, while also considering home and away games, back to backs, injuries and missing players (there is always player turnover in the league, be it teams changing import players, college players arriving at the end of their semester or native players still playing in Europe). Commentary will be included on some teams.

This week, point guard play became a deciding factor in the rankings, as Quebradillas Pirates, Cangrejeros de Santurce and Caciques de Humacao show improvement thanks to their floor generals, while injuries at the position keep hurting Capitanes de Arecibo.

https://spreadsheets2.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0ApWjwB4gj4zNdEZTLUg1MXNzblRkNDZNSHVqZGl4eWc&single=true&gid=17&range=A1%3AF11&output=html

Standings - BSN

BSN Standings

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

Stats Leaders - BSN

Points Per Game

Angel Daniel VASSALLO
  Guaynabo
  (198-G/F-86)
  Avg: 23.4

1. Vassallo, Guaynabo	23.4
2. Ramos, Quebradillas	22.3
3. Robinson, Mayaguez	21.8
4. Dalmau, Bayamon	21.0
5. Villegas, Coamo	20.2
6. Clinch, Isabela	20.0
7. Ayuso, Arecibo	19.3
8. Romero, Mayaguez	18.6
9. Brown, Quebradillas	17.6
10. Shannon, Bayamon	17.1

Rebounds Per Game

Manuel Antonio NARVAEZ
  Coamo
  (211-C-81)
  Avg: 12.6

1. Narvaez, Coamo	12.6
2. Ramos, Quebradillas	11.8
3. Randolph, Isabela	11.7
4. Pruitt, Guaynabo	11.2
5. Lloreda, San G.	10.5
6. Romero, Mayaguez	9.7
7. Shannon, Bayamon	9.6
8. Harris, San German	9.4
9. Robinson, Mayaguez	9.3
10. Ofoegbu, Humacao	8.2

Assists Per Game

Christian DALMAU
  Bayamon
  (194-G-77)
  Avg: 6.8

1. Dalmau, Bayamon	6.8
2. Brown, Quebradillas	6.4
3. Guzman, Guaynabo	5.1
4. Clinch, Isabela	5.1
5. Cruz, Arecibo	4.8
6. Rivera, Mayaguez	4.2
7. Vega, Coamo	4.2
8. Copeland, San G.	3.8
9. Pagan, Santurce	3.8
10. Berdiel, Humacao	3.7

Steals Per Game

Eddin ''Guayito'' SANTIAGO
  Santurce
  (185-G-79)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Santiago, Santurce	2.3
2. Hinson, Isabela	2.0
3. Clinch, Isabela	2.0
4. Rodriguez, Guayna.	2.0
5. Robinson, Mayaguez	1.8
6. Pinnock, Arecibo	1.7
7. Harris, San German	1.7
8. Chaney, Santurce	1.5
9. Carmona, Mayaguez	1.5
10. Cruz, Arecibo	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Herve LAMIZANA
  Mayaguez
  (207-F/C-81)
  Avg: 3

1. Lamizana, Mayaguez	3.0
2. Penn, Humacao	2.5
3. Traylor, Bayamon	2.0
4. Santiago, Arecibo	2.0
5. Romero, Mayaguez	1.9
6. Shannon, Bayamon	1.8
7. Randolph, Isabela	1.6
8. Robinson, Mayaguez	1.5
9. Aubry, Arecibo	1.4
10. Harris, San German	1.4

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

SOUTH AFRICA

SPAIN

Rafael Hettsheimeir claims Spanish ACB weekly honour - by Eurobasket News
Naturalized Brazilian Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) had an amazing evening in the last round for CAI Zaragoza and that's him to receive a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 32.
The 24-year old center had a double-double of 25 points and ten rebounds, while his team crushed DKV Joventut (#13, 14-18) with 17-point margin 91-74. The game was not the highest importance and did not have significant influence on the top of the standings. CAI Zaragoza is placed at 11th position in Brazilian ACB. CAI Zaragoza is a typical solid league team placed somewhere in the middle or a little bit lower in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 15-17 record. It was one of impressive evenings for Hettsheimeir as usually he does not deliver so high stats. Rafael Hettsheimeir averages this season 10.3ppg and 5.6rpg.

The second most remarkable performance in last round's games was 27-year old American guard Jaycee Carroll (188-G-83, agency: Priority Sports) of Gran Canaria. Carroll impressed basketball fans with 27 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists. It was enough for Gran Canaria to edge slightly lower-ranked Unicaja (#8, 17-15) by 5 points 89-84. This victory allowed Gran Canaria to move up to 6th position in the standings. His team lost some distance to top teams. But 19-13 record is not bad and everything may still change. Carroll is well-known by Gran Canaria fans and he already established his position as one of team's most reliable players. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 19.5ppg (#1).

The third best performed player last round was former international guard Roman Montanez (193-G-79) of Manresa (#15). Montanez scored 26 points. Despite Montanez's great performance Manresa lost 65-71 to the lower-ranked Menorca (#18, 7-25). But his team cannot count on just a single shooter as he also needs help of the other teammates. Manresa can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have rather bad season and 9-23 record places them close to the bottom of the standings. Too bad for Montanez he does not play for a better team. But maybe if he did, his season stats would not be that high. Montanez has a very solid season. In 28 games in Spain he scored 7.6ppg.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Gustavo Ayon (209-F/C-85) of Fuenlabrada - 19 points and 10 rebounds
5. Fran Vazquez (209-C-83) of Regal Barca - 14 points and 12 rebounds
6. Sergio Llull (190-G-87) of Real Madrid - 17 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists
7. Kristaps Valters (190-G-81) of Fuenlabrada - 15 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists
8. Nik Caner-Medley (203-F-83) of Estudiantes - 18 points and 8 rebounds
9. Augusto Cesar Lima (206-C-91) of Granada - 10 points and 9 rebounds
10. Dusko Savanovic (204-F/C-83) of Valencia - 11 points and 8 rebounds

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)

Stats Leaders-LEB Silver

Points Per Game

Matt WITT
  Clavijo
  (183-PG-84)
  Avg: 16.4

1. Witt, Clavijo	16.4
2. Barcelo, Plasencia	15.9
3. O''Leary, Oviedo F.	15.9
4. Ramsdell, Avila	15.7
5. Ratzsch, Oviedo F.	15.6
6. Paez, Lan M.	15.0
7. Bratton, Lan M.	14.9
8. Mortellaro, Lan M.	14.8
9. Bivia, Mallorca	14.7
10. Mesa, Clavijo	14.7

Rebounds Per Game

Olaseni LAWAL
  Guadalajara
  (206-F/C-86)
  Avg: 10.8

1. Lawal, Guadalajara	10.8
2. O''Leary, Oviedo F.	9.3
3. De Santana, Clavijo	8.8
4. Chubrevich, Illesc.	8.4
5. Mortellaro, Lan M.	8.1
6. Mesa, Clavijo	7.9
7. Ramsdell, Avila	7.8
8. Adams, Coruna	7.8
9. Larry, Regal F.	7.1
10. Howard, Andorra	6.9

Assists Per Game

Matt WITT
  Clavijo
  (183-PG-84)
  Avg: 6

1. Witt, Clavijo	6.0
2. Uriz, Santurtzi	5.0
3. Ibargutxi, Lan M.	5.0
4. Lopez, Coruna	4.6
5. Bivia, Mallorca	4.0
6. Marco, ADT T.	3.7
7. Pampin, Mallorca	3.6
8. Rufian, Promobys	3.5
9. Machuca, Illescas	3.4
10. Garcia, Avila	3.3

Steals Per Game

Jonathan BARCELO
  Plasencia
  (192-F/G-79)
  Avg: 2

1. Barcelo, Plasencia	2.0
2. Uriz, Santurtzi	2.0
3. Adams, Coruna	1.9
4. Smith, Guadalajara	1.8
5. Bratton, Lan M.	1.8
6. Guirao, ADT T.	1.7
7. Martinez, Plasencia	1.7
8. Witt, Clavijo	1.7
9. Pampin, Mallorca	1.6
10. Ros, Andorra	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Bismack BIYOMBO
  Illescas
  (204-C-92)
  Avg: 1.9

1. Biyombo, Illescas	1.9
2. Mbaye, Regal F.	1.8
3. Todorovic, Prat J.	1.5
4. Green, Mallorca	1.3
5. Lawal, Guadalajara	1.3
6. De Santana, Clavijo	1.3
7. Conde, Avila	1.2
8. Cage, ADT Tarrago.	1.0
9. Marti, Prat J.	0.9
10. Chubrevich, Illes.	0.9

Stats Leaders - ACB

Points Per Game

Jaycee CARROLL
  Gran Canaria
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 19.5

1. Carroll, Gran Cana.	19.5
2. Navarro, Regal B.	16.0
3. English, DKV J.	15.1
4. McDonald, DKV J.	15.1
5. Caner-Medley, Estu.	15.0
6. Baron, Lagun A.	14.6
7. Martinez, Valencia	14.4
8. Teletovic, Caja L.	14.3
9. Freeland, Unicaja	13.4
10. Doellman, Meridia.	12.8

Rebounds Per Game

Robert KURZ
  Granada
  (206-F-85)
  Avg: 9.1

1. Kurz, Granada	9.1
2. Batista, Fuenlabr.	8.4
3. Caner-Medley, Estu.	7.7
4. Donaldson, Menorca	7.0
5. Barac, Caja Laboral	7.0
6. Ayon, Fuenlabrada	6.4
7. Trias, DKV Jovent.	6.3
8. Slokar, Manresa	6.3
9. Freeland, Unicaja	6.2
10. Wallace, Gran Can.	6.2

Assists Per Game

Marcelinho HUERTAS
  Caja L.
  (191-G-83)
  Avg: 5.8

1. Huertas, Caja L.	5.8
2. Cook, Valencia	5.6
3. Ciorciari, Menorca	5.1
4. Valters, Fuenlabr.	4.5
5. Rubio, Regal Barca	4.5
6. Green, Gran Canaria	4.0
7. Prigioni, Real Mad.	4.0
8. Salgado, Lagun A.	3.9
9. San Miguel, Manre.	3.9
10. Dumas, Valladolid	3.8

Steals Per Game

Omar-Sharif COOK
  Valencia
  (186-G-82)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Cook, Valencia	2.3
2. Kirksay, Cajasol	2.0
3. Batista, Fuenlabr.	1.8
4. Rubio, Regal Barca	1.8
5. Calloway, Cajasol	1.8
6. Robinson, DKV J.	1.8
7. Van Lacke, Vallado.	1.6
8. Ciorciari, Menorca	1.6
9. Hosley, DKV J.	1.5
10. Ayon, Fuenlabrada	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Bismack BIYOMBO
  Fuenlabr.
  (204-C-92)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Biyombo, Fuenlabr.	2.3
2. Fischer, Real Madr.	1.6
3. Vazquez, Regal B.	1.5
4. Ayon, Fuenlabrada	1.4
5. Kurz, Granada	1.3
6. Barnes, Valladolid	1.3
7. Batista, Fuenlabr.	1.1
8. Savane, Gran C.	1.1
9. Andriuskevic., Mer.	1.1
10. Slaughter, Vallad.	1.1

Stats Leaders - LEB Gold

Points Per Game

Ricardo GUILLEN
  La Laguna
  (205-F/C-76)
  Avg: 19.3

1. Guillen, La Laguna	19.3
2. Palacios, La Palma	16.8
3. Mohammed, Lleida	16.2
4. Detrick, Melilla	15.7
5. Seawright, Leon	15.3
6. Feldeine, Breogan	15.3
7. Navarro, Girona	14.9
8. Faverani, CB Mu.	14.9
9. Franklin, CB Tarra.	14.8
10. Johnson, Huesca	14.2

Rebounds Per Game

Dwayne CURTIS
  Lleida
  (203-C-85)
  Avg: 9.2

1. Curtis, Lleida	9.2
2. Wachsmann, Alcazar	9.2
3. Sinanovic, Clinic.	8.0
4. Seawright, Leon	7.7
5. Guillen, La Laguna	7.4
6. Arteaga, Breogan	7.3
7. Kale, Ourense	7.2
8. Humphrey, Caceres	7.0
9. Chagoyen, La Lagu.	6.9
10. Frost, Palencia	6.9

Assists Per Game

Andres RODRIGUEZ
  Obrad.
  (182-PG-81)
  Avg: 4.6

1. Rodriguez, Obrad.	4.6
2. Aguilar, CB Tarra.	4.6
3. Sabat, La Laguna	4.0
4. Brown, Ourense	3.5
5. Jimenez, Melilla	3.5
6. Bernabe, Leon	3.4
7. Quezada, Leon	3.3
8. Rivero, CB Murcia	3.3
9. Lopez, Burgos	3.1
10. Cherry, Caceres	3.0

Steals Per Game

Andres RODRIGUEZ
  Obrad.
  (182-PG-81)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Rodriguez, Obrad.	2.3
2. Bernabe, Leon	1.8
3. Rost, Girona	1.7
4. Xavier, Caceres	1.6
5. Franklin, CB Tarra.	1.6
6. Palacios, La Palma	1.5
7. Castro, Burgos	1.5
8. Alba, CB Tarragona	1.4
9. Toledo, Burgos	1.4
10. Navarro, Girona	1.3

Blocks Per Game

Jeff FOOTE
  Melilla
  (212-C-88)
  Avg: 2

1. Foote, Melilla	2.0
2. Humphrey, Caceres	1.6
3. Hicks, Breogan	1.4
4. Fontet, Leon	1.3
5. Joseph, Navarra	1.2
6. Diouf, CB Tarragona	1.2
7. Sinanovic, Clinic.	1.2
8. Faverani, CB Mu.	1.1
9. Arteaga, Breogan	1.1
10. McCoy, Caceres	1.0

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

SWITZERLAND

Stats Leaders LNA

Points Per Game

Mohammed ABUKAR
  Lugano T.
  (208-F-85)
  Avg: 21.1

1. Abukar, Lugano T.	21.1
2. Brown, Starwings	20.5
3. Glover, Boncourt	20.3
4. Byron, BBC Nyon	20.2
5. Polyblank, Geneve	20.1
6. Popovich, SAV V.	20.0
7. Smith, Fribourg	19.8
8. Farokhmanesh, SAM	19.5
9. Reid, Monthey	18.5
10. Hunte, BBC Nyon	18.2

Rebounds Per Game

Cruz DANIELS
  BBC Nyon
  (211-C-85)
  Avg: 12.2

1. Daniels, BBC Nyon	12.2
2. Thompson, Starw.	10.6
3. Ofoegbu, SAM M.	9.9
4. Gugino, Boncourt	9.7
5. Reid, Monthey	8.5
6. Dos Santos, Bonco.	8.2
7. Sloan, Geneve Lio.	7.8
8. Toure, Geneve Lio.	7.8
9. Esterkamp, Fribo.	7.6
10. Smith, Fribourg	7.6

Assists Per Game

Rickey GIBSON
  SAV Vacallo
  (191-G-84)
  Avg: 7.5

1. Gibson, SAV Vacallo	7.5
2. Glover, Boncourt	6.3
3. Williams, Fribourg	5.6
4. Angley, Lugano T.	4.5
5. Brown, Starwings	4.5
6. Draughan, Lugano	4.3
7. Hollins, Starwings	4.2
8. Petkovic, Fribourg	4.1
9. Ross, Geneve Lions	4.1
10. Hunte, BBC Nyon	4.0

Steals Per Game

Rickey GIBSON
  SAV Vacallo
  (191-G-84)
  Avg: 3.9

1. Gibson, SAV Vacallo	3.9
2. Glover, Boncourt	3.7
3. Hunte, BBC Nyon	3.0
4. Gugino, Boncourt	2.6
5. Angley, Lugano T.	2.4
6. Draughan, Lugano	2.4
7. Efevberha, Lugano	2.3
8. Farokhmanesh, SAM	2.3
9. Sharper, Monthey	2.1
10. Louissaint, Month.	2.1

Blocks Per Game

Cruz DANIELS
  BBC Nyon
  (211-C-85)
  Avg: 3.3

1. Daniels, BBC Nyon	3.3
2. Toure, Geneve Lio.	2.3
3. Thompson, Starw.	2.0
4. Lukic, Zurich W.	1.7
5. Gugino, Boncourt	1.5
6. Sloan, Geneve Lio.	1.5
7. Sanders, Lugano T.	0.9
8. Moris, Monthey	0.8
9. Vogt, Fribourg	0.8
10. Matter, Starwings	0.8

LNA Round 4 of Semi-Finals. Fribourg reach Final - by Eurobasket News
Geneve Lions - Fribourg 63-65

Fribourg earned the spot in the LNA Finals after they stole a narrow road win over Geneve Lions. The guests trailed by 4 points at the halftime before their 44-38 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Geneve Lions helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Dave Esterkamp (200-78, college: Bowling Green) who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 6 rebounds. International guard Jonathan Kazadi (195-91) contributed with 16 points for the winners. Congolese forward Max Kouguere (198-87) replied with 21 points and American forward Marcus Sloan (205-82, college: TCU) added 11 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks in the effort for Geneve Lions.
Top scorers:
Geneve Lions: M.Kouguere 21+3reb, M.Sloan 11+7reb+3ast, J.Jaunin 10+2reb+2ast, O.Edeki-Agbavwe 8+3reb+1ast, B.Toure 6+9reb, J.Aw 5+4reb
Fribourg: J.Kazadi 16+2reb+3ast, D.Esterkamp 13+6reb+2ast, T.Quidome 9+2reb+2ast, S.Smith 8+7reb, V.Buscaglia 7+4reb+1ast, Y.Holland 7+5reb+3ast

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

TURKEY

Standings - TB2L

TB2L Top4 Standings

1. Genc Banvit		3-0
2. Hacettepe Univ.		2-1
3. Selcuk Univ.		1-2
4. Kepez Bld		0-3

Stage One Standings

Stats Leaders - D1

Points Per Game

Ali KARADENIZ
  Trabzons.
  (203-F-80)
  Avg: 22.8

1. Karadeniz, Trabzon.	22.8
2. Kambala, Aliaga	20.2
3. Henderson, Antalya	20.1
4. Buckman, Antalya	19.2
5. Smith, Karsiyaka	18.9
6. Seibutis, Olin Edi.	18.7
7. Randle, Aliaga	17.5
8. Scales, Mersin	17.3
9. Mays, Oyak Renault	17.0
10. Barbour, Erdemir	16.8

Rebounds Per Game

Nedim YUCEL
  Mersin
  (203-F-79)
  Avg: 11.2

1. Yucel, Mersin	11.2
2. Thomas, Erdemir	10.3
3. Buckman, Antalya	9.4
4. Wesson, Turk T.	9.3
5. Samardjiski, Olin	9.1
6. Mays, Oyak Renault	9.0
7. Hall, Erdemir	8.4
8. Ffriend, Bornova	8.3
9. Aldemir, Karsiyaka	8.0
10. Smith, Bornova	7.9

Assists Per Game

Baris ERMIS
  Banvit
  (194-G-85)
  Avg: 6.1

1. Ermis, Banvit	6.1
2. Conroy, Oyak R.	5.9
3. Holston, Karsiyaka	5.8
4. Rasic, Trabzonspor	5.3
5. Chatman, Besiktas	5.2
6. Henderson, Antalya	5.1
7. Rowe, Tofas	4.6
8. Acik, Galatasaray	4.4
9. Seibutis, Olin Edi.	4.1
10. Akin, Olin Edirne	4.1

Steals Per Game

Aubrey COLEMAN
  Aliaga
  (193-G-87)
  Avg: 3.1

1. Coleman, Aliaga	3.1
2. Mays, Oyak Renault	2.2
3. Holston, Karsiyaka	2.2
4. Waller, Oyak Renau.	2.1
5. Grier, Mersin	2.1
6. Gibson, Oyak R.	2.0
7. Prince, Antalya	1.9
8. Smith, Karsiyaka	1.8
9. Grundy, Mersin	1.8
10. Chatman, Besiktas	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Rammel ALLEN
  Oyak Renault
  (210-C-79)
  Avg: 1.8

1. Allen, Oyak Renault	1.8
2. Stiemsma, Turk T.	1.8
3. Samardjiski, Olin	1.7
4. Johnson, Erdemir	1.3
5. Francis, Bornova	1.3
6. Ogilvy, Besiktas	1.0
7. Aldemir, Karsiyaka	1.0
8. Mays, Oyak Renault	1.0
9. Simpsons, Turk T.	0.9
10. Ruzic, Tofas	0.9

TB2L Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Tyrone NELSON
  Akhisar Bld
  (206-F-85)
  Avg: 20.4

1. Nelson, Akhisar Bld	20.4
2. Hall, Kepez Bld	20.2
3. Johnson, Vestel	19.6
4. Gardener, Final G.	18.5
5. Boswell, Basaksehir	18.3
6. Tekinalp, ITU	17.6
7. Boykin, Gaziantep	17.5
8. Dearman, Hacett.	17.3
9. Wright, Orman Genc	16.8
10. Boddicker, Selcuk	16.8

Rebounds Per Game

Jason KEEP
  Adanaspor
  (208-C-78)
  Avg: 12.8

1. Keep, Adanaspor	12.8
2. Terell, Adanaspor	11.9
3. Nelson, Akhisar Bld	11.3
4. Gardener, Final G.	11.3
5. Isik, Pertevniyal	10.1
6. Johnson, Istanbul.	10.0
7. Johnson, Vestel	9.9
8. Kolaric, Genc Banv.	9.8
9. Miller, Gelisim	9.3
10. Wright, Orman Genc	9.3

Assists Per Game

Admir KAN
  TED Istanbul
  (185-G-83)
  Avg: 6.1

1. Kan, TED Istanbul	6.1
2. Ogut, Genc Telekom	5.8
3. Hall, Kepez Bld	5.5
4. Bayrak, Usak	5.3
5. Topcu, Gelisim	4.9
6. Erdogan, Adanaspor	4.8
7. Topcu, Izmir B.B.	4.8
8. Gucyetmez, Selcuk	4.7
9. Kavut, Optimum TED	4.5
10. Ay, Final Genclik	4.5

Steals Per Game

Marcus HALL
  Kepez Bld
  (185-G-85)
  Avg: 2.3

1. Hall, Kepez Bld	2.3
2. Nelson, Akhisar Bld	2.2
3. Yonder, Genc Banv.	2.1
4. Delicay, Gaziantep	1.8
5. Harris, FMV I.	1.8
6. Bayrak, Usak	1.7
7. Karabulut, Orman G.	1.7
8. Clarkson, TED I.	1.7
9. Terzioglu, Gelisim	1.6
10. Yikilmaz, Pertevn.	1.6

Blocks Per Game

Arthur JOHNSON
  Vestel
  (206-F/C-81)
  Avg: 2

1. Johnson, Vestel	2.0
2. Clarkson, TED I.	1.6
3. Turkyilmaz, Genc B.	1.6
4. Kulcebas, Hacett.	1.6
5. Boswell, Basaksehir	1.5
6. Johnson, Istanbul.	1.4
7. Smith, Usak	1.4
8. Toyloy, Istanbul.	1.3
9. Terell, Adanaspor	1.3
10. Gardener, Final G.	1.2

Hayes number one in Turkey for round 29 - by Eurobasket News
American swingman Jarvis Hayes (201-G/F-81, agency: David Lee services) put on an extraordinary performance in the last round for Aliaga, receiving a Eurobasket.com Player of the Week award for round 29.
The 29-year old player was the main contributor (33 points, six rebounds) to his team's victory, helping them to edge out Trabzonspor (#11, 10-19) 84-80. The game rather meaningless between the teams, which do not have any influence on the top of the standings. Aliaga maintains the 14th position in Turkish TBL. Aliaga is rather a weak team placed in lower part in the standings. They need more victories to improve their 9-20 record. In the team's last game Hayes had a remarkable 66.7% from 2-point range. He just recently signed at Aliaga, being already a very valuable addition to the team. Jarvis Hayes averages this season 15.6ppg.

The second best player in last round's games was 26-year old American Bradley Buckman (203-F-84) of Antalya. Buckman had a very good evening with a double-double of 28 points and 11 rebounds. Bad luck as Antalya was edged by slightly lower-ranked Tofas (#10, 12-17) 74-72. Antalya managed to keep the same 8th spot in the standings. His team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 13-16 record. Buckman is one of the most experienced players at Antalya and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. He belongs to the best scorers in the league with 19.2ppg (#4). He also registered 9.4 boards per game.

Third on the list of top players last round was forward Nedim Yucel (203-F-79) of Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (#13). Yucel scored 17 points and grabbed ten rebounds. Despite Yucel's great performance Mersin lost 79-83 to the higher-ranked Fener.Ulker (#1, 26-3). But his team cannot count on just a single player as he also needs help of the other teammates. The chances of Mersin not to end season at such low position in the league, however are less than slim as they have already lost 19 games, recording just ten victories. With bigger assistance of his teammates, Yucel could try to bring Mersin's a little bit higher in the standings. Yucel has individually a great season in Turkey. After 28 games, he made it on the list of the league's leaders in rebounds with 11.2rpg (#1 in league).

Other top performing players last week:
4. Andrew James Ogilvy (211-C-88) of Besiktas - 22 points and 7 rebounds
5. Furkan Aldemir (205-F-91) of Karsiyaka - 12 points and 10 rebounds
6. Gregory Stiemsma (211-C-85) of Turk Telekom - 12 points and 11 rebounds
7. Baris Ermis (194-G-85) of Banvit - 18 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists
8. Rammel Allen (210-C-79) of Oyak Renault - 13 points and 12 rebounds
9. Joshua Shipp (196-G/F-86) of Galatasaray - 11 points and 12 rebounds
10. James Mays (206-F-86) of Oyak Renault - 19 points and 8 rebounds

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)

TB2L, Top 4 stage: Third round - by Eurobasket News
Third round of TB2L Semifinals (Top 4) was played yesterday. Hacettepe did a great job against Kepez handing them 62-66 home loss for 2-1 record at this stage. Kepez on the other side dropped to 0-3. In the other game, Genc Banvit jumped to 3-0 after 101-90 home win against Selcuk. Fourth games are scheduled for Friday. Hacettepe will host Genc Banvit and it will most probably be the crucial game for the first place. At the same day Kepez will meet Selcuk.

Kepez Bld - Hacettepe Univ. 62-66
The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Hacettepe Univ. forced 19 Kepez Bld turnovers. It was a great evening for forward Adnan Onder Kulcebas (205-81, agency: 1x1 Sports) who led his team to a victory scoring 18 points and 4 assists. American power forward Jermaine Dearman (202-80, college: S.Illinois) helped adding 15 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Hacettepe Univ.'s coach Alp Bayramoglu used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. The best for the losing side was American guard Marcus Hall (185-85, college: Colorado) with 16 points and 4 assists and center Umut Durmus (206-80) scored 6 points and 11 rebounds.
Top scorers:
Hacettepe Univ.: A.Onder Kulcebas 18+4reb+4ast, J.Dearman 15+4reb+1ast, D.Yannier 12+3reb+5ast, O.Adiguzel 8+6reb+2ast, O.Altinmakas 7+2reb+1ast, G.Orcun Tunca 2+2reb
Kepez Bld: M.Hall 16+3reb+4ast, G.Karamahmut 13+1reb, M.Ademoglu 11+5reb, E.Yetim 8+4reb+1ast, A.Ozurganci 8+3reb+1ast, U.Durmus 6+11reb

Genc Banvit - Selcuk Univ. 101-90
It looked good early as Selcuk Universitesi took an 1-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then Genc Banvit had a 28-20 second period charge getting the lead and Selcuk Universitesi was not able to take back game control losing it eventually 90-101. Genc Banvit forced 20 Selcuk Universitesi turnovers. Selcuk Universitesi was plagued by 29 personal fouls down the stretch. It was an exceptional evening for Serbian power forward Marko Kolaric (213-F/C-84, college: Chaminade) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Erolcan Cinko (188-90) accounted for 27 points and 5 assists for the winning side. Five Genc Banvit players scored in double figures. American forward Brian Boddicker (204-81, college: Texas, agency: EM-PA) came up with 22 points and forward Cihat Sahin (203-83) added 17 points and 4 assists respectively for Selcuk Universitesi in the defeat. Selcuk Universitesi's coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Genc Banvit: E.Cinko 27+1reb+5ast, M.Kolaric 21+10reb+2ast, T.Altunbey 15+2reb, A.Canititiz 14+2reb+3ast, M.Turkyilmaz 13+7reb+7ast, C.Sekeroglu 7+4reb+1ast
Selcuk Univ.: B.Boddicker 22+4reb, C.Sahin 17+1reb+4ast, H.Uskuplu 9+1reb, A.Ozdemir 8+4reb, C.Senturk 7+5reb+4ast, F.Aydemir 7+3reb+2ast

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UBA

Usbasket.com All-United States1st Team 2010-11

Jeffers

Stinson

Barnes

Johnson

Adrien

Points Per Game

Jermaine BARNES
(194-G/F-82)
Avg: 27.3

1. Barnes, GIE M.	27.3
2. Barrett, S.Generals	26.6
3. Perkins, Austin K.	24.4
4. Sloan, S.Generals	24.1
5. Kearse, Dallas S.	24.0
6. James, DFW W.	22.4
7. Holmes, Atlanta A.	21.7
8. Allison, Norman E.	21.6
9. Grismore, C.Tex.	21.1
10. Clark, St.Mount.	21.1

Rebounds Per Game

Sylvester MORGAN
  USA
  (208-C-83)
  Avg: 13.1

1. Morgan, GIE M.	13.1
2. Dailey, GIE M.	12.7
3. Hall, St.Mount.	10.8
4. Bryant, Dallas S.	10.5
5. Hill, DFW Warriors	10.2
6. Akpele, S.Generals	10.1
7. Wilson, Tennesse.	9.7
8. Shewmake, Tenness.	9.6
9. Holmes, Atlanta A.	9.6
10. Davis, Dallas Sta.	9.6

Assists Per Game

DeAndre BRAY
(168-G-85)
Avg: 9.9

1. Bray, S.Generals	9.9
2. De La Cruz, S.Gen.	9.1
3. Haskins, C.Texas C.	8.3
4. Williams, GIE M.	8.3
5. Belton, Atlanta A.	7.9
6. Belton, GIE M.	7.9
7. Beaulah, GIE M.	6.4
8. Douglas, DFW W.	6.3
9. Taylor, Tennesse.	6.0
10. Duggans, St.Moun.	5.7

Steals Per Game

Freddie WILLIAMS
(188-G-87)
Avg: 3.6

1. Williams, S.Genera.	3.6
2. Kearse, Dallas S.	3.5
3. Williams, GIE M.	3.3
4. Bray, S.Generals	3.0
5. Taylor, Tennesse.	2.7
6. Brown, Norman E.	2.7
7. Haskins, C.Texas C.	2.5
8. Barnes, GIE M.	2.4
9. Snell, Atlanta A.	2.4
10. Barrett, S.Genera.	2.1

Blocks Per Game

Demario WILLIAMS
(216-C-85)
Avg: 6.2

1. Williams, GIE M.	6.2
2. Moore, S.Generals	5.5
3. Morgan, GIE M.	5.0
4. Bryant, Dallas S.	4.8
5. Davis, Dallas Stars	3.2
6. Wilson, Tennesse.	3.0
7. Hall, St.Mount.	2.9
8. Williams, Norman E.	2.6
9. Hill, DFW Warriors	2.5
10. Dailey, GIE M.	2.5

Standings

UBA Standings

Eastern
1. Southeast H.		23-4
2. Cleveland V.		20-5
3. Columbus C.		10-13
4. Colonial F.		6-19
5. NE Air Soul		2-23
Southern
1. S.Generals		33-5
2. GIE Morrow D.		30-14
3. Atlanta A.		20-10
4. Georgia L.		10-22
5. St.Mountain H.		3-24
Western
1. C.Texas C.		25-6
2. Tennessee D.		24-11
3. Norman E.		22-8
4. Austin K.		14-12
5. DFW Warriors		14-14
D-League
1. Irie M.		0-0
2. Proline		0-0
3. Team Japan		0-0
Travel Teams
1. Columbus Crush		9-2
2. Dallas Star		8-22
3. Houston X.		6-0
4. Oklahoma S.		1-26
5. Nashville B.		0-14
6. Metro Atlanta		0-19

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UNITED KINGDOM

Rest of the World edge BBL Great Britain select team in All-Star Game - by Eurobasket News
Rest of the World - BBL Great Britain 119:115

Birmingham welcomed BBL All-Star Game. Rest of the World team ovecame BBL Great Britain select team in the exciting clash. Kadiri Richard (203-F-80, college: Virginia Union) was pivotal for the winners. He tallied 14 points, 11 boards and 9 assists to pace Rest of the World to the victory. Kadiri Richard was named MVP after the game. The forward was well supported by his teammates. Ryan Zamroz (191-G-87, agency: JEMsports, college: Master's) knocked down 20 points for the winners. Tony Windless (196-F-70, college: Sam Houston St.) added four trebles for the Rest of the World team. Anthony Rowe (203-C-85, college: N.Georgia) answered with 22 points and 11 rebounds for BBL Great Britain select team. Liam Potter (213-F/C-86, college: Sacred Heart) contributed 17 points and 15 rebounds in the losing effort.

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URUGUAY

Standings - Metropolitan League

Metropolitan Standings

1. Nacional		5-0
2. Larranaga		5-1
3. Goes		4-1
4. Tabare		4-2
5. Urunday Univ.		3-3
6. Atenas		3-3
7. Yale		2-4
8. Capitol		2-4
9. 25 de Agosto		1-5
10. Verdirrojo		0-6

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VENEZUELA

LPB Round 37: Leader Marinos lose to Panteras - by Eurobasket News
Top ranked Marinos (23-8) recorded its eighth loss in Puerto La Cruz on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Panteras (15-17) 94-93. Panteras maintains seventh place with 15-17 record. Marinos at the other side still keep top position with eight games lost. Panteras are looking forward to face higher ranked Guaiqueries (#4) in Porlamar in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Marinos will have a break next round.
Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Ninth ranked Guaros (10-19) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging much higher ranked Cocodrilos (22-7) 78-76 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Guaros maintains ninth place with 10-19 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. Guaros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos will play again at home against Guaros in Barquisimeto and hope to get back on the winning track.
The game with biggest result difference took place in Valencia. Local Trotamundos (22-10) outscored 8th ranked Toros (11-22) 90-65 on Sunday night. Trotamundos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 22-10 record behind leader Marinos. Toros lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 22 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

In the last game of round 37 Guaiqueries defeated Gaiteros in Porlamar 76-65.

Trotamundos - Toros 90-65

The game with biggest result difference took place in Valencia. Local Trotamundos (22-10) outscored 8th ranked Toros (11-22) 90-65 on Sunday night. Trotamundos have a solid series of four victories in a row. They maintain third place with 22-10 record behind leader Marinos. Toros lost seventh consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 22 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Cocodrilos - Guaros 76-78

Important game to mention about took place in Caracas. Ninth ranked Guaros (10-19) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging much higher ranked Cocodrilos (22-7) 78-76 on Sunday evening. It was quite big embarassment for the home team. Guaros maintains ninth place with 10-19 record. Cocodrilos at the other side keep the second position with seven games lost. Guaros will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Cocodrilos will play again at home against Guaros in Barquisimeto and hope to get back on the winning track.

Marinos - Panteras 93-94

Top ranked Marinos (23-8) recorded its eighth loss in Puerto La Cruz on Sunday night. Hosts were edged by seventh ranked Panteras (15-17) 94-93. Panteras maintains seventh place with 15-17 record. Marinos at the other side still keep top position with eight games lost. Panteras are looking forward to face higher ranked Guaiqueries (#4) in Porlamar in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Marinos will have a break next round.

Gaiteros - Guaiqueries 65-76

There was no surprise in Maracaibo where 10th ranked Gaiteros (4-28) were defeated by fourth ranked Guaiqueries (17-13) 76-65 on Sunday. Guaiqueries have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain fourth place with 17-13 record. Gaiteros lost twelfth consecutive game. They stay dead last with 28 lost games. Guaiqueries will meet at home Panteras (#7) in the next round. Gaiteros will have a break next round.

Standings - LPB

LPB Standings

1. Marinos		23-8
2. Cocodrilos		22-7
3. Trotamundos		22-10
4. Guaiqueries		17-13
5. Gigantes		15-15
6. Bucaneros		15-15
7. Panteras		15-17
8. Toros		11-22
9. Guaros		10-19
10. Gaiteros		4-28

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Women News

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CROATIA - Women

Split relegated from A-1 League - by Zeljko Zule
Split have been relegated from the A-1 League following a 60-71 defeat at home to Plamen Pozega in Round 9. Sandra Tosic led Pozega with 23 points and Kristina Soldo (177-G-88) added 21 while Iva Laura had 14 points for Split and Ana Parunov and Tina Cizmic both scored 12 points.
Agram defeated Zadar in overtime, 92-90. Vera Saric Alatovic contributed game-high 34 points for Agram and Lucija Perica had 27 points for Zadar.
Relegation Group - Round 9:
Split-Plamen Pozega 60-71 (Babun 4, Laura 14, Biocic 7, Parunov 12, Zovko 8, Cizmic 12, Skara 3 M.Lovric 12, P.Lovric 5, Bozic 10, Tosic 23, Soldo 21).
Zadar-Agram 90-92 OT (Sesar 5, Jacan 8, Kovacevic 6, Perica 27, Sikiric 9, Tokic 6, Blazevic 16, Mestrovic 13 - Vujic 10, Vukovic 8, Vukadin 4, Nikpalj 19, Marin 17, Saric-Alatovic 34)
Croatia 2006 bye

Pleter and Pescenica promoted to A1 League - by Zeljko Zule
Pleter (Rijeka) and Pescenica (Zagreb) both have been promoted to the A-1 League. It is 16 years since the club for Rijeka last graced the top League. It is 16 years since the team from Rijeka last graced the top flight and Pescenica secured the biggest success in club history.
A2 Superleague - Round 6:
Pleter-Pescenica 59-55 (Mrcela 12, Nizic 2, Masic 18, Brezovic 2, Jerkic 7, Vukicevic 4 - Biblija 4, Valjevac 4, Pintaric 5, Dumbovic 12, Badalic 3, Martinovic 11, Spretnjak 4, Barac 11)
Dubrava-Brod 82-70 (Karaga 20, Resetar 18, Ples 14, Matic 14, Raguz 12, Mihic 2 -
Final standings: Pleter 6-0, Pescenica 3-3, Brod 2-4, Dubrava 1-5.

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FRANCE - Women

LF2 Round 29: Nice is defeated by Reims - by Eurobasket News
There will be only one (last) round of the Regular Season in LF2.

The game between second ranked Nice (21-8) and fourth ranked Reims (21-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Nice was defeated by Reims in Reims 74-59. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Nice. The hosts trailed by 2 points at the halftime before their 22-4 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. Reims dominated on the defensive end, holding Nice to just 4 points in third quarter. Reims moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Nice. Reims is looking forward to face league's leader Lyon at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nice will play against CFBB in Paris and is hoping to win this game.
LF2 top team - Lyon (25-4) managed to deliver another win and of course secured first place at the end of the regular season. This time they beat sixteenth ranked CFBB (3-26) 45-36. Lyon maintains first place with 25-4 record. CFBB lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 26 lost games. Lyon will play against Reims (#4) on the road in the next round. CFBB will play against Nice (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Perpignan was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Armentieres (15-13) played at the court of seventh ranked Perpignan (15-14). Perpignan managed to secure a 7-point victory 72-65 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Armentieres. Perpignan have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Perpignan maintains seventh place with 15-14 record. Armentieres at the other side keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Perpignan will meet at home Pau Lacq Orthez (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Armentieres will play against Pleyber Christ (#8) in Pleyber-Christ and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
An interesting game took place in Voiron where 9th ranked Etoile de Voiron (14-15) was upset on its own court by twelfth ranked Le Havre (12-16) 78-68. Le Havre moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Dunkerque. Etoile de Voiron lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with 15 games lost. Le Havre's next round opponent will be Dunkerque (#11) on the road.
An interesting game took place in Limoges where higher ranked Limoges (16-13) was upset on its own court by fourteenth ranked Angers (11-18) 64-54 on Saturday. Angers have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to thirteenth place. Limoges lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 13 games lost. Angers will face league's second-placed Roche in La Roche in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Limoges will play at home against Rennes and be promoted back to the LFB just one year after relegation.

There were no shocking results in the rest of the games of round 29: Dunkerque lost to SI Graffenstaden on the opponent's court 69-86. Pau Orthez managed to outperform Pleyber Christ in a home game 65-55. Roche managed to beat Rennes on the road 61-50.

Voiron - Le Havre 68-78

An interesting game took place in Voiron where 9th ranked Etoile de Voiron (14-15) was upset on its own court by twelfth ranked Le Havre (12-16) 78-68. The game was mostly controlled by Le Havre. Etoile de Voiron was better in third quarter 18-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Le Havre moved-up to eleventh place, which they share with Dunkerque. Etoile de Voiron lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the eighth position with 15 games lost. Le Havre's next round opponent will be Dunkerque (#11) on the road.

SI Graffenstaden - Dunkerque 86-69

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in llkirch-Graff. where 10th ranked Dunkerque (12-16) was defeated by eleventh ranked SI Graffenstaden (13-16) 86-69 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by SI Graffenstaden. Dunkerque was better in second period 21-20. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. SI Graffenstaden moved-up to tenth place. Loser Dunkerque dropped to the eleventh position with 16 games lost. SI Graffenstaden will face higher ranked Etoile de Voiron (#9) at home in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Dunkerque will play against Le Havre and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Limoges - Angers 54-64

An interesting game took place in Limoges where higher ranked Limoges (16-13) was upset on its own court by fourteenth ranked Angers (11-18) 64-54 on Saturday. The game was mostly controlled by Angers. Limoges was better in third quarter 15-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Angers have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to thirteenth place. Limoges lost third consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with 13 games lost. Angers will face league's second-placed Roche in La Roche in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Limoges will play at home against Rennes and be promoted back to the LFB just one year after relegation.

Lyon - CFBB 45-36

LF2 top team - Lyon (25-4) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat sixteenth ranked CFBB (3-26) 45-36. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But CFBB won third quarter 17-10. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Lyon dominated on the defensive end, holding CFBB to just 6 points in first and second quarters and to 12 points in first half. Lyon maintains first place with 25-4 record. CFBB lost third consecutive game. They stay dead last with 26 lost games. Lyon will play against Reims (#4) on the road in the next round. CFBB will play against Nice (#3) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Reims - Nice 74-59

The game between second ranked Nice (21-8) and fourth ranked Reims (21-8) was the most important one in the last round on Saturday night. Nice was defeated by Reims in Reims 74-59. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Nice. The hosts trailed by 2 points at the halftime before their 22-4 charge in the third quarter, which allowed them to win the game. Reims dominated on the defensive end, holding Nice to just 4 points in third quarter. Reims moved-up to third place, which they share with defeated Nice. Reims is looking forward to face league's leader Lyon at home in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Nice will play against CFBB in Paris and is hoping to win this game.

Pau Orthez - Pleyber Christ 65-55

There was a surprise result when fifteenth ranked Pau Lacq Orthez (6-22) defeated at home higher ranked Pleyber Christ (14-15) 65-55 on Saturday. The hosts trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 32-19 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Pau Lacq Orthez dominated on the defensive end, holding Pleyber Christ to just 6 points in third quarter. Newly promoted Pau Lacq Orthez maintains fifteenth place with 6-22 record. Loser Pleyber Christ keeps the eighth position with 15 games lost. Pau Lacq Orthez will face higher ranked Perpignan (#7) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory.

Perpignan - Armentieres 72-65

The game in Perpignan was also quite interesting. 6th ranked Armentieres (15-13) played at the court of seventh ranked Perpignan (15-14). Perpignan managed to secure a 7-point victory 72-65 on Saturday. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Armentieres. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 18-9. But Armentieres won second period 24-20. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Perpignan have a solid series of three victories in a row. Newly promoted Perpignan maintains seventh place with 15-14 record. Armentieres at the other side keeps the sixth position with 13 games lost. Perpignan will meet at home Pau Lacq Orthez (#15) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Armentieres will play against Pleyber Christ (#8) in Pleyber-Christ and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Rennes - Roche 50-61

Not a big story in a game when 13th ranked Rennes (10-19) was defeated at home by third ranked Roche (22-7) 61-50 on Saturday. The game without a history. Roche led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Roche have a solid series of three victories in a row. They moved-up to second place. Rennes lost fourth consecutive game. They dropped to the fourteenth position with 19 games lost. Roche will face Angers (#13) on the road in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Rennes will play against Limoges.

Standings - NF1 (Women) - by Eurobasket News

LF2 Standings

1. Lyon		25-4
2. Roche		22-7
3. Nice		21-8
4. Reims		21-8
5. Limoges		16-13
6. Armentieres		15-13
7. Perpignan		15-14
8. Pleyber Christ		14-15
9. Voiron		14-15
10. SI Graffenstaden		13-16
11. Dunkerque		12-16
12. Le Havre		12-16
13. Angers		11-18
14. Rennes		10-19
15. Pau Orthez		6-22
16. CFBB		3-26

LFB Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Mistie BASS-WILLIAMS
  Challes
  (191-C-83)
  Avg: 19.1

1. Bass-W., Challes	19.1
2. Akonga Nsimb., Arr.	16.4
3. Grima, Aix-en-P.	15.9
4. Dubljevic, Tarbes	15.3
5. Humphrey, Landes	15.3
6. Sanni, Villeneuve	14.7
7. Sharp, Mondeville	14.3
8. Mann, Charleville	14.3
9. Hurst, Aix-en-P.	14.1
10. Covington, Union	14.0

Rebounds Per Game

Aurelie BONNAN
  Mondeville
  (187-F-83)
  Avg: 10.8

1. Bonnan, Mondeville	10.8
2. Humphrey, Landes	10.0
3. Diawara, Charlevil.	9.7
4. Bass-W., Challes	9.3
5. Bales, Union Haina.	8.8
6. Sanni, Villeneuve	8.6
7. Kamba, Union H.	8.2
8. Matic, Tarbes	7.0
9. Grima, Aix-en-P.	6.8
10. Thomas, Villeneuve	6.5

Assists Per Game

Caroline AUBERT
  Nantes
  (168-G-80)
  Avg: 5

1. Aubert, Nantes	5.0
2. Hurst, Aix-en-P.	4.7
3. Manic, Landes	4.2
4. Lepron, Tarbes	4.1
5. Mitchell, Arras	4.0
6. Tanqueray, Villene.	3.8
7. Bar, Challes	3.7
8. Aubert, Toulouse	3.5
9. Carpreaux, Villene.	3.5
10. Dubljevic, Tarbes	3.3

Steals Per Game

Johanne GOMIS
  Arras
  (177-G-85)
  Avg: 2.6

1. Gomis, Arras	2.6
2. Bar, Challes	2.4
3. Skrela, Lattes M.	2.2
4. Milovanovic, Toulo.	2.1
5. Poto, Lattes M.	2.0
6. Young, Landes	1.9
7. Bouderra, Charlevi.	1.9
8. Bonnan, Mondeville	1.8
9. Hightowner, Nantes	1.7
10. Beikes, Union Hai.	1.7

Blocks Per Game

Alison BALES
  Union Hainaut
  (201-C-85)
  Avg: 2.1

1. Bales, Union Haina.	2.1
2. Ndongue, Bourges	1.7
3. Jones, Toulouse	0.7
4. Sy-Diop, Nantes	0.7
5. Bertal, Villeneuve	0.7
6. Dowdell, Toulouse	0.7
7. Bonnan, Mondeville	0.7
8. Humphrey, Landes	0.6
9. Bass-W., Challes	0.6
10. Smith, Tarbes	0.6

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KENYA - Women

Nairobi Select celebrate East Africa Inter-Cities Basketball Championship title - by Eurobasket News
Nairobi Select - Nairobi Combined 51:46

Nairobi Select enjoyed the East Africa Inter-Cities Basketball Championship title. They prevailed against Nairobi Combined in the Final. The Mogadishu team led right from the start. They ensured a 17:12 lead after ten minutes. Nairobi Select maintained the lead throughout the second frame. They built a 31:23 halftime buffer. Nairobi Select did not loosen the grasp in the third stanza. They posted a 14-point advantage with one quarter remaining. Nairobi Select tried to change things around as they limited their opponents to just 5 points in the final period but it was not enough and Ben Oluoch team celebrated a tough win at the end.
Silalei Shani (188-F) was named the tournaments First MVP. Caroline Achieng (G-76) was trumped second MVP after the Final game. Linda Alando won the Shooting Trophy. Ben Oluoch received Top Coach award.

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LEBANON - Women

Antranik one more time CHAMPION & CUP WINNER - by Asia-Basket Lebanon
After winning the semi Final series against Moutahed 3-0 , Antranik the womens champion for the past 8 consecutive years had once to meet Riyadi in the Final for the 2nd consecutive season.
The Two teams were focused to have a good series , the Champs once again proved that they are too much to handle and they cruised into 3-0 win to retain the title for the 9th consecutive years and the 12th in the past 14 years ( since 1998).
Despite playing without key and National Team Players Cherine Cherif , Nour Choucair and Christelle Chalouhi who are out with ACL injuries the Champions dominated once again the League without any loss , Riyadi had good games in the Final and sometimes during the games managed to put some pressure on Antranik but the big experience prevailed in the end.
After winning the Championship Antranik met Riyadi also in the Cup Final , the two teams reached the Final after winning the semi final games , Antranik against Champville and Riyadi against Homentmen Antelias , this game was a consecration for Antraniks dominance they cruised into a big win which gave them the title of Cup Champion 2011.
These 2 titles Antranik are added to the long list on titles won by the club for the past 14 years which can be resumed as follows:
12 League Titles ( 3 consecutives 98,99,2000, - 9 consecutives 03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11)
10 Cup Titles ( 98,99,2000,01,03,04,07,08,09,10,11)
2 Arab Clubs Championships ( 06,07)
1 West Asian Champion (07)
3 losses in 9 years
Record of 555 wins & 3 losses in 9 years

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MOROCCO - Women

TSC clinch Throne Cup title - by Eurobasket News
TSC celebrated the Throne Cup title. The Casablanca team claimed their third Throne Cup trophy after they had won the title back in 1999 and 2003. TSC overcame IRT Itihad 45:43 in the title clash.
TSC had to work hard to enter the Final. They lost to CODM Meknes 49:50 in the first game of the best-of-two semifinal series. But TSC managed to eke out a 43:41 win in Game 2 to seal their Final appearance. IRT eased past ACK in both games to reach the decisive game.

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PERU - Women

Standings - Superior (Women)

Superior Standings

1. Regatas		0-0
2. Real Club		0-0
3. Centro Naval		0-0
4. UAP		0-0

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RUSSIA - Women

Gundars Vetra and Celine Dumerc leave UMMC - by Eurobasket News
UMMC lost their head coach and one of the key players. Gundars Vetra has decided to part ways with the team. UMMC clinched the third straight Russian title but failed to succeed in Euroleague. Gundars Vetra was hired by the Ekaterinburg team back in 2008. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Russian Superleague Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2011. Vetra also worked as head coach in Barons Riga and assistant coach in Ural Great Perm.
Celine Dumerc (169-G-82) also 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. Celine Dumerc is expected to join Bourges.

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SPAIN - Women

Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LFB Awards 2010-11 - by Eurobasket

Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LFB 1st Team 2010-11

Lyttle

Bonner

Murphy

Brunson

DeSouza

Sancho Lyttle won impossible: Import Player of the Year and ...Domestic Player of the Year in Spanish league.
Except first award was last season, when Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-born center was still considered import player.
But after receiving Spanish citizenship last summer, she played this year as a domestic player helping Perfumerias win first Superleague, then regular season championship and finally the pleague play-offs.
Only Spanish cup slipped away for Avenida team.
Lyttle averaged very strong 13.5ppg, 8.4rpg (#4 in league) and 2.0spg (#3 in league).
She may be also main player of Spanish national team.
Lyttle is joined in the 1st team by Rebekkah Brunson who wins also Import Player of the Year award.
The other player from championship Perfumerias joining all-LFB 1st team is Brazilian Erika DeSouza, who is also Defensive Player of the Year.
Both Lyttle (193cm) and DeSouza (197cm) make unstopable center-duo in the league.
The guard positions in 1st team are taken by top scorer in the league (25.5ppg) Puerto Rican - American Marie Murphy Eshaya from Mariana and cup winner leader DeWanna Bonner from Rivas.
American Kathryn Douglas who made 2nd team changed also her nationality to Greek, which makes her Bosman player. However she received the approval in March, so we consider her the import player as she had that status for the most of season.

*The players should play at least 18 games to be considered for post-season awards

Player of the Year: Sancho Lyttle (193-C-83) of Perfumerias
Guard of the Year: Eshaya Marie Murphy (180-G/F-85) of Mariana
Forward of the Year: Rebekkah Brunson (191-F/C-81) of Ros Casares
Center of the Year: Sancho Lyttle (193-C-83) of Perfumerias
Bosman Player of the Year: Iva Sliskovic (196-F-84) of Real C.Vigo
Import Player of the Year: Rebekkah Brunson (191-F/C-81) of Ros Casares
Domestic Player of the Year: Sancho Lyttle (193-C-83) of Perfumerias
Defensive Player of the Year: Erika DeSouza (197-C-82) of Perfumerias
Coach of the Year: Lucas Mondelo of Perfumerias

1st Team
G: DeWanna Bonner (193-87) of Rivas Ecopolis
G/F: Eshaya Marie Murphy (180-85) of Mariana
F/C: Rebekkah Brunson (191-81) of Ros Casares
C: Erika DeSouza (197-82) of Perfumerias
C: Sancho Lyttle (193-83) of Perfumerias

2nd Team
G/F: Paola Ferrari (178-85) of Mariana
G/F: Kathryn Douglas (185-79) of Ros Casares
F: Iva Sliskovic (196-84) of Real C.Vigo
F: Alba Torrens (184-89) of Perfumerias
C: Nicky Anosike (190-86) of Ros Casares

3rd Team
G: Shona Thorburn (178-82) of Ibiza
G: Natasha Lacy (178-85) of Hondar.-Irun
G/F: Paola Ferrari (178-85) of Mariana
C: Courtney Paris (193-87) of Rivas Ecopolis
C: Aneika Henry (191-86) of Mann Filter

Honorable Mention
Rosaura Sanchez (176-G-74) of Gran Canaria
Franciele Nascimento (190-C-87) of Cadi la Seu
Kaayla Chones (191-C-81) of Navarra
Egle Stakneviciene (190-F-85) of Real C.Vigo
Amaya Valdemoro (184-F-76) of Rivas Ecopolis
Sandra Pirsic (195-C-84) of Ibiza
Kristen Rasmussen (188-C-78) of Ibiza
Belinda Snell (181-F-81) of Perfumerias
Marta Fernandez (178-F-81) of Ros Casares

All-Domestic Players Team
G: Natasha Lacy (178-85) of Hondar.-Irun
G: Rosaura Sanchez (176-74) of Gran Canaria
F: Amaya Valdemoro (184-76) of Rivas Ecopolis
F: Alba Torrens (184-89) of Perfumerias
C: Sancho Lyttle (193-83) of Perfumerias

All-Imports Team
G: DeWanna Bonner (193-87) of Rivas Ecopolis
G/F: Kathryn Douglas (185-79) of Ros Casares
G/F: Eshaya Marie Murphy (180-85) of Mariana
F/C: Rebekkah Brunson (191-81) of Ros Casares
C: Erika DeSouza (197-82) of Perfumerias

All-Bosmans Team
G: Shona Thorburn (178-82) of Ibiza
G/F: Paola Ferrari (178-85) of Mariana
F: Iva Sliskovic (196-84) of Real C.Vigo
F: Egle Stakneviciene (190-85) of Real C.Vigo
C: Sandra Pirsic (195-84) of Ibiza

Caja Rural Zamora and Arranz Burgos are new teams of LF - by Ivan Villar
This weekend has been played the final playoff of LF2 in Zamora. Eight teams fighting for two places in first division of country. Finally, Caja Rural Zamora, got the sucess after beating Aviles by 10 points in its hardest game of the playoff. Lidia Gesteira (172-G-72) (MVP who probably will leave basketball), Yaneth Maria and Aja Parham were the best players of home team.The other ticket for LF was for Arranz Jopisa Burgos which defeated Real Canoe NC by 58-74. Monica Garrido, Lorena Infantes and Ziomara were the best players of new team of LF. Very good level of competition and organization in one of the most popular final playoffs of LF2 (games averaged 1,300 people per game).

Surprise! Alba Torrens will play for Galatasaray - by Ivan Villar
The best spanish player of the season was Alba Torrens (184-F-89).The young player was decisive for the most important year of Perfumerias Avenida.They won all the tournaments, Supercopa, Copa of Reina, spanish league and Euroleague.In fact, Alba Torrens (184-F-89) was the key in Ekaterimburgo final.Now it seems that everybody want to sign Salamanca players.First surprise came from Turkey, after Galatasaray announced the signing of Alba Torrens (184-F-89). She will play there for two seasons and optional third. Obviously Alba Torrens (184-F-89) will have one of highest salarys of Europe but she has demonstrated that she deserved it. This amazing maybe not the only one, because rumours talk about more movements of spanish players to Galatasaray.

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UKRAINE - Women

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Olga MAZNICHENKO
  Tim-S.
  (187-F-91)
  Avg: 19.7

1. Maznichenko, Tim-S.	19.7
2. Rastorgueva, Donb.	19.4
3. Iagupova, Dnipr.	19.0
4. Dorogobuzova, Tim-.	18.7
5. Zarytska, Kozachka	17.9
6. Lubarskaya, Dynamo	17.7
7. Markotenko, Frank.	17.5
8. Rimarenko, Dynamo	17.3
9. Suzyk, Frankivsk	16.5
10. Alyoshkina, Orlan	16.0

Rebounds Per Game

Dragana VUKOVIC
  Yuzhna P.
  (190-C-78)
  Avg: 11.3

1. Vukovic, Yuzhna P.	11.3
2. Ragin, Dynamo	11.0
3. Alyoshkina, Orlan	11.0
4. Rimarenko, Dynamo	10.4
5. Zarytska, Kozachka	10.4
6. Maznichenko, Tim-S.	9.9
7. Dorogobuzova, Tim-.	9.1
8. Yaburova, Dnipr.	8.6
9. Grishina, Lugans.	8.4
10. Kiriyenko, Dnipr.	8.3

Assists Per Game

Kimberly WILLIAMS
  Dnipr.
  (168-G-74)
  Avg: 5.7

1. Williams, Dnipr.	5.7
2. Dubas, Frankivsk	5.3
3. Siromatnikov., Yuz.	5.3
4. Dubrovina, Kozach.	4.7
5. Lapshynova, Polite.	4.5
6. Sharovka, Tim-Scuf	4.3
7. Panchenk-S., Koza.	3.9
8. Pokoiova, Kozachka	3.9
9. Voronova, Polite.	3.5
10. Vukovic, Yuzhna	3.5

Steals Per Game

Olga DUBROVINA
  Kozachka
  (170-G-87)
  Avg: 5

1. Dubrovina, Kozach.	5.0
2. Sharovka, Tim-Scuf	3.4
3. Markotenko, Frank.	3.0
4. Williams, Dnipr.	2.8
5. Polyanychka, Frank.	2.7
6. Bondar, Dynamo	2.7
7. Siromatnikov., Yuz.	2.5
8. Lubarskaya, Dynamo	2.4
9. Panchenk-S., Koza.	2.3
10. Bovykina, Dnipr.	2.3

Blocks Per Game

Tetiana SHABLYNSKA
  Polite.
  (191-C-74)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Shablynska, Polite.	2.2
2. Bovykina, Dnipr.	1.9
3. Alyoshkina, Orlan	1.8
4. Yaburova, Dnipr.	1.7
5. Kisilova, Kozachka	1.3
6. Maznichenko, Tim-S.	1.3
7. Berezinets, Tim-S.	1.0
8. Dorogobuzova, Tim-.	1.0
9. Kiriyenko, Dnipr.	1.0
10. Annenkova, Donbas	0.9

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WNBA - Women

Mistie Bass to miss 2011 season - by Eurobasket News
Chicago Sky power forward Mistie Bass-Williams (6'3''-C-83, college: Duke) will miss the 2011 season for personal reasons, the team announced today.

Bass, a five-year WNBA veteran, started 20 games for the Sky in 2010 and averaged 18.9 minutes, 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game during the campaign.

'All my life I have devoted my time, energy, and passion into basketball,' said Bass. 'It has allowed me to play in places I only dreamed about as a child, and the WNBA is a dream that I have been living for five seasons.

'The league has afforded me a tremendous opportunity to play with the best of the best while inspiring younger women to pursue their own goals and achievements. Over the past season, however, I felt something was missing from my life, and that was family. I respect the WNBA, the Chicago Sky, and all the fans too much to play while my heart is in another place.'

The Sky acquired Bass, a Duke graduate, as a free agent in August 2009 after she played for three seasons with the Houston Comets.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com