EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 7/6/2012 1:04:01 AM

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Men News

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  ADRIATIC LEAGUE   



Radnicki Kragujevac signs Stefan Jovic - by Eurobasket News

Stefan Jovic (190-G-90, agency: Kotnik Sports Agency) is a new member of Radnicki Kragujevac. The player arrived from Sloga, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one Jovic had 8.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.6 spg for 16 games in Serbia. He had slightly lower numbers in 2010/11. Before Sloga, Jovic played for Zdravlje.


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  ALGERIA   


National mens cup: GPS, CRBDB clash in final - by Eurobasket News

CRB Dar El Beida has qualified for the final of the mens national basketball cup after defeating CSM meet GS Petrolier who edged AB Skikda 104-65. The challenged is billed for tomorrow Friday July 6 in Algier.
Courtesy of: StarAfrica.com


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  ANGOLA   


Libolo bring in Antonio Monteiro - by Eurobasket News

Libolo bolstered their squad. They agreed on terms of contract with Antonio Monteiro (202-F/C-89). The centre spent the previous season in Portugal. Antonio Monteiro played for Benfica. He tallied 4.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in LPB. Previously Antonio Monteiro had spells for Penafiel and Benfica. He was the member of U20 Portuguese National Team.


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  ARGENTINA   


Argentina defeat Spain in Super 4 Hope Funds Cup - by Eurobasket News

Argentina - Spain 93:81

Argentina earned the first win at the Super 4 Hope Funds Cup. They defeated Spanish B National Team in Buenos Aires. Emanuel Ginobili (198-G-77, agency: Interperformances) scored 25 points to lead the winners.
The hosts jumped to a 25:22 lead after ten minutes. Argentina stretched the lead in the second quarter. The home team ensured a 49:37 halftime advantage. Argentina stayed in control throughout the third quarter. The hosts entered the final stanza up by 6 points 69:63. Argentina stayed in charge throughout the fourth frame and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Andres Nocioni (199-F-79) posted 16 points for Argentina. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) and Leonardo Gutierrez (200-F-78) had 12 points each in the victory. Joaquim Colom (188-PG-88, agency: Interperformances) answered with 18 points for Spain. Nacho Llovet (202-C-91) and Adrian Laso (204-F/C-90) netted 11 points each in the loss.

Argentina: Emanuel Ginobili 25, Andres Nocioni 16, Luis Scola 12, Leonardo Gutierrez 12
Spain: Joaquim Colom 18, Nacho Llovet 11, Adrian Laso 11


Union Progresista keep Greg Dilligard - by Eurobasket News

Union Progresista confirmed the first import player for the next season. They announced Greg Dilligard (203-F-85, agency: Warren Sports International) will stay in the team. Greg Dilligard joined Union Progresista in December 2011. He tallied 11.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in TNA. Previously Greg Dilligard played for Club Atletico Olimpia in Uruguay. The forward averaged 14.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 1.9 assists per game there. He also played for Sodertalje Kings in Sweden. Latinbasket.com named Greg Dilligard into All-Uruguay LUB 2nd Team in 2011. Greg Dilligard graduated from Illinois State University back in 2007. He was named Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2005. In 2006 the forward was trumped onto All-MVC Most-Improved Team.


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  AUSTRALIA   


SEABL: Chargers in fight for finals - by Eurobasket News

THINGS continue to heat up in the SEABL South Conference, where seven of the eight teams are still a realistic chance of making finals.

The Chargers boosted their chances with an important win against Albury-Wodonga on Friday, when they scooted to a 23-point lead only to have to hang on after the Bandits came racing home.

North-West Thunder were not as fortunate, going down on Saturday night to watch their finals aspirations take a big hit.

While Hobart has two very winnable road games this weekend against Brisbane and Canberra, the Thunder faces the same daunting three-match swing to Mt Gambier, Kilsyth and Knox the Chargers had three weeks ago.

Making things even more interesting is the top two teams in the South go head-to-head, with Knox and Nunawading vying for top spot.

Should Hobart win both its matches it will improve to 13-9, a position which could see it jump to first pending other results from the weekend.

The only thing that is crystal clear is the Chargers need to keep winning to keep their heads above water.

THE Lady Chargers corrected their ship last Friday by defeating a gutsy Lady Bandits and thus snapping a four-match losing streak.

This weekend is just as big for the women, with another two victories vitally important if they want to stay in touch for fourth spot.

Dan Krebs' group defeated both teams at home earlier this year so will start as favourites, but will need another solid effort from the entire squad.

While the "big three" of Lindsay Laur, Caila Desroches and Myra Donkin played their part last Friday, what pleased Krebs the most was some of the lesser lights Kylie McCauley, Alex Finlayson and Isabelle Morgan stepped up when the chips were down.

Currently in fifth spot, Hobart was helped by fourth-placed Ballarat losing both its matches last weekend, and with the Rush facing the East Conference second-placed Geelong this weekend, it could pull a couple of wins back.

HELPING the Lady Chargers' cause against Brisbane is the news that import Tatianna Thomas has been cut by the Lady Spartans.

Brisbane general manager Allan Ladewig said the club had started looking to 2013, with Thomas not in its plans.

While her numbers have been down on those required of an import, it is one less frontliner for Hobart to worry about.

Courtesy of: http://www.themercury.com.au


SBL: Mandurah face tough double header (Round 17 men's preview) - by Eurobasket News

Mandurah Magic face a test in week seventeen of mens state basketball league action when they take on the Perry Lakes Hawks and Lakeside Lightning.

The Magic are just holding on to their top four position and will host the Hawks on Friday night with the Hawks, last years runners-up, facing a challenge to hold on to their finals place.

Their big test will come on Saturday away to Lakeside, the Lightning dropped one of their only two loses back in week eight against the Magic and will be out to make amends and continue their six game winning streak.

Wanneroo Wolves will have an opportunity to jump into top spot with their double header against the Perth Redbacks and Stirling Senators, they are currently in tied first place with Lakeside.

The Wolves, who are yet to drop a road game, will face the Redbacks away in a crucial game for the Redbacks who have won just one of their past six games on the back of injuries.

Last years champions then return home to take on the Stirling Senators on Saturday night, the Senators are in shaky form having lost the last four consecutive games and look set to miss out on finals action in 2012.

Willetton Tigers will be looking to control their destiny in the last weeks of the season and snap their three game losing streak when they take on the inform East Perth Eagles away from home on Friday night.

The Eagles then hit the road and take on the third place Cockburn Cougars on Saturday night, both teams are in strong form having dropped just one of their past five games.

The Kalamunda Eastern Suns are just outside the top eight and will hit the road to take on the Geraldton Buccaneers, the Buccs have very slim playoff hopes and will need to win all of their remaining games.

Eastern Suns on the other hand have had a revival since the arrival of import Lee Roberts and are just two games outside the top eight with four weeks to go.

The South West Slammers only game this weekend is on the road to the Hawks who will be looking for revenge after their loss to the Slammers back in week eight.

Goldfields Giants will be looking to continue their surge towards a finals place when they host the struggling Rockingham Flames, they are just one game outside of the top eight and will fancy their chances against the Flames are on a 12 game losing streak.

Article by Hannah Coleman
Courtesy of: http://www.sbl.asn.au/


Bendigo Braves release import DANIEL HORTON - by Eurobasket News

The Symes Motors Bendigo Braves have released guard Daniel Horton (191-G-84, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Michigan) from his contract with the club.

BENDIGO BRAVES MEDIA RELEASE

Horton had been a standout performer in the SEABL averaging a Braves team high 19.6 points per game (top 10 in the league), 4 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Braves coach Ben Harvey said there was no doubt that Horton was a talented player and it was unfortunate that circumstances did not work out with the Braves.

This has been a difficult decision for the club and for Daniel and it's more about personal matters rather than his on court performances which have been strong, Harvey said.

Now that this has happened the coaches and playing staff are committed to striving to achieve our goal of reaching the SEABL grand final for the third year in a row, he said.

It is expected that Horton will return home to the United States in coming days to be with his wife and children.

As this decision has occurred after the deadline for new players to be able to qualify for finals, the Braves will not be replacing Horton with another import.
Courtesy of: www.seabl.com.au


Blanchfield named to Stankovic Cup team - by Eurobasket News

Basketball Australia has named an Australian Men's Team to compete at the Boris Stankovic Cup in Guangzhou, China.

The team, which will play against sides from Russia, Tunisia and China from 6 10 July, includes Adelaide 36ers NBL young gun Jason Cadee (186-G-91) as well as Townsville Crocodiles players Mitchell Norton (183-G-93) and Todd Blanchfield (200-F-91).

Melbourne Tigers recruit Owen Odigie (196-F/G-93) will also play for Australia on the trip.

Clint Steindl (201-F/G-89, college: St.Mary's, CA), who has enjoyed a stellar US college career and recently signed for the Cairns Taipans, has also been selected along with fellow college stars Cody Ellis (203-F-90) and Hugh Greenwood (190-G-92).

The team will be guided by AIS coach and former Townsville Crocodiles leader Ian Stacker .

The Australians starts the tournament playing Russia on Friday 6 July, then takes on the host nation China on Saturday 7 July and Tunisia on Sunday 8 July.


Australian men's team for Boris Stankovic Cup

Players

Hugh Greenwood #9

Jason Cadee #5

Dane Pineau (203-F-94) #7

Clint Steindl #10

Mitchell Norton #6

Todd Blanchfield #13

Owen Odigie #8

Tristan Daniel (187-F-90) #4

Cody Ellis #12

Matthew Andronicos (208-C/F-91) #11

Shane Harris-Tunks (210-F/C-90) #15

Cameron Bairstow (205-F-90) #14


Staff

Ian Stacker Head Coach

Mick Downer - Assistant

David Hillard - Physio

Jared Campbell - Manager

Dr. Sandra Mejak - Doctor

Courtesy of NBL Australia


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  BAHRAIN   

Standings

Premier Standings
Top4
 1. Al Ahli 4-2 
 2. Muharraq 4-2 
 3. Al Manama 3-3 
 4. Sitra 1-5 
Places 5-11
 1. Al Hala 13-7 
 2. Issa Town 12-8 
 3. Nuwaidrat 9-10 
 4. Al Ittihad 9-10 
 5. Bahrain Club 3-17 
 6. Al Najma 2-18 
 7. Samaheej 1-19 
Stage Two Standings



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  BELGIUM   


Great Britain surrender against Belgium in Namur - by Eurobasket News

Belgium U20 - Great Britain U20 75:67

Belgian U20 selection claimed the first win in the test series versus their British counterparts. The teams will meet again tonight.
Belgium led by three points at the end of the first quarter 13:16. Belgium accounted for 35:23 halftime lead. Great Britain narrowed the deficit to a single point 50:51 at the final break. But Belgium stayed calm and executed the victory to perfection in the final period. Alasdair Fraser (203-F-92) came up with 20 points for Great Britain.


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  BRAZIL   


Brazil trounce Chile in Buenos Aires - by Eurobasket News

Brazil - Chile 110:64

Brazil claimed the first win at the start of Super 4 Hope Funds Cup in Buenos Aires. They fired past Chile in the opener. Leandrinho Barbosa (190-PG-82) accounted for 18 points to lead the charge.
Brazil stormed into this one. They accounted for a 26:8 lead after ten minutes. The margin grew at 30-point mark in the second quarter 40:10. Brazil ensured a 49:19 halftime advantage. Brazil dominated every facet of the game. They led by as many as 36 points heading into the fourth frame and cruised to the victory at the end. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) came up with 15 points for Brazil. Raul Neto (186-PG-92) and Caio Silveira (211-C-87, agency: Interperformances) delivered 12 points each in the win. Chile responded with 11 points from Evandro Arteaga (178-G-83). Gerardo Isla (200-F/C-91) and Cristobal Infante (201-C-88) finished with 10 points each in the loss.

Brazil: Leandrinho Barbosa 18, Tiago Splitter 15, Raul Neto 12, Caio Silveira 12
Chile: Evandro Arteaga 11, Gerardo Isla 10, Cristobal Infante 10, Sebastian Suarez 10


DeAndre Coleman joins Bauru - by Paulo Freire

The Itabom/Bauru B.T. team has found a new imported player to join their roster on the 2012-2013 season.
The managers of the team agreed terms with forward DeAndre Coleman (201-F-86, college: S.Alabama)
Coleman have been around in the south america, and was playing in Argentina
Itabom/Bauru B.T. is also giving a chance to the veteran Josuel dos Santos (206-C-70) who was one of the top center of all time in Brazil. Josuel is 42 years old now, he is doing a try-out with 3 other young players that are fighting for the last spot on the roster, Kesley De Souza (91), Gedson Thawan (202-F-91) and Everson Rodrigues (78)



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  CHILE   


Brazil trounce Chile in Buenos Aires - by Eurobasket News

Brazil - Chile 110:64

Brazil claimed the first win at the start of Super 4 Hope Funds Cup in Buenos Aires. They fired past Chile in the opener. Leandrinho Barbosa (190-PG-82) accounted for 18 points to lead the charge.
Brazil stormed into this one. They accounted for a 26:8 lead after ten minutes. The margin grew at 30-point mark in the second quarter 40:10. Brazil ensured a 49:19 halftime advantage. Brazil dominated every facet of the game. They led by as many as 36 points heading into the fourth frame and cruised to the victory at the end. Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) came up with 15 points for Brazil. Raul Neto (186-PG-92) and Caio Silveira (211-C-87, agency: Interperformances) delivered 12 points each in the win. Chile responded with 11 points from Evandro Arteaga (178-G-83). Gerardo Isla (200-F/C-91) and Cristobal Infante (201-C-88) finished with 10 points each in the loss.

Brazil: Leandrinho Barbosa 18, Tiago Splitter 15, Raul Neto 12, Caio Silveira 12
Chile: Evandro Arteaga 11, Gerardo Isla 10, Cristobal Infante 10, Sebastian Suarez 10


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  CHINA   


USA Wins Group A, Croatia Wins Group B, Quarterfinals Tomorrow - by Arthur Volbert

The USA won Group A of the FIBA U-17 championship with a 5-0 record and Croatia was similarly undefeated in Group B.

The quarterfinals tomorrow will have Spain facing China, the USA facing Canada, Australia against Argentina and Croatia against the Czech Republic.

If China defeats Spain, which is difficult but doable, China will attain its best-ever finish in a FIBA world men's championship tournament.

Group A
TEAM W/L P
1. USA 5/0 10
2. Australia 4/1 9
3. China 3/2 8
4. Czech Republic 2/3 7
5. France 1/4 6
6. Egypt 0/5 5

Group B
TEAM W/L P
1. Croatia 5/0 10
2. Spain 3/2 8
3. Argentina 3/2 8
4. Canada 3/2 8
5. Lithuania 1/4 6
6. Korea 0/5 5


Xinjiang Flying Tigers land Von Wafer - by Eurobasket News

Von Wafer (196-G-85, college: Florida St.) is expected to continue his career in China. The guard has reportedly agreed on terms of contract with Xinjiang Flying Tigers. Von Wafer started the previous season in Italy. He played for Vanoli Cremona. The guard notched 20.1 points, 3.2 boards, 1.8 assists and 1.7 steals per game in SeriaA. Later he moved back to the NBA to join the Orlando Magic. His stats read 5.9 points and 1.4 boards per appearance for the Magic. Previously Von Wafer had stints with Boston Celtics, Olympiakos, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Lakers, Fort Worth Flyers and Colorado 14ers. He participated at D-League All-Star Game in 2007. He also made it into All-D-League 1st Team in 2007.


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  CROATIA   


Bilbao inks 2+1 year deal with Fran Pilepic - by Eurobasket News

Gescrap Bizkaia Bilbao Basket officially announced singing of a 2+1 year deal with Fran Pilepic (192-G-89). The Croatian guard arrives from Siroki Wwin, where he spent last two seasons. He helped them win two championship titles in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also won two Cup trophies together. Pilepic had 14.8 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.2 apg for 25 games in Adriatic league last season. In 2010/11, the player had 11.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg in the regional championship. Pilepic was named to Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League 1st Team in 2011 and 2012.
Before Siroki, Fran Pilepic played for Svjetlost Slavonski Brod and Kvarner. This summer he made it to the list of 15 candidates of the Croatian National Team from 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications. Last summer he played for Croatian B NT. In the past, Pilepic was a member of U20, U18 and U16 Croatia.


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  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   


MACEDONIA GAME CRUCIAL FOR DOMINICAN OLYMPIC HOPES - by Ozell Wells

Macedonia game crucial for Dominican Olympic hopes
Tomorrow's game against Macedonia, ranked 33rd in the world, is crucial for the Dominican Republic's Olympic basketball qualifying hopes. The game will be played on Friday, 6 July at 5:30pm. The winner will move on to the semifinals and a chance at one of the three berths for the Olympics, while the loser goes home. The DR, ranked 25th in the world, is 1-1 after losing yesterday to world ranked No. 11 Russia, 84-69. The DR played against giants Andrei Kirilenko (206-F-81), Vitaliy Fridzon, Viktor Kryapa and Alexander Kaun.

In the game, Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) of the Atlanta Hawks led with 22 points and nine rebounds. Team captain Jack Michael Martinez (201-F-81, agency: Paris Global Sports) and Ronald Ramon (182-G-86, college: Pittsburgh) added 13 points and 12 boards each.


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  ESTONIA   


Kalev/Cramo tab Rait Keerles - by Eurobasket News

Rait Keerles (201-F-80) is coming back to Estonia. The forward signed a one-year deal with Kalev/Cramo. Rait Keerles played for Kalev in 1997/2011 seasons. However last season he left the team. Rait Keerles signed in Germany with Giants Duesseldorf. He tallied 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game in ProA. Rait Keerles was named All-Estonian League Forward of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He also made it into All-Domestic Player Team in 2006 and 2010. The forward earned All-Estonian League Honourable Mention in 2009. Rait Keerles was the member of Estonian National Team in 2005/10 seasons.


Estonia edge Georgia in test game - by Eurobasket News

Estonia U20 - Georgia U20 97:62

Estonia celebrated the first win in the test series versus their Georgian counterparts. The teams clashed in Johvi.
Estonia got to a flying start. They accumulated a 17:6 lead early in the game. Georgia bridged two quarters with a 6:0 run to narrow the gap. Estonia stayed in charge and rallied to a 40:29 halftime lead. The margin grew at 20-point mark in the third quarter. Estonia ensured a 68:47 lead heading into the fourth frame. The hosts dominated in the final quarter and raced to a comfortable win at the end. Martin Paasoja (191-G-93) scored 17 points to lead the winners. Karl-Kristjan Vaab (201-F-92) added 16 points for Estonia. Beka Burjanadze (203-F-94) and Duda Sanadze (196-G/F-92) responded with 15 points each for Georgia. Merab Bokolishvili (198-G-92) had 10 points in the loss.

Estonia U20: Martin Paasoja 17, Karl-Kristjan Vaab 16, Rait-Riivo Laane (179-PG-93) 15
Georgia U20: Beka Burjanadze 15, Duda Sanadze 15


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  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   


ESL Torino still hot in second day, but players work through as 3 Italian pro teams show up for games! - by ESL News

Yes, it was hot in Torino Italy the second day in a row with 3 pro teams from Italy showing up for the day. The players worked their but's off as they would go through an NBA type combine session in the morning run by Coach Daniel Jusup. Then, two games in the evening, hoping there would be some relief from the heat in the evening, however the heat lingered. Both games were very competitive, but first game for sure was the better of the two. In the first game of the evening, Milano beat Torino 40 35. The second game, with a short break in between, was a repeat of the first with Milano beating Torino 49-29. The atmosphere was good in the gym all evening as many fans filled into the gym to catch a glimpse of the ESL and local national team player Lorenzo Baldasso (190-G-95). Also, on hand for the game was the local media as ESL and PMS Basketball Club put out a press release each morning with the days schedule.

Game 1:
Milano-40
Bulut Altin (187-PG-93), 12 pts, 4 rbds, 4 asts, Ruben Silva (192-F), 11 pts, 3 rbds, 2 asts, Ludovico Tunzi, 0 pts, 2 rbds, 3 asts, Lorenzo Baldasso, 7pts, 3 rbds, 4 asts, Marco Rolando (208-C-75), 10 pts, 7 rbds
Torino-35
Corey Shontz (185-PG-89, college: John Carroll), 14 points, 5 asts, 4 rbds, Craig Williams (191-G-84), 0 pts, 1 ast, 3 rbds, Davide Curletti (205-F-90), 17 pts, 6 rbds, Matija Poscic (205-C-85, college: De Paul), 4 pts, 1 ast, 6 rbds, Andrea Lazzari, 0 pts, 2 asts, 2 rbds

Game 2:
Milano-49
Bulut Altin, 17 pts, 3 asts, 2 rbds, Ruben Silva, 15 pts, 2 asts, 2 rbds, Ludovico Tunzi, 5 pts, 1 ast, 2 rbds, Marco Rolando, 2 pts, 8 rbds, Lorenzo Baldasso, 10 pts, 4 asts, 3 rbds
Torino-29
Corey Shontz, 6 pts, 3 asts, 1 rbd, Craig Williams, 1 pt, 2 asts, 3 rbds, Davide Curletti, 9 pts, 1 ast, 8 rbds, Matija, Poscic, 11 pts, 1 ast, 6 rbds, Andrea Lazzari, 2 pts, 3 asts, 3 rbds


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  EUROCHALLENGE   


EuroChallenge Seedings Announced - by Eurobasket News

FIBA Europe has announced the seedings for the EuroChallenge Regular Season Draw, which will take place on July 6 at 11:45 CET in Freising, Germany.

28 teams are already qualified for the Regular Season and will be joined by four teams emerging from the EuroChallenge Qualifying Round.

The 28 Regular Season teams and the four (4) Qualifying Round winners are divided into four (4) seeding pots of eight (8) teams each.

The pairings for the Qualifying Round will be drawn from two (2) seeds.

Both Regular Season and Qualifying Round will be drawn without any restrictions.

You can follow the Draw in real time through live updates on FIBAEurope.com

The Regular Season seeding pots are:

Pot 1 (Top Seeds)
KRKA Novo Mesto (SLO), Krasnye Krylia Samara (RUS), Port of Antwerp Giants (BEL) Szolnoki Olaj (HUN), BK Ventspils (LAT), Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA), Khimik Yuzhny (UKR), Belfius Mons-Hainaut (BEL)

Pot 2
Okapi Aalstar (BEL), Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER), Keravnos Nicosia (CYP), BC Minsk 2006 (BLR), Norrkoping Dolphins (SWE), ETHA Engomi Nicosia (CYP), University Tartu (EST), EWE Baskets Oldenburg (GER)

Pot 3
Karsiyaka Sports Club (TUR), CSU Asesoft Ploiesti (ROU), SLUC Nancy (FRA), BC Armia Tbilisi (GEO), Paris Levallois (FRA), Tampereen Pyrint (FIN), JDA Dijon (FRA), Fortress-Lami Ved Krmend (HUN)

Pot 4
Hapoel Holon (ISR), BCMU Pitesti (ROU), BC Timisoara (ROU), Sodertalje BBK (SWE), Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, Qualifier 3, Qualifier 4

The Qualifying Round seedings are as follows:

Seeded teams
Aliaga Petkim Izmir (TUR), Tofas SC Bursa (TUR), Apollon Limassol (CYP), Ural Ekaterinburg (RUS)

Unseeded teams
Xion Dukes Klosterneuburg (AUT), Rakvere Tarvas (EST), Joensuun Kataja (FIN), GAZ Metan Medias (ROU)
Courtesy of: fibaeurope.com


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  EUROLEAGUE   


Regal Barcelona add Ante Tomic - by Eurobasket News

Regal Barcelona announced the signing of Ante Tomic (217-C-87). The centre signed a three-year deal with the Spanish champions despite previous reports sending him to CSKA Moscow. Ante Tomic played for Real Madrid lately. Last season he tallied 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in Euroleague. In ACB the centre posted 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per appearance. Eurobasket.com named Ante Tomic All-Spanish ACB Centre of the Year in 2011. The centre earned All-Euroleague Honourable Mention in 2011 and made it into All-Spanish ACB 2nd Team in 2010. Previously Ante Tomic had spells for KK Zadar, Dubrovnik, KK Zagreb. He has been the member of Croatian National Team since 2008. He also played for U16, U18 and U20 Croatian selections.


Lamont Hamilton heads to Ukraine - by Eurobasket News

Update: BC Donetsk denied the agreement with the player in their press-release. We will keep you updated on the situation.

Lamont Hamilton (208-C/F-84, college: St.John's) will move to Ukraine next season. The centre has reportedly agreed on terms of contract with the Superleague champions BC Donetsk. The deal is meant for two seasons. Lamont Hamilton spent the last season in France. He played for Paris-Levallois. His stats read 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in ProA. Eurobasket.com named Lamont Hamilton All-French ProA Centre of the Year. He also participated at ProA All-Star Game. It was the third straight season in Paris for the centre. Previously Lamont Hamilton had stints with Tenerife Rural and Mallorca in Spain.


Real Madrid confirms signing of Rudy Fernandez until 2015 - by Eurobasket News

A familiar face returns to the Spanish capital at the prime of his career with Real Madrid's announcement Wednesday that Rudy Fernandez (198-G/F-85) has inked a three-year deal with the club. Fernandez (1.97 meters, 27 years old) started the 2011-12 season with Madrid and averaging 11.5 points on 89.5% free throw shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in eight Turkish Airlines Euroleague games. He went on to play for Denver in the NBA, where he averaged 8.6 points and 2.4 assists in 31 games. A former Euroleague Rising Star award winner and a reigning European champion, the popular swingman spent the previous three seasons in the NBA playing for Portland. Fernandez started his career with Joventut Badalona, whom he led to a glorious period in the mid-2000s. He was chosen as the 2007-08 Euroleague Rising Star after averaging 15.8 points in 19 games. Fernandez also led Joventut to the 2006 FIBA Europe Cup and the 2008 ULEB Cup titles. He was chosen as the 2008 ULEB Cup Final Eight MVP after averaging 16 points in the final three games to lead Joventut to the trophy. Fernandez also won the 2008 Spanish King's Cup, during which he collected MVP honors. He is a regular member of the Spanish national team. Fernandez led Spain to victories at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, EuroBasket 2009 - when he was chosen to the All-Tournament team, and most recently at EuroBasket 2011. He also has silver medals from the 2008 Olympics and EuroBasket 2007. He is set to help Spain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, before re-joining Madrid. It will be his third appearance in the Olympic basketball tournament.

"I am very happy to be back with this club: Fernandez said. "I came back to win titles because this is what I want and what made me return to Europe. Winning titles makes a player grow. I expect good and bad times over the next three years. The plus that I give my teammates is that I am a winner and have experience in these competitions. I will keep working and getting better to help my team improve. Playing the Euroleague has a big impact in my decision. It is a competition that every player wants to win. I now have the luck to play in a team with a lot of tradition and that is a reference. I think we can win do it this season."

Courtesy of Euroleague


Regal Barcelona parts ways with Kosta Perovic - by Eurobasket News

Kosta Perovic (217-C-85) is no longer a member of Regal Barcelona. The reigning Spanish champion decided not to use its contract option to keep the player for the next season. Perovic arrived to Barca two years ago from Valencia. Last season he had 5.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg for 23 games in Liga Endesa. The player also added 4.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg fro 20 Euroleague games. In 2010/11, Perovic had pretty close numbers. The Serbian center and Barca won two Spanish league titles and one Cup trophy together. In 2010 with Valencia, Perovic won the EuroCup and was named Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup Center of the Year. In the past, he played for the Golden State Warriors, Bakersfield Jam and Partizan Belgrade. Perovic also had important role in the Serbian NT over the past few years. He will miss 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications.


Basketball Rules Summit panel makes broad recommendations - by Eurobasket News

The Euroleague Basketball Institute's groundbreaking Basketball Rules Summit concluded in Barcelona on Tuesday with an expert panel of professionals in the sport making a series of recommendations to change and interpret rules in ways that make the game more exciting for fans of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the Eurocup.

The spirited two-day debate among 13 of the top coaches, players, referees, team and league executives, media, television and marketing experts reached a consensus on proposals to improve a range of game situations that respected the summit's goal in making the competitions cleaner, fairer and more exciting.

Among the proposals were several intended to give players more freedom of movement, such as widening the court itself and relaxing the interpretation of travelling rules, as well as more consistent application by the referees of the existing rules.

Other recommendations aim to speed up the game by shortening the time spent on existing procedures such as free throws, substitutions and timeouts.

Still other proposals are designed to enhance fairness through an increased use of instant replay in limited situations and using jump balls instead of the alternate possession arrow to resolve in-game instances of a held ball.

Finally, the group of experts urged generally a policy of interpreting certain rules, without changing them, in a way that offensive players have more freedom to move unimpeded, thereby promoting a more free-flowing and rhythmic game.

The summit proposals that involve interpretations of existing rules will be discussed further with Turkish Airlines Euroleague Head Coaches in their annual meeting with Euroleague Basketball this week with an eye toward implementing them for the 2012-13 season. The proposals that involve rule changes will be consulted with the clubs in the Euroleague Commercial Assets GeneralAssembly later this week, and, if approved, will subsequently be discussed with FIBA and ULEB.

The Basketball Rules Summit panel consisted of former Euroleague-winning coaches Zeljko Obradovic and Ettore Messina; coaching legend Aito Garcia Reneses; former Euroleague MVP Theo Papaloukas; Adriatic League president Rado Lorbek; Saski Baskonia club president Josean Querejeta; KK Cibona Zagreb adviser for sports and communication director Mihovil Nakic; Euroleague Basketballs Director of Referees, Costas Rigas; veteran referee Luigi Lamonica; marketing executive Glenn Chin of Most Prolific; television producer and analyst Flavio Tranquillo; and Euroleague.net/Euroleague.TV editorial director Frank Lawlor.

"The summit panel has produced many strong ideas to make our game more spectacular, clean and fair," said Euroleague Basketball President and CEO Jordi Bertomeu. "We had a variety of truly devoted basketball professionals who see the game from different viewpoints, and their debate enlightened everyone in the room. What was paramount in this process was always keeping uppermost in our minds the fans and their need to enjoy our competitions even more. Now we have a roadmap to help that happen in the near future, and now it's time to share it with FIBA World and other governing bodies."

Courtesy of Euroleague


Maccabi Tel Aviv signs 3-year deal with Sylven Landesberg - by Eurobasket News

Sylven Landesberg (198-F/G-90, college: Virginia) is a new member of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli powerhouse signed him to a 3-year deal. Landesberg had impressive last season with Maccabi Haifa averaging 20.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23 games. He was the second scorer of the league. Landesberg was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Honorable Mention -12 and he also participated at the Premier League All-Star Game. Landesberg played for Maccabi Haifa in 2010/11 as well. It was his first year as a pro and he played at the All-Star Game. The team competed in EuroChallenge that season and Landesberg registered 10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.2 apg in 14 games. Sylven Landesberg joined Maccabi Haifa in 2010 from the University of Virginia. He had 17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.9 apg for the school in their last season together. Landesberg left Virginia after two years.


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  FRANCE   


Paris-Levallois keeps Head Coach Christophe Denis until 2014 - by Eurobasket News

Paris-Levallois kept its Head Coach Christophe Denis for the next two years. It is expected move by the club. Denis took over PL as Head Coach in January of 2011. He started that season as Assistant Coach. Denis coached PL also from 2008 to 2010. Last season the team reached ProA Quarterfinals. They ended regular season as No.6 with 17-13 record.
From 2004 to 2008, Christophe Denis coached U20 team of Paris Basket Racing (now Paris-Levallois). He served there also as Assistant Coach of the senior squad and he had the same position with Antibes in 2002/03. Denis is currently a Head Coach of the Ivory Coast National Team.
Paris-Levallois has big ambitions for the next season. The team wants to sign American center Sean May. They also targeted Serbian point guard Vule Avdalovic, but the player moved to ALBA Berlin.


Paris-Levallois tab Louis Labeyrie - by Eurobasket News

Paris-Levallois secured the services of Louis Labeyrie (209-C-92). The centre has agreed on terms of three-year contract with the team. Last season Louis Labeyrie spent with Hyeres-Toulon. He tallied 9.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in ProA. Louis Labeyrie also played for U21 team. Previously Louis Labeyrie played for Fos Ouest Provence Basket. He was the member of U16, U18 and U20 French National Teams. The centre participated at Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso this summer.


U17 World Championship: France overwhelm South Korea - by Eurobasket News

France U17-South Korea U17 110:50

France overwhelm South Korea in the start of the Classification Round for 9-12 places. The European side celebrated an easy 110:50 win at the U17 World Championship I Kaunas.
France U17 started with 29-12 in the opening period and never looked behind after. They added 23-6 in the second frame and enjoyed a 52:18 halftime advantage. Moreover France needed 24-12 in the third quarter to take 76:30 after thirty minutes. South Korea managed to score 20 points in the last quarter to finish with 50, however they could not even win that frame. France nailed 34 points in the final stanza to seal the victory.
Arthur Rozenfeld (179-PG-95) top-scored for the winners with 21 points, while Charly Pontens (189-G-95), Damien Inglis (204-PF-95) and Antoine Chevrier (196-F/G-95) posted 14 each. Paul Rigot (199-SF-95) notched 11 and Petr Cornelie (209-C/F-95) delivered 10. Heo Hoon (181-G-95) ended up with 14 points in the losing effort and Lee Minyoung (180-PG-95) scored 12.

France U17: Arthur Rozenfeld 21, Charly Pontens 14, Damien Inglis 14, Antoine Chevrier 14, Paul Rigot 11, Petr Cornelie 10
South Korea U17: Heo Hoon 14, Lee Minyoung 12


Zaka Alao heads to La Charite - by Eurobasket News

La Charite secured the services of Zaka Alao (187-G-81) for the next season. The guard spent the last season in Brest. He averaged 9.6 points, 2.0 assists and 2.0 boards per game in NM1. Previously Zaka Alao had spells for Blois Basket, Longwy-Rehon, Grand-Saconnex, Golbey-Epinal and Limoges. He was ProB champion back in 2001. Eurobasket.com named Zaka Alao into French N1 All-Newcomers Team in 2008. He participated at French N1 All-Star Game the same season.


Roanne bring in Coleman Collins - by Eurobasket News

Roanne agreed on terms of contract with Coleman Collins (206-F-86, agency: Interperformances, college: Virginia Tech). The forward will sign a two-year deal with the team. Last season Coleman Collins spent in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for HKK Siroki. The forward averaged 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in Adriatic League. In Bosnian League Coleman Collins delivered 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists per appearance. He became Bosnia and Herzegovina League champion and Cup winner. Previously Coleman Collins had stints in Germany with Ludwigsburg and Ulm. He was drafted by the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2008 as the sixth overall pick. The forward also participated at NBA Summer League in 2009.


Paris-Levallois lock Jonathan Aka until year 2014 - by Eurobasket News

Paris-Levallois lock Jonathan Aka (203-PF-86) until year 2014. According to Paris-Levallois Official Website the player will remain with the team for two seasons.
In April Paris-Levallois brought in Jonathan Aka. First the power forward signed a short-term deal with the team. He was meant to replace Vincent Masingue on the roster. Jonathan Aka started the season with Vichy. He tallied 3.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block per game in ProB. In January Jonathan Aka joined Poitiers Basket. His stats read 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per appearance. Previously the forward had stints with ASVEL, Pau-Orthez, Dijon, Boulazac. Jonathan Aka was the member of French U18 and U20 National Teams.
In Jan.'12 he moved to Union Poitiers Basket 86 (ProA) from JA Vichy Val d'Allier Auvergne basket. In his top games he recorded 12 points twice. In the last one Poitiers outlasted Cholet in overtime by eight points 85-77. In 2005 Jonathan Aka was a French U20 National Team member. He participated at the European Championships U20 in Moscow -05 and averaged 2.0ppg, 1.6rpg.


France edged Sweden before Troyes U20 tournament - by Eurobasket News

France U20-Sweden U20 67:63

France U20 faced Sweden U20 in a friendly campaign before the Troyes tournament. The home side trailed in the majority of the game but won the friendly game. France U20 overcame Sweden U20 67:63. Trailing 13-24 after the first period, France could not wake up until the end of the half and allowed the Scandinavian team to take 16-point lead at the halftime. France needed 20-11 in the third period and 22-11 in the last to seal the victory.
Louis Labeyrie (209-C-92) top-scored for the winners with 17 points, while Hugo Invernizzi (196-G/F-93) notched 12. Livio Jean-Charles (204-PF-93) and Rudy Gobert (212-C-92) followed them with 10 points each. Markus Marcus Eriksson (196-G/F-93) ended up with 19 points in defeat, while Viktor Gaddefors (203-SF-92) scored 15. Charles Barton (192-PG-92) notched 9 in defeat and Tobias Borg (183-PG-93) delivered 8.

France U20: Louis Labeyrie 17 points, Hugo Invernizzi 12, Livio Jean-Charles 10, Rudy Gobert 10
Sweden U20: Marcus Eriksson 19, Viktor Gaddefors 15, Charles Barton 9, Tobias Borg 8


Nancy keep Jamal Shuler - by Eurobasket News

Nancy extended the contract of Jamal Shuler (191-G-86). The guard will enter his second straight season with the team. Last season Jamal Shuler averaged 11.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in Euroleague. In ProA Jamal Shuler notched 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per appearance. The guard earned Eurobasket.com All-French ProA Honourable Mention. Previously he played for Vichy, TBB Trier. He was French SuperCup winner in 2011. Jamal Shuler is among three players who stayed on the roster from the previous season. Kenny Grant (188-G-82, college: Davidson) and Abdel Kader Sylla (205-C-90) are the other two. Nancy also secured the services of Marcellus Sommerville (200-F-82, college: Bradley) and Nicholas Pope (196-F/G-84, college: Oklah.Baptist) for the next season.


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  FYR MACEDONIA   


Macedonia first in the group . Dominican Republic opponent in the quarterfinals - by Georgi Bujukliev

In the group phase of the Pre Tournament in Caracas,New Zealand beat Angola, leaving Macedonia in the first position of the table in the group before Angola because of better points-difference. Dominican Republic, after the defeat of Russia will be the opponent of Macedonian team in a quarterfinal meeting on Friday.
On the day when Macedonian team was free of matches , New Zealand did not do enough to ensure placement in the quarterfinals , however , the triumph over Angola with 68 - 64, created a uniform grade-point balance of the three selections in the group , where Macedonian team have is best points - difference .
The victory of Macedonian players over New Zealand with 22 points difference in the second competition day , left Macedonia as leaders in group B , before Angola which has equal number of received and scored points and New Zealand which ended with a negative 18 points difference and there are eliminated from further part of the tournament .
So , Macedonia as the first placed in the group , in the quarterfinals will play against the Dominican Republic , which by yesterday's defeat by Russia ( 69 - 84), finished of second position in that group .
Russian team will play against Angola . Quarterfinal match between Macedonia and the Dominican Republic is scheduled for Friday at 23:30 am .


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  GEORGIA   


Estonia edge Georgia in test game - by Eurobasket News

Estonia U20 - Georgia U20 97:62

Estonia celebrated the first win in the test series versus their Georgian counterparts. The teams clashed in Johvi.
Estonia got to a flying start. They accumulated a 17:6 lead early in the game. Georgia bridged two quarters with a 6:0 run to narrow the gap. Estonia stayed in charge and rallied to a 40:29 halftime lead. The margin grew at 20-point mark in the third quarter. Estonia ensured a 68:47 lead heading into the fourth frame. The hosts dominated in the final quarter and raced to a comfortable win at the end. Martin Paasoja (191-G-93) scored 17 points to lead the winners. Karl-Kristjan Vaab (201-F-92) added 16 points for Estonia. Beka Burjanadze (203-F-94) and Duda Sanadze (196-G/F-92) responded with 15 points each for Georgia. Merab Bokolishvili (198-G-92) had 10 points in the loss.

Estonia U20: Martin Paasoja 17, Karl-Kristjan Vaab 16, Rait-Riivo Laane (179-PG-93) 15
Georgia U20: Beka Burjanadze 15, Duda Sanadze 15


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  GERMANY   


Achmadschah Zazai Remains A LTi Giessen 46er - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

He may of only played his first complete season in the Beko BBL last season, but Achmadschah Zazai (177-PG-86) developed into a real charachter on the court and the type of player you want to see each weekend. Not only his flair on the court impressed the LTi Giessen 46ers, but also his abilities as he was rewarded with a contract extension today. Last season, Zazai who is refered to as Cha Cha or Speedy Gonzalez played 27 games averaging 3.1ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.0apg. The German/Afghani is pleased to remain in Giessen. "As I got injured, I tried to come back to early. I wanted too much which might have been a mistake. I wasnt 100% fit when I returned. I did show last season that I can play at this level and play a good role. I am happy to stay in Giessen and want to make the next step. I will show the Giessen fans this season what I have. I want to help the team even more. I had good talks with Mathias Fischer and am convinced that we will have abetter season with the fantastic fans behind us", warned Achmadschah Zazai. He scored in double figures three times last season and impressed the home town fans in Berlin as he dished 7 assists against Alba Berlin. "Cha Cha plays with a lot of intensity, heart and seeks the challenge in Giessen. I dont need to say much about his effort on the court as he played here last season. He will get more of a leadership role and help lead the team", added Mathias Fischer.

Source: LTi Giessen 46ers


Till-Joscha Joenke Moves To ratiopharm Ulm - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber


A day after signing Kay Gausa, 2012 Beko BBL finalist has nabbed Till-Joscha Joenke (190-PG-92) giving him a contract and double license to play also for Weissenhorn. Joenke is a 20 year old 189cm point guard that belonged to the top guards in the PRO B last season. He played for Bayer Giants Leverkusen (ProB) the last two seasons and last season played 26 games: 11.0ppg, 7.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 64.2%. Ex Beko BBL player and ratiopharm Ulm youth coordinator Artur Kolodziejski is impressed with the talent of the youth. "Till has a lot of talent. The fact that he chose us despite many offers from the Beko BBL is very valuable", stressed Artur Kolodziejski. Achim Kuczmann who coached Joenke last season also laudes the German. "He is a team player and goes there where it hurts and always guarded the opponents best player. He can develop further with Ulm and has a good role model with Per Guenther", added Achim Kuczmann.

Source: ratiopharm Ulm


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  GREECE   


Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Greece stun Puerto Rico - by Eurobasket News

Greece - Puerto Rico 98:84

Greece earned the second straight win at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. They edge Puerto Rico in Caracas to clinch the top spot in Group A. Greece will now take on Nigeria in quarterfinals. Puerto Rico will play versus Lithuania.
Greece unloaded 30 points in the opening quarter to take a 3-point lead. The Latin American team slowed the Hellenes down in the second quarter. Puerto Rico cut the deficit to 2 points at halftime 47:49. But Greece restored a safe cushion in the third term. The European team held Puerto Rico to 15 points in the third quarter to ensure an 8-point buffer before the fourth term. Greece unloaded 28 points in the final period to seal the victory. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) produced 27 points for Greece. Georgios Printezis (206-F-85, agency: FCM) and Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) added 16 points each for the winners. Peter John Ramos (222-C-85) responded with 15 points for Puerto Rico. Renaldo Balkman (201-F-84, agency: Arete Sports Agency, college: S.Carolina) and Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) netted 13 points each in the loss.

Greece: Vassilis Spanoulis 27, Georgios Printezis 16, Ioannis Bourousis 16
Puerto Rico: Peter John Ramos 15, Renaldo Balkman 13, Jose Juan Barea 13


Manolopoulos leaves Aris coaching staff.Panathinaikos ready to sign him - by George Fragkos

The rumor that started to get spread in Greece proved to be totally valid. Sotiris Manolopoulos , Vangelis Alexandris 's assistant during the previous season, released an official statement announcing that he has decided to leave Aris Thessaloniki. In this statement he makes it clear that this decision has nothing to do with the club but it is totally due to family issues which oblige him to stay in Athens.

Although Manolopoulos is currently in Venezuela with the National team as a member of the coaching staff, he is said to have already been targeted by Panathinaikos Athens. Argiris Pedoulakis , the new head coach of the "Greens" has expressed his desire to work with Manolopoulos and now that the 42-year-old coach is unattached the agreement between him and Panathinaikos is very likely.

The final talks are expected to be held after the return of the Greek national team from Venezuela next week, though there is a possibility that the two sides might not wait and close their deal earlier.


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  HOLLAND   


Tennessee State University Sign Dutch prospect Chaed Wellian - by Fred Roggen

Tennessee State University mens basketball coach Travis Williams announced the first signing under his tutelage on Monday. Dutch prospect Chaed Weillian (203-F) inked National Letters of Intent (NLI) with the Tigers. Wellian averaged 14.9 points and seven rebounds for the Atlanta Metro Trailblazers last season. Offensively, he hit forty percent of his three-point attempts. On the defensive side, the forward averaged two steals a contest.

Chaed Wellian is a very versatile and skilled combo forward, said Williams. He competes, plays hard and is capable of scoring inside and outside. He is a good three-point shooter. He has solid ball handling and passing skills for his size and will bring an added dimension to our team. I am extremely excited about coaching this young young men this season, said Williams.



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  HUNGARY   


Adam Hanga had an 11 days workout with the Spurs - by Tamas Deri

The best hungarian player, Adam Hanga (201-G-89, agency: TSS Management) spent 11 days in San Antonio and worked out with the San Antonio Spurs. Adam, who was drafted in the 2nd round last summer was invited by the NBA team and spent his time there with his agent Andras Lorant and his conditional trainer from Manresa, Xavier Schelling. The coaches of the Spurs were mainly focusing on Adams offensive skills and were working on his 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 situation decisions.

Here you can watch a short video of his workout including some of his best moves from the last season with Manresa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7Q17etj6Obc

Andras Lorant, FIBA licensed agent is very proud to be able to inform us that the assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Alex Lloyd will arrive on the 17th of July to our country and help Adam's and the hungarian NT preperation for the EC qualification games!


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  IBL   


IBL Playoffs tip in Bellingham on Thursday - by Eurobasket News

A Look Inside the 2012 IBL Playoffs

First Round Game #1: Thursday, July 5 at 5pm #3 Edmonton Energy vs. #6 Olympia Reign The preview Tuesday night at Olympia looked like the real thing; playoff basketball on both ends of the court. All tied up at 100, the game went into overtime, where the Reign pulled out a home win over the traveling Energy 118-111 in front of an intense audience. In Thursday's first round re-match, just up I-5 we will hear cheers from fans of both teams as they travel to see who will face Portland in the semi-finals on Friday.

Robbie Sihota (6'6''-F-87), an IBL Player of the Week this season for the Energy was still confident after the loss Tuesday putting up 18 points and 19 rebounds off the bench, "It is good to see their team, the new addition in Bain helps them," he shared.

"Tonight we started slow, which could have been due to travel and just wasn't enough to recover in overtime. We are hungry for the playoffs and some of our returning players still have a bad taste in their mouths from losing to Vancouver last year, our team as a whole wants to bring the trophy to Canada where it belongs," the 6-foot-7 Canadian product out of the University of Calgary stated confidently.

Two years with the Energy and three in the IBL Sihota's teammate and veteran Curtis Nash (6'5''-G/F-80, college: Charlotte) from UNC-Charlotte is excited for the playoffs, "This is the most consistent atmosphere besides playing at home, good competition, full teams, full rosters, good crowds ready for intense playoff basketball," Nash shared. "We have some of the best starters in the league, but you're only as good as your bench, ours is strong and we are all on the same page looking for the championship again. This is a new year, we cannot dwell on the past, we are a better team with Bucknor, Ferguson, Sihota mixed with our vets give us, more depth and experience, leadership with Sir and many of our guys. Being a third seed we know we have to win every game and do our best, nothing comes easy and we earn everything we have. Last night was a great game they did what they had to do and win at home. Broadus is returning for the playoffs and on a neutral court the game goes to anybody; we have high hopes and expectations," stated the focused IBL veteran.

For Olympia, guard Mike Ward rose to the challenge Tuesday at his house, playing one of the best games of his career with 30 points, and he hopes to have a repeat performance in the playoffs against the same Energy team. "The momentum with a win and our team gelling at the end of the game was great in front of our home crowd. Bain was the missing piece all season, we needed a big man to help rebound and he sure did with 16. Going into the first round we are not concerned this game went into OT we know they are a great team that will make their run, that is what a great team does," Ward acknowledged. "This year versus last we play together more and are focused, coming close to the #1 seed and host, the Slam, but we are not concerned about being in their venue, it is the same everywhere you go a court, two hoops and a ball. The IBL competition is at its best this year and teams are playing harder. Next up would be Portland for us with another win over the Energy, and we are very confident we can play with them all of our games were a tough battle," the 4 year IBL veteran forecasted.

The new big man for the Reign, Bain is a hot topic in the IBL moving from the Orlando Venom to the Olympia Reign, "It was a little bit weird at first, meeting the owner, team and coaches everyone has been really welcoming here and the situation is great, the scenery is very nice here in the Pacific Northwest," the 7-footer shared. "On the court it has been surprisingly easy to adjust, after our first practice together we were gelling kind of quick and we are just having fun together playing basketball. I am excited to be a part of the IBL playoffs in my first year in the league, looking forward to playing teams again who are great competitors. Being able to finish off the season is great and I hope to get a look and opportunity to move to the next step in my career." With his height, abilities and skill still developing it is possible Bain will do just that. "The victory helps us against the great Energy team who are positive on the court as well, it gives us a confidence boost, but I know tomorrow it's going to be a dog fight like you saw Tuesday. It will be down to the wire again, we have to be physically and mentally prepared and come out and play our best as I know they will. Should we be fortunate enough to make it past the Energy, I know Portland will be a tough team too, they have a skilled big man, their guards are good and that will be a tough game as well," the Bahamian native shared honestly about the competition in the IBL Playoffs.

First Round Game #2: Thursday, July 5 at 7:30pm #4 Vancouver Volcanoes vs. #5 Salem Soldiers Leading scorer with 28.8 points per game in the IBL and tied for rebound average at 12.7, Chehales Tapscott (6'5''-F-90) of the Salem Soldiers likes their chances for a championship even coming off a loss to the Vancouver Volcanoes Sunday as they re-match in the first round Thursday night at 7:30pm.

"We beat them before and we can beat them again," Tapscott stated. The Soldiers are the only team this season who have taken a win on Bellingham's home court, the Volcanoes have never won at Whatcom. "The win in Bellinghamwas earlier in the season and is an advantage over the Volcanoes, but this is the playoffs and we will bring our game," the college graduate stated confidently.

With two rings in the NWAACC for Clackamas Community College before moving on to Portland State University, he knows what it takes to be a champion, but what will it take to take out a champion? "We beat them two times this season, they are the defending champs, but we did it and can do it again. We are playing at our best right now and have been together all season. I feel like we have a coaching advantage with the best in the league because he is a player's coach, trusts us and has a game plan."

An IBL veteran, 5-foot-6 point guard Jeremiah Dominguez is ready for the playoffs. "We have a good chance against them, we learned a lot from that (Sunday's) game, it was a good practice game for the playoffs. We have some things to change and will for the playoffs, we missed half of our free throws Sunday and if we rebound more we should win. It helps to be the only team that beat the Slam at their place, but they do have home court advantage in the semi-finals Friday," Dominguez shared about being the team who took the home opener from the host.

A teammate with Andre Murray at Portland State, Dominguez knows they have to direct more attention to the second-leading scorer in the IBL to win, "On Murray we will change it up to focus more on shutting him down; me and Tapscott are going to play our game and see if it works. In the semi-finals we match up well with Bellingham and our bigs can get up and down the court, which gives us some advantage especially with Tapscott," the quick moving guard shared about his teammate also from Portland State.

Josh Tarver who was in the NBA Development League this winter has not won a game in Bellingham on this team but has with the Yamhill Highflyers, "You have to keep pushing to win at Whatcom Pavilion, minimize fouls as they can decide the game and we have keep the momentum going our way," is the advice from the third-year IBL player. "In the last two games we have been playing together, better defense and the win against Salem at our final home game of the season Sunday helps give us the momentum. If they are playing that same zone like they did again they will be taking their chances, we have shooters that will knock it down and get open. We have to maintain them as they move the ball well around as we do, and contain them, especially Tapscott and Dominguez. We are not the same team we were back in those 2 losses against Salem, it is a different environment, we have figured out our rotation and have learned who we are which is totally different from what they have seen. I feel like our coach is the best coach in there, he is around the NBA all the time and college to help us transition as he knows both. Coach Navarro knows his stuff, everyone on our team respects him, we put our trust in him and he knows what we have to do to adjust in the game and this high level of pro players. It will be tough to face Bellingham in their house for the playoffs in the semi finals after we take on Salem. It would take smart basketball on the court to take a game from them in their house. Right now all I am thinking about is Salem," shared a focused Tarver looking to help his team win.

Dominguez and Murray played with each other at Portland State for two years, "I know his game that is why I chose to guard him," shared Andre Murray, a part of the 2011 Champion Volcanoes looking to defend this weekend. "We beat Salem as well and although we have not won in Bellingham against the Slam, this is not the game against them yet, it is the Soldiers first. I feel good about the whole playoffs, not looking past them as they are a good team. The key is if we have the contributions from everybody I feel we can win. Having Tarver and Hartman back helps. Some of the games we have had against them we didn't have our guys and we are all back together now, after a tough regular season schedule. We were the fourth seed last year, the only difference is we hosted at the end of the day it is just basketball, either we are going to get it done or were not. Something has to change, Bellingham is due. You have to stay confident; I respect many of the players in our league. We still feel like we are the best team top to bottom and like our chances to repeat," was Murray's outlook to start the championship tournament.

Semi-Final Game #1: Friday, July 6 at 5pm #2 Portland Chinooks awaits either Edmonton or Olympia Jared Cunningham of the Portland Chinooks had a standout performance Tuesday in their last home game versus the Nippon Tornadoes and is looking forward to the IBL Playoffs. On a nine-game winning streak, the Chinooks beat Bellingham last weekend within that streak and will be enjoying the bye with a day off from playing, but will be on the sidelines to preview their opponent.

"We are pretty confident right now, as long as we go in there and do what we know how to do," shared the first-year IBL player. "Olympia is a good team, if they catch a streak and get hot no telling what they can do. Their addition in Bain isn't going to stop what we have to do. The talent on Edmonton is really good, but it doesn't matter who we play we have a mind set to come out with a Championship. We have our goal set and nothing is going to stop us. Our plan is to stick together, which is something we have been doing over the past weeks to get all those wins. My first season in the IBL has been good, I am staying in shape, get film, good competition and would like to go to China, so I am getting ready for the CBA draft," Cunningham shared about his goals for the next steps.

Semi-Final Game #2: Friday, July 6 at 7:30pm #1 Bellingham Slam, playoff host, awaits Vancouver or Salem With the best record in the IBL this season, the Slam are poised to take advantage of hosting on their home court. But only one team has beat the Slam this season in their house and that is the Salem Soldiers, who they could face in the semi-finals Friday if they can get past the 2011 Champion Vancouver Volcanoes, who have never won a game at Whatcom Pavilion.

Coach Rob Ridnour has a talented roster, with three IBL Players of the Week in Morris Anderson, Blake Poole and Paul Hafford all comfortably awaiting the arrival of their opponents for the weekend. Hafford and Anderson are both enjoying their best seasons in Slam uniforms, with Hafford leading the team in scoring with 23.7 points per game and Anderson not far behind with 21.4 per game.

Center Blake Poole is also impressing in his second season in the Slam frontcourt, with averages of 18 points and 13 rebounds per game. He also finished with double-doubles in 13 of the Slam's 18 games during the regular season.

Despite having all the pieces in place, the Slam still face a difficult road in a league that has proven any team is capable of winning on a given night. Should the Slam win on Friday, they would advance to Sunday's championship game at 5 p.m. with a chance to pick up their second IBL title since 2008.

IBL Week in Review

Friday, June 29: Salem Soldiers 121 at Portland Chinooks 123 Portland continued their hot streak, winning their seventh straight game with the 123-121 victory over visiting Salem on Friday night. Salem was trailing by nine headed into the fourth quarter but in the end strong play from Jared Cunningham (31 points and 12 rebounds) and Everett Spencer (25 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists) proved to be too much. Salem point guard Jeremiah Dominguez added 34 points and 10 assists, but the Soldiers shot only 10-22 from the free throw line.

Friday, June 29: Yamhill Highflyers 119 at Vancouver Volcanoes 123 The Vancouver Volcanoes were able to snap a four game losing streak - critical before the playoffs begin - with a 123-119 win against the Yamhill Highflyers. Vancouver got balanced scoring and double doubles from Alex Hartman, Josh Tarver and Devin Uskoski and held on late for the close victory in Vancouver. The difference in the game, as we so often see late in the season, was free throws with Vancouver only missing 6 (shooting 81.8%) and Yamhill missing 13 (65.8%) Steffen Harvey poured in 26 points for the Highflyers who fell to 0-6 with their final loss of the season.

Friday, June 29: Nippon Tornadoes 110 at Edmonton Energy 152 Saturday, June 30: Nippon Tornadoes 84 at Edmonton Energy 145 There may be no hotter team heading into the playoffs than the Edmonton Energy who took out the Nippon Tornadoes Friday and Saturday to get their ninth and tenth straight victories. Friday night Edmonton used balanced scoring (eight in double figures) and strong defense - their formula all season - to take out the Tornadoes 152-110. Rashaun Broadus led them with 23 points while Masa Kataoka led the Tornadoes with 24 points and 11 assists.

Saturday, Edmonton was at it again with even stronger defense holding the Tornadoes under 90 points with the 145-84 victory. Kataoka had 25 points again for the Japanese team but they didn't get much else against a stifling Energy defense. As a team Edmonton scored 63 field goals to only 27 for the Tornadoes - an astounding number in any league. The Energy got 27 points from sharp shooter Steve Sir and 21 points and 12 rebounds from Robbie Sihota. They moved to 14-3 with the win and can match league leading Bellingham (who has wrapped up the number one seed due to a tiebreaker) with a win on Tuesday night. Saturday, June 30: Bellingham Slam 129 at Portland Chinooks 132 The Portland Chinooks handed the Bellingham Slam only their third loss of the season on Saturday with a 132-129 win at home. Bellingham had previously only dropped two games to Salem, but the Chinooks eighth straight win before the playoffs has to give them confidence moving forward. Everett Spencer and Ryan Scott combined for 69 points for the Chinooks who managed to shoot 53% despite only playing six players. Bellingham got 31 points and 10 rebounds from Morris Anderson, but it wasn't enough as they turned the ball over 19 times. The loss dropped Bellingham to 14-3, but they still look forward to hosting the playoffs July 5-8 as the number one seed.

Sunday, July 1: Salem Soldiers 129 at Vancouver Volcanoes 140 Vancouver got their second win in a row, after a four game losing streak, to head into the playoffs the right way with a 140-129 win over Salem in both team's regular season finale. Andre Murray finished out his strong regular season with 35 points and 10 rebounds for the Volcanoes while Salem's Chehales Tapscott added 22 points and 12 boards. Vancouver fans were treated to two of the best individual players in the league after the team's Fan Fest took place earlier that day. The team's combined for 35 turnovers, but Vancouver was able to take advantage on the boards. The Volcanoes two late season wins got them two games above .500 at 10-8 to finish the season, while Salem finished at 8-10. Vancouver finished 3-2 head to head with Salem on the year.

Sunday, July 1: West Coast Hotshots 103 at Bellingham Slam 149 Bellingham won their final game of the season and locked up the number one overall seed with a 149-103 victory against the West Coast Hotshots. All seven Bellingham players finished in double figures and four finished with double doubles (Stevenson, Poole, Hafford, and Anderson). The Hotshots were led by Brandon Striplin who had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. But Bellingham came out on a mission to get that number one seed in the playoffs that they will be hosting. They shot 57% from the field and had 12 steals. The win moved them to 15-3 on the regular season - which only Edmonton can match, but Bellingham took the one matchup versus the Energy this season.

Tuesday, July 3: Nippon Tornadoes 128, Portland Chinooks 178 The Nippon Tornadoes suffered another setback and the Portland Chinooks kept winning with as both teams closed out their regular seasons with a 178-128 Portland victory. All but one player scored in double figures for Portland, who was led by David Lucas with 35 points. Yasuo Iijima has another impressive game for the Tornadoes with 41 points, including 7 three-pointers.

Tuesday, July 3: Edmonton Energy 111, at Olympia Reign 118 The final game of the 2012 IBL regular season proved to be a thriller as the Olympia Reign upset the Edmonton Energy, 118-111 in overtime. Mike Ward and Nate Menefee both had outstanding games and were game-changers in the extra session, combining for 58 points, while Steve Sir, who tied the game with 30 seconds left to force OT, led Edmonton with 22 points. Both teams will now face each other in Bellingham on Thursday in the first round of the IBL Playoffs, with a semi-final berth on the line.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com


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  INDONESIA   


SEABA Cup: Philippines outscore Indonesia - by Eurobasket News

Philippines - Indonesia 80:52

Philippines accounted for the second win at the SEABA Cup in Thailand. Marnel Baracael (191-F/G-85) scored 15 points to lead Philippines past Indonesia. The losers fell at 0-2 record after the defeat.
Philippines gained a 21:8 lead ten minutes into the game. Philippines maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They secured a 41:25 halftime advantage. Philippines held Indonesia to 12 points in the third term to boost the lead to 22 points. Philippines never looked back en route to the victory in the fourth quarter. Chico Lanete (183-G-79) notched 14 points for the winners. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) added 13 points for Philippines. Christian Ronaldo Sitepu (200-C/F-86) and Faisal Julius Ahmad (179-PG-81) netted 13 points each in the loss.

Philippines: Marnel Baracael 15, Chico Lanete 14, Marcus Douthit 13
Indonesia: Christian Ronaldo Sitepu 13, Faisal Julius Ahmad 13


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  ISRAEL   


Maccabi Tel Aviv signs 3-year deal with Sylven Landesberg - by Eurobasket News

Sylven Landesberg (198-F/G-90, college: Virginia) is a new member of Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli powerhouse signed him to a 3-year deal. Landesberg had impressive last season with Maccabi Haifa averaging 20.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 23 games. He was the second scorer of the league. Landesberg was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Honorable Mention -12 and he also participated at the Premier League All-Star Game. Landesberg played for Maccabi Haifa in 2010/11 as well. It was his first year as a pro and he played at the All-Star Game. The team competed in EuroChallenge that season and Landesberg registered 10.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.2 apg in 14 games. Sylven Landesberg joined Maccabi Haifa in 2010 from the University of Virginia. He had 17.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.9 apg for the school in their last season together. Landesberg left Virginia after two years.


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  ITALY   


Enel Brindisi bring in Antywane Robinson - by Eurobasket News

Enel Brindisi strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Antywane Robinson (203-F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Temple). The forward spent the previous season in Turkey. He played for Erdemirspor. Antywane Robinson averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal per game in TBL. He earned Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Honourable Mention. Previously Antywane Robinson had stints in France, D-League. He made it into All-French ProA 1st Team in 2010. He was ProA champion in 2010. Antywane Robinson clinched French SuperCup in 2011.


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  LEBANON   


Lebanon in Group A together with China in the FIBA ASIA Cup - by Asia-Basket Lebanon

The draw for the 4th FIBA ASIA Cup was held in Tokyo , Lebanon the champion of the 2010 FIBA ASIA Cup (previously known as Stankovic Cup) will join in Group A China, Macau, A team from South East Asia ( the name will be known on July 7th 2012) and another team from Central Asia, Central Asia is a new sub zone created by FIBA ASIA joining Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Turkmenistan , Tajikistan , Kyrgyzstan.

Group B will join I.R. Iran , Chinese Taipei , Qatar , Japan ( Host ) and a team from South Asia (The name will be known after the sub zone championship which will be held from 24 to 26 July 2012) , South Asia is a new sub zone created by FIBA ASIA joining India , Afghanistan , Pakistan , Bangladesh , Bhutan , Maldives, Nepal , Sri Lanka ).
Lebanon the 2012 WABA Champion will be participating in the championship with a new faces together with some experienced players, Fadi Khatibs participation is not confirmed yet but his name will be listed in the FIBA ASIA list of 24 players which should be sent to FIBA ASIA by August 14th 2012 maximum.
Lebanon as a preparation for the Championship will be participating in the Jones Cup in Taiwan and maybe undergoing a training camp.

The list of players which will be sent to FIBA ASIA should include :
Point guards: Miguel Martinez. Rodrigue Akl, Carl Sarkis , Mohamad Ibrahim.
Shooting Guards / Small Forwards:Fadi Khatib , Nadim Souaid , Elie Stephan , Elie Rustom ,Jean Abed El Nour , Khalil Aoun , Ghaleb Reda, Ahmad Ibrahim.
Power Forwards / Centers: Charles Tabet , Ali Kanaan , Nadim Hawi , Roy Samaha , Jad Bittar , Paul Iskandar , Guarnett Thompson.


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  LITHUANIA   


Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Nigeria show character downing Lithuania - by Eurobasket News

Nigeria - Lithuania 86:80

Nigeria rebounded after the starting loss to Venezuela and claimed a crucial win over Lithuania in Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group B. The victory kept the African team alive in the quest for the Olympic Games birth. They occupied the second position in the ladder eliminating Venezuela from the tournament. Lithuania will now take on Puerto Rico, while Nigeria will face Greece in the quarterfinal battles. Derrick Obasohan (198-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) came up with 20 points to lead the winners.
The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 20:20 ten minutes into the game. Nigeria surged ahead in the second quarter. The African team eked out a 41:38 halftime advantage. They boosted the gap in the third period. Nigeria dropped 26 points in the frame to enlarge the margin to 10 points 67:57. Lithuania narrowed the deficit to a single point in the final quarter but Nigeria withheld the challenge and celebrated a vital win at the end. Al-Farouq Aminu (206-F-90, college: Wake Forest) finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Tony Skinn (191-G-83, college: George Mason) added 15 points for Nigeria. Linas Kleiza (203-F-85, college: Missouri) answered with 22 points for Lithuania. Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college: Maryland) netted 14 points in the loss.

Nigeria: Derrick Obasohan 20, Al-Farouq Aminu 16, Tony Skinn 15
Lithuania: Linas Kleiza 22, Sarunas Jasikevicius 14


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  LUXEMBOURG   


Aaron Fleetwood and Lee Fisher join Amicale - by Eurobasket News

Amicale brought in two import players. They landed Aaron Fleetwood (206-F-84, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Delaware St.) and Lee Fisher (195-F).
Aaron Fleetwood spent the last season in Germany. He played for BSW Sixers in ProB League. The forward notched 15.5 points, 8.2 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. Previously Aaron Fleetwood had stints with Osnabrueck, Phoenix Hagen. Eurobasket.com named the forward into German All-Regionalliga North Second Team in 2008.
Lee Fisher starts his pro career in Amicale. The forward has just graduated from Chicago State University. Lee Fisher notched 12.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game in his senior season.


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  MALAYSIA   


SEABA Cup: Thailand pip Malaysia - by Eurobasket News

Thailand - Malaysia 73:72

Thailand celebrated the second straight win at the start of SEABA Cup. The hosts snatched a narrow win over Malaysia for 2-0 record. Chanachon Klahan (190-F-84) came up with 17 points to lead the winners.
Malaysia got to the better start. They ensured a 20:15 lead after ten minutes. Thailand stopped the rot and narrowed the gap at 4-point mark at the interval 31:35. Thailand exploded with 26 points in the third quarter and pulled ahead for a 57:55 lead with one period remaining. The teams went neck and neck throughout the fourth stanza but Thailand proved more accurate at the end stealing a tough win at the end. Wutipong Dasom notched 13 points, while Attaporn Lertmalaiporn added 9 points for the hosts. Shee Fai Loh (192-G/F-89) answered with 17 points for Malaysia. Hong Hoong Gan (186-G-90) chipped in 11 points for Malaysia.

Thailand: Chanachon Klahan 17, Wutipong Dasom 13, Attaporn Lertmalaiporn 9
Malaysia: Shee Fai Loh 17, Hong Hoong Gan 11


SEABA Cup: Singapore shoot down Malaysia - by Eurobasket News

Singapore - Malaysia 82:75

Singapore recorded the first win at the SEABA Cup. They stunned Malaysia to improve at 1-2 record. Malaysia fell at 1-2 record after the loss. Wei Jei Oh Desmond provided 18 points to pace the winners.
Singapore jumped to a 21:19 lead ten minutes into the game. Malaysia denied the deficit in the second quarter. They secured a 36:34 halftime lead. But Singapore turned things around in the third frame. They outscored Malaysia 22:12 in the quarter to grab an 8-point advantage. Malaysia fired 27 points in the fourth term but Singapore nearly matched the effort and raced to the victory. Steven Khoo Kian Huat (189-C-85) accounted for 15 points for Singapore. Matialakan Pathman (198-C-80) added 12 points in the winning case. Zhi Shin Chin (190-F-87) responded with 17 points for Malaysia. Wen Keong Tong (180-G-92) chipped in 15 points in the loss.

Singapore: Wei Jei Oh Desmond 18, Steven Khoo Kian Huat 15, Matialakan Pathman 12
Malaysia: Zhi Shin Chin 17, Wen Keong Tong 15


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  NBA   


Spencer Hawes agrees to two-year contract with Sixers - by Eurobasket News

As teams within theAtlantic Division worked to wheel, deal, sign and trade for premier talent in the opening few days, the 76ers used the 236th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence to get a signature slightly less appealing than John Hancock's.

Spencer Hawes (7'0''-C-88, college: Washington), the embodiment of the Sixers endless struggle to become something more than mediocre, will be back at center next season.

Hawes, it has been confirmed, agreed to a two-year contract that will pay him slightly more than $13 million, including $7 million in the second year. Thats more than a 50 percent raise over the $4.05 million he made last season, during which he missed 29 games with both back and Achilles heel discomfort. When he was on the court, Hawes averaged 9.6 points and a career-best 7.3 rebounds per game during the regular season.

There were flickers of more than mere mediocrity for the 7-footer, when he averaged 13.5 points and 11.8 rebounds over the first six games of the season. However, once the injuries arrived he regressed into the maddeningly inconsistent player he has been for much of his five NBA seasons.

Then in the Sixers first-round series against the Bulls, Hawes had 54 points and 31 rebounds in Games 3-5. However, that coincided with Chicago center Joakim Noah going out with a severe ankle sprain. After a productive Game 1 against Boston in the second round, Hawes vanished, forcing Doug Collins to turn to rookie second-round pick Lavoy Allen to match up with aging star Kevin Garnett. Hawes return gives the Sixers six players at the low-post positions - veteran forwards Elton Brand and Thad Young, second-year centers Nik Vucevic and Allen, and rookie first-round pick Arnett Moultrie. They also have small forwards Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner and rookie Maurice Harkless.

Where they are a little light - actually, a lot light - is in the backcourt, where Jrue Holiday is the only true guard on the roster (although Turner and Iguodala switched off as backcourt mates with Holiday when Turner joined the starting lineup).

Lou Williams, also an unrestricted free agent, still is out there. Jodie Meeks was permitted to walk. Xavier Silas, an undrafted rookie last season who signed with the team in the final days of the regular season, is with the Sixers in the Orlando Summer League, as is former Penn point guard Zach Rosen, who wasnt taken in last months draft.

Meanwhile, the Nets re-signed Deron Williams, the Knicks are trying to work out a sign-and-trade for Steve Nash and the Celtics came to an agreement with veteran Jason Terry.

The Sixers have eight players under contract and two rookies with salary slots set. That brings their payroll to $59.3 million, or slightly higher than the cap, but about $10 million shy of entering luxury-tax territory. They still can sign Williams without busting the cap, and they have cap-exception options available for other free agents. However, they could clear all cap concerns immediately by using the amnesty clause to cut loose Elton Brand and wipe his $18.2 million off the cap figure. They also remain open to trade discussions for Andre Iguodala - and those could gain momentum once some of the top-tier talent is snatched up in free agency and through trades (namely, that of Dwight Howard).

Courtesy of www.timesherald.com


Heat bypass qualifying offer to guard Terrel Harris - by Eurobasket News

A week ago, on the eve of free agency, Miami Heat President Pat Riley spoke of the hopes his team had for Heat free-agent guard Terrel Harris (6'5''-G-87, college: Oklahoma St.).

"We like him," he said. "We like him a lot."

And then something rather curious happened: nothing.

The Sun Sentinel has learned that the Heat bypassed extending a qualifying offer to the seldom-used rookie guard, leaving him an unrestricted free agent instead of a restricted free agent. As a result, the Heat do not maintain the right to match outside offers.

While Harris is expected to work with the team this summer, several factors in the new collective-bargaining agreement worked against Harris when it came to a qualifying offer.

Foremost, unlike in the previous collective-bargaining agreement, qualifying offers in this new agreement are fully guaranteed. Also, under the new collective-bargaining agreement, Harris would have had to receive a qualifying offer at $960,000. The Heat instead can now offer a non-guaranteed offer of the second-year minimum of $760,000. That $200,000 difference actually becomes a $400,000 difference with the Heat into the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.

While Harris appeared in only 22 games during the regular season and just three in the playoffs, the team was impressed with his defensive tenacity and athleticism.

"It's been so long since we saw him play," Riley said, "but back in training camp, he was an absolute phenom. He came in with tremendous energy and quickness and athleticism and a defensive mentality and he basically took a roster spot.

"So the fact that he couldn't play all year, or didn't play all year, and when he did play, there were two or three games that he played, one was the Atlanta, game, that without his performance we wouldn't have won that game when both LeBron [James] and Dwyane [Wade] were out."

In that Jan. 5 triple-overtime victory over the Hawks, Harris closed with 14 rebounds and nine points in 44 minutes. Now Riley said the hope is to see more of the same in coming days.

The Heat's summer camp opens Saturday at AmericanAirlines Arena, with the Heat's five-game schedule at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas to open July 15.

"I expect him to have a great summer league," Riley said. "We'd like to see him improve his shooting, his long-range shooting, his playmaking ability. We like him. We like him as a prospect."

Harris has spoken of learning to play point guard this offseason, but Riley is not necessarily sold on such a possibility.

"He's always been an athlete. He's been a two and he's been a scorer, but that takes a tremendous amount of skill," Riley said of such a transition. "I don't, in today's game, think you necessarily have to be a point point guard. You've just got to be a player. If he's a two-way player, in that he can handle the ball and he can run offense, he doesn't have to be a point guard.

"That'd be a stretch. But I'd play him as a scoring point guard if I had to."

Courtesy of www.sun-sentinel.com


Houston offers Lin deal for $31 million - by Eurobasket News

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey had his second crack at Jeremy Lin (6'3''-PG-88, college: Harvard) yesterday and offered him a back-loaded deal worth at least $31 million, and he was mulling it over late last night.

Because the Knicks were ditched by Steve Nash, sources have indicated the club is as intent as ever in matching any Lin offer sheet before the free-agent signing moratorium ends July 11.

Last time Morey talked to Lin in December, he told him he was being waived after having him for 12 days in training camp. That set the stage for the Knicks to claim him and turn last season into a Disney movie.

Yesterday, Morey showed Lin Houston and took him out for dinner, where he was offered a three-year deal with a fourth-year player option that would total at least $31 million.

The first two years are at $5 million and $5.2 million with the backloaded poison pill coming in the third and fourth years, when the salary was to jump to about $10.5 million to create luxury-tax hardship for the Knicks.

But because Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemires deals all expire after three years, the luxury tax only would hurt in the third season - 2014-15.

The Knicks have said they would match any offer to Lin because they see him as either their starter or a vital backup.

Last time Lin was in Houston was before Linsanity when the Knicks visited on Jan. 28, and Lin actually got his first significant playing time, an active 20 minutes. But then-desperate coach Mike DAntoni still wasnt convinced that night, though whispers from players in the visitors locker room was he could be the answer to their point-guard woes.

The Rockets need a point guard after going separate ways with Goran Dragic, who demanded $10 million per season. Nevertheless, this Houston visit could also be a dog-and-pony show to help to Lin, who needs to establish a market for himself because Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald started playing hardball on July 1. Grunwald refused to make Lin an offer until he established a market.

On Twitter yesterday, Morey stated, RedNation please help me welcome [Lin] back 2Houston today! Fitting on July4 as America is land of 2nd chances.

Cute but probably not enough to land Lin, who prefers to stay with the Knicks. Plus, Lin also could harbor bitterness at Rockets coach Kevin McHale for cutting him. In February, Morey all but apologized to Lin for waiving him, admitting his mistake and saying he had a great, great future.

The Rockets have a potential Lin recruiter in Yao Ming, who is still close with the team and is a mentor to the point guard. The Mavericks also want to court Lin, so it remains to be seen if he will accept the Rockets offer.

Courtesy of www.nypost.com


Thunder, Hasheem Thabeet agree on two-year deal - by Eurobasket News

The Oklahoma City Thunder has agreed with former No. 2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet (7'3''-C-87, college: Connecticut) on a two-year contract.

The deal cannot officially be signed until the league's free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 11. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately known, but the contract, which will be fully guaranteed for both seasons, is believed to be a minimal salary, or roughly $880,000 in the first year of the contract.

Thabeet will join his fourth team in four seasons after being drafted by Memphis in 2009. He was taken one spot ahead of Thunder guard James Harden, but the 7-foot-3 center has had a disappointing start to his professional career after earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in his final two seasons at Connecticut.

In 135 games, Thabeet has averaged 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots.

Oklahoma City has been enamored with Thabeet since his college days and was widely believed to be strongly considering selecting him, if available, with the third overall pick. Memphis plucked Thabeet second overall in part because the Grizzlies thought Oklahoma City would take him if they didn't.

In his best season, Thabeet averaged 3.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 13 minutes per game as a rookie with the Grizzlies. Memphis, however, traded Thabeet and a first-round pick to Houston midway through his second season in exchange for Shane Battier. After Thabeet appeared in just seven games for Houston, the Rockets sent Thabeet, Jonny Flynn and a second-round pick to Portland in March in exchange for Marcus Camby.

The addition of Thabeet all but guarantees veteran center Nazr Mohammed will not return to the Thunder. If not, that paves the way for third-year center Cole Aldrich to step into the primary backup role behind starter Kendrick Perkins. Thabeet is expected to be the third-string center.

Adding Thabeet also helps the Thunder preserve precious salary cap space, most of which will go toward paying its young players. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook already are locked into maximum-allowable contracts. Harden, Serge Ibaka and Eric Maynor are all now eligible for extensions to their rookie deals.

What the Thunder is doing in bringing in Thabeet, 25, is taking a flyer on a one-time promising prospect without paying him much and hoping he can develop into the player he once was capable of being. If he does, the Thunder gets a steal. If not, the team will not have lost anything.

Playing in that environment is positive, said Thabeet's agent, Bill Duffy. Sam Presti has done a great job of not only building a winning organization but a culture that's conditioned to developing and nurturing. So we think it's a really good fit. So now the onus is on Hasheem to buy into that and to develop and to reach his potential.

When the Thunder officially signs Thabeet and No. 28 overall pick Perry Jones III, Oklahoma City will have 14 players under contract for the 2012-13 season, one shy of the maximum amount of players allowable under NBA rules.

Courtesy of http://newsok.com


Jason Terry, Celtics agree to 3-year deal - by Eurobasket News

If Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge left any question about his desire to compete for a title next season, he eliminated such uncertainty Tuesday when the team agreed to terms on a three-year contract with veteran sharpshooter Jason Terry (6'2''-PG-77, college: Arizona), according to an NBA source.

Terry, 34, played the past eight seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, establishing himself as one of the games top sixth men. He averaged 15.1 points this season in 31.7 minutes per game, shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range.

When asked if he will sign with the Celtics, Terry responded strong possibility via text message.

Terry, who officially can sign a contract July 11, will sign for the full mid-level exception that begins at $5 million per season. The Mavericks, according to the source, offered Terry more money per season to return but only a two-year deal.

Terry agreed to the deal while at an AAU basketball tournament in Orlando, Fla., where his daughters were participating. The 10th overall pick in the 1999 draft, Terry spent his first five seasons with the Hawks before being traded to the Mavericks in August 2004 in a deal that included former Celtic Antoine Walker.

Terry is fourth in league history with 1,788 3-pointers, trailing only Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, and former teammate Jason Kidd. The Mavericks also lost out on point guard Deron Williams, who chose to sign with the Nets.

The Celtics have re-signed Kevin Garnett to a three-year deal, are close to bringing back Jeff Green, and now have added Terry to their lineup in hopes of challenging the defending NBA champion Heat in the Eastern Conference.

Its unclear how the addition of Terry affects Bostons pursuit of Allen, who is expected to visit Thursday with the Heat. The Clippers and Grizzlies also are interested. Allen was never comfortable with the role that Terry would fill coming off the bench for instant offense. And because he is their own free agent, the Celtics can exceed the salary cap when offering Allen a contract.

The Celtics are still in play to re-sign power forward Brandon Bass, who is being courted by as many as six teams.

The club also is in line for a backup center and perhaps a backup to point guard Rajon Rondo.

Courtesy of www.bostonglobe.com


Sources: Mavs' Jason Kidd deal close - by Eurobasket News

Jason Kidd (6'4''-PG-73, college: California) appears prepared to end his career where he started it -- with the Dallas Mavericks.

The 39-year-old is closing in on a multiyear deal, a source close to the situation said. The source said the deal is not completed, but barring any snags, Kidd will close out his career alongside Dirk Nowitzki.

The value of the contract was not known.

After a rough few days that saw prized free agent Deron Williams opt to re-sign with the Brooklyn Nets, Jason Terry agree to terms with the Boston Celtics and then another Mavs target Steve Nash stunningly get traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavs are finally nearing their first positive move of a so-far frustrating free-agent period by bringing back Kidd.

Entering his 19th season, Kidd finished a three-year, $25 million deal this season and openly talked about possibly joining Williams as a package deal at either Dallas or Brooklyn.

When Williams announced his intention to stay with the Nets on Tuesday, the pair chose to go separate ways. Kidd continued to discuss a deal with the Mavs, his stated preferred destination, but was also in talks with the New York Knicks as a fallback.

"I've always loved playing with Dallas and I'd love to finish my career there," Kidd said Wednesday.

Reeling from Williams' rejection, the Mavs' front office quickly shifted gears and engaged Nash, who left Dallas in the summer of 2004 to accept a lucrative free-agent deal with the Suns, and they also targeted Knicks restricted free agent Jeremy Lin.

But, when the Suns and Lakers reached a sign-and-trade agreement Wednesday evening that will pair Nash with Kobe Bryant, the Mavs ramped up their discussions with Kidd, who had also talked of being open to playing with Lin, a fellow Bay Area native, in New York.

All along though, Kidd maintained his desire to remain with the Mavs and to continue to play alongside Nowitzki, who campaigned for the organization to trade for the future Hall of Fame point guard in 2008. Together each won the only championship of their careers in 2011.

Dallas refused to get into a bidding war for a point guard as the Rockets made a significant offer to Lin on Wednesday that the Knicks can match, and the Suns quickly agreed to a $34 million deal with Goran Dragic after dealing Nash, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

Dallas prefers to preserve its financial flexibility to pursue star free agents that might hit the market next summer such as Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.

Mavs free agent guard Delonte West remains an option to re-sign. West is seeking a multiyear deal, but has expressed his desire to remain with the organization. West went so far as to recruit Williams over Twitter prior to the start of free agency. Ironically, had Williams signed, West likely would not be a candidate to be back.

With Kidd back in the fold, the Mavs have eight players under contract and four key members left from the 2011 title team, including Kidd, Nowitzki, Shawn Marion and Brendan Haywood.

Along with West, the Mavs have two more decisions to make on their own free agents. Backup center Ian Mahinmi, who has several teams interested, and little-used forward Brian Cardinal.

Courtesy of ESPN


Anthony Davis will report to Team USA's Olympic camp after spraining ankle - by Eurobasket News

New Orleans Hornets No. 1 pick Anthony Davis (6'10''-F-93, college: Kentucky) will report to Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas on Wednesday after spraining his ankle last week, a league source told Yahoo! Sports.

After sustaining an ankle injury in a Hornets workout on Saturday, the expectation was that Davis would miss too much of the USA Basketball's training camp and likely would bow out of competition to make the final roster for the Olympic team. Nevertheless, the ankle injury didnt turn out to be as serious as originally feared. After Lamar Odom, another frontcourt player, decided not to attend camp, it was decided Davis could take the time needed to heal the ankle and return to practice.

Davis, a 6-foot-11 center from Kentucky, could return to practice for Team USA within a week to 10 days. USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski plan to be patient with Davis, especially with the glut of injuries that have hit the team's frontline. Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge are already out for Team USA.

Team USA will train this week in Las Vegas and play an exhibition game in July 12 against the Dominican Republic team. Team USA has stops in Washington, D.C.; Manchester, England; and Barcelona, Spain; before arriving in London on July 27 for the Olympics.

Courtesy of http://sports.yahoo.com


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


NCAA names chairman for 2013-14 men's basketball tournament - by Eurobasket News

Happy Fourth, everyone. If you're taking time out of your day to check the Eye on College Basketball blog, you clearly love this sport. Which means you love America. But also means you may need a little more of a social life. Go crash a barbecue immediately.

As we all know, news knows no holidays or deadlines. A small bit of info needs to be passed along on the NCAA tournament. We have a new tournament chair for the 2013-14 season. It's Ron Wellman, the Wake Forest athletic director. The decision came down publicly on Tuesday but was voted on by the NCAA on June 29.

Normally, the NCAA tournament rotates its chairs each year. Last season it was former UConn/current Hofstra AD Jeff Hathaway. For 2012-13, Xavier AD Mike Bobinski leads the committee/has one of the coolest jobs in sports.

It is an honor to be selected as chair of this committee, Wellman said in a statement. We have excellent committee members who are conscientious and fair and take their responsibility very seriously. I look forward to my continuing relationship with them in this new role.

Wellman is notable for his longevity; he's held his post longer than any AD in the ACC, having been at Wake since 1992.

If you're always wondering who comprises the selection committee in a given year and can't find the info easily, bookmark this page and come back to it in March so you know who to be ticked off at.

The 2012-13 NCAA tournament selection committee:

Joe Alleva, LSU AD
Scott Barnes, Utah State AD
Mike Bobinski (chair), Xavier AD
Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma AD
Doug Fullerton, Big Sky commissioner
Mark Hollis, Michigan State AD
Judy MacLeod, Conference USA executive associated commissioner
Bernard Muir, Delaware AD
Jamie Zaninovich, West Coast Conference commissioner

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com


NetScouts All-Stars gain two victories on China Tour - by Eurobasket News

NetScots All-Stars selection claimed two victories on their China Tour. They defeated Lithuanian and German teams to improve at 5-0 record.
First USA All-Stars claimed a 91:85 victory over Lithuania. The North American team claimed a 20-point halftime lead and held off the comeback effort from the Baltic team to clinch the victory at the end. Brian Addison (6'9''-F-87, college: Buffalo) posted 24 points to lead the winners. Lamonte Ulmer (6'6''-SF-86, college: Rhode Island) added 18 points for NetScouts All-Stars.
Next NetScouts All-Stars fired past Germany 83:64. The All-Stars selection limited their German opponents to 7 points in the first quarter. They broke open in the second frame and never looked back en route to the victory. Tyler Cain (6'8''-F-88, college: S.Dakota) accounted for 16 points and 12 rebounds for the winners. Lamonte Ulmer added 15 points, while Marquis Jones (6'1''-PG-87, agency: Fierce Sports Management, college: Rhode Island) contributed 14 points for the winning team.


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


Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Nigeria show character downing Lithuania - by Eurobasket News

Nigeria - Lithuania 86:80

Nigeria rebounded after the starting loss to Venezuela and claimed a crucial win over Lithuania in Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group B. The victory kept the African team alive in the quest for the Olympic Games birth. They occupied the second position in the ladder eliminating Venezuela from the tournament. Lithuania will now take on Puerto Rico, while Nigeria will face Greece in the quarterfinal battles. Derrick Obasohan (198-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) came up with 20 points to lead the winners.
The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 20:20 ten minutes into the game. Nigeria surged ahead in the second quarter. The African team eked out a 41:38 halftime advantage. They boosted the gap in the third period. Nigeria dropped 26 points in the frame to enlarge the margin to 10 points 67:57. Lithuania narrowed the deficit to a single point in the final quarter but Nigeria withheld the challenge and celebrated a vital win at the end. Al-Farouq Aminu (206-F-90, college: Wake Forest) finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Tony Skinn (191-G-83, college: George Mason) added 15 points for Nigeria. Linas Kleiza (203-F-85, college: Missouri) answered with 22 points for Lithuania. Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-G-76, college: Maryland) netted 14 points in the loss.

Nigeria: Derrick Obasohan 20, Al-Farouq Aminu 16, Tony Skinn 15
Lithuania: Linas Kleiza 22, Sarunas Jasikevicius 14


*****************************************************
  OLYMPIC GAMES   

Standings

Standings
Group A
1. Argentina0-0
2. France0-0
3. Tunisia0-0
4. USA0-0
Group B
1. Australia0-0
2. Brazil0-0
3. Chile0-0
4. U.Kingdom0-0
5. Spain0-0
Group Qualification Gr.A
1. Greece2-0
2. P.Rico1-1
3. Jordan0-2
Group Qualification Gr.B
1. Lithuania1-1
2. Nigeria1-1
3. Venezuela1-1
Group Qualification Gr.C
1. Russia2-0
2. Dominican R.1-1
3. S.Korea0-2
Group Qualification Gr.D
1. Angola1-1
2. FYR Macedo.1-1
3. N.Zealand1-1

Additional Qualifying Round: Round 3

Qual. A

Jul. 4: PUR - GRE 84-98

Qual. B

Jul. 4: LTU - NGR 80-86

Qual. C

Jul. 4: DOM - RUS 69-84

Qual. D

Jul. 4: NZL - ANG 68-64

Additional Qualifying Round: Round 4

Jul. 6: RUS - ANG
Jul. 6: GRE - NGR
Jul. 6: MKD - DOM
Jul. 6: LTU - PUR


Stats Leaders

Points Per Game
 Alfred HORFORD
  DOM
  (208-F/C-86)
  Avg: 26
 1. Horford, DOM26.0 
 2. Kleiza, LTU25.0 
 3. Vasquez, VEN24.0 
 4. McCalebb, MKD22.0 
 5. Mingas, ANG20.5 
 6. Sandrin, KOR18.0 
 7. Ramos, PUR17.5 
 8. Cipriano, ANG17.0 
 9. Antic, MKD17.0 
 10. Spanoulis, GRE16.5 
Rebounds Per Game
 Jack Michael MARTINEZ
  DOM
  (201-F-81)
  Avg: 18.5
 1. Martinez, DOM18.5 
 2. Horford, DOM10.5 
 3. Pledger, NZL10.0 
 4. Gomes, ANG9.5 
 5. Kirilenko, RUS9.5 
 6. Diogu, NGR9.0 
 7. Antic, MKD8.0 
 8. Ramos, PUR8.0 
 9. Echenique, VEN7.5 
 10. Khryapa, RUS7.0 
Assists Per Game
 Mantas KALNIETIS
  LTU
  (195-G-86)
  Avg: 8
 1. Kalnietis, LTU8.0 
 2. McCalebb, MKD8.0 
 3. Spanoulis, GRE6.0 
 4. Kim, KOR5.0 
 5. Jasikevicius, LTU5.0 
 6. Vasquez, VEN5.0 
 7. Cubillan, VEN4.5 
 8. Tait, NZL4.5 
 9. Kenny, NZL4.5 
 10. Shved, RUS4.5 
Steals Per Game
 Viktor KHRYAPA
  (205-SF-82)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. Khryapa, RUS3.5 
 2. Kim, KOR3.5 
 3. Kirilenko, RUS3.0 
 4. Dagunduro, NGR2.5 
 5. Pocius, LTU2.5 
 6. Daghles, JOR2.0 
 7. Vasquez, VEN2.0 
 8. Skinn, NGR2.0 
 9. McCalebb, MKD2.0 
 10. Coronado, DOM1.5 
Blocks Per Game
 Windi GRATEROL
  (204-C-86)
  Avg: 2
 1. Graterol, VEN2.0 
 2. Oyedeji, NGR1.5 
 3. Javtokas, LTU1.5 
 4. Jasikevicius, LTU1.0 
 5. Mozgov, RUS1.0 
 6. Bourousis, GRE1.0 
 7. Sandrin, KOR1.0 
 8. Ibekwe, NGR1.0 
 9. Yoon, KOR1.0 
 10. Lee, KOR1.0 


Great Britain Olympic basketball roster announced - by Eurobasket News

he British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced the 12 players that head coach Chris Finch has chosen to represent Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The selected athletes are:

GB Basketball Olympic Roster

Kieron Achara (208-F/C-83, agency: Two Points, college: Duquesne), (Manresa, Spain)
Robert Archibald (212-C/F-80, agency: Priority Sports, college: Illinois) (Zaragoza, Spain)
Eric Boateng (208-C-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Arizona St.) (Peristeri, Greece)
Daniel Clark (210-F/C-88, agency: Interperformances) (Estudiantes, Spain)
Luol Deng (206-F-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Duke) (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Joel Freeland (208-F-87) (Unicaja, Spain)
Kyle Johnson (195-G-88, college: LIU Brooklyn) (Apoel, Cyprus)
Andrew Lawrence (187-G-90) (College of Charleston, USA)
Michael Lenzly (189-G-81, college: Wofford) (CEZ Nymburk, Czech Republic)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (206-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: G.Washington) (Besiktas, Turkey)
Nathan Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) (Sheffield Sharks, UK)
Drew Sullivan (203-F-80, agency: Interperformances, college: Villanova) (Leicester Riders, UK)

Ogo Adegboye was the unlucky 13th man cut, with it already being reported at the weekend that Devon van Oostrum, Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Myles Hesson's Olympic journeys had ended. NBA players Ben Gordon and Byron Mullens had both previously withdrawn.

With the announcement, and the Olympics fast approaching, GB star Luol Deng said he can't wait until the games:

'We have all worked very hard for this opportunity and to have the final 12 named is exciting. The next few weeks will fly by and I can't wait to step on the court with my teammates at the Games. We plan to make Great Britain proud.'

While all 12 players will be making their Olympic Games debut, they bring plenty of top level competitive experience with them. Led by Luol Deng, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Joel Freeland this will be the strongest roster the team has had competing since their inception 5 years ago.

As yet, the squad still don't know who their first opponents will be on July 29th as the qualifying campaign is not yet complete. However they will be determined to place in the top four of a group that will certainly contain Brazil, Spain, Australia and China in order to progress beyond their six-team group and into the quarter-final, where the competition relocates to the North Greenwich Arena.

Finch admitted making the final decision was not easy:

'Cutting down to a final 12 is always difficult. We had a really productive camp in Houston and to finally announce the Olympic team here in Loughborough is fantastic. The next four weeks provide us with outstanding competition leading up to the Olympics, which is just what is required before doing battle within our group come Games time.'

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said:

'The progress that the men's basketball squad has made since London was awarded the Olympics in 2005 is quite remarkable. British Basketball has worked hard to prepare a squad that is capable of producing credible and competitive performances for Team GB against the very best nations in the world at the Olympic Games.

'They will be faced with a tough group, but recent form suggests there is no reason to be fearful. They've secured some brilliant results in the last few years and were fantastic when the Test Event came to London last August, so there's every reason to believe they can progress beyond the group stage.

'The home support at the Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park will create the kind of atmosphere that will get the best out of our athletes. This is a chance for our basketball players to raise the profile of this exciting and high-tempo sport and inspire youngsters across the UK to take up the sport. Having someone like Luol Deng in our team - who recently played in the NBA All-Star match - just goes to show that there is no limit to what the future generation can aspire to.'

Whilst Performance Director Chris Spice added:

'This has been an incredible journey so far for this team since 2006 and we are very pleased to announce our strongest ever team. I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected and at the same time pay tribute to those players that have just missed out. It's only through building our depth that we can continue to compete at the highest levels of international basketball and I am hoping those who just missed this time around will be with us on the road to Rio.'

The team is currently 0-5 in their warm-up games, and will head on a road trip at the end of this week that will see them face France (Saturday) and Spain (Monday) before returning to the UK to play a tournament in Sheffield.

It will be only the second time in history that Team GB will be represented in basketball at the Olympics, and the first time since the Games were last hosted by London in 1948.

Courtesy of www.hoopsfix.com


Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Quarterfinalists are set - by Eurobasket News

Group Qual. A
Puerto Rico - Greece 84-98
Greece earned the second straight win at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. They edge Puerto Rico in Caracas to clinch the top spot in Group A. Greece will now take on Nigeria in quarterfinals. Puerto Rico will play versus Lithuania. Greece unloaded 30 points in the opening quarter to take a 3-point lead. The Latin American team slowed the Hellenes down in the second quarter. Puerto Rico cut the deficit to 2 points at halftime 47:49. But Greece restored a safe cushion in the third term. The European team held Puerto Rico to 15 points in the third quarter to ensure an 8-point buffer before the fourth term. Greece unloaded 28 points in the final period to seal the victory. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) produced 27 points for Greece. Georgios Printezis (206-F-85, agency: FCM) and Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) added 16 points each for the winners. Peter John Ramos (222-C-85) responded with 15 points for Puerto Rico. Renaldo Balkman and Jose Juan Barea netted 13 points each in the loss.

Group Qual. B
Lithuania - Nigeria 80-86
Nigeria rebounded after the starting loss to Venezuela and claimed a crucial win over Lithuania in Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group B. The victory kept the African team alive in the quest for the Olympic Games birth. They occupied the second position in the ladder eliminating Venezuela from the tournament. Lithuania will now take on Puerto Rico, while Nigeria will face Greece in the quarterfinal battles. Derrick Obasohan (198-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) came up with 20 points to lead the winners. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 20:20 ten minutes into the game. Nigeria surged ahead in the second quarter. The African team eked out a 41:38 halftime advantage. They boosted the gap in the third period. Nigeria dropped 26 points in the frame to enlarge the margin to 10 points 67:57. Lithuania narrowed the deficit to a single point in the final quarter but Nigeria withheld the challenge and celebrated a vital win at the end. Al-Farouq Aminu (206-F-90, college: Wake Forest) finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Skinn added 15 points for Nigeria. Linas Kleiza (203-F-85, college: Missouri) answered with 22 points for Lithuania. Jasikevicius netted 14 points in the loss.

Group Qual. C
Dominican Republic - Russia 69-84
Russia gained the second win at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas. They outscored Dominican Republic to win Group C. Dominican Republic fell at 1-1 record but still made it into the quarterfinals. Russia will now take on Angola, while Dominican Republic will face FYR Macedonia in the playoffs. Andrei Kirilenko (206-F-81) came up with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists to pace the winners. Russia gained a 23:18 lead ten minutes into the game. The European team maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They posted a 44:38 halftime advantage. David Blatt team stretched the gap in the third quarter. Russia entered the final quarter up by 12 points. They kept Dominican Republic at bay throughout the final period rallying to a well-deserved win at the end. Viktor Khryapa (205-SF-82) provided 14 points, 6 assists and 5 boards for Russia. Sasha Kaun finished with 10 points in the victory. Alfred Horford (208-F/C-86, college: Florida) responded with 22 points and 9 rebounds for Dominican Republic. Jack Michael Martinez tallied 13 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Group Qual. D
New Zealand - Angola 68-64
New Zealand posted the first win at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The Tall Blacks overcame Angola to create three-team tie at 1-1 record in Group D. However the best point difference propelled Angola and FYR Macedonia into the next round. Tai Jack Webster (186-G-95) paced the Tall Blacks with 21 points to his tally. New Zealand started the game on a 9:0 run and led 14:6 late in the first period. But Angola capped the opening quarter with six points in a row to narrow the gap. Tai Jack Webster stayed on fire in the second quarter to keep the Kiwis in charge. New Zealand piled up a 40:26 halftime lead. Angola stole the momentum in the third quarter. The African powerhouse fired 26 points to narrow the margin to 6 points before the fourth frame. Angola held the Tall Blacks to 10 points in the fourth period but could not deny the deficit losing at the end. Leon Henry finished with 15 points, while Robert Loe contributed 13 points for the winners. Eduardo Mingas (200-C-79) answered with 17 points and 10 rebounds for Angola. Olimpio Cipriano netted 11 points in the losing effort.


*****************************************************
  PHILIPPINES   

PBA Stats Leaders

Points Per Game
 Zach GRAHAM
  Air21 E.
  (198-G-89)
  Avg: 37.6
 1. Graham, Air21 E.37.6 
 2. West, Meralco30.8 
 3. Sneed, Powerade T.25.9 
 4. Hickerson, Barako25.3 
 5. David, Powerade T.24.8 
 6. Bozeman, Ginebra24.7 
 7. Blakely, B-Meg L.23.7 
 8. Harris, Talk N Text23.6 
 9. Forte, Alaska Aces23.5 
 10. Cornley, Rain o.23.4 
Rebounds Per Game
 Omar SNEED
  Powerade T.
  (198-F-76)
  Avg: 16.6
 1. Sneed, Powerade T.16.6 
 2. Forte, Alaska Aces15.6 
 3. Graham, Air21 E.12.6 
 4. Blakely, B-Meg L.12.1 
 5. Harris, Talk N Text12.1 
 6. Taulava, Meralco11.2 
 7. Cornley, Rain o.10.3 
 8. Bozeman, Ginebra10.2 
 9. Pingris, B-Meg L.9.7 
 10. Santos, Petron B.8.4 
Assists Per Game
 Jimmy ALAPAG
  Talk N Text
  (177-PG-77)
  Avg: 7
 1. Alapag, Talk N Te.7.0 
 2. Casio, Powerade T.6.1 
 3. Hickerson, Barako5.7 
 4. Bozeman, Ginebra5.7 
 5. Sneed, Powerade T.5.4 
 6. Tenorio, Alaska A.5.2 
 7. Miller, Barako Bull4.8 
 8. Cabagnot, Petron4.6 
 9. Ross, Meralco4.6 
 10. Lutz, Petron Bla.4.0 
Steals Per Game
 Mario WEST
  Meralco .
  (195-G-84)
  Avg: 3.5
 1. West, Meralco3.5 
 2. Blakely, B-Meg L.3.4 
 3. Basden, Petron B.2.4 
 4. Sneed, Powerade T.1.6 
 5. Tenorio, Alaska A.1.6 
 6. Cortez, Ginebra1.3 
 7. Bozeman, Ginebra1.3 
 8. Seigle, Barako Bull1.3 
 9. Caguioa, Ginebra1.2 
 10. Ross, Meralco1.2 
Blocks Per Game
 Marqus BLAKELY
  B-Meg L.
  (196-F-89)
  Avg: 2.8
 1. Blakely, B-Meg L.2.8 
 2. Hickerson, Barako2.1 
 3. Forte, Alaska Aces1.6 
 4. Santos, Petron B.1.4 
 5. Baguio, Alaska Ac.1.4 
 6. West, Meralco1.3 
 7. Aguilar, Talk N.1.3 
 8. Maierhofer, Ginebr.1.1 
 9. Thoss, Alaska Aces1.1 
 10. Washington, Petro.1.0 


Philippines open win count at SEABA Cup - by Eurobasket News

Philippines - Singapore 96:58

Philippines registered the first win at the SEABA Cup in Thailand. They knocked down Singapore in the opener. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) came up with 21 points to lead the winners.
Philippines cleared off to a 22:12 lead ten minutes into the game. They boosted the margin in the second quarter. Philippines secured a 45:20 halftime advantage. Philippines unloaded 29 points in the third quarter to stretch the lead. They maintained the winning margin throughout the final quarter posting a comfortable win at the end. LA Tenorio (178-G-84) and Chico Lanete (183-G-79) posted 11 points each in the victory. Folkoff Mitchell answered with 12 points for Singapore. Hanbin Ng netted 10 points in the loss.

Philippines: Marcus Douthit 21, LA Tenorio 11, Chico Lanete 11
Singapore: Folkoff Mitchell 12, Hanbin Ng 10


SEABA Cup: Philippines outscore Indonesia - by Eurobasket News

Philippines - Indonesia 80:52

Philippines accounted for the second win at the SEABA Cup in Thailand. Marnel Baracael (191-F/G-85) scored 15 points to lead Philippines past Indonesia. The losers fell at 0-2 record after the defeat.
Philippines gained a 21:8 lead ten minutes into the game. Philippines maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They secured a 41:25 halftime advantage. Philippines held Indonesia to 12 points in the third term to boost the lead to 22 points. Philippines never looked back en route to the victory in the fourth quarter. Chico Lanete (183-G-79) notched 14 points for the winners. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) added 13 points for Philippines. Christian Ronaldo Sitepu (200-C/F-86) and Faisal Julius Ahmad (179-PG-81) netted 13 points each in the loss.

Philippines: Marnel Baracael 15, Chico Lanete 14, Marcus Douthit 13
Indonesia: Christian Ronaldo Sitepu 13, Faisal Julius Ahmad 13


*****************************************************
  POLAND   


Michal Gabinski remain with PGE Turow Zgorzelec - by Eurobasket News

Michal Gabinski (202-F-87) remain with PGE Turow Zgorzelec for another season. It will be the fourth straight year for the Polish Forward in the team.
In 2002-2003 he started for Stal Stalowa Wola (1Liga) and in 2003-2004 moved to SMS PZKosz Warka (1Liga, starting five). In 19 games his stats read 7.4ppg, 5.3rpg.
In 2004-2005 played for WTK Anwil Wloclawek (EBL), however played also with 2nd team (3Liga, starting five). In 2005-2006 played for WTK Anwil Wloclawek (DBL) and in ULEB Cup showed 3pts, 1.8rpg, while in Polish League showed 1.6ppg, 1.3rpg.
In 2006-2007 moved to Sportino Inowroclaw (1Liga, starting five) and averaged 8.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 73.9%.
Later in 2008-2009 moved back to WTK Anwil Wloclawek (PLK) and had 2.0ppg, 1.5rpg. In 2009-2010 started for ZKS Stal Stalowa Wola (PLK) and averaged 8.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 44.3%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 85.2%.
In 2010-2011 Michal Gabinski moved to PGE Turow Zgorzelec (PLK) and in his first season showed 5.3ppg, 4.1rpg, FGP: 45.7%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 73.7%.
Last season for PGE Turow Zgorzelec his stats read 3.0ppg, 3.3rpg.


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


Norberto Alves takes over Academica - by Eurobasket News

Academica secured the services of Norberto Alves for the next season. The head coach is returning to the team after one season break. Norberto Alves was at helm of Academica in 2006/11 seasons. He led the team to the League semis in 2009 and 2011. Academica also played at Portuguese Cup semifinals in 2011. Norberto Alves also worked with Benfica before.


Porto Ferpinta land Mario Fernandes and Andre Bessa - by Eurobasket News

Porto Ferpinta signed contracts with two new players. They inked deals with Mario Fernandes (176-PG-82) and Andre Bessa (179-G-89).
Mario Fernandes spent the last season in CAB Madeira. The guard averaged 13.0 points, 6.5 assists, 2.5 boards and 2.3 steals per game in LPB. Eurobasket.com named Mario Fernandes All-Portuguese League Guard of the Year. He was also trumped All-Portuguese League Domestic Player of the Year. Previously Mario Fernandes had stints with Ovarense, Plasencia, Balneario Archena and CAB Madeira. He has been the member of Portuguese National Team since 2007.
Andre Bessa is returning to Porto after three seasons with Vitoria Guimaraes. Last season the guard tallied 8.6 points, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 rebounds per game in LPB. He was the member of U18 and U20 Portuguese National Teams. Andre Bessa participated at 2010 LPB All-Star Game.


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


Olympic Qualifying Tournament: Greece stun Puerto Rico - by Eurobasket News

Greece - Puerto Rico 98:84

Greece earned the second straight win at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. They edge Puerto Rico in Caracas to clinch the top spot in Group A. Greece will now take on Nigeria in quarterfinals. Puerto Rico will play versus Lithuania.
Greece unloaded 30 points in the opening quarter to take a 3-point lead. The Latin American team slowed the Hellenes down in the second quarter. Puerto Rico cut the deficit to 2 points at halftime 47:49. But Greece restored a safe cushion in the third term. The European team held Puerto Rico to 15 points in the third quarter to ensure an 8-point buffer before the fourth term. Greece unloaded 28 points in the final period to seal the victory. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) produced 27 points for Greece. Georgios Printezis (206-F-85, agency: FCM) and Ioannis Bourousis (212-C-83, agency: FCM) added 16 points each for the winners. Peter John Ramos (222-C-85) responded with 15 points for Puerto Rico. Renaldo Balkman (201-F-84, agency: Arete Sports Agency, college: S.Carolina) and Jose Juan Barea (181-PG-84, college: Northeastern) netted 13 points each in the loss.

Greece: Vassilis Spanoulis 27, Georgios Printezis 16, Ioannis Bourousis 16
Puerto Rico: Peter John Ramos 15, Renaldo Balkman 13, Jose Juan Barea 13


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


Krasnye Krylya lands Italian SerieA scoring champion Andre Smith - by Eurobasket News

Krasnye Krylya Samara announced signing of the American forward Andre Smith (203-F-85, college: N.Dakota St.). The 27-year-old player heads to the club from Italian Otto Caserta, where he spent last season. Smith was the scoring champion in SerieA with 18.4 ppg. He was fourth rebounder of the league with 7.7 rpg for 32 games. Smith was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA 2nd Team -12 and he participated at the All-Star Game.
From 2009 to 2011, Andre Smith played for the Turkish squad Karsiyaka. He exploded in their second season together with 18.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 1.9 spg for 22 games. For his performance Smith was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Forward of the Year -11. He also picked up Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge 3rd Team -11, while helping Karsiyaka to reach the Quarterfinals. Before Karsiyaka, Smith spent one year with Everton Tigers. He also has experience from Poland, Switzerland and Japan.


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


Scottish U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas


Neil Rowan
Edinburgh K. Scotland

 Matt Wilcox
C.Eriksson F. Scotland

 Gregor Gray
Edinburgh K. Scotland

 Ryan Mackay
St.Mirren S. Scotland

 Joshua Magilvary
St.Mirren S. Scotland

 Steven Docherty
St.Mirren S. Scotland

 Michael Secker
St.Mirren S. Scotland

 Ben Chok
C.Eriksson F. Scotland

 Craig Malcolm
C.Eriksson F. Scotland

 Nicky Sim


Jacki Nicholson
Sutherland S. Australia

 Scott Thomas 200-F-89 Bowling Green USA


 Douglas Reilly Head Coach Edinburgh K. Scotland

 Jim Wright Assistant

Alan Lamb Assistant

Amy Morgan Assistant Edinburgh K. Scotland



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


Radnicki Kragujevac signs Stefan Jovic - by Eurobasket News

Stefan Jovic (190-G-90, agency: Kotnik Sports Agency) is a new member of Radnicki Kragujevac. The player arrived from Sloga, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one Jovic had 8.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.6 spg for 16 games in Serbia. He had slightly lower numbers in 2010/11. Before Sloga, Jovic played for Zdravlje.


*****************************************************
  SINGAPORE   


Philippines open win count at SEABA Cup - by Eurobasket News

Philippines - Singapore 96:58

Philippines registered the first win at the SEABA Cup in Thailand. They knocked down Singapore in the opener. Marcus Douthit (210-C/F-80, agency: Edge Sports, college: Providence) came up with 21 points to lead the winners.
Philippines cleared off to a 22:12 lead ten minutes into the game. They boosted the margin in the second quarter. Philippines secured a 45:20 halftime advantage. Philippines unloaded 29 points in the third quarter to stretch the lead. They maintained the winning margin throughout the final quarter posting a comfortable win at the end. LA Tenorio (178-G-84) and Chico Lanete (183-G-79) posted 11 points each in the victory. Folkoff Mitchell answered with 12 points for Singapore. Hanbin Ng netted 10 points in the loss.

Philippines: Marcus Douthit 21, LA Tenorio 11, Chico Lanete 11
Singapore: Folkoff Mitchell 12, Hanbin Ng 10


SEABA Cup: Singapore shoot down Malaysia - by Eurobasket News

Singapore - Malaysia 82:75

Singapore recorded the first win at the SEABA Cup. They stunned Malaysia to improve at 1-2 record. Malaysia fell at 1-2 record after the loss. Wei Jei Oh Desmond provided 18 points to pace the winners.
Singapore jumped to a 21:19 lead ten minutes into the game. Malaysia denied the deficit in the second quarter. They secured a 36:34 halftime lead. But Singapore turned things around in the third frame. They outscored Malaysia 22:12 in the quarter to grab an 8-point advantage. Malaysia fired 27 points in the fourth term but Singapore nearly matched the effort and raced to the victory. Steven Khoo Kian Huat (189-C-85) accounted for 15 points for Singapore. Matialakan Pathman (198-C-80) added 12 points in the winning case. Zhi Shin Chin (190-F-87) responded with 17 points for Malaysia. Wen Keong Tong (180-G-92) chipped in 15 points in the loss.

Singapore: Wei Jei Oh Desmond 18, Steven Khoo Kian Huat 15, Matialakan Pathman 12
Malaysia: Zhi Shin Chin 17, Wen Keong Tong 15


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  SLOVAKIA   

1.Liga Stats

1.Liga Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Lechman, Slavia 22.1
2 Ciho, Karlovka 21.6
3 Snopko, Holic 21.0
4 Majoros, BSC 19.6
5 Novomestsky, Sered 18.0
Rebounds Per Game
1 Strasko, Filozof 11.8
2 Bayer, Holic 9.4
3 Lichvar , Roznava 9.4
4 Nemoga, Lucenec 9.3
5 Ulman, SNV B 8.7
Assists Per Game
1 Seman, Poprad 4.8
2 Kancir, SNV B 4.4
3 Vigas, Iskra 4.3
4 Becarik, SNV B 3.9
5 Rosival, Inter B 3.6


Milan Ziak Joins Champion - by Thomas Kottra

Twenty three years old guard decided to change his jersey after contract with bronze medalist BK Bemaco SPU Nitra expired. His former team failed to put talented Milan Ziak to its roster again. "I was offered by both clubs- Nitra and Prievidza and decided to opt for the second one," stated Ziak after announcing that his career will continue in team of current Slovak Champion. As he added, he wants to try something new and move forward so the ambitious team of Prievidza is the best choice for him.

Ziak is actually first officially reported player joining roster of champion for the upcoming season after Prievidza failed to motivate coach Roijakkers to stay with club.

Milan Ziak left Nitra after six seasons. In last one he averaged 11.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists and also participated in 5 Eurochallenge matches. News were revealed by SITA press agency.


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


Union Olimpija warned by Euroleague - by Matej Bergant

The ECA Shareholders Meeting met in Barcelona to approve the final results of a highly successful Euroleague season that met all profit projections and to look forward to continued growth the next one. The shareholders also analyzed a summary of last season's sporting and fiscal success before making plans to enhance fan enjoyment and security in the future.

Shareholders discussed the financial situation of Union Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia, which currently has a documented outstanding debt with three players, and therefore failed to meet the competition's registration requirements. The club has been granted a deadline of July 20, 2012 to settle these and any outstanding debts, and a second deadline of September 20, 2012, whereby if the club continues to garner debt with players, it shall be excluded from the Turkish Airlines Euroleague competition for the season and replaced by the next team according to the 2012-13 Euroleague Country Ranking, which would be the 18th position: 2011-12 French finalist Le Mans Sarthe Basket.

Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague CEO: "We are aware of the current difficult financial situation throughout Europe. Despite this, we believe that financial stability of the club is very important in this moment not only for the clubs itself but also for the Euroleague. We are elite group of 24 teams and we cant afford to take the risk that some of our clubs could end the season in the middle of the competition or wouldn't be competitive at all. These kinds of situations are bad for basketball itself, as they are lowering the attendances, financial stability of the competition and reputation. This is also against the financial rules which Euroleague confirmed during last season. Union Olimpija Ljubljana showed a lot of effort in the last days and convinced us with various facts in the last moment that they have serious plans to pay the current debt which they have to some former players. The club showed in the past what they can offer the fans in their Stoice arena, that's why we decided to give them conditional B-Licence which will be valid only if they meet the requirements by the end of the summer. If they do not meet the requirements their place in the Euroleague for 2012/2013 season will be given to other team. We strongly believe and hope that this will not be necessary."

Jani Moderndorfer , president of Union Olimpija Ljubljana: "Our situation is clear and reaction from the Euroleague is not a surprise to us. This elite basketball competition deserves clubs which are disciplined and stable on and off the court. During last days we reached an agreement with support of our sponsors that we continue Union Olimpija Ljubljana's Euroleague ambitions. The club committed to pay the debts in the shortest time possible. This is not new to us as this is our priority all along to pay back the money we owe to the former players, coaches and others. In case we do not meet our commitments we will not play in Euroleague. I believe that we will accomplish this, that's why we don't want to think about other possibilities."


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  SOUTH KOREA   


U17 World Championship: France overwhelm South Korea - by Eurobasket News

France U17-South Korea U17 110:50

France overwhelm South Korea in the start of the Classification Round for 9-12 places. The European side celebrated an easy 110:50 win at the U17 World Championship I Kaunas.
France U17 started with 29-12 in the opening period and never looked behind after. They added 23-6 in the second frame and enjoyed a 52:18 halftime advantage. Moreover France needed 24-12 in the third quarter to take 76:30 after thirty minutes. South Korea managed to score 20 points in the last quarter to finish with 50, however they could not even win that frame. France nailed 34 points in the final stanza to seal the victory.
Arthur Rozenfeld (179-PG-95) top-scored for the winners with 21 points, while Charly Pontens (189-G-95), Damien Inglis (204-PF-95) and Antoine Chevrier (196-F/G-95) posted 14 each. Paul Rigot (199-SF-95) notched 11 and Petr Cornelie (209-C/F-95) delivered 10. Heo Hoon (181-G-95) ended up with 14 points in the losing effort and Lee Minyoung (180-PG-95) scored 12.

France U17: Arthur Rozenfeld 21, Charly Pontens 14, Damien Inglis 14, Antoine Chevrier 14, Paul Rigot 11, Petr Cornelie 10
South Korea U17: Heo Hoon 14, Lee Minyoung 12


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


Basquet Coruna hire Antonio Herrera - by Eurobasket News

Basquet Coruna announced the name of the new head coach. Antonio Herrera will take over the team. The specialist spent the last season in Portugal. He worked with Barreirense CEPSA. He led the team at 14-8 record in the LPB regular season. Barreirense then lost to CAB Madeira in the quarterfinals. Barreirense also reached Portuguese Hugo dos Santos Cup Final in 2012. Previously Antonio Herrera worked with CB Tijola, Real Madrid II, Pozuelo, CB Pilas, Coventry University, Sevillano Basketball and RC Labradores. Antonio Herrera also had experience working as assistant coach with CB Valme, Valladolid and Real Madrid. He was Spanish Andalusia Cup champion in 2011.


Regal Barcelona add Ante Tomic - by Eurobasket News

Regal Barcelona announced the signing of Ante Tomic (217-C-87). The centre signed a three-year deal with the Spanish champions despite previous reports sending him to CSKA Moscow. Ante Tomic played for Real Madrid lately. Last season he tallied 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in Euroleague. In ACB the centre posted 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per appearance. Eurobasket.com named Ante Tomic All-Spanish ACB Centre of the Year in 2011. The centre earned All-Euroleague Honourable Mention in 2011 and made it into All-Spanish ACB 2nd Team in 2010. Previously Ante Tomic had spells for KK Zadar, Dubrovnik, KK Zagreb. He has been the member of Croatian National Team since 2008. He also played for U16, U18 and U20 Croatian selections.


Argentina defeat Spain in Super 4 Hope Funds Cup - by Eurobasket News

Argentina - Spain 93:81

Argentina earned the first win at the Super 4 Hope Funds Cup. They defeated Spanish B National Team in Buenos Aires. Emanuel Ginobili (198-G-77, agency: Interperformances) scored 25 points to lead the winners.
The hosts jumped to a 25:22 lead after ten minutes. Argentina stretched the lead in the second quarter. The home team ensured a 49:37 halftime advantage. Argentina stayed in control throughout the third quarter. The hosts entered the final stanza up by 6 points 69:63. Argentina stayed in charge throughout the fourth frame and sealed the winning outcome at the end. Andres Nocioni (199-F-79) posted 16 points for Argentina. Luis Scola (206-F/C-80) and Leonardo Gutierrez (200-F-78) had 12 points each in the victory. Joaquim Colom (188-PG-88, agency: Interperformances) answered with 18 points for Spain. Nacho Llovet (202-C-91) and Adrian Laso (204-F/C-90) netted 11 points each in the loss.

Argentina: Emanuel Ginobili 25, Andres Nocioni 16, Luis Scola 12, Leonardo Gutierrez 12
Spain: Joaquim Colom 18, Nacho Llovet 11, Adrian Laso 11


Real Madrid confirms signing of Rudy Fernandez until 2015 - by Eurobasket News

A familiar face returns to the Spanish capital at the prime of his career with Real Madrid's announcement Wednesday that Rudy Fernandez (198-G/F-85) has inked a three-year deal with the club. Fernandez (1.97 meters, 27 years old) started the 2011-12 season with Madrid and averaging 11.5 points on 89.5% free throw shooting, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals in eight Turkish Airlines Euroleague games. He went on to play for Denver in the NBA, where he averaged 8.6 points and 2.4 assists in 31 games. A former Euroleague Rising Star award winner and a reigning European champion, the popular swingman spent the previous three seasons in the NBA playing for Portland. Fernandez started his career with Joventut Badalona, whom he led to a glorious period in the mid-2000s. He was chosen as the 2007-08 Euroleague Rising Star after averaging 15.8 points in 19 games. Fernandez also led Joventut to the 2006 FIBA Europe Cup and the 2008 ULEB Cup titles. He was chosen as the 2008 ULEB Cup Final Eight MVP after averaging 16 points in the final three games to lead Joventut to the trophy. Fernandez also won the 2008 Spanish King's Cup, during which he collected MVP honors. He is a regular member of the Spanish national team. Fernandez led Spain to victories at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, EuroBasket 2009 - when he was chosen to the All-Tournament team, and most recently at EuroBasket 2011. He also has silver medals from the 2008 Olympics and EuroBasket 2007. He is set to help Spain at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, before re-joining Madrid. It will be his third appearance in the Olympic basketball tournament.

"I am very happy to be back with this club: Fernandez said. "I came back to win titles because this is what I want and what made me return to Europe. Winning titles makes a player grow. I expect good and bad times over the next three years. The plus that I give my teammates is that I am a winner and have experience in these competitions. I will keep working and getting better to help my team improve. Playing the Euroleague has a big impact in my decision. It is a competition that every player wants to win. I now have the luck to play in a team with a lot of tradition and that is a reference. I think we can win do it this season."

Courtesy of Euroleague


Bilbao inks 2+1 year deal with Fran Pilepic - by Eurobasket News

Gescrap Bizkaia Bilbao Basket officially announced singing of a 2+1 year deal with Fran Pilepic (192-G-89). The Croatian guard arrives from Siroki Wwin, where he spent last two seasons. He helped them win two championship titles in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also won two Cup trophies together. Pilepic had 14.8 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.2 apg for 25 games in Adriatic league last season. In 2010/11, the player had 11.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg in the regional championship. Pilepic was named to Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League 1st Team in 2011 and 2012.
Before Siroki, Fran Pilepic played for Svjetlost Slavonski Brod and Kvarner. This summer he made it to the list of 15 candidates of the Croatian National Team from 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications. Last summer he played for Croatian B NT. In the past, Pilepic was a member of U20, U18 and U16 Croatia.


Coach Sito Alonso to stay with Lagun Aro GBC, according to report - by Eurobasket News

It seems that Alfonso 'Sito' Alonso (agency: INVICTUS Sports Group stays with Lagun Aro GBC after all. According to Solobasket.com, the Spanish specialist will most likely sign a 2-year contract extension with the club. Nothing is officially announced yet.
Alfonso Alonso had a great season with the club. He took them over last summer and Lagun Aro GBC reached Liga Endesa Quarterfinals. They failed against Valencia 1-2. In the regular season Lagun Aro GBC was No.5 with 19-15 record.
Alfonso Alonso was Head Coach of Joventut Badalona from 2008 to 2010. Before that, he served three years as Assistant Coach there. They won the ULEB Cup and Copa del Rey in 2008. Two years before that Joventut celebrated FIBA EuroCup title.


Regal Barcelona parts ways with Kosta Perovic - by Eurobasket News

Kosta Perovic (217-C-85) is no longer a member of Regal Barcelona. The reigning Spanish champion decided not to use its contract option to keep the player for the next season. Perovic arrived to Barca two years ago from Valencia. Last season he had 5.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg for 23 games in Liga Endesa. The player also added 4.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg fro 20 Euroleague games. In 2010/11, Perovic had pretty close numbers. The Serbian center and Barca won two Spanish league titles and one Cup trophy together. In 2010 with Valencia, Perovic won the EuroCup and was named Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup Center of the Year. In the past, he played for the Golden State Warriors, Bakersfield Jam and Partizan Belgrade. Perovic also had important role in the Serbian NT over the past few years. He will miss 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications.


CAI Zaragoza signs Michael Roll - by Eurobasket News

CAI Zaragoza made its first signing for the next season. The Spanish squad penned a one-year deal with guard Michael Roll (196-G-87, college: UCLA). He arrives to the club from Belgian Antwerp. Roll appeared 27 times in domestic championship averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds. He shined in EuroChallenge with 15.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 3.5 apg for 12 games. The player was named Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge Honorable Mention -12 and Eurobasket.com All-Belgian League 2nd Team -12. He joined Antwerp in March of 2011 and they reached Cup Semis together. Last season Antwerp played in the Cup Finals and League Semis. Michael Roll started 2010/11 with Turkish Bornova and it was his first season as a pro. He had 14.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.7 spg for 13 games in TBL. Michael Roll is a product of the UCLA, where he graduated two years ago.


Autocid Ford Burgos keeps Head Coach Andreu Casadevall - by Eurobasket News

Coach Andreu Casadevall stays with Autocid Ford Burgos for the next season. Two sides penned a contract extension today, according to Diariodeburgos.es. Casadevall took over the club five years ago. Burgos reached LEB Gold Quarterfinals last season. They were No.2 in regular season with 22-12 record. In 2011, Casadevall guided Burgos to LEB Gold Playoff Finals.
Before Burgos, Andreu Casadevall worked with Plus Pujol Lleida for something more than a year. From 2002 to 2004, he coached Breogan Lugo in ACB. In the past, Coach Casadevall worked with Huelva, Alicante and Fuenlabrada. Burgos is now expected to start with signing the players for the next season.


Eurobasket.com All-Spanish ACB Awards 2011-12 - by Greg

Eurobasket.com All-Spanish ACB 1st Team 2012
#s#
Andy Panko
Panko
Nando De Colo
De Colo
Juan Carlos Navarro
Navarro
Mirza Teletovic
Teletovic
Erazem Lorbek
Lorbek
#e#5

Player of the Year: Andy Panko (204-F-77) of Lagun Aro GBC
Guard of the Year: Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) of FCB Regal
Forward of the Year: Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85) of Caja Laboral
Center of the Year: Erazem Lorbek (209-F/C-84) of FCB Regal
Newcomer of the Year: Maciej Lampe (210-C-85) of Caja Laboral
Bosman Player of the Year: Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85) of Caja Laboral
Import Player of the Year: Andy Panko (204-F-77) of Lagun Aro GBC
Domestic Player of the Year: Juan Carlos Navarro (192-G-80) of FCB Regal
Defensive Player of the Year: D'or Fischer (211-C-81) of Gescrap BB
Coach of the Year: Xavier Pascual of FCB Regal

1st Team
G: Nando De Colo (202-87) of Valencia
G: Juan Carlos Navarro (192-80) of FCB Regal
F: Andy Panko (204-77) of Lagun Aro GBC
F: Mirza Teletovic (206-85) of Caja Laboral
F/C: Erazem Lorbek (209-84) of FCB Regal

2nd Team
PG: Sergio Llull (190-87) of Real Madrid
G: Kirk Penney (196-80) of Fuenlabrada
F: Pete Mickeal (199-78) of FCB Regal
F/C: Gustavo Ayon (209-85) of Fuenlabrada
C: Paul Davis (211-84) of Cajasol

3rd Team
G: Aaron Jackson (193-86) of Gescrap BB
G/F: Kostas Vasiliadis (200-84) of Gescrap BB
G/F: Rudy Fernandez (198-85) of Real Madrid
C: Maciej Lampe (210-85) of Caja Laboral
F: Joel Freeland (208-87) of Unicaja

Honorable Mention
Boniface Ndong (213-C-77) of FCB Regal
Marcelinho Huertas (191-PG-83) of FCB Regal
James Augustine (208-F-84) of UCAM Murcia
Nikola Mirotic (207-F/C-91) of Real Madrid
Sergi Vidal (198-F/G-81) of Lagun Aro GBC
Niklas Caner-Medley (203-F-83) of Valencia
Rafael Hettsheimer (206-C-86) of CAI Zaragoza
Rafael Martinez (191-G-82) of Valencia
Chuck Eidson (202-F/G-80) of FCB Regal
Jimmy Baron (191-G-86) of Lagun Aro GBC
D'or Fischer (211-C-81) of Gescrap BB
Marko Banic (205-F-84) of Gescrap BB
Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) of Caja Laboral
Justin Doellman (206-F-85) of Assignia M.
Luka Zoric (211-C/F-84) of Unicaja
Kaloyan Ivanov (205-F-86) of Lucentum
Kyle Singler (203-F-88) of Real Madrid
Felipe Reyes (203-F/C-80) of Real Madrid

All-Domestic Players Team
PG: Sergio Llull (190-87) of Real Madrid
G: Juan Carlos Navarro (192-80) of FCB Regal
G/F: Rudy Fernandez (198-85) of Real Madrid
F/C: Nikola Mirotic (207-91) of Real Madrid
C: Fran Vazquez (209-83) of FCB Regal

All-Imports Team
G: Kirk Penney (196-80) of Fuenlabrada
F: Pete Mickeal (199-78) of FCB Regal
F: Andy Panko (204-77) of Lagun Aro GBC
F/C: Gustavo Ayon (209-85) of Fuenlabrada
C: Paul Davis (211-84) of Cajasol

All-Bosmans Team
G: Nando De Colo (202-87) of Valencia
G/F: Kostas Vasiliadis (200-84) of Gescrap BB
C: Maciej Lampe (210-85) of Caja Laboral
F: Mirza Teletovic (206-85) of Caja Laboral
F/C: Erazem Lorbek (209-84) of FCB Regal


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  SWEDEN   


France edged Sweden before Troyes U20 tournament - by Eurobasket News

France U20-Sweden U20 67:63

France U20 faced Sweden U20 in a friendly campaign before the Troyes tournament. The home side trailed in the majority of the game but won the friendly game. France U20 overcame Sweden U20 67:63. Trailing 13-24 after the first period, France could not wake up until the end of the half and allowed the Scandinavian team to take 16-point lead at the halftime. France needed 20-11 in the third period and 22-11 in the last to seal the victory.
Louis Labeyrie (209-C-92) top-scored for the winners with 17 points, while Hugo Invernizzi (196-G/F-93) notched 12. Livio Jean-Charles (204-PF-93) and Rudy Gobert (212-C-92) followed them with 10 points each. Markus Marcus Eriksson (196-G/F-93) ended up with 19 points in defeat, while Viktor Gaddefors (203-SF-92) scored 15. Charles Barton (192-PG-92) notched 9 in defeat and Tobias Borg (183-PG-93) delivered 8.

France U20: Louis Labeyrie 17 points, Hugo Invernizzi 12, Livio Jean-Charles 10, Rudy Gobert 10
Sweden U20: Marcus Eriksson 19, Viktor Gaddefors 15, Charles Barton 9, Tobias Borg 8


Tim Whitworth heads to Eco Orebro - by Eurobasket News

Tim Whitworth (198-G/F-81, college: Drexel) heads to Eco Orebro for the next season. The American player returns to Sweden where he played in several teams.
Last year American forward Tim Whitworth agreed with the management of ZTE KK. The 30 years old, 198 cm tall American player has a lot experience in Europe already. After graduating on the University of Drexel in 2004 he started his professional career with UBC Mattersburg in Austria and averaged 24.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22 games of the regular season. After his rookie season in Austria he moved to Holland and spent several years in countries like Luxemburg, Finland and Sweden. He spent the last season with Uppsala Basket in Sweden and averaged 15.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 55.0%, 3PT: 37.1% in 41 games.
In 2011/2012 for Zalakeramia-ZTE KK (Hungary-A Division, starting five) he averaged 14.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 79.5%. Tim recorded 30 points in the game versus Kaposvari.


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


Houston offers Lin deal for $31 million - by Eurobasket News

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey had his second crack at Jeremy Lin (6'3''-PG-88, college: Harvard) yesterday and offered him a back-loaded deal worth at least $31 million, and he was mulling it over late last night.

Because the Knicks were ditched by Steve Nash, sources have indicated the club is as intent as ever in matching any Lin offer sheet before the free-agent signing moratorium ends July 11.

Last time Morey talked to Lin in December, he told him he was being waived after having him for 12 days in training camp. That set the stage for the Knicks to claim him and turn last season into a Disney movie.

Yesterday, Morey showed Lin Houston and took him out for dinner, where he was offered a three-year deal with a fourth-year player option that would total at least $31 million.

The first two years are at $5 million and $5.2 million with the backloaded poison pill coming in the third and fourth years, when the salary was to jump to about $10.5 million to create luxury-tax hardship for the Knicks.

But because Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemires deals all expire after three years, the luxury tax only would hurt in the third season - 2014-15.

The Knicks have said they would match any offer to Lin because they see him as either their starter or a vital backup.

Last time Lin was in Houston was before Linsanity when the Knicks visited on Jan. 28, and Lin actually got his first significant playing time, an active 20 minutes. But then-desperate coach Mike DAntoni still wasnt convinced that night, though whispers from players in the visitors locker room was he could be the answer to their point-guard woes.

The Rockets need a point guard after going separate ways with Goran Dragic, who demanded $10 million per season. Nevertheless, this Houston visit could also be a dog-and-pony show to help to Lin, who needs to establish a market for himself because Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald started playing hardball on July 1. Grunwald refused to make Lin an offer until he established a market.

On Twitter yesterday, Morey stated, RedNation please help me welcome [Lin] back 2Houston today! Fitting on July4 as America is land of 2nd chances.

Cute but probably not enough to land Lin, who prefers to stay with the Knicks. Plus, Lin also could harbor bitterness at Rockets coach Kevin McHale for cutting him. In February, Morey all but apologized to Lin for waiving him, admitting his mistake and saying he had a great, great future.

The Rockets have a potential Lin recruiter in Yao Ming, who is still close with the team and is a mentor to the point guard. The Mavericks also want to court Lin, so it remains to be seen if he will accept the Rockets offer.

Courtesy of www.nypost.com


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  TANZANIA   


Thunder, Hasheem Thabeet agree on two-year deal - by Eurobasket News

The Oklahoma City Thunder has agreed with former No. 2 overall pick Hasheem Thabeet (7'3''-C-87, college: Connecticut) on a two-year contract.

The deal cannot officially be signed until the league's free agent moratorium period is lifted on July 11. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately known, but the contract, which will be fully guaranteed for both seasons, is believed to be a minimal salary, or roughly $880,000 in the first year of the contract.

Thabeet will join his fourth team in four seasons after being drafted by Memphis in 2009. He was taken one spot ahead of Thunder guard James Harden, but the 7-foot-3 center has had a disappointing start to his professional career after earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in his final two seasons at Connecticut.

In 135 games, Thabeet has averaged 2.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots.

Oklahoma City has been enamored with Thabeet since his college days and was widely believed to be strongly considering selecting him, if available, with the third overall pick. Memphis plucked Thabeet second overall in part because the Grizzlies thought Oklahoma City would take him if they didn't.

In his best season, Thabeet averaged 3.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 13 minutes per game as a rookie with the Grizzlies. Memphis, however, traded Thabeet and a first-round pick to Houston midway through his second season in exchange for Shane Battier. After Thabeet appeared in just seven games for Houston, the Rockets sent Thabeet, Jonny Flynn and a second-round pick to Portland in March in exchange for Marcus Camby.

The addition of Thabeet all but guarantees veteran center Nazr Mohammed will not return to the Thunder. If not, that paves the way for third-year center Cole Aldrich to step into the primary backup role behind starter Kendrick Perkins. Thabeet is expected to be the third-string center.

Adding Thabeet also helps the Thunder preserve precious salary cap space, most of which will go toward paying its young players. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook already are locked into maximum-allowable contracts. Harden, Serge Ibaka and Eric Maynor are all now eligible for extensions to their rookie deals.

What the Thunder is doing in bringing in Thabeet, 25, is taking a flyer on a one-time promising prospect without paying him much and hoping he can develop into the player he once was capable of being. If he does, the Thunder gets a steal. If not, the team will not have lost anything.

Playing in that environment is positive, said Thabeet's agent, Bill Duffy. Sam Presti has done a great job of not only building a winning organization but a culture that's conditioned to developing and nurturing. So we think it's a really good fit. So now the onus is on Hasheem to buy into that and to develop and to reach his potential.

When the Thunder officially signs Thabeet and No. 28 overall pick Perry Jones III, Oklahoma City will have 14 players under contract for the 2012-13 season, one shy of the maximum amount of players allowable under NBA rules.

Courtesy of http://newsok.com


*****************************************************
  THAILAND   


SEABA Cup: Thailand pip Malaysia - by Eurobasket News

Thailand - Malaysia 73:72

Thailand celebrated the second straight win at the start of SEABA Cup. The hosts snatched a narrow win over Malaysia for 2-0 record. Chanachon Klahan (190-F-84) came up with 17 points to lead the winners.
Malaysia got to the better start. They ensured a 20:15 lead after ten minutes. Thailand stopped the rot and narrowed the gap at 4-point mark at the interval 31:35. Thailand exploded with 26 points in the third quarter and pulled ahead for a 57:55 lead with one period remaining. The teams went neck and neck throughout the fourth stanza but Thailand proved more accurate at the end stealing a tough win at the end. Wutipong Dasom notched 13 points, while Attaporn Lertmalaiporn added 9 points for the hosts. Shee Fai Loh (192-G/F-89) answered with 17 points for Malaysia. Hong Hoong Gan (186-G-90) chipped in 11 points for Malaysia.

Thailand: Chanachon Klahan 17, Wutipong Dasom 13, Attaporn Lertmalaiporn 9
Malaysia: Shee Fai Loh 17, Hong Hoong Gan 11


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  TURKEY   


Fenerbahce eye David Hawkins - by Eurobasket News

Fenerbahce eye David Hawkins (194-G-82, agency: Arete Sports Agency, college: Temple) for the next season. The Turkish team would like to take the American player who left Besiktas.
Last year Besiktas have announced the signing of David Hawkins.The sides have agreed on terms of one-year contract. David Hawkins played earlier with Armani Jeans. The guard notched 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game in Euroleague. In Seria A David Hawkins posted 13.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. The guard earned Eurobasket.com All-Italian Seria A Honourable Mention for the fourth straight season. Previously David Hawkins had stints with Montepaschi, Lottomatica and Rieti. Eurobasket.com named David Hawkins All-Italian SeriaA Guard of the Year back in 2006. The guard also made it into Italian SeriaA All-Defensive Team twice. David Jackson was SeriaA champion as well as Cup and Supercup winner.
In 2011-2012 for Besiktas Milangaz Istanbul (Turkey-TBL, starting five) David Hawkins averaged 14.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 80.0% in EuroChallenge as the Turkish team won the title. In Turkish League after 40 games his stats read 13.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 67.5%.


Antalya announced two latest signings - by Eurobasket News

Antalya announced two latest signings for the next season. According to TBL Antalya BSB lands Baris Guney (193-G-83) and Goekhan Karabiyik (207-F/C-88) for 2012/2013 season.
Last year Baris Guney became a new member of Mersin. The Turkish guard penned a deal for the whole season. Earlier Guney he played for Aliaga and appeared 28 times in TBL averaging 6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. In 2009/10, Baris Guney played for Kepez. With them he had 6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 3.6 apg for 26 games. Befor Kepez, Guney spent his first season with Aliaga. From 2006 to 2008 he was a member of Besiktas. In the past, Baris Guney spent few years with Fenerbahce Ulker. He played for Turkish B National Team from 2003 to 2005.
Goekhan Karabiyik moves from Turk Telekom Ankara. The season 2010-2011 he played for Turk Telekom Ankara (TBL), and also for Genc Telekom (TB2L). In 27 games he averaged 12.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 78.9%. Last season for Turk Telekom Ankara (TBL) he made a debut in EuroChallenge and in Turkish League averaged 0.8ppg.


Royal Hali Gaziantep adds Akpinar Mutlu from Erdemir - by Eurobasket News

Royal Hali Gaziantep continues with signings for the next season. After arrivals of Caner Ercan (205-F-86, agency: Diamond Sportsman Agency) and Isaiah Swann (188-G-85, college: Florida St.), the team penned a deal with Mutlu Akpinar (203-C/F-83). The 29-year-old power forward/center heads to Gaziantep from Erdemir, where he spent last season. He appeared 30 times in TBL averaging 7.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. In 2010/11, Akpinar played for Banvit. There he had 7.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 39 games in Turkey. The team also competed in EuroCup, where Mutlu registered 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg for 6 games. From 2000 to 2010, Mutlu Akpinar played for Turk Telekom Ankara. They won the Turkish Cup together in 2008. Turk Telekom reached Cup Finals two more times, but failed to win it (2001 and 2003).


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  UBA   


Williams signs with Washington Generals - by Travis McAvene

Ervin Ervin Williams (6'9''-F/C-88, college: St.Catharine) of the Cincinnati Slam recently agreed to contract terms with the world famous Washington Generals. The Washington Generals tour full-time across the world with the Harlem Globetrotters.

This past season Ervin Williams averaged 14.0ppg, 10.0rpg, and 1.0bpg for the Cincinnati Slam. Ervin Williams was also named to the UBA All-Rookie 1st Team and was an All-Star Selection in his first season with the Slam. Ervin Williams helped lead the Slam to its first Eastern Conference Championship in 2012.

Ervin Williams plans to start his first tour with the Generals throughout the month of July.


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


Cherkasy confirm Marko Ljubicic - by Eurobasket News

Cherkasy confirmed the signing of Marko Ljubicic (195-G-87, agency: Beo Basket). We wrote about the talks between the team and the club and now the deal is official. The guard spent the previous season in Greece. The Serb played for Ikaros Kallitheas. His stats read 6.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game in A1 League. Previously Marko Ljubicic had spells for Metalac Valjevo, Buducnost Podgorica and Superfund Beograd. Eurobasket.com named the guard into All-Serbian B League 2nd Team in 2009. He was Montenegrin champion in 2010. In 2011 Marko Ljubicic earned All-Serbian League Honourable Mention. He was the member of Serbian University National Team in 2011.


Lamont Hamilton heads to Ukraine - by Eurobasket News

Update: BC Donetsk denied the agreement with the player in their press-release. We will keep you updated on the situation.

Lamont Hamilton (208-C/F-84, college: St.John's) will move to Ukraine next season. The centre has reportedly agreed on terms of contract with the Superleague champions BC Donetsk. The deal is meant for two seasons. Lamont Hamilton spent the last season in France. He played for Paris-Levallois. His stats read 17.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in ProA. Eurobasket.com named Lamont Hamilton All-French ProA Centre of the Year. He also participated at ProA All-Star Game. It was the third straight season in Paris for the centre. Previously Lamont Hamilton had stints with Tenerife Rural and Mallorca in Spain.


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  UNITED KINGDOM   


Great Britain surrender against Belgium in Namur - by Eurobasket News

Belgium U20 - Great Britain U20 75:67

Belgian U20 selection claimed the first win in the test series versus their British counterparts. The teams will meet again tonight.
Belgium led by three points at the end of the first quarter 13:16. Belgium accounted for 35:23 halftime lead. Great Britain narrowed the deficit to a single point 50:51 at the final break. But Belgium stayed calm and executed the victory to perfection in the final period. Alasdair Fraser (203-F-92) came up with 20 points for Great Britain.


Great Britain Olympic basketball roster announced - by Eurobasket News

he British Olympic Association (BOA) has today announced the 12 players that head coach Chris Finch has chosen to represent Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The selected athletes are:

GB Basketball Olympic Roster

Kieron Achara (208-F/C-83, agency: Two Points, college: Duquesne), (Manresa, Spain)
Robert Archibald (212-C/F-80, agency: Priority Sports, college: Illinois) (Zaragoza, Spain)
Eric Boateng (208-C-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Arizona St.) (Peristeri, Greece)
Daniel Clark (210-F/C-88, agency: Interperformances) (Estudiantes, Spain)
Luol Deng (206-F-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Duke) (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Joel Freeland (208-F-87) (Unicaja, Spain)
Kyle Johnson (195-G-88, college: LIU Brooklyn) (Apoel, Cyprus)
Andrew Lawrence (187-G-90) (College of Charleston, USA)
Michael Lenzly (189-G-81, college: Wofford) (CEZ Nymburk, Czech Republic)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (206-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: G.Washington) (Besiktas, Turkey)
Nathan Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) (Sheffield Sharks, UK)
Drew Sullivan (203-F-80, agency: Interperformances, college: Villanova) (Leicester Riders, UK)

Ogo Adegboye was the unlucky 13th man cut, with it already being reported at the weekend that Devon van Oostrum, Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Myles Hesson's Olympic journeys had ended. NBA players Ben Gordon and Byron Mullens had both previously withdrawn.

With the announcement, and the Olympics fast approaching, GB star Luol Deng said he can't wait until the games:

'We have all worked very hard for this opportunity and to have the final 12 named is exciting. The next few weeks will fly by and I can't wait to step on the court with my teammates at the Games. We plan to make Great Britain proud.'

While all 12 players will be making their Olympic Games debut, they bring plenty of top level competitive experience with them. Led by Luol Deng, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Joel Freeland this will be the strongest roster the team has had competing since their inception 5 years ago.

As yet, the squad still don't know who their first opponents will be on July 29th as the qualifying campaign is not yet complete. However they will be determined to place in the top four of a group that will certainly contain Brazil, Spain, Australia and China in order to progress beyond their six-team group and into the quarter-final, where the competition relocates to the North Greenwich Arena.

Finch admitted making the final decision was not easy:

'Cutting down to a final 12 is always difficult. We had a really productive camp in Houston and to finally announce the Olympic team here in Loughborough is fantastic. The next four weeks provide us with outstanding competition leading up to the Olympics, which is just what is required before doing battle within our group come Games time.'

Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said:

'The progress that the men's basketball squad has made since London was awarded the Olympics in 2005 is quite remarkable. British Basketball has worked hard to prepare a squad that is capable of producing credible and competitive performances for Team GB against the very best nations in the world at the Olympic Games.

'They will be faced with a tough group, but recent form suggests there is no reason to be fearful. They've secured some brilliant results in the last few years and were fantastic when the Test Event came to London last August, so there's every reason to believe they can progress beyond the group stage.

'The home support at the Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park will create the kind of atmosphere that will get the best out of our athletes. This is a chance for our basketball players to raise the profile of this exciting and high-tempo sport and inspire youngsters across the UK to take up the sport. Having someone like Luol Deng in our team - who recently played in the NBA All-Star match - just goes to show that there is no limit to what the future generation can aspire to.'

Whilst Performance Director Chris Spice added:

'This has been an incredible journey so far for this team since 2006 and we are very pleased to announce our strongest ever team. I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected and at the same time pay tribute to those players that have just missed out. It's only through building our depth that we can continue to compete at the highest levels of international basketball and I am hoping those who just missed this time around will be with us on the road to Rio.'

The team is currently 0-5 in their warm-up games, and will head on a road trip at the end of this week that will see them face France (Saturday) and Spain (Monday) before returning to the UK to play a tournament in Sheffield.

It will be only the second time in history that Team GB will be represented in basketball at the Olympics, and the first time since the Games were last hosted by London in 1948.

Courtesy of www.hoopsfix.com


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  VTB UNITED LEAGUE   


Kalev/Cramo tab Rait Keerles - by Eurobasket News

Rait Keerles (201-F-80) is coming back to Estonia. The forward signed a one-year deal with Kalev/Cramo. Rait Keerles played for Kalev in 1997/2011 seasons. However last season he left the team. Rait Keerles signed in Germany with Giants Duesseldorf. He tallied 12.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game in ProA. Rait Keerles was named All-Estonian League Forward of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He also made it into All-Domestic Player Team in 2006 and 2010. The forward earned All-Estonian League Honourable Mention in 2009. Rait Keerles was the member of Estonian National Team in 2005/10 seasons.



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Women News


Vojvodina signs 3-year contract extension with coach Selimovic - by Eurobasket News

Vojvodina announced signing of a 3-year contract extension with its Head Coach Miodrag Selimovic. It means that he will stay with the club until the end of 2014/15 season. Selimovic took over Vojvodina during the second half of the last season. He led the team to Playoff Semifinals in Serbia, what was considered as success. They failed to defending champions Partizan Belgrade (0-2). In the Quarterfinals, Vojvodina eliminated Radivoj Korac. In regular season, Vojvodina was No.3 with 5-3 record. Miodrag Selimovic was Assistant Coach of Vojvodina in the past. He also worked with their youth selections. Vojvodina will soon start with signing the players for the next season.


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  AUSTRALIA   


Hungarian champ UNI SEAT Gyor officially signs Natalie Hurst - by Eurobasket News

As expected, Natalie Hurst (163-G-83) became a new member of UNI SEAT Gyor. The reigning Hungarian champion officially announced the signing yesterday. Hurst spent last season with Pays d'Aix Basket 13 Provence. She appeared 26 times in French LFB averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Natalie Hurst played for Pays d'Aix Basket 13 Provence also in 2010/11 season. She had 14.1 ppg, 4.7 apg and 3.7 rpg at that time. In both years she was named Eurobasket.com All-French LFB 1st Team -11, 12. In Australia, Hurst spent couple of years with Canberra Capitals. They won four WNBL titles together (06, 07, 09, 10). In 2009 Natalie Hurst won the Gold at Oceania Championship with Australian National Team. A year ago the player won ABA league title with Gladstone Port City Power. A month ago UNI SEAT Gyor penned a deal with Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91). The team also returned Ieva Kublina (193-C-82, college: Virginia Tech).
Krisztina Raksanyi spent last two seasons with Pecs 2010. She had 11 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg for 27 games in the latest one. In 2010/11, the guard averaged 7.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in Hungary. She also added 3.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for 12 Euroleague games. Raksanyi is a product of Pecs, where she started as a teenager. Krisztina Raksanyi participated at Hungarian NT training camp last summer. In the past, she also played for U20, U18 and U16 Hungary. With U18 National Team, Raksanyi won the Gold at 2009 EuroBasket U18 Division B in Israel. She had 11.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.5 apg for 8 games at this event. That same year Raksanyi was All-Hungarian League Newcomer of the Year.
Ieva Kublina played for UNI SEAT in 2010/11 averaging 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 assists for 25 games in Hungary. She also added 12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.1 apg for 10 EuroCup games. Ieva Kublina spent last season with Bourges and managed to win the French title with them. She had 4.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg for 29 games in the league. In Euroleague, the player registered 5.6 ppg and 4 rpg for 16 games. In the past, Ieva Kublina played for USK Praha and TTT Riga. She also has experience from Dynamo Moscow, Mondeville, Montpellier and Miskolc. Kublina is active member of the Latvian NT since 2003.


Cambage, stars to play in Olympics, then rejoin WNBA teams - by Eurobasket News

The Tulsa Shock's lone Olympian has not played a minute for the team this season.

She is the Shock's most notable, most hyped player. At 6 feet, 8 inches, she is the tallest player in the WNBA. But Cambage Elizabeth (203-C-91), the Australian center who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, has spent the first half of the WNBA season in her home country, preparing for the 2012 London Olympics.

"I'm looking forward to getting her back," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg (agency: Warren Sports International ) said.

Tulsa is 2-12, with four games left until a month break without games as the Olympics take place. Cambage is expected to come to Tulsa after London and join the Shock. She averaged 11.5 points per game as a rookie with Tulsa last season.

The addition of her height and potential immediately would change the composition of the Shock for the second half of the season.

The Olympic break, which slashes the WNBA season into two halves every four years, will result in many players leaving their WNBA teams to play for the U.S. national team. A few players, like Cambage and the Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson (Australia), missed the first half of the season to train for the Olympics.

Kloppenburg said the break creates "two seasons" for the WNBA. For Tulsa, it also creates two teams.

"She's going to create a whole other dynamic we don't have," Kloppenburg said of the 20-year-old Cambage. "All of a sudden we have somebody that we can throw to down there that can really finish up around the rim."

Tulsa's philosophy may change more than most teams, but a handful of teams will be affected by the break. The Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx has three players on the U.S. team in London. The Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Seattle Storm and Chicago Sky all have two players playing in London for their countries.

For Sun center Tina Charles, the Olympics is an opportunity that she places above the two national championships she won in college at Connecticut.

"When I go to USA basketball, I'm just going to be focused on USA basketball," Charles said.

Tulsa will keep its current team intact for the month off, so while there are no games, the Shock will still practice and work on individual development, Kloppenburg said. He thinks the break is beneficial for his young team to improve after a slow start has it buried in last place.

WNBA commissioner Laurel Richie was in Tulsa for the Shock's game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 26. She said the Olympics are an event the WNBA is excited about.

Five days after the gold medal game for women's basketball, Aug. 11, is the resumption of the WNBA season. With players from nine of the 12 WNBA teams participating, it is a prime opportunity to increase the league's outreach.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry is not as well known as some of the other American stars, but she leads the WNBA in scoring with 22.6 points per game. Her first Olympics provide an opportunity to continue her strong play alongside household names such as Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.

"It's amazing to represent your country, to be able to play in one of the highest sporting events in the world," McCoughtry said. "I'm just excited to be considered one of the best in the world."

The United States is the heavy favorite to bring home the gold medal. The team is coached by University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, and six of the 12 players are UConn products.

In between Shock practices, Kloppenburg said, he plans to catch all of the games. He is a big fan of the Olympics, and the players on the United States team. But he is also curious about some of the other countries.

He has to be. The player who could change Tulsa's fortunes in August will be standing tall for the Aussies.

"We've talked, stayed in touch through email and we've been following how she's doing," Kloppenburg said of Cambage. "I'm looking forward to getting her back in the flow going down the stretch in the second half."

Courtesy of www.tulsaworld.com


SBL: Teams look to break deadlock (Round 17 women's preview) - by Eurobasket News

With three teams tied in second place the Perth Redbacks will be looking to break from the crowd when they face the struggling Wanneroo Wolves on Friday in week 17 womens state basketball league action.

The Redbacks have won four of their past five games while the Wolves are on a six game losing streak and will be looking to grab some form heading into the finals.

The Wolves will back up on Saturday when they host cross-town rivals the Stirling Senators, the Wolves will fancy their chances with the 4-14 Senators yet to pick up a road win in 2012.

League number one the South West Slammers take on the Perry Lakes Hawks in a Hawks home game on Saturday night, the Slammers will be looking to extend their six game winning streak.

Perry Lakes will be looking to keep their finals hopes alive, however without veteran Tegan Walker and the midseason retirement of centre Christine Boyd they will have to be at their best against the star Slammers line-up.

Last years runners-up East Perth Eagles will face a tough test on Friday when they face a replay of last years grand final against the Willetton Tigers, who despite missing key players are in second position and in strong form.

The Eagles go on to play Cockburn on Saturday night in a Cougars home game, the young Cougars line-up has been in inconsistent form and are on a four game losing streak.

Mandurah Magic face a double header this weekend against the Perry Lakes Hawks at home on Friday and the Lakeside Lightning away on Saturday.

Friday night against the Hawks is a home game for the Magic, Mandurah will have some confidence after a win last weekend while the Hawks are on a three game losing streak.

The Magic then hit the road to take on Lakeside at home, the Lightning are also in shaky form having lost four of their last five games and will need a win to ensure they keep their finals destiny in their own hands.

Article by Hannah Coleman
Courtesy of: SBL


SEABL: Knox women make it 16-1 - by Eurobasket News

KNOX Raiders women have kicked away in the SEABL South Conference, taking their season record to 16-1 with a 71-41 demolition of Ballarat on Sunday.
Injuries to Raiders duo Cassie Smith (knee) and Rachael Quirk (ankle) reduced Knox's roster to eight players for the clash, but it didn't seem to trouble them.

The Raiders women are now undefeated at home this season.

Raiders guard Kelly Wilson (170-G-84) led the scoring with 20 points and Amy Denson had an impressive 17 points and 15 rebounds.

The Raiders women visit Nunawading at Nunawading Stadium this Saturday night, then host Launceston at the State Basketball Centre on Sunday at noon.
Courtesy of: knoxweekly.com.au


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  BELGIUM   


Crack Blue Cats brings in Stefka Miteva - by Eurobasket News

Crack Blue Cats brings in Stefka Miteva (190-C-89) for the next season. The Bulgarian Center agreed terms with the Belgium side.
In 2005-2006 she started for Rilski Sportist Samokov (A1) and averaged 3.5ppg. In 2006-2007 for Rilski Sportist Samokov (A1) her stats read 4.5ppg, 6.8rpg. In 2007-2008 she improved to 5.2ppg, Reb-5 (7.3rpg), 1.4spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, FT: 41.2%. In 2008-2009 Miteva had high 14.4ppg, Reb-1 (11.8rpg), 1.4spg, Blocks-2 (1.6bpg), 2FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 37.0%.
In 2009-2010 she moved to Club D.Baloncesto Aros Leon (Spain-LF2). In 2010-2011 played for Soller Joventud Mariana (Spain-LFB, starting five) and averaged 1.5ppg, 2.4rpg. Last season she started for Soller Joventud Mariana (Spain-LFB, starting five) and had 1.8ppg, 2.4rpg. Later Stefka Miteva moved to Levski Sofia and after 6 games showed 7.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 81.3%.


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  BULGARIA   


Crack Blue Cats brings in Stefka Miteva - by Eurobasket News

Crack Blue Cats brings in Stefka Miteva (190-C-89) for the next season. The Bulgarian Center agreed terms with the Belgium side.
In 2005-2006 she started for Rilski Sportist Samokov (A1) and averaged 3.5ppg. In 2006-2007 for Rilski Sportist Samokov (A1) her stats read 4.5ppg, 6.8rpg. In 2007-2008 she improved to 5.2ppg, Reb-5 (7.3rpg), 1.4spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, FT: 41.2%. In 2008-2009 Miteva had high 14.4ppg, Reb-1 (11.8rpg), 1.4spg, Blocks-2 (1.6bpg), 2FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 37.0%.
In 2009-2010 she moved to Club D.Baloncesto Aros Leon (Spain-LF2). In 2010-2011 played for Soller Joventud Mariana (Spain-LFB, starting five) and averaged 1.5ppg, 2.4rpg. Last season she started for Soller Joventud Mariana (Spain-LFB, starting five) and had 1.8ppg, 2.4rpg. Later Stefka Miteva moved to Levski Sofia and after 6 games showed 7.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 61.5%, FT: 81.3%.


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  CHINA   


China complete sweep of NetScouts USA All-Stars - by Eurobasket News

Chinese National Team completed the sweep of friendly series versus NetScouts USA All-Stars selection. The hosts celebrated a 65:60 win in Game 3 in Jinzhong City yesterday. Gao Song (190-PF-92) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the hosts.
China jumped to a 20:7 early lead. USA All-Stars cut the deficit to a single point 30:31 at halftime. China boosted the gap to four points at the final break 48:44. USA pulled in front in the final quarter but China stayed confident and eked out a tough victory at the end. Wei Wei (206-C-89) produced 8 points for the hosts. Rebecca Tobin (195-F-88, college: Arizona St.) answered with 11 points for All-Stars. Becky Burke (180-G-89, agency: LBM Management) netted 9 points in the losing effort.


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  EUROCUP   


EuroCup Women Seedings Announced - by Eurobasket News

FIBA Europe has announced the seedings for the EuroCup Women Draw which will take place on Friday 6 July at 11:15 CET in Freising, Germany.

A total of 30 teams were divided into three (3) seeding pots of eight (8) and one seeding pot of six (6) teams.

Six (6) groups of four (4) and two (2) groups of three (3) will be drawn, without any further restrictions.

You can follow the Draws in real time through live updates on FIBAEurope.com

The seeding pots consist of the following teams:

Pot 1 (Top Seeds)
Dynamo Kursk (RUS), Chevakata Vologda (RUS), Dynamo GUVD (RUS), Dynamo Moscow (RUS), Spartak Noginsk (RUS), Horizont Minsk (BLR) and Olimpia Grodno (BLR)

Pot 2
Nantes Reze (FRA), Basket Lattes Montpellier (FRA), Saint-Amand Hainaut Basket (FRA), Tarbes Gespe Bigorre (FRA). Basket Landes (FRA), Elitzur Ramla (ISR), Dunav 8806 Ruse (BUL)

Pot 3
Kayseri Kaskispor (TUR), Bykesehir Belediye Mersin (TUR), Botas Adana (TUR), TED Ankara (TUR), Homend Antakya (TUR), Partizan Galenika (SRB), TSV Wasserburg (GER)

Pot 4
Belfius Namur (BEL), BBC Sint Katelijne Waver (BEL), Lotto Young Cats Brussels (BEL), SISU Basketball Gentofte (DEN), Kibirkstis-Tiche-Iki Vilnius (LTU), VS Prague (CZE)
Courtesy of: fibaeurope.com


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


EuroLeague Women Seedings Announced - by Eurobasket News

FIBA Europe has announced the seedings for the EuroLeague Women Regular Season Draw, which will take place on Friday 6 July at 11:30 CET in Freising, Germany.

The 21 participating clubs were divided into seven (7) seeding pots of three (3) teams each.

The seedings are based on the three-year ranking of clubs and their national federations.

You can follow the Draws in real time through live updates on FIBAEurope.com

The seeding pots consist of the following teams:

Pot 1 (Top Seeds)
Rivas Ecopolis (ESP), UMMC Ekaterinburg (RUS), Fenerbahce (TUR)

Pot 2
Galatasaray (TUR), Sparta&K Moscow Region Vidnoje (RUS), Famila Schio (ITA)

Pot 3
Wisla Krakow (POL), Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca (ESP), Good Angels Kosice (SVK)

Pot 4
Nadezhda Orenburg (RUS), ZVVZ USK Prague (CZE), Bourges Basket (FRA)

Pot 5
CCC Polkowice (POL), Uniqua Euroleasing Sopron (HUN), Uni Seat Gyr (HUN)

Pot 6
BK Brno (CZE), Arras Pays D'Artois (FRA), USO Mondeville (FRA)

Pot 7
CSM Targoviste (ROU), Novi Zagreb (CRO), Tarsus Belediye Spor (TUR)
Courtesy of: fibaeurope.com


Ancuta Stoenescu heads to CSM Targoviste - by Eurobasket News

Ancuta Stoenescu (169-G-80, agency: Data Plus Group) heads to CSM Targoviste for the next season. The Romanian National team player will help the team in EuroLeague debut.
Stoenescu played last season for Alba where she arrived in January. She appeared 21 times for the team averaging 9.5 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals. Alba Iulia reached Playoff Quarterfinals, but failed against Satu Mare (0-2). Alba Iulia finished regular season as No.3 with 25-5 record. Ancuta Stoenescu started the season with BCM Bega Danzio Timisoara. With them she had 12.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 2.4 apg in 14 games. She played for Timisoara also in 2010/11. Before that, Stoenescu was a member of ICIM Arad, Elitzur Ramla, AEL Limassol, Achilleas Kaimakliou, Sporting Athens and Targoviste. In 2005, she won the Romanian league title with Targoviste. Stoenescu also won two championship titles on Cyprus, as well as three Cup trophies.


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


Lithuania and Finland exchange victories - by Eurobasket News

Lithuanian and Finnish U18 National Teams played two test encounters. The teams exchanged victories.
Lithuania proved the strength in the opening clash 67:62. Lithuania trailed by one point at halftime 31:32. But they went on a 36:26 rally in the second half to seal the victory. Roberta Mizgeryte (188-PF-95) came up with 14 points to lead the winners. Ieva Kazlauskaite (178-F-94) added 12 points for Lithuania. Anni Jamsa (167-PG-95) and Anniina Aijanen (189-C-95) accounted for 12 points each for Finland.
The Finnish team struck back in the second game of the series. They knocked down Lithuania 68:63 in overtime. The hosts led by three points at halftime 26:23. The margin grew at 4-point mark before the fourth quarter 43:39. But Finland managed to draw things level at 60 at the end of regulation and forced overtime. Finland limited their opponents to 3 points in the extra period and sealed the victory at the end. Anni Jamsa and Noora Jarvikangas (182-F-94) produced 12 points each for Finland. Camilla Gronberg delivered 10 points in the victory. Egle Zelnyte (187-F-94) responded with 12 points for Lithuania. Roberta Mizgeryte had 11 points in the loss.


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  GERMANY   


Serbian Minja Terzic stays with Herner TC - by Eurobasket News

Serbian Minja Terzic (188-F/C-79) stays with Herner TC for the upcoming season. The player will enter her 4th season.
In 2009-2010 she joined Herner TC (Germany-DBBL, starting five) and became the fourth top-scorer in the League with 16.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP-2 (58.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.0%. In 2010-2011 for Herner TC (Germany-DBBL) her stats read 15.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 76.3%. Last season for Herner TC (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five) she averaged 18.0ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 79.5%.
In 2010 she was named Eurobasket.com All-German DBBL Honorable Mention and Eurobasket.com German DBBL All-Bosmans Team -10. Last year Minja Terzic became German 2.Bundesliga Group North Regular Season Champion -12 and German 2.Bundesliga Group North Champion -12. Eurobasket.com named her All-German 2.Bundesliga North Player of the Year -12 and Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North Forward of the Year -12. Moreover she was awarded Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North Bosman Player of the Year -12 and Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North 1st Team -12. Also she made it into Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga North All-Imports Team -12.


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  GREECE   


Esperides and DAS Ano Liosia renamed - by George Fragkos

The difficult time Greek women basketball is passing through has begun to cause serious changes to the A1 league. DAS Ano Liosa has announced that from now and on the name of the club changes following the relocation of the teams home from Ano Liosia to the suburb of Athens called Fyli. The new club is going to be called GAC Eunikos and the main reason of this decision is the financial struggle, which besides all made DASAL play half of the last season without any foreign players.

However, DASAL is not the only club that has been renamed. A few weeks earlier, one of the teams that made it to the semi-finals of this years playoffs, Ravenna Esperides / Glyfada, announced their merge with Ikaros Kallitheas. This means that the team will keep having their venue at Kallithea though their name will not be Esperides, but Ikaros just like the men team.


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  HUNGARY   


Hungarian champ UNI SEAT Gyor officially signs Natalie Hurst - by Eurobasket News

As expected, Natalie Hurst (163-G-83) became a new member of UNI SEAT Gyor. The reigning Hungarian champion officially announced the signing yesterday. Hurst spent last season with Pays d'Aix Basket 13 Provence. She appeared 26 times in French LFB averaging 15.5 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds. Natalie Hurst played for Pays d'Aix Basket 13 Provence also in 2010/11 season. She had 14.1 ppg, 4.7 apg and 3.7 rpg at that time. In both years she was named Eurobasket.com All-French LFB 1st Team -11, 12. In Australia, Hurst spent couple of years with Canberra Capitals. They won four WNBL titles together (06, 07, 09, 10). In 2009 Natalie Hurst won the Gold at Oceania Championship with Australian National Team. A year ago the player won ABA league title with Gladstone Port City Power. A month ago UNI SEAT Gyor penned a deal with Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91). The team also returned Ieva Kublina (193-C-82, college: Virginia Tech).
Krisztina Raksanyi spent last two seasons with Pecs 2010. She had 11 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg for 27 games in the latest one. In 2010/11, the guard averaged 7.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in Hungary. She also added 3.5 ppg and 1.4 rpg for 12 Euroleague games. Raksanyi is a product of Pecs, where she started as a teenager. Krisztina Raksanyi participated at Hungarian NT training camp last summer. In the past, she also played for U20, U18 and U16 Hungary. With U18 National Team, Raksanyi won the Gold at 2009 EuroBasket U18 Division B in Israel. She had 11.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.5 apg for 8 games at this event. That same year Raksanyi was All-Hungarian League Newcomer of the Year.
Ieva Kublina played for UNI SEAT in 2010/11 averaging 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 assists for 25 games in Hungary. She also added 12.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.1 apg for 10 EuroCup games. Ieva Kublina spent last season with Bourges and managed to win the French title with them. She had 4.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg for 29 games in the league. In Euroleague, the player registered 5.6 ppg and 4 rpg for 16 games. In the past, Ieva Kublina played for USK Praha and TTT Riga. She also has experience from Dynamo Moscow, Mondeville, Montpellier and Miskolc. Kublina is active member of the Latvian NT since 2003.


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  ITALY   


Pool Comense withdraws from Italian A1 league - by Eurobasket News

Trend in Spain is being followed in Italy where Pool Comense has announced they will discontinue playing in Italian top league due to financial situation.

In clubs history, Comense have won 15 Italian league championships, 5 Italian Cups and 6 Italian Supercups. Last season Comense finished third behind Schio and Taranto.

Also close on their heels appears to be Basket Alcamo, who have a week to gather funds but it doesnt look like it will happen.
Courtesy of: http://lovewomensbasketball.com


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  LITHUANIA   


Lithuania and Finland exchange victories - by Eurobasket News

Lithuanian and Finnish U18 National Teams played two test encounters. The teams exchanged victories.
Lithuania proved the strength in the opening clash 67:62. Lithuania trailed by one point at halftime 31:32. But they went on a 36:26 rally in the second half to seal the victory. Roberta Mizgeryte (188-PF-95) came up with 14 points to lead the winners. Ieva Kazlauskaite (178-F-94) added 12 points for Lithuania. Anni Jamsa (167-PG-95) and Anniina Aijanen (189-C-95) accounted for 12 points each for Finland.
The Finnish team struck back in the second game of the series. They knocked down Lithuania 68:63 in overtime. The hosts led by three points at halftime 26:23. The margin grew at 4-point mark before the fourth quarter 43:39. But Finland managed to draw things level at 60 at the end of regulation and forced overtime. Finland limited their opponents to 3 points in the extra period and sealed the victory at the end. Anni Jamsa and Noora Jarvikangas (182-F-94) produced 12 points each for Finland. Camilla Gronberg delivered 10 points in the victory. Egle Zelnyte (187-F-94) responded with 12 points for Lithuania. Roberta Mizgeryte had 11 points in the loss.


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


Amicale land Petra Manakova and Deja Mattox - by Eurobasket News

Amicale filled in two import spots for the next season. They signed deals with Petra Manakova (190-F/C-82, college: Oakland) and Deja Mattox (182-G/F-89).
Petra Manakova played in Germany last season. She was the member of Saarlouis squad. The Czech centre notched 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game for the Royals. It was the fifth straight season with Saarlouis for Petra Manakova. Previously she played for Leipzig and Basket Alghero. Eurobasket.com named Petra Manakova All-German DBBL Most Improved Player of the Year in 2010.
Deja Mattox is starting her pro career in Luxembourg. The forward has just graduated from the Indiana State University. Deja Mattox tallied 12.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 assists per game in her senior season. She earned All-MVC Honourable Mention in 2012.


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  NCAA1   


China complete sweep of NetScouts USA All-Stars - by Eurobasket News

Chinese National Team completed the sweep of friendly series versus NetScouts USA All-Stars selection. The hosts celebrated a 65:60 win in Game 3 in Jinzhong City yesterday. Gao Song (190-PF-92) accounted for 12 points and 7 rebounds to lead the hosts.
China jumped to a 20:7 early lead. USA All-Stars cut the deficit to a single point 30:31 at halftime. China boosted the gap to four points at the final break 48:44. USA pulled in front in the final quarter but China stayed confident and eked out a tough victory at the end. Wei Wei (206-C-89) produced 8 points for the hosts. Rebecca Tobin (195-F-88, college: Arizona St.) answered with 11 points for All-Stars. Becky Burke (180-G-89, agency: LBM Management) netted 9 points in the losing effort.


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  ROMANIA   


Ancuta Stoenescu heads to CSM Targoviste - by Eurobasket News

Ancuta Stoenescu (169-G-80, agency: Data Plus Group) heads to CSM Targoviste for the next season. The Romanian National team player will help the team in EuroLeague debut.
Stoenescu played last season for Alba where she arrived in January. She appeared 21 times for the team averaging 9.5 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals. Alba Iulia reached Playoff Quarterfinals, but failed against Satu Mare (0-2). Alba Iulia finished regular season as No.3 with 25-5 record. Ancuta Stoenescu started the season with BCM Bega Danzio Timisoara. With them she had 12.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 2.4 apg in 14 games. She played for Timisoara also in 2010/11. Before that, Stoenescu was a member of ICIM Arad, Elitzur Ramla, AEL Limassol, Achilleas Kaimakliou, Sporting Athens and Targoviste. In 2005, she won the Romanian league title with Targoviste. Stoenescu also won two championship titles on Cyprus, as well as three Cup trophies.


Raluca Alecu signs with BC Alexandria - by Eurobasket News

Raluca Alecu (169-G-90) signs with BC Alexandria for the next season. The Romanian Guard becomes the first transfer for her new team.
In 2007-2008 she appeared for BC CSS MCM Targoviste (D1). In 2008-2009 for CSM Targoviste (D1) her stats read 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg. In 2009-2010 continued for Municipal MCM Targoviste (D1) but in 2010-2011 moved to BCM Bega Danzio Timisoara (D1). In her first season she averaged 2.8ppg, 2.1rpg. Last season for BCM Bega Danzio Timisoara (D1, starting five) her stats read 2.7ppg.
In 2006 she participated at the Balkan Games U18 in Sofia as she was Romanian U18 National Team -06-08. Moreover she participated at the European Championships U18 in Slovak Rep. -08. In 2009 Raluca Alecu became Romanian Cup Winner -09 and Romanian League Regular Season Champion -09. Later she became the member of the Romanian U20 National Team -09-10, while in 2009 she was Romanian League Champion . At the European Championships U20 in Liepaja (Latvia) -10 her stats read 1.0ppg.


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  RUSSIA   


Sokolovskiy cut Maria Cherepanova - by Eurobasket News

Sokolovskiy cut Maria Cherepanova (190-PF-87) from the national team roster for the Olympics. The head Coach of the Russian team will have final four cuts on July 12 after their second scrimmage against male college teams in Novogorsk, Russia.
Maria Cherepanova spent last season with Vologda-Chevakata, together with Svetlana Makhlina. She had 9.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.6 apg in EuroCup. Her numbers in Russian league were slightly lower.
Earlier she played for Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow Region. In 2009-2010 for Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region she averaged 3.6ppg, 1.7rpg in Russian League and in Euroleague showed 2.8ppg. In Feb.'10 moved to Dynamo Moscow (A Superleague) and in EuroCup had 6.0ppg, 6.0rpg, 3.0spg.
The last two seasons she spent with Vologda-Chevakata. In 2011-2012 for the team she had 9.4ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 71.4% in EuroCup. In Russian League her stats read 8.2ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 56.9%.
In 2012-2013 Maria Cherepanova will play for Dynamo Kursk.


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  SENEGAL   


Mayors Cup : Semi finals results - by Eurobasket News

Jeanne dArc will play the final of the Mayors basketball cup against Douane in the mens category while DUC and USO clash in the ladies.
Semi finals results (ladies) :

JA Vs DUC: 62-55
Bopp Vs USO: 60-66
Men
JA Vs USO: 59-63
Douane Vs DUC: 62-55
Courtesy of Starafrica.com


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  SERBIA   


Serbia knock down Great Britain in Loznica - by Eurobasket News

Serbia U16 - Great Britain U16 65:39

Serbian U16 National Team celebrated the first win at the test series versus Great Britain. The hosts claimed a comfortable 26-point victory in Loznica in Game 1. Serbia jumped to a 15:9 lead after ten minutes. They boosted the margin to 17 points at halftime 33:16. Serbia dominated in the second half. They secured a 23-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Serbia outscored the visitors in the final period and sealed a comfortable win at the end. Anja Spasojevic (180-SG-96) produced 14 points for Serbia. Aleksandra Crvendakic (188-F/C-96) knocked down 13 points for the winning side. Mederment answered with 10 points for Great Britain. Soers had 8 points in the loss.

Serbia U16: Anja Spasojevic 14, Aleksandra Crvendakic 13, Tijana Cukic (173-PG-96) 8
Great Britain U16: Mederment 10, Soers 8


Serbia hand second loss to Great Britain in Loznica - by Eurobasket News

Serbia U16 - Great Britain U16 57:38

Serbian U16 National Team posted the second straight win over Great Britain in test series in Loznica. Aleksandra Crvendakic (188-F/C-96) came up with 11 points to pace the winners.
Serbia outscored their opponents 17:13 in the first quarter. The margin grew in the second term. Serbia ensured a 33:22 halftime lead. The hosts limited Great Britain to just 6 points in the third frame. Serbia accumulated a 17-point lead before the fourth stanza and did not look back en route to the victory. Jovana Subasic (187-PF-96) provided 9 points for the hosts. Katarina Zec (178-G-97) and Zeljka Petkovic (188-C-96) added 8 points each for the winners. Mederment answered with 15 points for Great Britain. Adebaje had 10 points in the loss.

Serbia U16: Aleksandra Crvendakic 11, Jovana Subasic 9, Katarina Zec 8, Zeljka Petkovic 8
Great Britain U16: Mederment 15, Adebaje 10


Serbian Minja Terzic stays with Herner TC - by Eurobasket News

Serbian Minja Terzic (188-F/C-79) stays with Herner TC for the upcoming season. The player will enter her 4th season.
In 2009-2010 she joined Herner TC (Germany-DBBL, starting five) and became the fourth top-scorer in the League with 16.2ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1spg, FGP-2 (58.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.0%. In 2010-2011 for Herner TC (Germany-DBBL) her stats read 15.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 76.3%. Last season for Herner TC (Germany-2.Bundesliga, starting five) she averaged 18.0ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 79.5%.
In 2010 she was named Eurobasket.com All-German DBBL Honorable Mention and Eurobasket.com German DBBL All-Bosmans Team -10. Last year Minja Terzic became German 2.Bundesliga Group North Regular Season Champion -12 and German 2.Bundesliga Group North Champion -12. Eurobasket.com named her All-German 2.Bundesliga North Player of the Year -12 and Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North Forward of the Year -12. Moreover she was awarded Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North Bosman Player of the Year -12 and Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga North 1st Team -12. Also she made it into Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga North All-Imports Team -12.


Vojvodina signs 3-year contract extension with coach Selimovic - by Eurobasket News

Vojvodina announced signing of a 3-year contract extension with its Head Coach Miodrag Selimovic. It means that he will stay with the club until the end of 2014/15 season. Selimovic took over Vojvodina during the second half of the last season. He led the team to Playoff Semifinals in Serbia, what was considered as success. They failed to defending champions Partizan Belgrade (0-2). In the Quarterfinals, Vojvodina eliminated Radivoj Korac. In regular season, Vojvodina was No.3 with 5-3 record. Miodrag Selimovic was Assistant Coach of Vojvodina in the past. He also worked with their youth selections. Vojvodina will soon start with signing the players for the next season.


Maja Scekic stays in Hungary - by Eurobasket News

Maja Scekic (170-G-87) will play at least one more year in Hungary. The Serbian guard penned a deal with Atomeromu-KSC. Last season Scekic played for Bajai NKK averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.6 assists. She was third scorer of the league. From 2009 to 2001, Maja Scekic was a member of AEL Limassol. They won two Cypriot league titles and one Cup trophy together. In 2010, Scekic was named Eurobasket.com All-Cyprus League Player of the Year. In 2011, she got Eurobasket.com All-Cyprus League Bosman Player of the Year. In the past, Scekic played for Vojvodina, Arad and Spartak Subotica. Three years ago she played for the Serbian University National Team at the World University Games in Belgrade.


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  SLOVAKIA   


First ten players of Piestanske Cajky announced - by Barbora Stuchlikova

Piestanske Cajky, one of the newcomers in Slovak Extraliga, introduced ten players joining the team.
As we informed previously, a head coach Martin Pospisil, brought in Lucia Krc-Turbova (185-F-87) and Marta Palenikova (184-G/F-92) who were teammates in 2010-2011 in BK Inpek UKF Nitra. The team was led by Pospisil and surprisingly won bronze medals in Slovak Extraliga.

27-year-old Michaela Malinkova (173-F-85) is so far the oldest player of Piestanske Cajky. Pospisil has given a change mostly to younger players such as 17-year-old Andrea Potuckova and only 15-year-old Laura Horvatova. Petra Bartanusova (173-PG-92) (ex-Dannax Kosice), Michaela Zentkova (189-C-89) (Kosice, Presov, Poprad) and Alexandra Baburova (183-F/G-91) (Poprad) bring to the team experiences from the highest Slovak league.
For Michaela Stankova and Zuzana Pilatova it is going to be a first season in Extraliga.

The coach Martin Pospisil is known as a great motivator. In the 2011's battle for third place against confident Poprad, he motivated each player to perform beyond her potential and Nitra could celebrate bronze medals. In comparison to Nitra in 2011, so far Piestanske Cajky don't have great players such as Carmen Guzman (172-SG-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: UAB) and Bronislava Borovickova (170-G-80) on their roster. But this young team has its potential and it's going to be interesting to follow Pospisil's moves and leadership. In few years, Piesanske Cajky may grow into a strong squad fighting for medals in Slovak Extraliga. And who knows? They'll maybe surprise in following season, too.
Furthermore, Milos Drgon, an executive director of the club, confirms that all home-court games will be also available on the internet for live streaming.


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  SPAIN   


Caja Rural signs young prospect Aragones Andrea Vilaro - by Eurobasket News

Caja Rural Club Deportivo Zamarat officially announced signing of a one-season deal with Aragones Andrea Vilaro (177-G-93). The 19-year-old prospect spent last season with the University of Florida. She had only 2.6 ppg and 1.4 rpg for 27 games with the school and decided to leave after just one year. Vilaro played for Segle XXI Barcelona before her move overseas. With Segle she had 10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.8 apg for 23 games in LF2 in 2010/11 season.
Aragones Andrea Vilaro shined last summer at U18 Eurobasket in Oradea. She paced U18 Spain to Bronze medal averaging 11.1 points, 3 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Vilaro was named Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Best Forward -11. In 2010, she helped U18 Spain to win the Silver at U18 EuroBasket in Slovakia. In the past, she very successfully played for U17 and U16 Spain (Gold at U16 EuroBasket in Naples, 2009).


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  TURKEY   


Botas keeps WNBA player Courtney Paris for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Botas officially announced signing of a one-year contract extension with WNBA player Courtney Paris (193-C-87, college: Oklahoma). It will be their second straight season together. Paris currently plays for Tulsa Shock averaging 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds after four games. She started the season with Atlanta Dream, where she had 1.5 ppg and 2 rpg.
As mentioned above, Courtney Paris arrived to Botas a year ago from Rivas Ecopolis. She had 13.4 ppg, 14 rpg and 1.1 bpg in 24 TKBL games. Paris finished the season as top rebounder of the league. She participated at TKBL All-Star Game. Paris also shined in EuroCup, where she averaged 14.3 points and 13.9 rebounds for 12 games. There she also was the best rebounder of the competition and was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup 2nd Team -12. Paris already played for Botas in 2009/10.


Mersin extends Shavonte Zellous and Erlana Larkins - by Eurobasket News

Mersin announced important news yesterday. The Turkish squad extended deals with Shavonte Zellous (178-G-86, college: Pittsburgh) and Erlana Larkins (185-F-86, college: N.Carolina) for the next season.
Shavonte Zellous joined the club last summer from Ramat Hasharon. She averaged 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists for 26 games in TKBL. The played is awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Turkish TKBL Honorable Mention -12 and she participated at TKBL All-Star Game. She currently plays for the WNBA team Indiana Fever (8.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 1.7 rpg, 13 games).
Erlana Larkins returned to Mersin at the beginning of the last season from Maccai Ramat Hen. She played for Mersin also from 2009 to 2011. Last season Larkins collected 10.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 2.7 apg. She also plays for Indiana Fever in the WNBA.


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


Serbia hand second loss to Great Britain in Loznica - by Eurobasket News

Serbia U16 - Great Britain U16 57:38

Serbian U16 National Team posted the second straight win over Great Britain in test series in Loznica. Aleksandra Crvendakic (188-F/C-96) came up with 11 points to pace the winners.
Serbia outscored their opponents 17:13 in the first quarter. The margin grew in the second term. Serbia ensured a 33:22 halftime lead. The hosts limited Great Britain to just 6 points in the third frame. Serbia accumulated a 17-point lead before the fourth stanza and did not look back en route to the victory. Jovana Subasic (187-PF-96) provided 9 points for the hosts. Katarina Zec (178-G-97) and Zeljka Petkovic (188-C-96) added 8 points each for the winners. Mederment answered with 15 points for Great Britain. Adebaje had 10 points in the loss.

Serbia U16: Aleksandra Crvendakic 11, Jovana Subasic 9, Katarina Zec 8, Zeljka Petkovic 8
Great Britain U16: Mederment 15, Adebaje 10


Serbia knock down Great Britain in Loznica - by Eurobasket News

Serbia U16 - Great Britain U16 65:39

Serbian U16 National Team celebrated the first win at the test series versus Great Britain. The hosts claimed a comfortable 26-point victory in Loznica in Game 1. Serbia jumped to a 15:9 lead after ten minutes. They boosted the margin to 17 points at halftime 33:16. Serbia dominated in the second half. They secured a 23-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Serbia outscored the visitors in the final period and sealed a comfortable win at the end. Anja Spasojevic (180-SG-96) produced 14 points for Serbia. Aleksandra Crvendakic (188-F/C-96) knocked down 13 points for the winning side. Mederment answered with 10 points for Great Britain. Soers had 8 points in the loss.

Serbia U16: Anja Spasojevic 14, Aleksandra Crvendakic 13, Tijana Cukic (173-PG-96) 8
Great Britain U16: Mederment 10, Soers 8


British U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

#s#
Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott
Bravo-Harriott
Mollie Campbell
Campbell
Cheridene Green
Green
Shequila Joseph
Joseph
Janice Monakana
Monakana
#e#5
Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott 183-PG-95
Mollie Campbell 183-F-95 Manchester M. United Kingdom
Cheridene Green 187-C-95 Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
Shequila Joseph 189-F-95 Barking Abbey United Kingdom
Kaitlyn Lewis 94 Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
Megan Lewis Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
Billie Lucas Sandringham S. Australia
Lauren Milligan 178-F-95 Hertfordshire United Kingdom
Janice Monakana 183-F-95
Ashleigh Munns 174-PG-94 Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby 188-C-95 Loughborough United Kingdom
Michelle Turner 163-PG-94 Barking Abbey United Kingdom

Leonard Busch Head Coach Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
Lee Ryan Assistant Solent S. United Kingdom



British U16 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Evelyn Adebayo
Johanna Adenrele
Lois Bain
Natalie Busch
Samantha Clements
Emerald Ekpiteta
Rhianna-Mae Laing 170-PG-97
Ellen Lewis
Ellie Maidman Hertfordshire United Kingdom
Leah McDerment 180-PG-96 Manchester M. United Kingdom
Shanice Norton Barking Abbey United Kingdom
Francesca Quinn Hertfordshire United Kingdom
Sadie Russell
Chyna Sawyers
Rebecca Taylor Bromsgrove B. United Kingdom
Samantha Toole
Paris Wilkinson
Alia Wilson

Karen Burton Head Coach
Nick Dawson Assistant Leeds Carnegie United Kingdom



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  WNBA   

Standings

WNBA Standings
Eastern
 1. Connecticut S. 10-4 
 2. Chicago S. 8-5 
 3. Indiana F. 8-6 
 4. Atlanta D. 7-8 
 5. New York L. 5-9 
 6. Washington M. 4-10 
Western
 1. Minnesota L. 13-3 
 2. L.Angeles S. 10-7 
 3. S.Antonio SS 9-5 
 4. Seattle S. 8-8 
 5. Phoenix M. 4-11 
 6. Tulsa S. 2-12 

Regular Season: Round 20

Jul. 5: L.Angeles S. - Minnesota L. 96-90
Jul. 3: S.Antonio SS - Phoenix M. 82-81
Jul. 5: Indiana F. - S.Antonio SS 72-88
Jul. 6: Washington M. - S.Antonio SS
Jul. 6: Tulsa S. - Connecticut S.
Jul. 6: Chicago S. - New York L.


Botas keeps WNBA player Courtney Paris for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Botas officially announced signing of a one-year contract extension with WNBA player Courtney Paris (193-C-87, college: Oklahoma). It will be their second straight season together. Paris currently plays for Tulsa Shock averaging 7.8 points and 5.8 rebounds after four games. She started the season with Atlanta Dream, where she had 1.5 ppg and 2 rpg.
As mentioned above, Courtney Paris arrived to Botas a year ago from Rivas Ecopolis. She had 13.4 ppg, 14 rpg and 1.1 bpg in 24 TKBL games. Paris finished the season as top rebounder of the league. She participated at TKBL All-Star Game. Paris also shined in EuroCup, where she averaged 14.3 points and 13.9 rebounds for 12 games. There she also was the best rebounder of the competition and was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup 2nd Team -12. Paris already played for Botas in 2009/10.


Mersin extends Shavonte Zellous and Erlana Larkins - by Eurobasket News

Mersin announced important news yesterday. The Turkish squad extended deals with Shavonte Zellous (178-G-86, college: Pittsburgh) and Erlana Larkins (185-F-86, college: N.Carolina) for the next season.
Shavonte Zellous joined the club last summer from Ramat Hasharon. She averaged 18.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists for 26 games in TKBL. The played is awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Turkish TKBL Honorable Mention -12 and she participated at TKBL All-Star Game. She currently plays for the WNBA team Indiana Fever (8.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 1.7 rpg, 13 games).
Erlana Larkins returned to Mersin at the beginning of the last season from Maccai Ramat Hen. She played for Mersin also from 2009 to 2011. Last season Larkins collected 10.5 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 2.7 apg. She also plays for Indiana Fever in the WNBA.


Reeve says second Lynx loss stung - by Eurobasket News

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said the team's second loss did not feel the same as its first. Players and coaches both said a 65-62 loss at Seattle, after 10 wins to start the season, might have been a good wake-up call for the Lynx.

As for the latest loss Sunday?

"It did not feel very good, in the last five minutes of the game, to not be able to execute," Reeve said, referring to the Lynx's 93-84 loss at San Antonio. "We weren't good for a lot of the game.

"But I have to tell you, San Antonio played great. And as a team, [they] might be playing the best of any team in the league, including us. In that, on both side of the ball, they have great confidence in each other. They are moving that thing. They are knocking down threes. When we re-watched the game, I thought defensively we weren't terrible. I just didn't think we did a whole lot to dictate action and try to break them off their stride."

San Antonio edged Phoenix 82-81 on Tuesday to win its sixth consecutive game at home.

"They hit a ton of threes [Sunday] and we were still in it with 4-1/2 ]minutes] to go," Reeve said. "We were down just four points with the ball, and we just did not get execution the last five minutes. ... Same thing as what happened in Seattle."

Reeve said if the Lynx do what they are supposed to, even in a tough place like San Antonio or Los Angeles, where they play on Thursday, they should come out on top.

She said the team's No. 1 focus is how it is playing going into its five-week break for the London Summer Olympics. "I want to be playing some of our best basketball going into this break," Reeve said, "and take some momentum into that thing. This notion -- momentum killer with the break, I don't believe in that. We have to get that feeling of playing great basketball.

"And that gives us a bounce in our step into the break. And that gets you coming out of it really strong. I want to play great basketball these next four games. I want to be better than what we were in the first three, four weeks of the season.

"I want to see in these next four games a sense of hunger to win. I don't want to get out-hungered, if you will, in any of these games. And if we have that focus of wanting to win, more than the opponent, we will have success."

The Lynx had a practice scheduled for Wednesday morning at home. Then they were flying to Los Angeles for Thursday's game.

They play Connecticut at home Saturday night, then have a home-and-home with two-win Tulsa.


WHERE'S MAYA?

Maya Moore (6'0''-F-89, college: Connecticut), the rookie of the year in the WNBA last season, was hardly noticeable in San Antonio.

She played only 20 minutes, took only five shots. She finished with four points and her streak of making at least one-three pointer in every game ended at 22. She took only one against the Silver Stars and missed it.

Moore did have four offensive rebounds -- five total -- and three assists. But otherwise it was all ones or zeroes in her stats line: No free throw attempts or blocks, one foul, one steal, one turnover.

Wonder if she was ill?

Balance is nice -- the Lynx had five players in double figures -- but great players like Moore who earned every honor imagainable in college need to step up when their teams are in trouble. The Lynx were on Sunday and Moore didn't.

Courtesy of www.startribune.com


Cambage, stars to play in Olympics, then rejoin WNBA teams - by Eurobasket News

The Tulsa Shock's lone Olympian has not played a minute for the team this season.

She is the Shock's most notable, most hyped player. At 6 feet, 8 inches, she is the tallest player in the WNBA. But Cambage Elizabeth (203-C-91), the Australian center who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, has spent the first half of the WNBA season in her home country, preparing for the 2012 London Olympics.

"I'm looking forward to getting her back," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg (agency: Warren Sports International ) said.

Tulsa is 2-12, with four games left until a month break without games as the Olympics take place. Cambage is expected to come to Tulsa after London and join the Shock. She averaged 11.5 points per game as a rookie with Tulsa last season.

The addition of her height and potential immediately would change the composition of the Shock for the second half of the season.

The Olympic break, which slashes the WNBA season into two halves every four years, will result in many players leaving their WNBA teams to play for the U.S. national team. A few players, like Cambage and the Seattle Storm's Lauren Jackson (Australia), missed the first half of the season to train for the Olympics.

Kloppenburg said the break creates "two seasons" for the WNBA. For Tulsa, it also creates two teams.

"She's going to create a whole other dynamic we don't have," Kloppenburg said of the 20-year-old Cambage. "All of a sudden we have somebody that we can throw to down there that can really finish up around the rim."

Tulsa's philosophy may change more than most teams, but a handful of teams will be affected by the break. The Western Conference-leading Minnesota Lynx has three players on the U.S. team in London. The Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Seattle Storm and Chicago Sky all have two players playing in London for their countries.

For Sun center Tina Charles, the Olympics is an opportunity that she places above the two national championships she won in college at Connecticut.

"When I go to USA basketball, I'm just going to be focused on USA basketball," Charles said.

Tulsa will keep its current team intact for the month off, so while there are no games, the Shock will still practice and work on individual development, Kloppenburg said. He thinks the break is beneficial for his young team to improve after a slow start has it buried in last place.

WNBA commissioner Laurel Richie was in Tulsa for the Shock's game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 26. She said the Olympics are an event the WNBA is excited about.

Five days after the gold medal game for women's basketball, Aug. 11, is the resumption of the WNBA season. With players from nine of the 12 WNBA teams participating, it is a prime opportunity to increase the league's outreach.

Atlanta Dream forward Angel McCoughtry is not as well known as some of the other American stars, but she leads the WNBA in scoring with 22.6 points per game. Her first Olympics provide an opportunity to continue her strong play alongside household names such as Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.

"It's amazing to represent your country, to be able to play in one of the highest sporting events in the world," McCoughtry said. "I'm just excited to be considered one of the best in the world."

The United States is the heavy favorite to bring home the gold medal. The team is coached by University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma, and six of the 12 players are UConn products.

In between Shock practices, Kloppenburg said, he plans to catch all of the games. He is a big fan of the Olympics, and the players on the United States team. But he is also curious about some of the other countries.

He has to be. The player who could change Tulsa's fortunes in August will be standing tall for the Aussies.

"We've talked, stayed in touch through email and we've been following how she's doing," Kloppenburg said of Cambage. "I'm looking forward to getting her back in the flow going down the stretch in the second half."

Courtesy of www.tulsaworld.com