EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 8/26/2011

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Men News

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  AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


1/8 Finals review with stats - by Eurobasket News
Angola - Mozambique 82-71
Defending champion of the FIBA Africa Championship for Men Angola Tuesday were made to sweat by fellow FIBA Africa Zone-6 side Mozambique in the days last second round game winning to win the game by 82-71 points. The champion picked the first three quarters by 21-15, 18-17, 25-20 but lost the last quarter by 18-19 points to the determined Mozambican side who finished third from group-A in a pairing many gave the Coach Joseba Garcia no chance. Angola guard Carlos Morais (190-G-85) led the floor with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists with reigning championship most valuable player, Joaquim Gomes (200-C/F-80, college: Valparaiso) posted his best game since the championship began with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Angola will now keep a quarter-final date with Cameroon on Thursday in what promise to be an explosive game giving the pedegree of the Lions who yet to drop a game in the championship. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Ivory Coast - Rwanda 80-72
Coming from two quarters down in the eight final round of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men Cote dIvoire powered by Guy Edi (196-G/F-88) who netted championship high of 34 points as the 2009 runner-up roam into the quarter final with 80-72 points over Rwanda. Taking a 33-44 points deficit into the break Cote dIvoire roar back like a wounded Elephant to raid the offense area of Rwanda resulting in the Ivorians winning the third and fourth quarters by 25-18 and 22-10 points respectively. Edi was joined on the scorer chart by guard Mouloukou Diabate (180-G-87) who poured in 16 points gave 5 assists grabbed 4 rebounds and stole the ball from Rwanda players four times with centre Mohamed Kone (211-C-81, college: Valparaiso) scoring 15 points and 7 rebounds. Cote dIvoire will battle the winner of the eight final round between Senegal and host Moadagascar in the quarter-finla on Wednesday at the Palais des Sports, Antananarivo. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Tunisia - South Africa 94-50
Tunisia lived up to its rating as one of the top favourites for the 26th edition of FIBA Africa Championship title when it over-run South Africa by 94-50 points in the round of eight finals. The FIBA Africa Zone-1 power-house and third in the 2009 beat South Africa to the four quarters by 17-13, 24-13, 27-10 and 26-15 points to set up a quarter finals clash with the winner of the eight round final game between Mali and Morocco. Tunisia Lassaad Chouaya (190-G-89) led his side macth to glory with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, Macram Romdhane (198-F-89) had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Other Tunisian players who recorded double score figure against the South Africans included Marouan Kechrid who scored 12 points with the duo of Radhouane Slimane and Mohamed Ghyaza contributinf 10 points each. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Senegal - Madagascar 92-75
Senegal picked the seventh quarter final ticket with a 92-75 points victory over host Madagascar on Wednesday at the Palais des Sports of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men. The bigger and stronger Senegalese took the first three quarters by 26-13, 21-19 and 25-20 points to take a 20 points advanteg of 72-52 going into the last quarter as the Madagascan mounted pressure on the Senegalese side in the fourth quarter culminating in them losing the quarter by 20-23 points for a final score-line of 92-75 points. Senegal Mouhammad Faye (208-F-85, college: SMU) led his team in scoring with 19 points and 5 rebounds big centre Papa Diasse (212-F-87, college: SMU) had a double double effort of 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, Boubacar Goly and Mamadou Ndoye added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 11 points respectively. Senegal will keep a date with Cote dIvoire in the second quarter-final on Thursday. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Mali - Morocco 59-80
After securing an early lead of 20-11 points in the first quarter of the last eight final round against Morocco Mali failed to lift its game thus allowing the Moroccan to over-run it from the second quarter losing by 08-22, 20-24 and 11-23 points for a cumulative scores of 59-80 points. Morocco forward Abderrahim Najah (198-F/C-84) led his side quest for victory with a double double effort of 15 points, 10 rebounds. Abdelhakim Zouita (201-F-86) had 15 points, 4 rebounds, Sophain Rafai and Kamal Hachid added 14 points, 4 rebounds and 13 points, 4 rebounds respectively. Morocco now has a date against fellow FIBA Africa Zone-1 side and second runner-up in the 2009 edition of the Afrobasket, Tunisia on Thursday at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Nigeria - Chad 84-46
Nigeria became the first country to reach the final eight of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men with an 84-46 points victory over Chad in the round of eight final Tuesday afternoon at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar. The Coach Ayo Bakare tutored Nigerian side had adopted a moderate approach to the game winning the first two quarters by 23-09 and 22-04 for a half-time scores of 45-13 points but decide to slow down thus allowing the Chadian to pick the third quarter by 12-16 points but rally back to take the fourth and final quarter by 27-17 points for a final scores of 84-46 points. Nigeria Ime Udoka (196-F/G-77, agency: Priority Sports, college: Portland St.) led the Nigerian side with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Derrick Obasohan (199-F-81, college: Texas Arlington) added 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while forward Ejike Ugboaja (204-F/C-85) had a double double figure of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists to earn Nigeria a quarter-final ticket. Nigeria will battle the winner of the eight final round game between Central Africa Republic and Egypt in the quarter-final on Thursday. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Cameroon - Togo 85-52
Cameroon Tuesday joined Nigeria in the quarter-final of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men after seeing off Togo by 85-52 points in the second eight final round at the Palais des Sports, Antananarivo, Madagascar. The Lions picked the first three quarters by 22-13, 16-08 and 34-16 points losing the last quarter by 13-15 points. Parfait Bitee (188-G-85) led other players on the court with 16 points and 7 assists, forward Gaston Essengue (203-F-83, college: UNLV) and Franck Ndongo added 13 points and 4 rebounds each. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Central Africa - Egypt 71-66
Central Africa Republic Tuesday join the likes of Nigeria and Cameroon in the quarter-final of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men with a 71-66 points victory over Egypt. Central Africa powered on by guard Michael Mokongo (180-PG-86) who netted 15 points, 4 assist and 3 rebounds won the first and third quarters by 18-12 and 19-13 points but gave up the second and fourth quarters by 16-17 and 18-24 points to put paid to the ambition of the Egyptian from advancing to the quarter-finals. Mokongo was joined on the score sheet by the duo of Lionel Bomayako (196-G-78, agency: Court Side, college: Fairleigh Dickinson) and Guy Kodjo-Sitchi with 12 points each with Regis Kounjia grabbing 17 rebounds for the FIBA Africa Zone-4 side. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

26th Afrobasket: Tunisia walk past Morocco 86-67 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Tunisia Thursday book its semi-finals ticket with an 86-67 points victory over Morocco in the third quarter finals of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Tunisian were superb from the begining of the game to the buzzer winning the first three quarters by 17-11, 22-13 and 22-18 points and drew levels with their North African neighbour in the last quarter by 25 points apiece to move into the semi finals.

Five Tunisian players recorded a double figure on the score sheet with Amine Rzig leading his side with 16 points and 4 rebounds, Radhouane Slimane had 14 points and 8 rebounds Salah Mejri recorded a double double figure of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 block-shots.

The duo of Marourad El-Mabrouk and Mohamed Ghyaza added 12 points and 10 points, 6 rebounds to give their side victory.

Amine Rzig (199-G-80)

26th Afrobasket: Nigeria survive Central Africa challenge win 94-86 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Nigeria DTigers Thursday survive the stiff challenge posed by its quarter final foe Central Africa Republic winning by 94-86 points to book a semi-final ticket in the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Nigeria blew a 20 points way into the half minutes of the fourth quarter thus allowing the Central Africa side to rally back and take the lead with 4.47 munites left on the clock through Maxime Zianveni executed a lay-up to bring score to 73-74 but the Nigerian side fought back like a wounded tigers to take the sail beyond the determined Central Africa side in the last munite of the tension soaked game to win at 94-86.

Nigeria won the first three quarters by 28-19, 20-18, 25-20 but lost the last quarter by 21-29 to set up a semi final duel against the winner of the quarter final game between Cameroon and Angola.

Nigeria Derrick Obasohan led the floor with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists dependable guard/forward Ime Udoka had 20 points 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals points guard Michael Umeh poured in 19 points while forward Ejike Ugboaja added 10 points and 7 rebounds for the hard earned victory for Nigeria.

Nigeria Head Coach Ayo Bakare praised his players fighting spirit and promised that the Nigerian side will approach it semi-final game with utmost seriousness.

He however, gave kudos to the Central Africa side for giving the Nigeria side a good fight, adding that the 26th edition of the championship is indeed tough as most African countries have raised their game.


26th Afrobasket: Over Confident Senegal, loses to Cote dIvoire 59-75 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Over confidence was Senegal greatest undoing on Thursday in the second quarter final of the 26th edition FIBA Africa Championship for Men Madagascar 2011 Afrobasket as they loses to the fighting spirit and determined Ivorian side by 59-75 points.

It was the Senegalese first lose in five games but a costly one at that as the are now confine to play in the classification ranking 5-8 while Cote dIvoire progresses to the semi-finals.

Senegal who won the first quarter by 22-11 points soon became a shadow of itself as it could not contain the energetis Ivorian who has had not too impressive run from the group stage of the championship forcing pundits to give the quarter final duel to Senegal before the jump-ball.

The determine Cote dIvoire side coached by Coach Natxo Lezcano tutored side won the second, third and last quarters by 06-21, 16-20 and 15-23 points to land a semi final ticket.

Cote dIvoire Mamadi Diane led his team in scoring with 17 points and 4 rebounds, Guy Edi added 12 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Jonathan Kale had his best game so far in the championship grabbing a double double of 12 rebounds, 11 poinst and 2 steals to seal victory for the 2009 runner-up.


26th Afrobasket: Cameroon blew chances, lost to Angola 83-84 OT - by Olusegun Ikuesan
With less than twenty seconds left on the clock Cameroon came near to picking a semi finals ticket but blew the chance when it matter most giving the defending the opportunity to even scores forcing the game to into over-time.

Both side shared the first quarter with 24 points apiece but Cameroon took the initiative in the second through free scoring Chritian Bayang whose 28 points became worthless at the end of the game losing the third, fourth and the resultant over-time by 13-19, 17-21 and 07-08 points for a final score-line of 83-84 points.

Both sides share the board with 51 rebounds each, while Cameroon gave 13 assists Angola was two better with 15 assists, both sides again had 10 steals and 2 block-shots but its was the ten-time champion who carry the day winning by just one point of 83-84 points at over-time.

Angola hit-man Carlos Morais led his side with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Armando Costa had 19 points 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals with the duo of Eduardo Mingas and Felizardo Ambrosio contributing 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 points 5 rebounds respectively.

With the win Angola will keep a semi-finals date against Nigeria on Saturday at 16H00 at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo Madagascar.
Carlos Morais (190-G-85)

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  ANGOLA   


26th Afrobasket: Cameroon blew chances, lost to Angola 83-84 OT - by Olusegun Ikuesan
With less than twenty seconds left on the clock Cameroon came near to picking a semi finals ticket but blew the chance when it matter most giving the defending the opportunity to even scores forcing the game to into over-time.

Both side shared the first quarter with 24 points apiece but Cameroon took the initiative in the second through free scoring Chritian Bayang whose 28 points became worthless at the end of the game losing the third, fourth and the resultant over-time by 13-19, 17-21 and 07-08 points for a final score-line of 83-84 points.

Both sides share the board with 51 rebounds each, while Cameroon gave 13 assists Angola was two better with 15 assists, both sides again had 10 steals and 2 block-shots but its was the ten-time champion who carry the day winning by just one point of 83-84 points at over-time.

Angola hit-man Carlos Morais led his side with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Armando Costa had 19 points 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals with the duo of Eduardo Mingas and Felizardo Ambrosio contributing 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 points 5 rebounds respectively.

With the win Angola will keep a semi-finals date against Nigeria on Saturday at 16H00 at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo Madagascar.
Carlos Morais (190-G-85)

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  ARGENTINA   


Liga A 2011/12 rosters: San Martin Corrientes - by Facundo Iatzky
Fabian Ramirez (197-F/G-90)
Maximiliano Maciel (198-F-83)
Agustin Carabajal (179-G-78)
Fabian Elias Saad (190-G-83)
Lucas Victoriano (190-G-77, agency: Interperformances)
Ariel Eslava (202-G/F-79)
William McFarlan (201-F-76, agency: Dream Team Management, college: St.Thomas Aquinas)
Hakeem Rollins (202-F/C-83, agency: Dream Team Management, college: Washington)
Ricky Johns (193-G-85, college: Utah)
Federico Aldama (198-C-92)
Alfio Niello (200-F-91)
Emilio Vallegos (C-94)
Manuel Rossi
Nicanor Barrios



Liga A 2011/12 rosters: Olimpico La Banda - by Facundo Iatzky
Matias Ibarra (183-G-81)
Eduardo Villares (188-G-79)
Cristian Amicucci (201-F/C-85)
Jonathan Machuca (185-G-89)
Cristian Romero (198-F-82)
Fernando Malara (194-F-80, agency: Interperformances)
Alexander David Galindo (198-F-85, college: FIU)
Axiers Sucre (198-F-78)
Frank Elegar (206-C-86, college: Drexel)
Marco Diez (180-G-92)
Emanuel Beltran (185-F-93)
Carlos Baez (C-93)
Nahuel Rodriguez (185-G-92)



Uruguay clinch Oscar Moglia Cup title - by Eurobasket News
Uruguay - Argentina 87:65

Uruguay celebrated the title at Oscar Moglia Cup in Montevideo. The hosts rallied past Argentina on the final day of the tournament to climb on top of the ladder. Martin Osimani (194-G-81, college: Duquesne) stepped up with 23 points to lead the effort.
Uruguay posted a 20:16 lead after ten minutes. The hosts kept in front throughout the second term. They established a 40:37 halftime lead. Uruguay managed to clear off in the third stanza. The home team piled up a 14-point lead at the final break 62:48. Uruguay unloaded 25 points in the fourth quarter and gave no chance for Argentina to recover from the blow. Gustavo Barrera, Reque Newsome (204-C-81, college: S.Indiana) and Esteban Batista (208-F/C-83) delivered 15 points each to pace the effort. Nicolas Romano (197-F/C-87) and Alejandro Alloatti (203-F/C-84) answered with 15 points each for Argentina. Luciano Gonzalez (196-F-90) had 13 points in the loss.

Uruguay: Martin Osimani 23, Gustavo Barrera 15, Reque Newsome 15, Esteban Batista 15
Argentina: Nicolas Romano 15, Alejandro Alloatti 15, Luciano Gonzalez 13



San Martin land Hakeem Rollins and Ricky Johns - by Eurobasket News
San Martin Corrientes added two players to the roster. They agreed on terms of contract with Hakeem Rollins (202-F/C-83, agency: Dream Team Management, college: Washington) and Ricky Johns (193-G-85, college: Utah).
Hakeem Rollins spent the last season with Gimnasia Comodoro Rivadavia. The centre tallied 12.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in LigaA. He earned Latinbasket.com All-Argentinean LigaA Honourable Mention. Previously Hakeem Rollins had stints with Ciclista Juninense, Atletico Atenas and Scottish Rocks.
Ricky Johns started the previous season in Mexico. The guard played for Lechugueros de Leon. He averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in LNBP. In January Ricky Johns moved to Lanus. His stats read 4.9 points and 1.0 board per game in LigaA. Ricky Johns is the member of Jamaican National Team.


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  AUSTRIA   


Wels and Steve McNees part ways - by Eurobasket News
Steve McNees (187-G-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Akron) is no longer a member of WBC Raiffeisen Wels. The American point guard signed a deal in July, but he will leave without any official appearance for the club. The team is already set to bring in a replacement. McNees supposed to play his first professional season with Wels. He graduated few months ago at the Akron University. For 36 games as a senior McNees averaged 8.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He had almost the same numbers for 35 games as a junior. Akron University was the MAC Tournament winner in 2009 and this year as well. In 2008, Steve McNees was named MAC All-Freshman Team. He had 5.1 ppg and 1.8 apg that season. WBC Raiffeisen Wels reached A Bundesliga Quarterfinals last season, but failed against Oberwart (0-3).

Austria topple Luxembourg - by Eurobasket News
Austria - Luxembourg 83:67

Austria registered the fourth win at the European Championship in Division B Qualifying Round. They overwhelmed visiting Luxembourg to improve at 4-2 record in Group A. Austria finished in the third position in the group, while Luxembourg remained in the fourth spot at 0-6 record.
Austria exploded with 28 points in the opening quarter to earn a 6-point lead at the first break. Austria maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They arrived at halftime up by seven points 49:42. Austria did not loosen the grip after the big break. They held the visitors to just 8 points in the third stanza and posted an 18-point lead heading into the fourth frame. Luxembourg finally managed to outscore the hosts in the final stanza but could not avoid the loss whatsoever. Thomas Klepeisz (187-G-91) and Richard Poiger (201-F-87) stepped up with 16 points each for Austria. Rasid Mahalbasic (210-F/C-90) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Martin Rajniak (204-F-78, college: CSU Bakersfield) answered with game-high 25 points for Luxembourg. Christopher Jones (186-G-90) netted 12 points in the loss.

Austria: Thomas Klepeisz 16, Richard Poiger 16, Rasid Mahalbasic 15+11 boards
Luxembourg: Martin Rajniak 25, Christopher Jones 12


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  AZERBAIJAN   


Sweden overwhelmed Azerbaijan in Norrkoping to win Group B - by Eurobasket News
Sweden- Azerbaijan 128:61

Sweden overwhelmed Azerbaijan in Norrkoping to win Group B of the Division B at the European Championship. The Scandinavian side had an easy 128:61 victory for 7-1 record on top of Group B. Azerbaijan meanwhile finished the group on the second place with 5-3 record.
Although playing without the leader Nelson, Azerbaijan took the lead several times in the opening tip. Sweden however grabbed the advantage later in the period and Schreiber closed the quarter at 29:18. Another 28-18 in the second period brought them 57:36 at the halftime. Sweden did not slow down and pushed the tempo in the second half. They produced 30-13 in the third quarter and erupted with 41-12 in the last stanza.
Anton Gaddefors (200-F-89) led the way with 27 points and Erik Rush (195-G-88, college: Montana St.) netted 19. Johan Jeansson (197-G-85) ended up with 17 points, while Alexander Lindqvist (202-F-91) delivered 15. Aleksandr Rindin (225-C-85, agency: Interperformances) responded with 14 points and 10 rebounds as well as Tahir Bakhshiyev (200-F-82) posted 14. Fuad Niftaliyev (183-G-80) finished the night with 13 points, whilst Zaur Pashayev (186-G-83) added 9.

Sweden: Anton Gaddefors 27, Erik Rush 19, Johan Jeansson 17, Alexander Lindqvist 15
Azerbaijan: Aleksandr Rindin 14+10 rebs, Tahir Bakhshiyev 14, Fuad Niftaliyev 13 Zaur Pashayev 9


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  BALKAN LEAGUE   


Levski returns scorer Marcus Hall - by Eurobasket News
Marcus Hall (185-G-85, college: Colorado) is back to Levski after two years. The American scorer returns to the club from Turkish Kepez, where he spent last season. He appeared 30 times with them in TB2L averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals. Hall ended the competition as third best scorer, third assistant and second stealer. Eurobasket awarded him with All-Turkish TB2L 1st Team -11. He helped Kepez to reach the TB2L Semifinals. Marcus Hall changed three teams in 2009/10 season. He started with Casale Monferrato, than moved to APOEL Nicosia and finally signed with Kepez for rest of the season. In 2008/09, he was Eurobasket.com All-Bulgarian League Player of the Year -09. Hall had 22.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.6 spg for Levski that season in NBL. He also added 20.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.4 spg for 10 games in Balkan league. It was the first season for Hall as a pro.

Denis Agre signs two-year deal with Levski - by Eurobasket News
Levski added another player today. After Marcus Hall (185-G-85, college: Colorado), who returned to the club after two years, Levski penned a deal with Denis Agre (203-C-88). He will play for the Bulgarian outfit until the end of the 2012/13 season. Agre is a rookie who graduated at the Pepperdine University few months ago. However, he had very limited playing time with the school averaging less than a point and 1.2 rebounds for 9 games. He struggled to get minutes also as a junior. Denis Agre transferred to Pepperdine in 2008. Before that, he spent one year with Central Arizona Junior College (JUCO). Agre played for the Bulgarian U18 National Team in 2005. He had 1.4 ppg and 3. rpg for 8 games at the European Championships U18 in Belgrade.

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  BALTIC LEAGUE   


Edvinas Seskus- another player to Rytas from Perlas - by Eurobasket News
Edvinas Seskus (191-F-95), another player to Rytas from Perlas as the titans added the fourth player from the opponents to the roster.
Few days ago it was announced that Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius build the roster for 2011/2012 season and brought three players from Perlas.
Paulius Dambrauskas, Dovydas Redikas and Arvydas Siksnius are happy to greet Edvinas Seskus in their new team.
Edvinas Seskus started his career in 2008-2009 for Rudupis Prienu (NKL) and in 9 games averaged 1.9ppg, 1.1rpg. In 2009-2010 he remained with for Rudupis Prienu and last season started with Perlas-MRU Vilnius (NKL). In 22 games he averaged 4.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg.
Few weeks ago he was honored Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U16 2nd Team -11 as he participated at the European Championships U16 in Czech Republic -11. In 7 games he became the second top-scorer of the tournament with 21.3ppg, Reb-4 (9.4rpg), 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 62.0%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 63.6%.
He erupted with 29 points at the last game when Lithuania recorded the fourth straight win at the U16 European Championship classification round Group G. They overcame Montenegro to stay undefeated. The victory sealed Division A birth for Lithuania for next season. Edvinas Seskus fired 29 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and handed out 6 assists to pace the winners.


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  BELGIUM   


Eddy Casteels finalize the final Belgian squad - by Eurobasket News
Eddy Casteels finalize the final Belgian squad for Eurobasket 2011. The Head Coach of the team cut Didier Mbenga (214-C-80) and Jean-Marc Mwema (195-F-89) from the team.
The Belgian team recently finished the tournament in Germany winless. Greece triumphed at BEKO-Supercup with 4 participating teams. The Greek side won all the games including the last one over Belgium 70:61.
Tonight the team will face Bosnia at the Sleuyter Arena in Oostende. In the last game Germany celebrated a comfortable win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly clash. Robin Benzing stepped up with 19 points to lead the effort. Sasa Vasiljevic answered with 13 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mirza Teletovic had 12 points, while Goran Ikonic netted 11 points in the loss.
On August 27th the National team will face France. The latter registered the fifth straight win at London Invitational Tournament. They thus finished the tourney undefeated. France held off Serbia on the final day of action. Tony Parker fired 24 points, grabbed 6 boards and issued 3 assists in the victory.

Jonathan Tabu (190-PG-85)
Jorn Steinbach (181-PG-89)
Guy Muya (190-G-83, agency: LBM Management)
Dimitri Lauwers (187-G-79)
Roel Moors (190-G-78, agency: Agency No 10)
Marcus Faison (196-G-78, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Siena)
Maxime De Zeeuw (205-F-87, agency: LBM Management)
Randy Oveneke (201-F-86)
Axel Hervelle (205-F-83)
Christophe Beghin (207-F-80, agency: Court Side)
Thomas Van Den Spiegel (214-C-78)
Sam Van Rossom (188-G-86)


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  BRAZIL   


Brazil opens Marchand Cup in style - by Eurobasket News
Brazil - Canada 88-70

Brazil had a joyful Day One of Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. The host of this event celebrated 88-70 victory against Canada for 1-0 record. Puerto Rico also won in Day One so Brazil and Puerto Rico currently share the first place. Canada and Dominican Republic have 0-1. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) and Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) were the leading players in Brazil with 14 points each. Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed them with 13 pts and home squad had two more players with double-digits. In the loosing squad, Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) delivered 17 points. Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) had 16 and Jevohn Shepherd (196-F-86, college: Michigan) added 14 points, plus 7 boards. Brazil destroyed Canada in the first ten minutes 24-2 and never looked back after that. Quarters: 24-2, 21-16, 17-20, 26-32. In Day Two, Brazil will meet Dominican Republic. Canada will take on Puerto Rico.

Brazil: Tiago Splitter 14, Rafael Hettsheimeir 14, Guilherme Giovannoni 13
Canada: Carl English 17, Denham Brown 16, Jevohn Shepherd 14+7 boards

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  BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS   


Woop It Up as Hoop It Up goes free in Season Two! - by David Edole
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI Through numerous donations from The Rotary Club of Tortola, LIME, the Ministry of Education & Culture, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and Harney, Westwood & Riegels, the BVI Hoop It Up Foundation is offering free places on its Books and Basketball After School Camps for season two.

Registration is now open on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda for youths aged 5-16 for the camps, which consists of two days of basketball training and two days of academic tutoring from Mondays to Thursdays starting on September 12 through December 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The camp provides a full bus service on both islands; a service which will transport the kids from their school and take them to the camp site and from the camp site to their respective homes.

Books and Basketball started in January of this year to enhance the kids basketball skills as well as their academics. This programme will prepare kids to be better student athletes for when they are ready to go off to college. This may seem like a long time from now but the foundation hopes to instill the foundational skills of basketball from a young age.

After the first month, each child will have to maintain a C+ average in order to be eligible to continue in the camp. We have implemented this requirement because although they need to improve their basketball skills, they also need to stay on top of their academics. At the end of each month, each child will have to submit a grade sheet which will also show a behaviour and punctuality report, a release from the Foundation states.

The Basketball training will be conducted by Steve Parillon (196-F-78, college: Henderson St.), who has now retired from playing professionally in Europe and other top local coaches. Parillon, who will be enhancing his coaching skills through a FIBA course at the University of Canada, said The BVI Hoop It Up Foundation aims to develop fundamental student athletes; with our series of basketball camps throughout the year and Biddy Basketball series of tournaments, we feel that Basketball will be promising for our local league and our national teams.

The tutoring will be conducted by some of the best primary and high school teachers on the islands, led by Natasha Marshall and Gloria George. On Tortola, the tutoring session will be conducted at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School. On Virgin Gorda, it will be conducted at the Bregado Flax Educational Centre and the Robinson ONeal Memorial Primary School. On Tortola, the Basketball session will be conducted at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Tortola and at the North Sound Basketball Court on Virgin Gorda.

To register your child/children for this camp you can email the Foundation at bvihoopitupfoundation@gmail.com or call Karl Scatliffe at 541-7541 or Jehree Clarke at 540-3000. Limited space available.



*****************************************************
  BULGARIA   


Denis Agre signs two-year deal with Levski - by Eurobasket News
Levski added another player today. After Marcus Hall (185-G-85, college: Colorado), who returned to the club after two years, Levski penned a deal with Denis Agre (203-C-88). He will play for the Bulgarian outfit until the end of the 2012/13 season. Agre is a rookie who graduated at the Pepperdine University few months ago. However, he had very limited playing time with the school averaging less than a point and 1.2 rebounds for 9 games. He struggled to get minutes also as a junior. Denis Agre transferred to Pepperdine in 2008. Before that, he spent one year with Central Arizona Junior College (JUCO). Agre played for the Bulgarian U18 National Team in 2005. He had 1.4 ppg and 3. rpg for 8 games at the European Championships U18 in Belgrade.

Top prospect Pavlin Ivanov gets invitation for U18 FIBA Europe All-Star Game - by Eurobasket News
Pavlin Ivanov (195-G-93, agency: Beo Basket) received great honor by FIBA Europe. The Bulgarian prospect is invited to participate at the U18 FIBA Europe All Star Game which will take a place during the EuroBasket Final Round on September 17 in Kauno Arena, Kaunas. Ivanov helped U18 Bulgaria to win the Gold at the European Championships U18 Division B in Varna. Of course they also won the promotion for Division A. Ivanov appeared 7 times at this event collecting 18.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 apg and 2 spg. He was the MVP of the championship. Of course Ivanov was also named Best Guard and 1st Team. Pavlin Ivanov was MVP of the European Championships U16 Division B in Portugal -09 as well. There Bulgaria also won the Gold and Ivanov had 23.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.4 apg and 2.9 spg. At European Championships U16 Division B in Sarajevo 2008, Pavlin Ivanov and his U16 Bulgaria won the Bronze.

Levski returns scorer Marcus Hall - by Eurobasket News
Marcus Hall (185-G-85, college: Colorado) is back to Levski after two years. The American scorer returns to the club from Turkish Kepez, where he spent last season. He appeared 30 times with them in TB2L averaging 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals. Hall ended the competition as third best scorer, third assistant and second stealer. Eurobasket awarded him with All-Turkish TB2L 1st Team -11. He helped Kepez to reach the TB2L Semifinals. Marcus Hall changed three teams in 2009/10 season. He started with Casale Monferrato, than moved to APOEL Nicosia and finally signed with Kepez for rest of the season. In 2008/09, he was Eurobasket.com All-Bulgarian League Player of the Year -09. Hall had 22.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.6 spg for Levski that season in NBL. He also added 20.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.4 spg for 10 games in Balkan league. It was the first season for Hall as a pro.

*****************************************************
  CANADA   


Brazil opens Marchand Cup in style - by Eurobasket News
Brazil - Canada 88-70

Brazil had a joyful Day One of Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. The host of this event celebrated 88-70 victory against Canada for 1-0 record. Puerto Rico also won in Day One so Brazil and Puerto Rico currently share the first place. Canada and Dominican Republic have 0-1. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) and Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) were the leading players in Brazil with 14 points each. Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed them with 13 pts and home squad had two more players with double-digits. In the loosing squad, Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) delivered 17 points. Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) had 16 and Jevohn Shepherd (196-F-86, college: Michigan) added 14 points, plus 7 boards. Brazil destroyed Canada in the first ten minutes 24-2 and never looked back after that. Quarters: 24-2, 21-16, 17-20, 26-32. In Day Two, Brazil will meet Dominican Republic. Canada will take on Puerto Rico.

Brazil: Tiago Splitter 14, Rafael Hettsheimeir 14, Guilherme Giovannoni 13
Canada: Carl English 17, Denham Brown 16, Jevohn Shepherd 14+7 boards

Matt Robertson shoots for Moncton Miracles spot - by Eurobasket News
The National Basketball Leagues Moncton Miracles didnt have to look far for a player to potentially fill one of its roster spots in its inaugural season.

Moncton's Matt Robertson travelled to Toronto last weekend to attend the upstart leagues first player draft.

While Robertson, who played university basketball for St. Thomas University and Crandall University, was not drafted he has been invited to attend the teams training camp in the fall.

So far, Robertson is the only Moncton player who is scheduled to compete for a spot on the professional basketball team.

Robertson said hes thrilled with the opportunity to play professional basketball in front of his hometown.

'Words can't even describe it, Robertson told a press conference.

I just got chills here, you know. I can't even begin to talk about it, it's incredible, It's awesome.'

Robertson got the invitation to attend the Miracles training camp by Norris Bell, the teams head coach.

Bell said he'd like to have more players from Moncton.

'If we can get a team of all Moncton guys, who would be able to compete, shucks, I'd take them, Bell said.

Robertson still has to make it through training camp.

Bell said he's under no obligation to pick local players, but he will pick good ones, and he said Robertson is good.

Robertson was a stand-out basketball player during his time at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.

In 2010, Robertson was awarded the university's prestigious Tom McCann Award for commitment to the school. Earlier in his university career, he won the basketball team's rookie of the year award, earned the team's most valuable player honours, was a Canadian Colleges Athletics Association All-Canadian in 2006-07, and an ACAA second team all-star in 2009.

He was also a ACAA second team all-star in 2010-11 when he played for Moncton's Crandall University.

Robertsons attempt to make the Miracles squad is similar to Grand Bay-Westfield's Mike Anderson successful fight to crack the Saint John Mill Rats roster last year.

The upstart National Basketball League of Canada was formed after some of the teams broke away from Premier Basketball League over concerns about the league's officiating.

NBL Canada is set to tip off in November with a 36-game regular season schedule ending in March.

Courtesy of http://ca.news.yahoo.com

*****************************************************
  CHAD   


Huge win for Nigeria over Chad in AfroBasket 1/8 Finals, 84-46 - by Eurobasket News
Nigeria - Chad 84-46
Nigeria became the first country to reach the final eight of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men with an 84-46 points victory over Chad in the round of eight final Tuesday afternoon at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar. The Coach Ayo Bakare tutored Nigerian side had adopted a moderate approach to the game winning the first two quarters by 23-09 and 22-04 for a half-time scores of 45-13 points but decide to slow down thus allowing the Chadian to pick the third quarter by 12-16 points but rally back to take the fourth and final quarter by 27-17 points for a final scores of 84-46 points. Nigeria Ime Udoka (196-F/G-77, agency: Priority Sports, college: Portland St.) led the Nigerian side with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Derrick Obasohan (199-F-81, college: Texas Arlington) added 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists while forward Ejike Ugboaja (204-F/C-85) had a double double figure of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists to earn Nigeria a quarter-final ticket. Nigeria will battle the winner of the eight final round game between Central Africa Republic and Egypt in the quarter-final on Thursday. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

*****************************************************
  CHINA   


Chinese Basketball Association... - by Alex Yam
So much to the CBA's dismay, my previous article apparently struck the wrong nerve in China, its been the 'hot topic' on Weebo and all the other media outlets. So short of an apology I decided to write this followup. I guess to a certain degree I can see why this ruling was made, even though I personally disagree with it. I still firmly believe had China been kept somewhat under wraps, meaning everyone short of manny, mo and jack from the pep boys was claiming they had a deal in China, I do not believe this would have been made, or at least not to this degree.

So I will join the masses and applaud the decisions of the CBA, simply because its the PC thing to do, (read between the lines). I guess the only basketball I will see Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard in, is in a video game, sigh.

*****************************************************
  CROATIA   


Darda signs three players - by Eurobasket News
Vrijednosnice OS Darda completed their roster for the next season with three new signings. The team added Mato Peraica (203-C-81), Davor Galic (193-G-88, college: NC-Greensboro) and young Robert Kujundzic.
Mato Peraica heads to Darda from Zrinjski Mostar, where he spent last three seasons. In the latest one he had 10.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 18 games in Bosnian league. Peraica also added 10.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg for 3 games in Balkan league. In the past, he played for Grude, Zagorje and Livno.
Davor Galic already was a member of Darda and it was in 2008/09 season. However, he suffered serious knee injury at that time and was out of the court for two years. Before Darda, he played for Svjetlost Slavonski Brod. Galic also spent one year with University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
17-year-old Robert Kujundzic penned a long-term deal with Darda.

Jolly JBS signs American PG Ronald Ross - by Eurobasket News
Ronald Ross (188-G-83, college: Texas Tech) is a new member of Jolly JBS. The team from Sibenik signed a one-year deal with the American point guard. Ross heads to Jolly JBS from German Mitteldeutscher, where he finished last season. He joined them in December averaging 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals. Ross ended as fifth best scorer of the Germany league. Ronald Ross spent 2009/10 season with Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck. He also played for them in the second half of 2008/09. In the past, Ross was a member of Maccabi Givat Shmuel, Maccabi Haifa, Ludwisburg and Italian Ticino. He is a product of the Texas Tech University. Ronald Ross reached Israeli Cup Finals in 2009 with Maccabi Haifa.

*****************************************************
  CUBA   


Venezuela edge Cuba to finish second in Montevideo - by Eurobasket News
Venezuela - Cuba 84:68

Venezuela prevailed against Cuba to improve at 2-1 record at Oscar Moglia Cup in Montevideo. Therefore Venezuela occupied the second overall position at the tournament. Axiers Sucre (198-F-78) stepped up with 14 points to lead balanced effort from the winners. Cuba suffered the third straight loss at the tourney.
Venezuela marked their ambitions early in the encounter. They stormed past Cuba in the opening frame posting a 30:14 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Cuba however trimmed the deficit in the second period. They got within 6 points at the interval 38:44. But Venezuela stepped on the gas in the third period. They registered a 66:49 lead heading into the fourth quarter and never looked back en route to the victory. David Cubillan (183-PG-87, college: Marquette) posted 12 points for the winners. Greivis Vasquez (198-PG-87, college: Maryland) and Heissler Guillent (186-G-86, agency: Paris Global Sports) added 11 points each for Venezuela. Cuba responded with 19 points from Lisvan Valdez (194-G/F-88). Yoan Luis Haiti (200-C-82) finished with 16 points in the loss.

Venezuela: Axiers Sucre 14, David Cubillan 12, Greivis Vasquez 11, Heissler Guillent 11
Cuba: Lisvan Valdez 19, Yoan Luis Haiti 16



*****************************************************
  CYPRUS   


Slovakia hand Cyprus sixth straight loss at Division B Qualifying Round - by Eurobasket News
Cyprus - Slovakia 68:76 (OT)

Slovakia registered the third win at the European Championship in Division Qualifying Round. They knocked down Cyprus in Nicosia to improve at 3-3 record in Group C. Peter Sedmak (203-C-85) stepped up with 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Cyprus fell at 0-6 record after the defeat.
Slovakia pulled ahead in the opening frame. They established an 18:14 lead after ten minutes of action. But the hosts reacted strongly in the second quarter. They outscored Slovakia 22:9 for a 36:27 halftime advantage. But the visitors did not surrender. They narrowed the gap to just four points entering the fourth frame 47:51. Sykora drained a triple with 39 seconds to go in regulation drawing things level at 62 and sending the game into overtime. Roman Marko (195-G-86), Michal Batka (204-C-87) and Peter Sedmak teamed up for 14 points in the extra period as Slovakia snatched a tough win at the end. Dusan Pandula (196-F-84) finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Roman Marko added 14 points for Slovakia. Aristides Koronidis (188-G-82) answered with 21 points for Cyprus. Andreas Pilavas (194-G-83) added 15 points in the loss.

Cyprus: Aristides Koronidis 21, Andreas Pilavas 15
Slovakia: Peter Sedmak 18, Dusan Pandula 16, Roman Marko 14


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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


Ostrava Adds James Hughes to Solidify Frontcourt - by Surujh Roopnarine
6-11 Center James Hughes (211-C-83, college: N.Illinois) is the newest addition to BK Ostrava. The fifth-year big man out of Northern Illinois will be called upon to fill the shoes vacated by the departure of All-Star Dwight Burke (203-F-86, college: Marquette) who has moved on to Hermine Nantes Atlantique of France. Hughes spent the 2010-11 season in Ukraine with MBC Mykolaiv. In 53 contests he averaged 8.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and a league-leading 2.1 blocks while shooting 57.5% from the field. An intimidating shot-blocker, Hughes set the Northern Illinois school record for blocked shots with 208 during his four year collegiate career. An intimidating presence on defense, Hughes is also an efficient scorer, never shooting less than 50% from the field in his career. Hughes is the sixth addition to Ostrava this season for new Head Coach Dusan Medvecky , joining fellow Americans Semaj Inge (193-G-87, college: Temple), Riley Luettgerodt (196-G/F-85, college: Hawaii) as well as Greek Savvas Manousos (208-F/C-85), Latvian Jurijs Aleksejevs (203-C-85) and Ludek Jurecka (200-F-83) of Novy Jicin.

Curtis Allen joins Inter - by Eurobasket News
Curtis Allen (193-G-86, agency: I.D.S. Law, college: ORU) joins Inter for the next season. The American Guard comes from Voru KK (Estonia-EMKL, starting five).
In 2004-2005 he appeared for Kansas St. (NCAA) and in 21 games debuted with 1.5ppg, 0.8rpg, 0.2apg, 0.2spg. In 2006-2007 moved to ORU (NCAA) and in 2007-2008 averaged 3.7ppg, 1.8rpg, 0.5apg, 0.6spg, 0.3bpg. Later he played for Lewis Clark State (NAIA, starting five), Music City Stars (ABA, starting five) and Beach Lights Out (WCBL). In January 2011 signed at Voru KK (Estonia-EMKL, starting five) and in 11 games averaged 19.1ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.8apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 27.0%, FT: 70.3%.
In his top game he recorded 28 points and 14 rebounds at the Regular Season Round 18. Voru KK was defeated by TTU/Kalev 98-83. TTU/Kalev forced 26 Voru KK turnovers. Strangely Voru KK outrebounded TTU/Kalev 46-33 including 16 on the offensive glass. American guard Curtis Allen replied with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds (went 12 for 12 at the free throw line !!!).


CEZ Nymburk Releases Chris Monroe After Injury - by Surujh Roopnarine
Who wants to play Shooting Guard for CEZ Nymburk? That is the question after recently signed American import Chris Monroe (191-G-81, college: George Washington) suffered a leg injury during an individual training session. The injury, which will take an extended period to rehabilitate, led Nymburk to release the 30-year old veteran who was brought in only last month as a replacement for last seasons leading scorer Chester Simmons (198-G-82, college: Washington). Simmons originally re-signed with Nymburk only to change his mind a few weeks later in order to pursue opportunities with another club (still unsigned). Monroe joined Nymburk after an injury-shortened 2010-11 season in Italy with Enel Brindisi. The former George Washington standout has played in Austria, Hungary, Greece and France over the course of his career.

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


Kramer has busy summer - by Eurobasket News
He showed up in the lobby at Parkview Hospital just before 10:15 Wednesday morning, wearing a crisp white shirt with the Mad Ants logo over the left breast, and the look of a man at his ease.

Chris Kramer (6'3''-G-88, college: Purdue) Does Summer: Blink twice and youll miss it.

Blink twice, and hell be off somewhere else maybe Italy or South America or some outpost yet undreamed, maybe right back in Ants coach Joey Meyers neighborhood. He doesnt know yet, he says. The situation, as they say, is fluid. Its still summer for him, narrow as that season is for a man who earns a paycheck playing a game he once played in his driveway.

You know what, theres really not, he says, when you note that professional basketball seems to have no offseason anymore. Your summer is when youve got to try to take your game to the next level. Sometimes that can be more grueling than the season. But its definitely a fun experience, and I wouldnt trade it for anything.

Which is why hes at Parkview Hospital, wearing Mad Ants colors and giving up more of his limited downtime to the obligations of the game. Hes here and the team mascot is here and various hospital reps are here, and in a little while theyll all head upstairs to the pediatrics unit, where Kramer, the former Huntington North and Purdue standout, will visit with patients as part of Dribble to Stop Diabetes, a national collaboration of the American Diabetes Association and the NBA, WNBA and NBA Developmental League.

Until then, though, its What I Did On My Summer Vacation time for Kramer. Which mostly involved playing basketball in Puerto Rico, getting knocked around the way he never did in the D-League last winter.

Its way more physical, Kramer says. They dont call fouls on the ball, and as an import player they really dont call fouls, period. A lot of fouls youre used to getting called and going to the free throw line they really dont call over there. Its definitely an adjustment.

So is the NBA lockout, whose shadow darkens the entire landscape of pro buckets these days. The fallout may not eat up overseas jobs to the extent Kramer thinks it might, but its just one more thing that makes the game, when its your living, such a constant presence.

If theyre going to take a guy like me or guys on an NBA bench, theyre going to take that guy thats on the NBA bench, figures Kramer, who played in 42 games for the Mad Ants last winter, averaging 29.5 minutes, 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists. So it definitely hurts us. But I think it definitely will help a lot of the European leagues, and I think itll make the NBA come back and play.

If they know a lot of the guys are going to go over there, especially a lot of the high-name guys, I think theyll figure some things out so theyll have a season.

Right now that doesnt seem to be happening, and so the situation remains one long held breath for everyone. And Kramer, meanwhile, kicks back while he can, does summer while he can, drawing on his experience from a year ago, when he was briefly at these same loose ends after the Bucks cut him in October.

If I hadnt been through it before, it definitely would be really stressful, he says. But you know, last year really taught me a lot. You can only control what you can control. Youve just got to go out there and be ready for any opportunity that comes at any time.

Summer or no summer.

Courtesy of www.journalgazette.net

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  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   


Dominican Republic National Team 2011 - by Greg
Starting five
#s#
Charlie Villanueva
Villanueva
Luis Flores
Flores
Francisco Garcia
Garcia
Al Horford
Horford
Jack Michael Martinez
Martinez
#e#5
4 Edgar Sosa 188-PG-88 Fabi Shoes Italy
5 Charlie Villanueva 209-F-84 Detroit P. USA
6 Ricardo Soliver 191-G-84 Reales Dominican Republic
7 Luis Flores 188-G-81 Leones SD Dominican Republic
8 Elpidio Fortuna 186-G-85 Dosa Dominican Republic
9 Francisco Garcia 201-F/G-81 Sacramento K. USA
10 Al Horford 208-F/C-86 Atlanta H. USA
11 Elys Manuel Guzman 206-F/C-82 Leones SD Dominican Republic
12 Orlando Sanchez 205-C-88 Monroe Coll. USA
13 Eulis Baez 201-F-82 Leones SD Dominican Republic
14 Ronald Ramon 185-G-86 Winner/Limeira Brazil
15 Jack Michael Martinez 203-F/C-81 Cocolos Dominican Republic



Puerto Rico enjoys Day One in Brazil - by Eurobasket News
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 99-77

Puerto Rico cruised past Dominican Republic in Day One of the Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. They celebrated 99-77 win sharing the first place with Brazil, who outplayed Canada also yesterday. Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, college: FIU) was a key player for the winners. He spent 32 minutes on the court collecting 28 points and 6 assists. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) also was great adding 19 points and 9 assists to this victory. Ricky Sanchez (212-C/F-87) and Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) (6 rebs) helped with 15 and 12 points respectively. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) was better than the others with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Al Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) and Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan) (5 as) had 14 and 9 points respectively. Quarters: 23-14, 23-20, 32-26, 21-17. In Day Two, Puerto Rico will meet Canada. Dominican Republic will play against Brazil.

Puerto Rico: Carlos Arroyo 28+6 as, Jose Juan Barea 19+9 as, Ricky Sanchez 15, Alejandro Carmona 12+6 boards
Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 19+9 boards, Al Horford 14, Luis Flores 9+5 as

*****************************************************
  EGYPT   


Egypt stopped in 1/8 Finals - by Eurobasket News
Central Africa - Egypt 71-66
Central Africa Republic Tuesday join the likes of Nigeria and Cameroon in the quarter-final of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men with a 71-66 points victory over Egypt. Central Africa powered on by guard Michael Mokongo (180-PG-86) who netted 15 points, 4 assist and 3 rebounds won the first and third quarters by 18-12 and 19-13 points but gave up the second and fourth quarters by 16-17 and 18-24 points to put paid to the ambition of the Egyptian from advancing to the quarter-finals. Mokongo was joined on the score sheet by the duo of Lionel Bomayako (196-G-78, agency: Court Side, college: Fairleigh Dickinson) and Guy Kodjo-Sitchi with 12 points each with Regis Kounjia grabbing 17 rebounds for the FIBA Africa Zone-4 side. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   


ESL 2011 Players Abroad: Allen Durham - by Darryl Reshaw


ESL 2011 Players Abroad: Allen Durham (198-F, college: Grace Bible):

2011 ESL Las Vegas Champion and All-Tournament First Team selection, Allen Durham (198-F, college: Grace Bible), a 6'6' forward out of the little known NCCAA DII program Grace Bible College signed with Sport Club CS Dinamo Bucuresti.
Dinamo is one of 16 teams in the Mens Division A, which is the top-tier professional basketball league of Romania. CS Dinamo Bucuresti is the leagues most successful club with a total of 22 titles since 1950.

At Grace Bible College Durham enjoyed an exceptional college career.
Durham ranks #1 All-Time in GBC history in scoring with 2,467 total points and rebounding with 1314 total boards.
Durham also holds the following NCCAA distinctions: 3-Time Division II All-Tourney Team 2009, 2010, 2011; 3-Time Natl Championship MVP 2009, 2010, 2011; 3-Time Midwest Regional Player of the Year (MVP) 2009, 2010, 2011; 3-Time All-American 2009, 2010, 2011; Natl Player of Year 2010; Student Athlete of the Week 2010; Pete Maravich Memorial Award Recipient 2011; and 3-Time National Champion 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Against top competition in the ESL Las Vegas event this year, Allen averaged 23mins, 13pts, 13rbs, 3blks, and 2ast per game.
Allen gained notoriety and quickly became a favorite amongst scouts and spectators alike for his effort and hustle on both ends of the court. In the championship game Allen tallied 16pts, 15rbs, and 6blks helping to propel his team to an overtime victory securing the title.

Allens agent, Antoine Shaw of Simms & Shaw Sports reports that Allen will depart Grand Rapids, Michigan, for Bucharest, Romania on Monday, August 29th to begin training camp and prepare for the eight month long season.
ESL wishes Allen all the best, and were happy that we could help jump start his professional career. We will keep you updated with his progress.

Link:
Allen Durham (198-F, college: Grace Bible) 2011 ESL Summer League Las Vegas Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZncApP1c2k


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


Bojan Bakic moves from VEF Riga to BK Ventspils - by Eurobasket News
Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) moves from VEF Riga to BK Ventspils as the Montenegrin player remains in Latvia.
The season 2010-2011 started for Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine-Superleague) and in 22 games averaged 14.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 75.7%. Bojan Bakic was the best player of Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih. Due to the financial problems of Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih player had to move. Later moved to VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) and in Latvian League after 18 games showed 9.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 47.2%, FT: 73.0%. In VTB League he had 1.0ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, while in Baltic League after 12 games his stats read 8.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 82.1%, played also at VEF Riga jrs (Latvia-LBL).
Together with the team he became LBL Champion Last season. In the decisive game VEF riga beat Ventspils 87:82. Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) stepped up for VEF Riga scoring 28 points.
At the end of the season 2008/09, while he was with Energa Czarni Slupsk he was selected to the Eurobasket.com Polish League All-Bosmans Team. Last season with Metalac he averaged 12.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 79.4% in 14 games.



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


Panathinaikos lands David Logan - by Eurobasket News
Panathinaikos announced singing of a one-year deal with David Logan (184-G-82, college: Indianapolis). The American/Polish point guard heads to the reigning Euroleague and Greek champion from Caja Laboral, where he spent last season. For 37 games in ACB Logan averaged 7.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He also added 10 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 2.4 apg for 19 Euroleague games. David Logan moved to Caja Laboral last summer from Asseco Prokom Gdynia. He won two Polish league titles with them and both times was named Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Player of the Year. In the past, Logan also was a member of Turow, Polpharma and Anwil. In 2009 he received Polish citizenship became active member of their National Team. David Logan had 15.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 4.5 apg for six games at the EuroBasket 2009 in Poland. He was named Eurobasket.com All-European Championships Honorable Mention -09.

*****************************************************
  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Division B: Qualifying Round is over - by Eurobasket News
Group A
Estonia - Netherlands 78:60
Estonia earned the fourth win at the European Championship in Division B Qualifying Round. Therefore Estonia improved at 4-2 record and caught up with Netherlands in Group A ladder. Gregor Arbet (194-F/G-83) scored 28 points to pace the winners.
Netherlands ensured a brave start. They recorded a 17:16 lead after ten minutes. Estonia surged ahead in the second term. They registered a 34:29 halftime lead. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the third term. Rain Veideman (192-G-91) drained a pair of triples late in the period to establish a 57:45 advantage for Estonia. The home team did not allow Netherlands to get too close in the fourth frame. Estonia rallied to a comfortable win at the end. Gert Dorbek (194-G-85) notched 18 points, while Rain Veideman provided 10 points in the victory. Dan Gadzuric (211-C-78, college: UCLA) responded with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Netherlands. Robin Smeulders (208-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Portland) accounted for 12 points in defeat.

Estonia: Gregor Arbet 28, Gert Dorbek 18, Rain Veideman 10
Netherlands: Dan Gadzuric 18+11 boards, Robin Smeulders 12

Austria - Luxembourg 83:67
Austria registered the fourth win at the European Championship in Division B Qualifying Round. They overwhelmed visiting Luxembourg to improve at 4-2 record in Group A. Austria finished in the third position in the group, while Luxembourg remained in the fourth spot at 0-6 record.
Austria exploded with 28 points in the opening quarter to earn a 6-point lead at the first break. Austria maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They arrived at halftime up by seven points 49:42. Austria did not loosen the grip after the big break. They held the visitors to just 8 points in the third stanza and posted an 18-point lead heading into the fourth frame. Luxembourg finally managed to outscore the hosts in the final stanza but could not avoid the loss whatsoever. Thomas Klepeisz (187-G-91) and Richard Poiger (201-F-87) stepped up with 16 points each for Austria. Rasid Mahalbasic (210-F/C-90) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Martin Rajniak (204-F-78, college: CSU Bakersfield) answered with game-high 25 points for Luxembourg. Christopher Jones (186-G-90) netted 12 points in the loss.

Austria: Thomas Klepeisz 16, Richard Poiger 16, Rasid Mahalbasic 15+11 boards
Luxembourg: Martin Rajniak 25, Christopher Jones 12

Group B
Sweden- Azerbaijan 128:61
Sweden overwhelmed Azerbaijan in Norrkoping to win Group B of the Division B at the European Championship. The Scandinavian side had an easy 128:61 victory for 7-1 record on top of Group B. Azerbaijan meanwhile finished the group on the second place with 5-3 record.
Although playing without the leader Nelson, Azerbaijan took the lead several times in the opening tip. Sweden however grabbed the advantage later in the period and Schreiber closed the quarter at 29:18. Another 28-18 in the second period brought them 57:36 at the halftime. Sweden did not slow down and pushed the tempo in the second half. They produced 30-13 in the third quarter and erupted with 41-12 in the last stanza. Anton Gaddefors (200-F-89) led the way with 27 points and Erik Rush (195-G-88, college: Montana St.) netted 19. Johan Jeansson (197-G-85) ended up with 17 points, while Alexander Lindqvist (202-F-91) delivered 15. Aleksandr Rindin (225-C-85, agency: Interperformances) responded with 14 points and 10 rebounds as well as Tahir Bakhshiyev (200-F-82) posted 14. Fuad Niftaliyev (183-G-80) finished the night with 13 points, whilst Zaur Pashayev (186-G-83) added 9.

Sweden: Anton Gaddefors 27, Erik Rush 19, Johan Jeansson 17, Alexander Lindqvist 15
Azerbaijan: Aleksandr Rindin 14+10 rebs, Tahir Bakhshiyev 14, Fuad Niftaliyev 13 Zaur Pashayev 9

Romania-Belarus 65:85
Belarus edged Romania in Cluj-Napoca, both finished with 4-4 record the Division B of the European Championship. Belarus needed 85:65 to finish on the step higher.
The teams exchanged the lead several times in the opening period, while Aliakseyeu closed it at 19:18. Ionut Dragusin (221-C-85) (221-C-85) nailed three for 23:23, but then it was hard to follow Belarus. The latter erupted with 21-12 to take 40:30 at the halftime. The guests never looked behind after that and even increased the lead in the second half. The offensive 30-19 in the third quarter brought them 70:49 after three quarters. Romania managed to win the last stanza 16-15, but could reduce only to 20 points.
Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (190-G-80) paced all the winners with 16 points, while Dzianis Korshuk (201-F-78, agency: Agency No 10) netted 11. Pavel Ulyanko (204-F/C-79), Artsiom Parakhouski (211-C-87, college: Radford) and Dmitri Paliashchuk (197-G/F-85, agency: Interperformances) had 10 points each in a win. Ionut Dragusin ended up with 14 points in the losing effort and Andrei Capusan (201-F-83, agency: Court Side, college: Lafayette) posted 12.

Romania: Ionut Dragusin 14, Andrei Capusan 12
Belarus: Aliaksandr Kudrautsau 16, Dzianis Korshuk 11, Pavel Ulyanko 10, Artsiom Parakhouski 10, Dmitri Paliashchuk 10

Group C
Cyprus - Slovakia 68:76 (OT)
Slovakia registered the third win at the European Championship in Division Qualifying Round. They knocked down Cyprus in Nicosia to improve at 3-3 record in Group C. Peter Sedmak (203-C-85) stepped up with 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Cyprus fell at 0-6 record after the defeat.
Slovakia pulled ahead in the opening frame. They established an 18:14 lead after ten minutes of action. But the hosts reacted strongly in the second quarter. They outscored Slovakia 22:9 for a 36:27 halftime advantage. But the visitors did not surrender. They narrowed the gap to just four points entering the fourth frame 47:51. Sykora drained a triple with 39 seconds to go in regulation drawing things level at 62 and sending the game into overtime. Roman Marko (195-G-86), Batka and Peter Sedmak teamed up for 14 points in the extra period as Slovakia snatched a tough win at the end. Dusan Pandula (196-F-84) finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Roman Marko added 14 points for Slovakia. Aristides Koronidis (188-G-82) answered with 21 points for Cyprus. Andreas Pilavas (194-G-83) added 15 points in the loss.

Cyprus: Aristides Koronidis 21, Andreas Pilavas 15
Slovakia: Peter Sedmak 18, Dusan Pandula 16, Roman Marko 14

Czech Republic - Switzerland 64:65
Switzerland wrapped up their European Championship in Division B Qualifying Round campaign with road win. They surprised Czech Republic in Decin tonight. Derek Stockalper (198-G/F-84, college: Cal Poly - SLO) scored 16 points to pace the winners.
The teams traded baskets throughout close first period. The hosts eked out an 18:17 lead after ten minutes. However Buscaglia and Derek Stockalper put the Swiss team in front midway through the second term. Switzerland posted a 35:33 lead at the interval. The visitors capped the third term with six points in a row to boost the gap to 10 points 55:45. Kotas dragged Czech Republic within just two points 61:63 with just over a minute to go in regulation. But Jonathan Kazadi (195-G-91) hit two free throws to stretch the lead to four points 65:61. Pavel Houska (201-F-84) drained a triple but it was too late to save the game. David Ramseier (198-C-87) provided 14 points, while Jonathan Kazadi added 13 points for the winners. Pavel Houska responded with 16 points for Czech Republic. Lubos Barton (202-F/G-80, college: Valparaiso) netted 11 points in the loss.

Czech Republic: Pavel Houska 16, Lubos Barton 11
Switzerland: Derek Stockalper 16, David Ramseier 14, Jonathan Kazadi 13


Sergio Scariolo announced the final roster for Eurobasket 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Sergio Scariolo (agency: Alti Sport ) cut Carlos Suarez (202-F-86, agency: Court Side) from the squad however the player can still join the team in case of injury of some other players. He as well as Rafael Martinez (191-G-82) and Xavier Rey (209-C-87, agency: Interperformances) are on the waiting list for the team.
Carlos Suarez is the player of Real Madrid. Last season Real have finally reached an agreement with Estudiantes about the transfer of the 24-year-old forward. Carlos Suarez inked a four-year deal with the Spanish powerhouse. The forward notched 11.0 points, 5.5 boards and 2.4 assists per game for Estudiantes in the previous season.
In 2010-2011 for Real Madrid (ACB, starting five) in Euroleague after 23 games he averaged 6.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 80.0%, while in Spanish League after 38 games his stats read 8.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.2%.
Spain will play Australia tonight and tomorrowin order to prepare better for Eurobasket 2011. The latter just completed the International Tournmanet in London and will do their best to be the decent representative in both games.

Jose Manuel Calderon (190-PG-81) Toronto Raptors, NBA
Ricky Rubio (192-G-90) Barcelona, Spain
Victor Sada (192-G-84) Barcelona, Spain
Sergio Llull (190-G-87) Real Madrid, Spain
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) Barcelona, Spain
Rudy Fernandez (197-G-85) Portland Trail Blazers, NBA
Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) Caja Laboral, Spain
Victor Claver (207-F/C-88) Power Electronics Valencia, Spain
Felipe Reyes (203-F/C-80) Real Madrid, Spain
Serge Ibaka Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA
Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) Memphis Grizzlies, NBA
Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) Los Angeles Lakers, NBA



Eddy Casteels finalize the final Belgian squad - by Eurobasket News
Eddy Casteels finalize the final Belgian squad for Eurobasket 2011. The Head Coach of the team cut Didier Mbenga (214-C-80) and Jean-Marc Mwema (195-F-89) from the team.
The Belgian team recently finished the tournament in Germany winless. Greece triumphed at BEKO-Supercup with 4 participating teams. The Greek side won all the games including the last one over Belgium 70:61.
Tonight the team will face Bosnia at the Sleuyter Arena in Oostende. In the last game Germany celebrated a comfortable win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly clash. Robin Benzing stepped up with 19 points to lead the effort. Sasa Vasiljevic answered with 13 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mirza Teletovic had 12 points, while Goran Ikonic netted 11 points in the loss.
On August 27th the National team will face France. The latter registered the fifth straight win at London Invitational Tournament. They thus finished the tourney undefeated. France held off Serbia on the final day of action. Tony Parker fired 24 points, grabbed 6 boards and issued 3 assists in the victory.

Jonathan Tabu (190-PG-85)
Jorn Steinbach (181-PG-89)
Guy Muya (190-G-83, agency: LBM Management)
Dimitri Lauwers (187-G-79)
Roel Moors (190-G-78, agency: Agency No 10)
Marcus Faison (196-G-78, agency: Lanshire Group, college: Siena)
Maxime De Zeeuw (205-F-87, agency: LBM Management)
Randy Oveneke (201-F-86)
Axel Hervelle (205-F-83)
Christophe Beghin (207-F-80, agency: Court Side)
Thomas Van Den Spiegel (214-C-78)
Sam Van Rossom (188-G-86)


Standings Div.A (Men)
Standings
Group A
1. U.Kingdom0-0
2. Spain0-0
3. Lithuania0-0
4. Poland0-0
5. Portugal0-0
6. Turkey0-0
Group B
1. France0-0
2. Germany0-0
3. Israel0-0
4. Italy0-0
5. Latvia0-0
6. Serbia0-0
Group C
1. Bosnia0-0
2. Croatia0-0
3. Finland0-0
4. Greece0-0
5. FYR Macedon.0-0
6. Montenegro0-0
Group D
1. Belgium0-0
2. Bulgaria0-0
3. Georgia0-0
4. Russia0-0
5. Slovenia0-0
6. Ukraine0-0


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Petteri KOPONEN
  FIN
  (193-G-88)
  Avg: 13.8
 1. Koponen, FIN13.8 
 2. Miranda, POR12.5 
 3. Santos, POR12.0 
 4. Rannikko, FIN11.5 
 5. Trotter, HUN11.0 
 6. Huff, FIN10.5 
 7. Andrade, POR10.3 
 8. Keller, HUN10.3 
 9. Hanga, HUN9.5 
 10. Lorant, HUN9.3 
Rebounds Per Game
 Carlos ANDRADE
  CPV
  (197-F-78)
  Avg: 7.8
 1. Andrade, POR7.8 
 2. Cunha, POR6.7 
 3. Bader, HUN6.3 
 4. Salin, FIN6.0 
 5. Huff, FIN6.0 
 6. Lorant, HUN5.5 
 7. Hanga, HUN5.0 
 8. Kotti, FIN5.0 
 9. Santos, POR4.3 
 10. Keller, HUN4.0 
Assists Per Game
 Filipe DA SILVA
  (185-F-86)
  Avg: 6.5
 1. Da Silva, POR6.5 
 2. Koponen, FIN5.0 
 3. Hanga, HUN3.5 
 4. Rannikko, FIN3.0 
 5. Andrade, POR2.3 
 6. Huff, FIN2.0 
 7. Lorant, HUN2.0 
 8. Miranda, POR2.0 
 9. Trotter, HUN1.8 
 10. Evora, POR1.5 
Steals Per Game
 Obie TROTTER
  USA
  (186-G-84)
  Avg: 2.8
 1. Trotter, HUN2.8 
 2. Kotti, FIN2.5 
 3. Miranda, POR2.3 
 4. Andrade, POR2.0 
 5. Hanga, HUN2.0 
 6. Huff, FIN1.3 
 7. Santos, POR1.3 
 8. Horvath, HUN1.0 
 9. Vojvoda, HUN0.8 
 10. Bader, HUN0.8 
Blocks Per Game
 Elvis EVORA
  CPV
  (205-C-78)
  Avg: 1
 1. Evora, POR1.0 
 2. Keller, HUN1.0 
 3. Muurinen, FIN0.8 
 4. Salin, FIN0.5 
 5. Fonseca, POR0.5 
 6. Kotti, FIN0.3 
 7. Santos, POR0.3 
 8. Trotter, HUN0.3 
 9. Lee, FIN0.3 
 10. Bader, HUN0.3 


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


Joonas Caven will play for Prat Joventut - by Eurobasket News
Joonas Caven (210-C/F-93) will play next season for LEB Silver team Prat Joventut. He is originally signed by FIATC Joventut, but will spend one year with their affiliate Prat. Caven heads to his new club from the Finnish champions Pyrinto Tampere. He appeared only four times for their seniors last season averaging 3.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. Caven also played for Pyrinto Tampere juniors. Joonas Caven shined at the European Championships U18 in Wroclaw this summer. He appeared 9 times at this event registering 13.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.4 spg. Caven was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Honorable Mention -11. Two years ago, Joonas Caven played for U16 Finland. He had 11 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.6 spg for 7 games at the European Championships U16 Division B in Portugal.

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


Latvia oust Georgia in Ventspils - by Eurobasket News
Latvia-Georgia 84:73

Latvia oust Georgia in Ventspils in the second friendly game between two sides. The Baltic team trailed 8 points at the end of the first period, but won 84:73.
Latvia revenged for the loss few days ago when Pachulia erupted with 42 points to lead his National team. Georgia started the second game with 24:16, but could not keep the race. Latvia responded with 26-15 in the second period and 3-point advantage at the halftime. Latvia added another 26 points in the third quarter and allowed the opponents to score 17 for 10-point deficit. Georgia managed to win the last frame 17-16 and reduce to the final score.
Janis Strelnieks (191-G-89) top-scored for the winners with 13 points, while Rihards Kuksiks (198-G/F-88) notched 12. Mareks Jurevicus (198-G/F-85), Martins Meiers (206-C-91) and Edgars Jeromanovs followed them with 10 points apiece. Zaza Pachulia (212-C-84) finished the night with 18 points in defeat and Viktor Sanikidze (203-F-86) added 9.

Latvia: Janis Strelnieks 13, Rihards Kuksiks 12, Mareks Jurevicus 10, Martins Meiers 10, Edgars Jeromanovs 10
Georgia: Zaza Pachulia 18, Viktor Sanikidze 9


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


Phoenix Hagen completes Brooks deal - by Moritz Korff
Brandon Brooks (188-G-87, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Alabama St.) returns to German basketball and will strengthen the backcourt of Phoenix Hagen, the BBL club unveiled. Brooks already spent his rookie season in Germany and played 44 games for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (7.4ppg, 2.2apg, 1.8rpg) in the 2009-10 season. Following his first year overseas the Dallas, Texas, native moved back to the US and made the roster of the Tulsa 66ers. He appeared in 36 games of the NBA D-League, averaging 4.7 points and 3.3 assists per contest.

Steven Wright Leaves The Beko BBL For Finland - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
A familiar face leaves the Beko BBL for Finland with unbelievably likeable Steven Wright (191-G-83, agency: Court Side, college: N.Kentucky). Wright with the big grin and competitive nature will earn his bread this season in the Finish Korisliiga and play for YMCA Lahti where ex Giessen 46er guard Ryan Brooks signed last week. Wright who had played on German soil since finishing at N.Kentucky (NCAA2) in 2007 averaged 16,8 ppg., 5,3 rpg., 3,2 apg., 1,6 spg., FG: 46.1%, 3PT: 34,6%, FT 77,5% in his senior year. In his 4 years in the Beko BBL, he played for teams like The New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, Paderborn Baskets, Walter Tigers Tuebingen and Gloria Giants Duesseldorf amassing a total of 128 beko BBL games. His most unforgetable moment was most likely helping Paderborn take 8 time Beko BBL team Alba Berlin to 5 games in the 2009 Quarterfinal series. His best statistical season was last season as he played for ex Skyliner coach Murat Didin in Duesseldorf playing 32 games: 8.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 71.9%. Finland is a league that either way is known as helping establish American players and paving the route to the Beko BBL, or a place where ex Beko BBL players like to go to for a season to help skyrocket the stats in order to get another chance to play at a top level European league. Who knows, Wright may be back quicker in the Beko BBL next season, before Wright can flash that loveable smile.

Nick Freer (Webmoebel Baskets) John Bowler Is Always Making People Laugh And Keeping A Good Team Atmosphere - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Nick Freer (198-G/F-85, college: Grand Valley St.) is a 26 year old 198 cm shooting guard/small forward from Stevensville, Michigan that will be playing for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn this season. He played at E.Michigan (NCAA) from 2004-2007 and then transfered to Grand Valley St. (NCAA2). In his senior yearthere, he played 37 games: 7.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 77.9%.He started his professional basketball career in 2009 for the Holland Blast (IBL) and then In March 2010 signed at Newcastle Hunters (Australia-ABA) playing 21 games averaging 22.7ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 80.5%. Last season, he played for the TV 1864 Salzkotten (Germany-Regionalliga) and the Southwest Slammers (Australia-SBL).He spoke to Eurobasket about basketball.

Congrats on getting the job with the Webmoebel Baskets. How happy are you about getting this job considering you played in the Regionaliga last season for TV 1864 Salzkotten?

I'm really happy. I'm just excited to be able to play at a higher level and keep improving my game. Plus the fact that I get to go back to Paderborn is really great, I made a lot of good friends while I was there last year so I was really hoping to be able to go back.

Thomas Glasauer seems to have a lot of trust in you. Did the fact that you practiced with the Webmoebel baskets help your chances of getting this job?

Yeah I think it made it easier for both sides. They knew exactly what they were getting with me and I knew exactly what the club and atmosphere were like in Paderborn.

You tore up the Regionaliga last season. Do you feel a lot of pressure having to perform in the PRO A which is two levels above the Regionaliga?

No I don't feel pressure at all. I just have put in a lot of hard work and continue to get better. I would say I feel less pressure, I'm not going to be expected to score 20 pts a game.

You showed that you were a scoring machine in Australia. Is this something that you could continue in the PRO A?

I don't think I'll have to be a scoring machine, we will have a lot of scoring options on the team this season. If the team is going to be successful we can't rely on one, two, or even three guys to score all the time.

Do you see yourself becoming a leader of the Webmebel Baskets on and off the court?

Absolutely

You averaged 9 rebounds in Australia at 198cm. What is your secret to your adept rebounding skills?

My strategy is to jump higher than the other guys.

What is a strength in your game that isnt always seen right away?

Probably my defense, I don't get a lot of steals or blocks, but I try to harass my opponent as much as I can.

On what things did you be work on this summer in the gym to get better?

I've been working on my ballhandling and scoring around the basket with contact.


You spent last season in Germany. What do you like most about the country?

The people were so friendly, and I loved how crazy the fans are. It makes for a great atmosphere to play in.

What was the weirdest experience that you had during your time in Australia?

Haha, probably swimming in the ocean in the middle of their 'winter'. Which is very mild compared to Germany or Michigan.

You spent two seasons together with EnBW Ludwigsburg center John Bowler at Eastern Michigan. What could you learn from the big man?

The big fella taught me a lot. Mostly just how to have a good time.

What will you never forget about John Bowler on and off the court? Was he already showcasing those old school moves and shots in practice and games?

What I remember most about playing with John is how much of a competitor he is. At the same time he's a great team mate because he is always making people laugh and keeping a good team atmosphere. No old school moves from John in college, more just overpowering 2 to 3 guys. No one could guard him.


Who was the best player that you had to play against in the NCAA?

Just off the top of my head, probably Stephen Curry from Davidson

What were the most free throws that you have made in a row in practice or in a game?

100 in shoot around

Your most crazy shot that you ever made in practice or game?

Last year in Newcastle I made one from 3/4 court just after the buzzer so it didn't count. But it was definitely the most crazy shot I've made.


What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Transformers 3

Thanks for the chat Nick.


Cuxhaven BasCats sign Evan Harris to replace Cyrus McGowan - by Moritz Korff
The Cuxhaven BasCats (2. Bundesliga Pro A) have signed Evan Harris (206-F/C-86, agency: I.D.S. Law, college: Harvard) to make up for the loss of Cyrus McGowan (206-F-86, college: Miami, FL), who did not even show up in Cuxhaven at the date stipulated. The Cuxhaven club offcials were waiting for McGowan at the airport, but they were waiting to no end. McGowan had not entered the plain in the US.
Harris is now going to take his roster spot in Cuxhaven. The 24-year-old Harvard graduate knows what to expect in Germany as he played ten games (15.5ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.6spg, 1.3bpg) for Pro B side Herzoege Wolfenbuettel in the 2009-10 season. Following his Wolfenbuettel stint he moved to Portugal for the 2010-11 campaign. He appeared in 21 first league games, averaging 11 points, 8.2 rebounds and one blocked shot per contest for Illiabum Clube.

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


Transfer News - by Chris Mammides
The American player Adrian Oliver (193-G-88) agreed financial terms with Aris Thessalonikis. Andrian is a personal suggestion of Head Coach Vangelis Alexandris .
Ikaros Kallitheas agreed financial terms with the Australian fcenter Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.)

Lazaros Papadopoulos (210-C-80) is officially Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus player after signing his new contract with the cup holders.
Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) will remain in Montepaschi Siena for at least another one season.



Panathinaikos lands David Logan - by Eurobasket News
Panathinaikos announced singing of a one-year deal with David Logan (184-G-82, college: Indianapolis). The American/Polish point guard heads to the reigning Euroleague and Greek champion from Caja Laboral, where he spent last season. For 37 games in ACB Logan averaged 7.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He also added 10 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 2.4 apg for 19 Euroleague games. David Logan moved to Caja Laboral last summer from Asseco Prokom Gdynia. He won two Polish league titles with them and both times was named Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Player of the Year. In the past, Logan also was a member of Turow, Polpharma and Anwil. In 2009 he received Polish citizenship became active member of their National Team. David Logan had 15.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 4.5 apg for six games at the EuroBasket 2009 in Poland. He was named Eurobasket.com All-European Championships Honorable Mention -09.

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


Rumors are heard Samad Nik Khah Bahrami re-signed with Mahram - by Aydin Dianat
Rumors have been heard that the captain of Iran National Basketball team has re-signed a one year contract with Mahram Tehran. After having offers from Europe and China Samad Nikkhah (198-G/F-83) decided to stay one more season in Iran with the 4 time champions in a row and Asian Basketball runner up Mahram Tehran. The club which decided to bring more youngsters this season is adding some talented and experienced players like Samad to its roster. Mahram Tehran head coach will be announced also in upcoming days.

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


Craig Brackins joins Maccabi Ashdod - by Netanel Dahan
After Maccabi Tel Aviv added Jordan Farmar (Nets), and Bnei Hasharon signed Trevor Booker (Wizards), Maccabi Ashdod decided to join to the new trend and signed Craig Brackins (208-F-87, college: Iowa St.) from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Craig joins the port team with an NBA out option on his contract, Maccabi Ashdod GM Shai Housman said that they decided to sign Craig due to Josh Duncan injurey.

Brackins was choosen in the 21st pick of the 2010 NBA draft by Oklahoma City Thunder he moved to the New Orleans Hornets, and than on Sep 2010 he traded to the 76ers.
Last season Craig played in both the D-league with Springfield Armor and in the NBA with Phily in the D-league he averaged: 20.1 ppg, and 8.6 rpg. In the NBA he averaged 2.7 ppg.



Alexey Chubrevich joins Clavijo - by Eurobasket News
Alexey Chubrevich (212-C-86, agency: Duran International) stays in Spain. The Israeli big guy signed a two-year deal with LEB Gold team Clavijo. Chubrevich heads to Clavijo from CB Illescas Urban CLM, where he spent last season. He appeared 28 times in LEB Silver averaging 10.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. He ended the competition as third best rebounder. Eurobasket awarded Chubrevich with Spanish LEB Silver All-Bosmans Team -11. Before Illescas, Alexey Chubrevich spent one year with Elitzur Yavne and one with Galil Gilboa. With Elitzur Yavne, Chubrevich shined with 13 ppg and 9 rpg for 27 games in National League. In 2009, Alexey Chubrevich played for the Israeli University National Team. They participated at the World University Games in Belgrade.

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


Gallinari and Bargnani pace the National team over BYU Cougars - by Eurobasket News
BYU Cougars (NCAA)-Italy 63:102

Italy overcame BYU Cougars (NCAA) in Day 2 oif the Acropolis Tournament. Italy took the lead from the very beginning and grabbed 23:14 at the end of the frame. BYU however went on an 8-0 run to cut the Italian lead to one. BYU Cougars won the second stanza 22-20 and reduced to 43:36 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game as Italians erupted with 34-9 to shock the opponents. They added 25-18 in the last quarter for three-digit number on the board.
Danilo Gallinari (6'9''-G/F-88, agency: Players Group) stepped up with 21 points for the European side and Andrea Bargnani (6'10''-F/C-85) collected 17 points and 19 rebounds. Marco Belinelli (6'5''-G-86) notched 15, whilst Luigi Datome (6'8''-G/F-87) and Stefano Mancinelli (6'8''-F-83) posted 10 each.
Brock Zylstra (6'6''-G/F) ended up with 26 points in the losing effort. Freshman Damarcus Harrison had one of his best games of the trip as he scored 12 points, hit two 3-pointers and registered two steals. Charles Abouo chipped in eight points four boards, two assists and two steals and Noah Hartsock added six points and 10 rebounds.

BYU Cougars (NCAA): Brock Zylstra 26, Damarcus Harrison 12
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 21, Andrea Bargnani 17+19 rebs, Marco Belinelli 15, Luigi Datome 10, Stefano Mancinelli 10


Olimpia Milano signs Wilson Chandler!!! - by Antonello Varallo
EA7 - Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano signed with a 4 months agreement NBA star Wilson Chandler (203-F/G-87, college: De Paul).
Born in Benton Harbor, MI, Chandler left De Paul University after 2 years when he was drafted by Knicks with the number 23. After 3 good seasons with New York (117 games with 12.3 ppg during his first 3 NBA years), he moved to Denver Nuggets along to Danilo Gallinari as part of Carmelo Anthony's trade.
During last season, he played 51 games with New York (16.4 ppg and a high of 29 points scored against Orlando) and 26 games with Denver (11 ppg and a high of 27 against Utah). With Milano, Chandler will earn a monthly salary of 500.000 USD.

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  IVORY COAST   


26th Afrobasket: Over Confident Senegal, loses to Cote dIvoire 59-75 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Over confidence was Senegal greatest undoing on Thursday in the second quarter final of the 26th edition FIBA Africa Championship for Men Madagascar 2011 Afrobasket as they loses to the fighting spirit and determined Ivorian side by 59-75 points.

It was the Senegalese first lose in five games but a costly one at that as the are now confine to play in the classification ranking 5-8 while Cote dIvoire progresses to the semi-finals.

Senegal who won the first quarter by 22-11 points soon became a shadow of itself as it could not contain the energetis Ivorian who has had not too impressive run from the group stage of the championship forcing pundits to give the quarter final duel to Senegal before the jump-ball.

The determine Cote dIvoire side coached by Coach Natxo Lezcano tutored side won the second, third and last quarters by 06-21, 16-20 and 15-23 points to land a semi final ticket.

Cote dIvoire Mamadi Diane led his team in scoring with 17 points and 4 rebounds, Guy Edi added 12 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Jonathan Kale had his best game so far in the championship grabbing a double double of 12 rebounds, 11 poinst and 2 steals to seal victory for the 2009 runner-up.


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  LATVIA   


Bojan Bakic moves from VEF Riga to BK Ventspils - by Eurobasket News
Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) moves from VEF Riga to BK Ventspils as the Montenegrin player remains in Latvia.
The season 2010-2011 started for Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine-Superleague) and in 22 games averaged 14.5ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 75.7%. Bojan Bakic was the best player of Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih. Due to the financial problems of Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih player had to move. Later moved to VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL) and in Latvian League after 18 games showed 9.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 47.2%, FT: 73.0%. In VTB League he had 1.0ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg, while in Baltic League after 12 games his stats read 8.5ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 37.9%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 82.1%, played also at VEF Riga jrs (Latvia-LBL).
Together with the team he became LBL Champion Last season. In the decisive game VEF riga beat Ventspils 87:82. Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) stepped up for VEF Riga scoring 28 points.
At the end of the season 2008/09, while he was with Energa Czarni Slupsk he was selected to the Eurobasket.com Polish League All-Bosmans Team. Last season with Metalac he averaged 12.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 42.6%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 79.4% in 14 games.



Latvia oust Georgia in Ventspils - by Eurobasket News
Latvia-Georgia 84:73

Latvia oust Georgia in Ventspils in the second friendly game between two sides. The Baltic team trailed 8 points at the end of the first period, but won 84:73.
Latvia revenged for the loss few days ago when Pachulia erupted with 42 points to lead his National team. Georgia started the second game with 24:16, but could not keep the race. Latvia responded with 26-15 in the second period and 3-point advantage at the halftime. Latvia added another 26 points in the third quarter and allowed the opponents to score 17 for 10-point deficit. Georgia managed to win the last frame 17-16 and reduce to the final score.
Janis Strelnieks (191-G-89) top-scored for the winners with 13 points, while Rihards Kuksiks (198-G/F-88) notched 12. Mareks Jurevicus (198-G/F-85), Martins Meiers (206-C-91) and Edgars Jeromanovs followed them with 10 points apiece. Zaza Pachulia (212-C-84) finished the night with 18 points in defeat and Viktor Sanikidze (203-F-86) added 9.

Latvia: Janis Strelnieks 13, Rihards Kuksiks 12, Mareks Jurevicus 10, Martins Meiers 10, Edgars Jeromanovs 10
Georgia: Zaza Pachulia 18, Viktor Sanikidze 9


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  LITHUANIA   


Arnas Labuckas joins Josep Girona - by Deividas Valiunas
Sant Josep Girona strengthened their backcourt. They agreed terms of contract with Arnas Labuckas (205-F-87, agency: Interperformances).The deal is meant for one season. Last season Labuckas played for Rjazan. Lithuanian player averaged 14,1 points, 7,6 rebounds and 1,6 assists per game in Superleague.
Before Rjazan, forward spent one year with VEF. For 19 games in BBL he had 9,8 ppg and 4,4 rpg.
In the past, Arnas Labuckas (205-F-87, agency: Interperformances) was a member of Buratina, Sakalai and VEF.


Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys adds Hughes to their roster - by Eurobasket Center
Pieno Zvaigzdes Pasvalys announced the signing 24-year old American-Puerto Rican guard TreVon Hughes (183-G-87, college: Wisconsin, agency: Edge Sports). Hughes played most recently at VEF Riga (Latvia). While playing 10 games in Latvian League for VEF Riga last season he averaged 5.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.3apg and 1.5spg. VEF won their another League title. He also played 3 games in VTB League recording 9.7ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.0apg and in Baltic League: 15 games: 9.9ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.8apg, 1.5spg. Hughes played also pro basketball in Latvia and Slovenia.


Edvinas Seskus- another player to Rytas from Perlas - by Eurobasket News
Edvinas Seskus (191-F-95), another player to Rytas from Perlas as the titans added the fourth player from the opponents to the roster.
Few days ago it was announced that Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius build the roster for 2011/2012 season and brought three players from Perlas.
Paulius Dambrauskas, Dovydas Redikas and Arvydas Siksnius are happy to greet Edvinas Seskus in their new team.
Edvinas Seskus started his career in 2008-2009 for Rudupis Prienu (NKL) and in 9 games averaged 1.9ppg, 1.1rpg. In 2009-2010 he remained with for Rudupis Prienu and last season started with Perlas-MRU Vilnius (NKL). In 22 games he averaged 4.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg.
Few weeks ago he was honored Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U16 2nd Team -11 as he participated at the European Championships U16 in Czech Republic -11. In 7 games he became the second top-scorer of the tournament with 21.3ppg, Reb-4 (9.4rpg), 3.9apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 62.0%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 63.6%.
He erupted with 29 points at the last game when Lithuania recorded the fourth straight win at the U16 European Championship classification round Group G. They overcame Montenegro to stay undefeated. The victory sealed Division A birth for Lithuania for next season. Edvinas Seskus fired 29 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and handed out 6 assists to pace the winners.


Slovenia knock off Lithuania in Ljubljana - by Eurobasket News
Slovenia-Lithuania 80:66

Slovenia knock off Lithuania in Ljubljana in the friendly game before the preparation for Eurobasket 2011. The home side grabbed 80:66 victory after a comfortable start.
It was an easy start for Slovenia that felt home support in the capital. They took 26:12 after the first period and never were bored of. Slovenia also scored 26 points in the second frame and reached 52:33 at the halftime. Lithuania meanwhile woke up in the second half and won both quarters. At first the Baltic state reduced to 16 points winning the third 13-10. They won the last stanza 20-18 and lost the game by 14.
Erazem Lorbek (209-F/C-84, college: Michigan St.) paced all the winners with 13 points and Uros Slokar (210-F/C-83) notched 12. Jaka Lakovic (186-G-78) and Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency) followed them with 10 points apiece. Marijonas Petravicius (208-F/C-79, college: S.Carolina) replied with 15 points in the losing effort and Rimantas Kaukenas (193-G-77, college: Seton Hall) as well as Paulius Jankunas (205-F-84, agency: Interperformances) scored 9 each. Tomas Delininkaitis (192-G-82, agency: Interperformances) ended up with 8 points for the home side of Eurobasket.

Slovenia: Erazem Lorbek 13, Uros Slokar 12, Jaka Lakovic 10, Saso Ozbolt 10
Lithuania: Marijonas Petravicius 15, Rimantas Kaukenas 9, Paulius Jankunas 9, Tomas Delininkaitis 8



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  LUXEMBOURG   


Austria topple Luxembourg - by Eurobasket News
Austria - Luxembourg 83:67

Austria registered the fourth win at the European Championship in Division B Qualifying Round. They overwhelmed visiting Luxembourg to improve at 4-2 record in Group A. Austria finished in the third position in the group, while Luxembourg remained in the fourth spot at 0-6 record.
Austria exploded with 28 points in the opening quarter to earn a 6-point lead at the first break. Austria maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They arrived at halftime up by seven points 49:42. Austria did not loosen the grip after the big break. They held the visitors to just 8 points in the third stanza and posted an 18-point lead heading into the fourth frame. Luxembourg finally managed to outscore the hosts in the final stanza but could not avoid the loss whatsoever. Thomas Klepeisz (187-G-91) and Richard Poiger (201-F-87) stepped up with 16 points each for Austria. Rasid Mahalbasic (210-F/C-90) added 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Martin Rajniak (204-F-78, college: CSU Bakersfield) answered with game-high 25 points for Luxembourg. Christopher Jones (186-G-90) netted 12 points in the loss.

Austria: Thomas Klepeisz 16, Richard Poiger 16, Rasid Mahalbasic 15+11 boards
Luxembourg: Martin Rajniak 25, Christopher Jones 12


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  MADAGASCAR   


Senegal cruises past Madagascar 92-75, eliminates them - by Eurobasket News
Senegal - Madagascar 92-75
Senegal picked the seventh quarter final ticket with a 92-75 points victory over host Madagascar on Wednesday at the Palais des Sports of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men. The bigger and stronger Senegalese took the first three quarters by 26-13, 21-19 and 25-20 points to take a 20 points advanteg of 72-52 going into the last quarter as the Madagascan mounted pressure on the Senegalese side in the fourth quarter culminating in them losing the quarter by 20-23 points for a final score-line of 92-75 points. Senegal Mouhammad Faye (208-F-85, college: SMU) led his team in scoring with 19 points and 5 rebounds big centre Papa Diasse (212-F-87, college: SMU) had a double double effort of 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks, Boubacar Goly and Mamadou Ndoye added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 11 points respectively. Senegal will keep a date with Cote dIvoire in the second quarter-final on Thursday. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  MARCHAND CUP   


Standings
Standings
1. Brazil1-0
2. P.Rico1-0
3. Canada0-1
4. Dominican R.0-1


Day One of Marchand Cup 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Brazil - Canada 88-70

Brazil had a joyful Day One of Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. The host of this event celebrated 88-70 victory against Canada for 1-0 record. Puerto Rico also won in Day One so Brazil and Puerto Rico currently share the first place. Canada and Dominican Republic have 0-1. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) and Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) were the leading players in Brazil with 14 points each. Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed them with 13 pts and home squad had two more players with double-digits. In the loosing squad, Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) delivered 17 points. Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) had 16 and Jevohn Shepherd (196-F-86, college: Michigan) added 14 points, plus 7 boards. Brazil destroyed Canada in the first ten minutes 24-2 and never looked back after that. Quarters: 24-2, 21-16, 17-20, 26-32. In Day Two, Brazil will meet Dominican Republic. Canada will take on Puerto Rico.

Brazil: Tiago Splitter 14, Rafael Hettsheimeir 14, Guilherme Giovannoni 13
Canada: Carl English 17, Denham Brown 16, Jevohn Shepherd 14+7 boards



Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 99-77

Puerto Rico cruised past Dominican Republic in Day One of the Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. They celebrated 99-77 win sharing the first place with Brazil, who outplayed Canada also yesterday. Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, college: FIU) was a key player for the winners. He spent 32 minutes on the court collecting 28 points and 6 assists. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) also was great adding 19 points and 9 assists to this victory. Ricky Sanchez (212-C/F-87) and Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) (6 rebs) helped with 15 and 12 points respectively. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) was better than the others with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Al Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) and Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan) (5 as) had 14 and 9 points respectively. Quarters: 23-14, 23-20, 32-26, 21-17. In Day Two, Puerto Rico will meet Canada. Dominican Republic will play against Brazil.

Puerto Rico: Carlos Arroyo 28+6 as, Jose Juan Barea 19+9 as, Ricky Sanchez 15, Alejandro Carmona 12+6 boards
Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 19+9 boards, Al Horford 14, Luis Flores 9+5 as



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  MONTENEGRO   


Turkey became the Winner of the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro-Turkey 69:81

Turkey became the Winner of the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011. The team won over Montenegro 81:69 in the Final game of the tournament.
Turkey scored the first six points in the game and enjoyed 16:5 midway through the opening frame. The teams exchanged the late baskets in the quarter for 26:18. Montenegro reduced to 33:29, while the board showed 35:35 later in the second frame. Only due to 11-3 run at the end of the quarter the hosts grabbed 46:38 at the halftime. Montenegro did not give up and tried their best to recover. They won the third period 16-15 for 61:54 with 10 minutes remaining. Moreover the final push brought them to 70:65, while Turkey did not allow them, to come closer.
Hedo Turkoglu (206-F-79) led the winners with 13 points and Omer Asik (213-C-86) notched 12. Omer Onan (194-G-78) ended up with 11, while Ender Arslan (190-G-83) scored 10. Nikola Vucevic (208-F-90, college: USC) produced 15 points in the losing case and Omar-Sharif Cook (186-PG-82, agency: Beo Basket, college: St.John's) delivered 14. Vladimir Dasic (207-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) chipped in 11, whilst Vladimir Golubovic (213-C-86) poured in 6.

Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic 15, Omar-Sharif Cook 14, Vladimir Dasic 11, Vladimir Golubovic 6
Turkey: Hedo Turkoglu 13, Omer Asik 12, Omer Onan 11, Ender Arslan 10


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  MOROCCO   


Morocco heads to AfroBasket Quarterfinals - by Eurobasket News
Mali - Morocco 59-80
After securing an early lead of 20-11 points in the first quarter of the last eight final round against Morocco Mali failed to lift its game thus allowing the Moroccan to over-run it from the second quarter losing by 08-22, 20-24 and 11-23 points for a cumulative scores of 59-80 points. Morocco forward Abderrahim Najah (198-F/C-84) led his side quest for victory with a double double effort of 15 points, 10 rebounds. Abdelhakim Zouita (201-F-86) had 15 points, 4 rebounds, Sophiane Rafai (193-G-86) and Kamal Hachid added 14 points, 4 rebounds and 13 points, 4 rebounds respectively. Morocco now has a date against fellow FIBA Africa Zone-1 side and second runner-up in the 2009 edition of the Afrobasket, Tunisia on Thursday at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  MOZAMBIQUE   


Angola eliminates Mozambique in 1/8 Finals, 82-71 - by Eurobasket News
Angola - Mozambique 82-71
Defending champion of the FIBA Africa Championship for Men Angola Tuesday were made to sweat by fellow FIBA Africa Zone-6 side Mozambique in the days last second round game winning to win the game by 82-71 points. The champion picked the first three quarters by 21-15, 18-17, 25-20 but lost the last quarter by 18-19 points to the determined Mozambican side who finished third from group-A in a pairing many gave the Coach Joseba Garcia no chance. Angola guard Carlos Morais (190-G-85) led the floor with 25 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists with reigning championship most valuable player, Joaquim Gomes (200-C/F-80, college: Valparaiso) posted his best game since the championship began with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Angola will now keep a quarter-final date with Cameroon on Thursday in what promise to be an explosive game giving the pedegree of the Lions who yet to drop a game in the championship. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  NBA   


Union shows members what NBA wants - by Eurobasket News
Negotiators for NBA owners and players will likely meet again next week. And the league will have to offer something different to interest the players.

The union has been holding regional meetings, informing its members just how harsh it believes the owners' proposal is for a new collective bargaining agreement. The league is seeking significant changes to the salary structure as a way to eliminate its losses, which it says totaled $300 million last season.

Players have balked at the demands, and players' association vice president Maurice Evans of the Washington Wizards said Wednesday that when players are shown what the league wants, they are unified in their stance.

'When we're able to explain exactly what David Stern is asking for, it becomes so clear and evident that we cannot take this deal, and guys would be willing to not participate, to not play, if that's the offer to us,' Evans told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Chicago, where the union was set to hold another meeting Thursday.

After that, Evans said the players hope to have a bargaining session with the league's negotiators next week but that a specific day hadn't been locked down yet.

There has been only session that included leadership from both sides since the league locked out the players on July 1 after the expiration of the old CBA. Stern said during a podcast with ESPN.com earlier this month that progress needed to be made by the end of Labor Day weekend or 'we may be headed to a bad place.'

Evans said one of reasons for the regional meetings is to refute some of the things the commissioner said during that lengthy interview, which he called 'very misleading.' More than 100 players have attended the three gatherings, in Los Angeles and Las Vegas last week before New York on Wednesday. Evans added they hope to schedule more in Houston and Atlanta.

Stern blamed the players for an unwillingness to seriously bargain after a meeting on Aug. 1 and accused them of backing out of another meeting. Evans believes Stern has been more aggressive in his tone because the numbers don't support the position the league says it is in after a successful 2010-11 season on and off the court.

'He has to go to extremes to try to prove his case and normally he doesn't negotiate through the media,' Evans said.

The league has backed off its demand for non-guaranteed contracts in a new CBA but still wants salaries cut by more than a third among other changes. The league has proposed a flexible salary cap that the players contend is really a hard cap, which would replace the current system that allows teams to exceed the cap through the use of various exceptions. Evans called the elimination of the exceptions a 'total slap in the face to Michael Jordan and all the great players that came before us.'

Both sides have filed charges against the other with the National Labor Relations Board, and the league also filed a lawsuit seeking to block the union from decertifying -- which it hasn't indicated publicly it's considering at this time.

After a flurry of meetings in June before the deadline, the sides have felt they had little to talk about since. Owners quickly shot down the players' final proposal, saying it would have significantly raised salaries in the sixth year of the deal, and the union has been hoping for another offer from the league that hasn't and may not come.

'We just want something that's fair,' Evans said. 'We don't feel like their proposals have been in good faith at all. That's why we filed the suit with the NLRB.'

Despite the differences, there's still time to make a deal without losing any of the season. During the 1998-99 work stoppage that reduced the season to 50 games, the league didn't cancel the start of training camps in early October until Sept. 24. Camps are scheduled to open Oct. 1 this season, with the regular season set to begin on Nov. 1.

But with no progress made since the lockout began, Evans seems to agree with Stern that something has to happen quickly.

'If a deal's to be made,' he said, 'it's going to have to be very soon.'

Courtesy of ESPN

Hornets' support surges in lockout - by Eurobasket News
The future of the NBA in New Orleans is showing increasing promise, even though fans and businesses pouring money into Hornets tickets and sponsorships have no guarantee that games will be played next season.

As the Hornets introduced Chevron as their fifth million-dollar corporate sponsor on Wednesday, team president Hugh Weber said the franchise is closing in on several goals seen as necessary to ensure pro basketballs long-term presence in the Big Easy.

Weber said he has been encouraged by gains in community support even as the NBA lockout threatens to cancel parts or all of next season, and as sports fans increasingly turn their attention to the onset of the NFL and college football seasons.

For now, the Hornets are owned by the NBA. which bought the team in December from founder George Shinn.

Season tickets have reached 8,900, an increase of 2,600 over last season.

The club is working toward a new TV contract and new arena lease. Weber said the primary goal of a TV deal is to have games televised in more households in the region.

Courtesy of www.sunherald.com

Knicks may hire Mike Woodson as assistant - by Eurobasket News
The Knicks are moving closer to hiring former Hawks head coach Mike Woodson as an assistant coach, which will fuel speculation that Woodson may one day succeed Mike D'Antoni as the team's head coach.

Although Woodsons last Atlanta team was criticized for its failure to make defensive adjustments when getting bombed by Orlando in the 2010 playoffs, the former first-round pick of the Knicks will join DAntonis staff as a defensive coach.

The Daily News first reported in May that DAntoni, who has resisted bringing in an outsider to his coaching staff, would be forced to hire a defensive coach because of the Knicks failures at that end during his first three seasons in New York.

In the past few days, Woodson had told two confidantes that he expects to join the Knicks.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

NBA lockout seen costing $1 billion as darkened arenas become black holes - by Eurobasket News
National Basketball Association arena operators would miss out on more than $1 billion in ticket revenue if a labor shutdown wipes out the 2011-12 season, probably leaving their buildings dark those nights.

Most all the dates would go unfilled, former Portland Trail Blazers President Steve Patterson wrote in an e-mail.

The NBAs 30 teams generated more than $1.1 billion in gate receipts during the 2010-11 campaign, according to the annual postseason audit conducted by the league and the players union. That probably would rise due to customary ticket-price increases if players and owners reach a labor agreement in time to prevent lost games this season. The New York Knicks, for example, said in March they were raising prices by an average of 49 percent amid an $850 million renovation of Madison Square Garden.

The NBA locked out players on July 1, saying the leagues financial system needs to be overhauled to stem $300 million in annual losses. Management and labor disagree on how to share more than $4 billion in annual revenue, and when union Executive Director Billy Hunter was asked whether the season would take place, he answered, If I had to bet on it, no.

Stuck in the middle are arena operators who have blacked- out exhibition, regular-season and playoff dates for their NBA tenants. Because securing big-name talent like Lady Gaga and Jay-Z requires so much lead time, it would be impossible to replace each teams 40-plus basketball dates with other events, said John Wentzell, president of TD Garden in Boston, home of basketballs Celtics and hockeys Bruins, who own the building.

A Painful Hit
As much as we would like to have the ability to repurpose those dates, its just impossible, Wentzell said in a telephone interview. I dont think anyone would attempt to spin this -- that its not a painful hit to their business.

NBA employees, under the threat of a fine, have been instructed by Commissioner David Stern not to discuss matters that pertain to the labor contract. Since the Bruins own TD Garden, Wentzell is not bound by the commissioners edict.

Wentzell declined to offer a dollar figure on losses. In addition to the empty dates, dark buildings strain an arena managers relationships with advertisers, sponsors and suite holders.

Very painful, he said.

$1 Million a Night
Bob Gutkowski, former president at Madison Square Garden Inc. (MSG), home of the Knicks and Rangers, said the basketball team generates at least $1 million in ticket revenue per game. Thats about $45 million over the course of a season for the Knicks, excluding playoff games and the teams effect on MSG Network advertising.

Every night there is a good amount of revenue that isnt going to come through, Gutkowski, a partner in the New York- based sports consulting firm Innovative Strategic Management, said in an interview. And most of it isnt going to be replaced.

Stacey Escudero, a spokeswoman for MSG, declined to comment. MSG split from Cablevision Systems Corp. in 2010; James Dolan is chairman, as well as president and chief executive officer of Cablevision.

According to a 2009 arena bond prospectus by the NBAs Nets, who are tenants at Newark, New Jerseys Prudential Center until the Barclays Center in Brooklyn is ready in 2012, the average arena hosts 161 events a year, about 25 percent of them NBA games.

For some, like Miamis AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the Heat; Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers; and FedExForum, where the Memphis Grizzlies play, NBA games accounted for at least 43 percent of the years events.

Very Damaging
Theyre losing up to half of all revenue that comes to them over the course of a year, said Rob Tilliss, founder of Inner Circle Sports, a New York-based advisory firm that represented Apollo Global Management LLC co-founder Josh Harris in his purchase of the Philadelphia 76ers. Its very damaging.

The NBA last locked out its players in 1998, when games that count were lost for the first time. The result was a 50- game season, down from the usual 82.

Richard Krezwick, general manager of the Prudential Center, said there is nothing he can do.

We unfortunately have 44 dates in our calendar that are at significant risk right now, but we cant touch them, the 52-year-old Krezwick said, declining to quantify projected losses. You try to play out every scenario, but there really is no solution.

Krezwick said Prudential Center officials addressed a possible lockout in the lease with the Nets, although the basketball team that is owned by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov doesnt face penalties for the landlords lost revenue. So the facility is at risk, Krezwick said.

Double-Date
If Krezwick has, as he said, a date problem, the Anschutz Entertainment Group-owned Staples Center in Los Angeles has a double-date problem. Its the only arena that houses two NBA teams: the Lakers and Clippers. Of the arenas 246 events in 2009, 101, or 43 percent, were NBA games, according to the bond prospectus. The Lakers, Tilliss said, generate about $2 million a game in ticket revenue.

AEG spokesman Michael Roth didnt immediately comment.

The worst scenario for arena operators, Tilliss said, is to have their building dark.

Courtesy of www.bloomberg.com

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


It's official: NCAA hits ex-Vols coach Bruce Pearl with 3-year penalty - by Eurobasket News
The NCAA said it wanted to send a clear message by slapping Bruce Pearl with a three-year show-cause penalty: Coaches are responsible for their programs.

The sanctions announced Wednesday make it harder for the former Tennessee men's basketball coach to get another college job anytime soon. Pearl is prohibited from recruiting during the next three years, and a school would have to convince the NCAA to have that penalty removed if it hired him.

'As these allegations are becoming more and more regular, it's very clear that a head coach is being held responsible for his program,' said Britton Banowsky, Conference USA commissioner and vice-chair of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.

The NCAA said Wednesday it had punished Pearl for lying to investigators about improperly hosting recruits at his home and urging others to do the same. Former Pearl assistants Tony Jones, Jason Shay and Steve Forbes face the same sanctions, except they were only given one-year show-cause penalties for their own roles in misleading the NCAA.

'Those who are not forthcoming and not cooperative and unethical in their responses, the committee takes that very seriously, and they will be punished appropriately,' said Dennis Thomas, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference commissioner and chair of the Committee on Infractions.

Pearl did not immediate respond to a call by The Associated Press seeking comment.

The Committee on Infractions was impressed with the level of cooperation it got from Tennessee during the two-year investigation into recruiting by Pearl's program and the football program under then-coach Lane Kiffin. It chose not to punish the university beyond its self-imposed sanctions, which include two years of probation beginning Wednesday.

'The NCAA commented very positively about our cooperation,' UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said. 'We have worked hard to make things right and that has been accepted by the committee. We have great coaches and great student-athletes, and now it's time to go out there and compete.'

The NCAA also concluded there wasn't enough evidence to prove 12 recruiting violations committed by Kiffin and his staff were any more than secondary violations. Those charges included 16 improper recruiting phone calls and impermissible contact between football staff interns and recruits.

Still, the NCAA wasn't happy with the way Kiffin managed the football program during his one season at Tennessee. Kiffin left in January 2010 to coach Southern California.

'Some of the violations received nationwide publicity and brought the football program into public controversy,' the report said. 'This is not a record of which to be proud.'

Nonetheless, Kiffin was pleased that the NCAA 'based its decision on the facts and not on perception.'

'I'm also very grateful that the Tennessee football program was cleared of any wrongdoing,' he said. As I have said before, we always have been committed to following NCAA rules and bylaws both at Tennessee and now at USC, and we always will be.'

The NCAA was most troubled by Pearl misleading enforcement staff during a June 14, 2010, interview by telling them he did not know where a photo of him and then-high school junior Aaron Craft was taken.

Pearl later confirmed in a follow-up interview two months later that the photo was taken at a cookout at his home, where he was hosting several recruits on unofficial visits, an NCAA violation.

'I brought them all together. I told them that, you know, we were thrilled obviously that they were there and that they were coming to Tennessee but that this part of their visit was not appropriate, not right, and not allowed,' Pearl said, according to a trancript of his interview with NCAA investigators. 'And two things: one, you're going to have to leave shortly, and I'm sorry, and two, please don't repeat this.'

The NCAA enforcement staff interviewed Craft's father, John Craft, on July 9, 2010, about the photo, and John Craft told investigators that Pearl had phoned him after his own interview with the NCAA to see what the Crafts' story would be about the photo and the cookout.

Those actions led to the NCAA's charge of unethical conduct against Pearl. Jones, Shay and Forbes were charged with failing to cooperate with the NCAA for neglecting to reveal information about the cookout at Pearl's house.

Pearl and the assistants were also charged with making 94 improper phone calls to recruits, which resulted in a charge of failure to monitor against Tennessee.

Before firing Pearl in March Tennessee had docked the basketball staff's pay, and the Southeastern Conference suspended Pearl from eight league games during the 2010-11 season.

University officials have placed additional recruiting restrictions on current basketball coach Cuonzo Martin and football coach Derek Dooley, neither of whom have been accused of any wrongdoing.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Missouri AD offers qualified support of mens basketball coach Haith amid NCAA probe at Miami - by Eurobasket News
Missouri athletic director Mike Alden is standing behind the schools embattled mens basketball coach to a point.

Frank Haith's future has come into question after Yahoo Sports reported last week that a former University of Miami booster said he paid then-Hurricanes recruit DeQuan Jones $10,000 to attend the school with Haiths approval.

Haith spent seven years at Miami before Alden hired him in April. It was a decision that surprised and disappointed many Missouri fans, given Haiths relatively low coaching profile and his 43-69 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Alden discussed Haith for the first time Wednesday at a kickoff party for Missouri football boosters. Asked by The Associated Press if he supports Haith, Alden replied, We support the NCAA process.

The NCAA has asked Missouri to not undertake its own inquiry but instead await the results of its broader investigation into the sweeping allegations by disgraced Miami booster Nevin Shapiro.

Shapiro, who is in federal prison after being convicted of running a massive Ponzi scheme, claims to have provided cash, cars, prostitutes and other impermissible benefits to 72 Miami football players and other athletes between 2002 and 2010 with the knowledge of at least six coaches and as many as 10 athletic department employees overall.

Alden briefly touched upon the situation in his remarks to boosters, noting that Haith met with the Missouri basketball team several days ago to discuss the matter. But he also emphasized that the alleged violations occurred at another school, and singled out the returning basketball players as a great group of guys.

Hes our coach, Alden told the AP. Theres a process that hes involved with that were not involved with so were just going to let that play out.

Local radio ads promoting the Tiger Quarterback Club rally touted Haiths appearance at the event as recently as Monday. But the coach decided not to attend to minimize any potential distractions, said team spokesman Dave Reiter

He wanted the focus to be on football, Reiter said.

Alden said he remains in regular contact with Haith. The two even plan to attend a St. Louis Cardinals game together a two-hour drive from Columbia on Thursday night.

The extensive report by Yahoo Sports on Shapiros claims includes two photographs of the booster with Haith one at a swanky Miami Beach restaurant and the other showing the pair with Miami president Donna Shalala at a bowling alley accepting what Shapiro said was a $50,000 donation to the schools basketball program. The website also obtained telephone records showing 85 calls or text messages between the two over a five-year period

Before the story broke, basketball spokesman Reiter told Yahoo Sports that Haith assured him hes had no involvement with this Mr. Shapiro guy. Theres nothing. The website subsequently pulled that quote and replaced it with a school-issued written statement in which Haith pledged to cooperate with the NCAA but said was instructed ...not to comment further.

The reports questioning my personal interactions with Mr. Shapiro are not an accurate portrayal of my character, Haith said in the statement.

Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said last week that Missouris coaching search turned up no evidence of any potential wrongdoing at Miami by Haith, whose high character was highlighted by both Deaton and Alden when the new coach was introduced in Columbia. Missouris background check involved more than 20 people familiar with Haith, including NCAA and ACC officials, Deaton said.

Courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com

Gallinari and Bargnani pace the National team over BYU Cougars - by Eurobasket News
BYU Cougars (NCAA)-Italy 63:102

Italy overcame BYU Cougars (NCAA) in Day 2 oif the Acropolis Tournament. Italy took the lead from the very beginning and grabbed 23:14 at the end of the frame. BYU however went on an 8-0 run to cut the Italian lead to one. BYU Cougars won the second stanza 22-20 and reduced to 43:36 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game as Italians erupted with 34-9 to shock the opponents. They added 25-18 in the last quarter for three-digit number on the board.
Danilo Gallinari (6'9''-G/F-88, agency: Players Group) stepped up with 21 points for the European side and Andrea Bargnani (6'10''-F/C-85) collected 17 points and 19 rebounds. Marco Belinelli (6'5''-G-86) notched 15, whilst Luigi Datome (6'8''-G/F-87) and Stefano Mancinelli (6'8''-F-83) posted 10 each.
Brock Zylstra (6'6''-G/F) ended up with 26 points in the losing effort. Freshman Damarcus Harrison had one of his best games of the trip as he scored 12 points, hit two 3-pointers and registered two steals. Charles Abouo chipped in eight points four boards, two assists and two steals and Noah Hartsock added six points and 10 rebounds.

BYU Cougars (NCAA): Brock Zylstra 26, Damarcus Harrison 12
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 21, Andrea Bargnani 17+19 rebs, Marco Belinelli 15, Luigi Datome 10, Stefano Mancinelli 10


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


The Tall Blacks rout Ukraine - by Eurobasket News
Ukraine-New Zealand 78:85

The Tall Blacks rout Ukraine in the game for the third place at the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011. New Zealand overcame Ukraine 85:78 to clinch the initial victory in Turkey. New Zealand will have then the three-game series against Australia early next month for a place in the London Olympics.
The teams were tied at 10:10 and then the European team took 16:15 after the first 10 minutes. Alexander Kolchenko (198-F/G-88, agency: Beo Basket) and Lishchuk brought 23:15, while Ukraine later had to 30:24. After 27-17 in the second frame, Fratellos team enjoyed 43:32 advantage. Alex Pledger (216-C-87, college: Belm.Abbey) reduced to 45:43 and New Zealand brought 60:57 after three quarters. Ukraine still remained alive in the game taking 67:65, but failed at the end. New Zealand needed 25-21 in the last stanza to seal the victory.

Kirk Penney (196-G-80, college: Wisconsin) stepped up with 26 points for the winners and Alex Pledger notched 12. Mika Vukona followed him with 10 points in a win. Steve Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) replied with 18 points in the losing effort, while Alexander Kolchenko recorded 17. Serhiy Lischuck and Oleksiy Pecherov ended up with 11 points each in defeat.

Ukraine: Steve Burtt 18, Alexander Kolchenko 17, Serhiy Lischuck 11, Oleksiy Pecherov 11
New Zealand: Kirk Penney 26, Alex Pledger 12, Mika Vukona (197-F-82) 10


*****************************************************
  NIGERIA   


26th Afrobasket: Nigeria survive Central Africa challenge win 94-86 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Nigeria DTigers Thursday survive the stiff challenge posed by its quarter final foe Central Africa Republic winning by 94-86 points to book a semi-final ticket in the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Nigeria blew a 20 points way into the half minutes of the fourth quarter thus allowing the Central Africa side to rally back and take the lead with 4.47 munites left on the clock through Maxime Zianveni executed a lay-up to bring score to 73-74 but the Nigerian side fought back like a wounded tigers to take the sail beyond the determined Central Africa side in the last munite of the tension soaked game to win at 94-86.

Nigeria won the first three quarters by 28-19, 20-18, 25-20 but lost the last quarter by 21-29 to set up a semi final duel against the winner of the quarter final game between Cameroon and Angola.

Nigeria Derrick Obasohan led the floor with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists dependable guard/forward Ime Udoka had 20 points 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals points guard Michael Umeh poured in 19 points while forward Ejike Ugboaja added 10 points and 7 rebounds for the hard earned victory for Nigeria.

Nigeria Head Coach Ayo Bakare praised his players fighting spirit and promised that the Nigerian side will approach it semi-final game with utmost seriousness.

He however, gave kudos to the Central Africa side for giving the Nigeria side a good fight, adding that the 26th edition of the championship is indeed tough as most African countries have raised their game.
Michael Umeh (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: UNLV)

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  PORTUGAL   


Finland come from behind to silence Portugal in Coimbra - by Eurobasket News
Portugal - Finland 78:86

Finland registered the fourth straight win at the 2011 EuroBasket Additional Qualifying Round. They upset Portugal on the road to clinch 4-0 record. Portugal finished at 2-2 record and also reached 2011 EuroBasket. Petteri Koponen (193-G-88) scored 26 points and issued 9 assists to lead the charge.
Finland opened the game on a 9:2 run but Portugal bounced back late in the opening quarter. They capped the period with a 10:2 rally to establish a 21:17 lead. Portugal stretched the margin to as many as 16 points late in the half. The hosts made it 45:30 at the interval. But Finland found the way to recover in the third term. Petteri Koponen, Teemu Rannikko (189-G-80) and Koivisto dragged the visitors within just three points 58:61 at the final intermission. Petteri Koponen and Teemu Rannikko organized a 15:3 run late in the fourth quarter to ensure an 81:76 lead with 32 seconds remaining. Andrade narrowed the gap to three points but Kopenen and Teemu Rannikko sank a bunch of free throws late in regulation to seal the victory at the end. Teemu Rannikko fired 21 points, while Kimmo Muurinen (202-F-81, college: UALR) and Shawn Huff (198-G/F-84, college: Valparaiso) posted 10 points each in the winning effort. Joao Santos (205-C-79, college: Nevada) answered with 19 points for Portugal. Miguel Miranda (205-F-78) had 17 points in the loss.

Portugal: Joao Santos 19, Miguel Miranda 17
Finland: Petteri Koponen 26, Teemu Rannikko 21, Kimmo Muurinen 10, Shawn Huff 10


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  PUERTO RICO   


Puerto Rican National Team 2011 - by Greg
Starting five
#s#
Jose Juan Barea
Barea
Carlos Arroyo
Arroyo
Renaldo Balkman
Balkman
Alexander David Galindo
Galindo
Javier Mojica
Mojica
#e#5
4 Javier Mojica 190-G-84 Bayamon Puerto Rico
5 Jose Juan Barea 181-PG-84 Dallas M. USA
6 John Holland 195-G/F-88 Roanne France
7 Carlos Arroyo 188-G-79 Boston C. USA
8 Manuel Antonio Narvaez 211-C-81 Coamo Puerto Rico
9 Angel Alamo 206-F/C-85 Quebradillas Puerto Rico
10 Andres Rodriguez 182-PG-81 Arecibo Puerto Rico
11 Ricardo Sanchez Cordoba 2016 Spain
12 Luis Villafane 208-C/F-81 Santurce Puerto Rico
13 Renaldo Balkman 201-F-84 New York K. USA
14 Alexander David Galindo 198-F-85 Olimpico LB Argentina
16 Alejandro Carmona 194-G/F-83 Mayaguez Puerto Rico



Puerto Rico enjoys Day One in Brazil - by Eurobasket News
Puerto Rico - Dominican Republic 99-77

Puerto Rico cruised past Dominican Republic in Day One of the Marchand Continental Championship Cup 2011. They celebrated 99-77 win sharing the first place with Brazil, who outplayed Canada also yesterday. Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, college: FIU) was a key player for the winners. He spent 32 minutes on the court collecting 28 points and 6 assists. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) also was great adding 19 points and 9 assists to this victory. Ricky Sanchez (212-C/F-87) and Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) (6 rebs) helped with 15 and 12 points respectively. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) was better than the others with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Al Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) and Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan) (5 as) had 14 and 9 points respectively. Quarters: 23-14, 23-20, 32-26, 21-17. In Day Two, Puerto Rico will meet Canada. Dominican Republic will play against Brazil.

Puerto Rico: Carlos Arroyo 28+6 as, Jose Juan Barea 19+9 as, Ricky Sanchez 15, Alejandro Carmona 12+6 boards
Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 19+9 boards, Al Horford 14, Luis Flores 9+5 as

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  RUSSIA   


CSKA will head to Klaipeda for the training camp - by Eurobasket News
CSKA heads to Klaipeda in September 1st for 18-days preparation camp. The team later will participate at three friendly tournaments,
CSKA keep Sasha Kaun (211-C-85), Viktor Khryapa (204-F/G-82), Nikita Kurbanov (202-F-86) and Shved Alexey for the upcoming season.
Sasha Kaun was supposed to head to Eurobasket 2011 but can not help the National Team in Eurobasket 2011 in Lithuania. The reason Sasha Kaun will not play for Russia at Eurobasket is his injury. He must have an operation now and the acclimatization period will take more than 4 weeks. He joined CSKA Moscow in 2008-2009 and in Russian League averaged 5.0ppg, 3.1rpg. In 2009-2010 for CSKA Moscow (A Superleague, starting five) he improved to 11.3ppg, Reb-5 (5.9rpg), FGP-2 (71.0%), FT: 72.2% in Russian League and in VTB League after 7 games had 9.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 67.5%, FT: 58.3%. In Euroleague after 21 games his stats read 9.1ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP-2 (71.3%), FT: 56.9%. Last season Sasha Kaun was injured in Oct.'10 and was off for 3 months.
Viktor Khryapa recently took Zhukanenkos spot in the National team. At the European Basketball Tour tournament in Tel-Aviv Russia overcame Poland to take 80:76. Viktor Khryapa accounted for 12 points, while Sergey Monya added 10 points for the winners.
Nikita Kurbanov signed with the team a new 2+1 year contract in 2010. In that season he started for CSKA Moscow (A Superleague) and in Russian League after 25 games had 5.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.2apg. In Euroleague after 17 games he averaged 1.2ppg, 1.2rpg. Moreover Nikita Kurbanov debuted in VTB League and after 5 games showed 8.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP-2 (73.9%), FT: 85.7%. In 2010-2011 his stats read CSKA Moscow (PBL): Russian League: 19 games: 2.8ppg, 1.7rpg; Euroleague: 7 games: 1.4ppg, 1.0rpg; VTB League: 8 games: 7.6ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP-1 (70.4%), 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 71.4%.


Nizhniy Novgorod bring Pavel Shavkunov - by Eurobasket News
Nizhniy Novgorod bring Pavel Shavkunov (191-G-91) for the upcoming season. The Russia Guard comes from Dynamo Moscow.
In 2006-2007 he started for Dynamo-2 Moscow (B Superleague) and in 2008 June participated at the NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp-Europe in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2008-2009 played for Dynamo Moscow U23 (U-23 Youth League) and last season debuted in PBL. In Russian League after 8 games he averaged 1.4ppg, while in EuroChallenge had 0.3ppg. Pavel played also at Dynamo Moscow U23 (U-23 Youth League, starting five).
Pavel Shavkunov debuted for Dynamo Moscow last season in the game versus Cedevita Zagreb. The latter won 169-134 in total after two games over Enterprise BC Dynamo. The Russian team however won the home game 73:72 but could not even come closer to the total.
In 2009 he participated at the European Championships U18 in Metz (France) and averaged 7.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 50.0%.


Standings - Superleague B
Superleague Standings
 1. Ataman 0-0 
 2. Metallurg-Univ. 0-0 
 3. Rjazan 0-0 
 4. Ruskon-Mord. 0-0 
 5. Severstal 0-0 
 6. Spartak V. 0-0 
 7. Spojuz Zaretch. 0-0 
 8. TEMP-SUMZ 0-0 
 9. Univ.Surgut 0-0 
 10. Ural Ekaterinb. 0-0 


Standings - Superleague A
PBL Standings
 1. CSKA 0-0 
 2. Enisey 0-0 
 3. Khimky 0-0 
 4. Krasnie Krilya 0-0 
 5. Lokomotiv 0-0 
 6. N.Novgorod 0-0 
 7. Spartak SP 0-0 
 8. Spartak-Prim. 0-0 
 9. Triumph 0-0 
 10. Unics 0-0 


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  RWANDA   


AfroBasket 1/8 Finals: Rwanda faces with elimination - by Eurobasket News
Ivory Coast - Rwanda 80-72
Coming from two quarters down in the eight final round of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men Cote dIvoire powered by Guy Edi (196-G/F-88) who netted championship high of 34 points as the 2009 runner-up roam into the quarter final with 80-72 points over Rwanda. Taking a 33-44 points deficit into the break Cote dIvoire roar back like a wounded Elephant to raid the offense area of Rwanda resulting in the Ivorians winning the third and fourth quarters by 25-18 and 22-10 points respectively. Edi was joined on the scorer chart by guard Mouloukou Diabate (180-G-87) who poured in 16 points gave 5 assists grabbed 4 rebounds and stole the ball from Rwanda players four times with centre Mohamed Kone (211-C-81, college: Valparaiso) scoring 15 points and 7 rebounds. Cote dIvoire will battle the winner of the eight final round between Senegal and host Moadagascar in the quarter-finla on Wednesday at the Palais des Sports, Antananarivo. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

*****************************************************
  SCOTLAND   


Glasgow Rocks Strengthen their backcourt - by Eurobasket News
Glasgow Rocks Strengthen their backcourt with the acquisition of US Import Mychal Green (193-G-83, college: Ohio)

The Glasgow Rocks have added some extra height and experience to their backcourt with the recent acquisition of 64 guard, Mychal Green. Green has spent the past two seasons playing in Germanys Pro-B where he represented both Licher Basket Baeren and RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf. The Glasgow Rocks staff are hoping that he will be the perfect back court partner for EJ Harrison, who announced his return to the Rocks earlier this month.

Last Season Green averaged 17ppg, 4.8rpg, and 2.0spg for RSV Eintracht Stahnsdorf, as well as shooting an impressive 42.4% from the field, including 35.6% from beyond the three point line.

Rocks player/coach Sterling Davis thinks Green will provide some extra depth at both ends of the floor.
Mychal is one of those players who are equally good on both ends of the floor. He shoots an excellent percentage from the 3 point line whilst also leading your team in steals. He is a natural scorer that can make something out of nothing and also a very intelligent player.

Green has already had some notable basketball experience both in New Zealand and Germany. The practise and knowledge he has accumulated should give him a good platform to further his career in Glasgow.

Mychal has got some very good experience professionally with teams within Europe and also New Zealand. With this experience within the professional ranks he gives us a very mature backcourt alongside EJ.
General Manager of the Rocks, Daniel Bajwoluk, also voiced his enthusiasm regarding the Glasgows side most recent acquisition.

Greens basketball career suggests that he should be an additional calming influence to the Roster this season. He will be a vital component to our backcourt and I am hoping he will be a perfect fit with what we are trying to achieve this season.

Rocks fans will get their first glimpse of the new look team on September 18th when the Rocks host their first Official Camp of the new season and also stage a Meet the team event straight after the camp. This will be closely followed by the Rocks Pre-Season fixture against the travelling USA Select basketball team on the 19th September, with the tip-off scheduled for 7:40pm.
Courtesy of: www.glasgowrocks.co.uk

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


Serbian prospect Stefan Peno participated at the Nike camp in Barcelona - by Eurobasket News
Serbian prospect Stefan Peno, member of OKK Beograd, participated at the Nike camp in Barcelona. Stefan, born on August 3 of 1997 (Serbian/British Guyana), was the youngest player at this camp. He showcased his great potential and impressed scouts of top European teams. Young Peno is another pearl of the Serbian basketball, which is currently led by his older countrymates Aleksandar Cvetkovic, Vasilije Micic, Nenad Miljenovic and others. NBA star LeBron James also participated at this event and exhibition game as well.

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  SLOVAKIA   


SKP Banska Bystrica announced new names - by Eurobasket News
SKP Banska Bystrica announced new names for the upcoming season. The team just started the preparation for the 2011/2012 season.
Sasa Radosavljevic (175-G-89) played in 2007-2008 for Svjetlost Slavonski Brod (A1) and in 31 games averaged 4.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.4apg, played also at Klasije Slavonski Brod (A2, starting five). In 2008-2009 for Svjetlost Slavonski Brod (A1) had 3.6ppg. In Nov.'09 signed at BK Svit (Slovakia-Extraliga, starting five), released next month and after 5 games showed 8.6ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 51.7%.
Dino Dogan (213-C/F-87, college: Citadel) is a Croatia Center that in 2009-2010 played for Vrijednosnice OS Darda (A1). In 2010-2011 he joined Hrvatski Sokol (D2), then moved to Osjecki Sokol Osijek (A2, starting five).
Tomislav Maslic (205-F/C-84) is a Croatian Forward that in 2007-2008 played for Vrijednosnice OS Darda (A2, starting five). In 2009-2010 he started for Nedelisce (A2, starting five), in Mar.'10 moved to Svjetlost Slavonski Brod (A1). In 10 games he averaged there 2.6ppg, 1.3rpg. The season 2010-2011 spent with Prigorje Financije Krizevci (A2).
Robert Rozim (199-F-94) is a Slovakian 1994 year born player. At the European Championships U16 Division B in Tallinn (Estonia) -10 after 8 games he averaged 3.3ppg, 3.8rpg.


MBK Handlova build up the roster - by Eurobasket News
After the signing the loud name Anthony Jones (194-G/F-84, college: Indiana Tech) for the next season, MBK Handlova announced about soem other players.
Peter Terlanda (204-F/C-88) moves to the team from BK SPU Nitra (Extraliga). Last season in 34 games he averaged 5.1ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 73.8%, left in April'11. In his top game he recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds when Nitra beat Inter Bratislava 88-60.
Robert Jany (180-PG-92) is a Slovakian Point Guard coming from MSK BK Ziar nad Hronom junior team. The 1992 year-born player is a Slovakian U20 National Team -11 and became Slovakian U18 Championships Winner -11 (MVP).
Jozef Oravec (185-G-92) also comes from MSK BK Ziar nad Hronom junior team. The Slovakian Guard also became Slovakian U18 Championships Winner.
Juraj Klatik (199-F/C-81) comes back to the team as he left in 2010. In 2009-2010 for MBK Handlova (Extraliga) after 34 games he averaged 3.2ppg, 1.9rpg. The season 2010-2011 however started fro SKP Banska Bystrica (Extraliga) and in 8 games showed 3.4ppg, 1.9rpg.


Kasper Averink is the first Dutch player of Prievidza - by Martin Bosko
Kasper Averink (183-PG-93) signed today a contract for 1 season plus an option for the 2012/2013 season. Kasper just turned 18 years 2 months ago and is a Point Guard that can also play some 2. Kasper played last summer for coach Roijakkers in the U18 European Championship. Kasper was the only player for Holland to start all the games in the preparation and the championship in Bulgaria. In the Future Stars Tournament in London Kasper got an honirable mention of one of the best players of the Netherlands and made the top 10 plays of the tournament with a great 1on1 move. Kasper will be the back up PG from Prievidza. Kasper is a real good person that works very hard and who can do a little bit of everything on the court. Kasper comes from the Champion of the Netherlands named Leiden. Kasper is known for his great personality of the court.



Slovakia hand Cyprus sixth straight loss at Division B Qualifying Round - by Eurobasket News
Cyprus - Slovakia 68:76 (OT)

Slovakia registered the third win at the European Championship in Division Qualifying Round. They knocked down Cyprus in Nicosia to improve at 3-3 record in Group C. Peter Sedmak (203-C-85) stepped up with 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead the effort. Cyprus fell at 0-6 record after the defeat.
Slovakia pulled ahead in the opening frame. They established an 18:14 lead after ten minutes of action. But the hosts reacted strongly in the second quarter. They outscored Slovakia 22:9 for a 36:27 halftime advantage. But the visitors did not surrender. They narrowed the gap to just four points entering the fourth frame 47:51. Sykora drained a triple with 39 seconds to go in regulation drawing things level at 62 and sending the game into overtime. Roman Marko (195-G-86), Michal Batka (204-C-87) and Peter Sedmak teamed up for 14 points in the extra period as Slovakia snatched a tough win at the end. Dusan Pandula (196-F-84) finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Roman Marko added 14 points for Slovakia. Aristides Koronidis (188-G-82) answered with 21 points for Cyprus. Andreas Pilavas (194-G-83) added 15 points in the loss.

Cyprus: Aristides Koronidis 21, Andreas Pilavas 15
Slovakia: Peter Sedmak 18, Dusan Pandula 16, Roman Marko 14


*****************************************************
  SLOVENIA   


Slovenia knock off Lithuania in Ljubljana - by Eurobasket News
Slovenia-Lithuania 80:66

Slovenia knock off Lithuania in Ljubljana in the friendly game before the preparation for Eurobasket 2011. The home side grabbed 80:66 victory after a comfortable start.
It was an easy start for Slovenia that felt home support in the capital. They took 26:12 after the first period and never were bored of. Slovenia also scored 26 points in the second frame and reached 52:33 at the halftime. Lithuania meanwhile woke up in the second half and won both quarters. At first the Baltic state reduced to 16 points winning the third 13-10. They won the last stanza 20-18 and lost the game by 14.
Erazem Lorbek (209-F/C-84, college: Michigan St.) paced all the winners with 13 points and Uros Slokar (210-F/C-83) notched 12. Jaka Lakovic (186-G-78) and Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency) followed them with 10 points apiece. Marijonas Petravicius (208-F/C-79, college: S.Carolina) replied with 15 points in the losing effort and Rimantas Kaukenas (193-G-77, college: Seton Hall) as well as Paulius Jankunas (205-F-84, agency: Interperformances) scored 9 each. Tomas Delininkaitis (192-G-82, agency: Interperformances) ended up with 8 points for the home side of Eurobasket.

Slovenia: Erazem Lorbek 13, Uros Slokar 12, Jaka Lakovic 10, Saso Ozbolt 10
Lithuania: Marijonas Petravicius 15, Rimantas Kaukenas 9, Paulius Jankunas 9, Tomas Delininkaitis 8



*****************************************************
  SOUTH AFRICA   


Tunisia destroys South Africa 94-50 in 1/8 Finals - by Eurobasket News
Tunisia - South Africa 94-50
Tunisia lived up to its rating as one of the top favourites for the 26th edition of FIBA Africa Championship title when it over-run South Africa by 94-50 points in the round of eight finals. The FIBA Africa Zone-1 power-house and third in the 2009 beat South Africa to the four quarters by 17-13, 24-13, 27-10 and 26-15 points to set up a quarter finals clash with the winner of the eight round final game between Mali and Morocco. Tunisia Lassaad Chouaya (190-G-89) led his side macth to glory with 16 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, Macram Romdhane (198-F-89) had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Other Tunisian players who recorded double score figure against the South Africans included Marouan Kechrid who scored 12 points with the duo of Radhouane Slimane and Mohamed Ghyaza contributinf 10 points each. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  SPAIN   


Sergio Scariolo announced the final roster for Eurobasket 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Sergio Scariolo (agency: Alti Sport ) cut Carlos Suarez (202-F-86, agency: Court Side) from the squad however the player can still join the team in case of injury of some other players. He as well as Rafael Martinez (191-G-82) and Xavier Rey (209-C-87, agency: Interperformances) are on the waiting list for the team.
Carlos Suarez is the player of Real Madrid. Last season Real have finally reached an agreement with Estudiantes about the transfer of the 24-year-old forward. Carlos Suarez inked a four-year deal with the Spanish powerhouse. The forward notched 11.0 points, 5.5 boards and 2.4 assists per game for Estudiantes in the previous season.
In 2010-2011 for Real Madrid (ACB, starting five) in Euroleague after 23 games he averaged 6.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 80.0%, while in Spanish League after 38 games his stats read 8.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 78.2%.
Spain will play Australia tonight and tomorrowin order to prepare better for Eurobasket 2011. The latter just completed the International Tournmanet in London and will do their best to be the decent representative in both games.

Jose Manuel Calderon (190-PG-81) Toronto Raptors, NBA
Ricky Rubio (192-G-90) Barcelona, Spain
Victor Sada (192-G-84) Barcelona, Spain
Sergio Llull (190-G-87) Real Madrid, Spain
Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) Barcelona, Spain
Rudy Fernandez (197-G-85) Portland Trail Blazers, NBA
Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) Caja Laboral, Spain
Victor Claver (207-F/C-88) Power Electronics Valencia, Spain
Felipe Reyes (203-F/C-80) Real Madrid, Spain
Serge Ibaka Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA
Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) Memphis Grizzlies, NBA
Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) Los Angeles Lakers, NBA



Nacho Llovet remains with CB Prat Juventud - by Eurobasket News
Nacho Llovet (202-C-91) remains with CB Prat Juventud for 2011/2012 season. The Spanish Center signed a 2-year deal.
In 2007-2008 Nacho appeared for DKV Joventut Badalona junior team and in 2009-2010 started for CB Prat Juventud (LEB Silver). In 30 games he averaged 7.4ppg, 5.3rpg, FGP: 60.6%, 3PT: 7.1%, FT: 57.7%. Last season he played in 16 games and averaged 7.1ppg, 5.5rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 57.4%.
This summer Nacho Llovet participated at the European Championships U20 in Bilbao (Spain) -11 (Gold) and averaged 5.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 42.1%, FT: 66.7%. His Spain triumphed at the U20 European Championship in Bilbao. The hosts prevailed against Italy in the Final. Nacho scored three points in the Final in 10 minutes. In hip top game he recorded 8 points against Ukraine.


Joonas Caven will play for Prat Joventut - by Eurobasket News
Joonas Caven (210-C/F-93) will play next season for LEB Silver team Prat Joventut. He is originally signed by FIATC Joventut, but will spend one year with their affiliate Prat. Caven heads to his new club from the Finnish champions Pyrinto Tampere. He appeared only four times for their seniors last season averaging 3.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. Caven also played for Pyrinto Tampere juniors. Joonas Caven shined at the European Championships U18 in Wroclaw this summer. He appeared 9 times at this event registering 13.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.4 spg. Caven was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Honorable Mention -11. Two years ago, Joonas Caven played for U16 Finland. He had 11 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.6 spg for 7 games at the European Championships U16 Division B in Portugal.

Menorca signs Taylor Coppenrath - by Eurobasket News
Menorca announced signing of Taylor Coppenrath (205-F-81, college: Vermont) for the next season. The American forward heads to his new club from Murcia. He appeared 32 times in ACB last season averaging 11 points and 4.5 rebounds. In 2009/10, Coppenrath was a member of Melilla. With them he had 12.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 42 LEB Gold games. They reached Playoff Semifinals. Taylor Coppenrath also has experience from Alicante. He helped them win LEB Gold Playoffs and of course promotion to ACB. Coppenrath was named Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LEB Gold Honorable Mention -09, 10, 11. He has experience from Italian Biella and Greek AEK Athens. Coppenrath graduated at the University of Vermont in 2005.

Alexey Chubrevich joins Clavijo - by Eurobasket News
Alexey Chubrevich (212-C-86, agency: Duran International) stays in Spain. The Israeli big guy signed a two-year deal with LEB Gold team Clavijo. Chubrevich heads to Clavijo from CB Illescas Urban CLM, where he spent last season. He appeared 28 times in LEB Silver averaging 10.6 points and 8.4 rebounds. He ended the competition as third best rebounder. Eurobasket awarded Chubrevich with Spanish LEB Silver All-Bosmans Team -11. Before Illescas, Alexey Chubrevich spent one year with Elitzur Yavne and one with Galil Gilboa. With Elitzur Yavne, Chubrevich shined with 13 ppg and 9 rpg for 27 games in National League. In 2009, Alexey Chubrevich played for the Israeli University National Team. They participated at the World University Games in Belgrade.

Jose Fernandez joins Baloncesto Leon - by Eurobasket News
Jose Fernandez (202-C-75) joins Leon for the upcoming season. The Spanish Center moves from Ourense.
Jose started his career for Helios (EBA) and then also played for Los Barrios, D.Basket Bilbao Berri (LEB2), Calpe Aguas, Leon Caja Espana. In 2007-2008 moved to Tau Ceramica Vitoria (ACB) and debuted in Euroleague. In 2008-2009 appeared for Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (LEB Gold) and in 34 games averaged 7.2ppg, 3.1rpg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 74.0%. In 2009-2010 played for Aquas De Sousas Club Ourense Balonceto (LEB Gold, starting five) and in 34 games showed 11.1ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 72.7%. The last season for Aquas De Sousas Club Ourense Balonceto (LEB Gold) had 5.7ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 57.1%.
Jose Fernandez recorded 15 points at the Regular Season Round 19 when CB Murcia beat Ourense 90-64. CB Murcia led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. CB Murcia outrebounded Ourense 37-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. At the losing side center Jose Fernandez responded with 15 points and 6 rebounds.


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  SWEDEN   


08 Stockholm extends Joakim Blom for another year - by Eurobasket News
Joakim Blom (211-C-76, agency: Court Side) will not end his career yet. The experienced big guy penned a one-year contract extension with 08 Stockholm. There were some rumors that Blom will retire after 2010/11 season, but it is clear now that will not happen. Joakim Blom played 34 games in Basketligan last season averaging 15.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. In 2009/10, he had slightly lower digits. Joakim Blom joined 08 Stockholm in 2006 from German BS Energy Braunschweig. Blom spent five years with Braunschweig. In the past, he also was a member of ASVEL and Sodertalje Kings. Joakim Blom played for the Swedish National Team from 1995 to 2009. They participated in EuroBasket 2003. Actually, Sweden was the host of this event.

Sweden overwhelmed Azerbaijan in Norrkoping to win Group B - by Eurobasket News
Sweden- Azerbaijan 128:61

Sweden overwhelmed Azerbaijan in Norrkoping to win Group B of the Division B at the European Championship. The Scandinavian side had an easy 128:61 victory for 7-1 record on top of Group B. Azerbaijan meanwhile finished the group on the second place with 5-3 record.
Although playing without the leader Nelson, Azerbaijan took the lead several times in the opening tip. Sweden however grabbed the advantage later in the period and Schreiber closed the quarter at 29:18. Another 28-18 in the second period brought them 57:36 at the halftime. Sweden did not slow down and pushed the tempo in the second half. They produced 30-13 in the third quarter and erupted with 41-12 in the last stanza.
Anton Gaddefors (200-F-89) led the way with 27 points and Erik Rush (195-G-88, college: Montana St.) netted 19. Johan Jeansson (197-G-85) ended up with 17 points, while Alexander Lindqvist (202-F-91) delivered 15. Aleksandr Rindin (225-C-85, agency: Interperformances) responded with 14 points and 10 rebounds as well as Tahir Bakhshiyev (200-F-82) posted 14. Fuad Niftaliyev (183-G-80) finished the night with 13 points, whilst Zaur Pashayev (186-G-83) added 9.

Sweden: Anton Gaddefors 27, Erik Rush 19, Johan Jeansson 17, Alexander Lindqvist 15
Azerbaijan: Aleksandr Rindin 14+10 rebs, Tahir Bakhshiyev 14, Fuad Niftaliyev 13 Zaur Pashayev 9


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  TOGO   


Togo stays winless in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
Cameroon - Togo 85-52
Cameroon Tuesday joined Nigeria in the quarter-final of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men after seeing off Togo by 85-52 points in the second eight final round at the Palais des Sports, Antananarivo, Madagascar. The Lions picked the first three quarters by 22-13, 16-08 and 34-16 points losing the last quarter by 13-15 points. Parfait Bitee (188-G-85) led other players on the court with 16 points and 7 assists. Forward Gaston Essengue (203-F-83, college: UNLV) and Franck Ndongo added 13 points and 4 rebounds each. Quarterfinals are scheduled for today. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  TUNISIA   


26th Afrobasket: Tunisia walk past Morocco 86-67 - by Olusegun Ikuesan
Tunisia Thursday book its semi-finals ticket with an 86-67 points victory over Morocco in the third quarter finals of the 26th FIBA Africa Championship for Men at the Palais des Sports Antananarivo, Madagascar.

The Tunisian were superb from the begining of the game to the buzzer winning the first three quarters by 17-11, 22-13 and 22-18 points and drew levels with their North African neighbour in the last quarter by 25 points apiece to move into the semi finals.

Five Tunisian players recorded a double figure on the score sheet with Amine Rzig leading his side with 16 points and 4 rebounds, Radhouane Slimane had 14 points and 8 rebounds Salah Mejri recorded a double double figure of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 block-shots.

The duo of Marourad El-Mabrouk and Mohamed Ghyaza added 12 points and 10 points, 6 rebounds to give their side victory.

Amine Rzig (199-G-80)

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  TURKEY   


FIBA Bans Selcuk Universitesi Konya From Signing New Players - by Eurobasket
Yesterday, FIBA handed down sanctions against Mutlu Aku Selcuk Universitesi Konya (the 'Club') for the Club's failure to comply with a judgment rendered in March 2011 through FIBA's BAT arbitration process. Alex Dunn (212-F/C-82, college: Wyoming), who previously played for the Club, sued the Club for not making all payments under the terms of his contract. In March 2011, the arbiter ruled in Dunn's favor. In May 2011, the Club had not paid the judgment so FIBA sent a warning letter stating that the judgment needed to be paid by May 27, 2011 or the team could be fined and sanctioned. The Club still did not comply. Yesterday, Mr. Patrick Baumann, the Secretary General of FIBA handed down sanctions that Jack Michael Martinez is banned from registering any new players for the upcoming season until the judgment is paid in full. A copy of the mandate was forwarded to the Turkish Basketball Federation and to FIBA Europe for enforcement. In addition, Mr. Baumann warned the Club that FIBA has the right to impose additional fines and sanctions if the Club does not comply with the mandate..

Turkey became the Winner of the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Montenegro-Turkey 69:81

Turkey became the Winner of the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011. The team won over Montenegro 81:69 in the Final game of the tournament.
Turkey scored the first six points in the game and enjoyed 16:5 midway through the opening frame. The teams exchanged the late baskets in the quarter for 26:18. Montenegro reduced to 33:29, while the board showed 35:35 later in the second frame. Only due to 11-3 run at the end of the quarter the hosts grabbed 46:38 at the halftime. Montenegro did not give up and tried their best to recover. They won the third period 16-15 for 61:54 with 10 minutes remaining. Moreover the final push brought them to 70:65, while Turkey did not allow them, to come closer.
Hedo Turkoglu (206-F-79) led the winners with 13 points and Omer Asik (213-C-86) notched 12. Omer Onan (194-G-78) ended up with 11, while Ender Arslan (190-G-83) scored 10. Nikola Vucevic (208-F-90, college: USC) produced 15 points in the losing case and Omar-Sharif Cook (186-PG-82, agency: Beo Basket, college: St.John's) delivered 14. Vladimir Dasic (207-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) chipped in 11, whilst Vladimir Golubovic (213-C-86) poured in 6.

Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic 15, Omar-Sharif Cook 14, Vladimir Dasic 11, Vladimir Golubovic 6
Turkey: Hedo Turkoglu 13, Omer Asik 12, Omer Onan 11, Ender Arslan 10


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  UKRAINE   


The Tall Blacks rout Ukraine - by Eurobasket News
Ukraine-New Zealand 78:85

The Tall Blacks rout Ukraine in the game for the third place at the Adidas Istanbul Cup 2011. New Zealand overcame Ukraine 85:78 to clinch the initial victory in Turkey. New Zealand will have then the three-game series against Australia early next month for a place in the London Olympics.
The teams were tied at 10:10 and then the European team took 16:15 after the first 10 minutes. Alexander Kolchenko (198-F/G-88, agency: Beo Basket) and Lishchuk brought 23:15, while Ukraine later had to 30:24. After 27-17 in the second frame, Fratellos team enjoyed 43:32 advantage. Alex Pledger (216-C-87, college: Belm.Abbey) reduced to 45:43 and New Zealand brought 60:57 after three quarters. Ukraine still remained alive in the game taking 67:65, but failed at the end. New Zealand needed 25-21 in the last stanza to seal the victory.

Kirk Penney (196-G-80, college: Wisconsin) stepped up with 26 points for the winners and Alex Pledger notched 12. Mika Vukona followed him with 10 points in a win. Steve Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) replied with 18 points in the losing effort, while Alexander Kolchenko recorded 17. Serhiy Lischuck and Oleksiy Pecherov ended up with 11 points each in defeat.

Ukraine: Steve Burtt 18, Alexander Kolchenko 17, Serhiy Lischuck 11, Oleksiy Pecherov 11
New Zealand: Kirk Penney 26, Alex Pledger 12, Mika Vukona (197-F-82) 10


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  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   


Cory Bradford stays at An Nahl Sharjah - by Eurobasket Center
33-year old American guard Cory Bradford (191-G-78, agency: Edge Sports, college: Illinois) decided to stay in UAE top team - An Nahl Sharjah . Bradford joined the team in May and won Arab Club Championships last season.. Before came to UAE, Corey has played at Al Rayyan Doha (Qatar). Bradford is a very experienced player. He played also pro basketball in Cyprus, France, Hungary, Mexico, Venezuela and USA.

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  UNITED KINGDOM   


Newcastle Eagles sign Paul Gause - by Eurobasket Center
Newcastle Eagles signed 25-year old American guard Paul Gause (180-G-86, college: Seton Hall, agency: I.D.S. Law). It will be his second year in Europe. Last year he played for USC Freibourg (Germany-ProA). In 28 games he was averaging 15.9ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.8apg and 2.8spg (second best in the league).

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  URUGUAY   


Uruguay clinch Oscar Moglia Cup title - by Eurobasket News
Uruguay - Argentina 87:65

Uruguay celebrated the title at Oscar Moglia Cup in Montevideo. The hosts rallied past Argentina on the final day of the tournament to climb on top of the ladder. Martin Osimani (194-G-81, college: Duquesne) stepped up with 23 points to lead the effort.
Uruguay posted a 20:16 lead after ten minutes. The hosts kept in front throughout the second term. They established a 40:37 halftime lead. Uruguay managed to clear off in the third stanza. The home team piled up a 14-point lead at the final break 62:48. Uruguay unloaded 25 points in the fourth quarter and gave no chance for Argentina to recover from the blow. Gustavo Barrera, Reque Newsome (204-C-81, college: S.Indiana) and Esteban Batista (208-F/C-83) delivered 15 points each to pace the effort. Nicolas Romano (197-F/C-87) and Alejandro Alloatti (203-F/C-84) answered with 15 points each for Argentina. Luciano Gonzalez (196-F-90) had 13 points in the loss.

Uruguay: Martin Osimani 23, Gustavo Barrera 15, Reque Newsome 15, Esteban Batista 15
Argentina: Nicolas Romano 15, Alejandro Alloatti 15, Luciano Gonzalez 13



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  VENEZUELA   


Venezuela edge Cuba to finish second in Montevideo - by Eurobasket News
Venezuela - Cuba 84:68

Venezuela prevailed against Cuba to improve at 2-1 record at Oscar Moglia Cup in Montevideo. Therefore Venezuela occupied the second overall position at the tournament. Axiers Sucre (198-F-78) stepped up with 14 points to lead balanced effort from the winners. Cuba suffered the third straight loss at the tourney.
Venezuela marked their ambitions early in the encounter. They stormed past Cuba in the opening frame posting a 30:14 lead ten minutes into the encounter. Cuba however trimmed the deficit in the second period. They got within 6 points at the interval 38:44. But Venezuela stepped on the gas in the third period. They registered a 66:49 lead heading into the fourth quarter and never looked back en route to the victory. David Cubillan (183-PG-87, college: Marquette) posted 12 points for the winners. Greivis Vasquez (198-PG-87, college: Maryland) and Heissler Guillent (186-G-86, agency: Paris Global Sports) added 11 points each for Venezuela. Cuba responded with 19 points from Lisvan Valdez (194-G/F-88). Yoan Luis Haiti (200-C-82) finished with 16 points in the loss.

Venezuela: Axiers Sucre 14, David Cubillan 12, Greivis Vasquez 11, Heissler Guillent 11
Cuba: Lisvan Valdez 19, Yoan Luis Haiti 16



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  VTB UNITED LEAGUE   


Standings
VTB United League Standings
Group A
 1. Anwil 0-0 
 2. Asseco Prokom 0-0 
 3. BC Astana 0-0 
 4. Budivelnyk 0-0 
 5. CEZ Nymburk 0-0 
 6. CSKA 0-0 
 7. Enisey 0-0 
 8. Honka 0-0 
 9. Khimky 0-0 
 10. Lietuvos Rytas 0-0 
 11. Minsk-2006 0-0 
 12. Unics 0-0 
 13. VEF Riga 0-0 
 14. Zalgiris 0-0 
Group B
 1. Dnipro 0-0 
 2. Krasnie Krilya 0-0 
 3. Siauliai 0-0 




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Women News

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  ARGENTINA - Women  


LNBF: Final Four participants are known - by Eurobasket News
Participants of the LNBF Final Four are known. Velez, Berazategui, Lanus and Union Florida will fight for the title. The Tournament will be played from September 2-4. In the latest games, Velez destroyed Berazategui 93-29. That meeting was played on Sunday. With this victory, Velez once again proved their highest ambitions this season. They won Group A with perfect 3-0 record. In Group B, Lanus is unbeaten. In the latest game they blasted Libertad 82-33. Second ranked team of this pool Union Florida smashed Union 90-29 on Sunday. Union Florida made 2-1 record.


Latest scores

Friday
A / Independiente 66-77 Berazategui.
B / Libertad 35-87 Unin Florida
A / Racing-Guaran 56-96 Vlez.
B / Unin 50-94 Lans.

Saturday
A / Vlez 89-48 Independiente.
B / Unin Florida 55-60 Lans
A / Racing-Guaran 60-68 Berazategui.
B / Unin 42-51 Libertad.

Sunday
A / Berazategui 29-93 Vlez.
B / Lans 82-33 Libertad
A / Racing-Guaran 84-71 Independiente.
B / Unin 29-90 Unin Florida.


Standings (pts)

Group A
(Q)Vlez 6
(Q)Berazategui 5
Racing-Guaran 4
Independiente 3

Group B
(Q)Lans 6
(Q)Unin Florida 5
Libertad 4
Unin 3

(Q) Qualified for the Final Four



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  ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - Women  


Semifinals are set in Omura - by Eurobasket News
Level I
India-Lebanon 52:71
India lost to Lebanon at the last game of the Preliminary Round at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. Lebanon started strong and reached 71:52 win. The team finished on the last spot in the group with 0-5 record and will play Malaysia in the Level I play-off for the third FIBA Asia Championship for Women in a row. Lebanon meanwhile will take on Kazakhstan that finished second in Level II.
Lebanon opened the game with 20-4 and never looked behind after. Bharti NETAM reduced to 24:13, while Brittany Denson (192-C-87, college: S.Florida) closed the half at 32:17. Lebanon pushed the tempo again in the third quarter and after 23-9 enjoyed 55:26 after three quarters. India bounced back with 26-16 but could only cut to 19 points.
Brittany Denson and Chada Nasr (174-G-83) top-scored for the winners with 16 points each while the latter added 10 rebounds. Nayla Alameddine (175-F-82) delivered 14 points in the winning effort for the initial victory. Geethu Anna Jose (185-C-85) replied with 21 points for India and Anitha Pauldurai (170-G-85) notched 9.

India: Geethu Anna Jose 21, Anitha Pauldurai 9
Lebanon: Brittany Denson 16, Chada Nasr 16+10 rebs, Nayla Alameddine 14

South Korea-Chinese Taipei 69:67
South Korea edged Chinese Taipei, will face them again in the semis at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. The favorites grabbed 69:67 win to win Group A with 5-0 record. Chinese Taipei finished fourth with 2-3 record and advance to the semis as the last fourth team from the group.
The teams exchanged the lead in the opening tip, while South Korea took 25:18 at the end of the frame. Chiang Feng-Chun (184-F-81) reduced to 29:27 and Yi-Hung MA tied it all at 31:31. Ajeong KANG however sent the squads to the lockers at 35:33, South Korea. The latter stayed in front for the whole third period and increased to 53:48 at the end of it. Ha Eun Joo (200-C-83) made the biggest lead in the second half for the winners, while Chiang Feng-Chun cut it to 69:67 with a minute to go. As it became clear her shot was the last successful in the game.
Kim Jung Eun (180-F-87) stepped up with 17 points for the winners and Ha Eun Joo notched 15. Chiang Feng-Chun ended up with 24 points in the losing effort and Lan Jui-Yu (170-G-83) as well as Liu Chun-Yi (180-F/C-81) added 11 apiece.

South Korea: Kim Jung Eun 17, Ha Eun Joo 15
Chinese Taipei: Chiang Feng-Chun 24, Lan Jui-Yu 11, Liu Chun-Yi 11

China-Japan 76:53
China outscored Japan at the last game of the Preliminary Round of the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. China held overall control of the proceedings in their 76:53 win on Thursday.
Both teams knew the importance of the game that could not bring them any chances of avoiding the meeting in the semis. They both nailed 19 points in the opening period, but then China grabbed 11-point lead at the halftime. China added the same 21-10 in the third quarter and enjoyed 61:39 after 30 minutes. They added 15-14 in the last quarter for the final success.
Yan Yan JI top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Ma Zengyu (183-F-84) netted 12. Chen Nan (197-C-83) posted 10, while Yang Ban Ban (171-G-89) delivered 9. Yoko Nagi (175-F-82) responded with 13 points in the losing effort and Moeko Nagaoka (180-F-93) scored 10.
China will take on Japan in the semifinals again on Saturday. In another Semifinal South Korea will take on Chinese Taipei.

China: Ji Yan Yan (182-G/F-85) 17, Ma Zengyu 12, Chen Nan 10 Yang Ban Ban 9
Japan: Yoko Nagi 13, Moeko Nagaoka 10

Level II
Indonesia - Singapore 74:58
Indonesia recorded the fourth win at the Asia Championship. They toppled Singapore for 4-1 record in Level II group. But the victory was not enough for Indonesia as they claimed the third position in the ladder and failed to advance into Level I qualifying round. Jacklien Ibo (175-F-90) stepped up with 20 points to pace Indonesia.
Indonesia registered a 21:15 lead after ten minutes. Singapore cut the deficit in the second term. They arrived at halftime trailing by just 3 points 32:35. Indonesia however picked up the slack in the third term. They limited Singapore to just 7 points in the third stanza and piled up a 16-point lead at the final intermission. The teams traded baskets in the fourth frame as Indonesia marched to the victory at the end. Wulan Ningrum (174-G/F-85) knocked down 14 points, while Catryn Clorissa (175-F-91) added 10 points for the winners. Koh Weibin (165-F-86) answered with 21 points for Singapore. Lim Jiamin (167-PG-91) provided 12 points and 6 rebounds in defeat.

Indonesia: Jacklien Ibo 20, Wulan Ningrum 14, Catryn Clorissa 10
Singapore: Koh Weibin 21, Lim Jiamin 12

Kazakhstan - Sri Lanka 80:42
Kazakhstan registered the fourth win at the Asia Championship in Omura. They cruised past Sri Lanka to improve at 4-1 record in Level II ladder. Kazakhstan will now take on Lebanon in the battle for Level I promotion. Nadezhda Kondrakova (192-C-89) and Anna Vinokurova (191-C-92) stepped up with 14 points each to pace the Kazakh team. Sri Lanka fell at 0-5 record after the loss.
Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka stayed on level terms throughout the opening quarter. The Kazakh team posted a 17:13 lead after ten minutes. Kazakhstan shifted the gear drastically in the second quarter. They held their opponents to just 4 points in the period and registered a 41:17 halftime lead. Kazakhstan took over completely and raced to a massive 65:27 lead at the final intermission. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the fourth period as Kazakhstan coasted to the victory. Tamara Seregina (182-F-90) and Yulia Korotkaya (175-G-77) added 13 points apiece in the win. Inoka Pedige (82) answered with 21 points and 6 boards for Sri Lanka. Herath Ekanayake netted 5 points in the loss.

Kazakhstan: Nadezhda Kondrakova 14, Anna Vinokurova 14, Tamara Seregina 13, Yulia Korotkaya 13
Sri Lanka: Inoka Pedige 21, Herath Ekanayake 5

Malaysia - Uzbekistan 65:58
Malaysia registered a key win at the Asia Championship in Japan. They held off Uzbekistan to book appearance in the qualifying round. Malaysia will now take on India for Level I promotion. Hui Pin Pang (176-90) scored 15 points to pace Malaysia past Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan got to the better start. They recorded a 20:15 lead at the first break. Malaysia responded in the second quarter. They erased the deficit and registered a 35:33 halftime lead. Malaysia stayed in charge throughout the third term. They posted a 49:44 advantage heading into the fourth frame. Zakharova put Uzbekistan within one with under three minutes to 56:57. However Beng Fong Goh and Hui Pin Pang knocked down five next points and Malaysia ran away for the victory at the end. Woon Yuen Teo (165-G-85) produced 13 points, while Shin Min Yong (174-F-87) added 8 points in the winning effort. Irina Polunina (176-G-79) answered with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Anastasiya Mikulenko (193-F/C-88) had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Malaysia: Hui Pin Pang 15, Woon Yuen Teo 13, Shin Min Yong 8
Uzbekistan: Irina Polunina 17, Anastasiya Mikulenko 16+13 boards


Standings
Standings
Group A
1. S.Korea5-0
2. China4-1
3. Japan3-2
4. Taiwan2-3
5. Lebanon1-4
6. India0-5
Group B
1. Malaysia4-1
2. Kazakhstan4-1
3. Indonesia4-1
4. Uzbekistan2-3
5. Singapore1-4
6. Sri Lanka0-5


Shada and Nayla helped Lebanon to achieve their first ever win in LEVEL 1 - by Maarouf Mawloud
Lebanon reeled in 14 unanswered points in the early part of the game and held fort thereafter to win 71-52 against India for their first ever win in Elite Level I of the competition on Thursday.

India who are now winless in Level I including a 0-5 losing streak in the 23rd FIBA Asia Championship for Women at Chennai (India) in 2009 play Malaysia in the Level I play-off for the third FIBA Asia Championship for Women in a row.

Lebanon take on Kazakhstan.

Both the games are scheduled for Saturday after Fridays rest day.

Nayla Alameddine finished the game with hight field goal percentage (100% - 2pt: 2/2,3pt:3/3),she scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds,all game long.

Chada Nasr (174-G-83), arguably the craftiest player in WABA womens basketball, scored 8 of her games 16 points, and more importantly played the first line of defense in cutting off Indias rhythm, to lead Lebanons charge.

Chada went on to collect a game-high 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

Well, you can say we prepared hard for this game playing in the earlier four, the Antranik player joked after the game.

On a serious note, Nasr said: I think the girls were charged up to prove a point after four successive defeats. Sometimes passionate play helps overcome certain difficulties.

India, on other hand found the goal all of twice Geethu Anna Jose had a poor 1/7 in field shooting and continued to struggle till a minor, and momentary, return to form in the fourth quarter when she scored 15 of her game-high 21 points.

Lebanons naturalized center Brittany Denson stood like a rock in the center literally of the Lebanese defense mechanism with 4 blocks and 7 rebounds apart from scoring 16 points.

There was a minor flutter when India raised a 15-5 advantage in the early part of the fourth quarter but coming as it did after Lebanon taken a vice-like grip on the game the run was a case of too little coming too late.



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


West the way to go for Martin - by Eurobasket News
The Alcohol. Think Again West Coast Waves today announce the signing of former Adelaide Lightning and Australian Junior Representative Nikita-Lee Martin (184-G-88) to their 2011/12 playing roster.

The former Australian Institute of Sport graduate comes to the West Coast Waves following previous stints in the WNBL with the AIS, Sydney Uni and her hometown Adelaide.

The young guard brings experience and offensive prowess despite only being 23 years of age.

Renowned for her shooting, Martin will add another offensive element to the Waves, an important addition given the unfortunate loss of Rachel Watman for the start of the season due to injury.

Im really looking forward to playing for the Waves this season,' said Martin.

'Its a really professional program and I'm excited at the opportunity to be able to grow and learn under coach David Herbert and train alongside girls like Rohanee Cox who has so much knowledge and experience in the game.

Head Coach David Herbert says of Martins signing: Nikita adds some real depth to our playing roster. I believe she has the ability to make some tremendous strides this year and establish herself as a premier WNBL player.

I feel Nikita brings some much needed size to our guard rotation and will be a perfect fit for the style of game we wish to play this year.

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

*****************************************************
  BULGARIA - Women  


Evelina Guneva moves to Burgos - by Christomir Rackov
Bulgarian Evelina Guneva (183-F-80, agency: Interperformances) will play in Spain for another season. She played for Spanish teams for the last few years and now she signed with a new team - Arranz-Jopisa Burgos. The team will compete in the elite LFB, as it finished 12th last season.

Guneva played for Argon Uni Girona in 2010/2011. In 26 games with the team she averaged 7.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg. Earlier in her career she played for Real Canoe and Cadi la Seu. Before moving to Spain she was a part of Sibenik Jolly JBS (Croatia), Wisla Can-Pack Krakow (Poland) and Technological University Kazan (Russia). Here is what Burgos coach Ricardo Gonzalez had to say about her:
'Since we started planning the roster for the new season Evelina was one of our top targets. We needed a forward with her abilities. She's talented and she's good at many things, which will help our team. Guneva is an experienced player and knows our championship very well. I believe in her and I'm sure here in Burgos shel'l play her best season in the Spanish LFB'.

Gergana Slavcheva stays in Italy - by Eurobasket News
Gergana Slavcheva (186-F-79) will stay in Italy for at least one more season. The former Bulgarian NT member penned a deal with Basket Parma. Slavcheva spent last season with Priolo. She played 9 games for them in Serie A1 registering 4.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 2 apg. They parted ways in January. Before Priolo, Gergana Slavcheva played two years for Pool Comense. She shined with 12.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.5 apg in their first season together. In 2008/09, Slavcheva had 9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 3.3 spg for 28 games. In the past, she also played for Italian teams Vicenza and La Spezia. Slavcheva played for French Tarbes in 2006/07.

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


China outscored Japan at the last game of the Preliminary Round in Omura - by Eurobasket News
China-Japan 76:53

China outscored Japan at the last game of the Preliminary Round of the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. China held overall control of the proceedings in their 76:53 win on Thursday.
Both teams knew the importance of the game that could not bring them any chances of avoiding the meeting in the semis. They both nailed 19 points in the opening period, but then China grabbed 11-point lead at the halftime. China added the same 21-10 in the third quarter and enjoyed 61:39 after 30 minutes. They added 15-14 in the last quarter for the final success.
Yanyan JI top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Ma Zengyu (183-F-84) netted 12. Chen Nan (197-C-83) posted 10, while Yang Ban Ban (171-G-89) delivered 9. Yoko Nagi (175-F-82) responded with 13 points in the losing effort and Moeko Nagaoka (180-F-93) scored 10.
China will take on Japan in the semifinals again on Saturday. In another Semifinal South Korea will take on Chinese Taipei.

China: Ji Yan Yan (182-G/F-85) 17, Ma Zengyu 12, Chen Nan 10 Yang Ban Ban 9
Japan: Yoko Nagi 13, Moeko Nagaoka 10


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


Donau-Ries Noerdlingen present 2011/2012 roster - by Eurobasket News
Donau-Ries Noerdlingen present 2011/2012 roster and is ready for the upcoming season. As it was mentioned earlier by Juliane Hoehne, Nina Djokovic (184-C/F-87, college: Bethel (TN)) became the newest signee of Heli Donau-Ries Noerdlingen for the upcoming season. Earlier the team announced American Player Amber Sprague (196-C-86, college: San Diego).
Nathalie Ebertz (185-F/C-90) left the team at the end of the season. She averaged 1.2 points per game in the 2010/2011 season. The 1974 year-born Daniela Recht (181-F-74) finished her career. In the last season she averaged 2.2ppg, 1.6rpg. Sophie Eder (178-F-93) moved to Friendsfactory Jahn Mnchen, 2. Liga Sd. She showed 4.3ppg and this summer also participated at the European Championships U18 Division B in Miskolc (Hungary) . In 8 games she had 12.0ppg, 2.5rpg, FGP: 38.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 69.2%.

The following players will remain in the team:
Amanda Rego (170-G-86, college: San Diego)
Morgan Henderson (185-F-88, college: San Diego)
Jenny Sommer (185-C-88)
Teresa Kucera (185-G-94)
Fanny Szittya (170-PG-94)
Amelie Wittmann (168-G-94)
Dorothea Richter (176-G-83)
Corry Berger (192-F/C-82, college: USF)



Samantha Meissel agreed with Chemnitz - by Eurobasket News
Samantha Meissel agreed with Chemnitz for the next season. The American player arrives from University of Indianapolis.
In 2007-08 she played in 23 games, dubbed GLVC Freshman of the Year and made third team all-conference. She made collegiate debut in an exhibition game at Indiana State (11/03/07) and finished with 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting . later she excelled at the GLVC Tournament with a 16-point, 11-rebound performance versus Quincy.
In 2008-09 became the first Greyhound since 2005 to be named to the All-GLVC First Team. She ranked second in the GLVC in scoring average at 18.7 ppg, good for the third highest sum in program history. In 2009 Samantha notched two double-doubles on the year, including a 25-point, 11-rebound effort vs. ninth-ranked Quincy at the GLVC Tournament.
In 2009-10 began the campaign third in the UIndy annuls in scoring average (16.2 ppg) and fourth in FG percentage (.527).
The team already confirmed Kelly Brugman (185-F/C-89), Gina Gross (167-G-90), Jana Heinrich (188-F/C-86, college: San Diego St.), Melissa Jeltema (175-G-88, college: Oakland), Mary Ann Mihaly, Sidney Parsons (168-G-88, college: Bridgeport), Nevena Saponjic (186-C-85), Judith Schmidt (186-F/C-92), Christina Schnorr (187-F-92) and Samantha Whitcomb (178-G, college: Washington).


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


Binnenland announced Charlotte Kromhout and Linda Appers - by Eurobasket News
Binnenland announced Charlotte Kromhout (168-G-87) and Linda Appers (184-F-85) for 2011/2012 season. The Dutch Guard comes from AutoCAD Amazone, while the Dutch Forward arrives from Wereldtickets.nl BV Leiderdorp.
In 2008-2009 she started with Amazone Leidsche Rijn (Eredivisie) and in 2009-2010 after 34 games averaged 7.7ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.6apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 72.2%. In 2010-2011 for AutoCAD Amazone Leidsche Rijn (Eredivisie, starting five) after 16 games her stats read 8.0ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 33.3%, 3PT: 31.0%, FT: 57.7%.
Charlotte Kromhout is a National team player in 2010 and played for Holland against Lithuania in August. Lithuania demonstrated their power at the beginning of EuroBasket 2011 Qualifications. Lithuania destroyed Holland 98-52 in Qualifying Group A.
Linda Appers started her career in 2005-2006 for CBV Binnenland (Eredivisie) and in 2006-2007 moved to Renes Binnenland (Eredivisie, starting five). In 2009-2010 she went to Wereldtickets.nl BV Leiderdorp (Eredivisie) and in 25 games averaged 4.1ppg, 2.8rpg. Last season her stats read 3.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.1apg.


HLB Accountants with few rosters changes - by Eurobasket News
HLB Accountants is getting ready for the 2011/2012 season and announced some changes in the roster.
Laura Kooij (184-F/C-82) will remain for her 5th season with the team. In 2010-2011 for HLB Accountants Den Helder (Eredivisie, starting five) in 20 games she averaged 11.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 5.6apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 82.7%.
Romee Van Der Vlies (179-G-91) will play in her 4th season in a row. In 2010-2011 for HLB Accountants Den Helder (Eredivisie) after 19 games she had 1.5ppg.
Mascha van der Linden (175-G-90) returns to the squad. In 2006-2007 she played for Yellow Bike Den Helder (Eredivisie) and in 2009-2010 again continued for HLB Accountants Den Helder (Eredivisie). In 35 games her stats read 2.3ppg, 1.2rpg.
Tamlyn De Groot (186-C-91) is the newcomer from CTO Amsterdam. In her last season she averaged 2.0ppg, 2.5rpg. Tessel van Dongen (175-PG-91) was her teammate in the previous team and for CTO Amsterdam (Eredivisie) last season averaged 2.8ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg.



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


Reyana Colson to KR - by Siggi Hjorleifsson
KR has sign Reyana Colson (167-G, agency: World Sport Agency, college: Cal Poly Pomona) guard from D-2 College Cal Poly Pomona team that went to Sweet Sixteen last season
KR also sign Sigrun Amundadottir, a former player of the team last season she played in NF 2 in France

Hamar has new coach, Larus Jonsson will coach both mens & womens team at the Club. Team has lost most of their top players from last season 3 of them follow their former coach at Club Agust Bjorgvinson to Valur Gudbjorg Sverrisdottir, Kristrun Sigurjonsdottir & Thorunn Bjarnadottir all went to Valur. Fanney Lind Gudmundsdottir sign with Union Sportive De La Glacerie in NF 2 France.

As stated in another news Snaefell sign Shannon McKever (Agent Icebasket) McKever was Division 2 player of the year 2011.

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  INDIA - Women  


India lost to Lebanon at the last game of the Preliminary Round - by Eurobasket News
India-Lebanon 52:71

India lost to Lebanon at the last game of the Preliminary Round at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. Lebanon started strong and reached 71:52 win. The team finished on the last spot in the group with 0-5 record and will play Malaysia in the Level I play-off for the third FIBA Asia Championship for Women in a row. Lebanon meanwhile will take on Kazakhstan that finished second in Level II.
Lebanon opened the game with 20-4 and never looked behind after. Bharti NETAM reduced to 24:13, while Brittany Denson (192-C-87, college: S.Florida) closed the half at 32:17. Lebanon pushed the tempo again in the third quarter and after 23-9 enjoyed 55:26 after three quarters. India bounced back with 26-16 but could only cut to 19 points.
Brittany Denson and Chada Nasr (174-G-83) top-scored for the winners with 16 points each while the latter added 10 rebounds. Nayla Alameddine (175-F-82) delivered 14 points in the winning effort for the initial victory. Geethu Anna Jose (185-C-85) replied with 21 points for India and Anitha Pauldurai (170-G-85) notched 9.

India: Geethu Anna Jose 21, Anitha Pauldurai 9
Lebanon: Brittany Denson 16, Chada Nasr 16+10 rebs, Nayla Alameddine 14



*****************************************************
  INDONESIA - Women  


Indonesia fire past Singapore, not enough to qualify - by Eurobasket News
Indonesia - Singapore 74:58

Indonesia recorded the fourth win at the Asia Championship. They toppled Singapore for 4-1 record in Level II group. But the victory was not enough for Indonesia as they claimed the third position in the ladder and failed to advance into Level I qualifying round. Jacklien Ibo (175-F-90) stepped up with 20 points to pace Indonesia.
Indonesia registered a 21:15 lead after ten minutes. Singapore cut the deficit in the second term. They arrived at halftime trailing by just 3 points 32:35. Indonesia however picked up the slack in the third term. They limited Singapore to just 7 points in the third stanza and piled up a 16-point lead at the final intermission. The teams traded baskets in the fourth frame as Indonesia marched to the victory at the end. Wulan Ningrum (174-G/F-85) knocked down 14 points, while Catryn Clorissa (175-F-91) added 10 points for the winners. Koh Weibin (165-F-86) answered with 21 points for Singapore. Lim Jiamin (167-PG-91) provided 12 points and 6 rebounds in defeat.

Indonesia: Jacklien Ibo 20, Wulan Ningrum 14, Catryn Clorissa 10
Singapore: Koh Weibin 21, Lim Jiamin 12


*****************************************************
  JAPAN - Women  


China outscored Japan at the last game of the Preliminary Round in Omura - by Eurobasket News
China-Japan 76:53

China outscored Japan at the last game of the Preliminary Round of the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. China held overall control of the proceedings in their 76:53 win on Thursday.
Both teams knew the importance of the game that could not bring them any chances of avoiding the meeting in the semis. They both nailed 19 points in the opening period, but then China grabbed 11-point lead at the halftime. China added the same 21-10 in the third quarter and enjoyed 61:39 after 30 minutes. They added 15-14 in the last quarter for the final success.
Yanyan JI top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Ma Zengyu (183-F-84) netted 12. Chen Nan (197-C-83) posted 10, while Yang Ban Ban (171-G-89) delivered 9. Yoko Nagi (175-F-82) responded with 13 points in the losing effort and Moeko Nagaoka (180-F-93) scored 10.
China will take on Japan in the semifinals again on Saturday. In another Semifinal South Korea will take on Chinese Taipei.

China: Ji Yan Yan (182-G/F-85) 17, Ma Zengyu 12, Chen Nan 10 Yang Ban Ban 9
Japan: Yoko Nagi 13, Moeko Nagaoka 10


*****************************************************
  KAZAKHSTAN - Women  


Kazakhstan outscore Sri Lanka in Omura - by Eurobasket News
Kazakhstan - Sri Lanka 80:42

Kazakhstan registered the fourth win at the Asia Championship in Omura. They cruised past Sri Lanka to improve at 4-1 record in Level II ladder. Kazakhstan will now take on Lebanon in the battle for Level I promotion. Nadezhda Kondrakova (192-C-89) and Anna Vinokurova (191-C-92) stepped up with 14 points each to pace the Kazakh team. Sri Lanka fell at 0-5 record after the loss.
Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka stayed on level terms throughout the opening quarter. The Kazakh team posted a 17:13 lead after ten minutes. Kazakhstan shifted the gear drastically in the second quarter. They held their opponents to just 4 points in the period and registered a 41:17 halftime lead. Kazakhstan took over completely and raced to a massive 65:27 lead at the final intermission. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the fourth period as Kazakhstan coasted to the victory. Tamara Seregina (182-F-90) and Yulia Korotkaya (175-G-77) added 13 points apiece in the win. Inoka Pedige (82) answered with 21 points and 6 boards for Sri Lanka. Herath Ekanayake netted 5 points in the loss.

Kazakhstan: Nadezhda Kondrakova 14, Anna Vinokurova 14, Tamara Seregina 13, Yulia Korotkaya 13
Sri Lanka: Inoka Pedige 21, Herath Ekanayake 5


*****************************************************
  LEBANON - Women  


Shada and Nayla helped Lebanon to achieve their first ever win in LEVEL 1 - by Maarouf Mawloud
Lebanon reeled in 14 unanswered points in the early part of the game and held fort thereafter to win 71-52 against India for their first ever win in Elite Level I of the competition on Thursday.

India who are now winless in Level I including a 0-5 losing streak in the 23rd FIBA Asia Championship for Women at Chennai (India) in 2009 play Malaysia in the Level I play-off for the third FIBA Asia Championship for Women in a row.

Lebanon take on Kazakhstan.

Both the games are scheduled for Saturday after Fridays rest day.

Nayla Alameddine finished the game with hight field goal percentage (100% - 2pt: 2/2,3pt:3/3),she scored 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds,all game long.

Chada Nasr (174-G-83), arguably the craftiest player in WABA womens basketball, scored 8 of her games 16 points, and more importantly played the first line of defense in cutting off Indias rhythm, to lead Lebanons charge.

Chada went on to collect a game-high 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

Well, you can say we prepared hard for this game playing in the earlier four, the Antranik player joked after the game.

On a serious note, Nasr said: I think the girls were charged up to prove a point after four successive defeats. Sometimes passionate play helps overcome certain difficulties.

India, on other hand found the goal all of twice Geethu Anna Jose had a poor 1/7 in field shooting and continued to struggle till a minor, and momentary, return to form in the fourth quarter when she scored 15 of her game-high 21 points.

Lebanons naturalized center Brittany Denson stood like a rock in the center literally of the Lebanese defense mechanism with 4 blocks and 7 rebounds apart from scoring 16 points.

There was a minor flutter when India raised a 15-5 advantage in the early part of the fourth quarter but coming as it did after Lebanon taken a vice-like grip on the game the run was a case of too little coming too late.



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  MALAYSIA - Women  


Malaysia edge out Uzbekistan, advance into qualifying round at Asia Championship - by Eurobasket News
Malaysia - Uzbekistan 65:58

Malaysia registered a key win at the Asia Championship in Japan. They held off Uzbekistan to book appearance in the qualifying round. Malaysia will now take on India for Level I promotion. Hui Pin Pang (176-90) scored 15 points to pace Malaysia past Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan got to the better start. They recorded a 20:15 lead at the first break. Malaysia responded in the second quarter. They erased the deficit and registered a 35:33 halftime lead. Malaysia stayed in charge throughout the third term. They posted a 49:44 advantage heading into the fourth frame. Zakharova put Uzbekistan within one with under three minutes to 56:57. However Beng Fong Goh and Hui Pin Pang knocked down five next points and Malaysia ran away for the victory at the end. Woon Yuen Teo (165-G-85) produced 13 points, while Shin Min Yong (174-F-87) added 8 points in the winning effort. Irina Polunina (176-G-79) answered with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Anastasiya Mikulenko (193-F/C-88) had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Malaysia: Hui Pin Pang 15, Woon Yuen Teo 13, Shin Min Yong 8
Uzbekistan: Irina Polunina 17, Anastasiya Mikulenko 16+13 boards


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  NCAA1 - Women  


Tennessee's Pat Summitt plans to coach despite early onset dementia - by Eurobasket News
Tennessee's Pat Summitt plans to coach 'as long as the good Lord is willing' despite recently being diagnosed with early onset dementia.

In a statement from Summitt released by the university Tuesday, the Hall of Fame coach said she visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after the end of the 2010-11 basketball season ended and was diagnosed with early onset dementia - Alzheimer's type - over the summer.

'I plan to continue to be your coach,' Summitt said. 'Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition, since there will be some good days and some bad days.'

The Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel and Washington Post first reported Summitt's condition.

Tennessee Athletic Director Joan Cronan told the AP that Summitt first thought her symptoms were side effects from medicine she was taking to treat rheumatoid arthritis. She said Summitt appears to be feeling better after beginning to get treatment for the dementia condition and speaking publicly about it.

'She's ready to fight this and move on,' Cronan said. 'She had to come to grips with how she wanted to face it.'

Summitt, 59, told the Knoxville paper she will rely on medication and mental exercises to manage the progressive condition that destroys cognitive abilities over time. She said longtime assistants Holly Warlick, Dean Lockwood and Mickie DeMoss will take on more responsibilities with the team going forward.

Summitt met with the Lady Volunteers on Tuesday to discuss her diagnosis.

Both UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Cronan pledged their support of Summitt's decision to continue coaching.

'Pat Summitt is our head coach and she will continue to be,' Cronan said. 'She is an icon not only for women's basketball but for all of women's athletics. For Pat to stand-up and share her health news is just a continuing example of her courage. Life is an unknown and none of us have a crystal ball. But I do have a record of knowing what Pat Summitt stands for; excellence, strength, honesty and courage.'

As college basketball's winningest coach, Summitt has spent 37 seasons at Tennessee and has 1,071 career victories and eight national championships. The Lady Vols have failed to reach the Final Four since they last won the national championship in 2008.

Summitt said she met with local doctors after becoming concerned about her health, and those physicians recommended she undergo a more extensive evaluation. Summitt told the News Sentinel that her maternal grandmother had suffered from severe dementia.

'Pat came to us with concerns about her health and our preliminary evaluation was suggestive of dementia. Because of her young age, Pat was referred to neurology for formal evaluation,' Dr. Amy Bentley, with Knoxville's Internal Medicine Associates, said in a statement. 'After extensive testing, a diagnosis of early Alzheimer's was made and appropriate treatment was initiated.'

Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma said he was shocked and saddened to hear the news of Summitt's diagnosis.

'You don't necessarily associate dementia with people our age, so this announcement really put things in perspective,' Auriemma said. 'There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career - head on. I wish her all the best.'

Courtesy of www.azcentral.com

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


Lotos Gdynia inks Aneika Henry - by Lukasz Lukaszewski
Lotos Gdynia officially announced agreement with American center Aneika Henry (191-C-86, college: Florida). This player will be starting five player in this Euroleague team from Poland. Aneika Henry graduated Florida Univerity. Last two seasons she spent in Spain. First in Gran Canaria La Caja de Canarias, second in Mann Filter Zaragoza.

In last season she averaged in league: 9 point, 6,9 rebound and 1,3 block (second score in entire league). She led her team to EuroCup Quarterfinals she averaged: 11,1 point and
8,5 rebound. Polish fans can remember this player from EuroCup game against Energa Torun. Aneika Henry had been playing with no. 13. She made a great job against polish
Eurocup team scoring 27 points and 9 rebounds. In this year she was on the pre-season camp with Seattle Storm, but she did not sign deal with WNBA club.

Highlists from this game: (from kpsport.pl )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8k0uY60z6o


*****************************************************
  PUERTO RICO - Women  


Morovis signs Angelina Williams - by Eurobasket News
Angelina Williams (183-F-83, college: Illinois) will continue her career in Puerto Rico. The American forward signed a deal with Montaneras de Morovis. They compete in BSNF. Williams finished last season in Switzerland as a member of BCF Elfic Fribourg Basket. He joined them in January averaging 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.8 steals and 2.4 blocks. She led Fribourg to LNA title. They also reached Swiss Cup Finals. Williams was named Eurobasket.com All-Swiss LNA 2nd Team -11. Before Fribourg, she played in Sweden, Greece and Israel. Angelina Williams also has experience from the WNBA. Actually, she won the WNBA title with Detroit Shock in 2006 season. For 28 games she averaged 1.8 points.

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


ICIM Arad signs Alina Craciun - by Eurobasket News
Alina Craciun (194-C-93) is a new member of ICIM Arad. The Romanian center signed a deal for the next season. She heads to Arad from Olimpia Bucharest. Last season Craciun appeared 23 times in D1 averaging 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Alina Craciun played for Romanian U18 National Team this summer. She had 8.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg for 8 games at the European Championships U18 in Oradea. Last summer she helped U18 Romania to win the Gold at the European Championships U18 Division B in Timisoara. She had 7.1 ppg, 6 rpg and 3.3 bpg for 8 games at this event. Alina Craciun also played for U20 and U16 Romania. She participated in senior NT camp last year.

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  RUSSIA - Women  


Standings Women D1
PBL Standings
 1. Chevakata 0-0 
 2. Dynamo K. 0-0 
 3. Dynamo M. 0-0 
 4. Dynamo-GUVD 0-0 
 5. Energy Ivanovo 0-0 
 6. Nadezhda O. 0-0 
 7. Spartak N. 0-0 
 8. Spartak SP 0-0 
 9. Spartak V MR 0-0 
 10. UMMC 0-0 


*****************************************************
  SINGAPORE - Women  


Indonesia fire past Singapore, not enough to qualify - by Eurobasket News
Indonesia - Singapore 74:58

Indonesia recorded the fourth win at the Asia Championship. They toppled Singapore for 4-1 record in Level II group. But the victory was not enough for Indonesia as they claimed the third position in the ladder and failed to advance into Level I qualifying round. Jacklien Ibo (175-F-90) stepped up with 20 points to pace Indonesia.
Indonesia registered a 21:15 lead after ten minutes. Singapore cut the deficit in the second term. They arrived at halftime trailing by just 3 points 32:35. Indonesia however picked up the slack in the third term. They limited Singapore to just 7 points in the third stanza and piled up a 16-point lead at the final intermission. The teams traded baskets in the fourth frame as Indonesia marched to the victory at the end. Wulan Ningrum (174-G/F-85) knocked down 14 points, while Catryn Clorissa (175-F-91) added 10 points for the winners. Koh Weibin (165-F-86) answered with 21 points for Singapore. Lim Jiamin (167-PG-91) provided 12 points and 6 rebounds in defeat.

Indonesia: Jacklien Ibo 20, Wulan Ningrum 14, Catryn Clorissa 10
Singapore: Koh Weibin 21, Lim Jiamin 12


*****************************************************
  SOUTH KOREA - Women  


South Korea edged Chinese Taipei, will face them again in the semis - by Eurobasket News
South Korea-Chinese Taipei 69:67

South Korea edged Chinese Taipei, will face them again in the semis at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. The favorites grabbed 69:67 win to win Group A with 5-0 record. Chinese Taipei finished fourth with 2-3 record and advance to the semis as the last fourth team from the group.
The teams exchanged the lead in the opening tip, while South Korea took 25:18 at the end of the frame. Chiang Feng-Chun (184-F-81) reduced to 29:27 and Yi-Hung MA tied it all at 31:31. Ajeong KANG however sent the squads to the lockers at 35:33, South Korea. The latter stayed in front for the whole third period and increased to 53:48 at the end of it. Ha Eun Joo (200-C-83) made the biggest lead in the second half for the winners, while Chiang Feng-Chun cut it to 69:67 with a minute to go. As it became clear her shot was the last successful in the game.
Kim Jung Eun (180-F-87) stepped up with 17 points for the winners and Ha Eun Joo notched 15. Chiang Feng-Chun ended up with 24 points in the losing effort and Lan Jui-Yu (170-G-83) as well as Liu Chun-Yi (180-F/C-81) added 11 apiece.

South Korea: Kim Jung Eun 17, Ha Eun Joo 15
Chinese Taipei: Chiang Feng-Chun 24, Lan Jui-Yu 11, Liu Chun-Yi 11


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  SPAIN - Women  


Victor Torres leaves the management of PDV Ibiza - by Ivan Villar
Victor Torres was one of the first professional general managers of spanish women basketball.After being for long years in Ibizas team he decided to stop his work at the club as manager.Torres has done this because he feels that helps very much to his club.Economic problems are bigger and bigger for PDV Ibiza and Victor Torres knew it better than anybody.However,Victor Torres will keep joined to PDV being the right hand of president of club.Anyway,we are sure that someday he will return back to his job.PDV Ibiza is an important piece of national women basketball thanks to him.

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  SRI LANKA - Women  


Kazakhstan outscore Sri Lanka in Omura - by Eurobasket News
Kazakhstan - Sri Lanka 80:42

Kazakhstan registered the fourth win at the Asia Championship in Omura. They cruised past Sri Lanka to improve at 4-1 record in Level II ladder. Kazakhstan will now take on Lebanon in the battle for Level I promotion. Nadezhda Kondrakova (192-C-89) and Anna Vinokurova (191-C-92) stepped up with 14 points each to pace the Kazakh team. Sri Lanka fell at 0-5 record after the loss.
Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka stayed on level terms throughout the opening quarter. The Kazakh team posted a 17:13 lead after ten minutes. Kazakhstan shifted the gear drastically in the second quarter. They held their opponents to just 4 points in the period and registered a 41:17 halftime lead. Kazakhstan took over completely and raced to a massive 65:27 lead at the final intermission. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the fourth period as Kazakhstan coasted to the victory. Tamara Seregina (182-F-90) and Yulia Korotkaya (175-G-77) added 13 points apiece in the win. Inoka Pedige (82) answered with 21 points and 6 boards for Sri Lanka. Herath Ekanayake netted 5 points in the loss.

Kazakhstan: Nadezhda Kondrakova 14, Anna Vinokurova 14, Tamara Seregina 13, Yulia Korotkaya 13
Sri Lanka: Inoka Pedige 21, Herath Ekanayake 5


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  TAIWAN - Women  


South Korea edged Chinese Taipei, will face them again in the semis - by Eurobasket News
South Korea-Chinese Taipei 69:67

South Korea edged Chinese Taipei, will face them again in the semis at the 24th FIBA Asia Championship for Women. The favorites grabbed 69:67 win to win Group A with 5-0 record. Chinese Taipei finished fourth with 2-3 record and advance to the semis as the last fourth team from the group.
The teams exchanged the lead in the opening tip, while South Korea took 25:18 at the end of the frame. Chiang Feng-Chun (184-F-81) reduced to 29:27 and Yi-Hung MA tied it all at 31:31. Ajeong KANG however sent the squads to the lockers at 35:33, South Korea. The latter stayed in front for the whole third period and increased to 53:48 at the end of it. Ha Eun Joo (200-C-83) made the biggest lead in the second half for the winners, while Chiang Feng-Chun cut it to 69:67 with a minute to go. As it became clear her shot was the last successful in the game.
Kim Jung Eun (180-F-87) stepped up with 17 points for the winners and Ha Eun Joo notched 15. Chiang Feng-Chun ended up with 24 points in the losing effort and Lan Jui-Yu (170-G-83) as well as Liu Chun-Yi (180-F/C-81) added 11 apiece.

South Korea: Kim Jung Eun 17, Ha Eun Joo 15
Chinese Taipei: Chiang Feng-Chun 24, Lan Jui-Yu 11, Liu Chun-Yi 11


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  TURKEY - Women  


Burhaniye signs Selin Oztekin and Dilek Ozak - by Eurobasket News
Burhaniye Belediyespor announced signing of two new players for the next season. The Turkish outfit penned deals with Selin Oztekin (90) and Dilek Ozak (182-F-83).
Selin Oztekin heads to Burhaniye from Alanya, where she spent last three years. In the latest one she had 3.5 ppg and 2.6 rpg for 18 games in TKBL. In 2009/10 season Oztekic had 6.7 ppg and 7.5 for in TBB2L. They won TBB2L championship that year and of course at the same time they won the promotion for TKBL. In the past, Oztekin played for Ceyhan.
Dilek Ozak most recently played for Izmir. It was from 2007 to 2009. In their last season together she had 6.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg for 17 games. Ozak also has experience from Cankaya.

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  UZBEKISTAN - Women  


Malaysia edge out Uzbekistan, advance into qualifying round at Asia Championship - by Eurobasket News
Malaysia - Uzbekistan 65:58

Malaysia registered a key win at the Asia Championship in Japan. They held off Uzbekistan to book appearance in the qualifying round. Malaysia will now take on India for Level I promotion. Hui Pin Pang (176-90) scored 15 points to pace Malaysia past Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan got to the better start. They recorded a 20:15 lead at the first break. Malaysia responded in the second quarter. They erased the deficit and registered a 35:33 halftime lead. Malaysia stayed in charge throughout the third term. They posted a 49:44 advantage heading into the fourth frame. Zakharova put Uzbekistan within one with under three minutes to 56:57. However Beng Fong Goh and Hui Pin Pang knocked down five next points and Malaysia ran away for the victory at the end. Woon Yuen Teo (165-G-85) produced 13 points, while Shin Min Yong (174-F-87) added 8 points in the winning effort. Irina Polunina (176-G-79) answered with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Anastasiya Mikulenko (193-F/C-88) had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Malaysia: Hui Pin Pang 15, Woon Yuen Teo 13, Shin Min Yong 8
Uzbekistan: Irina Polunina 17, Anastasiya Mikulenko 16+13 boards