EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 7/29/2011

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Men News

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  ANTIGUA   


Antigua takes the first win in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
GUYANA - ANTIGUA 51-76

Antigua celebrated their first win in Nassau. It was the last game of the Preliminary Round and Antigua outplayed Guyana 76-51 to avoid the last place in Group A. Antigua (1-2) ended as No.3 in this pool, while Guyana is on the bottom winless. Both teams failed to reach the Semifinals and will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Lennox McCoy (188-G-77, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: Cent.Oklahoma) shined for Antigua with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Wayne Walker (76) had 15 points and 11 boards, while Julius Hodge (201-G-83, college: N.Carolina St.) added 15 pts, 8 boards and 6 assists. In the loosing squad, Kerom McKenzie delivered 21 pts. Dwayne Roberts (C) had 12 pts and 6 rebs. Quarters: 12-17, 10-11, 14-25, 15-23. Championship continues today.

Guyana: Julius Hodge 21, Dwayne Roberts 12+6 boards
Antigua: Lennox McCoy 16+5 boards, Wayne Walker 15+11 boards, Julius Hodge 15+8 boards+6 as

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  ARMENIA   


Armenian U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Starting five
#s#
Kirill Zakharchuk
Zakharchuk
Sergey Polukhin
Polukhin
Arkadiy Mkrtychyan
Mkrtychyan
Andrey Konstantinov
Konstantinov
Sergei Pogosyan
Pogosyan
#e#5
4 Artem Tavakalyan 95
5 Kirill Zakharchuk 95
6 Vladimir Radivoevich 95
7 Andrei Grachev 95
8 Dmitriy Karmakskikh 95
9 Sergey Polukhin 95
10 Mger Petrosyan 95
11 Roman Sayadyan 95
12 Arkadiy Mkrtychyan 95
13 Andrey Konstantinov 95
14 Sergei Pogosyan 95
15 Mikael Pogosyan 95



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  AUSTRALIA   


Lockout, insurance issues could keep Bogut from playing for Australia in Olympic qualifiers - by Eurobasket News
Bucks center Andrew Bogut (212-C/F-84, college: Utah) is a proud and active member of the Australian national team, and of course, wants to play for his country in the Olympic qualifiers this September. But he - and other NBA players hoping to join their national teams - could have a tricky path in doing so if there is an NBA lockout. Thats because, once a lockout is imposed, Boguts contract with Milwaukee will no longer be insured, and an injury could put his future at risk.

The Melbourne Age reports on its website that Boguts representatives are in talks with Basketball Australia about filling the insurance gap for Bogut, who played through a spate of injuries this year and suffered a dislocated elbow after a nasty fall in April 2010. The Australian team is slated to begin workouts and exhibition games later this month.

I definitely want to play for my country, Bogut told the website. In the past, BA has just piggy-backed on the Bucks' insurance policy and paid a small portion of it while I'm playing for the Boomers. But with the lockout, I technically won't have a contract and the Bucks' insurance won't cover me.

Bogut has three years and nearly $40 million remaining on his contract.

Courtesy of http://aol.sportingnews.com

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  AUSTRIA   


Austria lost to Hungary - by Stefan Heinrich
Austria lost their first friendly game of this summer against the Hungarian National Team. After a ties first half Hungary dominated the third quarter and they decided the game with a 23-11 in quarter 3. In the end the won the game 58:71 and both coahces used that game to give minutes to every player.

Austria (58): Rasid Mahalbasic (210-F/C-90) 14, Davor Lamesic (205-F-83, agency: Interperformances) 13, Richard Poiger (201-F-87) 11, Ochsenhofer 8, Detrick 6, O'Neal 4, Schreiner 2
Hungarya (71): Adam Hanga (201-G-89, agency: TSS Management) 15, Obie Trotter (186-G-84, agency: Court Side, college: Alabama A&M) 13, Peter Lorant (207-F/C-85, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) 10, Keller 8, Horvath 6, Bader 6, Fodor 5, Molnar 3, Szabo 3, Vojvoda 2

U18: Switzerland too good for Austria in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Switzerland U18 - Austria U18 70:48

Switzerland overcame Austria at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. The victory propelled the Swiss juniors at 2-1 record on top of Group H. Austria fell at 0-2 record. Vincent Gaillard (200-F-93) notched 27 points and 8 rebounds to pace the winners.
Switzerland ensured the strong start to the game. They limited Austria to just 9 points in the opening quarter to post a 13-point lead. The margin kept on growing throughout the second term. Switzerland piled up a 19-point halftime lead 43:24. More to come in the third term as Switzerland did not loosen the grasp. They built a comfortable 26-point lead with one quarter remaining. Austria stopped the rot in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened the margin. Clint N'Dumba-Capela (202-F-94) accounted for 22 points and 27 rebounds in the victory. Timur Bas (195-C-94) responded with 8 points for Austria. Patrick Kolb (196-F-94) had 7 points in defeat.

Swtitzerland U18: Vincent Gaillard 27, Clint N'Dumba-Capela 22+27 boards, Louis Kagny (194-G/F-93) 5
Austria U18: Timur Bas 8, Patrick Kolb 7

Austrian U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Austrian U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Benjamin Bernleithner
Bernleithner
Tobias Dobernig
Dobernig
Colin Fuchs-Robetin
Fuchs-Robetin
Florian Hartenbach
Hartenbach
Paul Hiebler
Hiebler
#e#5
Benjamin Bernleithner 185-G-95
Tobias Dobernig 169-PG-95
Colin Fuchs-Robetin 189-F-95
Florian Hartenbach 193-F-95
Paul Hiebler 195-C-95
Florian Keller 188-F-96
Ian Moschik 197-F-96
Stefan Neudecker 190-G/F-95 Oberwart Austria
Marvin Ogunsipe 193-F-96
Florian Pelc 168-PG-95
Jakob Poltl 202-F-95
Fabian Richter 189-G-95 Furstenfeld Austria
Marko Soldo 190-G-95
Simon Tumler 182-G-95
Florian Vogel 186-PG-96
Georg Wolf 186-G-95
Sebastian Wurtz 202-C-95
Raphael Zimmerl 195-F-95



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  BALKAN LEAGUE   


Feni Industri signs Kiril Nikolovski - by Eurobasket News
Kiril Nikolovski (210-C-88, agency: Interperformances) is a new member of Feni Industri Kavadarci. The Macedonian center penned a one-year deal with his new club. Nikolovski heads to Feni from MZT Skopje Aerodrom, where he spent last season. He appeared 30 times in Superleague averaging 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. Nikolovski ended as the best rebounder of the competition. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League 2nd Team -11. From 2008 to 2010, Kiril Nikolovski played for Vardar Osiguruvanje. In their second season together he had 8.9 ppg and 5 rpg. Nikolovski also played for MZT in the past. He was a member of U20 and U18 FYROM National Team. In 2006, Nikolovski helped U20 FYROM to win the Silver at the European Championships U20 Division B in Lisbon. He had 2.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg for 8 games at this event.

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  BELGIUM   


Belgian U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Belgian U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Jarnoe Boon
Boon
Romain Boxus
Boxus
Glen Camps
Camps
Gilles Decroly
Decroly
Sami Demirtas
Demirtas
#e#5
Jarnoe Boon 192-F-95
Romain Boxus 194-F-96
Glen Camps 201-C-95
Gilles Decroly 198-C-95
Sami Demirtas 186-G-96
Raphael Dubois 190-F-96
Alexandre Eyenga 185-SG-95
Mathijs Gijbels 200-F-95
Tim Haeck 180-PG-95
Sam Hemeleers 179-G-95
Mats Jouret 180-G-95
Jordan Kaluanga 188-F-95
Vincent Kesteloot 193-F-95
Emmanuel Lecomte 175-G-95
Gillian Schouteet 200-F-95
Thimote Traversin 175-PG-95
Bram Ulrichts 198-F-95
Sander Van Caeneghem 203-F-95
Andy Van Vliet 206-C-95
Hans Vanwijn 197-F-95



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  BERMUDAS   


Bermudas keep Cayman Islands winless in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
BERMUDAS - CAYMAN ISLANDS 54-48

Bermudas celebrated their second win in Nassau. As expected, Bermudas outplayed Cayman Islands 54-48 for 2-2 record in Group B. However, that was not enough for the second place and Bermudas failed to reach the Semifinals. They will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Cayman Islands finished as the last ranked team of CBC Championship winless. Jason Lowe (85) collected 18 points and 7 rebounds for Bermudas. Sullivan Phillips (198-G/F-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Wash.Adventist) had 11 points and 5 rebs, while Jahvon Dean Jones (198-F-83) added 8 pts and 11 rebs. Jorge Ebanks (86) responded with 13 points in loss. Their second scorer was Shaad O'Garro (201-F-90, college: Campbellsville) with 10 points. Quarters: 13-23, 10-9, 14-5, 17-11. Championship continues today for Bermudas.

Bermudas: Jason Lowe 18+7 boards, Sullivan Phillips 11+5 boards, Jahvon Dean Jones 8+11 boards
Cayman Islands: Jorge Ebanks 13, Shaad O'Garro 10

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  BOSNIA   


Milos Komatina returns to Igokea - by Miljan Veskovic
Milos Komatina (204-C-84) All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Player of the Year for 2010/2011 returns to his former club BC Igokea Aleksandrovac. Milos was already a memeber of the Bosnian powerhouse in 2009/2010 when they had qualified for the Adriatic league. Last season he played for Mlados MG, led the team to national semifinals. In 31 games he averaged: 16.6ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 65.4%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 71.7%.

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  BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS   


British Virgin Islands head to Semifinals in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS - SAINT VINCENT 71-63

British Virgin Islands managed to beat Saint Vincent 71-63 and to win the second place in Preliminary Group B in Nassau. They made almost perfect 3-1 record and reached Semifinals. There, British Virgin Islands will meet US Virgin Islands. On the other side, Saint Vincent ended as No.4 of this pool with 1-3 score. They will be transferred to Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Rashid Cann (183-G-86) top-scored for the winners with 21 points. Kennedy Bass (196-F-81, college: Anderson) had 15 points and 7 boards, while Norville Carey added 12 pts. In defeat, Randolph Williams (188-G-76) delivered 23 points. Oral Roberts (201-F/C-74) and Dameon Ottley (89) netted 11 pts each. Quarters 22-13, 14-13, 22-13, 13-24. Semifinals are scheduled for today.

British Virgin Islands: Rashid Cann 21, Kennedy Bass 15+7 boards, Norville Carey 12
Saint Vincent: Randolph Williams 23, Oral Roberts 11, Dameon Ottley 11

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  BULGARIA   


U16: Turkey and Bulgaria open Division A campaign - by Eurobasket News
Turkey U16-Bulgaria U16 85:75

Turkey and Bulgaria open Division A campaign in Hradec Kralove at the U16 European Championship. Turkey grabbed 85:75 win in the opener for the first winning record.
Turkey started with 4-0 run and Dogukan Sanli (191-G-95) brought 10:2. Dinkov reduced to 14:13, while Kosut closed the opening frame at 25:15. Turkey continued their dominance and reached 37:21 midway through the second quarter. Okben Ulubay (200-F-97) and Aleksandar Vezenkov (204-F-95) exchanged the late baskets in the half for 45:32. In the third frame Bulgaria managed to reduce to 8 points as they won the period 25-20. Dogukan Sanli scored for 65:57 in the end of third period, while his Turkey added 20-18 in the last period for the win in the opener.
James Birsen (203-F/G-95) stepped up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Okben Ulubay notched 11. Ayberk Guleryuz (206-C-95) and Dogukan Sanli followed them with 10 points each. Aleksandar Vezenkov replied with 29 points in the losing case and Vassil Stoimenov (198-F-95) posted 17.

Turkey U16: James Birsen 17+11 rebs, Okben Ulubay 11, Ayberk Guleryuz 10, Dogukan Sanli 10
Bulgaria U16: Aleksandar Vezenkov 29, Vassil Stoimenov 17


U18: The hosts overcame the Baltic representative for the semifinal birth - by Eurobasket News
Bulgaria U18-Estonia U18 81:70

Bulgaria advanced to the Semifinals of the U18 European Championship in Varna. The hosts needed a 81:70 win over Estonia and will face Denmark in the last game of the Qualifying Round before both teams will head to the semis. Estonia meanwhile will play first Hungary and then will play for 5-8 places.
Estonia stay tough until 9:9, but then Bulgaria went on a lead. Dimitar Stoyanov (187-G-93) closed the first period at 20:13 and Pavlin Ivanov (195-G-93, agency: Beo Basket) brought 25:18. Bulgaria added 19-15 in the second period for 39:28 at the halftime. Kustas Poldoja (190-F-93) and Janari Joesaar (197-F-93) created a 8-0 run in the third frame for 49:46, but Dimitar Stoyanov closed the period with a three for 57:47. The fourth period also belonged to the hosts that increased to 15 points when Dimitar Dimitrov (202-F-93) scored fro 73:58. Late baskets by Jurtom and Nurger reduced the final result to 81:70.
Dimitar Dimitrov top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Tencho Tenchev (202-F-93) netted 16. Pavlin Ivanov and Dimitar Stoyanov followed them with 10 points each in the winning effort. Rait-Riivo Laane (180-PG-93) ended up with 16 points, while Kustas Poldoja and Janari Joesaar notched 11 apiece.

Bulgaria U18: Dimitar Dimitrov 17, Tencho Tenchev 16, Pavlin Ivanov 10, Dimitar Stoyanov 10
Estonia U18: Rait-Riivo Laane 16, Kustas Poldoja 11, Janari Joesaar 11





U18: Bulgaria beat Denmark, both advanced to the Semifinals - by Eurobasket News
Denmark U18-Bulgaria U18 72:81

Bulgaria beat Denmark at the U18 European Championship in Division B as both advanced to the Semifinals in Varna. The hosts needed 81:72 win to settle down on top of Group E with 3-0 record. Bulgaria will now face Montenegro, the second team from another group. Denmark finished second in Group E with 2-1 record and will play with Sweden in another Semifinal.
Bulgaria took the lead from the very beginning and reached 27-13 in the end of the first period. Both teams nailed 20 points in the second frame for 47:33 at the halftime. Denmark produced 23-19 in the third quarter to reduce to 66:56 after thirty minutes, while another 16-15 in the last stanza brought the final result in the game.
Dimitar Dimitrov (202-F-93) exploded with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Pavlin Ivanov (195-G-93, agency: Beo Basket) netted 17. Dimitar Stoyanov (187-G-93) posted 13, while Tencho Tenchev (202-F-93) netted 8. Esben Reinholt (196-G-93) answered with 18 points in defeat and Larsen scored 17.

Denmark U18: Esben Reinholt 18, Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94) 17, Larsen K. 13
Bulgaria U18: Dimitar Dimitrov 28+12 rebs, Pavlin Ivanov 17, Dimitar Stoyanov 13, Tencho Tenchev 8



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  CANADA   


Nash prefers to stay at home despite lockout - by Eurobasket News
Although hailing the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league as a fine destination for NBA players, the Phoenix Suns' MVP guard, Steve Nash (6'3''-PG-74, college: Santa Clara), believes he will stay with his family during the current league lockout.

'Like I said before, if I did not have three daughters to take care of I would like to come and play in the CBA,' Nash said during a press conference on Monday in Shanghai.

The event was hosted by his sponsor, Luyou, and unveiled the all-star guard's personal logo while he shared some of his favorite moves and shots with local fans.

'I know I have got a lot of diehard fans here, it's incredible. The basketball league here is also awesome. It's definitely a good league for all players worldwide. But I would like to stay with my family during the holidays,' said Nash, who arrived in China last Saturday for a four-day charity visit organized by the sports company.

Before the press conference, Nash paid a visit to Banqiao High School in Yunnan province, where he raised donations to build a new sports ground.

Having signed with the elite sportswear brand in January, Nash, who claimed the NBA MVP award twice - in 2005 and 2006, is now keen to expand his charity campaign to a larger area.

However, the recent retirement of Yao Ming has denied the pair of the opportunity this year to host their charity games, which were launched in 2007.

'Although Yao has quit, I believe his charity efforts will continue. And we will definitely have more cooperation on that together,' Nash said.

'Yao was a dominant player with great achievements on and off the court. He's done everything well in each field. Without him, I might not be here to sign with a Chinese brand or get lots of support here,' said the 37-year-old Canadian.

As a veteran, Nash said an NBA championship ring was still a strong lure for him, but he said he would not change teams to achieve that goal.

'Every player wants the ring. We were very close to it many times. Changing teams may be a way. But I don't think I will join another team; I prefer to stay in Phoenix. Hopefully, we can go further next season,' said Nash.

Courtesy of www.chinadaily.com.cn

France hand Canada second straight loss - by Eurobasket News
France - Canada 86:69

France celebrated the second straight win over Canada in the exhibition series. This time Les Bleus earned victory in Toulouse. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) stepped up with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 boards to pace the hosts.
The teams stayed close throughout the opening quarter. France pulled ahead late in the quarter to post a 22:19 lead. Canada bounced back taking a 29:28 lead midway through the second term. But the hosts stepped on the gas to eke out a 42:38 halftime lead. France stayed in charge throughout the third period. Les Bleus ensured a 63:56 advantage with one quarter to go. France opened the fourth quarter on a 15:2 run to clear off. They dominated in the reminder of the contest to post well-deserved win at the end. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) accounted for 15 points, while Nando De Colo (202-G-87) added 14 points in the win. Andy Rautins (193-PG-86, college: Syracuse) responded with 18 points for Canada. Jevohn Shepherd (196-F-86, college: Michigan) dropped 15 points in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 16, Nicolas Batum 15, Nando De Colo 14
Canada: Andy Rautins 18, Jevohn Shepherd 15


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  CAYMAN ISLANDS   


Bermudas keep Cayman Islands winless in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
BERMUDAS - CAYMAN ISLANDS 54-48

Bermudas celebrated their second win in Nassau. As expected, Bermudas outplayed Cayman Islands 54-48 for 2-2 record in Group B. However, that was not enough for the second place and Bermudas failed to reach the Semifinals. They will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Cayman Islands finished as the last ranked team of CBC Championship winless. Jason Lowe (85) collected 18 points and 7 rebounds for Bermudas. Sullivan Phillips (198-G/F-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Wash.Adventist) had 11 points and 5 rebs, while Jahvon Dean Jones (198-F-83) added 8 pts and 11 rebs. Jorge Ebanks (86) responded with 13 points in loss. Their second scorer was Shaad O'Garro (201-F-90, college: Campbellsville) with 10 points. Quarters: 13-23, 10-9, 14-5, 17-11. Championship continues today for Bermudas.

Bermudas: Jason Lowe 18+7 boards, Sullivan Phillips 11+5 boards, Jahvon Dean Jones 8+11 boards
Cayman Islands: Jorge Ebanks 13, Shaad O'Garro 10

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  CBC CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Semifinals are set in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
Group A
U.S. Virgin Islands - Jamaica 86-61
US Virgin Islands are the winners of the Preliminary Group A in Nassau. They closed this phase with 86-61 victory against Jamaica for perfect 3-0 record. US Virgin Islands will meet British Virgin Islands in the Semifinals. Jamaica also reached the next stage, but as No.2 of this pool (2-1 score). They rival in the Semis will be Bahamas. Cuthbert Victor (196-F-83, college: Murray St.) shined for the winners with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ivan Aska (200-F-90) had 15 points and 5 boards, and Aaron Brown (195-G-92) also helped his team with 15 pts. On the other side, Jamaica got 15 points and 7 rebs from Patrick Ewing Jr. (203-F-84, college: Georgetown) Akeem Scott (186-PG-83, agency: Interperformances, college: High Point) had 13 and Ryan Reid (203-F-86, college: Florida St.) added 12 points, plus 10 rebs. Quarters: 21-22, 23-13, 18-14, 24-12. Championship continues today.

Guyana - Antigua 51-76
Antigua celebrated their first win in Nassau. It was the last game of the Preliminary Round and Antigua outplayed Guyana 76-51 to avoid the last place in Group A. Antigua (1-2) ended as No.3 in this pool, while Guyana is on the bottom winless. Both teams failed to reach the Semifinals and will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Lennox McCoy (188-G-77, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: Cent.Oklahoma) shined for Antigua with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Wayne Walker (76) had 15 points and 11 boards, while Julius Hodge (201-G-83, college: N.Carolina St.) added 15 pts, 8 boards and 6 assists. In the loosing squad, Kerom McKenzie delivered 21 pts. Dwayne Roberts (C) had 12 pts and 6 rebs. Quarters: 12-17, 10-11, 14-25, 15-23. Championship continues today.

Group B
Bermudas - Cayman Islands 54-48
Bermudas celebrated their second win in Nassau. As expected, Bermudas outplayed Cayman Islands 54-48 for 2-2 record in Group B. However, that was not enough for the second place and Bermudas failed to reach the Semifinals. They will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Cayman Islands finished as the last ranked team of CBC Championship winless. Jason Lowe (85) collected 18 points and 7 rebounds for Bermudas. Sullivan Phillips (198-G/F-79, agency: Interperformances, college: Wash.Adventist) had 11 points and 5 rebs, while Jahvon Dean Jones (198-F-83) added 8 pts and 11 rebs. Jorge Ebanks (86) responded with 13 points in loss. Their second scorer was Shaad O'Garro (201-F-90, college: Campbellsville) with 10 points. Quarters: 13-23, 10-9, 14-5, 17-11. Championship continues today for Bermudas.

British Virgin Islands - Saint Vincent 71-63
British Virgin Islands managed to beat Saint Vincent 71-63 and to win the second place in Preliminary Group B in Nassau. They made almost perfect 3-1 record and reached Semifinals. There, British Virgin Islands will meet US Virgin Islands. On the other side, Saint Vincent ended as No.4 of this pool with 1-3 score. They will be transferred to Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Rashid Cann (183-G-86) top-scored for the winners with 21 points. Kennedy Bass (196-F-81, college: Anderson) had 15 points and 7 boards, while Norville Carey added 12 pts. In defeat, Randolph Williams (188-G-76) delivered 23 points. Oral Roberts (201-F/C-74) and Dameon Ottley (89) netted 11 pts each. Quarters 22-13, 14-13, 22-13, 13-24. Semifinals are scheduled for today.

Standings (Men)
Standings
Group A
1. US Virg.Isl3-0
2. Jamaica2-1
3. Antigua1-2
4. Guyana0-3
Group B
1. Bahamas4-0
2. British Vi.3-1
3. Bermudas2-2
4. Saint Vinc.1-3
5. Cayman Isl.0-4


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  CROATIA   


Zadar sign five players for 2011/12 - by Eurobasket News
Zadar announced signing of five players for the next season: Ante Delas (201-G/F-88), Ivica Radic (207-F-90), Franko Kastropil (212-C-84), Toni Brnas (201-F-91) and Uros Zadnik (187-PG-90).
Ante Delas spent last season with Alkar Sinj. He had 11.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 3.3 apg for 30 games in A1.
Ivica Radic also played for Alkar in 2010/11. He appeared 30 times for the club registering 11 ppg and 7 rpg.
Franko Kastropil spent last two years with Cedevita, but had limited playing time. He had 2.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 13 Adriatic league games last season. Kastropil also added 4.9 ppg and 4 rpg in Croatia.
Toni Brnas finished last season with Zabok. He joined them in January from Cibona. For 15 games he averaged 5.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Slovenian player Uros Zadnik was a member of Geoplin Slovan since 2008. Last season he had 8 ppg, 2.4 rg and 2.3 apg for 29 games in Telemach Legaue.

U16: Croatia prevail against Italy at the start of U16 European Championship - by Eurobasket News
Croatia U16 - Italy U16 86:80

Croatia recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship. They held off Italy in Group D. Paolo Marinelli (184-G-95) knocked down 20 points to pace the Croatian side.
Croatia stunned their opponents early in the game. They opened the game on an 18:2 run. Croatia secured a 26:15 lead at the first break. Croatia opened the second term with ten points in a row to boost the lead. The margin soon reached a 27-point mark. Croatia rallied to a comfortable 51:33 halftime advantage. But Italy gradually came back to life in the third quarter. They were able to narrow the deficit at 10-point mark with one quarter remaining 57:67. Mario Hezonja (200-F-95) and Paolo Marinelli made it 72:57 for Italy early in the fourth quarter but Italy triggered an 11:2 run to narrow the gap to 4 points with 46 seconds to go. Paolo Marinelli reacted with a pair of free throws and Croatia ran away with the victory. Mario Hezonja netted 18 points, grabbed 8 boards and distributed 8 assists, while Domagoj Bosnjak (197-G-95) had 15 points in the victory. Alessandro Maccaferri (175-PG-95) responded with 23 points for Italy. Federico Di Prampero (188-PG-95) had 18 points in the loss.

Croatia U16: Paolo Marinelli 20, Mario Hezonja 18, Domagoj Bosnjak 15
Italy U16: Alessandro Maccaferri 23, Federico Di Prampero 18


Svjetlost Slavonski Brod hires Mladen Erjavec as new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News
Mladen Erjavec is the new Head Coach of Svjetlost Slavonski Brod. The team hired Erjavec for the next season. He spent the last one as a HC of Zagreb. Actually, he was promoted as their HC in November and they parted ways in April this year. From 2008 to 2010, Erjavec was Assistant Coach of the team. Mladen Erjavec started his coaching career in 2008 and before that he played many years as a pro. In 2008, he was AC of the U20 Croatian NT. In 2009 he was hired as AC of the Croatian senior NT and he still holds this post. Mladen Erjavec played for many teams in the past. Some of them are French Lievin and Orleans, Cypriot Keravnos, Split, Zadar and Russian Avtodor Saratov. He won the Cypriot Cup in 2007 with Keravnos. In 2003 with Zadar Erjavec won the Adriatic league title. They also were Croatian Cup winners that year.

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  CYPRUS   


New entry for Keravnos - by Michael Aristidou

Keravnos Strovolou added a new player in their roster. Finland shooting guard Samuel Haanpaa (203-G/F-86) is the new addition in Keravnos Strovolou squad. The team is still looking for another three players to finish the roster in the positions of guard, shooting guard and power forward.


Keravnos Strovolou head coach Panagiotis Yiannaras wants everything to be ready before preparation and to have his entire players until then. Samuel Haanpaa is the 5th transfer of the team this season.




William Hatcher in Keravnos Strovolou! - by Chris Mammides
Wiliam Hatcher (188-G-84, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Miami, OH) is the thrid American player and the Strovolos team is only looking for one bosman player to close this season's roster. The American guard will share the point guard position with his country-mate Moore who agreed financial terms with the Strovolos team some weeks ago.
Wiliam Hatcher is a solid player with very good organisational skills while his European experience will assist a lot the team of Yiannaras in his debute as a Head Coach in the Strovolos team. The American guard comes from Miami NCAA team where he ended the season with 14.3 points and 4.3 assists while his European tour had among others a very solid season in Germany where he finished the season with 18.5ppg, and 5 assists and then in Romanian league with 16.3ppg and in the last three seasons with the Czech BK Decin where he was among the top 5 scorers all three seasons with 16 points on an average in the three seasons.

Keravnos roster in the papers seems to be much stronger than the previous seasons but only in theory at this stage as practice will eventually show the reality very soon...




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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


U16: The hosts shock Spain in Pardubice - by Eurobasket News
Czech Republic U16-Spain U16 70:67

The hosts shock Spain in Pardubice at the start of the U16 European Championship in Division A. Czech Republic grabbed 70:67 in the opener in front of local fans.
Spain enjoyed the lead until the end of the first period and only 7-0 run allowed the hosts to take the lead. Svoboda closed the first period at 26:20 and Radovan Kouril (182-PG-95) scored for 30:23. Zumer and Sans exchanged the free throws at the end of the half for 47:38 advantage. The third quarter completely belonged to the Spanish outfit that erupted with 22-11 for 60:58 lead. Radovan Kouril scored the first five points in the last quarter for 63:60 and Ilimane Diop (210-C-95) reduced to 68:67 with less than a minute to go. Dedek's shot at the every end was the last for the hosts that celebrated the first victory in Day 1.
Radovan Kouril top-scored for the winners with 24 points and Martin Peterka (199-F-95) collected 16 points and 16 caroms. Jiri Soula (187-G-95) followed them with 10 points in the winning effort. Jiri Soula ended up with 24 points in the losing case and Ilimane Diop had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Czech Republic U16: Radovan Kouril 24, Martin Peterka 16+16 rebs, Jiri Soula 10
Spain U16: Jiri Soula 24, Ilimane Diop 14+13 rebs



Former NBL Stars Hatcher and Chan Move to Cyprus with Keravnos Strovolou - by Surujh Roopnarine
Cyprus will have another influx of former Mattoni NBL talent as former Czech All-Stars Wiliam Hatcher (188-G-84, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Miami, OH) (Decin) and Ales Chan (215-C-80, college: Seton Hill) (Nymburk) agreed to join one of the top clubs in Cyprus, Keravnos Strovolou. Their moves comes a year after former Nymburk star Arthur Lee and Kolin big man Roderick Platt played in Cyprus. Wiliam Hatcher moves to Cyprus after a tremendous three-season run with Decin where he finished in the top-five in league scoring each season while also helping Decin reach the NBL semifinals in two of his three seasons. The former Miami (OH) star began his career in Germany and then Romania before landing in the Czech Republic. The soon-to-be 27 year old Hatcher appeared in 37 games this past season, averaging 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting 52.2% on 2FG and 36.8% from three. Ales Chan, the 7-1 Czech National Team center joins Keravnos Strovolou after an up and down season in Nymburk. After a career-year 2009-10 season with Prostejov, Chan joined Nymburk but saw his playing time and production fluctuate throughout the season. His best play came during Adriatic League games, where in 20 contests he averaged 6.9 points, and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 55.0% from the field. In 10 Eurocup contests he posted a similar line of 6.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 49.1% from the field.
However, the averages do not tell the whole story of Chan's game, one which usually takes time to develop (if he stays out of foul trouble). In all games where he played at least 20 minutes his averages jump to 17.0ppg, 6.1rpg and 1.6bpg. Hopefully he will earn an opportunity with his new club to show people the type of player he can be and didn't have a consistent chance to do with Nymburk.

Energia Rovinari adds Czech big guy David Steffel - by Eurobasket News
Energia Rovinari continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is Czech big guy David Steffel (211-F/C-85). The 26-year-old player heads to Rovinari from Mlekarna Miltra Novy Jicin, where he finished last season. He joined them in February averaging 6.2 points and 3 rebounds for 13 games in NBL. Novy Jicin reached NBL Finals. Steffel started last season with Sigma Barcellona. He had 4 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 4 Italian LegaDue games. David Steffel played for Novy Jicin also in 2009/10 season. He had 8.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg in 49 games at that time. He also has experience from Pardubice, Montegranaro, MAFC Budapest, Charlevile, Polzela and Benetton. Steffel played for the Czech U20 NT in the past.

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  DENMARK   


U18: Denmark needed a 7-0 run at the end to beat Hungary - by Eurobasket News
Hungary U18-Denmark U18 46:50

Denmark stepped closer to Division A birth after 50:46 win over Hungary at the U18 European Championship in Varna. The Danish side advanced to the Semifinals with one more games remaining in Group E. Hungary will face first Estonia and then will play at the Classification Round for 5-8 places.
It was a defensive game and both teams realized the importance of the victory. Denmark started better and Esben Reinholt (196-G-93) brought 11:4 midway through the first period. Hungary meanwhile kept them scoreless until the end of the frame and with 7-0 run reduced to 11:10 after the first 10 minutes. Denmark created a 19-12 surge in the second frame to take 30:22 halftime lead as Esben Reinholt nailed three at the end of the half. The third quarter belonged to Hungary that managed to tie the game at 36:36 when Nagy scored from the perimeter. Moreover another shot from the Hungarian player and Kovacs's three pointer showed 41:36 after thirty minutes. Nagy scored for 44:40 and Bognar brought 46:43 with 3 minutes remaining. Denmark however needed a 7-0 run at the very end to seal the victory.
Peter Moeller (186-G-94) and Esben Reinholt led the way with 14 points each. Levente Misek (196-G-93) replied with 11 and Peter Jakab (187-G-93) netted 10.

Hungary U18: Levente Misek 11, Peter Jakab 10
Denmark U18: Peter Moeller 14, Esben Reinholt 14





U18: Bulgaria beat Denmark, both advanced to the Semifinals - by Eurobasket News
Denmark U18-Bulgaria U18 72:81

Bulgaria beat Denmark at the U18 European Championship in Division B as both advanced to the Semifinals in Varna. The hosts needed 81:72 win to settle down on top of Group E with 3-0 record. Bulgaria will now face Montenegro, the second team from another group. Denmark finished second in Group E with 2-1 record and will play with Sweden in another Semifinal.
Bulgaria took the lead from the very beginning and reached 27-13 in the end of the first period. Both teams nailed 20 points in the second frame for 47:33 at the halftime. Denmark produced 23-19 in the third quarter to reduce to 66:56 after thirty minutes, while another 16-15 in the last stanza brought the final result in the game.
Dimitar Dimitrov (202-F-93) exploded with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Pavlin Ivanov (195-G-93, agency: Beo Basket) netted 17. Dimitar Stoyanov (187-G-93) posted 13, while Tencho Tenchev (202-F-93) netted 8. Esben Reinholt (196-G-93) answered with 18 points in defeat and Larsen scored 17.

Denmark U18: Esben Reinholt 18, Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94) 17, Larsen K. 13
Bulgaria U18: Dimitar Dimitrov 28+12 rebs, Pavlin Ivanov 17, Dimitar Stoyanov 13, Tencho Tenchev 8



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  D-LEAGUE   


Skyforce: McHone to return as Head Coach in 2011-12 - by Eurobasket News
The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that Morris McHone will return for his sixth season as head coach in 2011-12. McHone is the winningest coach in franchise history with a regular season record of 180-124 (.592). His teams made the postseason five times and he led the organization to a CBA Championship in 1996.

'Mo's success with our franchise is unmatched,' said Skyforce owner/president Mike Heineman. 'Having his experience and knowledge back on our sidelines will be a major benefit for us this upcoming season.'

McHone replaced Tony Fritz as head coach last season after a 2-18 start and helped the team snap a franchise-record 13-game losing streak in his return to the sidelines. He held the position of director of basketball development for the Austin Toros for two seasons (2007-09) following one season as head coach of the Skyforce. Austin reached the postseason in each of his two seasons in the front office and advanced to the 2008 NBA D-League Finals. Sioux Falls posted a record of 30-20 (.600) in 2006-07 and advanced to the league semifinals before losing to eventual champion Dakota.

McHone's first stint with the Skyforce (1995-99) was highlighted by three appearances in the CBA Finals and a CBA Championship. He also coached one of the best teams in franchise history as the 1996-97 squad finished the regular season with a record of 47-9, the fourth-best mark in league history.

Prior to coaching in Sioux Falls, McHone was the head coach for the Birmingham Bandits (1991-92), Fort Wayne Fury (1992-93) and Yakima Sun Kings (1993-95). He has an all-time regular season record of 229-168 (.577) in eight CBA seasons and a postseason record of 40-29 (.580). He won back-to-back CBA Championships ('95, '96) and was a two-time winner ('95, '97) of the CBA's Coach of the Year award.

McHone worked in the NBA early in his coaching career as he was an assistant coach in San Antonio from 1980-83 and served as head coach of the Spurs for 31 games during the 1983-84 season. He was also an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1979-80, 1985-86), Detroit Pistons (1999-01) and Los Angeles Clippers (2001-03).

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com

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  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   


Horford, Villanueva and Garcia head to Kentucky - by Kristian Santiago
All three NBA players will be part of the first training camp of the Dominican Republic in the United States. The question of insuring the three NBA-players has apparently been solved and Horford, Villanueva and Garcia will be part of the team heading to Mar del Plata in late August this year. Head coach John Calipari invited the following players for the first stage to Kentucky:
Edgar Sosa (188-G-88, college: Louisville), Francisco Garcia (201-F/G-81, college: Louisville), Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida), Charlie Villanueva (209-F-84, college: Connecticut), Jon Horford (205-F), Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan), Giancarlos Acosta (198-G/F-85), Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports), Kelvin Pena (193-G-80, college: Southeastern CC), Ricardo Soliver (191-G-84, college: Iona), Sean Ogirri (188-G-86, college: Wyoming), Ronald Ramon (185-G-86, college: Pittsburgh), Eloy Vargas (208-F), Elys Manuel Guzman (206-F/C-82, college: Bemidji St.), Manuel Fortuna, Eulis Baez (201-F-82, college: W.Illinois), Dagoberto Pena (183-G-83), Juan Pablo Montas (198-F-84) and Luis Martinez (198-F-84, college: William Pater.).
Players will be evaluated by Calipari and his staff, starting August, 2nd at the University of Kentucky and and a test game against an all-star team made up of former Wildcats-players.



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  EL SALVADOR   


Last First Division results - by Jaime Arevalo
In the last round of Salvadorean Firts Division league, also named 'Liga de Baloncesto de El Salvador', Leones Automoto prevailed, 74-68 over Chalecos, Santa Tecla. With 29 points, Eduardo Garcia (191-F-88) was the man of the game, and Arturo Escamilla (185-F-77) added 18 at the winning side. Wilson Quijano was the best in Chalecos at 20 pts, Eduardo Recinos (192-F) helped him at 18 pts.
In another game of the night, Denver defeated Universidad Tecnolgica (UTEC), 86-77 led by Jorge Loucel (186-F-90) and Mauricio Lahud (176-PG-84), who scored 17 points each. The best performers in UTEC were Cesar Garay (185-G/F-85) with 14 and Guillermo Flores (186-F-85) with 12.

Standings - Liga Superior
LEBES Standings
 1. San Marcos 5-0 
 2. Denver 5-1 
 3. Leones 4-2 
 4. Santa Tecla 3-3 
 5. ExSAL 2-3 
 6. UTEC 1-5 
 7. Roll Royce 0-6 


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  ESTONIA   


The Start of a New Beginning - by Casey Archibald
Well, this will most likely be my last blog for Estonian basketball anyways. Its been a long time since I wrote on here mostly due to not wanting to write about the playoffs until they were all done then flying across the water home and being busy as ever back here. Anyways I got a minute so I thought I would throw together a blog.

Our season ended in Estonia how many people in pre-season thought. As a player/competitor you always think youre going to win most games, but history is a reminder to fans and management that it takes a lot to change things. TU/Rock and Kalev/Cramo had been the best teams in Estonia for a lot of years and this year proved again to be more of the same. We ended up losing in the semis in 3 games to TU/Rock, who were just all around more deep and more experienced than our team. Their coach, Indrek Visnapuu, did a great job with them preparing for us. With that being said I still feel like with a little more preparation and some adjustments we could have made it more of a series. After losing in the semis we beat Rakvere in the 3rd place series. When it was all said and done I guess we did what was expected of us, no better and no worse. Definitely leaves you with a weird feeling as a player when your season ends like that.

Mid way through our playoffs I found out that my old Assistant Coach at UBC had stepped down and this was going to be a position that may come available to me. It definitely was a surprise and a decision that I needed to make. This was not an easy decision to make at all Hang em up and start coaching, or find out what country I will be playing in again next year. After a few sleepless nights and a lot of serious conversations with family and friends I decided it was a good time to move from the court to the sideline and get back to the school where I developed the most.

Ive been here for about a month and so far its been great. Im constantly trying to find time to play in tourneys and pick up when I can. I definitely didnt retire because I was tired of the game more so just tired of the uncertainty and constant hustle of European basketball. If I had a 10 year guaranteed contract overseas I may still be playing, but as we all know nothing is guaranteed when it comes to European hoops. I mean I had seen a lot; late payments, weird currency exchanges that took money out of my pocket, salary cuts to the team for budget reasons, and get this. A fine for missing shots!!! That was a new one.

With all that being said I had a great time overseas. 2 years in Austria, 1 in Germany and my final year in Estonia. I won a championship, played in a cup final, saw different styles of ball, ate some QUESTIONABLE food, picked up some new languages, had some memorable nights (some not so memorable), travelled to places that I would have never known existed, learned to drive at autobahn type speeds, and met some great people along the way.

Thank you everyone thats supported me on this wild journey and to Eurobasket for enabling me to write this blog Now look for me on the sidelines as we look to win a national championship VERY soon. GO BIRDS GO!!!

Casey Archibald (195-G-84, agency: R.H.Consultancy)


U18: Hungary stun Estonia, both will play for 5-8 places in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Estonia U18-Hungary U18 53:75

Hungary won the last game fo the Group E of the U18 European Championship in Division B. Hungary needed 75:53 win for 1-2 record as both teams will play for 5-8 places in Varna.
The squads were tied at 10:10 in the opening tip, while Hungary made 14-0 push for 24:10 and Oliver Metsalu (190-G-93) closed the period at 26:19. Laane reduced to 29:26, but Varga increased to 39:33 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game as Hungary erupted with 24-7 for massive 63:40 after thirty minutes. Estonia won the last stanza 13-12 and could reduce only to 75:53.
Adam Kovacs (193-G/F-93) poured in 20 points and Botond Nagy (173-PG-94) netted 14. Peter Jakab (187-G-93) scored 10, while Laszlo Dobos (210-C-93, agency: FCM) had 9. Kustas Poldoja (190-F-93) delivered 13 points for Estonia and Oliver Metsalu added 9.
Hungary made more Blocks, Steals, Assists and Rebounds. Estonia had a better percentage only from the three-point line.

Estonia U18: Kustas Poldoja 13, Oliver Metsalu 9
Hungary U18: Adam Kovacs 20, Botond Nagy 14, Peter Jakab 10, Laszlo Dobos 9


U18: The hosts overcame the Baltic representative for the semifinal birth - by Eurobasket News
Bulgaria U18-Estonia U18 81:70

Bulgaria advanced to the Semifinals of the U18 European Championship in Varna. The hosts needed a 81:70 win over Estonia and will face Denmark in the last game of the Qualifying Round before both teams will head to the semis. Estonia meanwhile will play first Hungary and then will play for 5-8 places.
Estonia stay tough until 9:9, but then Bulgaria went on a lead. Dimitar Stoyanov (187-G-93) closed the first period at 20:13 and Pavlin Ivanov (195-G-93, agency: Beo Basket) brought 25:18. Bulgaria added 19-15 in the second period for 39:28 at the halftime. Kustas Poldoja (190-F-93) and Janari Joesaar (197-F-93) created a 8-0 run in the third frame for 49:46, but Dimitar Stoyanov closed the period with a three for 57:47. The fourth period also belonged to the hosts that increased to 15 points when Dimitar Dimitrov (202-F-93) scored fro 73:58. Late baskets by Jurtom and Nurger reduced the final result to 81:70.
Dimitar Dimitrov top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Tencho Tenchev (202-F-93) netted 16. Pavlin Ivanov and Dimitar Stoyanov followed them with 10 points each in the winning effort. Rait-Riivo Laane (180-PG-93) ended up with 16 points, while Kustas Poldoja and Janari Joesaar notched 11 apiece.

Bulgaria U18: Dimitar Dimitrov 17, Tencho Tenchev 16, Pavlin Ivanov 10, Dimitar Stoyanov 10
Estonia U18: Rait-Riivo Laane 16, Kustas Poldoja 11, Janari Joesaar 11





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  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   


The Eurobasket Summer League 2011 Las Vegas All Tournament Team - by Darryl Reshaw
Basketball Coaches, GM's and Agents,

The ESL acts as a scouting service for professional teams on an international basis.
Many European, South American, Asian, NBDL and other international coaches contact us regarding the top ESL players.
Our information regarding the ESL All tournament teams is in-depth and accurate.
Over 430 former ESL players are currently playing professional basketball due to talent level of the ESL and our strict registration criteria getting into the summer league.
In addition our scouting information is intended to give coaches player evaluation information based off of our experience in the international basketball market and to assist the ESL players and their agents in the placement process.
For additional information regarding the ESL players or contact information of their agents please contact marketing@eurobasket.com

ESL 2011 Las Vegas All Tournament Teams:



ESL 2011 Las Vegas All Tourney First Team

ESL 2011 Las Vegas Co-MVP - Marcel Anderson (175-PG-86, college: Harris-Stowe St.) He is a super quick and extremely fast guard that is very aggressive and super explosive.
Marcel led the ESL Las Vegas event in dunks do to his fast paste transition skills. He was the fastest player in the ESL event.
He is an excellent defender with a knack of getting in the passing lanes and getting steals. He is very explosive in the open court and he has Iverson like moves and skills. He can create his own shot off the dribble. Marcel can play in all entry level leagues in Europe but has the potential to at the highest level once he gets more experience.
Marcel has NBA like gifts and once his decision making improves he will be a seven figure earner. He basically won the ESL Championship in overtime by himself after scoring 8 straight points in OT. He has the heart of a lion.

ESL 2011 Las Vegas Co-MVP - Justin Johnson (188-PG-88, college: Concordia Irvine) (2011 NAIA Player of the Year) - He is a true point guard with a very high basketball IQ. This kid can really create off the dribble like a master.
There wont too many guards that will be able to keep him out the paint and he is an excellent finisher. He is deadly from the mid range area.
He is an efficient guard that shoots high percentage from the field. He sees the floor very well and makes great decisions with the ball. He has a knack of getting to the foul line where he shoots high percentages. Any teams looking for a true point that can really pass, shoot and is a winner in France Pro B, Switzerland or leagues equivalent, this is your guy. This kid a big time potential and will play at the highest level in Europe one day soon.

Eric Dawson (208-F-84, college: Midwestern St.) - (the best player at the Las Vegas ESL) Eric is a very skilled player that can scorer in any position. He can shoot the three, post up and he has a mid-range game. Eric is also a very good defender with is 6'9 frame. He can defend multiple positions which makes him a complete player. He can also play the 3 or 4. Eric has a lot of talent and can compete in all top leagues in Europe. In the top Asian League Eric has been a 4 -5 inside player and won the KBL championship in South Korea in 2010-11 season. However the kid is a point forward and has amazing ball handling skills for a player his size. In Europe with the right coach that will play him at the 3 position which is his natural skill level then he is a NBA or Euroleague type of player. Any team in Greece, Italy, Spain, France Pro A looking for a diamond in the rough that is flying under the radar this is your guy. In the KBL all imports make $25k per month but this guy is worth more than that in Europe playing in the right league and right position.

Justin Johnson (188-PG-88, college: Concordia Irvine) (2011 NAIA Player of the Year) - He is a true point guard with a very high basketball IQ. This kid can really create off the dribble like a master.
There wont too many guards that will be able to keep him out the paint and he is an excellent finisher. He is deadly from the mid range area.
He is an efficient guard that shoots high percentage from the field. He sees the floor very well and makes great decisions with the ball. He has a knack of getting to the foul line where he shoots high percentages. Any teams looking for a true point that can really pass, shoot and is a winner in France Pro B, Switzerland or leagues equivalent, this is your guy.

Terrell Bell (198-G/F-89, college: Virginia Tech) - Here is a player that can play several positions on the floor with efficiency. Terrell has the skills to play the 1, 2 and 3 positions and he can take over a game at will with his slashing and shooting ability. He can shoot, pass, penetrate he has crafty moves when at the rim and he has athleticism. Terrell can play in high levels in Europe now. Terrell is a better scorer than his statistics indicate at Virginia Tech and he will have an outstanding professional career.

Allen Durham (198-F, college: Grace Bible) - aka Mr. Hustle. He is a strong, undersized power forward that can really rebound and block shots. He is very athletic at his size. Any teams looking for a player to do the dirty work in countries like Switzerland, France Pro B and Finland this is your guy. Allen is a small college All American who is a freak of nature athlete.
He is super athletic and he raised the eyebrows of many scouts at the ESL Las Vegas event.

Johnny Thomas (198-F-87, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: Marshall) - John Thomas looks like a pro. He has a nice body, long arms and is very athletic. He can play the 2 and 3 in several leagues Europe. He is a strong player that can shoot the long ball and can create off the dribble. John can also score from the post. His long arms allows him tough defense on multiple positions. He would be a good player for France Pro A, Italy A2 or leagues equivalent.

Rob Eldridge (188-G-87, college: Florida Southern) - He aggressively attacks the rim. He is a strong combo guard that has creative moves getting to the basket and can consistently make the mid range shot. He has a way of getting fouled and getting to the line. Robert could compete in leagues like Israel, France Pro B and leagues equivalent.

Kenny Boyd (203-C-82, college: Morehouse) Kenny Boyd is a 69 center with very good low post ability. He is a good rebounder and runs the floor well for his size. He can really step out and hit the 15-foot jump shot. He is a great player for first division Germany leagues equivalent. Kenny has soft hands and excellent foot work around the basket. His shooting touch is phenomenal for a big guy his size.

Akeem Scott (186-PG-83, agency: Interperformances, college: High Point) - Akeem is an ultimate PG who has European experience and has a great understanding of the game. He is an excellent penetrator with great finishing skills and will over power smaller PGs. He is great in the pick and roll and has a nice jump shot.
He has the skill, athleticism and game to play in markets like Germany and Belgium and be a great player.
In the ESL Las Vegas event you could tell he was a professional.

Maurice Steen (188-G-87) - Maurice is a 1, 2 and 3 player that is an explosive athlete and a lock down defender. He has a nice perimeter jump shot and nice ball handling skills.
As a big guard he is a big sleeper and can develop into a big time player on the international market. The NBDL scout at the ESL really liked him for their league and with his size and skill level the sky is the limit. He can really score the basketball and is a great all around player.

ESL 2011 Las Vegas All Tourney Second Team:

Dustin Mitchell (206-F/C, college: WiscKing.-Whitew.) - He is a very good power forward. He can shoot the long ball, can finish with either hand around the rim and is a good rebounder. Dustin has great post moves and is a very good defender. Dustin is a player that can play in Italy A2, France Pro A and leagues equivalent.

Lindsey Hughey (190-G-89, college: Weber St.) - Lindsy is a scorer. He can really shoot the ball from all angels of the court. He can attack the rim off the dribble and he can finish in the paint with either hand on the bigger defenders. Lindsey would be a good player for Israel, Germany or leagues equivalent.

Tim Parham (206-F/C-83, college: Md-Eastern Shore) The inside player had an excellent ESL Las Vegas Tournament. He is a work horse and a good athlete that pounds the boards relentlessly.
Tim can score around the basket and is a double double waiting to happen. He can play in several leagues around Europe.
He has excellent size and his intensity and work ethic is great.

Frank Phifer (206-C-80, college: Washburn) - Frank had an outstanding ESL Las Vegas Tournament notching a double double every game and help his team get in the Championship game.
He is a very hard worker that can rebound and score inside against bigger players. He post up game is sweet and he has an incredible spin drop step to the baseline move.
He has pro experience and knows how to play and will be a great inside addition to any entry level to mid range team in Europe right now. This big man can really play and was a surprise at the ESL event.

Michael Hunter (178-PG, college: Cal-Irvine) - Michael is an extremely quick PG with amazing basketball skills who can do everything.
He is a great passer and very creative off the dribble. He is excellent playing the pick and roll and he an excellent deep ball shooter.
This kid has the potential to be a top level European league PG. He can take over a game offensively or defensively at any time.
Skill wise he might be one of the best PGs the ESL has scouted all summer and he has the most potential to be big time.
He can definitely play in mid level leagues like Germany and Belgium right now. He is an electrifying PG who can really score

Brad Byerson (201-F-85, college: Virginia Union) Brad is a very strong and athletic inside player that can do it all and create from the wing to the post.
He is basically a beast inside. He is an outstanding rebounder and a rugged defender. In most cases he will be a nightmare match up for players who are not physically inclined. He has nice skills and great footwork in the paint and has great ball handling skills for a big guy.
He has the potential to play in any quality international league in the market and his upside is tremendous.

Solomon Tat (196-G/F-86, college: Virginia) Solomon is a gifted athlete that has a spectacular body. Lots of times he scores because he is faster or is just a better athlete than the guys who try to guard him. He is great in transition and he has a nice mid range game and jump shot. He is a wing player who has decent ball handling skills and takes it strong to the basket.
Solomon has a Nigerian passport which makes him very marketable as a Contonou player in Europe.
If you are a Spanish club or agent you will want to know about this gifted athlete that played for Virginia in the ACC. He will be a great asset to any team in Spain.

Jason Stubbs (188-G-86, college: Simpson (CA)) - Jason is a stud athlete that plays hard and has an outstanding all around guard game. He is a combo guard that can pass, play defense and be a big time scorer. He is a former NCAA D2 All American that deserves an opportunity to play in leagues like England, Austria or Switzerland. Jason had two outstanding games at the ESL and was the best rebounding guard in the event.

Trevor Bing (191-G-85, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment) Trevor Bing is an outstanding combo guard with a high basketball IQ that really score and run a team. He is an excellent shooter from the outside and he can get to the basket at any time. He was one of the best defensive guards in the ESL event and deserves to be a professional in Europe in a quality league.

Kiwan Smith (201-F-87, college: Redlands CC) - This kid is a freak athlete that will get numbers by just being on the basketball court. He plays above the rim and is great in transition.
He is an excellent defender and he will block a lot of shots above the rim. He has a decent 3pt jump shot and ball handling abilities. He will be a star in Europe for teams looking for a next level 68 athlete that will get double double by just being on the court. He can defend players from the 1 4 and is like an athletic Dennis Rodman with more offensive skills.

David Fisher (198-F-84, college: N.Mexico St.) - David is terrific athlete and a gifted athlete with skills. He can really drive the basketball and hit the outside shoot with consistency.
With his size, skill level and athleticism he can play in variety of leagues in the international basketball market. He can take any defender to the basket using his creative ball handling skills and once he gets to the basket he will over power most guys.

*****************************************************
  EUROCUP   


Valencia keeps Florent Pietrus - by Eurobasket News
Florent Pietrus (202-F-81) will stay one more season with Power Electronics Valencia. The Spanish team announced his signing today. Pietrus joined Valencia for the first time in 2008. He left them shortly in 2010 for Caja Laboral, but after just one month he returned to the club. 2011/12 will be his fourth season with Valencia. Pietrus had 3.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 20 Eurolegaue games last season. He also added 2.7 ppg and 3 rpg for 28 games in ACB. With Caja Laboral, Pietrus had 5 ppg and 7.5 rpg for two games in Spain. Florent Pietrus helped Valencia to win the EuroCup in 2009/10. He had 2.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg in this competition for 17 games. Before Valencia, Pietrus was a member of Estudiantes. He also played for Unicaja from 2004 to 2007. In France, Puetrus played for Pau-Orthez couple of years. With Unicaja, he won the ACB title in 2006 and Spanish Cup a year before that. With Pau-Orthez, Florient Pietrus grabbed two ProA titles in France.

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


Goodridge and Peterson drawing Tons of Attention in Europe - by Allen Waters
Two players on the cusp of making the NBA receiving serious consideration from Euro-league teams are Vernon Goodridge (6'10 235 PF/C LaSalle), most recently with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League and Jamine Peterson (6'6 220 SF Providence), most recently with the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League.

Goodridge, who recently participated in Free Agent mini camps for the New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies & Atlanta Hawks, excelled last season with Golden St. in Veterans camp and was later drafted 5th overall in the NBA Development League. Goodridge finished the 2010-2011 season as one of the top shot blockers in the league, averaging 4.08 blocks per 48 minutes, on par with his collegiate numbers at Mississippi and then later at LaSalle. Goodridge averaged 10 points 6 rebounds & 2 blocks per contest with the Armor in 20 minutes of playing time, shooting 55% from the floor & 75% from the free throw line. Goodridge is signed for the 2011-2012 season with Club 9 De Julio in Argentina, but according to his Agent, BJ Bass (RBA Sports), he has a very reasonable European buy-out, along with an offer from the Hawks to attend training camp once the NBA lockout is resolved.

Highlight Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANd_v6KI0JE

Peterson, who was projected on several NBA draft boards to go somewhere in the Second Round, was the only player eligible from the NBA Development League. Peterson attended pre-draft workouts with the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics & Indiana Pacers and Free Agent mini camp with the Miami Heat. Peterson exploded for 40 points & 13 rebounds, then followed that performance up with 36 points & 10 rebounds to close out the 2010-2011 season for New Mexico in the NBADL. Peterson ended the 2009-2010 season at Providence College, averaging a double-double (19 points & 10 rebounds), the only Guard/Forward to accomplish that feat in the Big East Conference in the last 10 years. Peterson has drawn interest from several NBA teams, along with several high-profile teams in Spain, Italy, Turkey & Israel for the 2011-2012 season.Peterson is a Steal for any club.

Highlight Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e6V4yW8ezU Jamine Peterson (6'6''-F-88, college: Providence)

Panathinaikos officially sign Pat Kalathis - by Eurobasket News
As expected, Pat Kalathis (208-G/F-85, college: St.Joseph's) officially became a member of Panathinaikos and joined his younger brother Nick Kalathis. Pat signed a one-year deal with the Greens. He exploded last season in VAP Kolossos Rodou averaging 14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 1.9 apg for 28 games. He played at the Greek League All-Star Game and Eurobasket awarded him with All-Greek A1 League Honorable Mention -11. From 2008 until the last summer Pat Kalathis was a member of Marousi. He had 3.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg for them in 19 Eurloleague games in 2009/10. In A1, he added 5.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg. Pat Kalathis graduated at the Saint Joseph's University three years ago. He had 17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 2.7 apg for them as a senior. He helped his school to win Atlantic 10 Tournament. Pat Kalathis, as well as his younger brother Nick, has dual American and Greek citizenship.

Matt Howard signs with Olympiacos - by Eurobasket News
Olympiacos continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is American power forward Matt Howard (203-F). This is the first professional deal for Howard, who graduated at Butler University few months ago. He played 35 games for his school as a senior averaging 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds 1.5 assist and 1.1 steals. It was a nice improvement after 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a junior. Matt Howard helped Butler win the Horizon league tournament three times. Also he was three times named Horizon League All-Tournament Team. In 2009, Howard was awarded with Horizon League Player of the Year and also with AP NCAA All-America Honorable Mention -09. A year after that Butler reached NCAA Finals. Olympiacos already signed one rookie for the next season and it is Kalin Lucas from the Michigan State University. He had 17 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 3.4 apg as a senior.

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  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Raviv Limonad will not play for Israel's NT in Lithuania - by David Pick
Israeli national combo-guard Raviv Limonad surprisingly decided today (Thursday) to leave the NT training camp for upcoming 2011 Eurobasket tournament, taking matters into his own hands by telling Head Coach Arik Shivek that he is not satisfied with the large number of potential guards on the Israeli roster and will voluntarily sit out for the remainder of the campaign.

Limonad, who has been a part of all the Israeli youth national teams in the past, is highly appreciated by the coaching staff, however, the crowded guard position had become a burden on the player who after just two official practices, decided to call it quits.

Limonad's frustration could be partially understood due to the fact that last summer while playing for Israel's NT in the qualification games for the European Championships, he played a minimized number of minutes resulting into 2.6ppg and 1.4rpg in five games.

The 27-year-old talent played last season in the Spanish ACB league for Menorca where he posted averages of 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

An official statement issued by the national team's management saying: 'Raviv addressed Coach Shivek this morning and asked to be released after a total of two practices. Limonad's excuse was that the head coach already made his decision and Limonad will not be a part of Israel's final roster. Shivek made it clear to the player the no such decision was made and that Limonad's chances are equal to every other player on the team, yet Limonad stands firm of him decision.'

Follow David Pick on Twitter: @Dpick_Mvd

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  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U16   


M-Standings - Group A
Standings
Group A
1. Greece1-0
2. Czech Rep.1-0
3. Spain0-1
4. Poland0-1
Group B
1. Germany1-0
2. Serbia1-0
3. Montenegro.0-1
4. Russia0-1
Group C
1. France1-0
2. Latvia1-0
3. Lithuania0-1
4. Ukraine0-1
Group D
1. Croatia1-0
2. Turkey1-0
3. Italy0-1
4. Bulgaria0-1


M-Standings - Group B
Standings Div.B
Group A
1. Luxembourg.1-0
2. FYR Macedo.0-0
3. Belarus0-0
4. U.Kingdom0-0
5. Georgia0-0
6. Romania0-1
Group B
1. Finland1-0
2. Holland1-0
3. Slovenia0-0
4. Cyprus0-0
5. Portugal0-1
6. Austria0-1
Group C
1. Hungary1-0
2. Switzerlan.1-0
3. Ireland0-0
4. Sweden0-0
5. Armenia0-1
6. Slovakia0-1
Group D
1. Belgium0-0
2. Bosnia0-0
3. Denmark0-0
4. Estonia0-0
5. Israel0-0


Stats Leaders - Group A
Points Per Game
 Aleksandar VEZENKOV
  (204-F-95)
  Avg: 29
 1. Vezenkov, BUL29.0 
 2. Maccaferri, ITA23.0 
 3. Marinelli, CRO20.0 
 4. Djukanovic, SRB20.0 
 5. Akpinar, GER20.0 
 6. Kaplanovic, SRB19.0 
 7. Hezonja, CRO18.0 
 8. Savic, MNT18.0 
 9. Ristic, SRB18.0 
 10. Di Prampero, ITA18.0 
Rebounds Per Game
 Dusan RISTIC
  (207-C/F-95)
  Avg: 13
 1. Ristic, SRB13.0 
 2. Zganec, CRO12.0 
 3. Birsen, TUR11.0 
 4. Wimberg, GER8.0 
 5. Hezonja, CRO8.0 
 6. Zhulkov, RUS8.0 
 7. Sizov, RUS8.0 
 8. Kaplanovic, SRB8.0 
 9. Ugrai, GER8.0 
 10. Mayr, GER7.0 
Assists Per Game
 Mario HEZONJA
  (200-F-95)
  Avg: 8
 1. Hezonja, CRO8.0 
 2. Rebic, SRB6.0 
 3. Kruszynski, TUR5.0 
 4. Majstorovic, SRB4.0 
 5. Taylor, GER4.0 
 6. Vezenkov, BUL4.0 
 7. Djurovic, MNT4.0 
 8. Maccaferri, ITA4.0 
 9. Stoimenov, BUL4.0 
 10. Sanli, TUR3.0 
Steals Per Game
 Dogukan SANLI
  (191-G-95)
  Avg: 5
 1. Sanli, TUR5.0 
 2. Maccaferri, ITA5.0 
 3. Hezonja, CRO5.0 
 4. Ozmizrak, TUR3.0 
 5. Zhulkov, RUS3.0 
 6. Bosnjak, CRO3.0 
 7. Taylor, GER3.0 
 8. Basile, ITA3.0 
 9. Fontecchio, ITA2.0 
 10. Savic, MNT2.0 
Blocks Per Game
 Vassil STOIMENOV
  (198-F-95)
  Avg: 3
 1. Stoimenov, BUL3.0 
 2. Martynov, RUS2.0 
 3. Guleryuz, TUR1.0 
 4. Kosut, TUR1.0 
 5. Birsen, TUR1.0 
 6. Ristic, SRB1.0 
 7. Djukanovic, SRB1.0 
 8. Salic, SRB1.0 
 9. Alemdaroglu, TUR1.0 
 10. Vildera, ITA1.0 


Division A: Day 1 in Hradec Kralove and Pardubice - by Eurobasket News
Group A
Poland - Greece 59-73
Greece won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side overcame Poland 73:59 for the initial victory in Czech Republic. It was a tough start and both teams paid too much attention to defense in order not to make the mistakes. Trailing 9:11 in the middle of the frame, Mazur closed a 7-0 run for Poland as the latter enjoyed 19-16 at the end of the first period. Moreover Poland increased to 24:16, but failed in the rest of the game. Georgios Papadionysioy (185-PG-95) gave Greece 33:32 at the end of the half after Greece won the period 17-13. Kefalas later brought 51:40 and Kefalas reduced to 51:48 after thirty minutes. In the rest of the game Greece made the final push to seal the victory. Dimitrios Stamatis (188-G-96) paced all the winners with 13 points and Spyropoulos scored 12. Georgios Papadionysioy and Diamantakos delivered 10 points each for the first win. Socha and Witlinski scored 12 points each in defeat, while Damian Jeszke (200-F-95) posted 8.

Czech Republic - Spain 70-67
The hosts shock Spain in Pardubice at the start of the U16 European Championship in Division A. Czech Republic grabbed 70:67 in the opener in front of local fans. Spain enjoyed the lead until the end of the first period and only 7-0 run allowed the hosts to take the lead. Svoboda closed the first period at 26:20 and Kouril scored for 30:23. Zumer and Sans exchanged the free throws at the end of the half for 47:38 advantage. The third quarter completely belonged to the Spanish outfit that erupted with 22-11 for 60:58 lead. Kouril scored the first five points in the last quarter for 63:60 and Ilimane Diop (210-C-95) reduced to 68:67 with less than a minute to go. Dedek's shot at the every end was the last for the hosts that celebrated the first victory in Day 1. Kouril top-scored for the winners with 24 points and Peterka collected 16 points and 16 caroms. Jiri Soula (187-G-95) followed them with 10 points in the winning effort. Jiri Soula ended up with 24 points in the losing case and Ilimane Diop had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Group B
Montenegro - Serbia 62-100
Serbia edged Montenegro in Pardubice's opener at the start of the U16 European Championship. The Serbian side nailed three digits for an easy 100:62 win. Serbia took the lead in the beginning of the game and never looked behind. Ristic nailed three for 19:9 and Marko Guduric (193-G-95) brought 26:10. Montenegro closed the period with a 6-0 run to trail 16:26 after the first 10 minutes. A 14-0 run to begin the second half finished the contest and marked the Serbians as a team-to-watch in this tournament. Dorde Kaplanovic (204-F-95) sent the squads to the lockers for 51:29 as Serbia won the frame 25-13. They did not even think of slowing down and after 31-14 in the third period reached 82:43 on the board. The task for the last period was to reach three digit number and Dorde Kaplanovic made the wish come true with 11 seconds to go. Serbia grabbed 100:62 win to become the leader of Group B in the tournament. Djukanovic poured in 20 points and Dorde Kaplanovic notched 19. Ristic collected 18 points and 13 rebounds, whilst Popovic added 15. Savic replied with 18 points in defeat and Draskovic delivered 15.

Russia - Germany 67-71
Germany recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship in Czech Republic. They held off Russia in Group B opener for both teams. Ismet Akpinar delivered 20 points and 6 rebounds in the victory. Germany opened the game with eight points in a row to set the tone. Russia got closer but still trailed by four points at the first break 14:18. Germany maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They ensured a 37:33 advantage at the interval. Maximilian Ugrai (196-F-95) and Ney stretched the margin to 10-point mark midway through the third quarter. But Russia finished the third term on a strong rally to grab a 54:52 lead with one quarter remaining. Ismet Akpinar and Maximilian Ugrai gave the lead back to Germany late in regulation 68:64. David Taylor and Maximilian Ugrai then converted three free throws in the dying seconds to seal the victory for the German team. Maximilian Ugrai delivered 15 points and 8 rebounds, while David Taylor finished with 9 in the victory. Vasily Martynov (185-PG-95) responded with 17 points for Russia. Pavel Sizov had 13 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.

Group C
Latvia - Lithuania 83-80
Latvia wins the Baltic battle over Lithuania in the last game of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Latvian side needed a strong end for 83:80 victory. Lithuania dominated the start of the game and won the opening period 27:19. Trailing 19:30 at the start of the second period, Latvia reduced to 44:43 at the halftime winning the second period 24-17. Zvigurs gave Latvia 47:44 lead, while Malmanis tied the game at 51:51. Lithuania managed to win the third quarter and had 63:56 at the end of thirty minutes. Latvia needed at first a 5-0 run to cut it to 67:62 and then Davis Geks (183-G-95) nailed three for 70:70. Latvia made the final push and won the game as Kristaps Gluditis (188-PG-95) made the last free throw for the winners. Smits stepped up with 23 points and Kristaps Gluditis chipped in 17. Davis Geks followed them with 11 points in the winning effort. Seskus collected 20 points and 12 rebounds in defeat, whilst Sakinis posted 11.

France - Ukraine 71-56
France won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The French outfit rolled over Ukraine 71:56 despite the slow start. Ukraine began the game well and, after a frenetic opening Ukraine pushed ahead and led 17:12 after the first quarter. Vladlen Berezhnyy (199-F-95) gave the team the biggest lead at 20:12, but it was too early to celebrate. Paul Lou Duwiquet (193-G-95) brought France 25:23 and Rigot scored for 31:25. Paul Lou Duwiquet closed a 19-0 run at the start of the second period as France had 44:25 deficit. Ukraine however bounced back with their run and reduced to 50:42 after Kharchynskyi's shot. Ville nailed three at the end of the third period for 54:44 and Luidgy Laporal (201-C-95) delivered two for 63:50 midway through the fourth quarter. France added 17-12 in the stanza to seal the victory. Inglis stepped up with 18 points and Paul Lou Duwiquet notched 16. Rigot posted 12, while Arthur Rozenfeld (180-PG-95) notched 10. Boyarkin finished the game with 19 points and Vladlen Berezhnyy collected 16 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

Group D
Italy - Croatia 80-86
Croatia recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship. They held off Italy in Group D. Paolo Marinelli (184-G-95) knocked down 20 points to pace the Croatian side. Croatia stunned their opponents early in the game. They opened the game on an 18:2 run. Croatia secured a 26:15 lead at the first break. Croatia opened the second term with ten points in a row to boost the lead. The margin soon reached a 27-point mark. Croatia rallied to a comfortable 51:33 halftime advantage. But Italy gradually came back to life in the third quarter. They were able to narrow the deficit at 10-point mark with one quarter remaining 57:67. Mario Hezonja and Paolo Marinelli made it 72:57 for Italy early in the fourth quarter but Italy triggered an 11:2 run to narrow the gap to 4 points with 46 seconds to go. Paolo Marinelli reacted with a pair of free throws and Croatia ran away with the victory. Mario Hezonja netted 18 points, grabbed 8 boards and distributed 8 assists, while Domagoj Bosnjak (197-G-95) had 15 points in the victory. Alessandro Maccaferri (175-PG-95) responded with 23 points for Italy. Federico Di Prampero had 18 points in the loss.

Turkey - Bulgaria 85-75
Turkey and Bulgaria open Division A campaign in Hradec Kralove at the U16 European Championship. Turkey grabbed 85:75 win in the opener for the first winning record. Turkey started with 4-0 run and Sanli brought 10:2. Dinkov reduced to 14:13, while Emircan Kosut (208-C-95) closed the opening frame at 25:15. Turkey continued their dominance and reached 37:21 midway through the second quarter. Ulubay and Aleksandar Vezenkov (204-F-95) exchanged the late baskets in the half for 45:32. In the third frame Bulgaria managed to reduce to 8 points as they won the period 25-20. Sanli scored for 65:57 in the end of third period, while his Turkey added 20-18 in the last period for the win in the opener. Birsen stepped up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Ulubay notched 11. Ayberk Guleryuz (206-C-95) and Sanli followed them with 10 points each. Aleksandar Vezenkov replied with 29 points in the losing case and Stoimenov posted 17.



*****************************************************
  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U18   


Stats Leader
Points Per Game
 Chris NDOW
  (195-F/G-93)
  Avg: 24
 1. Ndow, NOR24.0 
 2. Bojanovsky, SVK21.8 
 3. Olah, ROM18.2 
 4. Solomon, ISR17.0 
 5. Ivanov, BUL17.0 
 6. Borg, SWE16.3 
 7. N''Dumba-C., SUI16.2 
 8. Laane, EST15.4 
 9. Reinholt, DEN15.4 
 10. Polfer, LUX14.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Clint N''DUMBA-CAPELA
  SUI
  (202-F-94)
  Avg: 16.8
 1. N''Dumba-C., SUI16.8 
 2. Bojanovsky, SVK13.6 
 3. Olah, ROM12.8 
 4. Burjanadze, GEO12.0 
 5. Filip, ROM11.8 
 6. Eliasson, SWE10.0 
 7. Magarity, SWE9.3 
 8. Larsen, DEN9.2 
 9. Laurent, LUX8.3 
 10. Pavic, MNT8.2 
Assists Per Game
 Simon KRAJCOVIC
  (185-G-94)
  Avg: 8.4
 1. Krajcovic, SVK8.4 
 2. Cristiean, ROM6.0 
 3. Ventura, POR5.2 
 4. Kasalica, MNT4.8 
 5. Karamfilov, BUL4.8 
 6. Maayan, ISR4.7 
 7. Filip, ROM4.2 
 8. Person, SWE4.0 
 9. de Lange, NOR4.0 
 10. Polyak, HUN3.8 
Steals Per Game
 Simon KRAJCOVIC
  (185-G-94)
  Avg: 5.4
 1. Krajcovic, SVK5.4 
 2. Laane, EST4.8 
 3. Ndow, NOR3.5 
 4. Jakab, HUN3.0 
 5. Wilk, AUT3.0 
 6. Borg, SWE3.0 
 7. Graham, ENG2.6 
 8. Polfer, LUX2.5 
 9. Nagy, HUN2.5 
 10. Menco, ISR2.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Boris BOJANOVSKY
  SVK
  (215-C-93)
  Avg: 4.2
 1. Bojanovsky, SVK4.2 
 2. Magarity, SWE3.7 
 3. Olah, ROM3.0 
 4. Kok, NED2.4 
 5. N''Dumba-C., SUI2.2 
 6. Larsen, DEN1.6 
 7. Dimitrov, BUL1.5 
 8. Angeler, AUT1.4 
 9. Graham, ENG1.4 
 10. Pavic, MNT1.4 


M-Standings - Group B
Standings Div.B
Group E
1. Bulgaria3-0
2. Denmark2-1
3. Hungary1-2
4. Estonia0-3
Group F
1. Sweden3-0
2. Montenegro1-2
3. Israel1-2
4. Holland1-2
Group F (places 9-18)
1. Slovakia3-0
2. Romania3-0
3. Switzerland2-2
4. Norway0-3
5. Austria0-4
Group G (places 9-18)
1. Belgium3-0
2. Portugal3-1
3. U.Kingdom1-2
4. Georgia1-2
5. Luxembourg0-3


Qualifying Round Day 1 in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Group E
Bulgaria - Estonia 81-70
Bulgaria advanced to the Semifinals of the U18 European Championship in Varna. The hosts needed a 81:70 win over Estonia and will face Denmark in the last game of the Qualifying Round before both teams will head to the semis. Estonia meanwhile will play first Hungary and then will play for 5-8 places. Estonia stay tough until 9:9, but then Bulgaria went on a lead. Dimitar Stoyanov (187-G-93) closed the first period at 20:13 and Ivanov brought 25:18. Bulgaria added 19-15 in the second period for 39:28 at the halftime. Poldoja and Joesaar created a 8-0 run in the third frame for 49:46, but Dimitar Stoyanov closed the period with a three for 57:47. The fourth period also belonged to the hosts that increased to 15 points when Dimitar Dimitrov (202-F-93) scored fro 73:58. Late baskets by Martin Jurtom (193-F-94) and Nurger reduced the final result to 81:70. Dimitar Dimitrov top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Tenchev netted 16. Ivanov and Dimitar Stoyanov followed them with 10 points each in the winning effort. Rait-Riivo Laane (180-PG-93) ended up with 16 points, while Poldoja and Joesaar notched 11 apiece.

Hungary - Denmark 46-50
Denmark stepped closer to Division A birth after 50:46 win over Hungary at the U18 European Championship in Varna. The Danish side advanced to the Semifinals with one more games remaining in Group E. Hungary will face first Estonia and then will play at the Classification Round for 5-8 places. It was a defensive game and both teams realized the importance of the victory. Denmark started better and Esben Reinholt (196-G-93) brought 11:4 midway through the first period. Hungary meanwhile kept them scoreless until the end of the frame and with 7-0 run reduced to 11:10 after the first 10 minutes. Denmark created a 19-12 surge in the second frame to take 30:22 halftime lead as Esben Reinholt nailed three at the end of the half. The third quarter belonged to Hungary that managed to tie the game at 36:36 when Nagy scored from the perimeter. Moreover another shot from the Hungarian player and Kovacs's three pointer showed 41:36 after thirty minutes. Nagy scored for 44:40 and Kristof Bognar (203-C/F-94) brought 46:43 with 3 minutes remaining. Denmark however needed a 7-0 run at the very end to seal the victory. Moeller and Esben Reinholt led the way with 14 points each. Misek replied with 11 and Jakab netted 10.

Group F
Montenegro - Sweden 52-66
Sweden became the leader of Group F in Varna at the at the U18 European Championship in Division B. The Scandinavian team overcame Montenegro 66:52 for 2-0 record. The latter fell at 0-2 record, but still has chances reaching the semifinals. Pajovic gave his side the first lead and Pavic increased to 11:5. Ivanovic scored the last three points in the first period for 16:11 and Nikolic gave the biggest lead in the game for his team at 19:11. Tobias Borg (183-PG-93) tied the game at 21:21 as Sweden took control of the court. William Magarity (207-F-93) brought 30:28 and Eliasson closed the half at 32:31. After 20-12 in the third period the board showed 52:43 for the Scandinavian team. Tobias Borg nailed three for 57:47 and Eliasson closed another run for 63:47. Nemanja Gavranic (201-C/F-93) was the last player to score in the game for the final result. Tobias Borg stepped up with 19 points and William Magarity nailed 15. Jonathan Person (190-PG-93, agency: JEMsports) followed them with 14 and Larsson netted 8. Mugosa and Pavic responded with 11 points apiece, while Ivanovic brought 10.

Holland - Israel 62-78
Israel knocked down Holland to tie both records at 1-1 in Group E of the U18 European Championship in Division B. After being tied at 16:16 Israel pushed the tempo for good to win 78:62. The Dutch side started the game with 5-0 run and Hammink later scored for 12:6. Rafael Menco (198-F-94) tied the game at 14:14 in the end of the frame, while Bleeker made the same at 16:16. Ram Elias-Pour (208-C-93) brought Israel 22:16 and Lev scored for 30:20. Israel became to dominate the court and Rafael Menco closed the half at 37:28. Israel continued to control the game in the third period and after 21-13 increased to 58:41. Rafael Menco scored for 72:50 and Solomon Or delivered two for 76:54. The latter also became the last one for the winners to score in the game bringing 78:59 with 1 minute remaining. Netherlands meanwhile closed the game with 5-0 run as Schilder and Hammink made 5 free throws. Rafael Menco top-scored for the winners with 18 points and Solomon Or notched 17. Lev scored 11, while Ram Elias-Pour posted 8. Hammink finished the game with 20 points in the losing effort and Schilder delivered 17.

Group G
Luxembourg - Portugal 65-72
Portugal recorded the first win at the U18 European Championship in Division B classification round. They held off Luxembourg counterparts to improve at 2-1 record in Group G. Jonah Callenbach (192-C/F-93) scored 23 points to pace the winners. Luxembourg got to the better start of the game. They outgunned Portugal 23:14 in the opening frame. But Portugal gradually returned into the game. They cut the deficit at just 6-point mark at the interval 33:39. The teams went close throughout the third term. Luxembourg entered the fourth quarter up by 5 points 54:49. But Portugal turned things around in the fourth quarter. Jonah Callenbach scored eight points in a 13:0 run that propelled Portugal to a 60:57 advantage. Portugal quickly boosted the margin to six points and hung on for the victory. Andre Miguens (184-F-94) delivered 16 points and 7 boards, while Diogo Ventura added 10 points, 9 assists and 4 boards for Portugal. Alex Laurent (195-C-93) answered with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Luxembourg. Gilles Polfer (189-F-93) netted 11 points in defeat.

Georgia - United Kingdom 59-61 OT
England celebrated the first win at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. They narrowly defeated Georgia in Group G. Simeon Esprit (195-G/F-93) scored 18 points to pace the winners. England and Georgia stayed close throughout the opening quarter. England earned a 16:15 lead after ten minutes. England stepped on the gas in the second frame. They arrived at halftime up by 12 points 35:23. Georgia turned things around in the third quarter.They went on a 10:0 run midway through the period to narrow the deficit. Georgia capped the period with a 7:1 run to level things up at 42. The teams went neck and neck throughout the fourth term. Simeon Esprit put England in charge 53:51 with under two minutes to go. But Tsirekidze answered with a jumper to force overtime. The teams were still tied with 50 seconds remaining in the extra frame but Simeon Esprit came up with a decisive layup in the dying seconds to seal the victory for England. Elliott Sentance (188-G-94) dropped 13 points, while Jack Crook (93) had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort. Levan Lolishvili (200-F-94) and Irakli Mikeladze (179-PG-94) answered with 11 points each for Georgia. Burjanadze had 9 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.

Group H
Austria - Switzerland 48-70
Switzerland overcame Austria at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. The victory propelled the Swiss juniors at 2-1 record on top of Group H. Austria fell at 0-2 record. Vincent Gaillard (200-F-93) notched 27 points and 8 rebounds to pace the winners. Switzerland ensured the strong start to the game. They limited Austria to just 9 points in the opening quarter to post a 13-point lead. The margin kept on growing throughout the second term. Switzerland piled up a 19-point halftime lead 43:24. More to come in the third term as Switzerland did not loosen the grasp. They built a comfortable 26-point lead with one quarter remaining. Austria stopped the rot in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened the margin. Clint N'Dumba-Capela (202-F-94) accounted for 22 points and 27 rebounds in the victory. Timur Bas (195-C-94) responded with 8 points for Austria. Patrick Kolb (196-F-94) had 7 points in defeat.

Romania - Norway 79-49
Romania earned the first win at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. They outgunned Norway for 2-0 record. Olah stepped up with 23 points and 13 boards to lead the effort. Romania quickly surged ahead in this one. They ensured a 27:15 lead ten minutes into the game. Romania maintained the lead throughout the second stanza. They arrived at halftime up by as many as 16 points. Romania stretched the gap to 21 points with a 7:2 run early in the third frame. The margin kept on growing throughout the third period as Romania piled up a 70:40 lead with one quarter remaining. The teams combined for just 18 points in the fourth term as Romania eased to the victory at the end. Andrei Petica (192-F-93) netted 16 points, while Ioan Filip (199-F-93) came up with 12 points, 16 boards and 9 assists in the victory. Chris Ndow (195-F/G-93) answered with 14 points for Norway. Viktor Schoenning (196-F-91) had 7 points in the loss.



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  FIBA AMERICAS   


Horford, Villanueva and Garcia head to Kentucky - by Kristian Santiago
All three NBA players will be part of the first training camp of the Dominican Republic in the United States. The question of insuring the three NBA-players has apparently been solved and Horford, Villanueva and Garcia will be part of the team heading to Mar del Plata in late August this year. Head coach John Calipari invited the following players for the first stage to Kentucky:
Edgar Sosa (188-G-88, college: Louisville), Francisco Garcia (201-F/G-81, college: Louisville), Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida), Charlie Villanueva (209-F-84, college: Connecticut), Jon Horford (205-F), Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan), Giancarlos Acosta (198-G/F-85), Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports), Kelvin Pena (193-G-80, college: Southeastern CC), Ricardo Soliver (191-G-84, college: Iona), Sean Ogirri (188-G-86, college: Wyoming), Ronald Ramon (185-G-86, college: Pittsburgh), Eloy Vargas (208-F), Elys Manuel Guzman (206-F/C-82, college: Bemidji St.), Manuel Fortuna, Eulis Baez (201-F-82, college: W.Illinois), Dagoberto Pena (183-G-83), Juan Pablo Montas (198-F-84) and Luis Martinez (198-F-84, college: William Pater.).
Players will be evaluated by Calipari and his staff, starting August, 2nd at the University of Kentucky and and a test game against an all-star team made up of former Wildcats-players.



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  FINLAND   


KORISLIIGA: Shawn Vanzant inked with Korihait - by Rauno Hurmalainen
Former Butler G Shawn Vanzant (182-G, College: Butler)) will begin his professional basketball career in the top Finnish league, Korisliiga, with the Korihait club of Uusikaupunki. Vanzant agent, Matthew C. Krejci, of MK Sports and Entertainment LLC (Columbus, Ohio) said the deal was signed on Wednesday and Shawn is ready to showcase his abilities in Europe. Shawn is in great shape physically and will likely play point guard, when the season opens in Finland at the end of September.
Tom Westerholm, Coach and GM of Korihait, said, I am happy to get Shawn for our team. I really believe he can help us be successful, and I believe I can help him start his
professional career. Vanzant appeared for Butler in the past two NCAA Championship games, won a total of 117 games during his college career, and received his degree this past May. Vanzant averaged 8,7 ppg, 3,2 rpg and 1,8 apg in 28,6 mpg as a Senior.

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  FRANCE   


France hand Canada second straight loss - by Eurobasket News
France - Canada 86:69

France celebrated the second straight win over Canada in the exhibition series. This time Les Bleus earned victory in Toulouse. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) stepped up with 16 points, 6 assists and 4 boards to pace the hosts.
The teams stayed close throughout the opening quarter. France pulled ahead late in the quarter to post a 22:19 lead. Canada bounced back taking a 29:28 lead midway through the second term. But the hosts stepped on the gas to eke out a 42:38 halftime lead. France stayed in charge throughout the third period. Les Bleus ensured a 63:56 advantage with one quarter to go. France opened the fourth quarter on a 15:2 run to clear off. They dominated in the reminder of the contest to post well-deserved win at the end. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) accounted for 15 points, while Nando De Colo (202-G-87) added 14 points in the win. Andy Rautins (193-PG-86, college: Syracuse) responded with 18 points for Canada. Jevohn Shepherd (196-F-86, college: Michigan) dropped 15 points in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 16, Nicolas Batum 15, Nando De Colo 14
Canada: Andy Rautins 18, Jevohn Shepherd 15


U16: The French outfit rolled over Ukraine despite the slow start - by Eurobasket News
France U16-Ukraine U16 71:56

France won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The French outfit rolled over Ukraine 71:56 despite the slow start.
Ukraine began the game well and, after a frenetic opening Ukraine pushed ahead and led 17:12 after the first quarter. Vladlen Berezhnyy (199-F-95) gave the team the biggest lead at 20:12, but it was too early to celebrate. Paul Lou Duwiquet (193-G-95) brought France 25:23 and Paul Rigot (199-F-95) scored for 31:25. Paul Lou Duwiquet closed a 19-0 run at the start of the second period as France had 44:25 deficit. Ukraine however bounced back with their run and reduced to 50:42 after Kharchynskyi's shot. Ville nailed three at the end of the third period for 54:44 and Laporal delivered two for 63:50 midway through the fourth quarter. France added 17-12 in the stanza to seal the victory.
Damien Inglis (198-F-95) stepped up with 18 points and Paul Lou Duwiquet notched 16. Paul Rigot posted 12, while Arthur Rozenfeld (180-PG-95) notched 10. Igor Boyarkin (180-PG-95) finished the game with 19 points and Vladlen Berezhnyy collected 16 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

France U16: Damien Inglis 18, Paul Lou Duwiquet 16, Paul Rigot 12, Arthur Rozenfeld 10
Ukraine U16: Igor Boyarkin 19, Vladlen Berezhnyy 16+10 rebs


Christophe Leonard joins STB Le Havre - by Eurobasket News
STB Le Havre announced signing of Christophe Leonard (199-F-90) for the next season. The young prospect arrives from Cholet, where he spent last three years. He had limited playing time last season averaging 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 25 ProA games. Leonard also added 4.5 ppg and 2.6 rpg for 8 games in Euroleague. Before Cholet, he played few years for CFBB. Christophe Leonard also played for the French U20, U19, U18 and U16 National team in the past. Last summer in Croatia he won the Gold with U20 France at the European Championships U20 in Croatia. Leonard helped his team with 7.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.8 spg for 9 games. With U18 France he reached Semifinals at the European Championships U18 in Amaliada Pyrgos, 2008. At this event Leonard had 5.1 ppg, 2 rpg and 2.3 apg.

JDA Dijon and Erroyl Bing split - by Eurobasket News
After Errick Craven (188-G-83, college: USC), Erroyl Bing (198-F/C-82, college: E.Carolina) also became a free agent. His contract expired and will not be extended by JDA Dijon. Bing played 40 games in ProB last season averaging 10 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He helped Dijon reach the ProB Finals and was named Eurobasket.com All-French ProB Honorable Mention -11. Before Dijon, Bing spent two years with Clermont. In their first season together he exploded with 15.5 ppg and 9 rpg for 32 games. Bing had pretty close numbers in 2009/10 as well. In 2006, Erroyl Bing was named Eurobasket.com All-French N1 Center of the Year -06. He played for Limoges at that time. Bing also has experience from Fribourg, Boncourt and Mattersburg. He graduated at the East Carolina University in 2004.

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  FYR MACEDONIA   


Feni Industri signs Kiril Nikolovski - by Eurobasket News
Kiril Nikolovski (210-C-88, agency: Interperformances) is a new member of Feni Industri Kavadarci. The Macedonian center penned a one-year deal with his new club. Nikolovski heads to Feni from MZT Skopje Aerodrom, where he spent last season. He appeared 30 times in Superleague averaging 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds. Nikolovski ended as the best rebounder of the competition. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League 2nd Team -11. From 2008 to 2010, Kiril Nikolovski played for Vardar Osiguruvanje. In their second season together he had 8.9 ppg and 5 rpg. Nikolovski also played for MZT in the past. He was a member of U20 and U18 FYROM National Team. In 2006, Nikolovski helped U20 FYROM to win the Silver at the European Championships U20 Division B in Lisbon. He had 2.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg for 8 games at this event.

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  GEORGIA   


U18: Portugal improved to 3-1 record in Group G of the Classification Round for 9-18 places - by Eurobasket News
Portugal U18-Georgia U18 61:57

Portugal improved to 3-1 record in Group G of the Classification Round for 9-18 places in Division B of the U18 European Chmapionship. Portugal sent Georgia to 1-2 record after 61:57 victory.
The first two quarters were the same as Georgia produced 16-14 in both of them. It brought them 32:28 at the end of the half as Alvaro reduced to 4 points from the perimeter. For about three minutes in the third period the teams were scoreless as Giorgi Tsirekidze (202-C-94) broke the silence at 34:28. Beka Burjanadze (201-F-94) and Jonah Callenbach (192-C/F-93) exchanged the baskets in the end of the third period for 45:44 Portuguese lead. Five times the score was tied at the last stanza, while 4-0 run allowed Portugal to taste the win. Diogo Ventura (185-PG-94) and Jonah Callenbach were the last to score for the winners to grab the third win.
Jonah Callenbach paced all the winners with 23 points and Diogo Ventura nailed 10. Joao Grosso (199-F-94) and Joao Gallina (189-F-94) chipped in 7 points each in a win. Giorgi Tsirekidze replied with 20 points int he losing effort, while Beka Burjanadze collected 12 points and 10 caroms.

Portugal U18: Jonah Callenbach 23, Diogo Ventura 10, Joao Grosso 7, Joao Gallina 7
Georgia U18: Giorgi Tsirekidze 20, Beka Burjanadze 12+10 rebs



U18: England nip Georgia in Varna - by Eurobasket News
England U18 - Georgia U18 61:59 (OT)

England celebrated the first win at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. They narrowly defeated Georgia in Group G. Simeon Esprit (195-G/F-93) scored 18 points to pace the winners.
England and Georgia stayed close throughout the opening quarter. England earned a 16:15 lead after ten minutes. England stepped on the gas in the second frame. They arrived at halftime up by 12 points 35:23. Georgia turned things around in the third quarter.They went on a 10:0 run midway through the period to narrow the deficit. Georgia capped the period with a 7:1 run to level things up at 42. The teams went neck and neck throughout the fourth term. Simeon Esprit put England in charge 53:51 with under two minutes to go. But Tsirekidze answered with a jumper to force overtime. The teams were still tied with 50 seconds remaining in the extra frame but Simeon Esprit came up with a decisive layup in the dying seconds to seal the victory for England. Elliott Sentance (188-G-94) dropped 13 points, while Jack Crook (93) had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort. Levan Lolishvili (200-F-94) and Irakli Mikeladze (179-PG-94) answered with 11 points each for Georgia. Burjanadze had 9 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.

England U18: Simeon Esprit 18, Elliott Sentance 13, Jack Crook 12+12 boards
Georgia U18: Levan Lolishvili 11, Irakli Mikeladze 11

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  GERMANY   


German U16 National Team -11 - by Ernest
Starting five
#s#
Ismet Akpinar
Akpinar
Dino Dizdarevic
Dizdarevic
Constantin Ebert
Ebert
Stefan Ilzhofer
Ilzhofer
Daniel Mayr
Mayr
#e#5
Ismet Akpinar 188-PG-95 SC Rist Germany
Dino Dizdarevic 193-G/F-95 TSV Troester Germany
Constantin Ebert 180-PG-96 Wuerzburg Germany
Stefan Ilzhofer 198-F-95 Ludwigsb.BSG Germany
Daniel Mayr 212-C-95 Jena II Germany
Niklas Ney 205-C-95 ALBA Germany
Janis Stielow 192-G-95 SC Rist Germany
David Taylor 188-PG-95 NBC Germany
Terry Thomas 200-F-95 TSV Troester Germany
Maximilian Ugrai 196-F-95 Wuerzburg Germany
Jan Niklas Wimberg 202-G-96 Oldenburg Germany
Robert Zinn 194-PG-95 Ludwigsb.BSG Germany

Harald Stein Head Coach
Marvin Willoughby Assistant


Devin Uskoski moves to Kirchheim - by Moritz Korff
The Kirchheim Knights (2. Bundesliga Pro A) have secured the services of the 2010-11 Eurobasket.com All-Pro B Player of the Year, Devin Uskoski (198-C-85, college: Rocky Mountain), local newspaper Teckbote reports. Uskoski averaged 20.7 points and league-leading 10.8 rebounds per contest for BG Leitershofen/Stadtbergen in this past Pro B season.

In compliance with a gradual developement Uskoski has been working his way up in German basketball since starting his pro career in 2009. He started out in the 1. Regionalliga, capturing the RLSW title with Leitershofen/Stadtbergen in his first year overseas, while receiving Eurobasket.com All-RLSW First Team honors. In the following season he made noise in the 2. Bundesliga Pro B, advancing to the finals with the Red Kangaroos. Following the 2010-11 campaign the Brush Praire, WA native was named the Pro B most outstanding player. In between his German success Uskoski took his game to the International Basketball League, turning out for the Vancouver Volcanoes. In 2010 he was recognized as the USbasket.com All-IBL Center of the Year. Earlier this month his 25 points and 14 rebounds performance in the IBL championship game against Edmonton Energy was crucial in Vancouver's 124-116 win.

Kevin Hamilton (Frankfurt Would Be A Great Place To Play. Quantez Robertson is One Of The Most Athletic Human Beings I Have Ever Seen) - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Kevin Hamilton is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Queens Village, New York that just completed his second season for The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. He played at Holy Cross from 2002-2006 and played together with ex Skyliner Keith Simmons. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 17.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.5apg, 3.3spg, FG: 38.1%, 3PT: 33.2%, FT: 77.7%. In his rookie season 2006-2007, he came to Europe and played in Poland for Polpak Swiecie playing 19 games and averaging 13.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, Steals-2 (2.3spg), 2FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 64.2%. In 2007-2008, he played in France for Besancon Basket Comte Doubs (France-ProB) playing 2 games and averaging 6.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.5apg. He also had a short tenure in Mexico with Pioneros de Quintana Roo-Cancun. In 2008-2009, he returned back to Poland to play for SKK Kotwica Kolobrzeg playing 32 games averaging 11.0ppg, 5.1rpg, Assists-1 (6.4apg), Steals-1 (2.8spg), FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 32.6%, FT: 66.5%. He was not lazy in the last three summers staying in game shape and playing in Puerto Rico playing 90 games. In the summer of 2009, he played for Indios de Mayaguez playing 35 games and averaging 10.5ppg, 4.7rpg, Assists-3 (6.3apg), Steals-2 (1.7spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 70.6%. His father was a draft pick of The Boston Celtics in 1980. In 2009-2010, he played his first season in Braunschweig playing 39 games: 10.1ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-3 (5.4apg), Steals-2 (1.9spg), FGP: 63.7%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 77.6%. Last season for Braunschweig, he played 39 games: 9.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.3apg, Steals-1 (1.9spg), FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.0%. Currently he is with the Puerto Rican national team and looking for a team for next season. There is always a possibility that he will return to the Beko BBL. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig lost in 5 games to the Artland Dragons in May. What was key in this series for Artland advancing?

I think they were just too tough at home last game. It was a great series , both teams played real hard but at the end they just executed better than us.

You played two seasons in Braunschweig. How did your game improve further under head coach Sebastian Machowksi who you already had as coach in Poland?


I think I get a lot better under coach. He gave me a lot of confidence on the floor and I think that I was able to play better in those circumstances so I am very thankful for that.

A former teammate of you said that a reason he left was because of a lack of ambition by the club for the future. Are you sad that so many guys left the team. Why was that? Was it just the usual difference in financial things?


I think it was different reasons for different people. I had a great time in Braunschweig though, and I wish the team and organization much success.

You have played in Puerto Rico the last summers and this summer for Indios de Mayaguez. Is it just the love of basketball or why dont you take 2 months off before getting ready for the new season?

Well it is love and the fact that I have the opurtunity to continue to earn for my family. I love playing in the league and I am young and feel good so I figure I will do it as long as my body allows.

You averaged 8,3apg in the Puerto Rico league this summer the most you ever made in that league. Was it motivation of performing well after the loss to Artland, the right players, or team that enabled you to get so many assists?

I think it was a combination of a lot of things. The Puerto Rican league is a league that is played at much faster pace , so it is a much more offensive minded league. The team I was on this year had many scorers and just needed a distributer which I like to do anyway so it was a good fit. Also I was only able to play 10 games with the club so, I had a couple high assist games early that really helped me out.


Presently you are with the Pruerto Rican national team. What kind of experience has this been for you?

It has been a really nice experience. The competition has been great, the guys are all very nice people and I have learned a lot already from coach Melendez. I am real excited for the opportunity to play with the team and if my name is called I will be ready.

Are any of the NBA players there like Carlos Arroyo, Jose Barrea or Renaldo Balkmann? How much fun is it playing there?

JJ is here, the other guys should be joining the team in August.

You have expressed interest in playing for the Frankfurt Fraport Skyliners. How badly would you like to play there?


Frankfurt would be a great place to play. They have had two great seasons since I have been here and from what I hear they are a very professional and welcoming place to play. I am interested in any situation like that.


If you did play there would you feel a lot of pressure taking over at the point for Dashaun Wood?

I think I would feel more pressure to win then to replace a certain player. There last two point guards have had very good seasons with the club both individually and collectively. I think that we all have different games and strengths so its hard to compare but winning is what made their seasons so special in my opinion.

What is always the most difficult thing you have to be aware of when a Quantez Robertson is lurking near you when you have the ball?

Everything, Quantez Robertson was one of the best defenders in the league, and one of the most athletic human beings I have ever seen.

What is your opinion of Ron Artest changing his name to World Peace?

He is from Queens so he gets a pass !

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Horrible Bosses.

Thanks Kev fort he chat


Matthias Goddek And Farid Sadek remain With The Bayer Giants Leverkusen - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
The Bayer Giants Leverkusen announced today that two known faces in the Leverkusen basketball history will continue to play there as Matthias Goddek (195-G/F-86) and Farid Sadek (188-G-83) got contract extensions. Goddek is a 24 year old 195cm shooting guard/small forward that was born in Cologne, Germany. He started his basketball career in 2004 with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen II (Regionalliga)and has never left. He has played 70 Beko BBL games and is known for having a deadly three pointer. He was unable to play last season due to a complicated injury. 'Matthias has a lot of experience that will be a big help for this team. He is totally healthy again and I am looking forwardc to working with him again', stressed Bayer Giants leverkusen head coach Achim Kuczmann . The club also announced that Farid Sadek (188-G-83) will play another season with the PRO B team. He is a 28 year old 188cm guard. This will be his 6th season in Leverkusen and third in a row in the PRO B. Last season he played 23 games: 8.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 5.0apg, FGP: 40.1%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 83.8%. Sadek started his basketball career in 2001 with Schwelm (D2): 14 games: 2.1ppg, 1.1rpg, 12ast. He also has played for teams like TG RE Schwelm/Schwelmer Baskets (Regionalliga) and the Duesseldorf Magics (ProA). Sadek has played 95 second Bundesliga games.

Source: Bayer Giants Leverkusen

SC Rasta Vechta Add Bill Goehrke And Benjamin Fumey - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
PRO B team SC Rasta Vechta announced the signings of Bill Goehrke (198-C-82, college: Augustana, IL) and Benjamin Fumey (203-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Valparaiso) today. Goehrke is a 29 year old 198cm center from South Barrington, Illinois. He has played in Germany for 5 seasons and will start his 6th with SC Rasta Vechta. Last season he played for BV Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany-ProB): 23 games: 3.1ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.3apg. SC Rasta Vechta head coach Patrick Elzie knows Goehrke from Schwenningen and is convinced that the American will help. 'No matter where Bill played, he always left on a positive note as player and person. He was always a fan favorite. He will help the rebound quality in the team', stressed Patrick Elzie . Goehrke started his basketball career at Augustana Illinois (NCAA3) and played there from 2000 to 2004.In his senior year, he played 25 games: 5.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 49.1%. he then came to Germany and played for teh Kirchheim Knights (Germany-2.Bundesliga) from 2004-2007. he then played for the Chicago Throwbacks (PBL) in 2007-2008. he then returned to Germany and played for KGJ Panthers Schwenningen (Germany-Regionalliga) from 2008-2010.

SC Rasta Vecta also annouced that Benjamin Fumey (203-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Valparaiso) will play for the club this season. Fumey is a 24 year old 203cm forward that was born in Bremen, germany. Last season he played for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn (ProA, starting five): 18 games: 9.0ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT-3 (46.2%), FT: 64.5%. 'I am a guy that needs to have a good feeling and I had a good feeling here and I think I can develop further here with the new arena. I also have heard positive things about the coach and team and want to be a part of the development here in the next years', stated Benjamin Fumey. Fumey started his basketball career in 2003 with TSV Lesum-Bremen (2.Bundesliga): 6 games: 1.2ppg, 3reb, 2ast.he then played for the Bremen Roosters (2.Bundesliga)from 2004-2007. He then played for Valparaiso (NCAA) from 2007-2009 playing 18 games: 4.4ppg, 3.0rpg. In 2009-2010, he played for Giants Noerdlingen (ProA): 29 games: 9.9ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 68.9%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been German U18 National Team -05, German U20 National Team -06-07, German Bundesliga U-20 All-Star Game -07, European Championships U20 Division B in Warsaw (Poland) -07 (Semifinals): 8 games: 5.0ppg, 3.1rpg, Horizon League Tournament Semifinals -08, and German A2 National Team -09

Source: SC RASTA Vechta

BSV Wulfen lands Dwalyn Roberts - by Moritz Korff
BSV Wulfen (2. Bundesliga Pro B) has filled its second import player spot and completed the final summer signing: Dwalyn Roberts (201-F-89, agency: TM Sports) will join the team. Roberts is a 22-year-old forward from San Angelo, Texas. He has four seasons of NCAA basketball at Division 1 school Texas Tech under his belt. In the 2010-11 season he played 26 games for the Red Raiders, averaging 6.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and one blocked shot per contest.

Mr Fantastic Mark Dorris Will Fly For EnBW Ludwigsburg - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Mark Dorris (188-G-85, agency: Court Side, college: Marshall) was seen last season as one of the more athletic and exciting player in the Beko BBL and he will continue to duel his hometown friend Quantez Robertson this season in the Beko BBL with EnBW Ludwigsburg. Dorris is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Cincinnati.Last season, he was a rookie in the top basketball league in Germany with Phoenix Hagen playing 34 games: 15.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.6apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 24.4%, FT: 72.8%. he scored in double figures 28 times. He started the season very strong scoring in double figures in his first 10 days, but an injury set him back a bit during the season, but closed out the season strong scoring in double figures in 13 of 14 games. His top games included a 30 point outburst against BBC Bayreuth and pouring in 35 points against EnBW Ludwigsburg. 'I remember the date February 27th well where Dorris took us apart. He is a very well known player in the league, quick and agile. I feel we will improve our on ball defense with him. He also will heighten our flexibility at the guard position', stated EnBW Ludwigsburg head coach Markus Jochum. Dorris started his basketball career at Marshall. In his senior year, he played 30 games: 13.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 34.3%, FT: 75.9%. He came to Germany in 2009 and had an outstanding rookie campaign for Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA): 29 games: 18.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.7apg, Steals-3 (2.3spg), FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 77.3%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been HS preseason McDonald's All-American before senior season, HS first team all-city and all-GMC for two years,C-USA All-Defensive Team -08, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Honorable Mention -10, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A All-Defensive Team -10, German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Runner-Up -10, German Bundesliga All-Star Game -11,German 2.Bundesliga Pro B (Group North) Regular Season Champion -11.

Source: EnBW Ludwigsburg




Sascha Kesselring Ready To Rumble Under The Hoop For The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
According to derwesten.de, The Gloria Giants have found a back up center for Esmir Rizvic with Sascha Kesselring (209-C-85). Kesselring is a 26 year old 209cm center from Brandenburg that grew up in Boblingen and started basketball late at the age of 15. He knows how to use his big and strong body for rebounds and position. Blessed with a smooth shot he likes to step out to score. Has an extremly good catch, handles and passes the ball well, plays pretty smart for his age. Improves constantly his fundamentals for the low post spot. A player with a strong character and an offensive mind, ready to try to beat his opponent at any time, not ignoring the better positioned teammate. He has played 19 Beko BBL games and 3 ULEB cup games for EnBW Ludwigsburg.Last season Kesselring played for the s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (ProA, starting five): 29 games: 7.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 52.7%, FT: 62.6%. 'Sascha was an absolute top player in the second league the last years. He is a fighter and we gave him a two year deal. We dont want to rHplan the roster next season. He has potential for the Beko BBL', stressed Giants head coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances ) Kesselring started his basketball career in 2001 for : Boblingen (Germany - Oberliga - Division 4). he played for SV 03 Tubingen from 2002-2004. He then played for BSG Ludwigsburg (Regionalliga)from 2004-2006 and then played for EnBW Ludwigsburg (1.Bundesliga) from 2006-2008. In 2008-2009, he played for FC Schalke 04 (ProA, starting five): 26 games: 8.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 68.2%. In 2009-2010, he played together with Mark Dorris for Cuxhaven BasCats (ProA, starting five): 29 games: 7.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 16.7%, FT: 63.4%. Awards/Achievements in his career have been German Bundesliga Rookie All-Star Game -04, German 2.Bundesliga (Group South) Champion -04, Was invited June 2004 to Dirk Nowitzkis Personal summer work-out at Starnberger See/Germany., German Under 21 Champion 2005, German Bundesliga Cup Semifinals -07, German Bundesliga Regular Season Runner-Up -07, German Bundesliga Semifinals -07, German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Regular Season Runner-Up -08,and German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Runner-Up -10, 11.

Source: www.derwesten.de

Kesselring added to Duesseldorf frontline - by Moritz Korff
The Gloria Giants Duesseldorf added size and strength to their frontcourt with the addition of Sascha Kesselring (209-C-85). The 26-year-old post player arrives to Duesseldorf from Wuerzburg. According to derwesten.de Kesselring put pen to paper on a two year-deal with the Giants. He scored 7.3 points and pulled down 6.7 rebounds per contest for Wuerzburg in this past Pro A campaign. Earlier in his career Kesselring played for Tuebingen, Ludwigsburg, Kirchheim, Schalke and Cuxhaven.

U16: Germany nip Russia to open win count in Czech Republic - by Eurobasket News
Germany U16 - Russia U16 71:67

Germany recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship in Czech Republic. They held off Russia in Group B opener for both teams. Ismet Akpinar (188-PG-95) delivered 20 points and 6 rebounds in the victory.
Germany opened the game with eight points in a row to set the tone. Russia got closer but still trailed by four points at the first break 14:18. Germany maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They ensured a 37:33 advantage at the interval. Maximilian Ugrai (196-F-95) and Ney stretched the margin to 10-point mark midway through the third quarter. But Russia finished the third term on a strong rally to grab a 54:52 lead with one quarter remaining. Ismet Akpinar and Maximilian Ugrai gave the lead back to Germany late in regulation 68:64. David Taylor (188-PG-95) and Maximilian Ugrai then converted three free throws in the dying seconds to seal the victory for the German team. Maximilian Ugrai delivered 15 points and 8 rebounds, while David Taylor finished with 9 in the victory. Vasily Martynov (185-PG-95) responded with 17 points for Russia. Pavel Sizov (198-F-95) had 13 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.

Germany U16: Ismet Akpinar 20, Maximilian Ugrai 15, David Taylor 9
Russia U16: Vasily Martynov 17, Pavel Sizov 13


Salzkotten lands three time RLW leading scorer Frank Benson - by Moritz Korff
He emerged as a dominating force in the 1. Regionalliga West through the years. And now he is back on German basketball courts: Frank Benson (196-F-82, college: Oklahoma Baptist) has agreed to terms on a contract with TV Salzkotten.
The 29-year-old forward from Houston, Texas graduated from NAIA powerhouse Oklahoma Baptist in 2006. In 2007 he left his first mark in German basketball, guiding SVD Dortmund to the 2008 RLW championship, while leading the league in scoring and receiving Eurobasket.com All-RLW Player of the Year honors. One year later he continued where he had left off and averaged 29.3 points per contest in 10 games for Moenchengladbach. In the 2009-10 season Benson led the league in scoring for the third straight year, producing 25.8 points a game for the Iserlohn Kangaroos. Following his Iserlohn tenure Benson had to stay in the US due to personal reasons and thus did not play in Germany during the 2010-11 campaign.

Gloria Giants Duesseldorf snap up Nicholas Pederson - by Moritz Korff
According to derwesten.de Nicholas Pederson (203-F-85) has joined Pro A team Gloria Giants Duesseldorf for the 2011-2012 season. The 26-year-old forward flew to Cologne to attend the Eurobasket Summer League and was able to draw the attention of Duesseldorf coach Murat Didin (agency: Interperformances) while winning the ESL with his team.
Pederson is a versatile player who spent these past years suiting up for ABA's Chico Rage. He completed his collegiate career in 2007. As a senior Pederson averaged 5.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest for NCAA D2 program California State Stanislaus.

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  GREECE   


U16: Greece won their opener of the European Championship in Division A - by Eurobasket News
Poland U16-Greece U16 59:73

Greece won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side overcame Poland 73:59 for the initial victory in Czech Republic.
It was a tough start and both teams paid too much attention to defense in order not to make the mistakes. Trailing 9:11 in the middle of the frame, Mazur closed a 7-0 run for Poland as the latter enjoyed 19-16 at the end of the first period. Moreover Poland increased to 24:16, but failed in the rest of the game. Georgios Papadionysioy (185-PG-95) gave Greece 33:32 at the end of the half after Greece won the period 17-13. Kefalas later brought 51:40 and Kefalas reduced to 51:48 after thirty minutes. In the rest of the game Greece made the final push to seal the victory.
Dimitrios Stamatis (188-G-96) paced all the winners with 13 points and Anastasios Spyropoulos (196-G-95) scored 12. Georgios Papadionysioy and Georgios Diamantakos (210-C-95) delivered 10 points each for the first win. Denis Socha (185-G-95) and Mikolaj Witlinski (201-F-95) scored 12 points each in defeat, while Damian Jeszke (200-F-95) posted 8.

Poland U16: Denis Socha 12, Mikolaj Witlinski 12, Damian Jeszke 8
Greece U16: Dimitrios Stamatis 13, Anastasios Spyropoulos 12, Georgios Papadionysioy 10, Georgios Diamantakos 10


Panathinaikos officially sign Pat Kalathis - by Eurobasket News
As expected, Pat Kalathis (208-G/F-85, college: St.Joseph's) officially became a member of Panathinaikos and joined his younger brother Nick Kalathis. Pat signed a one-year deal with the Greens. He exploded last season in VAP Kolossos Rodou averaging 14.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 1.9 apg for 28 games. He played at the Greek League All-Star Game and Eurobasket awarded him with All-Greek A1 League Honorable Mention -11. From 2008 until the last summer Pat Kalathis was a member of Marousi. He had 3.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg for them in 19 Eurloleague games in 2009/10. In A1, he added 5.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg. Pat Kalathis graduated at the Saint Joseph's University three years ago. He had 17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 2.7 apg for them as a senior. He helped his school to win Atlantic 10 Tournament. Pat Kalathis, as well as his younger brother Nick, has dual American and Greek citizenship.

Matt Howard signs with Olympiacos - by Eurobasket News
Olympiacos continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is American power forward Matt Howard (203-F). This is the first professional deal for Howard, who graduated at Butler University few months ago. He played 35 games for his school as a senior averaging 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds 1.5 assist and 1.1 steals. It was a nice improvement after 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg as a junior. Matt Howard helped Butler win the Horizon league tournament three times. Also he was three times named Horizon League All-Tournament Team. In 2009, Howard was awarded with Horizon League Player of the Year and also with AP NCAA All-America Honorable Mention -09. A year after that Butler reached NCAA Finals. Olympiacos already signed one rookie for the next season and it is Kalin Lucas from the Michigan State University. He had 17 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 3.4 apg as a senior.

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  GUYANA   


Antigua takes the first win in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
GUYANA - ANTIGUA 51-76

Antigua celebrated their first win in Nassau. It was the last game of the Preliminary Round and Antigua outplayed Guyana 76-51 to avoid the last place in Group A. Antigua (1-2) ended as No.3 in this pool, while Guyana is on the bottom winless. Both teams failed to reach the Semifinals and will continue in Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Lennox McCoy (188-G-77, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: Cent.Oklahoma) shined for Antigua with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Wayne Walker (76) had 15 points and 11 boards, while Julius Hodge (201-G-83, college: N.Carolina St.) added 15 pts, 8 boards and 6 assists. In the loosing squad, Kerom McKenzie delivered 21 pts. Dwayne Roberts (C) had 12 pts and 6 rebs. Quarters: 12-17, 10-11, 14-25, 15-23. Championship continues today.

Guyana: Julius Hodge 21, Dwayne Roberts 12+6 boards
Antigua: Lennox McCoy 16+5 boards, Wayne Walker 15+11 boards, Julius Hodge 15+8 boards+6 as

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  HOLLAND   


U18: The Scandinavian team wins Group E to advance to the semis - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U18-Netherlands U18 68:43

The Scandinavian team wins Group E to advance to the semis of the U18 European Championship in Division B. Sweden edged Netherlands 68:43 in the defensive win to clinch the top place with 3-0 record in the group.
Sweden opened the game with 7-0 run and never allowed the Dutch team to stay in front. Jonathan Person (190-PG-93, agency: JEMsports) nailed three for 10:4 and he also closed the first period at 25:8. Shane Hammink (198-G-94) and William Magarity (207-F-93) opened the second period for 27:10 and Sweden limited the Dutch side to only 6 points in the frame. After 19-6 in it Katheka brought 44:14 at the halftime when it became clear about the winner. Andersson scored fro 50:20, while Holland won the third period 21-16. Both teams nailed 8 points apiece for the final result in the game.
Jonathan Person stepped up with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while William Magarity had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Shane Hammink finished the game with 13, points in the losing case and Paul Candiff (184-G-93) scored 7.

Sweden U18: Jonathan Person 14+10 rebs, William Magarity 10+11 rebs
Netherlands U18: Shane Hammink 13, Paul Candiff 7



U18: Israel knocked down Holland to tie both records at 1-1 - by Eurobasket News
Netherlands U18-Israel U18 62:78

Israel knocked down Holland to tie both records at 1-1 in Group E of the U18 European Championship in Division B. After being tied at 16:16 Israel pushed the tempo for good to win 78:62.
The Dutch side started the game with 5-0 run and Shane Hammink (198-G-94) later scored for 12:6. Rafael Menco (198-F-94) tied the game at 14:14 in the end of the frame, while Bleeker made the same at 16:16. Ram Elias-Pour (208-C-93) brought Israel 22:16 and Orel Lev (192-G-93) scored for 30:20. Israel became to dominate the court and Rafael Menco closed the half at 37:28. Israel continued to control the game in the third period and after 21-13 increased to 58:41. Rafael Menco scored for 72:50 and Or Solomon (196-F-93) delivered two for 76:54. The latter also became the last one for the winners to score in the game bringing 78:59 with 1 minute remaining. Netherlands meanwhile closed the game with 5-0 run as Mike Schilder (183-PG-94) and Shane Hammink made 5 free throws.
Rafael Menco top-scored for the winners with 18 points and Or Solomon notched 17. Orel Lev scored 11, while Ram Elias-Pour posted 8. Shane Hammink finished the game with 20 points in the losing effort and Mike Schilder delivered 17.

Netherlands U18: Shane Hammink 20, Mike Schilder 17
Israel U18: Rafael Menco 18, Or Solomon 17, Orel Lev 11, Ram Elias-Pour 8





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


U18: Denmark needed a 7-0 run at the end to beat Hungary - by Eurobasket News
Hungary U18-Denmark U18 46:50

Denmark stepped closer to Division A birth after 50:46 win over Hungary at the U18 European Championship in Varna. The Danish side advanced to the Semifinals with one more games remaining in Group E. Hungary will face first Estonia and then will play at the Classification Round for 5-8 places.
It was a defensive game and both teams realized the importance of the victory. Denmark started better and Esben Reinholt (196-G-93) brought 11:4 midway through the first period. Hungary meanwhile kept them scoreless until the end of the frame and with 7-0 run reduced to 11:10 after the first 10 minutes. Denmark created a 19-12 surge in the second frame to take 30:22 halftime lead as Esben Reinholt nailed three at the end of the half. The third quarter belonged to Hungary that managed to tie the game at 36:36 when Nagy scored from the perimeter. Moreover another shot from the Hungarian player and Kovacs's three pointer showed 41:36 after thirty minutes. Nagy scored for 44:40 and Bognar brought 46:43 with 3 minutes remaining. Denmark however needed a 7-0 run at the very end to seal the victory.
Peter Moeller (186-G-94) and Esben Reinholt led the way with 14 points each. Levente Misek (196-G-93) replied with 11 and Peter Jakab (187-G-93) netted 10.

Hungary U18: Levente Misek 11, Peter Jakab 10
Denmark U18: Peter Moeller 14, Esben Reinholt 14





U18: Hungary stun Estonia, both will play for 5-8 places in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Estonia U18-Hungary U18 53:75

Hungary won the last game fo the Group E of the U18 European Championship in Division B. Hungary needed 75:53 win for 1-2 record as both teams will play for 5-8 places in Varna.
The squads were tied at 10:10 in the opening tip, while Hungary made 14-0 push for 24:10 and Oliver Metsalu (190-G-93) closed the period at 26:19. Laane reduced to 29:26, but Varga increased to 39:33 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game as Hungary erupted with 24-7 for massive 63:40 after thirty minutes. Estonia won the last stanza 13-12 and could reduce only to 75:53.
Adam Kovacs (193-G/F-93) poured in 20 points and Botond Nagy (173-PG-94) netted 14. Peter Jakab (187-G-93) scored 10, while Laszlo Dobos (210-C-93, agency: FCM) had 9. Kustas Poldoja (190-F-93) delivered 13 points for Estonia and Oliver Metsalu added 9.
Hungary made more Blocks, Steals, Assists and Rebounds. Estonia had a better percentage only from the three-point line.

Estonia U18: Kustas Poldoja 13, Oliver Metsalu 9
Hungary U18: Adam Kovacs 20, Botond Nagy 14, Peter Jakab 10, Laszlo Dobos 9


*****************************************************
  ISRAEL   


Eurobasket Exclusive Interview - Jason Straight has a lot to prove - by Carmel Drori
Updated: July 28, 2011, 21:28 PM

After star like performances in the Israeli league, Jason Straight's career seemed to be picking up and shooting sky high. However, 3 years and 6 teams after his last Israeli stint, the talented Chicago native is looking for stability in his basketball career and he knows Israel could be the perfect place.

'I know part of basketball is being in the right place at the right time,' said Straight in an exclusively revealing interview with 'Eurobasket'. 'My first season in Israel, I helped lead Givat Shmuel (Today's Maccabi Habikaa) from last place to a strong finish winning 11 games. Before I joined the team their record was 1-11, and they had the best player in the league at the time- Timmy Bowers. Yet, when I got there our back court play was excellent and we ended up winning 11 games in a row, almost advancing to the domestic Final-Four. '

You had a great personal half-season, but also a great organization year playing for Maccabi Haifa where you reached the National League finals and were promoted to the first Division taking a major roll scoring almost 19ppg, yet, you left the team for the Polish League. Did Haifa ever ask you to stay, or did you expect them to?

''I really enjoyed my time at Haifa, the fans were great and the city itself was amazing. Prior to me signing with Haifa, they were in the second Division, they ask me,'a proven player of the Israeli Permier Leauge' to join the team with hopes of reaching to the first division. At first I was going to sign a 1+1 deal, which meant I would sign with the team for the remainder of that season and have the option to resign. At the time I was a little worried to sign a two year deal because I didn't know the talent level we had and wasn't sure if we could make it to the finals of the national league. Therefore I signed just for the rest of that season, and yes, we did advance to the finals. Later on I wanted to resign with Haifa, I really did, But I got an offer for Energy Czarni Slupsk, a Polish league team that was in the Eurocup at the time.''

Since leaving Israel last you played for 6 different teams, including 2 D-league teams and in 2011 you signed with Mures Targu-Mures from Romania. Why did you bounce around teams as oppose to staying with one for more than one year?

''Well in the D-league I was drafted by the Dakota Wizards, where I played well, averaging 12ppg and 3apg in 19min. but in the D-Leauge there are a lot of moves and transactions that I can't explain. I played four seasons in Europe before I played in the D-Leauge, and the reason was I never felt like I had my true shot at the NBA. After College and pre-draft camps, I signed right away with Galil. I moved from Dakota to Fort Wayne in the D-Leauge because of location, being from Chicago it was better for me to be in Fort Wayne Ind. Targu-Mures needed an experienced play maker so I went there with the hopes of winning the Romanian cup, and the league championship but we came up short.''

Do you feel like you can play at a higher level than you have played at in the past few years?

''I know I can play at the highest level in Europe, I'm still young and have tons of experience. My IQ of the game has gotten so much better, and I work hard during the off season. I'm from Chicago, so every other day I'm playing great guards like Will Bynum, Luther Head, Dee Brown, and David Moss just so we all can continue to get better during the off season.''

In light of Straight's hopes of returning to Israel, the Wyoming graduate recently teamed up and signed with Israeli agent Zeev Gross, A move that may result into landing the guard back in Israel with hope of playing in same country as childhood friend Jeremy Pargo.

How eager are you on returning to Israel and what do you think you can contribute to teams?

''I'm very eager to return to Israel, I feel like I have unfinished business there. it's a guards leauge in my opinion and I know I would do well there. I averaged 16ppg and 4apg my first two seasons, so I can't see why I couldn't do the same now.''

What can you bring to the teams that others can't (experience, shooting abilities, leadership)?

''I can and will bring leadership, experience, and make my teammates better players. most importantly I will be a great guy in the locker room. It's important to feel like a family when you're on a team and need to go to battle with your teammates during the season.''

What do you remember most from Israel?

''I have a lot of memories from Israel, but mostly the great people and all the friendships I have over there is really amazing. I especially miss Dixie's home fries and the food at the SoHo restaurant in Rishon Lezion (Yummy). This is not a good question because I have lots of things I remember from Israel.'' (laughing)

Was there a certain coach in Israel who had an impact on you as a person or your career?

''When I first got there Oded Katash was supposed to coach me in Galil but he didn't start the season. he would come to the practice and give us feedback and he always was ahead of the game. He knew the game and really gave us guys so much advice on how to become better European players.

Do you remember any players from your time in Israel?

Oren Aharoni who I played with in Givat Shmuel was our captain and leader. he knew how to run our team. For me he was the coach on and off the court and just from watching him I learned a lot in my two seasons there. Those two guys really helped me grow as a player.''

Are you in touch with any of your former teammates from Israel or do you have any friends playing there now?

''Yeah I have lots of friends there, Jeremy Pargo is coming back to Maccabi next season so hopefully I will get the chance to play with him in the same country. With Facebook, Twitter and Skype, I talk to just about everybody, even when I played in other countries I would always keep up with the Israeli league and ask all my friends what's going on over there. Israel is like a second home to me, and I can't wait for the day that I am back in Ben Gurion Airport. I will be signing 'Tel Aviv, here I come'.'' (laughing)



Danilo Pinnock officially returns to ISR - by David Pick
Updated: July 28, 2011, 17:52 PM

In addition to Eurobasket's exclusive report last week regarding financial terms that were agreed between Israeli Divison1 new comer, Maccabi Habikaa and Panamanian national combo guard Danilo Pinnock, to a one year deal, the Israel organization officially announced today (Thursday), that Pinnock has signed the contract.

The signing of Pinnock significantly strengthening Habikaa's roster combined by Americans Dion Dowell and Paul Delaney to go along with big man, Rashaun Freeman.

The 28-year-old George Washington graduate, played last season for the Capitanes de Arecibo in Puerto Rico where he averaged 15.9ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg per game. The dazzling athlete returns to Israel after leading Netanya in 2009 to the Israeli semi-finals playoff round finishing third in the league in scoring with 19.1ppg, in a edition to recording impressive numbers of 4.9rpg, 3.2apg and 2.3spg.

Pinnock is coming off an outstanding personal season where he was named the Latinbasket.com All-Liga's American Guard of the Year and All-Liga's 1st Team.
He is now playing in the Puerto Rican league for Arecibo and leading his team to the national title as they recently beat Quebradillas 88:87 and took a 2-0 finals playoff record lead. Pinnock played 34 minutes and scored 24 points (7-11 shooting) along with grabbed 6 rebounds.

Follow David Pick on Twitter: @Dpick_Mvd



Raviv Limonad will not play for Israel's NT in Lithuania - by David Pick
Updated: July 28, 2011, 11:59 AM

Israeli national combo-guard Raviv Limonad surprisingly decided today (Thursday) to leave the NT training camp for upcoming 2011 Eurobasket tournament, taking matters into his own hands by telling Head Coach Arik Shivek that he is not satisfied with the large number of potential guards on the Israeli roster and will voluntarily sit out for the remainder of the campaign.

Limonad, who has been a part of all the Israeli youth national teams in the past, is highly appreciated by the coaching staff, however, the crowded guard position had become a burden on the player who after just two official practices, decided to call it quits.

Limonad's frustration could be partially understood due to the fact that last summer while playing for Israel's NT in the qualification games for the European Championships, he played a minimized number of minutes resulting into 2.6ppg and 1.4rpg in five games.

The 27-year-old talent played last season in the Spanish ACB league for Menorca where he posted averages of 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

An official statement issued by the national team's management saying: 'Raviv addressed Coach Shivek this morning and asked to be released after a total of two practices. Limonad's excuse was that the head coach already made his decision and Limonad will not be a part of Israel's final roster. Shivek made it clear to the player the no such decision was made and that Limonad's chances are equal to every other player on the team, yet Limonad stands firm of him decision.'

Follow David Pick on Twitter: @Dpick_Mvd

U18: Israel knocked down Holland to tie both records at 1-1 - by Eurobasket News
Netherlands U18-Israel U18 62:78

Israel knocked down Holland to tie both records at 1-1 in Group E of the U18 European Championship in Division B. After being tied at 16:16 Israel pushed the tempo for good to win 78:62.
The Dutch side started the game with 5-0 run and Shane Hammink (198-G-94) later scored for 12:6. Rafael Menco (198-F-94) tied the game at 14:14 in the end of the frame, while Bleeker made the same at 16:16. Ram Elias-Pour (208-C-93) brought Israel 22:16 and Orel Lev (192-G-93) scored for 30:20. Israel became to dominate the court and Rafael Menco closed the half at 37:28. Israel continued to control the game in the third period and after 21-13 increased to 58:41. Rafael Menco scored for 72:50 and Or Solomon (196-F-93) delivered two for 76:54. The latter also became the last one for the winners to score in the game bringing 78:59 with 1 minute remaining. Netherlands meanwhile closed the game with 5-0 run as Mike Schilder (183-PG-94) and Shane Hammink made 5 free throws.
Rafael Menco top-scored for the winners with 18 points and Or Solomon notched 17. Orel Lev scored 11, while Ram Elias-Pour posted 8. Shane Hammink finished the game with 20 points in the losing effort and Mike Schilder delivered 17.

Netherlands U18: Shane Hammink 20, Mike Schilder 17
Israel U18: Rafael Menco 18, Or Solomon 17, Orel Lev 11, Ram Elias-Pour 8





Eurobasket Exclusive: Carlos Powell agreed on terms with Maccabi Haifa - by David Pick
In light of the Israeli BSL new rule where teams can only play with four foreigners per game, Maccabi Haifa is trying to complete its American roster for the upcoming season. After re-signing Tyler Wilkerson and agreeing on terms with point guard Jeremy Wise, 'Eurobasket' recently learned that Haifa secured American forward Carlos Powell, as the two sides agreed on financial terms and Haifa is waiting to receive the official papers signed by tomorrow.

A good defender and rebounder is what stands out when thinking of Powell defensively. On the other end of the court, a strong and athletic ball-handler who feeds off energy are qualities Powell possesses and any team would like to pick up. In almost each of his European career stops, Powell recorded averages of at least 20 points per game.

Being the second oldest of six children in his family, Powell graduated from high school with impressive double-double averages of 20.0 points and 11.0 rebounds, and chose to play NCAA ball at the University of South Carolina, where he finished his senior year recording numbers of 16.4ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.6apg and 1.3spg. The 27-year-old South Carolina native was remarkable his last year in college and received the 2005 NIT Most Valuable Player Award.

Throughout his USC career, Powell scored over 1500 points (1541) and grabbed over 600 rebounds (641). He also holds the school record for most games played with 132. After college, Powell played professionally for SL Benfica in Portugal and was named ALL-League 1st Team, finishing fourth in scoring, averaging almost 20 point per game.

After playing in Australian, Powell failed to secure a contract with the Golden State Warriors and signed with Ukrainian Mariupol. In 2009, the former Gamecock was selected 1st in the D-League draft by the Albuquerque Thunderbirds and posted 22.1ppg, 5.0rpg and 5.0apg, before leaving to China for the Liaoning Panpan Hunters. In the CBA, Powell played seven games and recorded 20.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Last season Powell played in Iran, where he led Zob Ahan to second place finishing with a 19-3 record and posting averages of 24 points (40% from three point range), 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Follow David Pick on Twitter: @Dpick_Mvd

Bryant Dunston will officially sign with Hapoel Holon today - by David Pick
Updated: July 28, 2011, 16:43 PM

The 2008 Fordham graduate Bryant Dunston, returns to Israel but changes teams, as he joins his recent coach Dan Shamir and teammate Dan Grunfeld at Hapoel Holon, for the upcoming season.

'Eurobasket' learned today (Thursday), that Dunston who is currently on vacation at home in NYC, agreed on terms with his new team on a one-year deal, and will sign the official contract papers later today. Dunston is highly valued and appreciated by coach Shamir both as a player and a person, as the young power forward himself is eager and excited to return to Israel, and is looking forward to joining his new organization and supporting fans.

In Israel the high-flying Dunston formed a talented front court line next to big man Shawn James, recording 7.7 points and 5 rebounds, including finishing third in the league in blocks with 1.6 per game.

Dunston's best game in the Israeli league came in an overtime 90:88 home lose to champions Maccabi TLV. The electrifying dunking athlete scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 28 a minute effort.

The 25-year-old power forward landed in Bnei Hasharon/Herzeliya late last season after playing in Greece for Aris Thessaloniki posting averages of 6.2ppg in the domestic league and 6.3ppg in the Eurocup challenge.

Follow David Pick on Twitter: @Dpick_Mvd

U18: Montenegro clinched the Semifinal birth - by Eurobasket News
Israel U18-Montenegro U18 58:78

Montenegro clinched the Semifinal birth of the U18 European Championship in Division B. The team needed a massive 78:58 win to take 1-2 record as well as Israel and Netherlands, however due to a better difference, Montenegro grabbed the second ticket from the Group. Sweden meanwhile won all three games and won Group F.
This group became unpredictable and only Sweden looked better and more confident. Israel started with 5-0 lead and remained the opponents scoreless for the first 5 minutes. Montenegro however scored 20 points in the last five minutes of the first period as Vasilije Vusovic (188-G-94) closed it at 20:7. Trailing 14:28, Israel erupted with 13-0 run and reduced to 1 point. Danilo Nikolic (201-C-93) however scored last four points in the half for 32:27 lead with his side. In the second half the court belonged to Montenegro that won both quarters. At first they needed 20-14 int he third period and finished with 26-17 in the last.
Marko Mugosa (197-F-93) erupted with 32 points for the winners and Nikola Ivanovic (187-G-94, agency: Beo Basket) netted 16. Danilo Nikolic posted 12, while Vasilije Vusovic added 10. Noam Laish (195-G/F-93) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort and Rafael Menco (198-F-94) netted 13.

Israel U18: Noam Laish 17, Rafael Menco 13
Montenegro U18: Marko Mugosa 32, Nikola Ivanovic 16, Danilo Nikolic 12, Vasilije Vusovic 10



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  ITALY   


U16: Croatia prevail against Italy at the start of U16 European Championship - by Eurobasket News
Croatia U16 - Italy U16 86:80

Croatia recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship. They held off Italy in Group D. Paolo Marinelli (184-G-95) knocked down 20 points to pace the Croatian side.
Croatia stunned their opponents early in the game. They opened the game on an 18:2 run. Croatia secured a 26:15 lead at the first break. Croatia opened the second term with ten points in a row to boost the lead. The margin soon reached a 27-point mark. Croatia rallied to a comfortable 51:33 halftime advantage. But Italy gradually came back to life in the third quarter. They were able to narrow the deficit at 10-point mark with one quarter remaining 57:67. Mario Hezonja (200-F-95) and Paolo Marinelli made it 72:57 for Italy early in the fourth quarter but Italy triggered an 11:2 run to narrow the gap to 4 points with 46 seconds to go. Paolo Marinelli reacted with a pair of free throws and Croatia ran away with the victory. Mario Hezonja netted 18 points, grabbed 8 boards and distributed 8 assists, while Domagoj Bosnjak (197-G-95) had 15 points in the victory. Alessandro Maccaferri (175-PG-95) responded with 23 points for Italy. Federico Di Prampero (188-PG-95) had 18 points in the loss.

Croatia U16: Paolo Marinelli 20, Mario Hezonja 18, Domagoj Bosnjak 15
Italy U16: Alessandro Maccaferri 23, Federico Di Prampero 18


E'Twaun Moore signs deal with Benetton - by Eurobasket News
Benetton Treviso announced signing of E'Twaun Moore (193-G-89, agency: Priority Sports) for the next season. The American guard is set to start his professional career. He graduated few months ago at the Purdue University. Moore had 18 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3.2 apg for his school in 34 games as a senior. They were Big Ten regular season runners-up and Moore was named All-Big Ten 1st Team. He got the same award in 2010. That season Purdue reached NCAA Sweet 16. Moore helped them with 16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.7 apg for 35 games. In 2009, E'Twaun Moore was named All-Big Ten 2nd Team -09. He was a sophomore at that time. For 37 games Moore collected 13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3 apg. Many teams showed interest for Moore this summer, but Benetton is the one who managed to get him.

A Dilettanti Market News (part 2) - by Armando Caporaso
Ruvo di Puglia signs Gints Antrops (202-F-82, agency: Interperformances), the latvian player arrives from Rieti (24 games with 10.8ppg and 5.3rpg) after 5 games at Ozzano. In the last seasons in Italy 5 years with Trapani and one year at Potenza.
Omegna greets Emanuele Rossi (208-C-82) after 2 seasons (56 games). After this departure the Paffoni announced a new player: Daniele Casadei (199-F/G-81) from Siena! In the last four seasons with the Consum.IT 103 total games and 17.3ppg in his best season (2008-2009). In the last year 14.8ppg and 6.6rpg in 35.6 minutes (most used player in the group) winning also the league cup with the team! For the spot of playmaker the team chose Matteo Bertolazzi (181-G-79) (2 years of contract) from Casalpusterlengo (LegaA2). For the ex of Forli, Pistoia and Vigevano 30 games the last year with 5.5ppg and 2.9apg in 27.8mpg with an high of 10 points in 3 occasions (against Rimini and two his ex teams, Pistoia and Forli) and 8 assist (against Barcellona). On loan from Biella the club adds to the roster Tommaso Raspino (196-G-89, agency: Players Group), young forward from Trieste. In the last season 30 games with the Acegas, 9.1pgg with 3.5rpg and 2.3spg. Grown with the Angelico, played also 18 games in LegaA1, 29 games in LegaA2 (with Pavia), and some appearances with the Italian under20 national team during the European Championships (10.4ppg and 4.2rpg in 2009 in Greece). Remains at Omegna for another season Andrea Saccaggi (192-G-89, agency: Interperformances), the club has reached an agreement with the Benetton Treviso to confirm the loan! In the last year 11.6ppg with 1.8apg and 1.7spg in 28 games. The club also confirms Pierpaolo Picazio (193-G-79, agency: Players Group) for the 2011/2012 after the good things of his second season with the Paffoni (13.1ppg and 2.1spg in 20 games). Grown with Reggio Emilia, played also with Casalpusterlengo (3 years), Firenze (2 years) and Latina.
Latina agrees with the playmaker Riccardo Tavernelli (188-G-91). Born at Monza, arrives from the Sangiorgese (B Dil.) (6.3ppg in 24.8mpg with 3.3rpg). Moreover the Benacquista Assicurazioni signed Tommaso Milani (190-G-88) from Treviglio (81 games in the last 3 seasons) and Riccardo Serena (182-G-82) from Padova. Milani, grown in the young team of the Benetton Treviso, closed the last season with 6.2ppg and 1.6spg with an high of 17 points against Osimo. Serena, ex Perugia and Venezia, closed the last season in B Dil. with 12.0ppg and 1.6apg. In the last days the Benacquista announced the agreement with the Serbian player, with Italian passport, Marko Micevic (199-F-89)! Grown in the youg teams of Siena and Milano, played in the last season with the Ambrosia Bisceglie (20 games with 9.1ppg and 4.4rpg) after the seasons with Casalpusterlengo, Fidenza and San Severo. Another player ex Milano arrives in Lazio, Sergio Plumari (198-F-86), ex Ostuni and Massafra in the last season (only 4 games with the Assi Basket and 6 total points while 13 games with the Cisa with 4.8ppg and 5.2rpg). With the Olimpia Milano played 13 games in LegaA2 (2006/2007 season) first to move to Caserta and Veroli in LegaA2 (33 games in 3 years).
Chieti confirms, after the promotion, 4 players: Manuel Diomede (188-G-90), Stefano Rajola (187-G-72), Roberto Feliciangeli (204-F-74) and Fabrizio Gialloreto (185-G-86). For the first, arrived the last season in the BLS, 11 games with 7.8ppg and 3.1rpg after 17 games with Siena (6.6ppg). For the other respectively 9.0ppg+4.6rpg+3.0apg+2.2spg, 13.4ppg+8.7rpg+2.1spg and 13ppg+1.2apg in the last season, all decisive for the victory in B Dil. and the relative promotion. Moreover the BLS announced two new arrivals: Emanuele Rossi & Andrea Raschi (200-G/F-79)! Rossi arrived from Omegna where in the last year closed with 12.0ppg and 7.9rpg (third in the group A) adding 0.72bpg (fifth best blocker). For the pivot in his last seasons experiences at Riva del Garda, Rieti, Siena, Casale Monferrato and Treviglio with 41 games in LegaA2. Raschi is a forward from San Marino grown in Rimini (71 games in LegaA2 with the Crabs and some appearances also in LegaA1), in the last season played with Bisceglie (13.8ppg, 4.5rpg and 1.9apg) while his previous experiences were with Ozzano, Siena, Senigallia, Treviglio and Perugia. With the national team of San Marino won the bronze medal during the 2007 Games of the Small States of Europe in Monaco!
Casalpusterlengo, after the relegation, restart from Giampaolo Ricci (200-F-91), power forward from Roma (Stella Azzurra). Born at Chieti, in the last season in B Dil. closed with 12.0ppg and 8.1rpg with an high of 24 points against Pozzuoli and 15 rebounds against Giugliano. This year has been part of the roster of the Italian U20 National Team.
San Severo brings its first player, Fulvio Candido (208-C-83) from Ferentino. The center, ex Bologna, Ozzano, Empoli, Matera and Omegna, played the last season with the FMC closing with 7.1ppg and 4.5rpg adding 0.93bpg, fifth best blocker of the group B. The Mazzeo announced the return of Simone Salamina (190-G-88), that passed the last season on loan at Campobasso. For the ex player of Teramo in the last year 9.6ppg, 2.0spg and 1.6apg in 24.7mpg.
Recanati of coach Piero Coen will present tomorrow with a press conference the new guard Marco Evangelisti (198-G-84) from Trapani (68 games in 2 years and more of 1000 points). MVP of the last season and top scorer of the group B was decisive for the promotion of the Shinelco with 18.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.9spg and 1.4apg in 34.6mpg (second most used player in the group) with an high of 33 points against Matera. For the ex player of Barcellona, Pavia, Siena, Osimo, Palermo and Rieti some games with the Italian under national teams (18 and 20) and an MVP award during the World Military Games in 2004. The Fortezza does not stop and announces 4 more arrivals: the captain Paolo Chiarello (204-C-78) (ex Corato, Voghera, Monza and Bergamo) leaves San Severo and joins with the club following the coach, in the last season 27 games in LegaA2 and 75 total points (2.8ppg) with 2.0rpg in 13.9mpg. The third new player is the Argentinian Federico Gilardi (190-G-79, agency: Players Group) from Matera (12.2ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.8spg), ex Atri, Latina, Pistoia, Gragnano, Patti and Omegna in Italy. The first under will be Antonio De Fabritiis (190-G-90), born at Fondi, arrived from the Stella Azzurra (10 games with 16.7ppg in B Dil.), played in the last season also with Ferentino first to back at Roma (11 games and 1.4ppg) and in 2010 with the Italian U20 National Team. The last arrival is Simone Centanni (184-G-91, agency: Interperformances), grown between Ancona and Siena, played the last year with Senigallia (19 games with 2.3ppg) while before experiences with Castelletto (28 games) and with the Montepaschi (in 2009 1 game of Euroleague and 8 games in LegaA1). With the Italian national team 8 games (4.5ppg) with the under16 during the European Championships in Greece (2007). The club also confirms two important players, Attilio Pierini (201-F-81) for the ninth consecutive year (11.9ppg and 5.1rpg in 2011) and the playmaker Roberto Fossati (185-G-78), ex Trento, that in the last season closed with 7.5ppg and 3.3apg (sixth assistman of the group).
Firenze brings for the next season Stefano Rabaglietti (190-G-83), born and grown own at Firenze, played in the last season between Siena (8 games with 12.9ppg) and Ferentino (15 games with 11.9ppg and 2.4spg). The ex player of Trapani, Patti, Capo D'Orlando, Latina, Pistoia and Udine is the first new arrival of the team promoted from the B Dilettanti.
Perugia sings for the new season Luca Bisconti (206-F/C-82) from Trapani. The big forward, ex Barcellona and Latina (4 consecutive years), closed the last season obtaining the promotion with the Shinelco helping the team with 12.4ppg and 5.8rpg in 40 games with a good 58% by 2.
Santarcangeloconfirms 4 players of the team that obtained the promotion in the last season: the first is the captain Eugenio Rivali (178-G-86), ex Fossombrone and Trento, will play for the third year with the team (7.4ppg with 1.9apg and 2.3spg in 16 games of regular season) while the others are Luca Bedetti (193-G/F-89), Luca Pesaresi (180-G-89) (grown with Rimini) & Jacopo Silimbani (202-F-86) (ex V.Bologna, Ravenna, Imola, Castrocaro and Fossombrone) that closed respectively with 9.5ppg+3.3rpg, 14.4ppg (high of 33 against the Fortitudo)+1.7apg and 9.3ppg+6.6rpg+1.1bpg (fourth best blocker). On the contrary leaves the Angels the ex player of Trieste Stefano Marisi (190-G-83) (5.5ppg during the regular season with 3.1rpg and 7.8ppg with 1.9spg during the post season in a total of 34 games).
Anagni takes on loan from Reggio Emilia the young pivot under19 Francesco Vanni (203-F-92) that will play with the A.D. Basket his first senior season.

Avellino keeps Taquan Dean - by Ernest
Felice Scandone Sidigas Avellino announced signing of a one-year contract extension with Taquan Dean (193-G-83, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Louisville). The American/Spanish guard joined Avelino last summer from Kavala. He appeared 24 times in SerieA averaging 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.9 steals. He helped Avelino reach the Italian Cup Semifinals. Taquan Dean changed three teams in 2009/10 season. He started with Unicaja Malaga registering 11.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg for them in 9 Euroleague games. Dean also added 9.3 ppg in ACB, but they parted ways in January and he joined Caja Laboral on a one-month deal. Dean finished 2009/10 season in Greece with Kavala averaging 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. In the past Taquan Dean played for Murcia, Fastweb Casale Monferrato, Dynamo Moscow and Biella. He graduated at the University of Louisville in 2006.

A Dilettanti Market News (part 1) - by Armando Caporaso
Orlandina Basket, after the confirmation of Zampolli, announced the agreement with Pablo Albertinazzi (174-G-78) for another season! For the expert Argentinian in the last season 13.9ppg and 3.6apg with 2.0spg in 26 games of regular season and 13.0ppg with 4.9apg, 2.9spg and 3.9rpg during the promotion-playoff! One of the first new players will be Simone Casati (192-G-91), grown at Desio, in the last season with the Rimadesio closed with 14.2ppg (15.8 during the playoff), 3.4rpg and 2.5spg in 28.1mpg adding 0.55bpg (ninth best player of the group).
Matera signed the guard Gianni Cantagalli (192-G-88, agency: Players Group), ex Trapani in the last season with which he earned the promotion! Grown at Livorno, played also at Ruvo di Puglia and Latina first to sign with the Shinelco in the last year (40 games with 7.6ppg in 25.4mpg). After Cantagalli the Bawer closed also for Andrea Pilotti (196-F/G-80, agency: Players Group) from Ruvo di Puglia. For the forward, grown with the Olimpia Milano, 12.3ppg and 3.2rpg in the last season. In the last years experiences with Ostuni, Latina and Omegna. In his palmares the Saporta Cup won with Siena (only 2 games) and the league cup with Capo dOrlando in 2005 (30 games in LegaA2 with 3.1ppg).
Senigallia could start the new season with the confirmation of Fabrizio Facenda (200-F/C-75). For the expert player ex Pesaro (6 seasons), Ferentino, Ozzano and Trento in the last season 12.7ppg and 8.1rpg (second in the group) with 16.2 fo ranking. The Goldengas could lose after 4 years Marco Gnaccarini (185-G-81), one of the best playmaker of the last season (3.4apg adding also 13.8ppg in 34.6mpg).
Ferentino, after the arrival of Guarino, brings from Ruvo Simone Bonfiglio (181-G-88) for the next 2 years. For the playmaker grown at Bologna (11 games in LegaA1 and 3 games in Eurocup with the Virtus) in the last 2 seasons 61 games with the Adriatica Industriale with 13.0ppg, 2.5apg and 2.7spg (4th of the group) in the last year. The club confirms for the next season, again on loan from Siena, Antonio Iannuzzi (207-F/C-91). In the last year 6.6ppg and 4.7rpg in 30 games. For the young center many games with the Italian national team (under 16, 18 and 20) with some games during the European Championships (2007 and 2009).
Bisceglie brings back Andrea Storchi (200-F/C-79) from the Pasta Granoro. The pivot already played with the Ambrosia in the 2009-2010 season (30 games with 7.4ppg and 6.5rpg) first to move to Corato where in the last year closed with 11.4ppg and 8.4rpg (third best rebounder) shooting with a good 60% by 2. In 2011 played for the Italian Military National Team during the World Military Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
Napoli prepares the new team with an important first purchase: the 'Ammiraglio' Nelson Rizzitiello (198-G/F-84) from Piacenza. Born in Milano, grown at Jesi, played for the Stella Azzurra Roma, with Ancona, Patti, Barcellona and San Severo and in the last year contributed at the good season of the Copra Morpho closing with 11.4ppg and 4.2rpg. Simone Lenardon (189-G-85) will be the playmaker of the team! Grown in the young team of the Montepaschi Siena with Simone Pianigiani, in the last season at Massafra was one on the best assistman of the entire league (3.0apg) scoring 12.3ppg and adding 1.7spg in 33.0mpg. Before played also at Arezzo and Trieste (3 years for team). From Perugia, the guard of the Bpmed will be the Argentinian Bernardo Musso (193-G-86), one of the best player of the 2010/2011 season! With the Liomatic its been the second top scorer of the group (17.5ppg with an high of 33 against Siena) and the second top player for ranking (18.2 for games). Moreover added 4.3rpg, 2.6spg, 2.1apg with 63% by 2 and 84% in the free throws. Before the experience of Perugia one year at Brescia and 16 games with Udine in LegaA1 (3.1ppg).
Trento brings for the next season Walter Santarossa (200-F-78) from Trapani. For the ex player of Livorno, Reggio Calabria, Biella and Teramo many seasons in LegaA1 and LegaA2 behind (354 games and 2395 points!) also with appearances with the Italy under national teams (a gold medal in 2005 in the Mediterranean Games in Spain). During the last season was one of the best player of the league closing with 13.2ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.2spg and 16.9 of ranking (seventh best player of the group B) resulting decisive for the final promotion of the Shinelco! From Perugia arrived the center Marco Pazzi (203-C-79). Ex Roseto, Osimo and Senigallia, in the last 2 seasons with the Liomatic 61 total games, 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in the last regular season.
Fabriano, new team arrived from the B Dilettanti, confirms for the next season, always on loan from the Montepaschi Siena, the young forward Giorgio Sgobba (202-F-92), that in the last year closed with 12.1ppg and 5.5rpg adding 1.9spg in 26 games with 13.6 of ranking. For the player in the last year also 8 games with the Italian U18 National Team during the European Championships (7.9ppg and 4.8rpg in 16mpg). Sergio Quercia (193-F-80) leaves the team after more of 10 years (including the young team) and after four promotions (from serie D to A Dilettanti) to sign with the Marzocca. In the his last year with the Spider 6.0ppg and 2.9rpg in 20 games. Another important player of the team leaves Fabriano, the historical captain Giacomo Gatti (192-F-76), after fourteen consecutive seasons and 420 games! In the last season just 6 games and 10 total points but an important work on the bench. The next season Gatti will play with the Halley Matelica (C Regional).

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  JAMAICA   


US Virgin Islands win Group A in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - JAMAICA 86-61

US Virgin Islands are the winners of the Preliminary Group A in Nassau. They closed this phase with 86-61 victory against Jamaica for perfect 3-0 record. US Virgin Islands will meet British Virgin Islands in the Semifinals. Jamaica also reached the next stage, but as No.2 of this pool (2-1 score). They rival in the Semis will be Bahamas. Cuthbert Victor (196-F-83, college: Murray St.) shined for the winners with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ivan Aska (200-F-90) had 15 points and 5 boards, and Aaron Brown (195-G-92) also helped his team with 15 pts. On the other side, Jamaica got 15 points and 7 rebs from Patrick Ewing Jr. (203-F-84, college: Georgetown) Akeem Scott (186-PG-83, agency: Interperformances, college: High Point) had 13 and Ryan Reid (203-F-86, college: Florida St.) added 12 points, plus 10 rebs. Quarters: 21-22, 23-13, 18-14, 24-12. Championship continues today.

US Virgin Islands: Cuthbert Victor 25+6 boards+5 as, Ivan Aska 15+5 boards, Aaron Brown 15
Jamaica: Patrick Ewing Jr. 15+7 boards, Akeem Scott 13, Ryan Reid 12+10 boards

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  LATVIA   


LBL D2 Stats Leaders
LBL D2 Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Cimars, Livani 20.6
2 Raua, Gulbene 18.4
3 Raiskums, Jurmalas 18.1
4 Aizpurs, Gulbene 17.5
5 Zeps, Saldus 17.2
Rebounds Per Game
1 Dargais, Ogre 9.8
2 Paberzs, Saldus 8.5
3 Aizpurs, Gulbene, 8.4
4 Strazdins, Daugava 8.3
5 Maskalans, Livani 8.2
Assists Per Game
1 Sokolovs, Gulbene 13.4
2 Cimars, Livani 4.6
3 Zeps, Saldus 4.0
4 Raiskums, Jurmalas 3.6
5 Plavnieks, VEF Kadeti 3.5
Steals Per Game
1 Cimars, Livani 2.5
2 Liepa, Jurmalas 2.4
3 Sokolovs, Gulbene 2.2
3 Aizpurs, Gulbene 2.2
5 Rusmanis, Jurmalas 2.0
Blocks Per Game
1 Grazulis, Ventspils 1.8
2 Mejeris, Liepajas 1.2
3 Kalnins, Livani 1.1
4 Stumbris, Liepajas 1.0


U16: Latvia wins the Baltic battle - by Eurobasket News
Latvia U16-Lithuania U16 83:80

Latvia wins the Baltic battle over Lithuania in the last game of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Latvian side needed a strong end for 83:80 victory.
Lithuania dominated the start of the game and won the opening period 27:19. Trailing 19:30 at the start of the second period, Latvia reduced to 44:43 at the halftime winning the second period 24-17. Zvigurs gave Latvia 47:44 lead, while Malmanis tied the game at 51:51. Lithuania managed to win the third quarter and had 63:56 at the end of thirty minutes. Latvia needed at first a 5-0 run to cut it to 67:62 and then Davis Geks (183-G-95) nailed three for 70:70. Latvia made the final push and won the game as Kristaps Gluditis (188-PG-95) made the last free throw for the winners.
Rolands Smits (201-C-95) stepped up with 23 points and Kristaps Gluditis chipped in 17. Davis Geks followed them with 11 points in the winning effort. Edvinas Seskus (191-F-95) collected 20 points and 12 rebounds in defeat, whilst Paulius Sakinis (197-F-95) posted 11.

Latvia U16: Rolands Smits 23, Kristaps Gluditis 17, Davis Geks 11
Lithuania U16: Edvinas Seskus 20+12 rebs, Paulius Sakinis 11



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  LITHUANIA   


Lithuanian U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Lithuanian U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Denas Bartkus
Bartkus
Zydrunas Jurgutis
Jurgutis
Aidas Kavaliauskas
Kavaliauskas
Pijus Mykolaitis
Mykolaitis
Karolis Razukas
Razukas
#e#5
Denas Bartkus 201-C-95 Zalgiris-Sabonio 2 Lithuania
Zydrunas Jurgutis 178-PG-95
Aidas Kavaliauskas 179-PG-95 Zalgiris-Sabonio 2 Lithuania
Pijus Mykolaitis 198-F-95 Zalgiris-Sabonio 2 Lithuania
Karolis Razukas 198-F-95
Paulius Sakinis 197-F-95 Klaipedos LCC Lithuania
Ernestas Serkevicius 178-PG-95 Zalgiris-Sabonio 2 Lithuania
Edvinas Seskus 191-F-95 Perlas-MRU Lithuania
Paulius Valinskas 185-G-95
Ricardas Verbickas 186-G-95
Gediminas Zalalis 203-C-95
Paulius Zalys 198-F-95 Zalgiris-Sabonio 2 Lithuania

Darius Sirtautas Head Coach
Marius Tamolis Assistant
Kestutis Narusevicius Assistant Triobet Malsta Lithuania


U16: Latvia wins the Baltic battle - by Eurobasket News
Latvia U16-Lithuania U16 83:80

Latvia wins the Baltic battle over Lithuania in the last game of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Latvian side needed a strong end for 83:80 victory.
Lithuania dominated the start of the game and won the opening period 27:19. Trailing 19:30 at the start of the second period, Latvia reduced to 44:43 at the halftime winning the second period 24-17. Zvigurs gave Latvia 47:44 lead, while Malmanis tied the game at 51:51. Lithuania managed to win the third quarter and had 63:56 at the end of thirty minutes. Latvia needed at first a 5-0 run to cut it to 67:62 and then Davis Geks (183-G-95) nailed three for 70:70. Latvia made the final push and won the game as Kristaps Gluditis (188-PG-95) made the last free throw for the winners.
Rolands Smits (201-C-95) stepped up with 23 points and Kristaps Gluditis chipped in 17. Davis Geks followed them with 11 points in the winning effort. Edvinas Seskus (191-F-95) collected 20 points and 12 rebounds in defeat, whilst Paulius Sakinis (197-F-95) posted 11.

Latvia U16: Rolands Smits 23, Kristaps Gluditis 17, Davis Geks 11
Lithuania U16: Edvinas Seskus 20+12 rebs, Paulius Sakinis 11



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


U18: Portugal better Luxembourg in classification round - by Eurobasket News
Portugal U18 - Luxembourg U18 72:65

Portugal recorded the first win at the U18 European Championship in Division B classification round. They held off Luxembourg counterparts to improve at 2-1 record in Group G. Jonah Callenbach (192-C/F-93) scored 23 points to pace the winners.
Luxembourg got to the better start of the game. They outgunned Portugal 23:14 in the opening frame. But Portugal gradually returned into the game. They cut the deficit at just 6-point mark at the interval 33:39. The teams went close throughout the third term. Luxembourg entered the fourth quarter up by 5 points 54:49. But Portugal turned things around in the fourth quarter. Jonah Callenbach scored eight points in a 13:0 run that propelled Portugal to a 60:57 advantage. Portugal quickly boosted the margin to six points and hung on for the victory. Andre Miguens (184-F-94) delivered 16 points and 7 boards, while Diogo Ventura (185-PG-94) added 10 points, 9 assists and 4 boards for Portugal. Alex Laurent (195-C-93) answered with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Luxembourg. Gilles Polfer (189-F-93) netted 11 points in defeat.

Portugal U18: Jonah Callenbach 23, Andre Miguens 16, Diogo Ventura 10
Luxembourg U18: Alex Laurent 12+12 boards, Gilles Polfer 11

U16: Luxembourg outlast Romania in double-overtime drama - by Eurobasket News
Luxembourg U16 - Romania U16 78:73 (2OT)

Luxembourg prevailed against Romania in an exhausting double-overtime thriller in U16 European Championship in Division B opener for both teams. Thomas Grun scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the charge.
Luxembourg looked the better side in the starting frame. They recorded a 22:15 lead after ten minutes of action. Luxembourg maintained the lead throughout the second frame. They ensured an 8-point halftime lead. But Romania bounced back in the third term. They narrowed the deficit to a single point at the end of the third quarter. Ciordas put Romania in front 59:58 with 42 seconds to go. But Grun hit one of two free throws in the dying seconds to force overtime. The lead changed hands throughout the first extra period before Thomas Grun knotted things up at 69 sending the game into second overtime. Ciordas put Romania on top but Luxembourg went on a 6:0 run to steal the victory at the end. Gutenkauf posted 15 points for the winners. Elcheroth had 10 points in the winning effort. Mehmet Hortoglu (192-G-95) answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for Romania. Vlad Cobzaru (199-F-95) had 17 points and 22 rebounds in the loss.

Luxembourg U16: Thomas Grun 22, Gutenkauf 15, Elcheroth 10
Romania U16: Mehmet Hortoglu 23, Vlad Cobzaru 17+22 boards


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


No peak high enough for Deguara to fulfil lofty ambitions - by Eurobasket News
Samuel Deguara (224-C-91) will be entering the fifth year of his contract with Italians Benetton Treviso next season, still living the dream of every young basketball player not only in our country but also elsewhere in the continent.

Up to a few years ago, 20-year-old Samuel Deguara was somewhat of an unknown figure on the international scene but when he took the court to represent Malta in an U-16 Promotion Cup tournament in Andorra he quickly caught the attention of the various scouts present in La Vella and his lifestyle changed in a flash.

Blessed with a towering height of 2.23 metres, Deguara needed little effort to put himself at the centre of attention and a few days after the tournament was over he was approached by some of the best teams in Europe, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Treviso.

In the end, Deguara opted for the Italians nine-year contract and since then he has been training hard to develop into a top-level player capable of breaking into the first-team squad at the renowned Serie A1 club.

This has been a memorable journey for me, Deguara told The Sunday Times just a few days after returning to Malta to spend his summer holidays with his family.

The last four years of my career have been a useful experience in my maturity as a man and a basketball player. When I started my spell in Treviso a completely new chapter in my life got under way.

The set-up is very professional and after signing the papers everyone expects you to give your 100 per cent on a regular basis and try to help the club reach its objectives. When I moved there I almost had to start from scratch as the coaches decided I should first polish and improve my basics of the game.

Thanks to them, I feel that I have improved a lot as a player but I still have a long way to go to reach my full maturity.

But my desire to keep improving grows every day and Im relishing the challenge no matter how big it is.

These four years in Italy have also provided some difficult tests for the former amrun and Nax-xar player.

The season before last was a very tough one for me, Deguara recalls.

I suffered a knee injury that ruled me out of the game for eight months. That was a very testing period. It was difficult for me not to be able to play but at the same time I learnt a lot of myself.

During rehabilitation I became more aware of what my body needs and how to take more care of my physical fitness. Mentally, I became a much stronger person and that has been of great benefit.

Fortunately, I still ended that season on a high as I came back just in time for the final play-offs and the team went on to win the youth league title. Incredibly, I was voted best centre of the play-offs. So, I cannot really complain about that one.

Last season, Deguara was loaned out to Serie B2 side BVO Caorle as the Treviso coaches were looking to see the Maltese centre playing more regularly in a competitive league but his spell with the Veneto club was not really positive as Deguara struggled to adapt both on and off the pitch.

Treviso came up with this proposal to play in Serie B so I could get more playing time on court, he said.

I opted for Caorle who are based close to Treviso. However, the daily travelling for training and matches became tiring and I was not happy because the level in B2 was rather low. I struggled for form as there were no other players of similar stature and I ended up being penalised consistently by the referees.

Next season, Treviso are planning to loan me out to another club. Hopefully, this time my new destination will be an A2 club.

I want to make the most of this move and I also intend to change town for the whole duration of the season to reduce travelling and stay focused on my game.

At the moment, my agent is looking for the best possible move. We shall discuss all options but I think everything will be sorted out in the short term. I cant look back now... I have great ambitions so this is a chance I have to take.

Pasqualis training
Benetton will still continue to monitor Deguaras progress and hired coach Renato Pasquali to take him under his charge and see that development progress is maintained.

Pasquali, a respected figure in the basketball scene having had coaching spells with Virtus Bologna, Dynamo Kiev and NBA side Toronto Raptors, is confident Deguara will succeed in his basketball career.

Samuel Deguara is a nice lad and a very interesting prospect, Pasquali said.

Last season, we sat down together and had a good chat. During training he showed great commitment and the application was optimal.

Normally, players of such high stature only reach their peak at 24 or 25 years. Sam still has another four years to reach that point.

Hes an enthusiastic player and in my opinion its too early to predict where his game would take him in future.

Surely, what he needs is to continue training seriously as we believe that in future he will derive a lot of satisfactions for himself and his country.
Courtesy of: Sunday Times
by Valhmor Camilleri


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  MONTENEGRO   


Montenegrin U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Montenegrin U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Nikola Agramovic
Agramovic
Luka Djurovic
Djurovic
Aleksandar Dozic
Dozic
Milovan Draskovic
Draskovic
Petar Dubljevic
Dubljevic
#e#5
Nikola Agramovic 187-G-95
Luka Djurovic 199-F-95
Aleksandar Dozic 199-F-96
Milovan Draskovic 208-C-95
Petar Dubljevic 189-G-95
Stanko Latkovic 184-G-95
Predrag Mijatovic 201-F/C-95
Lazar Pavicevic 184-G-96 Mornar Bar Montenegro
Petar Saric 186-G-95
Luka Savic 199-F-95 ABS Primorje Montenegro
Nemanja Sekularac 200-F/C-95
Lazar Vukcevic 195-F-95

Djordjije Pavicevic Head Coach
Drago Spicanovic Assistant Mornar Bar Montenegro


U18: Montenegro clinched the Semifinal birth - by Eurobasket News
Israel U18-Montenegro U18 58:78

Montenegro clinched the Semifinal birth of the U18 European Championship in Division B. The team needed a massive 78:58 win to take 1-2 record as well as Israel and Netherlands, however due to a better difference, Montenegro grabbed the second ticket from the Group. Sweden meanwhile won all three games and won Group F.
This group became unpredictable and only Sweden looked better and more confident. Israel started with 5-0 lead and remained the opponents scoreless for the first 5 minutes. Montenegro however scored 20 points in the last five minutes of the first period as Vasilije Vusovic (188-G-94) closed it at 20:7. Trailing 14:28, Israel erupted with 13-0 run and reduced to 1 point. Danilo Nikolic (201-C-93) however scored last four points in the half for 32:27 lead with his side. In the second half the court belonged to Montenegro that won both quarters. At first they needed 20-14 int he third period and finished with 26-17 in the last.
Marko Mugosa (197-F-93) erupted with 32 points for the winners and Nikola Ivanovic (187-G-94, agency: Beo Basket) netted 16. Danilo Nikolic posted 12, while Vasilije Vusovic added 10. Noam Laish (195-G/F-93) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort and Rafael Menco (198-F-94) netted 13.

Israel U18: Noam Laish 17, Rafael Menco 13
Montenegro U18: Marko Mugosa 32, Nikola Ivanovic 16, Danilo Nikolic 12, Vasilije Vusovic 10



U16: Serbia edged Montenegro in Pardubice's opener - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro U16-Serbia U16 62:100

Serbia edged Montenegro in Pardubice's opener at the start of the U16 European Championship. The Serbian side nailed three digits for an easy 100:62 win.
Serbia took the lead in the beginning of the game and never looked behind. Dusan Ristic (207-C/F-95) nailed three for 19:9 and Guduric brought 26:10. Montenegro closed the period with a 6-0 run to trail 16:26 after the first 10 minutes. A 14-0 run to begin the second half finished the contest and marked the Serbians as a team-to-watch in this tournament. Dorde Kaplanovic (204-F-95) sent the squads to the lockers for 51:29 as Serbia won the frame 25-13. They did not even think of slowing down and after 31-14 in the third period reached 82:43 on the board. The task for the last period was to reach three digit number and Dorde Kaplanovic made the wish come true with 11 seconds to go. Serbia grabbed 100:62 win to become the leader of Group B in the tournament.
Brano Djukanovic (193-G-95) poured in 20 points and Dorde Kaplanovic notched 19. Dusan Ristic collected 18 points and 13 rebounds, whilst Luka Popovic (200-F-95) added 15. Luka Savic (199-F-95) replied with 18 points in defeat and Milovan Draskovic (208-C-95) delivered 15.

Montenegro U16: Luka Savic 18, Milovan Draskovic 15, Nemanja Sekularac (200-F/C-95) 7
Serbia U16: Brano Djukanovic 20, Dorde Kaplanovic 19, Dusan Ristic 18+13 rebs, Luka Popovic 15


U18: Sweden became the leader of Group F in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro U18-Sweden U18 52:66

Sweden became the leader of Group F in Varna at the at the U18 European Championship in Division B. The Scandinavian team overcame Montenegro 66:52 for 2-0 record. The latter fell at 0-2 record, but still has chances reaching the semifinals.
Pajovic gave his side the first lead and Vukota Pavic (203-C-93) increased to 11:5. Nikola Ivanovic (187-G-94, agency: Beo Basket) scored the last three points in the first period for 16:11 and Nikolic gave the biggest lead in the game for his team at 19:11. Tobias Borg (183-PG-93) tied the game at 21:21 as Sweden took control of the court. William Magarity (207-F-93) brought 30:28 and Eliasson closed the half at 32:31. After 20-12 in the third period the board showed 52:43 for the Scandinavian team. Tobias Borg nailed three for 57:47 and Eliasson closed another run for 63:47. Gavranic was the last player to score in the game for the final result.
Tobias Borg stepped up with 19 points and William Magarity nailed 15. Jonathan Person (190-PG-93, agency: JEMsports) followed them with 14 and Niklas Larsson (196-G-94) netted 8. Marko Mugosa (197-F-93) and Vukota Pavic responded with 11 points apiece, while Nikola Ivanovic brought 10.

Montenegro U18: Marko Mugosa 11, Vukota Pavic 11+10 rebs, Nikola Ivanovic 10
Sweden U18: Tobias Borg 19, William Magarity 15, Jonathan Person 14, Niklas Larsson 8


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  NBA   


Caron Butler wants to be back in Dallas, agent says Mavs feel the same - by Eurobasket News
Free agent Caron Butler (6'7''-F-80, college: Connecticut) wants to keep playing for the Dallas Mavericks once NBA basketball resumes, and the feeling is mutual, at least according to his agent. The Mavs, of course, are prohibited to comment on players during the lockout.

He wants to come back to Dallas, agent Raymond Brothers said, according to the Dallas Morning News. And I dont see any problem.

While Brothers said the Mavs have told him they want to sign Butler for the long term, the Morning News writes the team may be more interested in signing Butler to a short-term contract to see how the knee holds up.

Brothers added, per ESPN.com, 'After the championship was over, (team president) Donnie (Nelson) texted me and told me he wanted Caron to be part of the team long term.'

Butler, acquired by Dallas in a trade with Washington during the 2009-10 season, was averaging 15.0 points for the Mavs before a ruptured patellar tendon suffered on Jan. 1 ended his season. Brothers said that Butler would have been ready to play in Game 7 of the NBA Finals had Miami won Game 6 and extended the series. Butler said his knee is now fully recovered.

'His preference is to stay with Dallas and help them compete for a championship,' Brothers said. 'We are optimistic and hopeful that we'll come to an agreement that works for both sides.'

Courtesy of http://aol.sportingnews.com

Sources: NBA, union to meet Monday - by Eurobasket News
One month after the NBA lockout began, the heavy hitters will finally be back at the bargaining table Monday.

Commissioner David Stern, union director Billy Hunter and their top lieutenants have agreed to resume collective bargaining discussions, sources told ESPN.com Wednesday, for the first time since talks broke down hours before NBA owners imposed a lockout July 1, shutting down the league for the first time since the summer of 1998.

The sides remain far apart on the parameters of a new deal, but the decision to meet face-to-face again is one of the first possible signs of progress after four weeks of stagnancy.

Aside from Stern and Hunter, the meeting is expected to include NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver, players association president Derek Fisher and Peter Holt of the San Antonio Spurs, the head of the owners
negotiating committee.

When the sides last met on June 30, the players offered a six-year agreement in which they would cut their take of basketball-related income (BRI) from 57 percent to 54.6 percent -- or $100 million per year over the six years.

Owners are seeking a 10-year agreement with a hard salary cap, and their most recent proposal targeted paying the players at least $2 billion in salaries in each of the 10 seasons.

Players have argued that their cut of BRI would be cut from 57 percent to less than 40 percent under the owners' most recent proposal, while owners have maintained they need fundamental financial changes to an operating system in which they claim 22 of the league's 30 teams lost money last season. The union disputes that contention.

Attorneys from the league office and the players' union met July 15 ago to conclude the annual BRI audit, and it was agreed that the sides desired to put the negotiations on a faster track than they were on during the 1998 labor dispute, when nearly seven weeks elapsed between the last pre-lockout negotiating session and the first bargaining session after the imposition of the work stoppage. But that dispute was not settled until late-January of 1999, forcing the cancellation of games because of a work stoppage for the first time in the league's history.

Last Friday, a number of prominent player agents met with Hunter and urged him to consider fast-tracking a move toward decertification, which would enable the player to sue the owners in federal court on anti-trust grounds. Hunter, however, prefers to await a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board on an unfair bargaining practices complaint the union filed earlier this year.

Courtesy of ESPN

AP source: Moncrief may rejoin Bucks as assistant - by Eurobasket News
The Milwaukee Bucks are in discussions with franchise icon Moncrief Sidney about returning to the team as an assistant coach, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed. Moncriefs potential move was reported by multiple media outlets, including Yahoo Sports and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, earlier Wednesday.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles has an opening on his staff after Kelvin Sampson left to join Kevin McHale as an assistant with the Houston Rockets.

Moncrief played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons in Milwaukee, becoming a leader of the Bucks competitive teams in the 1980s. He was a two-time defensive player of the year.

Its the continuation of an offseason makeover for the Bucks, who shook up their roster after last seasons disappointing 35-47 campaign.

Milwaukee made a three-team trade on draft day, acquiring Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston and Beno Udrih. The Bucks traded away Corey Maggette, John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette.

Milwaukee came away from the draft with a pair of forwards, Tennessees Tobias Harris and Wisconsins Jon Leuer.

The Bucks are scheduled to start the season at San Antonio on Nov. 2, but the NBAs lockout could threaten the beginning of the season.

Courtesy of Yahoo

Goodridge and Peterson drawing Tons of Attention in Europe - by Allen Waters
Two players on the cusp of making the NBA receiving serious consideration from Euro-league teams are Vernon Goodridge (6'10 235 PF/C LaSalle), most recently with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League and Jamine Peterson (6'6 220 SF Providence), most recently with the New Mexico Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League.

Goodridge, who recently participated in Free Agent mini camps for the New York Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies & Atlanta Hawks, excelled last season with Golden St. in Veterans camp and was later drafted 5th overall in the NBA Development League. Goodridge finished the 2010-2011 season as one of the top shot blockers in the league, averaging 4.08 blocks per 48 minutes, on par with his collegiate numbers at Mississippi and then later at LaSalle. Goodridge averaged 10 points 6 rebounds & 2 blocks per contest with the Armor in 20 minutes of playing time, shooting 55% from the floor & 75% from the free throw line. Goodridge is signed for the 2011-2012 season with Club 9 De Julio in Argentina, but according to his Agent, BJ Bass (RBA Sports), he has a very reasonable European buy-out, along with an offer from the Hawks to attend training camp once the NBA lockout is resolved.

Highlight Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANd_v6KI0JE

Peterson, who was projected on several NBA draft boards to go somewhere in the Second Round, was the only player eligible from the NBA Development League. Peterson attended pre-draft workouts with the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics & Indiana Pacers and Free Agent mini camp with the Miami Heat. Peterson exploded for 40 points & 13 rebounds, then followed that performance up with 36 points & 10 rebounds to close out the 2010-2011 season for New Mexico in the NBADL. Peterson ended the 2009-2010 season at Providence College, averaging a double-double (19 points & 10 rebounds), the only Guard/Forward to accomplish that feat in the Big East Conference in the last 10 years. Peterson has drawn interest from several NBA teams, along with several high-profile teams in Spain, Italy, Turkey & Israel for the 2011-2012 season.Peterson is a Steal for any club.

Highlight Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e6V4yW8ezU Jamine Peterson (6'6''-F-88, college: Providence)

Nash prefers to stay at home despite lockout - by Eurobasket News
Although hailing the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league as a fine destination for NBA players, the Phoenix Suns' MVP guard, Steve Nash (6'3''-PG-74, college: Santa Clara), believes he will stay with his family during the current league lockout.

'Like I said before, if I did not have three daughters to take care of I would like to come and play in the CBA,' Nash said during a press conference on Monday in Shanghai.

The event was hosted by his sponsor, Luyou, and unveiled the all-star guard's personal logo while he shared some of his favorite moves and shots with local fans.

'I know I have got a lot of diehard fans here, it's incredible. The basketball league here is also awesome. It's definitely a good league for all players worldwide. But I would like to stay with my family during the holidays,' said Nash, who arrived in China last Saturday for a four-day charity visit organized by the sports company.

Before the press conference, Nash paid a visit to Banqiao High School in Yunnan province, where he raised donations to build a new sports ground.

Having signed with the elite sportswear brand in January, Nash, who claimed the NBA MVP award twice - in 2005 and 2006, is now keen to expand his charity campaign to a larger area.

However, the recent retirement of Yao Ming has denied the pair of the opportunity this year to host their charity games, which were launched in 2007.

'Although Yao has quit, I believe his charity efforts will continue. And we will definitely have more cooperation on that together,' Nash said.

'Yao was a dominant player with great achievements on and off the court. He's done everything well in each field. Without him, I might not be here to sign with a Chinese brand or get lots of support here,' said the 37-year-old Canadian.

As a veteran, Nash said an NBA championship ring was still a strong lure for him, but he said he would not change teams to achieve that goal.

'Every player wants the ring. We were very close to it many times. Changing teams may be a way. But I don't think I will join another team; I prefer to stay in Phoenix. Hopefully, we can go further next season,' said Nash.

Courtesy of www.chinadaily.com.cn

Greg Buckner to make NBA coaching debut on Houston Rockets' staff - by Eurobasket News
The Houston Rockets have hired former Clemson star and NBA veteran Greg Buckner (6'4''-G/F-76, college: Clemson) as player development coach.

Rockets coach Kevin McHale announced the hiring on Wednesday. It will be Buckners first coaching job after a 10-year NBA career that included stints at Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Memphis.

Hes going to be coaching, a lot of player development, McHale told The Houston Chronicle.

McHale said he expects Buckner to take a hands-on approach in helping develop the Rockets young players.

Hes still young enough to run out there with them, said McHale. Hes got to do a lot of that, a lot of player development. He just got done playing. He was a heady player, played with a lot of heart.

He came up the hard way, really worked his way around the league. Just a really good, blue-collar guy who understands the league.

Buckner is the first Tiger men's basketball player in history to start for three NCAA tournament teams and four postseason tournament teams.

He was Clemson's leading scorer for four straight years, and became just the fifth player in ACC history to do so. He concluded his Clemson career ranked fourth in scoring with 1754 points.

Buckner was an All-ACC player in 1996-97 when he led the Tigers to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and a number-eight final ranking by USA Today. He was also an All-ACC player as a senior in 1997-98, the last year Clemson advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

A starter in a Clemson record 122 consecutive games, Buckner was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1994-95, the only Clemson basketball player to win that award. A second-round draft choice in the NBA after his senior year, he was a starter for the Denver Nuggets this past year, his sixth season in the NBA.

Buckner was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Courtesy of www.orangeandwhite.com

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


E'Twaun Moore signs deal with Benetton - by Eurobasket News
Benetton Treviso announced signing of E'Twaun Moore (193-G-89, agency: Priority Sports) for the next season. The American guard is set to start his professional career. He graduated few months ago at the Purdue University. Moore had 18 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3.2 apg for his school in 34 games as a senior. They were Big Ten regular season runners-up and Moore was named All-Big Ten 1st Team. He got the same award in 2010. That season Purdue reached NCAA Sweet 16. Moore helped them with 16.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.7 apg for 35 games. In 2009, E'Twaun Moore was named All-Big Ten 2nd Team -09. He was a sophomore at that time. For 37 games Moore collected 13.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3 apg. Many teams showed interest for Moore this summer, but Benetton is the one who managed to get him.

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  POLAND   


U16: Greece won their opener of the European Championship in Division A - by Eurobasket News
Poland U16-Greece U16 59:73

Greece won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side overcame Poland 73:59 for the initial victory in Czech Republic.
It was a tough start and both teams paid too much attention to defense in order not to make the mistakes. Trailing 9:11 in the middle of the frame, Mazur closed a 7-0 run for Poland as the latter enjoyed 19-16 at the end of the first period. Moreover Poland increased to 24:16, but failed in the rest of the game. Georgios Papadionysioy (185-PG-95) gave Greece 33:32 at the end of the half after Greece won the period 17-13. Kefalas later brought 51:40 and Kefalas reduced to 51:48 after thirty minutes. In the rest of the game Greece made the final push to seal the victory.
Dimitrios Stamatis (188-G-96) paced all the winners with 13 points and Anastasios Spyropoulos (196-G-95) scored 12. Georgios Papadionysioy and Georgios Diamantakos (210-C-95) delivered 10 points each for the first win. Denis Socha (185-G-95) and Mikolaj Witlinski (201-F-95) scored 12 points each in defeat, while Damian Jeszke (200-F-95) posted 8.

Poland U16: Denis Socha 12, Mikolaj Witlinski 12, Damian Jeszke 8
Greece U16: Dimitrios Stamatis 13, Anastasios Spyropoulos 12, Georgios Papadionysioy 10, Georgios Diamantakos 10


Polish U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Polish U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Adam Brenk
Brenk
Damian Jeszke
Jeszke
Adrian Krawczyk
Krawczyk
Adam Mazur
Mazur
Szymon Michalik
Michalik
#e#5
Adam Brenk 190-PG-95
Damian Jeszke 200-F-95
Adrian Krawczyk 180-PG-95
Adam Mazur 188-G-95 Obiekty Poland
Szymon Michalik 195-F-95
Piotr Pandura 190-F-95
Filip Pruefer 208-C-96
Denis Socha 185-G-95
Marek Walczak 188-G-95 Pyra Poznan Poland
Mikolaj Witlinski 201-F-95 Gdynia Start Poland
Bartosz Wrobel 186-G-95
Kamil Zywert 183-PG-96

Boguslaw Onufrowicz Head Coach Zastal ZG Poland
Lukasz Grudniewski Assistant Slask Wroclaw Poland
Roman Prawica Assistant OSSM S.Wola Poland


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


U18: Portugal better Luxembourg in classification round - by Eurobasket News
Portugal U18 - Luxembourg U18 72:65

Portugal recorded the first win at the U18 European Championship in Division B classification round. They held off Luxembourg counterparts to improve at 2-1 record in Group G. Jonah Callenbach (192-C/F-93) scored 23 points to pace the winners.
Luxembourg got to the better start of the game. They outgunned Portugal 23:14 in the opening frame. But Portugal gradually returned into the game. They cut the deficit at just 6-point mark at the interval 33:39. The teams went close throughout the third term. Luxembourg entered the fourth quarter up by 5 points 54:49. But Portugal turned things around in the fourth quarter. Jonah Callenbach scored eight points in a 13:0 run that propelled Portugal to a 60:57 advantage. Portugal quickly boosted the margin to six points and hung on for the victory. Andre Miguens (184-F-94) delivered 16 points and 7 boards, while Diogo Ventura (185-PG-94) added 10 points, 9 assists and 4 boards for Portugal. Alex Laurent (195-C-93) answered with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Luxembourg. Gilles Polfer (189-F-93) netted 11 points in defeat.

Portugal U18: Jonah Callenbach 23, Andre Miguens 16, Diogo Ventura 10
Luxembourg U18: Alex Laurent 12+12 boards, Gilles Polfer 11

U18: Portugal improved to 3-1 record in Group G of the Classification Round for 9-18 places - by Eurobasket News
Portugal U18-Georgia U18 61:57

Portugal improved to 3-1 record in Group G of the Classification Round for 9-18 places in Division B of the U18 European Chmapionship. Portugal sent Georgia to 1-2 record after 61:57 victory.
The first two quarters were the same as Georgia produced 16-14 in both of them. It brought them 32:28 at the end of the half as Alvaro reduced to 4 points from the perimeter. For about three minutes in the third period the teams were scoreless as Giorgi Tsirekidze (202-C-94) broke the silence at 34:28. Beka Burjanadze (201-F-94) and Jonah Callenbach (192-C/F-93) exchanged the baskets in the end of the third period for 45:44 Portuguese lead. Five times the score was tied at the last stanza, while 4-0 run allowed Portugal to taste the win. Diogo Ventura (185-PG-94) and Jonah Callenbach were the last to score for the winners to grab the third win.
Jonah Callenbach paced all the winners with 23 points and Diogo Ventura nailed 10. Joao Grosso (199-F-94) and Joao Gallina (189-F-94) chipped in 7 points each in a win. Giorgi Tsirekidze replied with 20 points int he losing effort, while Beka Burjanadze collected 12 points and 10 caroms.

Portugal U18: Jonah Callenbach 23, Diogo Ventura 10, Joao Grosso 7, Joao Gallina 7
Georgia U18: Giorgi Tsirekidze 20, Beka Burjanadze 12+10 rebs



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  ROMANIA   


U16: Luxembourg outlast Romania in double-overtime drama - by Eurobasket News
Luxembourg U16 - Romania U16 78:73 (2OT)

Luxembourg prevailed against Romania in an exhausting double-overtime thriller in U16 European Championship in Division B opener for both teams. Thomas Grun scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead the charge.
Luxembourg looked the better side in the starting frame. They recorded a 22:15 lead after ten minutes of action. Luxembourg maintained the lead throughout the second frame. They ensured an 8-point halftime lead. But Romania bounced back in the third term. They narrowed the deficit to a single point at the end of the third quarter. Ciordas put Romania in front 59:58 with 42 seconds to go. But Grun hit one of two free throws in the dying seconds to force overtime. The lead changed hands throughout the first extra period before Thomas Grun knotted things up at 69 sending the game into second overtime. Ciordas put Romania on top but Luxembourg went on a 6:0 run to steal the victory at the end. Gutenkauf posted 15 points for the winners. Elcheroth had 10 points in the winning effort. Mehmet Hortoglu (192-G-95) answered with 23 points and 8 rebounds for Romania. Vlad Cobzaru (199-F-95) had 17 points and 22 rebounds in the loss.

Luxembourg U16: Thomas Grun 22, Gutenkauf 15, Elcheroth 10
Romania U16: Mehmet Hortoglu 23, Vlad Cobzaru 17+22 boards


Craig Moore heads to Gaz Metan Medias - by Eurobasket News
Craig Moore (191-G-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Northwestern) will continue his career in Romania. The American guard penned a one-year deal with Gaz Metan Medias. Most recently Moore played for DeFriesland Aris Leeuwarden. It was in 2009/10 season, where Moore averaged 14 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals in 41 Dutch league games. He helped Leeuwarden to reach the Playoff Semifinals, what was considered as success. Craig Moore is a product of the Northwestern University, where he graduated in 2009. He had 14.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.3 spg for his school as a senior. Moore was awarded with All-Big Ten 3rd Team -09. In 2006, he was named Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He had 6.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 2.3 apg in his first season with Northwestern.

Energia Rovinari adds Czech big guy David Steffel - by Eurobasket News
Energia Rovinari continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is Czech big guy David Steffel (211-F/C-85). The 26-year-old player heads to Rovinari from Mlekarna Miltra Novy Jicin, where he finished last season. He joined them in February averaging 6.2 points and 3 rebounds for 13 games in NBL. Novy Jicin reached NBL Finals. Steffel started last season with Sigma Barcellona. He had 4 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 4 Italian LegaDue games. David Steffel played for Novy Jicin also in 2009/10 season. He had 8.8 ppg and 4.6 rpg in 49 games at that time. He also has experience from Pardubice, Montegranaro, MAFC Budapest, Charlevile, Polzela and Benetton. Steffel played for the Czech U20 NT in the past.

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  RUSSIA   


U16: Germany nip Russia to open win count in Czech Republic - by Eurobasket News
Germany U16 - Russia U16 71:67

Germany recorded the first win at the U16 European Championship in Czech Republic. They held off Russia in Group B opener for both teams. Ismet Akpinar (188-PG-95) delivered 20 points and 6 rebounds in the victory.
Germany opened the game with eight points in a row to set the tone. Russia got closer but still trailed by four points at the first break 14:18. Germany maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They ensured a 37:33 advantage at the interval. Maximilian Ugrai (196-F-95) and Ney stretched the margin to 10-point mark midway through the third quarter. But Russia finished the third term on a strong rally to grab a 54:52 lead with one quarter remaining. Ismet Akpinar and Maximilian Ugrai gave the lead back to Germany late in regulation 68:64. David Taylor (188-PG-95) and Maximilian Ugrai then converted three free throws in the dying seconds to seal the victory for the German team. Maximilian Ugrai delivered 15 points and 8 rebounds, while David Taylor finished with 9 in the victory. Vasily Martynov (185-PG-95) responded with 17 points for Russia. Pavel Sizov (198-F-95) had 13 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.

Germany U16: Ismet Akpinar 20, Maximilian Ugrai 15, David Taylor 9
Russia U16: Vasily Martynov 17, Pavel Sizov 13


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  SAINT VINCENT   


British Virgin Islands head to Semifinals in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS - SAINT VINCENT 71-63

British Virgin Islands managed to beat Saint Vincent 71-63 and to win the second place in Preliminary Group B in Nassau. They made almost perfect 3-1 record and reached Semifinals. There, British Virgin Islands will meet US Virgin Islands. On the other side, Saint Vincent ended as No.4 of this pool with 1-3 score. They will be transferred to Classification Round from 5th to 8th place. Rashid Cann (183-G-86) top-scored for the winners with 21 points. Kennedy Bass (196-F-81, college: Anderson) had 15 points and 7 boards, while Norville Carey added 12 pts. In defeat, Randolph Williams (188-G-76) delivered 23 points. Oral Roberts (201-F/C-74) and Dameon Ottley (89) netted 11 pts each. Quarters 22-13, 14-13, 22-13, 13-24. Semifinals are scheduled for today.

British Virgin Islands: Rashid Cann 21, Kennedy Bass 15+7 boards, Norville Carey 12
Saint Vincent: Randolph Williams 23, Oral Roberts 11, Dameon Ottley 11

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  SERBIA   


U16: Serbia edged Montenegro in Pardubice's opener - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro U16-Serbia U16 62:100

Serbia edged Montenegro in Pardubice's opener at the start of the U16 European Championship. The Serbian side nailed three digits for an easy 100:62 win.
Serbia took the lead in the beginning of the game and never looked behind. Dusan Ristic (207-C/F-95) nailed three for 19:9 and Guduric brought 26:10. Montenegro closed the period with a 6-0 run to trail 16:26 after the first 10 minutes. A 14-0 run to begin the second half finished the contest and marked the Serbians as a team-to-watch in this tournament. Dorde Kaplanovic (204-F-95) sent the squads to the lockers for 51:29 as Serbia won the frame 25-13. They did not even think of slowing down and after 31-14 in the third period reached 82:43 on the board. The task for the last period was to reach three digit number and Dorde Kaplanovic made the wish come true with 11 seconds to go. Serbia grabbed 100:62 win to become the leader of Group B in the tournament.
Brano Djukanovic (193-G-95) poured in 20 points and Dorde Kaplanovic notched 19. Dusan Ristic collected 18 points and 13 rebounds, whilst Luka Popovic (200-F-95) added 15. Luka Savic (199-F-95) replied with 18 points in defeat and Milovan Draskovic (208-C-95) delivered 15.

Montenegro U16: Luka Savic 18, Milovan Draskovic 15, Nemanja Sekularac (200-F/C-95) 7
Serbia U16: Brano Djukanovic 20, Dorde Kaplanovic 19, Dusan Ristic 18+13 rebs, Luka Popovic 15


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  SLOVENIA   


Olimpija inks Blazic to a 3-year deal, Helios adds Pasalic - by Zeljko Zule
Union Olimpija signed promised Jaka Blazic (193-G-90) to a three-year deal, the club announced today. Blazic arrievs from city rival Geoplin Slovan where he averaged 9.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 30 Slovenian Telemach League games last season. Blazic developed in the youth teams at Radovljica and made his debut with the senior team of Triglav Kranj in 2006-07 B-1 League.
Helios signed former Croatian national team member Drago Pasalic (208-C/F-84) for the upcoming season. He split last season between Cibona and Azovmash Mariupol. Pasalic averaged 9.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in 7 Euroleague games and 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 9 Adriatic League games with Cibona and 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds per game in 28 Ukrainian League games and 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 7 VTB League games with Azovmash last season.

Uros Zadnik heads to Zadar - by Eurobasket News
Uros Zadnik (187-PG-90) will continue his career in Croatia. The Slovenian point guard penned a deal with Zadar and joined Slovenian Head Coach Ales Pipan. Zadnik spent last three years with Geoplin Slovan. He had 8 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.3 apg for 29 games in Telemach league last season. He participated at the Slovenian league All-Star game. In 2009/10, Zadnik averaged 6.3 points and 2 assists in 34 games. Uros Zadnik also played for Slovan in 2006/07. In the meantime, he was a member of Krka, Triglav and Union Olimpija. Zadnik also played for U20, U18 and U16 Slovenia in the past. In 2008, he helped U18 Slovenia to win the Gold at the European Championships U18 Division B in Debrecen. He had 4.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg for 8 games at this event.

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  SPAIN   


Valencia keeps Florent Pietrus - by Eurobasket News
Florent Pietrus (202-F-81) will stay one more season with Power Electronics Valencia. The Spanish team announced his signing today. Pietrus joined Valencia for the first time in 2008. He left them shortly in 2010 for Caja Laboral, but after just one month he returned to the club. 2011/12 will be his fourth season with Valencia. Pietrus had 3.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 20 Eurolegaue games last season. He also added 2.7 ppg and 3 rpg for 28 games in ACB. With Caja Laboral, Pietrus had 5 ppg and 7.5 rpg for two games in Spain. Florent Pietrus helped Valencia to win the EuroCup in 2009/10. He had 2.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg in this competition for 17 games. Before Valencia, Pietrus was a member of Estudiantes. He also played for Unicaja from 2004 to 2007. In France, Puetrus played for Pau-Orthez couple of years. With Unicaja, he won the ACB title in 2006 and Spanish Cup a year before that. With Pau-Orthez, Florient Pietrus grabbed two ProA titles in France.

Alicante lands Benjamin Dewar - by Eurobasket News
Benjamin Dewar (196-G/F-81, college: L.Superior) will continue his career in Spain. The American G/SF penned a one-year deal with Lucentum Alicante. This is the first signing by Alicante this summer. Dewar spent last season with Le Mans. He appeared 11 times in EuroCup for them averaging 12.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2 assists. Eurobasket awarded Dewar with All-EuroCup Honorable Mention -11. He added 10.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg in France, plus 8 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 2.2 apg for six Euroleague Qualifying Round games. Before Le Mans, Benjamin Dewar spent two years with ASVEL. He helped them win ProA title in 2009. That season Dewar had 9.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 2.1 apg. In the past, he also played for Orleans and Quimper. Dewar is a product of the Lake Superior State University (NCAA2).

U16: The hosts shock Spain in Pardubice - by Eurobasket News
Czech Republic U16-Spain U16 70:67

The hosts shock Spain in Pardubice at the start of the U16 European Championship in Division A. Czech Republic grabbed 70:67 in the opener in front of local fans.
Spain enjoyed the lead until the end of the first period and only 7-0 run allowed the hosts to take the lead. Svoboda closed the first period at 26:20 and Radovan Kouril (182-PG-95) scored for 30:23. Zumer and Sans exchanged the free throws at the end of the half for 47:38 advantage. The third quarter completely belonged to the Spanish outfit that erupted with 22-11 for 60:58 lead. Radovan Kouril scored the first five points in the last quarter for 63:60 and Ilimane Diop (210-C-95) reduced to 68:67 with less than a minute to go. Dedek's shot at the every end was the last for the hosts that celebrated the first victory in Day 1.
Radovan Kouril top-scored for the winners with 24 points and Martin Peterka (199-F-95) collected 16 points and 16 caroms. Jiri Soula (187-G-95) followed them with 10 points in the winning effort. Jiri Soula ended up with 24 points in the losing case and Ilimane Diop had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Czech Republic U16: Radovan Kouril 24, Martin Peterka 16+16 rebs, Jiri Soula 10
Spain U16: Jiri Soula 24, Ilimane Diop 14+13 rebs



Spanish U16 National Team 2011 - by Karol
Spanish U16 National Team 2011
#s#
Adria Cantenys
Cantenys
Sergi Costa
Costa
Javier De La Blanca
De La Blanca
Ilimane Diop
Diop
Carlos Garcia
Garcia
#e#5
Adria Cantenys 200-F-95
Sergi Costa 188-G-96
Javier De La Blanca 197-F-95
Ilimane Diop 210-C-95
Carlos Garcia 204-C-95
David Iriarte 203-F-95
Alberto Martin 174-G-95 Tajamar Spain
Ignasi Moix 180-G-95
Jose Nogues 202-C-95
Marcos Portalez 199-C-95
Agusti Sans 195-F-95 DKV Joventut Spain
Ferran Ventura 178-PG-95

Diego Ocampo Head Coach Cajasol Spain
Pablo Sanchez Assistant


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  SWEDEN   


U18: The Scandinavian team wins Group E to advance to the semis - by Eurobasket News
Sweden U18-Netherlands U18 68:43

The Scandinavian team wins Group E to advance to the semis of the U18 European Championship in Division B. Sweden edged Netherlands 68:43 in the defensive win to clinch the top place with 3-0 record in the group.
Sweden opened the game with 7-0 run and never allowed the Dutch team to stay in front. Jonathan Person (190-PG-93, agency: JEMsports) nailed three for 10:4 and he also closed the first period at 25:8. Shane Hammink (198-G-94) and William Magarity (207-F-93) opened the second period for 27:10 and Sweden limited the Dutch side to only 6 points in the frame. After 19-6 in it Katheka brought 44:14 at the halftime when it became clear about the winner. Andersson scored fro 50:20, while Holland won the third period 21-16. Both teams nailed 8 points apiece for the final result in the game.
Jonathan Person stepped up with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while William Magarity had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Shane Hammink finished the game with 13, points in the losing case and Paul Candiff (184-G-93) scored 7.

Sweden U18: Jonathan Person 14+10 rebs, William Magarity 10+11 rebs
Netherlands U18: Shane Hammink 13, Paul Candiff 7



U18: Sweden became the leader of Group F in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro U18-Sweden U18 52:66

Sweden became the leader of Group F in Varna at the at the U18 European Championship in Division B. The Scandinavian team overcame Montenegro 66:52 for 2-0 record. The latter fell at 0-2 record, but still has chances reaching the semifinals.
Pajovic gave his side the first lead and Vukota Pavic (203-C-93) increased to 11:5. Nikola Ivanovic (187-G-94, agency: Beo Basket) scored the last three points in the first period for 16:11 and Nikolic gave the biggest lead in the game for his team at 19:11. Tobias Borg (183-PG-93) tied the game at 21:21 as Sweden took control of the court. William Magarity (207-F-93) brought 30:28 and Eliasson closed the half at 32:31. After 20-12 in the third period the board showed 52:43 for the Scandinavian team. Tobias Borg nailed three for 57:47 and Eliasson closed another run for 63:47. Gavranic was the last player to score in the game for the final result.
Tobias Borg stepped up with 19 points and William Magarity nailed 15. Jonathan Person (190-PG-93, agency: JEMsports) followed them with 14 and Niklas Larsson (196-G-94) netted 8. Marko Mugosa (197-F-93) and Vukota Pavic responded with 11 points apiece, while Nikola Ivanovic brought 10.

Montenegro U18: Marko Mugosa 11, Vukota Pavic 11+10 rebs, Nikola Ivanovic 10
Sweden U18: Tobias Borg 19, William Magarity 15, Jonathan Person 14, Niklas Larsson 8


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  SWITZERLAND   


U18: Switzerland too good for Austria in Varna - by Eurobasket News
Switzerland U18 - Austria U18 70:48

Switzerland overcame Austria at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. The victory propelled the Swiss juniors at 2-1 record on top of Group H. Austria fell at 0-2 record. Vincent Gaillard (200-F-93) notched 27 points and 8 rebounds to pace the winners.
Switzerland ensured the strong start to the game. They limited Austria to just 9 points in the opening quarter to post a 13-point lead. The margin kept on growing throughout the second term. Switzerland piled up a 19-point halftime lead 43:24. More to come in the third term as Switzerland did not loosen the grasp. They built a comfortable 26-point lead with one quarter remaining. Austria stopped the rot in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened the margin. Clint N'Dumba-Capela (202-F-94) accounted for 22 points and 27 rebounds in the victory. Timur Bas (195-C-94) responded with 8 points for Austria. Patrick Kolb (196-F-94) had 7 points in defeat.

Swtitzerland U18: Vincent Gaillard 27, Clint N'Dumba-Capela 22+27 boards, Louis Kagny (194-G/F-93) 5
Austria U18: Timur Bas 8, Patrick Kolb 7

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  TURKEY   


Ersin Gorkem moves to Aliaga Petkim - by Eurobasket News
Ersin Gorkem (195-F-77) is a new member of Aliaga Petkim. The Turkish forward penned a one-year deal with his new club. He heads to Aliaga from Trabzon, where he spent last season. For 29 games in TBL Gorkem had 5.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg. He helped Trabzon reach the Turkish Cup Semifinals. In 2009/10 season Gorkem played for Kepez. He was one of their better players with 12.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 1.9 apg for 30 games. From 2007 to 2009, Ersin Gorkem was a member of Antalya. He also played for Banvit, Darussafaka and Galatasaray in the past. In 2008, Gorkem played for the Turkish National team. He participated three times at the TBL All-Star Game as well.

U16: Turkey and Bulgaria open Division A campaign - by Eurobasket News
Turkey U16-Bulgaria U16 85:75

Turkey and Bulgaria open Division A campaign in Hradec Kralove at the U16 European Championship. Turkey grabbed 85:75 win in the opener for the first winning record.
Turkey started with 4-0 run and Dogukan Sanli (191-G-95) brought 10:2. Dinkov reduced to 14:13, while Kosut closed the opening frame at 25:15. Turkey continued their dominance and reached 37:21 midway through the second quarter. Okben Ulubay (200-F-97) and Aleksandar Vezenkov (204-F-95) exchanged the late baskets in the half for 45:32. In the third frame Bulgaria managed to reduce to 8 points as they won the period 25-20. Dogukan Sanli scored for 65:57 in the end of third period, while his Turkey added 20-18 in the last period for the win in the opener.
James Birsen (203-F/G-95) stepped up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Okben Ulubay notched 11. Ayberk Guleryuz (206-C-95) and Dogukan Sanli followed them with 10 points each. Aleksandar Vezenkov replied with 29 points in the losing case and Vassil Stoimenov (198-F-95) posted 17.

Turkey U16: James Birsen 17+11 rebs, Okben Ulubay 11, Ayberk Guleryuz 10, Dogukan Sanli 10
Bulgaria U16: Aleksandar Vezenkov 29, Vassil Stoimenov 17


Kinsey moves across town to Efes - by Pervin Elgin
A versatile veteran has switched Turkish Airlines Euroleague powerhouses as Anadolu Efes announced Tuesday the arrival of swingman Tarence Kinsey on a one-year deal. Efes also has an option to extend his contract until the end of the 2012-13 season. Kinsey (2.00 meters, 27 years old) arrives from cross-town rivals Fenerbahce Ulker, where he averaged 8.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 14 Euroleague games last season. He was a double-digit scorer in 10 games the season before that, when he returned to FB Ulker one year after leaving the club. Kinsey became a crowd favorite for his acrobatic dunks and defense. He helped FB Ulker win three Turkish League titles in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and they have lifted the Turkish Cup trophy together each of the last two seasons. Kinsey has also played for Cleveland and Memphis in the NBA since finishing his college career at the University of South Carolina (NCAA), which he led to back-to-back NIT titles in 2005 and 2006. Kinsey is also the founder of the The Tarence Kinsey Foundation, which supports community projects in his native Florida, United States.

Source: Euroleague.net

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  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS   


Game-Ending Brawl Mars Monday Hoops Action - by David Edole
A fight ended Monday nights NBBA basketball contest between the Hoyas and Boys Dem with 1:21 left in the third period. It was a shameful end to what was a great, entertaining game between two of the leagues elite teams that fans from both side were really enjoying.

However, a conflict developed between a couple of point guards in the back court, punches were thrown, benches cleared and it was a full-on melee. Luckily police and security forces were on hand to restore order some 30 minutes later. But with tempers still sky-high the game was called, and the Hoyas who were leading 36-34 at the time was awarded the victory.

The game was as defensive as anyone had seen in the league with neither team giving an inch. After Boys Dem led for most of the first half, the Hoyas closed on a run that propelled them to a halftime lead at 26-24. Eddie Castillo netted eight points in the half to lead the Hoyas, while Rasheed Swanston had seven for the Boys.

The third period was a very physical one with some very hard fouls. The score was already at 36-34 when an extremely hard foul was committed with no call. This prompted one fan to remark, They [the referees] are not calling any fouls out there! To which his friend replied Yea mon, they are losing control of the game.

Less than two minutes after that exchange it was pandemonium in the gym. However, it must be said that until that third quarter, the referees did a good job. However, the players also need to be more respectful of one another and learn to show more restraint.

Especially since most have their parents, wives, siblings and even their kids watching. This, however, sets the stage for a very exciting playoff which begins on Wednesday. Hopefully, the players can concentrate on getting back to playing basketball and not gladiators.

Castillo and Kurt John led the Hoyas with 10 apiece, while Terrel Christian had a game-high 11 for Boys Dem, with teammate Swanston chipping in with seven.

In the nights early game, the defending champions Guidance had six players in double figures as they outlasted the leagues last unbeaten team, the Kings, 90-87. Leading the way for the champs was Shakeem Edwards with 22 point, Eric McBean with 18 points, three others finished with 12 and one with 10 points. The Kings were led by Stephen OReilly with a game-high 27 points and Craig Williams (205-F-89) with 22.

By Dave Davis July 26, 2011


US Virgin Islands win Group A in Nassau - by Eurobasket News
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS - JAMAICA 86-61

US Virgin Islands are the winners of the Preliminary Group A in Nassau. They closed this phase with 86-61 victory against Jamaica for perfect 3-0 record. US Virgin Islands will meet British Virgin Islands in the Semifinals. Jamaica also reached the next stage, but as No.2 of this pool (2-1 score). They rival in the Semis will be Bahamas. Cuthbert Victor (196-F-83, college: Murray St.) shined for the winners with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Ivan Aska (200-F-90) had 15 points and 5 boards, and Aaron Brown (195-G-92) also helped his team with 15 pts. On the other side, Jamaica got 15 points and 7 rebs from Patrick Ewing Jr. (203-F-84, college: Georgetown) Akeem Scott (186-PG-83, agency: Interperformances, college: High Point) had 13 and Ryan Reid (203-F-86, college: Florida St.) added 12 points, plus 10 rebs. Quarters: 21-22, 23-13, 18-14, 24-12. Championship continues today.

US Virgin Islands: Cuthbert Victor 25+6 boards+5 as, Ivan Aska 15+5 boards, Aaron Brown 15
Jamaica: Patrick Ewing Jr. 15+7 boards, Akeem Scott 13, Ryan Reid 12+10 boards

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  UBA   


Michael Davis promoted to UBA Commissioner - by UBA media
July 28, 2011
Atlanta, GA

GIE Morrow Disciples head coach Michael Davis was today named UBA active commissioner. Davis was named UBA coach of the year all three seasons and owns 2 out of the 3 championships. With the new promotion Davis will accompany Darryl Reshaw as heads of the league.

'Its a great honor to be promoted in the UBA', said Davis. I will miss all of the guys and management in the Disciple family.

The Disciples will begin recruitment of their new head coach effective immediately. The GIE Morrow Disciples have been the example of perfection in the UBA. With coach Davis gone what does this mean for the Disciples? I miss him already, said Disciples star Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-G/F-82, college: Atlanta Christian). Im happy hes moving on with his career but Im also sad. We were a team.

Davis became nationwide famous in 08 for being named the youngest professional coach in the history of professional basketball (24). Now at 28 years old Davis has been named to the top spot. It has always been my dream to be an Athletic Director (AD) of a University or high school, said Davis. This puts me one step closer. The UBA has giving me the opportunity to live my dream.

Below you will find Coach Davis UBA accomplishments.

Usbasket.com All-UBA Coach of the Year- 09,10,11
Usbasket.com All-UBA Coach of the Classic- 09,10,11
UBA Championship -09,10
UBA All-Star Selection (coach) -09,10,11
Georgia Minor League Coach of the Year -09,10
Usbasket.com All-United States Coach of the Year Nominee -11



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  UKRAINE   


U16: The French outfit rolled over Ukraine despite the slow start - by Eurobasket News
France U16-Ukraine U16 71:56

France won their opener of the U16 European Championship in Division A. The French outfit rolled over Ukraine 71:56 despite the slow start.
Ukraine began the game well and, after a frenetic opening Ukraine pushed ahead and led 17:12 after the first quarter. Vladlen Berezhnyy (199-F-95) gave the team the biggest lead at 20:12, but it was too early to celebrate. Paul Lou Duwiquet (193-G-95) brought France 25:23 and Paul Rigot (199-F-95) scored for 31:25. Paul Lou Duwiquet closed a 19-0 run at the start of the second period as France had 44:25 deficit. Ukraine however bounced back with their run and reduced to 50:42 after Kharchynskyi's shot. Ville nailed three at the end of the third period for 54:44 and Laporal delivered two for 63:50 midway through the fourth quarter. France added 17-12 in the stanza to seal the victory.
Damien Inglis (198-F-95) stepped up with 18 points and Paul Lou Duwiquet notched 16. Paul Rigot posted 12, while Arthur Rozenfeld (180-PG-95) notched 10. Igor Boyarkin (180-PG-95) finished the game with 19 points and Vladlen Berezhnyy collected 16 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.

France U16: Damien Inglis 18, Paul Lou Duwiquet 16, Paul Rigot 12, Arthur Rozenfeld 10
Ukraine U16: Igor Boyarkin 19, Vladlen Berezhnyy 16+10 rebs


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  UNITED KINGDOM   


U18: England nip Georgia in Varna - by Eurobasket News
England U18 - Georgia U18 61:59 (OT)

England celebrated the first win at the classification round of U18 European Championship in Division B. They narrowly defeated Georgia in Group G. Simeon Esprit (195-G/F-93) scored 18 points to pace the winners.
England and Georgia stayed close throughout the opening quarter. England earned a 16:15 lead after ten minutes. England stepped on the gas in the second frame. They arrived at halftime up by 12 points 35:23. Georgia turned things around in the third quarter.They went on a 10:0 run midway through the period to narrow the deficit. Georgia capped the period with a 7:1 run to level things up at 42. The teams went neck and neck throughout the fourth term. Simeon Esprit put England in charge 53:51 with under two minutes to go. But Tsirekidze answered with a jumper to force overtime. The teams were still tied with 50 seconds remaining in the extra frame but Simeon Esprit came up with a decisive layup in the dying seconds to seal the victory for England. Elliott Sentance (188-G-94) dropped 13 points, while Jack Crook (93) had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort. Levan Lolishvili (200-F-94) and Irakli Mikeladze (179-PG-94) answered with 11 points each for Georgia. Burjanadze had 9 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.

England U18: Simeon Esprit 18, Elliott Sentance 13, Jack Crook 12+12 boards
Georgia U18: Levan Lolishvili 11, Irakli Mikeladze 11

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  VENEZUELA   


Ivan Deniz will return to Trotamundos for LPB 2012 - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- The general management of Trotamundos de Carabobo agreed to terms with head coach Ivan Deniz for his return in the 2012 edition of Liga Profesional de Baloncesto, after a successful rebuilding process that saw them reach the LPB 2011 Semifinals while Deniz got the Coach of the Year award.

The team had a 31-13 record in his first full season in Venezuela and PG David Cubillan (183-PG-87, college: Marquette) was named Rookie of the Year, so there was no problem to re-hire him, as was expressed by general manager Gustavo Garcia Saez through a press release published in the team's official website.

'We had a great season in our rebuilding year and that's why we believe in the work performed by Ivan Deniz and we want to maintain the core of the roster that we had in 2011. One of the priorities for us was to bring him back as our coach so we can focus in other aspects of next season from now on', said Garcia Saez.

'I have a commitment with the club, the players and the fans all around the country to win the LPB championship next season', said Deniz, who will be coaching Soles de Mexicali in Mexico's LNBP with Venezuelan assistant coach Ronald Guillen by his side and both Cubillan and Carl Edwards (196-F-81, college: Charleston), another former member of Trotamundos, as part of his team.

LNB 2011 News - Centauros reach agreements with Reyes, Rodriguez and Umbria - by Francisco Vega
Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Centauros de Apure continues to build the roster for the upcoming Liga Nacional de Baloncesto 2011 season, and announced agreements with PG-SG Sonys Reyes (181-G-86), SG-SF Juan Carlos Rodriguez (193-G-78) and PF-C Yorbis Umbria (203-F-84).

The team will be coached by Nestor Salazar and the general management also brought back players Kervin Bracho (204-F/C-78) and Tulio Cobos (196-F-86). Centauros finished at 7th place with a 10-18 record and didn't make it to the playoffs back in 2010. They had played the LNB Finals in 2009.

In the upcoming tournament, title holders Espartanos de Margarita won't take part in the season, which will be played by returning Duros de Lara and existing teams Graneros de Portuguesa, Centauros de Apure, Lanceros de Cojedes, Estudiantes de Guarico, Tiburones de Vargas, Rojos de Sucre and Atleticos UCV.




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Women News

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  AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U16 - Women  


Afrobasket U16 Standings
Standings
1. Egypt4-0
2. Tunisia4-0
3. Mali2-2
4. Algeria1-3
5. Angola1-3
6. Mozambique.0-4


Egypt and Tunisia stay unbeaten - by Eurobasket News
There is only one more day left in the Preliminary Round of U16 AfroBasket 2011. Egypt and Tunisia registered four straight wins so far and they will meet each other in the battle for first place. In the latest games Tunisia grabbed 55-50 win against Angola to stay perfect. Tunisia had to work very hard in order to secure this victory. Egypt destroyed Mozambique 90-42. It was the only game which was played yesterday. There is still one winless team at this event and it is Mozambique. They faced with four consecutive defeats so far. Mali is currently third ranked team with 2-2 record. Algeria and Angola share the fourth place with 1-3 score.

Round One
Jul. 22: Egypt 89-56 Angola
Jul. 23: Tunisia 78-52 Algeria
Jul. 23: Mali 55-53 Angola

Round Two
Jul. 24: Tunisia 50-28 Mali
Jul. 24: Egypt 83-27 Algeria
Jul. 24: Mozambique 57-62 Angola

Round Three
Jul. 24: Algeria 29-61 Mali
Jul. 24: Mozambique 55-62 Tunisia

Round Four
Jul. 26: Angola 50-55 Tunisia
Jul. 26: Algeria 63-43 Mozambique
Jul. 26: Egypt 53-45 Mali

Round Five
Jul. 27: Mozambique 42-90 Egypt
Jul. 28: Angola ---- Algeria
Jul. 28: Mali ---- Mozambique
Jul. 28: Egypt ---- Tunisia

Standings
1. Egypt 4-0
2. Tunisia 4-0
3. Mali 2-2
4. Algeria 1-3
5. Angola 1-3
6. Mozambique 0-4

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  ANDORRA - Women  


U16 Andorra heads to Semifinals in Division C - by Eurobasket News
U16 Wales - U16 Andorra 13-74

Andorra is the winner of Preliminary Group A in U16 EuroBasket, Division C. The host of this event destroyed Wales 74-13 ending this phase with perfect 2-0 record. Andorra goes directly to Semifinals. On the other side, Wales ended as the last ranked team in this pool winless. They will meet Monaco in the Quarterfinals. Claudia Guri Moreno exploded for the hosts and was their best player in this game. She collected 30 points and 13 rebounds. Cristina Andres Rabasa followed with 10 points and 6 assists, while Claudia Brunet Solano added 8 pts. In defeat, Imogen Lloreta Jones had 7 points. The second scorer was Tanisha Walker with 5 pts. Quarters: 9-24, 2-18, 1-14, 1-18. Championship continues today.

Wales: Imogen Lloreta Jones 7, Tanisha Walker 5+6 boards
Andorra: Claudia Guri Moreno 30+13 boards, Cristina Andres Rabasa 10+6 as, Claudia Brunet Solano 8

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  AUSTRALIA - Women  


U19 Brazil wins Group F in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 BRAZIL - U19 AUSTRALIA 75-47

Brazil recovered from defeat against France and smashed Australia 75-47 in the last day of the Qualifying Round in Chile. Thanks to this win Brazil won the Group F with 5-1 record. Australia dropped to second place and it was their first loss at the FIBA U19 World Championship. Of course, both teams head to Quarterfinals. Damiris Dantas (192-C-92) scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in this victory. She reaches valuation 30. Tassia Carcavalli (178-F-92) had 20 and Carina Martins (172-G-92) added 10 pts. In defeat, Rebecca Allen (185-G-92) collected 14 pts and 8 boards. Tayla Roberts (191-F/C-93) had 10 points and 12 boards, while Rebecca Cole (177-PG-92) added 8 pts and 8 assists. Quarters: 8-10, 22-19, 27-10, 18-8). In the Quarterfinals Brazil will meet Russia. Australia will play against Japan.

Brazil: Damiris Dantas 24+16 boards, Tassia Carcavalli 20, Carina Martins 10
Australia: Rebecca Allen 14+8 boards, Tayla Roberts 10+12 boards, Rebecca Cole 8+8 as

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  BALKAN LEAGUE - Women  


Women Balkan League to operate from season 2011/2012 - by Eurobasket News
The BIBL management took the decision that a Women Balkan League should start from this autumn, along with the Junior Balkan League and the 3-on-3 tournaments.

Today an official letter was sent from the League office to all the federations members of the Balkan League - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia, requesting the names of any teams that would be interested in playing in the Women Balkan League.

The competition format, financial details, schedule and all other organizational and technical issues will be clear in a couple of weeks, after all national federations send the names of the interested teams, so the number of the participants can be decided.

Courtesy of www.balkanleague.net

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  BRAZIL - Women  


U19 Brazil wins Group F in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 BRAZIL - U19 AUSTRALIA 75-47

Brazil recovered from defeat against France and smashed Australia 75-47 in the last day of the Qualifying Round in Chile. Thanks to this win Brazil won the Group F with 5-1 record. Australia dropped to second place and it was their first loss at the FIBA U19 World Championship. Of course, both teams head to Quarterfinals. Damiris Dantas (192-C-92) scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in this victory. She reaches valuation 30. Tassia Carcavalli (178-F-92) had 20 and Carina Martins (172-G-92) added 10 pts. In defeat, Rebecca Allen (185-G-92) collected 14 pts and 8 boards. Tayla Roberts (191-F/C-93) had 10 points and 12 boards, while Rebecca Cole (177-PG-92) added 8 pts and 8 assists. Quarters: 8-10, 22-19, 27-10, 18-8). In the Quarterfinals Brazil will meet Russia. Australia will play against Japan.

Brazil: Damiris Dantas 24+16 boards, Tassia Carcavalli 20, Carina Martins 10
Australia: Rebecca Allen 14+8 boards, Tayla Roberts 10+12 boards, Rebecca Cole 8+8 as

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  CANADA - Women  


U19 Canada wins Group E in Chile with perfect score - by Eurobasket News
U19 USA - U19 CANADA 52-64

Canada finished Qualifying Round in Chile with perfect 6-0 record. They handed 64-52 loss to USA winning the first place in Group E. USA dropped to position No.2. Of course, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship. Michelle Plouffe (193-C-92) shined for Canada in this very important meeting with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Wumi Agunbiade (188-F-92) had 15 points and 9 rebs, while Katherine Plouffe (190-C-92) added 12 pts. Ariel Massengale (168-PG-93) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds in defeat. Elizabeth Williams (191-C-93) (5 rebs) and Breanna Stewart (191-F-94) netted 8 points each. Quarters: 10-20, 13-9, 16-12, 13-23. Canada will play against Spain in the Quarterfinals. USA will meet France. All games will be played tomorrow.

USA: Ariel Massengale 17+6 boards, Elizabeth Williams 8+5 boards, Breanna Stewart 8
Canada: Michelle Plouffe 24+8 boards, Wumi Agunbiade 15+9 boards, Katherine Plouffe 12

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  CHILE - Women  


U19 Spain advances to Quarterfinals in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 SPAIN - U19 CHILE 83-48

Spain destroyed Chile to close the Qualifying Round of FIBA U19 World Championship. Spain finished as the fourth ranked team of Group F with 3-3 record and advanced to Quarterfinals. On the other side, the host of this event finished with 1-5 in this pool. They will continue in Classification Round from 9th to 12th place. Astou Ndour (193-C-94) stepped up for Spain with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Inmaculada Zanoguera (183-G-93) had 14 pts and 9 boards, while Marta Claret (185-C-92) added 13 pts and 5 rebs in this victory. In Chile, Fernanda Mansilla (168-PG-92) was better than the others with 14 points and 6 rebs. Fernanda Serrano (173-G-92) had 11 points. Quarters: 20-11, 19-13, 21-6, 23-18. Spain will meet Canada in the Quarterfinals, which are scheduled for tomorrow.

Spain: Astou Ndour 15+10 boards, Inmaculada Zanoguera 14+9 boards, Marta Claret 13+5 boards
Chile: Fernanda Mansilla 14+6 boards, Fernanda Serrano 11

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  CHINA - Women  


U19 China destroys U19 Japan 87-59 in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 JAPAN - U19 CHINA 59-87

China celebrated in the last day of the Preliminary Round in Chile. They outplayed Japan 87-59 for 2-4 record in Group E. However, that was not enough and China failed to reach the Quarterfinals. They will be transferred to classification games from 9th to 12th place. On the other side, Japan ended as No.3 in this pool (3-3) and will meet Australia in the QFinals. Ma XueYa (188-C/F-93) exploded in victory with 24 points and 19 rebounds. Yang Xi (184-G-94) had 18 points and 16 rebs, while Yu Dong (195-C-93) added 17 points and 8 boards. In the loosing squad, Shiori Takada (170-G-92) collected 11 points and 6 rebs. Their second scorer was Sanae Motokawa (175-F-92) with 10 pts. Championship continues on Friday.

Japan: Shiori Takada 11+6 boards, Sanae Motokawa 10
China: Ma XueYa 24+19 boards, Yang Xi 18+16 boards, Yu Dong 17+8 boards

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  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U16 - Women  


Div.C Standings - by Eurobasket News
Standings
Group A
1. Andorra2-0
2. Malta1-1
3. Wales0-2
Group B
1. Cyprus2-0
2. Monaco1-1
3. Gibraltar0-2


Division C: Preliminary Round is over in Andorra - by Eurobasket News
GROUP A

U16 Wales - U16 Andorra 13-74
Andorra is the winner of Preliminary Group A in U16 EuroBasket, Division C. The host of this event destroyed Wales 74-13 ending this phase with perfect 2-0 record. Andorra goes directly to Semifinals. On the other side, Wales ended as the last ranked team in this pool winless. They will meet Monaco in the Quarterfinals. Claudia Guri Moreno exploded for the hosts and was their best player in this game. She collected 30 points and 13 rebounds. Cristina Andres Rabasa followed with 10 points and 6 assists, while Claudia Brunet Solano added 8 pts. In defeat, Imogen Lloreta Jones had 7 points. The second scorer was Tanisha Walker with 5 pts. Quarters: 9-24, 2-18, 1-14, 1-18. Championship continues today.

Wales: Imogen Lloreta Jones 7, Tanisha Walker 5+6 boards
Andorra: Claudia Guri Moreno 30+13 boards, Cristina Andres Rabasa 10+6 as, Claudia Brunet Solano 8


GROUP B

U16 Gibraltar - U16 Monaco 48-53
Monaco registered their first win in Andorra. After defeat against Cyprus, Monaco (1-1) managed to beat Gibraltar 53-48 wining the second place in Group B. On the other side, Gibraltar is the last ranked team in this pool with 0-2. However, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals. There, Monaco will meet Wales, while Gibraltar will take on Malta. Both games are scheduled for today. Paloma Paje-Ruis stepped up for Monaco with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Zeghdar had 13 points and 16 boards, while Patricia Gonsalves Martinho added 10 pts. In the loosing squad, Jamie Lee Prescott shined with 14 points and 20 boards Sophie Anne Mansfield had 10 points, while Joanna Estefania Bazan added 8 pts and 9 rebs. Quarters: 13-16, 8-17, 18-10, 9-10.

Gibraltar: Jamie Lee Prescott 14+20 boards, Sophie Anne Mansfield 10+5 boards, Joanna Estefania Bazan 8+9 boards
Monaco: Paloma Paje-Ruis 15+11 boards, Emma Zeghdar 13+16 boards, Patricia Gonsalves Martinho 10



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  FRANCE - Women  


Standings - LFB
LFB Standings
 1. Aix-en-Provence 0-0 
 2. Arras 0-0 
 3. Bourges 0-0 
 4. Challes 0-0 
 5. Charleville 0-0 
 6. Landes 0-0 
 7. Lattes Montp. 0-0 
 8. Lyon 0-0 
 9. Mondeville 0-0 
 10. Nantes 0-0 
 11. Nice 0-0 
 12. Tarbes 0-0 
 13. Union Hainaut 0-0 
 14. Villeneuve 0-0 


U19 France heads to Quarterfinals in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 TAIWAN - U19 FRANCE 57-74

France finished Preliminary Round in Chile with almost perfect 5-1 record. However that was not enough for the first place in Group F. Actually it was not enough event for the position No.2. France ended as third ranked team in this pool and of course advanced to Quarterfinals. Taiwan is No.5 with 2-4 record and failed to reach the next stage. Helena Akmouche (174-G-92) top-scored for the winners with 16 points. Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi (184-F-95) had 11 points and 7 rebs, while Adja Konteh (178-F-92) had 10 pts and 7 boards. In defeat, Wang Wei-Lin (180-F-93) collected 11 points. Lin had two points less than her. Quarters: 16-19, 9-18, 16-19, 16-18. France will meet USA in the Quarterfinals. Taiwan will fight for the 9th place at this event.

Taiwan: Wang Wei-Lin 11, Lin 9
France: Helena Akmouche 16, Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi 11+7 boards, Adja Konteh 10+7 boards

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  GERMANY - Women  


Standings - Women
DBBL Standings
 1. Chemnitz 0-0 
 2. Donau-Ries 0-0 
 3. Freiburg 0-0 
 4. Halle 0-0 
 5. Marburg 0-0 
 6. Oberhausen 0-0 
 7. Osnabruck 0-0 
 8. Rhein MB 0-0 
 9. Rotenburg/Sch 0-0 
 10. Saarlouis 0-0 
 11. Wasserburg 0-0 
 12. Wolfenbuettel 0-0 


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  GIBRALTAR - Women  


U16 Monaco keeps U16 Gibraltar winless, 53-48 - by Eurobasket News
U16 Gibraltar - U16 Monaco 48-53

Monaco registered their first win in Andorra. After defeat against Cyprus, Monaco (1-1) managed to beat Gibraltar 53-48 wining the second place in Group B. On the other side, Gibraltar is the last ranked team in this pool with 0-2. However, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals. There, Monaco will meet Wales, while Gibraltar will take on Malta. Both games are scheduled for today. Paloma Paje-Ruis stepped up for Monaco with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Zeghdar had 13 points and 16 boards, while Patricia Gonsalves Martinho added 10 pts. In the loosing squad, Jamie Lee Prescott shined with 14 points and 20 boards Sophie Anne Mansfield had 10 points, while Joanna Estefania Bazan added 8 pts and 9 rebs. Quarters: 13-16, 8-17, 18-10, 9-10.

Gibraltar: Jamie Lee Prescott 14+20 boards, Sophie Anne Mansfield 10+5 boards, Joanna Estefania Bazan 8+9 boards
Monaco: Paloma Paje-Ruis 15+11 boards, Emma Zeghdar 13+16 boards, Patricia Gonsalves Martinho 10

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  ITALY - Women  


U19 Russia makes it in do-or-die game against U19 Italy, 62-55 - by Eurobasket News
U19 RUSSIA - U19 ITALY 62-55

Russia goes to the Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile. They outplayed Italy 62-55 in do-of-die game to take the fourth place in Group E (3-3). Italy dropped to fifth place with 2-4 score and failed to reach the next stage. Alexandra Stolyar (178-G-92) stepped up for the winners with 21 points. Yulia Poluyanova (187-F-92) had 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Ksenia Tikhonenko (174-G-93, agency: RIZO) helped with 6 points and 22 boards in this crucial game. In defeat, Giulia Maffenini (180-F-92) collected 20 points and 5 rebs. Their second scorer was Francesca Dotto (189-C-93) with 9 pts. Quarters: 13-16, 5-16, 27-10, 17-13. Russia will meet Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Italy will fight fro 9th place at this event.

Russia: Alexandra Stolyar 21, Yulia Poluyanova 11+8 boards, Ksenia Tikhonenko 6+22 boards
Italy: Giulia Maffenini 20+5 boards, Francesca Dotto 9

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  JAPAN - Women  


U19 China destroys U19 Japan 87-59 in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 JAPAN - U19 CHINA 59-87

China celebrated in the last day of the Preliminary Round in Chile. They outplayed Japan 87-59 for 2-4 record in Group E. However, that was not enough and China failed to reach the Quarterfinals. They will be transferred to classification games from 9th to 12th place. On the other side, Japan ended as No.3 in this pool (3-3) and will meet Australia in the QFinals. Ma XueYa (188-C/F-93) exploded in victory with 24 points and 19 rebounds. Yang Xi (184-G-94) had 18 points and 16 rebs, while Yu Dong (195-C-93) added 17 points and 8 boards. In the loosing squad, Shiori Takada (170-G-92) collected 11 points and 6 rebs. Their second scorer was Sanae Motokawa (175-F-92) with 10 pts. Championship continues on Friday.

Japan: Shiori Takada 11+6 boards, Sanae Motokawa 10
China: Ma XueYa 24+19 boards, Yang Xi 18+16 boards, Yu Dong 17+8 boards

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  MONACO - Women  


U16 Monaco keeps U16 Gibraltar winless, 53-48 - by Eurobasket News
U16 Gibraltar - U16 Monaco 48-53

Monaco registered their first win in Andorra. After defeat against Cyprus, Monaco (1-1) managed to beat Gibraltar 53-48 wining the second place in Group B. On the other side, Gibraltar is the last ranked team in this pool with 0-2. However, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals. There, Monaco will meet Wales, while Gibraltar will take on Malta. Both games are scheduled for today. Paloma Paje-Ruis stepped up for Monaco with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Emma Zeghdar had 13 points and 16 boards, while Patricia Gonsalves Martinho added 10 pts. In the loosing squad, Jamie Lee Prescott shined with 14 points and 20 boards Sophie Anne Mansfield had 10 points, while Joanna Estefania Bazan added 8 pts and 9 rebs. Quarters: 13-16, 8-17, 18-10, 9-10.

Gibraltar: Jamie Lee Prescott 14+20 boards, Sophie Anne Mansfield 10+5 boards, Joanna Estefania Bazan 8+9 boards
Monaco: Paloma Paje-Ruis 15+11 boards, Emma Zeghdar 13+16 boards, Patricia Gonsalves Martinho 10

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  NCAA1 - Women  


U19 Canada wins Group E in Chile with perfect score - by Eurobasket News
U19 USA - U19 CANADA 52-64

Canada finished Qualifying Round in Chile with perfect 6-0 record. They handed 64-52 loss to USA winning the first place in Group E. USA dropped to position No.2. Of course, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship. Michelle Plouffe (193-C-92) shined for Canada in this very important meeting with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Wumi Agunbiade (188-F-92) had 15 points and 9 rebs, while Katherine Plouffe (190-C-92) added 12 pts. Ariel Massengale (168-PG-93) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds in defeat. Elizabeth Williams (191-C-93) (5 rebs) and Breanna Stewart (191-F-94) netted 8 points each. Quarters: 10-20, 13-9, 16-12, 13-23. Canada will play against Spain in the Quarterfinals. USA will meet France. All games will be played tomorrow.

USA: Ariel Massengale 17+6 boards, Elizabeth Williams 8+5 boards, Breanna Stewart 8
Canada: Michelle Plouffe 24+8 boards, Wumi Agunbiade 15+9 boards, Katherine Plouffe 12

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  RUSSIA - Women  


U19 Russia makes it in do-or-die game against U19 Italy, 62-55 - by Eurobasket News
U19 RUSSIA - U19 ITALY 62-55

Russia goes to the Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile. They outplayed Italy 62-55 in do-of-die game to take the fourth place in Group E (3-3). Italy dropped to fifth place with 2-4 score and failed to reach the next stage. Alexandra Stolyar (178-G-92) stepped up for the winners with 21 points. Yulia Poluyanova (187-F-92) had 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Ksenia Tikhonenko (174-G-93, agency: RIZO) helped with 6 points and 22 boards in this crucial game. In defeat, Giulia Maffenini (180-F-92) collected 20 points and 5 rebs. Their second scorer was Francesca Dotto (189-C-93) with 9 pts. Quarters: 13-16, 5-16, 27-10, 17-13. Russia will meet Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Italy will fight fro 9th place at this event.

Russia: Alexandra Stolyar 21, Yulia Poluyanova 11+8 boards, Ksenia Tikhonenko 6+22 boards
Italy: Giulia Maffenini 20+5 boards, Francesca Dotto 9

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  SPAIN - Women  


U19 Spain advances to Quarterfinals in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 SPAIN - U19 CHILE 83-48

Spain destroyed Chile to close the Qualifying Round of FIBA U19 World Championship. Spain finished as the fourth ranked team of Group F with 3-3 record and advanced to Quarterfinals. On the other side, the host of this event finished with 1-5 in this pool. They will continue in Classification Round from 9th to 12th place. Astou Ndour (193-C-94) stepped up for Spain with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Inmaculada Zanoguera (183-G-93) had 14 pts and 9 boards, while Marta Claret (185-C-92) added 13 pts and 5 rebs in this victory. In Chile, Fernanda Mansilla (168-PG-92) was better than the others with 14 points and 6 rebs. Fernanda Serrano (173-G-92) had 11 points. Quarters: 20-11, 19-13, 21-6, 23-18. Spain will meet Canada in the Quarterfinals, which are scheduled for tomorrow.

Spain: Astou Ndour 15+10 boards, Inmaculada Zanoguera 14+9 boards, Marta Claret 13+5 boards
Chile: Fernanda Mansilla 14+6 boards, Fernanda Serrano 11

Laura Fernandez returns to Uni CajaCanarias - by Eurobasket News
Laura Fernandez (172-PG-89) is back to Uni CajaCanarias after two years. The Spanish point guard penned a deal for the next season. Fernandez spent last one with Aros Leon. Actually, she was their member in 2009/10 as well. At that time Fernandez had 11.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.5 spg for 31 games. As mentioned above, Laura Fernandez already was a member of Uni CajaCanarias. She played for them from 2007 to 2009. In their first season together Fernandez averaged 10.9 points, 2 rebounds and 1.5 assists. A year before that her numbers dropped to 3.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg and 1.4 apg. Laura Fernandez played for U19 and U18 Spanish National Team in the past.

*****************************************************
  TAIWAN - Women  


U19 France heads to Quarterfinals in Chile - by Eurobasket News
U19 TAIWAN - U19 FRANCE 57-74

France finished Preliminary Round in Chile with almost perfect 5-1 record. However that was not enough for the first place in Group F. Actually it was not enough event for the position No.2. France ended as third ranked team in this pool and of course advanced to Quarterfinals. Taiwan is No.5 with 2-4 record and failed to reach the next stage. Helena Akmouche (174-G-92) top-scored for the winners with 16 points. Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi (184-F-95) had 11 points and 7 rebs, while Adja Konteh (178-F-92) had 10 pts and 7 boards. In defeat, Wang Wei-Lin (180-F-93) collected 11 points. Lin had two points less than her. Quarters: 16-19, 9-18, 16-19, 16-18. France will meet USA in the Quarterfinals. Taiwan will fight for the 9th place at this event.

Taiwan: Wang Wei-Lin 11, Lin 9
France: Helena Akmouche 16, Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi 11+7 boards, Adja Konteh 10+7 boards

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  WALES - Women  


U16 Andorra heads to Semifinals in Division C - by Eurobasket News
U16 Wales - U16 Andorra 13-74

Andorra is the winner of Preliminary Group A in U16 EuroBasket, Division C. The host of this event destroyed Wales 74-13 ending this phase with perfect 2-0 record. Andorra goes directly to Semifinals. On the other side, Wales ended as the last ranked team in this pool winless. They will meet Monaco in the Quarterfinals. Claudia Guri Moreno exploded for the hosts and was their best player in this game. She collected 30 points and 13 rebounds. Cristina Andres Rabasa followed with 10 points and 6 assists, while Claudia Brunet Solano added 8 pts. In defeat, Imogen Lloreta Jones had 7 points. The second scorer was Tanisha Walker with 5 pts. Quarters: 9-24, 2-18, 1-14, 1-18. Championship continues today.

Wales: Imogen Lloreta Jones 7, Tanisha Walker 5+6 boards
Andorra: Claudia Guri Moreno 30+13 boards, Cristina Andres Rabasa 10+6 as, Claudia Brunet Solano 8

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  WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS U19 - Women  


Quarterfinals are set in Chile - by Eurobasket News
Group E
USA - Canada 52-64
Canada finished Qualifying Round in Chile with perfect 6-0 record. They handed 64-52 loss to USA winning the first place in Group E. USA dropped to position No.2. Of course, both teams advanced to Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship. Michelle Plouffe (193-C-92) (193-C-92) shined for Canada in this very important meeting with 24 points and 8 rebounds. Wumi Agunbiade (188-F-92) had 15 points and 9 rebs, while Katherine Plouffe (190-C-92) added 12 pts. Ariel Massengale (168-PG-93) answered with 17 points and 6 rebounds in defeat. Elizabeth Williams (191-C-93) (5 rebs) and Breanna Stewart (191-F-94) netted 8 points each. Quarters: 10-20, 13-9, 16-12, 13-23. Canada will play against Spain in the Quarterfinals. USA will meet France. All games will be played tomorrow.

Japan - China 59-87
China celebrated in the last day of the Preliminary Round in Chile. They outplayed Japan 87-59 for 2-4 record in Group E. However, that was not enough and China failed to reach the Quarterfinals. They will be transferred to classification games from 9th to 12th place. On the other side, Japan ended as No.3 in this pool (3-3) and will meet Australia in the QFinals. Ma XueYa (188-C/F-93) exploded in victory with 24 points and 19 rebounds. Yang Xi (184-G-94) had 18 points and 16 rebs, while Yu Dong (195-C-93) added 17 points and 8 boards. In the loosing squad, Shiori Takada (170-G-92) collected 11 points and 6 rebs. Their second scorer was Sanae Motokawa (175-F-92) with 10 pts. Championship continues on Friday.

Russia - Italy 62-55
Russia goes to the Quarterfinals of FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile. They outplayed Italy 62-55 in do-of-die game to take the fourth place in Group E (3-3). Italy dropped to fifth place with 2-4 score and failed to reach the next stage. Alexandra Stolyar (178-G-92) stepped up for the winners with 21 points. Yulia Poluyanova (187-F-92) had 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Ksenia Tikhonenko (174-G-93, agency: RIZO) helped with 6 points and 22 boards in this crucial game. In defeat, Giulia Maffenini (180-F-92) collected 20 points and 5 rebs. Their second scorer was Francesca Dotto (189-C-93) with 9 pts. Quarters: 13-16, 5-16, 27-10, 17-13. Russia will meet Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Italy will fight fro 9th place at this event.
Group F
Taiwan - France 57-74
France finished Preliminary Round in Chile with almost perfect 5-1 record. However that was not enough for the first place in Group F. Actually it was not enough event for the position No.2. France ended as third ranked team in this pool and of course advanced to Quarterfinals. Taiwan is No.5 with 2-4 record and failed to reach the next stage. Helena Akmouche (174-G-92) top-scored for the winners with 16 points. Clarince Djaldi-Tabdi (184-F-95) had 11 points and 7 rebs, while Adja Konteh (178-F-92) had 10 pts and 7 boards. In defeat, Wang Wei-Lin (180-F-93) collected 11 points. Lin had two points less than her. Quarters: 16-19, 9-18, 16-19, 16-18. France will meet USA in the Quarterfinals. Taiwan will fight for the 9th place at this event.

Spain - Chile 83-48
Spain destroyed Chile to close the Qualifying Round of FIBA U19 World Championship. Spain finished as the fourth ranked team of Group F with 3-3 record and advanced to Quarterfinals. On the other side, the host of this event finished with 1-5 in this pool. They will continue in Classification Round from 9th to 12th place. Astou Ndour (193-C-94) stepped up for Spain with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Inmaculada Zanoguera (183-G-93) had 14 pts and 9 boards, while Marta Claret (185-C-92) added 13 pts and 5 rebs in this victory. In Chile, Fernanda Mansilla (168-PG-92) was better than the others with 14 points and 6 rebs. Fernanda Serrano (173-G-92) had 11 points. Quarters: 20-11, 19-13, 21-6, 23-18. Spain will meet Canada in the Quarterfinals, which are scheduled for tomorrow.

Brazil - Australia 75-47
Brazil recovered from defeat against France and smashed Australia 75-47 in the last day of the Qualifying Round in Chile. Thanks to this win Brazil won the Group F with 5-1 record. Australia dropped to second place and it was their first loss at the FIBA U19 World Championship. Of course, both teams head to Quarterfinals. Damiris Dantas (192-C-92) scored 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in this victory. She reaches valuation 30. Tassia Carcavalli (178-F-92) had 20 and Carina Martins (172-G-92) added 10 pts. In defeat, Rebecca Allen (185-G-92) collected 14 pts and 8 boards. Tayla Roberts (191-F/C-93) had 10 points and 12 boards, while Rebecca Cole (177-PG-92) added 8 pts and 8 assists. Quarters: 8-10, 22-19, 27-10, 18-8). In the Quarterfinals Brazil will meet Russia. Australia will play against Japan.

Standings (Women)
Standings
Group E
1. Canada6-0
2. USA5-1
3. Japan3-3
4. Russia3-3
5. Italy2-4
6. China2-4
Group F
1. Brazil5-1
2. Australia5-1
3. France5-1
4. Spain3-3
5. Taiwan2-4
6. Chile1-5
Group Places 13-16
1. Argentina2-0
2. Egypt1-1
3. Slovenia1-1
4. Nigeria0-2


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Damiris DANTAS
  (192-C-92)
  Avg: 21
 1. Dantas, BRA21.0 
 2. Amer, EGY19.3 
 3. Gortnar, SLO18.8 
 4. Watanabe, JPN18.0 
 5. Motokawa, JPN16.8 
 6. Fields, CAN16.2 
 7. Diaz, ARG15.4 
 8. Plouffe, CAN15.3 
 9. Roberts, AUS14.0 
 10. Gretter, ARG13.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Damiris DANTAS
  (192-C-92)
  Avg: 12.5
 1. Dantas, BRA12.5 
 2. Tikhonenko, RUS9.5 
 3. Cabrera, ARG9.2 
 4. Ndour, ESP9.2 
 5. Gortnar, SLO9.0 
 6. Amer, EGY8.8 
 7. Roberts, AUS8.4 
 8. Elshaarawy, EGY7.8 
 9. Tippett, AUS7.6 
 10. Djaldi-Tabdi, FRA7.4 
Assists Per Game
 Rebecca COLE
  (177-PG-92)
  Avg: 6.8
 1. Cole, AUS6.8 
 2. Machida, JPN5.7 
 3. Gretter, ARG5.6 
 4. Massengale, USA3.8 
 5. Baric, SLO3.3 
 6. Hartley, USA3.2 
 7. Martins, BRA2.5 
 8. Ortiz, ESP2.5 
 9. Takada, JPN2.3 
 10. Zuo, CHN2.2 
Steals Per Game
 Debora CARANGELO
  (167-PG-92)
  Avg: 3
 1. Carangelo, ITA3.0 
 2. Hartley, USA2.8 
 3. Martins, BRA2.7 
 4. Massoud, EGY2.5 
 5. Williams, CAN2.5 
 6. Plouffe, CAN2.5 
 7. Osama, EGY2.3 
 8. Allen, AUS2.2 
 9. Gretter, ARG2.2 
 10. Ramona, BRA2.2 
Blocks Per Game
 Hala ELSHAARAWY
  (181-F-93)
  Avg: 2
 1. Elshaarawy, EGY2.0 
 2. Stewart, USA1.3 
 3. Ndour, ESP1.3 
 4. Tikhonenko, RUS1.2 
 5. Amer, EGY1.0 
 6. Tippett, AUS1.0 
 7. Bunton, AUS0.8 
 8. Gortnar, SLO0.8 
 9. Djaldi-Tabdi, FRA0.8 
 10. Ma, CHN0.8