EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 8/27/2011

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Men News

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  ABA   


Atlanta Aliens name new coach - by Gianni Pascucci
Former pro basketball player Michael Coleman has been named Head Coach of the Atlanta Aliens and will be introduced at a press conference to be held at the Highland Athletic Club in Atlanta on Saturday, August 27th. Originally from Inglewood, CA, Coach Coleman brings ten years of coaching to the team. As a player, he played for both El Camino College and Hawaii-Hilo prior to playing professionally in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Mexico.
'We have some strong teams in Georgia,' stated Dick Packer, ABA President/COO. 'Good teams start with good coaching and that has been a major priority for the Georgia-based teams. Both the Aliens and the Razors have chosen wisely and we believe they will be very competitive this season.'
For more information, visit www.athensrazors.com

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  ADRIATIC LEAGUE   


Hemofarm signs center Djordje Gagic until 2014 - by Eurobasket News
Hemofarm announced signing of another center. After Mladen Pantic, the team penned a three-year deal with Djordje Gagic (210-C-90, agency: Interperformances). The 20-year old player heads to Hemfoarm from Mornar Bar. He successfully passed try-out period and earned a deal with the Serbian outfit. Gagic averaged 3.3 points and 3.4 rebounds for 11 games in Balkan league. Djordje Gagic played for Mornar also in 2009/10. He joined them in December from Crvena Zvezda. With Mornar, Gagic reached Montenegrin league Finals last season. Buducnost was too strong for them to defend the title. Mornar also reach BIBL Semis last season. Djordje Gagic spent some time with the Serbian University National Team this summer.

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  AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Quarterfinals review with stats - by Eurobasket News
QUARTERFINALS

Senegal - Ivory Coast 59-75
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 d'Ivoire Mamadi Diane (196-G/F-86, college: Virginia) led his team in scoring with 17 points and 4 rebounds, Guy Edi (196-G/F-88) added 12 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Jonathan Kale (203-F-85, college: Providence) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Tunisia - Morocco 86-67
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 (199-G-80) leading his side with 16 points and 4 rebounds, Radhouane Slimane (205-C-80) had 14 points and 8 rebounds Salah Mejri (216-C-86) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Cameroon - Angola 83-84 OT
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 (190-G-85) led his side with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Armando Costa (192-G-83) had 19 points 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals with the duo of Eduardo Mingas (200-F-79) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Nigeria - Central Africa 94-86
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 (199-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) led the floor with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists dependable guard/forward Ime Udoka (196-F/G-77, agency: Priority Sports, college: Portland St.) had 20 points 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals points guard Michael Umeh (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: UNLV) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

Places 9-10
Mali - Mozambique 61-55
Mali was better than Mozambique 61-55 in their last game at the AfroBasket 2011. Thanks to this win Mali ended as No.9 at this event. Of course, Mozambique finished as tenth ranked team. Cheick Soumaoro (205-F/C-90) shined for Mali with 16 points and 10 rebounds in this meeting. He reached valuation 24. Mamadou Sy (200-F-85, college: Cloud County CC) (8 rebs) and Mamadou Diarra (213-F-88) helped with 9 points each. In the loosing squad, Custodio Muchate (200-C-82) was better than the others with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Augusto Matos (185-G-90) and Octavio Magolico (200-C-84) had 9 and 8 points respectively. Quarters: 7-9, 23-14, 17-14, 14-18. Championship in Antananarivo will last three more days. As mentioned above, Mali and Mozambique ended their participation.

Places 11-12
Egypt - Rwanda 76-66
Egypt celebrated against Rwanda 76-66 in their last game in Antananarivo. Thanks to this win Egypt finished as 11th ranked team of AfroBasket, while Rwanda is No.12. Both countries were eliminated in the 1/8 Finals. Mohamed El-Kerdany (195-F-77) led Egypt to victory with double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ibrahim El-Gammal (188-G-88) had 12 points and 11 boards, while Ahmed El-Sabagh (190-G-85) also scored 12 points, but to go with 8 rebounds. In Rwanda, Kenneth Gasana (197-F-84) shined with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Kami Kabangu (203-C-84) followed with 16 points and 8 rebs. Quarters: 19-14, 16-15, 20-11, 21-26. Semifinals will be played tomorrow and championship ends on Sunday. As mentioned above, Egypt and Rwanda finished their participation.

Places 13-14
South Africa - Madagascar 61-82
The host of AfroBasket 2011 ended as No.13. They cruised past South Africa 82-61 to take this spot in Antananarivo. On the other side, South Africa finished as 14th ranked team. Charles Ramsdell (208-F/C-85, agency: Court Side, college: Tulsa) was a key player for the winners. He spent 37 minutes on the court collecting 22 points and 17 rebounds. Ramsdell reached valuation 35 and was the MVP of this meeting. Romule Razafimahasahy (188-F/G-88) (6 rebs) and Rovanantenaina Andrianjafy (173-F/G-89) (6 as) helped with 16 and 12 points respectively. In the loosing squad, Brendan Mettler (190-G-82) led the scorers with 18 points (6 rebs). Neo Mothiba (199-G/F-82) had double-double of 16 points and 15 rebs, while Shane Marhanele (198-G/F-82) added 13 pts. Quarters: 18-13, 14-23, 12-21, 17-25. Semifinals of AfroBasket are scheduled for tomorrow and Big Final for Sunday.
Places 15-16
Togo - Chad 62-63
Chad finished as 15th ranked team of AfroBasket 2011 in Antananarivo. They grabbed 63-62 victory against Togo yesterday to avoid the last place at this event. Togo is No.16 with the worst score. Richard Moguena (200-F-86) delivered 14 points for the winners. Abderamane Mbaindiguim (195-F/G-82) had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Djimtoide Ngarasde (199-F-87) helped his country with 12 points and 7 boards. Mario Ngadi (200-F-86) was fourth scorer in victory with 11 points (5 rebs). On the other side, Togo got 21 points from Jimmy Williams (196-G-86, college: Alders.-Broad.). Mouctar Diaby (206-C-85) was their best player with 20 points and 16 rebounds. He reached valuation 25. Quarters: 19-22, 8-15, 20-19, 15-7.

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  ALGERIA   


Algerian National Team 2011 - by Greg
4 Abdelhalim Kaouame 180-G-81 WA Boufarik Algeria
5 Touhami Ghazzoul 209-C-87 GS Petroliers Algeria
6 Djillali Canon 190-G/F-78 GS Petroliers Algeria
7 Mounir Benzegala 178-G-87 Ittihad Libya
8 Abderrahmane Mostefai
9 Abdesselem Dekkiche 194-G/F-86 WA Boufarik Algeria
10 Nabil Saidi 200-F/C-80 ASPTT Algeria
12 Fatehi Oukerimi
13 Azeddine Boulesnane
14 Mohamed Harath 196-F-90 ASPTT Algeria
Muhammed Belhoul
Mohamed Seddik Touati GS Petroliers Algeria
Faycal Belkhodja 192-G-88 ASPTT Algeria
Abdelhak Greidi

Patrick Fitzpatrick Head Coach
Sean Whalen Assistant


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  ARGENTINA   


Argentina topple Venezuela in Buenos Aires - by Eurobasket News
Argentina - Venezuela 77:73

Argentina posted yet another win in the preparations for the upcoming Fiba Americas Championship. They prevailed against Venezuela at Luna Park Staduim in Buenos Aires lately. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) stepped up with 20 points to lead the hosts.
Argentina started the game aggressively scoring 26 points in the opening frame. They posted a 5-point lead after ten minutes. The hosts stretched the gap in the second quarter. Argentina posted a 43:30 halftime advantage. The home team cleared off in the third term. They held Venezuela to just 15 points in the quarter building a 16-point lead into the fourth frame. But the visitors exploded with 28 points in the final stanza and threatened the margin falling by a whisker at the end. Manu Ginobili (198-G-77, agency: Interperformances) and Carlos Delfino (198-G-82) posted 11 points each for Argentina. Pablo Prigioni (191-G-77) had 13 points in the victory. David Cubillan (183-PG-87, college: Marquette) answered with 16 points for Venezuela. Windi Graterol (204-C-86) chipped in 13 points in the losing effort.

Argentina: Luis Scola 20, Pablo Prigioni 13, Manu Ginobili 11, Carlos Delfino 11
Venezuela: David Cubillan 16, Windi Graterol 13


Liga A 2011/12 rosters: Gimnasia Comodoro - by Facundo Iatzky
Federico Mansilla (190-G-87)
Mariano Franco (200-F-80)
Pedro Franco (187-G-81)
Fernando Funes (193-G-83)
Diego Romero (209-C-82, college: Florida St.)
Roberto Gabini (198-F-75, agency: Interperformances)
Cedric McGowan (198-F-85, agency: Court Side, college: Cincinnati)
Ikechukwu Ofoegbu (205-F-85, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: SMU)
Mario Austin (206-F/C-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Mississippi St.)
Valentin Burgos (G-92)
Joel Comba (202-F-92, agency: Dream Team Management)
Santiago Scala (186-G-91)
Enzo Amado (180-G-95)
Facundo Suarez (190-F-95)

Liga A 20011/12 rosters: Bahia Estudiantes - by Facundo Iatzky
Pepe Sanchez (193-G-77, college: Temple)
Lucas Faggiano (188-G-89, college: LIU Brooklyn)
Juan Espil (194-G-68)
Javier Mojica (190-G-84, agency: Alti Sport, college: Cent.Conn.St.)
Mateo Gaynor (198-G-90)
Ricky Sanchez (212-C/F-87)
Federico Aguerre (200-C-88)
Ariel Zago (203-C-85)
Jerome Meyinsse (206-F/C-88, college: Virginia)
Julian Marinsalta (201-F)
Nicolas Renzi (193-F)
German Ressia (181-G-92)
Bruno Aceituno (193-F-94)


Rosario Central add Marcus Morgan - by Eurobasket News
Rosario Central strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Marcus Morgan (196-F-86, college: Cal.St. Fullerton). The 25-year-old forward started the previous season in Ecuador. Marcus Morgan played for Mavort at Liga Sudamericana. The forward posted 21.3 points, 7.3 boards, 3.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Later he moved to Argentina to join Banda Norte Rio Cuarto. Marcus Morgan tallied 14.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per appearance in TNA. The player started his pro career in ABA in 2009. He had a stint with the Clayton Showtime. Marcus Morgan graduated from California State University, Fullerton. His stats read 5.8 points, 6.1 boards and 1.4 assists per game in the senior season.


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  AUSTRALIA   


Spain breeze past Australia in Valencia - by Eurobasket News
Spain - Australia 97:58

Spain and Australia played the second exhibition encounter in as many days. This times the teams clashed in Valencia. The outcome was the same though as the hosts claimed a comfortable win at the end. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) scored 17 points to pace the winners.
Spain stormed into the game. The hosts unleashed 34 points to post a 16-point lead into the second quarter. The Boomers stopped the rot but could not get any closer trailing by the same 16 points at halftime 37:53. Spain limited their opponents to just 13 points in the third quarter and piled up a 20-point lead with one quarter remaining. Spain outgunned the Boomers 27:8 in the fourth period coasting to a comprehensive win at the end. Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) and Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) accounted for 14 points each in the victory. Patrick Mills (183-PG-88, college: St.Mary's, CA) replied with 17 points for Australia. Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) netted 11 points in defeat.

Spain: Pau Gasol 17, Marc Gasol 14, Serge Ibaka 14
Australia: Patrick Mills 17, Aron Baynes 11


Central ABL:Cooper, Matthews help Norwood continue its finals dominance over Forestville - by Eurobasket News
Norwood has won its fifth straight final against Forestville, comfortably defeating the Eagles 104-85 at Mars on Saturday.

In a game that was characteristically physical but unusually free-scoring, the Flames were too strong over the course over four quarters, and attacked the ball the harder of the two sides.

The margin of victory for Norwood over Forestville in finals has grown in each of the last five games.

After trailing by two points at quarter-time, the Flames set up their victory with a 36-24 second quarter.

Forestville trailed by as much as 24 in the third quarter, before fighting back to within 11.

They had chances to get closer, but Norwood had all the answers.

The Flames shot 61 per cent from the field to the Eagles 42 per cent, had seven extra assists, and registered 13 more points at the foul-line.

They also scored 46 points in the paint to 36, and had five extra points off turnovers.

David Cooper (206-C/F-76) was in the midst of everything at both ends of the court.

Cooper had 19 points on 7/10 FG shooting, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks.

He also drew 7 fouls and made 5/7 foul shots.

Todd Matthews had 10 of his game-high 23 points in the first quarter, adding 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals along the way.

Matthews shot 8/11 from the field and 3/4 from beyond the arc, before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Andrew Webber (180-G-85, college: Armstr.Atlantic) scored 19 points, Nick Hambour posted 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Keith Krause provided an important cameo role off the bench with 10 points on 3/4 FG shooting in 14 minutes.

Forestville struggled with foul trouble all night, which grew as a problem as the game progressed.

Rashad Tucker (12 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists) fouled out of the game, while Adam Doyle and Nic Blair (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals each), Brad Sullivan (16 points), Trent Fildes (13 points, 3/3 3FG, 5 rebounds) and Majok Deng (204-C-93) (10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 fouls drawn) each picked up four fouls.

The Eagles actually attempted 20 extra field goals, but had their running game shut down for most of the night, and did not help themselves by missing 10 of their 21 free throws.

It was apparent Norwood was the more focussed side right from the tipoff.

The Flames scored the first eight points and forced the Eagles, who were predictability trying to get out in transition, into running half court sets.

A Tucker jumper settled the visitors, before some excellent play from Doyle and some hot shooting from Sullivan and Fildes got Forestville back into the game.

Fildes was proving a tough matchup for the Norwood bigs, who did not look comfortable defending on the perimeter.

The Flames guards were doing better offensively, with Matthews scoring freely and Andrew Webber doing some damage from the foul-line.

The highlight of the opening period was when Tucker went to set a screen off a Forestville baseline play, before being left alone in the middle of the key for a powerful double-handed slam dunk.

Doyle then closed out the quarter with a classy finish off a tough drive to give the Eagles their first lead of the night.

The first three minutes of the second saw the teams trade leads back and forth, with neither able to grab the momentum.

That was before Brad Davidson reverted to a full court trap, with some zone in the half court.

The move worked to perfection, with a three-point play from Ben Howell and a dunk from Cooper sending the Flames on a 19-6 run for a 56-42 lead.

Back-to-back threes from Blair and a basket from Deng had Forestville back in the game, before a series of unnecessary fouls gifted Norwood four points from the foul-line and a 10 point half-time lead.

Strong play from Matthews, Cooper and Webber saw the Flames pile on the first 14 points of the third and race to a 74-50 lead.

The Eagles did not look like scoring, nor did they look like getting a stop against a team who was running its structures explicitly.

Normally, spectators would have been excused for assuming the game was over, but with Norwood versus Forestville, there is no such thing as a match-winning lead.

And so the tide turned, led by Tucker and Deng.

Tucker got into a rhythm offensively, while Deng was strong inside at both ends against his more experienced opponents.

It was this combination that produced a buzzer-beater and capped a 21-9 run, as the Eagles closed to within 12 by the end of three.

Forestville maintained the momentum early in the fourth and looked capable of reducing the deficit.

However, all they had to show for this in the first 100 seconds was a free throw, and failed three times to get within single figures.

Against the run of play, it was Norwood who scored the first field goal of the quarter, via another Cooper dunk off a dime from Matthews.

It was almost another minute before the next field goal was scored, with Krause netting a trey from the top of the arc, giving the Flames a 16 point lead.

The closest the Eagles got again was 12 points with 3.51 remaining after a hoop from Blair, as Norwood went on a 10-0 run to close out the match.

Norwood verdict: The Flames are back in the Grand Final after a year off, and will now be favourites for a third premiership in four years. Their intensity was extremely impressive and they not only stopped the Eagles run, but ran at every opportunity themselves. With the Norwood stars on fire and role players contributing, it will be tough for Forestville and West to finish any higher than second.

Forestville verdict: The Eagles looked a lot more fatigued than they did last week and will need to find their run and intensity again if they are to get up over the Bearcats. Forestville had patches of good play, but overall, this was its third unconvincing performance in the last month. Defence is the worry for the Eagles, meaning they will have to be on song offensively if they are to make it through to the Grand Final.

By James Woite
Courtesy of: Central ABL



Central ABL: Men's Preliminay Final Preview - by Eurobasket News
Forestville Eagles (13-5, 2nd) v West Adelaide Bearcats (11-7, 4th), 8.15 pm Saturday @ Pasadena

Forestville will be eager to get back to its best form when it takes on West Adelaide in the Preliminary Final on Saturday.

The winner will face Norwood next week in the Grand Final, while it is curtains for the loser.

Wayville is unavailable due to Royal Show preparations, so neither team will have home court advantage, with Pasadena chosen as the alternate venue.

Both teams have unblemished records at Pasadena this season, with the Bearcats winning there twice, and the Eagles getting home once.

However, for either West or Forestville, the winning run at the home of the Sabres will end on Saturday.

The Eagles began their finals campaign with a convincing 104-92 victory over Sturt in the Qualifying Final, where they registered their highest score of the season.

They looked to be on track to repeat their massive tally when they led Norwood 26-24 at quarter-time last week, after bouncing back from a 0-8 deficit.

However, Forestville was outscored 59-80 after the first period and lost 85-104.

The Eagles defence was only good enough to prevent 39 per cent of the Flames field goal attempts from going in, while they only shot 42 per cent from the field themselves.

Forestville struggled with foul trouble all night, which grew as a problem as the game progressed.

Rashad Tucker (12 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists) fouled out of the game, while Adam Doyle and Nick Blair (185-G-87) (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals each), Brad Sullivan (16 points), Trent Fildes (197-F-88, college: Georgia Coll.) (13 points, 3/3 3FG, 5 rebounds), and Majok Deng (10 points, 8 rebounds, 7 fouls drawn) each picked up four fouls.

The Eagles, who were without James Boonstoppel (187-G/F-89) and Neil Mottram, have now lost two out of three.

In contrast, the previously slumping Bearcats have hit form when it counts most.

West took charge in the fourth quarter of its Elimination Final, outscoring North 31-11 over the final 10 minutes for an 86-61 victory.

Even more impressive was the way the Bearcats dismantled Sturt last week.

West took control early and built a 46-29 lead by intermission.

The Sabres got within nine three times in the fourth quarter, but the Bearcats had all the answers, eventually winning 81-70.

David Nurse scored 23 points and grabbed five rebounds.

In addition, Nurse sealed the game a trey that gave his team a 12 point lead with under two minutes remaining.

That was one of his five threes on the night.

As a team, the Cats scored 15 extra points from downtown.

Nurse was well-supported by Blake Truslove, who had 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

Jeff Dowdell (10 points, 14 rebounds) was not as prolific offensively as he normally is, but held Jacob Holmes to 2 points on 1/15 shooting.

Tristan Braithwaite added 11 points, while Anthony Spadavecchia had 6 dimes.

Based on the head-to-head results between these teams this season, both clubs appear evenly matched.

In Round 5, the Bearcats came from behind to win 75-68 at Port Adelaide.

Their 51-30 edge in rebounds was the decisive factor.

However, when the teams met again in Round 11, it was Forestville who finished the stronger, getting home 88-83 at Wayville.

Dowdell missed that match, although West still dominated the boards.

However, the Bearcats had nine extra turnovers and conceded 13 more free throw attempts.

The key matchup this week will no doubt be between Tucker and Dowdell.

Tucker averaged 20.1 ppg, 14.6 rpg and 5.3 apg in the regular season, while Dowdell put up 21.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 2.9 apg.

The Eagles will be hoping for a fast paced game to suit their small, athletic side, while West will look to slow the game down to utilise its size advantage.

Based on the head-to-head record between these teams, I expect this be a very close to game.

I think the decisive factor will be the all-round offensive ability of Tucker.

Tucker can beat any opponent one-on-one from anywhere on the floor, and cause the defence to break down as a result, whereas the Bearcats do not have anyone with that sort of offensive ability.

This may be enough to get the Eagles home.
Courtesy of: Central ABL



Spain tame Australia in Murcia - by Eurobasket News
Spain - Australia 68:51

Spain clinched another win in the preparations for the upcoming 2011 EuroBasket. They held off Australia in Murcia. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) scored 16 points to pace the winners.
The Boomers ensured a slightly better start. They limited the hosts to 10 points in the opening quarter posting a 12:10 lead at the first break. But Spain adjusted their offence in the second quarter. They erupted for 20 points in the period establishing a 30:25 halftime lead. Spain maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. They arrived at the final break up by 11 points 50:39. The Boomers never recovered scoring only 12 points in the final stanza and surrendering at the end. Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) accounted for 12 points, while Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) had 10 points in the victory. Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87, agency: Priority Sports) and Matt Nielsen (208-F/C-78, agency: Beo Basket) posted 11 points each for the Boomers. Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) chipped in 8 points in the loss.

Spain: Pau Gasol 16, Marc Gasol 12, Fernando San Emeterio 10
Australia: Joe Ingles 11, Matt Nielsen 11, Aron Baynes 8


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  BALKAN LEAGUE   


Zrinjski signs three players - by Eurobasket News
Zrinjski announced singing of Marcel Jones (203-F-85, college: Oregon St.), Armin Avdibegovic (189-G-84) and Sinisa Tepavcevic (201-F-84) for the next season.
Marcel Jones heads to Zrinjski from the Syrian team Al Wehda Damascus. He spent three months with them last season. In 2009/10, Jones changes few teams. He started with Finish Karhu Kauhajoen and later moved to Honka Espoo Playboys. His next destination was Hungarian Debreceni and finally Jones ended that season with British Everton Tigers. Also in 2010, Jones won the title on New Zealand with Wellington Saints.
Armin Avdibegovic spent last season in Mladost Mrkonjic Grad. He had 10.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg for 25 games in Bosnian D1. He played for Zenica Celik and Slovenina Sentjur in the past.
Sinisa Tepavcevic spent last two years with Ulcinj. He had 10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.9 apg for them in 11 BIBL games last season.

Standings
Balkan League Standings
Group A
 1. Beograd 0-0 
 2. Galil Gilboa 0-0 
 3. Mornar Bar 0-0 
 4. Rilski Sportist 0-0 
 5. Timisoara 0-0 
 6. Torus Skopje 0-0 
Group B
 1. Feni Indistrija 0-0 
 2. Hapoel T-A 0-0 
 3. Levski 0-0 
 4. Napredak 0-0 
 5. Ulcijn 0-0 
 6. Zrinjski HT 0-0 


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  BELGIUM   


Belgium breeze past Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly - by Eurobasket News
Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina 81:55

Belgium stunned Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly clash in Oostende. Axel Hervelle (205-F-83) came up with 16 points to pace the Lions. It was a tough battle in the first half. Belgium posted an 18:15 lead after ten minutes of action. They stretched the gap in the second term. Belgium recorded a 39:33 halftime lead. The hosts continued to pull away in the third term. The Lions arrived at the final break up by as many as 10 points 57:47. The final term turned disastrous for Bosnia and Herzegovina. They got outscored 8:24 and suffered a massive loss at the end. Sam Van Rossom (188-G-86) and Dimitri Lauwers (187-G-79) posted 11 points each in the victory. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) answered with 16 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina.



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  BOSNIA   


Belgium breeze past Bosnia and Herzegovina in friendly - by Eurobasket News
Belgium - Bosnia and Herzegovina 81:55

Belgium stunned Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly clash in Oostende. Axel Hervelle (205-F-83) came up with 16 points to pace the Lions. It was a tough battle in the first half. Belgium posted an 18:15 lead after ten minutes of action. They stretched the gap in the second term. Belgium recorded a 39:33 halftime lead. The hosts continued to pull away in the third term. The Lions arrived at the final break up by as many as 10 points 57:47. The final term turned disastrous for Bosnia and Herzegovina. They got outscored 8:24 and suffered a massive loss at the end. Sam Van Rossom (188-G-86) and Dimitri Lauwers (187-G-79) posted 11 points each in the victory. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) answered with 16 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina.



Tomislav Zubcic leads Cibona to 74-59 win against Capljina Lasta - by Eurobasket News
Capljina Lasta - Cibona 59-74

Cibona and Capljina Lasta met in a friendly game this week. The former Croatian champion was better celebrating 74-59 victory. Tomislav Zubcic (214-C/F-90, agency: Beo Basket) was the leading player in Cibona with 14 points. Antwain Barbour (196-G/F-82, agency: Court Side, college: Kentucky) followed him with one points less, while Jure Lalic (212-C-86) added 12 pts. For the hosts, Zeljko Kljestan (198-F-92) was better than the others with 18 points. Jozo Brkic (211-F/C-86) had 15 points in this defeat. Capljina shined at the beginning as they made 19-13 lead in the first ten minutes. Cibona replied with 11-17 in the second period and teams started from zero again. Teams exchanged in lead after the breather and it was Cibona who had plus 2 before the last ten minutes. Than Tomislav Zubcic and his teammates exploded and smashed Capljina 10-23 securing the victory in this meeting.

Capljina Lasta: Zeljko Kljestan 18, Jozo Brkic 15
Cibona: Tomislav Zubcic 14, Antwain Barbour 13, Jure Lalic 12

Zrinjski signs three players - by Eurobasket News
Zrinjski announced singing of Marcel Jones (203-F-85, college: Oregon St.), Armin Avdibegovic (189-G-84) and Sinisa Tepavcevic (201-F-84) for the next season.
Marcel Jones heads to Zrinjski from the Syrian team Al Wehda Damascus. He spent three months with them last season. In 2009/10, Jones changes few teams. He started with Finish Karhu Kauhajoen and later moved to Honka Espoo Playboys. His next destination was Hungarian Debreceni and finally Jones ended that season with British Everton Tigers. Also in 2010, Jones won the title on New Zealand with Wellington Saints.
Armin Avdibegovic spent last season in Mladost Mrkonjic Grad. He had 10.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg for 25 games in Bosnian D1. He played for Zenica Celik and Slovenina Sentjur in the past.
Sinisa Tepavcevic spent last two years with Ulcinj. He had 10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.9 apg for them in 11 BIBL games last season.

France too good for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Gravelines - by Eurobasket News
France - Bosnia and Herzegovina 85:60

France cruised past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the friendly clash. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) stepped up with 21 points to lead the effort.
Bosnia and Herzegovina ensured an almost perfect start to the game. The visitors scored 25 points in the starting frame to post a 3-point lead. But Les Bleus took over in the second term. The hosts erased the deficit and posted a 45:39 halftime advantage. The third term turned decisive in this one. Les Bleus outgunned their opponents 25:5 to enter the fourth quarter up by 26 points 70:44. The home team did not slow down in the fourth period cruising to the victory at the end. Nando De Colo (202-G-87) posted 18 points, while Joakim Noah (211-F/C-85, college: Florida) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the victory. Henry Domercant (192-G-80, college: E.Illinois) answered with 23 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 10 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 21, Nando De Colo 18, Joakim Noah 12
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Henry Domercant 23, Mirza Teletovic 10


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  BRAZIL   


Brazil celebrates 70-64 win against Dominican Republic, jumps to 2-0 - by Eurobasket News
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - BRAZIL 64-70

Brazil outplayed Dominican Republic 70-64 for perfect 2-0 record in Marchand Cup. The host of this event will meet Puerto Rico today for the first place. Dominican Republic, who dropped to 0-2 after this meeting, will play against Canada to avoid last (4th) place in Marchand Cup. Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83, agency: Edge Sports) stepped up for the hosts with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Marcus Vinicius (207-F-84) and Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed him with 15 and 14 points respectively. Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) had 10 points for 12 minutes on the court. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) shined with double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) had 12 points and 8 boards, while Francisco Garcia (201-F/G-81, college: Louisville) netted 11 pts. Dominican Republic opened this meeting better as they made 18-13 lead in the first ten minutes. However, Brazil totally took control on them in the second quarter. Marcelinho Huertas and his teammates drained 28 more point until the halftime, while Dominicans stopped to just 12. Brazil managed to keep its lead after the breather, despite the fact that third period belonged to Dominicans 16-11. Today is the last day of the Marchand Cup 2011.

Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 19+13 boards, Alfred Horford 12+8 boards, Francisco Garcia 11
Brazil: Marcelinho Huertas 16+5 boards, Marcus Vinicius 15, Guilherme Giovannoni 14, Rafael Hettsheimeir 10

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  BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS   


Legs, Hawks crowned basketball champions! - by David Edole
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI --Game four in both the Junior and Senior Kenny Funny Thomas Basketball League, powered by Digicel, Championship Series proved decisive Wednesday night as Hawks and Legs came away with victories to be crowned respective Champions of their divisions.

The Hawks were led to a 76-72 victory over Another Level and a 3-1 series win by MVP Javier Martinez who recorded a double of 18 points and 17 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, 3 steals and 3 assists.

Martinez was almost speechless. Im just happy for my team, sticking together through the ups and downs and we came through it to win.

Hawks Go to man, Ryan Alfred (95), was also back fit for the game and he top scored with 26 points, adding 8 rebounds , a block, a steal and 3 assists to his nights work. Shakiel Humphrey (95) also got a double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Kieta Jones scored 9 with 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 8 assists for the Hawks who had led 18-14 after the first quarter, gone into half time 33-32 down, recovered to be ahead by 3 at the end of the third, blown a 10 point lead in the 4th and then gone behind by on at 72-70 with just over 2 minutes left. They then tied the game at 72-72 a piece with 1:58 left on the clock and scored the game and championship winning free throw with 37.4 seconds

Coach Jonathon Bim Alfred was understandably overjoyed at the win. At the beginning of the 4th quarter I realized we were down, so I called my players together and told them to focus on defense and what we had practiced all year round. I wasnt scared though I knew my guys knew what they were doing. It was a hard series, its my first year playing for the championship, but I knew all our hard work would pay off in the end.

For Another Level, Dione Blyden was top of the scoring charts with 22. He also recorded 5 assists and 3 steals. Terique Wattley added 11 points. Raheem Blyden scored 10 as did Alward Forbes.

In the senior final, MVP Kennedy Bass (196-F-81, college: Anderson) led the Legs to the first Championship in 4 years with a 77-61 win over East and a 3-1 series win.

Its been a long 4 years, we stuck together for those years and everybody had faith. The players, the fans, we all had faith we knew we would bring it home. Some of their big names didnt come up, but I didnt care who they bought or who didnt come up we were ready to play, Bass said.

The game was over almost before it started with the news that East would be without influential player Ray Victor. It was a loss that seemed to affect them tactically as Legs completely controlled the game from start to finish. A ten point first quarter lead was extended to 17 at half time with the scores 47-30 to Legs. The game was effectively put to bed in the 3rd quarter when any chance of an East comeback was snuffed out and the lead increased to 65-40.

Bass scored 12 points with 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 assists. Khalid Gerard notched 20; Kitwana Rhymer added 10 points and 9 rebounds, Jasin Edwin hit 12 points with 4 rebounds and Rennie Phipps picked up 6 rebounds with 3 assists.
For the outplayed East, Phillip Glasgow scored 14 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Dwayne Penn added 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 3 assists; David Lettsome scored 11 and Houston Penn 8.

LINK TO PHOTOS


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  CAMEROON   


AfroBasket QFinals: Cameroon fails in OT against defending champion Angola, 83-84 - by Eurobasket News
Cameroon - Angola 83-84 OT
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 (190-G-85) led his side with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists, Armando Costa (192-G-83) had 19 points 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals with the duo of Eduardo Mingas (200-F-79) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  CANADA   


Puerto Rico hands 74-63 loss to Canada - by Eurobasket News
PUERTO RICO - CANADA 74-63

Puerto Rico registered second straight win in Brazil. They outplayed Canada 74-63 for 2-0 record and will meet the host of Marchand Cup for the first place at this event. On the other side Canada dropped to 0-2. They will play against Dominican Republic for position No.3. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) led Puerto Rico with 24 points and 5 assists. Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) scored 11 points and Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico) helped with 10 points, plus 7 boards. In the loosing squad, Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) top-scored with 12 points. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) stopped to one point less. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game. Puerto Rico blasted Canada in that period 31-15, what was enough for the victory. Before that Canada made 14-15 in the first and 16-17 in the second quarter. Last ten minutes also belonged to them (13-16), but they faced with 11-point loss due to very poor Q3. Marchand Cup ends today.

Puerto Rico: Jose Juan Barea 24+5 as, Alejandro Carmona 11, Daniel Santiago 10+7 boards
Canada: Denham Brown 12, Carl English 11

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  CENTRAL AFRICA   


Nigeria edges Central Africa in Quarterfinals, 94-86 - by Eurobasket News
Nigeria - Central Africa 94-86
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 (199-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) led the floor with 24 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists dependable guard/forward Ime Udoka (196-F/G-77, agency: Priority Sports, college: Portland St.) had 20 points 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals points guard Michael Umeh (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: UNLV) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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  CHAD   


Chad avoids last place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
TOGO - CHAD 62-63

Chad finished as 15th ranked team of AfroBasket 2011 in Antananarivo. They grabbed 63-62 victory against Togo yesterday to avoid the last place at this event. Togo is No.16 with the worst score. Richard Moguena (200-F-86) delivered 14 points for the winners. Abderamane Mbaindiguim (195-F/G-82) had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Djimtoide Ngarasde (199-F-87) helped his country with 12 points and 7 boards. Mario Ngadi (200-F-86) was fourth scorer in victory with 11 points (5 rebs). On the other side, Togo got 21 points from Jimmy Williams (196-G-86, college: Alders.-Broad.). Mouctar Diaby (206-C-85) was their best player with 20 points and 16 rebounds. He reached valuation 25. Quarters: 19-22, 8-15, 20-19, 15-7.

Togo: Jimmy Williams 21, Mouctar Diaby 20+16 boards
Chad: Richard Moguena 14, Abderamane Mbaindiguim 12+10 boards, Djimtoide Ngarasde 12+7 boards, Mario Ngadi 11+5 boards

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  CHINA   


Stephon Marbury signs with Beijing Ducks - by Eurobasket News
Marbury Stephon (187-G-77, college: Georgia Tech) will continue his career in China. The guard has agreed on terms of contract with Shougang Beijing Ducks. Last season Marbury Stephon started with Shanxi Zhongyu. The guard shortly after moved to Foshan. He tallied 25.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in CBA. He was named into Asia-Basket.com All-Chinese CBA 1st Team for the second straight season. Marbury Stephon started his pro career back in 1996. He had stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks. The guard moved to China in 2009 to join Shanxi Zhongyu. He participated at CBA All-Star Game twice. Marbury Stephon was trumped the MVP of the All-Star Game in 2010.



Former NBA Player Charged with Murder - by Alex Yam
ATLANTA -- Police said late Friday that former NBA player Javaris Crittenton, who was once suspended by the league over guns in the locker room, has been charged with murder after a woman was shot on an Atlanta street.

Police spokesman Carlos Campos said police have secured a murder warrant for the arrest of Crittenton, who played at Georgia Tech, in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Jullian Jones on Aug. 19. Campos said Crittenton is not in custody and is wanted.

Crittenton
Atlanta police Maj. Keith Meadows told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday night that Crittenton is believed to be in the Los Angeles area. He said the FBI is involved in the investigation.

Jones, a mother of four, was walking with a group of people on the city's southwest side when a dark-colored SUV drove by and she was shot by someone inside the vehicle, police said.

Investigators say they don't believe the woman was the intended target. Campos said the motive appears to be retaliation for a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim, Campos said in a statement.

Messages left for an agent who has represented Crittenton were not immediately returned Friday night.

Crittenton most recently played in the NBA with the Washington Wizards and was involved in a gun altercation with Gilbert Arenas. He is on the roster of the NBDL's Dakota Wizards.

Crittenton didn't play last season because of an ankle injury. He was given a 38-game suspension by the NBA after he and Arenas acknowledged bringing guns into the locker room following a dispute stemming from a card game on a team flight.

Crittenton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge on Jan. 25, 2010, and received probation. He wasn't re-signed by the Wizards.

The Charlotte Bobcats signed Crittenton to a non-guaranteed contract before last season but he was waived Oct. 15.

Crittenton was the 19th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007. He played little with Los Angeles and was sent to Memphis in the Pau Gasol deal his rookie year. He was traded to Washington in December 2008.

Crittenton averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 assists in 113 NBA games. Article courtesy of ESPN.com

NBL: Jiangsu grabs 2-0 Final lead - by Eurobasket News
Jiangsu - Whampoa 99-98

Whampoa cut a 18-point halftime deficit to one at the end of the game. Jiangsu forced 20 Whampoa turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 11 passes made by Whampoa's players. 26 personal fouls committed by Whampoa helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. U.S. Virgin Isl.-Antiguan guard Julius Hodge (201-83, college: N.Carolina St.) had a triple-double by scoring 11 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists to lead the charge for the winners and chipped in 21 points and 14 rebounds during the contest. Jiangsu's coach WanJun Cui used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American forward Alan Wiggins (206-85, college: USF) responded with a double-double by scoring 25 points and 20 rebounds and his fellow American import forward Eric Hicks (198-83, college: Cincinnati) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks. Five Jiangsu and four Whampoa players scored in double figures.
Top scorers:
Jiangsu: hunter 21+14reb+1ast, F.Xin 19+2ast, N.QingQing 16+3reb+2ast, H.Julius 11+15reb+15ast, W.YanQing 11+5reb, Z.YanXi 8+1reb+1ast
Whampoa: W.Alan 25+20reb+2ast, H.Eric 19+16reb+2ast, W.Jing 17+4reb+1ast, J.Lei 15+4reb+3ast, W.SongWei 8+1reb, Y.Ning 7+4reb+2ast
gschID: 136483




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  CROATIA   


Cibona returns center Andrija Zizic after six years - by Eurobasket News
Cibona Zagreb managed to return their former player Andrija Zizic (207-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) for the next season. The Croatian big guy is back to Cibona after six years. He finished last season with Cedevita averaging 18.8 points and 7 rebounds in four Adriatic league games. In domestic championship Zizic had 9.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg. Andrija Zizic started last season with French ASVEL. He had 11.2 ppg and 2 rpg for five EuroCup games with them. In ProA, Zizic registered much lower digits. Before ASVEL, Andrija Zizic played the entire season for Cedevita. He exploded with 17.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg for 25 games in Adriatic league. In Croatian league and EuroChallenge his numbers were lower. Zizic also played for Galatasaray, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, Barcelona and Split in the past. From 2003 to 2005, he was a member of Cibona.

Tomislav Zubcic leads Cibona to 74-59 win against Capljina Lasta - by Eurobasket News
Capljina Lasta - Cibona 59-74

Cibona and Capljina Lasta met in a friendly game this week. The former Croatian champion was better celebrating 74-59 victory. Tomislav Zubcic (214-C/F-90, agency: Beo Basket) was the leading player in Cibona with 14 points. Antwain Barbour (196-G/F-82, agency: Court Side, college: Kentucky) followed him with one points less, while Jure Lalic (212-C-86) added 12 pts. For the hosts, Zeljko Kljestan (198-F-92) was better than the others with 18 points. Jozo Brkic (211-F/C-86) had 15 points in this defeat. Capljina shined at the beginning as they made 19-13 lead in the first ten minutes. Cibona replied with 11-17 in the second period and teams started from zero again. Teams exchanged in lead after the breather and it was Cibona who had plus 2 before the last ten minutes. Than Tomislav Zubcic and his teammates exploded and smashed Capljina 10-23 securing the victory in this meeting.

Capljina Lasta: Zeljko Kljestan 18, Jozo Brkic 15
Cibona: Tomislav Zubcic 14, Antwain Barbour 13, Jure Lalic 12

Zagreb signs Saso Ozbolt to 1+1 year deal - by Eurobasket News
Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency) is a new member of Zagreb. He signed a 1+1 year deal with Croatian champions. Ozbolt heads to Zagreb from Union Olimpija, where he spent last nine seasons. In the latest one he had 8.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.3 apg for 16 Euroleague games. He also added 10.7 ppg, 2 rpg and 2 apg for 26 games in Adriatic league. In Slovenian championship, Ozbolt registered 7.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 2.2 apg. Eurobasket awarded Ozbolt with All-Adriatic League 2nd Team -11. Saso Ozbolt won five championship titles with Olimpija. They also celebrated six times in the National Cup. Before Olimpija, Ozbolt played for Geoplin Slovan, Triglav Kranj and Portoroz. He is active member of the Slovenian National Team since 2004.

Genc Telekom brings in Nenad Delic - by Eurobasket News
Genc Telekom announced signing of Nenad Delic (210-F/C-84, agency: TSS Management) for the next season. The Croatian big guy heads to his new club form Slovakian MBK Handlova. He appeared 37 times for them in Extraliga averaging 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2 assists. He finished the season as fourth best scorer and third rebounder of the competition. Delic was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League 2nd Team -11 and also Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Bosman Player of the Year -11. He participated at the Extraliga All-Star Game. Nenad Delic spent 2009/10 season in Switzerland. He helped Starwings Basket Regio Basel to win Swiss Cup and they also reached LNA Semifinals. Delic had 12.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg for 35 games in this competition. In the past, he was a member of Slavonski Brod, Darda and Strumica. Delic also has some experience from Germany.

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  CYPRUS   


Keravnos Strovolou adds Mandache to their roster - by Eurobasket Center
Keravnos Strovolou added to their roster 24-year old Romanian international guard Andrei Mandache (189-G-87, agency: Global Sports Plaza). Mandache played most recently at BC Steaua Turabo Bucuresti (Romania). While playing 8 games in EuroChallenge for Steaua Turabo last season he averaged 3.5ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg and 1.0spg. He also played 38 games in Romanian League recording 7.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.7apg and 1.7spg.

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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


Turi Svitavy Takes Down Inter Bratislava 75-68 in Pre-Season Warm-up - by Surujh Roopnarine
Playing their third pre-season game so far, Turi Svitavy welcomed Mattoni NBL newcomers Inter Bratislava from Slovakia to their halls last night. The first game for Inter this pre-season was rough as the more trained Svitavy club built up a sizeable lead in the third quarter and held on for the victory. Svitavy was without four players (Macela, Moravec, Spacek and Harcar) who are still in China for the 2011 World University Games.
Inter has re-leaded this season with the addition of three American Imports as well as a new Croatian player. After increasing the lead to 63-45 in the third, Svitavy had to withstand a late rally which saw the visitors close the gap to 71-68 late in the fourth. The two clubs will meet again this afternoon.
SVITAVY: Boris Meno (17pts), Pavel Milos (14pts), Horak (12ts), Teply (12pts)
INTER: Bridgewaters (18pts), Kuffa Kucsa (11pts), Beckles (8pts), Gavran (6pts)


Turi Svitavy Takes Down Inter Bratislava 75-68 in Pre-Season Warm-up - by Surujh Roopnarine
Playing their third pre-season game so far, Turi Svitavy welcomed Mattoni NBL newcomers Inter Bratislava from Slovakia to their halls last night. The first game for Inter this pre-season was rough as the more trained Svitavy club built up a sizeable lead in the third quarter and held on for the victory. Svitavy was without four players (Tomas Macela (179-G-88), Lubos Moravec (185-G-89), Jan Spacek (195-F-89) and Pavel Harcar (202-F-89)) who are still in China for the 2011 World University Games.
Inter has re-leaded this season with the addition of three American Imports as well as a new Croatian player. After increasing the lead to 63-45 in the third, Svitavy had to withstand a late rally which saw the visitors close the gap to 71-68 late in the fourth. The two clubs will meet again this afternoon.
SVITAVY: Boris Meno (203-F-83, college: Davidson) (17pts), Pavel Milos (200-F-79) (14pts), Ladislav Horak (205-F/C-86) (12ts), Tomas Teply (190-G-87) (12pts)
INTER: Kevin Bridgewaters (175-G-84, college: Chattanooga) (18pts), Andrej Kuffa (203-F-90) (11pts), Richard Kucsa (189-G-85) (11pts), Kwbana Beckles (203-C/F-81, college: Lee) (8pts)


BC Kolin Bring in Chad Barnes for Tryout - by Surujh Roopnarine
BC Kolin has signed 28-year old guard Chadwick-Farrell Barnes (190-G-83, college: New Orleans) to a tryout contract which will last until the end of August.
The former New Orleans Privateer spent the 2009-10 season split between Montenegro and Estonia. In Estonia he played for Kalev Tallinn where in 10 games he averaged 10.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 2.5apg, and 1.4spg while shooting 48.6% from the field and 41.9% from three. Barnes spent his senior season at NAIA school Houston Baptist before beginning his pro career which has taken him to Venezuela, and Poland in addition to Montenegro and Estonia. He will get his first action tonight as Kolin takes on BC BC Benesov in pre-season action and then again on Monday as they face BA Sparta Praha.

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  D-LEAGUE   


NBA D-League Alum Impacting 2011 African Championships - by Surujh Roopnarine
2011 Afrobasket is drawing to a close as the quarterfinals saw Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Angola advance yesterday. One of these four teams will claim the title and earn an automatic spot in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Throughout the tournament there has been a presence of not only foreign players (like former Fairfield big man Robert Thomson (6'10''-C-82, college: Fairfield) playing for Rwanda), but also specifically players who have spent time in the NBA D-League. As the league has continued to grow and develop over the past 10 years countless numbers of players have come and gone, and it is interesting to look on where their careers have lead, most often not to the NBA. Here is a brief look at the players in the tournament who have played in the D-League.

Central Africa
James Mays (6'9''-F-86, college: Clemson): The 25-year old former Clemson Tiger played an injury-shortened 2008-09 season with the Colorado 14ers. In 12 games as a rookie he averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 46.1% from the field. For his efforts he was named NBA D-League Performer of the Week for games played during the week of Dec. 8, 2008. Since his stint in the D-League, Mays has played in China, Puerto Rico, and Turkey, where he will play again this season. His Afrobasket averages after five games are 12.2ppg, 4.8rpg and 1.6spg while shooting an incredible 71.4% on 2FG and going 4-9 from behind the arc.

Ivory Coast
Errick Craven (6'2''-G-83, college: USC): A 6-2 guard out of USC, Craven spent the 2007-08 season with the Los Angeles D-Fenders. In 39 games he averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 51.0% from the field. Since the D-League, he has played the last three full seasons in France. This is his second Afrobasket with Ivory Coast, and in five games thus far is averaging 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals.

Mamadi Diane (6'5''-G/F-86, college: Virginia): The former Virginia Cavalier never actually suited up for a regular season D-League game, but was with the Tulsa 66ers this past off-season for training camp after being selected with the 13th pick of the 5th round of the 2011 Draft. He spent the 2009-10 season in Spain with CB Penas Huesca (LEB-Silver). In five games at Afrobasket he has averaged 8.6 points and 3.0 rebounds.

Cameroon
Christopher Rodgers (6'5''-G-84, college: Arizona): 6-5 shooting guard out of Arizona. Rodgers spent his rookie 2006-07season in the D-League split with Sioux Falls and Albuquerque. Combined, he averaged 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31 games after being selected in the fifth round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA D-League Draft. This past season he split time in Romania and Hungary. In last nights heartbreaking loss to Angola, he logged 10 minutes, scoring two points on 1-4 shooting. In five games he averaged a meager 3.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 33.3% from the field.

Senegal
Mouhammad Faye (6'10''-F-85, college: SMU): Born in Dakar, Senegal, Faye split his collegiate career between Georgia Tech and SMU, where he really developed. He spent this past season in the D-League with Rio Grande Valley, where he averaged 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 52.3% from the field in 55 games. He was the leading scorer for Senegal at this tournament, averaging 18.2 points over five games.

Malick Badiane (6'11''-F/C-84): A former Second Round NBA Draft Pick of the Houston Rockets in the 2003 Draft, Badiane spent part of the 2008-09 season in the D-League with Anaheim. In 19 games, he averaged 4.9 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 40.6% from the field. He spent this past season in Frances second division and at Afrobasket averaged 8.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in 4 games.

Mali
Soumaila Samake (7'1''-C-78): At 33 years old, the former NBA veteran (47 career games) spent the 2002-2003 season with the Greenville Groove. Since leaving the NBA nearly 10 years ago, Samake, 7-1, has carved out a productive career in Asia and the Middle East. For his native Mali he appeared in four games and averaged 5.5 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field.

Nigeria
Ime Udoka (6'5''-F/G-77, college: Portland St.): The well-traveled Mr. Udoka, now an established NBA veteran spent three seasons in the D-League with North Charleston and Fort Worth before spending the past several seasons in the NBA. In 136 career D-League games he has averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals. The 34-year old Udoka has appeared in 316 NBA games over parts of seven seasons and owns career averages of 5.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Doing everything for Nigeria, Udoka has averaged 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.0 steals in five games so far.

Ejike Ugboaja (6'9''-F/C-85): Drafted in the second round (#55 overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft by Cleveland, Ugboaja never saw an NBA court, but spent the 2007-08 season in the D-League with Albuquerque and Anaheim where he averaged 4.9 points and 5.0 rebounds while shootijng 48.3% in 45 career games. He spent the 2010-11 season split between Spain and Ukraine. In five games for Nigeria he has averaged 9.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 52.8% from the field.

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  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   


Brazil celebrates 70-64 win against Dominican Republic, jumps to 2-0 - by Eurobasket News
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - BRAZIL 64-70

Brazil outplayed Dominican Republic 70-64 for perfect 2-0 record in Marchand Cup. The host of this event will meet Puerto Rico today for the first place. Dominican Republic, who dropped to 0-2 after this meeting, will play against Canada to avoid last (4th) place in Marchand Cup. Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83, agency: Edge Sports) stepped up for the hosts with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Marcus Vinicius (207-F-84) and Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed him with 15 and 14 points respectively. Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) had 10 points for 12 minutes on the court. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) shined with double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) had 12 points and 8 boards, while Francisco Garcia (201-F/G-81, college: Louisville) netted 11 pts. Dominican Republic opened this meeting better as they made 18-13 lead in the first ten minutes. However, Brazil totally took control on them in the second quarter. Marcelinho Huertas and his teammates drained 28 more point until the halftime, while Dominicans stopped to just 12. Brazil managed to keep its lead after the breather, despite the fact that third period belonged to Dominicans 16-11. Today is the last day of the Marchand Cup 2011.

Dominican Republic: Jack Michael Martinez 19+13 boards, Alfred Horford 12+8 boards, Francisco Garcia 11
Brazil: Marcelinho Huertas 16+5 boards, Marcus Vinicius 15, Guilherme Giovannoni 14, Rafael Hettsheimeir 10

*****************************************************
  ECUADOR   


Putting the PRO in Professional Athlete - by Bayo Arigbon
Bayo Arigbon (197-F-86, college: San Diego Chr.) A lot has happened since the last blog. Had some financial problems with my team, which in turn affected my living situation. Let me tell you it was something crazy! My teammate Marcus and I had to relocate without our things for a couple of days until they figured everything out. That experience in itself was something Id never forget. Mac book Pro, Xbox 360, and all my belongs held hostage until they were paid, I was upset but at the same time understood where people at the hotel were coming from. I felt so helpless because there was nothing I could do! It wasnt like I could say pay us or else!! Lol The only thing I could do was call on the LORD and have faith that this was just a test and things would be back to normal soon. After 2 days with the same clothes, no socks, and some dusty Jordan sandals, we were alerted that we could return to our Hotel. So after 2 days with no practice or active movement it was game time! We came out a lil sluggish, both Marcus and I played well but wasnt enough to get the win. I wrote this blog to inform everyone that when things arent going your way, or a team isnt complying with their end of the contract still act with KINDNESS and PROFESSIONALISM, no matter what!

A side from that Tomorrow is the All Star Game in Quito, and Im blessed to announce that Marcus Sikes (203-F-84, college: Cincinnati)s and I were selected as two of the Top 8 foreigners from our region. Im going to try to get some footage for yall and post that on my 4th blog but for now I posted a Highlight of the 1st Half of play here in Ecuador


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdgiMMl6Rro

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  EGYPT   


Egypt takes 11th place in Antananarivo, Rwanda is No.12 - by Eurobasket News
EGYPT - RWANDA 76-66

Egypt celebrated against Rwanda 76-66 in their last game in Antananarivo. Thanks to this win Egypt finished as 11th ranked team of AfroBasket, while Rwanda is No.12. Both countries were eliminated in the 1/8 Finals. Mohamed El-Kerdany (195-F-77) led Egypt to victory with double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ibrahim El-Gammal (188-G-88) had 12 points and 11 boards, while Ahmed El-Sabagh (190-G-85) also scored 12 points, but to go with 8 rebounds. In Rwanda, Kenneth Gasana (197-F-84) shined with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Kami Kabangu (203-C-84) followed with 16 points and 8 rebs. Quarters: 19-14, 16-15, 20-11, 21-26. Semifinals will be played tomorrow and championship ends on Sunday. As mentioned above, Egypt and Rwanda finished their participation.

Egypt: Mohamed El-Kerdany 19+10 boards, Ibrahim El-Gammal 12+11 boards, Ahmed El-Sabagh 12+8 boards
Rwanda: Kenneth Gasana 19+5 boards+6 as, Kami Kabangu 16+8 boards

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  ESTONIA   


Rakvere Tarvas adds Cipruss, beats Rapla - by Janar
BC Rakvere Tarvas, perhaps the most intriguing team in Estonian league in last couple of years, have added veteran point guard Valmo Kriisa (190-G-74), Latvian international Kaspars Cipruss (210-C-82, agency: Interperformances) (210-C-82, agency: Interperformances) and former Estonian U16 starlet Kristjan Rinaldo (195-G/F-91). Besides them, Tarvas has added Allan Ehte (188-G/F-86) who played in Denmark last season, and Timo Oja (182-G-87). Also Tarvas welcomed back Reinar Hallik (208-C-84) who played big part in winning silver medals in 2010.
IN first friendly, Tarvas beat Piimameister Otto/Rapla 81:79. Rinaldo scored 19, Cipruss 14+12 rbs and Hallik 12 points.

TU/Rock changes name, signs Saage - by Janar
The most succesful team in Estonia in last 10 years, TU/Rock has changed it's name - the team will participate in Baltic Basketball League under the name University of Tartu. In Estonian championships, the team will be called Tartu Ulikool (Estonian for University of Tartu).
Team signed Estonian NT player Kristo Saage (184-G-85), who played a major part in 2010 when his team Rakvere Tarvas won a silver in Estonian championships. Last season, Saage played in Aisciai Kaunas. So far, Saage is the only newcomer in the team but team officials have said to Estonian media that they plan to sign two foreign players.

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  EUROCUP   


DJ Strawberry Officially Signed the Paperwork w/ Hapoel Jerusalem - by David Pick
According to Eurobasket's reports nearly a month ago, American guard D.J. Strawberry (Agent: Scott Nichols) will now become the newest member of Hapoel Jerusalem.

Strawberry was scouted in Israel both by Maccabi T.A. and Hapoel Jerusalem. After the Euroleague finalist decided to go with Greek point guard Thodoros Papaloukas (Agent: FCM), Strawberry made it his primary goal to prove Maccabi's move was wrong, and closed a deal with J-M.

An ACC All-Defensive team, dynamic and versatile playmaker is what stands out when thinking of Strawberry. Last summer, the 26-year-old Maryland graduate played for the Los Angeles Lakers in Vegas, averaging 13 points in 26 minutes, resulting in Hapoel Jerusalem giving him a serious look before eventually deciding to go with Will Solomon. Strawberry first met his international challenge in 2008 and answered with a respective 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2spg in the Eurocup games while playing for Italy's Bologna. Before being bought out by Rytas this past season, Strawberry excelled with D-Leagues Reno Bighorns and improved every aspect of his game, posting numbers of 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

In 2010, Strawberry was signed by the New Orleans Hornets to a non-guaranteed one-year deal but finished the season in Lithuania playing for Lietuvos Rytas.

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  EUROLEAGUE   


Zagreb signs Saso Ozbolt to 1+1 year deal - by Eurobasket News
Saso Ozbolt (188-G-81, agency: World Sport Agency) is a new member of Zagreb. He signed a 1+1 year deal with Croatian champions. Ozbolt heads to Zagreb from Union Olimpija, where he spent last nine seasons. In the latest one he had 8.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.3 apg for 16 Euroleague games. He also added 10.7 ppg, 2 rpg and 2 apg for 26 games in Adriatic league. In Slovenian championship, Ozbolt registered 7.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 2.2 apg. Eurobasket awarded Ozbolt with All-Adriatic League 2nd Team -11. Saso Ozbolt won five championship titles with Olimpija. They also celebrated six times in the National Cup. Before Olimpija, Ozbolt played for Geoplin Slovan, Triglav Kranj and Portoroz. He is active member of the Slovenian National Team since 2004.

Gravelines bring in Pape Sy - by Eurobasket News
Gravelines bolstered their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Pape Sy (197-G-88). The deal is meant for one season. The contract will have an NBA out option. Pape Sy spent the last season between NBA and D-League. He played for the Atlanta Hawks. The guard averaged 2.2 points and 0.8 assists per appearance. Pape Sy also played for the Utah Flash in D-League. His stats read 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game there. Pape Sy played for Le Havre before moving to NBA. He was the member of French U20 National Team.


Cibona returns center Andrija Zizic after six years - by Eurobasket News
Cibona Zagreb managed to return their former player Andrija Zizic (207-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) for the next season. The Croatian big guy is back to Cibona after six years. He finished last season with Cedevita averaging 18.8 points and 7 rebounds in four Adriatic league games. In domestic championship Zizic had 9.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg. Andrija Zizic started last season with French ASVEL. He had 11.2 ppg and 2 rpg for five EuroCup games with them. In ProA, Zizic registered much lower digits. Before ASVEL, Andrija Zizic played the entire season for Cedevita. He exploded with 17.1 ppg and 5.8 rpg for 25 games in Adriatic league. In Croatian league and EuroChallenge his numbers were lower. Zizic also played for Galatasaray, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, Barcelona and Split in the past. From 2003 to 2005, he was a member of Cibona.

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  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


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 


Ainars Bagatskis present 12-players-squad for European Championship - by Eurobasket News
Ainars Bagatskis (agency: Alti Sport ) present 12-players-squad for European Championship. The Latvian Head Coach cut Akselis Vairogs (195-F-85, agency: Players Group) and big man Lauris Blaus (204-C-90, agency: FCM) from the final squad.
Akselis Vairogs played for BK Ventspils (LBL, starting five) last season and in Baltic League after 18 games averaged 8.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 60.0%. In EuroChallenge his stats read 5.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 71.4%, while in Latvian League he showed 9.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 71.4%.
Lauris Blaus is also a player from BK Ventspils (LBL, starting five). Last season in Baltic League after 24 games he averaged 4.6ppg, 2.5rpg and in EuroChallenge after 12 games had 6.8ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 62.0%, FT: 63.3%. In Latvian League after 31 games his stats read 7.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 54.0%, FT: 56.3%.
Latvia NT:
Janis Blums (190-G-82),

Janis Strelnieks (191-G-89),

Dairis Bertans (192-G/F-89),

Edgard Jeromanovs (186-G-86),

Mareks Jurevicus (198-G/F-85),

Rihards Kuksiks (198-G/F-88),

Davis Bertans (205-C-92),

Mareks Mejeris (207-F-91, agency: Players Group),

Arturs Berzins (204-C-88, agency: FCM),

Rolands Freimanis (207-C/F-88, agency: Players Group),

Andrejs Selakovs (210-C-88, agency: Players Group)

Martins Meiers (206-C-91)



Zouros announced the Greek roster for Eurobasket 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Ilias Zouros (agency: Alti Sport ) announced the Greek roster for Eurobasket 2011 leaving Evangelos Mantzaris (196-G-90) and Ian Vougioukas (212-C/F-85, college: St.Louis) out of the squad.
Evangelos Mantzaris played in DASH Peristeri GS Athens (A1, starting five) last season and in 28 games averaged 8.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 51.5%. Next season he will appear in Panathinaikos Athens (A1).
Ian Vougioukas played for Panathinaikos Athens (A1, starting five) last season and in Euroleague after 21 games averaged 4.3ppg, 1.2rpg. In Greek League his stats read 8.1ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 68.3%, FT: 82.5%.
It was announced earlier that Vassilis Spanoulis (193-PG-82, agency: Beo Basket) and Sofoklis Schortsanitis (206-C-85) knocked out of Eurobasket and will not help Greece.
Vassilis Spanoulis is a player of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus. In the last four seasons he played for Panathinaikos Athens (A1, starting five) and Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (A1, starting five). Sofoklis Schortsanitis also played for Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (A1) since 2006 but the last season was in Israel with Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Premier League, starting five).

Greece NT:
Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM),

Michael Bramos (196-G/F-87, college: Miami, OH),

Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida),

Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81),

Kostas Kaimakoglou (206-C/F-83),

Kostas Koufos (213-C/F-89, college: Ohio St.),

Dimitrios Mavroeidis (208-C-85, agency: FCM),

Kostas Papanikolaou (204-F/G-90),

Konstantinos Sloukas (197-G-90),

Costas Vasiliadis (200-G/F-84, agency: FCM),

Vasilis Xanthopoulos (187-G-84, agency: FCM),

Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83)



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  FINLAND   


EUROBASKET: Finland NT in Lithuania - by Rauno Hurmalainen
European Championship Games in Lithuania 31.8.-18.9.2011.

Finland NT in Lithuania:
4 Mikko Koivisto, 24 yo, 194 cm
5 Antti Nikkila, 33, 210
6 Kimmo Muurinen, 30, 202
7 Shawn Huff, 27, 198
8 Gerald Lee Jr 23, 208
9 Vesa Makalainen, 25, 200
10 Tuukka Kotti, 30, 205
11 Petteri Koponen, 23, 194
12 Sasu Salin, 20, 191
13 Hanno Mottola, 34, 209 (C)
14 Petri Virtanen, 31, 183
15 Teemu Rannikko, 31, 189
Average age: 27,58 yo. Average height: 198,58 cm.

Head Coach: Henrik Dettmann

Finland will play in Group C (Alytus).
31.8. Finland vs Croatia
1.9. Finland vs Greece
3.9. Finland vs Bosnia&Herzegovina
4.9. Finland vs FYR Macedonia
5.9. Finland vs Montenegro



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


France too good for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Gravelines - by Eurobasket News
France - Bosnia and Herzegovina 85:60

France cruised past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the friendly clash. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) stepped up with 21 points to lead the effort.
Bosnia and Herzegovina ensured an almost perfect start to the game. The visitors scored 25 points in the starting frame to post a 3-point lead. But Les Bleus took over in the second term. The hosts erased the deficit and posted a 45:39 halftime advantage. The third term turned decisive in this one. Les Bleus outgunned their opponents 25:5 to enter the fourth quarter up by 26 points 70:44. The home team did not slow down in the fourth period cruising to the victory at the end. Nando De Colo (202-G-87) posted 18 points, while Joakim Noah (211-F/C-85, college: Florida) added 12 points and 9 rebounds in the victory. Henry Domercant (192-G-80, college: E.Illinois) answered with 23 points for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 10 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 21, Nando De Colo 18, Joakim Noah 12
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Henry Domercant 23, Mirza Teletovic 10


Gravelines bring in Pape Sy - by Eurobasket News
Gravelines bolstered their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Pape Sy (197-G-88). The deal is meant for one season. The contract will have an NBA out option. Pape Sy spent the last season between NBA and D-League. He played for the Atlanta Hawks. The guard averaged 2.2 points and 0.8 assists per appearance. Pape Sy also played for the Utah Flash in D-League. His stats read 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game there. Pape Sy played for Le Havre before moving to NBA. He was the member of French U20 National Team.


*****************************************************
  FYR MACEDONIA   


KK Fersped-Rabotnicki Skopje sign Brandon Cole - by Greg
KK Fersped-Rabotnicki Skopje has just announced the signing of 27-year old American power forward - Brandon Cole (203-F/C-84, agency: Global Sports Plaza, college: Xavier). The product of Xavier University will start his second campaign in Macedonia. In 2009/2010 he played at Plejmejker-Kubus Skopje and was averaging 18.5ppg, 9.9rpg. Last season he played for Miyazaki Shining Suns in Japanese BJ League. While playing 50 games his stats were: 18.9ppg (5th best in the league), 11.4rpg (thirs best) and 2.1apg. He was nominated to Asia-Basket.com All-Japanese BJ League 2nd Team.

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


Konstanz lands Oumar Sylla - by Moritz Korff
The HolidayCheck Baskets Konstanz (1. Regionalliga South-West) completed their roster for the 2011-12 season by bringing in Oumar Sylla (201-F-84, college: Richmond), the club unveiled. Sylla is a 26-year-old forward out of Bamako, Mali. He spent several years playing in the United States, at high school and college level. In 2003-04 he attended NCAA Division 1 program Valparaiso and transfered to another D1 program, the University of Richmond after his freshman year. In 2009 Sylla was selected to play for the Mali National Team.

Andreas Endig remains With The Dresden Titans - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Andreas Endig (198-F-78) will play a second season in the German Regionaliga for the Dresden Titans. Endig is a 33 year old 198cm forward that averaged 22 points a game last season and was the second top scorer in the team behind Georg Doelle. 'Last season was more a rehearsel for him since he was working in Chemnitz and he wanted to see how his body cou cope with all the traveling', stressed Dresden Titans manager Gert Kuechler. After two months, he decided to return for another season and is content with his decision and knows this season will be a challenge for the club. 'After our strong season last year in our first season back up, many teams will be eyeing us and the second season is always more difficult', stressed Andreas Endig (198-F-78). Endig started his basketball career in 2001 for BG Chemnitz (2Bundesliga) and played there until 2010. In this time, he played 6 years in the second Bundesliga and two seasons in the (2.Regionalliga).

Source: Dresden Titans

Michael Umeh (Nigerian National Team) ) I Would Not Mind Considering BBC Bayreuth. I Am Sure It Is A Great Place And An Organization Trying To Build A Good Team - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Michael Umeh (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: UNLV) is a 26 year old 188cm guard from Houston, Texas. Currently he is in Madagascar playing in the 2011 African championships. He started his basketball career in 2003 with UNLV (NCAA) where he played until 2007 reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 in his senior year. He turned professional in 2007 and played for the Giessen 46ers until 2009. In his second season with Giessen,he played 33 games: 13.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 42.8%, FT: 81.8%. In 2009, he made the jump to Spain and played for Vive Menorca (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 48 games: 10.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 79.7%. Last season, he made the jump to the best league in Europe playing in the ACB for C.B. Murcia playing 32 games: 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 88.0%. He spoke to Eurobasket about basketball.

Thanks for taking some time to talk with eurobasket.com. You are in Madagascar taking part in the 2011 African championships with Nigeria and trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. What has been your coolest experience off the court there so far?

Coolest experience so far is just being with my teammates enjoying playing.

The team is 5-0 and plays Angola Saturday in semi finals. How pleased have you been with the play of the team so far? opponents like Chad or Mali dont really seem to be so intimidating?

I am very excited about our play. We have been growing as a team and continue to get better

Nigeria play Angola Saturday in the semi finals. Angola beat Germany 92-88 in Ot last season. This will be a real test for Nigeria. What will be key in winning this game?

The key against Angola is to just play great defense and continue to stick to what we do best.

Will it be half the rent to shut down a Carlos Morais who is avergaing 19,6ppg in the African championships?

Morais is playing well for Angola. We also have some guys playing well for us also. It will be a great game.

You are the third leading scorer in team Nigeria with 11,2ppg. What is your role with Nigeria?

My role on the team is to initiate offense organize the team a bit and make plays

How much fun is it playing with NBA veteran Ime Udoka? What have you learned from him?

Ime is a great all around player with great knowledge from the game. I am learning a lot playing with him.

You played in Spain the last two seasons for Vive Menorca (Spain-LEB Gold) and last season for CB Murcia. You had strong stats last season averaging 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT: 88.0%. How disappointed are you that the team didnt ask you back? Do you have any clue why not?

I'm not exactly sure why Murcia decided to go in another direction. It is apart of the business though. I had a great experience there and Hopefully they play well in ACB

You are currently looking for a team. How much would you like to play in Germany again?


Playing in Germany again would be great. I enjoyed playing in the league the great competition.

BBC Bayreuth is looking for a shooter. With your great shooting percentages, this might be a team for you? Would you pursue it if interest was there?

I would not mind considering BBC Bayreuth. I am sure it is a great place and an organization trying to build a good team

What are your fondest memories playing with the Giessen 46ers?

My fondest memories playing in Giessen were the great support from the fans every game no matter the outcome.

What was the most amazing shot that you saw Heiko Schaffartzik make in a practice?

Heiko made shot after shot in practice. So no shot is too amazing for that guy

What is your opinion about Ron Artest changing his name to world peace?

Really?....Ron Artest...Really?

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Fast and Furious 5

Thanks Michael for the chat. Good luck with your search for a team.

2 weeks in - by Corey Hassan
So let me begin by saying I wrote the longest blog in eurobasket history a few days ago but my session got logged out so I lost the whole posting. With that being said I've been here in Augsburg now for about 2 weeks. This place is great. The organization is great the town is great and the fans are great. I have felt nothing but welcomed here since I have stepped off the plane. The town is amazing and is full of history and is just fun to look at and walk around the downtown. The coach and the whole organization is top notch as they always answer any questions I have immediately and are always going out of their way to try to make things easier for us. The guys on the team are great guys too. This team has such great personalities and chemistry that I havent seen from a team in awhile. Everyday all the guys want to hang out and do stuff outside of practice wether it be going to the lake or just cruising around downtown.
I know a lot of people back home are probably wondering what my average day is like so here it goes. I usually wake up than have a shooting/skill practice with the other americans and few other players around 10 am most mornings. From there we will either go lift if its a lifting day or go home after that. After the shooting/skill practice we typically do stuff. Rarely do we just go back to the room and chilll. We have gone to the lake a lot, downtown or just hang out so its easy to keep busy here. Typically we have a second practice anywhere from 4pm to 8pm which last another two hours. After that I usually come home eat talk to my family/friends and beautiful girlfriend and than go to sleep. The practices here are awesome. They are very tiring as we are contantly running and going full court, but you do not even realize it as every drill is extremely competetive. I have to say this coach definitely knows what he is doing. All the drills are great and I feel like I am improving everyday. The coach is also a great guy and also can shoot the ball pretty damn well!
We also had our first scrimmage this past saturday against Jena. Our team still did not have all of our players and most of our guys had just arrived two days earlier. Jena is going to be a good team in the league this year and we did well for just having a few short practices together. We lost the scrimmage by 10 but outscored them in the second half and showed a lot of promise. I had a solid outing as I grabbed a lot of rebounds and tried to play as physical as possible. We have a bigggg scrimmage coming up soon against Bayern Munich which is a Eurocup team and a team many believe is quickly becoming one of the better teams in europe. This will be a great game for us to see where we are at and a good game to play against top competition.
As for life outside of basketball here it is great! My apartment is awesome as I am actually sitting outside on my balcony right now catching some sun as I type. There is plenty to do around here with the downtown just minutes away and all the team living relatively close to eachother. The main differences between here and America is no air conditioning! It is definitely very hot this week and germany and with no AC and no fan currently it is definitely very hot! But the sun never hurt anybody ; ) and I am definitely loving this weather. Also the language barrier has been a little more difficult than anticipated. Luckily I always have one of the managers or teammates with me that makes things much easier so it hasnt been an issue. Food shopping was extremely difficult the one time I attempted to go by myself but since than it has been good!
The hardest part about arriving here was missing my family and girlfriend very much! It was very difficult to leave them and is tough from time to time here but I know things will be much better once my girlfriend arrives and right now I am living out my dream of playing professional basketball. I am dfinitely loving it here so far and have so much to look forward too with my girlfriend arriving soon and games starting soon! That is it for now but I look forward to keeping you all updated frequently!

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.

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


Zouros announced the Greek roster for Eurobasket 2011 - by Eurobasket News
Ilias Zouros (agency: Alti Sport ) announced the Greek roster for Eurobasket 2011 leaving Evangelos Mantzaris (196-G-90) and Ian Vougioukas (212-C/F-85, college: St.Louis) out of the squad.
Evangelos Mantzaris played in DASH Peristeri GS Athens (A1, starting five) last season and in 28 games averaged 8.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 51.5%. Next season he will appear in Panathinaikos Athens (A1).
Ian Vougioukas played for Panathinaikos Athens (A1, starting five) last season and in Euroleague after 21 games averaged 4.3ppg, 1.2rpg. In Greek League his stats read 8.1ppg, 2.8rpg, FGP: 68.3%, FT: 82.5%.
It was announced earlier that Vassilis Spanoulis (193-PG-82, agency: Beo Basket) and Sofoklis Schortsanitis (206-C-85) knocked out of Eurobasket and will not help Greece.
Vassilis Spanoulis is a player of Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus. In the last four seasons he played for Panathinaikos Athens (A1, starting five) and Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (A1, starting five). Sofoklis Schortsanitis also played for Olympiakos S.F.P. Pireus (A1) since 2006 but the last season was in Israel with Maccabi Electra Tel-Aviv (Israel-Premier League, starting five).

Greece NT:
Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM),

Michael Bramos (196-G/F-87, college: Miami, OH),

Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida),

Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81),

Kostas Kaimakoglou (206-C/F-83),

Kostas Koufos (213-C/F-89, college: Ohio St.),

Dimitrios Mavroeidis (208-C-85, agency: FCM),

Kostas Papanikolaou (204-F/G-90),

Konstantinos Sloukas (197-G-90),

Costas Vasiliadis (200-G/F-84, agency: FCM),

Vasilis Xanthopoulos (187-G-84, agency: FCM),

Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83)



Italy nip Greece to win Acropolis Tournament - by Eurobasket News
Greece - Italy 81:82 (2OT)

Italy celebrated the Acropolis Tournament title. They overcame Greece in double-overtime thriller to clinch the crown. Danilo Gallinari (205-G/F-88, agency: Players Group) scored 23 points to pace the effort. He was named the MVP of the tournament after the game.
The Azzurri ensured a brave start. They outscored the hosts 20:11 in the starting quarter. But the Hellenes turned things around in the second quarter. The home team erased the deficit and posted a 31:28 halftime lead. Greece maintained the advantage throughout the third term. They ensured a 47:43 lead at the third break. The hosts were up by three points late in regulation but Marco Belinelli (196-G-86) fired a triple to level things up at 62. Italy pulled ahead 71:69 late in the first extra period but Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) drew things level at 71 forcing the second overtime. The teams exchanged baskets before Mancinelli tipped the ball in and sealed the victory for the Azzurri at the end. Marco Belinelli posted 21 points, while Andrea Bargnani (209-F/C-85) added 16 points in the victory. Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) answered with 26 points for Greece. Nikolaos Zisis and Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) posted 14 points apiece in defeat.

Greece: Ioannis Bourousis 26, Nikolaos Zisis 14, Antonis Fotsis 14
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 23, Marco Belinelli 21, Andrea Bargnani 16


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


Albacomp will test Geary Claxton - by Tamas Deri
American guard, Geary Claxton (196-G/F-86, college: Penn St.) will arrive on monday to Hungary and spend a two weeks tryout period with hungarian powerhouse Albacomp. Geary had an amazing NCAA carreer on the University of Penn State, where he graduated in 2008. A two-time All-Big Ten honoree and All-America candidate, Claxton entered his senior season on pace to end his career among the top three scorers and rebounders all-time at Penn State. One of two players to rank in the top five in scoring and rebounding in the Big Ten last year, he was first in rebounding (8.0 rpg) and second in scoring (16.3 ppg) among Big Ten returners in 2007-08. A team co-MVP, he led the team in scoring for the third straight year (just the sixth Penn State player to do so) and rebounding for the second straight year and 10 categories overall. He averaged 17.0 points and 8.0 rebounds as a junior and put up 17.4 points and 8.4 rebounds as a senior in the Big Ten. Geary is a quick and explosive leaper, the 6-5 guard was ranked among the top three in offensive rebounding in the Big Ten. After his NCAA carreer he tried to get into the NBA but was not drafted. In summer 2009 he played with the Phoenix Suns on the NBA Summer League and had several NBA workouts.



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


Niels Dungal re-signs with IR - by Eurobasket News
IR have ensured the services of Niels Dungal (191-G-83, college: Longwood) for the next season. The guard joined the team at the start of the previous season. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 boards and 2.8 assists per game in Express League. Previously Niels Dungal had spells for Fjolnir, Armann, KR. Niels Dungal was the member of U20 Icelandic National Team back in 2001.


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


Arsalan Kazemi to rejoin Iranian National Team - by Ahmad Kerdi
Iranian young forward Arsalan Kazemi (200-F-90) (200-F-1990) whos participation with the Iranian National Team in the Asia Championships that will take place in China this September is doubtable confirmed to Eurobasket.com that the obstacles standing in the way of his participation are about to get removed.
Kazemi pointed in an interview that we will publish later on that he is trying hard to join the national Team and hopefully his attempts will end up with positive results after help has been provided by both Rice University and the Iranian Federation.
Iranian youngster joined the national team for the first time last year during the Fiba World Championship in Turkey when he impressed everyone with his contributions averaging 12 points and 7.4 rebounds and leading all players in the tournament in steals with 2.8 steals in 32 minutes per game.
Iran is in need of every contribution to win their third Asian title in a row specially after losing the efforts of Guard Saman Visi due to an injury while playing for the team in William Jones Cup lately.

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


Jordan Farmar lands in Israel to Mac TA mob - by Eurobasket News
Jordan Farmar (6'2''-PG-86, college: UCLA) arrived in Israel to a raucous welcome from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on Thursday morning before revealing how excited he is to join the yellow-and-blue in his first press conference in the holy land.

The 24-year-old New Jersey Nets guard who is Jewish with Israeli roots will play for Maccabi until the NBA lockout ends, and will be doing so for a mere $25,000 a month.

'I received a warm welcome at the airport and Im just as excited as the fans, said Farmar', who has won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and is currently one season into a three-year, $12 million contract with the Nets.

'I think this is going to be an amazing experience.'

Courtesy of www.jpost.com

DJ Strawberry Officially Signed the Paperwork w/ Hapoel Jerusalem - by David Pick
According to Eurobasket's reports nearly a month ago, American guard D.J. Strawberry (Agent: Scott Nichols) will now become the newest member of Hapoel Jerusalem.

Strawberry was scouted in Israel both by Maccabi T.A. and Hapoel Jerusalem. After the Euroleague finalist decided to go with Greek point guard Thodoros Papaloukas (Agent: FCM), Strawberry made it his primary goal to prove Maccabi's move was wrong, and closed a deal with J-M.

An ACC All-Defensive team, dynamic and versatile playmaker is what stands out when thinking of Strawberry. Last summer, the 26-year-old Maryland graduate played for the Los Angeles Lakers in Vegas, averaging 13 points in 26 minutes, resulting in Hapoel Jerusalem giving him a serious look before eventually deciding to go with Will Solomon. Strawberry first met his international challenge in 2008 and answered with a respective 14.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.2spg in the Eurocup games while playing for Italy's Bologna. Before being bought out by Rytas this past season, Strawberry excelled with D-Leagues Reno Bighorns and improved every aspect of his game, posting numbers of 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

In 2010, Strawberry was signed by the New Orleans Hornets to a non-guaranteed one-year deal but finished the season in Lithuania playing for Lietuvos Rytas.

Hapoel Ironi Nes-Ziona agreed terms with Igor Simin - by Eurobasket Center
Eurobasket.com reveals that Igor Simin (197-G-84) has just agreed terms with Hapoel Ironi Nes-Ziona from National League. Simin is going to return to Israel after many years abroad (mostly in Germany). Last season he played at GiroLive-Ballers Osnabrueck. While playing 25 games in ProA he was averaging 7.4ppg and 1.9rpg. The player is expected to sign the contract this evening



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


Italy nip Greece to win Acropolis Tournament - by Eurobasket News
Greece - Italy 81:82 (2OT)

Italy celebrated the Acropolis Tournament title. They overcame Greece in double-overtime thriller to clinch the crown. Danilo Gallinari (205-G/F-88, agency: Players Group) scored 23 points to pace the effort. He was named the MVP of the tournament after the game.
The Azzurri ensured a brave start. They outscored the hosts 20:11 in the starting quarter. But the Hellenes turned things around in the second quarter. The home team erased the deficit and posted a 31:28 halftime lead. Greece maintained the advantage throughout the third term. They ensured a 47:43 lead at the third break. The hosts were up by three points late in regulation but Marco Belinelli (196-G-86) fired a triple to level things up at 62. Italy pulled ahead 71:69 late in the first extra period but Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) drew things level at 71 forcing the second overtime. The teams exchanged baskets before Mancinelli tipped the ball in and sealed the victory for the Azzurri at the end. Marco Belinelli posted 21 points, while Andrea Bargnani (209-F/C-85) added 16 points in the victory. Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) answered with 26 points for Greece. Nikolaos Zisis and Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) posted 14 points apiece in defeat.

Greece: Ioannis Bourousis 26, Nikolaos Zisis 14, Antonis Fotsis 14
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 23, Marco Belinelli 21, Andrea Bargnani 16


*****************************************************
  LATVIA   


Ainars Bagatskis present 12-players-squad for European Championship - by Eurobasket News
Ainars Bagatskis (agency: Alti Sport ) present 12-players-squad for European Championship. The Latvian Head Coach cut Akselis Vairogs (195-F-85, agency: Players Group) and big man Lauris Blaus (204-C-90, agency: FCM) from the final squad.
Akselis Vairogs played for BK Ventspils (LBL, starting five) last season and in Baltic League after 18 games averaged 8.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 60.0%. In EuroChallenge his stats read 5.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 71.4%, while in Latvian League he showed 9.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 71.4%.
Lauris Blaus is also a player from BK Ventspils (LBL, starting five). Last season in Baltic League after 24 games he averaged 4.6ppg, 2.5rpg and in EuroChallenge after 12 games had 6.8ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 62.0%, FT: 63.3%. In Latvian League after 31 games his stats read 7.2ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 54.0%, FT: 56.3%.
Latvia NT:
Janis Blums (190-G-82),

Janis Strelnieks (191-G-89),

Dairis Bertans (192-G/F-89),

Edgard Jeromanovs (186-G-86),

Mareks Jurevicus (198-G/F-85),

Rihards Kuksiks (198-G/F-88),

Davis Bertans (205-C-92),

Mareks Mejeris (207-F-91, agency: Players Group),

Arturs Berzins (204-C-88, agency: FCM),

Rolands Freimanis (207-C/F-88, agency: Players Group),

Andrejs Selakovs (210-C-88, agency: Players Group)

Martins Meiers (206-C-91)



Jai Lucas is on try-out with Valmiera - by Eurobasket News
Jai Lucas (177-G) is on try-out with Valmiera as the team got interest and invited him in the squad. The American Guard might be chosen for the next season.
In 2005-2006 he appeared for Bellaire High School, Bellaire TX. In 2007-2008 started for Florida (NCAA) and in 36 games averaged 8.5ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 46.0%, 3Pts: 43.5%, FT: 71.4%. In 2009-2010 moved to Texas (NCAA) and in 23 games showed 2.7ppg, 1.4apg. The last season for Texas (NCAA) his stats read 3.1ppg, 1.1apg.
Jai led the team in three-point field goal percentage (.462, 12-of-26) and recorded a 33-to-17 (1.94 ratio) assist-to-turnover ratio as a junior. Last year in a UT career had high 30 minutes, dished out a season-high four assists, matching his career-high.
Last year Jai Lucas became Big 12 Regular Season Runner-Up -11 and Big 12 Tournament Finalist -11. Earlier was at the USA U18 National Team -05, SEC All-Freshman Team -08. He also reached NIT Final Four -08 and NIT Elite Eight -09.


*****************************************************
  LEBANON   


Lebanon cruise past Syria in Doha - by Eurobasket News
Lebanon - Syria 82:58

Lebanon earned the first win at the Doha Invitational Tournament. They fired past Syria for 1-0 record. Ghaleb Rida (190-G-81) scored 18 points to pace the winners. Syria fell at 0-2 record after the loss.
The teams stayed close for some time early in the encounter. But Lebanon eventually took off posting a 20:14 lead ten minutes into the game. They stretched the margin in the second stanza. Lebanon arrived at halftime leading by as many as 8 points 35:27. Syria were unable to slow their opponents down in the third quarter. Lebanon cleared off to a 12-point lead at the final intermission. They unleashed 28 points in the fourth period and sealed the victory at the end. Elie Estephane (195-G/F-86, college: Alabama So. CC) posted 17 points, while Jean Abed El Nour (197-G/F-83) added 12 points for the winners. Ramy El Khatib (182-G-84) answered with 14 points for Syria. Ioanis Deeb (180-G-86) and Eder Arjo Gorges (212-C/F-81, college: Walsh, OH) contributed 9 points each in the loss.

Lebanon: Ghaleb Rida 18, Elie Estephane 17, Jean Abed El Nour 12
Syria: Ramy El Khatib 14, Ioanis Deeb 9, Eder Arjo Gorges 9


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


Vaidotas Volkus heads to Juventus - by Eurobasket News
Vaidotas Volkus (203-F-85, college: Redlands CC) heads to Juventus for the upcoming season. The Lithuania Forward moves from Techasas.
Last year Techasas inked a deal with Vaidotas Volkus. The 25-year-old forward started that season in Siauliai. He tallied 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in the BBL. Later Vaidotas Volkus moved to ABRO/Universitetas. In 10 games of the NKL averaging 15.1 points and 8.4 boards per game.
In 2009 season Volkus also play in Siauliai and averaged 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in LKL. Volkus tallied 3.8 points and 1.0 rebounds per sixth EuroChallenge games.
In 2010-2011 for Panevezys Techasas (LKL) in Baltic League after 14 games he averaged 11.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 64.7%. In Lithuanian League after 19 games his stats read 11.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-4 (1.1bpg), FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 69.2%.
In Lithuania he recorded 25 points last season at the Regular Season Round 2.
Techasas shot down Sakalai at home court. Vaidotas Volkus fired 25 points to lead the charge. Marius Valukonis finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds as Techasas.


Rolandas Matulis remains with Sakalai Vilnius - by Eurobasket News
Rolandas Matulis (199-C-73) remains with Sakalai Vilnius for 2011/2012 season. The Lithuanian Center is proud to be with the team since year 1994.
In 1994-1995 Rolandas Matulis started for Sakalai Vilnius (1T). In Nov.'01 however moved to Zalgiris Kaunas: Euroleague: 9g 2.7ppg 2.5rpg 0.2apg. Lkl stats: 22g 8.6ppg 4.3rpg 0.7apg. In Aug.'02 was tested by Czarni Slupsk (Poland-PLK), then moved to Siauliai (LKL) and in FIBA Champions Cup after 4 games averaged 12.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg. Finally joined back Sakalai Vilnius (1T) and in 37 games showed 14.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.0apg.
In 2010-2011 for Sakalai Vilnius (LKL, starting five) in Lithuanian League after 23 games his stats read 10.8ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 32.8%, FT: 52.5%. In Baltic League he averaged 9.4ppg, Reb-5 (8.0rpg), 2.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.8%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 37.0%.
In his top game he recorded 19 points at the Regular Season Round 29 when Sakalai beat Alytus Alita 93:84. Sakalai dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Alytus Alita's 44. Their players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists.


*****************************************************
  MADAGASCAR   


Madagascar blasts South Africa 82-61 for 13th place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
SOUTH AFRICA - MADAGASCAR 61-82

The host of AfroBasket 2011 ended as No.13. They cruised past South Africa 82-61 to take this spot in Antananarivo. On the other side, South Africa finished as 14th ranked team. Charles Ramsdell (208-F/C-85, agency: Court Side, college: Tulsa) was a key player for the winners. He spent 37 minutes on the court collecting 22 points and 17 rebounds. Ramsdell reached valuation 35 and was the MVP of this meeting. Romule Razafimahasahy (188-F/G-88) (6 rebs) and Rovanantenaina Andrianjafy (173-F/G-89) (6 as) helped with 16 and 12 points respectively. In the loosing squad, Brendan Mettler (190-G-82) led the scorers with 18 points (6 rebs). Neo Mothiba (199-G/F-82) had double-double of 16 points and 15 rebs, while Shane Marhanele (198-G/F-82) added 13 pts. Quarters: 18-13, 14-23, 12-21, 17-25. Semifinals of AfroBasket are scheduled for tomorrow and Big Final for Sunday.

South Africa: Brendan Mettler 18+6 boards, Neo Mothiba 16+15 boards, Shane Marhanele 13
Madagascar: Charles Ramsdell 22+17 boards, Romule Razafimahasahy 16+6 boards, Rovanantenaina Andrianjafy 12+6 as

*****************************************************
  MALI   


Mali beats Mozambique 61-55 for ninth place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
MALI - MOZAMBIQUE 61-55

Mali was better than Mozambique 61-55 in their last game at the AfroBasket 2011. Thanks to this win Mali ended as No.9 at this event. Of course, Mozambique finished as tenth ranked team. Cheick Soumaoro (205-F/C-90) shined for Mali with 16 points and 10 rebounds in this meeting. He reached valuation 24. Mamadou Sy (200-F-85, college: Cloud County CC) (8 rebs) and Mamadou Diarra (213-F-88) helped with 9 points each. In the loosing squad, Custodio Muchate (200-C-82) was better than the others with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Augusto Matos (185-G-90) and Octavio Magolico (200-C-84) had 9 and 8 points respectively. Quarters: 7-9, 23-14, 17-14, 14-18. Championship in Antananarivo will last three more days. As mentioned above, Mali and Mozambique ended their participation.

Mali: Cheick Soumaoro 16+10 boards, Mamadou Sy 9+8 boards, Mamadou Diarra 9
Mozambique: Custodio Muchate 14+7 boards, Augusto Matos 9, Octavio Magolico 8

*****************************************************
  MARCHAND CUP   


Day Two: Puerto Rico and Brazil stay perfect - by Eurobasket News
Puerto Rico - Canada 74-63
Puerto Rico registered second straight win in Brazil. They outplayed Canada 74-63 for 2-0 record and will meet the host of Marchand Cup for the first place at this event. On the other side Canada dropped to 0-2. They will play against Dominican Republic for position No.3. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) led Puerto Rico with 24 points and 5 assists. Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) scored 11 points and Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico) helped with 10 points, plus 7 boards. In the loosing squad, Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) top-scored with 12 points. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) stopped to one point less. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game. Puerto Rico blasted Canada in that period 31-15, what was enough for the victory. Before that Canada made 14-15 in the first and 16-17 in the second quarter. Last ten minutes also belonged to them (13-16), but they faced with 11-point loss due to very poor Q3. Marchand Cup ends today.

Dominican Republic - Brazil 64-70
Brazil outplayed Dominican Republic 70-64 for perfect 2-0 record in Marchand Cup. The host of this event will meet Puerto Rico today for the first place. Dominican Republic, who dropped to 0-2 after this meeting, will play against Canada to avoid last (4th) place in Marchand Cup. Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83, agency: Edge Sports) stepped up for the hosts with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Marcus Vinicius (207-F-84) and Guilherme Giovannoni (202-F-80, agency: Interperformances) followed him with 15 and 14 points respectively. Rafael Hettsheimeir (206-C-86) had 10 points for 12 minutes on the court. In Dominican Republic, Jack Michael Martinez (203-F/C-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) shined with double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds. Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) had 12 points and 8 boards, while Francisco Garcia (201-F/G-81, college: Louisville) netted 11 pts. Dominican Republic opened this meeting better as they made 18-13 lead in the first ten minutes. However, Brazil totally took control on them in the second quarter. Marcelinho Huertas and his teammates drained 28 more point until the halftime, while Dominicans stopped to just 12. Brazil managed to keep its lead after the breather, despite the fact that third period belonged to Dominicans 16-11. Today is the last day of the Marchand Cup 2011.

Standings
Standings
1. Brazil2-0
2. P.Rico2-0
3. Canada0-2
4. Dominican R.0-2


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


Pioneros land John Millsap - by Eurobasket News
John Millsap (198-F-82, college: UTSA) will continue his career in Mexico. The forward has agreed on terms of contract with Pioneros de Quintana Roo. Last season John Millsap started in Boca Juniors Capital Feder in Argentina. The forward posted 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in Liga A. In January John Millsap moved to Venezuela. The forward joined Guaros de Lara. His stats read 19.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 assists per game. John Millsap made it into Latinbasket.com All-Venezuelan LPB 2nd Team. John Millsap is not new to Mexico. He used to play for Bucaneros de Campeche back in 2009/10 season. The forward also had stints in China, CBA, USBL, D-League, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic.


*****************************************************
  MONTENEGRO   


Bojan Bakic stays in Latvia - by Eurobasket News
Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) will stay in Latvia for at least one more year. The Montenegrin guard penned a deal with Ventspils. He arrives to his new club from VEF Riga, with whom he won the Latvian league title and reached Baltic league Finals. Bakic appeared 18 times in LBL averaging 9.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists. He also added 8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 1.7 apg for 12 games in Baltic league. Bojan Bakic started last season with Ukrainian team Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih. He had 14.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for them in 22 games. During the season he joined VEF Riga. In 2009/10, Bakic played few games for Greek Kavala and later joined Serbian team Metalac Valjevo. In the past, he also was a member of Energa Czarni, Marousi, Union Olimpija, Hemofarm and Buducnost. Bakic is active member of the Montenegrin National Team.

*****************************************************
  MOROCCO   


Tunisia eliminates Morocco in QFinals, 88-67 - by Eurobasket News
Tunisia - Morocco 86-67
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 (199-G-80) leading his side with 16 points and 4 rebounds, Radhouane Slimane (205-C-80) had 14 points and 8 rebounds Salah Mejri (216-C-86) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

*****************************************************
  MOZAMBIQUE   


Mali beats Mozambique 61-55 for ninth place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
MALI - MOZAMBIQUE 61-55

Mali was better than Mozambique 61-55 in their last game at the AfroBasket 2011. Thanks to this win Mali ended as No.9 at this event. Of course, Mozambique finished as tenth ranked team. Cheick Soumaoro (205-F/C-90) shined for Mali with 16 points and 10 rebounds in this meeting. He reached valuation 24. Mamadou Sy (200-F-85, college: Cloud County CC) (8 rebs) and Mamadou Diarra (213-F-88) helped with 9 points each. In the loosing squad, Custodio Muchate (200-C-82) was better than the others with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Augusto Matos (185-G-90) and Octavio Magolico (200-C-84) had 9 and 8 points respectively. Quarters: 7-9, 23-14, 17-14, 14-18. Championship in Antananarivo will last three more days. As mentioned above, Mali and Mozambique ended their participation.

Mali: Cheick Soumaoro 16+10 boards, Mamadou Sy 9+8 boards, Mamadou Diarra 9
Mozambique: Custodio Muchate 14+7 boards, Augusto Matos 9, Octavio Magolico 8

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


Trevor Booker's Plan B for lockout is playing in Israeli league - by Eurobasket News
Trevor Booker's (6'7''-F-87, college: Clemson) first choice is to be sitting on the Washington Wizards bench come November, ready to enter the game and provide some defensive energy. But if the NBA still is in a lockout when the season is scheduled to start, Booker has his backup plan in place.

He is heading overseas and will play for Bnei HaSharon of the Israeli Basketball League this season.

'I talked it over with my family, and we all decided it would be a good idea', Booker said. 'I think the international competition will be a challenge.'

Booker, who is under contract with the Wizards through next season, had his agent negotiate a deal with Bnei HaSharon that gives him insurance protection, and an opt-out clause to return to the NBA when the lockout ends.

'I am afraid we won't have an [NBA] season. I hope both sides will come to an agreement, but in case they dont, we have to make other plans, Booker said. It will be discouraging if we end up losing the season, but if the lockout looks like its going to drag on, I think a lot of other players will think about going overseas. Players just want to play.'

Booker has spent his offseason traveling and working out at Clemson to stay in shape, but hasnt been involved in any summer-league games. He added that hes not concerned about getting injured.

I just try not to think about getting hurt, said Booker, who missed the final month last season after breaking a bone in his right foot. Booker said he keeps up to date on the lockout by reading a weekly newsletter from players union executive director Billy Hunter.

Wizards teammate John Wall has done his share of traveling this offseason as well and has stayed active by playing in summer-league games, including the Goodman League vs. Drew League showdown held last weekend at Trinity University, but said he has no plans to go overseas at this time.

Im thinking about it, but Im not really planning on doing it, Wall said.

While going overseas sounds tempting for players who hope to add leverage to their bargaining position with the owners, NBA TV analyst Steve Smith thinks that leverage has its limits.

I think it gives a few individual players some leverage but not the players union as a whole, said Smith, who played in the NBA from 1991 through 2005. But the main concern these players have to think about is going over there and getting hurt. Even if they dont have a major injury, they could still develop a minor nagging injury that hurts them when then come back to their NBA teams.

New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams seemed to kick off the overseas movement by signing a one-year deal for a reported $5 million to play with Besiktas in the Turkish Basketball League, but few other superstars are making that same move, despite saying that they are considering the option.

Heat guard Dwyane Wade has said hell play somewhere next year, and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard said hes considering it as well. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant also was being courted by Besiktas but expressed more interest in playing in China until FIBA, basketballs international governing body, and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) effectively ended this option for contracted NBA players.

According to FIBA and the CBA, only players who are free agents can play in China and must commit to play an entire season. They will not get opt-out clauses to return to the NBA if and when the lockout ends.

Im not sure why China is taking this stand, Smith said. If they could get a Kobe Bryant for even 10 or 15 games, why wouldnt they want that? When we went through our lockout in 1998, we didnt have this overseas option, but as it gets closer to the season, a lot of guys might think about it.

But like a game of musical chairs, there are limited spots available with overseas teams. Most teams have two spots available for foreign players, and Smith believes that free agents, or players who are on the cusp of making an NBA team and not the stars, are the players most likely to seek out the overseas jobs.

After an NBA season that saw record-breaking numbers in attendance, merchandise sales and television ratings, Smith said it would be a mistake to lose that momentum.

No one knows how long this lockout is going to go, but both sides need to get back to the negotiating table, Smith said. They cant settle anything if they arent talking.

Courtesy of www.washingtontimes.com

Former NBA Player Charged with Murder - by Alex Yam
ATLANTA -- Police said late Friday that former NBA player Javaris Crittenton, who was once suspended by the league over guns in the locker room, has been charged with murder after a woman was shot on an Atlanta street.

Police spokesman Carlos Campos said police have secured a murder warrant for the arrest of Crittenton, who played at Georgia Tech, in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Jullian Jones on Aug. 19. Campos said Crittenton is not in custody and is wanted.

Crittenton
Atlanta police Maj. Keith Meadows told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday night that Crittenton is believed to be in the Los Angeles area. He said the FBI is involved in the investigation.

Jones, a mother of four, was walking with a group of people on the city's southwest side when a dark-colored SUV drove by and she was shot by someone inside the vehicle, police said.

Investigators say they don't believe the woman was the intended target. Campos said the motive appears to be retaliation for a robbery in April, in which Crittenton was a victim, Campos said in a statement.

Messages left for an agent who has represented Crittenton were not immediately returned Friday night.

Crittenton most recently played in the NBA with the Washington Wizards and was involved in a gun altercation with Gilbert Arenas. He is on the roster of the NBDL's Dakota Wizards.

Crittenton didn't play last season because of an ankle injury. He was given a 38-game suspension by the NBA after he and Arenas acknowledged bringing guns into the locker room following a dispute stemming from a card game on a team flight.

Crittenton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge on Jan. 25, 2010, and received probation. He wasn't re-signed by the Wizards.

The Charlotte Bobcats signed Crittenton to a non-guaranteed contract before last season but he was waived Oct. 15.

Crittenton was the 19th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007. He played little with Los Angeles and was sent to Memphis in the Pau Gasol deal his rookie year. He was traded to Washington in December 2008.

Crittenton averaged 5.3 points and 1.8 assists in 113 NBA games. Article courtesy of ESPN.com

Jordan Farmar lands in Israel to Mac TA mob - by Eurobasket News
Jordan Farmar (6'2''-PG-86, college: UCLA) arrived in Israel to a raucous welcome from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans on Thursday morning before revealing how excited he is to join the yellow-and-blue in his first press conference in the holy land.

The 24-year-old New Jersey Nets guard who is Jewish with Israeli roots will play for Maccabi until the NBA lockout ends, and will be doing so for a mere $25,000 a month.

'I received a warm welcome at the airport and Im just as excited as the fans, said Farmar', who has won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and is currently one season into a three-year, $12 million contract with the Nets.

'I think this is going to be an amazing experience.'

Courtesy of www.jpost.com

Report: NBA, union to meet again next week - by Eurobasket News
David Stern wants progress in the NBA's collective bargaining talks by Labor Day. He may get his wish.

Officials from the league and players' association will meet again next week, people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press on Thursday. It will be only the second session involving leaders from both sides since the lockout started July 1.

'If Labor Day comes and goes without us huddled in ready to kiss off our Labor Day weekend to make this deal, then we may be headed to a bad place,' Stern said during an ESPN.com podcast earlier this month.

Next week's session will include top negotiators for both sides: Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver, as well as union executive director Billy Hunter and president Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Others may attend, but the meeting is expected to be small. Plans were for it to be held early in the week, though that could change if expected bad weather from Hurricane Irene hampers travel to New York.

After an Aug. 1 meeting, Fisher said the sides hoped to meet at least two to three times before the end of the month, preferably on consecutive days. Instead, the union has mostly been holding regional meetings to update its players. Stern is finishing a second week of vacation, though NBA officials have stressed he was available anytime the union wanted to sit down.

There hasn't been much to talk about. Stern was disappointed in the players' lack of movement in the Aug. 1 meeting, and the league filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and a lawsuit against the players the next day.

The union, already fed up with the owners' desires for pay cuts and a new salary-cap system in a new collective bargaining agreement, had already filed its own complaint with the NLRB.

With no progress so far, many feel the NBA will lose games to a work stoppage for only the second time in its history.

Players made the last proposal on June 30 and had hoped the owners would submit the next one. Stern has said offers only get worse after a lockout starts but recently told the AP it would be wrong to assume owners are finished making proposals.

'We're always going to sit down and talk and discuss and probe and prod and ask questions of each other and deal with hypotheticals, so there are many different ways to propose things. So we're not through at all,' he said.

However, Lakers forward Luke Walton, who's working as an assistant coach at Memphis during the lockout, said dealmaking might not get under way until games start getting canceled.

Courtesy of ESPN

No name change for Artest just yet - by Eurobasket News
World Peace is on hold, at least for a few more weeks.

Ron Artest (6'7''-G/F-79, college: St.John's) was not able to officially change his name to Metta World Peace on Friday as planned because he first has to clear outstanding traffic warrants, a court official told reporters in L.A. Artest's next court date is set for Sept. 16.

Artest had been looking forward to announcing the official change.

You can call me Ron today and then its over. Its a wrap, Artest said Thursday afternoon. Its about love, world peace. Everybody can relate to that, whether its in the same community or the same state or the same country or whether its a country going to war.

Its about world peace. You know what I mean? The kids need to know that, and they know that now.

Along with his name change, Artest also said he hopes to switch his jersey number to 70 next season. He currently wears No. 15 for the Lakers, and this wont be his first number change. During his time with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Lakers, he has also worn No. 23 to honor Michael Jordan, No. 91 to honor Dennis Rodman, Nos. 93 and 96 to honor his hometown of Queens, N.Y., and No. 37 to honor Michael Jackson. Artests goal is to wear 10 numbers before the end of his career.

Im changing it to 70 because its like something to do with the universe, Artest said. Everything kind of repeats itself. The universe is one. Its the same thing. Healthy minds, just keeping the kids positive.

Artest said he remains interested in playing for the Cheshire Jets of the Britain Basketball League, but wont make an official decision until after Nov. 22, provided the lockout hasnt ended. Artests agent recently told the Los Angeles Times that the Jets have yet to offer Artest insurance to play.

Im definitely going if Im not playing [in the NBA], Artest said. Its pro basketball. Its going to be fun. Small gym I want to go somewhere nice and small. Ive had other opportunities to make more money in other places, but I want to play in a small area.

Courtesy of Yahoo

*****************************************************
  NBLCANADA   


NBL Canada Gets Rolling with Draft - by Eurobasket
With the first selection in the NBL Canada draft, the Oshawa Power are proud to select Morgan Lewis (6'4''-F-87, agency: Numbers Sports Agency, college: Findlay, OH)

And with words to that effect, the NBL took it s first steps into the future.

The League held its inaugural draft Sunday evening at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. After two days of workouts at the NBL Combine the pool of players was narrowed down and ready to be dispersed amongst the seven franchises.

Jerome Brown (6'5''-G, college: Pittsburgh) was the first Canadian player taken in the draft, going to the Saint John Sea Dogs fifth overall, while the Quebec Kebs selected another Canuck product, Tristan Martin (6'2''-G-82, college: Houston), seventh overall. The Mill Rats and Kebs deemed the Brown and Martin to valauble to wait until the Canadian-only portion of the draft. Heres the round up of the first round:

1. Oshawa Morgan Lewis, University of Findlay
2. Summerside Justin Garris (6'3''-F-89), Ashland U/NJIT
3. London Tyrone Levett (6'5''-F-80, college: Alabama St.)
4. Moncton Darrell Wonge (6'7''-F-86, college: Winston Salem)
5. Saint John Jerome Brown , Panloa College
6. Halifax Danny Friend (6'6''-F-88), Limestone College
7. Quebec Tristan Martin , University of Houston

Torontos Kevin Francis was the first pick in the Canadian-only round of the draft going to the Oshawa Power. The Canadian-only portion ofthe draft ended up causing some problems for the Halifax Rainmen.

After selecting 67 Danny Friend out of Limestone College with the sixth overall selection, the Rainmen added a 64 guard from Toronto Papa Oppong (Eastern Kentucky University) with their first Canadian-only pick.

In the third round (again Canadian-only) the Rainmen took Jerrell Thompson out of Sacred Heart University. Thompson, however as it was later found, is not from Canada. Thompson registered and is listed with Canada as country of residence, despite listing, correctly I might add, Plainfield, New Jersey as his hometown. Thompsons official draft selection will be void, but he will still be invited to Rainmen training camp.

The overwhelming response from American players filled the available registration spots so quickly, that we later found out they were registering as Canadians to ensure they had a slot reserved at the combine, said Rainmen Prsident & CEO Andre Levingston. The NBL Canada is already working on tightening this process to ensure it does not happen in the future.

Friend, Oppong, and Thonpson will report to Rainmen training camp in October. Levingston says there are additional Canadian players who will be invited to camp.

The Rainmen will begin their 2011-12 season on Saturday November 5, 2011 at the Halifax Metro Centre when they face off against Coach Michael Ray Richardson and his London Lightning.


NBLC Standings
NBL Canada Standings
 1. Halifax R. 0-0 
 2. London L. 0-0 
 3. Moncton M. 0-0 
 4. Oshawa P. 0-0 
 5. Quebec K. 0-0 
 6. St.John M.R. 0-0 
 7. The Island 0-0 


NBL Canada confident it'll succeed - by Eurobasket
The way Halifax Rainmen owner Andre Levingston sees it, the National Basketball League of Canada is reaching new heights.

' (Saint John Mill Rats general manager) Ian McCarthy and I sat side by side trying to figure out how do we raise the bar for professional basketball in Canada,' said Levingston, who's also the interim league president.

'We've been a part of two leagues in previous years and it never met our standards. We knew that our fans and our corporate partners deserve better. After last season, we made a decision that the time is now to break away and form a new league.'

Halifax, Saint John and the Quebec Kebs left the Premier Basketball League after the 2011 season. They combined with four expansion franchises - Moncton Miracles, Summerside, London Lightning and Oshawa Power - to form the seven-team NBL Canada which begins play in late October.

This will be the fifth consecutive season for professional basketball in Halifax. It's also the third league the city has been part of during that span.

'I'm not going to bash the previous leagues we were in,' said Levingston. 'They just didn't meet the standards for what we wanted from a league so it was time for us to do something different. We definitely feel we're in the right situation now with this new league.

'We're going to take our time, make sure we have solid team owners and do things the right way. It won't be fly by night. I guarantee you the NBL Canada will be at the highest level.

'All the team owners are going to work collectively to grow this league. That's all we ever wanted from a league - for teams to be financially responsible and do what professional leagues are supposed to do which is play 100 per cent of its basketball games and continue to raise the bar every year.'

The average attendance per game this past season was 4,000 in Halifax and 3,700 in Saint John. Levingston promises there's something that all NBL Canada franchises will have in common.

'The fans will have access to the players and coaches in this league,' he said. 'In order to have a successful franchise, you definitely have to build your organization from the grass roots level. That's been the basis for our success in Halifax and we want that duplicated across the league.

'When you see the level of talent coming into your city you will be blown away. These players are going to be involved in the community. They're going to be talking to kids, inspiring them and signing autographs. They'll be going into the schools, running youth basketball clinics and things like that.'

Moncton will open the 36-game regular season on the road against Quebec on Oct. 29. The Miracles will play their first five games in opposition buildings before their home opener versus Saint John on Nov. 20 at the Moncton Coliseum.

The Miracles began selling tickets on Tuesday afternoon following their introductory news conference. They sold 50 season tickets as of box office closing time yesterday.

'We've had immediate response from fans when it comes to buying both season tickets and individual game tickets,' said Miracles owner Steven Conville last night.

'The phones have been ringing steady at the box office so that's a good sign. We doubled our sales from Wednesday to Thursday.'

Miracles ticket prices for seating on the court are $18 adult, $16 student/senior and $14 youth. These seats for a season ticket (18 home games) are $324 adult, $288 student/senior and $252 youth.

The lower bowl from rows 1-9 are $16 adult, $14 student/senior and $12 youth. That translates into season ticket prices of $288 adult, $252 student/senior and $216 youth.

The lower bowl from rows 10-15 are $14 adult, $12 student/senior and $10 youth. That works out to season ticket costs of $252 adult, $216 student/senior and $180 youth.

There's also prime seating next to the team bench and courtside which includes private lounge with complimentary food and beverages. For ticket information, contact the Moncton Coliseum box office at 857-4100. There's a 10 per cent discount on season tickets ordered by Sept. 15.

'We've been hearing critics for the past few months say that a Canadian professional basketball league is not going to work,' said Levingston. 'I'm here to say that people will support it and this league will thrive.

'We had a combine in Toronto last weekend where we had almost 200 players competing for jobs. We had so many people log onto the league website to watch the draft last weekend that it crashed. We had a high media turnout at the draft, we were front page in many major media outlets and we were in the New York Times and Sports Illustrated on the same day.

'There's a lot of passion and hunger for professional basketball in Canada and I've never wavered in that belief over the years. Some people see what the NBL Canada is today. I can see what it's going to be 10 years down the road.'

NBL Canada franchises have an annual operating budget of $500,000 to $750,000. This includes a $150,000 salary cap for the roster of 10-12 players.

'Once the league grows, once we get more sponsorship onboard from a league standpoint and once our teams enjoy some financial success, it only makes sense that the salary cap will increase,' said Levingston. 'We will make those decisions as we see the league and our owners are able to sustain that.

'We definitely want to get some of the best (minor pro) talent that's available. We're committed to having a quality product for our fans and corporate partners.'

Courtesy of http://timestranscrpt.canadaeast.com

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


SEC Expansion: Texas A&M takes step closer to leaving Big 12 - by Eurobasket News
Texas A&M has taken the next step toward leaving the Big 12 and joining the SEC.

A letter from Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin was delivered Thursday afternoon to Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe to inform Beebe that Texas A&M is exploring its conference options. In the letter, Loftin asked Beebe to outline the procedures required should the Aggies decide to leave the conference.

Read Texas A&M's letter to Big 12

'If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference,' Loftin wrote in the letter. 'We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference.'

The letter is similar to the one sent last year by Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman shortly before the Cornhuskers left the Big 12 for the Big Ten. At the time, it also appeared Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Colorado would leave the Big 12 and join the Pac-10. Only Colorado left. Beebe worked with television partners ESPN and Fox to stitch together a financial package attractive enough to keep the other schools in the conference. As part of the reformation of the 10-school Big 12, exit penalties were stiffened to discourage further departures.

Courtesy of www.secsportsreport.com

Knight to come off Texas Tech payroll Wednesday - by Eurobasket News
Texas Tech officials say Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight will come off the university's payroll next Wednesday.

University President Guy Bailey says that Knight, who stepped down as the Red Raiders coach in the middle of the 2008 season, has been in a fundraising role for Texas Tech, earning $24,000 a year.

Knight's position was eliminated along with four others in the athletic department a couple of months after Kirby Hocutt became athletic director in March. Officials said $500,000 in salaries was cut from department's budget in the process.

Knight is the winningest men's coach in Division I history with 902 wins. He came to Texas Tech in March 2001 after leading Indiana to three national championships. Pat Knight, his younger son, coached Texas Tech after his father.

Courtesy of www.chron.com

Michigan State recruit Dwaun Anderson won't enroll this fall - by Eurobasket News
Michigan State prospect Dwaun Anderson has chosen not to enroll this fall and won't be on the basketball team this season.

The school announced the decision Friday. Anderson says in a statement he wants to get his personal issues relating to the death of his mother this spring in order before moving on to the next stage of his life.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo says he will support Anderson through the process.

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 20 points, six rebounds and four assists last season, leading Sutton Bay High School to a 25-2 record and the Michigan Class C state finals. He was named Mr. Basketball in March.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Mississippi State guard Gardner dismissed - by Eurobasket News
Mississippi State freshman D.J. Gardner has been dismissed by coach Rick Stansbury for ''repeated actions deemed detrimental to the team.''

Gardner, a 6-foot-7 guard from Okolona, Miss., was expected to be redshirted this season. The freshman apparently wasn't happy with that decision, posting profanity-laced remarks on his Twitter account, according to The Clarion-Ledger. Gardner's Twitter account has since been deleted.

Gardner is the fourth Bulldogs player to leave the program in nine months - joining Twany Beckham, John Riek and Elgin Bailey. Stansbury had banned his players from using the social messaging website last season after Ravern Johnson used Twitter to question his role on the team.

The ban was lifted after the season. Stansbury hasn't said if it will return.

Courtesy of www.csnbaltimore.com

Adrian Oliver gets pro deal in Greece - by Eurobasket News
Adrian Oliver (6'4''-G-88, college: San Jose St.) is set to start his professional basketball career. The American guard signed a one-year deal with Aris Thessaloniki. Oliver heads to Greece from San Jose State University, where he graduated few months ago. He shined with 24 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2.5 apg for them in 31 games as a senior. San Jose State reached WAC Tournament Semifinals and Oliver was named WAC All-Tournament Team -11. He participated at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft). For three games at this event he had 6.7 ppg, 2 rpg and 3 apg. Adrian Oliver transferred to San Jose State in 2008 from the University of Washington. He spent two years Washington. In 2008, they reached NCAA Sweet 16. Oliver had very limited playing time with them.

*****************************************************
  PERU   


Standings - Superior
Superior Standings
 1. Regatas 23-2 
 2. Real Club 23-3 
 3. Escuela Fap 19-6 
 4. El Bosque 18-10 
 5. Inmaculada 15-11 
 6. Centro Naval 11-15 
 7. Ejercito 11-16 
 8. San Augustin 8-20 
 9. San Marcos 3-24 
 10. Universitario 1-25 


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


Academica tab Richard Oruche - by Eurobasket News
Academica Coimbra have strengthened their backcourt. They landed Richard Oruche (191-G-87, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Ill.-Springfield). The guard is not new to Portugal. He started his pro career in Portugal last season. Richard Oruche played for Ginasio. The guard notched 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in LPB. Richard Oruche graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2010. He participated at Eurobasket Summer League in Chicago. The guard made it into Eurobasket Summer League in Chicago All-Tournament 1st Team. Richard Oruche was also trumped into Eurobasket Summer League All-Cotonou Team.


Jose Costa extends with Porto - by Eurobasket News
Porto and Jose Costa (187-G-73) have agreed on terms of contract extension for another season. The experienced guard joined the Dragons at the start of the previous season. Jose Costa posted 5.6 points, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 rebounds per game in LPB. Previously the guard had stints with Ginasio, CAB Madeira, Aveiro Basket, Figueirense, Esgueira and Illibaum. Jose Costa has been the member of Portuguese National Team since 1995.


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


Puerto Rico hands 74-63 loss to Canada - by Eurobasket News
PUERTO RICO - CANADA 74-63

Puerto Rico registered second straight win in Brazil. They outplayed Canada 74-63 for 2-0 record and will meet the host of Marchand Cup for the first place at this event. On the other side Canada dropped to 0-2. They will play against Dominican Republic for position No.3. Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) led Puerto Rico with 24 points and 5 assists. Alejandro Carmona (194-G/F-83) scored 11 points and Daniel Santiago (216-C-76, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico) helped with 10 points, plus 7 boards. In the loosing squad, Denham Brown (198-F-83, agency: Edge Sports, college: Connecticut) top-scored with 12 points. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) stopped to one point less. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game. Puerto Rico blasted Canada in that period 31-15, what was enough for the victory. Before that Canada made 14-15 in the first and 16-17 in the second quarter. Last ten minutes also belonged to them (13-16), but they faced with 11-point loss due to very poor Q3. Marchand Cup ends today.

Puerto Rico: Jose Juan Barea 24+5 as, Alejandro Carmona 11, Daniel Santiago 10+7 boards
Canada: Denham Brown 12, Carl English 11

*****************************************************
  ROMANIA   


Keravnos Strovolou adds Mandache to their roster - by Eurobasket Center
Keravnos Strovolou added to their roster 24-year old Romanian international guard Andrei Mandache (189-G-87, agency: Global Sports Plaza). Mandache played most recently at BC Steaua Turabo Bucuresti (Romania). While playing 8 games in EuroChallenge for Steaua Turabo last season he averaged 3.5ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg and 1.0spg. He also played 38 games in Romanian League recording 7.1ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.7apg and 1.7spg.

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


Egypt takes 11th place in Antananarivo, Rwanda is No.12 - by Eurobasket News
EGYPT - RWANDA 76-66

Egypt celebrated against Rwanda 76-66 in their last game in Antananarivo. Thanks to this win Egypt finished as 11th ranked team of AfroBasket, while Rwanda is No.12. Both countries were eliminated in the 1/8 Finals. Mohamed El-Kerdany (195-F-77) led Egypt to victory with double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ibrahim El-Gammal (188-G-88) had 12 points and 11 boards, while Ahmed El-Sabagh (190-G-85) also scored 12 points, but to go with 8 rebounds. In Rwanda, Kenneth Gasana (197-F-84) shined with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Kami Kabangu (203-C-84) followed with 16 points and 8 rebs. Quarters: 19-14, 16-15, 20-11, 21-26. Semifinals will be played tomorrow and championship ends on Sunday. As mentioned above, Egypt and Rwanda finished their participation.

Egypt: Mohamed El-Kerdany 19+10 boards, Ibrahim El-Gammal 12+11 boards, Ahmed El-Sabagh 12+8 boards
Rwanda: Kenneth Gasana 19+5 boards+6 as, Kami Kabangu 16+8 boards

*****************************************************
  SENEGAL   


Senegal fails in AfroBasket Quarterfinals - by Eurobasket News
Senegal - Ivory Coast 59-75
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 d'Ivoire Mamadi Diane (196-G/F-86, college: Virginia) led his team in scoring with 17 points and 4 rebounds, Guy Edi (196-G/F-88) added 12 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists while Jonathan Kale (203-F-85, college: Providence) 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. *By Olusegun Ikuesan

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


Hemofarm signs center Djordje Gagic until 2014 - by Eurobasket News
Hemofarm announced signing of another center. After Mladen Pantic, the team penned a three-year deal with Djordje Gagic (210-C-90, agency: Interperformances). The 20-year old player heads to Hemfoarm from Mornar Bar. He successfully passed try-out period and earned a deal with the Serbian outfit. Gagic averaged 3.3 points and 3.4 rebounds for 11 games in Balkan league. Djordje Gagic played for Mornar also in 2009/10. He joined them in December from Crvena Zvezda. With Mornar, Gagic reached Montenegrin league Finals last season. Buducnost was too strong for them to defend the title. Mornar also reach BIBL Semis last season. Djordje Gagic spent some time with the Serbian University National Team this summer.

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


Madagascar blasts South Africa 82-61 for 13th place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
SOUTH AFRICA - MADAGASCAR 61-82

The host of AfroBasket 2011 ended as No.13. They cruised past South Africa 82-61 to take this spot in Antananarivo. On the other side, South Africa finished as 14th ranked team. Charles Ramsdell (208-F/C-85, agency: Court Side, college: Tulsa) was a key player for the winners. He spent 37 minutes on the court collecting 22 points and 17 rebounds. Ramsdell reached valuation 35 and was the MVP of this meeting. Romule Razafimahasahy (188-F/G-88) (6 rebs) and Rovanantenaina Andrianjafy (173-F/G-89) (6 as) helped with 16 and 12 points respectively. In the loosing squad, Brendan Mettler (190-G-82) led the scorers with 18 points (6 rebs). Neo Mothiba (199-G/F-82) had double-double of 16 points and 15 rebs, while Shane Marhanele (198-G/F-82) added 13 pts. Quarters: 18-13, 14-23, 12-21, 17-25. Semifinals of AfroBasket are scheduled for tomorrow and Big Final for Sunday.

South Africa: Brendan Mettler 18+6 boards, Neo Mothiba 16+15 boards, Shane Marhanele 13
Madagascar: Charles Ramsdell 22+17 boards, Romule Razafimahasahy 16+6 boards, Rovanantenaina Andrianjafy 12+6 as

*****************************************************
  SPAIN   


Roburt Sallie and Andreas Schreiber join CB Tarragona - by Eurobasket News
CB Tarragona added two player to the roster. They secured the services of Roburt Sallie (196-G-86, college: Memphis) and Andreas Schreiber (205-C-87, agency: Dynamics Global Management) for the next season.
Roburt Sallie was last seen in Australia. The guard started his pro career with the Frankston Blues in ABA. Roburt Sallie appeared in eight games with the Blues. His stats read 20.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Andreas Schreiber will start his pro career in Spain. The 24-year-old centre graduated from the University of Pennsylvania this year. The Swedish player notched 2.8 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in his senior season. Andreas Schreiber is the member of Swedish National Team.


Interview with Corey Diethorn - by JC Ruiz
An Interview with former ESL Malaga MVP Corey Diethorn (197-F-85, agency: Dynamics Global Management, college: Assumption). Corey is a versatile 6'6' F who has played the past few seasons in EBA, and has been a consistent team player, helping both his teams reach the playoffs. Every year he has improved aspects of his game to play spanish high level and has the ability to play at the higher levels in Spain.

EuroBasket: First, how the recovery coming along from the knee injury last year?

Corey Diethorn: My rehabilitation is over, and my knee is better than before the injury. I was fortunate enough to work with some of the best physical therapists in the country, and took the rehabilitation process slowly to ensure that I was in peak shape for the upcoming season.

EuroBasket: It seems the injury came at bad time because you were really beginning to play well.

Corey Diethorn: Absolutely. I began really producing on the court and gelling with my teammates at CD Estela Santander on and off the court. I felt much more comfortable with my role within the system, and I think that really made the difference. Although not welcome, the injury was a blessing in disguise. Over the past few months, I have improved dramatically in other areas of my game, like shooting from deep and ball handling. Ive also added muscle and speed in the weight room and feel as good as I ever have.

EuroBasket: You bring up your training regimen. What do you do in the off-season to prepare for the rigors of a season and post-season?

Corey Diethorn: A typical training day for me begins in the weight room. I combine explosive plyometric training with traditional weight training. Afterwards Im on the court doing intensive skill work for an hour to an hour and a half. In the evening, I play in competitive five-on-five leagues against some of the top pro and college talent in the area. Ive also been lucky to have a great workout partner, Tony Townsend whos played overseas and at Point Park University. He and I push each other in the gym to get better everyday.

EuroBasket: Although CD Estela Santander qualified for playoffs, their luck ran out. Do you think you could have helped propel the team to the championship?

Corey Diethorn: [Laughs.] Well, thats not an easy question. My team played exceptionally well last season and really fought through some tough injuries. I like to think that I would have been able to provide the spark, leadership, and points to push us through to the championship, especially with my past experience in the playoff system. Hopefully, I can do that this season.

EuroBasket: Will you return to Spain this season?

Corey Diethorn: I would love to return to Spain next season if the opportunity presents itself. I am waiting to hear back on a few offers at the moment, and hopefully Im able to play in what has become a second home to me. I love the Spanish lifestyle, food, and people, and I am still studying my Spanish just in case. That said, I am really looking forward to signing with any team where I am able to make a positive contribution on and off the court.

Eurobasket: What do you think you can offer teams looking to add a player?

Corey Diethorn: Having a few months has put things into perspective and has motivated me even further to get back on the court. I can bring my dynamic game to a team that needs a versatile player who can score from the outside or at the rim and is a great defender, also I am someone that can also provide leadership and enthusaiam.

Standings - LEB Silver
LEB Silver Standings
 1. Andorra 0-0 
 2. Aurteneche M. 0-0 
 3. Avila 0-0 
 4. Barca Regal II 0-0 
 5. Coruna 0-0 
 6. Gandia Basquet 0-0 
 7. Lan Mobel ISB 0-0 
 8. Las Rozas 0-0 
 9. Ourense 0-0 
 10. Oviedo CB 0-0 
 11. Plasencia 0-0 
 12. Prat Juventud 0-0 
 13. Tenerife 0-0 


Spain tame Australia in Murcia - by Eurobasket News
Spain - Australia 68:51

Spain clinched another win in the preparations for the upcoming 2011 EuroBasket. They held off Australia in Murcia. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) scored 16 points to pace the winners.
The Boomers ensured a slightly better start. They limited the hosts to 10 points in the opening quarter posting a 12:10 lead at the first break. But Spain adjusted their offence in the second quarter. They erupted for 20 points in the period establishing a 30:25 halftime lead. Spain maintained the lead throughout the third quarter. They arrived at the final break up by 11 points 50:39. The Boomers never recovered scoring only 12 points in the final stanza and surrendering at the end. Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) accounted for 12 points, while Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) had 10 points in the victory. Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87, agency: Priority Sports) and Matt Nielsen (208-F/C-78, agency: Beo Basket) posted 11 points each for the Boomers. Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) chipped in 8 points in the loss.

Spain: Pau Gasol 16, Marc Gasol 12, Fernando San Emeterio 10
Australia: Joe Ingles 11, Matt Nielsen 11, Aron Baynes 8


Spain breeze past Australia in Valencia - by Eurobasket News
Spain - Australia 97:58

Spain and Australia played the second exhibition encounter in as many days. This times the teams clashed in Valencia. The outcome was the same though as the hosts claimed a comfortable win at the end. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) scored 17 points to pace the winners.
Spain stormed into the game. The hosts unleashed 34 points to post a 16-point lead into the second quarter. The Boomers stopped the rot but could not get any closer trailing by the same 16 points at halftime 37:53. Spain limited their opponents to just 13 points in the third quarter and piled up a 20-point lead with one quarter remaining. Spain outgunned the Boomers 27:8 in the fourth period coasting to a comprehensive win at the end. Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) and Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) accounted for 14 points each in the victory. Patrick Mills (183-PG-88, college: St.Mary's, CA) replied with 17 points for Australia. Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) netted 11 points in defeat.

Spain: Pau Gasol 17, Marc Gasol 14, Serge Ibaka 14
Australia: Patrick Mills 17, Aron Baynes 11


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  SWITZERLAND   


Benetton Fribourg land Roberto Kovac - by Eurobasket News
Benetton Fribourg have ensured the services of Roberto Kovac (182-G-90) for the next season. The 21-year-old guard signed a two-year deal with the team. Last season Roberto Kovac spent in Vacallo Basket. The guard tallied 7.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 assist per game in LNA. Roberto Kovac also played for Momo Basket Vacallo. The guard posted 16.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.5 assists per appearance in LNB. Roberto Kovac is the member of Swiss National Team.


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  SYRIA   


Lebanon cruise past Syria in Doha - by Eurobasket News
Lebanon - Syria 82:58

Lebanon earned the first win at the Doha Invitational Tournament. They fired past Syria for 1-0 record. Ghaleb Rida (190-G-81) scored 18 points to pace the winners. Syria fell at 0-2 record after the loss.
The teams stayed close for some time early in the encounter. But Lebanon eventually took off posting a 20:14 lead ten minutes into the game. They stretched the margin in the second stanza. Lebanon arrived at halftime leading by as many as 8 points 35:27. Syria were unable to slow their opponents down in the third quarter. Lebanon cleared off to a 12-point lead at the final intermission. They unleashed 28 points in the fourth period and sealed the victory at the end. Elie Estephane (195-G/F-86, college: Alabama So. CC) posted 17 points, while Jean Abed El Nour (197-G/F-83) added 12 points for the winners. Ramy El Khatib (182-G-84) answered with 14 points for Syria. Ioanis Deeb (180-G-86) and Eder Arjo Gorges (212-C/F-81, college: Walsh, OH) contributed 9 points each in the loss.

Lebanon: Ghaleb Rida 18, Elie Estephane 17, Jean Abed El Nour 12
Syria: Ramy El Khatib 14, Ioanis Deeb 9, Eder Arjo Gorges 9


*****************************************************
  TAIWAN   


Yet another player leaves KKL - by Chris Wang
Forward Chang Jung-hsuan, who was listed on the 24-man roster of the Taiwan NT this year before being cut, has been released by Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor (KKL), the team said in a press release.

Local media reported that the 1.90-meter forward, who won the SBL's Most Improved Player award last season, will sign with Taiwan Mobile.

Chang became yet another player leaving the team this summer. Chen Ching-huan, Lin Chih-lung and Hung Ying-che have all signed with Taiwan Mobile. Wang Nan-kuei and Huang Chu-tao signed with Bank of Taiwan.

Only four players -- Kao Tien-lin, Shan Wei-fan, Hong Chi-chao and Lee Chun-wei -- from the roster last season remain with the team. New KKL head coach Hsu Chih-chao could be in deep trouble finding players.

A former MVP in the high school league HBL, Chang was named as the Most Improved Player of the SBL last season. At the same time, he led National Taiwan Normal University to its third consecutive UBA title and won the MVP.



*****************************************************
  TOGO   


Chad avoids last place in Antananarivo - by Eurobasket News
TOGO - CHAD 62-63

Chad finished as 15th ranked team of AfroBasket 2011 in Antananarivo. They grabbed 63-62 victory against Togo yesterday to avoid the last place at this event. Togo is No.16 with the worst score. Richard Moguena (200-F-86) delivered 14 points for the winners. Abderamane Mbaindiguim (195-F/G-82) had 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Djimtoide Ngarasde (199-F-87) helped his country with 12 points and 7 boards. Mario Ngadi (200-F-86) was fourth scorer in victory with 11 points (5 rebs). On the other side, Togo got 21 points from Jimmy Williams (196-G-86, college: Alders.-Broad.). Mouctar Diaby (206-C-85) was their best player with 20 points and 16 rebounds. He reached valuation 25. Quarters: 19-22, 8-15, 20-19, 15-7.

Togo: Jimmy Williams 21, Mouctar Diaby 20+16 boards
Chad: Richard Moguena 14, Abderamane Mbaindiguim 12+10 boards, Djimtoide Ngarasde 12+7 boards, Mario Ngadi 11+5 boards

*****************************************************
  TURKEY   


Genc Telekom brings in Nenad Delic - by Eurobasket News
Genc Telekom announced signing of Nenad Delic (210-F/C-84, agency: TSS Management) for the next season. The Croatian big guy heads to his new club form Slovakian MBK Handlova. He appeared 37 times for them in Extraliga averaging 20.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2 assists. He finished the season as fourth best scorer and third rebounder of the competition. Delic was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League 2nd Team -11 and also Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Bosman Player of the Year -11. He participated at the Extraliga All-Star Game. Nenad Delic spent 2009/10 season in Switzerland. He helped Starwings Basket Regio Basel to win Swiss Cup and they also reached LNA Semifinals. Delic had 12.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg for 35 games in this competition. In the past, he was a member of Slavonski Brod, Darda and Strumica. Delic also has some experience from Germany.

Tofas adds Baris Ozcan - by Eurobasket News
Tofas signed guard Baris Ozcan (191-G-80) for the next season. The experienced Turkish player heads to his new club from Banvit. He played just seven games for Banvit last season registering 3.6 ppg. Ozcan was a member of Banvit also in 2009/10. At that time he had 11.2 ppg, 2 rpg and 2.3 apg for 28 games in TBL. He also added 12.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 2.8 apg for 12 games in EuroChallenge. Before Banvit, Baris Ozcan spent two years with Turk Telekom. They managed to win Turkish President Cup in 2009. In 2008, Turk Telekom also won the National Cup and reached TBL Finals. In the past, Baris Ozcan also played for Besiktas, Tuborg and Oyak Renault. In 2005, he played for the Turkish NT at the Mediterranean Games.

Olin Edrine pens deal with PG Firat Toz - by Eurobasket News
Firat Toz (188-PG-91) is a new member of Olin Edrine. The Turkish point guard penned a one-year deal with his new club. Toz spent last few seasons with Tofas Bursa. He played 20 games for them in TBL last season, but with very limited time on the court. He averaged just 1.3 ppg and 1.2 rpg. In 2009/10 season Toz had slightly better digits in 14 TBL games. Firat Toz is a member of the Turkish U20 National team. He played 9 games for them this summer at the European Championships U20 in Bilbao. Toz averaged 2.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists. In 2009, he helped U18 Turkey to win the Bronze at the European Championships U18 in Metz. At this event he had 6.3 ppg, 2 rpg and 3.1 apg. In the past, Firat Toz also played for U16 Turkey.

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  UBA   


The UBA Presents the TDSI - by UBA media
UBA Media
Dolan Reports

Nashville, TN Dragons Media- The 1st Annual Tennessee Dragons Summer Invitational will kick off this weekend August 27 at 9am @ Hooptown USA IN Smyrna,TN. TDSI is being hosted by the Tennessee Dragons of the Universal Basketball Association. The Tennessee Dragons have had great success in helping their players earn professional contract overseas over the last year; the Dragons have had 8 players from their 2010-2011 roster earn overseas contracts including 4 players this summer.

The UBA has been considered as the 3rd power of basketball in the United States only behind the NBA and D-League per Eurobasket and USBasket. The UBA is responsible for more than 71 players earning contracts overseas since 2009-2011.TDSI will consist of a five team tournament of some of the best basketball talent across the globe. The special guest at TDSI will be Team Japan along with Team Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, and the home town Tennessee Dragons. TDSI will be an action packed two full days of basketball action and entertainment.

TDSI will offer the best basketball and entertainment in Middle Tennessee. The Tennessee Dragons staff and Jerone Dodd the Director of International Operation of the UBA has worked hard to put together something special in Middle Tennessee. TDSI will have an Amputee Game, 3 Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest, One of the top DJs in the South DJ Whitey along with Brandon Blaze Reed, Lex Top Dollar The Official Artist of the Tennessee Dragons, and the Whites Creek High School Dance Team.

Some of the Featured Players in this event will be:

David Palmer- Poland in 2010-2011 and local standout in Middle Tennessee at Antioch High School before transferring to basketball power house Oak Hill Academy then moving on to play college basketball at Iowa.

Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-G/F-82, college: Atlanta Christian) One of the most prolific scorers in minor league history. Named 2011 All-United State SG of the Year. Has played in over 5 countries averaging over 30 plus points in multiple seasons in his career. Turned down over 5 offers from Europe to continue in the UBA.

Calvin O'Neil (6'4''-G-85, college: Middle Tenn.St.)- Signed in Iceland in 2011-2012 and 2010 Mid Major Defensive All American at MTSU

Jermaine Dailey (6'8''-F-86, college: Ill.-Chicago)- 2nd Team All United States Team, Averaged 17ppg and 17 rpg in Taiwan in 2010-2011

Freddie Williams (6'2''-G-87, college: Clayton St.)- 2011 UBA Finals MVP and 1st Team Eurobasket Houston

Montarrio Haddock (6'5''-G/F-88, agency: 011 Sports, college: Middle Tenn.St.)- 20ppg in Morocco 2010-2011, signed in Cyprus for 2011-2012

Justin Tubbs (6'3''-G-87, college: E.Tenn.St.)- Started his career at the University of Alabama before transferring to East Tennessee State University and averaging a solid 14 ppg in D1.

Demetrius Jemirson- Started Career at University of Alabama before making the moved to Manhattan where he put up solid double figures.

DeWayne Morris (6'7''-G/F-85, college: N.Alabama)- High Flying forward out of North Alabama that played professional in Germany and won the Sprit NBA Slam Dunk Comp in Portland Oregon.

Kenny Johnson (6'0''-G-86)- D-2 All American PG that has signed to play with the Tennessee Dragons in 2011-2012.

This is just a tip of the talent that will be at TDSI, come out to Hooptown USA Smyrna, TN to enjoy the best basketball and entertainment in Middle Tennessee.



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  UKRAINE   


Dmytro Gliebov continue with BC Donetsk - by Eurobasket News
Dmytro Gliebov (198-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) continue with BC Donetsk and is in Serbia right now with his team. The Ukrainian National Player averaged 8.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 65.9% last season for the squad.
Dmytro Gliebov started his career in BK Politekhnik Kharkov and then moved to Kryvbasbasket-Lux Kryvyi Rih (Superleague, starting five) for four seasons. In his last one there he averaged 10.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 65.8%.
Last season Dmytro Gliebov recorded 21 points at the Regular Season Round 29 when BC Donetsk beat BC Odessa 92-86. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 24-17. But BC Odessa won second period 23-22. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. International forward Dmytro Gliebov stepped up and scored 21 points and 5 assists for the winners.


*****************************************************
  VENEZUELA   


Argentina topple Venezuela in Buenos Aires - by Eurobasket News
Argentina - Venezuela 77:73

Argentina posted yet another win in the preparations for the upcoming Fiba Americas Championship. They prevailed against Venezuela at Luna Park Staduim in Buenos Aires lately. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) stepped up with 20 points to lead the hosts.
Argentina started the game aggressively scoring 26 points in the opening frame. They posted a 5-point lead after ten minutes. The hosts stretched the gap in the second quarter. Argentina posted a 43:30 halftime advantage. The home team cleared off in the third term. They held Venezuela to just 15 points in the quarter building a 16-point lead into the fourth frame. But the visitors exploded with 28 points in the final stanza and threatened the margin falling by a whisker at the end. Manu Ginobili (198-G-77, agency: Interperformances) and Carlos Delfino (198-G-82) posted 11 points each for Argentina. Pablo Prigioni (191-G-77) had 13 points in the victory. David Cubillan (183-PG-87, college: Marquette) answered with 16 points for Venezuela. Windi Graterol (204-C-86) chipped in 13 points in the losing effort.

Argentina: Luis Scola 20, Pablo Prigioni 13, Manu Ginobili 11, Carlos Delfino 11
Venezuela: David Cubillan 16, Windi Graterol 13




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Women News

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  AUSTRALIA - Women  


Central ABL: Foleys free throw sends Flames through to GF after 2OT classic - by Eurobasket News
Jess Foley converted on one of two free throws with 2.8 seconds left in 2OT to break a 69-69 tie, giving Norwood a one point win over West Adelaide at Mars on Saturday.

It was the third time that the Flames had come up clutch in the final seconds, with Foley tying the game at the end of regulation with a jumper going baseline, and Jordan Walker-Roberts knocking down her only three-pointer from six attempts in the dying seconds of the first over-time period.

Norwoods 70-69 victory puts in through to the Grand Final, while West has a home Preliminary Final clash with Forestville next week.

Foley was the outstanding individual on the night with 28 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocked shots.

Kerrin Webber was the best for West with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks, although she did have 9 turnovers.

Ashlea Vordermaier (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 5 blocks) and Trudy Holland (6 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) were also very good.

The Flames got home despite giving up 32 free throw attempts, while getting to the line just nine times themselves.

However, the Bearcats only connected on 17 of those attempts, and their 34 turnovers to 20 did not help them either.

On the other hand, West shot 41 per cent from the field to Norwoods 33 per cent, and registered 52 rebounds to 35.

Both teams had to overcome the loss of players to injury and fouls.

Flames Centre Rachel Herrick (192-C-86) was a late withdrawal. In her absence, Bearcats Centre Webber dominated inside.

Norwood also lost Point Guard Kelsey Ireland, who picked up her fifth foul with 3.20 left in the first overtime.

Ireland finished with 10 points and 4 assists.

The Bearcats were forced to play without star player Nikita-Lee Martin for the final 3.30 of regulation and the two overtimes, after she picked up foul number five for hooking Ireland on a drive to the basket.

Martin was restricted to 14 points and 7 rebounds.

Casualties for West were Amy Porter and Irene Sourlatzis, who both left the court injured.

Ireland got the Flames going with the first four points, before the Bearcats bounced back with a 15-6 run, led by Vordermaier and Webber.

However, Norwood scored eight of the quarters final 10 points to lead 18-17 at the end of one.

Points were hard to come by in the second, although the Flames found the going a little bit tougher than West.

Norwood connected on just three field goals in the second, while the Bearcats nailed seven.

A steal and layup from Vordermaier had West up 11 with 3.50 left in the period, before the Flames lifted and edged with seven by half-time.

The gap could have been closer if not for an uncontested missed layup from Walker-Roberts, after she done all the hard work by getting the steal.

Within four minutes, the Bearcats had re-established a double digit advantage, with two free throws from Sourlatzis closing out an 8-5 run.

Norwood answered with 12 of the next 13 points to take the lead, but the Bearcats scored the last four points of the quarter to hold a 44-41 advantage at the end of three.

In the fourth quarter, the Bearcats seemed to have more variety on offence, yet Foley did enough damage on her own to keep Norwood in touch.

Her three gave the Flames a 48-47 lead with just over seven minutes remaining, before Kate Shierlaw scored off a putback for a three point buffer.

West scored the next four points via Vordermaier and Martin, before Foley hit another one from downtown with 4.56 remaining.

Neither team scored again for almost three minutes until Vordermaier hit a free throw, and then Holland knocked down 2/2 to give West the lead.

With now even Foley missing, the Bearcats had the momentum, and when Webber scored inside with only 47 seconds remaining, West had a three point buffer.

Two free throws from Cara Boothey reduced the margin to one with 40 seconds left, then Holland turned the ball over.

However, Ireland missed the shot, and Foley lost the ball off the rebound, before Meg McLeod was fouled with only 18 seconds remaining.

The game was the Bearcats to lose, and McLeod did not do her team any favours by missing both free throws.

After Foley missed for the Flames, Webber grabbed the rebound and was fouled.

Webber only made one of two free throws, giving Norwood one last chance to tie or win.

Out of the inevitable timeout, Foley had the ball at the top of the key in a pick-and-roll situation.

She dribbled towards the right baseline, pulled up before the defence could get across, and drained the shot with just over two seconds left.

A timeout from Vicki Valk gave West the opportunity to advance the ball past halfway, but the Bearcats could not get a shot away.

Norwood got on top at the start of the first extra session, but the Bearcats fought back.

When Sky Landenbrink scored with 71 seconds remaining, West was up three.

Two scoreless possessions for the Flames, including a shot clock violation, suggested that this time the Bearcats would seize the moment.

However, the Norwood players kept their cool.

After Nadeen Payne stole the ball with 20 seconds left, Norwood ran an excellent offence, with Foley making the extra pass to a wide open Walker-Roberts on the left wing, who swished the ball through the net.

It was the Flames who managed to get off a rushed shot to beat the buzzer, after the Bearcats again turned the ball over out of a timeout, but there was no change to the score, as the game went into a second extra period.

Norwood never trailed in the second overtime, although Holland tied the scores up with 24 seconds left after a nice step-back jump shot from the right wing.

With one possession remaining, predictably, the Flames gave the ball to Foley.

Foley attacked the basket and drew a foul, sending her to the line.

Foleys first shot bounced out, but she made no mistake on the second for a one point lead.

With no timeouts remaining, the Bearcats were unable to advance the ball this time, and the only shot they could get up was a running half court shot from McLeod, which bounced off the top of the backboard.

Norwood verdict: This was a lucky escape for Norwood, who won its 18th game out of 19 this season. If not for Foley, this match would have slipped by the Flames. The absence of Herrick clearly hurt Norwood on the boards and inside, but the teams defence was as good as ever. This game was nearly gone several times, so it was a great effort from the Flames to fight back and win.

West verdict: This was a tough a loss as they come. The Bearcats had plenty of opportunities to win the game, and were unlucky in the final seconds of 2OT. West played extremely well and could not have done much more to win. If the Bearcats can produce this sort of performance against Forestville next week, then they are every chance to get a second shot at the Flames in two weeks time.

By James Woite
Courtesy of: Central ABL




Central ABL: Women's Preliminary Final Preview - by Eurobasket News
West Adelaide Bearcats (12-6, 3rd) v Forestville Eagles (12-6, 4th), 6.30 pm Saturday @ Port Adelaide

The Bearcats will be hoping to avenge their run of finals failure against Forestville in the Preliminary Final at Port Adelaide on Saturday.

West has been comprehensively eliminated by the Eagles in its last two finals campaigns, despite being favourites to win on both occasions.

Last year, the Bearcats got off to a 0-13 start, and were beaten 54-73.

West had beaten Forestville only two weeks prior, however they never looked like repeating that result.

In Season 2009, the Bearcats finished Minor Premiers, but after losing the Second Semi Final, were thrashed at home by Forestville, who won the Grand Final the following week.

West looked like avoiding the Eagles, at least for one more week, for much of last Saturdays 69-70 2OT defeat to Norwood in its third straight Second Semi Final appearance.

The Bearcats led by 11 in the second quarter and 10 in the third, but allowed the Flames to get back into the game.

They also had opportunities to seal the game in the final seconds of regulation and 1OT, but failed to push their lead out above one possession, either due to a turnover or missed free throws.

In the end, Norwood star Jessica Foley (182-G-83, college: Duke) was fouled and hit a free throw for the win.

Kerrin Webber was the best for West with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks, although she did have 9 turnovers.

Ashlea Vordermaier (17 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 5 blocks) and Trudy Holland (181-F-78) (6 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists) were also very good.

Nikita-Lee Martin fouled out in regulation after 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Amy Porter and Irene Sourlatzis suffered injuries during the game.

The Bearcats had 23 extra free throws, but also 14 more turnovers.

After a fortuitous victory over the Central District Lions in the Elimination Final, the Eagles hit top form against Sturt in the First Semi Final, downing the Sabres 72-58.

Despite Point Guard Monica Bello being sidelined with injury, Forestville came away with a big win against the only team it did not beat in the regular season.

The Eagles took control with a 17-2 run late in the first and was never headed thereafter.

Forestville is one of only two teams to beat all nine rivals at least once, with Norwood being the other.

The Eagles shot 39 per cent from the field to its opponents 29 per cent, and had 17 extra rebounds.

Carla Borrego had game-highs of 22 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Georgia Minear scored 20 points and pulled down 10 boards.

Megan Kermond was moved into the starting five and scored a season-high 10 points, while Jess Fergus may have only managed 6 points on 2/13 shooting, but hit the biggest shot of the game with 1.21 remaining.

Fergus three-pointer gave Forestville a 10 point advantage, ending all hope of a Sturt comeback.

She also had 9 rebounds and 4 assists.

An Eagles win would keep alive their hopes of a three-peat.

West and Forestville split their regular season clashes one-all this season.

The Bearcats crushed the Eagles 75-44 in Round 5, but Forestville produced a 41 point turnaround by winning the Round 11 encounter 69-59.

The key battle for this match will be between Centres Webber and Borrego.

Webber is the only centre to have outshone Borrego since the netballer entered the league.

Last time they met, Webber had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks, compared to Borregos 17 points, 7 rebounds, 0 assists and 2 blocks.

However, Webber played 36 minutes to 21, mainly because Borrego was in foul trouble, and also had 18 shot attempts to 12.

West will also look to shut down Minear, while the Eagles will hope to keep Martin quiet.

The Bearcats were impressive last week despite their loss, and if they can replicate that performance, then they should be able to give themselves another crack at the Flames next week.

By James Woite
Courtesy of: Central ABL

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  PORTUGAL - Women  


Michelle Brandao joined Old Dominion University - by Joao Santos
The basketball player Michelle Brandao (174-G-91), 20, will play next season at the service of Old Dominion University, major league of the NCAA college basketball, thus following in the footsteps of Ticha Penicheiro. It was in that Old Dominion Ticha, the best basketball player of all time Portuguese, playing his debut in the United States, aligning that team for four seasons. Besides Ticha, Mery Andrade also played at Old Dominion

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  SERBIA - Women  


Big changes in Serbian women's basketball - by Dragana Vukovic
President of Serbian basketball Federation,Dragan Djilas and Vice President for Women's Basketball,Ana Jokovic (187-F-79),announced that a new Head Coach of Serbian NT is Marina Maljkovic .She will be on that position next four years.Marina Maljkovic is a coach of ZKK Partizan Galenika Beograd.Last four years she was winning championships in Serbia,twice with Hemofarm Stada Vrsac and twice with ZKK Partizan Galenika Beograd.She also has three Cups of Serbia,two with Hemofarm Stada Vrsac and one with ZKK Partizan Galenika Beograd.Very ambitious young lady,Marina Maljkovic ,is a daughter of one of the best coaches in Europe Bozidar Maljkovic (agency: Interperformances ) so she is with basketball from her early childhood.She has very big plans and projects how to improve women's basketball in Serbia and put it where it deservs,because we still have a lot of talents.Four years is a long and enough time to make a new system and a new phylosophy in National Team.Serbian Basketball Federation will support Women's National Team financially in all projects.

Iva Roglic in Partizan - by Dragana Vukovic
The management of ZKK Partizan Galenika Beograd announced one year deal with Iva Roglic (189-F-88).Last season she was playing in Hungary in Mediteam Szeged where she was averaging 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in Fiba EuroCup and 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in Hungarian Championship.Iva Roglic started carrier in Crvena Zvezda Beograd where she spent 5 seasons.After that she decided to move abroad.The management of ZKK Partizan Galenika Beograd has a very big plans and ambitions in Serbian Championship,Serbian Cup and Fiba EuroCup and they will announce more signings during upcoming days.

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  SPAIN - Women  


Mann Filter lands Jacinta Monroe - by Eurobasket News
Mann Filter continues with signings for the next season. The team landed American power forward/center Jacinta Monroe (193-F/C-88, college: Florida St.) to a one-year deal. She heads to Spain from the WNBA team Tulsa Shock. Actually, she played just four games with Tulsa and they parted ways at the end of June. Monroe spent last season in China as a member of Beijing Great Wall. She appeared 20 times in WCBA averaging 7.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. For her performance Monroe was awarded with invitation for the WCBA All-Star Game. In 2010, Jacinta Monroe had 1.9 ppg for 19 WNBA games with the Washington Mystic. It was her first professional deal. Monroe graduated at the Florida State University in 2010.

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  TAIWAN - Women  


Taiwan women's NT to meet Korea in Asian Championship semifinals - by Chris Wang
Taiwan (2-3) is scheduled to meet top seed Korea (5-0) in the semifinal of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship for Women tonight at Omura, Japan.

Taiwan lost 69-67 to Korea in the final game of the preliminary round.

China will meet Japan in the other semifinal game.

Taiwan women's NT in preliminaries:
8/21 Taiwan 81-53 India
8/22 Japan 81-54 Taiwan
8/23 Taiwan 83-55 Lebanon
8/24 China 72-63 Taiwan
8/25 Korea 69-67 Taiwan

Preliminary round standings:
LEVEL I
TeamWLPtsGA
Korea50101.23
China41091.31
Japan32081.18
Taiwan23071.07
Lebanon14060.78
India05050.60

LEVEL II
TeamWLPtsGA
Malaysia4191.49
Kazakhstan4191.25
Indonesia4191.07
Uzbekistan2371.17
Singapore1460.65
Sri Lanka0550.64


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  TURKEY - Women  


Standings - TBBL
TKBL Standings
 1. Antakya 0-0 
 2. Besiktas 0-0 
 3. Botas 0-0 
 4. Ceyhan Bld 0-0 
 5. Fenerbahce 0-0 
 6. Galatasaray 0-0 
 7. Istanbul Univ. 0-0 
 8. Kayseri 0-0 
 9. Mersin 0-0 
 10. Optimum TED 0-0 
 11. Samsun 0-0 
 12. Tarsus Bld 0-0 


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  USBA - Women  


Scheduling conflicts for cofirmed dates at unversities hinders plans WUSBA 2011 fall season - by USBA Media

Atlanta, Ga., (August 26, 2010) -----'The WNBA, the NCAA teams and the High Schools own their gymnasiums and arenas, we unfortunately do not', said WUSBA president Duane Jenkins. 'The coaches and the player heard the rumors all summer about the conflict in scheduling and now our backs are up against a very big wall.'

'There's always scuttlebutt about our league teams, there are some things we can control and somethings we cannot,' said Jenkins. 'But it always seems blame and accusation follows realistic business decisions. We tried to operate a professional minor league basketball business with our girl's best interest at heart, and if we cannot get dates to coordinate with a reasonable schedule, look out, we will be met with extreme criticism, accusations and name calling. First we had no air conditioning in eight of the venues this past summer, now we are trying to maneuver around volleyball and other departmental commitments in the gyms.'

'Not again'. The 54-year-old minor league basketball entrepreneur exclaimed. 'The decision will be made in the very near future if the fall season will be moved to the spring. I was unaware at the massive amount usage of these gyms for their fall programs,' said Jenkins. 'We originally sought to spend our money with the schools to help them in this topsy turvy economy. The final decision will be made next week, whether we play now or relocate the season to the spring'.

'That is the plan,' said Jenkins, the WUSBA sole owner and chief executive officer, 'Basketball is a winter and spring sport, the WNBA can survive in the summer because they have the rights to the arenas along with their brother company, the NBA. They have a secured venue for all their games. Every coach was informed of the situation and they will play are part in the decision to continue or play in the spring.' Jenkins did leave open the possibility the league may not play in the fall.

The executive staff of the WUSBA reviewed the measure and will vote to move the season. The league will issue a statement next week of the status of the that said the 2011 fall season.

'That was probably the hardest part of the discussion we had: What do we do about the kids who wanted to play in the league?' Jenkins said, 'And I think the answer to that is, it was always a possibility that we would cancel the league, but we needed to be fair to ourselves and our own families and cut our losses.'

The decision not to play will leave game day staff, coaches and players scrambling to find another league to go to. Some players and players left jobs to play in the league, while others are left with canceled airline tickets.

'We were just kind of hoping we would find a way to make it work and continue, but apparently we decided that shutting it down may be unavoidably necessary,' said Jenkins. 'It couldn't have come at a worse time, our basketball season just began and the excitement is at an all time high.'

The league did not lose any money since its inception, he said, and funding was not a significant factor.' Over the previous year, though, corporate sponsorships have been secured along with private investment to fund the league. We finished this second quest into womens basketball and we do not owe anyone a red nickel, we are proud of that fact, we owe no one any money and we did not charge for tryout and we havent taken one dime from any players to player in our league', Jenkins said. 'After extensive discussions with the leagues investors and sponsors, they thought it may wise err on the side of caution and to move the season to the spring.'

'I'm still a little amazed at the popularity that has been drawn on women's basketball, we believe this league is a great idea,' Jenkins said. 'I always figured the league would start, even through tough economic times.'

Since January 2010, the league has been looking into various ways to bolster the popularity of women's basketball. Several firms have looked into investing into the WUSBA in the form of private capital, Jenkins said. He expected that each team would remain individually owned by the league. Selling franchises was always an option; we wanted to present a viable product before venturing into that direction.'

Jenkins said, 'The league became distracted by issues such as the onslaught of negative criticisms from online blog sites in recent years and cited the extreme negative comment and constant harassments played no decision in moving our league into the spring, I was amazed at the amount of worthless and hatful comments that arose from the internet junkies, particularly from a various individuals who think it their duty to be their watchdog of our company, These individuals would make comments about me and the league in the worst way, anyone who uses this format to voice their opinion is a coward. They use fake names and throw insults at anyone and everybody. We have investigated the possibility of taking legal action against certain individuals for their attacks. According to league sources, the concept was created to perfect an aggressive social agenda to assist kids at risk in the team cities. We will continue our efforts to help local communities.'

'We had a number of high-profile coaches coming in, and with all these things happening, we believe the business model of our level of basketball is completely fine,' Jenkins said.

'We know we're going to disappoint several thousands of people today in each of our cities and millions across the country if we have to pospone again.'

'It's sad news for the fans, the coaches, the players and for a lot of employees, Jenkins said. 'It's very rare for a company, especially given the improving economic times we're in, to be given the time we took to put this basketball model together, a model that can work, however, we are dictated by the permission to secure the gyms. We have been given permission to reapply to rent the gyms in the spring, if we decide to move the season, Ive been told that spring is the best time to rent college gyms, there is very little usage and we should be fine.'



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  WNBA - Women  


Standings
WNBA Standings
Eastern
 1. Indiana F. 19-8 
 2. Connecticut S. 17-10 
 3. New York L. 16-12 
 4. Atlanta D. 14-13 
 5. Chicago S. 12-15 
 6. Washington M. 5-21 
Western
 1. Minnesota L. 21-6 
 2. Seattle S. 16-12 
 3. Phoenix M. 15-11 
 4. S.Antonio SS 13-13 
 5. L.Angeles S. 12-15 
 6. Tulsa S. 1-25 


Healthy Hightower gives depth to the Sun - by Eurobasket News
Allison Hightower (5'10''-G-88, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: LSU) laughed as she described her somewhat unorthodox forward left hook shot.

'I've probably been doing that since the eighth grade,' Hightower, a second-year Connecticut Sun guard, said at Thursday's practice. 'I used to do a hook shot through the lane, and I just turned it into a front shot. (It's from) playing against boys and trying to get your shots off.

'It's been good to me. It works, so I'm not trying to fix it.'

Hightower has had more chances to show off her hook shot this year as she's forced herself into the rotation. She should get more minutes tonight against the high-scoring Phoenix Mercury (Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30 p.m.)

The Sun (17-10) were elated when Hightower was still on the board in the second round of the 2010 WNBA Draft. She had projected to be a first-round pick and was renowned for her defense and work ethic at Louisiana State.

Hightower's rookie year went awry as she kept getting sick. She had bouts of strep throat and the flu starting her senior year at LSU, and she missed the final five games of Connecticut's season. Doctors recommended she have her tonsils removed to fix the problem, which she had done in September.

Now that Hightower's healthy, she's shown her team what she can do. She's primarily been asked to provide a defensive spark and run the point if necessary. She's not a natural point guard, but has worked at that craft.

'I've always had to handle the ball, so I've always tried to work on that,' Hightower said. 'It's just knowing the plays, knowing your teammates, things like that. I think I've gotten a lot better at that.'

'There are teams that defensively she matches up with really well,' Connecticut coach Mike Thibault said. 'She has length. The fact that she's worked hard on her ball-handling skills to play some point guard as well as (shooting guard) has helped her get more minutes.

'She's just such a high-energy player, that, along with those other guys that come off the bench, she gives us an energy boost a lot. Some nights it's only for a couple of minutes. Some nights it's for 15 minutes. It's become important to our team. You want to play them, it's just finding enough minutes for them. Some nights it works, some nights it doesn't. But she's been a plus most of the time she's played.'

A key part of Hightower's game is that she doesn't played scared. If she sees an opening to the basket, she'll drive the lane and take her shot.

'I've always been confident,' Hightower. 'I do it in practice, and my teammates give me great confidence. They believe in me and they believe in my abilities. That helps your confidence to get the basket and they have your back. I just try to prepare as much as I can at practice. Once I get into games, it's much easier for me.'

Phoenix (15-11) plays at the most frenetic pace in the WNBA. It leads the league in both scoring (89.9) and field goal percentage (46.3 percent).

The Mercury are led by guard Diana Taurasi (21 ppg, four apg), forward Penny Taylor (16.7 ppg, five apg, five rpg, 1.69 spg), forward Candice Dupree (14.6 ppg, eight rpg) and wing DeWanna Bonner (10.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg).

Taurasi has missed the past two games to back spasms, but said it felt good prior to Thursday's practice.

'I'll be ready to go (today),' Taurasi said.

Courtesy of www.theday.com

Jackson helps Storm beat Shock 74-57 - by Eurobasket News
Lauren Jackson (6'5''-F/C-81) had nine of her 14 points in the third quarter to help lead the Seattle Storm past the Tulsa Shock 74-57 Thursday night.

Tanisha Wright (5'11''-G-83, agency: LBM Management, college: Penn St.) scored 12 points, Camille Little (6'2''-F/G-85, college: N.Carolina) had 10 and Swin Cash (6'2''-F-79, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Connecticut) nine for Seattle (16-12), which moved into a tie with Phoenix for second place in the Western Conference. The Storm have won three straight since Jackson returned from a hip injury.

Tiffany Jackson (6'3''-F-85, college: Texas) and Sheryl Swoopes each scored 12 points and Amber Holt had 10 for Tulsa (1-25), which extended its WNBA record to 20 straight losses.

Lauren Jackson has averaged 15.7 points in the three games after missing 20 games.

Defending champion Seattle hopes to overtake Phoenix for second as the top two conference teams earn homecourt advantage in the playoffs. The Storm are 12-2 at home and 4-10 on the road.

Jackson scored nine and Cash had five to key a 28-16 run in the third quarter and give the Storm a 56-41 lead. Jackson hit two 3-pointers in the quarter to help offset Holt's eight points, including two 3's.

Seattle led 28-25 at halftime as Tiffany Jackson scored 10 to help keep the Shock close.

Despite Tulsa's nearly 7-minute scoreless drought to start the second quarter, the Shock closed the first half with six straight points.

The Storm struggled as well with a 4-minute scoreless stretch early in the second quarter and shot 3 for 16 from the field in the period. Jackson and Cash were a combined 1 for 11 in the first half, including Cash's 0-for-5 effort.

Tulsa's only win this season came on June 16, 77-59 against Washington.

Courtesy of www.king5.com