EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 9/17/2011

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Men News

*****************************************************
  ABA   


Colorado Cougars name new Head Coach - by Gianni Pascucci
The ABA Colorado Cougars are proud to announce the hiring of its first head coach, Karin Nicholls. A graduate of Bradley University, Nicholls has been a head coach at Division II Truman State and Mercyhurst PA and at Division I Texas Pan-American.
Her first head coaching job came at Truman State where she coached for six years. Her 1988-99 squad made the Sweet Sixteen and finished with a 22-9 record. She also served at women's basketball coach at the University of Texas-Pan American from 2000-2002 and was name National Independent Coach of the Year and guided the Broncs to the most wins in school history as a Division 1 institution.
For more information, contact Patrick Kelly at patrickellynow@aol.com

NoVa Wonders tap Manuel as first Head Coach - by Gianni Pascucci
The ABA NoVa Wonders have announced the signing of Dominic Manuel as the team's first head coach for the 2011-2012 expansion season. The Wonders ownership group of LaTanya Chartson, Jackie Smith and Cassandra Warren made the joint announcement this week.
'Dominic Manuel is the perfect choice to lead the Wonders into our inaugural season,' said Smith. 'His proven track record, emphasis on community involvement, and passion for the game of basketball made our decision an easy one. In Dominic, we are confident that we are bringing in not only a winner, but someone who understands the mission of the NoVA Wonders and ABA in bringing professional basketball to the local communities of Northern Virginia.'
Manuel brings experience at the semi-pro, collegiate, high school and AAU levels. Prior to joining the Wonders, Manuel served as CEO and Coach for the Alexandria Avengers of the EBA and NPBL from 2008-2011.
The Wonders will compete in the Colonial Division in the over 80-team league. The schedule will run from November into March with games taking place at venues throughout Virginia and North Carolina.
For more information, visit www.novawonders.com or e-mail jmh_70sm@yahoo.com

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  ARGENTINA   


Atenas land Ruben Garces - by Eurobasket News
Ruben Garces (206-C/F-73, agency: Priority Sports, college: Providence) will continue his career in Atenas de Cordoba. The veteran centre has agreed on terms of contract with the team. Last season Ruben Garces started in Algodoneros de la Comarca in Mexico. He played just one game for the team before moving to Soles de Mexicali. His stats read 13.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per game in LNBA. In February Ruben Garces joined La Union Formosa. The centre posted 13.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in LigaA. Ruben Garces is the member of Panamanian National Team. He participated at Fiba Americas Championship this year. The centre notched 15.9 points, 11.3 rebounds per appearance in Mar del Plata.


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  ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS   


Day 2 in Wuhan - by Eurobasket News
Group A
Lebanon - South Korea 62-80
South Korea became the leader of Group A of the FIBA Asia Championship. The team overcame Lebanon 80:62 and handed them their first loss. Both teams started strong and only 10:9 lead allowed South Korea to lead the game. They also had just 1-point advantage after the first period, 17:16. In the second quarter the things became better for South Korea that after 16-13 increased to 33:29 at the halftime. Moreover due to 20-15 in the third quarter the board showed 53:44. South Korea grabbed 66:48 after 35 minutes of the game and enjoyed the final victory by 18 points. Yang Dong-Geun (181-G-81) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Moon Tae-Jong (199-F-75, agency: Alti Sport, college: Richmond) nailed 18. Kim Joo-Sung (205-F/C-79) collected 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ha Seung-Jin scored 13. Ghaleb Rida (192-G-81) delivered 20 points in defeat, whilst Rodrigue Akl (189-PG-88) added 15. Samuel Hoskin (206-F/C-79, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: De Paul) netted 12 and Bassel Bawji (203-F/C-89, college: Tulsa) had 10.

India - Malaysia 67-71
Malaysia recorded the initial win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They overcame India to improve at 1-1 record in Group A. Ban Sin Ooi (180-G/F-83) scored 20 points to lead the effort. India on the other hand slipped at 0-2 record after the loss. Malaysia strongly entered the game. They registered a 13:4 lead midway through the opening period. But India gradually picked up the tempo and eventually trailed by just two points 13:15 at the first break. India almost erased the deficit but Malaysia stepped on the gas late in the second term. They poured in 27 points in the second frame to ensure a 42:26 halftime lead. India grabbed the initiative in the third term. They dominated the period cutting the deficit to just 4 points with ten minutes to go 50:54. India finally pulled ahead midway through the fourth frame. But Malaysia answered with a crucial 9:3 outburst that propelled them to the victory at the end. Batumalai Guganeswaran (182-G-82) accounted for 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Malaysia. Tian Yuan Kuek (200-C-91) added 9 points in the win. Japdeep Singh (198-C-86) answered with 25 points for India. Amjyot Singh (185-G-92) finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Group B
Uzbekistan - Taiwan 71-81
Taiwan registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They fired past Uzbekistan for 1-1 record in Group B. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-88) stepped up with 15 points to lead the effort. Taiwan opened the game with nine straight points. They stretched the gap to 10 points 12:2 shortly after. Taiwan secured a 24:14 lead after ten minutes of action. Taiwan kept their opponents at bay throughout the second frame. They established a 45:36 halftime advantage. Uzbekistan cut the deficit to just 6 points midway through the third term 45:51. However Taiwan immedialy answered with a 6:0 surge to restore a safe cushion. They entered the fourth quarter up by 17 points 67:50. Taiwan stayed well in charge throughout the fourth frame and cruised to the victory at the end. Mao Chia-En (196-F/G-82) finished with 13 points, while Lu Cheng-Ju (194-F-86) and Chen Hsin-An (198-F/G-80) accounted for 11 points each in the win. Gennadiy Zinovyev (198-F-84) responded with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Vyacheslav Belokurov (202-F-77) provided 12 points in the loss.

Qatar - Iran 4-40
Qatar lost another game by default at the Asian Championship in China. The team could not enter the second frame and lost 4:40 with less players remaining in the court then the rules require. Qatar scored the first 3 points in the game. Salem later made it 4:6 and those points were the last for his side. Iran closed the game with massive 34-0 run and grabbed the second straight win. DAVOUDICHEGANI nailed three for the final result. The game was stopped at the end of the first period with 2 minutes left when Saad got his 5th foul. Qatar have only 7 players in this competitions because they hired some American Players to play in their NT team but the rules say each of this players must to spend at least 2 years in this country so that they be able to play for the NT team. Hamed Afagh (190-G-83, agency: SportsList Inc.) top-scored for the winners with 10 points.MATALKEH replied with 3 points in the losing effort.

Group C
Indonesia - Syria 61-74
Syria celebrated the first win at the 2011 Asian Championship in China. They overcame Indonesia to improve at 1-1 record in Group C. Eder Arjo Gorges (212-C/F-81, college: Walsh, OH) stepped up with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge. Indonesia fell at 0-2 record after the loss. Syria pulled in front late in the opening frame. They recorded a 17:13 lead after ten minutes of action. Indonesia stepped on the gas early in the second frame. They grabbed a 27:23 lead but could not capitalize. Syria sneaked back in charge taking a 34:33 advantage. Syria strengthened their advantage in the third quarter. They built a 54:45 buffer with one quarter remaining. Syria boosted the margin to 17 points midway through the fourth period and never looked back en route to the victory. Sameer Al Dags (196-F-84) accounted for 14 points for the winners. Mario Wuysang (176-PG-79) and Rony Gunawan (194-F/C-80) responded with 11 points each for Indonesia. Xaverius Prawiro (184-G/F-86) finished with 9 points in the loss.

Jordan - Japan 87-92
Japan celebrated the second win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They prevailed against Jordan in a tough battle in Wuhan to stay undefeated in Group C. Takuya Kawamura (193-G-86) scored 23 points to pace the effort. Jordan opened the game with a strong 13:2 run. But Japan recovered and surged ahead for a 19:17 lead after ten minutes of action. The lead changed hands before Japan unloaded 8 points in a row and posted a 36:27 lead late in the first half. Japan tipped off the second half with 15 unanswered points to grab a 51:29 lead. Japan stayed in control and entered the fourth stanza up by as many as 18 points 64:46. Jordan got within 6 points with just over a minutes to go 79:85. However Shinsuke Kashiwagi (183-PG-81) converted a three-point play and Japan hung on for the victory at the end. Shinsuke Kashiwagi posted 14 points, while Joji Takeuchi (206-F/C-85, agency: N.E.T.) added 13 points and 19 rebounds in the victory. Rasheim Wright (192-G-81, college: District of Col.) answered with game-high 30 points for Jordan. Islam Abbaas (200-C-80) delivered 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.

Group D
Philippines - China 60-75
Philippines lost to China in Day 2 of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship 2011. The hosts of the tournament beat the opponents 75:60 in Preliminary Round - Group A. China led 7:6 in the opening tip of the game and improved to 22:13 after the first 10 minutes. The second quarter was a disaster for Philippines that scored only 8 points. China managed to take 43:21 advantage and never looked behind. Philippines however dominated the second half. They won the third frame 19-12 and then tied the score in the fourth quarter at 20-20. That was however enough only to reduce to 15 points. Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) led China with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Wang ZhiZhi (214-C-77) collected 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Yue Sun (206-G/F-85) added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Zhu Fangyu had 13 points and 5 assists. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) replied with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Philippines. Christopher Tiu (178-PG-85) added 12 points and 3 assists.

United Arab Emirates - Bahrain 91-53
UAE registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They drubbed Bahrain to climb at 1-1 record in Group D. Ibrahim Ahmad (179-G-79) scored 17 points to lead the effort Bahrain slipped at 0-2 record after the loss. Bahrain ensured a brave start. They led 12:7 midway through the starting frame. Bahrain posted a 17:16 lead ten minutes into the game. But UAE turned things around in the second frame. They limited their opponents to just 10 points in the quarter to establish a 37:27 advantage at the interval. UAE maintained the lead throughout the third stanza. UAE boosted the gap to as many as 24 points at the final break 70:46. UAE opened the fourth term on a 13:4 rally and never looked back en route to the victory. Rashed Al Zaabi (189-G-88) had 16 points, while Ali Al Hattawi (200-C-79) and Jasim Abdalla (204-C-88) contributed 13 points apiece for UAE. Maitam Isa (182-G-90) responded with 15 points for Bahrain. Husain Al Tawash (174-G-86) and Ahmed Malallah (188-F-73) netted 11 points each in the loss.



China Defeats Philippines 75-60, Could Contend for Title - by Arthur Volbert
China defeated the Philippines 75-60 today, using its battle-tested veterans, and indicating it has a chance to win the Asian Championship if these veterans remain healthy.

China led 22-13 after one quarter and 43-21 at the half. It let down a bit in the second half and led 55-40 after three quarters, being outscored 19-12 in the third quarter. It then played even 20-20 in the fourth quarter. Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) led China with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Wang Zhizhi had 16 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes. Sun Yue had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Zhu Fangyu had 13 points and 5 assists. No other player scored more than 3 points. :Liu Wei had only 2 points but had 4 rebounds and 7 assists. Marcus Douthit had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Philippines. Chris Tiu had 12 points and 3 assists.

China's veterans, who almost never played on the court together in preliminary games which China lost, seem capable of defeating anyone in the tournament. But if any one of them is injured, and is therefore absent or ineffective. none of the younger players appear capable of replacing them.


Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Rasheim WRIGHT
  USA
  (192-G-81)
  Avg: 25
 1. Wright, JOR25.0 
 2. Gorges, SYR24.0 
 3. Yi, CHN17.5 
 4. Rida, LEB17.5 
 5. Zinovyev, UZB17.0 
 6. Kawamura, JPN16.5 
 7. Singh, IND16.3 
 8. Kim, KOR16.0 
 9. Al Zaabi, UAE16.0 
 10. Koroth, IND15.5 
Rebounds Per Game
 Joji TAKEUCHI
  (206-F/C-85)
  Avg: 13.5
 1. Takeuchi, JPN13.5 
 2. Yi, CHN13.0 
 3. Gorges, SYR11.0 
 4. Haddadi, IRI10.5 
 5. Kim, KOR10.0 
 6. Takeuchi, JPN9.5 
 7. Hoskin, LEB9.0 
 8. Abdalla, UAE8.5 
 9. Abbas, JOR8.0 
 10. Douthit, PHI7.5 
Assists Per Game
 Hee-Jong YANG
  (194-F-84)
  Avg: 9
 1. Yang, KOR9.0 
 2. Yang, KOR7.0 
 3. Deeb, SYR6.5 
 4. Guganeswaran, MAS5.5 
 5. Daghles, JOR5.0 
 6. Liu, CHN4.5 
 7. Wuysang, IDN4.5 
 8. Lee, TAI4.0 
 9. Kim, KOR4.0 
 10. Al Zaabi, UAE4.0 
Steals Per Game
 Dong-Geun YANG
  (181-G-81)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. Yang, KOR3.5 
 2. Sun, CHN3.0 
 3. Kamrani, IRI2.5 
 4. Hirose, JPN2.5 
 5. Lee, TAI2.5 
 6. Lin, TAI2.0 
 7. Chen, TAI2.0 
 8. Tiu, PHI2.0 
 9. Ishizaki, JPN2.0 
 10. Belokurov, UZB2.0 
Blocks Per Game
 Abd Al Wahab HAMOWI
  (217-C-90)
  Avg: 4
 1. Hamowi, SYR4.0 
 2. Douthit, PHI3.0 
 3. Zaghab, JOR2.0 
 4. Kim, KOR2.0 
 5. Haddadi, IRI2.0 
 6. Singh, IND1.7 
 7. Williams, PHI1.5 
 8. Kanaan, LEB1.0 
 9. Sun, CHN1.0 
 10. Yi, CHN1.0 


Standings
Standings
Group A
1. S.Korea2-0
2. Lebanon1-1
3. Malaysia1-1
4. India0-2
Group B
1. Iran2-0
2. Taiwan1-1
3. Uzbekistan.1-1
4. Qatar0-2
Group C
1. Japan2-0
2. Syria1-1
3. Jordan1-1
4. Indonesia0-2
Group D
1. China2-0
2. Philippine.1-1
3. United Ara.1-1
4. Bahrain0-2


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  AUSTRALIA   


Wildcats cruise past Crocs - by Eurobasket News
The Perth Wildcats' preparations for the 2011/12 iiNet NBL Championship season have taken another strong step forward after tonight's 92-72 victory over the Townsville Crocodiles at Townsville's RSL Stadium.

It is the first time the Wildcats have played against an NBL opponent this pre-season following a 2-1 series victory over the Lakeside All Stars.

The 'Cats, with their full squad of 11 players together officially for the first time since the signing of 7'2 centre Luke Nevill during the week, got out to a fast start and led by as much as 16 points in the first half.

While Townsville regained the lead briefly during the third period, the 'Cats then put on the afterburners in the last quarter outscoring the Crocs 32 to 17 to run out convincing 20-point victors.

Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge was pleased with a lot of what he saw from his team, especially to bounce back after blowing a big lead during the third quarter to then go on and win by 20 points still.

'It felt like we were in complete control for pretty much the whole game, but there was a patch in the third quarter when we got really sloppy. We stopped cutting hard and screening, were dribbling too much and went away from our rules,' Beveridge said.

'It was actually good for that to happen though. We had led by about 16 points, but they got the momentum, hit some big threes and got in front by a point. We then regrouped, got back to our systems and that was great to see. We had got in a hole by playing poor basketball, but got ourselves out of it and that was very good to see.'

All 11 Wildcats players hit the floor for at least 13 minutes and all scored, and made a strong contribution.

Kevin Lisch (188-G, college: St.Louis) top-scored with 15 points and Shawn Redhage (203-F-81, college: Arizona St.) piled on 14 to go along with eight rebounds.

Matthew Knight (204-F/C-85, college: Loyola Marymount), Jeremiah Trueman, Drew Williamson and Nevill all scored 10 points as well with Greg Hire nailing eight, Jesse Wagstaff five, Cam Tovey four, Damian Martin three and Brad Robbins three.

Beveridge was pleased to have all 11 of his players up and firing so he could spread the minutes out amongst them.

'It just shows how deep we are. I deliberately didnt play Matt or Jesse too many minutes and I'm lucky that we have the depth to be able to do that,' Beveridge said.

'Those guys will be a lot fresher as a result tomorrow. Damian was rusty, though, so we upped his minutes and to have 11 quality players is a real asset for us.'

The 'Cats dominated on the boards with 46 rebounds to Townsville's 31. Hire led the way with 12, Redhage had eight, Knight seven and Trueman five.

Assists have also been a focus for the Wildcats over pre-season and that was another strong point of the game with 23 to the Crocs' 12. Robbins led the way with six of them, Martin and Hire four each, and Williamson and Wagstaff three apiece.

The Wildcats also dominated in the paint with 44 points to Townsville's 18.

Townsville youngster Todd Blanchfield (200-F-91) top-scored for the Crocs with 13 points. Import Elvin Mims (196-G/F-79, college: S.Mississippi) chimed in with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Luke Schenscher, Peter Crawford, Michael Cedar and Eddie Gill each had 10 points.

The two teams will now meet again tomorrow night in Rockhampton in what will be the opening game of the NBL's Sunshine Challenge pre-season tournament. That will then continue from Thursday to Saturday throughout Queensland.

Beveridge wasnt thrilled so much by allowing Townsville to shoot 28 free throws for the game, though, and hopes that doesnt replicate itself in Rockhampton tomorrow night. He also expects a different Crocs outfit.

'We had a goal of containment and at times we did an awful job of that. They hit 22 free throws and lost by 20, we just can't allow that to happen,' Beveridge said.

'I think they were playing a fair bit of cat and mouse as well. Schenscher and Hinder didnt play much, and neither did their former NBA point guard Gill. They seemed to be resting guys for tomorrow and they are sure to come out a lot more physical. Yes, we won by 20 but they will be a lot different tomorrow.'


Perth Wildcats 92 (Kevin Lisch 15, Shawn Redhage 14, Matthew Knight 10, Jeremiah Trueman 10, Drew Williamson 10, Luke Nevill 10)

defeated

Townsville Crocodiles 72 (Todd Blanchfield 13, Elvin Mims 12, Eddie Gill 10)

Courtesy of NBL (www.nbl.com.au)



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  BAHRAIN   


2011 Asian Championship: UAE too good for Bahrain - by Eurobasket News
UAE - Bahrain 91:53

UAE registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They drubbed Bahrain to climb at 1-1 record in Group D. Ibrahim Ahmad (179-G-79) scored 17 points to lead the effort Bahrain slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Bahrain ensured a brave start. They led 12:7 midway through the starting frame. Bahrain posted a 17:16 lead ten minutes into the game. But UAE turned things around in the second frame. They limited their opponents to just 10 points in the quarter to establish a 37:27 advantage at the interval. UAE maintained the lead throughout the third stanza. UAE boosted the gap to as many as 24 points at the final break 70:46. UAE opened the fourth term on a 13:4 rally and never looked back en route to the victory. Rashed Al Zaabi (189-G-88) had 16 points, while Ali Al Hattawi (200-C-79) and Jasim Abdalla (204-C-88) contributed 13 points apiece for UAE. Maitam Isa (182-G-90) responded with 15 points for Bahrain. Husain Al Tawash (174-G-86) and Ahmed Malallah (188-F-73) netted 11 points each in the loss.

UAE: Ibrahim Ahmad 17, Rashed Al Zaabi 16, Ali Al Hattawi 13, Jasim Abdalla 13
Bahrain: Maitam Isa 15, Husain Al Tawash 11, Ahmed Malallah 11


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  BELGIUM   


Optima Gent and Pepinster win in friendly games - by Eurobasket News
Optima Gent played a friendly game last night. The Belgian squad was better than Denain 73-68. Denain competes in French Pro B. Brian Heinle (207-C-78, agency: Court Side, college: Cal.St. Northridge) was the leading scorer in victory with 17 points. Michael Haynes (203-F/C-81, college: Fordham) and Lionel Bosco (176-PG-81, agency: Court Side) followed him with 15 and 13 points respectively. Graham Brown (205-C-84, college: Michigan) helped Gent with 11 points. In the loosing squad, Juwann James (198-F-87, college: JMU) was better than the others with 14 points. Guevin Toto (182-G-87) and Lamine Kante (199-F-87) netted 11 and 10 points respectively.
Verviers-Pepinster also played a friendly last night. They handed 88-78 home loss to French team CCRB.

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  BOSNIA   


Alkar hands home loss to Zrinjski - by Eurobasket News
Zrinjski and Alkar played a friendly game on Wednesday. Zrinjski was the host, but it was Alkar who celebrated 66-81 victory in this meeting. Teams were tied at 20-20 after the first ten minutes, but Alkar improved after that. They made 15-19 in Q2 for plus four at the halftime. After the breather, Alkar totally took control on Zrinjski. Visitors created 11-22 in third period and question about the winner was already resolved. Last ten minutes were just the formality. Zeljko Zupic (205-F-81, college: Denver) was the leading player in victory with 22 points. Nikola Gaurina (199-G-83, agency: Interperformances) followed him with two less. For the hosts, Marcel Jones (203-F-85, agency: David Lee services, college: Oregon St.) led the scorers with 12 points. Marin Han (198-F/G-87) stopped to 11.

*****************************************************
  BRAZIL   


Paulista Round 14: Itabom/Bauru crushes Sao Caetano by record 35 points - by Eurobasket
Coincidentally all hosts won their games. The round 14 was rather boring as all games ended with very predictable results.

The game with biggest result difference took place in Bauru. Local Itabom/Bauru (8-1) outscored 15th ranked Sao Caetano (1-9) 92-57 on Wednesday night. The game without a history. Itabom/Bauru led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Itabom/Bauru outrebounded Sao Caetano 36-19 including 23 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was guard Fernando Fischer (190-81) who scored 37 points (!!!). American guard Larry Taylor (185-80, college: Missouri Western) chipped in 6 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Center Willians da Silva (198-91) produced 13 points and 5 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Itabom/Bauru have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Winner/Limeira. Sao Caetano lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with nine games lost. Itabom/Bauru is looking forward to face America (#14) in Rio Preto in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Sao Caetano will play on the road against Araraquara and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.

Rest of the games of round 14 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
Inter Santos was defeated by America in Rio Preto 79-67. L.S.B. beat Americana at home 77-71. Inter Santos was destroyed by Vivo/Franca on the opponent's court 95-63. S.Jose/Vinac outscored Paulistano in a home game 86-59.

America - Inter Santos 79-67

We cannot really consider it an upset in the game between close teams in Rio Preto where 13th ranked Inter Santos (2-8) was defeated by fourteenth ranked America (2-8) 79-67 on Wednesday. The hosts trailed by 2 points after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 12-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 79-67. The best player for the winners was Negreti da Silva (-81) who scored 29 points and 4 assists. Alex Matheus (-85) chipped in 25 points and 6 steals. Forward Thiago Rodrigo (-84) produced 23 points and 5 rebounds and center Rafael Mineiro (213-87) added 18 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. America moved-up to thirteenth place, which they share with defeated Inter Santos. Inter Santos lost fourth consecutive game. America is looking forward to face league's second-placed Itabom/Bauru on the road in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Inter Santos will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
America: N.da Silva 29+4reb+4ast, A.Matheus 25, T.Mathias 9+5reb, Y.Viana 7+7reb+2ast, E.Garcia 5+4reb+2ast, M.Zacarias 4+2reb+4ast
Inter Santos: T.Rodrigo 23+5reb+2ast, R.Mineiro 18+7reb+1ast, C.Araujo 13+2reb+2ast, V.Galleti 5+4reb+2ast, L.Young 4+3reb+1ast, M.Martins 4+2reb+2ast
gschID: 136912


L.S.B. - Americana 77-71

We could consider it a predictable result in the game between close teams in Sorocabana where eleventh ranked L.S.B. (4-6) defeated 10th ranked Americana (3-6) 77-71 on Wednesday. Americana trailed by 11 points at halftime and as many as 15 after three quarters before a 22-13 last quarter charge cut the deficit to 71-77 at the end of the game. L.S.B. forced 24 Americana turnovers. Strangely Americana outrebounded L.S.B. 40-24 including 25 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was forward Fabricio Russo (196-85) who scored 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Kenny Dawkins (175-87, college: Lamar) chipped in 12 points and 4 assists. Five L.S.B. players scored in double figures. L.S.B.'s coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Forward Alfredo Perandini (197-75) produced 30 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and forward Everton Moraes (196-87) added 14 points and 11 rebounds respectively for the guests. L.S.B. moved-up to tenth place. Americana at the other side dropped to the eleventh position with six games lost. They share it with Jacarei. L.S.B. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Americana will play on the road against Pinheiros/Sky (#6) in Sao Paolo and is hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
L.S.B.: F.Russo 19+5reb+4ast, L.Matao 14+1reb+2ast, K.Dawkins 12+2reb+4ast, P.Nery 11+3reb+1ast, D.Gomes 10+2ast, J.Griffin 8+1reb
Americana: A.Perandini 30+6reb+4ast, E.Moraes 14+11reb, W.de Jesus 9+5reb, R.Gaspar 7+10reb, T.Borges 6+6reb, R.da Silva 5+2reb+2ast
gschID: 136913


Itabom/Bauru - Sao Caetano 92-57

The game with biggest result difference took place in Bauru. Local Itabom/Bauru (8-1) outscored 15th ranked Sao Caetano (1-9) 92-57 on Wednesday night. The game without a history. Itabom/Bauru led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. Itabom/Bauru outrebounded Sao Caetano 36-19 including 23 on the defensive glass. The best player for the winners was guard Fernando Fischer (190-81) who scored 37 points (!!!). American guard Larry Taylor (185-80, college: Missouri Western) chipped in 6 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. Center Willians da Silva (198-91) produced 13 points and 5 rebounds and center Fabiao Pires (199-77) added 8 points respectively for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Itabom/Bauru have a solid three-game winning streak. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Winner/Limeira. Sao Caetano lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the bottom place with nine games lost. Itabom/Bauru is looking forward to face America (#14) in Rio Preto in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Sao Caetano will play on the road against Araraquara and is hoping to prove to their fans that they can break losing series.
Top scorers:
Itabom/Bauru: F.Fischer 37+4reb, A.de Sousa 11+4reb, J.Agba 9+5reb+1ast, G.Zilmer 9+6reb+2ast, G.Deodato 6+1reb+2ast, L.Taylor 6+6reb+8ast
Sao Caetano: W.da Silva 13+5reb+1ast, G.de Oliveira 9+1reb+2ast, L.Dias 8+1reb+2ast, F.Pires 8+4reb+1ast, V.Santamaria 5, D.Correa 4
gschID: 136914


Vivo/Franca - Inter Santos 95-63

Very expected game in Sao Paulo where 13th ranked Inter Santos (2-8) was rolled over by fifth ranked Vivo/Franca (7-2) 95-63 on Thursday. The game without a history. Vivo/Franca led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 72 of its points in the paint compared to Inter Santos' 26. They outrebounded Inter Santos 49-22 including a 20-4 advantage in offensive rebounds. Vivo/Franca looked well-organized offensively handing out 29 assists comparing to just 12 passes made by Inter Santos' players. The best player for the winners was the former international center Babby Araujo (211-80, college: BYU) who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds. The former international forward Marcio Dornelles (194-75) chipped in 16 points. Four Vivo/Franca players scored in double figures. Guard Caue Rico (182-82) produced 16 points and 4 assists and center Rafael Mineiro (213-87) added 12 points and 9 rebounds respectively for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Vivo/Franca moved-up to fourth place. Inter Santos lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the thirteenth position with eight games lost. They share it with America. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Vivo/Franca: H.Garcia 16+1reb+6ast, M.Dornelles 16+4reb+3ast, B.Araujo 16+10reb+2ast, B.Woodward 11+5reb+4ast, R.Probst 9+8reb, W.Drudi 9+6reb+1ast
Inter Santos: C.Rico 16+1reb+4ast, R.Mineiro 12+9reb, M.Martins 10+3reb+1ast, T.Rodrigo 9+1reb+1ast, C.Araujo 7+1reb+2ast, S.Ortiz 5
gschID: 136916


S.Jose/Vinac - Paulistano 86-59

Everything could happen at the game between two tied teams. Both third ranked Sao Jose/Vinac and 5th ranked Paulistano had identical 7-2 record. This time Sao Jose/Vinac used a home court advantage and outscored the opponent from Sao Paolo 86-59 on Thursday night. The game was mostly controlled by Sao Jose/Vinac. Paulistano managed to win third quarter 20-19. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Sao Jose/Vinac looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 6 passes made by Paulistano's players. The best player for the winners was international power forward Murilo Becker (210-83) who had a double-double by scoring 21 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Matheus Costa (179-80) chipped in 18 points and 5 assists (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). The former international swingman Betinho Nardi Duarte (195-88) produced 11 points and the former international forward Felipe Ribeiro (201-79) added 9 points and 7 rebounds respectively for the guests. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Sao Jose/Vinac have a solid three-game winning streak. They maintain third position with 8-2 record having just -1 point less than leader Winner/Limeira. Paulistano at the other side keeps the fifth place with three games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
S.Jose/Vinac: M.Becker 21+10reb, M.Costa 18+1reb+5ast, D.Stefanelli 13+5reb+1ast, J.Antonio 9+6reb, C.Delben 7+2reb, A.Laws 5+1reb+3ast
Paulistano: B.Nardi Duarte 11+4reb+1ast, E.Carvalho 9+5reb, F.Ribeiro 9+7reb, A.Machado 6+2reb, R.Carbonari 6+4reb, E.Corazza 4+1ast
gschID: 136917




Standings - Paulista, Carioca, Minas G. leagues
Paulista Standings
 1. Winner/Limeira 8-1 
 2. Itabom/Bauru 8-1 
 3. S.Jose/Vinac 8-2 
 4. Vivo/Franca 7-2 
 5. Paulistano 7-3 
 6. Pinheiros/Sky 6-3 
 7. Araraquara 5-3 
 8. Gremio Mogi 5-3 
 9. Rio Claro 4-5 
 10. L.S.B. 4-6 
 11. Jacarei 3-6 
 12. Americana 3-6 
 13. Inter Santos 2-8 
 14. America 2-8 
 15. XV/Cosan 1-8 
 16. Sao Caetano 1-9 


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


Lukoil Akademik keeps Bruno Sundov - by Eurobasket News
Bruno Sundov (221-C-80, agency: Alti Sport) will play at least one more season with Lukoil Akademik. The reigning Bulgarian champion will sign a one-year deal with the Croatian big guy. Sundov joined Lukoil in January this year from Split. He appeared 22 times in NBL averaging 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. Sundov also added 10 ppg and 5 rpg for 9 games in EuroChallenge. Lukoil Akademik won the NBL title and Bulgarian Cup. Bruno Sundov started last season with Valencia and later spent some time with Split. He played for Donetsk and Kavala in 2009/10. In the past, Sundov also was a member of Cibona, Menorca, ASK Riga, AEL Limassol and Leon. He has experience from Alicante as well.

Tundja Yambol extends Durchev, signs Gocevski and Ofoegbu - by Eurobasket News
Martin Durchev signed a one-year contract extension with Tundja Yambol. He played 35 games in NBL last season averaging 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Before Yambol, he spent one year with Chernomorets.
The teams also landed Zlatko Gocevski and John Ofoegbu. Gocevski heads to Yambol from MZT Skopje Aerodrom. He joined them in January averaging 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for 18 league games. Gocevski started last season with Fersped Rabotnicki. For them he had 11.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 14 games. Zlatko Gocevski already played for Yambol and it was in 2009/10 season. At that time he had 9.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 31 games. From 2007 to 2009, he played for Feni Industri. Gocevski also has experience from Strumica and Vardar. He spent some time with Icelandic Keflavik as well. Zlatko Gocevski was Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League Player of the Year -07.
John Ofoegbu arrives to Yambol from the Swiss team SAM Basket Massagno. He had 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg for them in 27 games.

Tundja Yambol extends Durchev, signs Gocevski and Ofoegbu - by Eurobasket News
Martin Durchev (200-G-87) signed a one-year contract extension with Tundja Yambol. He played 35 games in NBL last season averaging 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Before Yambol, he spent one year with Chernomorets.
The teams also landed Zlatko Gocevski (206-C-82, agency: Interperformances) and John Ofoegbu (206-C-84, college: Idaho St.). Gocevski heads to Yambol from MZT Skopje Aerodrom. He joined them in January averaging 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for 18 league games. Gocevski started last season with Fersped Rabotnicki. For them he had 11.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 14 games. Zlatko Gocevski already played for Yambol and it was in 2009/10 season. At that time he had 9.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 31 games. From 2007 to 2009, he played for Feni Industri. Gocevski also has experience from Strumica and Vardar. He spent some time with Icelandic Keflavik as well. Zlatko Gocevski was Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League Player of the Year -07.
John Ofoegbu arrives to Yambol from the Swiss team SAM Basket Massagno. He had 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg for them in 27 games.

Friendly games - by Eurobasket News
Lukoil Akademik and Balkan played a friendly games on Wednesday and Thursday.
Lukoil Akademik was better than Greek team Aris 84-73. It was the first game of the tournament in Pravets. Andre Owens (193-G-80, college: Houston) led Bulgarian champions with 18 points. Pavel Marinov (197-G-88, agency: Interperformances) had 15 and Bruno Sundov (221-C-80, agency: Alti Sport) added 14 points in this victory. In Aris, Adrian Oliver (193-G-88, college: San Jose St.) shined with 24 points and Sergio Kerusch (195-F, college: W.Kentucky) added 17. Today, Lukoil will meet Etha Engomis. Aris will play against Partizan.
Balkan played a friendly game on Wednesday. The Bulgarian squad failed against Cypriot champion Etha Engomis 73-84. Stanimir Marinov (191-G-91) had 17 points and 6 rebounds for Balkan. Lubomir Lilov (198-F-87) and Tsvetelin Ivanov (196-G-89) scored 14 points each.

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


Asian Championship Scores and Standings -- Day 2 - by Arthur Volbert
Today's scores:
Syria 74 Indonesia 61
Chinese Taipei 81 Uzbekistan 71
Japan 92 Jordan 87
Korea 80 Lebanon 62
Iran 40 Qatar 4
China 75 Philippines 60
Malaysia 71 India 67
UAE 91 Bahrain 53

Standings:
GROUP A
Team W L Pts GA
Korea 2 0 4 1.46
Lebanon 1 1 3 0.90
Malaysia 1 1 3 0.81
India 0 2 2 0.95

GROUP B
Team W L Pts GA
I.R.Iran 2 0 4 2.17
Uzbekistan 1 1 3 1.05
Ch. Taipei 1 1 3 0.98
Qatar 0 2 2 0.24

GROUP C
Team W L Pts GA
Japan 2 0 4 1.03
Jordan 1 1 3 1.03
Syria 1 1 3 1.00
Indonesia 0 2 2 0.77

GROUP D
Team W L Pts GA
China 2 0 4 1.61
Philippines 1 1 3 1.20
United Arab Emirates 1 1 3 0.99
Bahrain 0 2 2 0.53

China Defeats Philippines 75-60, Could Contend for Title - by Arthur Volbert
China defeated the Philippines 75-60 today, using its battle-tested veterans, and indicating it has a chance to win the Asian Championship if these veterans remain healthy.

China led 22-13 after one quarter and 43-21 at the half. It let down a bit in the second half and led 55-40 after three quarters, being outscored 19-12 in the third quarter. It then played even 20-20 in the fourth quarter. Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) led China with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Wang Zhizhi had 16 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes. Sun Yue had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Zhu Fangyu had 13 points and 5 assists. No other player scored more than 3 points. Marcus Douthit had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Philippines. Chris Tiu had 12 points and 3 assists.

China's veterans, who almost never played on the court together in preliminary games which China lost, seem capable of defeating anyone in the tournament. But if any one of them is injured, and is therefore absent or ineffective. none of the younger players appear capable of replacing them.


*****************************************************
  COLOMBIA   


Standings
Copa Federacion Standings
 1. Arrieros 0-0 
 2. Bucaros 0-0 
 3. Cucuta Norte 0-0 
 4. Guerreros 0-0 
 5. Heat 0-0 
 6. InderValle 0-0 
 7. Patriotas 0-0 


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


Lukoil Akademik keeps Bruno Sundov - by Eurobasket News
Bruno Sundov (221-C-80, agency: Alti Sport) will play at least one more season with Lukoil Akademik. The reigning Bulgarian champion will sign a one-year deal with the Croatian big guy. Sundov joined Lukoil in January this year from Split. He appeared 22 times in NBL averaging 11.2 points and 5.2 rebounds. Sundov also added 10 ppg and 5 rpg for 9 games in EuroChallenge. Lukoil Akademik won the NBL title and Bulgarian Cup. Bruno Sundov started last season with Valencia and later spent some time with Split. He played for Donetsk and Kavala in 2009/10. In the past, Sundov also was a member of Cibona, Menorca, ASK Riga, AEL Limassol and Leon. He has experience from Alicante as well.

Nino Vlaic signs in Bosnia - by Eurobasket News
Nino Vlaic (207-C/F-87) will continue his career in Bosnia. The Croatian power forward/center signed a deal with Celik Zenica for the next season. Vlaic heads to Celik from Croatian A2 team DOSK Drnis. He started last season with Zadar. Nino Vlaic played for Split from 2008 until the last summer. However, he had very limited playing them with them. In the past, he spent few years with Sibenka Sibenik. He played also for their juniors. Nino Vlaic was a member of the Croatian B National Team in 2008. He played for U20 and U18 Croatia earlier.

Split second, Zadar third at tournament in Sibenik - by Eurobasket News
Split failed against Siroki TT Kabeli in the Finals of the tournament in Sibenik. The reigning Bosnian champion was better than Zadar 66-44 in the Semis. Fran Pilepic (192-G-89) led Siroki to victory in the Finals with 18 points. Ivan Ramljak (203-F-90) scored 14, while Jakov Vladovic (186-PG-83) added 13 points. Darko Planinic (211-C-90) and Zeljko Sakic (203-F-88) had 12 and 11 pts respectively. In the loosing squad, Ivan Mimica (193-G-80) was better than the others with 14 points. Toni Dijan (205-F-83) and Josip Sobin (203-G/F-89) stopped to 10 points each. Third quarter was the crucial one in this game. Siroki players exploded to win it 22-7. Quarters - 23:17, 18:22, 22:7, 23:22.
In the battle for third place, Zadar outplayed host Jolly JBS 60-78. Ante Delas (201-G/F-88) and Ivan Batur (203-G/F-91) shined for the winners with 22 and 21 points respectively. Ivo Josipovic (205-F-75, agency: Court Side) responded with 25 points for the hosts. Quarters - 11:27, 26:25, 12:13, 11:13.

Alkar hands home loss to Zrinjski - by Eurobasket News
Zrinjski and Alkar played a friendly game on Wednesday. Zrinjski was the host, but it was Alkar who celebrated 66-81 victory in this meeting. Teams were tied at 20-20 after the first ten minutes, but Alkar improved after that. They made 15-19 in Q2 for plus four at the halftime. After the breather, Alkar totally took control on Zrinjski. Visitors created 11-22 in third period and question about the winner was already resolved. Last ten minutes were just the formality. Zeljko Zupic (205-F-81, college: Denver) was the leading player in victory with 22 points. Nikola Gaurina (199-G-83, agency: Interperformances) followed him with two less. For the hosts, Marcel Jones (203-F-85, agency: David Lee services, college: Oregon St.) led the scorers with 12 points. Marin Han (198-F/G-87) stopped to 11.

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


Did you know that.......? - by Dr. Nasios Orinos
Basketball rules - Goal

If a player accidentally scores a field goal in his teams own basket, the goal counts two (2) points and shall be recorded as having been scored by the captain of the opposing team on the playing court.

If a player deliberately scores a field goal in his teams own basket, it is a violation and the goal does not count.

If a player causes the entire ball to pass through the basket from below, it is a violation.



*****************************************************
  CZECH REPUBLIC   


Pardubice Take First Two Games at Zoltan Horvath Memorial Tournament in Hungary - by Surujh Roopnarine
BK JIP Pardubice have won their first two games at the Zoltan Horvath Memorial Tournament in Falco-Szova KC-Szombathely, Hungary with the Championship game this afternoon against Atomeromu SE Paks

Their first game came against PVSK Pannonpower Pecs on Wednesday night, where they controlled the tempo and came away with a 102-90 victory. They shot extremely well from the field, connecting on 33-46 2FG, 6-11 3FG and 18-22 FT, while also winning the rebounds battle 32-23. Petr Bohacik (202-F-85) was the main attraction of the match, scoring a game-high 28 points on 11-13 shooting.
PECS: Norbert Toth (203-F-86) (21pts), Andrija Ciric (199-G-80) (19pts), Peter Kovacs (189-G-88) (12pts)
PARDUBICE: Petr Bohacik (28pts), Maurice Hampton (188-G-84, college: Austin Peay St.) (15pts), Marcus Arnold (207-C/F-84, college: Illinois) (15pts), Lukas Kotas (194-F-84) (13pts)

On Thursday night they took on the hosts Falco-Szova KC-Szombathely and used a dominant second-quarter (27-17) to help propel them to an 87-73 victory. 10 players saw the court for Head Coach Jan Slowiak and all registered double-digit minutes.
FALCO: Laszlo Kalman (186-G-72) (20pts), Tamas Harazin (204-F-85) (12pts), Zsolt Szabo (202-F-86, ) (11pts), Pantelic (11pts)
PARDUBICE: Lukas Kotas (17pts), Ondrej Peterka (202-F-91) (13pts), Corey Muirhead (198-F-83, college: W.Carolina) (13pts+6reb+5ast), Marcus Arnold (13pts+11reb)


The Eryk Watson Experiment in Chomutov Comes to a Quick End - by Surujh Roopnarine
After roughly a week of training and brief action in their exhibition win versus Chemnitz, Head Coach Tomas Eisner has decided not to sign American guard Eryk Watson (190-G, college: Maryville, TN).
Watson came from NCAA Division III Maryville in Tennessee, but was not able to adjust to the European style game. The coaches felt that his inexperience both professionally and due to playing at only the DIII level would not suit the team as they try to compete in the more-and-more competitive NBL this season. Watson was previously in Iceland for a try-out period but was similarly not signed.


CEZ Basketball Nymburk won and lost in Slovenia - by Eurobasket News
Galatasaray was better than CEZ Nymburk in a friendly game 87:61. The Turkish side opened the game with 24-14, but CEZ Basketball Nymburk won the second period 20-18. In the second half Galatasaray was stronger and reached both victories in the third and the last quarters. Luksa Andric (210-C-85, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up for the winners with 21 points and 7 rebounds. Furkan Aldemir (207-F-91) and Preston Shumpert (198-G/F-79, college: Syracuse) helped with 10 points each. Galata did not have anyone else with double-digits in scoring.
Last night CEZ Basketball Nymburk won over Lokomotiv. The team from Czech Republic overcame the Russian representative 79:71. Primoz Brezec's (216-F/C-79) 17 points were not enough for Lokomotiv in that game. Tomorrow Hellios Domzale will play against the champion from Czech Republic.


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


Bakken Bears tab Chad Gray - by Eurobasket News
Bakken Bears strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Chad Gray (200-F-85, agency: ARN Sports and Entertainment, college: Co.Carolina). The deal is meant for one season. It will be the first pro season for the forward. Chad Gray graduated from Coastal Carolina College this year. He made it into NABC Division I All-District 3 1st Team. The forward also received Mid Major All-American Honourable Mention. Chad Gray participated at Eurobasket Summer League in New York. He played for Team Helsinki. His stats read 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 block per appearance.


Durell Vinson heads to Svendborg - by Eurobasket News
Durell Vinson (201-F-85, college: Wagner) will join Svendborg for a try-out period. The forward spent the last season in Finland. He played for Kouvot Kouvola. His stats read 10.4 points, 9.0 boards and 1.2 assists per appearance. Durell Vinson played in Finland and Belgium after graduating from the Wagner College in 2008. The forward posted 13.6 points, 11.5 boards and 1.2 assists per game in his senior season.


Tony Bishop is a newcomer at Aalborg Vikings - by Eurobasket Center
Aalborg Vikings added to their roster 22-year old American forward Tony Bishop (201-F-100kg-89, college: Texas St.). Bishop has just graduated from Texas State University. While playing 32 games he was averaging 13.1ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.1bpg. It will be his first season in pro basketball.


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


Sioux Falls Skyforce: Recasner named Assistant Coach - by Eurobasket News
The Sioux Falls Skyforce announced today that Eldridge Recasner has been named assistant coach for the 2011-12 season.

The seven year NBA veteran played under current head coach Mo McHone with the Yakima Sun Kings for two seasons (1993-95).

Coach McHone has been a great mentor and Im honored that he wants me to be a part of his staff this upcoming season, said Recasner. I would like to eventually coach in the NBA and I cant think of a better organization to work for in order to reach that goal.

Recasner averaged 5.9 points while shooting 88.7 percent (235-of-265) from the free throw line in 296 career NBA games over seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets (3), Houston Rockets (63), Atlanta Hawks (130), Charlotte Hornets (95) and Los Angeles Clippers (5). His most productive season came in 1997-98 with the Hawks, when he averaged career-highs in points (9.3) and rebounds (2.4).

Prior to playing in the NBA, Recasner played for the Louisville Shooters (Global Basketball Association) and Yakima Sun Kings (Continental Basketball Association). He averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 117 career games with Yakima from 1992-95. The former Washington Husky had a dream season in 1994-95 as he was named CBA MVP after averaging 20.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 48 games and helped lead his team to the 1995 CBA championship.

Courtesy of www.keloland.com

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


France and Spain enter championship game - by Eurobasket News
Semis
Russia - France 71-79
Russia suffered the first defeat of EuroBasket tonight but it was just enough for them to stop one step away from the Final. France edged David Blatt team to set up an exciting clash versus Spain for the crown. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) knocked down 22 points and issued 5 assists to lead the effort. The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening frame. The lead changed hands for several times before Tony Parker gave France a 17:16 lead. Pietrus and Gelabale stretched the lead to four points midway through the second term. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) and Tony Parker made it 39:31 for Les Bleus before Fridzon drained a triple and sealed the first half outcome at 34:39. Russia quickly erased the deficit in the third term just to see Nicolas Batum knock down a three-pointer and put France back in charge. France capped the term with a 10:2 run to build a 55:47 advantage. Traore and Nando De Colo (202-G-87) made it 61:49 for France midway through the fourth term. Andrei Kirilenko (205-F-81) and Shved dragged Russia within five points 64:69 however Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker gave no chance for Russia as Les Bleus cruised to the victory. Nicolas Batum accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Nando De Colo added 9 points in the win. Andrei Kirilenko answered with 21 points for Russia. Timofey Mozgov (216-C-86, agency: RIZO) netted 12 points in the loss.


Spain - FYR Macedonia 92-80
Spain will play in the championship game of EuroBasket. They overcame brilliant FYR Macedonia tonight to book the spot in the title game. Spain will now take on the winners of France vs. Russia clash. Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) put on a show scoring 35 points and grabbing 4 rebounds to lead the winners. The lead changed hands numerous times throughout the opening frame. But Spain capped it with 9 points in a row to post a 26:18 lead. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) made it 28:18 for Spain at the start of the second term. FYR Macedonia answered with a 10:0 run of their own to pull ahead. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the reminder of the period as Ilievski sealed the first half outcome at 45:44 for FYR Macedonia. Juan Carlos Navarro triggered a 10:2 run from the Spanish team midway through the third period as La Roja grabbed a 68:60 lead. Juan Carlos Navarro capped the term with a three-pointer to give Spain a 71:62 advantage. Spain quickly boosted the gap to 10 points and controlled the situation till the end of the game. Pau Gasol accounted for 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) and Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) added 11 points apiece in the win. Bo McCalebb (183-PG-85, college: New Orleans) answered with 25 points for FYR Macedonia. Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Beo Basket) netted 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in the loss.

Places 5-8
Greece - Serbia 87-77
Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) erupted with the win over Serbia as Greece won the Classification Game for the 5-8 places. Greece needed 87:77 to face Lithuania for the fifth place in their last game. Serbia meanwhile will take on Slovenia in the game for the 7-8 places. Ioannis Bourousis and Nenad Krstic (214-C-83, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) scored the first points for their teams as both squads desired to recover from the losses last nights in the Quarterfinal clashes. Greece managed to do it better and created a 13-0 run for 15:2. Moreover they added a 10-0 run immediately and enjoyed 25:4. Papanikolaou later nailed three to close the first frame at 34:8. Koufos and Fotsis scored for 38:13, while Serbia woke up for the rest of the game. They responded with a 7-0 run as Macvan cut it to 38:20. Nenad Krstic brought 42:24 and Keselj as well as Mavroeidis closed the half at 48:26. Keselj and Nenad Krstic brought 53:31, while Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) increased to plus 24. Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida) scored four in a row for 59:27. Keselj and Paunic reduced to 61:44 and Markovic nailed three for minus 15. Koufos was the last player to score in the third quarter for 64:48. Serbia made their last push with 7-1 in the start of the last period. Teodosic reduced to 65:55, but Greece did not allow them to come closer. They erupted with 7-2 and Ioannis Bourousis scored for 72:57. Savanovic fired three for 74:60, whilst Papanikolaou made a free throw for plus 15 with 3 minutes to go. Serbia tried hard to reduce again, but Greece managed to keep double digit victory. Ioannis Bourousis stepped up with 27 points and Nikolaos Zisis netted 18. Fotsis scored 16, while Nick Calathes added 10. Keselj answered with 22 points and Nenad Krstic scored 15.



Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
 Luol DENG
  ENG
  (201-F-85)
  Avg: 24.6
 1. Deng, ENG24.6 
 2. Bargnani, ITA22.8 
 3. Parker, FRA21.7 
 4. McCalebb, MKD21.3 
 5. Gasol, ESP20.4 
 6. Nowitzki, GER19.5 
 7. Rowland, BUL18.0 
 8. Navarro, ESP17.9 
 9. Tomic, CRO16.6 
 10. Eliyahu, ISR16.4 
Rebounds Per Game
 Chris KAMAN
  USA
  (213-C-82)
  Avg: 10
 1. Kaman, GER10.0 
 2. Deng, ENG9.4 
 3. Antic, MKD8.8 
 4. Asik, TUR8.5 
 5. Gasol, ESP8.1 
 6. Noah, FRA8.0 
 7. Sanikidze, GEO8.0 
 8. Dasic, MNT7.6 
 9. Gasol, ESP7.4 
 10. Bargnani, ITA7.4 
Assists Per Game
 Dontaye DRAPER
  USA
  (180-G-84)
  Avg: 7
 1. Draper, CRO7.0 
 2. Da Silva, POR6.5 
 3. Teodosic, SRB6.1 
 4. Vasiljevic, BIH5.4 
 5. Khryapa, RUS5.1 
 6. Jasikevicius, LTU5.0 
 7. Bertt, UKR4.8 
 8. Koszarek, POL4.4 
 9. Parker, FRA4.3 
 10. Cook, MNT4.2 
Steals Per Game
 Andrei KIRILENKO
  RUS
  (205-F-81)
  Avg: 2.9
 1. Kirilenko, RUS2.9 
 2. Trotter, HUN2.8 
 3. Batum, FRA2.1 
 4. Kotti, FIN2.1 
 5. Hanga, HUN2.0 
 6. Kelati, POL2.0 
 7. McCalebb, MKD1.9 
 8. Andrade, POR1.8 
 9. Stojanovski, MKD1.8 
 10. Parker, FRA1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Chris KAMAN
  USA
  (213-C-82)
  Avg: 1.8
 1. Kaman, GER1.8 
 2. Kravtsov, UKR1.6 
 3. Bargnani, ITA1.6 
 4. Gasol, ESP1.6 
 5. Begic, SLO1.5 
 6. Mozgov, RUS1.5 
 7. Asik, TUR1.5 
 8. Mbenga, BEL1.2 
 9. Valanciunas, LTU1.2 
 10. Koufos, GRE1.0 


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


KORISLIIGA: ToPo got three new players - by Rauno Hurmalainen
Torpan Pojat (Helsinki) has signed with three new players and now ToPo roster seems to be almost ready for the new 2011-12 season. Finnish F Carl Lindbom (204-F-91) is coming back to Finland after playing last season in Frankfurt, Germany. Last season leading scorer in Finland Jonathan Heard (198-G/F-86) will join ToPo roster. Heard averaged 21,86 ppg when playing on Tarmo (Porvoo) roster 2010-11. And ToPo's American G will be Chase Griffin (188-G-83, college: Pepperdine), who has played four seasons in Germany and knows a lot of European basketball. Korihait (Uusikaupunki) has replaced American C Justin Howard (208-C-81, college: Mercer) by F Cory Johnson (200-F-88, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Valparaiso), who had already signed with a Dutch team, but financial difficulties changed the plans and Johnson will start his pro career in Finland.

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  FRANCE   


EuroBasket 2011: France hands Russia first defeat, advance into title game - by Eurobasket News
France - Russia 79:71

Russia suffered the first defeat of EuroBasket tonight but it was just enough for them to stop one step away from the Final. France edged David Blatt team to set up an exciting clash versus Spain for the crown. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) knocked down 22 points and issued 5 assists to lead the effort.
The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening frame. The lead changed hands for several times before Tony Parker gave France a 17:16 lead. Pietrus and Gelabale stretched the lead to four points midway through the second term. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) and Tony Parker made it 39:31 for Les Bleus before Fridzon drained a triple and sealed the first half outcome at 34:39. Russia quickly erased the deficit in the third term just to see Nicolas Batum knock down a three-pointer and put France back in charge. France capped the term with a 10:2 run to build a 55:47 advantage. Traore and Nando De Colo (202-G-87) made it 61:49 for France midway through the fourth term. Andrei Kirilenko (205-F-81) and Shved dragged Russia within five points 64:69 however Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker gave no chance for Russia as Les Bleus cruised to the victory. Nicolas Batum accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Nando De Colo added 9 points in the win. Andrei Kirilenko answered with 21 points for Russia. Timofey Mozgov (216-C-86, agency: RIZO) netted 12 points in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 22, Nicolas Batum 19, Nando De Colo 9
Russia: Andrei Kirilenko 21, Timofey Mozgov 12


Nancy and Le Havre celebrate in friendly games - by Eurobasket News
Nancy and Le Havre won in their friendly games, which were played last night.
Nancy was better than Strasbourg at home 78-68. Akinlolu Akingbala (208-F-83, college: Clemson) was a key player in victory with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He reached valuation 30. Boungou-Colo Nobel scored 13, while Adrien Moerman (204-F/C-88) and Victor Samnick (203-F-79, college: Georgetown) helped with 10 points each. In Strasbourg, Abdoulaye Mbaye shined with 23 points. Quarters: 16-17, 22-18, 15-19, 25-14.
Le Have beat Paris-Levallois 86-76 in OT. John Cox (195-G-81, college: USF) top-scored in victory with 16 points. Gregory Jenkins (206-F/C-82, college: Iona) and Brian Boddicker (204-F-81, college: Texas) helped with 14 and 13 pts. In defeat, Michel Morandais (197-G/F-79, college: Colorado) collected 22 points and 5 rebs. Quarters: 21-20, 25-16, 9-23, 17-13, 14-4 OT.

More friendly games - by Eurobasket News
More friendly games were played last night.
Boulazac handed 85-71 loss to Geneve Lions in Fos-sur-mer. Boulazac shined at the beginning and never looked back. They made nice 28-17 lead in the first ten minutes. Darryl Monroe (202-F-86, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: George Mason) stepped up in victory with 21 points. Amadi McKenzie (201-F-86) and Ryan Ayers (201-G-86, college: Notre Dame) him with 17 and 12 points respectively.
Danain failed against Optima Gent on the road 73-68. Brian Heinle was the leading scorer in victory with 17 points. In the loosing squad, Juwann James (198-F-87, college: JMU) was better than the others with 14 points. Guevin Toto (182-G-87) and Lamine Kante (199-F-87) netted 11 and 10 points respectively.
JSF Nanterre was better than Orleans 82-79. William Daniels (203-F-86, college: Rhode Island) scored 17 points for the winners and Ryvon Covile (206-C-84, agency: Z.A.G. - Law Offices, college: Detroit Mercy) helped with 13 points, plus 9 rebs. Cedrick Banks (190-G-81, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Ill.-Chicago) had 16 points in loss.
JSA Bordeaux grabbed 76-73 win against Pau-Orthez. Miloud Doubal (190-G-81) led the winners with 15 points. Mustafa Shakur (190-PG-84, college: Arizona) shined with 19 points in defeat.

Rookie Xavier Silas joins Gravelines - by Eurobasket News
Xavier Silas (195-G-88) is set to start his professional basketball career. The American guard penned a one-year deal with French team Gravelines. Silas graduated this year at the Northern Illinois University. He shined with 22.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.2 spg for his school in 26 games as a senior. Silas was awarded with All-MAC 1st Team -11. He was also named NABC Division I All-District 14 1st Team -11. In 2009/10, Xavier Silas collected 19.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 1.6 apg for 25 games. He won All-MAC Honorable Mention -10. Xavier Silas transferred to Northern Illinois in 2008 from the University of Colorado. He was red-shirted one year due to transfer rule.

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  FYR MACEDONIA   


Zlatko Gocevski returns to Bulgaria, Tundja Yambol - by Eurobasket News
Zlatko Gocevski (206-C-82, agency: Interperformances) is back to Bulgaria. He returned to his former team Tundja Yambol. Gocevski heads to Yambol from MZT Skopje Aerodrom. He joined them in January averaging 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds for 18 league games. Gocevski started last season with Fersped Rabotnicki. For them he had 11.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 14 games. Zlatko Gocevski already played for Yambol and it was in 2009/10 season. At that time he had 9.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 31 games. From 2007 to 2009, he played for Feni Industri. Gocevski also has experience from Strumica and Vardar. He spent some time with Icelandic Keflavik as well. Zlatko Gocevski was Eurobasket.com All-Macedonian League Player of the Year -07.

Standings - Division II
D2 Standings
 1. Vardar 16-0 
 2. Kozuv 13-3 
 3. Junior Fruktal 10-6 
 4. Goce Delchev 9-7 
 5. V.Lisici 8-8 
 6. Teteks 7-9 
 7. Millenium 4-12 
 8. Gostivar 2009 3-13 
 9. Negotino 2-14 
 10. Ilinden 0-0 


EuroBasket 2011: Spain put end to FYR Macedonia fairy tale in Lithuania - by Eurobasket News
Spain - FYR Macedonia 92:80

Spain will play in the championship game of EuroBasket. They overcame brilliant FYR Macedonia tonight to book the spot in the title game. Spain will now take on the winners of France vs. Russia clash. Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) put on a show scoring 35 points and grabbing 4 rebounds to lead the winners.
The lead changed hands numerous times throughout the opening frame. But Spain capped it with 9 points in a row to post a 26:18 lead. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) made it 28:18 for Spain at the start of the second term. FYR Macedonia answered with a 10:0 run of their own to pull ahead. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the reminder of the period as Ilievski sealed the first half outcome at 45:44 for FYR Macedonia. Juan Carlos Navarro triggered a 10:2 run from the Spanish team midway through the third period as La Roja grabbed a 68:60 lead. Juan Carlos Navarro capped the term with a three-pointer to give Spain a 71:62 advantage. Spain quickly boosted the gap to 10 points and controlled the situation till the end of the game. Pau Gasol accounted for 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) and Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) added 11 points apiece in the win. Bo McCalebb (183-PG-85, college: New Orleans) answered with 25 points for FYR Macedonia. Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Beo Basket) netted 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in the loss.

Spain: Juan Carlos Navarro 35, Pau Gasol 22+17 boards, Marc Gasol 11, Serge Ibaka 11
FYR Macedonia: Bo McCalebb 25, Pero Antic 17


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


S. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg Sign Robert Tomaszek - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
The s. Oliver baskets Wurzburg have filled the void left by American Mike Tisdale with Robert Tomaszek (204-F-81, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: Texas Tech). Tomaszek is a 30 year old 204cm 113 kilo power forward that was born in Bydgoszcz, Poland, but has the German citzenship. He is a an aggressive but an average defender, he is mostly an offensive player, with a nice middle distance shooting touch, and good low post offensive skills; is also a good passer. Last season he played together with German Konrad Wysocki for PGE Turow Zgorzelec (Poland-PLK, starting five): 40 games: 7.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.8%, FT: 50.4%: S. Oliver Baskets head coach John Patrick is content to have found the right big man. 'He is very expereinced and has played in some strong leagues. We were looking for a guy that concentrates on defense and are happy to have found him', stressed s.Oliver Baskets head coach John Patrick.

Tomaszek started his basketball career in 1998 for Bremerhaven (D3). He then went to the States to enjoy the life i n the Colorado mountains at Aspen High School. In 2001, he played for E.Wyoming JC: 18.8ppg and 7.2rpg and then transfered to Texas Tech (NCAA). In his sneior year, he played together with Ronald Ross and played 31 games: 7.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.4apg. In 2004-2005, he started his professional basketball career for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 30 games: 9.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 58.6%, FT: 65.8%. In 2006-2007, he played for Junior Casale (Italy-Lega 2), tested in preseason, then moved to BK Kondori Liberec (Czech Republic-NBL): 15 games: 16.5ppg, 10.1rpg, 2FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 63.2%; in Jan.'07 signed at BK Prostejov (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five): 36 games: 10.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 2FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 60.0%, FT: 62.5%; EuroCup Challenge: 2 games: 8.5ppg, Reb-2 (3.5), 1ast, 2FGP: 31.3%, 3FGP: 50%. In 2007-2008, he played for : BK Prostejov (Czech Republic-NBL, starting five): FIBA EuroCup: 2 games: 1.5ppg, 2.5rpg; Czech Rep. League: 52 games: 12.6ppg, Reb-5 (6.8rpg), 1.2apg, 2FGP: 61.7%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 54.7%.In 2008-2009, he played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Rep.-NBL): Eurocup: 3 games: 1.0ppg, 1.0rpg; Czech Rep. League: 39 games: 4.1ppg, 2.6rpg2009-2010: Gryfony Symferopil (Ukraine-Superleague): 1 game: 13pts, 5reb, 2ast, 1steal, in Dec.'09 moved to PBG Basket Poznan (Poland-PLK, starting five): 16 games: 10.4ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 59.6%, FT: 43.7%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been NJCAA Div1 All American 2nd Team -02, NJCAA All-American AwardPlayer of the Year (Region IX)All-Conference All- League First TeamAll-Tournament Team (Region IX) -02, NIT Semifinals -03, Big 12 Tournament Semifinals -04, Polish National Team Camp -04
German 2.Bundesliga (Group North) Champion -05, EuroCup Challenge Quarterfinals -07, Czech Rep. Cup Semifinals -07, Czech Rep. League Finalist -07, Czech Rep. League Seminifals -08, Czech Rep. League Regular Season Champion -09, Czech Rep. League Champion -09, Polish Cup Semifinals -11, Eurobasket.com Polish League All-Defensive Team -11, Polish League Regular Season Runner-Up -11, and Polish League Finalist -11.

Source. s.Oliver Baskets Wurzburg

Ike Okoye Gets 4 Week Try-out Contract With NBC - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Shortly before the start of the PRO A season, NBC have brought in Ike Okoye (206-F, college: Boise St.) for a 4 week try-out. Okoye is a 206cm,105 kilo power forward is from Nigeria, but grew up in Sacremento, California. He already showed in the test game against Breitengussbach that he has the skills to play in the PRO A as he scored 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Last season, he played forIntermache Zastal Zielona Gora (Poland-PLK, starting five), try-outs only, then moved to Anwil Wloclawek (Poland-PLK), in Oct.'10 moved to Eiffel Towers Den Bosch (Holland-DBL): 3 games: 1.0ppg, 2.3rpg, in Jan.'11 signed at CSU Asesoft Ploiesti (Romania-Div.A): 21 games: 4.8ppg, 3.1rpg. 'I hope that we have found the last puzzle piece with him. He likes to play at the basket and is a good rebounder and shot blocker. He will also open new chances with his athletic ability on offense and defense', stressed NBC head coach Derrick Taylor . He started his basketball career in 2005 with Wyoming (NCAA) where he played two years. He then transfered to Boise St. (NCAA) where he played until 2010. In his senior year, he played : 32 games: 12.9ppg, RebWAC-7 (7.9rpg), 1.3apg, BlocksWAC-7 (1.4bpg), FGPWAC-9 (53.7%), FT: 74.4%: Finished two-year career at Boise St. ranked fifth all time in blocked shots (106). Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been MWC Tournament Finalist -06, WAC Tournament Winner -08, WAC Regular Season Champion -08, WAC All-Defensive Team -09, Romanian League Finalist -11, and Romanian League Regular Season Champion -11

Source: NBC

Michael Kool-Aid Juice Thompson (Fraport Skyliners) Tiramisu Looks Really Good, Tastes Good And Is The Perfect Ally-Op Dessert Between Me And Tez - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
For new Skyliner Michael Thompson, jumping on a plane recently and jetting to wine country Treviso,Italy to join the Fraport Skyliners for a one week training camp must have felt as comfortable for the man that is known as the juice as if Paris Hilton had involuntarily been caught at a Mcdonalds, but finding swank delicious caviar in her Happy meal, actor George Clooney arriving anywhere in the world and being given not one, but two sexy Miss Universe ladies for both arms and Justin Bieber not having men jeans ready for him upon arrival in his hotel room, but ladies jeans since they fit better than pieces designed for men. There are many different kind of juices, but the fact remains that wine is a juice which is a beverage made of the fermented juice of any of various kinds of grapes, usually containing from 10 to 15 percent alcohol by volume. Thompson is a rookie coming from Northwestern and has a try-out with the Fraport Skyliners and at the age of 22 still a young buck which could due to time graduate from innocent Cool-Aid juice to the disciplined and elegant taste of fabulous Italian wine.

Michael Thompson is a 22 year old 177cm point guard from Chicago, Illinois that has come to Europe to start his basketball career with the Fraport Skyliners getting a three week try-out. He played four years at Northwestern in Chicago which has had as much success with not winning on the basketball court as the Chicago Cubs have had not winning on the baseball field, the Buffalo Bills looking depressed after 48 minutes in Super Bowl finals and Ivan Lendl wondering why he was never able to win on the hallow cow pastures of Wimbeldon. Even though Northwestern were basketball national champs in 1931, the school has been more known recently for the womans lacrosse team that won 5 consecutive NCAA titles from 2005-2009 and their football program which has been in the AP top 10, 73 times since 1936 and reached bowl games like the Citrus, Alamo and Rose, but havent won a bowl game since the 1949 Rose Bowl. The biggest success that Thompson had on the court was reaching the NIT Elite 8 in 2011, so it may not be uncommon that his nickname juice might have stirred more interest at times then the chances of Northwestern beating a Duke. His nickname has less to do with his quick moves, but more with his shot from Michigan avenue. The nickname Juice originated in 7th grade. Playing basketball at a local gym I would say Juice every time I shot a 3 pointer and that day I made almost all of my 3 pointers. People asked why I would say Juice and I would tell them that my jump shot is 100% pure like juice. Since that day the name Juice has stuck with me and everyone calls me Juice, stressed Michael Thompson (177-PG-89, college: Northwestern) It also doesnt bother Thompson that he has the same nickname as the infamous OJ Simpson who will most likely be known more for his famous summer 1994 Bronco chase on the Los Angeles free ways or trying to fit the black gloves on his hands than rushing 11,236 yards in the NFL placing him currently at 17th place. I think its cool to have the same nickname as a great football player who accomplished many things in his professional football career. However, I want to create my own identity in the basketball world with the same nickname. Athletically I want to have an impact similar to what OJ Simpson had on the professional football world in the later years of his career beginning in the 1972 season. Simpson was an explosive athlete that set many records and I want to go down in history as a great professional basketball player like OJ Simpson did..stressed Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson played at Northwestern from 2007-2011 and quickly showed that shooting successfully and over 40% from downtown Chicago is as natural as Dashaun Wood scrambling in the lane, getting past 3 defenders and falling to his right and some how releasing the ball and seeing it trickle in as he is watching from the floor, Tim Thomas somehow keeping his net clean and making the most incredible saves the past season for the Boston Bruins and leading them to the Stanley Cup win or Charlie Sheen ordering champagne and chicks for a snack in Malibu. Thompson nearly shot over 40% from the parking lot for all four season just missing with 39,3% in his senior year. Despite his nickname Juice for his three point accuracy, the American sees his game as so much more versatile, which he needs to have as a point guard. My biggest strength on the court is my ability to run a team. Being a Point Guard is more than dribbling the ball up the court, as a Point Guard you got to be able to play defense, control the tempo of the game, and be able to score or set up your teammate in the right position. So overall I think my feel for the game and ability to understand what is needed in certain situations is my biggest strength along with my jump shot, stressed Michael Thompson This season there will be many smaller point guards in the Beko BBL like s. Oliver Baskets Achmadschah Zazai or David Holston from the Artland Dragons and Michael Thompson will also belong to this group. A Dashaun Wood who will run the Alba Berlin team will seem like a giant at 185cm. Thompson who describes his game to Dallas Mavericks standout Jose Barrea knows that showing pit bull qualities will be a must in order to withstand the court wildernesses of the Beko BBL. My toughness is a strength that doesnt get noticed right away, when people see me they automatically assume Im not good and Im just some undersized basketball player, but once people watch me I think they notice how hard I play along with my passion and love for the game of basketball, warned Michael Thompson

Despite never reaching the big show at the NCAA tournament and making a name at March Madness, Thompson was known as a player that knew how to lead the team. As Henry Kissinger once said, The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. One needs to experience situations where a team can count on you. Thompson showed time in and time out again of stepping up for Northwestern in times of adversity. In his senior year, Thompson played 34 games averaging 16.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.3apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 82.5%. The American seemed to get better as his senior year wore on and his leadership qualities shone as bright as the sun in the Sahara desert and was never brighter than when needing a win to keep NIT hopes alive in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, the Juice posted 35 points on 11-for-22 shooting and a shooting percentage of 67.8 shooting. In the three NIT games, he averaged 20.0 points per game and shot 42.9 percent from outside and 56.1 percent field goal percentage. He didnt disappoint in his final 10 games at Northwestern as he averaged 20.7 points per game, shot 44.0 percent from the three point line and a 56.0 percent field goal percentage. He helped Northwestern reach the elite 8 at the NIT tournament. The NIT tournament wasnt the NCAA tournament, but his leadership was never more in demand than in these last months of the 2010- 2011 season. Leadership qualities came from years of studying game film which I still do to this day, I watch other great Point Guards and leaders and try to take things away from them. I also ask my coaches a lot of questions so I can be an extension of the court on the court. I also try my best to understand each of my teammates strengths and weaknesses so I can put them in the best position possible so they can succeed. Each day, I try to become a better leader, stressed Michael Thompson During the course of the season leading up to the NIT tournament, Thompson had many memorable games even the 65-62 loss to top NCAA club 65-62 where he scored 9 of the teams last 12 points in the loss. The comeback in the bitter loss to Michigan State was unforgettable even though we didnt complete the comeback and win the game. The atmosphere in the arena was amazing, everyone was on their feet and we felt as though we were going to win the game. Michigan State is a great team with a great coach and they came together and pulled out the win, but for us (Northwestern Wildcats) we learned a lot from that game and carried that momentum forward to the remainder of the season, expressed Michael Thompson Despite all the basketball memories at Northwestern and new ones to be made in the Beko BBL with the Fraport Skyliners, he has one memory still in his head from his childhood. The most amazing thing Ive ever done in a game was when I was a kid playing in the semi-finals of a basketball league. My team was down 3 points and I got fouled with 2 seconds left in the game. I made the first free throw, missed the second free throw on purpose, got my own rebound and made the shot as time expired to send the game into overtime. I dont know how I got my own rebound and made the shot in 2 seconds, but I wasnt going to argue that. Fortunately, my team was able to win the game in overtime to advance to the championship, added Michael Thompson

Thompson now is in the midst in a basketball try-out with the Fraport Skyliners and didnt have it easy coming a few weeks after the start of training camp to the team in Italy. He showed positive strides in his first two test games in Italy, but the transition from the NCAA to Europe is about as big as a sub that New England Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer might eat as a pre game meal. The transition from NCAA to pro ranks has been tough, but with the guidance from veteran players such as Justin Gray and Quantez Robertson my transition hasnt been as difficult as I thought it would be. I know there is still a lot of room for improvement, but as of now I am happy with the way things are going, smiled Michael Thompson A player that seems to have taken the American under his wing is new Skyliner Justin Gray who played together in the NCAA with Chris Paul and has played in countries like Belgium, the Czech Republic and China. Gray can score from downtown like Thompson, but most importantly is that leadership is something that they have in common which has helped him adjust more easily. Justin Gray is a great player offensively and defensively. He is also a leader. Im always asking him questions about his professional experience. He is a veteran with a lot of knowledge. He is teaching me how to lead and he doesnt even know it. Justin has taught me a lot on the court. He has helped me with the offense, explains to me what coach wants in certain situations, and most importantly he is showing me what works and doesnt work professionally. Playing professional basketball in Europe is a lot different than college and with the help of Justin I feel I am making the transition pretty smoothly, commented Michael Thompson Not only has Thompson been able to learn from Justin Gray, but has picked up important basketball tips from Skyliner head coach Muli Katzurin. Ive learned a lot from coach Muli Katzurin in one week. He is molding me into a better professional point guard. First off coach Muli Katzurin is a winner, so Im learning what it takes to win at the professional level. Ive learned what pace to play at during certain times of the game, what and what isnt a good shot selection, and many defensive tactics. Each time coach gives us a new defense he explains in depth why we use it and how it should be ran, I think that is important for teams so they understand exactly how things should be done, said Michael Thompson

As a rookie, Thompson wont have easy shoes to fill as he will have heard the one or other amazing basketball story about 2011 Beko BBL MVP Dashaun Wood from Marius Nolte, Quantez Roberston or Jimmy Mckinney, but Skyliner fans no doubt will have the quickness of Dashaun Wood still dancing in their heads like an NBA title is in the head of Lebron James and might see even a smaller version of Mr road runner Dashaun Wood sprinting into the zone this season with Thompson. Quickness will play a major role in my success. Im only 510 so for the most part Ill be the smallest guy on the court, so when I have someone guarding me that is taller than me I have to use my quickness and speed to get around them and create a scoring opportunity for my teammates or myself. Defensively, I have to use my quickness to cause chaos for the other team whether Im guarding a guard, forward, or center. Quickness will be huge for my success, stressed Michael Thompson There are many unique things in life like seeing a falling star, finding a four leaf clover or seeing a total eclipse of the sun, but a unique thing about Michael Thompson is that he plays bigger than he really is. With shoes Im 510, but I play like Im 64. Im not afraid to go inside and battle with people that are a foot taller than me or much stronger than me. I play each game, each possession, each second like its my last time playing. I feel if I was any taller I wouldnt be the person that I am and I wouldnt be as unique, warned Michael Thompson

After getting his first impression of Europe enjoying the beautiful area of Treviso/Venice, he is back in Franfurt preparing with the team for the upcoming season. Thompson got a quick idea of how professional the Fraport Skyliners organization is and of course will give his all in staying past the try-out period and making a name in his rookie season. He will have fond memories of the first few days in Italy where he seemed to be anything but home sick. My coolest experience in Italy would be the team bonding event. The entire team went canoeing with the coaching staff, sponsors, and other representatives of the Fraport Skyliners organization. Canoeing was a new experience for me, but being with my teammates and us helping each other through and encouraging one another really brought us closer together, added Michael Thompson Last season, Skyliner fans were pampered with electrifying dunks from ex NBA player Roger Powell or Lufthansa flights to the basket by Quantez Robertson who were usually set up by Dashaun Wood. This season, it very well could be Thompson who will be feeding the ball to Quantez Super Tez Robertson. Frankfurter Krantz cake is a well known dessert from Frankfurt, but not on the menu from the American who has another special unique sweet ally-op offering between him and Quantez Robertson ready. Quantez Robertson is very athletic and explosive so the plan is definitely to throw him a lot of alley-oops. We have some other people on the team that are athletic so I expect to throw a lot alley-oops. The perfect alley-op between me and Tez in desert style would be a piece of Tiramisu. Tiramisu looks really good, taste good, and in Italy was a desert that our team couldnt get enough of, stated Michael Thompson No matter what Thompson will do on the court this season for the Fraport Skyliners, he will have sweet dessert plays ready in leading the team into the playoffs.

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


PAOK land J.R. Giddens - by Eurobasket News
PAOK Thessaloniki strengthened their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with J.R. Giddens (196-G-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico). The guard started the previous season in Poland. J.R. Giddens played for Asseco Prokom. His stats read 11.8 points, 4.3 boards, 1.3 blocks per game in PLK. In Euroleague J.R. Giddens averaged 9.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per appearance. In VTB League his stats read 6.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steal. In February J.R. Giddens moved to D-League. He signed with the New Mexico Thunderbirds. His stats came up to 13.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.


EuroBasket 2011: Bourousis erupted with the win over Serbia - by Eurobasket News
Greece-Serbia 87:77

Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) erupted with the win over Serbia as Greece won the Classification Game for the 5-8 places. Greece needed 87:77 to face Lithuania for the fifth place in their last game. Serbia meanwhile will take on Slovenia in the game for the 7-8 places.
Ioannis Bourousis and Nenad Krstic (214-C-83, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) scored the first points for their teams as both squads desired to recover from the losses last nights in the Quarterfinal clashes. Greece managed to do it better and created a 13-0 run for 15:2. Moreover they added a 10-0 run immediately and enjoyed 25:4. Papanikolaou later nailed three to close the first frame at 34:8. Koufos and Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) scored for 38:13, while Serbia woke up for the rest of the game. They responded with a 7-0 run as Milan Macvan (206-C-89, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) cut it to 38:20. Nenad Krstic brought 42:24 and Marko Keselj (205-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) as well as Mavroeidis closed the half at 48:26.
Marko Keselj and Nenad Krstic brought 53:31, while Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) increased to plus 24. Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida) scored four in a row for 59:27. Marko Keselj and Paunic reduced to 61:44 and Markovic nailed three for minus 15. Koufos was the last player to score in the third quarter for 64:48.
Serbia made their last push with 7-1 in the start of the last period. Teodosic reduced to 65:55, but Greece did not allow them to come closer. They erupted with 7-2 and Ioannis Bourousis scored for 72:57. Savanovic fired three for 74:60, whilst Papanikolaou made a free throw for plus 15 with 3 minutes to go. Serbia tried hard to reduce again, but Greece managed to keep double digit victory.
Ioannis Bourousis stepped up with 27 points and Nikolaos Zisis netted 18. Antonis Fotsis scored 16, while Nick Calathes added 10. Marko Keselj answered with 22 points and Nenad Krstic scored 15.

Greece: Ioannis Bourousis 27, Nikolaos Zisis 18, Antonis Fotsis 16, Nick Calathes 10
Serbia: Marko Keselj 22, Nenad Krstic 15, Milan Macvan 14



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  ICELAND   


Valur Reykjavik added C.J. Collins and Darnell Hugee - by Eurobasket Center
Valur Reykjavik strengthened their roster with addition of two American players: 23-year old American guard C.J. Collins (180-G-88) and forward Darnell Hugee (201-F-85).
Collins has just graduated from Mc Neese State University (NCAA) in the U.S. While playing 33 games for McNeese St. last season he averaged 9.4ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, (Conference: 15 games: 10.4ppg, 3.6apg and 3.1rpg). It is his first deal in professional basketball.
Darnell Hugee is the product of Prairie View A&M. In 2010 he attended the pre-draft workouts with San Antonio Spurs, but he didn't sign in the NBA. His first professional club was Hapoel Afula in Israeli National League. He played in 28 games and was averaging 12.3ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.4bpg.



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  INDIA   


2011 Asian Championship: Malaysia beat India in Wuhan - by Eurobasket News
Malaysia - India 71:67

Malaysia recorded the initial win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They overcame India to improve at 1-1 record in Group A. Ban Sin Ooi (180-G/F-83) scored 20 points to lead the effort. India on the other hand slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Malaysia strongly entered the game. They registered a 13:4 lead midway through the opening period. But India gradually picked up the tempo and eventually trailed by just two points 13:15 at the first break. India almost erased the deficit but Malaysia stepped on the gas late in the second term. They poured in 27 points in the second frame to ensure a 42:26 halftime lead. India grabbed the initiative in the third term. They dominated the period cutting the deficit to just 4 points with ten minutes to go 50:54. India finally pulled ahead midway through the fourth frame. But Malaysia answered with a crucial 9:3 outburst that propelled them to the victory at the end. Batumalai Guganeswaran (182-G-82) accounted for 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Malaysia. Tian Yuan Kuek (200-C-91) added 9 points in the win. Japdeep Singh (198-C-86) answered with 25 points for India. Amjyot Singh (185-G-92) finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Malaysia: Ban Sin Ooi 20, Batumalai Guganeswaran 14, Tian Yuan Kuek 9
India: Japdeep Singh 25, Amjyot Singh 13


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  INDONESIA   


2011 Asian Championship: Syria open win count - by Eurobasket News
Syria - Indonesia 74:61

Syria celebrated the first win at the 2011 Asian Championship in China. They overcame Indonesia to improve at 1-1 record in Group C. Eder Arjo Gorges (212-C/F-81, college: Walsh, OH) stepped up with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge. Indonesia fell at 0-2 record after the loss.
Syria pulled in front late in the opening frame. They recorded a 17:13 lead after ten minutes of action. Indonesia stepped on the gas early in the second frame. They grabbed a 27:23 lead but could not capitalize. Syria sneaked back in charge taking a 34:33 advantage. Syria strengthened their advantage in the third quarter. They built a 54:45 buffer with one quarter remaining. Syria boosted the margin to 17 points midway through the fourth period and never looked back en route to the victory. Sameer Al Dags (196-F-84) accounted for 14 points for the winners. Mario Wuysang (176-PG-79) and Rony Gunawan (194-F/C-80) responded with 11 points each for Indonesia. Xaverius Prawiro (184-G/F-86) finished with 9 points in the loss.

Syria: Eder Arjo Gorges 24+11 boards, Sameer Al Dags 14, Wael Jlilati (199-G/F-90) 10
Indonesia: Mario Wuysang 11, Rony Gunawan 11, Xaverius Prawiro 9

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  IRAN   


Iran Win by Default against Qatar - by Kazem Ghayem
in the second day of Asian Championship in China, Iran played against Qatar but the game didn't continued till the end because of lake of the players for Qatar in the end of the first Quarter.
Iran Start the game with power from the beginning take the lead and Qatar players start to make fouls on the Iranian players because they couldn't stop the Iranian players. at the end of first quarter when Iran was up 40-4,the 4th player from Qatar made his 5th foul and came out and because Qatar NT team has only 7 Players,the number of the players for the game become 4 and they couldn't continue.
Qatar have only 7 players in this competitions because they hired some American Players to play in their NT team but the rules say each of this players must to spend at least 2 years in this country so that they be able to play for the NT team.
in this game Hamed Afagh (190-G-83, agency: SportsList Inc.) had 10 points for Iran.

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  IRELAND   


Colin Matteson is a newcomer at UL Eagles - by Eurobasket Center
UL Eagles announced the signing of 25-year old American swingman Colin Matteson (203-G/F-86, college: Alaska-Fairb.). Matteson spent last season in Australia playing for East Perth Eagles (SBL) and Woodville Warriors (ABA). While playing 9 games as a Warrior he averaged 15.7ppg, 6.0rpg and 1.3apg. Colin graduated from Alaska-Fairbanks in 2009 where as a senior he was averaging 11.4ppg and 5.3rpg. It will be his third season as a professional player.

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  ITALY   


Tezenis Verona lands Di Giuliomaria - by Giulio Signorini
Tezenis Verona lands Christian Di Giuliomaria (208-C/F-79) for the upcoming legadue season.
Christian Christian Di Giuliomaria (208-C/F-79) has spent almost his career in Italian Serie A and Legadue Team. He played in the youth of Cant team with which he made his serie A debut in 1996 championship. He than played for Cant from 1996 to 2000. He then played for Varese from 2000 to 2003, for Sassari in 2003 - 2004 season,for Roseto in 2004 - 2005 season and for Udine from 2005 to 2009. In the last two season he had played for Venezia where in the last season he averaged 4.5 point per game and 4.8 rebounds per game in 20 minutes on the ground. He had played his best season in Serie A with Udine during season 2005 - 2006 when he averaged 9.4 point per game and 5.3 rebound per game in 22 minutes on the ground.
He had also played with the Italian nation team and with the national he had win mediterranean games in 2005.
He is a player with not great athletic skills, but he has a very reliable shoot, and runs the floor very well. He is known because he plays hard every minute he's on the court.

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  JAPAN   


2011 Asian Championship: Japan outlast Jordan for second win - by Eurobasket News
Japan - Jordan 92:87

Japan celebrated the second win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They prevailed against Jordan in a tough battle in Wuhan to stay undefeated in Group C. Takuya Kawamura (193-G-86) scored 23 points to pace the effort.
Jordan opened the game with a strong 13:2 run. But Japan recovered and surged ahead for a 19:17 lead after ten minutes of action. The lead changed hands before Japan unloaded 8 points in a row and posted a 36:27 lead late in the first half. Japan tipped off the second half with 15 unanswered points to grab a 51:29 lead. Japan stayed in control and entered the fourth stanza up by as many as 18 points 64:46. Jordan got within 6 points with just over a minutes to go 79:85. However Shinsuke Kashiwagi (183-PG-81) converted a three-point play and Japan hung on for the victory at the end. Shinsuke Kashiwagi posted 14 points, while Joji Takeuchi (206-F/C-85, agency: N.E.T.) added 13 points and 19 rebounds in the victory. Rasheim Wright (192-G-81, college: District of Col.) answered with game-high 30 points for Jordan. Islam Abbaas (200-C-80) delivered 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.

Japan: Takuya Kawamura 23, Shinsuke Kashiwagi 14, Joji Takeuchi 13+19 boards
Jordan: Rasheim Wright 30, Islam Abbaas 15


*****************************************************
  JORDAN   


2011 Asian Championship: Japan outlast Jordan for second win - by Eurobasket News
Japan - Jordan 92:87

Japan celebrated the second win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They prevailed against Jordan in a tough battle in Wuhan to stay undefeated in Group C. Takuya Kawamura (193-G-86) scored 23 points to pace the effort.
Jordan opened the game with a strong 13:2 run. But Japan recovered and surged ahead for a 19:17 lead after ten minutes of action. The lead changed hands before Japan unloaded 8 points in a row and posted a 36:27 lead late in the first half. Japan tipped off the second half with 15 unanswered points to grab a 51:29 lead. Japan stayed in control and entered the fourth stanza up by as many as 18 points 64:46. Jordan got within 6 points with just over a minutes to go 79:85. However Shinsuke Kashiwagi (183-PG-81) converted a three-point play and Japan hung on for the victory at the end. Shinsuke Kashiwagi posted 14 points, while Joji Takeuchi (206-F/C-85, agency: N.E.T.) added 13 points and 19 rebounds in the victory. Rasheim Wright (192-G-81, college: District of Col.) answered with game-high 30 points for Jordan. Islam Abbaas (200-C-80) delivered 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss.

Japan: Takuya Kawamura 23, Shinsuke Kashiwagi 14, Joji Takeuchi 13+19 boards
Jordan: Rasheim Wright 30, Islam Abbaas 15


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  LATVIA   


News from Ventspils and VEF Riga - by Eurobasket News
Ventspils edged Cherkassky Mavpy 83:62. The Latvian team started strong and reached 29-16 after the first 10 minutes. Moreover they needed 17-15 for 46:31 halftime advantage. The third quarter also belonged to the hosts that were stronger 22-12. Cherkassky Mavpy bounced back with 19-15 in the last quarter and reduced the game for 83:62. Sam Willard (205-F, college: Pacific) stepped up with 17 points and Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) scored 16. Strelnieks posted 14, while Strelnieks notched 12.
CSKA started the pre-season campaign a bit later than any other team. The defending champions however practiced a lot, while now clashed with VEF Riga. The Latvia side started better and took 26-13 after the opening frame. CSKA replied with 17-8 and then added 19-18 in the third quarter. Due to 24-21 the Russian champs managed to tie the game and both teams were happy to finish with the draw.Darjus Lavrinovic (212-C-79) paced all the winners with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Jamont Gordon (193-G/F-87, college: Mississippi St.) scored 12. Mejia Sammy and Voronov Eugeny delivered 10 points apiece, while Kaun netted 7. Kristaps Janicenoks (196-F-83) responded with 19 points for the Latvian side and Bertans Dairis added 18. Sandis Valters (193-G-78) followed them with 10 points.


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  LEBANON   


2011 Asian Championship: South Korea became the leader of Group A - by Eurobasket News
Lebanon-South Korea 62:80

South Korea became the leader of Group A of the FIBA Asia Championship. The team overcame Lebanon 80:62 and handed them their first loss.
Both teams started strong and only 10:9 lead allowed South Korea to lead the game. They also had just 1-point advantage after the first period, 17:16. In the second quarter the things became better for South Korea that after 16-13 increased to 33:29 at the halftime. Moreover due to 20-15 in the third quarter the board showed 53:44. South Korea grabbed 66:48 after 35 minutes of the game and enjoyed the final victory by 18 points.
Yang Dong-Geun (181-G-81) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Moon Tae-Jong (199-F-75, agency: Alti Sport, college: Richmond) nailed 18. Kim Joo-Sung (205-F/C-79) collected 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ha Seung-Jin (221-C-85) scored 13. Ghaleb Rida (192-G-81) delivered 20 points in defeat, whilst Rodrigue Akl (189-PG-88) added 15. Samuel Hoskin (206-F/C-79, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: De Paul) netted 12 and Bassel Bawji (203-F/C-89, college: Tulsa) had 10.

Lebanon: Ghaleb Rida 20, Rodrigue Akl 15, Samuel Hoskin 12, Bassel Bawji 10
South Korea: Yang Dong-Geun 20, Moon Tae-Jong 18, Kim Joo-Sung 16+10 rebs, Ha Seung-Jin 13

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  LITHUANIA   


Pre-season 2011/2012 friendly games - by Eurobasket News
Lietuvos rytas beat Goverla from Ukraine 70:59. The latter grabbed 19-11 after the first 10 minutes, but could not surprise Lithuanian team. Lietuvos rytas won the second period 25-10 and added 19-15 in the third quarter. Both teams nailed 15 points each in the last quarter for the final result. Tyrese Rice (185-PG-87, agency: Priority Sports, college: Boston Coll.) stepped up with 19 points and Renaldas Seibutis (196-G-85) scored 13. Tiggs ended up with 26 points in defeat and Woliker posted 10.
Rudupis edged Anwil 95:86. Both teams scored 21 points in the first period, while the Polish representative grabbed the lead after 24-21 in the second frame. Another 20-20 in the third quarter did not change anything on the board, but the Lithuanian team had a great finish of the game. With 33-21 Rudupis won the game and showed great effort.
Unics and Zalgiris decided not to continue the game after four quarters when the board showed 79:79. Both teams were satisfied with the result. Unics led 20-18 after the first period, but the Lithuanian titan needed 19-17 to tie the game at the halftime. Unics won the third quarter 16-11, but Zalgiris bounced back with 31-26 in the last period for the draw. Michael Wilkinson (204-F-81, agency: Interperformances, college: Wisconsin) scored 20 points for the Russian team and Kelly McCarty (201-F-75, agency: Avi Zilberman, college: S.Mississippi) notched 16. Tadas Klimavicius (204-F-82, agency: Interperformances) ended up with 12 points for the Baltic State and Popovic scored 11.



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  MALAYSIA   


2011 Asian Championship: Malaysia beat India in Wuhan - by Eurobasket News
Malaysia - India 71:67

Malaysia recorded the initial win at the 2011 Asian Championship. They overcame India to improve at 1-1 record in Group A. Ban Sin Ooi (180-G/F-83) scored 20 points to lead the effort. India on the other hand slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Malaysia strongly entered the game. They registered a 13:4 lead midway through the opening period. But India gradually picked up the tempo and eventually trailed by just two points 13:15 at the first break. India almost erased the deficit but Malaysia stepped on the gas late in the second term. They poured in 27 points in the second frame to ensure a 42:26 halftime lead. India grabbed the initiative in the third term. They dominated the period cutting the deficit to just 4 points with ten minutes to go 50:54. India finally pulled ahead midway through the fourth frame. But Malaysia answered with a crucial 9:3 outburst that propelled them to the victory at the end. Batumalai Guganeswaran (182-G-82) accounted for 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Malaysia. Tian Yuan Kuek (200-C-91) added 9 points in the win. Japdeep Singh (198-C-86) answered with 25 points for India. Amjyot Singh (185-G-92) finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Malaysia: Ban Sin Ooi 20, Batumalai Guganeswaran 14, Tian Yuan Kuek 9
India: Japdeep Singh 25, Amjyot Singh 13


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  MEXICO   


Standings - LNBP
LNBP Standings
 1. Barreteros 5-0 
 2. Abejas 4-0 
 3. Fuerza Regia 4-1 
 4. Toros 4-1 
 5. Halc.Rojos 3-1 
 6. Huracanes 3-2 
 7. Pioneros 3-2 
 8. Soles 3-2 
 9. Halc.Xalapa 1-3 
 10. Aguilas Rojas 1-4 
 11. Corr.Victoria 1-4 
 12. Panteras 1-4 
 13. Lechugueros 0-4 
 14. Volcanes 0-5 


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


Vladimir Golubovic inks with Besiktas - by Eurobasket News
Vladimir Golubovic (213-C-86) is a new member of Besiktas. The Montenegrin center penned a deal for the next season. Golubovic is not a new face in Turkey as he spent 2010/11 with Banvit. He appeared 39 times for them in TBL averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. Golubovic also added 11 ppg and 6.3 rpg for 6 EuroCup games. Before Banvit, Vladimir Golubovic spent few months with Caja Laboral. He helped them win the ACB title. Golubovic won two Slovenian Cups with Union Olimpija and they also won the league title in 2009. In the past, Golubovic played for Vojvodina Srbijagas. He is active member of the Montenegrin National Team.

Vladimir Golubovic lands at ColaTurka Istanbul - by Eurobasket Center
Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul has just announced the signing of 25-year old Montenegrin international-Serbian center Vladimir Golubovic (213-C-101kg-86). Golubovic spent last season at Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (TBL). While playing 6 games in EuroCup for Banvit BK last season he averaged 11.0ppg and 6.3rpg. He also played 2 games in Euroleague Qualifying Round recording 10.0ppg, 7.0rpg. In Turkish League his stats were 10.2ppg and 5.1rpg. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league and in the league semifinals. Golubovic is a very experienced player. He played also pro basketball in Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and Montenegro. Golubovic played for Montenegrin senior national team this year.

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  NBA   


NBA, referees agree on five-year deal - by Eurobasket News
The NBA and its referees approved a new five-year deal Thursday, just two years after a contract dispute nearly caused the league to open the season with replacements.

A person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press that the referees voted on the deal last week. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because those details were confidential.

Owners ratified it at their meeting in Dallas on Thursday, and terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The agreement heads off the potential of two NBA lockouts. Players and owners still are working on a deal to replace the one that expired June 30.

'We did not get everything we wanted, but given the current economic climate and the continuing players' lockout, we are satisfied that this deal was in the best interests of our members,' National Basketball Referees Association general counsel Lee Seham said in a statement.

The referees' contracts traditionally have been for five years, but they sought a two-year deal in 2009, hoping they could quickly renegotiate when the economy had improved.

Those negotiations went poorly, with the league locking out the referees on Sept. 18, a little more than two weeks after their contract had expired. Replacement referees were used during preseason games, to the criticism of many coaches and players, before the sides agreed to a deal in time for the regular season.

These talks also had some rocky moments.

NBRA executive board member Thomas Washington called them a 'long and arduous process.' Seham said the referees' union intended to withdraw all pending contract grievances and charges before the National Labor Relations Board.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

Players, then owners declare unity - by Eurobasket News
Amid rumors of a rift among NBA owners, fueled by an email from players' union president Derek Fisher (6'1''-PG-74, agency: Priority Sports, college: UALR) to his colleagues, commissioner David Stern declared 'virtual unanimity' after meeting with the owners for more than four hours Thursday in Dallas.

Stern said the 'vast majority' of the owners remain firmly in favor of a hard salary cap, a major sticking point in the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

Sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard that there were disagreements among owners.

Stern, however, adamantly denied that there is a split among the owners.

'I don't know what the basis of Derek's belief is,' Stern said. 'But I can tell you, having just come out of the meeting, the vast majority of owners are indeed in favor of a 'hard cap system,' as Derek refers to it. Having said that, they authorized the committee to be ready to negotiate on all points, and the committee is.'

Meanwhile, NBA players will remain unified and calm in what could be a lengthy pursuit of a labor agreement, Fisher vowed Thursday in Las Vegas.

About 40 players got an update on collective bargaining talks from Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter in what Fisher described as 'a very colorful and engaging meeting' at a hotel. NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith also spoke to the players, who were mostly in town to play in an Impact Basketball academy league.

'There is not the fracture and the separation amongst our group that in some ways has been reported,' said Fisher, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard. 'We just want to continue to reiterate that point.'

The players echoed their leaders' stance, promising they won't allow the union to splinter when the players start missing paychecks in a few weeks. NBPA members have been educated for several years about the steps necessary to survive a long lockout, and Fisher said the union will continue to protect the rights of players who sign overseas this fall.

'I've never seen this union as strong as we are collectively right now,' said Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal, among the few remaining players who participated in the 1998-99 labor dispute. 'A lot of our young guys are wide-eyed when they see the numbers at first, but now they're educated. We don't need to make a temporary, emotional decision. We need to make a long-term decision for a bigger purpose.'

Before the NBA's owners and players' union returned to their respective corners on Thursday -- the owners in Dallas, the players in Las Vegas -- to regroup following Tuesday's negotiating session that ended with the lockout still very much intact, Fisher sent out an email to the players asking for solidarity.

The email, first printed by SI.com, challenged the faction of player agents who wish to decertify the union, and it also hinted that there may be some division growing between the league's 29 owners.

'The most recent meetings in New York were effective,' Fisher wrote. 'What you have been told by your agents, representatives and the media is probably speculative and inaccurate.

'What actually happened in those meetings was discussion, brainstorming and a sharing of options by both sides. The turning point this past Tuesday was not a disagreement between the players and the owners. It was actually a fundamental divide between the owners internally. They could not agree with each other on specific points of the deal and therefore it caused conflict within the league and its owners.'

However, on Thursday deputy commissioner Adam Silver echoed Stern in refuting Fisher's assertion that owners were divided. Silver said that owners' discussions were fluid and that varying proposals did not reflect any fundamental rift among their ranks.

'From the beginning, we were never caught up with the label of a hard cap,' Silver said. 'What we've said from day one is we need a system where all 30 teams can compete for a championship and we have absolute unanimity among our owners on that principle. So while we've discussed over the last several hours, and the last several weeks, different concepts to achieve that result, there is absolute agreement, and it's a complete fiction coming from somewhere that there isn't among our owners.'

Owners and players initially found reason for optimism during Tuesday's meetings. Stern and Peter Holt, the head of the owners' executive committee, felt that the players' proposal to take 52 or 53 percent of basketball-related income, compared to 57 under the previous agreement, was basically fair, sources said.

Owners were seriously considering coming off of their demand for a salary freeze and would allow players' future earnings to be tied into the league's revenue growth, a critical point for players. The owners also were willing to allow the players to maintain their current salaries, without rollbacks, sources said.

But when the owners left the players to meet among themselves for around three hours, Cleveland's Dan Gilbert and Phoenix's Robert Sarver expressed their dissatisfaction with many of the points, sources said. The sources said that the Knicks' James Dolan and the Lakers' Jerry Buss were visibly annoyed by the hardline demands of Gilbert and Sarver.

On Thursday, players discussed union decertification during their Las Vegas meeting, but Hunter emphasized the union believes such a drastic step isn't an imminent strategy despite behind-the-scenes calls for the move from several agents. NFL players dissolved their union to file an antitrust lawsuit against the league earlier this year.

'We've kind of dispelled the notion that the players were not together and they were not in support of the union,' Hunter said. 'If the owners were looking for a break in the ranks ... I think that notion has been dispelled.'

Fisher also rejected the notion that the NBPA is waiting for a ruling on a charge filed with the National Labor Relations Board for unfair bargaining practices, although Hunter said he plans to travel to Washington next week in hopes of getting an expedited ruling.

'Sometimes it's implied that we're waiting, posturing, sitting on the sideline and waiting for something to happen favorable for us with the NLRB,' Fisher said. 'That's just not the case. It's part of this process, but we're still taking action. We have to negotiate a deal, and that's the only way we'll get what's fair for these guys.'

If NBA owners are searching for cracks in the players' unity, as Fisher and Hunter believe, the union attempted to provide a visual answer. Over 30 players stood together behind Fisher and Hunter at a brief news conference, wearing identical gray T-shirts with one large word in yellow: 'STAND.'

'All the agendas that might be pushed by different groups, they don't have a way in as long as we stand shoulder to shoulder,' Fisher said.

Earlier in the week, Fisher used his letter to challenge the motives of the agents seeking to disband the NBPA.

'What would be appreciated by the 400-plus players would be the support of our agents and constructive ideas, suggestions and solutions that are in our best interests,' wrote Fisher. 'Not the push for a drastic move that leaves their players without a union, without pensions, without health care. We just aren't there.'

Broussard and ESPN.com's Henry Abbott reported that five of the league's most influential player agents -- Arn Tellem, Bill Duffy, Mark Bartelstein, Jeff Schwartz and Dan Fegan -- spoke Monday about the process of decertifying the union.

With the lockout reaching 2 months and Hunter telling reporters Tuesday that he has already cautioned players to expect to miss up to half of the upcoming season, Fisher made another move in addition to the email to try to inspire trust and patience among his players.

According to Broussard, NFLPA executive director Smith spoke to the players Thursday in Las Vegas at the behest of Fisher.

Sources said that his message centered on the pros and cons of decertification.

The union had hoped that Smith's story of the NFL players enduring a 4-month lockout before securing a season-saving deal will convince NBA players that the same outcome can be achieved if they, too, stay unified.

A source who was at the meeting told Broussard that both Fisher and Smith stressed the importance of being unified, and players took the message to heart. Some players who had been on the fence about decertifying learned that they had been misinformed by agents who had said that the union wasn't even considering decertification, the source said. The union clarified that decertification has always been an option, but it's not something the leadership is considering right now because they have a plan in place and progress is being made, according to the source.

'I get reports that the union is coming out of their meeting today unified,' Stern said Thursday. 'We think that's a good thing. We would like to negotiate with a strong union that's capable of delivering a deal. I think that's a very positive step.'

The only action taken at the owners meeting was ratifying a five-year deal with the league's referees.

The big question now, as it has been throughout the lockout, is whether the referees will have games to officiate when the season is scheduled to begin.

'That's a really good question,' Stern said. 'It depends upon our negotiation with the players. The clock is ticking, but it hasn't struck midnight yet. We have time to do what has to be done and we'd like to do it, actually.'

Courtesy of ESPN

Adelman staff likely to start with Portland assistant - by Eurobasket News
Rick Adelman hasn't arrived in Minnesota yet, but his coaching staff is starting to take shape: Portland assistant Bill Bayno is expected to join him with the Wolves.

Bayno, 49, is a former UNLV and Loyola Marymount head coach who was a longtime assistant for John Calipari at Massachusetts and has served two stints as a scout, player personnel coach and assistant coach for the Trail Blazers.

Any or all of Adelman's assistants from Houston -- son R.J., former NBA star center Jack Sikma and T.R. Dunn -- could join the staff as well.

Bayno worked as a graduate assistant under P.J. Carlesimo at Seton Hall and Larry Brown at Kansas early in his career. He also knocked around the American Basketball Association, the Continental Basketball Association and a Philippine league for five years a decade ago.

Courtesy of www.startribune.com

Pistons retain Brian Hill, finalize coaching staff - by Eurobasket News
The Detroit Pistons have completed their search for assistant coaches.

Brian Hill , who spent the last two seasons under former coach John Kuester, will return to the bench under new coach Lawrence Frank.

He joins John Loyer, Roy Rogers and Dee Brown on Frank's staff. Charles Klask will join the staff as an assistant coach with an emphasis on statistical analysis. He worked for the Orlando Magic last season.

Hill, 63, is an NBA veteran, having served as a head coach with the Magic (1993-97 and 2005-07) and the Vancouver Grizzlies (1997-99).

Notes: Assistant coach Bill Pope will stay with the team as an advance scout. ... Pistons forward Austin Daye is averaging 30.7 points per game in the first three days of Impact Basketball's competitive training series in Las Vegas. He had 30 points and 10 rebounds on Day 1, 33 points and six boards on Day 2 and 29 points and eight rebounds on Day 3.

Courtesy of www.freep.com

Amare Stoudemire working out with Isiah Thomas - by Eurobasket News
The good news is New York Knick forward Amare Stoudemire (6'10''-F-82) has resumed workouts after a long off-season with little to no activity. The bad, or more accurately concerning, news is that he's working out at Florida International University with Isiah Thomas.

Amare isn't the only one. Atlanta Hawks star Joe Johnson is there and so are others. Let's be honest, when a Hall of Fame player is the coach of a college basketball team in Miami it's a pretty convenient place for players to go workout.

According to Frank Isola of the Daily News, there's more to it than that.

There were several NBA players working out at FIU, including Atlanta's Joe Johnson. None of this is surprising since FIU is located in a favored city among NBA players: Miami.

Plus, Isiah continues to share a close relationship with some of the league's top players. That would including Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e and more importantly, Chris Paul.

This is the reason James Dolan continues to lean on Isiah for advice, even though Isiah doesn't have an official position with the Knicks. (If he did, Isiah would be in violation of NBA bylaws for having contact with players during the lockout).

Isola goes on to talk about how Isiah helped bring Amare and Carmelo Anthony to New York and will play a key role in getting Chris Paul to join them. That I don't buy into.

I give Isola credit that he has been steadfast in his beliefs ever since Amare joined the Knicks but I just don't agree. With all due respect, a fifth year on a max deal got Amare to sign with the Knicks. No one else would offer him the full max deal and New York allowed him financial certainty and to move to the Eastern Conference with less competition to get to the finals.

As far as Carmelo goes, he was traded. He had virtually no power except for the threat of not signing with someone. However, the truth was teams knew the CBA was changing and Carmelo had basically no choice but to sign where ever he was sent to or risk giving up a lot of money.

Do I believe Carmelo wanted to be a Knick more than say, a Net? Yes, absolutely. He grew up watching the Knicks and wanted to play at Madison Square Garden. But you're telling me Isiah called him and made those prospects look any better? I doubt it.

Carmelo isn't stupid. He's friends with Amare and knew he was here and knew MSG was ripe for the taking. I think what little power he had in the situation he used to sway Denver into dealing with the Knicks but that was very little power and it was him not Isiah.

As far as CP3 goes, the Miami Heat will have more to do with swaying him New York's way than Isiah will as far as I'm concerned. He knows he needs to join with another all-star or two to compete for a championship.

Look, Isiah is a friend of James Dolan. I'm sure he put calls in to players but I don't believe for one second he has much leverage over them. You ask Hall of Famer's for playing advise not for financial advise or to decide where they spend a large chunk of their professional and personal lives.

All of that being said, Isiah definitely has his hands in the Knick cookie jar.

I'm not sure that Mike D'Antoni is thrilled that Amar'e is working out with Isiah but by now D'Antoni has already come to grips with Isiah's role with the team. Donnie Walsh is no longer around while one of Isiah's guys, Glen Grunwald, is running the front office. Another one of Isiah's guys, Mike Woodson, was recently named assistant coach.

If I'm wrong and Isola is right about Isiah's influence, then so be it. I don't care how players get here as long as they come. I want the Knicks to be successful and put a good product on the floor. If Isiah can bring CP3 to New York, great! I just don't ever want to see Isiah hired as a coach, GM or President of the Knicks ever again.

At the end of the day, while it wont warm most Knicks fans hearts that Amare is working out with Isiah at least he is working out. That's a good thing. It's a positive sign. Lets hope his back is healing nicely.

Courtesy of www.knicks101.com

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


Uppsala gets bigger with Delvon Johnson - by Eurobasket News
Delvon Johnson (205-F-89, agency: Priority Sports, college: Arkansas) is a new member of Uppsala. The American center signed a deal for the next season. Johnson was tested by the Swiss team Lugano Tigers earlier this summer. This is the first professional deal for the American, who graduated few months ago at the University of Arkansas. He had 9.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 2.9 bpg for his school as a senior. Johnson was awarded with SEC All-Defensive Team -11. Delvon Johnson appeared in two Portsmouth Invitational Tournament games this year. He had 4 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2 bpg. Johnson transferred to Arkansas from the Indian Hills CC in 2009. Before that he played one season for Western Illinois University.

3 St. John's freshmen ineligible for fall semester - by Eurobasket News
St. John's has announced that freshmen Amir Garrett, Norvel Pelle and JaKarr Sampson did not qualify for the fall semester.

The school said Thursday that the three members of the highly regarded recruiting class will work to become eligible for the spring semester. If so, they would be able to participate in practice on Dec. 19.

The 6-foot-6 Garrett, a native of Los Angeles, was drafted in the 22nd round of the baseball draft in June and signed with Cincinnati in August. NCAA rules allow Garrett to play college basketball and professional baseball.

The 6-10 Pelle is from Compton, Calif., while the 6-7 Sampson is from Akron, Ohio.

The remainder of the nine-member recruiting class is eligible to compete in the fall.

Courtesy of www.wftv.com

Sioux City star Woodbury commits to Iowa - by Eurobasket News
The Hawkeyes have finally kept a top-rated Iowa recruit away from North Carolina coach Roy Williams.

Sioux City East center Roy Williams says he'll play for Iowa next season instead of the Tar Heels.

Woodbury, who's 7-foot-1, is widely considered one of the nation's top recruits and the best signing yet for second-year coach Fran McCaffery.

The signing of Woodbury could also be a turning point in Williams' dominance in landing Iowa prep stars.

Williams nabbed Raef LaFrentz, Kirk Hinrich and Nick Collison while coaching at Kansas. He recently signed star Harrison Barnes from Ames, and Linn-Mar High senior Marcus Paige has verbally committed to the Tar Heels.

Woodbury, who will be eligible starting in 2012-13, headlines a class that looks to be Iowa's best in years.

Courtesy of www.chron.com

Oklahoma officials to meet about possible move - by Eurobasket News
University of Oklahoma officials are scheduled to discuss its Big 12 affiliation on Monday.

The school's board of regents has posted the agenda for Monday's meeting. It's a single paragraph that says the board will consider switching conference affiliation, and any legal ramifications of such a move.

The agenda says the regents may discuss the topic behind closed doors and 'take any appropriate action.'

University president David Boren said earlier this month that Oklahoma had been in contact with multiple conferences and expected a decision within a three-week timeframe that would run out next week.

The head of the Big 12 board of directors says the future of the embattled league largely rests with Oklahoma.

Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton, president of the Big 12 board, told The Associated Press that he and other university leaders 'are working every day to hold the Big 12 together' but the next move is dependent on the Sooners.

One possible destination: the Pac-12, which lured Colorado away and unsuccessfully courted other Big 12 schools a year ago. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott says his conference isn't pursuing expansion but also won't sit by if the conference landscape is altered again.

Neither will Missouri, which had hoped to join the Big Ten before it added Nebraska.

While Deaton professed unity, he noted that 'every member of the board's primary commitment is to their own institution.'

He suggested that Missouri would have no trouble finding a BCS conference home should the Big 12 disintegrate. He declined to discuss destinations, nor reveal schools under consideration to join the Big 12 should the remaining members choose to fight for survival.

Texas A&M has announced that it intends to leave by next July and the Southeastern Conference has voted to accept the Aggies if there are no legal entanglements in the way.

Several Big 12 schools have not waived that right, a potential hurdle in Texas A&M's departure. Deaton said that decision would be up to Missouri's governing board, but the curators 'have certainly not' made that decision.

On Thursday, Deaton and Missouri athletic director Mike Alden met with a campus athletics oversight committee whose members include faculty, staff, students and alumni. The meeting was closed to reporters.

'Alden just said it's up in the air,' according to a participant in the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the session was supposed to be private 'That we're waiting on Oklahoma. There weren't even any questions. I was kind of surprised.'

Courtesy of www.statesman.com

Rookie Xavier Silas joins Gravelines - by Eurobasket News
Xavier Silas (195-G-88) is set to start his professional basketball career. The American guard penned a one-year deal with French team Gravelines. Silas graduated this year at the Northern Illinois University. He shined with 22.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.2 spg for his school in 26 games as a senior. Silas was awarded with All-MAC 1st Team -11. He was also named NABC Division I All-District 14 1st Team -11. In 2009/10, Xavier Silas collected 19.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 1.6 apg for 25 games. He won All-MAC Honorable Mention -10. Xavier Silas transferred to Northern Illinois in 2008 from the University of Colorado. He was red-shirted one year due to transfer rule.

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  PHILIPPINES   


2011 Asian Championship: Philippines lost to China in Day 2 - by Eurobasket News
Philippines lost to China in Day 2 of the 26th FIBA Asia Championship 2011. The hosts of the tournament beat the opponents 75:60 in Preliminary Round - Group A.
China led 7:6 in the opening tip of the game and improved to 22:13 after the first 10 minutes. The second quarter was a disaster for Philippines that scored only 8 points. China managed to take 43:21 advantage and never looked behind. Philippines however dominated the second half. They won the third frame 19-12 and then tied the score in the fourth quarter at 20-20. That was however enough only to reduce to 15 points.
Jianlian Yi (212-C/F-87) led China with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Wang ZhiZhi (214-C-77) collected 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Yue Sun (206-G/F-85) added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Zhu Fangyu had 13 points and 5 assists. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) replied with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Philippines. Christopher Tiu (178-PG-85) added 12 points and 3 assists.



DAY 2 OF THE 2011 FIBA-ASIA MEN'S TOURNEY - by Enzo Flojo

SYRIA over INDONESIA, 74-61
SYR 74 - Gorges 24, Daks 14, Jlilati 10, Deeb 7, Al-Saman 7, Lubus 5, Nalbandian 3, Osfira 2, Kasaballi 2, Al-Khatib 0, Abboud 0, Al-Hamowi 0
INA 61 - Wuysang 11, Gunawan 11, Prawiro 9, Sitepu 7, Indrawan 6, Situmorang 6, Poedjakesuma 3, Prihantono 3, Dewanto 3, Haryoko 2
QS: 17-13, 34-33, 54-45, 74-61
- Moments after getting the all-clear from FIBA-Asia, Brazilian-Syrian Eder Araujo Gorges racked up a double-double to lead the Syrians to win #1 at the expense of the Indons.
- Gorges scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in an emphatic debut in the 2011 FIBA-Asia. Samir Daks backed him up, hitting 4 triples on his way to 14 markers.
- Indonesia stuck close for most of the game until Syria opened the last period with a 14-6 run that put themselves out of reach. Both Mario Wuysang and Rony Gunawan had 11 points to pace the Indons.

TAIWAN over UZBEKISTAN, 81-71
TPE 81 - Chang 15, Mao 13, Chen HA 11, Lu 11, Lee 8, Wu 7, Tseng 6, Chien 4, Lin 4, Ho 2, Chen SN 0, Su 0
UZB 71 - Zinovev 17, Belokurov 12, Kozlov 11, Denisov 11, Juginisov 11, Nuraliev 9, Shatrov 0, Khabibullin 0, Yahin 0, Pereverzev 0
QS: 24-14, 45-36, 67-50, 81-71
- The Taiwanese were hot off the gates and were never really threatened in this one. BYU-Hawaii alum Jet Chang led the way with 15 points as they gained momentum towards the last Group B game, which is against the severely depleted Qatar squad.
- Chang was ably supported by Mao Chia-En, who finished with 13 markers, and the hot shooting of Chen Hsin-An and Lu Cheng-Ju. Both finished with 11 points and combined for all 5 of the team's triples.
- Versatile forward Gennadiy Zinonev led the Uzbek assault, scoring 17 points and hitting 3 of his 6 attempts from downtown. They face the powerhouse Iranians next.

JAPAN over JORDAN, 92-87
JPN 92 - Kawamura 23, Kashiwagi 14, Takeuchi J 13, Takeuchi K 12, Matsui 7, Sakurai 6, Hirose 6, Shonaka 6, Takeda 3, Amino 2, Ishizaki 0, Ota 0
JOR 87 - Wright 30, Abbaas 15, Zaghab 11, Al-Sous 9, Abbas 7, Abuquora 5, Soobzokov 5, Abu Ruqayah 3, Daghlas 2, Hussein 0
QS: 19-17, 36-29, 64-46, 92-87
- After Japan scored the opening basket, Jordan went on a 13-0 tear, but the Japs countered with their own 17-4 run that ended the period in their favor. They used another mighty 15-0 blast bridging the 2nd and 3rd periods to erect their biggest lead, 51-29 early in the 2nd half. They just cruised from thereon, despite the Jordanians mounting a rally in the fourth to make the score more respectable.
- Japan hit 13 of their 29 shots from beyond the arc, with Takuya Kamawamura hitting 4 and Shinsuke Kashiwagi making 3. Joji Takeuchi was a beast under the basket, scoring 13 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
- Jordan had to play the entire 2nd half without star playmaker Sam Dahglas, who went down late in the 2nd period with an injury. His status is uncertain for tomorrow's game against Indonesia.

SOUTH KOREA over LEBANON, 80-62
KOR 80 - Yang DG 20, Stevenson 18, Kim JS 16, Oh 13, Kang 6, Lee 5, Kim JK 2, Kim YH 0, Cho 0
LIB 62 - Reda 20, Akl 15, Hoskin 12, Bawji 10, Abdelnour 3, Stephan 2, Martinez 0, Kanaan 0, Tabet 0, Ibrahim 0
QS: 17-16, 33-29, 53-44, 80-62
- Lebanon put up stiff opposition, but faltered in the 2nd half as Korea romped away with win #2 in Group A.
- Ghaleb Reda led the Lebanese with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals while yesterday's hero, Jean Abdelnour only had 3 markers to show for in 20 minutes of play. Naturalized big man Sam Hoskin played better this time around with 12 points and 9 boards, but he's still far from the form Lebanon needs for them to make a deep run in the tourney.
- Korea proved, once again, to be the steadier team. Yang Dong-Geun and Jarod Stevenson accounted for 6 of the team's 7 treys. Kim Joo-Sung was solid underneath, scoring 16 points and collecting 10 rebounds.

IRAN 40 over QATAR 4
IRI 40 - Afagh 10, Davarpanah 7, Davoudi 6, Kardoust 5, Davari 4, Haddadi 3, Atashi 2, Kazemi 2, Kamrani 1, Sahakian 0, Bahrami 0
QAT 4 - Matalkeh 3, Salem 1, Saad 0, Adam 0, Saeed 0
QS: 40-4
- Qatar stayed true to their words, defaulting again by way of all their active players fouling out in the first stanza.
- Iran wasn't too good from the line, however, hitting only 18 of 28 freebies. They still managed to hit 4 of 9 triples, though, thanks to Hamed Afagh, Aren Davoudi and Javad Davari. The Uzbeks are up next for Iran, and they should coast to a sweep of Group B thereafter.
- Qatar continued their strange way of protesting as they failed to establish the eligibility of their 5 stars. They should continue handing out the wins against the Taiwanese tomorrow.

MALAYSIA over INDIA, 71-67
MAS 71 - Ooi 20, Batumalai 14, Kuek 9, Chee 8, Loh 6, Ng 5, Kwaan 5, Lau 2, Wee 2, Kuppusamy 0
IND 67 - Singh J 25, Singh At 13, Koroth 11, Rai 6, Singh T 6, Bharama 2, Singh Al 2, Bhriguvanshi 1, Grewal 1, Singh Y 0
QS: 15-13, 42-26, 54-50, 71-67
- Given how India almost pulled the rug from under Lebanon, this seems to be the upset of the day, and maybe the biggest win for Malaysia in ages. The Malaysians started strong, leading 15-4 before India made a torrid 12-0 run to take the lead early in the 2nd period. It was a nip-tuck affair until Malaysia unleashed a 13-0 blast to lead 39-25 late in the 1st half. They managed to sustain it until India had a good 3rd quarter to cut down the deficit. Malaysia scored well in the late game to claim win #1 and a probable seat in the 2nd round.
- The Malaysians hit 10 threes in this game, thanks largely to Ban Sin Ooi's 4 trifectas. Guga Batumalai had a great game, too, hitting 14 points, getting 7 rebounds and dishing out 6 assists.
- Two guys finished with double-doubles for India -- Jagdeep Singh with 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Amjyot Singh with 13 markers and 12 boards.

CHINA over PHILIPPINES, 75-60
CHN 75 - Yi J 20, Wang 16, Sun 15, Zhu 13, Zhang Z 3, Liu 2, Zhang B 2, Yi L 2, Ding 1, Yu 1, Su 0, Xirelijiang 0
PHL 60 - Douthit 17, Tiu 12, Williams 6, Casio 5, Alapag 5, Aguilar 4, Baracael 4, De Ocampo 3, Barroca 2, Taulava 2,
QS: 22-13, 43-21, 55-40, 75-60
- The Pinoys had a respectable start before China unloaded a 9-1 run to close the 1st quarter. Yi Jianlian kept on hitting mid-rangers to keep the Philippines outside of striking distance the rest of the way. The officiating elicited some harsh reactions, chiefly from Philippine NT coach Rajko Toroman, who got whistled for a T. With this win, China effectively sweeps Group D, unless the Emirates miraculously pull one over them tomorrow.
- Yi Jianlian was plainly unstoppable here, as he finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. China's starting unit was just too big and too good here, even as their reserves struggled to find any good rhythm.
- Team Philippines outscored China in the 2nd half, but that was practically one whole half of garbage time already. They clearly missed Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter here, but should bounce back against Bahrain tomorrow.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 91 over BAHRAIN, 91-53
UAE 91 - Ahmad 17, Al-Zaabi 16, Al-Hattawi 13, Abdalla 13, Salem 9, Ahmed 7, Al-Braiki 6, Banihammad 6, Al-Sari 4, Al-Ali 0
BRN 53 - Isa 15, Al-Tawash 11, Malallah 11, Malabes 9, Sarhan 3, Akber 2, Mubarak 2, Ali 0, Khamis 0, Mahri 0, Ashoor 0
QS: 16-17, 37-27, 70-46, 91-53
- Bahrain started well, leading 9-2 early, but UAE dominated them afterwards. With this win, the Emirates are virtually assured of a slot in the 2nd round, unless Bahrain comes up with a stunner against the Filipinos tomorrow.
- It was a balanced attack for UAE, as 8 players finished with 6 or more points. Ibrahim Ahmad led all scorers with 17 points, thanks to his 3 triples. Ali Al-Hattawi had a double-double -- 13 markers and 10 rebounds, providing the muscle underneath for UAE.
- Bader Malabes cooled down in this game after being hot against China yesterday. It was Maitham Isa who led Bahrain with 15 points on the strength of 4 triples. They face a tall order against the Pinoys tomorrow.

Source: HoopNut.blogspot.com


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  POLAND   


More friendly games - by Eurobasket News
Anwil Wloclawek failed in a friendly game against Rudupis Prienai 86-95. Visitors exploded in the last quarter 21-35 to take this victory. Seid Hajric (203-F-83) scored 21 points for the Polish squad. Marshall Moses (198-F-89, college: Oklahoma St.) and Dardan Berisha (192-G-88, agency: Global Sports Plaza) netted 16 and 14 points respectively.
Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg registered two wins. They handed 83-68 loss to Rosa Radom in the first meeting. LaMarshall Corbett (190-G-88, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: Angelo St.) shined with 22 points in victory. Josh Miller (169-PG, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: W.Virginia St.) followed him with 15 pts. Artur Donigiewicz (185-G-84) delivered 18 points in defeat. Quaretrs - 19:21, 17:20, 24:9, 23:18. In the other game, Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg was better than UMKS Kielce 79-76 in OT. LaMarshall Corbett had 19 points in this win. Quarters - 11:21, 24:17, 24:11, 10:20, 10:7 OT.

Polish Champs grabbed another pre-season win - by Eurobasket News
Polish Champs grabbed another pre-season win. On September 14th they edged BC Kiev 64:62. The squads scored 20 points each in the first period, but the second quarter was decisive in the game when Asseco Prokom Gdynia needed 23-16 for a control in the game. Alonzo Gee (198-G-87, college: Alabama) collected 20 points and 13 rebounds for the winners, while Jerel Blassingame (177-G-81, college: UNLV) and Szczotka delivered 11 apiece. Artem Shvets (203-G/F-85) replied with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Rudupis meanwhile edged Anwil 95:86. Both teams scored 21 points in the first period, while the Polish representative grabbed the lead after 24-21 in the second frame. Another 20-20 in the third quarter did not change anything on the board, but the Lithuanian team had a great finish of the game. With 33-21 Rudupis won the game and showed great effort. Dainius Salenga (197-F-77) top-scored for the winners with 24 points and Gintaras Kadziulis (193-G-80) nailed 17. Butkevicius posted 15, while Simas Buterlevicius (200-F-89) added 13. Seid Hajric (203-F-83) scored 21 points in defeat and Moses notched 16.


Jordan Eglseder on tryouts with Kotwica Kolobrzeg - by Eurobasket Center
Jordan Eglseder (213-C-127kg-88, college: N.Iowa) went for the training camp with Kotwica Kolobrzeg. If he passes the tryout period he will close the roster of Kotwica for the upcoming season. Eglseder spent last season in D-League. The the beginning of the season he was also at the training camp with Houston Rockets. He graduated University of Northern Iowa in 2010 .

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  PORTUGAL   


Academica bring in Arnette Hallman - by Eurobasket News
Academica inked a deal with Arnette Hallman (199-F-88). Last season the forward played in Spain. He tallied 0.1 points and 1.2 rebounds per game for Breogan last season. Arnette Hallman is not new to Portugal. He played for Alges junior team, Benfica and Belenenses. Eurobasket.com named Arnette Hallman All-Portuguese Proliga Bosman Player of the Year in 2008.


Daniel Caluico joins Ginasio - by Eurobasket News
Ginasio brought in Daniel Caluico (198-F-83). The forward signed a deal with the team. Daniel Caluico played for Academica last season. He tallied 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in LPB. Previously he had stints with Porto, Guimaraes, Lusitania, Maia Basket and Barcelos.


Antonio Tavares in Barreirense? - by Hugo Carvalho
Without being 100 per cent categorically Antonio Tavares took leave of the EuroBasket with a sense of there having served the last game of his career, at age 35.
No compromise contract since leaving Benfica last June, Antonio Tavares will soon announce his future, possibly in a press conference to be held this Friday.
The chances of actually leaving the basketball remain, although they seem to waste, as the latest indicators place it into Barreirense, the team of the League where he was born for the sport and which has strong emotional connections. If confirmed, it will be a homecoming, having represented Estrelas da Avenida, Seixal, Portugal Telecom, Queluz and Oliveirense.
In www.abola.pt

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  QATAR   


2011 Asian Championship: Qatar lost another game by default - by Eurobasket News
Qatar lost another game by default at the Asian Championship in China. The team could not enter the second frame and lost 4:40 with less players remaining in the court then the rules require.
Qatar scored the first 3 points in the game. Salem later made it 4:6 and those points were the last for his side. Iran closed the game with massive 34-0 run and grabbed the second straight win. Aren Davoudichegani (185-PG-86, agency: SportsList Inc.) nailed three for the final result. The game was stopped at the end of the first period with 2 minutes left when Saad got his 5th foul.
Qatar have only 7 players in this competitions because they hired some American Players to play in their NT team but the rules say each of this players must to spend at least 2 years in this country so that they be able to play for the NT team.
Hamed Afagh (190-G-83, agency: SportsList Inc.) top-scored for the winners with 10 points.Abdullah Matalkeh (200-C-91) replied with 3 points in the losing effort.


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  RUSSIA   


EuroBasket 2011: France hands Russia first defeat, advance into title game - by Eurobasket News
France - Russia 79:71

Russia suffered the first defeat of EuroBasket tonight but it was just enough for them to stop one step away from the Final. France edged David Blatt team to set up an exciting clash versus Spain for the crown. Tony Parker (183-PG-80) knocked down 22 points and issued 5 assists to lead the effort.
The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening frame. The lead changed hands for several times before Tony Parker gave France a 17:16 lead. Pietrus and Gelabale stretched the lead to four points midway through the second term. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) and Tony Parker made it 39:31 for Les Bleus before Fridzon drained a triple and sealed the first half outcome at 34:39. Russia quickly erased the deficit in the third term just to see Nicolas Batum knock down a three-pointer and put France back in charge. France capped the term with a 10:2 run to build a 55:47 advantage. Traore and Nando De Colo (202-G-87) made it 61:49 for France midway through the fourth term. Andrei Kirilenko (205-F-81) and Shved dragged Russia within five points 64:69 however Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker gave no chance for Russia as Les Bleus cruised to the victory. Nicolas Batum accounted for 19 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Nando De Colo added 9 points in the win. Andrei Kirilenko answered with 21 points for Russia. Timofey Mozgov (216-C-86, agency: RIZO) netted 12 points in the loss.

France: Tony Parker 22, Nicolas Batum 19, Nando De Colo 9
Russia: Andrei Kirilenko 21, Timofey Mozgov 12


Enisey wins, Unics draws, Lokomotiv loses - by Eurobasket News
Enisey outscored Slovenian Elektra 71:57. The Russian team started the game with 24-14 and added 11-8 in the second period. Moreover Enisey produced 19-17 in the second period for 15-point advantage after three quarters. Elektra responded with 18-17 in the last stanza to reduce to 14 points at the end. Jasmin Hukic (204-G/F-79, agency: Beo Basket) poured in 14 points for the winners and Lonny Baxter (204-C-79, agency: Priority Sports, college: Maryland) netted 11. Komarovskiy Andrei and Iliya Syrovatko (193-G-88) followed them with 8 points apiece. Salih Nuhanovic (209-C-82) answered with 16 points and Lekic Brane delivered 12.
Unics and Zalgiris decided not to continue the game after four quarters when the board showed 79:79. Both teams were satisfied with the result. Unics led 20-18 after the first period, but the Lithuanian titan needed 19-17 to tie the game at the halftime. Unics won the third quarter 16-11, but Zalgiris bounced back with 31-26 in the last period for the draw. Michael Wilkinson (204-F-81, agency: Interperformances, college: Wisconsin) scored 20 points for the Russian team and Kelly McCarty (201-F-75, agency: Avi Zilberman, college: S.Mississippi) notched 16. Klimavicius Tadas ended up with 12 points for the Baltic State and Popovic scored 11.
Last night CEZ Basketball Nymburk won over Lokomotiv. The team from Czech Republic overcame the Russian representative 79:71. Primoz Brezec's (216-F/C-79) 17 points were not enough for Lokomotiv in that game. Tomorrow Hellios Domzale will play against the champion from Czech Republic.


CSKA started the pre-season campaign - by Eurobasket News
CSKA started the pre-season campaign a bit later than any other team. The defending champions however practiced a lot, while now clashed with VEF Riga. The Latvia side started better and took 26-13 after the opening frame. CSKA replied with 17-8 and then added 19-18 in the third quarter. Due to 24-21 the Russian champs managed to tie the game and both teams were happy to finish with the draw.
Lavrinovic Darjus paced all the winners with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while Jamont Gordon (193-G/F-87, college: Mississippi St.) scored 12. Sammy Mejia (198-G-83, college: De Paul) and Eugeny Voronov (193-G-86) delivered 10 points apiece, while Kaun netted 7. Kristaps Janicenoks (196-F-83) responded with 19 points for the Latvian side and Dairis Bertans (192-G/F-89) added 18. Valters Sandis followed them with 10 points.

Trajan Langdon (192-G-76, agency: Alti Sport, college: Duke) and J.R. Holden (185-G-76, college: Bucknell) were announced to retire from the basketball. Both players will be honored by the team during Gomelskiy Cup in September 24th.
Trajan Langdon came to CSKA in year 2005. In his last season for CSKA Moscow (Russia-PBL) in Russian League he averaged 7.9ppg, 1.7rpg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 44.7%, FT-2 (89.8%), while in Euroleague after 10 games had 8.3ppg, 2.2rpg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 70.8%. In VTB League after 12 games his stats read 10.1ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT-3 (92.3%, starting five)
J.R. Holden joins the team in year 2002. In 2010-2011 for CSKA Moscow (Russia-PBL, starting five) he averaged 10.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 66.7% in Russian League. In Euroleague after 10 games his stats read 6.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 23.4%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 50.0%, while in VTB League after10 games he showed 9.0ppg, 2.4rpg, Assists-5 (4.0apg), FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 18.0%, FT: 90.0%.


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


EuroBasket 2011: Bourousis erupted with the win over Serbia - by Eurobasket News
Greece-Serbia 87:77

Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) erupted with the win over Serbia as Greece won the Classification Game for the 5-8 places. Greece needed 87:77 to face Lithuania for the fifth place in their last game. Serbia meanwhile will take on Slovenia in the game for the 7-8 places.
Ioannis Bourousis and Nenad Krstic (214-C-83, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) scored the first points for their teams as both squads desired to recover from the losses last nights in the Quarterfinal clashes. Greece managed to do it better and created a 13-0 run for 15:2. Moreover they added a 10-0 run immediately and enjoyed 25:4. Papanikolaou later nailed three to close the first frame at 34:8. Koufos and Antonis Fotsis (210-F-81) scored for 38:13, while Serbia woke up for the rest of the game. They responded with a 7-0 run as Milan Macvan (206-C-89, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) cut it to 38:20. Nenad Krstic brought 42:24 and Marko Keselj (205-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) as well as Mavroeidis closed the half at 48:26.
Marko Keselj and Nenad Krstic brought 53:31, while Nikolaos Zisis (196-G-83) increased to plus 24. Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida) scored four in a row for 59:27. Marko Keselj and Paunic reduced to 61:44 and Markovic nailed three for minus 15. Koufos was the last player to score in the third quarter for 64:48.
Serbia made their last push with 7-1 in the start of the last period. Teodosic reduced to 65:55, but Greece did not allow them to come closer. They erupted with 7-2 and Ioannis Bourousis scored for 72:57. Savanovic fired three for 74:60, whilst Papanikolaou made a free throw for plus 15 with 3 minutes to go. Serbia tried hard to reduce again, but Greece managed to keep double digit victory.
Ioannis Bourousis stepped up with 27 points and Nikolaos Zisis netted 18. Antonis Fotsis scored 16, while Nick Calathes added 10. Marko Keselj answered with 22 points and Nenad Krstic scored 15.

Greece: Ioannis Bourousis 27, Nikolaos Zisis 18, Antonis Fotsis 16, Nick Calathes 10
Serbia: Marko Keselj 22, Nenad Krstic 15, Milan Macvan 14



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


Union Olimpija travels to Turkey for Rixos Cup - by Matej Bergant
Slovenia's Euroleague only team Union Olimpija Ljubljana will participate at Rixos Cup in Antalya, Turkey this weekend. Besides them, there will be also Croatian KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, Turk Telekom Ankara, Greek PAOK Thessaloniki and home town team Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye. Union Olimpija is in a group B with both Euroleague clubs Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul and KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje.

Schedule of Rixos Cup, Antalya, Turkey:

Group A: Turk Telekom Ankara, PAOK Thessaloniki, Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye
Group B: Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbu, Union Olimpija Ljubljana, KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje

Friday, September 16th
18.00, Turk Telekom Ankara - PAOK Thessaloniki
20.15, KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje - Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul

Saturday, September 17th
18.00, Turk Telekom Ankara - Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye
20.15, KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje - Union Olimpija Ljubljana

Sunday, September 18th
18.00, PAOK Thessaloniki - Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye
20.15, Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul - Union Olimpija Ljubljana

Monday, September 19th
16.00, 3A - 3B
18.15, 2A - 2B
20.30, 1A - 1B

* times are in CET

*****************************************************
  SOUTH KOREA   


Questions Piling up about LGs Magnum Rolle - by Kevin Campigotto
Touted as one of the top foreigners in the KBL this year, The Changwon LG Sakers import player Magnum Rolle (211-C/F-86, college: Louisiana Tech) pre-season has not gone according to plan. First, there was a yahoo.com report that his salary is $973,000 USD. This would be nearly triple the KBL import player salary limit. Couch Kim Jin laughed off the report saying that if the Sakers were going to spend that much money they would bring in an actual NBA player not just an NBA-DL player. Kim said he did not know where that report got its information and hopes that Rolle plays worthy of that wage even if he isnt earning that much.

The more troublesome problems with Rolle have been with his health. The Sakers spent a week in Nagoya, Japan playing exhibition games and practicing and the hope was that they would be able to work Rolle into the triangle offense. However, due to recurring foot pain Rolle was only able to play ten minutes. Coach Kim hoped that the camp would give the team the opportunity to work on chemistry between Rolle and Korean Center Seo Jang-Hoon (207-C-74) who hes dubbed the Twin Towers. Rolle's injury made this impossible and though Kim was upbeat and talked about how Rolle's limited minutes gave rookies an opportunity to play, this is definitely an area of concern.

For a team trying to implement a new offense, the triangle offense, with a new head coach two new major pieces, Rolle and Seo, having a successful training camp and establishing team chemistry is vital. Rolle's injury continues to be an issue and isnt showing much improvement. With about a month left before the season kicks off, Kim was hopeful that Rolle would be able to rehab the injury and be one hundred percent for the season. Either way this is a bad start for the Changwon LG Sakers. They had arguably the best offseason, signing both Rolle and Seo, and looked to be a team that would improve this season despite all the new pieces. How quickly and effectively the team can mesh will certainly decide their season's fate.



With information from Jumpball.co.kr and translation assistance by Seri Baek



2011 Asian Championship: South Korea became the leader of Group A - by Eurobasket News
Lebanon-South Korea 62:80

South Korea became the leader of Group A of the FIBA Asia Championship. The team overcame Lebanon 80:62 and handed them their first loss.
Both teams started strong and only 10:9 lead allowed South Korea to lead the game. They also had just 1-point advantage after the first period, 17:16. In the second quarter the things became better for South Korea that after 16-13 increased to 33:29 at the halftime. Moreover due to 20-15 in the third quarter the board showed 53:44. South Korea grabbed 66:48 after 35 minutes of the game and enjoyed the final victory by 18 points.
Yang Dong-Geun (181-G-81) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Moon Tae-Jong (199-F-75, agency: Alti Sport, college: Richmond) nailed 18. Kim Joo-Sung (205-F/C-79) collected 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Ha Seung-Jin (221-C-85) scored 13. Ghaleb Rida (192-G-81) delivered 20 points in defeat, whilst Rodrigue Akl (189-PG-88) added 15. Samuel Hoskin (206-F/C-79, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: De Paul) netted 12 and Bassel Bawji (203-F/C-89, college: Tulsa) had 10.

Lebanon: Ghaleb Rida 20, Rodrigue Akl 15, Samuel Hoskin 12, Bassel Bawji 10
South Korea: Yang Dong-Geun 20, Moon Tae-Jong 18, Kim Joo-Sung 16+10 rebs, Ha Seung-Jin 13

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


Wins for Unicaja and CAI Zaragoza - by Eurobasket News
Unicaja and CAI Zaragoza celebrated in friendly games which were played last night.
Unicaja was better than Melilla on the road 73-90. Uros Tripkovic (197-G-86) top-scored for the Malaga team with 16 points. Joel Freeland (208-F-87) and Saul Blanco (195-G/F-85) helped with 15 and 14 points respectively. Jorge Garbajosa (205-C/F-77, agency: Interperformances) added 12 pts to this victory. On the other side, Melilla got 16 points from Chukwudinma Odiakosa (203-F/C-85, agency: N.E.T., college: Illinois St.). Joan Riera (188-G-79) and Troy DeVries (193-G-82, college: N.Mexico) netted 12 points each. Quarters: 22-21, 18-24, 15-20, 18-25.
CAI Zaragoza also celebrated on the road last night. Their rival was Lleida, 63-74.
Two friendly games are scheduled for today. In the first one, Real Madrid will meet Caceres. Also, Caja Laboral will play against Gran Canaria.

Joan Sastre out at least three weeks - by Eurobasket News
Joan Sastre Morro (201-F-91) will miss at least three weeks due to back injury. The Spanish prospect has disc protrusion. Sastre is a member of Cajasol Sevilla. He played 32 games for them last season in ACB averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds. In EuroCup, Sastre added 2.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 14 games. He played for Qalat and Mallorca in the past. Joan Sastre Morro helped U20 Spain to win the Gold medal at the European Championships U20 in Bilbao this summer. He shined with 14.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.4 apg for 9 games at this event. Eurobasket awarded Sastre with All-European Championships U20 2nd Team -11. In 2010, Sastre won the Bronze with U20 Spain. He had 9 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 2.1 spg for 9 games at the European Championships U20 in Croatia. He played for U18 Spain in the past.

EuroBasket 2011: Spain put end to FYR Macedonia fairy tale in Lithuania - by Eurobasket News
Spain - FYR Macedonia 92:80

Spain will play in the championship game of EuroBasket. They overcame brilliant FYR Macedonia tonight to book the spot in the title game. Spain will now take on the winners of France vs. Russia clash. Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) put on a show scoring 35 points and grabbing 4 rebounds to lead the winners.
The lead changed hands numerous times throughout the opening frame. But Spain capped it with 9 points in a row to post a 26:18 lead. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) made it 28:18 for Spain at the start of the second term. FYR Macedonia answered with a 10:0 run of their own to pull ahead. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the reminder of the period as Ilievski sealed the first half outcome at 45:44 for FYR Macedonia. Juan Carlos Navarro triggered a 10:2 run from the Spanish team midway through the third period as La Roja grabbed a 68:60 lead. Juan Carlos Navarro capped the term with a three-pointer to give Spain a 71:62 advantage. Spain quickly boosted the gap to 10 points and controlled the situation till the end of the game. Pau Gasol accounted for 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Marc Gasol (212-C-85, agency: Interperformances) and Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) added 11 points apiece in the win. Bo McCalebb (183-PG-85, college: New Orleans) answered with 25 points for FYR Macedonia. Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Beo Basket) netted 17 points and pulled down 9 rebounds in the loss.

Spain: Juan Carlos Navarro 35, Pau Gasol 22+17 boards, Marc Gasol 11, Serge Ibaka 11
FYR Macedonia: Bo McCalebb 25, Pero Antic 17


*****************************************************
  SWEDEN   


Uppsala gets bigger with Delvon Johnson - by Eurobasket News
Delvon Johnson (205-F-89, agency: Priority Sports, college: Arkansas) is a new member of Uppsala. The American center signed a deal for the next season. Johnson was tested by the Swiss team Lugano Tigers earlier this summer. This is the first professional deal for the American, who graduated few months ago at the University of Arkansas. He had 9.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 2.9 bpg for his school as a senior. Johnson was awarded with SEC All-Defensive Team -11. Delvon Johnson appeared in two Portsmouth Invitational Tournament games this year. He had 4 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2 bpg. Johnson transferred to Arkansas from the Indian Hills CC in 2009. Before that he played one season for Western Illinois University.

*****************************************************
  SWITZERLAND   


Geneva Lions fails against Boulazac in Fos-sur-Mer - by Eurobasket News
Boulazac - Geneva Lions 85-71

Geneva Lions played a friendly game last night. They met Boulazac in Fos-sur-Mer and faced with 85-71 loss. Boulazac shined at the beginning and never looked back. They made nice 28-17 lead in the first ten minutes. Darryl Monroe (202-F-86, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: George Mason) stepped up in victory with 21 points. Amadi McKenzie (201-F-86) and Ryan Ayers (201-G-86, college: Notre Dame) followed him with 17 and 12 points respectively. On the other side, Geneva Lions got 16 points from Sean Barnette (195-F-86, college: Wingate). Babacar Toure (205-F/C-85) and Mikael Maruotto (199-F/G-91) scored 11 pts each, while Vladimir Buscaglia (197-G-80, college: American) delivered one points less. Quarters: 28-17, 13-15, 23-20, 20-19. The Lions will play more friendlies this pre-season.

Boulazac: Darryl Monroe 21, Amadi McKenzie 17, Ryan Ayers 12
Geneva Lions: Sean Barnette 16, Babacar Toure 11, Mikael Maruotto 11, Vladimir Buscaglia 10

*****************************************************
  SYRIA   


2011 Asian Championship: Syria open win count - by Eurobasket News
Syria - Indonesia 74:61

Syria celebrated the first win at the 2011 Asian Championship in China. They overcame Indonesia to improve at 1-1 record in Group C. Eder Arjo Gorges (212-C/F-81, college: Walsh, OH) stepped up with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the charge. Indonesia fell at 0-2 record after the loss.
Syria pulled in front late in the opening frame. They recorded a 17:13 lead after ten minutes of action. Indonesia stepped on the gas early in the second frame. They grabbed a 27:23 lead but could not capitalize. Syria sneaked back in charge taking a 34:33 advantage. Syria strengthened their advantage in the third quarter. They built a 54:45 buffer with one quarter remaining. Syria boosted the margin to 17 points midway through the fourth period and never looked back en route to the victory. Sameer Al Dags (196-F-84) accounted for 14 points for the winners. Mario Wuysang (176-PG-79) and Rony Gunawan (194-F/C-80) responded with 11 points each for Indonesia. Xaverius Prawiro (184-G/F-86) finished with 9 points in the loss.

Syria: Eder Arjo Gorges 24+11 boards, Sameer Al Dags 14, Wael Jlilati (199-G/F-90) 10
Indonesia: Mario Wuysang 11, Rony Gunawan 11, Xaverius Prawiro 9

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


2011 Asian Championship: Taiwan prove strength against Uzbekistan - by Eurobasket News
Taiwan - Uzbekistan 81:71

Taiwan registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They fired past Uzbekistan for 1-1 record in Group B. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-88) stepped up with 15 points to lead the effort.
Taiwan opened the game with nine straight points. They stretched the gap to 10 points 12:2 shortly after. Taiwan secured a 24:14 lead after ten minutes of action. Taiwan kept their opponents at bay throughout the second frame. They established a 45:36 halftime advantage. Uzbekistan cut the deficit to just 6 points midway through the third term 45:51. However Taiwan immedialy answered with a 6:0 surge to restore a safe cushion. They entered the fourth quarter up by 17 points 67:50. Taiwan stayed well in charge throughout the fourth frame and cruised to the victory at the end. Mao Chia-En (196-F/G-82) finished with 13 points, while Lu Cheng-Ju (194-F-86) and Chen Hsin-An (198-F/G-80) accounted for 11 points each in the win. Gennadiy Zinovyev (198-F-84) responded with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Vyacheslav Belokurov (202-F-77) provided 12 points in the loss.

Taiwan: Tsung-Hsien Chang 15, Mao Chia-En 13, Lu Cheng-Ju 11, Chen Hsin-An 11
Uzbekistan: Gennadiy Zinovyev 17, Vyacheslav Belokurov 12


Review of the Iran game - by Chris Wang
For 26 minutes, Taiwan NT played solid defense against Iran and was on the verge of pulling off a big upset in Wuhan. However, Samad Bahrami came to the rescue and Taiwan NT went out of synch in the last 14 minutes, ending up with a 12-point loss.

Taiwan was able to stay with the Iranians early as both sides couldn't seem to find the basket and Taiwan playing aggressive and tenacious defense against its opponents, especially 7-2 center Hamed Haddadi.

Taiwan used speed to its advantage in an 11-1 run in the third quarter to make the score 30-20. With 2:08 left in the quarter, Haddadi, who finished with eight points and 18 rebounds, was out of the game after committing his fourth foul.

'That was when we started to feel we could win the gameuntil Bahrami took over,' said center Wu Tai-hao, who had a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds.

Bahrami, a 6-6 forward who recovered from an injury, scored 11 of his 18 points in the quarter and led Iran to regain the lead, 32-31, at the end of the third period.

Taiwan never recovered from the slump. With 2:10 left in the game, Iran took a 10-point lead.

Both teams failed to shoot the ball well. Taiwan shot a miserable 21 percent from the field and Iran was no much better at 33 percent as both sides blamed it on the Chinese organizers, who gave the teams used balls for practice but new balls in competitions.

Players described the new balls as slippery and said it was very hard to get a grip of the ball in the act of shooting and dribbling.

Taiwan's Lin Chih-chieh had eight points, but shot 0-for-7 from three. Taiwan and Iran shot a combined 5-for-47 from three-point territory. Center Tseng Wen-ting scored three points on 1-for-10 shooting. Chen Hsin-an had seven points.

Taiwan was outrebounded by Iran 60-27 but the main reason it could stay with Iran, aside from defense, was its strategy to draw body contact. The decision paid dividends as Taiwan was 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. Iran only made four out of 10 attempts.

Local media lamented the loss but praised the team for its fighting spirit.

In some way, the tournament was a brand new start for Taiwan NT, which hired former NBA coach Bob Hill as its technical advisor and named Chou Jun-san, who did not have any head-coaching experience, as its new head coach.

Personally, I think former Taiwan NT head coach Chung Kwang-suk, a South Korean, did well. Under Chung, Taiwan NT played its best zone defense in years and finished fifth place two years ago. The CTBA's decision to stop hiring foreign head coaches was a pity.

However, since the decision has been made. I wish Hill, Chou and Taiwan NT do well in the tournament and beyond.


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


Andre Brown is a newcomer at Trabzonspor Basketbol - by Eurobasket Center
Trabzonspor Basketbol signed for the upcoming season 30-year old American power forward Andre Brown (205-F/C-111kg-81, college: De Paul). Brown played most recently at Huracanes del Atlantico (Dominican Rep.). He is a very experienced player. Brown played also pro basketball in Australia, China, Dominican Rep., Greece, Italy, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Syria and USA. He graduated De Paul University in 2004

Vladimir Golubovic lands at ColaTurka Istanbul - by Eurobasket Center
Besiktas ColaTurka Istanbul has just announced the signing of 25-year old Montenegrin international-Serbian center Vladimir Golubovic (213-C-101kg-86). Golubovic spent last season at Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (TBL). While playing 6 games in EuroCup for Banvit BK last season he averaged 11.0ppg and 6.3rpg. He also played 2 games in Euroleague Qualifying Round recording 10.0ppg, 7.0rpg. In Turkish League his stats were 10.2ppg and 5.1rpg. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league and in the league semifinals. Golubovic is a very experienced player. He played also pro basketball in Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and Montenegro. Golubovic played for Montenegrin senior national team this year.

Hacettepe and Tofas celebrate in friendlies - by Eurobasket News
Hacettepe and Tofas won in their friendly games which were played last night.
Hacettepe grabbed 79-76 victory against Gaziantep. Matthew Bryan-Amaning (205-F-88, agency: Interperformances, college: Washington) led the winners in scoring with 21 points. Ricardo Marsh (207-F-81, agency: Top Notch Sports, college: ODU) followed him with three less. In the loosing squad, Tay Waller shined with 32 points. Their second scorer was Serhat Ugur (192-G-85) with 15 pts.
Tofas celebrated 64-60 win against Optimum TED Ankara Kolejliler. It was a road victory by Tofas. Jurica Zuza (207-C-78, agency: Alti Sport) led them with 14 points. Ronald Stele and Kenan Sipahi (192-PG-95) netted 11 points each. In Optimum TED, Nezih Ozbakir delivered 17 points.

Fenerbahce Ulker will attend the International Rixos Tournament in Antalya - by Pervin Elgin
Fenerbahce Ulker will attend the International Rixos Tournament in Antalya

Fenerbahce Ulker Basketball Team, along with six other teams (Turk Telekom, the Greek Team PAOK, Antalya Buyuksehir Belediyesi, the Croatian Team Union Olimpija, KK Zagreb and the Slovenian Team) will participate in the tournament which will be held at 16-19 September in Antalya. The tournament will be live broadcasted at Channel 24.



Banvit and Besiktas win, Turk Telekom fails - by Eurobasket News
Banvit had to work very hard to beat Mersin in a friendly game. The home team registered 92-90 thriller win in this meeting, which was played yesterday. Keith Simmons stepped up for the winners with 18 points. Kenan Bajramovic and Chuck Davis added 13 points each for their team. Center Lance Williams nailed 11 points. In Mersin, Demetri McCamey exploded with 27 points and was much better than the others. Vincent Grier stopped to 12 pts.
Turk Telekom failed against Cantu in a friendly. The Italian squad celebrated 66-56 win. Besiktas also played a friendly game against Italian team. They handed 82-71 loss to Dinamo Sassari.

*****************************************************
  UKRAINE   


Volodymyr Gurtovoy joins DniproAzot - by Eurobasket News
DniproAzot added depth to their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Volodymyr Gurtovoy (207-C-75). The 36-year-old centre spent the last season in BC Donetsk. He tallied 2.9 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in Superleague. Previously Volodymyr Gurtovoy had stints with Shakhtyor Donetsk, Azovmash Mariupol, Cherkasy, Politekhnika Lviv and BC Odessa. Eurobasket.com named the centre All-Ukrainian Superleague Player of the Year back in 2004. Volodymyr Gurtovoy was the member of Ukrainian National Team in 2003/2007 seasons.


BC Kyiv, Goverla and Cherkassky Mavpy lost the latest games - by Eurobasket News
Lietuvos rytas beat Goverla from Ukraine 70:59. The latter grabbed 19-11 after the first 10 minutes, but could not surprise Lithuanian team. Lietuvos rytas won the second period 25-10 and added 19-15 in the third quarter. Both teams nailed 15 points each in the last quarter for the final result. Rice stepped up with 19 points and Renaldas Seibutis (196-G-85) scored 13. Kevin Tiggs (196-G/F-84, college: E.Tenn.St.) ended up with 26 points in defeat and Woliker posted 10.
Polish Champs grabbed another pre-season win. On September 14th they edged BC Kiev 64:62. The squads scored 20 points each in the first period, but the second quarter was decisive in the game when Asseco Prokom Gdynia needed 23-16 for a control in the game. Gee collected 20 points and 13 rebounds for the winners, while Jerel Blassingame (177-G-81, college: UNLV) and Szczotka delivered 11 apiece. Artem Shvets (203-G/F-85) replied with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Ventspils edged Cherkassky Mavpy 83:62. The Latvian team started strong and reached 29-16 after the first 10 minutes. Moreover they needed 17-15 for 46:31 halftime advantage. The third quarter also belonged to the hosts that were stronger 22-12. Cherkassky Mavpy bounced back with 19-15 in the last quarter and reduced the game for 83:62. Sam Willard (205-F, college: Pacific) stepped up with 17 points and Bojan Bakic (197-G-83, agency: Alti Sport) scored 16. J. Strelnieks posted 14, while A. Strelnieks notched 12.


*****************************************************
  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   


2011 Asian Championship: UAE too good for Bahrain - by Eurobasket News
UAE - Bahrain 91:53

UAE registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They drubbed Bahrain to climb at 1-1 record in Group D. Ibrahim Ahmad (179-G-79) scored 17 points to lead the effort Bahrain slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Bahrain ensured a brave start. They led 12:7 midway through the starting frame. Bahrain posted a 17:16 lead ten minutes into the game. But UAE turned things around in the second frame. They limited their opponents to just 10 points in the quarter to establish a 37:27 advantage at the interval. UAE maintained the lead throughout the third stanza. UAE boosted the gap to as many as 24 points at the final break 70:46. UAE opened the fourth term on a 13:4 rally and never looked back en route to the victory. Rashed Al Zaabi (189-G-88) had 16 points, while Ali Al Hattawi (200-C-79) and Jasim Abdalla (204-C-88) contributed 13 points apiece for UAE. Maitam Isa (182-G-90) responded with 15 points for Bahrain. Husain Al Tawash (174-G-86) and Ahmed Malallah (188-F-73) netted 11 points each in the loss.

UAE: Ibrahim Ahmad 17, Rashed Al Zaabi 16, Ali Al Hattawi 13, Jasim Abdalla 13
Bahrain: Maitam Isa 15, Husain Al Tawash 11, Ahmed Malallah 11


*****************************************************
  UNITED KINGDOM   


BBL Withdraw Essex Pirates Franchise Ahead Of New Season - by Paul Nilsen
The BBL have today announced that the Essex Pirates franchise has been withdrawn with immediate effect.



The decision has been reached after a Franchise Review, which followed notification of potential operational challenges by the Pirates Management.



London Leopards, from EBL Division One, have accepted an invitation to compete in the BBL Trophy and will take their place in the group also containing Prestige Homes MK Lions and Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders. The 2011-12 BBL season commences on Friday 30th September.

Heat Hat-Trick For Tayo - by Paul Nilsen
Guildford Heat coach, Creon Raftopoulos has re-signed 6ft 6in Tayo Ogedengbe for the forthcoming season. Ogedengbe, who has played in the England's senior men's team and is a former Under-20 team GB player, joins the Heat for his third successive season.



Tayo Ogedengbe made his mark during the first season at the Heat, when he stepped up as a power forward when Mike Martin was injured. He led the team in field goal percentage, hitting 54.3% of his shots, and had a career high twice of 28 points against Worcester Wolves.



Since his early appearances, Tayo has been a big hit with the fans. Last season he was he had the team's sixth man role, being the first player off the bench. He led the second unit in scoring and rebounding.



Tayo OgedengbeHeat coach, Creon Raftopoulos commented, 'Tayo has an athletic ability which is second to none in this league. His basketball skills improve year on year and I have no doubt that he will have a long career ahead of him in the league. Last season he stepped up on defence. This year I plan to put him in a different role to make him even more productive for the team.



'I am delighted to have four exceptionally talented returning players to the team. Tayo Ogedengbe, Mike Martin, Julius Joseph and Martelle McLemore have all played together and have strong chemistry between them. This will really help as we introduce new players to the team and build on the Heat's performances from last season.'



Tayo Ogendengbe added, 'I am very happy to play my third season for the Heat. I am ready to become a leader this season and bring some silverware to Surrey Sports Park.'

*****************************************************
  UZBEKISTAN   


1 League Standings
Higher League Standings
 1. MHSK 0-0 
 2. NGMK Navoi 0-0 
 3. TGTU 0-0 
 4. Univ.Buchara 0-0 
 5. UzMU 0-0 


2011 Asian Championship: Taiwan prove strength against Uzbekistan - by Eurobasket News
Taiwan - Uzbekistan 81:71

Taiwan registered the first win at the Asian Championship in Wuhan. They fired past Uzbekistan for 1-1 record in Group B. Tsung-Hsien Chang (192-G-88) stepped up with 15 points to lead the effort.
Taiwan opened the game with nine straight points. They stretched the gap to 10 points 12:2 shortly after. Taiwan secured a 24:14 lead after ten minutes of action. Taiwan kept their opponents at bay throughout the second frame. They established a 45:36 halftime advantage. Uzbekistan cut the deficit to just 6 points midway through the third term 45:51. However Taiwan immedialy answered with a 6:0 surge to restore a safe cushion. They entered the fourth quarter up by 17 points 67:50. Taiwan stayed well in charge throughout the fourth frame and cruised to the victory at the end. Mao Chia-En (196-F/G-82) finished with 13 points, while Lu Cheng-Ju (194-F-86) and Chen Hsin-An (198-F/G-80) accounted for 11 points each in the win. Gennadiy Zinovyev (198-F-84) responded with 17 points for Uzbekistan. Vyacheslav Belokurov (202-F-77) provided 12 points in the loss.

Taiwan: Tsung-Hsien Chang 15, Mao Chia-En 13, Lu Cheng-Ju 11, Chen Hsin-An 11
Uzbekistan: Gennadiy Zinovyev 17, Vyacheslav Belokurov 12


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  VENEZUELA   


Standings - LNB
LNB Standings
 1. Atleticos UCV 0-0 
 2. Cacaoteros 0-0 
 3. Cent.Apure 0-0 
 4. Estudiantes 0-0 
 5. Graneros 0-0 
 6. Lanc.Cojedes 0-0 
 7. Rojos de Sucre 0-0 
 8. Tiburones 0-0 




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Women News

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  ALL-AFRICA GAMES - Women  


Standings (Women)
Standings
Group A
1. Nigeria4-1
2. Algeria2-3
3. Kenya2-3
4. Mozambique2-3
5. DRCongo1-4
6. Zimbabwe1-4
Group B
1. Angola5-0
2. Senegal4-1
3. Ivory Coast2-3
4. Mali2-3
5. Rwanda2-3
6. Cameroon0-5


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  PORTUGAL - Women  


Standings - Women
Liga Feminina Standings
 1. AD Vagos 0-0 
 2. AFC-Liberty S. 0-0 
 3. Alges 0-0 
 4. Barcelos 0-0 
 5. Boa Viagem 0-0 
 6. CAB Madeira 0-0 
 7. CDTorres N. 0-0 
 8. EMA Menres 0-0 
 9. GDESSA 0-0 
 10. Montijobanda 0-0 
 11. Olivais 0-0 
 12. Quinta 0-0 


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  VENEZUELA - Women  


D1 STANDING
LINABAFE Standings
 1. Aguilas 0-0 
 2. Lara 0-0 
 3. Llaneras 0-0 
 4. Osas 0-0 
 5. Yaracuyanas 0-0 


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  WNBA - Women  


Fever beat Liberty 74-72 in playoffs opener - by Eurobasket News
Erin Phillips (5'8''-G-85) made a turnaround jumper with 1.5 seconds left that gave the Indiana Fever a 74-72 win over the New York Liberty in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday night.

New York's Cappie Pondexter (5'9''-G-83, college: Rutgers) missed a 3-pointer that would have won the game as time expired.

Katie Douglas (6'1''-G/F-79, college: Purdue) led the Fever with 25 points. Tamika Catchings (6'1''-F-79, college: Tennessee) scored 15 and Tamara Sutton-Brown (6'4''-C-78, college: Rutgers) added 14. The Fever lost a 15-point lead in the second half but recovered.

Pondexter led the Liberty with 18 points. She had scored at least 20 in six consecutive playoff games against the Fever, dating to her days with Phoenix in 2009. Nicole Powell scored 12 points and Kia Vaughn added 10.

New York will host Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Saturday.

The Fever led 71-70 in the fourth quarter when Phillips threw a bad pass that was intercepted by Essence Carson. Indiana's Tangela Smith was called for a clear path foul, giving the Liberty two shots and the ball. Carson missed both free throws, and New York failed to score on the extra possession.

New York tied the game at 72 on a pair of free throws by Kia Vaughn with 50.7 seconds left. The Liberty then had a chance to take the lead on a fastbreak after an Indiana miss, but Catchings caught up with Pondexter and forced her into a turnover. That gave Phillips the chance to make her game-winning shot.

Indiana led 28-16 at the end of the first quarter as Catchings scored 10 points in the period.

Catchings was hit in the nose during the second quarter and briefly left the game. She returned, and the Fever led 44-34 at halftime.

New York cut Indiana's lead to 44-37 early in the third quarter before Douglas drained two 3-pointers during an 8-0 run that gave the Fever a 52-37 lead and forced New York to call timeout.

The Liberty rallied again, and a three-point play by Kara Braxton cut Indiana's lead to 52-48. New York cut the deficit to two before Indiana got a basket in close by Jessica Davenport and a fast-break layup by Douglas to push the lead to 60-54.

Indiana led 62-58 at the end the third quarter, then went cold in the fourth.

Courtesy of www.boston.com

Storm beat Mercury 80-61 in WNBA playoff opener - by Eurobasket News
Tanisha Wright (5'11''-G-83, agency: LBM Management, college: Penn St.) scored 21 points, and Camille Little (6'2''-F/G-85, college: N.Carolina) had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the defending WNBA champion Seattle Storm over the Phoenix Mercury 80-61 on Thursday night in the opener of the Western Conference semifinals.

Lauren Jackson (6'5''-F/C-81) added 13 points, six rebounds and three blocks for Seattle, which led 69-42 after three quarters. Swin Cash added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Diana Taurasi (6'0''-F/G-82, college: Connecticut), who averaged 21.6 for Phoenix to lead the WNBA in scoring for the fourth straight year, had just 11 points. She shot 3 of 11 from the field, including 1 of 5 on 3-pointers. Penny Taylor (6'1''-F-81) scored 13, and DeWanna Bonner (6'4''-G-87, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Auburn) added 10 - all in the first half - to lead the Mercury.

Phoenix will host Game 2 of the best-of-three series on Saturday.

Little and Cash scored six points apiece as Seattle outscored Phoenix 29-11 in the third quarter. The Storm used a 14-0 run over the final three minutes to take a 69-42 lead at the end of the period.

Taurasi was 0 of 5 from the field as the Mercury shot 4 of 22 (18.2 percent) in the third quarter. Seattle shot 9 of 17 (52.9 percent).

Wright and Little both had 11 points, and Jackson added nine to help the Storm to a 40-31 halftime lead.

Wright netted seven points during a 17-7 run to close the first half after Phoenix led 24-23 early in the second quarter.

Bonner scored 10, including two 3-pointers, to help the Mercury tie it at 19 after one quarter.

Seattle was 9 of 9 on free throws in the first half. Phoenix was 1 of 2.

The game turned physical as Taurasi received a technical foul in the third quarter after kicking her leg at Wright after a foul by Wright. Little was given a technical in the second quarter after getting tangled with Taurasi away from the ball.

The Storm won the season series 3-1, including an 85-70 victory last week to earn the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Mercury starting center Nakia Sanford missed the game because of a sore knee. She averages 4.2 points and rebounds per game.

Seattle has won 11 of 12 games against the Mercury, including a sweep in the West finals last year. The Storm improved to 16-2 at home this season.

Courtesy of www.miamiherald.com