EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 6/9/2011

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Men News

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  ADRIATIC LEAGUE   


Radnicki and coach Miroslav Nikolic stay together - by Eurobasket News
Coach Miroslav Nikolic (agency: Agency No 10 ) will stay with Radnicki Kragujevac for at least two more years, the team announced yesterday. Nikolic took over Radnicki last summer and helped them reach third place in Serbian Superleague. They had 8-6 record and once again secured the place for Adriatic league. The team also played in the Serbian league Semifinals, but Hemofarm eliminated them with 2-1. In Serbian Cup, Radnicki reached Semifinals as well. In Adriatic league, they had 12-14 score and finished as No.10. The club announced they will have much bigger ambitions next season.
Before Radnicki, Miroslav Nikolic was working with Swisslion Takovo and AEL Limassol. From 2005 to 2008, he was a Head Coach of Hemofarm. In the past, Nikolic was also working with Buducnost, Apolon Patras and Partizan. He led U19 Serbia to Gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2007.

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  ANGOLA   


Fab Secretary Considers Nation's Group Balanced - by Eurobasket News
Luanda The secretary general of the Angolan Basketball Federation, Tony Sofrimento, said Friday in Luanda that the Angolan team is a very balanced group in the 'Afrobasket2011' to be held in Madagascar, in August this year.

Angola is in group B with the national teams of Morocco, Chad and Senegal.

Speaking to Angop on the draw held Saturday in Antananarivo, the official emphasized the presence of Senegal in the groups as the strongest opponent.

However, he said that despite all, the national team has the obligation to win all games in order to keep the title.

On the other hand, he stressed the importance of winning the first match with Chad in order to motivate the group for subsequent encounters.

The Afrobasket2012 will be held from August 17-28.
Courtesy of: Angola Press

National Basketball Team Start Training Programme in Cabinda - by Eurobasket News
Luanda The preparation of the national senior males basketball team, that will defend the African title in Antananarivo, Madagascar, set for 17-28 August, will start on June 16 in Cabinda Province and end in China with the participation in two Stankovic cups.

The information was made available Thursday to the media by coach Miguel Gomez, who explained that before the trip medical tests will be made on Monday.

The team will stay 10 days in Cabinda working on physical aspects, taking into account the tiresome season in which they played 12 games in one month, said the coach.

The team was summoned Thursday and experienced players like Miguel Lutonda and Carlos Almeida are not part of the called-up.

Simao Santos and Jorge Tati (197-F-83) are the surprises in a group where Valdelicio Joaquim is the only foreign-based player.

The summoned players are: Paulo Santana (183-G-84, college: Southeastern CC), Carlos Morais (190-G-85), Roberto Fortes (193-G-84, college: Illinois St.), Divaldo Mbunga, Miguel Kiala (198-C-90) (Petro de Luanda), Domingos Bonifacio (189-G-84), Milton Barros (184-G-84), Simao Santos, Olmpio Cipriano, Leonel Paulo (Libolo), Armando Costa, Felizardo Ambr'sio, Kikas Gomes (1 de Agosto), Eduardo Mingas (200-F-79), Jorge Tati (Interclube), Valdelcio Joaquim (University of Hawaii).
Courtesy of: Angola Press

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  ARGENTINA   


San Martin Corrientas hire Ramella Leandro - by Eurobasket News
San Martin Corrientas have appointed new head coach. His name is Leandro Ramella . The 36-year-old specialist guided Alvear Villa Angela. Leandro Ramella led the team from Liga B into TNA in 2009/10 season. Last season team showed nice result in their inaugural TNA championship. Leandro Ramella was named Liga B Coach of the Year in 2010. In 2011 Latinbasket.com named Leandro Ramella All-Argentinean TNA Coach of the Year.



Gimnasia Esgriva tab Santiago Scala - by Eurobasket News
Gimsasia Esgriva Comodoro Rivadavia have agreed on terms of contract with Santiago Scala (186-G-91). The 20-year-old guard signed a two-season deal with the team. Santiago Scala played for Argentino in the last five seasons. Last season his stats read 6.8 points, 1.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds per game in Liga A.


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  AUSTRALIA   


Wagstaff to help bring back Perth's bite (Round 13 MSBL Preview) - by Eurobasket News
Perth Redbacks will be hoping the return of Wildcats forward Jesse Wagstaff can help them to a pair of victories in round 13 of the men's State Basketball League.

Wagstaff, who was recently picked in the Australian Boomers squad, made his first appearance for the Redbacks last weekend as his side won one of its two games, but they'll be hoping his presence can carry them to much-needed wins against Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers and Australian Central East Perth Eagles.

Perth sits in eighth spot with just a one-game lead over ninth-placed East Perth, so that match is vital for both sides' top eight chances.

Wagstaff will be up against fellow Wildcat Drew Williamson (194-G-83, college: Metro St.) in that game, while Perth's match against defending champions and heated rivals Willetton will see him battle against Matt Knight.

The fifth-placed Tigers suffered a shock loss to Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers last week and they'll be looking to get back on track with victories against Perth and ATD Stirling Senators.

But the Senators have climbed to sixth spot with three-straight wins, on the back of former NBL player Geordie Cullen's outstanding form, and will be a tough challenge for Willetton and Mandurah Magic.

SKILLED Goldfields Giants dropped to seventh spot with losses in two of their three games last weekend and they'll be desperate to turn things around with victory over Kalamunda Eastern Suns, who are just one game outside the top eight.

Geraldton also lost two of three one week ago and must beat top two side Cockburn Cougars to have any chance of rescuing their finals hopes.

Rockingham Flames upset Geraldton last week but will need to cause an even bigger shock to get back into finals calculations with victory against the third-placed Wanneroo Wolves, who have won five of their past six games.

League leaders Lakeside Lightning have won six straight and will be heavy favourites against Mandurah. But the Magic, who sit in 13th spot, are expected to welcome back star import Casey Crevelone (G-85) and could cause an upset.

Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks have won two-straight and should be too good for winless side Southwest Slammers in Bunbury on Saturday.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Courtesy of: http://www.sbl.asn.au/

QBL Round Five Player of the Week - by Eurobasket News
QBL MEN - Tom Garlepp (203-F-86, college: UCSB)

After coming close several times already this season, Tom Garlepps efforts in Brisbanes Road Trip to Rockhampton and Mackay were too good to overlook and he has taken out the Round 5 Player of the Week award. In the Capitals first game of the Round against Rockhampton Garlepp was outstanding in a losing side recording 27 points @ 50%, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. The following day Garlepp was instrumental in the Capitals upset win over Mackay with 27pts @ 50%, 7 rebounds, 6assists, 1 steals and 1 block. Garlepp now has the averages of 24.9ppg, 8.6rpg, and 3.0apg and has brought a tough inside presence to Brisbane this season, while also showing some superb versatility and shooting skills for a man his size.

Since taking out the Perth Wildcats young player of the year Award in 2007/08, Garlepps talents had gone somewhat unnoticed having struggled for court time in his stints with NBL franchises Perth and the Adelaide 36ers. However, this changed in 2010/11 season when Garlepp was signed by the Gold Coast Blaze, producing his most productive NBL season to date playing 28 games averaging 5.2ppg and 3.4rpg. Prior to playing in the NBL Garlepp held an AIS scholarship, and played for the AIS in the 2003 SEABL, where he led the league in blocked shots.

Garlepp was a prestigious talent as a youngster and this did not go unnoticed by US college scouts, playing for the University of California Santa Barbra from 2005 to 2007. Tom had a tremendous start to his college career scoring 16 points and pulling-down 7 rebounds in the Gauchos' season-opening win over San Francisco.

Other first-class performances in Round 5 came from, Brisbanes Kurt Thompson who provided Garlepp with plenty of support in the Capitals two matches averaging 21ppg. Pero Vasiljeric (14 points & 10 rebounds) and Travis Reed (16 points, 7 rebounds & 4 assists) were prevalent for the Rockets in their win over the Capitals. Dwayne Vale was back to his best with 24 points @ 57.1%, 7 rebounds and 4 assist in the Marlins win 85-67 win over the Force. James Comino was also good for the Marlins in the win adding 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4assists. Chris Goulding was up to his usual tricks with 22 points, as the Wizards defeated the Suns 86-57. Evan Browne was exceptional for the Suns in their two Round 5 losses averaging 17ppg against tough opposition. Rhys Martins return to Mackays line-up did not go as planned, but he still had a solid first outing with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, while Deba George continued his rare form with 28 points @ 63.2%. Steven Broom and Brendan Teys turned it on for the Pirates to propel them to their first win of the season, defeating the Mountaineers by 17 points. Broom had a phenomenal 32 points, hitting 13/18 from the field while also pulling down 10 rebounds. Teys was just as effective with 32 points @ 66.7%, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. For Toowoomba James Legan rebounded well from a disappointing game in Round 4, with 33 points against the Pirates. Ipswichs Bradley Williamson gave it his all in the Forces two losses in North Queensland, posting two double doubles averaging 23ppg and 11.5rpg. Daniel Egan (20 points & 10 rebounds) was back to his 2010 form, as was Todd Blanchfield who had 26 points in the Heats win over Ipswich. James Cripe keeps on producing for the Power with 17 points @ 63.6% and 11 rebounds, to help the Power secure their second win of the season. Willie Shackleford was again a dominant force at both ends of the court with 22 points @ 76.9% and 21 rebounds in the Bulls win over Maroochydore. Matthew Hanson (22 points & 7 assists) and Shane Davis (22 points) were also heavily involved in the Bulls win. Scott McGregor (21 points & 10 rebounds) and Jason Aucoin (17 points & 11 rebounds) made sure that the Rollers remained unbeaten, leading Gold Coast to a 94-84 win over Caboolture.
Courtesy of: QBL

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  AUSTRIA   


Austria edge Slovakia in test games twice - by Eurobasket News
Austrian U20 selection played two friendly games against their Slovakian counterparts in Sankt Polten. The hosts celebrated back-to-back victories.
Austria opened the exhibition series with a 78:70 victory. The hosts led by four points at halftime and did not allow Slovakia to turn things around after the big break. Thomas Klepeisz (185-G-91) and Filip Kramer (200-F-92) stepped up with 15 points each to pace Austria. Anton Maresch (192-G-91) and Erik Fruhwirth (204-C-91) added 13 points apiece in the winning effort. Richard Grznar (187-G-91) responded with game-high 24 points for Slovakia. Viktor Fulka (198-F-91) delivered 10 points in the loss.
Next day Austria posted another victory. This time the hosts enjoyed an 81:72 win at the end. Austrian U20 selection recorded a 10-point lead after ten minutes of action and then wisely kept their opponents at bay. Filip Kramer dropped 16 points to lead the charge. Jozo Rados (203-C-93) and Daniel Friedrich (180-G-92) accounted for 12 points apiece in the victory. Robert Becarik (183-G-91) responded with 26 points for Slovakia. Norbert Timko (210-C-92) nailed 12 points in defeat.


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  BELGIUM   


Verviers Transfer News - by Peter Buyse
VOO Verviers-Pepinster has signed its first new players for the 2011-2012 season. First off they announced the signing of Belgian player Julien Rahier (193-G-83) .
Second signee is American Forward/center Dan Geriot (205-C-88) who just finished his college career at the Unoversity of Richmond with whom he almost made it to the NCAA final four this season.

Rahier started his pro career in Oostnde. After playing for Huy in 2004-2005 (11.5ppg) he moved to Holland to play for Weert during the 05-06 season.
Spent the 06-07 season in Rumania playing for CSM Oradea, where he averaged 17.2 ppg in 22 games and finished the season in Charleroi.
iEarly 2008 he resurfaces in Switserland where he was on the roster of Nyon till the end of the 2009-2010 season. Missed most of the 2007-2008 season due to injury.
Best season was the 2009-2010 when he earned Eurobasket All Swiss Bosman of the Year honors. That season he had averages of 12.7ppg and 2.5rpg..
In January 2011 he once again plays in Switserland this time for Vacallo. In 14 games there he scored 9.9 ppg to go with 2.7 rpg and 2.6 apg.

Geriot spent the past 5 years at the Uiversity of Richmond but he missed the 2008-2009 season because of a knee injury. His best statistical season was in 2007-2008 when he averaged 14.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg. This earned him All Atlantic 10 3d team honors. The past season the most succesfull in Richmond history saw him average 9.5 ppg and 3.9 rpg






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  BOSNIA   


Hadzic presents BIH NT preliminary roster - by Nedzad Kladusak
Coach Sabit Hadzic revealed yesterday his preliminary roster. Later he will select 16 players who will be invited for the NT camp. The preparations for the EC in Lithuania will begin 20th of July and will include 9 games against very strong opponents like Germany, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, Belgium and France.

Kenan Bajramovic (206-F-81)
Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket)
Ratko Varda (216-C/F-79, agency: Alti Sport)
Edin Bavcic (210-F/C-84, agency: Beo Basket)
Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket)
Adnan Hodzic (203-F-88, agency: Pro One Sports)
Ermin Jazvin (210-C-80, agency: Lanshire Group)
Henry Domercant (192-G-80, college: E.Illinois)
Goran Ikonic (196-G-80, agency: Beo Basket)
Nihad Djedovic (196-F-90, agency: Beo Basket)
Nemanja Gordic (194-G-88)
Sasa Vasiljevic (183-G-79, agency: Beo Basket)
Aleksej Nesovic (189-G-85, agency: Beo Basket)
Diego Kapelan (190-G-87)
Ernest Bremer (195-G-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: St.Bonaventure)
Mujo Tuljkovic (203-F-79, agency: Beo Basket)
Milan Milosevic (205-F-85, agency: Beo Basket)
Ante Masic (200-/F-85)
Bozo Durasovic (200-F-87)
Miralem Halilovic (206-F-91)
Feliks Kojadinovic (197-G-79, agency: BeoExcell)
Drasko Albijanic (211-C-86)
Muhamed Pasalic (192-G-87)
Adin Vrabac (203-F-94)

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  BRAZIL   


Sao Jose dos Campos brings in shotter Dede from Franca - by Paulo Freire
Did not work, besides the rumours that Brasilia would be interested, and that Franca tried to keep Dede Stefanelli (196-F/G-84), the young shooter announced today that he will defend the Sao Jose dos Campos in the 2011/12 season.

In the first edition of the NBB, defending the Paulistano, Dede was the third leading scorer in the competition, averaging 20.8 points per game. The following season, hampered by injury, the shotter played only four matches. He moved to Franca looking to restore his career, but he was on court for just 18 minutes on average, which may have weighed in his decision to move on to Sao Jose dos Campos. The SG turns 26 years old in August.

For Franca this is already the fifth player that has confirmed is leaving the cast runner team-of NBB 3. Before Dede, Vitor Benite and Rogerio the two Americans of the team Marques Lewis (203-C-83, college: UAB) and Maurice Spillers (199-F-74, college: Utah St.) were both released by the direction and already left the team.

Bauru lost Jeff Agba but add 3 new players - by Paulo Freire
Bauru team of head coach Guerrinha lost one of their key players: the American center Jeff Agba did not found an agreement with the team to sign a new contract.

The American was one of the main players in his position in the last two editions of the NBB. Last season, has averaged 14.1 ppg and 7.5 rebounds per game, leading the team along with Larry Taylor and Fernando Fischer, in the campaign that yielded a fifth place of the NBB.

For the Jeff Agba replacement, Bauru announced the hiring of a package of three players: Alex Passilongo, Serrana Passilongo (211-C-85) who played in Vitoria and recently attended a tour with head coach Guerrinha in China, and the players and Andre de Sousa (198-C-90) and Anderson Mosso (205-F/C-82, college: Chipola) who both played at Assis Basket.

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  CANADA   


NBL decision day fast approaching - by Eurobasket News
The power brokers of the National Basketball League of Canada should have a pretty good idea in a weeks time how the fledgling hoops circuit is shaping up for its inaugural campaign.

June 15 is the deadline for new ownership groups to come forward and apply for membership in the minor professional loop, whose formation was announced last month by the Halifax Rainmen, Saint John Mill Rats and Quebec Kebs after they left the Premier Basketball League in April.

'Prospective franchises that the NBL has already been in discussions with wont be required to have their applications finalized on that date, but the league still intends to announce its roster of teams for the 2011-12 season on June 30', said Andre Levingston, owner of the Rainmen and acting president of the NBL.

'I think this year, realistically speaking, the way things are going, well end up with anywhere between seven and 10 teams,' he said Tuesday.

The league has already received deposit cheques from three Ontario ownership groups in Oshawa, Kingston and London and continues to negotiate with others.

Kitchener, Ottawa, Charlottetown and Moncton also remain possibilities, but the league, being cautious not to overextend itself too soon, doesnt plan to look beyond Ontario at this point.

'Weve got some interest from out west but were not interested in going out west this year,' Levingston said.

Prospective teams are still working on venue leasing arrangements that have to be secured before theyre granted acceptance into the league.

'The exciting part is that these cities are excited about having professional basketball because, as we know, these arenas are underutilized across the country, they just have hockey in them,' said Levingston, just back from a trip to Kingston and Oshawa, where he was working with ownership groups in both cities.

'So these arenas are being very flexible with our ownerships, which is good, and Im pretty confident that everybodyll get a lease that is good for their business model.'

The NBL season will run from late October to March.

Courtesy of http://thechronicleherald.ca

Edmonton Energy now 8-4 on the season - by Eurobasket News
Last Saturday night- Edmonton won and moved to 8-4 on the season; in front of a near capacity crowd at Lakeland College, Edmonton Energy won 139 to 129 over the Portland Chinooks; for the Edmonton Energy- Jeffrey Ferguson (210-F/C-81, agency: SportsList Inc., college: Wayne St., MI) and Troy Gottselig (203-G-87) scored 20 points apiece and Casey Crawford (206-F-87, agency: VVG Sports, college: Colorado) added 16 points. Season statistics for all of the Edmonton players (after 12 games played) can be found at the web site- www.iblhoopsonline.com.

The Edmonton Energy continues the 2011 IBL season at home- this Friday at the University of Alberta versus the West Coast Hot Shots. Tip is set for 7:30. The two teams will match up two more times- again at the University of Alberta- on Saturday at 7:30pm and on Sunday at 3pm

About the West Coast Hotshots: the West Coast Hotshots are a team similar to USA All Stars that is an 'opportunity team' for players to join to showcase their ability but unlike the USA All Stars (0-18 record), West Coast Hotshots typically recruit selectively- the team is very good and is coached by an experienced head coach in Randy Redwine. The West Coast Hotshots are 8-5 on the season and look to come into Edmonton to compete- this should be a very strong/quality series. The Hotshots have recruited these 12 players for the Edmonton series-

* Marcus Bradford- 6'4' (Columbia College) - a point Guard; after 9 games in the IBL, Bradford averages 17 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game

* Brandon Adams- 6'7' (University of Hawaii) - a forward; after 9 games in the IBL, Adams averages 15 points and 9 rebounds per game.

* Joe Posey- 6'5' (Southern Polytechnic State) - a shooting guard; after 10 games in the IBL, Posey averages 15 points per game

* Justin Murray- 6'6' (Washington State University) - a former shooting guard and three time IBL All Star, Murray shifted his game to now become a defensive minded power forward. After 8 games in the IBL, Justin Murray averages a smooth 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists but typically Murray is drawing the tough defensive assignments per game.

* NAIA All-American first team- Luke Enos - 6' 7' (Black Hills State University, an NAIA school in South Dakota)- is another forward who also starred in college; in fact, his last year in college he averaged16.4 points per game 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Enos, a native of Faith, S.D., finished his career ranked fifth all-time in scoring at Black Hills State. Enos was named the Dakota Athletic Conference Most Valuable Senior this season and earned the Dakota Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player Award in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

* NAIA All-American third team- Will John Johnson- 6' 8' (Black Hills State University, an NAIA school in South Dakota)- is a forward who in college- started for three years and recently (end of 2011 season) was named third team all NAIA D2. Johnson, from Whitewood, S.D., averaged 13.0 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game during his 2010-11 senior year in college. He is the all-time leading rebounder at Black Hills State and the only player in Black Hills State history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career.

* Ronnell Grant- 5' 11' (University of Sioux Falls) - is a point guard- who averaged 9 pts in college and recently excelled in an exposure camp, now trying to push his level of play (with this trip to Edmonton).

* Canadian- Jordan Rose- 5' 10' (Lakeland College in Lloydminster) - filled in last week for Portland in their 3rd game of a 3-game series (Rose had 10 points and was a defensive help for Portland).

* Canadian- Moe Abdallah- 6' 4' (Mount Royal University)- a shooting guard- 2 time defending Hoop it Up Champion in Calgary, outside shooter, played professionally in Lebanon 1st division, made 40% of three pointers while on that Lebanese team

* Rounding out the roster for the Hotshots are a few other players brand new to the IBL from Calgary area:

1) Amir Ashuri- 5' 10 (Queen Elizabeth High School, Alberta provincial championships) - is a guard with a quick first step and accurate mid range shot.

2) Christopher Bent- 6' 9' - played in college and averaged 9 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks per game and was the defensive player of the season- CWOSSA defensive players of the year for 2 consecutive seasons- and

3) Kane Keller- 6' 4'- played football and basketball at the CIS level but mostly football (very limited basketball resume).

And coaching the West Coast Hotshots: Randy Redwine of Seattle is the head coach and Salman Rashidian will handle assistant duties (Rashidian is building a team in Calgary over next two years, and so Rashidian is using this three game series as assistant coach- as a learning experience for his future involvement in the IBL).

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

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  CHINA   


Yao Ming: I'm motivated by daughter - by Eurobasket News
China's basketball icon, Ming Yao (226-C-80), says his baby daughter is a 'tempting' incentive for him to continue his injury-plagued career, but his injured left ankle is only 30 percent of the way to a full recovery.

'I wish she (Yao's daughter) could watch me play and even win a championship as she grows up and not only see through video highlights how her dad played before,' Yao said during a recent interview with CCTV.

The Houston Rockets' all-star center brought his one-year-old daughter, Amy, to China last month for the first time since her birth in the United States.

'She is definitely a big motivation for me to continue my role as a player, although my foot still needs lots of treatment to meet the game's demands,' said Yao, who has been sidelined by a stress fracture of his left ankle since last December.

The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) placed Yao on the national team's roster for summer training last month and still hopes to count on him at next year's London Olympics.
However, the giant stressed his future as a national representative depended on his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to repair the ankle in January.

'Walking or jogging is OK for me now, but I need to get 80 percent of my strength back to play I have got only about 30 percent at most now. I also need exhibition games to assist my recovery, not only working out alone,' said Yao, who took off his protective boot two months ago.

The uncertain status of the NBA has also made this summer a decisive one for the 30-year-old.

Yao's five-year contract with the Rockets, which is valued at $76 million, expires on June 30, and then there's also the chance of a league lockout.

Meanwhile, NBA legend Kevin McHale was hired to coach the Rockets on Thursday and he believes Houston should offer oft-injured Yao a non-guaranteed contract next season, according to a recent TV interview.

However, Yao stressed his deep emotional attachment to Houston and said he wants to stay there as long as his ankle heals properly.

'I've spent the best 10 years of my life playing and living here (Houston), the city provided me with an ideal stage to show myself and that makes it much harder to bid a farewell,' said Yao, who has played 481 games and scored 9,196 points for the Rockets since 2002.

Yao led Houston to the Western Conference semifinals in 2009, the team's best performance in the past 10 years, and he hailed that roster as 'the most competitive' he had played with.

However, his favorite lineup has fallen apart and, like other stars, he could be tempted to join a team with legitimate title aspirations.

'I don't know if I would join some champion team in the future. I don't even know if I can play again. Actually, the championship ring has become not so important in my plans. My main thought for the next 10 years is to look after my family and continue my community activities,' said Yao, who will visit Northwest China's Gansu province for charity work this week.

Whether he plays again or not, Yao's ambition is to promote the nation's basketball development.

The national team's backbone, who led the squad to a record-matching top-eight finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, wants the sport's governing body to push the game at the grassroots level, and not just invest in the top leagues and national programs.

'My biggest contribution to basketball here is that I have inspired a huge amount of love for the sport in the country,' Yao said.

Courtesy of www.chinadaily.com.cn

China Wins Three From U. S, - by Arthur Volbert
China has completed a three-game series with a team from the IBL, winning all three contests. It won the games 85-63, 70-55 and 76-60.

Five years ago this would have been an important series, as the poor quality of the Chinese style of basketball would have made the games highly competitive. But today these are just games against a practice team, similar to using a sparring partner in boxing.

China is no longer held back by an obsolete stlyle of play and its talent is far superior to that of a minor-league American professional team, several steps beneath the NBDL.

Almost everyone on the National team was given a chance to play and it is hard for me to determine exactly who are the top candidates for open slots on the final national team roster based on this series. Coach Bob Donewald has obviously formed some opinions but I am not privy to his thinking.

Chen Jianghua (188-G-89) was dismissed from the team with the reason given as his failure to entirely heal from a knee injury. Chen's fragility, if not his temperament, appear to be holding him back from ever achieving his physical potential.


Standings - NBL
NBL Standings
 1. Guangzhou FM 1-0 
 2. Ningxia Hanas 1-0 
 3. ShenYang 1-0 
 4. Sichuan 1-0 
 5. Whampoa 1-0 
 6. Changan Group 0-1 
 7. Hangzhou 0-1 
 8. Hebei 0-1 
 9. Heilongjiang 0-1 
 10. Jiangsu 0-1 


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  CYPRUS   


Transfer news - by Chris Mammides
B.M.C. AEK Larnacas succeeded two very important transfers earlier this week. The American Cypriot veteran center JoJo Garcia (206-C-75, college: UTEP) after two seasons with the team of Keravnos Strovolou agreed financial terms with the team of Head Coach Nikolas Papadopoulos and will be player of AEK for the season 2011-2012. Further to the specific transfer another one took place as the experienced Serbian Forward Marko Kandic (203-F-79) will also be wearing the jersey of B.M.C. AEK Larnacas after a break of three seasons.

The champion team of Etha Engomis agreed financial terms with the ex player of Omonia Alexandros Georgiadis (194-F-79) while the Engomis team is very close to renew the contract of the point guard Thomas Massamba (185-G-85) for another one season. Lastly, the experienced Giorgos Anastasiadis (194-G/F-77) renew his contract with the champions for another one season as it was expected.

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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


NBL Round 5 of Finals: CEZ Nymburk needed overtime to take 3-2 over BK Prostejov - by Eurobasket News
CEZ Nymburk - BK Prostejov 86-84 OT

NBL Round 5 of Finals: CEZ Nymburk needed overtime to take 3-2 over BK Prostejov. The latter was trailing by 1 point at halftime but managed to get 6-point lead after three quarters before a 28-22 charge of CEZ Nymburk, which allowed them to win the game. CEZ Nymburk outrebounded BK Prostejov 52-34 including a 26-10 advantage in defensive rebounds. 25 personal fouls committed by BK Prostejov helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American guard Chester Simmons (198-82, college: Washington) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. International power forward Petr Benda (203-82, agency: Court Side) contributed with 15 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. American guard Eugene Lawrence (184-86, college: St.John's) answered with 19 points and 7 assists and Canadian forward Kyle Landry (206-86, college: N.Arizona) added 18 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for BK Prostejov. Five BK Prostejov players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
CEZ Nymburk: C.Simmons 21+6reb+4ast, A.Nissim 16+3reb+3ast, P.Benda 15+9reb+2ast, L.Sokolovsky 10+3reb+1ast, R.Necas 7+12reb+2ast, M.Lenzly 7+6reb+1ast
BK Prostejov: E.Lawrence 19+4reb+7ast, K.Landry 18+8reb, B.Veikalas 17+8reb+1ast, B.Cadri-Nicholson 14+6reb, A.Slezas 10+2reb+1ast, D.Marek 6+3reb+3ast
gschID: 129660




Stats Leaders - NBL
Points Per Game
 Terry SMITH
  BC Kolin
  (185-G-86)
  Avg: 17.4
 1. Smith, BC Kolin17.4 
 2. Landry, BK Prost.15.2 
 3. Houska, BK Decin15.1 
 4. Simmons, CEZ N.14.7 
 5. Horak, Svitavy14.7 
 6. Hatcher, BK Decin14.5 
 7. Sedmak, Basketbo.14.3 
 8. Blazek, B&W Opava14.0 
 9. Veikalas, BK Prost.13.9 
 10. Kotas, USK Praha13.7 
Rebounds Per Game
 Boris MENO
  Basketbo.
  (203-F-83)
  Avg: 10.4
 1. Meno, Basketbo.10.4 
 2. Landry, BK Prost.8.6 
 3. Houska, BK Decin8.6 
 4. Arnold, BK Pardu.7.7 
 5. Burke, NH Ostrava7.6 
 6. Spagrud, NH Ostra.7.3 
 7. Frana, Plzen7.1 
 8. Kramny, Svitavy6.9 
 9. Gadri, BK Prostejov6.7 
 10. Klimes, USK Praha6.7 
Assists Per Game
 Stepan VRUBL
  Plzen
  (186-G-76)
  Avg: 6
 1. Vrubl, Plzen6.0 
 2. Lawrence, BK Prost.5.4 
 3. Jones, BC Kolin3.8 
 4. Carnecky, B&W O.3.7 
 5. Hatcher, BK Decin3.5 
 6. Kotas, USK Praha3.4 
 7. Sanders, BK Decin3.3 
 8. Maio, Basketbo.2.9 
 9. Macela, Svitavy2.7 
 10. Channels, Novy Ji.2.7 
Steals Per Game
 Lukas KOTAS
  USK Praha
  (194-F-84)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Kotas, USK Praha1.9 
 2. Wright, BK Pardu.1.8 
 3. Smith, BC Kolin1.7 
 4. Holloway, Basket.1.7 
 5. Sirina, B&W Opava1.6 
 6. Landry, BK Prost.1.6 
 7. Hampton, BK Pardu.1.5 
 8. Lawrence, BK Prost.1.5 
 9. Hatcher, BK Decin1.4 
 10. Vrubl, Plzen1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Martin MIKLOSIK
  B&W O.
  (226-C-86)
  Avg: 1.2
 1. Miklosik, B&W O.1.2 
 2. Trybanski, NH Os.1.2 
 3. Gadri, BK Prostejov0.9 
 4. Kramny, Svitavy0.9 
 5. Meno, Basketbo.0.8 
 6. Houska, BK Decin0.8 
 7. Bjegovic, USK Praha0.7 
 8. Pelikan, Novy Jicin0.7 
 9. Miles, BC Kolin0.7 
 10. Benda, CEZ Nymbu.0.6 


*****************************************************
  DENMARK   


Denmark U20 comes back from Nordic Championship - by Eurobasket News
Denmark U20 comes back from Nordic Championship without victories. After the loss from Norway in the opener, Denmark lost to Sweden and Finland in two other days.
In Day 2 Finland U20 outscored Denmark U20 86:55. It was an easy start for the home team that finished the first period with 22-13. Moreover Finland added 24-11 to taste 47:24 halftime advantage. The third and the last quarters also belonged to the hosts that ensured their first win. Carl Lindbom (204-F-91) poured in 24 points and Sasu Salin (190-G-91) scored 16. Thomas Laerke (193-G/F-91) erupted with 30 points in the losing effort.
In Day 3 Sweden rolled over Denmark 86:50 to clinch the title. The winners started with 201-12 in the first period and never looked behind after. Moreover they added the victories in the second and the third periods, but Denmark managed to win the last frame 14-13. Alexander Lindqvist (202-F-91) stepped up with 19 points and Christoffer Czerapovicz added 17. Thomas Laerke ended up with 18 points in defeat.


Vaerlose add Peter Simonsen, keep Axel Karason - by Eurobasket News
Vaerlose have strengthened their backcourt for the next season. They signed a deal with Peter Simonsen (185-G/F-88). The contract is meant for three seasons. Peter Simonson spent the previous season in Amager. He averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game. It was the sixth straight season for Simonsen with Amager.
In the meantime Vaerlose agreed on terms of contract extension with Axel Karason (193-F-83). The Icelandic forward inked a three-year deal with the team. Axel Karason joined Vaerlose at the start of the season. He averaged 7.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in Ligaen. Previously Axel Karason played for Tindastoll and Skallagrimur in Icelandic Express League.


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


Knicks and Erie BayHawks of D-League enter single affiliation partnership - by Eurobasket News
The Erie BayHawks, the New York Knicks and the NBA Development League announced today that the Knicks and BayHawks have entered into a single affiliation partnership beginning with the 2011-12 season. The Knicks will be the BayHawks sole NBA affiliate and will have control over the teams basketball operations.

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

The Knicks are the third NBA team to enter into a hybrid affiliation with an NBA D-League team, joining the Houston Rockets, with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and the New Jersey Nets, with the Springfield Armor. The other NBA teams with lone NBA D-League affiliates are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, who fully own and operate the Tulsa 66ers and Austin Toros, respectively, and the Dallas Mavericks with the Texas Legends. The Knicks partnership with Erie comes on the heels of the NBA D-Leagues 10th and most successful season, while 23 percent of all NBA players have used the NBA D-League as a launching pad.

The New York Knicks single affiliation partnership with the Erie BayHawks marks yet another positive step forward in the NBA D-Leagues continued evolution as the NBAs official minor league, said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. Were very excited to have the Knicks join a growing number of NBA teams who are realizing the benefits of a one-to-one relationship with their NBA D-League affiliate.

Knicks Assistant General Manager Allan Houston (6'6''-G-71, college: Tennessee) was appointed BayHawks General Manager, Basketball Operations by Knicks President, Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh.

The opportunity to have this new agreement with the Erie BayHawks and the NBA D-League is very exciting for the New York Knicks, Houston said. The impact of the NBA D-League continues to grow, and we look forward to this partnership.

The BayHawks were previously affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. Their new NBA D-League affiliates will be announced at a later date.

The entire Erie BayHawks organization appreciates all that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors did to help us launch and become a successful NBA D-League team, and we are thrilled to begin a single affiliation with the New York Knicks, said Erie Majority Owner and Managing Partner Steve Demetriou. This hybrid relationship will further strengthen our franchise as the Knicks focus on overseeing the basketball operations, while team president Matt Bresee and his talented staff continue to grow the business side of the Erie BayHawks.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

*****************************************************
  EUROLEAGUE   


Pete Mickeal is set to stay with Regal Barcelona - by Eurobasket News
Pete Mickeal (199-F-78, college: Cincinnati) has reportedly agreed with Barcelona on terms of two-year contract extension. The 33-year-old forward joined the team back in 2009. This season Pete Mickeal averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in Euroleague. In ACB his stats read 15.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per appearance. The forward however missed the bigger part of the season because of an injury. Pete Mickeal was named into Eurobasket.com All-Europe 2nd Team in 2010. He was also trumped All-ULEB Cup Player of the Year back in 2005 while playing for Kozani from Greece. Pete Mickeal had stints in IBL, ABA, Philippines, Greece, Russia, South Korea and Spain. The forward was Euroleague, Cope del Rey and ACB champion. He also triumphed in ACB SuperCup twice.


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


Espoo closed the International tournament - by Eurobasket News
Espoo closed the International tournament for U20 teams as Finland finished second with 2-1 record behind Sweden.
In Day 2 Finland U20 outscored Denmark U20 86:55. It was an easy start for the home team that finished the first period with 22-13. Moreover Finland added 24-11 to taste 47:24 halftime advantage. The third and the last quarters also belonged to the hosts that ensured their first win. Carl Lindbom (204-F-91) poured in 24 points and Sasu Salin (190-G-91) scored 16. Thomas Laerke erupted with 30 points in the losing effort.
In Day 3 Finland U20 overcame Norway U20 84:63. The hosts started the game with 29-17 and added 21-15 in the second period. The squads exchanged the victories in the second that brought the second win for the hosts. Mikael Sandberg (209-C-91) and Carl Lindbom led the way with 14 points each, while Kilian Cato (201-F/C-92) scored 13. Karamo Jawara (198-F-91) posted 16 in defeat, while Magnus Engen (188-F-91) netted 15.


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


Nantes bring in David Ramseyer and Mahamadou Drame - by Eurobasket News
Nantes signed deals with two players. They landed David Ramseyer (200-F-87) and Mahamadou Drame (186-G-86).
Mahamadou Drame started the previous season in Clermont. The 24-year-old guard averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in ProB. Mahamadou Drame left the team in February. Earlier the guard had stints with Levallois, Saint Vallier, Lausanne and Aix-Maurienne.
David Ramseyer played for Antibes last season. The 24-year-old forward tallied 10.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per appearance in ProB. Previously David Ramseyer played for Roanne U21 team, Chalons-en-Champagne and Aix-Maurienne. David Ramseyer made it into Eurobasket.com French ProB All-Newcomers Team in 2010.


Jeremiah Wood is newcomer in Evreux - by Eurobasket News
Evreux continued to work hard at the market. Shortly after announcing Austen Rowland (186-G-81, agency: Court Side, college: Lehigh) and Lahaou Konate (196-G-91) the French Pro B side landed another player. Evreux have agreed on terms of contract with Jeremiah Wood (200-F-85, agency: Court Side). The 26-year-old power forward spent the last three seasons in Finland. Last season Jeremiah Wood was among the best performers in Korisliiga. He tallied 20.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game for Karhu Kauhajoki. The forward was named Eurobasket.com All-Finnish Korisliiga Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. In 2010 Jeremiah Wood was trumped All-Finnish Korisliiga Player of the Year. Jeremiah Wood participated at Cleveland Am-Pro League as well as Hoops Kentucky Pro Am Tournament in 2009. The forward graduated from Akron University in 2008 while making it into All-MAC 2nd Team.


Rodrigue Mels joins Chalons-Reims - by Eurobasket News
Chalon-Reims ensured the strengthening of their backcourt. The team has agreed on terms of contract with Rodrigue Mels (190-G-85, agency: Court Side, college: Cal.St. Northridge). The 26-year-old guard spent the previous season in Greece. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game for AEK Athens. Rodrigue Mels played for French U16 and U18 National Teams. He also had stints with Cholet and Nancy.


France prevail against Turkey in Poissy - by Eurobasket News
France U20 - Turkey U20 58:47

French U20 selection outscored their Turkish counterparts in the first clash of three-game exhibition series in France. The first game was held in Poissy and the hosts rolled to a comfortable win at the end. Evan Fournier (198-G/F-92) stepped up with 13 points to pace the charge.
France opened the game with eight points in a row. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the opening frame and recorded a 16:7 advantage at the first break. Aboudou Jordan (196-F-91) hit a three-pointer to give Les Bleus a 28:8 lead midway through the second stanza. France eased to a 40:21 advantage at the interval. The hosts kept Turkey at bay throughout the third term. France entered the final quarter up by 21 points 52:31. Turkey tipped off the final term on a 10:2 rally to cut the deficit. The visitors managed to get within 11 points but never seriously threatened the margin. Louis Labeyrie (208-C-92) accounted for 9 points, while Aboudou Jordan and Vincent Pourchot (220-C-92) had 8 points each in the win. Dusan Cantekin (222-C-90, agency: Beo Basket) answered with 14 points for Turkey. Furkan Aldemir (205-F-91) posted 12 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

France U20: Evan Fournier 13, Louis Labeyrie 9, Aboudou Jordan 8, Vincent Pourchot 8
Turkey U20: Dusan Cantekin 14, Furkan Aldemir 12


Ludovic Chelle joins Rouen - by Eurobasket News
Rouen signed contract with Ludovic Chelle (185-G-83). The 28-year-old guard spent the previous season with Evreux. He averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Earlier Ludovic Chelle had spells for Antibes, Paris Racing, Roanne, Bourg Basket and Nantes. Ludovic Chelle played for Mali at 2009 African Championship. The guard notched 11.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game in Libya.


Adolphe Michel Jean-Baptiste extends with Chalon - by Eurobasket News
Chalon renewed the contract of Adolphe Michel Jean-Baptiste (205-C-79). The sides agreed on terms of two-year contract extension. The 31-year-old centre joined Chalon at the start of the season. He averaged 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Previously Adolphe Michel Jean-Baptiste spent four seasons in Levallois. The centre was named Eurobasket.com All-French ProB Newcomer of the Year back in 2007.


ASVEL hires Pierre Vincent as new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News
As expected, ASVEL hired Pierre Vincent as the new Head Coach. He will succeed Nordine Ghrib at the ASVEL's bench. Vincent arrives from the women team Bourges. He worked with Bourges since 2004 and managed to win three LFB titles with them. He also helped the club win French Cup in 2006 and was named Eurobasket.com All-French LFB Coach of the Year -06, 07, 08, 11. Before Bourges, Pierre Vincent worked with CEP Poitiers and French U18 National Team (men). Since 2008 he is a Head Coach of the French women's NT. It is also important to mention that Bourges reached Euroleague Quarterfinals three times and Semifinals twice under Vincent.
ASVEL finished the regular season in ProA as No.6 with 17-13 record. The eliminated Chalon in the Quarterfinals (2-1), but failed against Nancy in the Semis (1-2).

The first exposure camp in Fos-sur-Mer - by Romain Brusc
The first exposure camp in France took place in Fos-sur-Mer the last week-end. Around forty players took part in workouts and matches. The majority of them was French players who were trained locally, but there was also American and Canadian players. 'This first edition was a success, said Christophe Samat, director of the society Overtime. A lot of coaches came to the camp. I can assure you that a second edition will be organized next year.' Several players would probably be contacted by French clubs of ProB and NM1 and by Swiss clubs. The website of the camp is www.overtimeexposurecamp.com

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


Jared Jordan Returns To The Telekom Baskets Bonn - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Jared Jordan (188-G-84, college: Marist) who gives the basketball term, pass first and shoot second a new meaning is returning back to German soil as he will go back to the Rhine river and play for The Telekom Baskets Bonn where he played in the 2009-2010 season. In his first stint with Bonn, he played : 37 games: 9.0ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-4 (5.3apg), FGP: 43.4%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 76.8%. He also played EuroCup: 5 games: 6.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.4apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 10.5%, FT: 80.0%. Jordan is a 26 year old 187 cm guard from Hartford that is a pure PG who understands how to run a team. Has great court vision and leadership, finished his last college season as the NCAA assists leader (8.7 per game). Last season, he played in Greece for VAP Kolossos Rodou (Greece-A1, starting five): 27 games: 6.3ppg, 2.6rpg, Assists-1 (5.5apg), FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 56.0%. 'We never lost contact to Jared. We wnated to have aguy that first thinks about his teammates and keeps his cool in critical phases. He knows when he has to finish himself, but he is more a classical passer. He knows how I like to play and and what is expected of him in Bonn. He wants to play successful and with a small ego, but having the winner mentality and he fits perfect to us', stressed Telekom Baskets Bonn head coach Michael Koch .

Jordan played at Marist from 2003-2007 and in his senior year played 33 games: ScoreMAAC-5 (17.2ppg), RebMAAC-10 (5.9rpg), AssistsNCAA-1 (8.7apg), StealsMAAC-4 (1.4spg), FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 69.0%: Finished as Marist's all-time leader in assists (813) and ranks sixth all-time in points (1,538).He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers (NBA,2rd (45) in 2007. In 2007-2008, he played for New York Knicks (NBA), only pre-seson, in Dec.'07 moved to Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (Lithuania-LKL): Lithuanian League: 18 games: 5.9ppg, 1.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.2%, FT: 75.0%, 3PT: 45.0%; Baltic League (Elite): 10 games: 6.0ppg, 1.8rpg, Assists-4 (4.4apg), 1.9spg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 53.8%; Euroleague: 11 games: 1.0ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for New Orleans Hornets (NBA), only pre-season, in Dec.'08 moved to Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League): 36 games: 10.9ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-2 (9.0apg), 2.0spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 70.3%, waived in Jan.'09, returned in Feb.09. Awards and achievements in his basketball career have been All-MAAC 3rd Team -05, All-MAAC 1st Team -06, 07, MAAC Tournament Semifinals -06, 07, USBWA All-NCAA District II Team -06, NABC All-NCAA District 2 1st Team -07, MAAC Regular Season Champion -07, MAAC All-Tournament Team -07, All-MAAC Player of the Year -07, Lithuanian Cup Finalist -08, Baltic League Finalist -08, Baltic League Regular Season Champion -08, Lithuanian League Finalist -08, Lithuanian League Regular Season Champion -08, and Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Honorable Mention -10.

Source: Telekom Baskets Bonn

EnBW Ludwigsburg keep Zavackas - by Eurobasket News
EnBW Ludwigsburg keep Donatas Zavackas (203-F-80, college: Pittsburgh) for another season. The Lithuanian Forward averaged 12.5 points per game this season.
Before heading to Germany, Donatas Zavackas played for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (LKL, starting five). In Euroleague he averaged 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 82.6%, while in Baltic League his stats read 9.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 82.2%. In Lithuanian League after 29 games Donatas Zavackas showed 9.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT-1 (55.7%), FT: 84.1%.
In his top game this season EnBW Ludwigsburg overcame Phoenix Hagen 100:92 at the Regular Season Round 24. Phoenix Hagen was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. EnBW Ludwigsburg made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Lithuanian forward Donatas Zavackas who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and American guard Jerry Green who added 18 points and 6 assists during the contest.


Baskets Akademie/OTB lands NCAA D3 Player of the Year - by Moritz Korff
Regionalliga North side Baskets Akademie Weser-Ems/Oldenburger TB has completed the signing of Michael Taylor (193-G-87), the reigning D3hoops.com Player of the Year. The 24-year-old guard played only one year of NCAA Division 3 ball, but certainly left his mark during the months he was suiting up for the Pirates of Whitworth College. Taylor received NCAA D3 2010-11 Player of the Year honors by D3hoops.com and made the All-America First Team (both D3hoops.com and NABC). He appeared in 30 games for the D3 powerhouse from Spokane, Washington and produced outstanding numbers for the Pirates, averaging 20.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest, while nailing 52.8% of his shots from beyond the arc and hitting 88.4% from the free throw line.
The native of Wenatchee, Washington began his college career at Eastern Washington (NCAA1) and transfered to the University of Montana following his freshman year. As a junior Taylor scored 4.2 points per contest for the Grizzlies, before moving on to Whitworth.

ALBA ties the Final series - by Eurobasket News
ALBA - Brose Baskets 80-71

ALBA ties the Final series beating the Winner of the Regular Season. Brose Baskets were tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. ALBA Berlin made 22-of-24 free shots (91.7 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Brose Baskets helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The best player for the winners was American guard Julius Jenkins (187-81, college: Georgia Southern, agency: Pro One Sports) who scored 23 points and 4 steals. Serbian center Miroslav Raduljica (213-88) chipped in 17 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). American swingman Casey Jacobsen (198-81, college: Stanford) produced 16 points (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line) and his fellow American import guard Brian Roberts (188-85) added 16 points respectively for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
ALBA: J.Jenkins 23+4reb+2ast, M.Raduljica 17+2reb, T.Rochestie 7+2reb+3ast, Y.Idbihi 7+3reb+1ast, H.Schaffartzik 6+6reb+1ast, D.Allen 6+8reb+2ast
Brose Baskets: B.Roberts 16+1reb+3ast, C.Jacobsen 16+4reb+2ast, P.Suput 12+2reb+2ast, T.Pleiss 8+10reb+2ast, R.Terry 7+3reb+1ast, A.Gavel 7+3reb+3ast
gschID: 129650




Stats Leaders - 1.Bundesliga
Points Per Game
 DaShaun WOOD
  Dt.
  (185-G-85)
  Avg: 19
 1. Wood, Dt.19.0 
 2. Rice, Art.Dragons17.2 
 3. Bell, Phoenix Hagen16.5 
 4. Harris, EnBW L.16.0 
 5. Ross, MBC15.9 
 6. Martin, Bremerha.15.4 
 7. Dorris, Phoenix15.3 
 8. Benzing, Ratio.15.1 
 9. Callahan, Bremerha.14.8 
 10. Bryant, Ratiopharm14.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 John BRYANT
  Ratiopharm
  (208-C-87)
  Avg: 10.9
 1. Bryant, Ratiopharm10.9 
 2. Ensminger, Teleko.8.1 
 3. Reiner, Bayreuth7.8 
 4. Watts, Walter T.7.6 
 5. Martin, Bremerha.7.1 
 6. Burtschi, Phoenix6.9 
 7. Anderson, Goett.6.9 
 8. Stevic, EWE B.6.8 
 9. Pleiss, Brose B.6.7 
 10. Ovcina, LTi 46ers6.6 
Assists Per Game
 Branislav RATKOVICA
  Walter T.
  (193-G-85)
  Avg: 7.4
 1. Ratkovica, Walter7.4 
 2. Wood, Dt.5.9 
 3. Joyce, TBB Trier5.5 
 4. Rice, Art.Dragons5.1 
 5. Brewer, Bremerha.4.7 
 6. Green, EnBW L.4.6 
 7. Hamilton, NY Phant.4.3 
 8. Jordan, MBC4.3 
 9. Goldsberry, Brose4.0 
 10. Copeland, Bremerh.4.0 
Steals Per Game
 Kevin HAMILTON
  NY Phant.
  (193-G-84)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Hamilton, NY Phant.1.9 
 2. Everett, Bremerha.1.8 
 3. Martin, Bremerha.1.7 
 4. Pryor, Phoenix1.5 
 5. Bailey, Goettingen1.5 
 6. Ross, MBC1.5 
 7. Burtschi, Phoenix1.5 
 8. Dorris, Phoenix1.4 
 9. Bailey, Art.Dragons1.4 
 10. Gill, EWE Baskets1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Ekene IBEKWE
  Art.Drag.
  (206-F-85)
  Avg: 2.4
 1. Ibekwe, Art.Drag.2.4 
 2. Pleiss, Brose B.1.6 
 3. Bryant, Ratiopharm1.5 
 4. Ibekwe, Bayreuth1.4 
 5. Hines, Brose B.1.2 
 6. Seward, Phoenix1.1 
 7. Brempong, Duesseld.1.1 
 8. Boumtje, Art.Drag.1.0 
 9. Goree, NY Phantoms1.0 
 10. Denison, Bremerha.0.9 


Wayne Bernard (MBC) Bamberg Has To Control Albas Athletic Guards And Forwards When It Comes To Rebounds And Guard Penetration - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Wayne Bernard (190-G-81, agency: Interperformances, college: Davidson) is a 29 year old 180 cm guard from San Diego that just completed his third season with MBC. He played at Davidson in North Carolina from 1999-2003. His best season was his senior year where he played 27 games averaging 15.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 5.4apg. In 2003, he became a professional coming to Europe to play for Maccabi Ironi Ramat Gan (Israel-Premier L.) playing 10 games and averaging 14.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.5apg, 2.4spg, but got waived and finished the season in Greece for Ilysiakos Athens playing 8 games and averaging 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg. In 2004-2005, he played for Norrkoping Dolphins in Sweden playing 30 games and averaging 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.2apg, Steals-3 (2.2spg), FGP: 40.7%, 3-Pts: 30.5%. In 2005-2006, he played for Etoile Charleville-Mezires (France-ProB) playing 34 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 75.7%, and during the season moved to ESPE Chalons-en-Champagne Basket Pro (France-ProB). In 2006-2007, he played for ESPE Chalons-en-Champagne Basket Pro (France-ProB), French League playing 18 games and averaging 10.4ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 37.7%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 70.6%; , but left in January 2007 and then joined Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 11 games and averaging 14.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 84.4%. In 2007-2008, he stayed with Kouvot Kouvola playing 47 games and averaging 16.3ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.5apg, 2.2spg, FGP-3 (62.0%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 78.8%. In 2008-2009, he came to Germany to MBC playing 30 games and averaging 14.4ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 56.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 80.4%. He earned 2009 PRO A player of the year honours. In 2009-2010, he played 34 games: 8.6ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5 (1.5spg), FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 80.8%.Last season, he played 34 games averaging 11,1ppg, 3,1rpg and 1,8apg. He spoke to eurobasket about the 2011 beko BBl final between Bamberg and Alba Berlin

The Brose Baskets Bamberg beat The Artland Dragons 3-2 to reach the final. Were you surprised that Bamberg had to go the distance?

I was surprised that Bamberg had to go the distance, but I also knew that some team would catch on to their style of play in the playoffs. Artland did a good job of adjusting, but couldn't hold on for that extra win.

Alba Berlin beat The Deutsche Bank Skyliners 3-2 where no team was able to win at home. How crazy is that and what does that say about the mental toughness of both teams on the road?

I am very shocked that neither team won at home, especially since both of those gyms are hard to play in. It does say something about mental toughness, but I dont know what. Is it that both teams were mentally tough to play and win in the visitior's gym? Or did both teams struggle mentally and not keep their composure while they a home game? Haha. Two sides to every coin.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg meet Alba Berlin in the finals. What kind of series can we expect and will this go the distance?


I think the Bamberg/Alba series will be a good one, as with most finals in the BBL. I expect a long, hard-fought series which will be exciting to watch.

Alba Berlin lost both games during the regular season including losing by 52 points in Bamberg. How much will that still be on the minds of Alba Berlin.

Since Alba lost both games to Bamberg during the season, I expect them to come out fighting hard. I think their pride won't let them feel relaxed about that. And Bamberg will definitely want to continue their undefeated record against Alba this year, which is why I see an intense matchup for the finals.

Both teams have very good guard play, but does the advantage still go to Bamberg on account of their experience and having played together longer whereas with Alba you had guys like Taylor Rochestie and Heiko Schaffartzik coming late in the season?

I don't think that the late additions of Rochestie and Schaffartzik will have an impact on how Alba plays. Even though they both came in late, I think the team has played long enough with them and has adjusted to their style of play. If they have made it this far, then it isn't a problem.

Both teams also have very good forward play. Who has the edge and could the key matchup in this series be Predrag Suput-Derrick Allen?


When it comes to forward play, I don't think either team has the edge. It just depends on the day. Its hard to ay which positions are the keymatchups because both teams have weapons all across floor. I think the biggest factor will be rebounding, especially offensively.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg play a controlled offense with possibily the best ball movement in the beko BBL and their defense belongs to the best in the league, while Alba Berlin plays faster, less predictable and with changing defenses. What will be key for Alba Berlin/Bamberg to win this series?

The key for Alba to win will be defense. Bamberg has many weapons on the floor at all times so it will be important to not take any defensive plays off for them. For Bamberg, I think they must be sure to control Alba's athletic guards and forwards, especially when it comes to rebounds and guard-penetration.

Shaq announced his retirement. What was your favorite Shaq moment while he was in the NBA?


Its hard to say which is my favorite shaq moment. But I would have to say I enjoyed watching every single one of his interviews. The NBA has never seen somebody whose on-the-court and off-the-court abilities coupled together were unmatched by any other athlete.

Scottie Pippen stated that Lebron James is better than Michael Jordan. What is your take on this statement?

I agree with Stephen A. Smith that Scottie Pippen should be banned from Chicago. I dont care what anyone says, Lebron is not the greatest, and is not close to being the greatest player to ever play the game. Until he gets a ring or two away from Jordan's 6, THEN people can begin to compare. You can say he has the potential to become the greatest player, or you can even say he is the most athletic to ever play. But as of right now he is FAR from being the best player. The purpose of competing at the NBA level (or any level) is to win championships. Lebron has none. If Lebron ever wins a few championships, then you can compare the actual seasonal statistics between the two. But until then, MJ sits atop with the throne

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?


I cant remember the last DVD I saw. I don't think I watched a DVD in the last few months. I've just been to the theater a couple times. I was in Germany and didn't get a chance to see this movie called Limitless in the theaters, so I'll be waiting for that to come out on DVD.

Thanks Wayne for the chat.

*****************************************************
  GREECE   


Stats Leaders - A1
Points Per Game
 Steven SMITH
  Panellinios
  (203-F-83)
  Avg: 16.7
 1. Smith, Panellinios16.7 
 2. Marshall, PAOK16.5 
 3. Baxter, Ilysiakos15.9 
 4. Palacio, Kavala15.6 
 5. Kalathis, VAP K.14.3 
 6. Dikoudis, AEK14.1 
 7. Thompson, Ikaros14.1 
 8. Kiritsis, Ilysiakos13.9 
 9. Harris, Ikaros13.7 
 10. King, Peristeri GS13.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 Cedric SIMMONS
  Kavala
  (206-F/C-86)
  Avg: 10
 1. Simmons, Kavala10.0 
 2. Thompson, Ikaros8.8 
 3. Bagaric, Marousi8.2 
 4. Kalathis, VAP K.8.1 
 5. Smith, Panellinios7.7 
 6. Papadopoulos, PAOK7.5 
 7. Tucker, Aris7.1 
 8. Looby, Peristeri GS7.0 
 9. Bourousis, Olympia.6.6 
 10. Dawson, Ilysiakos6.6 
Assists Per Game
 Jared JORDAN
  VAP K.
  (188-G-84)
  Avg: 5.5
 1. Jordan, VAP K.5.5 
 2. Spanoulis, Olympia.5.2 
 3. Teodosic, Olympiak.4.7 
 4. Diamantidis, Panat.4.4 
 5. Karydas, Ilysiakos4.0 
 6. Palacio, Kavala3.8 
 7. Papaloukas, Olymp.3.8 
 8. Xanthopoulos, Pane.3.7 
 9. Gagaloudis, Marousi3.5 
 10. Kojadinovic, Maro.3.3 
Steals Per Game
 Jimmy BAXTER
  Ilysiakos
  (198-G-80)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Baxter, Ilysiakos1.8 
 2. Karydas, Ilysiakos1.8 
 3. Anderson, Panionios1.7 
 4. Xanthopoulos, Pane.1.7 
 5. Marshall, PAOK1.5 
 6. Papaloukas, Olymp.1.5 
 7. Papamakarios, Pane.1.5 
 8. Palacio, Kavala1.4 
 9. Kiritsis, Ilysiakos1.4 
 10. Petrovic-S., Irak.1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Dalibor BAGARIC
  Marousi
  (217-C-80)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Bagaric, Marousi1.9 
 2. Simmons, Kavala1.8 
 3. Thompson, Ikaros1.3 
 4. Looby, Peristeri GS1.1 
 5. Bourousis, Olympia.1.1 
 6. Dunston, Aris0.9 
 7. Nesterovic, Olymp.0.9 
 8. Dozier, PAOK0.8 
 9. Harissis, VAP K.0.8 
 10. Gechevski, PAOK0.7 


A1: Third place belongs to PAOK - by Eurobasket News
Third place, Game 5: PAOK - Aris 63-56 (3-2)

PAOK is No.3 in Greece and they will complete in Euroleague next season. PAOK outplayed Aris 63-56 in fifth crucial game winning the series with 3-2. Aris trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 20-16 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 56-63 at the end of the game. PAOK dominated on the defensive end, holding Aris to just 5 points in first quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 44 of its points in the paint compared to Aris' 24. American forward Robert Dozier (206-F-85, college: Memphis) fired a double-double by scoring 17 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. American-Guyanese guard Rawle Marshall (201-G-82, college: Oakland) in 20 points. The former international forward Christos Tapoutos (208-F-82) produced a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and American guard Bobby Brown (188-G-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Cal.St. Fullerton) added 14 points respectively for lost side.
PAOK finished regular season as No.3 with 16-10 record. They eliminated Kavala in the Quarterfinals (2-0), but failed against Panathinaikos in the Semis (0-3).

Aris: C.Tapoutos 20+10reb, B.Brown 14+1reb+3ast, K.Sloukas 10+4reb+1ast, A.King 6+5reb+1ast, B.Winters 3+2reb, E.Bavcic 3+7reb
PAOK: R.Marshall 20+2reb, R.Dozier 17+18reb+3ast, T.Gechevski 12+3reb+2ast, M.Giannakidis 5+5reb+1ast, D.Christmas 3+4reb, D.Stiggers 3+4reb+1ast

*****************************************************
  HUNGARY   


VASAS dominance in the Domestic Youth Basketball - by Balazs Radics
Vasas Euroleasing won the Budapest Championship in every agegroup category they were participated (U11, U12, U14, U16) and had similar success at Countrywide level. If the favourite U11 team claims the title VASAS will be the Hungarian Champion in 3 out of the 4 age category (the U12 team was only winning silver)! This unique success is despite of the Club philosophy, that the focus is not on winning games, none of the teams using such tactical components which is diverse to the program of the technical director Saeed Armaghani . In the center of his program are individual skills and agressive defence!
Well done for VASAS by now, and all hope the successfull program continues on the adult and international level too..


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


Edmonton Energy now 8-4 on the Season - by John Gary
courtesy oursportscentral.com Last saturday night, Edmonton won and moved to 8-4 on the season in front of a near capacity crowd at Lakeland College, The Edmonton Energy won 139-129 over the Portland Chinooks: for the EDmonton Energy Jeffrey Ferguson and Try Gottselig scored 20 points apiece and Casey Crawford added 16 points;season statistics for all of the EDmonton players after 12 games played,can be found at www.iblhoopsonline.com. The Edmonton Energy continues the 2011 IBL season at home this friday at the University of Alberta versus the West Coast Hot Shots. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm. The two teams will match up two more times again at the University of Alberta on Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Standings
IBL Standings
Continental Division
 1. Bellingham S. 11-5 
 2. Vancouver V. 10-4 
 3. W.C. Hotshots 8-5 
 4. Olympia R. 5-8 
 5. L.Angeles L. 0-1 
 6. USA All-Stars 0-18 
International Division
 1. Albany L. 12-3 
 2. Kankakee S. 10-4 
 3. Gary Splash 10-6 
 4. Edmonton E. 8-4 
 5. Oregon W. 5-9 
Branding Team
 1. Dayton A. 3-0 
 2. Lansing C. 2-5 
 3. Las Vegas P. 0-1 
 4. Phoenix R. 0-3 
 5. Lake Co. 0-4 
 6. Ohio H.G. 0-4 


*****************************************************
  ICELAND   


Latest signing in Iceland Express League - by Siggi Hjorleifsson
Njardvik have sign their two import players for upcoming season.
Travis Holmes (193-G, agency: Strategic Sports, college: VMI) graduate out of VMI in Big South Conference has sign with the Club. Also Njardvik has sign Chris Sprinker (205-C/F, college: Cent.Washington) from Division 2 College Central Washington
Njardvik lost five Icelandic players from last season roster. Fridrik Stefanson and Pall Kristinson quit playing. Egill Jonasson has not deside yet what he will do. Gudmundur Jonsson went to Thor Thorlakshofn, the new team in top league. Johann Arni Olafsson sign with Grindavik.
Tindastoll has sign one import player 6'3' guard Eryk Watson (190-G, college: Maryville, TN) from Division 3 College Maryville in Tennessee
Olafur Torfason from Thor Akureyri has sign with Snaefell

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


Stats Leaders - Lega2
Points Per Game
 Trent WHITING
  Aget Imola
  (185-G-76)
  Avg: 22.4
 1. Whiting, Aget Imola22.4 
 2. Robinson, Trenkwal.19.7 
 3. Crispin, Barcellona19.6 
 4. Gordon, Forli19.5 
 5. Ebi, Aget Imola19.2 
 6. Goldwire, Forli19.1 
 7. Jackson, Prima Ver.18.8 
 8. Clark, Umana Reyer18.1 
 9. Forte, Tuscany PT17.9 
 10. Marigney, Assigeco17.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Ndudi EBI
  Aget Imola
  (206-F-84)
  Avg: 9.2
 1. Ebi, Aget Imola9.2 
 2. Filloy, Immobili.9.1 
 3. Varnado, Tuscany8.9 
 4. Boykin, Assigeco8.1 
 5. Dickens, San Seve.8.0 
 6. Waleskowski, Tezen.7.9 
 7. Johnson, San Seve.7.8 
 8. Gordon, Forli7.8 
 9. Lollis, Immobili.7.6 
 10. Maggioli, Fileni7.3 
Assists Per Game
 Antonio PORTA
  Tezenis .
  (188-G-83)
  Avg: 5.1
 1. Porta, Tezenis5.1 
 2. Crispin, Barcellona4.8 
 3. Goldwire, Forli4.5 
 4. Hickman, Fastw.4.1 
 5. Marigney, Assigeco3.8 
 6. Whiting, Aget Imola3.8 
 7. Mathis, Snaidero.3.7 
 8. Clark, Umana Reyer3.7 
 9. Farabello, N.Fer.3.7 
 10. Nardi, Forli3.7 
Steals Per Game
 Alessandro PIAZZA
  Immobili.
  (175-G-87)
  Avg: 3
 1. Piazza, Immobili.3.0 
 2. Ebi, Aget Imola2.9 
 3. Robinson, Trenkwal.2.6 
 4. Davis, Sunrise2.6 
 5. Roderick, Immobi.2.6 
 6. Filloy, Immobili.2.5 
 7. Cerella, Assigeco2.4 
 8. Whiting, Aget Imola2.4 
 9. Achara, Barcellona2.3 
 10. Ghiacci, Barcello.2.3 
Blocks Per Game
 Jarvis VARNADO
  Tuscany PT
  (206-F-88)
  Avg: 3.1
 1. Varnado, Tuscany3.1 
 2. Ebi, Aget Imola1.4 
 3. Achara, Barcellona1.2 
 4. Maggioli, Fileni B.1.1 
 5. Boykin, Assigeco0.7 
 6. Frosini, Trenkwald.0.7 
 7. Cutolo, San Severo0.7 
 8. Trepagnier, Tezeni.0.6 
 9. Slay, Umana Reyer0.6 
 10. Di Giuliomar., Um.0.6 


Lega2 Round 5 of Semi-Finals. Umana Reyer join into Finals - by Eurobasket News
Umana Reyer - Prima Veroli 82-77

Umana Reyer advanced into LegaDue Finals. They overcame Prima Veroli in the decider tonight. Prima Veroli trailed by 12 points after 3 quarters before a 22-15 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 77-82 at the end of the game. 27 personal fouls committed by Prima Veroli helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American forward Tamar Slay (204-F-80, college: Marshall) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 5 rebounds. American-Bulgarian guard Kiki Clark (173-84, college: St.Peter's) contributed with 21 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. American guard James Penn (178-77, college: Ohio St.) answered with 19 points and 6 rebounds and Lithuanian center Antanas Kavaliauskas (208-84, college: Texas A&M) added 13 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Prima Veroli. Four Prima Veroli players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game.
Top scorers:
Umana Reyer: T.Slay 23+5reb+1ast, K.Clark 21+6reb, A.Young 17+4reb+5ast, G.Meini 7+1reb+1ast, M.Allegretti 6+5reb+1ast, C.Di Giuliomaria 4+7reb
Prima Veroli: J.Penn 19+6reb+3ast, I.Gatto 13+4reb+1ast, A.Kavaliauskas 13+7reb+1ast, J.Jackson 11+3reb+1ast, G.Rosselli 7+3reb+3ast, D.Brkic 6+2reb+3ast
gschID: 129649




*****************************************************
  JAPAN   


BJ-League withdraws from All-Japans over foreigner rule - by Eurobasket News
The bj-league has pulled its two teams out of next year's All-Japan championship because of the tournament's limit on foreign players, Kyodo News learned on Wednesday. In the bj-league, up to three foreigners are allowed on the court at any given time. The All-Japan championship permits only one.
'There were complaints from the other teams that the difference in the number of foreign players would create a problem,' league official Tatsuya Abe said. 'We would also have to change our entire schedule if we were going to compete.' The Japan Basketball Association had granted the bj-league entry to the All-Japans for the first time. The JBA also approved the league's players for selection to the national team. The JBA said the bj-league has known all along about the rule on foreigners, and that it was not a valid reason for withdrawing. 'They've known from the tournament regulations that only one foreigner can be on the court,' JBA vice president Yoshifumi Ito said. 'It makes no sense to pull out for that reason.'
Courtesy of: kyodonews.jp

*****************************************************
  KENYA   


Mombasa Poly Run Over Kisauni Kings - by Eurobasket News
MOMBASA Polytechnic University College (MPUC) continued with their winning ways in the on-going Coast Basketball League beating Kisauni Kings 51-43 at the weekend. MPUC are among the University teams taking part in the tournament that has attracted 13 teams from the region. In another match, Makupa Lakers thrashed Jua Kali 79-36 while Kiembeni humiliated sole Kilifi County representatives, Mariakani Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) 77-43. Hosts Mombasa Baptist outwitted Kenya University 67-21 with Coastal Kings beating Oceaners 77-57. Changamwe rollers were too smart for University of Nairobi (UoN), beating them 47-38 to progress to the next level. According to CBA chairman Ali Hilmy, MPUC will meet Coastal Kings, Mombasa Baptist face Gorofani, Rollers meet Mariakani ACK, Jua Kali have a date with Oceaners, Kiembeni Square it out with KU while UoN meet Wazee next weekend. Hilmy said the winners will share Sh70,000 apart from trophies.
Courtesy of: Nairobi Star (Nairobi)



*****************************************************
  LESOTHO   


2011 NBL Schedule - by Sekhoane Moshabesha
The annual Winter Tournament is slated to play on the 18th June 2011 at Lehakoe Sports Grounds in Maseru.More details will be available as time goes...Keep checking this site for regurlar updates.

There will also be a Money Tournament on the 2nd July in Mafeteng which will be used as a warm-up for the NBL league.

National league begins on July 30th 2011 and the licence fee per player has increased to M50.00.Team registration is still M250.00.
Deadline for team and licence registration is 08th June. Please note that this year all matters regarding registration will be dealt only at LBA offices not at the courts.Please note that due to limited time, there will now be games played mid week at Lehakoe, evennings for Maseru based teams but 1 match per night. For teams that are based out of Maseru we will still have weekend games at 1 venue.

*****************************************************
  LITHUANIA   


EnBW Ludwigsburg keep Zavackas - by Eurobasket News
EnBW Ludwigsburg keep Donatas Zavackas (203-F-80, college: Pittsburgh) for another season. The Lithuanian Forward averaged 12.5 points per game this season.
Before heading to Germany, Donatas Zavackas played for Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius (LKL, starting five). In Euroleague he averaged 7.9ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 82.6%, while in Baltic League his stats read 9.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 82.2%. In Lithuanian League after 29 games Donatas Zavackas showed 9.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT-1 (55.7%), FT: 84.1%.
In his top game this season EnBW Ludwigsburg overcame Phoenix Hagen 100:92 at the Regular Season Round 24. Phoenix Hagen was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. EnBW Ludwigsburg made 25-of-30 free shots (83.3 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Lithuanian forward Donatas Zavackas who helped to win the game recording 21 points and 6 rebounds (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line) and American guard Jerry Green who added 18 points and 6 assists during the contest.


U-20 team begins preparation for EC - by Evaldas Ceilytkas
Lithuanian U-20 national team begins preparation for European championships. Coach Marius Linartas has called 25 candidates for this team. The candidates are: Karolis Alekna (183-G-91), Karolis Babkauskas (184-G-91), Gilvydas Biruta (203-F-91), Rytis Biliartas (200-F-91), Karolis Brusokas (200-F-91), Arnas Butkevicius (199-F-92), Paulius Dambrauskas (191-G-91),Mantas Dubauskas (195-F-91), Vytenis Cizauskas (190-G-92), Mantas Kadzevicius (194-G-91), Saulius Kulvietis (203-F-91), Modestas Kumpys (191-G-91), Mindaugas Kupsas (215-C-91), Matas Lisajevicius (190-G-91), Paulius Malasauskas (190-G-91), Mantas Martinkus (188-G-91), Osvaldas Matulionis (200-F-91), Deividas Nazarovas (195-G-91), Augustas Peciukevicius, Dovydas Redikas (193-G-92), Tadas Rinkunas (196-G/F-91), Giedrius Staniulis (205-C/F-91), Valentas Tarolis (206-C-91), Darius Tarvydas (200-F-91) and Ovidijus Varanauskas (187-G-91).


*****************************************************
  MALTA   


Athleta overcome Luxol in Finals opener - by Eurobasket News
Athleta drew first blood in the Maltese League Finals. They held off Luxol 81:65 in the opener. Athleta dominated from start to finish in this one. They grabbed the lead early on and maintained it throughout the first half. Athleta recorded a 39:27 halftime advantage. Luxol failed to get within striking distance after the big break. Athleta wisely kept their opponents at bay and rallied to a comfortable win at the end. Addison Bonnici (195-F-84) was the key player for the winners as he unloaded 29 points. Luxol answered with game-high 32 points from Petar Apcev (199-F-89).
The second game of the series is scheduled for Sunday.


*****************************************************
  MEXICO   


CIBACOPA Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Kevin SOWELL
  Guasave
  (190-G-81)
  Avg: 30.7
 1. Sowell, Guasave30.7 
 2. White, Cananea28.3 
 3. Sowell, Culiacan27.3 
 4. Gale, Mexicali26.8 
 5. Brown, Tepic24.8 
 6. White, Los Mochis24.2 
 7. Moore, Culiacan24.1 
 8. Brown, Cananea23.5 
 9. Gabbidon, Tijuana23.3 
 10. Brown, Tepic23.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Brandon BROWN
  Cananea
  (201-F-85)
  Avg: 11.2
 1. Brown, Cananea11.2 
 2. Moss, Nogales9.9 
 3. Angounou, Guasave9.8 
 4. Brown, Tepic9.6 
 5. VanderMeer, Mexica.9.6 
 6. Malloy, Los Mochis8.7 
 7. Broxsie, Nogales8.7 
 8. Shipley, Tijuana8.6 
 9. Gray, Hermosillo8.1 
 10. Thomas, Hermosillo8.1 
Assists Per Game
 William FUNN
  Guasave
  (188-G-82)
  Avg: 8.2
 1. Funn, Guasave8.2 
 2. Watson, Tijuana5.7 
 3. White, Los Mochis5.7 
 4. White, Cananea5.4 
 5. Winder, Guaymas5.2 
 6. Thomas, Hermosillo4.8 
 7. Brown, Tepic4.4 
 8. Monreal, Hermosillo4.2 
 9. Nungaray, Guaymas4.2 
 10. Marentes, Guaymas4.1 
Steals Per Game
 Davin WHITE
  Cananea
  (186-G-81)
  Avg: 2.2
 1. White, Cananea2.2 
 2. Moore, Culiacan2.0 
 3. Roby, Guaymas1.8 
 4. Gale, Mexicali1.7 
 5. Funn, Guasave1.7 
 6. Thomas, Cananea1.7 
 7. White, Los Mochis1.6 
 8. Sowell, Guasave1.6 
 9. Rougeau, Culiacan1.6 
 10. Brown, Nogales1.6 
Blocks Per Game
 Kevin SOWELL
  Culiacan
  (190-G-81)
  Avg: 3.2
 1. Sowell, Culiacan3.2 
 2. Gale, Mexicali2.6 
 3. Sowell, Guasave2.3 
 4. Shipley, Tijuana2.2 
 5. White, Los Mochis2.2 
 6. Brown, Tepic2.1 
 7. Funn, Guasave2.1 
 8. Brown, Tepic2.0 
 9. Thomas, Hermosillo2.0 
 10. Wade, Hermosillo2.0 


Standings - Lower Leagues
CIBANE Standings
 1. Saltillo Caktus 4-0 
 2. UAZ Tuzos 1-0 
 3. Durango M. 1-1 
 4. Apodaca G. 1-3 
 5. Fresnillo M. 0-1 
 6. P.Negras A. 0-2 


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


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Kevin DURANT
  Oklah.Ci.
  (206-G/F-88)
  Avg: 27.9
 1. Durant, Oklah.Ci.27.9 
 2. James, Miami Heat26.2 
 3. Wade, Miami Heat25.4 
 4. Rose, Chicago B.25.4 
 5. Anthony, Denver N.25.2 
 6. Bryant, LA Lakers25.1 
 7. Stoudemire, New Y.24.7 
 8. Ellis, Golde S.24.1 
 9. Nowitzki, Dallas M.24.1 
 10. Martin, Houston R.23.5 
Rebounds Per Game
 Kevin LOVE
  Minnesota T.
  (208-C-88)
  Avg: 15.2
 1. Love, Minnesota T.15.2 
 2. Howard, Orlando M.14.2 
 3. Griffin, LA Clipp.12.1 
 4. Randolph, Memph.12.0 
 5. Bogut, Milwauke.11.1 
 6. Humphries, New J.10.4 
 7. Noah, Chicago B.10.3 
 8. Camby, Portland TB10.2 
 9. Gasol, LA Lakers9.9 
 10. Lee, Golde S.9.8 
Assists Per Game
 Steve NASH
  Phoenix Suns
  (190-G-74)
  Avg: 11.4
 1. Nash, Phoenix Suns11.4 
 2. Rondo, Boston C.11.0 
 3. Paul, N.Orleans H.9.9 
 4. Williams, Utah Jazz9.7 
 5. Felton, New Y.9.0 
 6. Calderon, Toron.8.9 
 7. Wall, Washington W.8.3 
 8. Kidd, Dallas M.8.0 
 9. Westbrook, Oklah..7.8 
 10. Rose, Chicago B.7.7 
Steals Per Game
 Chris PAUL
  N.Orleans H.
  (183-G-85)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Paul, N.Orleans H.2.3 
 2. Rondo, Boston C.2.1 
 3. Ellis, Golde S.2.1 
 4. Allen, Memphis G.1.8 
 5. Westbrook, Oklah..1.8 
 6. Felton, New Y.1.8 
 7. Wall, Washington W.1.8 
 8. Conley, Memphis G.1.7 
 9. Gay, Memphis G.1.7 
 10. Kidd, Dallas M.1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Andrew BOGUT
  Milwauke.
  (212-F/C-84)
  Avg: 2.6
 1. Bogut, Milwauke.2.6 
 2. Ibaka, Oklah.Ci.2.5 
 3. McGee, Washingt.2.4 
 4. Howard, Orlando M.2.3 
 5. Milicic, Minnesota2.0 
 6. Duncan, San A.2.0 
 7. Stoudemire, New Y.1.9 
 8. Jefferson, Utah J.1.9 
 9. Bynum, LA Lakers1.9 
 10. Jordan, LA Clippe.1.8 


Knicks and Erie BayHawks of D-League enter single affiliation partnership - by Eurobasket News
The Erie BayHawks, the New York Knicks and the NBA Development League announced today that the Knicks and BayHawks have entered into a single affiliation partnership beginning with the 2011-12 season. The Knicks will be the BayHawks sole NBA affiliate and will have control over the teams basketball operations.

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

The Knicks are the third NBA team to enter into a hybrid affiliation with an NBA D-League team, joining the Houston Rockets, with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and the New Jersey Nets, with the Springfield Armor. The other NBA teams with lone NBA D-League affiliates are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, who fully own and operate the Tulsa 66ers and Austin Toros, respectively, and the Dallas Mavericks with the Texas Legends. The Knicks partnership with Erie comes on the heels of the NBA D-Leagues 10th and most successful season, while 23 percent of all NBA players have used the NBA D-League as a launching pad.

The New York Knicks single affiliation partnership with the Erie BayHawks marks yet another positive step forward in the NBA D-Leagues continued evolution as the NBAs official minor league, said NBA D-League President Dan Reed. Were very excited to have the Knicks join a growing number of NBA teams who are realizing the benefits of a one-to-one relationship with their NBA D-League affiliate.

Knicks Assistant General Manager Allan Houston (6'6''-G-71, college: Tennessee) was appointed BayHawks General Manager, Basketball Operations by Knicks President, Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh.

The opportunity to have this new agreement with the Erie BayHawks and the NBA D-League is very exciting for the New York Knicks, Houston said. The impact of the NBA D-League continues to grow, and we look forward to this partnership.

The BayHawks were previously affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. Their new NBA D-League affiliates will be announced at a later date.

The entire Erie BayHawks organization appreciates all that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors did to help us launch and become a successful NBA D-League team, and we are thrilled to begin a single affiliation with the New York Knicks, said Erie Majority Owner and Managing Partner Steve Demetriou. This hybrid relationship will further strengthen our franchise as the Knicks focus on overseeing the basketball operations, while team president Matt Bresee and his talented staff continue to grow the business side of the Erie BayHawks.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

Hawks F Marvin Williams undergoes back surgery - by Eurobasket News
Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams (6'9''-F-86, college: N.Carolina) has undergone minor surgery on his lower back to alleviate the pain from a bulging disc.

The outpatient procedure was performed Wednesday at Peachtree Orthopedic Clinics in Atlanta. The team says Williams walked out of the facility on his own and should be able to resume full basketball activities in six to eight weeks.

Williams was slowed by back problems in 2008-09. This season, he missed 11 games after landing hard on his back attempting to make a steal in December game against Golden State.

The 24-year-old averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds while playing less than 29 minutes a game, the lowest total since his rookie season.

Courtesy of www.miamiherald.com

NBA owners, players meet for more than 5 hours to talk labor, will sit down again Wednesday - by Eurobasket News
Given the sizable gap in their positions, it would be easy for NBA owners and players just to walk away.

Instead, they will follow a long negotiating session Tuesday by heading right back to the bargaining table as planned Wednesday.

'I just take it as a real positive that we're continuing to meet,' Commissioner David Stern said. 'When you have parties like this, it's just as easy if you don't think that there's the possibility of a breakthrough to say, 'All right, let's pack it in and let's go home.' But nobody on either side wanted to go home.'

The meeting Tuesday lasted more than five hours, so long that Dallas owner Mark Cuban and Miami's Micky Arison had to leave the nearby hotel ahead of their colleagues to get to the arena for Game 4 of the NBA finals between their teams.

Deputy commissioner Adam Silver said there were about eight players and 10 owners in the session, which Stern said included 'good and frank' discussion. (He joked he didn't want to use the word 'heated' to imply any favoritism to one of the teams in the finals).

With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire June 30, both sides say they hope frequent meetings can prevent a lockout. They sat down last week in Miami, had a larger gathering here, and Silver wouldn't rule out even adding a third day here if things went well Wednesday.

Stern said they 'haven't reached agreement on anything,' and he reiterated that owners still want massive changes to the league's salary structure, saying they need a 'very significant restructuring for the owners to have a sustainable investment here on hopefully approaching $5 billion of revenue.'

The union declined to comment until after Wednesday's meeting.

The NBA says 22 of its 30 teams lost money last season and expects leaguewide losses of around $300 million this season after losing hundreds of millions in each previous year of the agreement that was ratified in 2005.

Owners are seeking a hard salary cap to replace the current system that allows teams to exceed it under certain exceptions, and have sought to reduce player salary costs by about $750 million annually. Stern has said the central issue is the split in revenues, with the players currently guaranteed 57 percent.

The union has offered a reduction of the guarantee and argues the system has largely worked, saying improved revenue sharing among owners would help with their losses.

Both sides have said they want to avoid following the NFL's labor dispute into the court system, and that can only be done with more bargaining.

'We know, we understand that all of the jockeying is going on in the NFL: litigation, appeals, motions, motions to come, court hearings set for September, which seems like an awful long time away for us,' Stern said. 'And so what it does is cause us to say we've got to keep on talking to try to have a breakthrough here, and we're going to continue that effort tomorrow.'

Courtesy of www.startribune.com

NBA fines Gilbert Arenas - by Eurobasket News
The NBA has fined Orlando Magic guard Gilbert Arenas (6'3''-G-82, college: Arizona) for comments made on his recently-activated Twitter account, the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday.

The league would not disclose the amount of the fine or identify which specific tweets got Arenas in trouble, but since re-launching his Twitter account last Tuesday, the outspoken guard has sent out a number of messages that could be interpreted as derogatory or offensive.

Among the cringe-worthy tweets was one that portrayed women in an inferior light.

Wrote Arenas, 'good mornin twitter fam..i need me a slave to make me breakfast in the mornings..i guess yall might call them girlfriends...im hungry.'

Another set of tweets, which Arenas sent Sunday, poked fun at special education students.

'i shouldnt get in trouble for that joke..i already pay the price in ele school..i had to ride the bus with them everyday..you know how hard it is too look cool riding the bus with the guy in front and in back licking the glass'

However, Arenas contends that any tasteless messages he sends out are just meant to be entertaining.

'Sometimes, I don't get it,' Arenas told the Orlando Sentinel last week. 'How can you not get that this is a joke? Everyone tries to turn everything somebody says into something negative.'

On Monday, Arenas sent out a tweet that referenced Magic coach Stan Van Gundy joining Twitter. The message read, 'And for everbody who was hoping stan was gonna get one he said (F--- THAT) david stern is not gonna fined me every TWIT lolol'

It is not known whether that was the tweet that drew the NBA's ire, but for his part, Arenas does not seem too concerned about the fine.

He sent multiple tweets Tuesday night that appeared to mock the NBA's decision to penalize him.

'yes the nba has fined me....for being to awesome..so i can give you the shoes for FREE but gotta charge you for the jokes...i cant believe'

'i got fined..how do i explain this to the lady at the bank...this is gonna take another 40mins... or i could just write a check and if theres a lockout just cancel the check it and maybe they will forget.....i think that will work..'

'its okay it all evens it self out..i get fined from the nba........im stealing cable from my neighbors..so bam bam jackpot...hahaha'

'i got it guys i can use the ...'my account got hacked'that always works.....if not..im hoping on the bail out plan...'

The latest episode is not the first time Arenas has caught criticism for messages posted on the popular social networking site.

After his now-infamous gun incident with former Wizards guard Javaris Crittendon in early 2010, Arenas wrote, 'i wake up this morning and seen i was the new JOHN WAYNE..lmao media is too funny'.

Arenas shut down his Twitter account shortly after those messages were sent.

Courtesy of www.myfoxorlando.com

Rating for NBA Finals Game 4 strong, but trails last year - by Eurobasket News
ABC drew an 11.1 overnight for Game 4 of the NBA Finals, which translates to 11.1% of households in the 56 urban TV markets measured for overnights. That's the second-highest Game 4 in seven years except for last year's Celtics-Lakers Game 4 -- last night's game was down 4% from last year's battle of brand-name teams.

ABC lucked out with a close game Tuesday, and Dallas' win ensures that the series will go at least six games -- and the longer that a series lasts, the better for ratings.

Also, the BBC announced Tuesday that it will carry Wimbledon in 3-D TV for the first time. This is the latest of a long string of events that, in recent months, are being carried in 3-D for the first time. But like with the advent of high-def TV, the issue isn't that lots of events are getting the new TV coverage. The question is how many consumers in coming months will buy 3-D sets and service and starting seeing 3-D.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

LeBron James Weak Game 4 - by Daniel Gibson
DALLASLeBron James scored a playoff-career low eight points in game 4 and the Miami Heat lost to the Dallas Mavericks, 86-83.

If you were to tell me that would take place before the game I wouldnt believe it.

If you told me that he would be outscored by Tyson Chandler (13), DeShawn Stevenson (11), and Jason Terry (17) I wouldnt have believed it.

But that is what occurred in game 4.

James shot 3-of-11 with nine rebounds, and seven assists. He never appeared to be involved in the game.

Dwyane Wade continued his great play as he scored 32 points and Chris Bosh played another good game with 24 points.

Both Wade and Bosh hit jump shots and attacked the rim throughout the entire game, while James missed jumpers and didnt put any pressure on the defense with aggressive rim attacks.

There were many people who accused James of quitting on the Cavs in the playoffs last season and playing without passion. His performance Tuesday night will surely have those same people talking about his focus, or lack of, again.

The thing about James is that he doesnt care about the things that people say. He doesnt care about how many points he scores. James cares about winning and that is the reason why he teamed up with Bosh and Wade in Miami in the first place.

I would expect James to come out ready to play in game 5 and looking to be more aggressive and leave an imprint on the game.

Even with him having an off night the Heat only lost by 3.

Series tied after Miami Heat blows fourth-quarter lead to Mavericks - by Eurobasket News
It's a three-game series now.

The Mavericks defeated the Heat 86-83 on Tuesday to even the NBA Finals at 2-2 and, in the process, send the best-of-7 series back to Miami. But first theres Game 5 at Dallas American Airlines Center.

'Game 5, the swing game', Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Thursdays swing game could have been the potential series clincher but Miami played too poorly in the fourth quarter to make the NBA Finals a short series like it did against Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago. Miami went more than seven minutes without scoring a field goal before Dwyane Wade (6'4''-G-82, college: Marquette) scored a dunk with nine seconds left in the game.

It cut the Mavericks lead to one point, but Jason Terry made two free throws with 6.7 seconds left to force Miami into a three-point shot

The Heats final chance seemed as broken as the fourth quarter. Wade mishandled the inbounds following a timeout but saved it by throwing a desperation pass to Mike Miller. Miller forced an awkward three-pointer that missed badly as time expired. The Mavericks outscored the Heat 21-14 in the final fourth quarter and forced six turnovers. Dirk Nowitzki (6'11''-F-78) led Dallas with 21 points 11 in the final period. Wade had 32 points and Chris Bosh (6'11''-F-84, college: Georgia Tech) added 24, but Miami couldnt overcome a poor shooting night by LeBron James (6'8''-F-84). He was 3-of-11 shooting with eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

'We'll work to help make it easier for [James] in the next game', Erik Spoelstra said.' I've got to do a better job of making sure hes in better positions to be aggressive and efficient.'

Nowitzki played despite a fever and was congested during his postgame news conference.

Sitting at 2-2 right now and obviously we would like to get Game 5 at home before going back to Miami, Nowitzki said. Thats a big game for us.

The Heat trailed 82-81 with 30 seconds left when Wade missed his second of two free throws. Nowitzki scored on a driving layup with 14.4 seconds left to give the Mavericks an 84-81 lead.

Nowitzki, who favors driving to his left, went right this time and blew past Udonis Haslem (6'8''-C-80, college: Florida), who successfully defended Nowitzki at the buzzer of Game 3.

He made a heck of a move, Spoelstra said. Hes a great player.

A putback by Dallas center Tyson Chandler (7'1''-C-82) cut the Heats lead to 78-77 with 5:44 remaining. Moments later, a key turnover by Bosh led to a breakaway layup by Jason Terry to take the lead. The Heat had six turnovers in the fourth quarter and finished with 13.

Miami led 69-65 entering the fourth quarter before Miller made a three-pointer to give the Heat its largest lead of the game. Haslem extended it to nine on the next possession with a 16-footer from the baseline.

Miamis 12-1 run spanning the third and fourth quarters forced the Mavericks to call a timeout, and they responded with four quick points from Terry, cutting the Heats lead to 74-69 with 9:23 remaining.

The Heat took a five-point lead with two minutes left in the third quarter when James made a midrange jumper with 1:18 left in the period. It was just James third field goal of the game and capped an 8-1 run to end the third quarter.

An equal number of points for Joel Anthony and James (four) made for an atypical first half. With James mostly ideal offensively, Bosh set the tone with 16 points in the games first 24 minutes. James was 1-of-4 shooting in the first half with a pair of free throws.

Bosh, playing in his hometown, was 8 of 12 in the first half, scoring half of the Heats field goals. Wade added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Anthony had one of his best halves of the postseason with eight rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

Bosh scored eight points in the first four minutes of the second quarter and a tip-in by Anthony gave the Heat a 34-29 lead with 7:56 to play in the half. The advantage didnt last. Dallas countered the Heats 7-0 to begin the second quarter with a 10-2, giving the Western Conference champions a 40-36 lead.

Courtesy of www.miamiherald.com

Allen Iverson wants to give it one more shot in the NBA - by Eurobasket News
Over the last two years, NBA superstar Allen Iverson (6'1''-G-75, college: Georgetown) has had a tough time adjusting to the fact that he is no longer a dominant player in the league. After being traded from the Denver Nuggets for Chauncey Billups, Iverson's career in the NBA took a drastic turn for the worst.

During his short time with the Detroit Pistons, Iverson ruffled some feathers with his head coach and showed every other team around the league that he was no longer a team player. There were a lot of questions regarding the current Pistons coaching staff at that time and whether or not they were making the right moves, but ultimately the Detroit franchise went down the tubes once they traded away floor general Chauncey Billups.

After a disappointing stint with the Detroit Pistons, Allen Iverson tried his luck with his former team the Philadelphia 76ers. At first, the reunion seemed to be just what the doctor ordered for AI, but ended in disappointment yet again with a divorce with his wife and an inability to finish the season.

Once Iverson was done in Philly, no team wanted to touch him with a ten foot pole in any capacity, so the former NBA MVP took his game overseas to Turkey. With a somewhat lucrative deal, AI played for a team in Turkey, but the results were basically the same and an injured calf ended his season.

Now that Iverson's deal with the Turkish team is over and calf is healed from surgery, the 36-year-old would like to give the NBA another shot as he has expressed his intentions to play again. Whether or not any team in the league is willing to take a chance on a personality and ego as big as the aging superstars remains to be seen, but he might be just what a team may need off the bench in order to contend for an NBA title.

Courtesy of www.onlinesportsbookpro.com

Redick has surgery to repair torn ab muscle - by Eurobasket News
Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick (6'4''-G-84, college: Duke) has undergone successful surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle, according to a team spokesman who confirmed the May 26 surgery on Monday night.

The procedure will sideline Redick for six weeks before he can resume offseason workouts.

Redick was hampered by lingering abdominal pain for most of March and April and missed the final 17 games of the regular season before returning for Orlando's 4-2 loss to Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.

He originally suffered the injury, which was classified at the time as an abdominal strain, during Orlando's morning shootaround before their March 11 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Redick's surgery was first reported by David Pingalore of ClickOrlando.com, however the initial report was that Redick went under the knife to repair a sports hernia.

Phoenix Suns guard Grant Hill had a similar injury to Redick's in 2006 while with the Magic, and he would later undergo sports hernia surgery.

Redick on multiple occasions described his injury as particularly frustrating because he would feel fine one day, and then have excruciating pain the next.

The fifth-year guard spent a week in late March in Vancouver, British Columbia, with Magic strength and conditioning coach Joe Rogowski. There, Redick worked with core-injury experts, including abdominal specialist Alex McKechnie, to try to rehab the painful injury.

After playing in all 82 of Orlando's games last season, Redick appeared in just 59 regular season games this year, the first year of a front-loaded, three-year, $19 million deal.

Redick averaged a career high 10.1 points on 44.1 percent shooting in 25.4 minutes per game during the regular season. During Orlando's first-round loss to Atlanta, Redick scored just 6.7 points per game and made just one of his 15 three-point attempts.

Courtesy of www.foxsportsflorida.com

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


Purdue's Bade trades hoops for football - by Eurobasket News
Patrick Bade (6'8''-F) has switched from the Purdue men's basketball program to the school's football program.

The school announced the switch Wednesday.

Bade played in 58 basketball games for the Boilermakers over the last two seasons with four starts. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Indianapolis native averaged 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game, with career highs of 10 points and nine boards.

Bade did not play football as a senior in high school, but Purdue football coach Danny Hope said he viewed clips of when Bade played tight end as a junior and was impressed. Hope said Bade will be able to compete for playing time immediately because he plays a position where the team lacks experience.

Courtesy of www.fox41.com

Former Duke captain Emma dead in apparent suicide - by Eurobasket News
Former Duke basketball player Thomas Emma fell from the 12th floor of the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan to his death in an apparent suicide, police said.

Emma's body was found at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday on a second-floor landing of the building on Central Park South. The New York City medical examiner will determine the cause of his death.

Emma was the captain for the 1983 Duke team that featured the freshman trio of Jay Bilas, Johnny Dawkins and Mark Alarie, who eventually led the Blue Devils to the 1986 Final Four. Emma was drafted in the 10th round by the Chicago Bulls but never played in the NBA.

He averaged 7.1 points while starting 71 games during his college career.

Bilas, a college basketball analyst for ESPN, told The Herald-Sun that Emma 'was like a big brother to me.' Bilas said that Emma had been struggling with his health in recent months.

Emma was a high school star in Manhasset, on Long Island, and later was president of Power Performance, Inc., a company devoted to training young athletes. Emma also wrote a book titled 'Basketball Player's Comprehensive Guide to Strength Training.'

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Long Beach State Basketball Team Adds 6-foot-9 Forward From Rwanda - by Kristian Santiago
(By the LB Post)

Long Beach State mens basketball coach Dan Monson announced Wednesday that Gatete Djuma from West High School in Salt Lake City has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the 49ers next year.

Djuma (Joo-muh) arrived in the United States just more than two years ago from Rwanda and spent a season and half at West High School.

We are excited to welcome Gatete (GAH-tay) into our basketball family, Monson said. He came to the United States three years ago under unique circumstances not knowing the English language and never playing competitive basketball. What he has accomplished in those three years both athletically and academically is nothing short of amazing.

'He is a quality person, highly intelligent with a tremendous basketball upside,' the coach continued. 'He has great basketball instincts and already makes plays you cant teach. We look forward to his development both on and off the court.

Djuma earned first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state honors after helping his team to a regional championship and a spot in the Utah state tournament. As a senior, the 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. He scored in double figures in 16 of Wests 23 games, including a season-high 20 points against Granger. He also had multiple double-digit rebounding games, including a 20-rebound (16 points) effort at Dixie. Djuma made 55.8 percent (101-of-181) of his field goal attempts while blocking a total of 46 shots.

The addition of Djuma brings Long Beach States 2010-11 recruiting class to five.

Monson signed high school guards Michael Caffey and Shaquille Hunter and junior college guard/forward James Ennis in November. He added junior college guard/forward Kris Gulley to the recruiting class earlier this spring.

Caffey (Centennial High School/Corona, Calif.) was named to the 2010-2011 CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA Team, while Hunter (Villa Park High School/Villa Park, Calif.) was named to the 2010-2011 CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA Team. Ennis (Ventura College/Ventura, Calif.) earned California Junior College Athletic Association first-team all-state honors after averaging 20.3 points per game, and Gulley (Independence Community College/Independence, Kan.) led his team to a 23-9 record while averaging 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

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


Southland Sharks tab Mike Rose to replace Kevin Braswell - by Eurobasket News
The Southland Sharks appeared in a difficult situation after Kevin Braswell (188-G-79, agency: Priority Sports, college: Georgetown) suffered a season-ending injury days ago. The guard ruptured the Achilles tendon in his left foot and would be sidelined for at least three months. So the Sharks entered the market looking for a new guard to fill in the spot. They found the right guy in Mike Rose (193-F/G-87, agency: Court Side, college: E.Kentucky). The 24-year-old shooting guard is not new to Southland. Mike Rose played for the Sharks in the previous NBL season. He averaged 22.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.1 assists per game. Last season Mike Rose played in Belgium. The guard notched 8.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per appearance for Optima Gent. Mike Rose also had stints with Oyak Renault in Turkey and Melbourne Tigers in Australia.


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Jack LEASURE
  Taranaki.
  (191-G-86)
  Avg: 23.3
 1. Leasure, Taranaki.23.3 
 2. Hudson, Manawatu.20.7 
 3. Abercrombie, Waika.20.6 
 4. Webster, Wellingt.20.3 
 5. Smith, Waikato P.19.7 
 6. Pace, Bay Hawks19.5 
 7. Dora, Nelson G.19.4 
 8. Bradshaw, OceanaG.19.1 
 9. Polyblank, Southla.18.7 
 10. Campbell, Taranak.18.4 
Rebounds Per Game
 Alex PLEDGER
  Waika.
  (216-C-87)
  Avg: 11.8
 1. Pledger, Waika.11.8 
 2. Horvath, Manawatu.11.4 
 3. Vukona, Nelson G.10.5 
 4. Campbell, Taranaki.10.5 
 5. Allred, OceanaGo.10.4 
 6. Seay, Waikato P.9.3 
 7. Johnson, Wellingt.9.0 
 8. Bradshaw, OceanaG.8.4 
 9. Grizzard, Nelson G.8.3 
 10. Frank, Wellington8.3 
Assists Per Game
 Jason CROWE
  Waikato P.
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 7.1
 1. Crowe, Waikato P.7.1 
 2. Dickel, Southland6.1 
 3. Tait, Wellington S.5.8 
 4. Braswell, Southlan.5.2 
 5. Martin, Auckland.4.6 
 6. Kench, Manawatu J.4.4 
 7. Smith, Waikato P.3.8 
 8. Boucher, Auckland.3.7 
 9. Jones, Nelson G.3.2 
 10. O''Gallagher, Ocea.3.2 
Steals Per Game
 Jerry SMITH
  Waikato P.
  (185-G-87)
  Avg: 2.8
 1. Smith, Waikato P.2.8 
 2. Crowe, Waikato P.2.8 
 3. Boucher, Auckland.2.5 
 4. Seay, Waikato P.2.3 
 5. Kench, Manawatu J.2.0 
 6. Dickel, Southland1.8 
 7. Allen, Waikato P.1.8 
 8. Braswell, Southlan.1.6 
 9. Frank, Wellington1.6 
 10. Vukona, Nelson G.1.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Alex PLEDGER
  Waika.
  (216-C-87)
  Avg: 3
 1. Pledger, Waika.3.0 
 2. Seay, Waikato P.1.5 
 3. Allred, OceanaGo.1.5 
 4. Iti, Southland S.1.3 
 5. Spicer, Southlan.1.2 
 6. Anthony, Waika.1.1 
 7. Campbell, Taranaki.1.1 
 8. Brown, Auckland P.1.0 
 9. Vukona, Nelson G.1.0 
 10. Johnson, Wellingt.0.9 


Standings Men
NBL Standings
 1. Bay Hawks 10-2 
 2. Wellington S. 9-2 
 3. Waikato P. 9-3 
 4. Manawatu J. 5-5 
 5. Nelson G. 4-5 
 6. Southland S. 4-5 
 7. Taranaki MA 2-8 
 8. Auckland P. 2-8 
 9. OceanaGold N. 2-9 


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


Norway U20 finishes third in Finland - by Eurobasket News
Norway U20 finishes third in Finland at the Nordic Championship. In Day 2 Sweden U20 overcame Norway U20 87:65. The Swedish side started with 26-15, but lost the second frame 14-17. Moreover Norway bettered their positions after 23-22 in the third quarter, but could not follow the favorites at the end. Sweden needed 25-10 in the last stanza to seal the win. Andreas Person (188-G-91) led the way with 19 points, while Christoffer Czerapovicz scored 14. Stian Berg (187-G-91) replied with 13 points in the losing effort.
In Day 3 Finland U20 overcame Norway U20 84:63. The hosts started the game with 29-17 and added 21-15 in the second period. The squads exchanged the victories in the second that brought the second win for the hosts. Mikael Sandberg (209-C-91) and Carl Lindbom (204-F-91) led the way with 14 points each, while Kilian Cato (201-F/C-92) scored 13. Karamo Jawara (198-F-91) posted 16 in defeat, while Magnus Engen netted 15.


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


Season Scout - Ovarense - by Luis Filipe Cristovao
It was a disappointing season to one of the most titled Portuguese teams. Mario Leite had to put all the pressure in their national players, while in the foreigners side, only Matt Webster has shown quality to play at this level. The team guaranteed a playoff spot, but thats less than the expected, even if financial problems are imposing a lower budget in Ovar. The good thing is Nuno Cortez (205-C-82) season. The responsibility of leading the team made him do his best season ever.

The Season
Ovarense Dolce Vita lost their first game of the season facing Ginasio and the first signs of disappointment were already there. The truth is this team has never had, during all season, a big moment, with all they could do was a three win in a row at the end of the Leagues first round. For all the worst, Ovarense Dolce Vita lost their last seven league games, making them wait until almost the end to secure their playoff spot. It was a bad season, with a limited roster, mostly by the quality of their foreigner players.

The Player
Nuno Cortez. We all knew he was one of the best Portuguese post players. We just needed to see him playing a season like this. 16.9 points, 10 rebounds, 2.7 steals. He was the National Player of the Year and grab a place in All-defensive team. He was also the Most Improved Player of the Year. A lot of recognitions to a player that isnt even professional. With him was always Matt Webster. Another very strong post player, that gave Ovarense Dolce Vita a big strength in the paint. Outside, Nuno Manarte and John Waller, who played only eleven games, also merit some recognition.

The Prospect
Jose Miguel Barbosa (176-G-90). He hadnt more minutes than last season, but hes showing evolution. Hes a astute player, with a lot of heart and capable to go in the game with an aggressive attitude. With Manarte getting older, Ovarense Dolce Vita are expecting a lot from Barbosa. Hes showing hes got what it takes to play this role.


Season Scout - CD Povoa - by Luis Filipe Cristovao
Composed mostly by players who reached last seasons U20 Final Four, CD Povoa/MonteAdriano had to struggle with the lack of experience and, at times, their incapacity to focus on clutch time. But they have some great players in the team, and they were able to have really good moments, like beating second-placed Galitos in the playoff quarter-finals. CD Povoa/MonteAdriano is betting in the formation of this players and, if they keep their best players, they can be a real candidate in Proligas next season.

The Season
In a league with so much quality, it was hard to CD Povoa/MonteAdriano to get more than a seventh place in the regular season. This mostly because they had some bench limitations and some off games. Their quality was always visible, mainly in a great player like Nuno Oliveira (186-G-89). They had one foreigner, Anthony jr. Oha (198-F-83, college: Prairie View A&M), who came from CNB1 and had to adapt himself to a new level. He was important in many victories, but all this team is still a project on the made.

The Player
Nuno Oliveira and Anthony jr. Oha. Oliveira, a Nash-style guard, was essential in Povoa moves and got a place in Proliga 1st team. Oha is powerful forward, great rebounder and excellent shooter in the paint. They were both very important in the team, and the team needed both of them in the same measure. The difference is Oha is at his top level its unexpected to see him play good at a higher level. As for Oliveira, hes really a prospect player.

The Prospect
Weve talked enough about Oliveira. Two promising role players that can have a place in a higher league. Rui Coelho, Defensive Player of the Year, and Andre Silva. Rui Coelho is a shooting guard who also can play like a small forward, Silvas position. With a player like Oliveira in the team, who grabs the places of both point and shooting guard, Coelho and Silva complemented the teams offense and were the first defensive players in the team. Would CD Povoa/MonteAdriano be able to keep them?
Rui Coelho (191-G-89)

Mario Fernandes renews contract with CAB Madeira - by Eurobasket News
Mario Fernandes (176-G-82, agency: Duran International) is coming back to CAB Madeira for 2011/12 season. The 29-year-old guard will enter his third straight season with the team. Last season Mario Fernandes averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 assists, 1.6 boards and 1.3 steals per game for CAB. Mario Fernandes played for Portugal at 2011 European Championship Qualification. He tallied 3.4 points and 1.1 assists per game.


Season Scout - Electrico - by Luis Filipe Cristovao
Strong enough to avoid the relegation struggle, too fragile to compete with the top teams in Proliga, this was the limitations Electrico FC had to live with. With a young roster, Andriy Melnychuk was able to get a place in the Portuguese Cup final eight, a prize to the effort these players made this season.

The Season
Having lost important players like Tiago Pinto, Anastacio Sami and Diogo Leiria, Electrico FC had to rebuilt their roster. The team was never able to get a high scorer, leaving to veterans Jorge Afonso (192-G/F-79) and Denis Neves, most of the responsibilities. Even if the team was never strong enough to win more than two games in a row, they reach the playoffs and were able to confront regular season BC Barcelos, taking them to game 5.

The player
Jorge Afonso. The teams captain and best scorer. Hes an all-around player, present in all stats categories. Hes a good player in Proliga, able to compete, experimented, even if his best days are now far away. Aylton Medeiros is still growing in Electrico FC. Hes gaining experience to become a good power forward in the league. But he will be called to be the star player in this team, soon. It will be a tough prove to his value.

The prospect
Joao Lanzinha (188-G-89). Used like the teams sixth player, Lanzinha confirmed his evolution, being able to score and rebound more. He showed he can be an option to play more minutes next season and hell probably get that chance.


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


Quebradillas add Sherron Collins - by Eurobasket News
Quebradillas strengthened their backcourt. They signed a deal with Sherron Collins (180-G-87, college: Kansas). The 24-year-old guard started the season in the NBA. Sherron Collins averaged 1.1 points per game for the Charlotte Bobcats. In December the guard moved to the Maine Red Claws. His stats read 12.0 points, 3.2 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in D-League. Sherron Collins graduated from the University of Kansas in 2010. The player averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in his senior season with the Jayhawks. Sherron Collins made it into USBasket.com All-NCAA D1 2nd Team. Sherron Collins was also trumped Big 12 All-Tournament MVP.


Arecibo returns Andres Rodriguez - by Eurobasket News
Andres Rodriguez (182-PG-81, college: American) is back to Arecibo Capitanes. The Puerto Rican point guard signed a deal for rest of the BSN season. He arrives from Spain, where he played for Obradoiro CAB and helped them win the promotion from LEB Gold to ACB. Rodriguez appeared 43 times for the club averaging 7.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Andres Rodriguez played for Arecibo last year registering 6.4 ppg, 3 rpg and 5.3 rpg in 45 BSN games. He helped the team win BSN title. In the past, Rodriguez also played for Criollos de Caguas, Union Olimpija, Turow and Donetsk. In 2006, he won his first BSN title and it was with Caguas. In 2005, Rodriguez won the Slovenian league title and Cup with Union Olimpija. With Turow, he reached Polish league Finals twice.

Coamo land Monty Wilson - by Eurobasket News
Monty Wilson (197-F-73, agency: Edge Sports, college: Tennessee St.) is back to Coamo. The 38-year-old forward signed a deal with the Marathoners. Monty Wilson will replace Marcus Landry (201-F-85, college: Wisconsin) on the roster. Monty Wilson used to play for Coamo back in 2000 and 2001 seasons. Later he played for several BSN teams. Monty Wilson was named BSN MVP in 2001. He also participated at BSN All-Star Games in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Last season Monty Wilson played for San German. The forward averaged 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Monty Wilson also played in Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Israel, Cyprus and IBL after graduating from Tennessee State University back in 1997.


Standings - BSN
BSN Standings
 1. Bayamon 16-8 
 2. Guaynabo 15-9 
 3. Arecibo 15-11 
 4. Santurce 14-11 
 5. San German 13-10 
 6. Quebradillas 13-11 
 7. Humacao 11-14 
 8. Mayaguez 9-15 
 9. Coamo 9-17 
 10. Isabela 8-17 


Stats Leaders - BSN
Points Per Game
 Angel Daniel VASSALLO
  Guaynabo
  (198-G/F-86)
  Avg: 25.3
 1. Vassallo, Guaynabo25.3 
 2. Ramos, Quebradillas23.8 
 3. Johnson, Humacao21.4 
 4. Dalmau, Bayamon21.4 
 5. Ayuso, Arecibo19.7 
 6. Villegas, Coamo19.5 
 7. Romero, Mayaguez18.6 
 8. Harris, San German17.7 
 9. Randolph, Isabela16.9 
 10. Carmona, Mayaguez16.9 
Rebounds Per Game
 Manuel Antonio NARVAEZ
  Coamo
  (211-C-81)
  Avg: 12.9
 1. Narvaez, Coamo12.9 
 2. Randolph, Isabela12.1 
 3. Harris, San German11.9 
 4. Pruitt, Guaynabo11.5 
 5. Ramos, Quebradillas10.9 
 6. Lloreda, San G.10.4 
 7. Romero, Mayaguez9.7 
 8. Rickert, Bayamon9.5 
 9. Sweetney, Santurce9.3 
 10. Shannon, Bayamon8.9 
Assists Per Game
 Christian DALMAU
  Bayamon
  (194-G-77)
  Avg: 6.1
 1. Dalmau, Bayamon6.1 
 2. Brown, Quebradillas5.9 
 3. Guzman, Guaynabo4.8 
 4. Clemente, Humacao4.8 
 5. Clinch, Isabela4.5 
 6. Apodaca, Quebradil.4.3 
 7. Vega, Coamo4.1 
 8. Rivera, Mayaguez4.1 
 9. Diaz, Arecibo3.9 
 10. Copeland, San G.3.8 
Steals Per Game
 Darnell HINSON
  Isabela
  (186-G-80)
  Avg: 1.9
 1. Hinson, Isabela1.9 
 2. Robinson, Mayaguez1.6 
 3. Rivera, Mayaguez1.6 
 4. Clinch, Isabela1.5 
 5. Carmona, Mayaguez1.5 
 6. Robinson, Humacao1.5 
 7. Diaz, Arecibo1.4 
 8. Hodge, Santurce1.4 
 9. Dalmau, Bayamon1.4 
 10. Santiago, Santur.1.4 
Blocks Per Game
 Kleon PENN
  Humacao
  (211-C-86)
  Avg: 2.7
 1. Penn, Humacao2.7 
 2. Santiago, Arecibo2.1 
 3. Traylor, Bayamon2.0 
 4. Romero, Mayaguez1.9 
 5. Sanchez, Santurce1.9 
 6. Lee, Bayamon1.7 
 7. Aubry, Arecibo1.7 
 8. Randolph, Isabela1.5 
 9. Robinson, Mayaguez1.3 
 10. Shannon, Bayamon1.2 


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


Stats Leaders - Superleague B
Superleague B Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Lepojevic, Surgut 23.0
2 Aleksandrov, Magnit. 19.5
3 Kuzemkin, Novos. 16.9
4 Klyuchnikov, Novos. 16.2
5 Kuznetsov, Saransk 16.2
Rebounds Per Game
1 Podkolzin, Magnit. 8.5
2 Semerninov, Saransk 8.3
3 Labuckas, Rjazan 7.6
4 Goritskov, Revda 7.2
5 Savenkov, Spartak 7.1
Assists Per Game
1 Zelenskiy, Surgut 5.4
2 Glazunov, Ural 5.0
3 Klyuchnikov, Novos. 4.7
4 Lekavicius, Surgut 4.1
5 Lepojevic, Surgut 4.0
Steals Per Game
1 Zelenskiy, Surgut 2.4
2 Glazunov, Ural 2.2
2 Semerninov, Saransk 2.2
4 Zakamov, Severstal 1.9
4 Pivcaykin, Saransk 1.9
Blocks Per Game
1 Goritskov, Revda 1.5
2 Podkolzin, Magnit. 1.2
3 Feriabnikov, Magnit 1.0


Eurobasket.com All-Russian B Superleague Awards 2010-11 - by Eurobasket
Eurobasket.com All-Russian B Superleague 1st Team 2011
#s#
Nikola Lepojevic
Lepojevic
Gannadi Zelenskiy
Zelenskiy
Ilia Aleksandrov
Aleksandrov
Dmitriy Zagnoyko
Zagnoyko
Anatoliy Goritskov
Goritskov
#e#5

Player of the Year: Nikola Lepojevic (199-F-82) of Univ.Surgut
Guard of the Year: Gannadi Zelenskiy (187-G-82) of Univ.Surgut
Forward of the Year: Nikola Lepojevic (199-F-82) of Univ.Surgut
Center of the Year: Anatoliy Goritskov (211-C/F-83) of Revda
Coach of the Year: Boris Livanov of Spartak-Primorie

1st Team
G: Gannadi Zelenskiy (187-82) of Univ.Surgut
G: Ilia Aleksandrov (194-81) of Metallurg-Univ.
G: Dmitriy Zagnoyko (192-85) of Spartak-Primorie
F: Nikola Lepojevic (199-82) of Univ.Surgut
C/F: Anatoliy Goritskov (211-83) of Revda

2nd Team
F: Arnas Labuckas (205-87) of Rjazan
G: Kelvin Torbert (193-83) of Ural Ekaterinb.
F: Arnas Labuckas (205-87) of Rjazan
F: Maksim Dybovskiy (195-87) of Revda
F/C: Alexei Kuznetsov (202-84) of Saransk

Honorable Mention
Fedor Klyuchnikov (193-G-90) of Lokomotiv
Aleksandr Lunev (201-F-80) of Metallurg-Univ.
Pavel Zakamov (192-F/G-80) of Severstal
Semen Shaskov (204-F-89) of Ural Ekaterinb.
Anton Glazunov (182-G-86) of Ural Ekaterinb.
Anton Ageev (195-G-84) of Saransk
Roman Semerninov (200-F-81) of Saransk
Evgeni Baburin (193-G-87) of Spartak-Primorie
Nikita Morgunov (210-F-75) of Univ.Surgut
Pavel Podkolzin (226-C-85) of Metallurg-Univ.



*****************************************************
  RWANDA   


Long Beach State Basketball Team Adds 6-foot-9 Forward From Rwanda - by Kristian Santiago
(By the LB Post)

Long Beach State mens basketball coach Dan Monson announced Wednesday that Gatete Djuma from West High School in Salt Lake City has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the 49ers next year.

Djuma (Joo-muh) arrived in the United States just more than two years ago from Rwanda and spent a season and half at West High School.

We are excited to welcome Gatete (GAH-tay) into our basketball family, Monson said. He came to the United States three years ago under unique circumstances not knowing the English language and never playing competitive basketball. What he has accomplished in those three years both athletically and academically is nothing short of amazing.

'He is a quality person, highly intelligent with a tremendous basketball upside,' the coach continued. 'He has great basketball instincts and already makes plays you cant teach. We look forward to his development both on and off the court.

Djuma earned first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state honors after helping his team to a regional championship and a spot in the Utah state tournament. As a senior, the 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. He scored in double figures in 16 of Wests 23 games, including a season-high 20 points against Granger. He also had multiple double-digit rebounding games, including a 20-rebound (16 points) effort at Dixie. Djuma made 55.8 percent (101-of-181) of his field goal attempts while blocking a total of 46 shots.

The addition of Djuma brings Long Beach States 2010-11 recruiting class to five.

Monson signed high school guards Michael Caffey and Shaquille Hunter and junior college guard/forward James Ennis in November. He added junior college guard/forward Kris Gulley to the recruiting class earlier this spring.

Caffey (Centennial High School/Corona, Calif.) was named to the 2010-2011 CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA Team, while Hunter (Villa Park High School/Villa Park, Calif.) was named to the 2010-2011 CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA Team. Ennis (Ventura College/Ventura, Calif.) earned California Junior College Athletic Association first-team all-state honors after averaging 20.3 points per game, and Gulley (Independence Community College/Independence, Kan.) led his team to a 23-9 record while averaging 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

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


Stats Leaders - 1A
Points Per Game
 Branko MILISAVLJEVIC
  Mega V.
  (193-G-76)
  Avg: 20.5
 1. Milisavljevi., Meg.20.5 
 2. Janjusevic, Crnok.18.8 
 3. Sinovec, Metalac18.2 
 4. Micevic, Sloboda17.6 
 5. Bozovic, Sloga17.4 
 6. Nikolic, Crvena Z.16.8 
 7. Bunic, Novi Sad16.6 
 8. Nedovic, Crvena Z.16.4 
 9. Kovacevic, Super.16.3 
 10. Majkic, Prolet.16.2 
Rebounds Per Game
 Sava LESIC
  Crvena Z.
  (205-C/F-88)
  Avg: 10.9
 1. Lesic, Crvena Z.10.9 
 2. Savovic, Hemofarm8.6 
 3. Markovic, FMP7.8 
 4. Ljubicic, Metalac7.5 
 5. Nikolic, Crvena Z.7.1 
 6. Lee, Radnicki7.0 
 7. Cantekin, Mega V.6.8 
 8. Cakarevic, Radnicki6.6 
 9. Majkic, Prolet.6.6 
 10. Cubrilo, Sloga6.4 
Assists Per Game
 Marko LJUBICIC
  Metalac
  (197-F-87)
  Avg: 6.4
 1. Ljubicic, Metalac6.4 
 2. Zarkovic, Prolet.6.0 
 3. Pavkovic, Hemofarm5.9 
 4. Vlahovic, Sloga5.1 
 5. Mitrovic, Beograd4.9 
 6. Radivojevic, FMP4.9 
 7. Bakic, Crvena Z.4.9 
 8. Milisavljevi., Meg.4.8 
 9. Covic, FMP4.6 
 10. Dundjerski, Beogr.4.5 
Steals Per Game
 Slobodan DUNDJERSKI
  Beograd
  (190-G-88)
  Avg: 2.9
 1. Dundjerski, Beograd2.9 
 2. Kuzeta, Novi Sad2.7 
 3. Gagovic, Prolet.2.3 
 4. Ljubicic, Metalac2.1 
 5. Mukanovic, Crnok.2.0 
 6. Marjanovic, Vojvo.2.0 
 7. Jovic, Sloga1.9 
 8. Jerrells, Partizan1.9 
 9. Kovacevic, Novi S.1.9 
 10. Lee, Radnicki1.9 
Blocks Per Game
 Stefan BIRCEVIC
  Metalac
  (209-F/C-89)
  Avg: 1.3
 1. Bircevic, Metalac1.3 
 2. Ilic, FMP1.2 
 3. Majkic, Prolet.1.1 
 4. Cantekin, Mega V.0.9 
 5. Marjanovic, Vojvo.0.9 
 6. Cakarevic, Radnicki0.8 
 7. Djekic, Mega V.0.8 
 8. Buric, Tamis0.8 
 9. Ljubojevic, Slobod.0.8 
 10. Lee, Radnicki0.8 


Partizan sweeps Hemofarm for tenth straight title! - by Eurobasket News
Finals, Game 3: Partizan - Hemofarm 86-69 (3-0)

Partizan just finished another impressive season. They swept Hemofarm with perfect 3-0 in the Finals to win tenth straight title in Serbia. The Belgrade team celebrated 86-69 home victory tonight to end the series. They already defended Adriatic league title and Serbian Cup trophy. Partizan also reached Eurooleague Top16 this season.
Partizan shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 52.0 percentage. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was a great evening for American guard Curtis Jerrells (185-87, college: Baylor) who led his team to a victory scoring 24 points and 4 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field). Czech forward Jan Vesely (211-90) helped adding 18 points and 5 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The best for the losing side was guard Mladen Jeremic (196-88, agency: Interperformances) with 18 points and power forward Milivoje Bozovic (210-85, agency: Beo Basket) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Partizan was the regular season champion with 13-1 record and they eliminated FMP with 2-1 in the Semifinals.

Top scorers:
Partizan: C.Jerrells 24+1reb+4ast, J.Vesely 18+5reb+1ast, D.Milosavljevic 10+1reb+2ast, N.Jawai 8+4reb+1ast, R.Katic 7+5reb, J.Gist 7+8reb+5ast
Hemofarm: M.Jeremic 18+3reb+3ast, I.Maras 17+4reb+2ast, M.Bozovic 13+10reb, B.Krstovic 8+3reb, M.Pavkovic 6+2reb+4ast, D.Andjusic 5+2reb+1ast

Radnicki and coach Miroslav Nikolic stay together - by Eurobasket News
Coach Miroslav Nikolic (agency: Agency No 10 ) will stay with Radnicki Kragujevac for at least two more years, the team announced yesterday. Nikolic took over Radnicki last summer and helped them reach third place in Serbian Superleague. They had 8-6 record and once again secured the place for Adriatic league. The team also played in the Serbian league Semifinals, but Hemofarm eliminated them with 2-1. In Serbian Cup, Radnicki reached Semifinals as well. In Adriatic league, they had 12-14 score and finished as No.10. The club announced they will have much bigger ambitions next season.
Before Radnicki, Miroslav Nikolic was working with Swisslion Takovo and AEL Limassol. From 2005 to 2008, he was a Head Coach of Hemofarm. In the past, Nikolic was also working with Buducnost, Apolon Patras and Partizan. He led U19 Serbia to Gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2007.

*****************************************************
  SEYCHELLES   


Hawks sink Baya to move top - by Carlos Pereira
Defending mens division league champions PLS Hawks are now occupying top spot on the table after their crushing 110-62 victory over Baya sending out a warning to the rest of the league.

At the other end of the table, Razors look like getting closer to playing second division basketball next season after another defeat at the hands of RC Dynamics.

Hawks came back from an eight-point deficit 40-32 at half time to crush Baya 78-22 in the second half.
After narrowly losing the first quarter 15-16, Baya stepped up their game in the second quarter to score 25 points compared to their opponents 16.
It was in the third quarter that the boys of coach Clifford Joubert took total control of the match, scoring 31 points to Bayas 11.
PLS Hawks were simply untouchable during the final quarter as they outscored defence-less Baya 47-11 to close the match on a devastating 110-62 score.
Nigerian Alao Solomon was Hawks top scorer with 31 points, while Jean-Paul Camille led the scoring for Baya with 22.
Leaders Hawks now have 15 points from seven wins and a loss in eight matches the same win-lose-points record as runners-up Premium Cobras. The former have the head-to-head advantage after beating Cobras 102-77 earlier in the season.
Baya remain third on 15 points with six wins and three loses in nine matches.

In another match, RC Dynamics came from behind to beat Razors 66-59, adding to the latters misery in the top flight.
After losing the first two quarters 13-22 and 15-17, Dynamics regrouped and took control of the third and fourth quarters which they won 23-9 and 15-11.
Captain Emmanuel Jupiter had the hot hands for Dynamics with 20 points, while with 22 points, Alex Baron led the scoring for Razors.
The win keeps Dynamics in fifth spot with 11 points from eight matches (three wins and five losses).
With six points out of seven matches, Razors are still carrying the weight of the table.

Fourth-placed Mont Fleuri Dawgz also registered victory over the weekend and this time their opponents were Anse Boileau-based Angels.
After winning the first quarter 32-16, Angels let down their guard, allowing the Dawgz to get their act together and catch up with them. The latter won the second, third and fourth periods 22-14, 22-11 and 34-18 to win the match 94-75.
Captain Reggie Ah-Kong was Dawgzs top scorer with 29 points two more than Angels top marksman Daniel Dodin who finished with 27.

Dawgz have now accumulated 14 points after six wins and two defeats in eight matches, while Angels lie eighth. They have 10 points from two wins and six losses in eight matches.

In the only womens match played during the weekend, RA Sisters met Juniors. The more experienced RA Sisters dominated all four quarters 11-3, 12-2, 15-6 and 11-7 to win the match 49-18.
Captain Tessa Mathiot was RA Sisters top scorer with 20 points, while Veena Panagary, Kimberly Vidot and Doris Oreddy scored four points apiece for Juniors.
RA Sisters are now in the fourth position on the league table with seven points after getting two wins and three losses, while Juniors are at the foot of the table with four points following defeats in all four matches played.




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  SLOVAKIA   


Austria edge Slovakia in test games twice - by Eurobasket News
Austrian U20 selection played two friendly games against their Slovakian counterparts in Sankt Polten. The hosts celebrated back-to-back victories.
Austria opened the exhibition series with a 78:70 victory. The hosts led by four points at halftime and did not allow Slovakia to turn things around after the big break. Thomas Klepeisz (185-G-91) and Filip Kramer (200-F-92) stepped up with 15 points each to pace Austria. Anton Maresch (192-G-91) and Erik Fruhwirth (204-C-91) added 13 points apiece in the winning effort. Richard Grznar (187-G-91) responded with game-high 24 points for Slovakia. Viktor Fulka (198-F-91) delivered 10 points in the loss.
Next day Austria posted another victory. This time the hosts enjoyed an 81:72 win at the end. Austrian U20 selection recorded a 10-point lead after ten minutes of action and then wisely kept their opponents at bay. Filip Kramer dropped 16 points to lead the charge. Jozo Rados (203-C-93) and Daniel Friedrich (180-G-92) accounted for 12 points apiece in the victory. Robert Becarik (183-G-91) responded with 26 points for Slovakia. Norbert Timko (210-C-92) nailed 12 points in defeat.


Handlova with budget cuts, Smacko signed by Zilina - by Tomas Kottra
Lots of changes to come in MBK Handlova, mainly because of budget cuts, said manager Karol Kucera.
'We know that our budget will be cut be one third. At the moment we can not even say that we will play Extraliga this year. Of course we want to, but we have very little money right now. Few lads stayed, but we have to say that we can not count with players like Delic or Glavinic. We will focus o young talented Slovak players. They have never chance like this before,' said Kucera for ebasket.sk website.
The trainer questions are not answered yet, Ludovit Smacko who trained in MBK Handlova last season moved to fresh bronze medalist - BK Vahostav-SK Zilina. 'We are not decided for the proper name yet,' added Kucera

Henderson to stay in Levice - by Tomas Kottra
There were no doubts that champion of latest Slovakian league edition will do his best to keep the team unchanged or even stronger.
First very important step was done by signing home players as Andrej Cervenka (197-G/F-84), Richard Urland (195-F-84), Lukas Bukovic (176-G-91), Ladislav Lutovsky (201-F-75), Richard Klein (198-F-77) and Jozef Vojtek (203-F/C-85). At the moment, manager Lubos Pohanka is glad to announce that star forward Esian Henderson (203-F-86, college: Cent.Missouri) decided to stay with club for another season. 25 years old player had some offers from abroad but decided to stay with 'The Lions'.
Henderson has made his presence in 19 appearances with 30,9 minutes, 17,7 points and 7,8 rebounds.

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  SPAIN   


Changes in Manresa - by Eurobasket News
Alex Llorca (192-G-89), Daniel Lopez (188-G-82) and Larry Lewis (201-F-69, college: Morehouse) are not coming back for the next season. The team announced that their contracts were expired.
Alex Llorca averaged 3.4 points per game, while Daniel Lopez had 3.8. Larry Lewis had 5.9 points per game and 3.8 rebounds.
Thie Manresa finished the season with 10-24 record on the 15th palce. In the last game Power Electronics Valencia won against at home over 15th ranked Assignia Manresa 81-68. The game was mostly controlled by Power Electronics Valencia. Assignia Manresa managed to win fourth quarter 25-16. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Power Electronics Valencia dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Assignia Manresa's 32 and made 18-of-23 free shots (78.3 percent) during the game. Power Electronics Valencia forced 23 Assignia Manresa turnovers. In that game Daniel Lopez scored 7 points and Larry Lewis collected 2 points and 5 rebounds.

Pete Mickeal is set to stay with Regal Barcelona - by Eurobasket News
Pete Mickeal (199-F-78, college: Cincinnati) has reportedly agreed with Barcelona on terms of two-year contract extension. The 33-year-old forward joined the team back in 2009. This season Pete Mickeal averaged 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in Euroleague. In ACB his stats read 15.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per appearance. The forward however missed the bigger part of the season because of an injury. Pete Mickeal was named into Eurobasket.com All-Europe 2nd Team in 2010. He was also trumped All-ULEB Cup Player of the Year back in 2005 while playing for Kozani from Greece. Pete Mickeal had stints in IBL, ABA, Philippines, Greece, Russia, South Korea and Spain. The forward was Euroleague, Cope del Rey and ACB champion. He also triumphed in ACB SuperCup twice.


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  SUDAN   


Bentiu Basketball Team to Represent South in U.S. Tournament - by Eurobasket News
Juba Bentiu basketball team of Unity state will represent the soon-to-be independent Republic of South Sudan in the United States of America this year after emerging as the best team in South Sudan.

The Bentui team will be the first to represent South Sudan, as an independent state at an international sporting event.

South Sudan will formally become independent on July 9 following the overwhelming vote in favor of secession from the rest of Sudan in a January referendum. The Bentui team representing South Sudan will be among the other countries whose secondary school students will converge in the United States of America for sports competitions late this year.

To select the team to travel to the US the best teams from each of South Sudan's ten states have engaged in inter-state competitions for the last two weeks.

The minister of Information in Unity State, Gideon Gatpan Thoar, on Saturday told Sudan Tribune that Bentiu's basketball team emerged as the final winner after beating other nine other teams. Bentui beat the team of Aweil from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state in the final in Juba.

Thoar said the team also represented South Sudan last month in the East Africa Secondary School sports competitions in Nairobi, Kenya. The team lost in the semi-final, but was awarded a 'cup for good conduct and professionalism' by the sports federation of East Africa.
Courtesy of: Sudan Tribune

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  SWEDEN   


Sweden wins U20 Nordic Championship - by Eurobasket News
Sweden wins U20 Nordic Championship as the Scandinavian team won all three games of the tournament. After the win over Finland in Day 1, Sweden overcame Norway and Denmark respectively.
In Day 2 Sweden U20 overcame Norway U20 87:65. The Swedish side started with 26-15, but lost the second frame 14-17. Moreover Norway bettered their positions after 23-22 in the third quarter, but could not follow the favorites at the end. Sweden needed 25-10 in the last stanza to seal the win. Andreas Person (188-G-91) led the way with 19 points, while Christoffer Czerapovicz scored 14. Stian Berg (187-G-91) replied with 13 points in the losing effort.
In Day 3 Sweden rolled over Denmark 86:50 to clinch the title. The winners started with 201-12 in the first period and never looked behind after. Moreover they added the victories in the second and the third periods, but Denmark managed to win the last frame 14-13. Alexander Lindqvist (202-F-91) stepped up with 19 points and Christoffer Czerapovicz added 17. Thomas Laerke (193-G/F-91) ended up with 18 points in defeat.


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  SWITZERLAND   


Boncourt add Laurent Lahey - by Eurobasket News
Boncourt ensured the services of Laurent Lahey (204-F-89) for the next season. The Red Team signed a one-year deal with the 21-year-old forward. Laurent Lahey is currently playing in the Australian Basketball Association. The forward averages 5.7 points per game for the Sydney Comets. Laurent Lahey played for Zurich Wildcats and MGS Grand-Saconnex before. Lahey was the member of Swiss U20 selection in 2008/09 seasons.


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  TANZANIA   


Local Basketball Player Sent to NBA D-League - by Eurobasket News
Eight months ago Hasheem Thabeet (221-C-87, college: Connecticut) was celebrating his selection as the 2nd overall pick of the NBA draft, the first such by a player from the East African region. He now holds a new distinction: the highest pick ever to be sent to the NBA's Development League.

The Tanzanian centre's success and draft into the worlds biggest and most commercially Basketball league had caused so much euphoria and inspired many young players who also relished the chance to follow in his footsteps. But a poor run of form in the first half of the season has caused the management of his team, the Memphis Grizzlies to send the 2009 NBA Draft 2nd overall draft pick to the Development league; a league perceived as the NBA's doghouse.

But that's not to say Thabeet has lost all his star power: In honor of his arrival, the Dakota Wizards, his new team discounted general-admission tickets for Wednesday's game to US$2.

People in the NBA are 'definitely looking at it negatively,' Thabeet said. ''He's the No. 2 pick. He's not supposed to be there. I can't believe that guy is over there and he's the second pick.' But you got to go and work your way up there. I'm working my way up here, working on my confidence.

'When the time comes, I'll be able to answer the call.' The Memphis Grizzlies decided they couldn't pass on Thabeet's potential to become a shot-blocking giant when they drafted the 7-foot-3 center. A second-team All-America from the University of Connecticut, Thabeet drew comparisons to former NBA defensive great Dikembe Mutombo. In doing so, however, the Grizzlies passed on more NBA-ready prospects like Tyreke Evans, James Harden, Jonny Flynn and Stephen Curry all of whom are already having great rookie seasons.

Thabeet's high draft selection earned him a US$4.5 million salary for his rookie season, and he admits to feeling immense pressure to succeed immediately. His contributions, however, were much more modest: Before being sent to Dakota, he was averaging 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and two fouls in 10.3 minutes per game. He's struggled to adjust to the quicker pace of the NBA and his offensive skills still need considerable refining.

And he hasn't disappoint so far, totaling 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in a 109-81 win over Albuquerque in his first game. Through three D-League games, Thabeet has averaged 15 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks while shooting 68%.

'People are expecting a lot from you,' Thabeet said. 'Your teammates back from high school and college. Your college coaches, everyone that knows you. They're all expecting a lot from me. That's a lot of pressure. But now I have to look at it as motivation to work even harder. They sent me out here. I got to show them, 'OK, this is not where I belong.' I just have to keep working hard and my time will come.

'I put myself into this situation. Now I got to deal with it.' Dakota coach Rory White said Thabeet remains a 'work in progress.' 'Right now, it's all about getting him some confidence, and the only way to do that is to get him some minutes in a real game,' White said.

Thabeet hasn't grumbled about his D-League assignment. He hasn't forgotten that he began playing organized basketball just seven years ago. It's not too long ago that he was emailing coaches and schools, begging for an opportunity to play in the United States.

To Thabeet, this is just another stop in his long, unusual journey.

'This is my job,' Thabeet said. 'I just got to come out here and do what they want me to do - my job. I got to continue to work on my weaknesses and get better on them. I'm excited and I can't wait to go back up there.'
Courtesy of: East African Business Week (Kampala)



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  TURKEY   


Ryan Toolson moves to Turkey - by Eurobasket News
Ryan Toolson (193-G-85, agency: Beo Basket, college: Utah Valley St.) will continue his career in Turkey. The 26-year-old guard has agreed on terms of contract with Aliaga Petkim. Ryan Toolson started the previous season in Benetton Treviso. He averaged 6.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per EuroCup game. In Seria A his stats read 9.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per appearance. In March 2011 the player moved to Montegranaro. There Ryan Toolson posted 6.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. Ryan Toolson is not new to Aliaga Petkim. The US played spent 2009/10 season in Turkey. He tallied 16.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Aliaga Petkim. The guard also participated at TBL All-Star Game.


Big changes for Erdemir - by Eurobasket News
Erdemir decided to rebuild their roster for the next season. The team parted ways with three import players. Mike Hall (203-F-84, agency: SportsTalent, college: George Washington), James Thomas (203-F/C-80, college: Texas) and Antwain Barbour (196-G/F-82, agency: Court Side, college: Kentucky) will leave the team.
Antwain Barbour arrived to Turkey from Spanish Lagun Aro. The 28-year-old forward tallied 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in TBL.
Mike Hall started the previous season in Teramo. His stats read 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Later the forward moved to the Dakota Wizards. In D-League Mike Hall averaged 9.9 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He joined Erdemir in January 2011. Mike Hall tallied 13.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per appearance in TBL.
James Thomas arrived to Erdemir at the start of the season. His stats read 9.3 points, 10.2 rebounds per game.


Erdal Bibo heads to Mersin - by Eurobasket News
Erdal Bibo (194-G-77) heads to Mersin and will play for the team in the next season. The 1977-year born Turkish Guard comes from Olin Edirne Basketball.
In 2008-2009 he played for Erdemirspor Belediyesi (TBL, starting five) and averaged 9.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 83.7%. In 2009-2010 for Erdemirspor Belediyesi his stats read 4.7ppg, 1.6rpg. The season 2010-2011 Erdal Bibo appeared for Olin Edirne Basketball (TBL, starting five). He averaged 4.6 points per game.
In one of the top games his former Olin Edirne overcame his new team Mersin 72:58. Olin Edirne led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. FYR Macedonian center Predrag Samardjiski fired a double-double by scoring 19 points, 19 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Lithuanian guard Renaldas Seibutis chipped in 11 points. Four Olin Edirne players scored in double figures. Olin Edirne's coach Gokhan Tastimur allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Forward Nedim Yucel produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds and the former international guard Hakan Koseoglu added 9 points and 5 assists respectively for lost side, while Erdal Bibo had 12 points and 3 rebounds.

France prevail against Turkey in Poissy - by Eurobasket News
France U20 - Turkey U20 58:47

French U20 selection outscored their Turkish counterparts in the first clash of three-game exhibition series in France. The first game was held in Poissy and the hosts rolled to a comfortable win at the end. Evan Fournier (198-G/F-92) stepped up with 13 points to pace the charge.
France opened the game with eight points in a row. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the opening frame and recorded a 16:7 advantage at the first break. Aboudou Jordan (196-F-91) hit a three-pointer to give Les Bleus a 28:8 lead midway through the second stanza. France eased to a 40:21 advantage at the interval. The hosts kept Turkey at bay throughout the third term. France entered the final quarter up by 21 points 52:31. Turkey tipped off the final term on a 10:2 rally to cut the deficit. The visitors managed to get within 11 points but never seriously threatened the margin. Louis Labeyrie (208-C-92) accounted for 9 points, while Aboudou Jordan and Vincent Pourchot (220-C-92) had 8 points each in the win. Dusan Cantekin (222-C-90, agency: Beo Basket) answered with 14 points for Turkey. Furkan Aldemir (205-F-91) posted 12 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

France U20: Evan Fournier 13, Louis Labeyrie 9, Aboudou Jordan 8, Vincent Pourchot 8
Turkey U20: Dusan Cantekin 14, Furkan Aldemir 12


Aliaga in action - by Sinan Can
ALIAGA Petkimspor announced the signings of Ryan Toolson (193-G-85, agency: Beo Basket, college: Utah Valley St.) and Brian Qvale (210-C-88). After Serbian point guard Branislav Ratkovica and Turkish power forward Umit Sonkol, Toolson and Qvale will be new addings to Aliaga Petkim roster. Toolson who had a great rookie season at Pinar Karsiyaka on previous season spent last year in Italy. However, the talented shooter who averaged 16.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for Karsiyaka, could not rpeat the same performance at Italy. Toolson played 13 Euro Cup games with Benetton Treviso where he averaged 6.3 points as he scored 9.5 points per contest in Italian Serie A. Toolson's second stop at Italy was with Fabi Shoes Montegranaro where he had 6.7 points per game. The other signing of Aliaga Petkim is a rookie center out of Montana University, Brian Qvale. Qvale averaged 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks on his senior year at college.

Kerem Tunceri extends with Efes Pilsen - by Eurobasket News
Efes Pilsen renewed the contract with Kerem Tunceri (190-G-79). The 32-year-old guard signed a new 2+1 deal with the team. Kerem Tunceri averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 steal per Euroleague game this season. In TBL the guard notches 7.9 points, 4.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds per game. Kerem Tunceri played for Turkey at 2010 World Championship. The guard posted 6.8 points, 4.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per appearance in Turkey. Kerem Tunceri previously played for Triumph, Real Madrid, Besiktas, Efes Pilsen, Galatasaray. The guard was named Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Player of the Year in 2006.


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  UGANDA   


Warriors Sniff Slight Revenge - by Eurobasket News
Nothing less than regaining the MTN-Fuba League Division One crown will satisfy Kyambogo Warriors even with the applause they got in contributing to a thrilling final series last year.

Coming from 3-0 down to tie the series with DMark Power before losing in a decisive Game Seven is still fresh in the minds of many players.

Not much of the past matters today at YMCA court when the two finalists clash with both teams seeking to protect their perfect starts.

According to Bernice Ankunda, the Power coach, size will ultimately decide the winner. 'They are bigger than us so we have to control the boards,' he said.

His practice sessions are dominated by breathless running to enhance the team's customary transitional basketball which was tested in the 77-75 win over Rhinos but their season is woven in MVP Ben Komakech.

Eric Malinga (186-G) and Ivan Enabu will be vital for Warriors.
Courtesy of: The Monitor

Kasewu's Magic Spurs Warriors - by Eurobasket News
MICHAEL Kariuki and Ronnie Kasewu helped Kyambogo Warriors defeat champions D-Mark Power in the national basketball league at YMCA, Wandegeya on Friday.

The 2009 MVP Kasewu hit 20 points, 16 rebounds and 9 assists as Warriors cruised to their third league win this season.

The last time the two sides met was in last year's best-of-seven series (playoffs finals) that Power won 4-3 to clinch their second title in three years.

'This was a very good game where we showed composure and fitness that helped us win,' said an excited Warriors coach Mande Juruni.

Kasewu's compatriot Kariuki was also in brilliant form in a match watched by a big crowd.

Kariuki came off the bench to sink a game high 22 points as teammate Eric Malinga (186-G) added 13.

The inconsistent Power side cruised to 48-35 lead at half-time.

Later, they went up 66-64 but blew the advantage due to a faulty defence.

Power Coach Barnes Ankunda remarked after the game that, 'This is a reality check for us because we now have to go back to the drawing board and make sure we correct our mistakes.'

Power's Isaac Afidra, Jimmy Enabu, Joseph Ikong and Ben Komakech had 19, 12, 10 and 9 points respectively but could not save the team from defeat.

Power, who are so far showed an unconvincing form, have three league wins.
In the men's division one, Falcons are up against Miracle Eagles in what promises to be a closely contested match.
Courtesy of: The New Vision

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


Three leaders again for the Metro league - by Hector Lopez
Larranaga and Nacional joined Tabare at the top of the Metro League, with 11/4 and three more games for the regular season. The results of the last games played were:
Larranaga 77 - Jimmy Boston (201-F-77, college: N.C.Central) 16 points 15 rebounds 2 blocks
Yale 67 - Nicolas Catala 35 points 12 rebounds, Tarrie Monroe (202-F-77, college: Lewis) 3 points 7 rebounds
- - -
Nacional 74 - Terrence Shelman (198-F-78) 6 points 8 rebounds 2 blocks, Roberto Amaro (197-F-69) 9 points 5 rebounds
Verdirrojo 69 - Emiliano Baston (200-F-88) 15 points 5 rebounds
- - -
Capitol 91 - Gordon James (198-F-79, college: Bridgeport) 31 points 13 rebounds 6 blocks
Atenas 80 - Quentin Smith (205-C-77, college: Mississippi St.) 13 points 14 rebounds



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Women News

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  AUSTRALIA - Women  


Defending champions Willetton back in action (Round 13 WSBL Preview) - by Eurobasket News
Fresh off consecutive byes, defending women's State Basketball League champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers will be looking to continue their dominant form this weekend.

The Tigers remarkably haven't played since May 21 as an anomaly in the schedule saw them have back-to-back weekends off, but the league leaders were in outstanding form before their break and will be favoured to continue that when they play Perth Redbacks and Western Stainless Stirling Senators.

Willetton beat Perth in last year's semi-finals so the eighth-placed Redbacks will be out for revenge, and their hopes have been boosted by the expected absence of West Coast Waves players Kate Malpass (176-G-88) and Ebony Antonio (173-G-91) for the Tigers.

And the ninth-placed Senators are expected to be helped by the return of fellow Waves star Michelle Joy (184-F-90) as they try to get their finals hopes back on track following last week's loss to Perth.

Mandurah Magic have won their past four games and will be hoping to maintain the pressure on Willetton with victories against Stirling and Lakeside Lightning.

The Lightning got back into form with a 42-point victory against Southwest Slammers last weekend and need to continue that momentum to upset the Magic and get back into the finals race.

Australian Central East Perth Eagles have fallen to three wins outside the top four with defeats in two of their previous three games and they'll be desperate to get back on track with victory against Perth.

The Eagles, who are the only side to beat Willetton this season, have only been beaten twice at home this season and will be favourites against the Redbacks.

Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks have remained in a top two spot with victories in their past four matches and should again be too strong for the Slammers, who have lost 13 straight since winning their first game of the year.

And Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves, who also have a four-game winning streak, should consolidate their spot in the top four with victory against bottom side Rockingham Flames, who have lost three consecutive games.

Article by Jacob Kagi
Courtesy of: http://www.sbl.asn.au/



QBL Round Five Player of the Week - by Eurobasket News
QBL WOMEN - Rebecca Haynes (188-F-84, college: Jacksonville St.)

Carrying on from 2010 where she was named Player of the Week on two occasions Rebecca Haynes has continued to put up good numbers this season and has been rewarded with the Round 5 Player of the Week award. Haynes had the astonishing statistics of 42 points, hitting 14/23 from the field and 6/9 3 pointers, 26 rebounds, 11 assists and 9 steals, coming perilously close to pulling off an amazing quadruple double. Since joining the Power in 2010 Haynes has quickly established herself an integral part of the all conquering Power line-up. In last years QBL Grand Final Haynes was standout for the Power, with 32 points and 14 rebounds highlighting her importance to the side. Rebecca is a proven performer at QBL level averaging 24.3ppg, 15.0rpg and 4.8apg across a career which has spanned four years.

Haynes showed from a young age that she is an extremely talented player and has represented QLD South at the U18 National Junior Championships. In 2001 Haynes was selected in the All Australian side and was awarded the Queensland Academy of Sport most outstanding graduate. Haynes played for three different Colleges (Daytona Beach Community College, Community College of Rhode Island and Jacksonville State University) in the US and was named the student athlete of the year at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Rebecca made her WNBL debut in the 2008/09 season, playing 15 games for Logan Thunder, averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. In the 2009/10 season, Rebecca made improvements on her debut season, playing 20 games and averaging 3.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. For the 2010/11 season Haynes was signed by the Canberra Capitals and played 15 games averaging 1.9ppg and 2.7rpg.

In any other week Gladstones Captain/ Coach Jessica Bibby would have received the POW award, becoming the first player of the season to crack the 50 points milestone, with 50 points @ 48.4%, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals in the Powers win over Maroochydore. Rockhamptons Nicole Romeo continued her stellar season with 34 points and 8 assists against the Capitals, as did fellow WNBL recruit Tegan Cunningham who had 25 points and 7 rebounds in the Cyclones win. Cairns Big three Cayla Francis (19 points & 16 rebounds), Naomi Pedro (24 points) and Rohanne Cox (10 points & 10 rebounds) all shone for the Dolphins in their win over the previously undefeated Force. Cabooltures Simone Grant and Rachel Warren both had strong weekends in their two games for the Suns, with Grant averaging 22ppg and 10.5rpg and Warren averaging 16ppg ad 15rpg. Toowoombas Olimpiea Hurst had a breakout game with 18 points and 14 rebounds, but it was not enough to get the Mountaineers up against South West Metro. For the Pirates, Catherine Scanlon had her fifth double-double in as many matches with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Forces Emma Langford (20 points) was pivotal in Ipswichs 82-51 over the Flames, while Aroon Edgar was gallant in a losing side for Townsville with 24 points and 7 rebounds. Carine Reimink (23 points and 12 rebounds) and Jade Davis (16 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals) were sensational for the Rollers in their double overtime win against Caboolture. To conclude Round 5 Bundabergs imports, Kisha Lee (22 points & 8 rebounds) and Yvonne Turner (21 points & 6assists), put in strong performances in their win over Maroochydore.
Courtesy of: QBL



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  AUSTRIA - Women  


Igor Skocovski takes over Flying Foxes - by Eurobasket News
Six-time AWBL defending champions Flying Foxes named new head coach. Igor Skocovski will take the reins in the upcoming season. The Serbian specialist worked with Slovakian Poprad since 2008. He led the team into Extraliga Cup Finals in 2011. Igor Skocovski also worked with Serbian and Slovakian U18 selections. The Serbian specialist will replace Christoph Pinezich who left Flying Foxes straight after the end of the last season.


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  BELGIUM - Women  


Italy blasts Belgium 68-46 - by Eurobasket News
ITALY - BELGIUM 68-46

Italy destroyed Belgium 68-46 last night jumping to 2-1 record in Group B. However, Germany outplayed Serbia earlier yesterday and already clinched the first place in this group. It means that both Italy and Belgium (1-2) failed to reach the Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011 in Poland.
Raffaella Masciadri (185-F-80) top-scored in victory with 19 points and she was their only player with double-digits. Simona Ballardini (181-F-81) and Nnena Wabara (183-F-81, college: Baylor) netted 9 points each for the hosts. In Belgium, Romina Ciappina (180-F/G-88) delivered 14 points and Emma Meesseman (188-C-93) had 11 pts, plus 7 boards. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game as Italy ended it with 24-11 (19-17, 13-9, 24-11, 12-9).
In the last round of Group B, Italy will meet Romania. Belgium will take on Serbia.

Italy: Raffaella Masciadri 19, Simona Ballardini 9, Nnena Wabara 9
Belgium: Romina Ciappina 14, Emma Meesseman 11+7 boards

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  BRAZIL - Women  


Brazilian National Team 2011 - by Eurobasket
Brazilian National Team 2011
#s#
Barbara Queiroz
Queiroz
Bethania Vasconcelos
Vasconcelos
Carina Felippus
Felippus
Clarissa Santos
Santos
Fernanda Beling
Beling
#e#5
Barbara Queiroz 181-G-85 Americana Brazil
Bethania Vasconcelos 180-G/F-81 Ourinhos Brazil
Carina Felippus 184-C-79 Americana Brazil
Clarissa Santos 186-C-88 Acucar Brazil
Fernanda Beling 185-F-82 Ourinhos Brazil
Franciele Nascimento 191-C-87 Cadi la Seu Spain
Gilmara Justino 185-C-81 Sao Caetano Brazil
Isis Nascimento 202-C-83 Basquete Clube Brazil
Ivana da Silva 169-G-87 M.Petrobras Brazil
Jaqueline Silvestre 178-F-86 Sao Caetano Brazil
Micaela Jacintho 180-F-79 Santo Andre Brazil
Nadia Calhado 194-C-89 Sao Caetano Brazil
Natalia Santos 186-F-87 Arkansas Tech USA
Palmira Marcal 177-G-84 Acucar Brazil
Silvia Gustavo 186-F-82 Acucar Brazil
Tatiana Nascimento 181-F-91 Divino/COC Brazil

Enio Vecchi Head Coach Vitoria Brazil
Urubatan Paccini Assistant Ourinhos Brazil


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  BULGARIA - Women  


Hungary advances to AQT Finals - by Eurobasket News
BULGARIA - HUNGARY 57-71

Hungary advanced to Additional Qualifying Tournament Finals after they registered perfect 4-0 record in Group A. This time Hungary was better than Bulgaria handing them 57-71 loss. Bulgaria dropped to 1-2 and they currently shares third place with Finland. Zsofia Fegyverneky (178-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) stepped up for the winners with 16 points, while Anna Vajda (191-F/C-84, agency: Josep and Nicolas) added 12 pts and 6 boards. Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91) helped the hosts with 11 points. In the loosing squad, Doneeka Hodges (175-G-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: LSU) collected 23 points and 5 boards. Jaklin Zlatanova (190-F-88) stopped to 14 pts and 6 rebs. Hungary blasted Bulgaria in the second half ending it with 24-37.
In the last round of Group A, Bulgaria will meet Holland. Hungary will meet Germany in the AQT Finals and the winner will book a spot for Poland.

Bulgaria: Doneeka Hodges 23+5 boards, Jaklin Zlatanova 14+6 boards
Hungary: Zsofia Fegyverneky 16, Anna Vajda 12+6 boards, Krisztina Raksanyi 11

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  CAMEROON - Women  


Injs Yaounde champions of Cameroon - by Eurobasket News
The finals of Cameroons ladies basketball championships were played over the weekend with Injs of Yaounde claiming the title.
At the end of the Final Four matches played at the Yaounde multipurpose sports complex, Injs retained their crown after winning all their matches while Noblesse ladies of Douala who are this seasons revelation finished as vice champions with two victories out of three.The mens final had been played over a month ago with Condor of Yaounde retaining the title as well.

Complete results of the final four

Friday May 27
14h : Nobless Ladies of Douala Beac of Yaound 53 - 50
16h : Injs of Yaound Gnration forte of Bamenda 70 - 23

Saturday May 28
10h Nobless Ladies of Douala Gnration forte of Bamenda 76 - 23
14h30 : Beac of Yaound Gnration forte of Bamenda 64 - 14
15h30 : Injs of Yaound Nobless Ladies of Douala 66 - 48

Sunday May 29
15h Injs of Yaound Beac of Yaound 70 - 34
Courtesy of: http://www.starafrica.com


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


Cacic called into camp after Jelavic injury, Mandir is new captain - by Zeljko Zule
Ana Cacic (175-G-86) of Lupa promotion has joined the national team at training camp in Porec on Friday. Cacic was called-in after Anda Jelavic (172-G-80) injured her knee. Jelavic, captain of Croatian national team, has pulled out of the squad for the upcoming European Championship in Poland. Sandra Mandir (175-G-77) is to captain Croatian team in the 2011 Eurobasket, national coach Stipe Bralic has revealed.

*****************************************************
  DENMARK - Women  


Danish U18 National Team 2011 - by Eurobasket
Starting five
#s#
Ida Klussmann
Klussmann
Anna Seilund
Seilund
Maria Jespersen
Jespersen
Marie Blyme
Blyme
Mathilde Fogelstrom
Fogelstrom
#e#5
4 Ida Klussmann 169-G-93 Amager Denmark
5 Julie Ravn 174-G-93 Horsens Denmark
6 Natascha Hartvich 174-G-94 Vaerlose Denmark
7 Emilie Klint 170-G-93 Falcon Denmark
8 Anna Seilund 172-F/G-93 Amager Denmark
9 Elisabeth Hansen 175-F/G-93 Falcon Denmark
10 Maria Jespersen 179-F/G-94 Aabyhoj Denmark
11 Tine Randrup-Thomsen 177-G-94 Aabyhoj Denmark
12 Ena Viso 177-G-93
13 Marie Blyme 173-F-93 Horsholm Denmark
14 Cecile Overgaard 179-F-93
15 Mathilde Fogelstrom 184-C/F-93 Amager Denmark



*****************************************************
  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Women  


Stats Leaders Div.A (Women)
Points Per Game
 Doneeka HODGES
  USA
  (175-G-82)
  Avg: 20.7
 1. Hodges, BUL20.7 
 2. Marginean, ROM15.7 
 3. Breitreiner, GER15.5 
 4. Tuukkanen, FIN15.0 
 5. Fegyverneky, HUN15.0 
 6. Bar, GER14.8 
 7. Milovanovic, SRB14.7 
 8. Zherzherunov., UKR13.3 
 9. Masciadri, ITA13.3 
 10. Meesseman, BEL13.0 
Rebounds Per Game
 Romy BAR
  GER
  (189-F-87)
  Avg: 11.3
 1. Bar, GER11.3 
 2. Ress, ITA9.3 
 3. Meesseman, BEL8.7 
 4. Tuukkanen, FIN8.0 
 5. Zherzherunov., UKR7.3 
 6. Masciadri, ITA7.0 
 7. Matic, SRB6.7 
 8. Ligthart, NED6.0 
 9. Austmann, GER6.0 
 10. Szecsi, HUN6.0 
Assists Per Game
 Katalin HONTI
  HUN
  (175-G-87)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. Honti, HUN3.5 
 2. Dimitrova, BUL3.3 
 3. Zara, ITA3.3 
 4. Fegyverneky, HUN3.0 
 5. Bar, GER2.8 
 6. Hodges, BUL2.7 
 7. Zlatanova, BUL2.7 
 8. Pop, ROM2.7 
 9. Richter, GER2.3 
 10. Sottana, ITA2.3 
Steals Per Game
 Romy BAR
  GER
  (189-F-87)
  Avg: 3.3
 1. Bar, GER3.3 
 2. Szecsi, HUN2.3 
 3. Honti, HUN2.3 
 4. Breitreiner, GER2.3 
 5. Mayombo, BEL2.0 
 6. Stoenescu, ROM2.0 
 7. Zherzherunov., UKR2.0 
 8. Marginean, ROM2.0 
 9. Zlatanova, BUL2.0 
 10. Peteva, BUL2.0 
Blocks Per Game
 Gabriela MARGINEAN
  ROM
  (185-F-87)
  Avg: 1.3
 1. Marginean, ROM1.3 
 2. Alyoshkina, UKR1.0 
 3. Vajda, HUN1.0 
 4. Austmann, GER1.0 
 5. Koop, GER0.8 
 6. Matic, SRB0.7 
 7. Pavel, ROM0.7 
 8. Tuukkanen, FIN0.7 
 9. Halman, NED0.7 
 10. Celus, BEL0.7 


Standings Div.A (Women)
Standings
Group A
1. Lithuania0-0
2. Russia0-0
3. Slovakia0-0
4. Turkey0-0
Group B
1. Belarus0-0
2. Czech Repu.0-0
3. U.Kingdom0-0
4. Israel0-0
Group C
1. Spain0-0
2. Montenegro.0-0
3. Poland0-0
Group D
1. Croatia0-0
2. France0-0
3. Greece0-0
4. Latvia0-0
Group Qualif. Gr.A
1. Hungary4-0
2. Holland2-1
3. Bulgaria1-2
4. Finland1-2
5. Ukraine0-3
Group Qualif. Gr.B
1. Germany3-1
2. Italy2-1
3. Romania1-2
4. Serbia1-2
5. Belgium1-2


Additional Qualifying Tournament, Day 4: Hungary and Germany to meet in the Finals - by Eurobasket News
Group A
Bulgaria - Hungary 57-71
Hungary advanced to Additional Qualifying Tournament Finals after they registered perfect 4-0 record in Group A. This time Hungary was better than Bulgaria handing them 57-71 loss. Bulgaria dropped to 1-2 and they currently shares third place with Finland. Zsofia Fegyverneky (178-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) stepped up for the winners with 16 points, while Anna Vajda (191-F/C-84, agency: Josep and Nicolas) added 12 pts and 6 boards. Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91) helped the hosts with 11 points. In the loosing squad, Doneeka Hodges (175-G-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: LSU) collected 23 points and 5 boards. Jaklin Zlatanova (190-F-88) stopped to 14 pts and 6 rebs. Hungary blasted Bulgaria in the second half ending it with 24-37.
In the last round of Group A, Bulgaria will meet Holland. Hungary will meet Germany in the AQT Finals and the winner will book a spot for Poland.

Ukraine - Holland 51-52
Very exciting game was played last night in Sopron, where Holland grabbed 51-52 victory against Ukraine. Holland jumped to 2-1 score in Group A and Ukraine stays winless after 3 games. Hungary already clinched the first place in this group meaning that both Ukraine and Holland failed to reach the AQT Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011. Marlou De Kleijn (181-F-92) and Tanya Broering (178-G-84) scored 10 points each for the winners. Francisca Donders (170-G-89) had two pointes less. In Ukraine, Olena Zherzherunova (191-F-78, agency: LBM Management) collected 14 points and 7 rebs, while Alina Iagupova (181-G-92, agency: LBM Management) added 10 pts and 8 boards. Quarters: 17-14, 3-12, 22-12, 9-14.
In the last round of Group A, Holland will meet Bulgaria. Ukraine will play against Finland. Both games will be played today, but they will be just the formality.



Group B
Serbia - Germany 64-74
Despite there is one more round left in Group B, it is already clear that Germany will win the first place. Germany outplayed Serbia last night 64-74 jumping to 3-1 record, what will be enough for the Additional Qualifying Round Finals. On the other side, Serbia dropped to 1-2 and they will not be one of the EuroBasket 2011 participants for sure. Svenja Greunke (188-F-89) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds in victory, and Sarah Austmann (179-G/F-85) added 15 points, plus 6 boards. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) followed them with 12 pts. Serbia got 14 points and 8 rebounds from Jelena Milovanovic (190-F-89). Their second scorer was Sasa Cado (172-G-89) with 9 points. Germany did a good job in the second half, what was enough for the comfortable win at the end. Quarters: 10-12, 23-22, 15-20, 16-20.
In the last round of Group B, Serbia will meet Belgium. Germany will now focus to the AQT Finals against Hungary.

Italy - Belgium 68-46
Italy destroyed Belgium 68-46 last night jumping to 2-1 record in Group B. However, Germany outplayed Serbia earlier yesterday and already clinched the first place in this group. It means that both Italy and Belgium (1-2) failed to reach the Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011 in Poland.
Raffaella Masciadri (185-F-80) top-scored in victory with 19 points and she was their only player with double-digits. Simona Ballardini (181-F-81) and Nnena Wabara (183-F-81, college: Baylor) netted 9 points each for the hosts. In Belgium, Romina Ciappina (180-F/G-88) delivered 14 points and Emma Meesseman (188-C-93) had 11 pts, plus 7 boards. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game as Italy ended it with 24-11 (19-17, 13-9, 24-11, 12-9).
In the last round of Group B, Italy will meet Romania. Belgium will take on Serbia.



*****************************************************
  FINLAND - Women  


Finnish U18 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Starting five
#s#
Elisa Runsas
Runsas
Anette Juvonen
Juvonen
Emmi Leino
Leino
Noora Korhonen
Korhonen
Annika Holopainen
Holopainen
#e#5
Sophie Weckstrom 170-G-93
Meral Bedretdin 174-G-93 Espoo Team Finland
Elisa Runsas 179-G/F-94
Anette Juvonen 170-G-93 ToPo Finland
Kaisa Kuisma 180-F-94 S-Hameenmaa Finland
Emmi Leino 179-G-94
Saara Wahlgren 172-G-92 ToPo Finland
Asta Sillanpaa 180-F-93
Camilla Gronberg 178-G/F-94 TuRi Finland
Noora Korhonen 182-F-94
Annika Holopainen 186-F/C-93 Espoo Team Finland
Noora Jarvikangas 181-F-94 KaPo Finland



*****************************************************
  GERMANY - Women  


Germany goes to AQT Finals - by Eurobasket News
SERBIA - GERMANY 64-74

Despite there is one more round left in Group B, it is already clear that Germany will win the first place. Germany outplayed Serbia last night 64-74 jumping to 3-1 record, what will be enough for the Additional Qualifying Round Finals. On the other side, Serbia dropped to 1-2 and they will not be one of the EuroBasket 2011 participants for sure. Svenja Greunke (188-F-89) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds in victory, and Sarah Austmann (179-G/F-85) added 15 points, plus 6 boards. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) followed them with 12 pts. Serbia got 14 points and 8 rebounds from Jelena Milovanovic (190-F-89). Their second scorer was Sasa Cado (172-G-89) with 9 points. Germany did a good job in the second half, what was enough for the comfortable win at the end. Quarters: 10-12, 23-22, 15-20, 16-20.
In the last round of Group B, Serbia will meet Belgium. Germany will now focus to the AQT Finals against Hungary.

Serbia: Jelena Milovanovic 14+8 boards, Sasa Cado 9
Germany: Svenja Greunke 16+8 boards, Sarah Austmann 15+6 boards, Anne Breitreiner 12

*****************************************************
  HOLLAND - Women  


Holland grabs thriller win against Ukraine - by Eurobasket News
UKRAINE - HOLLAND 51-52

Very exciting game was played last night in Sopron, where Holland grabbed 51-52 victory against Ukraine. Holland jumped to 2-1 score in Group A and Ukraine stays winless after 3 games. Hungary already clinched the first place in this group meaning that both Ukraine and Holland failed to reach the AQT Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011. Marlou De Kleijn (181-F-92) and Tanya Broering (178-G-84) scored 10 points each for the winners. Francisca Donders (170-G-89) had two pointes less. In Ukraine, Olena Zherzherunova (191-F-78, agency: LBM Management) collected 14 points and 7 rebs, while Alina Iagupova (181-G-92, agency: LBM Management) added 10 pts and 8 boards. Quarters: 17-14, 3-12, 22-12, 9-14.
In the last round of Group A, Holland will meet Bulgaria. Ukraine will play against Finland. Both games will be played today, but they will be just the formality.

Ukraine: Olena Zherzherunova 14+7 boards, Alina Iagupova 10+8 boards
Holland: Marlou De Kleijn 10, Tanya Broering 10, Francisca Donders 8

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


Hungary advances to AQT Finals - by Eurobasket News
BULGARIA - HUNGARY 57-71

Hungary advanced to Additional Qualifying Tournament Finals after they registered perfect 4-0 record in Group A. This time Hungary was better than Bulgaria handing them 57-71 loss. Bulgaria dropped to 1-2 and they currently shares third place with Finland. Zsofia Fegyverneky (178-G-84, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) stepped up for the winners with 16 points, while Anna Vajda (191-F/C-84, agency: Josep and Nicolas) added 12 pts and 6 boards. Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91) helped the hosts with 11 points. In the loosing squad, Doneeka Hodges (175-G-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: LSU) collected 23 points and 5 boards. Jaklin Zlatanova (190-F-88) stopped to 14 pts and 6 rebs. Hungary blasted Bulgaria in the second half ending it with 24-37.
In the last round of Group A, Bulgaria will meet Holland. Hungary will meet Germany in the AQT Finals and the winner will book a spot for Poland.

Bulgaria: Doneeka Hodges 23+5 boards, Jaklin Zlatanova 14+6 boards
Hungary: Zsofia Fegyverneky 16, Anna Vajda 12+6 boards, Krisztina Raksanyi 11

*****************************************************
  ICELAND - Women  


Icelandic U18 National Team 2011 - by Eurobasket
4 Lovisa Falsdottir G-94 Keflavik Iceland
5 Ana Einarsdottir G-93 Njardvik Iceland
6 Hildur Kjartansdottir 170-F-94 Snaefell Iceland
7 Margret Halfdanardottir 173-G-94 Haukar Iceland
8 Arny Kristinardottir G-93
9 Eva Guomundsdottir F/G
10 Telma Asgeirsdottir 171-G-93 Keflavik Iceland
11 Berglind Gunnarsdottir 175-F-93 Snaefell Iceland
12 Anita Vioarsdottir G-94
13 Dagbjoert Samuelsdottir 178-F-93 Haukar Iceland
14 Berghora Tomasdottir G-94 Fjolnir Iceland
15 Arnina Runarsdottir G-93 Njardvik Iceland



*****************************************************
  ISRAEL - Women  


Nar Zanolin - One Man Show, Court Ruling Naama Shafir - by David Pick
FIBA Court of Appeal decided today (Wednesday) to reject the appeal filed by the Israeli Basketball Association regarding the national women's standout player, Naama Shafir regarding playing with undergarments. Due to the decision made by FIBA's Europe Secretary General, Nar Zanolin, Shafir will not be able to play the game of basketball with her undergarments as she might miss the European Championship which opens in ten days in Poland.

Representatives of the IBA were astonished and embarrassed by Zanolin's decision, even more so, that it took FIBA two whole weeks to come up with its resolution, only to then rule that it is not the authorized body to appeal on the decision and that the internal appeal of FIBA Europe is the one that is supposed to discuss the matter.

'Eurobasket.com' recently learned that there is a large amount of tension between Zanolin and the IBA and that his decision may have other motives behind it. The FIBA Europe Secretary General recently attended the Israeli BSL Final-Four without informing anyone from the Israeli Basketball Association of his arrival and did not make any attempt to meet with the IBA either, a fact that causes the decision to smell even fishier then it already does.

'Zanolin's decision is an embarrassment. He single handedly ruled that Naama will not play European basketball,' an IBA source told 'Eurobasket.com', expressing their disappointment with the ruling.

'Over 20% of the Israeli population is religious and Shafir is considered a symbol that with religion and moral principles, one could achieve the highest levels of basketball and sports. FIBA informed us that they have no problem of Shafir playing with a t-shirt under her game jersey; however, Zanolin had a different opinion. The decision is an outrage due to the fact that she already played both in Israel and in the NCAA with her undergarments. The IBA will now take the matter up with the International Olympic Committee, as well as the European Court of Human Rights and rule out the verdict.' added the source.

Shafir, who plays in the University of Toledo in the NCAA, is known to go above and beyond to both play the game of basketball and respect her religion. Shafir who comes from an Israeli religious and spiritual home, plays with undergarments covering her shoulders due to her belief of not reveling certain female body parts.



*****************************************************
  ITALY - Women  


Italy blasts Belgium 68-46 - by Eurobasket News
ITALY - BELGIUM 68-46

Italy destroyed Belgium 68-46 last night jumping to 2-1 record in Group B. However, Germany outplayed Serbia earlier yesterday and already clinched the first place in this group. It means that both Italy and Belgium (1-2) failed to reach the Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011 in Poland.
Raffaella Masciadri (185-F-80) top-scored in victory with 19 points and she was their only player with double-digits. Simona Ballardini (181-F-81) and Nnena Wabara (183-F-81, college: Baylor) netted 9 points each for the hosts. In Belgium, Romina Ciappina (180-F/G-88) delivered 14 points and Emma Meesseman (188-C-93) had 11 pts, plus 7 boards. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game as Italy ended it with 24-11 (19-17, 13-9, 24-11, 12-9).
In the last round of Group B, Italy will meet Romania. Belgium will take on Serbia.

Italy: Raffaella Masciadri 19, Simona Ballardini 9, Nnena Wabara 9
Belgium: Romina Ciappina 14, Emma Meesseman 11+7 boards

*****************************************************
  KENYA - Women  


Strathmore Rock Gladiators in Basketball League Match - by Eurobasket News
Nairobi Strathmore University's women's basketball team continued to post impressive results in this year's Premier League.

They rocked Gladiators 45-40 in a tight weekend tie at the Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium.

The varsity students put coach Ronnie Owino 's Gladiators to task from the first whistle racing a 18-7 first quarter lead.

Having ended giants Eagle Wings unbeaten record (48-44), Strathmore under coach Sylvia Njeri proved a force to reckon with as they went up 24-21 at half-time.

Sprite Storms rediscovered their winning form to defeat Co-operative Bank 47-39 in a low scoring women's tie.

Shem Otieno scored-game high 24 points to help Trail Blazers beat Africa Nazarene University 58-42.

Trail Blazers, who had rocked Kenya Navy 50-47 last weekend, led 23-21 at half-time.

Robert Andiwo added 11 for the winners while Andrew Kihumba shot 14 and team-mate Kennedy Macharia sunk nine for the students.
Courtesy of: Daily Nation

Western Delight Shock Reigning Champions Ports Authority - by Eurobasket News
WESTERN Delight pulled off a major upset in the women's Premier League when they stunned reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 34-32 at Police Canteen in Kakamega. The low-scoring encounter saw Delight take a 6-5 and 9-8 lead in the first two quarters. KPA hanged on 14-13 in the third before things took a dramatic twist in the last quarter with Delight, urged on by home fans, romping to 13-3 victory. With 14 seconds to go, Ghyslaine Uwimana snatched a basket with the game deadlocked at 32-32 deadlock, to claim victory. In the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) Provincial League at Railways Club, Upper Hill School clobbered Dolphins 72-34 in a one-sided match. Baraka Xtreme also had it too easy whipping Aquinas School 61-39 while Old Pirates torched Friends of Basketball (FoB) 76-46. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricluture and Technology (JKUAT) nipped Heroes 57-55 in overtime. Both sides had tied 55-55 in normal time. Don Bosco beat Multi Media University 68-51 while Little Prince felled Neosasa Morans 68-51.
Courtesy of: Nairobi Star (Nairobi)



*****************************************************
  MALTA - Women  


Hibs Medsea clinch Super Cup - by Eurobasket News
Hibs Medsea managed to celebrate the title this season. They wrapped up their seasons campaign claiming Super Cup. Hibs Medsea faced Luxol for the trophy. The former champions overcame their archrivals 63:51. Hibs stormed into the game. They recorded a 30:11 advantage midway through the second stanza. Luxol cut the deficit at 16 points 20:36 at the interval. Luxol kept up the pressure in the second half. However Hibs Medsea looked determined in the second half and recorded a well-deserved win at the end. Maria Desira (F-87) top-scored with 19 points for the winners.



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


Old Dominion appoints Karen Barefoot as head coach - by George Manousidis
Former Lady Monarch assistant coach Karen Barefoot , who last season led Elon to its first ever Division I postseason appearance, has been named Old Dominion's new head women's basketball coach, Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig announced Wednesday.

Barefoot becomes just the sixth head coach in Lady Monarch basketball history and first new hire since 1987. Barefoot, the school's first Native American head coaching hire, takes over a program that has reached postseason play in 19 of its last 20 years and has won 929 games, the third most all-time in women's basketball history.

'Karen Barefoot is an outstanding basketball coach with strong ties to both ODU and the Hampton Roads community,' said President John R. Broderick. 'Her passion for the game and commitment to academic and athletic integrity ensures the Lady Monarchs basketball program will retain the winning reputation for which it is known.'

Barefoot, who hails from Newport News, Va. (Menchville High School), has a career head coaching record of 209-144, resulting in 11 winning seasons. Aside from Elon, Barefoot has also held the head coaching position at Division II Lenoir Rhyne College and at the Apprentice School.

'A new era in Lady Monarch basketball begins today with Karen Barefoot as our women's basketball head coach,' says Selig. 'Karen's energy and enthusiasm, coupled with her successful head coaching record at a relatively young age, is testament to her work ethic and passion for the game.

'Karen's knowledge of our program's history, our campus and the local community is a big plus for our women's basketball program. She is ready to hit the ground running and put the Lady Monarchs back on a championship track.'

'I am ecstatic about the opportunity to lead the Lady Monarch Basketball Program and to reunite with the ODU family,' said Barefoot. 'ODU has extremely passionate fans and great support around the program. I'm very thankful to President John Broderick, Dr. Wood Selig and the search committee.

'Today is a bittersweet day for me, I loved Elon. I am extremely grateful to Elon for the opportunity to work for such a great university under the leadership of Athletic Director Dave Blank and President Leo Lambert. This past year has been an historical year both on and off the court for Elon, but what I'll miss the most is the relationships with the players, coaches and fans. At the same time it's Old Dominion. I've always considered ODU one of the premier programs in the nation.'

Barefoot helped Elon reach new heights in 2010-11, as the Phoenix finished the season with a 20-13 record - the program's best season at the Division I level and only the fifth team in program history to reach the 20-win plateau. The Phoenix's 11 home victories marked the most home wins in a single season in the Division I era, while the team's postseason appearance in the Women's Basketball Invitational was the first since joining Division I. Elon recorded its 20th win of the season in the WBI after a 103-72 drumming of USC Upstate in the first round. Barefoot also led Elon to 12 victories in SoCon play, doubling last year's total and tying the 2003-04 squad for the most SoCon wins in a season.

Prior to coming to Elon, Barefoot was an assistant coach at Old Dominion, where the team compiled a 77-23 record and was a perennial top-25 program. In 2007-08, ODU advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, defeating 12th-seeded Liberty University and fourth-seeded Virginia before falling to top-seeded Connecticut, completing a 31-5 record for the 2007-08 campaign. Along with its 17th consecutive Colonial Athletic Association crown, ODU earned a ranking as high as 11th in the nation.

Barefoot originally came to Old Dominion after serving as the head coach at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne from 2001-2005. While at the NCAA Division II school, Barefoot captured the first South Atlantic Conference regular season title in school history in 2003-04 en route to claiming league Coach of the Year honors. Under her leadership, the team also grabbed the first SAC tournament championship in school history in 2002-03. That year, the team finished the season ranked eighth in the region following its first-ever trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. In her first year at Lenoir-Rhyne, she led the program to its best record in 15 years, going 19-9.

Barefoot coached Lenoir-Rhyne's first NCAA First Team All-American, South Atlantic Player of the Year and SAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Additionally, under her guidance the Bears had four student-athletes earn All-SAC honors and 13 student-athletes named to the SAC Commissioner's honor roll.

Prior to her stint at Lenior-Rhyne, Barefoot spent six winning seasons at the Apprentice School after helping to initiate and develop the first-ever female athletic program in the 75-year history of the school. A two-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year (1999 & 2001), she compiled a 102-43 mark and captured the 2001 NSCAA National Championship. Under Barefoot, the Builders had seven NSCAA All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans.

As a former student-athlete at Christopher Newport, in nearby Newport News, Barefoot still holds the recognition of being the first player in NCAA history, male or female, to score over 2,000 points and accumulate 1,000 assists during her career. Barefoot was the only player to achieve this height until Gonzaga's Courtney Vandersloot accomplished the feat on March 21, 2011. For four consecutive seasons, Barefoot led the nation in assists and is CNU's all-time leader in scoring, assists and steals.

A three-time Kodak/WBCA All-American, she has been inducted into the CNU Athletic Hall of Fame and had her college jersey (No. 10) retired. In 2006 she was named to USA South's 25th Anniversary Team.

Barefoot graduated from Christopher Newport with a degree in recreation and leisure studies in 1995.

Courtesy: CAA

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


Poland U20 outscored the Turkish side - by Eurobasket News
Poland U20 outscored the Turkish U20 selection in the friendly games between two teams. The guests took 64:58 in the first game as the teams will face two more times.
Turkey opened the game with 22-19 and added 18-13 in the second frame. The second half however belonged to the Polish side. At first they won the third quarter 12-5 and then celebrated the win in the game due to 20-13 in the last quarter.
Magdalena Zietara (170-G/F-92) paced all the winners with 17 points, while Magdalena Idziorek (175-G-92) and Malgorzata Misiuk (184-F-91) netted 12 each. Agnieszka Sniezek (176-G-91) delivered 9, Joanna Markiewicz (183-F-91) scored 8 and Marzena Marciniak (183-F-91) had 3. Gamze Takmaz (182-F-91) replied with 12 points in the losing effort, whilst Asena Yalcin (172-G-91) and Ayse Cora (175-G/F-93) posted 11 apiece.



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  SENEGAL - Women  


Jeanne D'Arc triumphs in Arc-En-Siel Cup - by Eurobasket News
Jeanne D'Arc - Jaraaf 64:51

Jeanne D'Arc clinched their first title of the season. They overcame Jaraaf for the Arc-En-Siel Cup title. It was the sixth success at the tournament for Jeanne DArc. Yaram Beye stepped up with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to pace the winners.
Jaraaf ensured the better start to the game. They recorded a 13:11 lead after ten minutes. But the second term turned disastrous for Jaraaf. They scored just three points in it and trailed by 7 points at halftime 16:23. Jeanne D'Arc nailed 23 points in the third frame to boost the margin to 12 points. The teams traded baskets throughout the final frame but Jeanne D'Arc were able to secure a 13-point victory at the end. Hermine Ngueko accounted for 20 points and 8 rebounds in the win. Fanta Leye (87) answered with 14 points for Jaraaf. Adja Fatou Ba delivered 9 points in the loss. Yacine Diop was named MVP after the game.

Jeanne D'Arc: Yaram Beye 21, Hermine Ngueko 20, Yacine Diop 7
Jaraaf: Fanta Leye 14, Adja Fatou Ba 9


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  SERBIA - Women  


Germany goes to AQT Finals - by Eurobasket News
SERBIA - GERMANY 64-74

Despite there is one more round left in Group B, it is already clear that Germany will win the first place. Germany outplayed Serbia last night 64-74 jumping to 3-1 record, what will be enough for the Additional Qualifying Round Finals. On the other side, Serbia dropped to 1-2 and they will not be one of the EuroBasket 2011 participants for sure. Svenja Greunke (188-F-89) came up with 16 points and 8 rebounds in victory, and Sarah Austmann (179-G/F-85) added 15 points, plus 6 boards. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) followed them with 12 pts. Serbia got 14 points and 8 rebounds from Jelena Milovanovic (190-F-89). Their second scorer was Sasa Cado (172-G-89) with 9 points. Germany did a good job in the second half, what was enough for the comfortable win at the end. Quarters: 10-12, 23-22, 15-20, 16-20.
In the last round of Group B, Serbia will meet Belgium. Germany will now focus to the AQT Finals against Hungary.

Serbia: Jelena Milovanovic 14+8 boards, Sasa Cado 9
Germany: Svenja Greunke 16+8 boards, Sarah Austmann 15+6 boards, Anne Breitreiner 12

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  SPAIN - Women  


Extrugasa Vilagarcia could disappear next season - by Ivan Villar
Critical situation in Vilagarcia.The small city of Galicia has one of most traditional teams of female basketball in Spain.Now there are many posibilitites that team is broked.The sponsor Extrugasa cant afford more support to AD Cortegada because of the crisis.And managers confirmed last weekend what everybody expected.They wont have a team in LF except it happens a miracle.This new was very amazing for world basketball.Club will fight for surviving in Lf-2 and they are in conversations with Pamplona for switch their places.

Carlos Colinas will be the new coach of Celta Vigo - by Ivan Villar
After many trouble for galician team,finally his president announced that club will continue in first spanish division.Also we know that Carlos Colinas is the new coach after Miguel Mendez signing by Rivas Futura.Colinas has been general manager of club last years,but he was coaching Brazil national team in last World championship.He has many experience with senior teams (Extrugasa Vilagarcia,Celta Vigo,Mann Filter Zaragoza) and junior teams.Colinas is coach of national junior teams for 6 years getting a lot of medals with U16,U18 and U19 teams.

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  SWEDEN - Women  


Swedish U18 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Starting five
#s#
Abigail Asoro
Asoro
Ellen Nystrom
Nystrom
Nathalie Fontaine
Fontaine
Allis Nystrom
Nystrom
Amanda Zahui
Zahui
#e#5
Helena Kurt 165-G-93 Telge Sweden
Ida Christensen 173-G/F-93
Sofie Persson 169-G-93 Brahe Sweden
Gabriella Frykbo 165-G-94 Sodertalje Sweden
Louise Noaksson 173-G-93 Kvarnby Sweden
Abigail Asoro 178-F-93 08 Sweden
Ellen Nystrom 183-G-93
Nathalie Fontaine 183-F-93 08 Sweden
Josefin Vesterberg 190-F-93
Allis Nystrom 183-F-93
Ulrica Holmqvist 184-C-93
Amanda Zahui 191-C-93 Telge Sweden



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  TURKEY - Women  


Poland U20 outscored the Turkish side - by Eurobasket News
Poland U20 outscored the Turkish U20 selection in the friendly games between two teams. The guests took 64:58 in the first game as the teams will face two more times.
Turkey opened the game with 22-19 and added 18-13 in the second frame. The second half however belonged to the Polish side. At first they won the third quarter 12-5 and then celebrated the win in the game due to 20-13 in the last quarter.
Magdalena Zietara (170-G/F-92) paced all the winners with 17 points, while Magdalena Idziorek (175-G-92) and Malgorzata Misiuk (184-F-91) netted 12 each. Agnieszka Sniezek (176-G-91) delivered 9, Joanna Markiewicz (183-F-91) scored 8 and Marzena Marciniak (183-F-91) had 3. Gamze Takmaz (182-F-91) replied with 12 points in the losing effort, whilst Asena Yalcin (172-G-91) and Ayse Cora (175-G/F-93) posted 11 apiece.



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  UGANDA - Women  


Martha Soigi maintained her impressive form - by Eurobasket News
In the women's category, Martha Soigi maintained her impressive form with 12 points as KCC Leopards defeated A-1 Challenge.

Soigi's teammates Joyce Zalwango and Carol Nantalo (G) added 11 and 10.

A-1's Vicky Nassolo was the only player with double digits (13).

The annual competition continues today with a series of matches in both the men;s and women's categories.
Courtesy of: The New Vision


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  UKRAINE - Women  


Holland grabs thriller win against Ukraine - by Eurobasket News
UKRAINE - HOLLAND 51-52

Very exciting game was played last night in Sopron, where Holland grabbed 51-52 victory against Ukraine. Holland jumped to 2-1 score in Group A and Ukraine stays winless after 3 games. Hungary already clinched the first place in this group meaning that both Ukraine and Holland failed to reach the AQT Finals and of course EuroBasket 2011. Marlou De Kleijn (181-F-92) and Tanya Broering (178-G-84) scored 10 points each for the winners. Francisca Donders (170-G-89) had two pointes less. In Ukraine, Olena Zherzherunova (191-F-78, agency: LBM Management) collected 14 points and 7 rebs, while Alina Iagupova (181-G-92, agency: LBM Management) added 10 pts and 8 boards. Quarters: 17-14, 3-12, 22-12, 9-14.
In the last round of Group A, Holland will meet Bulgaria. Ukraine will play against Finland. Both games will be played today, but they will be just the formality.

Ukraine: Olena Zherzherunova 14+7 boards, Alina Iagupova 10+8 boards
Holland: Marlou De Kleijn 10, Tanya Broering 10, Francisca Donders 8

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  USBA - Women  


Wal Mart and Sam's Club will sponsor School Supply Extravaganza in all WUSBA team cities - by USBA Media

Atlanta, Ga. (June 8, 2011) --- For most families in every American city, the cost of purchasing the basic required school supplies every fall stretches their ability, to seek out the monies to give their child these supplies, to the limit. In fact, many of the lower-income students in most school districts routinely begin school without the necessary supplies to begin the new school year. Considering the current constraints of funding in each district, schools with a large population of high-needs students are find it difficult to step in and assist these families.

To ensure that students in need have the opportunity to begin the school year, this fall, ready to learn, the Women's United States Basketball Association (WUSBA) and the WUSBA Youth Outreach, Inc, have initiated the 2011 WUSBA School Supply Extravaganza. The WUSBA and its basketball teams have arranged the collection of school supplies with the help of Wal Mart, Target, Office Depot, Kroger, Staples, and Sams Club and others. Recently the WUSBA began to unite these companies in a gigantic effort to provide students with school supplies in each of the league team cities. This July, these companies are launching the first annual collaborative school supply drive. 'We need everything from crayons to back packs, for the kids in need' said WUSBA president Duane Allen Jenkins, 'We do this same program in my daughters school, we decided to expand our efforts to include elementary schools in all our sixteen league cities.'

Title sponsors include Wal Mart and Sam's Club, The two discount giants are jumpstarting the drive with a $2,500 commitment for each city in donations of school supplies and will provide additional supplies at discounted cost. The collaboration of the additional companies will raise the majority of its support through a combination of monies, donated school supplies and sharply discounted prices on purchases. This united effort will be accessible in early August and until all students receive the supplies or until all supplies are exhausted. This program allows the schools the most effective opportunity to acquire much needed supplies to distribute to students in their schools. The drive will secure donations that will be used on the local level. 'We are thankful for the inclusion of Charleston County School students and families in such a needed and worthwhile program', said Dr. Brenda Nelson, Ed.D. Director of Community Outreach, Charleston County School District, 'we do look forward to working with the WUSBA around this effort.'

'Our chief goal in coordinating this effort was to attempt to create a solution, rather than ignore an ever present challenge that plagues our communities. It's a terrible thing to have to select between buying school supplies or food for the family, we pray our efforts can make a difference', said Jenkins. 'The WUSBA is obligated to help all our cities anyway we can.'

The Women's United States Basketball Association is a professional basketball league based in the United States and features many players from the U.S. and around the world. The league has twenty teams spread out over eight southern states. The following is a list of current teams;

The Southern Division consists of the Atlanta Platinum (Ga.), the Montgomery Spirit (Al), the Birmingham Starz (Al) and the Macon Storm (Ga.).

The Piedmont Division will house the Augusta Raging River (Ga.), the Charlotte Blue Wave (NC), the Columbia Breeze (SC) and the Winston Salem Cardinals (NC).

The Atlantic Division will field the Jacksonville Surf (Fla.), the Virginia Colonials (Va.), the Savannah Seahawks (Ga.), and the Charleston Cadets (SC).

The Appalachian Division is the West Virginia Capitals (WV), the Nashville Thunder (Tn.), the Chattanooga Royal (Tn.) and the Knoxville Reign (Tn.).

Michael Spencer, Chief Operations Officer of Norfolk Public Schools was contacted about this program and stated, 'We are thrilled to be included with the collaboration. While we have undertaken a school supply drive each year, we were excited by the opportunity to combine our efforts with the WUSBA.'

Executive Vice President, WUSBA, Kenneth Green, said 'The collection among the discount giants was easy; they all were willing to serve the local communities. Collectively, the capabilities of these respected companies nicely complement each other and will create more support for the students.'

'If individuals prefer to make in-kind donations to, they can drop off school supplies they already have purchased to local elementary schools in their cities.'

'We anticipate that the 2011 WUSBA School Supply Extravaganza will become a staple among the leagues annual giving campaigns, and we look forward to the day when all area students have the supplies they need regardless of their family financial circumstances', Jenkins said.



Subway and the WUSBA will continue vendor and sponsorship relationship in new fall schedule - by USBA Media

Atlanta, Ga. (June 8, 2011) The Women's United States Basketball Association (WUSBA) and SUBWAY restaurants announce a continuation of their corporate partnership. The partnership will include fans will receiving gifts card during Game Day give-a-way promotions at all WUSBA teams home games. The promotion which gives all those who purchase single game tickets a chance to win a Subway Meal Deal during the course of the regular season basketball game. The local team will give away five gift cards at every home game. The give-a-way gift card can be redeemed for selected Subway 6 inch subs, a bag of potato chips and a soft drink. This promotion offer is available at all SUBWAY locations in the teams city. The WUSBA will sell Subway sandwiches in all concession stand at all home games and Subway will sponsor one Halftime promotion at a home game in each team city.

Subway gift card give-a-way will be available for all league home games. There are 2400 Subway gift cards available for the league to divide equally to each local team home game. When the fan purchases a ticket for a WUSBA basketball game, they will receive a numbered ticket. The matching numbered ticket will be placed in a bin. During the duration of the game the announcer will pull at random a ticket out of the bin, call out the selected number and the winner will receive the Subway Meal Deal gift card, courtesy of the team and the WUSBA. Ten winners will be selected at each home game, league wide. The gift card may also be used to purchase other Subway sandwiches. The value of the gift card is $5.00 and can be only redeemed for Subway products .This offer is redeemable only at the area Subway locations in WUSBA team cities.

Other components of the new partnership include in-arena signage, promotional messaging in game day programs and radio broadcast. Subway will provide sandwiches to all teams at away basketball games. Subway will participate in the WUSBA Job Fair on August 13, 2011

SUBWAY restaurants are the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 30,500 locations in 87 countries. The SUBWAY restaurants chain has surpassed McDonald's number of locations throughout the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Headquartered in Milford, Conn., with regional offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Brisbane, Miami and Singapore, the SUBWAY restaurant chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. Their partnership marked the beginning of a remarkable journey one that makes it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY chain has been named the No. 1 global franchise opportunity by Entrepreneur magazine in its 2008 franchise ranking. For more information about the SUBWAY restaurant chain, visit www.subway.com. SUBWAY is a registered trademark of Doctor's Associates Inc.

Women's United States Basketball Association has sixteen basketball teams in eight southern states. Each team plays a twenty six game schedule with thirteen home games and thirteen away. The league was established in 2010. The league headquarters is located in Atlanta, Georgia. The league basketball season begins August 27, 2011and ends November 13, 2011.


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  WNBA - Women  


Standings
WNBA Standings
Eastern
 1. Atlanta D. 0-0 
 2. Chicago S. 0-0 
 3. Connecticut S. 0-0 
 4. Indiana F. 0-0 
 5. New York L. 0-0 
 6. Washington M. 0-0 
Western
 1. L.Angeles S. 0-0 
 2. Minnesota L. 0-0 
 3. Phoenix M. 0-0 
 4. S.Antonio SS 0-0 
 5. Seattle S. 0-0 
 6. Tulsa S. 0-0 


Lynx 75, Shock 65: Rebekkah Brunson ignites home victory with 17 points, 15 rebounds - by Eurobasket News
Rebekkah Brunson's (6'3''-F/C-81, agency: LBM Management, college: Georgetown) rebounding prowess used to draw comparisons to former NBA rebounding king Dennis Rodman.

Not anymore.

'Now it's Kevin Love,' the Minnesota Lynx power forward said with a smile Tuesday night. 'He's stolen the show. I'm just trying to live up to all that hype.'

Brunson has proven worthy of the comparisons with the Wolves' double-double wizard.

She had 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead Minnesota to a 75-65 victory over Tulsa in front of 7,713 at Target Center.

The 6-foot-2 Brunson, in her second season with the Lynx, already has proven herself to be the best rebounder and most physical player in the 13-year history of the WNBA franchise.

Lindsay Whalen (5'8''-G-82, college: Minnesota) added 16 points and Monica Wright (5'11''-F-88, agency: LBM Management, college: Virginia) 10 to lift the Lynx to 2-1 for the first time since 2009. It took the Lynx seven games last year to win their second game.

It was an uneven victory for the Lynx, who played one of the best quarters in franchise history when they built a 24-8 lead after the first quarter. The point production slowed over the next three quarters when they mustered just 51 points.

'I've wanted to say this for a long time: Winning ugly is still winning,'' Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said.

Minnesota's high points Tuesday coincided with Brunson's dominance in recording her third consecutive double-double of the season. Love had a NBA-record 53 double-doubles this past season.

She had seven points and five rebounds in the first quarter and nine points and 10 rebounds by intermission when the Lynx led 39-28. Early in the first quarter, she grabbed a defensive rebound and drove the length of the court for a three-point play and a 9-1 Lynx lead.

'She is just relentless; she just doesn't know any other way,'' Reeve said of Brunson.

Brunson, chosen by the Lynx in the 2009 dispersal draft after Sacramento folded, averaged 11.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season, becoming just one of eight players in league history to average a double-double for a full season.

'There's no secret to what I do,' said Brunson, 29, a seven-year WNBA veteran. 'It's just work. I go after it, that's all. It's rewarding to be able to contribute to this time and do my part toward winning games. If I were doing these things and losing, it wouldn't feel very rewarding. Knowing I do things to contribute feels really good.'

Veteran center Taj McWilliams-Franklin (6'3''-F/C-70, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: St.Edward's) said it's 'cool' that the Lynx have Brunson, but said she and her teammates need to help out.

'We sometimes find ourselves watching instead of doing our job with the boxing out,' McWilliams-Franklin said. 'I think it's great we have someone like (Rebekkah). We can't expect her to get to every ball. We need to help her out.'

Brunson scored 10 points in each of the Lynx's first two games, a split with Los Angeles.

'I'm glad the scoring is coming around,' she said. 'I just go out and do whatever I can to contribute. I want to give it everything I've got. I can rebound for 40 minutes.'

Elizabeth Cambage, the 6-foot-8 rookie center taken by Tulsa with the No. 2 overall pick behind Minnesota's Maya Moore, led the Shock (0-2) with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Moore had seven points, making 2 of 10 shots from the field in 32 minutes.

- Former Lynx standout Teresa Edwards was honored before the game. Edwards, a Tulsa assistant coach, is a women's college basketball and WNBA pioneer. In August, she will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

- Minnesota's best early-season test to see if the team is indeed a championship contender is Thursday at Seattle, the defending WNBA champion. The Storm, 1-0 this season, have defeated the Lynx 10 consecutive games at KeyArena.

- With four rebounds Tuesday, Seimone Augustus reached 500 for her career. She had eight points in 18 minutes.

Courtesy of www.twincities.com