Eurobasket Daily News Report:

EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 6/4/2011

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Men News

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ARGENTINA

Obras Sanitarias bring in Julio Mazzaro and Pablo Espinoza - by Eurobasket News
Obras Sanitarias signed contracts with two players. These are Julio Mazzaro (190-G-79) and Pablo Espinoza (195-F-87).
Julio Mazzaro just parted ways with Quimsa. The 32-year-old guard joined the team back in 2006. Last season Julio Mazzaro averaged 13.3 points, 3.6 boards and 3.0 assists per game in Liga Sudamericana. In Liga Americas his stats read 13.8 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 boards and 2.0 steals. In LigaA Julio Mazzaro posted 13.2 points, 2.1 boards and 2.1 assists per appearance. The guard made it into Latinbasket.com All-Liga Americas 2nd Team.
Pablo Espinoza started the previous season in Atletico Junin. He averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. In April the forward moved to Quilmes. His stats read 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per apperance. Pablo Espinoza was named Latinbasket.com All-Argentinean TNA Player of the Year in 2010.

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ASIAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Chris WILLIAMS
  USA
  (199-F/G-80)
  Avg: 26.8

1. Williams, Mahram	26.8
2. Fields, Al Shabab	24.8
3. Ayer, KL Dragons	22.3
4. Leslie, Al Rayyan	21.6
5. Dragajlovic, Al It.	21.4
6. Keely, Al Ittihad	20.6
7. Giles, Duhok	19.8
8. Watkins, ASU	19.2
9. Abed El Nour, Al R.	18.8
10. Khatib, Al Riyadi	17.6

Rebounds Per Game

Chester GILES
  USA
  (211-F/C-85)
  Avg: 14.4

1. Giles, Duhok	14.4
2. Dragajlovic, Al It.	12.6
3. Ayer, KL Dragons	11.8
4. Douthit, Smart Gil.	11.0
5. Watkins, ASU	10.2
6. Ngombo, Al Rayyan	10.0
7. Woods, Al Riyadi	9.3
8. Ismail, Al Riyadi	9.0
9. Fields, Al Shabab	8.3
10. Samb, Mahram	8.0

Assists Per Game

Osama DAGHLAS
(199-G-79)
Avg: 7.8

1. Daghlas, ASU	7.8
2. Casio, Smart Gilas	6.6
3. Keely, Al Ittihad	5.2
4. Tiu John, Smart G.	5.0
5. Akl, Al Riyadi	5.0
6. Nikkhah, Mahram	4.8
7. Guganeswaran, KL D.	4.5
8. Ismail, Al Riyadi	4.3
9. Al-Doori, Duhok	4.2
10. Ibrahim, Al Riyadi	4.0

Steals Per Game

Hamed AFAGH
(190-G-83)
Avg: 2.6

1. Afagh, Mahram	2.6
2. Al-Doori, Duhok	1.8
3. Watkins, ASU	1.6
4. Davari, Mahram	1.5
5. Giles, Duhok	1.4
6. Fields, Al Shabab	1.3
7. Douthit, Smart Gil.	1.2
8. Williams, Mahram	1.0
9. Al-Juboori, Duhok	1.0
10. Keely, Al Ittihad	1.0

Blocks Per Game

Cheikh SAMB
  SEN
  (215-C-84)
  Avg: 3.6

1. Samb, Mahram	3.6
2. Woods, Al Riyadi	3.5
3. Giles, Duhok	2.0
4. Ayer, KL Dragons	1.8
5. Douthit, Smart Gil.	1.6
6. Fakhreddine, Al Ri.	1.3
7. Walker, Jalaa	1.2
8. Rouzbahani, Mahram	1.0
9. Yaqqub, Jalaa	1.0
10. Aguilar, Smart Gi.	1.0

Riyadi, Mahram, Smart Gilas and Rayyan enter semifinals - by Eurobasket News
ASU - Al Rayyan 77-83
Rayyan became the fourth semifinalists at Asia Club Championship. The Qatari champions upset ASU to stay in the title race. Rayyan will now take on Riyadi in the semis. ASU will face Duhok of Iraq in the 5-8 place playoffs. ASU led in the first frame. The Jordanian side accumulated a 19:16 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Michael Cuffee (193-F-83, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Chauncey Leslie (183-G-81, agency: TSS Management, college: Iowa) pulled Rayyan in front early in the second period. ASU erased the deficit and knotting things up at 39 at halftime. Wesam Al Sous and Jameel Watkins (211-C/F-77, college: Georgetown) gave ASU a 6-point advantage midway through the third period however Rayyan went on a 20:6 rally to take a 63:55 advantage with one quarter remaining. The Qatari team boosted the gap to 12 points in the final frame but ASU refused to surrender. Jameel Watkins and Wesam Al Sous dragged them within three points with just over a minute remaining. Michael Cuffee stepped with a decisive three-pointer and then Chauncey Leslie went perfect from the stripe to seal the victory for Rayyan. Chauncey Leslie dropped 29 points, while Michael Cuffee added 15 points in the victory. Jameel Watkins answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for ASU. Mohammad Hadrab (201-F-84) netted 13 points in the loss.

Mahram - Al Ittihad 102-65
Two-time defending champions Mahram entered Asia Club Championship semifinal stage. They dismantled Ittihad in the quarterfinal today. Cheikh Samb (215-C-84) came up with 18 points to pace well-balanced effort from the Iranian powerhouse. It never looked any good for Ittihad in this one. Mahram opened the game with an 18:0 run to stun their opponents. The Iranian side unloaded 32 points in the opening quarter to build a 17-point advantage. Things just kept getting worse for Ittihad in the second term. Mahram enlarged the gap to 22 points at halftime 52:30. The teams traded baskets throughout the third term as Mahram secured a 22-point cushion before the final term. Mahram erupted for 28 points in the fourth stanza and sealed a confident win at the end. Javad Davari (185-G-83, agency: SportsList Inc.) and Chris Williams (199-F/G-80, college: Virginia) finished with 14 points each. Mehrad Atashi (192-G-86) added 13 points for the winners. Darren Keelly (195-G-78, college: Texas) answered with 24 points for Ittihad. Vladislav Dragajlovic (207-C-79, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Smart Gilas - Jalaa 85-80
Smart Gilas advanced into Asia Club Championship semifinals. They overcame Syrian Jalaa in the tough quarterfinal battle tonight. Marcus Douthit (211-F/C-80, college: Providence) masterminded the victory scoring game-high 26 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Jalaa led throughout the opening quarter. They registered a 22:20 advantage after ten minutes. Michel Maadanly (195-G-81) and Sari Papazian made it 31:20 for Jalaa midway through the second frame. Smart Gilas could not find the answers in the first half trailing by 7 points 34:41. However Smart Gilas opened the second half on a 10:4 run to narrow the deficit. Finally Japeth Aguilar (207-C-85, college: W.Kentucky) put the hosts in front 56:55 late in the third term. Marcus Douthit made it 61:57 for the home team with one quarter remaining. Marcus Douthit and Baracael stretched the margin to 8 points with under two minutes to go. Jamaal Miller dragged Jalaa within three points with 22 seconds to go but Marcus Douthit put an exclamation mark with a dunk and sealed the victory. Joseph Evans Casio (177-PG-86) provided 22 points and 9 assists for Smart Gilas. Japeth Aguilar came up with 12 points in the victory. Samaki Walker (206-F/C-76, college: Louisville) responded with 25 points and 8 rebounds for Jalaa. Michel Maadanly accounted for 17 points.

Al Riyadi - Duhok 106-80
Riyadi earned the spot in the Asia Club Championship semifinals. They coasted past Duhok in the first quarterfinal clash at the tournament tonight. Jean Abed El Nour (197-G/F-83) stepped up with 24 points to pace the Lebanese team. Duhok opened the game with a 9:2 run but Riyadi quickly stopped the bleeding. The Lebanese team capped the opening frame with 9 points in a row to take a 25:19 advantage. The second quarter turned disastrous for the Iraqi team. They conceded 35 points to face a massive 26-point deficit at halftime 34:60. Riyadi boosted the margin to 33 points midway through the third term and never looked back en route to the victory. Fadi Khatib nailed 21 points, while Ali Fakhreddine (204-C-83) and Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) provided 10 points each for the winners. Chester Giles (211-F/C-85, college: Oregon St.) posted 29 points and 13 rebounds to pace Duhok. Salah Mahdi (206-C-91) finished with 14 points in the losing case.

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AUSTRALIA

Golden Star Boomers to play China in two-game friendly - by Eurobasket News
The Australian Mens National Basketball Team, the Golden Star Boomers, is set to play a two-game series against China later this month, as they begin preparations for the FIBA Oceania Olympic Qualification series with New Zealand scheduled for September.

The two friendlies the first being played in Perth on June 24, with the series then moving to Singapore for the second match-up on June 26 will conclude a five-day Perth-based camp, the teams first for 2011.

The two-game series, known as the YouYi (Friendly) Games, will become an annual competition between the two nations, who fittingly sit one place apart from each other in the current FIBA rankings the Boomers in ninth and China in tenth.

Australian Boomers head coach Brett Brown is excited by the match-up, which will give the Boomers quality competition early in their preparations against one of the top Basketball nations in the world.

At the end of the camp, we are excited to play two games against China, said Coach Brown.

We have always enjoyed a competitive, respectful relationship with China and we are anxious to continue this in our two game series, he said.

An initiative of ex-Boomers star and Australian basketball champion Andrew Vlahov, the YouYi Games will be hosted by the West Australian Government, in association with events and marketing company, RV Sports.

The camp will see a squad of 16 players, headlined by 2010 World Championship team members David Barlow and Aron Baynes, put through their paces from 19-23 June, before a team of 12 is chosen to battle it out with China.

Our ability to get some core players and some young potential Olympians together at this early stage is always a positive from a coaching perspective, said Coach Brown.

The camp will introduce some new faces, allowing these future prospects their first opportunity to play in the green and gold and be seen by the coaching staff, he said.

Brown also expressed his eagerness to bring the national team back to Perth for the camp, a city passionate about the sport, and expects the players to show an equal amount of passion when they take to the floor against China.

We are excited to go back to Perth for the upcoming camp, he said.

Our experience from previous Boomers camps and games in Perth have always been extremely well organised. The facilities are first class. We are aware that we are coming into a basketball-savvy part of Australia who appreciate good basketball. I am confident that the players selected from our camp will play with the same type of passion and represent Australia in a way we are proud of, he said.
Courtesy of: http://www.basketball.net.au

Emus wrap up Croatian series - by Eurobasket News
On a balmy late spring evening in Crikvenica the Emus secured a resounding victory in the third and final game against Croatia, 88-60, the Emus winning the series two games to one.

Mitch Creek (195-F-92) led all scorers for the Emus with 28 points accumulated with an outstanding field goal conversion of 78 per cent. Mitchell McCarron (190-G-92) had 21 points off 75 per cent shooting, while Hugh Greenwood (190-G-92) finished with 15 points.

The first quarter was an even contest with both teams creating many open shots, the Emus taking a narrow three-point lead into the first break.

The Emus started the second quarter in a positive manner and gradually built on their first quarter lead. Midway through the quarter the Emus had extended to 13 points in front, but then some poor decisions in offence in the last few minutes of the half allowed the Croatians to whittle the lead to seven points at the half time break.

The third quarter saw the Emus regain their composure with some excellent defensive pressure. By the final break the lead was still13 points.

With the Emus transition game in full flow in the final quarter, the margin continued to grow, the Emus ultimately recording a 28 point victory.

Head Coach Damian Cotter was very pleased with the effort shown by the team.

In particular, our ball pressure helped us control the game tempo, said Damian Cotter .

Whilst the win was good, we now need to set our sights on Russia and keep improving as we build towards the Worlds, he said.

The team departed Croatia today headed for Moscow, Russia for their next three games.

Final Score: Australia 88 defeated Croatia 60

1st Quarter: 17 - 14

2nd Quarter: 40 33 (23 -19)

3rd Quarter: 64 51 (24 - 18)

4th Quarter: 88 60 (24 - 9)
Courtesy of: http://www.basketball.net.au

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AUSTRIA

National Team 2012 - by Stefan Heinrich

Detrick

Mahalbasic

Lanegger

Schreiner

Kugerl

Today the Austrian Basketball Federation announced the National Team roster for the summer 2011. A lot of experienced players are missing this summer as they need to recover from injuries etc.

Roster 2011:
Jason Detrick (198-G-80) of Melilla Baloncesto
Tomislav Gaspar (198-F-83) of UBC St. Polten
David Hasenburger (203-F-90) of BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers
David Jandl (180-G-84) of UBC St. Polten
Sebastian Koch (201-F-88) of UBC okoStadt Gussing Knights
Heinz Kugerl (211-C-86) of ECE Bulls Kapfenberg
Davor Lamesic (205-F-83) of WBC Raiffeisen Wels
Moritz Lanegger (188-G-90) of ECE Bulls Kapfenberg
Rasid Mahalbasic (210-F/C-90) of KK Split
Hannes Ochsenhofer (186-G-85) of Oberwart Gunners
Lorenzo O'Neal (188-G-88) of BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers<
Kevin Payton (196-G-86) of Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions
Richard Poiger (201-F-87) of UBC St. Polten
Thomas Schreiner (195-G-87) of UBC St. Polten
Jesse Seilern (190-G-90) of Univ.of S.Carolina - Aiken USA

Head Coach: Neno Asceric

Ass. Coach: Gerald Vogler

On call:
Erik Fruhwirth (204-C-91) of Oberwart Gunners
Thomas Klepeisz (185-G-91) of UBC okoStadt Gussing Knights
Christoph Knor (194-F-85) of UBSC Raiffeisen Graz
Anton Maresch (192-G-91) of Xion Dukes Klosterneuburg
Martin Speiser (202-F-83) of UBC St. Polten
Andreas Worenz (199-F-82) of UBC St. Polten
Romed Vieider (196-F-91) of WBC Raiffeisen Wels

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BELGIUM

Ethias League News - by Peter Buyse
Good news for VOO Verviers-Pepinster who finally received a license from the league office for the 2011-2012 season.
The club recently also announced the contract extension of their American coach Aaron McCarthy through the 2012-2013 season.

Leuven Bears has extended the contract of Ian Hanavan (202-F-80, college: Evansville) with 2 more seasons. Ian joined Leuven during the 2010-2011 after a good season in Cyprus where he played for Apoel Nicosia. Hanavan recently received the Belgian nationality.

Telenet Oostende signed its first new player for the coming season. Serbian forward Stefan Popovski-Turanjanin (201-F-93) was signed to a 3 year contract. The 18 year old played the past season for the junior team of FMP Zeleznik.

Stats Leaders - Division I

Points Per Game

Stefon JACKSON
  Verviers.
  (196-G-85)
  Avg: 16.3

1. Jackson, Verviers.	16.3
2. Black, Antwerp	16.0
3. Mallet, Charleroi	15.9
4. Freeman, Verviers.	15.9
5. Lojeski, Oostende	15.3
6. Waters, Verviers.	15.0
7. Miller, Leuven	14.7
8. Taylor, M.Hainaut	14.7
9. Copeland, Aalstar	14.6
10. Hilliard, Aalstar	14.4

Rebounds Per Game

Rashaun FREEMAN
  Verviers.
  (206-C/F-84)
  Avg: 8

1. Freeman, Verviers.	8.0
2. Young, Aalstar	7.7
3. Stipanovic, Liege	7.4
4. Hilliard, Aalstar	7.3
5. Randle, Gent	7.3
6. Brown, Antwerp	6.4
7. Gay, Verviers-Pep.	6.4
8. Jackson, Verviers.	6.3
9. Tofi, Leuven	6.0
10. Copeland, Aalstar	5.7

Assists Per Game

Darrel MITCHELL
  Oostende
  (180-G-84)
  Avg: 4

1. Mitchell, Oostende	4.0
2. Hatten, M.Hainaut	3.6
3. Dagunduro, Leuven	3.6
4. Waters, Verviers.	3.4
5. Black, Antwerp	2.9
6. Bosco, Gent	2.9
7. Moors, Antwerp	2.8
8. Burrell, Aalstar	2.7
9. Miller, Leuven	2.5
10. Jenkins, Liege	2.5

Steals Per Game

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

1. Jenkins, Liege	2.8
2. Hatten, M.Hainaut	2.3
3. Wilson, Antwerp	2.2
4. Mallet, Charleroi	2.2
5. Dagunduro, Leuven	2.1
6. Mitchell, Oostende	1.7
7. Biggs, Antwerp	1.7
8. McCauley, M.Hai.	1.6
9. Taylor, M.Hainaut	1.6
10. Wright, Charleroi	1.5

Blocks Per Game

Salah MEJRI
  Antwerp
  (214-C-86)
  Avg: 1.6

1. Mejri, Antwerp	1.6
2. Riddick, Charleroi	1.5
3. Young, Aalstar	0.9
4. Johnson, Aalstar	0.9
5. Randle, Gent	0.8
6. Van Den Spie., Oos.	0.7
7. Tofi, Leuven	0.6
8. Wilson, Antwerp	0.6
9. Nivins, M.Hainaut	0.5
10. Pelle, Oostende	0.5

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BRAZIL

Limeira target Benite and veteran Rogerio from Franca - by Paulo Freire
The point guard Vitor Benite (190-F/G-90) is no longer a Vivo/Franca player, he is the new hiring of Winner/Limeira.

The player, who featured the NBB as a runner-up champion, was voted 'Best Sixth Man,' 'Revelation Player' and 'Most Improved Player' of the season, he signed his new contract with Limeira on the afternoon of last Thursday.

With 21 years old Benite, is targeted by the specialist media as one of the biggest prospects of Brazilian basketball in recent years. Even in the Brazilian national team the athlete has already defended the professional team with only 19 years old.

Who is also going to Limeira is the veteran Rogerio Klafke (201-F-71), who did not agree with the substantial pay cut offer to end his career at Paulista State Championship proposal by Franca where he was the franchise player of the team for years, with this the athlete chose to join former teammate Demetrius, who is now the head coach of Limeira. Another factor that may have contributed to the departure of Rogerio and Benite together is the closeness of both, as Rogerio's wife is the sister of the girlfriend of Benite.

Brasilian Legend has brain tumor removed - by Mel Devonne

According to NBA.com Oscar Schmidt (206-F-58) was released from the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on Thursday
after a brain tumor had been removed. The 53-year-old was rushed into surgery after complaints of a sharp headache.
A tumor was found in his left-frontal part of his brain and was immediately removed.
While on vacation with his wife to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in Orlando, Florida, USA, Schmidt
suddenly came down with severe migraines.
Returning to Brazil, he fainted and was soon after admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital.
Tests pointed to a brain tumor as a cause of the sudden discomfort.
Receiving an emergency operation and having been under observation for eight days,
Schmidt was released from the doctors' care. The operation appears to be successful,
and the tumor taken from his brain was diagnosed as malignant.
Get well Oscar.

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CANADA

Raps' Amir Johnson has ankle surgery - by Eurobasket News
Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (6'9''-F/C-87) has had surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be ready for training camp if there is no lockout.

The team announced Friday that the operation to repair an instability was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C. Johnson will do his rehabilitation in Los Angeles.

Soreness in the ankle kept Johnson out of nine games in 2010-11, including the final five of the season. He signed a five-year deal worth $34 million last summer.

He averaged career highs in points (9.6), rebounds (6.4), minutes (25.7) and starts (54) in 2010-11.

Courtesy of ESPN

Energy blow past Chinooks - by Eurobasket News
The Edmonton Energy evened up their record with a massive 133-102 win over the Portland Chinooks on Thursday night at the University of Alberta Main Gym.

The Energy scored 48 points in the final quarter to improve to 5-5 on the season. Curtis Nash (196-G/F-80, college: Charlotte) led the home team in scoring with 28 points, while Mac Hopson (188-G-87, college: Idaho) had a game-high 43 for the Chinooks in the losing cause.

The two clubs meet again on Friday night, before taking a trip down to Lloydminster, Alberta, to square off at Lakeland College.

Courtesy of www.630ched.com

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CAPE VERDE

Rodrigo Mascarenhas and his Benfica finished second in Portugal - by Eurobasket News
Rodrigo Mascarenhas (197-F-80) and his Benfica finished second in Portugal last night. Cape Verde National Team player of 2005-2009 averaged 2.4 points per game and had 3.1 rebounds this season.
Porto Ferpinta meanwhile put an end to Rodrigo Mascarenhas's Benfica dominance in the Portuguese basketball. The Dragons overcame their archrivals in the decisive seventh game of the title series to dethrone Benfica and claim the LPB title. Sean Ogirri came up with 25 points to pace Porto to the triumph.
The Dragons grabbed the lead from the start. Porto posted a 21:17 advantage after ten minutes. The hosts maintained it throughout the second frame. Porto arrived at the interval up by 5 points 43:38. Things got even better for Porto in the third stanza. They cleared off to an 11-point distance 66:55 with one quarter remaining. Porto wisely kept Benfica at distance throughout the final term to clinch the historic victory at the end. Gregory Stempin produced 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Julian Terrell finished with 11 points for the winners. Marquin Chandler and Heshimu Evans answered with 16 points each for Benfica. Ben Reed accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.

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CHINA

CROATIA

Emus wrap up Croatian series - by Eurobasket News
On a balmy late spring evening in Crikvenica the Emus secured a resounding victory in the third and final game against Croatia, 88-60, the Emus winning the series two games to one.

Mitch Creek (195-F-92) led all scorers for the Emus with 28 points accumulated with an outstanding field goal conversion of 78 per cent. Mitchell McCarron (190-G-92) had 21 points off 75 per cent shooting, while Hugh Greenwood (190-G-92) finished with 15 points.

The first quarter was an even contest with both teams creating many open shots, the Emus taking a narrow three-point lead into the first break.

The Emus started the second quarter in a positive manner and gradually built on their first quarter lead. Midway through the quarter the Emus had extended to 13 points in front, but then some poor decisions in offence in the last few minutes of the half allowed the Croatians to whittle the lead to seven points at the half time break.

The third quarter saw the Emus regain their composure with some excellent defensive pressure. By the final break the lead was still13 points.

With the Emus transition game in full flow in the final quarter, the margin continued to grow, the Emus ultimately recording a 28 point victory.

Head Coach Damian Cotter was very pleased with the effort shown by the team.

In particular, our ball pressure helped us control the game tempo, said Damian Cotter .

Whilst the win was good, we now need to set our sights on Russia and keep improving as we build towards the Worlds, he said.

The team departed Croatia today headed for Moscow, Russia for their next three games.

Final Score: Australia 88 defeated Croatia 60

1st Quarter: 17 - 14

2nd Quarter: 40 33 (23 -19)

3rd Quarter: 64 51 (24 - 18)

4th Quarter: 88 60 (24 - 9)
Courtesy of: http://www.basketball.net.au

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DENMARK

Sweden U16 team celebrated the second straight win - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U16-Denmark U16 67:58

Sweden U16 team celebrated the second straight win in Solna at the Nordic Championship Men. The hosts outscored Denmark 67:58 for 2-0 record.
The Swedish team started with 16-11 in the first period, but could not stay on track. Denmark bounced back with 17-9 in the second frame to take 28:25 halftime advantage. The battle continued in the court and it was Sweden again to jump in front. After 20-16 the hosts enjoyed 1-point lead entering the last quarter. With 22-14 they finished the game and won the second straight game at the Nordic Championship Men.
Sweden made total 10 assists, while Denmark had 9. Sweden also dominated the boards, 46rebounds versus 40 and had 15 steals against 3 from the opponents.
Ludvig Hakansson paced all the winners with 16 points and Filip Kovacek (180-G-95) netted 12. Daniel Johansson (195-F-95) and Dzenis Sogolj (200-F-95) followed them with 10 points apiece. Rasmus Hansen (203-F-95) answered with 15 points in the losing case, while Jakob Ravn netted 8.

Sweden U16: Ludvig Hakansson 16, Filip Kovacek 12, Daniel Johansson 10, Dzenis Sogolj 10
Denmark U16: Rasmus Hansen 15, Jakob Ravn 8

Naestved recruit Nerijus Brasas - by Eurobasket News
Naestved strengthened their frontcourt. They have agreed on terms of contract with Nerijus Brasas (200-F-85). The deal is meant for two seasons. The 26-year-old Lithuanian played for Amager over the last three years. Last season the forward averaged 21.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for Amager. Nerijus Brasas was named Eurobasket.com All-Danish Basketligaen Bosman Player of the Year in 2011. In 2001/04 seasons Nerijus Brasas played for Neptunas Klaipeda.

Aabyhoj keep Darko Jukic, bring in Olafur Sigurdsson - by Eurobasket News
Aabyhoj secured the services of Darko Jukic (199-G-90) for the next season. The 20-year-old joined the Danish team at the start of the season. He tallied 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Darko Jukic was the member of U18 Danish selection back in 2008.
Aabyhoj also brought Olafur Sigurdsson (180-G-82) back in. The 28-year-old Icelandic guard played for the team back in 2009/10 season. He averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals per appearance. Olafur Sigurdsson later moved to Stjarnan in Iceland. His stats read 2.4 points and 1.0 assist there. Olafur Sigurdsson was the member of Icelandic U18 and U20 selections.
Aabyhoj have previously secured the services of Ronny Laier (190-F/G-87) for the next season.

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D-LEAGUE

Two Vipers guards working out for Timberwolves - by Eurobasket News
The NBA Development League Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced Thursday that guards Jerel McNeal (6'3''-G-87, college: Marquette) and Matt Janning (6'4''-G/F-88, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: Northeastern) are attending free agent workouts with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday and Friday.

An All-NBA Development League Third Team selection, McNeal averaged 19.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals while starting 47 games during the regular season. The only three games he missed came during a GATORADE Call-Up to the New Orleans Hornets. He did not see any action during his 10 days in the NBA. During the post-season McNeal averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 steals in eight games.

Janning opened the season with the Phoenix Suns before joining the Maine Red Claws. The Vipers acquired him in a trade in January. Overall, Janning averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 41.6% from behind the arc in 41 games (10 starts). During the post-season, Janning averaged 13.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 42.3% from behind the arc in eight games (seven starts).

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Sean Ogirri win the title in Portugal - by Eurobasket News
Sean Ogirri (188-G-86, college: Wyoming) and his Porto Ferpinta put an end to Benfica dominance in the Portuguese basketball. The Dragons overcame their archrivals in the decisive seventh game of the title series to dethrone Benfica and claim the LPB title. Sean Ogirri came up with 25 points to pace Porto to the triumph.
The Dragons grabbed the lead from the start. Porto posted a 21:17 advantage after ten minutes. The hosts maintained it throughout the second frame. Porto arrived at the interval up by 5 points 43:38. Things got even better for Porto in the third stanza. They cleared off to an 11-point distance 66:55 with one quarter remaining. Porto wisely kept Benfica at distance throughout the final term to clinch the historic victory at the end. Gregory Stempin produced 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Julian Terrell finished with 11 points for the winners. Marquin Chandler and Heshimu Evans answered with 16 points each for Benfica. Ben Reed accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
This season Sean Ogirri averaged 12.5 points per game in Portugal.

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EBA

Pro Exposure Camp Promotes Quality Play and EBA: - by EBA Media
On Saturday August 6th at the beautiful FST (Fundamental Sports Training) complex in Westbury New York aspiring pro basketball players will get a chance to have their talent seen by numerous sports agents and professional coaches from throughout the world.

Those players looking to play pro basketball at any level will not want to miss this opportunity. In front of coaches and multiple sports agents players will be evaluated on speed and quickness, athletic ability, shooting, ball handling, and play a minimum of two full court games in the same day.

The camp will be operated by Terence Blake from Scenic Sports Group, LLC in conjunction with Coach Greg Cerillo from the EBA's New York Wizards.

'On one of our road trips, Terence and I discussed the idea' Stated Head Camp Coach Greg Cerillo. 'We discussed the quality of play and the quality of the players in our league and our desire to get them seen by other coaches, general managers, and agents. My desire has always been that my players utilize the Wizards and EBA overall as a springboard to obtain the highest level of compensation they can get. This camp will help them do just that.'

'Truly this is a great opportunity for aspiring or current professional players' Stated Terence Blake from Scenic Sports Group LLC 'Having Coach Cerillo run the camp is just the icing on the cake. Coach Cerillo gets the most out of his talent, and his practices are legendary in terms of utilization of time and effectiveness. All First Team EBA players from last season will be invited to attend this camp free of charge! Players wanting to play professionally anywhere won't want to miss this opportunity.'

Stated League Owner Cynthia Anzolut, 'This is a tremendous opportunity for basketball players.' In addition to exposing our EBA players to perhaps greater financial opportunities, we promote our league as a place to play for pro hopefuls. Coach Cerillo runs one of the flagship franchises in our league. His willingness to promote his players, and our league and its players, even at the potential cost of loosing some of his talent is a testament to the spirit behind our league. We are sure that this exposure camp will assist in getting some of our current EBA players, as well as others attending, signed to play overseas as we have in the past to places like Finland, China, D-League, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and so on. And just as important we can obtain even more pro talent for our league to compete at the highest levels of minor league play.'

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ESTONIA

Armands Skele extends contract with Kalev/Cramo - by Eurobasket News
Kalev/Cramo ensured the services of their key players for the next season. The Estonian champions have agreed on terms of contract extension with Armands Skele (192-G-83). The new deal is meant for two seasons. Armands Skele joined Kalev/Cramo in January. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.7 boards, 2.7 steals and 1.8 assists per EMKL game. In VTB-League the Latvian guard tallied 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per appearance. Armands Skele also posted 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game in Baltic League. Eurobasket.com named the guard All-Estonian League Bosman Player of the Year. Armands Skele played for Latvian National Team in 2003/09 seasons. Skele was trumped LBL and Baltic League Player of the Year in 2008.

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U18

Standings Division A

Standings

Group A
1. Croatia		0-0
2. Greece		0-0
3. Poland		0-0
4. Slovenia		0-0
Group B
1. Finland		0-0
2. Germany		0-0
3. Serbia		0-0
4. Turkey		0-0
Group C
1. Czech Repub.		0-0
2. Spain		0-0
3. France		0-0
4. Latvia		0-0
Group D
1. Italy		0-0
2. Lithuania		0-0
3. Russia		0-0
4. Ukraine		0-0

M-Standings - Group B

Standings Div.B

Group A
1. Austria		0-0
2. Bulgaria		0-0
3. Georgia		0-0
4. Hungary		0-0
5. Luxembourg		0-0
Group B
1. Belgium		0-0
2. Denmark		0-0
3. U.Kingdom		0-0
4. Estonia		0-0
5. Portugal		0-0
Group C
1. Belarus		0-0
2. Montenegro		0-0
3. Holland		0-0
4. Romania		0-0
Group D
1. Israel		0-0
2. Norway		0-0
3. Switzerland		0-0
4. Slovakia		0-0
5. Sweden		0-0

Div.C standings

Standings

1. Andorra		0-0
2. Gibraltar		0-0
3. Moldova		0-0
4. San Marino		0-0
5. Wales		0-0

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U20

M-Standings - Division B

Standings Div.B

Group A
1. Estonia		0-0
2. Georgia		0-0
3. FYR Macedon.		0-0
4. Poland		0-0
5. Romania		0-0
6. Switzerland		0-0
Group B
1. Bulgaria		0-0
2. Denmark		0-0
3. Hungary		0-0
4. Holland		0-0
5. Slovakia		0-0
Group C
1. Czech Repub.		0-0
2. U.Kingdom		0-0
3. Finland		0-0
4. Luxembourg		0-0
5. Norway		0-0
6. Portugal		0-0
Group D
1. Belgium		0-0
2. Bosnia		0-0
3. Belarus		0-0
4. Iceland		0-0
5. Israel		0-0

Standings

Group A
1. Montenegro		0-0
2. Russia		0-0
3. Slovenia		0-0
4. Serbia		0-0
Group B
1. Croatia		0-0
2. France		0-0
3. Latvia		0-0
4. Sweden		0-0
Group C
1. Austria		0-0
2. Spain		0-0
3. Greece		0-0
4. Turkey		0-0
Group D
1. Germany		0-0
2. Italy		0-0
3. Lithuania		0-0
4. Ukraine		0-0

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FINLAND

Finland and Iceland started their 2011 Nordic Championship Men U16 campaign in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Finland U16-Iceland U16 85:99

Finland and Iceland started their 2011 Nordic Championship Men U16 campaign in Day 2. Iceland grabbed 99:85 win as Maciej Baginski (190-G-95) exploded with 35 points for the winners.
Iceland took control from the very start as they needed 20-16 in the opening quarter. Moreover the winners increased to 4 more points after 29-25 in the second frame. Finland however responded with 26-23 in the third period, but could not come closer. Iceland finished the game with 27-18 to taste the first win.
Iceland made more Rebounds (42/37), Assists (12/10) and had a better percentage from the free throw line. Finland meanwhile showed better percentage from the arc and made more steals (8/6).
Oddur Kristjansson (180-G-95) scored 19 points for the winners, Dagur Jonsson (95) netted 18 and Hugi Holm added 12. Oskar Michelsen (195-F-95) responded with 19 points in the losing effort, while Anton Odabasi (196-F-95) delivered 15. Ville Hanninen (192-G-95) notched 14 and Emir Sulejmanovic (199-F/C-95) scored 8.

Finland U16: Oskar Michelsen 19, Anton Odabasi 15, Ville Hanninen 14, Emir Sulejmanovic 8
Iceland U16: Maciej Baginski 35, Oddur Kristjansson 19, Dagur Jonsson 18, Hugi Holm 12

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FRANCE

Steve Smith joins Lille - by Eurobasket News
Lille Metropole Basket is looking for the ways to improve on their last seasons results. The team finished in the 15th position in ProB and entered the market to bolster their squad. Lille have agreed on terms of contract with Steve Smith (200-F-81, agency: Top Notch Sports, college: Iona). The 29-year-old forward was among the top performers in Swiss LNA last season. He tallied 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.6 assists per game for Fribourg. Steve Smith helped the team reach LNA Finals. Eurobasket.com named Steve Smith into All-Swiss LNA 2nd Team. Steve Smith is not new to France. He played for Quimper in ProB in 2009/10 season. The forward also had stints in Iceland, Germany, Sweden and Finland.

Stats Leaders - ProB

Points Per Game

Moses SONKO
  Maurienne
  (196-F-83)
  Avg: 19.1

1. Sonko, Maurienne	19.1
2. Siggers, Rouen	18.9
3. Harris, Lille	18.4
4. Rouse, Charleville	16.8
5. Milbourne, Boulogne	16.5
6. Carter, Nanterre	16.5
7. Davis, Le Portel	15.9
8. Gay, Fos Ouest	15.5
9. Runkaukas, Quimper	15.1
10. Downey, Nantes	14.8

Rebounds Per Game

Korvotney BARBER
  Nantes
  (201-F-87)
  Avg: 10.2

1. Barber, Nantes	10.2
2. Daniels, Chalons-.	9.6
3. Wyatte, Le Portel	9.4
4. Bing, Dijon	9.2
5. Mathis, Maurienne	8.9
6. Rouse, Charleville	8.8
7. Monds, Bourg	8.4
8. Badiane, Boulazac	8.0
9. Giles, Rouen	8.0
10. Monroe, Boulogne	7.8

Assists Per Game

Philippe DA SILVA
  Evreux
  (192-G-79)
  Avg: 7.8

1. Da Silva, Evreux	7.8
2. Rowland, Le Portel	6.5
3. Patiejunas, Boulo.	5.9
4. Downey, Nantes	5.7
5. Oliver, Bourg	5.5
6. Taylor, Rouen	5.0
7. Mullins, Chalons-.	5.0
8. Denave, St Vallier	4.7
9. Darnauzan, Mauri.	4.6
10. Craven, Dijon	4.5

Steals Per Game

Mykal RILEY
  Nanterre
  (198-F-85)
  Avg: 2.5

1. Riley, Nanterre	2.5
2. Shiloh, St Vallier	2.5
3. Daniels, Chalons-.	2.4
4. Craven, Dijon	2.3
5. Mullins, Chalons-.	2.2
6. Melody, Dijon	2.1
7. Patiejunas, Boulo.	2.1
8. Sonko, Maurienne	2.1
9. Hachad, Fos Ouest	2.0
10. Denave, St Vallier	2.0

Blocks Per Game

Sherman GAY
  Fos Ouest
  (201-F-82)
  Avg: 1.7

1. Gay, Fos Ouest	1.7
2. Jefferson, Quimper	1.3
3. Monds, Bourg	1.1
4. Barber, Nantes	1.0
5. Adjiwanou, Boula.	0.9
6. N''Diaye, Clermont	0.9
7. Taccoen, Lille	0.9
8. Davis, Evreux	0.9
9. Daniels, Nanterre	0.8
10. Ford, Clermont	0.7

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GERMANY

Iserlohn Kangaroos sign Will Figures - by Daniel Poerschke
The NOMA Iserlohn Kangaroos of the german 1. Regionalliga West signed Will Figures (5'9''-G-87) as their new playmaker for the upcoming 2011/12 season. Figures did not play professionally last season after graduating from NCAA 1 school N.Colorado but head coach Matthias Grothe and general manager Michael Dahmen are both optimistic, that Figures will be the right player for their team. 'He can play both guard positions and we both decided very quickly, that Will is our #1 guy to lead our youg squad next season', says Dahmen.

2011 beko BBL Final Brose Baskets Bamberg-Alba Berlin 3------2 Can Derrick Allen Win His First beko BBL Title? - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Revenge and long term absence that Alba Berlin is currently suffering can be a very dangerous and uncomfortable experience for any opponent in the beko BBL as Oldenburg and The Deutsche Bank Skyliners recently had to witness in the last weeks, but now they will take this increased stress of the past into the Brose Baskets Bamberg series in the 2011 beko BBl final. Alba Berlin hasnt been in the beko BBl final since 2008, which might not seem like a long time to a neutral bystander, but for CEO Marco Baldi, it probably seems like an eternity and as horrible as Harry Potter fans seeing the end of the story becoming a reality, George Bush haters not getting the total satisfaction of the ex President getting hit by an errand foul ball at a Texas Rangers-Chicago White Sox game or ex Skyliner coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) having to witness and come to terms with being seen by some as a Danny Devito doppelganger. On top of not tasting champagne in three years, the team not only lost the season series to Bamberg, but were drilled on the side of their heads in Bamberg being humiliated 103-52 and the only thing missing was the team departing the arena with bags over their heads. With FC Bayern Munich entering the beko BBL stage next season and ready to rumble with the top teams and Brose Baskets Bamberg being the top team at the moment, Alba Berlin doesnt want to slide further away from the top and will be as motivated to seek revenge as Dirk Nowitzki (211-F-78) had for the game one loss to the Miami Heat taking crunch time in game two into his own hands and scoring the last seven Mavericks points to win game two 95-93, Big Loser contestants in the American TV show impressing new drill sergeant ex tennis goddess Anna Kurnikowa or Paris Hilton trying to upend her party girl image each day with worthy causes. The Brose Baskets Bamberg host Alba Berlin in game one Sunday as both teams enter the finals with long five game series, but Alba Berlin possibly having more momentum coming in having won all three games in Frankfurt and remembering the big 103-52 loss. 'Alba Berlin showed that they played with a lot of confidence on the road. They might of had a long series against Frankfurt, but I dont think they are tired, because they have a long bench. They arent tired yet and will have momentum going in. That 51 point loss will still be in their heads. I believe that Alba Berlin will come out with a lot of energy', stressed Artland Dragon guard Bryan Bailey (185-G-80, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Bucknell).

The Brose Baskets Bamberg only lost two games all season and had a huge advantage over most of the other 17 BEKO BBL teams in that they have kept a core of their team. This season Bamberg has kept many teams off guard with not just one style of play. We can play a multitude of different styles. We have players on our roster that can do everything. The style we play depends on our opponent and style of game they play. We will always be able to tailor our game to match the opponent, added Bamberg forward Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86). It seems like Bamberg have no weak spot at any position. We are a strong team and have depth at every position with a number of players being able to play multiple positions, said Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86). But the biggest strength of the Brose Baskets Bamberg is something that every team in basketball any where on earth strive to have. We simply play team basketball. We have developed a chemistry in a short time. There is no player on this team that is looking for individual stats. Each guy is interested in trying to do what is best for the team to have success, warned Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86). The Brose Baskets Bamberg started off the season so hot winning their first 17 games in a row that it seemed like talk of an undefeated season was not a far fetched idea. However the Gloria Giants Duesseldorf proved that anything is possible in the BEKO BBL as they upset Bamberg 72-69. 'A season is long and tough and it is really tough to go undefeated at anything. One should not forget that Bamberg played very many games already', stated John Bynum (191-G-78, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Metro St.) They have blown away most of the competition with ease holding teams to under 70 points 26 times. They average 82 points per game and have only built on the strong team chemistry that was already present early in the season. 'Bamberg seem to get better with each game that they have played. The Euroleague games also have helped them get better', added John Bynum You would have thought that teams would have an easier time the second time around, but that wasnt the case. 'In the second half of the season, teams are able to see more of a pattern of play of their opponents and know more about each individual player by film and other things that they didnt have in the first half. After playing a team once, you are better at evaluating things better and you can also see them play against teams before you as well', said John Bynum But Bamberg lost only once in the second half of the season in Goettingen and won each home game. Bamberg won the quarterfinal series against the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven 3-0, but it wasnt a cake walk as Bremerhaven was in the first two games losing in crunch time. In game 3, Bamberg manhandled Bremerhaven 86-58 having the big rebound edge 50-33, having 6 guys in double figurers and sending the club of coach Doug Spradley into summer vacation. Bamberg had to go the distance against The Artland Dragons winning 3-2, but remained faithful to their home court advantage winning each home game and still being undefeated this season at home. Bamberg was never seriously threatened at home as they put away the Artland Dragons 83-55 in game five as the opponent were missing Nathan Peavy and just had little energy left in their tank to compete for 40 minutes with a non stop aggressive Bamberg club.

Alba Berlin is one of the strongest teams in the BEKO BBL now despite going through some changes this season. The team started the season well going 8-1 in the first months losing only on the road to Ratiopharm Ulm. However towards the end of 2010, Alba Berlin went through a small drought period losing three games in a row including a 103-52 trouncing in Bamberg, in which the bus ride home might have felt like an eternity for the team. The air seemed thin along the Spree in Alba world as the team failed to reach the Eurocup final 16 and first got rid of point guard Hollis Price (186-G-79, college: Oklahoma) who unfairly was made an escape goat. The club that said farewell to Luka Pavicevic (agency: Beo Basket ) who had been at the helm since 2007 winning two titles with Alba Berlin. The team brought in Muli Katzurin (agency: Avi Zilberman ) from Israel who had won the Czech league titles and cups from 2007-2010. Since the arrival of Katzurin the team is 9-4 and have won four of their last five games. The team also have brought in guards Heiko Schaffartzik (182-G-84) who still hasnt found his rhythm, 2010 Eurochallenge winner Taylor Rochestie (185-G-85, college: Washington St.) with BG Goettingen and 23 year old 213 cm Serb talent Miroslav Raduljica (213-C-88) to help under the hoop. The team recently also released guard Marko Marnovic as well. Despite the many changes and whirlwind happenings, the team should be playing for the title. 'Alba is a solid team and have had ups and downs this season but they are still a team that will be around at the end of the season in my opinion. They have had to go through a coaching change but they have the talent to beat any of the top teams. I think that they have the talent and the players for sure to win the title', warned John Bynum With the coaching change, how much has the style changed from Pavicevic to Katzurin? 'I think they are more up tempo and not as predictable as they once were. They were running a lot more sets with the old coach but now I think they have more freedom and they have players that can excel more in that style of play', stressed John Bynum 'Alba Berlin has a different kind of rotation now. The biggest quality is that they are a lot more unpredictable than under Luka Pavicevic (agency: Beo Basket ). They mix it up on defense as teams never really know what will be thrown at them next. Alba Berlin sought revenge after losing in 2005 and 2010 to the Deutsche Bank Sklyiners by winning a tight five games semi final series against Frankfurt. The series was very curious, since no team was able to win a single home game. Key in the series was the team that got the better start usually won. In game five Alba Berlin shot very well, controlled the boards, got many easy baskets, made a majority of the hustle plays and was able to contain beko BBL MVP DaShaun Wood (185-G-85, college: Wright St.) well. Frankfurt also seemed a bit tired, couldnt keep pave with the deeper Alba Berlin rotation and had no recipe to stop the Alba Berlin inside play as they were able to take advantage of the size advantage.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg have a strong and valuable guard trio of John Goldsberry (191-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: NC-Wilmington) (4,2ppg, 1,7rpg, 4,1apg), Anton Gavel (189-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports) (10,8ppg, 2,6rpg, 2,2apg) and Brian Roberts (188-G-85) (10,3ppg, 2,2rpg, 3,4apg). Goldsberry probably the most unselfish player at the moment in the league can change a game with his defense as he once had 10 steals with Leverkusen, Gavel will hurt you with his threes and extra pass ability and just when you thought that you could have a breather on defense, in comes Roberts who can score in bunches quicker than Ray Allen can releases his bombs from the corner.Alba Berlin has the deepest guard personal in the beko BBL. After having start problems at the point, the club released veteran Hollis Price (186-G-79, college: Oklahoma) and Serb Marko Marinovic. The club brought in Heiko Schaffartzik (182-G-84) (3,6ppg, 1,2rpg and 1,7apg in 9,58 min per game) who has had problems finding his rhythm, but has gotten more playing time recently. He had a strong game five in Frankfurt with 10 points and five assists. What the German can do on offense is unlimited as he shoots first and penetrates second. He is a great one on one player. His biggest weapon is his shooting as he loves the catch and pop and off the dribble shooting. The team also has solved their starting point guard problem bringing in Taylor Rochestie (185-G-85, college: Washington St.) (8,8ppg, 3,9apg, 2,7rpg) from Turkey. Ever since Rochestie dropped 26 points for BG Goettingen last season in a road win against Alba Berlin, the club seemed fascinated by his killer instinct in stress situations. Since his arrival, he has shined with his scoring and playmaking scoring in double figures in 8 of his 12 games with Alba Berlin. At the shooting guard position, the team has unending talent with Julius Jenkins (187-G-81, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgia Southern) (14,3ppg, 2,1rpg, 2,6apg) Immanuel McElroy (193-G-80, college: Cincinnati) (9,9ppg, 3,7rpg 3,3apg), Bryce Taylor (196-G-86, agency: Priority Sports) (7,8ppg, 3,6rpg, 2,1apg and Luka Staiger (3,5ppg, 1,2rpg,). Both Jenkins and Mcelroy can help out at the point as well. Jenkins is one of the deadliest shooters in the league and even though it seems like he is having an average season due to the deep team, he is right at the top in stats and can still decide a game in crunch time. Mcelroy won his 5th best defender of the year award and his overall quickness, combined with his mental toughness, makes him well-suited as a defender in the attacking defense under Katzurin. He is very athletic, a 40-inch vertical jump and a bench press approaching 300 pounds, ability to break defenders down with his dribble and his explosiveness to the basket makes him an effective scorer. On offense, he always has the ability to get triple doubles. Taylor is the big winner of the season. He came to Alba Berlin on a short term contract and probably never expected to still be with the team, but is development continued to soar and under new coach Katzurin has really flourished not only with his scoring, hustle and energy on defense, but also helping under the boards where he got two double doubles this season. With Staiger, the club has a young German who is known as a prolific scorer and has done a fine job coming from the bench and doing his job. One wont find a more well-rehearsed trio than Goldsberry, Gavel and Roberts in the beko BBL, with each player bringing something extra special to the table but Alba Berlin is deeper at the guard position, but The guard position is even.

With Predrag Suput (200-F-77, agency: Beo Basket) (12,4ppg, 4,1rpg, 1,7apg), Bamberg has one of the top power forwards that is always guaranteed to score even if it doesnt look pretty, the Serb has been doing it for his whole career and his experience is huge. Reyshawn Terry (203-F-84, college: N.Carolina) (10,0ppg, 5,2rpg) brings the athletic quality to the forwards. . With Casey Jacobsen (11,8ppg, 3,5rpg, 3,0apg), Bamberg has an ex NBA player that is as unselfish as his teammate John Goldsberry (191-G-82, agency: Pro One Sports, college: NC-Wilmington) as well. Jacobsen is a very versatile player that scores, rebounds and gets assists and is the ultimate team player and on top of that the team leader. Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) (13,6ppg, 4,2rpg, 1,2apg) belongs to the top forwards in the beko BBL and he withstood all odds with possibly not getting as much playing time in Berlin as he did in Frankfurt, by working hard in practice and becoming one of their most consistent scorers this season. He scored in double figurers in 26 of the first 30 games including explosions of 37 points against Phoenix Hagen and 28 points against Oldenburg and MBC. Tadija Dragicevic (7,9ppg, 3,7rpg, 1,9apg) who comes from Serbia is a power forward with great talent, who can score, pass and rebound. Some say he is undersized for the four position, and that he will make a successful transition to the three position, thanks to his great court vision and athletic skills. He started the season well scoring in double figurers in 11 of 16 games, but since Katzurin came on board has gotten less playing time and scored only in double figurers in 3 of 14 games. Sven Schultze (208-C-78) might be 32, but he is still a very strong player with a deadly shot. With his size, he will post up the opponents small forwards and outrun the opponents power forwards. He is able to defend bigger players, but also agile enough to defend smaller ones. He can drop the three pointer in a variety of ways which gave Luka Pavicevic (agency: Beo Basket ) so many more ways of using him. He also is very dangerous on the fast break as he can with the speed of a point guard and then dunk. He also adds a lot of experience to the team with his international games with Germany. Schultze broke the back in the Frankfurt comeback in the second half coming totally cold from the bench and making a dent in any Frankfurt comeback dropping three three pointers. There isnt much separating the forward position. Suput, Terry and Jacobsen are very solid, while Allen, Dragcevic and Schultze bring much quality and different offensive qualities to the table. The very slight edge goes to Bamberg. The matchup of the series could be Suput-Allen, but with the deep roster of Muli Katzurin (agency: Avi Zilberman ), one should never expect one player to explode with a 20-25 point night.

At the center position, it is pretty even. Bamberg has a strong duo with German national player Tibor Pleiss (214-F/C-89)/Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86). Pleiss (9,1ppg, 6,7rpg) has improved very much this season and his defense adds a new dimension to the Bamberg play. . Kyle Hines (198-F/C-86) (10,2ppg, 4,6rpg) is a big body that frees up space for the guards and he scores and rebounds on a consistent level this season. With MiroslavRaduljica (9,8ppg, 3,6rpg), Yassin Idbihi (208-F-83, college: Buffalo) (7,5ppg, 3,7rpg) and Patrick Femerling (216-C-75, college: Washington) (4,8ppg, 2,7rpg), they have a very solid rotation. Serb Raduljica has been up and down in his first 10 games, but he is only 23 years old and still getting used to the beko BBL. He had big games against Artland which have good big man play. He is developing well and will be a factor down low. Idbihi is the big winner under new coach Katzurin. In his first 18 games, he scored only three times in double figurers, but since the new coach is on board, he started getting more minutes and scored in double figurers in five of the last seven games which has helped his self confidence. Katzurin has solved the center problem in Berlin as the duo of Raduljica/Idbihi are more than solid. Femerling is the most experienced player on the roster having won everything there is to win except the NBA title and the NCAA title, but winning 13 titles in his basketball career including the Euroleague in 2003 with FC Barcelona and winning a Bronze at the World Championships in 2002 and a Silver at the 2005 European championships. He has won 3 BEKO BBL titles and two cups. Alba Berlin has an edge under the hoop against the smaller Skyliners, but against Bamberg will have their cut out matching up against the long Pleiss that makes the zone a lot smaller and the physical Hines who has been one of the most effective players in the semi finals. Alba Berlin as the solid duo of Idbhi (also one of most effective players in semi finals) and Raduljica that will have his work more cut out for him in the final. A slight edge to Bamberg here also.

Bamberg won the season series and the last time, these two teams met in a playoff series was 2003 as Alba Berlin won their last beko BBl title in that seven year in a row championship run sweeping Bamberg 3-0. Back then Alba Berlin was led by players like Jovo Stanojevic (208-C-77, agency: Beo Basket), Mithat Demirel, Marko Pesic and Stefano Garris, while Bamberg played with a seven man rotation in game three featuring players like Steffen Hamann, Chris Ensminger, Rick Stafford and Jason Sasser. One thing is for sure, Alba Berlin will have to win at home, because no team has won in Bamberg this season, and Alba Berlin cant afford to believe that their incredible 4-0 record in Frankfurt will be that easy to do in the always loud and uncomfortable Stechert arena in Bamberg. Both teams are offensive power houses averaging more than 80 points a game, but Bamberg is a better rebounding team. Both teams are very strong defensive teams. Two big keys will be who can get off to the better start in each game and hold their rhythm and as the series grows which team wants it more. Artland Dragon guard Bryan Bailey (185-G-80, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Bucknell) saw first hand how the current condition of Bamberg is and predicts a five games series that will be won by Bamberg. 'Alba Berlin has to go inside a lot. They have many options on offense and should try to get as many fats break points as possible and play consistent defense. Bamberg has to slow down guys like Jenkins, Mcelroy and Taylor and keep their big guys out of the paint. On defense they should try to get them into a half court set and just take away what they do best. Bamberg is known for scouting well', stressed Bryan Bailey (185-G-80, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Bucknell). 'Bamberg-Alba Berlin is what the fans wanted. WE have worked nine months to get here. We will have to be very focused', expressed Alba Berlin American Bryce Taylor (196-G-86, agency: Priority Sports). The Brose Baskets Bamberg host Alba Berlin in game one June 5th at 15:45.

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

GREECE

PAOK was punished for two games! - by Giorgos Diploidis
PAOK Thessaloniki will have to play without it's fans for two games as a result of what happened in the last game against Aris (The game stopped for 10-15 minutes) for the Greek Play Offs. The team of Thessaloniki will have also to pay 12.850 except the punishment of the home court. PAOK Thessaloniki had already received a punishment this year and that's why it was decided to be two games without fans (it could be one).

PAOK Thessaloniki board probably will not appeal against the decision because it is very difficult to be decreased.

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

HOLLAND

GasTerra Flames re-signs MVP Jason Dourisseau, bring in De Randamie - by Fred Roggen
Dutch Cup winner GasTerra Flames made sure it will have some familiar faces on its 2011-12 roster after re-signing of Player of the Year Jason Dourisseau (196-G-83, college: Nebraska).
Last season Jason Dourriseau was averaging 11.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.3spg and 2.3apg in the DBL.
The Flames announced today the signing of the 26-year old ABC Amsterdam player Sergio de Randamie (201-F-84, agency: R.H.Consultancy, college: Houston) for the upcoming season. Last season De Randamie averaged 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for ABC Amsterdam.

Jim Meil new head coach of BS Weert - by Fred Roggen
Jim Meil is the new Head coach of BS Weert, replacing Terence Stansbury.
A Baltimore native, Meil is a 1978 graduate of The McDonogh School where he was a four-year starter and 1,000-point career scorer for the Eagles under Paul Smith. He was an assistant coach at Towson from 1982 to 1997. He began his stint under Vince Angotti and remained with the program when Terry Truax was hired in 1983.

From 1988 to 1994 Towson posted six straight winning seasons with a record of 112-65 (.633) that included three consecutive East Coast Conference championships, a school record 22-game home win streak and the Tigers' only two trips to the NCAA Division I Tournament. The success coincided with the appearance of local Baltimore products Kurk Lee, Devin Boyd, Kelly Williamson, Kennell Jones and Terrance Jacobs, among many others, whom Jim was instrumental in recruiting.

Boyd ended his career as Towson's all-time leading scorer with 2,000 points. Lee went on to play in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets before enjoying a lengthy professional career in Finland. Jones was named the ECC's 1990 Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's basketball. Boyd, Lee and Jacobs, another European leaguer, each won the ECC Player of the Year award during their careers. Boyd and Lee are Towson's only Division I players to receive All-American honors.

Towson finished the 1993-94 seasons with a 21-9 record, the Tigers' only 20-win season thus far on the Division I level. In 1995-96 the Tigers were 16-12 to mark the only winning record for Towson in the last 11 seasons.

In 1997, Jim joined Leonard Hamilton's Hurricanes staff as an administrative assistant while earning a Master's degree in sports administration at Miami. The Hurricanes went to the NCAA Tournament both years he was associated with the program.

In 1999, Meil moved on to Wagner where he has served on the staff for the past seven years, four as an assistant coach and the last three as associate head coach. He was an assistant coach for Dereck Whittenburg for four seasons and Mike Deane for three years. Meil helped the Seahawks win three straight Northeast Conference scoring titles, along with three straight winning seasons, a 2002 NIT berth and the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003.

In 2006 (until 2011) Jim Meil went back to Towson University. Jim Meil was promoted to associate head coach by Pat Kennedy prior to the start of the 2009-10 season..

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IBL

IBL's Edmonton Energy beats Portland Chinooks to move to 7-4 on the season - by Trask Frost
The Edmonton Energy raced out to a huge lead and never looked back in a win over the Portland Chinooks

The large crowd enjoyed the Energy's high flying dominance as they led 74 to 47 at the half and the Energy ended up winning 158 to 126.

With the largest crowd of the season loving every minute of it, the Energy defense was able to hold NBA caliber guard, Mac Hopson to 10 points lower then the night before, yet he still managed to drop 41 points (Mac Hopson scored 51 points the night before), but that was not enough as the Energy won 158 to 126. In doing so the Energy converted over 15 dunks in the win. The Edmonton Energy were led by Jeff Ferguson with 21 points and 8 rebounds- and- Curtis Nash who also contributed 21 points. Casey Crawford added another 21 points. Rashaun Broadus contributed 20 points to go along with 8 assists.

Having strong games for the Portland Chinooks were Brian Morris with 34 points and Lawrence Tyson with 24 points.

The two teams finish off the three game series in Lloydminster at Lakeland College tomorrow/Saturday night at 7:30

Report from General Manager Skousan Harker and the IBL- www.iblhoopsonline.com

Standings

IBL Standings

Continental Division
1. Bellingham S.		10-4
2. Vancouver V.		9-3
3. W.C. Hotshots		7-4
4. Olympia R.		4-7
5. L.Angeles L.		0-1
6. USA All-Stars		0-18
International Division
1. Albany L.		12-3
2. Kankakee S.		10-3
3. Gary Splash		8-6
4. Edmonton E.		6-4
5. Oregon W.		5-7
Branding Team
1. Lansing C.		2-4
2. Dayton A.		1-0
3. Las Vegas P.		0-1
4. Lake Co.		0-3
5. Ohio H.G.		0-3
6. Phoenix R.		0-3

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

ICELAND

Sweden U18 overcame Iceland U18 at the top game in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U18-Iceland U18 77:74

Sweden overcame Iceland at the top game in Day 2 of the Nordic Championship Men U18. The Swedish team improved to 2-0 record on top after 77:74 win.
Both teams celebrated the victories in their first games and the win in that game meant the leading positions. They both started well, while Iceland managed to take 23-22 lead after the first period. Moreover the guests took 21-16 in the second frame for 6-point halftime advantage. In the third quarter Sweden bounced back and even took 50:49 lead after thirty minutes when they won the third period 22-15. Sweden added 17-15 in the last quarter to seal the second straight win at the Nordic Championship Men U18.
Marcus Eriksson (196-F/G-93) top-scored for the winners with 17 points, while Nicholas Spires (210-C/F-94) collected 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fredrik Andersson (196-G/F-93) and Jesper Eliasson (199-F-94) followed them with 10 points apiece. Martin Hermannsson (180-G-94) and Jens Oskarsson ended up with 19 points each in the losing effort as Iceland is with 1-1 record.

Sweden U18: Marcus Eriksson 17, Nicholas Spires 15+10 rebs, Fredrik Andersson 10, Jesper Eliasson 10
Iceland U18: Martin Hermannsson 19, Jens Oskarsson 19, Matthias Sigurdarsson 13

Finland and Iceland started their 2011 Nordic Championship Men U16 campaign in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Finland U16-Iceland U16 85:99

Finland and Iceland started their 2011 Nordic Championship Men U16 campaign in Day 2. Iceland grabbed 99:85 win as Maciej Baginski (190-G-95) exploded with 35 points for the winners.
Iceland took control from the very start as they needed 20-16 in the opening quarter. Moreover the winners increased to 4 more points after 29-25 in the second frame. Finland however responded with 26-23 in the third period, but could not come closer. Iceland finished the game with 27-18 to taste the first win.
Iceland made more Rebounds (42/37), Assists (12/10) and had a better percentage from the free throw line. Finland meanwhile showed better percentage from the arc and made more steals (8/6).
Oddur Kristjansson (180-G-95) scored 19 points for the winners, Dagur Jonsson (95) netted 18 and Hugi Holm added 12. Oskar Michelsen (195-F-95) responded with 19 points in the losing effort, while Anton Odabasi (196-F-95) delivered 15. Ville Hanninen (192-G-95) notched 14 and Emir Sulejmanovic (199-F/C-95) scored 8.

Finland U16: Oskar Michelsen 19, Anton Odabasi 15, Ville Hanninen 14, Emir Sulejmanovic 8
Iceland U16: Maciej Baginski 35, Oddur Kristjansson 19, Dagur Jonsson 18, Hugi Holm 12

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

IRAN

Mahram dispatch Ittihad to reach semifinals in Manila - by Eurobasket News
Mahram - Ittihad 102:65

Two-time defending champions Mahram entered Asia Club Championship semifinal stage. They dismantled Ittihad in the quarterfinal today. Cheikh Samb (215-C-84) came up with 18 points to pace well-balanced effort from the Iranian powerhouse.
It never looked any good for Ittihad in this one. Mahram opened the game with an 18:0 run to stun their opponents. The Iranian side unloaded 32 points in the opening quarter to build a 17-point advantage. Things just kept getting worse for Ittihad in the second term. Mahram enlarged the gap to 22 points at halftime 52:30. The teams traded baskets throughout the third term as Mahram secured a 22-point cushion before the final term. Mahram erupted for 28 points in the fourth stanza and sealed a confident win at the end. Javad Davari (185-G-83, agency: SportsList Inc.) and Chris Williams (199-F/G-80, college: Virginia) finished with 14 points each. Mehrad Atashi added 13 points for the winners. Darren Keelly (195-G-78, college: Texas) answered with 24 points for Ittihad. Vladislav Dragajlovic (207-C-79, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Mahram: Cheikh Samb 18, Javad Davari 14, Chris Williams 14
Ittihad: Darren Keelly 24, Vladislav Dragajlovic 19+11 boards

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

IRAQ

Riyadi cruise past Duhok into Asia Club Championship semifinal - by Eurobasket News
Riyadi - Duhok 106:80

Riyadi earned the spot in the Asia Club Championship semifinals. They coasted past Duhok in the first quarterfinal clash at the tournament tonight. Jean Abed El Nour (197-G/F-83) stepped up with 24 points to pace the Lebanese team.
Duhok opened the game with a 9:2 run but Riyadi quickly stopped the bleeding. The Lebanese team capped the opening frame with 9 points in a row to take a 25:19 advantage. The second quarter turned disastrous for the Iraqi team. They conceded 35 points to face a massive 26-point deficit at halftime 34:60. Riyadi boosted the margin to 33 points midway through the third term and never looked back en route to the victory. Fadi Khatib (199-F-79) nailed 21 points, while Ali Fakhreddine (204-C-83) and Ahmad Ismail (201-F-76) provided 10 points each for the winners. Chester Giles (211-F/C-85, college: Oregon St.) posted 29 points and 13 rebounds to pace Duhok. Salah Mahdi (206-C-91) finished with 14 points in the losing case.

Riyadi: Jean Abed El Nour 24, Fadi Khatib 21, Ali Fakhreddine 10, Ahmad Ismail 10
Duhok: Chester Giles 29+13 boards, Salah Mahdi 14

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

ISRAEL

David Blu stays at Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv! - by Eurobasket
'Eurobasket.com' recently learned that, 31-year old forward David Blu decided to stay in Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv for another season. After having some troubles in negotiations, Maccabi and their small forward finally reached a compromise.
Last season Blu was averaging 10.9ppg, 3.9rpg in Israeli League, also 8.9ppg and 3.1rpg in Euroleague reaching the Final Four in Barcelona.

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

ITALY

Shinelco Trapani advanced to Lega2 - by Eurobasket News
Ostuni - Trapani 81-85

Shinelco Trapani advanced to Lega2 as theyr swept the series over Ostuni 3-0. The guests took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Ostuni won third quarter 23-17. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Trapani had a 29-16 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a good game for guard Marco Evangelisti (198-84) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points and 13 rebounds. Naturalized Argentinian guard Ariel Svoboda (192-85, agency: Players Group) contributed with 20 points and 4 assists (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field) for the winners. Guard Marco Bona (194-89) answered with 21 points and 5 rebounds and center Francesco Basei (207-83) added 11 points and 12 rebounds in the effort for Ostuni. Four Ostuni players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Ostuni: M.Bona 21+5reb+3ast, C.Tommasini 13+3reb+1ast, F.Basei 11+12reb, M.Gigena 11+4reb+2ast, D.Morena 10+1reb, V.Circosta 9+3reb+3ast
Trapani: A.Svoboda 20+2reb+4ast, F.Guarino 17+1reb+5ast, M.Evangelisti 15+13reb+2ast, G.Cantagalli 9+2reb, C.Cappanni 8+2reb+1ast, L.Tardito 8+4reb+3ast

Lega2 Round 3 of Semi-Finals. Fastweb Casale advance into Finals - by Eurobasket News
Prima Veroli - Umana Reyer 74-88

Umana Reyer earned 2-1 lead against Prima Veroli celebrating road win in Game 3. The guests were tied at the half but managed to speed up in last two quarters eventually winning the game. Umana Venezia outrebounded Prima Veroli 37-22 including 28 on the defensive glass. It was a good game for American guard Alvin Young (189-75, college: Niagara) who led his team to a victory with 25 points and 8 rebounds. The former international forward Marco Allegretti (204-81) contributed with 19 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Umana Venezia's coach Andrea Mazzon used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The former international guard Guido Rosselli (196-83) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists and American guard James Penn (178-77, college: Ohio St.) added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Prima Veroli. Five Umana Venezia and four Prima Veroli players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Prima Veroli: G.Rosselli 20+6reb+5ast, J.Jackson 15+1reb+1ast, I.Gatto 14+4reb, J.Penn 14+6reb+1ast, D.Brkic 8+4reb+1ast, R.Rullo 3+1ast
Umana Reyer: A.Young 25+8reb+3ast, M.Allegretti 19+9reb+1ast, T.Slay 14+7reb+1ast, K.Clark 11+3reb+4ast, S.Bryan 10+5reb+2ast, C.Di Giuliomaria 5+3reb

Barcellona - Fastweb CM 86-93 OT

Fastweb Casale advanced into LegaDue Finals sweeping the series against Barcellona. The guests were tied at the half and again at the end of regular time. But they managed to win overtime period 15-8. Fastweb CM made 31-of-40 free shots (77.5 percent) during the game. Fastweb CM outrebounded Sigma Barcellona 39-27 including 27 on the defensive glass. Sigma Barcellona was plagued by 35 personal fouls down the stretch. It was a good game for American guard Ricky Hickman (190-G-85, college: NC-Greensboro) who led his team to a victory with 21 points and 5 assists. His fellow American import guard Donell Taylor (198-82, college: UAB) contributed with 9 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Scottish-Nigerian power forward Kieron Achara (208-83, college: Duquesne) answered with 21 points and 7 rebounds and Panamanian guard Michael Hicks (193-76, college: Texas A&M - C.C.) added 22 points in the effort for Sigma Barcellona.
Top scorers:
Barcellona: M.Hicks 22+4reb+2ast, K.Achara 21+7reb+1ast, J.Wise 17+1reb+5ast, A.Ghiacci 8+4reb+1ast, R.Bucci 8+4reb+1ast, G.Sorrentino 6+1reb
Fastweb CM: R.Hickman 21+3reb+5ast, M.Malaventura 13+1ast, O.Nnamaka 12+4reb, S.Pierich 11+8reb, D.Taylor 9+8reb+2ast, D.Chiotti 9+9reb

stats leader

Points Per Game

Marco EVANGELISTI
  Trapani
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 17.7

1. Evangelisti, Trapa.	17.7
2. Tassinari, Moncali.	17.6
3. Musso, Perugia	16.9
4. Rugolo, Molfetta	16.8
5. Ricciardi, Palestr.	16.8
6. Masper, Moncalieri	16.7
7. Vico, Matera	16.0
8. Carrizo, Ferentino	15.9
9. Conte, Trento	15.8
10. Benevelli, Trento	15.5

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. Capitanelli, Pales.	8.8
5. Zambon, Rieti	8.7
6. Chiaramello, Recan.	8.6
7. Basei, Ostuni	8.5
8. Facenda, Senigallia	8.1
9. Soloperto, Latina	7.9
10. Gaeta, Osimo	7.8

Assists Per Game

Simone FERRARESE
  Trento
  (182-G-87)
  Avg: 4.9

1. Ferrarese, Trento	4.9
2. Marino, Treviglio	4.7
3. Virgilio, Rieti	4.0
4. Marcante, ASD P.	3.7
5. Tomasiello, Comsum.	3.7
6. Scarone, Piacenza	3.7
7. Guarino, Trapani	3.4
8. Cantone, S.Antimo	3.4
9. Paparella, Potenza	3.4
10. Passera, Piacenza	3.4

Steals Per Game

Francesco GUARINO
  Trapani
  (182-G-79)
  Avg: 3.5

1. Guarino, Trapani	3.5
2. Bonamente, Perugia	3.2
3. De Nicolao, Castel.	3.0
4. Gullo, Patti	2.9
5. Bushati, Brescia	2.8
6. Malamov, Ruvo	2.8
7. Cisse, ASD Pavia	2.7
8. Musso, Perugia	2.7
9. Palombita, Castell.	2.7
10. Parente, Moncalie.	2.6

Blocks Per Game

Andrea ZERINI
  Ruvo
  (201-F-88)
  Avg: 1.7

1. Zerini, Ruvo	1.7
2. Ancellotti, Patti	1.6
3. Corral, Molfetta	1.3
4. Capitanelli, Pales.	1.1
5. Basei, Ostuni	1.0
6. Raminelli, Castell.	1.0
7. Biligha, ASD Pavia	0.9
8. Candido, Ferentino	0.9
9. Spippoli, Palestri.	0.9
10. Pozzi, Molfetta	0.8

Stats Leaders - SerieA

Points Per Game

James WHITE
  Dinamo Sassari
  (198-G-84)
  Avg: 20.2

1. White, Dinamo Sass.	20.2
2. Thomas, Air AV	17.5
3. Rivers, CS Bologna	17.2
4. Zoroski, Banca T.	16.0
5. Ford, Fabi Shoes	15.8
6. Hunter, Dinamo S.	14.8
7. Milic, Vanoli CR	14.8
8. Goss, Cimberio VA	14.8
9. Roberson, Enel B.	14.6
10. Dean, Air AV	14.4

Rebounds Per Game

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

1. Ford, Fabi Shoes	10.4
2. Jones, Pepsi C.	8.6
3. Troutman, Air AV	8.3
4. Davis, Banca Terc.	8.2
5. Homan, CS Bologna	8.1
6. Ivanov, Fabi Shoes	8.0
7. Lang, Enel Brindisi	7.8
8. Hunter, Dinamo S.	7.8
9. Suton, Angelico BI	7.4
10. Sanikidze, CS Bo.	7.3

Assists Per Game

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

1. Green, Air AV	6.8
2. Diener, Dinamo S.	4.6
3. Sosa, Angelico BI	4.5
4. Collins, Scavolin.	3.9
5. Zoroski, Banca T.	3.8
6. Goss, Cimberio VA	3.8
7. Rowland, Vanoli CR	3.8
8. Markovic, Benetton.	3.5
9. Green, Bennet Can.	3.4
10. Diener, Banca T.	3.3

Steals Per Game

Earl ROWLAND
  Vanoli CR
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 2.9

1. Rowland, Vanoli CR	2.9
2. Stonerook, Montep.	2.8
3. Goss, Cimberio VA	2.7
4. Troutman, Air AV	2.7
5. Green, Air AV	2.7
6. Thomas, Air AV	2.5
7. Dasic, Lottomatica	2.4
8. Hackett, Scavolin.	2.4
9. McCalebb, Montepa.	2.4
10. Collins, Scavolin.	2.4

Blocks Per Game

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

1. Ford, Fabi Shoes	2.3
2. Eze, Armani MI	1.4
3. Crosariol, Lottoma.	1.3
4. Toure, Enel Brindi.	1.2
5. Szewczyk, Air AV	1.0
6. Lang, Enel Brindisi	1.0
7. Hunter, Dinamo S.	1.0
8. Polonara, Banca T.	0.9
9. Cusin, Scavolini PS	0.9
10. Homan, CS Bologna	0.8

Stats Leaders - Lega2

Points Per Game

Trent WHITING
  Aget Imola
  (185-G-76)
  Avg: 22.4

1. Whiting, Aget Imola	22.4
2. Robinson, Trenkwal.	19.7
3. Crispin, Barcellona	19.6
4. Gordon, Forli	19.5
5. Ebi, Aget Imola	19.2
6. Jackson, Prima Ver.	19.2
7. Goldwire, Forli	19.1
8. Clark, Umana Reyer	18.2
9. Forte, Tuscany PT	17.9
10. Marigney, Assigeco	17.8

Rebounds Per Game

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

1. Ebi, Aget Imola	9.2
2. Filloy, Immobili.	9.1
3. Varnado, Tuscany	8.9
4. Boykin, Assigeco	8.1
5. Dickens, San Seve.	8.0
6. Waleskowski, Tezen.	7.9
7. Chiacig, Trenkwald.	7.9
8. Johnson, San Seve.	7.8
9. Gordon, Forli	7.8
10. Lollis, Immobili.	7.6

Assists Per Game

Antonio PORTA
  Tezenis .
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 5.1

1. Porta, Tezenis	5.1
2. Crispin, Barcellona	4.8
3. Goldwire, Forli	4.5
4. Hickman, Fastw.	4.1
5. Clark, Umana Reyer	3.9
6. Whiting, Aget Imola	3.8
7. Marigney, Assigeco	3.8
8. Farabello, N.Fer.	3.7
9. Mathis, Snaidero.	3.7
10. Nardi, Forli	3.7

Steals Per Game

Alessandro PIAZZA
  Immobili.
  (175-G-87)
  Avg: 3

1. Piazza, Immobili.	3.0
2. Ebi, Aget Imola	2.9
3. Robinson, Trenkwal.	2.6
4. Roderick, Immobi.	2.6
5. Davis, Sunrise	2.6
6. Filloy, Immobili.	2.5
7. Cerella, Assigeco	2.4
8. Whiting, Aget Imola	2.4
9. Hunter, Sunrise	2.3
10. Achara, Barcellona	2.3

Blocks Per Game

Jarvis VARNADO
  Tuscany PT
  (206-F-88)
  Avg: 3.1

1. Varnado, Tuscany	3.1
2. Ebi, Aget Imola	1.4
3. Achara, Barcellona	1.2
4. Maggioli, Fileni B.	1.1
5. Boykin, Assigeco	0.7
6. Frosini, Trenkwald.	0.7
7. Cutolo, San Severo	0.7
8. Bryan, Umana Reyer	0.7
9. Trepagnier, Tezeni.	0.6
10. Ezugwu, Assigeco	0.6

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

JORDAN

Thomas Baldwin will be a Head Coach of Jordan - by Eurobasket News
Thomas Baldwin will be a Head Coach of Jordan National Team. As a Head Coach he appeared for Auckland in New Zealand and then in 2005 signed at Banvit Basketbol Kulb (Turkey-D1). With the Turkish team he stayed for two season and then moved to PAOK Marfin Thessaloniki (Greece-A1). He left the squad in 2007 and was hired by Univ Mobitelco Cluj Napoca (Romania-Div.A). With the Romanian team Thomas stayed in 2008-2009 and after that in 2009-2010 appeared Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL). The season 2010-2011 Thomas Baldwin was a Head Coach of Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut (Lebanon-Div.A).
Jordan were one of three FIBA Asia teams to qualify directly for the 2010 FIBA World Championship by taking the bronze medal at the 25th FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin two years ago, beating Lebanon in two crucial games on the opening day in Group E and in the bronze medal play-off. Baldwin will likely will hold the reins until the 26th FIBA Asia Championship.

Rayyan sinks ASU in Asia Club Championship quarterfinals - by Eurobasket News
Rayyan - ASU 83:77

Rayyan became the fourth semifinalists at Asia Club Championship. The Qatari champions upset ASU to stay in the title race. Rayyan will now take on Riyadi in the semis. ASU will face Duhok of Iraq in the 5-8 place playoffs.
ASU led in the first frame. The Jordanian side accumulated a 19:16 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Michael Cuffee (193-F-83, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Chauncey Leslie (183-G-81, agency: TSS Management, college: Iowa) pulled Rayyan in front early in the second period. ASU erased the deficit and knotting things up at 39 at halftime. Wesam Al Sous and Jameel Watkins (211-C/F-77, college: Georgetown) gave ASU a 6-point advantage midway through the third period however Rayyan went on a 20:6 rally to take a 63:55 advantage with one quarter remaining. The Qatari team boosted the gap to 12 points in the final frame but ASU refused to surrender. Jameel Watkins and Wesam Al Sous dragged them within three points with just over a minute remaining. Michael Cuffee stepped with a decisive three-pointer and then Chauncey Leslie went perfect from the stripe to seal the victory for Rayyan. Chauney Leslie dropped 29 points, while Michael Cuffee added 15 points in the victory. Jameel Watkins answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for ASU. Mohammad Hadrab (201-F-84) netted 13 points in the loss.

Rayyan: Chauncey Leslie 29, Michael Cuffee 15, Targuy Ngombo (198-F-89, agency: Court Side) 13, Yasseen Musa (204-F-80) 13
ASU: Jameel Watkins 23, Mohammad Hadrab 13

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

LEBANON

MEXICO

Hermosillo eliminates Nogales to reach the CIBACOPA Semis (4-2) - by Eurobasket News
CIBACOPA QFinals, Game 6: Hermosillo - Nogales 102-91 (4-2)

Hermosillo was better than Nogales last night 102-91 eliminating them with 4-2 in the series. The next rival of Hermosillo will be second ranked Culiacan. It will be another best-of-seven series.
The game was mostly controlled by Rayos de Hermosillo. Fuerza Guinda Nogales managed to win second period 23-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Rayos de Hermosillo dominated down low during the game scoring 70 of its points in the paint compared to Fuerza Guinda Nogales' 50. Rayos de Hermosillo looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists comparing to just 8 passes made by Fuerza Guinda Nogales' players. The best player for the winners was American forward Lorrenzo Wade (198-F-85, college: San Diego St.) who scored 44 points (!!!) and 6 rebounds. The other American import center Marquise Gray (206-C-86, college: Michigan St.) chipped in a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds (on 8-of-10 shooting from the field). Four Rayos de Hermosillo players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was American-Venezuelan forward Jermaine Walker (198-F-77, college: Miami, FL) who recorded 23 points and naturalized American guard Noah Brown (186-G-81, college: Appalachian St.) added 18 points and 6 rebounds respectively.

Top scorers:
Hermosillo: L.Wade 44+6reb+3ast, M.Gray 18+10reb+3ast, J.Lopez 15+5reb+2ast, J.Manuel Esteva 10+4reb+5ast, E.Medina 7+3reb+5ast, J.Camacho 6+2reb+1ast
Nogales: J.Walker 23+4reb+1ast, R.Moss 19+5reb+1ast, N.Brown 18+6reb+2ast, O.Quintero 8+1ast, J.Mercado 8+3reb+1ast, B.Heredia 7+2reb

CIBACOPA Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Kevin SOWELL
  Guasave
  (190-G-81)
  Avg: 30.7

1. Sowell, Guasave	30.7
2. White, Cananea	28.0
3. Sowell, Culiacan	27.3
4. Gale, Mexicali	26.8
5. Brown, Tepic	24.8
6. White, Los Mochis	24.2
7. Moore, Culiacan	24.0
8. Brown, Cananea	23.5
9. Brown, Tepic	23.3
10. Gabbidon, Tijuana	23.3

Rebounds Per Game

Brandon BROWN
  Cananea
  (201-F-85)
  Avg: 11

1. Brown, Cananea	11.0
2. Moss, Nogales	9.9
3. Angounou, Guasave	9.8
4. VanderMeer, Mexica.	9.6
5. Brown, Tepic	9.6
6. Malloy, Los Mochis	8.7
7. Broxsie, Nogales	8.7
8. Shipley, Tijuana	8.6
9. Thomas, Hermosillo	8.1
10. Gray, Hermosillo	8.0

Assists Per Game

William FUNN
  Guasave
  (188-G-82)
  Avg: 8.2

1. Funn, Guasave	8.2
2. Watson, Tijuana	5.7
3. White, Los Mochis	5.7
4. White, Cananea	5.4
5. Winder, Guaymas	5.2
6. Thomas, Hermosillo	4.8
7. Nungaray, Guaymas	4.4
8. Brown, Tepic	4.4
9. Monreal, Hermosillo	4.2
10. Marentes, Guaymas	4.0

Steals Per Game

Davin WHITE
  Cananea
  (186-G-81)
  Avg: 2.1

1. White, Cananea	2.1
2. Moore, Culiacan	2.1
3. Thomas, Cananea	1.7
4. Gale, Mexicali	1.7
5. Funn, Guasave	1.7
6. Brown, Nogales	1.6
7. Pedroza, Guaymas	1.6
8. White, Los Mochis	1.6
9. Sowell, Guasave	1.6
10. Brown, Cananea	1.5

Blocks Per Game

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

1. Sowell, Culiacan	3.2
2. Gale, Mexicali	2.6
3. Sowell, Guasave	2.3
4. Shipley, Tijuana	2.2
5. White, Los Mochis	2.2
6. Wade, Hermosillo	2.1
7. Funn, Guasave	2.1
8. Brown, Tepic	2.1
9. Thomas, Hermosillo	2.0
10. Brown, Tepic	2.0

Standings - Lower Leagues

CIBANE Standings

CIBANE
1. Aguilas		0-0
2. Caktus		0-0
3. Guerreros		0-0
4. Madereros		0-0
5. Mineros		0-0
6. Tuzos		0-0
LiCoMuBa
1. Cerveceros		0-0
2. Choriceros		0-0
3. Dorados		0-0
4. Estudiandes		0-0
5. Faraones		0-0
6. Liebres		0-0
7. Mineros Parral		0-0
8. Nogaleros		0-0
9. Queseros		0-0
Liga del Sureste
1. Aluxes		0-0
2. Dorados		0-0
3. Marineros		0-0
4. Meteoros		0-0
LiMeBa
1. Apaches		0-0
2. Cuauhtemoc		0-0
3. Gomez Farias		0-0
4. Jaguares		0-0
5. Panteras		0-0
6. Pioneros		0-0
7. Soles		0-0
8. UACh		0-0

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

NBA

Everhart withdraws name from PSU search - by Eurobasket News
Duquesne coach Ron Everhart (agency: KMG Sports Management ) withdrew his name from consideration for the same job at Penn State on Thursday.

Everhart, 49, who has led the Dukes to four consecutive winning regular seasons and three straight postseason appearances, interviewed with Penn State athletic director Tim Curley on Tuesday at an undisclosed location. He was in the mix along with Milwaukee's Rob Jeter and Boston University's Pat Chambers for the position left vacated by Ed DeChellis, who took the same job at Navy last week.

Everhart is 83-74 at Duquesne, and has three years remaining on a contract that pays him $400,000 per year.

The Nittany Lions are coming off a 19-15 season in which they advanced to the NCAA tournament. But the new coach will inherit a rebuilding project as graduations will give the roster a decidedly new look next season. Among the departures will be guard Talor Battle, who averaged 20.2 points per game last season.

Courtesy of www.thescore.com

Kevin McHale introduced as Rockets coach - by Eurobasket News
Kevin McHale missed the intensity of NBA competition and the Houston Rockets offered an ideal opportunity for him to plunge back in.

Houston officially introduced the 53-year-old McHale as its new coach on Friday to replace Rick Adelman, who parted ways with the team after four seasons.

McHale has been working as a television analyst and hasn't coached since finishing the 2008-09 season in Minnesota. But he missed the camaraderie of the locker room and never lost his desire to return to the sidelines.

'There's nothing like being in the fight,' McHale said. 'There's something about being in the game that's really fun, and I really enjoyed that.'

McHale's salary was not disclosed, but he has signed a three-year contract with a team option for a fourth year. He said he's spoken to most of the current Rockets and is just starting the process of evaluating and contacting potential assistants.

A seven-time All-Star, McHale helped Boston win three NBA championships during a 13-year playing career. Ex-Celtic players Danny Ainge (Boston) and Larry Bird (Indiana) are now NBA executives, and McHale is eager to lead his new team against them and other former teammates working as coaches.

'I was one of those guys that, if you have on the other colored jersey on that I have on, I don't really like you very much that night, and I want to beat you,' McHale said. 'That's the fun thing about basketball is that you want to step out there with that feeling, with a bunch of guys together. There's something about that that you can't replicate in anything else you do in life.'

After his playing career ended, McHale worked 16 seasons as an executive with the Timberwolves, including two stints as interim head coach. His career coaching record is 39-55, but Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said coaches shouldn't always be judged by their win-loss total.

'We're all evaluated on wins and losses, that's how it should be,' Morey said. 'But when you look at a coaching record, you've got to look deeper. You've got to look at when Kevin took over for those franchises, they did better with him than the person he took over from.

'Every good coach in this league, I challenge you to find one that hasn't been a sub-.500 coach at one point or another.'

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said he found the 'perfect fit' in McHale, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player in 1999.

'Kevin McHale is the perfect fit for this team at this time,' Alexander said. 'You have to have somebody who's a great leader, a great communicator and understands how to use his staff and the players at all times, and will take input and work with people to make us a great team.'

McHale will start a season as a coach for the first time, and says that's a huge difference from his previous stints. He guided Minnesota to 19 wins in the last 31 games of the 2004-05 season after he fired Flip Saunders, then won 12 of his first 16 games after succeeding Randy Wittman during the 2008-09 season.

'If you take over a team in the middle of the season, believe me, the submarine is taking on water,' McHale said. 'You're not taking over a team 'cause they're playing great. I was very proud of the fact that I was able to take both teams and turn them around.

'I wanted to try to start fresh, without a bunch of water in the submarine, going the wrong direction.'

The Rockets have missed the playoffs the last two seasons. They played most of that time without injury-plagued All-Star center Yao Ming. Yao's contract is up and his future with the team is one of the most pressing decisions facing McHale and Morey as next season approaches.

'We'd all be really happy if Yao comes back to play, and I hope he can,' McHale said. 'I think he'll give it his best shot. His body is going to dictate if he can come back and play. That's all going to be laid out in the future.

'But who wouldn't like Yao Ming, a big guy who can really make shots, just a huge force in the middle? That's out of my control. We'll see where that goes.'

McHale is the 12th coach in franchise history, and the third since Rudy Tomjanovich stepped down after the 2003 season for health reasons. Jeff Van Gundy coached the team from 2003-07, taking the Rockets to three playoff appearances. Adelman went 193-135 in his four seasons, the highest winning percentage (.588) among the franchise's full-time coaches.

McHale set a return to the postseason as the immediate goal, even though Houston lacks a true superstar.

'They have pieces in place here that are very good pieces that can be part of a championship-type team,' McHale said. 'Our goal is to make the playoffs next year, that's just what it is and that's going to fall on me to do it. If it doesn't get done, it'll be on me.'

Courtesy of www.sacbee.com

Walsh out as NBA Knicks president - by Eurobasket News
Donnie Walsh will be dumped as president and general manager of the New York Knicks at the end of the month, team owner James Dolan said Friday, setting up a new era for the rebuilding NBA squad.

Walsh spent three years with the Knicks, starting a revival project that took a major step last season with the additions of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire and a return to the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2004.

At 42-40, the Knicks enjoyed their first winning season since 2001 but they still have not gone past the first round of the playoffs since 2000.

'Following a long series of discussions regarding his future role with the New York Knicks, Donnie Walsh and I have mutually agreed that he will be leaving his position,' Dolan said in a statement.

'In a relatively short time with the Knicks, Donnie made a tremendous impact, which will be felt for many years to come.'

Walsh, who will remain with the club as a consultant, will be replaced temporarily by senior vice president Glen Grunwald, who will serve as interim general manager starting in July while the search for Walsh's replacement is conducted.

Courtesy of Yahoo

Rambis: Still no word on return with Wolves - by Eurobasket News
Seven weeks after the Minnesota Timberwolves season ended, Kurt Rambis has not been told whether he will be back for a third year as head coach.

So he finally decided to say something about it.

Rambis said Friday that he still sees himself as the coach of the Timberwolves until he is told otherwise, but admitted to being irked by the lack of communication with team President David Kahn.

'I think everybody has reasons for why they conduct the business in the way they want to conduct their business,' Rambis said in his first public remarks about the situation since the season ended April 13. 'If you're asking me if that's what I would do, no, that's not how I would handle things. But everybody's different.'

Kahn was traveling and not immediately available for comment. Assistant GM Tony Ronzone said he could not comment.

Rambis has two years left on the contract he signed in 2009. He has won just 32 games in his first two seasons as coach in Minnesota, a period of upheaval in the roster that left him with the youngest team in the league this season.

Rambis was in town watching a group of veteran free agents work out in front of Ronzone and a few assistant coaches. The coach's decision to address the media came as a surprise, and Rambis said he has had only 'minor conversations' with Kahn in the weeks that have passed since Kahn refused to give him a vote of confidence in the season-ending meeting with the media.

Rambis has shown up in the Twin Cities twice in the last month now, once to watch a workout of draft prospects and then this week to look at several fringe free agents and Brazilian big man Paulao Prestes, whom the Wolves drafted in the second round last year. The appearances have been a bit awkward, with the coach-in-limbo going about his business despite the very real possibility that he will not be back next season.

'The way I see it, I'm doing my job,' Rambis said. 'I'm still the coach of this team until something happens otherwise. So I've got to be watching for talent and doing whatever I can to help this team get better.'

Kahn spent the first two seasons wheeling and dealing to remake the roster, turning the Wolves into a young, athletic and inexperienced team. The talent was significantly upgraded from the first year Kahn and Rambis were on the job, with the additions of Michael Beasley, Anthony Tolliver, Luke Ridnour and others giving them a better shooting, deeper team in 2010-11.

But the lack of veteran leadership, and some players' struggles with getting comfortable with the offensive and defensive systems Rambis employs, led to just two more victories than the previous season, a 17-65 mark that was the worst in the league.

When he left his job as Phil Jackson's top assistant with the Lakers to take over the Timberwolves as Kahn's first coaching hire, Rambis requested a four-year contract to ensure that he would have the job security to see through the massive rebuilding project that the two planned to implement.

But the Wolves lost 15 straight games to end his second season, a miserable finish that put the coach's job in jeopardy.

'It's out of my control,' Rambis said on Friday. 'It's what I said at the end of the season. There's nothing I can do about it. I just have to proceed like I am (the coach) and do my job.'

When the season ended, Kahn said he would take his time to make a decision. He said he was disappointed in the lack of progress shown in the record, but didn't want to make an emotional decision at the end of a trying year.

The Wolves have the No. 2 overall pick in the June 23 draft, but Rambis said he still doesn't know if he'll be involved in the decision-making process.

The Wolves also were notified this week that 2009 top draft choice Ricky Rubio plans to come over from Spain and join the team next season. The Wolves have not announced Rubio's signing officially yet while they wait for the 20-year-old point guard to finish playing for Regal Barcelona in the Spanish league playoffs.

While waiting to hear from Kahn, Rambis did some television work for ESPN and a local station in Los Angeles during the NBA playoffs and has been spending a lot of time with his family at home in California.

He said he didn't have any talks scheduled with Kahn and had no idea when he'd get an answer on his future with the team.

When asked if that angered him, the always composed Rambis shrugged and said, 'I don't know what to say other than I have to conduct my life in the way that I conduct my life. I'm responsible for my emotions and I just handle things that way.'

Courtesy of www.boston.com

Warriors' coaching search heating up - by Eurobasket News
The Warriors continue to say they're in no rush to hire a coach, but by outside accounts, the team's search has heated up significantly in the past week.

Joe Lacob has reportedly interviewed TV analyst Mark Jackson and San Antonio Spur's assistant Mike Budenholzer, and league sources say the co-owner is expected to meet with New Orleans assistant Mike Malone next week. Sources involved with the hiring process were told that only three finalists would garner interviews from Lacob, but that's tough to believe since he has yet to sit down with others who are considered to be strong candidates.

'We are being deliberate with our search and will have no deadline for hiring a new coach,' Warriors general manager Larry Riley said in an e-mail Thursday.

Lacob wasn't a part of previously confirmed front-office meetings with former Warriors coach Rick Adelman, Dallas assistant Dwane Casey, Boston assistant Lawrence Frank and Lakers assistants Chuck Person and Brian Shaw as well as Mike Brown, since hired by the Lakers, and Kevin McHale, who replaced Adelman in Houston. The team also contacted Jerry Sloan and Jeff Van Gundy, but they declined to be interviewed.

If Casey becomes a finalist, the Warriors will have to wait until the conclusion of the NBA Finals - as early as June 9 or as late as June 14 - for the Lacob interview. The Warriors have said that hiring a coach before the June 23 draft is not a priority, but sources said they might be prompted to act quicker because of other openings around the league.

Malone is considering joining Brown as an assistant in Los Angeles, Toronto is said to be interested in Casey and Frank, and jobs could open in Detroit and Minnesota.

Malone was the lead assistant for Monty Williams this season. From 2005 to 2010, he worked under Brown in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers went 272-138 - the third-best mark in the league during that time frame. The Cavs were also the lone team to advance to at least the conference semifinals each season during that span.

Jackson, a 17-year NBA player and current analyst for ESPN and ABC, was the first candidate to meet with Lacob. Jackson is No. 3 on the all-time assists list, but he has no head coaching experience - one of the qualities Lacob has said he prefers in a hire.

Budenholzer, who has been on Gregg Popovich's staff in San Antonio for 15 seasons, previously said he wasn't interested in leaving. This week, however, San Antonio general manager R.C. Buford confirmed a Contra Costa Times report that the Warriors had called for permission to talk to Budenholzer.

Among the other potential finalists, Adelman may have taken himself out of the running. He told the Portland media that he didn't know if he wants 'to do the coaching thing again,' when asked about his interest in the Trail Blazers' general manager job.

Frank, Person and Shaw are all available to talk, but sources were not aware of any of them meeting with Lacob. Casey went 53-69 as Minnesota's coach from 2005 to 2007, getting fired midway through the 2006-07 season. One of the hottest names among all coaching vacancies, Casey told reporters that he enjoyed his initial meeting with the Warriors but is completely focused on the championship series.

The Warriors announced in late April that they weren't picking up the option on Keith Smart's contract for 2011-12. In his only season as the coach after replacing the retired Don Nelson, he went 36-46, marking a 10-win improvement from the previous season.

Courtesy www.sfgate.com

New owner Gores: Dumars big part of Pistons' future plans - by Eurobasket News
With new owner Tom Gores finally in charge, the Detroit Pistons are ready to begin rebuilding.

And Joe Dumars is still a big part of their plan.

'We're going to lean on him pretty heavy. He knows basketball, and we're going to push Joe. He knows that,' Gores said. 'Our job is to challenge Joe.'

Gores was introduced Thursday, a day after completing an agreement to purchase the Pistons from Karen Davidson. The new owner was upbeat but direct when talking about his new franchise, which has missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

'We need to go back to those core values,' Gores said. 'It's hard work, you go to practice, and the winning will come.'

When asked who he'd seek out for basketball advice, Gores immediately began talking about Dumars, the team president who has been part of all three of Detroit's NBA titles as either a player or an executive.

Dumars is eager to begin the long process of helping the proud franchise recover from its recent downswing. After Gores spoke, Dumars confirmed what seemed obvious to many onlookers -- that the drawn-out sale, which stretched back before the season, had affected the organization's ability to make changes.

'The transition didn't just begin six months ago. This transition was going on for about a year and a half. It makes it tough,' Dumars said. 'There was a definite moratorium on doing anything. It was just, hold tight until the transition takes place.'

Although Gores confirmed that Dumars will remain the organization's point man on basketball matters, he was more noncommittal when it came to the future of coach John Kuester.

'We'll make that decision, I think, rather quickly,' Gores said. 'Coach Kuester deserves, I think, the courtesy of meeting. Until we closed, we really were not allowed to do that.'

Detroit won its third championship in 2004, part of a six-year streak in which the team reached at least the conference finals, but the Pistons went 27-55 in 2009-10 and 30-52 this past season. Empty seats were common at home games, and that, coupled with feuding between coaches and players, only added to a sense of gloom.

Shortly after agreeing to buy the team, Gores showed up to watch Detroit's home finale. The Pistons lost to lowly Cleveland, and forward Charlie Villanueva was ejected following a fourth-quarter scuffle.

Villanueva, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon were seated in the fifth row during Gores' introduction.

'I'm glad that we can leave the past behind us now,' Villanueva said. 'He seems like a very passionate guy, a very determined guy. It seems like he'll do whatever it takes in order to win. I'm looking forward to that.'

Gores is the chairman and CEO of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Platinum Equity. He founded Platinum Equity in 1995, and in its 2010 list of the 400 richest people in America, Forbes put him in a tie for 153rd with a net worth of $2.4 billion.

'I'm willing to be whatever the franchise and the organization needs,' Gores said. 'If they are going to get inspired by me being next to the bench and next to the players, great. If they're going to be distracted by me, then you might see me on the roof.'

The 46-year-old Gores is from the Flint area and has a degree from Michigan State University. He lives in California with his wife and three children.

'I am trying to convert my kids from Laker fans to Piston fans,' Gores said. 'Right now my little boy is saying that the Pistons are top four on his choices. We're making a lot of progress.'

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com

Dwight Howard not looking to sign 2-year extension with Orlando Magic - by Eurobasket News
Dwight Howard (6'10''-C/F-85) shot down a media report that he was negotiating a short extension with the Magic, but continues to insist that Orlando is where he wants to stay (with the caveat that everything has to go right next season.) From the Sentinel: 'There's no truth to that', Howard told reporters in Birmingham, Ala., where he spent part of the day working with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild homes damaged by late Aprils deadly tornados. 'The biggest thing right now is everybody understands I have one more year left. I'm keeping my options open, but there's no other place Id rather be than Orlando. I want them to understand that. But, at the same time, I do want to win, make sure everything is in line - our team, just everything from top to bottom - and everybody is reaching for a championship. It can't be me and a couple other guys. It's gotta be the whole team [and] everybody on the staff. Its the same goal: the championship attitude. As of right now, I don't plan to be anywhere else besides Orlando'. David Ping Pingalore, the sports director of the Orlando station WKMG, reported Monday night that an extension was all but signed by the All-NBA First Team center.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

Raps' Amir Johnson has ankle surgery - by Eurobasket News
Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (6'9''-F/C-87) has had surgery on his left ankle and is expected to be ready for training camp if there is no lockout.

The team announced Friday that the operation to repair an instability was performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C. Johnson will do his rehabilitation in Los Angeles.

Soreness in the ankle kept Johnson out of nine games in 2010-11, including the final five of the season. He signed a five-year deal worth $34 million last summer.

He averaged career highs in points (9.6), rebounds (6.4), minutes (25.7) and starts (54) in 2010-11.

Courtesy of ESPN

Matt Barnes exercises option to stay with the Lakers - by Eurobasket News
Citing frustration over the Lakers' four-game loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals -- and his own limited effectiveness following right-knee surgery -- Lakers forward Matt Barnes (6'7''-F-80, college: UCLA) said Tuesday he will exercise his $1.91-million option to return to the Lakers.

'I'll be a Laker next year,' Barnes said after new coach Mike Brown's introductory news conference. 'I want to win. It's a great opportunity.'

That's a small dose of good news in an otherwise uncertain offseason. Brown's 40-minute news conference contained indications of that uncertainty as he fielded plenty of questions on whether he's suited to bring the Lakers to another championship.

Barnes being the only player in attendance at the news conference raises questions about whether the team truly supports Brown's arrival, though Barnes and team officials insisted that most players are on vacation. With the Lakers not announcing the news conference until Memorial Day, altering those plans might have been difficult, they said.

Another uncertainty is Barnes himself, who continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee.

'It doesn't hurt no more,' he said, though he added that swelling remains and that he's a month away from being able to run and jump.

Barnes' offseason has hardly been relaxing, even if he has spent the last 2 1/2 weeks on vacation. He said he's refused to watch the NBA playoffs because of the Lakers' early playoff elimination, and that he still constantly thinks about suffering a lateral meniscus tear on Jan. 7, an injury that sidelined him for 29 games.

Anytime he walks out the door of his Palos Verdes home, he said, his 2-year-old twin sons Carter Kelly and Isaiah Michael believe he's off to practice or a game. He hasn't exactly lied to them, he said, he just never bothered telling them otherwise because the frustration lingers -- and is the reason he wants to come back to the Lakers.

'The bitter taste in my mouth from here on out drove me to not want to go anywhere else,' he said, acknowledging that having some stability after playing with eight different teams in his nine-year NBA career also influenced his decision. 'I want to come back to right the ship.'

Courtesy of www.latimes.com

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

NCAA1

NEW ZEALAND

Standings Men

NBL Standings

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

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Jack LEASURE
  Taranaki.
  (191-G-86)
  Avg: 23.1

1. Leasure, Taranaki.	23.1
2. Abercrombie, Waika.	20.8
3. Hudson, Manawatu.	20.7
4. Webster, Wellingt.	20.3
5. Dora, Nelson G.	20.0
6. Smith, Waikato P.	19.4
7. Pace, Bay Hawks	19.4
8. Bradshaw, OceanaG.	18.9
9. Campbell, Taranaki.	18.7
10. Polyblank, Southl.	18.3

Rebounds Per Game

Alex PLEDGER
  Waika.
  (216-C-87)
  Avg: 11.4

1. Pledger, Waika.	11.4
2. Horvath, Manawatu.	10.9
3. Vukona, Nelson G.	10.8
4. Allred, OceanaGo.	10.1
5. Campbell, Taranaki.	9.8
6. Seay, Waikato P.	9.3
7. Johnson, Wellingt.	9.0
8. Bradshaw, OceanaG.	8.8
9. Trousdell, Bay H.	8.4
10. Frank, Wellington	8.3

Assists Per Game

Jason CROWE
  Waikato P.
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 6.9

1. Crowe, Waikato P.	6.9
2. Dickel, Southland	6.0
3. Tait, Wellington S.	5.8
4. Braswell, Southlan.	5.2
5. Martin, Auckland.	4.8
6. Kench, Manawatu J.	4.4
7. Smith, Waikato P.	3.8
8. Boucher, Auckland.	3.4
9. Vukona, Nelson G.	3.2
10. Jones, Nelson G.	3.2

Steals Per Game

Jason CROWE
  Waikato P.
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 2.6

1. Crowe, Waikato P.	2.6
2. Smith, Waikato P.	2.5
3. Seay, Waikato P.	2.3
4. Boucher, Auckland.	2.2
5. Kench, Manawatu J.	2.0
6. Dickel, Southland	2.0
7. Allen, Waikato P.	1.7
8. Vukona, Nelson G.	1.6
9. Braswell, Southlan.	1.6
10. Leasure, Taranaki.	1.6

Blocks Per Game

Alex PLEDGER
  Waika.
  (216-C-87)
  Avg: 3.3

1. Pledger, Waika.	3.3
2. Allred, OceanaGo.	1.6
3. Seay, Waikato P.	1.5
4. Iti, Southland S.	1.5
5. Spicer, Southlan.	1.2
6. Campbell, Taranaki.	1.2
7. Anthony, Waika.	1.1
8. Brown, Auckland P.	1.0
9. Johnson, Wellingt.	0.9
10. Bradshaw, Oceana.	0.9

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

PERU

Standings - Superior

Superior Standings

1. Real Club		14-0
2. Regatas		12-2
3. Escuela Fap		9-5
4. Inmaculada		8-6
5. El Bosque		7-8
6. San Augustin		6-7
7. Ejercito		6-8
8. Centro Naval		5-8
9. San Marcos		2-12
10. Universitario		0-13

Madison's 34 points not enough to stop fast pace Regatas - by Timothy
Even after exploding for 34 points, Kyle Madison (196-G/F-87) tremendous scoring effort wasnt enough for Colegio Inmaculada to hold off the fast pace Regatas Lima team. Madison led all scorers in the match but the teamwork and chemistry of the opposing team was simply too much for one man to overcome. After a slow start, Mohamadou Diop (210-C-87) and company took control in the middle of the second quarter and never looked back. The final score was 82-63 and regatas record is now 12-2.

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

PHILIPPINES

Thoughts on the Quarterfinals of the 2011 FIBA-Asia Champions Cup - by Enzo Flojo

- Riyadi and Rayyan are on another collision course after dispatching their respective foes. It'll be another close one, but the Lebanese should prevail again.
- Cheikh Cheikh Samb (215-C-84) had another good game against Ittihad. He scored 18 and blocked 3 shots, which augurs well for the Iranians. He'll be tough to contain for the Filipinos in the semifinals.
- As expected, the Syrians gave the local favorites a tough time, putting up a 15-point lead at one point. Gilas, though, refused to be embarrassed on their home floor and used their superior speed and defense to thwart Al Jala'a. Sweet revenge for Gilas, which was ousted by Jala'a in the previous Champions Cup.
- It was a sorry 2nd straight loss for the Jordanians, who are now relegated to the 5-8th place fight.
- Predictions: Riyadi over Rayyan and Gilas upsets Mahram. Both games will be extremely close!

More on HoopNut.blogspot.com

Marcus Douthit carries Smart Gilas past Jalaa - by Eurobasket News
Smart Gilas - Jalaa 85:80

Smart Gilas advanced into Asia Club Championship semifinals. They overcame Syrian Jalaa in the tough quarterfinal battle tonight. Marcus Douthit (211-F/C-80, college: Providence) masterminded the victory scoring game-high 26 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.
Jalaa led throughout the opening quarter. They registered a 22:20 advantage after ten minutes. Michel Maadanly (195-G-81) and Sari Papazian made it 31:20 for Jalaa midway through the second frame. Smart Gilas could not find the answers in the first half trailing by 7 points 34:41. However Smart Gilas opened the second half on a 10:4 run to narrow the deficit. Finally Japeth Aguilar (207-C-85, college: W.Kentucky) put the hosts in front 56:55 late in the third term. Marcus Douthit made it 61:57 for the home team with one quarter remaining. Marcus Douthit and Baracael stretched the margin to 8 points with under two minutes to go. Jamaal Miller dragged Jalaa within three points with 22 seconds to go but Marcus Douthit put an exclamation mark with a dunk and sealed the victory. Joseph Evans Casio (177-PG-86) provided 22 points and 9 assists for Smart Gilas. Japeth Aguilar came up with 12 points in the victory. Samaki Walker (206-F/C-76, college: Louisville) responded with 25 points and 8 rebounds for Jalaa. Michel Maadanly accounted for 17 points.

Smart Gilas: Marcus Douthit 26+12 boards, Joseph Evans Casio 22, Japeth Aguilar 12
Jalaa: Samaki Walker 25, Michel Maadanly 17

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

PORTUGAL

Porto Ferpinta clinch LPB title - by Eurobasket News
Porto Ferpinta - Benfica 86:76

Porto Ferpinta put an end to Benfica dominance in the Portuguese basketball. The Dragons overcame their archrivals in the decisive seventh game of the title series to dethrone Benfica and claim the LPB title. Sean Ogirri (188-G-86, college: Wyoming) came up with 25 points to pace Porto to the triumph.
The Dragons grabbed the lead from the start. Porto posted a 21:17 advantage after ten minutes. The hosts maintained it throughout the second frame. Porto arrived at the interval up by 5 points 43:38. Things got even better for Porto in the third stanza. They cleared off to an 11-point distance 66:55 with one quarter remaining. Porto wisely kept Benfica at distance throughout the final term to clinch the historic victory at the end. Gregory Stempin (203-F-79, agency: Duran International, college: Toledo) produced 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Julian Terrell (206-F-84, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Vanderbilt) finished with 11 points for the winners. Marquin Chandler (202-F-82, college: San Jose St.) and Heshimu Evans (198-F-75, college: Kentucky) answered with 16 points each for Benfica. Ben Reed (191-G/F-83, college: W.Michigan) accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.

Porto Ferpinta: Sean Ogirri 25, Gregory Stempin 20+10 boards, Julian Terrell 11
Benfica: Marquin Chandler 16, Heshimu Evans 16, Ben Reed 14

Eurobasket.com All-Portuguese League Awards 2010-11 - by Luis Filipe Cristovao

Eurobasket.com All-Portuguese League 1st Team 2011

Stempin

Goode

Andrade

Luettgerodt

Shaw

Player of the Year: Gregory Stempin (203-F-79) of Porto Ferpinta
Guard of the Year: Jeremy Goode (175-G-87) of Penafiel
Forward of the Year: Matthew Shaw (201-F-86) of Academica
Center of the Year: Gregory Stempin (203-F-79) of Porto Ferpinta
Newcomer of the Year: Riley Luettgerodt (196-G/F-85) of Sampaense
Most Improved Player of the Year: Nuno Cortez (205-C-82) of Ovarense
Import Player of the Year: Gregory Stempin (203-F-79) of Porto Ferpinta
Domestic Player of the Year: Nuno Cortez (205-C-82) of Ovarense
Defensive Player of the Year: Matthew Shaw (201-F-86) of Academica
Coach of the Year: Moncho Lopez of Porto Ferpinta

1st Team
G: Jeremy Goode (175-87) of Penafiel
F: Carlos Andrade (197-78) of Porto Ferpinta
G/F: Riley Luettgerodt (196-85) of Sampaense
F: Matthew Shaw (201-86) of Academica
F: Gregory Stempin (203-79) of Porto Ferpinta

2nd Team
G: Miguel Minhava (197-83) of Benfica
G: Sean Ogirri (188-86) of Porto Ferpinta
F: Sergio Ramos (200-76) of Benfica
C: Nuno Cortez (205-82) of Ovarense
F/C: Tommie Eddie (201-82) of Academica

Honorable Mention
Almaad Jackson (210-F-85) of Sampaense
Tyrone Curnell (201-F-88) of Barreirense
Matthew Webster (203-F-84) of Ovarense
Frederick Gentry (201-F-77) of CAB
James Robert (203-F/C-86) of Lusitania
Nuno Manarte (184-G-75) of Ovarense
Jorge Sing (192-G/F-77) of Sampaense
Elvis Evora (205-C-78) of Benfica
Ben Reed (191-G/F-83) of Benfica

All-Domestic Players Team
G: Miguel Minhava (197-83) of Benfica
F: Carlos Andrade (197-78) of Porto Ferpinta
F: Sergio Ramos (200-76) of Benfica
C: Nuno Cortez (205-82) of Ovarense
C: Marco Goncalves (208-84) of Ginasio

All-Imports Team
G: Jeremy Goode (175-87) of Penafiel
G: Sean Ogirri (188-86) of Porto Ferpinta
G/F: Riley Luettgerodt (196-85) of Sampaense
F: Matthew Shaw (201-86) of Academica
F: Gregory Stempin (203-79) of Porto Ferpinta

All-Defensive Team
Jeremy Goode (175-G-87) of Penafiel
Jaime Silva (187-G-80) of CAB
Jorge Coelho (200-C-78) of CAB
Nuno Cortez (205-C-82) of Ovarense
Matthew Shaw (201-F-86) of Academica

All-Newcomers Team
Jeremy Goode (175-G-87) of Penafiel
Sean Ogirri (188-G-86) of Porto Ferpinta
Riley Luettgerodt (196-G/F-85) of Sampaense
Almaad Jackson (210-F-85) of Sampaense
Tyrone Curnell (201-F-88) of Barreirense

Portuguese NT announced - by Luis Filipe Cristovao
Mario Leonel Palma announced the Portugal NT roster to training camp, preparing the Eurobasket Qualifying round, next August. The list is a mix between experienced and young players.

Jose Costa (187-G-73)
Antonio Tavares (183-G-75)
Miguel Minhava (197-G-83)
Tomas Barroso (180-G-90)
Carlos Andrade (197-F-78, college: Queens, NC)
Philippe Da Silva (192-G-79)
Joao Santos (205-C-79, college: Nevada)
Miguel Miranda (205-F-78)
Fernando Sousa (192-F/G-81)
Paulo Cunha (199-G/F-80)
Fabio Lima (196-F-88)
Jorge Coelho (200-C-78)
Joao Gomes (199-F-85)
Nuno Cortez (205-C-82)
Elvis Evora (205-C-78)
Claudio Fonseca (206-C-89)
Marco Goncalves (208-C-84)

Check out for more at www.porbasket.blogspot.com

Stats Leaders - UZO Liga

Points Per Game

Riley LUETTGERODT
  Sampa.
  (196-G/F-85)
  Avg: 21

1. Luettgerodt, Samp.	21.0
2. Curnell, Barreiren.	20.1
3. Jackson, Sampaense	19.8
4. Eddie, Academica	18.2
5. Shaw, Academica	18.0
6. Austin, Vitoria SC	17.9
7. Johnson, Barreire.	17.6
8. Goode, Penafiel	17.4
9. Stempin, Porto F.	17.4
10. Crutchfield, Illi.	17.4

Rebounds Per Game

Kevin MARTIN
  Vitoria SC
  (208-C-83)
  Avg: 10.3

1. Martin, Vitoria SC	10.3
2. Cortez, Ovarense	10.0
3. Shaw, Academica	9.1
4. Eddie, Academica	9.0
5. Jackson, Sampaense	8.8
6. Curnell, Barreiren.	8.5
7. Terrell, Porto F.	8.3
8. Nolen, Penafiel	8.2
9. Harris, Illiabum	8.2
10. Stempin, Porto F.	7.4

Assists Per Game

Nuno MANARTE
  Ovarense
  (184-G-75)
  Avg: 6.9

1. Manarte, Ovarense	6.9
2. Sing, Sampaense	6.3
3. Monteiro, Lusitania	5.2
4. Reveles, Ginasio	4.9
5. Minhava, Benfica	4.8
6. Silva, CAB	4.6
7. Simoes, Academica	4.5
8. Andrade, Porto F.	4.2
9. Barroso, Ginasio	4.0
10. Menefee, CAB	3.7

Steals Per Game

Tyrone CURNELL
  Barreirense
  (201-F-88)
  Avg: 3.2

1. Curnell, Barreiren.	3.2
2. Cortez, Ovarense	2.7
3. Goode, Penafiel	2.6
4. Jackson, CAB	2.5
5. Silva, CAB	2.5
6. Tavares, Vitoria SC	2.2
7. Felix, Illiabum	2.1
8. Eddie, Academica	2.0
9. Holland, Academica	1.9
10. Monteiro, Lusitan.	1.8

Blocks Per Game

Almaad JACKSON
  Sampaense
  (210-F-85)
  Avg: 1.2

1. Jackson, Sampaense	1.2
2. Coelho, CAB	1.2
3. Nolen, Penafiel	1.1
4. Willis, Illiabum	1.1
5. Gentry, CAB	1.1
6. Gray, Sampaense	1.1
7. Terrell, Porto F.	1.0
8. Harris, Illiabum	1.0
9. Hartford, Ginasio	0.9
10. Austin, Vitoria SC	0.9

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

PUERTO RICO

Standings - BSN

BSN Standings

1. Bayamon		14-8
2. Guaynabo		14-9
3. Santurce		14-10
4. Quebradillas		13-9
5. San German		12-9
6. Arecibo		12-11
7. Humacao		10-13
8. Mayaguez		9-14
9. Coamo		9-15
10. Isabela		7-16

Stats Leaders - BSN

Points Per Game

Angel Daniel VASSALLO
  Guaynabo
  (198-G/F-86)
  Avg: 24.7

1. Vassallo, Guaynabo	24.7
2. Ramos, Quebradillas	24.6
3. Dalmau, Bayamon	22.1
4. Ayuso, Arecibo	21.9
5. Johnson, Humacao	20.4
6. Villegas, Coamo	20.0
7. Romero, Mayaguez	18.6
8. Harris, San German	18.2
9. Carmona, Mayaguez	17.7
10. Randolph, Isabela	17.4

Rebounds Per Game

Manuel Antonio NARVAEZ
  Coamo
  (211-C-81)
  Avg: 13.3

1. Narvaez, Coamo	13.3
2. Randolph, Isabela	12.4
3. Harris, San German	11.9
4. Pruitt, Guaynabo	11.5
5. Ramos, Quebradillas	11.3
6. Lloreda, San G.	10.7
7. Rickert, Bayamon	9.8
8. Romero, Mayaguez	9.7
9. Sweetney, Santurce	9.3
10. Shannon, Bayamon	9.0

Assists Per Game

Christian DALMAU
  Bayamon
  (194-G-77)
  Avg: 6.3

1. Dalmau, Bayamon	6.3
2. Brown, Quebradillas	5.9
3. Guzman, Guaynabo	4.8
4. Clemente, Humacao	4.7
5. Clinch, Isabela	4.5
6. Apodaca, Quebradil.	4.3
7. Vega, Coamo	4.1
8. Rivera, Mayaguez	4.0
9. Copeland, San G.	3.8
10. Berdiel, Humacao	3.7

Steals Per Game

Darnell HINSON
  Isabela
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 1.9

1. Hinson, Isabela	1.9
2. Robinson, Mayaguez	1.7
3. Carmona, Mayaguez	1.6
4. Santiago, Santurce	1.5
5. Rivera, Mayaguez	1.5
6. Clinch, Isabela	1.5
7. Robinson, Humacao	1.5
8. Dalmau, Bayamon	1.4
9. Berdiel, Humacao	1.4
10. Hodge, Santurce	1.4

Blocks Per Game

Kleon PENN
  Humacao
  (211-C-86)
  Avg: 2.5

1. Penn, Humacao	2.5
2. Santiago, Arecibo	2.0
3. Traylor, Bayamon	2.0
4. Romero, Mayaguez	1.9
5. Sanchez, Santurce	1.8
6. Aubry, Arecibo	1.6
7. Robinson, Mayaguez	1.5
8. Randolph, Isabela	1.5
9. Lee, Bayamon	1.5
10. Ramos, Quebradill.	1.3

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

QATAR

Rayyan sinks ASU in Asia Club Championship quarterfinals - by Eurobasket News
Rayyan - ASU 83:77

Rayyan became the fourth semifinalists at Asia Club Championship. The Qatari champions upset ASU to stay in the title race. Rayyan will now take on Riyadi in the semis. ASU will face Duhok of Iraq in the 5-8 place playoffs.
ASU led in the first frame. The Jordanian side accumulated a 19:16 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Michael Cuffee (193-F-83, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Chauncey Leslie (183-G-81, agency: TSS Management, college: Iowa) pulled Rayyan in front early in the second period. ASU erased the deficit and knotting things up at 39 at halftime. Wesam Al Sous and Jameel Watkins (211-C/F-77, college: Georgetown) gave ASU a 6-point advantage midway through the third period however Rayyan went on a 20:6 rally to take a 63:55 advantage with one quarter remaining. The Qatari team boosted the gap to 12 points in the final frame but ASU refused to surrender. Jameel Watkins and Wesam Al Sous dragged them within three points with just over a minute remaining. Michael Cuffee stepped with a decisive three-pointer and then Chauncey Leslie went perfect from the stripe to seal the victory for Rayyan. Chauney Leslie dropped 29 points, while Michael Cuffee added 15 points in the victory. Jameel Watkins answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for ASU. Mohammad Hadrab (201-F-84) netted 13 points in the loss.

Rayyan: Chauncey Leslie 29, Michael Cuffee 15, Targuy Ngombo (198-F-89, agency: Court Side) 13, Yasseen Musa (204-F-80) 13
ASU: Jameel Watkins 23, Mohammad Hadrab 13

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

SAUDI ARABIA

SPAIN

Gerald Fitch stays with Unicaja - by Eurobasket News
Unicaja Malaga re-signed with Gerald Fitch (191-G-82, agency: SportsTalent, college: Kentucky). The 28-year-old guard joined the team during the season. He tallied 8.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in Euroleague. In Spanish ACB Gerald Fitch notched 15.0 points, 4.4 boards and 2.3 assists per appearance. The guard started the season in Aliaga Petkim in Turkey. His stats read 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in TBL. Previously Gerald Fitch played in Fuenlabrada, Antalya, Cantu, Galatasaray, Cibona, Khimik Yuzhny and Austin Toros. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Player of the Year back in 2009.
Unicaja also extended the contract of head coach Jesus Mateo . The 42-year-old specialist took the reins in Unicaja back in January. Previously he worked as head coach with Real Madrid Cadet Team and CAI Zaragoza. Jesus Mateo also worked as a coach assistant in Fuenlabrada, Real Madrid and Unicaja.

Stats Leaders-LEB Silver

Points Per Game

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

1. Witt, Clavijo	16.4
2. Barcelo, Plasencia	15.7
3. Ramsdell, Avila	15.4
4. O''Leary, Oviedo F.	15.4
5. Paez, Lan M.	15.0
6. Bratton, Lan M.	14.9
7. Mortellaro, Lan M.	14.8
8. Mesa, Clavijo	14.7
9. Ratzsch, Oviedo F.	14.7
10. Bivia, Mallorca	14.3

Rebounds Per Game

Ian O''LEARY
  Oviedo F.
  (201-F-86)
  Avg: 9.3

1. O''Leary, Oviedo F.	9.3
2. De Santana, Clavijo	8.8
3. Chubrevich, Illesc.	8.4
4. Mortellaro, Lan M.	8.1
5. Mesa, Clavijo	7.9
6. Adams, Coruna	7.8
7. Ramsdell, Avila	7.6
8. Larry, Regal F.	7.1
9. Howard, Andorra	6.9
10. Johnson, Andorra	6.9

Assists Per Game

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

1. Witt, Clavijo	6.0
2. Ibargutxi, Lan M.	5.0
3. Uriz, Santurtzi	5.0
4. Lopez, Coruna	4.6
5. Bivia, Mallorca	3.8
6. Marco, ADT T.	3.5
7. Pampin, Mallorca	3.5
8. Machuca, Illescas	3.4
9. Casado, Santurtzi	3.2
10. Lopez, Avila	3.2

Steals Per Game

Mikel URIZ
  Santurtzi
  (180-G-89)
  Avg: 2

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

Blocks Per Game

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

1. Biyombo, Illescas	1.9
2. Todorovic, Prat J.	1.4
3. De Santana, Clavijo	1.3
4. Conde, Avila	1.2
5. Cage, ADT Tarrago.	1.0
6. Green, Mallorca	1.0
7. Johnson, Andorra	0.9
8. O''Leary, Oviedo F.	0.9
9. Hampl, Santurtzi	0.9
10. Chubrevich, Illes.	0.9

Stats Leaders - LEB Gold

Points Per Game

Ricardo GUILLEN
  La Laguna
  (205-F/C-76)
  Avg: 19.4

1. Guillen, La Laguna	19.4
2. Palacios, La Palma	16.8
3. Mohammed, Lleida	16.2
4. Detrick, Melilla	15.7
5. Seawright, Leon	15.2
6. Feldeine, Breogan	15.2
7. Faverani, CB Mu.	14.9
8. Navarro, Girona	14.9
9. Franklin, CB Tarra.	14.8
10. Johnson, Huesca	14.2

Rebounds Per Game

Kiril WACHSMANN
  Alcazar
  (203-C/F-83)
  Avg: 9.2

1. Wachsmann, Alcazar	9.2
2. Curtis, Lleida	9.2
3. Sinanovic, Clinic.	8.0
4. Seawright, Leon	7.8
5. Guillen, La Laguna	7.5
6. Kale, Ourense	7.2
7. Arteaga, Breogan	7.1
8. Blair, Navarra	7.0
9. Chagoyen, La Lagu.	6.9
10. Frost, Palencia	6.9

Assists Per Game

Juan AGUILAR
  CB Tarra.
  (187-PG-88)
  Avg: 4.6

1. Aguilar, CB Tarra.	4.6
2. Rodriguez, Obrad.	4.5
3. Sabat, La Laguna	3.9
4. Bernabe, Leon	3.5
5. Brown, Ourense	3.5
6. Jimenez, Melilla	3.5
7. Rivero, CB Murcia	3.3
8. Quezada, Leon	3.2
9. Lopez, Burgos	3.0
10. Cherry, Caceres	2.9

Steals Per Game

Andres RODRIGUEZ
  Obrad.
  (182-PG-81)
  Avg: 2.2

1. Rodriguez, Obrad.	2.2
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. Feldeine, Breogan	1.4
9. Alba, CB Tarragona	1.4
10. Johnson, Huesca	1.3

Blocks Per Game

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

1. Foote, Melilla	2.0
2. Humphrey, Caceres	1.5
3. Hicks, Breogan	1.4
4. Fontet, Leon	1.3
5. Sinanovic, Clinic.	1.2
6. Diouf, CB Tarragona	1.2
7. Joseph, Navarra	1.2
8. Faverani, CB Mu.	1.1
9. Arteaga, Breogan	1.0
10. Lampropoulos, La	1.0

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SWEDEN

Ryan Zamroz agreed with Boras Basket - by Eurobasket News
Ryan Zamroz (191-G-87, agency: JEMsports, college: Master's) agreed with Boras Basket for the upcoming season. The USA-Italian Guard comes to Sweden together with his wife Stacy Zamroz who will play for Mark Basket.
Ryan Zamroz spent his first years of the professional basketball in Master's (NAIA, starting five). In 2010 he appeared for Geraldton Buccaneers (Australia-SBL, starting five) and immediately after joined Jelson Homes DMU Leicester City Riders (United Kingdom-BBL, starting five). In 35 games he erupted with 18.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 81.0%. In his top game Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders took full advantage of a woeful shooting night by Guildford Heat to record a comfortable 95-64 victory at the John Sandford Centre. Ryan Zamroz turned on a shooting clinic to lead all scorers with 34 points from just 20 attempts. Ten points from Zamroz in the second quarter helped Riders move out to a 20-point half time margin (46-26) and the gap was 30 midway through the third period when Zamroz drained a three to make it 64-34. Fittingly Zamroz have Riders their biggest lead of the night at 85-42 before Guildford, mainly through Tomas Janusauskas, finished the match on a 22-10 burst.

Sweden U16 team celebrated the second straight win - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U16-Denmark U16 67:58

Sweden U16 team celebrated the second straight win in Solna at the Nordic Championship Men. The hosts outscored Denmark 67:58 for 2-0 record.
The Swedish team started with 16-11 in the first period, but could not stay on track. Denmark bounced back with 17-9 in the second frame to take 28:25 halftime advantage. The battle continued in the court and it was Sweden again to jump in front. After 20-16 the hosts enjoyed 1-point lead entering the last quarter. With 22-14 they finished the game and won the second straight game at the Nordic Championship Men.
Sweden made total 10 assists, while Denmark had 9. Sweden also dominated the boards, 46rebounds versus 40 and had 15 steals against 3 from the opponents.
Ludvig Hakansson paced all the winners with 16 points and Filip Kovacek (180-G-95) netted 12. Daniel Johansson (195-F-95) and Dzenis Sogolj (200-F-95) followed them with 10 points apiece. Rasmus Hansen (203-F-95) answered with 15 points in the losing case, while Jakob Ravn netted 8.

Sweden U16: Ludvig Hakansson 16, Filip Kovacek 12, Daniel Johansson 10, Dzenis Sogolj 10
Denmark U16: Rasmus Hansen 15, Jakob Ravn 8

Sweden U18 overcame Iceland U18 at the top game in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U18-Iceland U18 77:74

Sweden overcame Iceland at the top game in Day 2 of the Nordic Championship Men U18. The Swedish team improved to 2-0 record on top after 77:74 win.
Both teams celebrated the victories in their first games and the win in that game meant the leading positions. They both started well, while Iceland managed to take 23-22 lead after the first period. Moreover the guests took 21-16 in the second frame for 6-point halftime advantage. In the third quarter Sweden bounced back and even took 50:49 lead after thirty minutes when they won the third period 22-15. Sweden added 17-15 in the last quarter to seal the second straight win at the Nordic Championship Men U18.
Marcus Eriksson (196-F/G-93) top-scored for the winners with 17 points, while Nicholas Spires (210-C/F-94) collected 15 points and 10 rebounds. Fredrik Andersson (196-G/F-93) and Jesper Eliasson (199-F-94) followed them with 10 points apiece. Martin Hermannsson (180-G-94) and Jens Oskarsson ended up with 19 points each in the losing effort as Iceland is with 1-1 record.

Sweden U18: Marcus Eriksson 17, Nicholas Spires 15+10 rebs, Fredrik Andersson 10, Jesper Eliasson 10
Iceland U18: Martin Hermannsson 19, Jens Oskarsson 19, Matthias Sigurdarsson 13

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SYRIA

Marcus Douthit carries Smart Gilas past Jalaa - by Eurobasket News
Smart Gilas - Jalaa 85:80

Smart Gilas advanced into Asia Club Championship semifinals. They overcame Syrian Jalaa in the tough quarterfinal battle tonight. Marcus Douthit (211-F/C-80, college: Providence) masterminded the victory scoring game-high 26 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.
Jalaa led throughout the opening quarter. They registered a 22:20 advantage after ten minutes. Michel Maadanly (195-G-81) and Sari Papazian made it 31:20 for Jalaa midway through the second frame. Smart Gilas could not find the answers in the first half trailing by 7 points 34:41. However Smart Gilas opened the second half on a 10:4 run to narrow the deficit. Finally Japeth Aguilar (207-C-85, college: W.Kentucky) put the hosts in front 56:55 late in the third term. Marcus Douthit made it 61:57 for the home team with one quarter remaining. Marcus Douthit and Baracael stretched the margin to 8 points with under two minutes to go. Jamaal Miller dragged Jalaa within three points with 22 seconds to go but Marcus Douthit put an exclamation mark with a dunk and sealed the victory. Joseph Evans Casio (177-PG-86) provided 22 points and 9 assists for Smart Gilas. Japeth Aguilar came up with 12 points in the victory. Samaki Walker (206-F/C-76, college: Louisville) responded with 25 points and 8 rebounds for Jalaa. Michel Maadanly accounted for 17 points.

Smart Gilas: Marcus Douthit 26+12 boards, Joseph Evans Casio 22, Japeth Aguilar 12
Jalaa: Samaki Walker 25, Michel Maadanly 17

Mensur Bajramovic gets Syrian National Team job - by Eurobasket News
Mensur Bajramovic will take over Syrian National Team. Jalaa head coach was appointed at the position lately. The Bosnian specialist will guide the team at the 2011 WABA Championship in June. The event will serve as a qualifying event for 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in China. Syria will be among strong contenders for four qualifying spots in Duhok, Iraq.

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TAIWAN

Chia to be named Taiwan Mobile head coach: report - by Chris Wang
Min Dao University head coach Chia Fan is expected to be named the new head coach of the Taiwan Mobile basketball team, local media reported.

Chia, a 2001 class of Pittsburgh State (Kansas) University with a PE degree, will replace Cheng Chih-Lung , who stepped down after failing to take Taiwan Mobile to the SBL playoffs in four years. Cheng left the team with a won-loss record of 44-76.

Chia, who reportedly will sign a three-year deal with the SBL team, is considered one of the top young coaches in Taiwan after leading Nan-shan High School to HBL titles in 2008 and 2009. He also transformed Min Dao University from a Div-II team into a Div-I powerhouse, making the final four last year and the championship game this year.

Assistant coaches Kenny Kao and Huang Chun-hsiung have also resigned, according to media report.

Meanwhile, Chia told reporters that he will sign KKL forward Chen Ching-huan, who averaged 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals last season and named All-SBL First Team, to boost TM's offense.

Cheng, an Asian All-Star forward in his prime, has been criticized for the lack of offensive strategy during his tenure with the team. Under Cheng, Taiwan Mobile has been a team which stresses half-court set and defense and prefers a slower pace.

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THAILAND

Former NBA Player Micheal Ray Richardson to Coach in Thailand - by Eurobasket News
Former New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets player Michael Ray Richardson has been hired to coach the Chang Thailand Slammers of the countrys professional league.

Richardson, 56, is the first coach hired under collaboration between the National Basketball Retired Players Association and basketball consulting firm Global Coach U.S., according to a news release from the association.

Richardson, drafted No. 4 by the Knicks in 1978, played eight National Basketball Association seasons, the first four with New York, before a stint with the Golden State Warriors and three-plus seasons with the Nets.

He averaged 14.8 points and seven rebounds per game before being banned from the league in 1986 after a third positive drug test. He later restored his relationship with the NBA, serving as a community ambassador.

Richardson went on to play 14 seasons in Europe, and played and more recently coached in the Continental Basketball Association.

The Albany Patroons of the CBA didnt renew his coaching contract in 2007 following a suspension for alleged anti-gay and anti-Semetic remarks, according to the Associated Press. Richardson apologized for the comments and denied that his intent was to be derogatory.

Courtesy of www.bloomberg.com

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TURKEY

Ufuk Sarica extended with Efes Pilsen Istanbul - by Eurobasket News
Ufuk Sarica extended with Efes Pilsen Istanbul for the next three years. His deal (2+1) is signed after taking the team under rein in March 2011.
Ufuk Sarica is of course known as a basketball player who finished his career with Besiktas Istanbul due to injury. As a Coach Assistant he started first with Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul and then in 2006 became the Head Coach. Later again in 2007/2008 he was a coach assistant of Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul (TBL) and later moved to Efes Pilsen Istanbul (TBL). In March 2011 he was promoted as a Head Coach.
Eurobasket wrote earlier in Mrach that Velimir Perasovic has resigned from head coaching position in Efes Pilsen. The decision came after a 79:84 home loss to Mersin in Round 22. The 45-year-old specialist took over Efes Pilsen at the start of the season. Vilimir Perasovic gained 15-7 record with the team in TBL. In Euroleague Efes Pilsen entered Top 16 stage but failed to advance into quarterfinals. Ufuk Sarica replaced Velimir Perasovic at the bridge till the end of the season.

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URUGUAY

Leandro Garca Morales is near to back to Bigua - by Sergio Palay

'Chiqui' Scorza, one of the members of directive comission of Atletico Bigua, has announced that the club has agreed to sign Leandro Garcia Morales (186-G-80, college: Texas A&M), if the player can terminate his contract in the Hawks Xalapa in Mexico.
Garcia Morales is one of the most important uruguayan player in the world.

Also, Scorza said the arrival of the pivot Ruben Wolkowisky can also be a reality.

In an interview in 'The Time of Basketball' at Universal Radio, Scorza said that Edgardo Kogan is the candidate to coach the team.

If not, the team think in the argentine Juan Pablo Guabaz and the uruguayan Alvaro Tito .

Uruguayan players announced a strike from June 10 - by Hector Lopez
The Uruguayan players will begin a strike from June 10, claiming against new regulations approved by the Uruguayan League (LUB). The strike will affect the League games, because the LUB is scheduled to begin Sept. 16. The LUB had decided to play the next championship with four players older than 25 years by each team, instead of five older than 23. The players union (Basquetbolistas Uruguayos Asociados - BUA) also decide not to participate in the National Team, unless the LUB change its decision. The NT was expected to begin its training from July 18th.

Standings - Metropolitan League

Metropolitan Standings

1. Larranaga		10-3
2. Nacional		9-4
3. Tabare		8-5
4. Urunday Univ.		8-5
5. Goes		7-6
6. Capitol		7-6
7. Atenas		6-6
8. Yale		4-9
9. 25 de Agosto		3-9
10. Verdirrojo		2-11

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VENEZUELA

Standings - LPB

LPB Standings

1. Cocodrilos		32-9
2. Marinos		31-11
3. Trotamundos		30-12
4. Bucaneros		23-20
5. Guaiqueries		22-20
6. Gigantes		22-20
7. Toros		16-26
8. Panteras		15-27
9. Guaros		13-28
10. Gaiteros		6-36

LPB Round 52 of Regular Season - by Eurobasket News
There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in LPB.

The game in Porlamar was quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Gigantes (22-20) played at the court of sixth ranked Guaiqueries (22-20). Guaiqueries managed to secure a 7-point victory 68-61 on Wednesday. Guaiqueries moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Gigantes. Guaiqueries is looking forward to face league's second-placed Marinos in Puerto La Cruz in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Gigantes will play on the road against Bucaneros in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
The game with biggest result difference took place in La Guaira. Local Bucaneros (23-20) outscored 8th ranked Panteras (15-27) 101-79. Bucaneros moved-up to fourth place. Panteras lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 27 games lost. Bucaneros will play against Gigantes (#6) in Puerto Ordaz in the next round. Panteras will play on the road against Guaros in Barquisimeto and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 52 Toros defeated Guaros in Maracay 115-101.

Bucaneros - Panteras 101-79

The game with biggest result difference took place in La Guaira. Local Bucaneros (23-20) outscored 8th ranked Panteras (15-27) 101-79. Bucaneros moved-up to fourth place. Panteras lost eleventh consecutive game. They keep the eighth position with 27 games lost. Bucaneros will play against Gigantes (#6) in Puerto Ordaz in the next round. Panteras will play on the road against Guaros in Barquisimeto and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Guaros - Toros 101-115

There was no surprise in Barquisimeto where 9th ranked Guaros (13-28) were defeated by seventh ranked Toros (16-26) 115-101. Toros maintains seventh position with 16-26 record. Guaros at the other side keep the ninth place with 28 games lost. Toros will play against higher ranked Trotamundos (#3) in Valencia in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Guaros will play at home against Panteras (#8) in Caracas and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Guaiqueries - Gigantes 68-61

The game in Porlamar was quite interesting. One of their biggest challengers Gigantes (22-20) played at the court of sixth ranked Guaiqueries (22-20). Guaiqueries managed to secure a 7-point victory 68-61 on Wednesday. Guaiqueries moved-up to fifth place, which they share with defeated Gigantes. Guaiqueries is looking forward to face league's second-placed Marinos in Puerto La Cruz in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Gigantes will play on the road against Bucaneros in La Guaira and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

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Women News

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AUSTRALIA - Women

Jayco Opals to play three game series against China - by Eurobasket News
Basketball Australia in cooperation with Basketball Queensland, is excited to announce that the Australian Jayco Opals will be facing off in a three-game series with the Chinese womens national basketball team, when they travel to Queensland in late July.

The international games will serve as a key hit-out for the Jayco Opals with the FIBA Oceania Olympic Qualifying series with New Zealand in early September fast approaching.

The tour is also an exciting occasion for the sport of basketball in Queensland, with the tour being played exclusive in the Sunshine State, moving from game one in Logan to Townsville for game two, before concluding in Cairns for the third and final contest.

With the limited time the Chinese national team has here in Australia, it was fitting to schedule all games in Queensland, said Basketball Australia CEO Larry Sengstock.

Queensland is a passionate basketball state. You only need to look at how the Queensland-based teams performed in our National leagues this past season to get a feel for how strong the sport is up north they were the only state to have teams in both our NBL and WNBL finals series.

With that in mind, we know that they will seize the opportunity to come out and see our Jayco Opals take on one of the top basketball nations in China.

The Jayco Australian Opals will face-off against China on 24 July in Logan, on the 28 July in Townsville and then in Cairns on the 30 July to wrap the series.

Basketball Queensland CEO Graham Burns was excited by the announcement, stating that it was critically important that world-class games reach the northern part of the country, an area passionate about the sport that continues to produce considerable domestic success.

Its good for us all round because it gives us some world-class games which weve needed for some time, said Burns.

Youve got to have a pathway and youve got to have something to aspire to, so its very important to have that sort of exposure in Queensland. We are very blessed to have three NBL and two WNBL teams, so its good to take the next step and have the Australian team playing up here as well, he said.

While in Logan and Townsville, the Chinese team will also line up against the Logan Thunder (25 July) and Townsville Fire (27 July) WNBL teams, giving them five exciting contests before they return home at the end of July.

Jayco Opals V China Schedule:

LOGAN
July 24: Australian Jayco Opals vs China Logan Metro Indoor Sports Centre
July 25: Logan Thunder vs China

TOWNSVILLE
July 27: Australian Jayco Opals vs China The new Murray sports stadium, Townsville RSL Stadium
July 28: Townsville Fire vs China

CAIRNS
July 30: Australian Jayco Opals vs China Aumuller St. Manunda

Courtesy of: http://www.basketball.net.au

Flames add Lauren King - by Eurobasket News
The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames have secured the signature of one of the WNBL's premier shooters with the addition of Lauren King (184-G-84) to the roster.

A dual World University Games medallist, King will link with the Flames for the 2011/2012 WNBL season after completing commitments with the Bendigo Braves in the SEABL.

Regarded as one of the premier three point shooters in the league, the AIS graduate joins a potent Flames perimeter brigade with Alicia Poto, Katie Rae Ebzery and Natalie Stafford.

The sweet shooting guard/forward has represented Australia at the Under 19 level and holds the rare distinction of being one of the few players to be part of bronze and gold medal winning teams at the World University Games level.

A product of the Basketball NSW development pathway, King hails from Northern NSW and the 2011/2012 season heralds a return to her home state to continue her WNBL career.

In announcing the signing, Flames coach Karen Dalton said King's versatility and shooting ability were the big pluses for Sydney.

'We struggled from the extended three point line last year, so adding one of the league's best perimeter shooters is a great bonus for our group,' Dalton said.

'Lauren has the ability to play multiple positions, has terrific experience in the league despite her youth and we see her as a key part of our plans for next season.'

'Versatile players are a valuable commodity and this signing will hopefully provide us with the opportunity to show different looks and line-ups,' she added.

King will join her new Flames team-mates in September after the current SEABL season, where she is competing against current Sydney stars Amy Denson and Eva Afeaki.

Courtesy of WNBL (www.wnbl.com.au)

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BELARUS - Women

Croatia edge Belarus in Linares - by Eurobasket News
Croatia - Belarus 83:74

Croatia celebrated the first win at the Ciudad de Linares tournament. They held off Belarus to improve at 1-1 record. Sandra Mandir (175-G-77) scored 24 points to pace Croatia. Belarus slipped at 1-1 after the defeat. Belarus will take on Spain, while Croatia will play against Turkey on the final day of the tourney.
Croatia quickly cleared off to a 14:4 lead at the start of the game. Belarus narrowed the distance but still trailed by three points 21:24 at the first break. Katerina Snytsina (188-F-85) and Anastasiya Veremeenko (192-C-87) pulled Belarus in front midway through the second quarter. But Croatia regained the advantage and recorded a 42:37 halftime lead. Iva Sliskovic (194-F-84, college: S.Carolina) and Sandra Mandir gave Croatia a 51:42 lead in the fourth quarter. Marchanka and Tatsiana Likhtarovich (179-G/F-88, agency: LBM Management) triggered an 8:0 rally that put Belarus within 4 points 52:56. Soon Tatyana Troina (188-F-81, college: S.Carolina), Katerina Snytsina and Tatsiana Likhtarovich narrowed the deficit at just one point 60:61 at the end of the third term. Tatyana Troina drew things level at 68 midway through the final frame. Tatyana Troina ensured a 74:73 lead for Belarus with under two minutes to go. Ciglar, Sandra Mandir and Iva Sliskovic reacted with 10 points in a row and Croatia rolled to the victory at the end. Iva Sliskovic accounted for 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Antonija Misura (178-F-88) had 10 points in the win. Anastasiya Veremeenko answered with 14 points, while Katerina Snytsina had 13 points in the losing effort.

Croatia: Sandra Mandir 24, Iva Sliskovic 14, Antonija Misura 10
Belarus: Anastasiya Veremeenko 14, Katerina Snytsina 13

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BELGIUM - Women

Germany too much for Belgium in AQT, 69-57 - by Eurobasket News
Germany - Belgium 69-57

Germany had nice beginning of EuroBasket 2011 Additional Qualification Tournament. They were too strong for Belgium handing them 69-57 loss. Romy Bar (189-F-87, agency: LBM Management) stepped up for the winners with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) also secured nice help adding 14 points and Lisa Koop (197-C-85, college: Winthrop) had one point less than her. Belgium got 11 points from Lieselot Malfait (190-C-87, college: IPFW) and Noemie Mayombo (171-G-91, agency: LBM Management). Miete Celus (176-G/F-91) stopped to 9. Germany and Belgium are together with Serbia, Romania and Italy placed to Group B. There are five more teams in Group A and just the winner of this tournament will advance to EuroBasket. Germany celebrated tonight thanks to great first (25-17) and last quarter (19-14).
In the second round, Germany will meet Romania. Belgium will have a day off and will try to prepare better for their next meeting (Romania).

Germany: Romy Bar 14+13 boards, Anne Breitreiner 14, Lisa Koop 13
Belgium: Lieselot Malfait 11, Noemie Mayombo 11, Miete Celus 9

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BOSNIA - Women

National team - by Senad Sadikovic
Women's basketball team from Bosnia and Herzegowina is travelling tonight to Fribourg, and is going to play fifth qualification game against Swizerland on june 2-nd, regarding the qualifications for the european B-division championship. The team had played yet four games and won twice and lost twice. Three days after the game in Switzerland BiH is expecting Estonia and is going to Tirana, Albany on june 8-th. Last qualification game is going to be played on june 11-th in Sarajevo against Louxemburg.
Representativ manager of the BiH team, Vesna Bajkua, sead that the team is having a new player Dragana Svitlica, who came to Sarajevo, and Tea Dzikic left the team, becouse of health problems.'We have problems with injouries but I expect that all of the players are going to be ready for the game in Fribourg. We habe Svitlica, who came from Spain, we are ready, we are going to win. Switzerland bearly won against Louxembourg last night and I think that we can beat them', Bajkua sead.
BiH team is travelling tonight to Switzerland by bus, and tommorow they are going to have an evening training. The game against Switzerland is on thursday at 8 PM.

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BULGARIA - Women

Finland hands 61-57 loss to Bulgaria - by Eurobasket News
Bulgaria - Finland 57-61

Finland did a great job in the first round of EuroBasket 2011 Additional Qualification Tournament. They grabbed 57-61 victory against Bulgaria for 1-0 score in Group A. Earlier today Hungary blasted Holland 68-39. Only the winner of this tournament will book a ticket for Poland. Taru Tuukkanen (190-C-77, college: Xavier) was a key player for Finland today registering double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds. Dionne Pounds (174-F-84, college: Lamar) also scored 14, while Heta Korpivaara (187-G/F-84, college: Seton Hall) added 9 points in this victory. Zoya Stanoeva (182-F-76, agency: Global Sports Plaza) responded with 14 points in defeat. Doneeka Hodges (175-G-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: LSU) and Roksana Yordanova (184-G-84) had 12 and 9 pts respectively. The game winner is decided in the finish. The teams traded baskets with Jaklin Zlatanova's jump-shot putting Bulgaria in striking distance, 60-57, with 1:18 to go. They got their chance when Heta Korpivaara turned the ball over with 13 seconds left, but Doneeka Hodges' three-pointer came up empty and Heta Korpivaara redeemed herself at the free-throw line. Quarters: 19-16, 13-16, 12-16, 13-13.
In the second round, which will be played tomorrow, Finland will meet Hungary. Bulgaria will take on Ukraine.

Bulgaria: Zoya Stanoeva 14, Doneeka Hodges 12+5 boards, Roksana Yordanova 9
Finland: Taru Tuukkanen 14+12 boards, Dionne Pounds 14, Heta Korpivaara 9

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CANADA - Women

Miranda Ayim officially named to Tulsa Shock roster - by Eurobasket News
Announced earlier today, Miranda Ayim (191-F/C-88, college: Pepperdine) was named to the roster of the Tulsa Shock of the WNBA. She becomes the tenth Canadian ever to make a roster or be drafted to the WNBA and is one of two Canadians who will be playing in the league this upcoming season. The other Canadian is Tammy Sutton-Brown, who will suit up for the Indiana Fever.

Ayim is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, where she starred for four years as a Wave. She is a three-time All-West Coast Conference (WCC) first team selection, only the fourth player at Pepperdine to achieve this three times. She is also the first Wave to be a WCC All-Academic selection three times and holds the school record for blocked shots with 182.

As a member of the National Team program, Ayim first represented Canada in 2005 on the Cadette National Team at USA Basketballs Youth Festival. In 2006, she played on the Junior Womens Team, competing at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship, helping Canada to a silver medal. In 2007, she competed at the FIBA U21 World Championship in Russia, helping Canada to a sixth-place finish. She was also a member of the Junior National Team that participated in the 2007 U19 FIBA World Championship. Last summer, she was a member of the Senior Womens Team that played Chile and Sweden at the Jack Donohue International Classic in Richmond, British Columbia.

She played 22 games for Alanya Belediye in Turkey in 2010-2011, where she was named an honourable Mention to the All-Turkish TKBL team.

After her professional experience in Turkey, she was invited to training camp by the Tulsa Shock, who signed her shortly after. The Shock are in the midst of final preparations for the regular season opener, which starts June 4, 2011 against the Silverstars in San Antonio.

Canadians who played in the WNBA:
Miranda Ayim (London, ON) 2011
Kim Smith (Mission, BC) 2006
Shona Thorburn (Hamilton, ON) 2006
Angie Ball (Pickering, ON) 2003
Stacey Dales (Brockville, ON) 2002
Amber Hall (Vancouver, BC) 2002
Tammy Sutton-Brown (Markham, ON) 2001
Cal Bouchard (Aurora, ON) 2000
Merlelynn Lange-Harris (Toronto, ON) 1999
Kelly Boucher (Calgary, AB) 1998

Courtesy of www.basketball.ca

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CHINA - Women

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CROATIA - Women

Injured Jelavic to miss EC, Croatia beat Belarus - by Zeljko Zule
The captain of the Croatian national team Anda Jelavic (172-G-80) will undergo knee surgery which could sideline her for six months. Jelavic tore her ACL during the team practice.
Croatia continued their preparation for the forthcoming European Championship with a 83-74 win over Belarus in the tournament at Linares, Spain. Sandra Mandir collected 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals, Iva Sliskovic had 14 points and 7 rebounds and Antonija Misura scored 10 points..
Croatia-Belarus 83-74 (24-21, 18-16, 19-23, 22-14; Mandir 25, Misura 10, Cakic DNP, Mazic 6, Lokas 8, Ciglar 5, Lelas 7, Sliskovic 14, Pavetic, Ivankovic 2, Ivezic 7, Karcic)

Vrsaljko and Stampalija can not help Croatia - by Eurobasket News
Marija Vrsaljko (195-C-89) and Petra Stampalija (190-C-80, agency: Josep and Nicolas) can not help Croatia in Poland at Eurobasket 2011.
Marija Vrsaljko's serious injury has ruled her out of the tournament. Experienced Petra Stampalija is also out of the Croatian front line.
Marija Vrsaljko is a Croatian Center who joined Gospic Industrogradnja in 2008 and still remains with the team. In 2010-2011 she averaged 13.2ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP-3 (61.4%), FT: 88.2% in EuroLeague and in Adriatic League after 18 games showed 13.6ppg, 7.4rpg, Blocks-3 (1.6bpg), FGP-1 (62.9%), FT: 79.4%. For the National team at the Qualifications to European Championships 2011 in 8 games she averaged 7.5ppg, 1.8rpg, FGP: 55.8%, FT: 63.2%.
Petra Stampalija is a 30-years old Center who played last season for ZKK Sibenik Jolly JBS (A1). In Adriatic League she averaged 10.3ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 59.9%, FT: 71.1%, while in EuroCup she showed 10.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 59.3%, FT: 61.5%. For the National team Petra appeared only once at the Qualifications to European Championships 2011. She scored two points and made 1 steal in that game.

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CZECH REPUBLIC - Women

France record second straight win over Czech Republic - by Eurobasket News
Czech Republic - France 52:63

France earned the second consecutive victory over Czech Republic in exhibition games. Sandrine Gruda (194-C-87) notched 20 points and 7 rebounds to pace Les Bleus.
Czech Republic opened the game strongly as they posted a 19:12 advantage late in the first term. Laborde capped the frame with a three-pointer as France got within 4 points at the first break. Sandrine Gruda levelled things up at 23 midway through the second quarter. Czech Republic surged back in front late in the first half as they secured a 32:27 halftime lead. France turned things around in the third term. They limited Czech Republic to 9 points and registered a 43:41 lead with one quarter remaining. Lawson and Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui (190-C-86) stretched the lead to 8 points in the final quarter. Czech Republic trimmed the distance to 4 points at one point but Les Bleus did not slow down and rallied to the victory at the end. Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui accounted for 10 points, while Endene Miyem (188-F-88) added 9 points in the victory. Katerina Elhotova (180-G-89) and Eva Viteckova (190-F-82) answered with 10 points each for Czech Republic. Tereza Peckova (190-F-87) netted 6 points in the loss.

Czech Republic: Katerina Elhotova 10, Eva Viteckova 10
France: Sandrine Gruda 20, Isabelle Yacoubou-Dehoui 10, Endene Miyem 9

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DENMARK - Women

Denmark U18 stun Norway U18 in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Norway U18-Denmark U18 49:74

Denmark U18 stun Norway U18 in Day 2 of the 2011 Nordic Championship. Denmark improved to 1-1 record after 74:49 sending the opponents to 0-2 record.
It was actually a tough start for both teams that stayed close for the majority of the first half. Denmark grabbed 19-17 in the first period and added 21-16 in the second. In the third period the winners increased to 4 more points after 14-10, while Norway failed at the very end. They allowed the Danish side to erupt with 20-6 in the last stanza and lost the second game.
Norway somehow grabbed 45 total rebounds, versus 39 of Denmark. The latter however looked better in the field percentage and Assists (14/6).
Maria Jespersen (179-F/G-94) led the way with 16 points for the initial victory. Anna Seilund (172-G-93) finished the game with 10, while Marie Blyme (173-F-93) scored 9. Stine Austgulen (177-G-94) replied with 22 points in the losing effort and Kristine Skorpen (G) delivered 15.

Norway U18: Stine Austgulen 22, Kristine Skorpen 15
Denmark U18: Maria Jespersen 16, Anna Seilund 10, Marie Blyme 9

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Women

Standings Div.B (Women) - by Eurobasket News

Standings Div.B

Group A
1. Sweden		3-0
2. Slovenia		2-1
3. Portugal		1-2
4. Norway		0-3
Group B
1. Estonia		5-1
2. Switzerlan.		5-1
3. Bosnia		3-2
4. Luxembourg.		1-5
5. Albania		0-5

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U16 - Women

Div.C Standings - by Eurobasket

Standings

Group A
1. Andorra		0-0
2. Malta		0-0
3. Wales		0-0
Group B
1. Cyprus		0-0
2. Gibraltar		0-0
3. Monaco		0-0

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U18 - Women

W-Standings - Group A

Standings

Group A
1. Romania		0-0
2. Russia		0-0
3. Sweden		0-0
4. Turkey		0-0
Group B
1. Spain		0-0
2. Lithuania		0-0
3. Poland		0-0
4. Slovenia		0-0
Group C
1. Belgium		0-0
2. Italy		0-0
3. Serbia		0-0
4. Ukraine		0-0
Group D
1. Czech Repub.		0-0
2. France		0-0
3. Holland		0-0
4. Slovakia		0-0

Standings - Division B - by Eurobasket

Standings Div.B

Group A
1. Belarus		0-0
2. Bulgaria		0-0
3. U.Kingdom		0-0
4. Germany		0-0
Group B
1. Croatia		0-0
2. Hungary		0-0
3. Portugal		0-0
4. Switzerland		0-0
Group C
1. Denmark		0-0
2. Finland		0-0
3. Israel		0-0
4. Luxembourg		0-0
Group D
1. Austria		0-0
2. Greece		0-0
3. Latvia		0-0
4. Norway		0-0

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U20 - Women

Standings Div.B (Women) - by Eurobasket

Standings Div.B

Group A
1. Bulgaria		0-0
2. Hungary		0-0
3. FYR Macedon.		0-0
4. Portugal		0-0
5. Sweden		0-0
Group B
1. Austria		0-0
2. Belgium		0-0
3. Czech Repub.		0-0
4. Estonia		0-0
5. Greece		0-0
6. Israel		0-0

W-Standings - Group A

Standings

Group A
1. Germany		0-0
2. Poland		0-0
3. Serbia		0-0
4. Ukraine		0-0
Group B
1. Lithuania		0-0
2. Romania		0-0
3. Russia		0-0
4. Turkey		0-0
Group C
1. Belarus		0-0
2. France		0-0
3. Italy		0-0
4. Holland		0-0
Group D
1. U.Kingdom		0-0
2. Spain		0-0
3. Latvia		0-0
4. Slovakia		0-0

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FINLAND - Women

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FRANCE - Women

Villeneuve d'Ascq shape up the roster - by Eurobasket News
Villeneuve d'Ascq shape up the roster with another two signings for the upcoming season. After signing German International Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management), the team announced adding Jillian Robbins (185-F-84, agency: LBM Management, college: Tulsa) and Alice Nayo (185-C-93).
Jillian Robbins comes from Israel where she played last season. In 2010-2011 for Elitzur Rishon Le-Zion (Israel-D1, starting five) she averaged 17.4ppg, Reb-3 (11.2rpg), 3.2apg, Steals-1 (2.8spg), FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 11.1%, FT: 52.0%. The American Forward was the key player of the team and will definitely keep the leading positions in France. She recorded 32 points and 10 rebounds at the Regular Season Round 8 when Elitzur Netanya lost to Elitzur R.Le-Zion 76-86. The winners were led by forward Jillian Robbins who had that evening a double-double by scoring 32 points and 10 rebounds and forward April Phillips who supported her with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.
Alice Nayo is a 1993 French Center that started her career in Centre Federal BB (NF1, starting five) and stayed there for three last seasons. She is also French an U17 National Team and at the World Championships U17 in France -10 took Silver with her side. After 7 games she averaged 4.4ppg, 2.6rpg.

Lyon sign Audrey Sauret and Sarra Ouerghi - by Eurobasket News
The Winner of the Regular Season in LF2 Lyon announced first two signings. Audrey Sauret Gillespie (179-G/F-76) and Sarra Ouerghi (182-F-85, agency: LBM Management) will be the first new players in the team for the upcoming season.
Audrey Sauret Gillespie is a French Shooting Guard / Small Forward who played last 4 seasons in Italy. In 2007-2008 she started for Pasta Ambra Taranto (Italy-A1, starting five) and then in 2008-2009 remained for Cras Taranto (Italy-A1, starting five). In 2009-2010 Audrey moved to Famila Wuber Schio (Italy-A1, starting five) and in Euroleague averaged 2.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg, while in Italian League after 34 games her stats read 3.6ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.5apg, 2.4spg. In January 2011 signed at Basket Parma (Italy-A1, starting five) and averaged 7.2ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.4apg, 2.6spg, FGP: 36.3%, FT: 45.2%.
Sarra Ouerghi played all career in France. In 2005-2006 she started with ASPTT Charleville-Mezieres (NF1) and remained until year 2008. In 2008-2009 moved to Saint Jacques Sport Reims (LFB, starting five) and after 26 games averaged 4.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0spg. In 2009-2010 moved back to ASPTT Charleville-Mezieres (NF1) and in 2010-2011 for Flammes Carolo Basket Ardennes ASPTT (LFB, starting five) showed 5.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 38.7%, FT: 53.8%.

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GERMANY - Women

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HOLLAND - Women

Hungary destroys Holland to open AQT - by Eurobasket News
Hungary - Holland 68-39

Hungary opened EuroBasket 2011 Additional Qualification Tournament in style. They smashed Holland tonight 68-39 for 1-0 record in Group A. Except of Hungary and Holland, participants of the same pool are also Finland, Bulgaria and Ukraine. There is also Group B and only the winner of this tournament will book a spot for Poland. Zsofia Fegyverneky (178-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) and Tijana Krivacevic (194-F-90) were the leading scorers in Hungary with 13 points each. Orsolya Szecsi (190-G/F-92) followed them with 12 points and 6 boards. On the other side, Holland had just one player with double-digits in scoring and it was Naomi Halman (191-F/C-86, college: Cal-Irvine) with 13 pts. Fieke Ligthart (184-F/C-90) stopped to 7 points and 7 rebs. Hungary took control on their rival from the very beginning and had no troubles to register comfortable win (20-4, 21-13, 10-11, 17-11).
In the second round, Hungary will meet Finland. Holland will have a day off.

Hungary: Zsofia Fegyverneky 13, Tijana Krivacevic 13, Orsolya Szecsi 12+6 boards
Holland: Naomi Halman 13+6 boards, Fieke Ligthart 7+7 boards

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HUNGARY - Women

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ICELAND - Women

Sweden U18 clinched the second win at the 2011 Nordic Championship - by Eurobasket News
Iceland U18-Sweden U18 41:114

Sweden U18 clinched the second win at the 2011 Nordic Championship. The hosts destroyed Iceland U18 114:41 as six players scored in double digits for the winners.
It was an easy start for Sweden that took control from the opening tip. The hosts dominated the court and enjoyed 32-7 after the first 10 minutes in the court. Moreover they added 23-14 in the second frame to take 55:21 lead before heading to the lockers. In the third quarter Sweden erupted with 30-5 and reached three-digit number later in the fourth. With 29-15 the hosts won the last quarter and clinched the second win at the 2011 Nordic Championship.
Amanda Zahui (191-C-93) stepped up with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Nathalie Fontaine (183-F-93) netted 18. Ulrica Holmqvist poured in 13, whilst Abigail Asoro (177-F-93) and Josefin Vesterberg (187-F-93) had 12 each. Margret Halfdanardottir answered with 11 points in the losing effort and Dagbjort Samuelsdottir added 9.

Iceland U18: Margret Halfdanardottir 11, Dagbjort Samuelsdottir 9
Sweden U18: Amanda Zahui 24+14 rebs, Nathalie Fontaine 18, Ulrica Holmqvist 13, Abigail Asoro 12, Josefin Vesterberg 12

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ITALY - Women

Italy NT ready for the Additional Qualifying Tournament in Taranto - by Carlo Grilli
Italy NT coach Giampiero Ticchi (agency: Interperformances ) selected these 12 players for the Additiional Qualifying Round hosted in Taranto:

Simona Ballardini (181-F-81)
Sabrina Cinili (190-F-89)
Chiara Consolini (182-F-88)
Maria Chiara Franchini (181-G-79)
Angela Gianolla (171-G-80)
Raffaella Masciadri (185-F-80)
Roberta Meneghel (182-F-77)
Jenifer Nadalin (187-F/C-83, college: Furman)
Kathrin Ress (196-C-85, college: Boston Coll.)
Giorgia Sottana (177-G-88)
Nnena Wabara (183-F-81, agency: 540 Sports, college: Baylor)
Francesca Zara (177-G-76, agency: Players Group)

Head coach: Giampiero Ticchi (agency: Interperformances )
Assistants: Massimo Galli (agency: Interperformances ) - Loris Barbiero

The schedule:
June 3rd: Belgium-Germany (h.17.45); Serbia-Romania (h.20.30);
June 4th: Italy-Serbia (h.17.15); Romania-Germany (h.20.30);
June 5th: Belgium-Romania (h.17.45); Italy-Germany (h.20.30);
June 7th: Serbia-Germany (h.17.45); Italy-Belgium (h.20.30);
June 8th: Belgium-Serbia (h.17.45); Italy-Romania (h.20.30);

The AQT Finals: in two legs, on June 12th and 15th, between the winner of Taranto group and the winner of Sopron group (Hungary, Finland, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Netherlands)

The EuroBasket Women 2011 complete draw:
Group A (Bydgoszcz): Russia, Turkey, Slovakia, Lithuania
Group B (Bydgoszcz): Belarus, Czech Republic, Israel, Great Britain
Group C (Katowice): Spain, Poland, Montenegro, qualified from Additional Qualifiying Tournament
Group D (Katowice): France, Greece, Latvia, Croatia.

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LUXEMBOURG - Women

Poor defense, the reason for a high defeat - by Liz Schmitz
Luxembourg Women National Team lost yesterday by 110-71 in Tallinn, Estonian Women National Team. After a first quarter 28-20 dominated rather in the front court, the girls trailed already behind by 17 points (56-39) at halftime. The girls from Estonian Women National Team played cleverer, quick fast breaks, always found the open player and the Luxembourgish girls lacked serious aggressiveness. They did not manage to control their opponents offensive game and were mere spectators in defense. However, the Luxembourgish coaches seemed to have found the right words during half-time. The girls proved to be worthy opponents in the third quarter and made life for the Estonians difficult on the court. They only lost that by 4 points (23-19). The coaches of both teams used the last quarter for substitutions and every player on both rosters got some playing time. Whereas the Estonian girls seemed to have no problem to keep up the rhythm, the Luxembourgish squad missed to keep up the pace and had problems to adjust. In the end, they lost the last quarter by 18 points (31-13). The girls stood no real chance during the game in Estonia and they need now to focus on the game against Albanian Women National Team, next Sunday at 19:30 at the Coque.
For the Estonian Women National Team, 7 girls scored in double digits, Kati Rausberg (172-G-89) scored 19 points while Merike Anderson (180-F/G-81, agency: LBM Management) and Jana Rannaveski (172-G-87) added 18 and 16 points respectively. Once again Jill Bausch (176-G-87) and Lena Hetto (184-F-93) showed their offensive skills. Jill Bausch (176-G-87) scored 18 points (and grabbed 9 rebounds) and in her first season with the senior women squad Lena Hetto (184-F-93) chipped in 14 points.

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NCAA1 - Women

Latest BCA survey finds drop in number of nonwhite coaches hired in women's college basketball - by Eurobasket News
The number of nonwhite coaches hired in women's college basketball has declined, according to the latest assessment from the Black Coaches and Administrators group.

The fourth BCA report found that five nonwhite coaches were among the 18 people hired from 2009-11. That's down from the record nine who were hired when 16 openings were filled in 2007-08, the last time the assessment was done.

Eleven of the 18 schools identified in Friday's report received A's for their hiring processes. Six didn't hire nonwhite candidates, but got credit for diverse candidate pools and search committees.

'I think the report shows steady progress, particularly over the last three years,' BCA executive director Floyd Keith said. 'Having five out of 18 appointments, while not like the watershed year (of 2007-08), is still pretty impressive.'

The BCA has also graded college football since 2004.

Grades are calculated by adding points from four categories, including communication, the hiring/search committee, candidates interviewed and timeframe of the search.

For example, if a school contacts the BCA twice, conducts 30 percent of its on-campus interviews with nonwhite candidates and has a search committee in which 30 percent of the members are minorities, the school would receive an A, or five points, in each category. Schools that hire nonwhite candidates also receive 2.5 bonus points.

San Jose State, Houston and Virginia received A's in each category. Air Force, UCLA, Clemson, LSU, Missouri, New Mexico, New Mexico State and Wisconsin were the other schools given overall A's.

California (Berkeley), Colorado, North Texas and Northern Illinois each received B's. All four received F's in the candidate category for not interviewing a diverse group of candidates, the BCA said.

Tulsa and Washington were given C's overall, each failing when it came to having diverse search committees. Virginia Tech was the only school to receive an F for declining to participate.

Fourteen of 16 schools (88 percent) received A's in 2007-08. That percentage dipped to 61 percent in the latest report, but Keith was still pleased.

Fourteen nonwhite coaches have been hired during the last three years and there are now 23 nonwhite women's college basketball coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools, he said.

'I like A's and B's,' Keith said. 'By in large, all but three schools are above average. We're making progress, seeing communication improve and seeing the numbers of representation on the search committees improve. So, the elements that we're measuring are improving and I'm good with that.'

Courtesy of www.newser.com

Twin Bridges guard commits to Montana State - by Eurobasket News
Twin Bridges guard Peyton Ferris has made a verbal commitment to play basketball at Montana State.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports Ferris averaged 18.3 points, seven rebounds and 4.9 steals as a junior and was named the MVP of the Hi-Line Invitational Tournament for the second year in a row.

Ferris says she likes MSU's coaches, the program and the fact that it's not too far from home. She also was recruited by Montana and a few other NCAA Division I schools.

Ferris says it's nice to have the decision made so she can focus on her senior season. She can sign with the Bobcats in November and until then, MSU coach Tricia Binford can't comment.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

McNeese State to play in preseason WNIT - by Eurobasket News
The McNeese State women's basketball program received another boost to its nonconference schedule strength for next season by receiving a bid to the preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament on Thursday.

The Cowgirls are one of 16 teams invited to play. The others in the field are: Baylor, Notre Dame, UCLA, Akron, Chattanooga, Detroit, Drexel, East Tennessee State, Hartford, Howard, Indiana State, Long Island, Manhattan, Tennessee Tech and Alabama-Birmingham.

'It's a huge honor,' said McNeese head coach Brooks Donald Williams. 'There's no question that this is a very big honor. It's a special thing that I think the kids and this program have worked really hard for. We've worked hard to build a program that's respected regionally and now nationally to be chosen in the field of 16.'

The date for the first game of the season-opening tournament has been set for Friday, Nov. 11. The opponent has not been determined. The tournament bracket will not be set until sometime in June.

Donald Williams said she thinks it is unlikely the Cowgirls would be paired with Baylor in the first round because the teams are already scheduled to play a regular season game in December.

'I think it's going to work to our benefit that we have Baylor already, so they'll possibly try to avoid that,' Donald Williams said. 'There is a possible matchup with two national title contenders next year (Baylor and Notre Dame), and a lot of other possible league winners. We're just excited about whatever comes our way. It's going to be a much tougher journey (than last year).'

Win or lose in the first round, McNeese is guaranteed at least three games. All games are hosted by participant schools, and Athletic Director Tommy McClelland said McNeese would put in a bid to be a host. McNeese hosted Boston College in the men's postseason NIT this past season.

The Cowgirls will be coming off their first NCAA tournament appearance after finishing 26-7 and tying 2002 Valparaiso for the greatest single-season turnaround in Division I history. McNeese lost in the first round to eventual national champion Texas A&M, 87-47.

With the Aggies also on the schedule in December, the WNIT invite is another step in a Popeye-style strengthening of the schedule for McNeese.

'The preseason tournament is going to be big for putting us in a position for postseason play,' Donald Williams said. 'It's kind of how our program has evolved. I don't know if we were in a position to compete with the strength of schedule we're going to have this season. We've put ourselves in a position we'll be able to beef up the strength of schedule.

'I think we have a lot of great talent coming back. We're anxious to see it all gel together and see how our team is going to form for next season. That's only going to make us better for a situation like we were in this year. We certainly want to be in that position again.'

Courtesy of www.mysanantonio.com

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NORWAY - Women

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ROMANIA - Women

Serbian beats Romania 77-64 in AQT, Day One - by Eurobasket News
Serbia - Romania 77-64

Serbia won in their EuroBasket 2011 Additional Qualification Tournament opener for 1-0 score in Group B. Serbians were better than Romania 77-64. Jelena Milovanovic (190-F-89) top-scored for the winners with 18 points, while Jelena Maksimovic (192-C-82, agency: Sport Connect) added 13 points and 10 boards. Ivanka Matic (195-F/C-79) followed with 10 pts and 6 rebs in victory. Gabriela Marginean (185-F-87, college: Drexel) had 12 points in loss and Ancuta Stoenescu (171-G-80, agency: Data Plus Group) scored 11. Elisabeth Pavel (192-C-90) contributed with 9 points and 5 rebs for Romania. Serbia had wonderful first quarter (32-14) and managed to keep a safe distance for rest of the game. Two teams are placed to Group B together with Germany, Belgium and Italy.
Tomorrow, Serbia will meet Italy. Romania will play against Germany. It is important to mention that just the winner of AQT will book a ticket for Poland.

Serbia: Jelena Milovanovic 18, Jelena Maksimovic 13+10 boards, Ivanka Matic 10+6 boards, Maja Miljkovic 10
Romania: Gabriela Marginean 12, Ancuta Stoenescu 11, Elisabeth Pavel 9+5 boards

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SERBIA - Women

Stats Leaders - 1A women

1A Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

1 Orozovic, Spartak 19.4
1 Butulija, Partizan 19.4
1 Popovic, Crvena Z. 19.4
4 Cado, Hemofarm 17.4
5 Erak, Vojvodina 16.5

Rebounds Per Game

1 Erak, Vojvodina 10.0
2 Stone, Partizan 8.6
3 Stjepanovic, Radivoj 8.3
4 Krstovic, Vozdovac 8.1
5 Jovanovic, Radivoj 8.0

Assists Per Game

1 Stankovic, Hemofarm 4.7
2 Prlja, Vozdovac 4.6
3 Butulija, Partizan 4.3
4 Radocaj, Hemofarm 4.1
5 Popovic, Crvena Z. 4.0

Steals Per Game

1 Dabovic, Partizan 4.4
2 Butulija, Partizan 4.0
3 Pesovic, Crvena Z. 3.0
4 Vrancic, Spartak 2.8
5 Niksic, Crvena Z. 2.5
5 Orozovic, Spartak 2.5
5 Krstovic, Vozdovac 2.5

Blocks Per Game

1 Kovacevic, Hemofarm 1.4
2 Williams, Partizan 1.3
2 Ajdukovic, Hemofarm 1.3
2 Stjepanovic, Radivoj 1.3
5 Jovanovic, Radivoj 0.9

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SPAIN - Women

Spain prevail against Turkey in Linares - by Eurobasket News
Spain - Turkey 68:53

Spain celebrated the second straight win at Ciudad de Linares friendly tournament. They held off Turkey for 2-0 record in the ladder. Anna Montanana (186-F-80, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: George Washington) came up with 15 points for Spain. Turkey in the meantime suffered the second straight defeat in Linares.
The teams stayed close throughout the opening frame. Turkey eked out a 14:12 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Ivegin and Horasin stretched the gap to 6 points early in the second term. Turkey maintained the lead as they posted a 25:21 buffer at halftime. Spain used a 10:0 run midway through the third term to pull in front. Dominguez capped the quarter with two free throws as the hosts accumulated a 45:37 lead. Spain went on a 13:0 surge in the final term to clear off to a 66:47 distance and rallied to the victory at the end. Elisa Aguilar (177-G-76, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: George Washington) notched 13 points, while Alba Torrens (188-F-89) added 9 points in the winning effort. Bahar Caglar (186-F-88) replied with 12 points for Turkey. Birsel Vardarli (174-G-80) netted 11 points in the loss.

Spain: Anna Montanana 15, Elisa Aguilar 13, Alba Torrens 9
Turkey: Bahar Caglar 12, Birsel Vardarli 11

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SWEDEN - Women

Jenny Andersson heads to Solna - by Eurobasket News
Jenny Andersson (194-C-86) heads to Solna for the next season. Jenny Andersson will join her sister Katarina Andersson (191-C-83) in her new team.
The Swedish Center started her career in 2005-2006 for Lulea Basket (Damligan) and then in 2007-2008 moved to Eskilstuna Basket (Damligan, starting five). In 21 games she averaged 9.0ppg, 7.1rpg, 1.0apg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 43.7%, FT: 62.5%. In 2008-2009 her stats read 5.0ppg, 5.3rpg and the next two season the player spent in Lulea Basket. In 2009-2010 she averaged 9.0ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 44.6%, FT: 77.4%, while last season her stats read 6.8ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 49.8%, FT: 50.0%.
Jenny Andersson recorded 31 points in her best game when Lulea BBK smashed Visby Ladies at home 95-58. Lulea BBK led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 68 of its points in the paint compared to Visby Ladies' 38. Lulea BBK forced 26 Visby Ladies turnovers and outrebounded them 52-38 including a 26-15 advantage in offensive rebounds. It was a great evening for the former international center Jenny Andersson who led her team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 13 rebounds.

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TURKEY - Women

Samsun names Artun Kaan new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News
Kaan Artun will be the new Head Coach of Samsun. He will replace Caner Yillar. Kaan worked as Assistant Coach at Samsun for the last two seasons. In the latest one, the team ended as No.7 with 9-13 record. They reached Playoff Quarterfinals, but Fenerbahce eliminated them with perfect 3-0. Kaan Artun worked as Assistant Coach of Fenerbahce in the past. It was from 2002 to 2004.
Meanwhile, Filiz Yukruk (74) became the new GM of the club. The former player appeared in 2006-2007 for Cankaya Universitesi (TBBL, starting five) and in 24 games averaged 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 73.5%. In 2007-2008 for Cankaya Universitesi (TBBL, starting five) her stats read 7.2ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 50.0%. In 2008-2009 she joined Maden Telkik Arama (TBB2L, starting five) and after 4 games had 9.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.0apg, 2.8spg. Filiz Yukruk was a member of Turkish National Team -03 and reached Turkish Cup Semifinals -07.

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WNBA - Women

Betty Lennox cut as Tulsa Shock trims roster to 11 - by Eurobasket News
After waiving veteran Betty Lennox (5'8''-G-76, college: Louisiana Tech) on Thursday morning, the Tulsa Shock's 2011 roster is set at 11 players - the maximum allowed by the WNBA for the start of the season.

'You used to be able to have 13 and 12, but now you can only have 11,' coach and general manager Nolan Richardson said after practice Thursday. 'It's difficult.

'It's a thin line between the talent at that level, and it's very hard to kick off a player that you have. But that's what you have to do.'

An Oklahoma City native and former WNBA rookie of the year, Lennox entered the league in 2000 and was signed by the Shock last month. On Wednesday, forward Rashanda McCants and guard Darxia Morris also were cut.

Tulsa opens the season at 7 p.m. Saturday at San Antonio. The Shock's home opener, also against the Silver Stars, is 7 p.m. June 10 at the BOK Center.

Also announced Thursday, Cox Communications will televise four Shock road games this season, starting with the opener Saturday. The games will air in Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets on Cox channel 3.

Mike Wolfe returns as play-by-play man and will be joined by color analyst Shanna Zolman-Crossley, who played for the Shock last year and is sidelined this season with a torn ACL in her left knee.

Four additional games will be shown on NBA TV (Cox digital cable 256). The only home game to be televised is the regular-season finale Sept. 11 against San Antonio. Another Shock road game, June 14 at Indiana, will be shown on ESPN2-26.

Courtesy of www.tulsaworld.com

Healthy Candace Parker back to lead LA Sparks - by Eurobasket News
Ticha Penicheiro (5'11''-G-74, college: ODU) looked around at the start of training camp for the Los Angeles Sparks and noticed a huge difference.

The 5-foot-11 playmaker was surrounded by a group of tall players.

'Everybody was just so big,' Penicheiro said. 'Sometimes we have some combinations on the court and I'm like, 'Wow.' We got people that can play different positions that can create a lot of different mismatches in games, so I'm excited about that.'

The Sparks open the season at home against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night in a game featuring the return of Los Angeles star Candace Parker (6'4''-F/C-86, college: Tennessee) and the debut of Lynx rookie Maya Moore, who led Connecticut to two NCAA championships.

With Parker healthy and the return of veterans including Penicheiro, DeLisha Milton-Jones and the league's career scoring leader, Tina Thompson, the Sparks are hopeful they can contend for the team's first WNBA championship since 2002.

The Sparks struggled through a disappointing year last season that was marred by season-ending injuries to Parker and guard Betty Lennox. Parker appeared in only 10 games before having shoulder surgery and Lennox, who is no longer with the team, played in 11 games before having knee surgery.

'Everything's great, I feel good,' Parker said. 'We're very excited for the season to start. There's a lot of anticipation and we're looking forward to a healthy, and great, season.'

Sparks guard Noelle Quinn is glad to have Parker healthy.

'Candace attracts so much attention in the paint,' she said. 'She's a tough guard because she can shoot 3s and gets to the basket so she makes it hard on defenders, but easy on us so we've just got to knock down open shots.'

Despite the injuries and a 13-21 record in the regular season, the Sparks reached the playoffs and lost in the first round to eventual champion Seattle.

'I can't even explain the down moments that we had and how we would just look at each other and be like, 'What is wrong?' Milton-Jones said. 'We found a way to conjure up some spirit in us and say, 'We can't go out like this. We've got to at least make the playoffs.'

'This year is about redemption, righting that wrong of last year.'

The Sparks added more size by drafting 6-foot-4 center Jantel Lavender of Ohio State with the fifth overall pick and signing 6-2 forward Ebony Hoffman.

'I really do believe we are the biggest team in the league at every position,' second-year coach Jennifer Gillom said. 'We even have big guards this year, which is a great thing. Hopefully we can create a lot of mismatches.'

Playing better defense and getting off to a good start are other areas Gillom stressed during training camp.

The Sparks allowed an average of 81.2 points while allowing teams to shoot 44.2 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range, while getting outrebounded by 4.5 per game.

The Sparks opened last season 3-11, but regrouped in July and August to earn a playoff berth.

'If we started out last season like we finished, just think of what we could've accomplished,' Gillom said. 'That's why I put so much emphasis on developing that team chemistry right away. Our goal is to win a championship and it has to start at the beginning of the season.'

Courtesy of www.thenewstribune.com

Smith set for Seattle debut as WNBA season begins - by Eurobasket News
When three-time U.S. Olympian Katie Smith (5'11''-G-74, college: Ohio St.) steps onto the court for the Seattle Storm in their WNBA season opener Saturday it'll be for less money than she could have gotten elsewhere. It could be in a reserve role after starting 412 of the 417 total games she has played in the league.

But her attitude about all that can be summed up with: 'So what?'

'I'm going to play, whether you start or whether you don't, I know I'm going to (play),' said Smith, whose new team opens the 2011 season against Phoenix on her 37th birthday. 'I've been with many players who have come off the bench and played more minutes than the starters. It's just not about that. It's about coming out there and being as efficient as I possibly can.'

Opponents who already have to figure out how to contain a starting five that includes three Olympians (Lauren Jackson of Australia, Sue Bird and Swin Cash of the United States), now will have to decide how to deal with someone who can bring an Olympic-caliber boost off the bench. Smith has earned three golds of her own playing for the U.S. in 2000, '04 and '08.

'We have so many weapons that are out there, she can come in and do her thing,' Cash said, 'and if you forget her, she's going to burn you for 20 (points). I think that's what makes people scared about this team is having her here.'

Seattle is coming off its second WNBA crown, and the Storm dominated the league last summer: 28-6 during the regular season, 7-0 in the playoffs, and 21-0 at home (17-0 regular season, 4-0 playoffs).

Smith brings her own championship credentials to town. She helped the Detroit (now Tulsa) Shock win it all in 2006 and 2008, earning Finals MVP honors in '08. The 1996 Ohio State grad is beginning her 16th pro season, her 13th in the WNBA, and was on back-to-back Columbus Quest teams that won the only two American Basketball League titles (1997 and '98) before that league folded.

'I went to Detroit (in mid-2005) with a team that was already established, and won a championship,' Smith said. 'I have a strong personality, but I fit in. You come in and do your job, and you bring what you can to the table. I have to figure out how to play with Sue and Lauren and Swin and just get into that system, because they obviously have something they've already established.'

Smith, with a career average of 15.2 points 9.5 points in 2010 anticipates no problems with that.

'It's basketball,' she said. 'It's playing hard and playing together.'

In Smith's case, it's also playing for Storm coach Brian Agler again and assistant Nancy Darsch. Agler was head coach at Columbus during the two ABL title runs, and he also was the first coach of the Minnesota Lynx, to whom Smith was allocated by the league when the Lynx joined as an expansion team in 1999. Darsch was Smith's coach at Ohio State.

Agler said Smith has changed during the past decade and a half, but only in a good way.

'I don't think she's any less competitive (than before),' Agler said. 'She's probably a better player from a standpoint of just understanding the game and how she can play multiple roles. She can be a go-to person, or she can be a complementary player.'

Smith said she'd like to finish her career in Seattle, but was noncommittal on when that might be.

'It's year to year,' said Smith, who did not play in either of the Storm's two preseason games because of tendinitis in her left Achilles'. 'You don't know how you're going to feel after another four months of running and banging and all that. If I can do it again, if I feel like I can be productive and it's all right by my body, then sure (I'll keep playing).

'At this point, you're not greedy,' she said. 'You just try to enjoy what you have (because) it could be done just like that.'

Courtesy of www.seattlepi.com