EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 8/15/2012 1:00:00 AM

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Men News

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  ADRIATIC LEAGUE   



Split signs top shot blocker of A1 league - Filip Kraljevic - by Eurobasket News (T)

Filip Kraljevic (214-F-89, agency: Beo Basket) is a new member of Split. The 22-year-old Croatian signed a deal for the next season. He spent the last one with Zabok averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for 21 games in A1. He was the best shot blocker of the league. Kraljevic played for Zabok on loan from Cedevita, where he started last season. In 2010/11, Filip Kraljevic also played for Zabok on loan. That season he had 7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.6 bpg (No.2) for 23 appearances. Before Zabok, the player spent one year with Mladost Zagreb and two with Rudes Zagreb. He also played for Cibona in the past. Three years ago Filip Kraljevic played for Croatian U20 National Team at U20 EuroBasket in Rhodes. Last season he was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Croatian A1 League Honorable Mention -12.


Vladislav Dragojlovic returns to Radnicki Kragujevac - by Zoran Popovic (T)

Vladislav Dragojlovic (207-C-79, agency: Beo Basket) returns to Radnicki Kragujevac after two seasons. First time Dragojlovic played for Radnicki Kragujevac in season 2010-2011 and afther that he moves to Turkey in Trabzonspor, Al Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Al Kuwait. Dragojlovic started career in KK Sloga Kraljevo and build career in OKK Beograd, Crvena Zvezda, Panionios, Buducnost Podgorica, Cherkasy Monkeys and Lokomotiv Kuban. With Crvena Zvezda Beograd Vlasislav Dragojlovic win two National cups 2004 and 2006.


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  ALBANIA   


Albanian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Erkand Karaj
Karaj
Ersid Luca
Luca
Klaudio Ndoja
Ndoja
Endrit Hysenagolli
Hysenagolli
Gerti Shima
Shima
#e#5
4 Eni Llazani 186-G-89 Kamza Basket Albania
5 Redi Vogli 190-SG-87 SK Tirana Albania
6 Marsel Aliaj 196-F-88 Teuta Durres Albania
7 Algert Gjonaj 198-SF-87 Kamza Basket Albania
8 Bruno Daliu 206-C-85 SK Tirana Albania
10 Erkand Karaj 188-PG-82 SK Tirana Albania
11 Genti Lasku 183-G-85 SK Tirana Albania
12 Ersid Luca 212-C-81 Sigal Prishtina Kosovo
13 Klaudio Ndoja 198-SG-85 Enel Brindisi Italy
14 Endrit Hysenagolli 204-C-88 SK Tirana Albania
15 Gerti Shima 202-PF-86 Capljina Bosnia
31 Afrim Bilali 195-G-79 Kamza Basket Albania

Fatmir Cuka Head Coach
Roland Avrami Assistant SK Tirana Albania
Adem Muhametaj Assistant Kamza Basket Albania



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  ARGENTINA   


Sport Club tab David Butler - by Eurobasket News (T)

Sport Club Canadense announced the arrival of the new player. They agreed on terms of contract with David Butler (203-F-82, college: Embry Riddle). The forward comes from Uruguay. He spent the last season with Lagomar Canelones. David Butler notched 13.7 points, 11.1 boards, 2.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game in LUB. He became LUB South Division Champion. It was the first pro season for David Butler. The forward graduated from Embry Riddle University. He tallied 16.9 points, 9.4 rebounds for the Eagles in his senior season. David Butler was named into All-NAIA D2 2nd Team in 2011.


Source: Rockets sign Argentine F Carlos Delfino - by Eurobasket News (T)

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Houston Rockets have agreed to a one-year deal with Argentine forward Carlos Delfino (200-SF-82).

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced.

The 6-6 Delfino played in the Olympics, where he helped Argentina finish fourth. Delfino averaged 15.3 points in London, where he was a teammate with former Rocket Luis Scola. Delfino also played on Argentina's gold medal-winning team in Athens in 2004 and the bronze medal team in Beijing in 2008.

A first-round pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2003, Delfino has played his last three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 32.5 minutes in 2010-11, his most productive NBA season.

The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV first reported the deal.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com


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  AUSTRALIA   


Big V: Sweet 16- Week Two - by Eurobasket News

Here are 16 things that caught our eye in week two of the 2012 Big V finals series.

1) How important has Matt Fennell been to Eltham in SCM this season? Down by six points midway through the second period of Sundays deciding game against Waverley, Fennell dropped 15pts over the next five and a bit minutes to push the Wildcats to a 34-32 lead at the long break. With the ascendency, the Wildcats then came out and added 31-18 in the second half to grab a great win. Fennell finished with 23pts & 16rbs in a MVP display.

2) We love epics and in SYC2M a massive crowd of 500-plus enjoyed watching Cranbourne and Western Port slug it out in a double-overtime thriller. The end result was a 75-71 win to the Steelers, but it took a mighty effort down the stretch.

3) Something a little bit different from down Cranbourne way forget the pom poms and the leotards, the half-time entertainment on Saturday night was a very energetic group of Hip Hop Dancers, and boy were they good. Hats off for something a little different great work Cavs!

4) Keysborough are headed to the D2M grand final series after getting a 79-70 win against Horsham, but if there was one thing we noticed it was the influence Alistair Granger has when he is on the court for the Cougars. With 4:54 left in the third quarter the Cougars were leading 49-44 and Granger was subbed out for a rest. In the next 2:48 with Granger sitting, the Hornets went on a 10-0 run and led 54-49. Granger was rushed back in and over the next 12:06 in the game, the Cougars went on a 30-16 run to win the game.

5) Sticking with the Keysie-Horsham game, have to say that young James Sutherland is a kid worth watching. The young Hornets forward was his teams best player with 24pts @ 73% and had he played more than 23min, chances are the Hornets may have won. We have a feeling well see plenty more of Sutherland in 2013.

6) With Mildura clinching victory over Camberwell in D1M on Sunday, reports quickly surfaced that Kevin The Vulture Anstey had officially hung up his basketball boots. If true, it brings a great career to a close and we certainly wish the big man all the best in retirement.

7) You cant keep a champion down, and so it was when Elthams Hollie Florance took game three against McKinnon by the scruff of the neck. The former Opal was unstoppable, piling on 26pts, to go with 18rbs and 5ass. Melbourne has officially been warned!

8) Want to know what a nightmare feels like in basketball? Just ask Whittleseas D1W after they suffered a horrendous start against Craigieburn. In the space of just four minutes, the Eagles raced to an 18-0 lead to start the game, a margin that proved far too big for the Pacers to claw back, the contest ending in a 72-58 win to the Eagles.

9) No doubt we will hear of more retirements in the weeks and months ahead, but another one very worthy of a mention is McKinnons Axel Dench, who called it quits after 22pts & 21rbs in a loss to Geelong. The former NBL and Boomer big has given plenty back at local level and will be sorely missed.

10) Thumbs up to Melbourne for all their three teams that made the finals for going on and making their respective grand finals. No doubt the Tigers will start favourites in SCW and SYC1W, but they will take the underdog tag in against Diamond Valley in SYC1M.

11) Arguably the most well-known player in the Big V might be wondering if his team needs him over the next fortnight. Cameron Tragardh suited up for Eltham on Saturday night in what turned out to be a loss against Waverley, but he headed back north for NBL duties prior to Sundays game and his Wildcats duly saluted, getting up to book a grand final berth. Word has it that Trigger will be right to go for the full GF series, which no doubt will make Ringwood a little edgy!

12) Just as a side note to this weeks grand finals getting underway, it is worth pointing out that Eltham in SCW, Geelong in D1M and Warrnambool in D1W are the only three teams across the league with a chance to celebrate back-to-back titles after each had success in 2011. Meanwhile, should Keysborough win the D2M title it would be the clubs first ever Big V title.

13) With Ringwood and Eltham both winning their way through to the SCM grand final, spare a thought for Adrien Sturt who will be a key player for the Hawks against the team he represented in last years grand final series. Well soon find out if Sturts move to The Nest was a good one after all, it has been so far!

14) New to the competition, Blackburns fairytale run in SYC2M came to an end last week with a loss to McKinnon. Unfortunately the Vikings (43pts) were held to their lowest score for the season and will need to re-group for 2013. Interestingly, McKinnon now head the GF series against Western Port on the back of eight wins. Ironically the last loss suffered by the Cougars was back in round 14 when they went down to the Steelers by 22pts.

15) Just how good is Warrnambools Katie OKeefe? Damn good! The Mermaids mum of two continues to lead the way and will no doubt be the key to her teams quest in winning back-to-back titles. In two finals games this season (against Hawthorn and Latrobe City) the sharpshooter has averaged 26.5pts per game at an amazing 58%.

16) And last but not least, a big tick to the fans last week who turned out in massive numbers to watch Big V finals action. Most venues touted sell-out crowds and more of the same is expected this week and next. Local basketball is alive and well.
Courtesy of: bigv.com.au


QBL: Weekend Wrap-Up: Round 13 - by Eurobasket News

Toowoomba Mountaineers 81 def. by Northside Wizards 89

The first half saw scores kept close with just a couple of points between the two sides, until the Wizards pulled away with a 19-point lead going into halftime. They maintained a safe double-figure buffer right up to the final three minutes of the match, where Toowoomba powered up to stage a comeback. They couldnt quite overtake Northside, conceding the match by just eight points. James Legan hit 19 points for the Mountaineers while Louis Hurd (180-G-86) shot 24 for Northside.

Rockhampton Rockets 98 def. South West Metro Pirates 78

The Rockets held the lead for much of the match but the Pirates were hot on their heels throughout the first half, with just a couple of points separating the teams. Rockhampton fired up in the second half and built a strong lead, with South West unable to put a substantial dint in the margin. Rockhamptons Travis Reed (203-C-79, agency: Court Side, college: Long Beach St.) shot a game-high 25 points while Robert Lippman shot 23 points for South West.

Bundaberg Bulls 80 def. by Ipswich Force 90

The mens match was a tight tussle, with both teams taking turns at holding the lead, and margins kept close throughout the game. Scores were tied at 71-all with seven minutes remaining in the match, before the Force took hold of the final minutes and came away with the 10-point win. Benjamin Allen (211-C-86, college: St.Mary's, CA) had a game-high 35 points for Ipswich while Rodrick Stewart put up 27 points for Bundy.

Mackay Meteors 92 def. South West Metro Pirates 74

Mackay came out swinging in the first half, to lead by 31 points at the end of the first half, after hitting 32 points in the second quarter. South West put in a massive effort in the final quarter with 33 points to pull back the deficit, but it was too late, with the Meteors handing the Pirates their second loss of the weekend. Greg Vanderjagt shot 19 points for Mackay, while Verle Williams (176-G-76) put up 17 points for the Pirates.

Gladstone Power 86 def. by Ipswich Force 97

Ipswich grabbed the lead early and managed to maintain it for the remainder of the match, despite continued efforts by Gladstone to pull back the margin. Zach Silverman shot a game-high 42 points for Gladstone while Benjamin Allen hit 36 for Ipswich.

Gold Coast Rollers 91 def. Maroochydore Clippers 75

Gold Coast grabbed the lead early and went into halftime up by 13 points. The Clippers staged a strong comeback in the third quarter, bringing the margin down to seven points at the start of the final term, and getting within four points with just over seven minutes left. But the Rollers were too strong, again running away with the lead to take the match. David Gurney shot 32 points for Gold Coast while Daniel McGlynn (183-G-78) and Mykael Mitchell both put up 15 points for Maroochydore.
Courtesy of: qbl.basketball.net.au


Taipans tame Cougars - by Eurobasket News

The Cairns Taipans have been victorious in their first pre-season hit-out, defeating visiting US college team the Washington State Cougars 86-81.

Star new recruit Cameron Tragardh (209-C/F-83, college: ORU) led the Taipans with 26 points and four rebounds, while Cairns rookie Clint Steindl added 20 points in his own debut for the club. Brad Hill (198-G/F-86) added 14 points and six rebounds for Cairns.

Australian college star Brock Motum (208-F-90) led Washington State with a game-high 41 points, as well as seven rebounds. Teammate Reggie Moore (185-G-89) added 18 points for the visitors.

Cairns took control early, using a 7-0 run to close out the first period to establish a 10-point buffer at quarter time, 26-16.

The college side outscored Cairns 21-16 in the second to reduce the margin to just five points at the half, 42-37.

The Cougars actually took the lead in the third period behind the play of Motum, and were up 62-59 at the final break.

The Taipans still trailed by three points with two and a half minutes remaining before Kerry Williams (181-G-87) scored a two, and Tragardh had five straight points including an old fashioned three-point play to give the Taipans the edge.

The Taipans went 33-of-58 from the field (57%), including 9-of-17 from long range (53%). They won the game despite being outrebounded by the visitors 32-17.

Courtesy of NBL Australia


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  AUSTRIA   


Ece Bulls Kapfenberg announce team for 2012/13 - add 4 new players - by Stefan Prager (T)

Today the ECE Bulls Kapfenberg announced their team for the upcoming season. The Styrian powerhouse added four new players, two of them are well known in Austria. The Bulls signed Quentin Pryor (193-G/F-83, agency: Court Side, college: Morehead St.) who was with WBC Wels last season. Pryor appeared in 31 games for Wels averaging 14.2 ppg along with 4.0 rpg and 3.7 apg while shooting 52% from the field. Pryor is widely known for his defensive abilities making the All Defensive Team in Austria last season. From rival Oberwart Gunners the Bulls inked with Joe Dean Shaw (199-F-87, college: Nevada). Coach Perica wanted a creative player at the small forward. Shaw spent the last two season in Oberwart winning a championship in 2011. In 33 games last season Shaw averaged 18.3 ppg which was good enough for the fourth best scorer in the league.

Combo Guard Giovonne Woods (191-G-86, agency: Court Side, college: Cent.Washington) is coming from Olympia Reign of the IBL. The year before Woods played in a minor league in Spain. Woods got scouted at the Summer League in Las Vegas. He convinced the club with his versatility and his high basketball IQ. The fourth new player is forward Mark Sanchez (201-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Boise St.) who last played for Aris Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. His 8.6 rpg in the Dutch league meant the second place leaguewide. Pryor, Shaw and Sanchez have been All Stars in their respective leagues last season.

Meanwhile Jeremy Fears, Larry Gordon (196-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Cal Poly Pomona) and Chad Gray have left the club. Gordon signed with Phoenix Hagen in Germany. Furthermore Point Guard Thomas Schreiner has left the club to play in Spain. Heinz Kuegerl transferred to Styrian rivals Furstenfeld Panthers.


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  AZERBAIJAN   


Azerbaijan National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Zaur Pashayev
Pashayev
Orhan Haciyeva
Haciyeva
Fuad Niftaliyev
Niftaliyev
Rasim Bashak
Bashak
Charles Davis
Davis
#e#5
6 Zaur Pashayev 188-G-83 Kutaisi Georgia
7 Orhan Haciyeva 200-PF-89 Aliaga Turkey
8 Fuad Niftaliyev 185-PG-80 Gala BC Azerbaijan
9 Aleksandr Rindin 225-C-85 Univ.Surgut Russia
10 Anar Hajiyev 198-F-88 Araz-NDT Azerbaijan
11 Rasim Bashak 200-F-80 Trabzonspor Turkey
12 Charles Davis 205-C-84 Banvit BK Turkey
13 Anar Sariyev 197-F-81 Araz-NDT Azerbaijan
14 Amil Hamzayev 204-PF-90 Araz-NDT Azerbaijan
15 Tahir Bakhshiyev 200-PF-82 Araz-NDT Azerbaijan
32 Zaur Gushanov 187-PG-87

Elkhan Aliyev Head Coach
Elshan Yusubov Assistant



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  BELARUS   


Meshcharakou and Tsiaras join Olimpia Milano for the try-out - by Eurobasket News (T)

Mikita Meshcharakou (202-SF-88) and Giorgos Tsiaras (207-C/F-82) join Olimpia Milano for the try-out.

Giorgos Tsiaras played recently in Greece. In 2008 for PAOK Marfin Thessaloniki (A1) he averaged 4.3ppg, 2.5rpg and then in 2009-2010 had 2.2ppg, 1.5rpg. In Feb.'10 moved to CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Rep.-NBL) and showed 3.7ppg, 1.2rpg; EuroCup: 3 games: 0pts. In 2010-2011 he moved to Panionios ON Telecoms Athens (A1, starting five): and showed 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 73.4%. Last year Giorgos Tsiaras played for Ikaros Kallitheas (A1, starting five) and averaged 4.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.5apg.

Mikita Meshcharakou is the younger brother of the professional player Yahor, is a great small forward who can handle the ball with the same broadmindedness as a point guard. His three point abilities are great and he has a stable, over the average, percentage (around 43%). He has more than one ways to penetrate the basket while his size is helping him many times to get a position in the paint and gain rebounds from even much taller players. In 2007-2010 he played for Georgetown (NCAA) and later moved to Wake Forest (NCAA). In his first season he averaged 4.5ppg, 1.8rpg. Last season his stats read 8.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 23.4%, FT: 73.8%.


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  BOSNIA   


Bosnia National Team starts Eurobasket qualifying tomorrow vs Latvia! - by Chris Mathieu

Bosnia National Team starts Eurobasket qualifying tomorrow vs Latvia!
Bosnias first qualifying game is tomorrow against Latvia! The new and rebuilt Bosnian National Team will make their debut tomorrow against Latvia! Bosnia has a new coach the famous Aleksander Petrovic brother of the legend Drazen Petrovic.
Aleksander rebuilt and remade the Bosnian Team, adding a new style of running and tough defense. The players have responded and look very energetic and enthusiastic with the changes.
The team has also added Nedzad Sinanovic the 222cm center and the explosive Zach Wright who has looked excellent in preparation matches so far. The team has a few other new faces but has a weakness at the guard position due to injuries this summer.
Bosnia will be led by NBA player Mirza Teletovic who recently signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
The first game will be in Sarajevo and will be broadcast by BHRT 1 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 18:20.


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  BRAZIL   


Danilo Pinnock close to Brasilia - by Paulo Freire (T)

The Uniceub/BRB/Brasilia team is signing the great Danilo Pinnock (196-G-83, college: G.Washington), who was playing for the Capitanes de Arecibo in the last season .
Pinnock will play next season in the current tri-times champion of the NBB, the player will arrive in Brazil tuesday to make medical examinations, being approved, the athlete must be submitted with the team presentation probably on Friday, in a location to be defined.
The athlete was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2006 after having a great college career. In the NBA he also spend time in the Los Angeles Lakers. Pinnock is very knowing in Brazil as he played with the national team of Panama against Brazil many times.


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  BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS   


Clean Sweeps all around in Basketball Summer League! - by David Edole

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI -- The VG Heat did it, the Hawks did it and the Legs did it too in one of the BVI Basketball Federations most lopsided Championship finale in recent history on Sunday August 12th, 2012 at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex.

However comfortable the victories were, no one would have forecast the true manner in which each team secured their respective Championships. The Heat only had to win one game on the court and that was a tight 48-40 win in game 2. MVP Terrique Wattley topped the charts with 19 points and 7 rebounds whilst Glenal Layne added 10 rebounds in the match which saw the Heat increase their slender 3 point half time advantage to 8 points during the second half. Albert Hatchett scored 18 points for the Bulls and Jomiori Dagou 13.

The opening game of the series ended in a forfeiture win when a mix up by the Bulls coaching staff led to them having no shirts or Coach at game time, game 3 ended in a similar fashion when they didnt have enough players to complete their roster.
A sad ending to a long season for the boys.

In the Junior Championship the Young Gunners rarely threatened the superiority of the Hawks, but in Game 2 at least provided the crowd with the most thrilling last six minutes of basketball seen this season.

First MVP, Keita Jones, tied the game at 81-81, to send it into overtime, then the same player, with his team 2 points down with 3 seconds to go in overtime, steadied himself just inside the Young Gunners half before launching a shot that landed straight in the basket to send his team, coaches and spectators wild and give his team an 93-92 edge.

Shakiel Humphrey (95) scored 29 points, Javier Martinez 22 with 22 rebounds and Jones 13 points. For the Gunners, Shem Samuel hit 33 points, Michael Benjamin 21 and 10 rebounds with LiShaqua Fahie adding 15 points.

With less than 24 hours to pick themselves up, it was no real surprise that the Gunners struggled to come back in great 3, but with great credit to them they fought hard until the buzzer. The final score 89-70 with Martinez again proving the difference scoring 24 points with 10 rebounds. Ryan Alfred (95) added 23 points, Humphrey 17 and that man Jones finishing with 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Coach Jonathon Alfred picked up the coach of the year award for the second year in a row, but despite heading off to enjoy some champagne (sparkling apple juice, until his team left), was modest in accepting the award. Discipline, hard work and talent he smiled leaving the crowd wondering if he was referring to himself or his team!

In the Seniors the Legs clawed their way to what turned out a decisive game 1 victory, 108-103, despite being down by 7 points at the start of the last quarter. Khalid Gerrard turned in an early claim for MVP with 27 points, Norville Carey added 23, Jasin Edwin 21 and brother Deon 14. For the Mix, Douron Phillip (195-F-87) and Kelvin Samuels scored 21 whilst Steve Parillon (196-F-78, college: Henderson St.) finished with 19 and 10 rebounds.

Game 2 saw Legs extend the domination from the 4th quarter in game 1 with a 109-88 rout. As the game slipped away the Mix lost their shape and succumbed to little bouts of argy bargy which were well handled by the Referees, but the damage to moral was obvious and game 3 would go onto being little more than a 4th quarter dunk fest and skills challenge for the Legs.

By the end of the first half the legs had a 63-32 lead and the game was done, ending in a blow out 118-75 score line. Chiverton and Parillon did their best to motivate the team who were missing the cool influence of Samuel in the middle. Gerard top scored for the legs with 32 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. MVP Jasin Edwin finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 2 steals and 2 assists. Dione Blyden and Gary Hillhouse added 19 and 15 points respectively.

For the Mix Devon Watty scored 17 points with 8 rebounds, Halstead JR Chiverton added 15 points and Nathoniel Malone 12.

As Edwin commented the Legs knew once they won game 1 then the series was theirs for the taking. He also added more ominously we are already in the process of adding players and rebuilding the team. We have young players joining us and the future looks bright. For the next few years the Legs will be the team to beat.


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  BULGARIA   


U18 European Championship: Russia beat Bulgaria to tie both records - by Eurobasket News

Bulgaria U18-Russia U18 53:56

Russia beat Bulgaria to tie both records at the U18 European Championship. The Russian team needed 56:53 for 2-2 record in Group F.
The first two quarters were similar in the game but had a different content. Bulgaria started the game with 19-8, but lost the second frame 9-18. The teams swapped the lead regularly in the second half but in the end it was Russia's ability to capitalize on points from turnovers that got them home, grabbing 15 compared to Russia's nine. The scored was 42:42 with 9 minutes to go before the final push. Viktor Kashin (193-G-94, agency: RU-Basket Management) scored for 55:50 and Stanislav Ilnitskiy (200-PF-94) scored the last points in the game for the winning side.
Stanislav Ilnitskiy top-scored for the winners with 15 points and Oleg Alferov (193-SG-94) had 12. Viktor Kashin and Igor Kanygin (207-F/C-94) poured in 11 points each in a win. Kris Minkov (198-SF-94) finished the game with 16 points in the losing effort and Aleksandar Vezenkov (205-SF-95) added 9.

Bulgaria U18: Kris Minkov 16, Aleksandar Vezenkov 9
Russia U18: Stanislav Ilnitskiy 15, Oleg Alferov 12, Viktor Kashin 11, Igor Kanygin 11


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  CROATIA   


U18 European Championship: Croatia stay hot, rally past Latvia - by Eurobasket News

Croatia U18 - Latvia U18 82:62

Croatia stayed untamed at the U18 European Championship. They recorded the fifth straight win at the tournament in the expense of hosting Latvia. Dario Saric (208-F-94) was instrumental in the victory tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
Croatia started strong taking a 21:12 lead after ten minutes. The visitors extended the lead in the second frame. They cleared off to a 17-point halftime advantage. Croatia poured in 26 points in the third term to take a massive 23-point lead before the fourth frame. Latvia could not threaten the margin and had to surrender at the end. Mislav Brzoja (196-F/G-94) finished with 15 points, while Dominik Mavra (195-SG-94) and Tomislav Gabric (201-F-95) had 9 points each in the win. Elvis Endzels (180-PG-94) answered with 14 points for Latvia. Davis Geks (183-G/F-95) netted 12 points in the loss.

Croatia U18: Dario Saric 16+12 boards, Mislav Brzoja 15, Dominik Mavra 9, Tomislav Gabric 9
Latvia U18: Elvis Endzels 14, Davis Geks 12


Mario Stojic joins Belgian champions - by Eurobasket News (T)

Mario Stojic (198-G/F-80, agency: Interperformances) will continue his career in Belgium. The experienced Croatian penned a deal with reigning champions Telent Oostende. Stojic spent last three seasons with Alicante. In the latest one he had 4.3 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 35 games in Liga Endesa. In 2010/11, he collected 8 ppg and 3.3 rpg for 32 appearances. His first season with Alicante was the best one for Stojic, who had 10.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 1.9 apg in 33 games. Before Alicante, the player spent four years with Menorca. From 2003 to 2005, Mario Stojic played for Real Madrid. In the past, he also played for Alicante, Benetton Treviso, Zadar and Zagreb. Stojic played for Croatian National Team in 2007 and 2009 European Championships.


Ourense inks Mateo Kedzo - by Eurobasket News (T)

Mateo Kedzo (206-F/C-84) will stay in Spain for the next season. The Croatian big guy signed a 1-year deal with Ourense. They will compete in LEB Gold, where Kedzo already has nice experience. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds last season in 32 games with Burgos. In 2010/11, the played registered 10.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 42 games with Girona. They reached LEB Gold Playoff Semifinals. Mateo Kedzo split 2009/10 season between Turkish Aliaga and Latvian Ventspils. With Ventspils he had 13 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.1 apg for 7 games in Baltic league. His numbers were slightly lower for 9 LBL appearances. In the past, Mateo Kedzo played in Poland, Hungary and Estonia. He also spent few years with Split.


Split signs top shot blocker of A1 league - Filip Kraljevic - by Eurobasket News (T)

Filip Kraljevic (214-F-89, agency: Beo Basket) is a new member of Split. The 22-year-old Croatian signed a deal for the next season. He spent the last one with Zabok averaging 12.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks for 21 games in A1. He was the best shot blocker of the league. Kraljevic played for Zabok on loan from Cedevita, where he started last season. In 2010/11, Filip Kraljevic also played for Zabok on loan. That season he had 7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 1.6 bpg (No.2) for 23 appearances. Before Zabok, the player spent one year with Mladost Zagreb and two with Rudes Zagreb. He also played for Cibona in the past. Three years ago Filip Kraljevic played for Croatian U20 National Team at U20 EuroBasket in Rhodes. Last season he was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Croatian A1 League Honorable Mention -12.


Zadar's roster is completed - by Dajana Karl

The new head coach Ante Nazor's roster is completed with the arrival of the point guard, Gary Ervin (183-G-83, college: Arkansas). He was the last piece that KK Zadar was looking for.

Here's what KK Zadar's athletic director, Branko Skroce, had to say: "That's it, we got ourselves the best we could. I believe that this roster will be good and will be able to accomplish all the tasks given by coach Nazor. We will certainly be a tough competitor to all, the schedule at the beginning isn't that nice, but it is what it is. I'm very optimistic and I'm hoping that this will be a good season for us."

This is how the roster will look: Gary Ervin (183-G-83), Ante Delas (201-G/F-88), Goran Vrbanc (194-G-84) , Sime Olivari (197-G-90), Ivan Batur (201-G/F-91), Franko Sango (200-PF-92), Marko Ramljak (203-PF-93), Romeo Travis (200-PF-84), Jozo Brkic (211-F/C-86), Franko Kastropil (211-C-84) and last but not least, Ive Ivanov (201-C-85). Also, Ivan Mikulic or Petar Maric, could be joining this roster because of the great results they showed at the tryouts. Unhappy with his status, Ivica Radic have decided to terminate his contract.

The fist preparatory game will be played on August 29, in Biograd, against Russian Krasnie Krilya Samara.


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


Czech Republic National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Petr Benda
Benda
Tomas Satoransky
Satoransky
Jiri Welsch
Welsch
Lubos Barton
Barton
Jakub Houska
Houska
#e#5
4 Petr Benda 204-C-82 CEZ Nymburk Czech Republic
5 Ondrej Balvin 216-C-92 Cajasol Spain
6 Pavel Pumprla 198-SG-86 Blusens M. Spain
7 Vojtech Hruban 200-G/F-89 USK Praha Czech Republic
8 Tomas Satoransky 201-PG-91 Washington W. USA
9 Jiri Welsch 199-SG-80 Spirou Belgium
10 Michal Carnecky 184-PG-85 BK Pardubice Czech Republic
11 Lubos Barton 202-SF-80 FIATC Joventut Spain
12 David Jelinek 194-SG-90 Olin Edirne Turkey
13 Jakub Kudlacek 193-PG-90 JuveCaserta Italy
14 Kamil Svrdlik 203-PF-86 BK Prostejov Czech Republic
15 Jakub Houska 206-PF-82 BK Decin Czech Republic

Pavel Budinsky Head Coach BK Decin Czech Republic
Mike Taylor Assistant Rio Grande VV USA



Czech Republic Men's National Team Ready for European Championships Qualification - by Surujh Roopnarine

Tomorrow the journey begins, the chance for a generation of 1980's players like Lubos Barton (202-SF-80, college: Valparaiso), Jiri Welsch (199-SG-80) and Petr Benda (204-C-82) to once again play for a coveted European Championship in 2013. To do that this group of 14 men will need to qualify from a group of countries including Italy, Turkey, Bulgaria and Portugal. Czech Republic will play its first game on Wednesday, August 15 away versus Bulgaria before returning to northern Bohemia (Chomutov) to face Italy on Saturday the 18th. Head Coach Pavel Budinsky will look to a core group of veteran and young, emerging stars like 2012 NBA Draft Pick Tomas Satoransky (201-PG-91) and David Jelinek (194-SG-90) to lead the nation back to its first European Championship since 2007.

2012 CZECH REPUBLIC SENIOR MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM
Michal Carnecky (184-PG-85)
Jakub Kudlacek (193-PG-90)
Tomas Satoransky
Lubos Barton
Vojtech Hruban (200-G/F-89)
David Jelinek
Stefan Licartovsky (196-F-84)
Pavel Pumprla (198-SG-86)
Jiri Welsch
Ondrej Balvin (216-C-92)
Petr Benda
Tomas Hampl (215-C-88)
Jakub Houska (206-PF-82)
Kamil Svrdlik (203-PF-86, college: Fair Dickinson)


BK Prostejov Brings in Ondrej Kohout - by Surujh Roopnarine (T)

BK Prostejov expects the arrival today of 21-year old forward Ondrej Kohout (204-F-91) to the team. Kohout, who has represented the Czech Republic in U16, U18 and U20 competitions joins the Eagles from Spain where he spent the last two seasons in the LEB-Silver (third division) with CB Illescas Urban CLM and Fontedoso Carrefour El Bulevar de Avila. Last season with Fontedoso Carrefour El Bulevar de Avila he appeared in 26 games, averaging 7.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 44.3% from the field, 15.6% from three and 66.7% from the line.
The Prague native came up the junior ranks with Sokol Prazsky of the 1.Liga. Last year at the European Championships U20 Division B in Sarajevo he appeared in seven games, averaging 6.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists while helping lead the Czech Republic to a bronze medal.


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


U18 European Championship: Denmark overcome Poland in Group G - by Eurobasket News

Denmark U18 - Poland U18 59:52

Denmark celebrated the first win in the classification round of U18 European Championship. They defeated Polish counterparts for 1-1 record in Group G. Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94) stepped up with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the winners. Poland slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Poland led by five points after ten minutes 19:14. They stretched the margin in the second quarter. Poland enjoyed a comfortable 15-point lead at halftime 37:22. But Denmark turned things around in the second half. They narrowed the gap at 8-point mark at the final intermission. Denmark opened the final frame on a 10:1 run to take the lead. Soon the Scandinavian team extended the lead to 5 points 57:52. Gertz then converted two free throws and sealed the victory for Denmark. Peter Moeller (190-PG-94) provided 11 points, while Marc Fabricius (194-PF-94) added 10 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Damian Jeszke (202-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Poland. Kacper Radwanski (189-G/F-94) and Jakub Garbacz (196-SF-94) had 9 points each in the loss.

Denmark U18: Rasmus Larsen 20+13 boards, Peter Moeller 11, Marc Fabricius 10
Poland U18: Damian Jeszke 11, Kacper Radwanski 9, Jakub Garbacz 9


*****************************************************
  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   


Charlie Villanueva accepts Pistons fans' angst - by Eurobasket News

Tuesday's deadline for the Pistons to use the NBA's new amnesty clause has come and gone, and many are surprised Charlie Villanueva (6'10''-F-84, college: Connecticut) is still on the roster.

The clause, created last winter, allows a team to rid itself of a bad contract or underperforming player, and Villanueva has appeared to become Public Enemy No. 1 with disgruntled fans.

But since the Pistons are expected to pay the remaining $16.6 million owed Villanueva over the next two seasons, the forward sees an opportunity to turn his career around.

"I had a good feel for what people are saying," said Villanueva, who has averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 rebounds since joining the Pistons in 2009. "I mean, I'm not deaf, I hear what's going on. I can see, I can read."

Villanueva, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has known for a while he wouldn't be a casualty of the clause.

Villanueva and Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars cleared the air about the matter a couple months ago, when Villanueva privately expressed to those close to him he thought it could happen.

With the Pistons at $67.5 million in salary for the 2012-13 season, dropping the $8.06 million Villanueva is owed would still have them over the salary cap, which is set at $58.044 million.

"I'm not surprised at that," Villanueva said. "Once Joe told me it wasn't gonna happen. I know a lot of people wanted that (amnesty) to happen because of the injuries and what not. But I'm healthy now. I feel good and I'm getting ready."

The amnesty clause can only be used by a team once during the length of the 10-year collective bargaining agreement.

And the player must have already been on the team's roster when the agreement was signed last winter.

Next summer, the Pistons are projected to be around $20 million under the salary cap, and would have Villanueva's expiring contract as a trade chip.

Villanueva, 6-foot-11, clearly eyes a turnaround after he was limited to 13 games last season because of a lingering ankle injury he suffered during the exhibition season.

When Villanueva got healthy, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank was comfortable with his set rotation and Villanueva was left on the outside looking in.

And by the time he received some time, the season, for all intents and purposes, was over.

Villanueva knows what he symbolizes to his detractors.

He knows fans feel he hasn't lived up to the five-year, $35 million deal that he signed in July 2009.

"At the same time, I can't really make a fair assessment because of the injuries the first two years," said Villanueva, providing a self-evaluation of his first two seasons under former coach John Kuester. "What's the best word? Different.

"It was different for my career but I think the team we have now is going in the right direction, and I'm glad to be a part of it."

The Pistons have added six new players since April, and Villanueva feels energized because of the faith the team's front office showed in him.

Villanueva remains and he was asked if he was surprised if he hasn't been jettisoned yet.

He paused.

"Umm, nothing surprises me in this league now," said Villanueva, who has been traded once, from Toronto to Milwaukee in June 2006. "I had a conversation with Joe and he told me how he felt about the situation and he felt good about me being a part of this team."

He said the conversation didn't have anything to do with next season's expectations or his possible role.

"It was about how they felt about me," Villanueva said. "They understand I had a difficult season, dealing with the injury and what not. They still believe in me. It was encouraging to hear."

Ben Gordon, Villanueva's teammate, was also the target of offseason speculation pertaining to the amnesty clause.

But Gordon, another Pistons free-agent addition in 2009, was traded to the Bobcats for Corey Maggette.

The trade occurred a few days after Gordon and Villanueva were working out at the Pistons practice facility.

Villanueva has tried to maintain his focus since the trade of his friend. He traveled with the team to Orlando for the NBA's summer league, put in two-a-day practices while there, and speaks with Frank at least once a week.

"It was just an opportunity to play again, an opportunity to get better," Villanueva said of the decision to put in extra work. "And at the same time, let these guys know I'm healthy and ready to get back.

"I went two-a-days. I got a close look at (Andre) Drummond and Kyle Singler and the other rookies."

Despite Villanueva's commitment and the team's new roster additions, the Pistons still have some decisions to make.

Ben Wallace (6'9''-C-74, college: Virginia Union) wants to return for his 17th NBA season, but the roster is full.

That means a roster spot would have to open up. Villanueva or Austin Daye (6'11''-F-88, college: Gonzaga) could be traded to make room for Wallace.

Courtesy of www.detroitnews.com


*****************************************************
  ESTONIA   


Estonian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Gert Dorbek
Dorbek
Janar Talts
Talts
Gregor Arbet
Arbet
Sten-Timmu Sokk
Sokk
Kristjan Kangur
Kangur
#e#5
4 Rain Veideman 192-SG-91 Bayreuth Germany
5 Tanel Sokk 188-G-85 Kalev/Cramo Estonia
6 Gert Dorbek 193-SG-85 Kalev/Cramo Estonia
7 Kristo Saage 185-PG-85 Tartu Ulikool Estonia
8 Janar Talts 207-PF-83 Cimberio VA Italy
9 Gregor Arbet 195-G/F-83 Kalev/Cramo Estonia
10 Sten-Timmu Sokk 181-PG-89 Tartu Ulikool Estonia
11 Siim-Sander Vene 203-SF-90 VEF Riga Latvia
14 Kristjan Kangur 201-SF-82 Montepaschi SI Italy
15 Reinar Hallik 208-C-84 U.Mobitel.CN Romania
21 Martin Dorbek 198-PG-91 Tarvas Estonia
22 Rain Raadik 208-PF-89 Tartu Ulikool Estonia

Tiit Sokk Head Coach Audentese/N. Estonia
Gert Kullamae Assistant Tartu Ulikool Estonia
Alar Varrak Assistant Kalev/Cramo Estonia
Andreas Sober Assistant Tarvas Estonia



*****************************************************
  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   

Standings

Eurobasket S.League Standings
Indianapolis
 1. Rome 4-1 
 2. Amsterdam 3-2 
 3. Berlin 3-2 
 4. Madrid 2-3 
 5. Paris 2-3 
 6. Athens 1-4 
Charlotte
 1. Treviso 4-1 
 2. Poitiers 3-2 
 3. Asker 2-3 
 4. Solna 1-4 
Houston
 1. Dubai 5-2 
 2. Mexico City 3-1 
 3. Okinawa 3-2 
 4. Tokyo 2-3 
 5. Buenos Aires 0-5 
Las Vegas
 1. Monaco 5-0 
 2. Geneva 4-1 
 3. Brussels 3-1 
 4. Zurich 3-1 
 5. Dublin 2-2 
 6. Helsinki 2-2 
 7. Istanbul 2-2 
 8. Lugano 2-2 
 9. Moscow 2-2 
 10. Kiev 0-4 
 11. Manchester 0-4 
 12. Venice 0-4 
Orlando
 1. Vienna 4-1 
 2. Rome 3-2 
 3. Stockholm 2-2 
 4. Warsaw 2-2 
 5. Amsterdam 0-4 
Torino
 1. Milano 3-0 
 2. Torino 0-3 



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


ARTLAND DRAGONS land veteran Wilson - by Diamadis Farmakis

German side Artland Dragons announced the arrival of dynamic american power forward Lamayne Wilson (204-F-80, college: Troy) for the following season. Wilson (2.03 meters, 32 years old) arrives from CEZ Basketball Nymburk, where last season he averaged 11.0 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14 Eurocup appearances.

Wilson played college ball in Troy St. and in 2002 he moved to Latvia to play with Skonto Riga and the following season he moved to Russia to join Avtodor Saratov

A real globetrotter, Wilson then played in several teams and countries including China, Philippines, United States or Germany and in 2005 he landed in Cholet of France, in 2006 he played with Cantu in Italy and in 2007 he was back to France to join Asvel Basket, making his debut in the Eurocup.

In 2008-09 he switched sides with SLUC Nancy as he made his Euroleague debut with 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 9 games. In 2009-10 he moved to Turkey to join Turk Telekom Ankara and in 2010-11 he helped Budivelnyk Kyiv. During his career he has won a French Cup with Asvel, a Ukranian League title with Budivelnyk and the Czech double crown with Nymburk last season


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


Union Olimpija locks young Emir Sulejmanovic to a long term deal - by Eurobasket News (T)

As announced by the club on Tuesday, Union Olimpija Ljubljana signed a multiyear contract with young power forward Emir Sulejmanovic (203-C/F-95). Sulejmanovic was part of Union Olimpija's youth system last season with the junior team. In 2010-11 he played in Kaarinan Ura Basket of his native Finland and moved to Ljubljana for the past season. In the summer of 2011 he averaged 11.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in the U16 EuroBasket with Finland. He also played in the 2012 Nike International Junior Tournament in Belgrade with the Olimpija junior team where he averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 5 games. This next 2012-13 season, Sulejmanovic will bea part of the senior team and therefore will make his debut in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

Courtesy of Euroleague


Regal Barca to keep Victor Sada until 2016, according to report - by Eurobasket News (T)

Regal Barca will sign a 4-year contract extension with Victor Sada (192-G-84), according to Elcontraataque.es. If that happens, Sada will stay with the club until the end of 2015/16 season. The Spanish guard had 3.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 21 Euroleague games last season. He also added 3 ppg, 3 rpg and 2.1 apg in 45 Liga Endesa games. In 2010/11 season Sada had pretty close numbers. He is a product of Barca, where he played until 2006. That year the player moved to Girona, where he stayed until 2008. Than Sada returned to Barca and it seems he will finish his basketball career there. They won four championship titles together and two Cup trophies. Barca also was Euroleague champion in 2010. Victor Sada just returned to the country from London, where he won the Silver with Spanish National Team. He had 2.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg and 1 apg for 5 games at the Olympics.


Real Madrid announces signing of Dontaye Draper - by Eurobasket News (T)

It's finally official. Dontaye Draper (180-PG-84, college: Charleston) passed medical tests and Real Madrid announced his signing. They penned a 2-year deal. The American point guard spent last two seasons with Cedevita Zagreb. In the latest one he shined with 14.3 ppg, 3.7 apg and 2.6 rpg for 7 EuroCup games. He also added 10.4 ppg, 3.6 apg and 3.2 rpg for 26 games in Adriatic league. In Croatian championship Draper had pretty close numbers. He helped Cedevita to win the Croatian Cup and also to reach Adriatic league Finals. He was one of their best players in 2010/11 as well. Before Cedevita, Dontaye Draper played for Prima Veroli, Oostende, Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket and Sydney Kings. He graduated at Charleston University in 2007. Dontaye Draper received Croatian citizenship last year, so he will play in Real Madrid as Bosman. Last summer at the EuroBasket in Lithuania the player had 6.6 ppg, 7 apg (No.1) and 4.6 rpg for 5 games with Croatian National Team.


Caja Laboral close to sign Carlos Cabezas - by Eurobasket News (T)

Caja Laboral is close to sign former Spanish National Team player Carlos Cabezas (186-PG-80), according to Laopiniondemalaga.es. The point guard spent last season with CAI Zaragoza. He appeared 33 times for the club averaging 9.2 points, 3.2 assists and 3 rebounds. Cabezas played for Zaragoza also in 2010/11 registering pretty close numbers for 23 games. In 2009/10, he was a member of the Russian squad Khimky Moscow Region. With them he had 7.3 ppg, 2.4 apg and 2.1 rpg for 16 Euroleague games. Carlos Cabezas played for the club in VTB United League and Russian league as well, but he had slightly lower numbers. In the past Cabezas spent more than 12 years with Unicaja Malaga. They were Spanish league champions in 2005, Cup winners in 2005 and Korac Cup winners in 2001. Cabezas played for the Spanish National Team from 2005 to 2009.

Carlos Cabezas will most likely sign a one-year deal with Caja Laboral.


Fenerbahce Ulker signs David Andersen until 2014, according to report - by Eurobasket News (T)

Fenerbahce Ulker signed a 2-year deal with Australian center David Andersen (212-C-80), according to NTV Spor. He returned to Europe last summer from the NBA. Andersen had 11.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg for 20 Euroleague games with Montepaschi Siena. The player also added 13.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg for 38 SerieA appearances. He helped Montepaschi to defend the title and Cup in Italy. According to Kemal Dincer, Fenerbahce will play with 6 foreign players next season. Due to TBL rules one of them won't be playing in league games.
David Andersen played for the Houston Rockets in 2009/10 season averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 NBA games. He started 2010/11 with them as well, but in November of 2010 was traded to the New Orleans Hornets. With the Hornets he had 2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg for 28 games. In 2008/09, Andersen played for Regal Barca winning the ACB title with them. Before that, he spent four very successful years with CSKA Moscow and in the past also played for Montepaschi. David Andersen had 12 ppg and 6 rpg for 6 games at the Olympic Games in London with Australian National Team.


Montepaschi Siena great Stonerook announces retirement - by Diamadis Farmakis

As announced by the player himself on his Twitter account on Tuesday, Montepaschi Siena's captain Shaun Stonerook (202-F-77, college: Ohio) is calling it a career. A central figure in the success of Montepaschi Siena in the last years, he dominate with the team in Italy and made a great name in European stage, alongside with his team.

Stonerook arrived to the team in the summer of 2005 and together they won six consecutive Italian League titles from 2007 to 2012, a first-time feat in the 63 years of history of the competition and also won the last four Italian Cups of which the ones in 2009 and 2010 had Stonerook as the MVP

In the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Stonerook played a total 113 games in which he averaged 4.9 points (total 572) and 4.8 rebounds (total 551). With Montepaschi he reached the 2007-08 and 2010-11 Final Fours, always falling in semifinals.

Stonerook played college ball in Ohio St. from 1995 to 2000 and that summer he already came to Europe to play in Belgium with Antwerpen. After a season there, he already moved to Italy, where he has played ever since. He landed in Cantu, where he spent four seasons before joining Montepaschi for good. Stonerook also played two seasons in the Eurocup, in 2004-05 with Vertical Vision Cantu and in 2006-07 with Montepaschi.


BC Donetsk land Denys Lukashov and Andrei Malysh - by Eurobasket News (T)

BC Donetsk deepened their roster. They added Denys Lukashov (189-PG-89) and Andrei Malysh (204-C/F-83).

Denys Lukashov will try to revive his basketball career in BC Donetsk. The guard started the previous season with BC Budivelnyk. However Denys Lukashov was sidelined for the majority of the season with a serious injury. Rumours sent the guard into early retirement but Denys Lukashov is on his way back into the game. Last season the guard notched 4.5 points, 2.3 boards and 2.3 assists per game in VTB League. In Superleague his stats read 5.1 points, 3.1 boards and 3.0 assists per appearance. Previously he played for BC Kyiv. He was named All-Ukrainian Superleague Newcomer of the Year back in 2009. In 2010 Denys Lukashov was trumped All-Superleague Domestic Player of the Year. He has been the member of Ukrainian National Team since 2009.
Andrei Malysh also spent the last season with BC Budivelnyk. The forward notched 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in VTB League. In Superleague Andrei Malysh notched 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per appearance.




*****************************************************

  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U18   


Results and Stats from Day 2 of Second Stage in Latvia and Lithuania - by Eurobasket News

Group E
Spain - Italy 78-63
Spain registered the fifth consecutive victory at the U18 European Championship. The reigning champions defeated Italy to improve at 4-0 record in Group E. Ilimane Diop (209-C-95) posted 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Spanish team. Italy fell at 1-3 record after the loss. Spain eked out a 17:16 lead after ten minutes. Italy bounced back and stole a 39:38 halftime advantage. Spain were back in the drivers seat in the third quarter. The defending champions held their opponents to 11 points to take a 5-point lead into the fourth term 55:50. Spain outgunned the Azzurri 23:13 in the final quarter to seal a confident win at the end. Guillermo Hernangomez (209-C-94) posted 12 points, while Oriol Pauli added 9 points for Spain. Simone Fontecchio (197-SF-95) answered with 15 points for Italy. Amedeo Tessitori had 14 points in the loss.

Ukraine - Greece 61-66
Greece edge Ukraine in Vilnius at the U18 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side improved to 1-3 record in Group E after a narrow 66:61 win. Ukraine meanwhile fell at 0-4 record. The teams exchanged the lead several times in the opening period and then Eleftherios Bochoridis (196-SG-94) scored for 16:12. Andrii Kharchynskyi toed the game early in the second frame, while Sergiy Zagreba gave Ukraine 21:19 advantage. Greece meanwhile won the rest of the half and grabbed 35:30 at the halftime. Both sides scored 13 points each in the third quarter as the difference remained in the court. Another 18 points from each side brought the final result on the board. Dimitrios Agravanis (208-F-94, agency: FCM) brought the final points for the winners. Dimitrios Agravanis paced all the winners with 20 points and Eleftherios Bochoridis posted 15. Diamantis Slaftsakis delivered 13, while Konstantinos Gontikas had 6. Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-PF-95) replied with 18 points in the losing effort and Andrii Kharchynskyi poured in 11. Sergiy Zagreba ended up with 10 points in defeat.

Serbia - Lithuania 68-77
Lithuania celebrated the fifth straight win at the U18 European Championship. They defeated Serbia for 4-0 record on top of qualifying round Group E. Justas Tamulis (194-SF-94, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 18 points to lead the winners. Serbia enjoyed a 22:19 lead ten minutes into the game. Lithuania cut the deficit in the second quarter. They got within a single point at halftime 35:36. The hosts surged ahead in the third quarter. The Baltic team posted a 55:51 lead at the final intermission. Lithuania fired 22 points in the fourth quarter to seal the winning outcome at the end. Marius Grigonis (198-F-94) finished with 12 points, while Jokubas Gintvainis posted 10 points for the home team. Nikola Jankovic (205-PF-94) answered with 18 points for Serbia. Doko Salic netted 17 points in the loss.

Group F
Latvia - Croatia 62-82
Croatia stayed untamed at the U18 European Championship. They recorded the fifth straight win at the tournament in the expense of hosting Latvia. Dario Saric (208-F-94) was instrumental in the victory tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Croatia started strong taking a 21:12 lead after ten minutes. The visitors extended the lead in the second frame. They cleared off to a 17-point halftime advantage. Croatia poured in 26 points in the third term to take a massive 23-point lead before the fourth frame. Latvia could not threaten the margin and had to surrender at the end. Mislav Brzoja (196-F/G-94) finished with 15 points, while Dominik Mavra and Tomislav Gabric had 9 points each in the win. Elvis Endzels (180-PG-94) answered with 14 points for Latvia. Davis Geks netted 12 points in the loss.

Turkey - Slovenia 88-85
Turkey clinched the first win at the Second Stage of U18 European Championship. They held off Slovenia for 1-3 record in Group F. Slovenia slipped at 1-3 record after the loss. Kenan Sipahi (198-PG-95) was unstoppable for Turkey scoring 35 points. Turkey fired 25 points in the first quarter and grabbed a 6-point lead at the first break. Slovenia erased the deficit in the second quarter. They drew things level at 46 at the interval. Slovenia surged ahead in the third quarter. They secured a 4-point lead heading into the fourth frame. But Turkey used a 9:0 run midway through the period to take an 80:77 lead. Tayfun Erulku (193-SG-94) and Kenan Sipahi gave Turkey an 87:82 lead and they hung on to escape with a tough win at the end. Tayfun Erulku finished with 12 points for the winners. Gregor Hrovat (196-G-94) answered with 25 points for Slovenia. Matic Rebec netted 18 points in the loss.

Bulgaria - Russia 53-56
Russia beat Bulgaria to tie both records at the U18 European Championship. The Russian team needed 56:53 for 2-2 record in Group F. The first two quarters were similar in the game but had a different content. Bulgaria started the game with 19-8, but lost the second frame 9-18. The teams swapped the lead regularly in the second half but in the end it was Russia's ability to capitalize on points from turnovers that got them home, grabbing 15 compared to Russia's nine. The scored was 42:42 with 9 minutes to go before the final push. Viktor Kashin scored for 55:50 and Stanislav Ilnitskiy (200-PF-94) scored the last points in the game for the winning side. Stanislav Ilnitskiy top-scored for the winners with 15 points and Oleg Alferov (193-SG-94) had 12. Viktor Kashin and Igor Kanygin poured in 11 points each in a win. Kris Minkov (198-SF-94) finished the game with 16 points in the losing effort and Aleksandar Vezenkov added 9.

Group G
Poland - Denmark 52-59
Denmark celebrated the first win in the classification round of U18 European Championship. They defeated Polish counterparts for 1-1 record in Group G. Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94) stepped up with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the winners. Poland slipped at 0-2 record after the loss. Poland led by five points after ten minutes 19:14. They stretched the margin in the second quarter. Poland enjoyed a comfortable 15-point lead at halftime 37:22. But Denmark turned things around in the second half. They narrowed the gap at 8-point mark at the final intermission. Denmark opened the final frame on a 10:1 run to take the lead. Soon the Scandinavian team extended the lead to 5 points 57:52. Gertz then converted two free throws and sealed the victory for Denmark. Peter Moeller (190-PG-94) provided 11 points, while Marc Fabricius added 10 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Damian Jeszke (202-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Poland. Kacper Radwanski and Jakub Garbacz had 9 points each in the loss.

France - Germany 57-51
France registered the second straight win at the classification round of U18 European Championship. Les Bleus defeated Germany for 2-0 record on top of Group G. Kevin Harley (197-G-94) and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (206-C-94) finished with 18 points each to lead the winners. They also teamed up for 18 rebounds in the win. Germany led by as many as 8 points after ten minutes 20:12. But France cut the deficit in the second quarter. Les Bleus arrived at halftime down by just 4 points 27:31. France held Germany to 9 points in the third quarter to pull ahead. They ensured a 5-point lead heading into the fourth term. France kept a tight grip on the lead in the final frame. They held their opponents to 11 points and celebrated an important win. Antony Labanca (191-SF-94) finished with 7 points for the winning team. Gavin Schilling (205-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Germany. Malik Mueller (188-G-94) had 10 points in the loss.


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  FINLAND   


KORISLIIGA: Kimmo Muurinen joins the Bisons - by Rauno Hurmalainen (T)

Last season Finnish Champion Bisons from Loimaa has signed with Finnish NT F Kimmo Muurinen (202-F-81, college: UALR). This means Bisons will have at least three American players + three NT players on the roster. One of them must start the games on the bench! Muurinen won last spring bronze with Torpan Pojat (Helsinki) averaging 10,1 ppg - 5,4 rpg. The other two NT players on Bisons roster are Mikko Koivisto (194-G-87, college: NC-Greensboro) and Matti Nuutinen (200-PF-90). American Greg Gibson continues as Team Bisons Head Coach.
ToPo has now lost during this summer at least six players: Muurinen (Bisons), Timo Heinonen (KTP), Eero Lehtinen (Vilpas), Antti Niskanen (YMCA Lappeenranta), Jarkko Kyllonen (Tarmo) and Tuomas Iisalo (Honka). Finnish Basketball Federation didn't accept ToPo to continue in Top League (Korisliiga). Instead ToPo Juniors was given a place in Division 1 A.


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  FRANCE   


Brad Wanamaker joins Limoges - by Eurobasket News (T)

Limoges strengthened their backcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Brad Wanamaker (193-G-89, college: Pittsburgh). The guard started the previous season with Teramo. He tallied 7.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game in SeriaA. Later Brad Wanamaker moved to Forli. His stats read 17.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 1.8 assists per game in LegaDue. Brad Wanamaker finished the season in D-League. He played for the Austin Toros. His stats read 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists per appearance. Brad Wanamaker participated at NBA Pro Summer League. He posted 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in Las Vegas.


U18 European Championship: France bruise Germany for second straight win - by Eurobasket News

France U18 - Germany U18 57:51

France registered the second straight win at the classification round of U18 European Championship. Les Bleus defeated Germany for 2-0 record on top of Group G. Kevin Harley (197-G-94) and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (206-C-94) finished with 18 points each to lead the winners. They also teamed up for 18 rebounds in the win.
Germany led by as many as 8 points after ten minutes 20:12. But France cut the deficit in the second quarter. Les Bleus arrived at halftime down by just 4 points 27:31. France held Germany to 9 points in the third quarter to pull ahead. They ensured a 5-point lead heading into the fourth term. France kept a tight grip on the lead in the final frame. They held their opponents to 11 points and celebrated an important win. Antony Labanca (191-SF-94) finished with 7 points for the winning team. Gavin Schilling (205-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Germany. Malik Mueller (188-G-94) had 10 points in the loss.

France U18: Kevin Harley 18, Mouhammadou Jaiteh 18, Antony Labanca 7
Germany U18: Gavin Schilling 11, Malik Mueller 10


Jeremie Douillet stay with Nantes - by Eurobasket News (T)

Jeremie Douillet (206-C-91) stay with Nantes for another season. The French Center will neter his second year with the team.
In 2008-2009 he started for SPO Rouen Basket U21 team and then in 2009-2010 played for Entente Orleans 45 (ProA) and mostly for U21 team. In 2010-2011 also continued for Entente Orleans 45 U21 team. The season 2011-2012 moved to Hermine Nantes Atlantique (ProB) and after 30 games showed 1.6ppg, 1.1rpg.
In 2012 June Jeremie Douillet participated at the Overtime Exposure Camp in Marseilles (France).
In 2009 he was a French U18 National Team member.
Earlier Nantes bolstered their frontcourt. They inked contract with Terrance Henry (208-F-89, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi). The forward will start his pro career in France.


Cholet lands former NBAer Ben Uzoh - by Eurobasket News (T)

Cholet reinforced its roster at position 1. The team penned a deal with former NBA player Ben Uzoh (191-PG-88, college: Tulsa). He played for Toronto Raptors at 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas averaging 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Uzoh finished last season with the Raptors as well. He joined them in March collecting 4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 3.7 apg for 16 NBA games. Uzoh started the season with Lokomotiv Kuban and after two games moved to the New Jersey Nets. However, he did not appear in any official game with them and later moved to the NBA D-League team Rio Grande Valley Vipers. There Uzoh shined with 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 3.9 apg for 20 appearances. After that the player moved to Cleveland Cavs, where he had 2 ppg and 2 rpg and finally signed with Toronto in March. In 2010/11 season Ben Uzoh had 3.9 ppg, 1.7 apg and 1.5 rpg in 41 NBA games with New Jersey. He graduated at the University of Tulsa two years ago.


Pau-Orthez gets bigger with Negueba Samake - by Eurobasket News (T)

Negueba Samake (211-C-90) is a new member of Pau-Orthez. The Malian/French center signed a deal for the next season. Most recently he played for Boulazac Basket Dordogne. Samake joined them in December and appeared only in 3 ProB games with very limited playing time. In 2010/11 season the center played 9 games for Rouen, also in ProB. With them he had 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg, but they parted ways in December of 2010. Negueba Samake is a product of Le Mans, where he arrived as a teenager. From 2006 to 2009, he played for their U21 team. In 2009, Samake was promoted to the senior squad and he got a chance in few ProA and EuroCup games. In ProA he had 1.8 ppg and 8 appearances. Samake played for Malian U18 National Team at U18 AfroBasket in Egypt four years ago.


Limoges and Chris Massie to part ways - by Eurobasket News (T)

Christophe Massie (206-C/F-77, agency: Court Side, college: Memphis) most likely will not return to Limoges for the next season, according to French media (Catch-and-shoot.com). Reportedly, the team will announce its new big guy soon. Massie spent last two years with Limoges. In the latest one he had 12.6 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.9 apg and 1 bpg. He was top rebounder and fifth shot blocker of the league. Limoges was ProB champion and Massie was named Eurobasket.com All-French ProB Center of the Year -12. He also was MVP of the Grand Final. In 2010/11 season Christophe Massie had 16.9 pp, 9.2 rpg and 2.6 apg for 25 games with Limoges. They faced with relegation from ProA. Before Limoges, Massie played for the Bosnian squad Igokea and Greek Trikalla. He also has experience from Israel, Spain and Italy.


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  GEORGIA   


Georgian National Team 2012 - by Greg

Georgian National Team 2012
#s#
Georgi Tsintsadze
Tsintsadze
Giorgi Shermadini
Shermadini
Manuchar Markoishvili
Markoishvili
Viktor Sanikidze
Sanikidze
Tornike Shengelia
Shengelia
#e#5
6 Anatoliy Boisa 192-SF-83 Armia Georgia
8 Georgi Tsintsadze 192-PG-86 Olimpi Georgia
9 Giorgi Shermadini 216-C-89 Maccabi T-A Israel
11 Manuchar Markoishvili 196-SF-86 Cantu Italy
12 Levan Patsatsia 198-SF-88 Sokhumi Georgia
13 Viktor Sanikidze 203-SF-86 Montepaschi SI Italy
14 Akaki Dvalishvili 206-PF-90 Samedicino Georgia
15 Nika Metreveli 211-PF-91 Banco di Sard. Italy
23 Tornike Shengelia 207-PF-91 Brooklyn N. USA
25 Besik Lezhava 192-SG-86 Apollon Cyprus
31 Richard Matiashvili 207-C-89 Kutaisi Georgia
34 Jacob Pullen 183-PG-89 Angelico BI Italy

Igor Kokoskov Head Coach Phoenix Suns USA
Davit Ustiashvili Assistant Kutaisi Georgia
Kote Tugushi Assistant Armia Georgia
Jayson Staudt Assistant



Germany edge Georgia in Leipzig - by Eurobasket News

Germany-Georgia 68:57

Germany edge Georgia in Leipzig in the preparation game for the Eurobasket Qualifications. The home side celebrated a 68:57 win last night.
Both teams scored 17 points each in the opening period and the Germany took 4-point lead at the halftime. Jan-Hendrik Jagla (211-PF-81, college: Penn St.) led the team to 35:31 advantage after 20 minutes. Germany increased to 43:36 and enjoyed 50:38. Georgia meanwhile created a 6-0 run, while Tim Ohlbrecht closed the quarters at 52:44. Germany added 16-13 in the last stanza for the final success.
Jan-Hendrik Jagla top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Robin Benzing (209-SF-89) posted 10. Lucca Staiger delivered 9, while Heiko Schaffartzik added 8. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) replied with 16 points in the losing effort and Tornike Shengelia (207-PF-91) posted 15. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) 12 scored 12, whilst Giorgi Shermadini brought 6.

Germany: Tim Ohlbrecht (ohne Verein, 4), Lucca Staiger (Neckar RIESEN Ludwigsburg, 9), Philip Zwiener (Eisbren Bremerhaven, dnp), Heiko Schaffartzik (ALBA Berlin, 8), Karsten Tadda (Brose Baskets Bamberg, 2), Philipp Schwethelm (201-SF-89, agency: Pro One Sports) (ratiopharm Ulm, 8), Tibor Plei (Caja Laboral Vitoria/ESP, 2), Robin Benzing (FC Bayern Mnchen, 10), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier, 7), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier, dnp), Jan-Hendrik Jagla (FC Bayern Mnchen, 16), Mathis Mnninghoff (TBB Trier, dnp), Philipp Neumann (Brose Baskets Bamberg, dnp), Maik Zirbes (Brose Baskets Bamberg, 2).
Georgia: Anatoli Boisa, Giorgi Tsintsadze, Giorgi Shermadini 6, Manuchar Markoishvili 12, Levan Patsatsia (198-SF-88, college: Troy) 2, Viktor Sanikidze 2, Akaki Dualishvili, Nika Metreveli 4, Tornike Shengelia 15, Besik Lezhava, Richard Matiashvili, Jacob Pullen 16.
(Stats courtesy of basketball-bund.de)


Getting to Know Nate Bowie - by Eurobasket News

The Georgian Superleague and Energy Invest Rustavi is the new home for Nate Bowie this season. The 26-year old Bowie joins Rustavi after a well-traveled 2011-12 season which saw him lead the Portugal LPB league in scoring over 15 games only to have the team run into financial problems and force his departure to Qatar where he appeared in one tournament for AlAhli Sports Club Doha. Though well-traveled, Bowies journey is nothing compared to the one he made from toiling in the US minor leagues working and waiting on a chance to prove his game in Europe. A star both in Junior College and at Central Arkansas (Southland Conference leading scorer, 2007-08) Bowies professional journey has taken him from NBA D-League hopeful to Vancouver, Canada to Spain, Portugal, Qatar and now Georgia. The 6-0 point guard took some time to talk about his career journey, achievements, hopes and aspirations for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

Q.I guess the first question should be what led you to signing with Energy Invest

A. Well coming off a solid season I wanted to make sure that which ever team that I choose to go with for the 2012-2013 season
would be a team that wants to be better. Better meaning the team wants to improve from last season.
Rustavi was formally in the Eurochallenge and has won, meaning Superleague titles, so in knowing that they want to get back
to their winning ways the choice was pretty easy.

Q.What have you learned about Georgia the country since signing? When will you join the team for training camp?

A. Before I sign with any team I like to do my own research pertaining to the country as well as the team. I found out many things that were pretty interesting to me. What I found interesting was the actual scenery. From the snow capped Caucasus mountains to the Black Sea which borders the coastline. I always wanted to put my feet in the Black Sea and now I can. Also learned that for a long, long time Russia had a major effect onGeorgians and just recently they have became more into their own culture. As far as the people they consider guests (foreigners) a blessing and welcome us with obsessive hospitality.

Q.You played with Terceira Basket for two seasons, first helping get them promoted from the Proliga to the LPB. What was the difference in the leagues and what changed with the team in the second season that things did not work out financially?

A. Well I think anytime you win a championship and play at the highest level professionalism is the biggest difference depending on the teams. But as far as the league their isn't really a difference just simply size. Our second season we put together a nice team to cause some noise, but with the management not being honest and taking money this can cause a team willingness to play and perform very unlikely especially import players that's coming from a distance to help a team succeed. So in saying that I do wish the best for Terceira.

Q.What were your thoughts about Qatar during your short stay there?
Is it somewhere you would consider playing again?

A. Qatar by far as hospitality and first impression was the best, not taking anything away from my friends in Spain. But first impression is everything and making someone feel at home can really do a lot for a player. And that's what the team did in Qatar. Playing a whole season right now their, at my age, No. I say no because I like the style of Europe and think this is the best place for me right now in my career. But playing in Qatar at an older age would for sure be an idea I will take into consideration.

Q.Going back to when you graduated from Central Arkansas, what was your outlook on your career? What was the first step you thought you would make? Was it the D-League?

A. Truthfully after leading a D1 conference in scoring I thought my career would start at a really high level, but bad chooses with picking agents really hurt me. But I regret nothing, because if I hadn't took this path in my life I wouldn't have never met such wonderful people. So I regret nothing. Signing a contract with the D-League was very exciting but with life comes lessons and you just learn that everything is not for everyone.

Q.You have had a very successful career, going all the way back to your first days at Colby JC, but have somehow remained relatively under the radar.
Is this something that bothers or motivates you?

A. Yes for sure. This is what motivates me each and every time I step on the court. I have something to prove regardless if I was playing in the Euroleague or the NBA because I know where I came from and how hard it was. You just learn that it's now how good you are but who you know. If the right people are in your corner and want you to succeed than you will. I'm improving each and every year so i am happy with the steps I'm taking to the top. Georgia is a better league than Portugal having teams playing in the Eurochallenge as well as NBA guys like Sundiata Gaines. So it will be a difference experience that I'm waiting to take on by the horns.

Q.What is your ultimate career goal as a player? What is your greatest achievement so far?

A. My ultimate goal each and every year is to get to the highest level that I can get to and just enjoy life one step at a time. If I stop playing right now I have many stories to tell my children (once I have some lol), so I'm very blessed. I think my greatest achievement isn't just pertaining to basketball but off the court meeting some that you can share your success with and start a family with. 2011-2012 was full of bumpy rides but mellowed out for sure and was one of my best years yet.

Q.What can the fans of your new team expect from Nate Bowie this season?

A. They can expect a season of full excitement and fun packed day in and day out. Better watch out because Rustavi have a few surprises up their sleeves lol.

I want to thank my good friend Surujh Roopnarine for taking time out to do this interview. I also want to thank my good friend Richard Rivera who is the Owner over my endorsement brand Two-DaHole this is going to be a big year. www.2dahole.com ya support my brand which comes from a lot of hard work. You can go to Facebook and like or add Two-DaHole page. Also thanks AGSS.

Always remember the reason people give up so fast is because they tend to look at how far they still have to go instead of how far they have gotten.


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  GERMANY   


Germany edge Georgia in Leipzig - by Eurobasket News

Germany-Georgia 68:57

Germany edge Georgia in Leipzig in the preparation game for the Eurobasket Qualifications. The home side celebrated a 68:57 win last night.
Both teams scored 17 points each in the opening period and the Germany took 4-point lead at the halftime. Jan-Hendrik Jagla (211-PF-81, college: Penn St.) led the team to 35:31 advantage after 20 minutes. Germany increased to 43:36 and enjoyed 50:38. Georgia meanwhile created a 6-0 run, while Tim Ohlbrecht closed the quarters at 52:44. Germany added 16-13 in the last stanza for the final success.
Jan-Hendrik Jagla top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Robin Benzing (209-SF-89) posted 10. Lucca Staiger delivered 9, while Heiko Schaffartzik added 8. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) replied with 16 points in the losing effort and Tornike Shengelia (207-PF-91) posted 15. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) 12 scored 12, whilst Giorgi Shermadini brought 6.

Germany: Tim Ohlbrecht (ohne Verein, 4), Lucca Staiger (Neckar RIESEN Ludwigsburg, 9), Philip Zwiener (Eisbren Bremerhaven, dnp), Heiko Schaffartzik (ALBA Berlin, 8), Karsten Tadda (Brose Baskets Bamberg, 2), Philipp Schwethelm (201-SF-89, agency: Pro One Sports) (ratiopharm Ulm, 8), Tibor Plei (Caja Laboral Vitoria/ESP, 2), Robin Benzing (FC Bayern Mnchen, 10), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier, 7), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier, dnp), Jan-Hendrik Jagla (FC Bayern Mnchen, 16), Mathis Mnninghoff (TBB Trier, dnp), Philipp Neumann (Brose Baskets Bamberg, dnp), Maik Zirbes (Brose Baskets Bamberg, 2).
Georgia: Anatoli Boisa, Giorgi Tsintsadze, Giorgi Shermadini 6, Manuchar Markoishvili 12, Levan Patsatsia (198-SF-88, college: Troy) 2, Viktor Sanikidze 2, Akaki Dualishvili, Nika Metreveli 4, Tornike Shengelia 15, Besik Lezhava, Richard Matiashvili, Jacob Pullen 16.
(Stats courtesy of basketball-bund.de)


U18 European Championship: France bruise Germany for second straight win - by Eurobasket News

France U18 - Germany U18 57:51

France registered the second straight win at the classification round of U18 European Championship. Les Bleus defeated Germany for 2-0 record on top of Group G. Kevin Harley (197-G-94) and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (206-C-94) finished with 18 points each to lead the winners. They also teamed up for 18 rebounds in the win.
Germany led by as many as 8 points after ten minutes 20:12. But France cut the deficit in the second quarter. Les Bleus arrived at halftime down by just 4 points 27:31. France held Germany to 9 points in the third quarter to pull ahead. They ensured a 5-point lead heading into the fourth term. France kept a tight grip on the lead in the final frame. They held their opponents to 11 points and celebrated an important win. Antony Labanca (191-SF-94) finished with 7 points for the winning team. Gavin Schilling (205-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Germany. Malik Mueller (188-G-94) had 10 points in the loss.

France U18: Kevin Harley 18, Mouhammadou Jaiteh 18, Antony Labanca 7
Germany U18: Gavin Schilling 11, Malik Mueller 10


Phoenix Hagen Ink Larry Gordon - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber (T)

With the 2012-2013 Beko BBL season drawing nearer and nearer Phoenix Hagen arent wasting anytime getting their roster settled as they got their second player in two days after the signing of Adam Hess yesterday announcing the arrival of Larry Gordon (196-F-87, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Cal Poly Pomona) today. The American gets a one year deal with a two week tryout. Gordon is a 25 year old 196cm forward that will be starting his fourth professional basketball season. Last season, he played for : ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) playing 38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3 (8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3 (65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. "I think that Larry Gordon can give us what we need with his athletic ability, rebounding and emotions. He played well in Austria", stressed Phoenix Hagen head coach Ingo Freyer . He played at Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 until 2009. In hiss enior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He played a total of 116 NCAA 2 games. In 2009-2010, he played his rookie season for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. In 2010-2011, he went to Austria and played his first season for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 35 games: 10.4ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 66.7%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been All-CCAA Freshman of the Year -06, All-CCAA 1st Team -07, 08, 09, CCAA Tournament Finalist -08
CCAA All-Tournament Team -08, 09, NCAA D2 All-America Honorable Mention (by Division II Bulletin) -08, CCAA Regular Season Co-Champion -09, CCAA Tournament Semifinals -09
CCAA Player of the Year -09, NCAA D2 Finalist -09, NCAA D2 All-America 1st Team (by Division II Bulletin) -09, Eurobasket.com All-Dutch Eredivisie Honorable Mention -10, Eurobasket.com All-Austrian League Honorable Mention -12, and Austrian Bundesliga A Semifinals -12

Source: Phoenix Hagen


The Finke Baskets Paderborn Add Jason Adams And Jamar Moore - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber (T)

The Finke Baskets Paderborn announced two players today with Jason Adams (195-G/F-89, agency: Fierce Sports Management) and Jamar Moore (198-G/F, agency: Fierce Sports Management). Adams is a 22 year old 198cm forward that will be starting his professional basketball career. Adams played at Missouri So. (NCAA2) from 2008-2012. In his last season, he averaged 18,5ppg and 4,3apg shooting 51% from the field. "With his quick athletic playing style, he could bring our system on to the court. He will play the position two and three", stressed head coach Thomas Glasauer. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been MIAA Freshman of the Year -09, All-MIAA 2nd Team -10, MIAA Regular Season Champion -11, MIAA Tournament Finalist -11, All-MIAA 1st Team -11, 12, NABC Division II All-South Central Region 2nd Team -11, and NABC Division II All-South Central Region 1st Team -12

Jamar Moore is a 23 year old 198cm forward that also will be starting his professional basketball career. He played at W.Florida (NCAA2) and comes from Georgia. He led his team averaging 17,8ppg, 8,9rpg and dishing out 5,6apg. "He will play wing, but also the power forward which will give us added flexibility in the rotation", added Thomas Glasauer. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been All-GSC East Division 2nd Team -11, All-GSC 1st Team -12, GSC All-Tournament Team -12, GSC Tournament Semifinals -12and NABC Division II All-South Region 2nd Team -12

Source: Finke Baskets Paderborn


Anthony Jones Gets Tryout Contract With The Fraport Skyliners - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber (T)


The name Jones has been a popular name in the last week for the Fraport Skyliners as last week they hauled in Jonathan Jones and today the team announced that Anthony Jones (194-G/F-84, college: Indiana Tech) will join the team getting a tryout contract with an option of getting a contract extension. The tryout ends September 5th. Jones is a 27 year old 194cm guard with countless experience having played in four countries in Europe. He is a is a 6'4" combo guard that can play the 1 and 2. He played the 3 in college also. He is a good on ball defender and has the potential to be a lockdown defender. Off the ball he has great anticipation as well. He has long arms and is athletic. He can shoot the ball from anywhere on the basketball court. He can also can attack the basket and either finish or make the right play. He runs the court well and is a hard worker. He is very coachable and a student of the game. His strengths are rebounding, shooting, and passing. He is a versatile athlete who will do whatever needs to be done to help the team win. Last season, he played for MBK Handlova (Slovakia-Extraliga, starting five): 35 games: Score-1 (27.7ppg), 5.1rpg, Assists-2 (7.1apg), Steals-2 (2.4spg), FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 79.9%, in Apr.'12 moved to Uhud Medina (Saudi Arabia-Premier League, starting five). "He can play at both guard positions. He has been a top scorer whereever he has played. He is a very good player that can score and pass and has a lot of ambition. I am sure that he will show a lot of his qualities in practice. He mostly will be inserted as a shooting guard, but he can also play the combo guard and create for others and pass the ball. That he knows Jonathan can only help both of them", stressed Fraport Skyliner head coach Muli Katzurin (agency: Avi Zilberman )

Jones started his basketball career with Alma (NCAA3) in 2002 playing there until 2004. In 2004-2005, he went to Northwood (NCAA2): 8 games: 15.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.1apg, 3.8spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 38.7%. He finally finished his college career at Indiana Tech (NAIA): 33 games: 17.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.3apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 46.3%, 3PT: 44.5%, FT: 80.1%; PlayOffs: 4 games: 23.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.0apg, Steals-1 (2.3spg), FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 55.2%, FT: 84.6%. In 2008-2009, he started his professional basketball career with the Detroit Hoops (ABA): 14 games: 35.6 ppg, 8.1rpg. 7.3apg. In 2009-2010, he played for KK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje (Montenegro-1A, starting five): 10games: 16.3ppg, 4.3apg, 5.2rpg, then moved to CVJM Lrrach (Germany-2.Regionalliga, starting five). In 2010-2011, he played for : SC Bayer 05 Uerdingen. "With this tryout, he can show that he can play at a high level. He has shown his scoring qualities the last years", added Fraport Sklyiner sport director Kamil Novak. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been Winning the scoring title as a freshman with 18.3 per game -04, All-MAIA Freshamn of the Year -04, MIAA MVP -04, 05, League MVP Runner-Up -05, Won the scoring title with 22.9 per game -05, Finished 12th in the nation in scoring -05, Scored a 1000 points in two years -05, Captain of Team -06, Lead team to first ever win over Division I Central Michigan -06
Averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assist, and 3.8 steals in 8 games -06, Led team in scoring and steals -08, Lead team to the National Tournament -08, Lead team to a career record 10 consecutive wins in a row -08, Career high (34Pts) against Northwestern Ohio -08, All-WHAC 2nd Team -08, WHAC All-Newcomers 1st Team -08, WHAC MVP -08, WHAC Champion -08, ABA All-Star Game -09, All-ABA Honorable Mention -09, Led team in scoring and steals -09, 2nd in scoring in the ABA -09, Captain of the team -09
Career high 51 points against Aurora -09, All ABA Team -09, Triple Double against Cleveland (37Pts, 14Rebs, 10assists) -09, Second on team in Rebounds and Assists -09
Slovakian Cup Semifinals -12, Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Player of the Year -12, Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Guard of the Year -12, Eurobasket.com All, Slovakian League Import Player of the Year -12, Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League 1st Team -12, Eurobasket.com Slovakian League All-Imports Team -12, and Saudi Arabian League Regular Season Champion -12. "It is an honour for me to come to Frankfurt. It was always my goal to play in the first league and now I have my chance. My big strength is scoring, but i do all that is needed on the court. Whoever makes a lot of points gets a lot of attention, but that isn't all. I want to show the fans that I give all in every game and that I wnat to win each game. I want to bring energy to Frankfurt and bring the team under the first 8 teams", stressed Anthony Jones.

Source: Fraport Skyliners


Fabrizius' signing completes the roster for NBC - by Moritz Korff (T)

Nuernberger Basketball Club has announced the signing of Luke Fabrizius (205-F-89).
The Arlington Heights, IL, native finished his college career at the University of Dayton (NCAA Division One) in spring 2012. According to the Dayton website "Fabrizius is a versatile player with a unique skill set. At 6-foot-9 he has the size to play inside, but the shooting touch and range to play beyond the arc." As a senior he averaged 5.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest. He nailed 41 of his 106 attempts from three point land throughout the 2011-12 season and "ranks ninth in school history in three-point percentage, connecting at a .379 (146-for-385) clip. Fabrizius had 21 career games where he made at least three three-pointers in a game, including three games where he had five three-pointers made", according to daytonflyers.com.


Crailsheim Merlins land NCAA D2's leading shot blocker - by Moritz Korff (T)

Rickie Crews (205-C) will start his overseas career with 2. Bundesliga Pro A team Crailsheim Merlins. Crews comes out of Deptford, N.J., and spent his college career at NCAA D1 school Monmouth and D2 program Holy Family. He played for Monmouth from 2006 until 2008, then sat out the 2008-09 season. In 2009 he joined the Holy Family Tigers' team and emerged as the top shot blocker in the NCAA D2. Following a solid 2009-10 campaign Crews missed the following year due to injury. As a senior in this past season, he was first in the nation in blocks per game (3.9bpg) and also averaged 11.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists a contest.


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  GREECE   


Milano turns down PAO's offer, keeps Fotsis - by Eurobasket News

Antonis Fotsis (209-F-81) will stay in Milano for the next season. The Italian squad turned down second offer made by Panathinaikos Athens. According to Gazzetta.gr, Panathinaikos offer to Milano was 500k euros (buy-out fee) and they also offered 5 million euros to Fotsis for a 3-year deal. According to rumors the player also was not interested to come back to PAO. Antonis Fotsis played for PAO from 2008 until the last summer. He also was their member from 1997 to 2001 and in 2002/03. Last season Fotsis had 8.4 ppg and 5 rpg for 16 Euroleague games with Milano. He also added 8.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 44 SerieA appearances. From 2005 to 2008 Fotsis played for Dynamo Moscow and before that he spent two years with Real Madrid. In 2001/02, Fotsis played for the NBA team Memphis Grizzlies. He had 3.9 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 28 games.


Aris sign Muhamed Pasalic - by George Fragkos (T)

The first non Greek player in Aris Thessaloniki roster is officially Muhamed Pasalic (192-G-87). The 25-year-old Bosnian guard agreed terms with the club from Thessaloniki and for the next season he will be playing in Vagelis Alexandris's team.

Pasalic made some very good performances the previous season with Kavala and Alexandris chose him for the new team he is building, alongside Karapostolou who was a member of Kavala too. The Bosnian scored a 10.1 point average but he also had a remarkable for his position 2.4 rebound average and 2.2 assists per game.

As a member of Aris, Pasalic spoke for the first time to the official site of the club highlighting his pleasure to have signed with a club with such history: "I believe I made the best possible choice. Aris is a very big club with loyal fans. I felt flattered by the way they approached me and the role coach Alexandris proposed to me and I decided to accept the offer.From now and on I will do my best for the team first of all and then for myself".


U18 European Championship: Greece edge Ukraine in Vilnius - by Eurobasket News

Ukraine U18-Greece U18 61:66

Greece edge Ukraine in Vilnius at the U18 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side improved to 1-3 record in Group E after a narrow 66:61 win. Ukraine meanwhile fell at 0-4 record.
The teams exchanged the lead several times in the opening period and then Eleftherios Bochoridis (196-SG-94) scored for 16:12. Andrii Kharchynskyi (203-F/C-95) toed the game early in the second frame, while Sergiy Zagreba (213-C-94) gave Ukraine 21:19 advantage. Greece meanwhile won the rest of the half and grabbed 35:30 at the halftime. Both sides scored 13 points each in the third quarter as the difference remained in the court. Another 18 points from each side brought the final result on the board. Dimitrios Agravanis (208-F-94, agency: FCM) brought the final points for the winners.
Dimitrios Agravanis paced all the winners with 20 points and Eleftherios Bochoridis posted 15. Diamantis Slaftsakis (200-SF-94) delivered 13, while Konstantinos Gontikas (206-C-94) had 6. Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-PF-95) replied with 18 points in the losing effort and Andrii Kharchynskyi poured in 11. Sergiy Zagreba ended up with 10 points in defeat.

Ukraine U18: Yevgen Sakhniuk 18, Andrii Kharchynskyi 11, Sergiy Zagreba 10
Greece U18: Dimitrios Agravanis 20, Eleftherios Bochoridis 15, Diamantis Slaftsakis 13, Konstantinos Gontikas 6


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  HUNGARY   


Hungarian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Peter Lorant
Lorant
Akos Horvath
Horvath
Adam Hanga
Hanga
Obie Trotter
Trotter
Zoltan Trepak
Trepak
#e#5
4 Peter Lorant 206-PF-85 Acea Virtus RM Italy
5 Akos Horvath 194-SG-81 Szolnok Hungary
6 David Vojvoda 196-G/F-90 Atomeromu Hungary
7 Krisztian Wittmann 184-PG-85 Kecskemeti Hungary
8 Marton Fodor 192-PG-81 Szolnok Hungary
9 Adam Hanga 200-SG-89 Assignia M. Spain
11 Obie Trotter 188-PG-84 N.Novgorod Russia
12 Zoltan Trepak 210-C-77 Szolnok Hungary
13 Adam Toth 208-F/C-89 Atomeromu Hungary
14 Zsolt Szabo 202-F-86 Albacomp Hungary
15 Csaba Ferencz 195-F-85 Kormend Hungary
25 Miklos Szabo 205-F/C-86 Szolnok Hungary

Laszlo Ratgeber Head Coach Fenerbahce Turkey
Balazs Sabali Assistant MAFC Hungary



Levy stays in Hungary, moves to Falco - by Levente Szabo (T)

At the beginning of the offseason it was announced that Falco-Szova KC-Szombathely signed Serbian forward, Tomislav Ivosev (204-F-90) who had a great season with Naturtex-SZTE-Szedeak Szeged last year. Right now he will be joined by fellow teammate Jonathan Levy (193-G-82, college: CS San Bernar.), another player who had a great season with Naturtex-SZTE-Szedeak Szeged in the 2011/2012 season.

The American guard played 22 games in the last season for Naturtex-SZTE-Szedeak Szeged and helped his team with 19.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 3.6apg and 1.4spg. Regardless of Levys good performance the team had an 8-18 record which was only good for a tie 10th place in the Hungarian League.

Levy will join forces with Ivosev under the hands of coach Bencze who lead his team to win the regular season last year and lost only in the Finals against Hungarian powerhouse Szolnok.


Szolnok adds the icon of Kormend to their roster - by Levente Szabo (T)

With all the lately insecurity around MJUS-Fortress Kormend the teams icon, Istvan Nemeth (190-G-79, agency: Interperformances) decided that he will leave the team. It wasn't certain if he will play in another country or will stay home but right now it became official: he will join the emblematic team of Hungary, Szolnok.

With the addition of Nemeth, Szolnok signed one of the best Hungarian guards ever who will bring leadership and experience to the table. After a rough breach with his hometown team, Istvan Nemeth will get a chance to play on two stages in the European competitions, both in the Adriatic League and the EuroChallenge, which is something he used to in his long and bright international career.

The 6'3" guard was and NBA-draft candidate in 2001 just after he averaged 21.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 5.6apg and 2.4spg in the Hungarian League at the age of 20. Although he didn't get drafted he signed a contract with one of the best teams in Europe at that time, Benetton Treviso. Because lack of playingtime there he joined KK Vojvodina Novi Sad where he got to play in the FIBA Europe Cup posting 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.2apg and the Yugoslavian league recording 10.5ppg,1.7rpg, 2.3apg and 1.4spg.

He reached his full potential with Trefl Sopot where he spent 2 seasons with the Euroleague participant team and was one of the key players of the organization. After two years of Euroleague experience Istvan Nemeth joined back his former team KK Vojvodina Novi Sad for two more seasons where he participated with the team in the Adriatic League and the Eurocup. In 2007-2008 season he recorded 12.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1spg (FGP:45.6%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 85.7%) in the Adriatic League before joining Greece team AEK Athens. In the Greek capital he averaged 10.8ppg, 2.0rpg and 1.3apg (FGP:62.1%, 3PT: 44.9%, FT: 75.0%) before earning a contract with Vive Menorca in Spain.

In 2010 Istvan Nemeth returned back to his hometown team MJUS-Fortress Kormend and played with his team since then. MJUS-Fortress Kormend tryed to keep their icon after a strange ending season but their offer wasn't anywhere close to what a player of Istvan Nemeth's caliber should earn, so the veteran guard decided to finish up his career elsewhere and signed a 1+1 year contract with Szolnok.


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  ICELAND   


Serbia won over Iceland to start EuroBasket Qualification Round - by Eurobasket News

Iceland-Serbia 78:91

Serbia won over Iceland in Reykjavik to start EuroBasket Qualification Round successfully. The Serbian side overcame the hosts 91:78 in the opener.
Serbia scored the first four points in the game but then Iceland grabbed 9:7 advantage. Milos Teodosic (195-PG-87) closed the period at 24:19, while Vladimir Lucic (202-SF-89, agency: Beo Basket) scored for 29:22. Milan Macvan (205-PF-89, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) brought 38:25 and Vladimir Lucic delivered two for 44:27. Nedovic sent the teams to the lockers at 47:29. In the second half Iceland looked better in the court and produced two narrow victories in the third and the last periods. It was however enough to cut to 13 final points.
Dusko Savanovic (204-PF-83, agency: Beo Basket) top-scored for the winners with 18 points and Vladimir Lucic netted 16. Milos Teodosic delivered 14, while Milan Macvan had 13. Jon Stefansson (196-G-82) replied with 21 points in the losing effort and Pavel Ermolinskij (202-G-87, agency: I.D.S. Law) delivered 14. Hlynur Baeringsson (197-F-82) poured in 13, whilst Jakob Sigurdarson (192-PG-82, college: Birm.Southern) had 12.

Iceland: Jon Stefansson 21, Pavel Ermolinskij 14, Hlynur Baeringsson 13, Jakob Sigurdarson 12
Serbia: Dusko Savanovic 18, Vladimir Lucic 16, Milos Teodosic 14, Milan Macvan 13


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  IRAN   


Off season news - by Kazem Ghayem (T)

** Javad Davari (185-G-83) renewed his contract with Foolad Mahan Esfahan for 2 more season.

** Oshin Sahakian (200-F-86) signed 2 years contract with Foolad Mahan Esfahan , Oshin played in ZobAhan since 2003 .

** Mehran Hatami is Petrochimi Bandar Imam Harbour new head coach .

** Mahdi Kamrani (186-PG-82) signed with Petrochimi Bandar Imam Harbour , Kamrani will leave Mahram after Asian Club Championship. Kamarani played for Mahram since 2007-08 season. He won Iran super league Championship 5 time with Mahram.


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  ISRAEL   


Israeli National Team 2012 - by Simas

Israeli National Team 2012
#s#
Yogev Ohayon
Ohayon
Alex Tyus
Tyus
Omri Casspi
Casspi
Lior Eliyahu
Eliyahu
Yotam Halperin
Halperin
#e#5
4 Yogev Ohayon 190-PG-87 Lokomotiv Russia
5 Elishay Kadir 203-PF-87 Hapoel J-M Israel
6 Yuval Naimy 185-G-85 Triumph Russia
7 Alex Tyus 205-C-88 Cantu Italy
8 Gal Mekel 190-PG-88 Benetton TV Italy
9 Omri Casspi 204-SF-88 Cleveland C. USA
10 Guy Pnini 200-SF-83 Maccabi T-A Israel
11 Lior Eliyahu 203-SF-85 Maccabi T-A Israel
12 Yotam Halperin 193-SG-84 B.Muenchen Germany
13 Ido Kozikaro 202-C-78 Maccabi Haifa Israel
14 Raviv Limonad 191-SG-84 Ironi Ashkelon Israel
15 Nizan Hanochi 190-SG-86 Maccabi Rishon Israel

Arik Shivek Head Coach M.Hainaut Belgium
Oded Katash Assistant Hapoel Eilat Israel
Erik Alfassi Assistant Ironi Ashkelon Israel



GreenTops Netanya signs Marco Killingsworth - by Eurobasket News (T)

GreenTops Netanya announced signing of Marco Killingsworth (202-F/C-82, agency: Interperformances, college: Indiana) for the upcoming season. The 30-year-old American arrives to the club from Ironi Ashkelon. He appeared 30 times in Premier league with them last season averaging 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists. The player split 2009/10 between Maccabi Haifa and Galil Gilboa. With Haifa team he had 17.2 ppg and 7.3 rpg for 19 games in Premier league, plus 14.1 ppg and 6.8 rpg in 14 EuroChallenge games. Killingsworth was the fourth scorer in Israel. Later with Galil Gilboa his numbers dropped to 13.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg for 13 games. In the past, Marco Killingsworth played for Elitzur Maccabi Netanya, Brindisi, Scafati and Dasussafaka. He also has experience from Puerto Rico and South Korea. Killingsworth picked up few awards in Israel over the past three seasons: Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League 1st Team -10, Eurobasket.com Israeli League All-Imports Team -10 and Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Honorable Mention -11, 12. He participated at Premier league All-Star game in 2011 and this year as well.


Arik Shivek Fulfils National Duties, Israel Prepared For Montenegro Battle - by David Pick

After nine consecutive years of clinching multiple titles and individual milestones while coaching overseas, Israeli National Team head coach Arik Shivek has momentarily retired from the European sidelines, focusing primarily on representing his blue-and-white nation in its 2013 Eurobasket qualifying campaign.

Despite winning various professional Dutch and Belgium League hardware, Shivek takes pride in his 2004 European Championship Silver medal with Israel's U20 national troops, more than anything.

"Call me patriotic, but of all the awards I collected throughout the years, that silver medal with those kids (still) means the world to me," Shivek said during a one-on-one sit-down at his office at the Israeli basketball federation headquarters in downtown Tel Aviv, Israel.

Shivek, a two time Israeli League Coach of the Year, led Hapoel Eilat, Galil Elyon, Hapoel Holon, Maccabi Raanana, Bnei Herzeliya, Maccabi Ramat Gan and Hapoel Tel-Aviv before opting out of the local hoops during the summer of 2003 for nearly a decade of coaching Euro-ball.

"I'm overly satisfied with the coaching career I've built abroad," he says. "Out of the nine years in which I led six different organization, only two seasons did I go title-less."

Shivek will continue to lead Israel's senior squad over the next two summers. He recently coached Belgium Mons-Hainaut and in spite of receiving an extension offer sheet, Shivek's mind was set on one goal -- developing Israeli youth.

In May 2012, Shivek appointed Hapoel Jerusalem's head coach Sharon Drucker to takeover the struggling U20 national team. Three months later, Drucker successfully met Shivek's expectations, leading the future Israeli stars back to the European Division A brackets.

"This was my goal from day one," Shivek noted. "We had a few national teams playing in the minor divisions and my objective was to rebuild the successful Israeli basketball tradition. Developing the youth requires a long process of coaching and training, and my vision is that all the national teams qualify for the Division A games," he added.

Shivek's brilliant basketball mind helped lead the modest Mons-Hainaut past the Brooklyn Nets' and Team USA's sensational point guard Deron Williams and his Turkish lockout team Besiktash, en route to the Eurocup qualifying group stages. Shivek credits his coaching staff's intense scouting and players, containing Williams to just 7 points on 3-13 shooting.

"The series was amazing. After losing Game 1 in Turkey, people blew up my phone congratulating me. We came prepared for Game 2 and despite being down by 9 at intermission, which technically meant an 18 point deficit, we managed to claw our way back and win the series," Said Shivek.

With regards to Williams Shivek added, "We created defensive mismatches and traps Deron wasn't familiar with from his NBA days. We had defensive strategies he's never seen before. That series and coaching against such a superior athlete in Williams was definitely one of the highlights of my career."

Tomorrow, in the 2013 European Championship Qualifying games, Shivek's men will face its Goliath competitor on the road in Montenegro. The Israelis enjoy both a healthy roster and impressive 9-1 exhibition game record, including the immense addition of former ex-Gator and newly acquired Israeli citizen Alex Tyus.

Tyus' mellow personality and hard work ethic is precisely the type of boost Shivek needed. A player who feels comfortable with doing all the dirty work in cleaning the boards and setting multiple screens for others. Still, Tyus' contribution hasn't gone unnoticed as he clinched back-to-back exhibition tournament MVP honors.

"The teams we'll face in qualifying games have great inside presence and we'll need Alex's ability to control the boards. He's an amazing asset to our roster both on and off the court and I'm sure he will become of value," said the coach.

Armed with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Omri Casspi, Russian Kuban and Triumph playmakers Yogev Ohayon and Yuval Naimy, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Lior Eliyahu and Guy Pnini, dominant free agent guards Gal Mekel and Raviv Limonad, and veteran team captain Yotam Halperin, Shivek, who keeps his cards close to his chest, is pleased with how his team evolved and is ready to utilize the tricks up his sleeve.

Israel's Group A bracket includes Serbia, Montenegro, Iceland, Slovakia and Estonia.



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  ITALY   


Napoli Basket officially inks first import - Denis Clemente - by Eurobasket News (T)

Denis Clemente (185-PG-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Kansas St.) will continue his career in Italy. The Puerto Rican point guard signed a deal with Napoli Basket. Clemente heads to his new club from Slovakian Nitra, where he spent last season. The player shined with 17.9 ppg, 3.7 apg and 3.3 rpg in 34 Extraliga games. He also added 17.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg and 2.8 spg for 6 games in EuroChallenge. Clemente helped NItra to win the Slovakian Cup and to reach Extraliga Semifinals. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Honorable Mention -12. A year ago Denis Clemente was named Latinbasket.com All-Puerto Rican BSN Rookie of the Year. He had 14.6 ppg, 4.4 apg and 3.6 rpg for Caciques de Humacao. In the past, Clemente played in Greece and Italy. He graduated at Kansas State University in 2010.


Milano turns down PAO's offer, keeps Fotsis - by Eurobasket News

Antonis Fotsis (209-F-81) will stay in Milano for the next season. The Italian squad turned down second offer made by Panathinaikos Athens. According to Gazzetta.gr, Panathinaikos offer to Milano was 500k euros (buy-out fee) and they also offered 5 million euros to Fotsis for a 3-year deal. According to rumors the player also was not interested to come back to PAO. Antonis Fotsis played for PAO from 2008 until the last summer. He also was their member from 1997 to 2001 and in 2002/03. Last season Fotsis had 8.4 ppg and 5 rpg for 16 Euroleague games with Milano. He also added 8.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 44 SerieA appearances. From 2005 to 2008 Fotsis played for Dynamo Moscow and before that he spent two years with Real Madrid. In 2001/02, Fotsis played for the NBA team Memphis Grizzlies. He had 3.9 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 28 games.


Shaun Stonerook retires - by Eurobasket News (T)

Shaun Stonerook (202-F-77, college: Ohio) announced his retirement from pro basketball. They player made it official this morning via twitter.

I've decide to hang up my Nike's. It's been an incredible career, much more than I could have ever imagined. Thanks to all my fans for the support over the last 12 years. Not sure what the future holds for me but I'm excited for the next chapter in life. I also want to thank all my former teammates. You guys made the last 12 years incredible and I have a lot of great memories. If any of you ever need anything just call me. And coaches. And everyone else.

Shaun Stonerook played last seven years for Montepaschi Siena. They won six SerieA titles together. They also grabbed four Cup trophies. In 2009 and 2010, Stonerook was MVP of the Final Tournament. In 2011 and 2012, he was named Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA Defensive Player of the Year. Before Montepaschi, Shaun Stonerook played for Cantu and Antwerpen.


Givova Scafati agrees with Jamel McLean - by Eurobasket News (T)

Jamel McLean (203-F-88, college: Xavier) agreed terms with Givova Scafati for the next season. The player spent last one with Stella Artois Leuven Bears. He had 9.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg for 36 games in Belgium. He helped Leuven to reach Belgian Cup Semifinals. It was the first year as a pro for McLean, who graduated at Xavier University in 2011. He appeared 31 times for his school as a senior registering 10.6 ppg and 8.4 rpg. Xavier was Atlantic 10 regular season champion and McLean was named to All-Atlantic 10 3rd Team -11. As a junior, the player had 8.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg for 35 games. Jamel McLean reached NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010 and NCAA Elite Eight in 2010. The player transferred to Xavier in 2007 from Tulsa University. He was redshirted for one year due to NCAA transfer rules.


Ferentino signs deal with Delroy James - by Eurobasket News (T)

Delroy James (203-F-87, agency: Z.A.G. - Law Offices, college: Rhode Island) will continue his career in Italy. The American forward signed a 1-year deal with Ferentino. James played at the 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas. He appeared 4 times with Atlanta Hawks averaging 2.3 points. Delroy James finished last season with the NBA D-League team Tulsa 66ers. He had 8.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg for 26 games with them. He started 2011/12 with Israeli team Bnei Hasharon and it was his first professional deal. The forward had 16.1 ppg and 7.7 rpg for 10 games in Premier league. Delroy James is a product of Rhode Island, where he graduated a year ago. He shined with 17.5 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 2.7 apg for his school in 34 games as a senior.


Biella loans young Eric Lombardi to Brescia - by Eurobasket News (T)

Eric Lombardi (200-F-93) will play next season in LegaDue. Young Italian forward Eric Lombardi will join Centrale del Latte Brescia on loan. He is originally a member of Angelico Biella. The player appeared 20 times in SerieA last season averaging less than a point. In 2010/11, he played for Biella junior squad. In 2009/10, Lombardi made his debut with the senior team of Biella. Last summer, Eric Lombardi was one of the candidates for the Italian U18 National Team. Three years ago he played for U16 Italy at U16 EuroBasket in Kaunas. He had 7.7 ppg, 4 rpg and 1.7 spg for 7 games at this event. Last season Centrale del Latte Brescia reached LegaDue Quarterfinals.


Trento lands Michael Umeh - by Eurobasket News (T)

Michael Umeh (188-PG-84, agency: Two Points, college: UNLV) will play next season in Italy. The Nigerian point guard signed a 1-year deal with Aquila Basket Trento. Umeh arrives to the club from New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, where he spent 2011/12. He appeared 24 times in German league averaging 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Umeh started the season with Spanish Valladolid. With them he had 4.3 ppg and 1 spg for 9 games in Liga Endesa. Season 2010/11, Michael Umeh spent with Murcia collecting 11.2 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.1 rpg for 32 games in Spain. He played for Menorca a year before that. Umeh also has experience from German Giessen, where he played from 2007 to 2009. The played graduated at UNLV five years ago. Michael Umeh helped Nigeria to win the Bronze last summer at the AfroBasket in Madagascar.


Tamar Slay signs with Montegranaro - by Eurobasket News (T)

Tamar Slay (204-F-80, college: Marshall) signs with Montegranaro for the next season. The American player remains in Italy but with another team.
In 2011-2012 he played for Umana Venezia (Italy-SerieA, starting five) and after 34 games averaged 11.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 75.9%. Earlier in 43 games his stats read 16.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 75.3%. He recorded 28 points twice during the 2010/2011 season.

In 2006-2007 he played for Hapoel Jerusalem (Israel-Premier League, starting five) and in Israeli League after 5 games showed 5.0ppg, 2.6rpg; ULEB Cup: 7 games: 5.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 40%, FT: 87.5%. In April '07 moved to Upea Capo D'Orlando (Italy-SerieA, starting five) and then in 2007-2008 played for Pierrel Capo d'Orlando (Italy-SerieA, starting five). In 18 games his stats read 16.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP:59.1%, 3PT:35.4%, FT:77.5%.
In 2008-2009Tamar Slay moved to Air Avellino (Italy-SerieA, starting five), and in Euroleague had 9.2ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 39.7%, 3PT: 23.7%, FT: 84.6%. In Italian League his stats read 12.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 53.3%.


Andrea Conti pens deal with Vanoli Cremona - by Eurobasket News (T)

Andrea Conti (200-G-74) pens deal with Vanoli Cremona for the next season. The Italian player returns to the squad where he played several seasons.

The 1974 year born player spent the early years with Rho (Italy-B2), Cagiva Varese (Ita), Robur et Fides Varese, Biella (Italy-B1) and Latina (Italy-B1). In 200/01 he played for Banca Leonardo Vigevano (Italy-B1) and averaged 13.4ppg 2.1rpg 0.2apg. In 2001-2002 moved to Tamoil Soresina (B1, starting five) and had 19.2ppg 3.3rpg 0.9apg. In 2003-2004 played for Vanoli Soresina (B1, starting five) and showed 14.1ppg, 2.9rpg.
After another two seasons with Vanoli Soresina, Andrea Conti moved to Rossini Cremona (B2, starting five). In 2008-2009 for Witor's Cremona (A dilettanti, starting five) his stats read 11.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 2FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 39.2%, FT: 77.6%. In 2009-2010 played for Vanoli Cremona (SerieA) and in 2 games averaged high 14.5ppg, 3.5rpg. In 2010-2011 played for Vanoli-Braga Cremona (SerieA) and last seaosn appeared for Edimes Pavia (Nazionale C, starting five).


U18 European Championship: Spain stay undefeated with win over Italy - by Eurobasket News

Spain U18 - Italy U18 78:63

Spain registered the fifth consecutive victory at the U18 European Championship. The reigning champions defeated Italy to improve at 4-0 record in Group E. Ilimane Diop (209-C-95) posted 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Spanish team. Italy fell at 1-3 record after the loss.
Spain eked out a 17:16 lead after ten minutes. Italy bounced back and stole a 39:38 halftime advantage. Spain were back in the drivers seat in the third quarter. The defending champions held their opponents to 11 points to take a 5-point lead into the fourth term 55:50. Spain outgunned the Azzurri 23:13 in the final quarter to seal a confident win at the end. Guillermo Hernangomez (209-C-94) posted 12 points, while Oriol Pauli (201-G-94) added 9 points for Spain. Simone Fontecchio (197-SF-95) answered with 15 points for Italy. Amedeo Tessitori (204-PF-94) had 14 points in the loss.

Spain U18: Ilimane Diop 14, Guillermo Hernangomez 12, Oriol Pauli 9
Italy U18: Simone Fontecchio 15, Amedeo Tessitori 14


Meshcharakou and Tsiaras join Olimpia Milano for the try-out - by Eurobasket News (T)

Mikita Meshcharakou (202-SF-88) and Giorgos Tsiaras (207-C/F-82) join Olimpia Milano for the try-out.

Giorgos Tsiaras played recently in Greece. In 2008 for PAOK Marfin Thessaloniki (A1) he averaged 4.3ppg, 2.5rpg and then in 2009-2010 had 2.2ppg, 1.5rpg. In Feb.'10 moved to CEZ Basketball Nymburk (Czech Rep.-NBL) and showed 3.7ppg, 1.2rpg; EuroCup: 3 games: 0pts. In 2010-2011 he moved to Panionios ON Telecoms Athens (A1, starting five): and showed 9.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 73.4%. Last year Giorgos Tsiaras played for Ikaros Kallitheas (A1, starting five) and averaged 4.5ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.5apg.

Mikita Meshcharakou is the younger brother of the professional player Yahor, is a great small forward who can handle the ball with the same broadmindedness as a point guard. His three point abilities are great and he has a stable, over the average, percentage (around 43%). He has more than one ways to penetrate the basket while his size is helping him many times to get a position in the paint and gain rebounds from even much taller players. In 2007-2010 he played for Georgetown (NCAA) and later moved to Wake Forest (NCAA). In his first season he averaged 4.5ppg, 1.8rpg. Last season his stats read 8.0ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 23.4%, FT: 73.8%.


*****************************************************
  JAPAN   


Nick Fazekas joins Toshiba Brave Thunders - by Eurobasket News (T)

Nick Fazekas (211-F-85, college: Nevada) will continue his career in Japan. The forward has agreed on terms of contract with Toshiba Brave Thunders. Nick Fazekas started the previous season in D-League. He played for the Reno Bighorns. His stats read 18.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 assists per game. Later Nick Fazekas moved to Philippines. He signed for the Petron Blaze Boosters. The forward delivered 20.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game in ASEAN League. He also notched 30.6 points, 18.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.1 steals per game at the Commissioners Cup. Nick Fazekas made it into All-PBA Commisioners Cup 2nd Team. Previously Nick Fazekas had stints in France, Belgium, NBA and D-League.


Jerald Honeycutt/Toyota reach deal for 2012-13 - by Eurobasket News

Jerald Honeycutt (205-F-74, college: Tulane) extended his contract with Toyota Alvark. He is scheduled to arrive in Japan on 16 August 2012. Honeycutt is Tulane University's all-time scoring leader.


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


Jordan retreats in FIBA Rankings - by Omar Shafaamri

After the bad performance at the Olympic Qualifying Torunament last month, Jordan National Team dropped 2 positions reaching position 30 in FIBA World Rankings. Jordan lost against both Greece and Puerto Rico in the Group Stage of OQT. FIBA Rankings changes each 2 years; after each World Championship and Olympic Games.

Asia fellows Rankings except Iran (20) declined as follows: China from 10 to 11, Lebanon from 23 to 25, Korea from 33 to 35, Japan 34 to 35, Qatar 35 to 36.

London 2012 Games Hosts Great Britain was the biggest winner with +20 Ranking jumping from 43 to 23 while Tunisia from 32 to 22. USA dream Team still leading FIBA Rankings with 952 points with Spain following with 870 points.

FIBA Asia Zone Ranking:
11. China
20. Iran
25. Lebanon
30. Jordan
33. Korea
35. Japan
36. Qatar
42. Chinese Taipei
45. Philippines
47. Kazakhstan


*****************************************************
  KENYA   


Lions see off Mennonites to maintain unbeaten run - by Eurobasket News

Kenya Basketball premier league table toppers KCB Lions maintained their unbeaten run when they crushed Mennonites mens team 91- 43 over the weekend. Ancet Wafula scored 22 on the day.
In another match defense force side, Ulinzi managed to closely hold off Shauri Moyo based Thunder with a closely contested match winning by a point 67 66. Ulinzi completed a remarkable weekend by beating Blazers 69 34 therefor
On Sunday, Trail Blazers beat Umoja 65- 55 while Nairobi Aviation continued with their winning streak when they saw off high school students Upper Hill 68 55
Thunders lost their second match going down 71-51 to 2011 champions Co-op Bank on Sunday.
On Saturday, Gladiators went down to Mennonites 45 57 in the only womens match played in the past weekend.

In the division one, African Nazarene University was not able to honor their fixture against World Hope as the institution is on holiday break.
Saturday results
GLADIATORS 20/45 VS MENNOMITES 34/57
13/07/08/17 11/23/1/13
16 pts Anne Liambila 24 pts Belinda Okoth
16 pts Vivian Akinyi

THUNDER 26/66 VS ULINZI 30/67
17/09/17/23 11/19/19/18
22 pts Griffin Ligare 22 pts James Omune
10 pts Edgar Kisali 16 pts Dieter Okoth

KCB LIONS 37/91 VS MENNONITES 20/43
13/24/30/24 08/12/17/06
22 pts Ancette Wafula 10 pts Lawrence Wandera

SUNDAY RESULTS

UMOJA 31/55 VS TRAILBLAZERS 31/64
18/13/13/11 11/20/21/22
20 pts Erick Mutoro 19 pts Shem Otieno
12 pts Erick Etemesi 11 pts Zedekia Otieno

UPPER HILL 24/51 VS NAIROBI AVIATION 31/68
16/18/07/20 17/14/12/25
20 pts Joseph Ongoro 18 pts Job Byron
11 pts Dominick Obunaka 19 pts Geoffrey Ssozi

BLAZERS 15/34 VS ULINZI 40/69
09/06/11/08 18/22/16/13
08 pts Deng Mayot 17 pts James Omune
11 pts Antonio Bwire

COOPBANK 31/71 VS THUNDER 24/51
18/14/13/26 11/13/12/15
20 pts Cliff Ochieng 14 pts Adams Njoroge
14 pts Bobby Okwako 12 Griffin Ligare
Courtesy of: http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


*****************************************************
  KOSOVO   


Bashkimi wants Hajrizi - by Dren Shporta

Player of the Year in Kosovo, Drilon Hajrizi (208-C-91), is in talks with Bashkimi from Prizren. The talks are confirmed in an exclusive interview of Eurobasket with the player.

Hajrizi, 22 year old, has agreed personal terms with the oranges from Prizren and is waiting for the agreement between the clubs.

"The offer from Bashkimi was great, they have doubled everything what I earn in Trepca. I have agreed the personal terms with them. Now the clubs should agree for the transfer fee," said Hajrizi for Eurobasket.

It is reported on kosovan sports portal www.borozani.com that Trepca want's from Bashkimi 10k (thousand) euros for the transfer of their best player.

Bashkimi has lost their best player of the last season Samir Shaptahovic and now is looking to fill the emptiness with a great transfer. Days before they confirmed the american playmaker, Philip Brooks, as their new player. They will also have a new coach during these days.

If this transfer happens, it will be a record transfer on kosovar basketball history for the national players.


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  LATVIA   


Latvian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Janis Strelnieks
Strelnieks
Kaspars Berzins
Berzins
Martins Meiers
Meiers
Rihards Kuksiks
Kuksiks
Dairis Bertans
Bertans
#e#5
4 Kaspars Vecvagars 193-PG-93 Baltai Kaunas Lithuania
5 Mareks Mejeris 207-SF-91 Clavijo Spain
6 Rolands Freimanis 210-PF-88 Girona Spain
8 Davis Bertans 205-SF-92 Partizan Serbia
9 Edgars Jeromanovs 190-PG-86 Norrkoping Sweden
13 Janis Strelnieks 191-PG-89 Spartak SP Russia
14 Kaspars Berzins 211-PF-85 VEF Riga Latvia
23 Martins Meiers 206-C-91 Ventspils Latvia
33 Rihards Kuksiks 197-SF-88 Valencia Spain
41 Arturs Berzins 204-PF-88 Ventspils Latvia
45 Dairis Bertans 192-SG-89 VEF Riga Latvia

Ainars Bagatskis Head Coach Budivelnyk Ukraine
Arturs Stalbergs Assistant Liepaja Latvia



U18 European Championship: Croatia stay hot, rally past Latvia - by Eurobasket News

Croatia U18 - Latvia U18 82:62

Croatia stayed untamed at the U18 European Championship. They recorded the fifth straight win at the tournament in the expense of hosting Latvia. Dario Saric (208-F-94) was instrumental in the victory tallying 16 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists.
Croatia started strong taking a 21:12 lead after ten minutes. The visitors extended the lead in the second frame. They cleared off to a 17-point halftime advantage. Croatia poured in 26 points in the third term to take a massive 23-point lead before the fourth frame. Latvia could not threaten the margin and had to surrender at the end. Mislav Brzoja (196-F/G-94) finished with 15 points, while Dominik Mavra (195-SG-94) and Tomislav Gabric (201-F-95) had 9 points each in the win. Elvis Endzels (180-PG-94) answered with 14 points for Latvia. Davis Geks (183-G/F-95) netted 12 points in the loss.

Croatia U18: Dario Saric 16+12 boards, Mislav Brzoja 15, Dominik Mavra 9, Tomislav Gabric 9
Latvia U18: Elvis Endzels 14, Davis Geks 12


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


U18 European Championship: Lithuania power past Serbia - by Eurobasket News

Lithuania U18 - Serbia U18 77:68

Lithuania celebrated the fifth straight win at the U18 European Championship. They defeated Serbia for 4-0 record on top of qualifying round Group E. Justas Tamulis (194-SF-94, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 18 points to lead the winners.
Serbia enjoyed a 22:19 lead ten minutes into the game. Lithuania cut the deficit in the second quarter. They got within a single point at halftime 35:36. The hosts surged ahead in the third quarter. The Baltic team posted a 55:51 lead at the final intermission. Lithuania fired 22 points in the fourth quarter to seal the winning outcome at the end. Marius Grigonis (198-F-94) finished with 12 points, while Jokubas Gintvainis (191-SF-94) posted 10 points for the home team. Nikola Jankovic (205-PF-94) answered with 18 points for Serbia. Doko Salic (209-C-95) netted 17 points in the loss.

Lithuania U18: Justas Tamulis 18, Marius Grigonis 12, Jokubas Gintvainis 10
Serbia U18: Nikola Jankovic 18, Doko Salic 17


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


Luxembourg National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Tom Schumacher
Schumacher
Pitt Koster
Koster
Raul Birenbaum
Birenbaum
Samy Picard
Picard
Pablo Genevo
Genevo
#e#5
4 Tom Schumacher 189-PG-87 T71 Luxembourg
5 Pitt Koster 182-PG-89 Residence Luxembourg
6 Raul Birenbaum 182-SG-89 Contern Luxembourg
7 Laurent Schwartz 179-PG-89 Musel Pikes Luxembourg
8 Christopher Jones 186-G-90 Contern Luxembourg
9 Jairo Ferreira 190-G/F-85 T71 Luxembourg
11 Yann Fasbender 196-SF-90 Residence Luxembourg
12 Frank Wiseler 188-PG-89 Drake USA
13 Samy Picard 196-PF-88 Amicale Luxembourg
15 Pablo Genevo 208-C-88 CS San Bernar. USA
20 Alexandre Rodenbourg 203-C-91 Basket Esch Luxembourg
30 Jean Kox 199-PF-90 Musel Pikes Luxembourg

Frank Baum Head Coach Musel Pikes Luxembourg
Karsten Schul Assistant
Louis Wennig Assistant Residence Luxembourg
Rainer Kloss Assistant Sparta Luxembourg



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


Pau-Orthez gets bigger with Negueba Samake - by Eurobasket News (T)

Negueba Samake (211-C-90) is a new member of Pau-Orthez. The Malian/French center signed a deal for the next season. Most recently he played for Boulazac Basket Dordogne. Samake joined them in December and appeared only in 3 ProB games with very limited playing time. In 2010/11 season the center played 9 games for Rouen, also in ProB. With them he had 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg, but they parted ways in December of 2010. Negueba Samake is a product of Le Mans, where he arrived as a teenager. From 2006 to 2009, he played for their U21 team. In 2009, Samake was promoted to the senior squad and he got a chance in few ProA and EuroCup games. In ProA he had 1.8 ppg and 8 appearances. Samake played for Malian U18 National Team at U18 AfroBasket in Egypt four years ago.


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


Lance Allred joins Fuerza Regia Monterrey - by Eurobasket Center (T)

Fuerza Regia Monterrey (LNBP) signed 31-year old American center Lance Allred (211-C-118kg-81, college: Weber St., agency: SportsTalent). Allred played most recently at Kyoto Hannaryz (Japan). While playing 49 games for Kyoto Hannaryz last season his stats were: 11.6ppg, 8.5rpg and 2.1apg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. Allred was selected also to the all-star game. He is a very experienced player. Allred played also pro basketball in France, Greece, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela. He graduated Weber State University in 2005 and it will be his eighth season in pro basketball.

By Eurobasket Data Center


Fuerza Regia Monterrey sign Gregory Grays - by Eurobasket Center (T)

Fuerza Regia Monterrey (LNBP) signed 33-year old American Gregory Grays (185-PG-79, college: Detroit Mercy, agency: Interperformances). Grays played most recently at Marinos de Anzoategui (Venezuela). While playing 6 games for Marinos last season his stats were: 7.5ppg. He is a very experienced player. Grays played also pro basketball in Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia, France, Israel, Turkey, Venezuela and USA. He graduated University of Detroit Mercy in 2002 and it will be his 11th season in pro basketball.

By Eurobasket Data Center


*****************************************************
  MONGOLIA   


Mongolian U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

4 Soninbat Dashdavaa 170-PG-94
5 Anar-Erdene Khureltogoo 175-PG-94
6 Tumur Munkhtamga 180-G-94
7 Enkhtugs Enkhtsetseg 173-G-94
8 Dulguun Ochbadrakh 178-PG-96
9 Munkhnasan Lkhamjav 180-G-94
10 Altanbagana Baasansuren 170-PG-95
11 Bileg-Ariun Ganbaatar 184-G-94
12 Khash-Erdene Doniddemberei 187-F-94
13 Hanbulag Nyamkhuu 196-C-96
14 Achkhuu Barkhuu 196-C-95
15 Enkhtaivan Chinzorig 188-C-95

Boldbaatar Ganzorig Head Coach



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


Vasilije Seferovic inks for Jagodina - by Dragan Scepanovic (T)

Basketball club Jagodina member of SRB 1A division, in cooperation with the DELFI SMG Basketball , has reached an agreement with Montenegrin player at positions 2 .One-year contract with the club signed former player of Basketball Club Mogren from Budva Vasilije Seferovic (193-G/F-85). In the 2011-2012 Basketball season Vasilije Seferovic for BC Mogren from Budva played 14 games 14.4ppg, 2.3 aspg , 1.9 rpg. Before Jagodina Vasilije Seferovic play for BC Lovcen from Cetinje, BC ABS and BC Primorje from H.Novi, BC Mornar and Primorka from Bar and BC Teodo from Tivat


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


Doug Collins makes himself part of USA Basketball story with ridiculous rants - by Eurobasket News (T)

In the middle of Team USA's celebration, a few moments after it had defeated Spain on Sunday, Doug Collins decided it was good a time as any to get melodramatic.

Ive always said you have to go through a lot of heartache in life to feel joy, Collins said live (yes, live) on NBC. LeBron (James), you can say what you want to say. But hes gone through a lot of heartache with his teams.

Those living in a 9-to-5 world may have some questions concerning Mr. Collins definition of heartache. For Collins, it must mean James leaving Cleveland, where he was making millions, to join his pals on the Heat in Miami and make millions.

Its not exactly foreclosure or losing a loved one, but, man, that had to be tough on James. Even tougher for Collins to report. Then again, this was just one of many over-the-top attempts to jerk some tears during NBCs nonstop Olympic coverage. Some of the emotion was real. Some of it, like Collins Pity Party for a King who didnt need one, was laughable, distasteful.

The Olympics couldnt end soon enough for us. There are only so many heartwarming tales the human mind can process.

With Collins, on this particular occasion, it wasnt hard to understand. After all, at halftime of Sundays game, NBC aired video of Collins on the court consulting with James. This opened our mind to numerous possibilities. Like Keith Hernandez leaving SNYs broadcast booth in the middle of a game to give Jason Bay advice.

And after the U.S. win, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, James Harden, Tyson Chandler and Kobe Bryant approached NBCs broadcast table to, as play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerald said, congratulate Doug Collins .

For what?

Is Collins, who coaches the Philadelphia 76ers, a de facto coach or consultant for Team USA? Or is he NBCs Olympic basketball analyst? At the Olympics the line between broadcaster and cheerleader often gets blurred. Then again, none of the USA gymnasts who medaled bum-rushed the broadcast booth to congratulate Al (Wiggie) Trautwig.

This thing with Collins is strange. Maybe its about how close he feels to Olympic hoops because his son, Chris, is on the coaching staff. And Collins has never gotten over that controversial 51-50 loss to the Soviet Union in the final of the 1972 Munich Games. Or maybe he wants to succeed Mike Krzyzewski as coach of the Olympic basketball team. After Sundays game, his NBC colleague, Doc Rivers, endorsed Collins for the job.

This isnt the first time Collins has strayed into the spotlight. NBC seemed to make the 2008 gold medal game all about him. It wasnt like Collins had the USA pom-poms out throughout this tournament. It was these constant reminders of how attached he is to Team USA, and its coaches, being jammed down viewers throats. It left a bad perception that allowed all who wanted to jump to conclusions.

Like late in the second quarter, when Spain guard Rudy Fernandez took a dive after being pulled down by Andre Iguodala. NBCs replays showed Fernandez had flopped. Still, Collins decided it was necessary to add insult to replay. He called Fernandez one of the all-time great actors, adding, Rudy looked like he got shot.

How about his late second-quarter rip job on the officials? It was obvious they had called an inordinate amount of fouls (on both teams) but Collins rant made it kind of personal, like they were purposely trying glom the limelight.

These referees, this is a gold medal game and they feel like were watching them today instead of basketball, Collins said.

Collins continued chiding the officials through the third. Neither he nor Fitzgerald bothered explaining what leagues or associations they worked for. Or what criteria was necessary for them to work such an important game. Why bother with such minor details, right?

Ironic, considering Collins was always known as a detail-oriented guy during his broadcasting career. Whether it was at TNT or NBC, Collins was very steady. He even had to be encouraged to show more personality.

That wasnt a problem during the Olympics. Collins made sure of that.

Courtesy of www.nydailynews.com


Michael Jordan may lose $1.5M in gym investment - by Eurobasket News

Michael Jordan stands to lose as much as $1.5 million in a possible foreclosure of a gym he invested in, according to multiple reports.

The Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune reported that a judge recently rejected a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the company of Tim Grover, who owns Attack Athletics Gym on Chicago's West Side. Grover filed for bankruptcy in April in order to stave off foreclosure, according to the papers, but a judge dismissed the filing on July 11.

Grover's company, Attack Properties LLC, appealed the ruling, according to the papers, and that appeals process could take a month.

In the meantime, the mortgage holder is free to pursue a foreclosure sale, the papers reported.

Jordan, coming off a physical series against the Detroit Pistons early in his career, was Grover's first professional client.

"He said he'd try it out for a month, and it ended up being 15 years," Grover told ESPNChicago.com in 2009.

The gym, formerly known as Hoops, was built in 2007. It is a 65,000-square-foot facility, according to its website, and has four NBA-sized basketball courts and a 10,000-square-foot weight room.

Grover used his relationship with Jordan to build a lucrative business and would work with some of the biggest stars in the NBA, including Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Tracy McGrady. Michael Finley also has been a client, and the Sun-Times reported Finley is listed as a creditor, having guaranteed a $2 million loan.

"It's a first-class organization here with Tim Grover, first with Hoops and now with ATTACK Athletics," Wade told ESPNChicago.com in 2009. "It's a first-class thing we run. I say 'we' because I feel so much a part of it because I've been coming here since my rookie year."

Courtesy of ESPN


Doc Rivers: Collins should be next Team USA coach - by Eurobasket News

Coach Mike Krzyzewski helped Team USA beat Spain in the gold medal game on Sunday then reiterated that he would not be back as the head man on the bench for the 2016 games in Rio.

Naturally, minutes later began the speculation as to Coach K's replacement.

Doc Rivers , who has analyzed the Olympic basketball games for NBC this summer, said that anyone who was asked to take over would say yes -- including him.

He wouldn't say that he's the best man for the job, though. Instead, Rivers thought another member of NBC's broadcast team would be more suited for the position: Doug Collins.

"And there's a reason," Rivers said. " '72."

Collins, who served as color analyst for NBC in London, was on Team USA in 1972 when a controversial ending robbed the Americans of the gold medal in Munich. Rivers said that he thought Collins deserved the job over himself and Spurs coach Greg Popovich -- two of the likely frontrunners for the job.

Rivers said that if he was selected for the job that he would work to make sure Collins served as an assistant on the team's staff.

Courtesy of www.csnne.com


Source: Rockets sign Argentine F Carlos Delfino - by Eurobasket News (T)

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Houston Rockets have agreed to a one-year deal with Argentine forward Carlos Delfino (200-SF-82).

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced.

The 6-6 Delfino played in the Olympics, where he helped Argentina finish fourth. Delfino averaged 15.3 points in London, where he was a teammate with former Rocket Luis Scola. Delfino also played on Argentina's gold medal-winning team in Athens in 2004 and the bronze medal team in Beijing in 2008.

A first-round pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2003, Delfino has played his last three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 32.5 minutes in 2010-11, his most productive NBA season.

The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV first reported the deal.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com


Charlie Villanueva accepts Pistons fans' angst - by Eurobasket News

Tuesday's deadline for the Pistons to use the NBA's new amnesty clause has come and gone, and many are surprised Charlie Villanueva (6'10''-F-84, college: Connecticut) is still on the roster.

The clause, created last winter, allows a team to rid itself of a bad contract or underperforming player, and Villanueva has appeared to become Public Enemy No. 1 with disgruntled fans.

But since the Pistons are expected to pay the remaining $16.6 million owed Villanueva over the next two seasons, the forward sees an opportunity to turn his career around.

"I had a good feel for what people are saying," said Villanueva, who has averaged 11.1 points and 4.2 rebounds since joining the Pistons in 2009. "I mean, I'm not deaf, I hear what's going on. I can see, I can read."

Villanueva, in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has known for a while he wouldn't be a casualty of the clause.

Villanueva and Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars cleared the air about the matter a couple months ago, when Villanueva privately expressed to those close to him he thought it could happen.

With the Pistons at $67.5 million in salary for the 2012-13 season, dropping the $8.06 million Villanueva is owed would still have them over the salary cap, which is set at $58.044 million.

"I'm not surprised at that," Villanueva said. "Once Joe told me it wasn't gonna happen. I know a lot of people wanted that (amnesty) to happen because of the injuries and what not. But I'm healthy now. I feel good and I'm getting ready."

The amnesty clause can only be used by a team once during the length of the 10-year collective bargaining agreement.

And the player must have already been on the team's roster when the agreement was signed last winter.

Next summer, the Pistons are projected to be around $20 million under the salary cap, and would have Villanueva's expiring contract as a trade chip.

Villanueva, 6-foot-11, clearly eyes a turnaround after he was limited to 13 games last season because of a lingering ankle injury he suffered during the exhibition season.

When Villanueva got healthy, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank was comfortable with his set rotation and Villanueva was left on the outside looking in.

And by the time he received some time, the season, for all intents and purposes, was over.

Villanueva knows what he symbolizes to his detractors.

He knows fans feel he hasn't lived up to the five-year, $35 million deal that he signed in July 2009.

"At the same time, I can't really make a fair assessment because of the injuries the first two years," said Villanueva, providing a self-evaluation of his first two seasons under former coach John Kuester. "What's the best word? Different.

"It was different for my career but I think the team we have now is going in the right direction, and I'm glad to be a part of it."

The Pistons have added six new players since April, and Villanueva feels energized because of the faith the team's front office showed in him.

Villanueva remains and he was asked if he was surprised if he hasn't been jettisoned yet.

He paused.

"Umm, nothing surprises me in this league now," said Villanueva, who has been traded once, from Toronto to Milwaukee in June 2006. "I had a conversation with Joe and he told me how he felt about the situation and he felt good about me being a part of this team."

He said the conversation didn't have anything to do with next season's expectations or his possible role.

"It was about how they felt about me," Villanueva said. "They understand I had a difficult season, dealing with the injury and what not. They still believe in me. It was encouraging to hear."

Ben Gordon, Villanueva's teammate, was also the target of offseason speculation pertaining to the amnesty clause.

But Gordon, another Pistons free-agent addition in 2009, was traded to the Bobcats for Corey Maggette.

The trade occurred a few days after Gordon and Villanueva were working out at the Pistons practice facility.

Villanueva has tried to maintain his focus since the trade of his friend. He traveled with the team to Orlando for the NBA's summer league, put in two-a-day practices while there, and speaks with Frank at least once a week.

"It was just an opportunity to play again, an opportunity to get better," Villanueva said of the decision to put in extra work. "And at the same time, let these guys know I'm healthy and ready to get back.

"I went two-a-days. I got a close look at (Andre) Drummond and Kyle Singler and the other rookies."

Despite Villanueva's commitment and the team's new roster additions, the Pistons still have some decisions to make.

Ben Wallace (6'9''-C-74, college: Virginia Union) wants to return for his 17th NBA season, but the roster is full.

That means a roster spot would have to open up. Villanueva or Austin Daye (6'11''-F-88, college: Gonzaga) could be traded to make room for Wallace.

Courtesy of www.detroitnews.com


Lakers sign guard Meeks, forward Ebanks - by Diamadis Farmakis

Now that the Los Angeles Lakers, finished with their starting line-up (after the last addition of Dwight Howard), now it's time to fill the roster with players. In their effort to load their bench, the team of L.A. re-signed power forward Devin Ebanks on Monday and added free agent scoring guard Jodie Meeks (6'4''-G-87, college: Kentucky), as it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released

*Meeks, a three-year veteran, appeared in 66 games last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 8.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 24.9 minutes., as he has career averages of 8.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 200 career games

*Ebanks, a second-round pick of the Lakers in 2010, played in 24 games last season and averaged 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 16.5 minutes. Ebanks has career averages of 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in 44 games.


Bynum to have non-invasive knee procedure in Germany - by Eurobasket News

New Sixers center Andrew Bynum (7'0''-C-87, agency: David Lee services) will head to Germany in early September to have the same experimental procedure on his knee that Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill and Alex Rodriguez have undergone, according to a West Coast source with knowledge of the situation.

Bynum has had surgery on both of his knees. It is unknown whether the procedure will be performed on the one knee or both. According to the source, Bynums knees are fine and the procedure is non- surgical.

The procedure, known as Orthokine/Regenokine, will be performed by Dr. Peter Wehling. Bryant initially underwent the procedure to prevent the inevitable wearing down of his knee cartilage. The procedure is a derivation of platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP. The procedure, which is not yet performed in the United States, is less invasive than many, if not all, other forms of knee surgeries presently used.

Bynum dislocated his left knee cap in the January of the 2007-08 season and in May of that season Bynum underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee. He also underwent surgery on his right knee following the 2009-10 season.

His recovery from that surgery took longer than expected and, as a result, Bynum only appeared in 54 games in the 2010-11 season.

However, in what has to be considered a good sign for both Bynum and the Sixers, Bynum had the best season of his career in the lockout truncated season. Bynum appeared in 60 of 66 possible games and averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. The 35.2 minutes he played per game is the highest total in the 24 year olds seven-year career.

Bynum appeared in just 204 of a possible 328 games from the 2007-08 season through the 2010-11 season.

According to the source, Bynum is not feeling any pain in his knees. However, the center wants to explore any options that will help to prolong the healthy status of his knees. According to the source, Bynum was so impressed with the results that Bryant experienced last season that he agreed that exploring the procedure was a viable option.

Courtesy of www.philly.com


Brian Scalabrine hoping for training camp invite - by Eurobasket News

Brian Scalabrine (6'9''-F-78, college: USC) hopes to receive an NBA training camp invite.

Id be discouraged if I just quit, said Scalabrine, who remains without an NBA team after being told by the Bulls he will not be invited to return. Everyone keeps telling me its not quitting (taking an already offered TV job). But I want someone to tell me, We dont want you. Ive always been a tough cut to make. I want someone to tell me Im not good enough. I just want to see what happens.

Scalabrine spent five seasons in Boston -- the last three under Tom Thibodeau, before signing with the Bulls in 2010.

You dont measure him in stats, said Thibodeau, who added he is disappointed to lose Scalabrine. He knows how to win; he helps you win. To me, hes invaluable with what he brings to a team.

Courtesy of Sam Smith/Bulls.com via http://basketball.realgm.com


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


Taipans tame Cougars - by Eurobasket News

The Cairns Taipans have been victorious in their first pre-season hit-out, defeating visiting US college team the Washington State Cougars 86-81.

Star new recruit Cameron Tragardh (209-C/F-83, college: ORU) led the Taipans with 26 points and four rebounds, while Cairns rookie Clint Steindl added 20 points in his own debut for the club. Brad Hill (198-G/F-86) added 14 points and six rebounds for Cairns.

Australian college star Brock Motum (208-F-90) led Washington State with a game-high 41 points, as well as seven rebounds. Teammate Reggie Moore (185-G-89) added 18 points for the visitors.

Cairns took control early, using a 7-0 run to close out the first period to establish a 10-point buffer at quarter time, 26-16.

The college side outscored Cairns 21-16 in the second to reduce the margin to just five points at the half, 42-37.

The Cougars actually took the lead in the third period behind the play of Motum, and were up 62-59 at the final break.

The Taipans still trailed by three points with two and a half minutes remaining before Kerry Williams (181-G-87) scored a two, and Tragardh had five straight points including an old fashioned three-point play to give the Taipans the edge.

The Taipans went 33-of-58 from the field (57%), including 9-of-17 from long range (53%). They won the game despite being outrebounded by the visitors 32-17.

Courtesy of NBL Australia


Nebraska's Bo Spencer gets pro deal in Italy - by Eurobasket News (T)

Bo Spencer (6'2''-G-89) will start his professional basketball career in Italy. The American point guard signed a 1-year deal with Fulgor Libertas Forl. They will compete in Italian second division for men. Spencer graduated at the University of Nebraska few months ago. He shined with 15.4 ppg, 3.3 apg and 2.6 rpg for 30 games with his school as a senior. Bo Spencer transferred to Nebraska in 2010 from the Louisiana State University. The player was redshirted in 2010/11 due to NCAA transfer rules. In his last season with LSU Spencer had 14.5 ppg, 2.7 apg and 2.5 rpg for 30 games. He was named to All-Louisiana 2nd Team -10. In 2009, Spencer and LSU reached SEC Tournament Semifinals. They were SEC West Division regular season champions.


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


Trento lands Michael Umeh - by Eurobasket News (T)

Michael Umeh (188-PG-84, agency: Two Points, college: UNLV) will play next season in Italy. The Nigerian point guard signed a 1-year deal with Aquila Basket Trento. Umeh arrives to the club from New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig, where he spent 2011/12. He appeared 24 times in German league averaging 12.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Umeh started the season with Spanish Valladolid. With them he had 4.3 ppg and 1 spg for 9 games in Liga Endesa. Season 2010/11, Michael Umeh spent with Murcia collecting 11.2 ppg, 2.3 apg and 2.1 rpg for 32 games in Spain. He played for Menorca a year before that. Umeh also has experience from German Giessen, where he played from 2007 to 2009. The played graduated at UNLV five years ago. Michael Umeh helped Nigeria to win the Bronze last summer at the AfroBasket in Madagascar.


Cholet lands former NBAer Ben Uzoh - by Eurobasket News (T)

Cholet reinforced its roster at position 1. The team penned a deal with former NBA player Ben Uzoh (191-PG-88, college: Tulsa). He played for Toronto Raptors at 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas averaging 6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Uzoh finished last season with the Raptors as well. He joined them in March collecting 4.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 3.7 apg for 16 NBA games. Uzoh started the season with Lokomotiv Kuban and after two games moved to the New Jersey Nets. However, he did not appear in any official game with them and later moved to the NBA D-League team Rio Grande Valley Vipers. There Uzoh shined with 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 3.9 apg for 20 appearances. After that the player moved to Cleveland Cavs, where he had 2 ppg and 2 rpg and finally signed with Toronto in March. In 2010/11 season Ben Uzoh had 3.9 ppg, 1.7 apg and 1.5 rpg in 41 NBA games with New Jersey. He graduated at the University of Tulsa two years ago.


National Team guard Adeola Dagunduro agrees with Virtus Roma - by Eurobasket News (T)

Adeola Dagunduro (195-G-86, college: Nebraska) will play next season in Italy. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Nigerian National Team guard agreed a deal with Virtus Roma. Dagunduro played last two seasons for Belgian Leuven. In the latest one he had 11.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.1 apg and 2.5 spg for 33 games. In their first year together the player averaged 12.1 points 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Belgian League Honorable Mention -11. Before Leuven, Adeola Dagunduro spent one year with Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels. There he had 9 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 34 German league games. Dagunduro is a product of Nebraska University, where he graduated in 2009. This summer Adeola Dagunduro played for the Nigerian National Team at the Olympic Games in London. He had 3 ppg in 2 games. Dagunduro helped Nigeria in Olympic Games Additional Qualifying Round in Caracas with 10.2 ppg, 3 apg, 2.6 spg and 2.2 rpg for 5 appearances.


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  PARAGUAY   


CERRO beats SAN JOSE two in a row. - by Santiago Maciel

After 27 years Cerro gets to play a FINAL SERIES after beating San Jose 2-1. Cerros come back was extraordinary. The effectiveness in defense was so good that in all 3 games Juan Pablo Felius team lowered down 12 points per game to San Jos.
To re inforce that, the 65 points scored by a high scoring team San Jose is the evidence of how San Jos struggled and as mentioned before the change of mind of Cerros players.
San Joses coaching was too obvious in revealing their game plan. Every time they were asked by the press they kept telling what they were going to do.
You cannot give too many clues to a very tricky coach like Feliu. He sent his playes play switches in defense all the time Gustavo Torres, Aldo Acosta and Brizuela had the ball.
Cerro lowered down some 25 5 of San Jose effectivennes from downtown, San Jose almost did not use his foreigner in offense Andres Rodriguez who ended very frustrated.
Great victory from a team that was 21 years away from the METRO LEAGUE. After winning 2 consecutive COMUNEROS CUP , Cerro reaches a FINAL SERIES in its first year at the PROFESIONAL CATEGORY.
Good for Cerro, great for Paraguayan basketball.


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


PGE Turow recruit Robert Lewandowski - by Eurobasket News (T)

PGE Turow strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Robert Lewandowski (208-F-89). The forward will start his pro career in Poland. Robert Lewandowski has just graduated from the Texas Tech University. The forward notched 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Red Raiders in his senior season. Robert Lewandowski made it into Big 12 All-Academic 1st Team. It was the second straight appearance for Robert Lewandowski.
PGE Turow have previously secured the services of Djordje Micic (195-G-83), Ivan Zigeranovic (212-C-84, agency: BeoExcell) and Lukasz Wichniarz (197-F-82). The team will be guided by Miodrag Rajkovic . PGE Turow will debut at the VTB League next season.


U18 European Championship: Denmark overcome Poland in Group G - by Eurobasket News

Denmark U18 - Poland U18 59:52

Denmark celebrated the first win in the classification round of U18 European Championship. They defeated Polish counterparts for 1-1 record in Group G. Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94) stepped up with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the winners. Poland slipped at 0-2 record after the loss.
Poland led by five points after ten minutes 19:14. They stretched the margin in the second quarter. Poland enjoyed a comfortable 15-point lead at halftime 37:22. But Denmark turned things around in the second half. They narrowed the gap at 8-point mark at the final intermission. Denmark opened the final frame on a 10:1 run to take the lead. Soon the Scandinavian team extended the lead to 5 points 57:52. Gertz then converted two free throws and sealed the victory for Denmark. Peter Moeller (190-PG-94) provided 11 points, while Marc Fabricius (194-PF-94) added 10 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Damian Jeszke (202-PF-95) answered with 11 points for Poland. Kacper Radwanski (189-G/F-94) and Jakub Garbacz (196-SF-94) had 9 points each in the loss.

Denmark U18: Rasmus Larsen 20+13 boards, Peter Moeller 11, Marc Fabricius 10
Poland U18: Damian Jeszke 11, Kacper Radwanski 9, Jakub Garbacz 9


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  PORTUGAL   


Portuguese National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Mario Fernandes
Fernandes
Paulo Cunha
Cunha
Joao Gomes
Gomes
Miguel Minhava
Minhava
Elvis Evora
Evora
#e#5
4 Jose Silva 194-G/F-89 Barreirense Portugal
5 Mario Fernandes 174-PG-82 Porto Ferpinta Portugal
6 Jaime Silva 187-PG-80 CAB Madeira Portugal
7 Paulo Cunha 200-F-80 Vitoria SC Portugal
8 Claudio Fonseca 206-C-89 Plasencia Spain
9 Joao Gomes 201-SG-85 Benfica Portugal
10 Miguel Minhava 195-G-83 Benfica Portugal
11 Jorge Coelho 200-PF-78 CAB Madeira Portugal
12 Elvis Evora 205-C-78 Benfica Portugal
13 Nuno Oliveira 186-PG-89 Barcelos Portugal
20 Tomas Barroso 184-PG-90 Benfica Portugal
24 Fabio Lima 197-G/F-88 CAB Madeira Portugal

Mario Leonel Palma Head Coach 1 De Agosto Angola
Mario Gomes Assistant
Ivan Kostourkov Assistant Fisica Portugal



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  PUERTO RICO   


Napoli Basket officially inks first import - Denis Clemente - by Eurobasket News (T)

Denis Clemente (185-PG-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Kansas St.) will continue his career in Italy. The Puerto Rican point guard signed a deal with Napoli Basket. Clemente heads to his new club from Slovakian Nitra, where he spent last season. The player shined with 17.9 ppg, 3.7 apg and 3.3 rpg in 34 Extraliga games. He also added 17.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg and 2.8 spg for 6 games in EuroChallenge. Clemente helped NItra to win the Slovakian Cup and to reach Extraliga Semifinals. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Slovakian League Honorable Mention -12. A year ago Denis Clemente was named Latinbasket.com All-Puerto Rican BSN Rookie of the Year. He had 14.6 ppg, 4.4 apg and 3.6 rpg for Caciques de Humacao. In the past, Clemente played in Greece and Italy. He graduated at Kansas State University in 2010.


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


Romanian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Andrei Mandache
Mandache
Mihail-Octavian Paul
Paul
Ionut Dragusin
Dragusin
Vlad Moldoveanu
Moldoveanu
Mihai Silvasan
Silvasan
#e#5
4 Andrei Mandache 191-G/F-87 Gaz Metan Romania
5 Mihail-Octavian Paul 188-PG-82 U.Mobitel.CN Romania
6 Ionut Dragusin 221-C-85 Craiova Romania
7 Dragos Andrei 184-PG-87 Timisoara Romania
8 Daniel Popescu 183-PG-88 Pitesti Romania
9 Vlad Moldoveanu 209-F-88 Le Havre France
10 Catalin Baciu 214-C-88 U.Mobitel.CN Romania
11 Octavian Calota 186-PG-84 Pitesti Romania
12 Laszlo Lazar 207-PF-87 Oradea Romania
13 Tudor Jucan 201-F-83 Targu Mures Romania
14 Titus Nicoara 200-PF-88 Gaz Metan Romania
15 Mihai Silvasan 200-SF-85 U.Mobitel.CN Romania

Mladen Ostojic Head Coach Al Ittihad Saudi Arabia
Ioan Hartman Assistant Ploiesti Romania



Travis Bureau signs with CSU Craiova - by Eurobasket News (T)

Travis Bureau (200-G-88, agency: SDJ Sports, college: La-Lafayette) signs with CSU Craiova for the next season. The American player will debut abroad.
In 2007-2008 he started for La-Lafayette (NCAA) and in 22 games averaged 7.5ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 41.7%, 3Pts: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%. In 2008-2009 for La-Lafayette his stats read 12.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3Pts: 35.5%, FT: 64.5%.
In 2009-2010 he showed 6.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 1apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 65.0% and in 2010-2011 had 10.4ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 60.7%.
In 2008 Travis Bureau became a Sun Belt West Division Regular Season Runner-Up. Last season he was Sun Belt West Division Regular Season Co-Champion -11 and All-Sun Belt 3rd Team -11.
Earlier CSU Craiova announced LeVar Seals (195-G-82, college: De Paul) and Melvin Baker (200-F-89, agency: SDJ Sports, college: Austin Peay St.).


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


Spartak-Primorye announced Paul Delaney - by Eurobasket News (T)

Spartak-Primorye announced Paul Delaney (188-G-86, college: UAB) for the upcoming season. The Russian team brought American guard for 2012/2013 season.
In 2009-2010 he started for Hapoel Holon (Israel-Premier League, starting five), but in Oct.'09 moved to Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Premier League, starting five). In 22 games his stats read 15.2ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.1apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 24.4%, FT: 68.9%.
In Dec.'10 signed at B.C. Habikaa (Israel-National League, starting five) and became the third top-scorer with 22.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 4.0apg, Steals-5 (2.1spg), FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 44.2%, FT: 70.8%.
In 2011-2012 played for B.C. Habikaa (Israel-Premier League, starting five) and showed 16.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 87.6%.
In Round 18 last season American guard Paul Delaney put on an extraordinary performance for Maccabi HBK, receiving a Eurobasket.com National League Player of the Week award for round 18. The 24-year old player was the main contributor (31 points, three rebounds and two assists) to his team's victory, helping them to edge out Ironi Ramat Gan 86-82.


U18 European Championship: Russia beat Bulgaria to tie both records - by Eurobasket News

Bulgaria U18-Russia U18 53:56

Russia beat Bulgaria to tie both records at the U18 European Championship. The Russian team needed 56:53 for 2-2 record in Group F.
The first two quarters were similar in the game but had a different content. Bulgaria started the game with 19-8, but lost the second frame 9-18. The teams swapped the lead regularly in the second half but in the end it was Russia's ability to capitalize on points from turnovers that got them home, grabbing 15 compared to Russia's nine. The scored was 42:42 with 9 minutes to go before the final push. Viktor Kashin (193-G-94, agency: RU-Basket Management) scored for 55:50 and Stanislav Ilnitskiy (200-PF-94) scored the last points in the game for the winning side.
Stanislav Ilnitskiy top-scored for the winners with 15 points and Oleg Alferov (193-SG-94) had 12. Viktor Kashin and Igor Kanygin (207-F/C-94) poured in 11 points each in a win. Kris Minkov (198-SF-94) finished the game with 16 points in the losing effort and Aleksandar Vezenkov (205-SF-95) added 9.

Bulgaria U18: Kris Minkov 16, Aleksandar Vezenkov 9
Russia U18: Stanislav Ilnitskiy 15, Oleg Alferov 12, Viktor Kashin 11, Igor Kanygin 11


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


Coach Challenges Junior Hoops Team - by Eurobasket News

BASKETBALL U-18 national boys team coach Nenad Amanovic has challenged his players to make their debut in the African U-18 Basketball championships memorable by posting impressive displays.
The team left for Maputo-Mozambique on Sunday evening for the competition that runs from August 16-25.
"It will not be easy for the players because they are only making their first appearance but they need not to use that as an excuse, but rather try to perform to the best of their ability, which I'm sure they are capable of," Amanovic said before the team's departure.
Over 20 teams including Egypt, Tunisia, and Nigeria will take part in the two-week tournament, and Rwanda Basketball Federation Secretary General Richard Mutabazi thinks the competition will give them a good measure of the country's standing against the rest of the continent in terms of hoops youth development.
Rwanda qualified for the continental championship after defeating Kenya in two-nation Zone V qualifiers played in Kigali last month.
U-18 Men's team
Ernest Nestor Manzi, Karekezi Rurangirwa Pascal, Rafiki Muhamed, Uwimana Sankara, Kubwimana Kazingufu Ali, Munyandamutsa Niyomugabo Sunny, Mugirangeza Ruterana Fabrice, Ndoli Jean Paul, Shyaka Olivier, Niyonkuru Pascal, Ngenzi Eric, Charles Mbazumutima, Shema Erin.
Officials
Nenad Amanovic (Head coach), Cyrille Kalima, Albert Buhake, Moise Mutokambali, Dsir Mugwiza, Shema Maboko.
Courtesy of: http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


*****************************************************
  SAINT KITTS   


SKABA Premier Division Final Four set - by Eurobasket

Challengers, Ghetto Roots, Fig Tree , Ghaut Bucs in. Hitters, Cotton Ground, Rootsie, Cayon OUT !!
The 2012 SKABA Premier Division regular season has come an end and the final four playoffs is now set. For the 2nd year in a row the Fig Tree Dirt Revellers came out on top of the regular season with the newcomers Challengers Exodus in 2nd place. Defending Champions Ghaut Bucs ended the regular season in third position while multi time champions Horsford Ghetto Roots copped the 4th place. This means that Figg Tree will play Ghetto Roots and Challengers will play Ghaut Bucs in two playoff series to decide who will face off in the finals.
Noticeably absent from the playoffs is 18 time champions Rams Hitters who failed to make it to the SKABA Premier Division playoffs for the first time in team History. Ghetto Roots has been in the playoffs for the last 5 season straight including their 2009 championship season. Fig Tree also has been no stranger to the Premier Division playoffs having been featured in playoffs in each of the last 3-4 seasons. Exodus is the only team with no Premier division playoff experience. However the certainly have playoff experienced players in Shawn Shabba Forbes and Ansel Bonzy Revan who were both integral members of the Hitters team over the last years.
Despite struggling throughout the season to maintain even a 6-7 man presence in each game the Ghetto Roots have once again made it to the playoffs. The team started the season in doubt as to whether they would even be able to complete the season on a high note with the absence and exodus of many key players from the team. However the team once again made it to the playoffs despite a much depleted roster. Ghaut Bucs season was not an impressive one coming off a Championship last year. However they ended well winning their last 3 games to earn themselves the 3rd seed in the regular season.
Exodus has been the surprise team for the season. They were just this year promoted to the top division after dominating the A division in 2011. Even with the inclusion of ALL Star Ansell Revan on an already talent packed team observers still felt it would take some times for the newly promoted team to be a significant threat. However they proved the experts wrong and went through the season winning all but two games. Exodus will no doubt be counting on the tremendous playoff experience of Shawn Shabba Forbes who has been playing at the highest level of local basketball for almost 20 years.
Ghust Bucs has made very few changes from their Championship team of 2011. They acquired Jermaine Gumbs from Hitters and a 7 foot import player from Windsor University. They still however struggled throughout the season. But it is fully expected that they will step up for their playoff series match-up against Exodus. They key to Ghaut Bucs success will again rest squarely on the shoulders of Tambie Caines the Finals MVP for 2011. As Caines go the team goes. Big Men Dwight Mac 11 Jacobs and Kimo Liburd (F) would also have to play a pivotal role in the teams quest to repeat.
Ghetto Roots although much depleted remains a formidable force in the league. They feature two of the leagues most talented and exciting guards in Levi By-By Fyfield and Rymal Bally BROWNE. The team also boasts two of the leagues top big men in Troy Jasbo Wattley and veteran Kiethley Hicks who has almost 25 years of SKABA basketball experience. The key to Ghetto Roots success would be the depth and strength of their bench. Their starting 5 is undoubtedly top notch but where they have and may continue to falter is their depleted bench which on most nights may have just one or two players. It is unclear whether swingman Berlie Francis and guard Craigie Nero along with Big man Hallie Isles would be returning to add some depth to the Ghetto Roots team.
Figg Tree once again boasts a talented team which features all star and former national guard George Goolay Gaton and forwards Lyle Duggins and Devin Jigga Warner. However the key to the Figg Tree success for the season has been the play of their role players. In particular forward Delvin Spreadout Rouse who , as the name suggest, takes up a lot of room and is a very difficult player to defend. His fairly consistent play off the bench has been the key to Fig Trees success. Fig Tree former college player Kemo Shasta Duncan maybe out for the playoffs after suffering an ankle injury earlier in the year.
The playoffs are wide open with each of the 4 teams having as good a chance as many to make it to the finals and win the 2012 title.
The Playoffs tips off on Sunday with Exodus and Ghaut Bucs in Game 1 and Ghetto Roots and Fig Tree in Game 2.


*****************************************************
  SAUDI ARABIA   


Saudi Arabian U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

#s#
Raad Barnawi
Barnawi
Abdullaah Musallam
Musallam
Abdulathf Altamar
Altamar
Naif Al Thalabi
Al Thalabi
#e#4
4 Asslam Bafarat 197-F/C-94
5 Khalid Sufyani 170-PG-94
6 Mahmoud Ahmedkhalil 170-G-94
7 Rasheed Bakhashwain 195-PF-94
8 Mohammed Alhosawe 173-G-94
9 Waheed Faqihi 185-F-94
10 Abdullaah Musallam 175-G-96
11 Abdulathf Altamar 196-G/F-95
12 Naif Al Thalabi 203-C-96
13 Raad Barnawi 193-F-95
14 Nassir Abojalas 195-F-94
15 Safwan Mohammed 203-C-94

Ali Alsanhani Head Coach



*****************************************************
  SEBL   


TriCounty-2012 SEBL Metro A-League Champions - by Marcus Tate

TriCounty defeated Marietta Outlaws Sunday in the Metro A-League finals for their first SEBL Championship title. Going into the playoffs, TriCounty was the 4th seed in the south division and Outlaws were the 1st in the north division. TriCountys Mike Crain (6'2''-G-84, college: Valdosta St.) was the show of the night scoring 35 points of which 15 came from the 3-point line. Crane consistently got to the free throw line throughout the game giving his team a scoring advantage. Outlaws Trey Moore was their high scorer with 32 points and 4 assist.

The final score was 127-116. Mike Crain was named league MVP for his outstanding performances throughout the season.


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  SERBIA   


U18 European Championship: Lithuania power past Serbia - by Eurobasket News

Lithuania U18 - Serbia U18 77:68

Lithuania celebrated the fifth straight win at the U18 European Championship. They defeated Serbia for 4-0 record on top of qualifying round Group E. Justas Tamulis (194-SF-94, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 18 points to lead the winners.
Serbia enjoyed a 22:19 lead ten minutes into the game. Lithuania cut the deficit in the second quarter. They got within a single point at halftime 35:36. The hosts surged ahead in the third quarter. The Baltic team posted a 55:51 lead at the final intermission. Lithuania fired 22 points in the fourth quarter to seal the winning outcome at the end. Marius Grigonis (198-F-94) finished with 12 points, while Jokubas Gintvainis (191-SF-94) posted 10 points for the home team. Nikola Jankovic (205-PF-94) answered with 18 points for Serbia. Doko Salic (209-C-95) netted 17 points in the loss.

Lithuania U18: Justas Tamulis 18, Marius Grigonis 12, Jokubas Gintvainis 10
Serbia U18: Nikola Jankovic 18, Doko Salic 17


Vladislav Dragojlovic returns to Radnicki Kragujevac - by Zoran Popovic (T)

Vladislav Dragojlovic (207-C-79, agency: Beo Basket) returns to Radnicki Kragujevac after two seasons. First time Dragojlovic played for Radnicki Kragujevac in season 2010-2011 and afther that he moves to Turkey in Trabzonspor, Al Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Al Kuwait. Dragojlovic started career in KK Sloga Kraljevo and build career in OKK Beograd, Crvena Zvezda, Panionios, Buducnost Podgorica, Cherkasy Monkeys and Lokomotiv Kuban. With Crvena Zvezda Beograd Vlasislav Dragojlovic win two National cups 2004 and 2006.


Serbian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Milos Teodosic
Teodosic
Milenko Tepic
Tepic
Dusko Savanovic
Savanovic
Marko Keselj
Keselj
Vladimir Stimac
Stimac
#e#5
4 Milos Teodosic 195-PG-87 CSKA Russia
5 Milenko Tepic 200-G-87 Cajasol Spain
6 Aleksandar Rasic 195-PG-84 Montepaschi SI Italy
7 Ivan Paunic 195-SG-87 Azovmash Ukraine
8 Nemanja Bjelica 209-F/C-88 Caja Laboral Spain
10 Dusko Savanovic 204-PF-83 Anadolu Efes Turkey
11 Marko Keselj 206-SF-88 Olympiacos Greece
15 Milan Macvan 205-PF-89 Galatasaray Turkey
21 Dejan Musli 212-C-91 Partizan Serbia
22 Nemanja Nedovic 191-PG-91 Lietuvos rytas Lithuania
23 Vladimir Stimac 211-C-87 Banvit BK Turkey
24 Vladimir Lucic 202-SF-89 Partizan Serbia

Dusan Ivkovic Head Coach Olympiacos Greece
Vlada Vukoicic Assistant Mega Vizura Serbia
Aleksandar Kesar Assistant Azovmash Ukraine



Bojan Radetic joins Radnicki Basket - by Eurobasket News (T)

Bojan Radetic (203-F-88) will play next season for Radnicki Basket. The player appeared just four times with Crvena Zvezda in 2011/12. He was their member also in 2010/11. Before Crvena Zvezda, Bojan Radetic played one year for FMP Zeleznik registering 5.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg for 25 Adriatic league games. He added 8.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg for 13 games in Balkan League. In Serbian championship, Radetic averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds that season. Bojan Radetic played for Borac Cacak from 2007 to 2009. In 2008, the player won gold medal with Serbian U18 National Team at U18 EuroBasket in Riga. He had 1.5 ppg for 6 games at this event. In 2006, Radetic won the bronze medal with Serbian U18 NT at International Tournament in Mannheim (Unofficial World Championships U18).


Young prospect Nemanja Bezbradica joins BKK Radnicki - by Eurobasket News (T)

Nemanja Bezbradica (204-F/C-93, agency: Beo Basket) is a new member of BKK Radnicki. The 19-year-old prospect heads to his new club from OKK Beograd. Last season he appeared 10 times in Serbian A League averaging 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. The player also added 8.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg for 7 Balkan league games. Before OKK Beograd, Bezbradica played for FMP II. Last summer Nemanja Bezbradica played for the Serbian U18 National Team. He helped them win the silver medal at U18 EuroBasket in Wroclaw. For 8 games at this event Bezbradica registered 8.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg. In 2010, the player won bronze medal with U16 Serbia at U16 EuroBasket in Kaunas. There he had 10.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 1.8 bpg for 9 games.
Earlier this summer, BKK Radnicki hired former Head Coach of OKK Beograd Marko Icelic.


Disappointing Serbia wins in Iceland - by Ivan Milenkovic

Serbia started Eurobasket qualifications in Group A with expected win in Iceland, but played far below expectations, especially in 2nd half.
Iceland led during 15 seconds only, it was 9-7 in 5th minute before Serbia's 0-11 run which was their biggest scoring run in the game. Hosts reduced deficit to 2 points (19-21 in 10th minute) and had only -5 after first quarter. Second period was best one for favourites and only quarter in which Serbian players didn't deserve criticism from their coach. Serbians won second quarter 10-23 and had 18 points lead at halftime. Second half was disastrous for visitors who allowed Iceland to score 49 points in 20 minutes. Serbia's biggest lead was 37-60 in 26th minute, but home team answered with 10-0 run! Head coach Duda Ivkovic was extremely mad during timeouts, but that didn't wake up Serbian players. Iceland outscored former giant 49-44 in second half and lost with respectable 13 points of difference.
Serbian team outrebounded hosts 51-27, had 6 assists and 5 turnovers more. They missed 11 free throws (13/24, 54.2%)!
Dusko Savanovic (204-PF-83) led Serbia with 18 points and 7 rebounds, Vladimir Lucic (202-SF-89) added 16+7, Milos Teodosic (195-PG-87) had 14 points, while Milan Macvan (205-PF-89) was close to double-double with 13+9.

Iceland - Serbia 78-91 (19-24, 10-23, 20-19, 29-25)


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  SIERRA LEONE   


YMCA the 2012 champion - by Eurobasket News

The Secretary General for the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) Basketball Organizations in the world Reverend John Vilhelm Eltvik has revealed that the game of basketball was invented by the YMCA.
The world basketball scribe made this statement last Saturday at the National Stadium during the grand finals between YMCA and Cannon Royals in the inter-club Basketball championship sponsored by YMCA and AFCON.
He added that the invention of basketball by YMCA has existed for over hundred years and they are very proud that the game has developed so fast in the world. He expressed hope that Sierra Leone will in that trend so that game will be considered a great deal in the country.
Eltvik maintained that he was quite impressed with the performance of the two finalists, both the YMCA basketball club and Cannon Royals for exhibition of brilliance during the competition.
However, this is the first time fthe Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) has won the basketball champions since the inception of the Sierra Leone Basketball Association organized inter club championship
Eight basketball clubs are participating in the competition and they were divided into two groups: Group A includes Cannon Royals, YMCA, Duck Cannon, and Lumley Dreams. While group B comprises of YSC, Kennedy Net, Freetown Lakers and Ashonix.
Courtesy of: http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


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  SLOVAKIA   


Slovakian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Dusan Pandula
Pandula
Anton Gavel
Gavel
Jozef Vojtek
Vojtek
Martin Sykora
Sykora
Michal Batka
Batka
#e#5
4 Dusan Pandula 197-SF-84 BK Prostejov Czech Republic
5 Anton Gavel 188-PG-84 Brose Baskets Germany
6 Roman Vido 204-PF-88 Handlova Slovakia
7 Roman Marko 195-SG-86 BK Prostejov Czech Republic
8 Pavol Losonsky 203-F-88 Nova Ves Slovakia
9 Martin Bilik 194-G/F-87 Komarno Slovakia
10 Jozef Vojtek 204-F-85 Levice Czech Republic
11 Martin Sykora 193-G/F-81 Levice Czech Republic
12 Jaroslav Moravek 204-F/C-92 Levice Czech Republic
13 Michal Batka 204-PF-87 Nova Ves Slovakia
14 Tomas Mrvis 200-SF-91 Levice Slovakia
15 Robert Nuber 187-PG-83 Nitra Slovakia

Peter Balint Head Coach Levice Czech Republic
Ivan Kurilla Assistant MBK Ruzomb. Slovakia



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  SLOVENIA   


U18 European Championship: Turkey pull away from Slovenia - by Eurobasket News

Turkey U18 - Slovenia U18 88:85

Turkey clinched the first win at the Second Stage of U18 European Championship. They held off Slovenia for 1-3 record in Group F. Slovenia slipped at 1-3 record after the loss. Kenan Sipahi (198-PG-95) was unstoppable for Turkey scoring 35 points.
Turkey fired 25 points in the first quarter and grabbed a 6-point lead at the first break. Slovenia erased the deficit in the second quarter. They drew things level at 46 at the interval. Slovenia surged ahead in the third quarter. They secured a 4-point lead heading into the fourth frame. But Turkey used a 9:0 run midway through the period to take an 80:77 lead. Tayfun Erulku (193-SG-94) and Kenan Sipahi gave Turkey an 87:82 lead and they hung on to escape with a tough win at the end. Tayfun Erulku finished with 12 points for the winners. Gregor Hrovat (196-G-94) answered with 25 points for Slovenia. Matic Rebec (180-PG-95) netted 18 points in the loss.

Turkey U18: Kenan Sipahi 35, Tayfun Erulku 12, Burak Yildizli (202-PF-94) 8
Slovenia U18: Gregor Hrovat 25, Matic Rebec 18


Union Olimpija locks young Emir Sulejmanovic to a long term deal - by Eurobasket News (T)

As announced by the club on Tuesday, Union Olimpija Ljubljana signed a multiyear contract with young power forward Emir Sulejmanovic (203-C/F-95). Sulejmanovic was part of Union Olimpija's youth system last season with the junior team. In 2010-11 he played in Kaarinan Ura Basket of his native Finland and moved to Ljubljana for the past season. In the summer of 2011 he averaged 11.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in the U16 EuroBasket with Finland. He also played in the 2012 Nike International Junior Tournament in Belgrade with the Olimpija junior team where he averaged 9.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 5 games. This next 2012-13 season, Sulejmanovic will bea part of the senior team and therefore will make his debut in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.

Courtesy of Euroleague


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  SOUTH KOREA   


South Korean U18 National Team 2012 - by Greg

4 Sangjae Kang 202-F-94
5 Choi Jun-Yong 200-F-94
6 Seongmo Choi 187-G-94
7 Gibeom Cheon 187-G-94
8 Heewon Jung 193-F-94
9 Heo Hoon 181-G-95
10 Seungjun Kim 192-F-94
11 Choi Seung-Wook 195-F-93
12 Jinyong Kim 201-C-94
13 Kim Minki 199-C-95
14 Park Intae 203-C-95
15 Jonghyun Lee 206-C-94

Kim Young Rae Head Coach



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  SPAIN   


Tunisian Salah Mejri moves to Obradoiro - by Eurobasket News (T)

Tunisian Salah Mejri (217-C-86) moves to Obradoiro for the next season. The player moves from Belgium where he spent the last two seasons.
In 2006-2007 he appeared for Etoile du Sahel (D1) and stayed with the team until year 2010.
In 2010-2011 played for Antwerp Giants (Belgium-D1) and in Belgian League showed 4.5ppg, 5.4rpg, Blocks-1 (1.6bpg). In EuroChallenge after 14 games his stats read 6.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (2.0bpg), FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 57.6%. In 2011-2012 for Port of Antwerp Giants (Belgium-D1, starting five) he shwoed 9.2ppg, Reb-3 (7.8rpg), 1.4spg, Blocks-1 (2.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 53.2% in Belgian League and in EuroChallenge had 7.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 40.6%.
In 2012 July Salah Mejri participated at the AirTran Orlando Summer League (Utah Jazz). In 3 games his stats read 2.7ppg, 3.3rpg.


Bradley Buckman heads to Spain - by Eurobasket News (T)

Bradley Buckman (203-F-84, college: Texas) will continue his career in Spain. The forward has agreed on terms of contract with Cajasol Sevilla. The forward spent the last season in Turkey. He played for Tofas Bursa. Bradley Buckman notched 13.7 points, 7.6 boards and 1.3 assists per game in TBL. He earned Eurobasket.com All-Turkish League Honourable Mention. Bradley Buckman participated at TBL All-Star Game. Previously Bradley Buckman had stints with Antalya, Frankfurt Skyliners, Keravnos Strovolou, Galil Gilboa, Auston Toros, Cluj Napoca and Olimpia GE Larisa. He was Romanian League finalist as well as Israeli League semifinalist. Bradley Buckman was named into All-Romanian League 2nd Team.


U18 European Championship: Spain stay undefeated with win over Italy - by Eurobasket News

Spain U18 - Italy U18 78:63

Spain registered the fifth consecutive victory at the U18 European Championship. The reigning champions defeated Italy to improve at 4-0 record in Group E. Ilimane Diop (209-C-95) posted 14 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Spanish team. Italy fell at 1-3 record after the loss.
Spain eked out a 17:16 lead after ten minutes. Italy bounced back and stole a 39:38 halftime advantage. Spain were back in the drivers seat in the third quarter. The defending champions held their opponents to 11 points to take a 5-point lead into the fourth term 55:50. Spain outgunned the Azzurri 23:13 in the final quarter to seal a confident win at the end. Guillermo Hernangomez (209-C-94) posted 12 points, while Oriol Pauli (201-G-94) added 9 points for Spain. Simone Fontecchio (197-SF-95) answered with 15 points for Italy. Amedeo Tessitori (204-PF-94) had 14 points in the loss.

Spain U18: Ilimane Diop 14, Guillermo Hernangomez 12, Oriol Pauli 9
Italy U18: Simone Fontecchio 15, Amedeo Tessitori 14


Palencia adds American F Michael Tveidt - by Eurobasket News (T)

Michael Tveidt (200-F-87, college: N.Dakota St.) is a new member of Palencia. The American forward signed a 1-year deal with the club. Tveidt spent last season with the NBA D-League team Iowa Energy. He appeared 45 times in the league averaging 6.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1 assist. It was his first year as a pro. Michael Tveidt is a product of North Dakota State University, where he graduated something more than a year ago. He played 29 games for his school as a senior posting 15.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 2.2 apg. Tveidt had almost the same numbers as a junior. He was named to All-Summit League 2nd Team -10, 11. Michael Tveidt helped North Dakota State to win Summit League Tournament in 2009. That season he had 9.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg for 33 games.
Michael Tveidt had 40.5% from behid the arc last season in D-League (34/84).


Canarias extend Levi Rost for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News (T)

Levi Rost (201-F-83, college: W.Michigan) stays with Canarias for at least one more year. The American forward joined the club last summer from Girona. He appeared 25 times in LEB Gold averaging 12.1 points and 3.2 rebounds. Rost helped Canarias to win the championship title and promotion to Liga Endesa. Levi Rost played for Canarias also from 2006 to 2010. They were LEB Silver champions in 2007 and won the promotion for LEB Gold. In 2010/11, Rost played Girona. He had 12.7 ppg, 5 rpg and 1.7 spg in 42 LEB Gold Games. In the past, Levi Rost was a member of APOEL Nicosia and CAB Madeira Funchal. He also has experience from the Western Michigan University.


Caceres brings in Richard Nguema from Obradoiro - by Eurobasket News (T)

Caceres reinforced its roster at position 1. The Spanish team signed a deal with point guard Richard Nguema (191-PG-88). He spent last two years with Obradoiro CAB. In 2011, they were LEB Gold Playoff winners and earned a promotion for Liga Endesa. Nguema had 2.7 ppg for 30 LEB Gold games. Last season he registered 1.4 for 17 games, but he had very limited playing time in Liga Endesa. From 2008 to 2010, Richard Nguema was a member of Estudiantes. He also spent some time with their second team which competed in EBA. Nguema is a product of Real Madrid, where he started as teenager. He played for their cadets, juniors and for Real Madrid II as well. In the past, Nguema also played for U19 and U18 Spain.


Regal Barca to keep Victor Sada until 2016, according to report - by Eurobasket News (T)

Regal Barca will sign a 4-year contract extension with Victor Sada (192-G-84), according to Elcontraataque.es. If that happens, Sada will stay with the club until the end of 2015/16 season. The Spanish guard had 3.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 21 Euroleague games last season. He also added 3 ppg, 3 rpg and 2.1 apg in 45 Liga Endesa games. In 2010/11 season Sada had pretty close numbers. He is a product of Barca, where he played until 2006. That year the player moved to Girona, where he stayed until 2008. Than Sada returned to Barca and it seems he will finish his basketball career there. They won four championship titles together and two Cup trophies. Barca also was Euroleague champion in 2010. Victor Sada just returned to the country from London, where he won the Silver with Spanish National Team. He had 2.6 ppg, 1.2 rpg and 1 apg for 5 games at the Olympics.


Ourense inks Mateo Kedzo - by Eurobasket News (T)

Mateo Kedzo (206-F/C-84) will stay in Spain for the next season. The Croatian big guy signed a 1-year deal with Ourense. They will compete in LEB Gold, where Kedzo already has nice experience. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds last season in 32 games with Burgos. In 2010/11, the played registered 10.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg in 42 games with Girona. They reached LEB Gold Playoff Semifinals. Mateo Kedzo split 2009/10 season between Turkish Aliaga and Latvian Ventspils. With Ventspils he had 13 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 2.1 apg for 7 games in Baltic league. His numbers were slightly lower for 9 LBL appearances. In the past, Mateo Kedzo played in Poland, Hungary and Estonia. He also spent few years with Split.


Alicante adds Rafa Huertas - by Eurobasket News (T)

Alicante is very active on the transfer market these days. Their latest addition is Spanish guard Rafael Huertas (189-G-84, agency: Court Side). The 28-year-old player heads to Alicante from Burgos where he spent last season. He appeared 38 times in LEB Gold averaging 9.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Before Burgos, Huertas played one year for Menorca. There he had 4.6 ppg for 31 games, but his team faced with relegation from the ACB. From 2007 to 2010, Rafael Huertas was a member of Melilla. He helped them win the LEB Gold Cup in their last season together. They also reached LEB Gold Semifinals. In the past, Huertas played for Lirja, Montilla and Caceres. He is a product of Unicaja Malaga.


Real Madrid announces signing of Dontaye Draper - by Eurobasket News (T)

It's finally official. Dontaye Draper (180-PG-84, college: Charleston) passed medical tests and Real Madrid announced his signing. They penned a 2-year deal. The American point guard spent last two seasons with Cedevita Zagreb. In the latest one he shined with 14.3 ppg, 3.7 apg and 2.6 rpg for 7 EuroCup games. He also added 10.4 ppg, 3.6 apg and 3.2 rpg for 26 games in Adriatic league. In Croatian championship Draper had pretty close numbers. He helped Cedevita to win the Croatian Cup and also to reach Adriatic league Finals. He was one of their best players in 2010/11 as well. Before Cedevita, Dontaye Draper played for Prima Veroli, Oostende, Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket and Sydney Kings. He graduated at Charleston University in 2007. Dontaye Draper received Croatian citizenship last year, so he will play in Real Madrid as Bosman. Last summer at the EuroBasket in Lithuania the player had 6.6 ppg, 7 apg (No.1) and 4.6 rpg for 5 games with Croatian National Team.


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  SWEDEN   


Swedish National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Joakim Kjellbom
Kjellbom
Thomas Massamba
Massamba
Jonas Jerebko
Jerebko
Mikael Lindquist
Lindquist
Christian Maraker
Maraker
#e#5
4 Anton Saks 200-SF-89 Norrkoping Sweden
5 Johan Jeansson 200-SF-85 Uppsala Sweden
6 Joakim Kjellbom 213-C-79 Armia Georgia
7 Andreas Person 191-PG-91 LF Basket Sweden
8 Martin Pahlmblad 183-G-86 LF Basket Sweden
9 Thomas Massamba 185-PG-85 Etha Cyprus
10 Kenny Grant 188-G-82 Nancy France
11 Jonas Jerebko 206-PF-87 Detroit P. USA
12 Mikael Lindquist 194-SG-83 Norrkoping Sweden
13 Christian Maraker 206-PF-82 Hitachi SR Japan
14 Dino Pita 193-SG-88 Sodertalje Sweden
15 Carl Engstrom 216-C-91 Alabama USA

Brad Dean Head Coach Aalstar Belgium
Torbjorn Gehrke Assistant Solna Sweden
Stefan Timbus Assistant Brahe Sweden



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  SWITZERLAND   


Swiss National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Dusan Mladjan
Mladjan
Stefan Petkovic
Petkovic
David Ramseier
Ramseier
Derek Stockalper
Stockalper
Oliver Vogt
Vogt
#e#5
4 Jonathan Kazadi 193-SG-91 Fribourg Switzerland
5 Steeve Louissaint 190-PG-87 Monthey Switzerland
6 Dusan Mladjan 198-SG-86 Lugano Tigers Switzerland
7 Stefan Petkovic 185-PG-92 Minsk-2006 Belarus
10 David Ramseier 203-F/C-87 Boulazac France
12 Nicolas Dos Santos 201-PF-87 Boncourt Switzerland
14 Derek Stockalper 196-SG-84 Lugano Tigers Switzerland
15 Oliver Vogt 209-C-80 Fribourg Switzerland
20 Roberto Kovac 188-SG-90 Fribourg Switzerland
22 Greg Brunner 201-PF-83 Trenkwalder RE Italy
24 Jonathan Dubas 202-SF-91 Monthey Switzerland
33 Florent Ramseier 195-SG-90 Lugano Tigers Switzerland

Sebastian Roduit Head Coach
Franco Facchinetti Assistant SAM Massagno Switzerland



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  TUNISIA   


Tunisian Salah Mejri moves to Obradoiro - by Eurobasket News (T)

Tunisian Salah Mejri (217-C-86) moves to Obradoiro for the next season. The player moves from Belgium where he spent the last two seasons.
In 2006-2007 he appeared for Etoile du Sahel (D1) and stayed with the team until year 2010.
In 2010-2011 played for Antwerp Giants (Belgium-D1) and in Belgian League showed 4.5ppg, 5.4rpg, Blocks-1 (1.6bpg). In EuroChallenge after 14 games his stats read 6.6ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (2.0bpg), FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 15.4%, FT: 57.6%. In 2011-2012 for Port of Antwerp Giants (Belgium-D1, starting five) he shwoed 9.2ppg, Reb-3 (7.8rpg), 1.4spg, Blocks-1 (2.5bpg), FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 53.2% in Belgian League and in EuroChallenge had 7.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 10.0%, FT: 40.6%.
In 2012 July Salah Mejri participated at the AirTran Orlando Summer League (Utah Jazz). In 3 games his stats read 2.7ppg, 3.3rpg.


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  TURKEY   


Hacettepe extends Adnan Onder Kulcebas - by Eurobasket News (T)

Hacettepe signed a 1-year contract extension with Adnan Onder Kulcebas (207-C/F-81, agency: 1x1 Sports). The player arrived in December of 2010 from Aliaga. Kulcebas helped Hacettepe to win TBL promotion a year ago averaging 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds for 23 games in TB2L. Last season the Turkish big guy had limited playing time. He had only 2.7 ppg and 2.1 rpg for 23 appearances in TBL. As mentioned above, Adnan Onder Kulcebas started 2010/11 season with Aliaga, but he averaged less than a point in 8 TBL games. A year before that he spent with Antalya Buyuksehir Belediye. With them Kulcebas collected 7.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg for 19 games. From 2007 to 2009 he was a member of TED Koleji and before that the player spent three years with Banvit. He also has experience from Galatsaray.


Fenerbahce Ulker signs David Andersen until 2014, according to report - by Eurobasket News (T)

Fenerbahce Ulker signed a 2-year deal with Australian center David Andersen (212-C-80), according to NTV Spor. He returned to Europe last summer from the NBA. Andersen had 11.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg for 20 Euroleague games with Montepaschi Siena. The player also added 13.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg for 38 SerieA appearances. He helped Montepaschi to defend the title and Cup in Italy. According to Kemal Dincer, Fenerbahce will play with 6 foreign players next season. Due to TBL rules one of them won't be playing in league games.
David Andersen played for the Houston Rockets in 2009/10 season averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 63 NBA games. He started 2010/11 with them as well, but in November of 2010 was traded to the New Orleans Hornets. With the Hornets he had 2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg for 28 games. In 2008/09, Andersen played for Regal Barca winning the ACB title with them. Before that, he spent four very successful years with CSKA Moscow and in the past also played for Montepaschi. David Andersen had 12 ppg and 6 rpg for 6 games at the Olympic Games in London with Australian National Team.


Olin Edrine signs C Levent Bilgin - by Eurobasket News (T)

Olin Edrine continues with signings for the upcoming season. Their latest addition is Turkish center Levent Bilgin (206-C-82). Few days ago, Olin Edrine already signed Belarusian big guy Artsiom Parakhouski (210-C-87, college: Radford). Bilgin arrives to the club from Trabzon, where he spent last season. For 28 games in TBL the player had 3.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg. Before Trabzon, Bilgin played one year for Aliaga. With them he averaged 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds for 29 appearances. From 2008 to 2010, Levent Bilgin played for Kepez and year before that he spent with Beykoz also in TBL. In the past, he was a member of Besiktas, Fenerbahce and ITU Istanbul. With Fener he reached Turkish Cup Semifinals in 2006. A year before that they played in TBL Semis and FIBA Europe League Final Four.


Turk Telekom is hopeful for next season - by Ugur Turker

Turk Telekom Ankara is hopeful for next season. New head coach Koray Es told Eurobasket.com Turkey about transfer period. " We are analyzing the players we are considering to sign very well since we have to use our budget for next season efficiently. We have already signed with 7 domestic players including Ceyhun Altay (196-G/F-86, agency: Court Side), Polat Kocaoglu and aiming to add 3 more foreigner after signing of Cedric Banks (190-G-81, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: Ill.-Chicago). "
Before new season, Turk Telekom Ankara had shortened the budget of team after consecutive unsuccesfull seasons.


U18 European Championship: Turkey pull away from Slovenia - by Eurobasket News

Turkey U18 - Slovenia U18 88:85

Turkey clinched the first win at the Second Stage of U18 European Championship. They held off Slovenia for 1-3 record in Group F. Slovenia slipped at 1-3 record after the loss. Kenan Sipahi (198-PG-95) was unstoppable for Turkey scoring 35 points.
Turkey fired 25 points in the first quarter and grabbed a 6-point lead at the first break. Slovenia erased the deficit in the second quarter. They drew things level at 46 at the interval. Slovenia surged ahead in the third quarter. They secured a 4-point lead heading into the fourth frame. But Turkey used a 9:0 run midway through the period to take an 80:77 lead. Tayfun Erulku (193-SG-94) and Kenan Sipahi gave Turkey an 87:82 lead and they hung on to escape with a tough win at the end. Tayfun Erulku finished with 12 points for the winners. Gregor Hrovat (196-G-94) answered with 25 points for Slovenia. Matic Rebec (180-PG-95) netted 18 points in the loss.

Turkey U18: Kenan Sipahi 35, Tayfun Erulku 12, Burak Yildizli (202-PF-94) 8
Slovenia U18: Gregor Hrovat 25, Matic Rebec 18


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  UGANDA   


Warriors beat Marines to reclaim top spot - by Joel Nature

Kyambogo Warriors overcame a rocky start to beat Nkumba Marines 60-29 on Saturday. After a sluggish start by both teams that saw them combine for 13 first quarter points, Marines (5-10) scoring season low 2 points in a period you wouldnt be silly to think the game would be low scoring as the teams kept trying to shoot their way out of the funk but couldnt in the first half.

However in the third quarter, Warriors (14-1) broke out of the first half slump as guard, Ronnie Kasewu (7 points) drained a pair of triples on the first two possessions at the start of the second half to ignite a 16-0 run in nearly 6 minutes. Two 3-pointers from Jude Ochen (10 points) and Brian Gumisiriza (8 points) with a jumper and two throws from Syrus Kiviri (7 points) between the 3s completed the run as Warriors exploded for 27 third quarter points.

"It was a little bit of immaturity and lack of experience. We were playing an experienced team and they (Warriors) have got good players" Marines' coach, Timothy Odeke on the poor defensive display in the 3rd quarter.

Warriors' spurt continued early in the final quarter with a 9-2 run. The loss was Nkumba's second in a row. "We have to carry on and redeem ourselves" Odeke added. The slip also left Nkumba out of the top eight. "We will have to win some of the remaining games, atleast 90 percent and get there" Odeke said on his team's qualification for the playoffs.

Earlier, Falcons had eased past Giant Stormers 86-52 with dominant performances from game veteran, Steven Omony (13 points) guard, Julius Lutwama (11 points) bigman, Philp Ameny (12 points) including a trademark post in the 3rd quarter and Peter Elungat (15 points, 11 rebounds). "We are fighting so much to get in shape to be able to match the top teams" Falcons C-F, Edwin Katerega told Kawowo Sports. The win was Falcons' eigth since losing to Warriors in first round. "We are looking to qualify in a good position for the playoffs" Katerega added. Sam Okudo led Stormers (2-13) with game high 23 points.

Nkumba Lady Marines 35-48 A1 Challenge
Gladiators 49-21 MUK Cubs
Men
Rez Life 48-65 Heaters
Falcons 86-52 Giant Stormers
Nkumba Marines 29-60 Warriors


Warriors beat Marines to reclaim top spot - by Eurobasket News

Men
Rez Life 48-65 Heaters
Falcons 86-52 Giant Stormers
Nkumba Marines 29-60 Warriors
Kyambogo Warriors overcame a rocky start to beat Nkumba Marines 60-29 on Saturday. After a sluggish start by both teams that saw them combine for 13 first quarter points, Marines (5-10) scoring season low 2 points in a period you wouldnt be silly to think the game would be low scoring as the teams kept trying to shoot their way out of the funk but couldnt in the first half.
However in the third quarter, Warriors (14-1) broke out of the first half slump as guard, Ronnie Kasewu (7 points) drained a pair of triples on the first two possessions at the start of the second half to ignite a 16-0 run in nearly 6 minutes. Two 3-pointers from Jude Ocheng (177-G) (10 points) and Brian Gumisiriza (8 points) with a jumper and two throws from Syrus Kiviri (7 points) between the 3s completed the run as Warriors exploded for 27 third quarter points.
"It was a little bit of immaturity and lack of experience. We were playing an experienced team and they (Warriors) have got good players" Marines' coach, Timothy Odeke on the poor defensive display in the 3rd quarter.
Warriors' spurt continued early in the final quarter with a 9-2 run. The loss was Nkumba's second in a row. "We have to carry on and redeem ourselves" Odeke added. The slip also left Nkumba out of the top eight. "We will have to win some of the remaining games, atleast 90 percent and get there" Odeke said on his team's qualification for the playoffs.
Earlier, Falcons had eased past Giant Stormers 86-52 with dominant performances from game veteran, Steven Omony (13 points) guard, Julius Lutwama (11 points) bigman, Philp Ameny (12 points) including a trademark post in the 3rd quarter and Peter Elungat (15 points, 11 rebounds). "We are fighting so much to get in shape to be able to match the top teams" Falcons C-F, Edwin Katerega told Kawowo Sports. The win was Falcons' eigth since losing to Warriors in first round. "We are looking to qualify in a good position for the playoffs" Katerega added. Sam Okudo led Stormers (2-13) with game high 23 points.
Courtesy of: basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


KIU Titans 57-40 Ndejje Angels - by Eurobasket News

KIU Rangers 74-47 MUK Sparks
KIU Titans 57-40 Ndejje Angels
It doesnt happen often but it was double joy for Kampala International University in the Airtel National Basketball League as both sides of the Kasanga based university posted wins on Friday evenning.
The mens team, KIU Titans beat Ndejje Angels 57-40 and the ladies team, KIU Rangers beat MUK Sparks
74-47.
The Titans capitalised on Angels' slipery hands in the fourth quarter to pull away as the game was a close contest in the first three quarters. Angels committed 37 turnovers in the game while Titans (11-4) limited themselves to just 15. Both teams were ineffective on shooting from the feild with KIU shooting under 30% and Ndejje under 39% but the difference was the trips to the line.
KIU made more trips to the line and were 16-for-34 while Ndejje made 5-of-13 from the line on the way to their fourth straight loss. Titan, Joshua Etalu led the game with 21 points and 15 rebounds playing the entire 40 minutes.
Francis Kasekende added 11 points for KIU and Salim Ali chipped in with 10. Geofrey Solo paced Angels (6-9) with 12 points and 12 rebounds on a 42.9% shooting from the field and Micheal Opolot scored a point less.
In the ladies game, Judith Nansobya led KIU Rangers with 18 points including 4 treys, Susan Amito added 17 points. Florence Nanyonga and Jacklyn Natocho also scored in double digits for KIU.
Charlene Karungi continued her great run to to the season with a 20/13 performance for MUK Sparks on a 50% shooting from inside and 6-of-9 from the line. Winnie Anyango added 15 points for Sparks.
Courtesy of: http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


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  UKRAINE   


Ukrainian National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Steven Burtt
Burtt
Sergii Gladyr
Gladyr
Artur Drozdov
Drozdov
Viacheslav Kravtsov
Kravtsov
Stanislav Tymofeyenko
Tymofeyenko
#e#5
4 Dmytro Zabirchenko 192-PG-84 Azovmash Ukraine
6 Steven Burtt 185-G-84 Tofas Turkey
7 Sergii Gladyr 196-SG-88 Mad-Croc Spain
8 Artur Drozdov 200-SF-80 Azovmash Ukraine
10 Dmytro Gliebov 196-G/F-88 BC Donetsk Ukraine
11 Maksym Pustozvonov 200-SF-87 BC Donetsk Ukraine
12 Maxym Korniyenko 204-F/C-87 Dnipro Ukraine
14 Oleksiy Pecherov 213-C-85 Azovmash Ukraine
15 Viacheslav Kravtsov 212-C-87 Detroit P. USA
21 Kyryl Natyazhko 208-C-90 Azovmash Ukraine
23 Oleksandr Lypovyy 200-G-91 BC Donetsk Ukraine
30 Stanislav Tymofeyenko 202-F-89 Dnipro Ukraine

Mike Fratello Head Coach
Robert Hill Assistant



BC Donetsk land Denys Lukashov and Andrei Malysh - by Eurobasket News (T)

BC Donetsk deepened their roster. They added Denys Lukashov (189-PG-89) and Andrei Malysh (204-C/F-83).

Denys Lukashov will try to revive his basketball career in BC Donetsk. The guard started the previous season with BC Budivelnyk. However Denys Lukashov was sidelined for the majority of the season with a serious injury. Rumours sent the guard into early retirement but Denys Lukashov is on his way back into the game. Last season the guard notched 4.5 points, 2.3 boards and 2.3 assists per game in VTB League. In Superleague his stats read 5.1 points, 3.1 boards and 3.0 assists per appearance. Previously he played for BC Kyiv. He was named All-Ukrainian Superleague Newcomer of the Year back in 2009. In 2010 Denys Lukashov was trumped All-Superleague Domestic Player of the Year. He has been the member of Ukrainian National Team since 2009.
Andrei Malysh also spent the last season with BC Budivelnyk. The forward notched 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in VTB League. In Superleague Andrei Malysh notched 4.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per appearance.




U18 European Championship: Greece edge Ukraine in Vilnius - by Eurobasket News

Ukraine U18-Greece U18 61:66

Greece edge Ukraine in Vilnius at the U18 European Championship in Division A. The Greek side improved to 1-3 record in Group E after a narrow 66:61 win. Ukraine meanwhile fell at 0-4 record.
The teams exchanged the lead several times in the opening period and then Eleftherios Bochoridis (196-SG-94) scored for 16:12. Andrii Kharchynskyi (203-F/C-95) toed the game early in the second frame, while Sergiy Zagreba (213-C-94) gave Ukraine 21:19 advantage. Greece meanwhile won the rest of the half and grabbed 35:30 at the halftime. Both sides scored 13 points each in the third quarter as the difference remained in the court. Another 18 points from each side brought the final result on the board. Dimitrios Agravanis (208-F-94, agency: FCM) brought the final points for the winners.
Dimitrios Agravanis paced all the winners with 20 points and Eleftherios Bochoridis posted 15. Diamantis Slaftsakis (200-SF-94) delivered 13, while Konstantinos Gontikas (206-C-94) had 6. Yevgen Sakhniuk (201-PF-95) replied with 18 points in the losing effort and Andrii Kharchynskyi poured in 11. Sergiy Zagreba ended up with 10 points in defeat.

Ukraine U18: Yevgen Sakhniuk 18, Andrii Kharchynskyi 11, Sergiy Zagreba 10
Greece U18: Dimitrios Agravanis 20, Eleftherios Bochoridis 15, Diamantis Slaftsakis 13, Konstantinos Gontikas 6


*****************************************************

  URUGUAY   


Godon James leads Larranaga - by Hector Lopez

Gordon James (198-F-79, college: Bridgeport) scored 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and added 4 blocks leading Larranaga to beat Marne 82-76 and trhe winner will be playing the second stage for the Metro League. Also for Laranaga, Luis De De Leon (193-F-88) added 27 points and 7 rebounds, while for Marne Eric Freeman (205-C-79, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: Ky Wesleyan) netted 19 poins and grabbed 8 rebounds. The six teams which will be playing the second stage and the points they will have are: Atenas 17, Goes 16 Marne 16 Cader 15.5, Urunday 15.5 and Larranaga 15.5. The winner for the second stage will be promoted to the Uruguayan League 2013 and four teams will be playing playoff for a second promotion.


*****************************************************
  VTB UNITED LEAGUE   


PGE Turow recruit Robert Lewandowski - by Eurobasket News (T)

PGE Turow strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Robert Lewandowski (208-F-89). The forward will start his pro career in Poland. Robert Lewandowski has just graduated from the Texas Tech University. The forward notched 6.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Red Raiders in his senior season. Robert Lewandowski made it into Big 12 All-Academic 1st Team. It was the second straight appearance for Robert Lewandowski.
PGE Turow have previously secured the services of Djordje Micic (195-G-83), Ivan Zigeranovic (212-C-84, agency: BeoExcell) and Lukasz Wichniarz (197-F-82). The team will be guided by Miodrag Rajkovic . PGE Turow will debut at the VTB League next season.



*****************************************************

Women News


QBL: Weekend Wrap-Up: Round 13 - by Eurobasket News

Toowoomba Mountaineers 77 def. Northside Wizards 64

The Mountaineers pulled out the surprise win of the round, with their 13 defeat of the Wizards. Toowoomba led at every break, holding a 14-point buffer at halftime, and maintained the advantage for the remainder of the match. Kisha Lee and Krystal Watson (183-F/C-90, college: Md-E Shore) led the scorers for the Mountaineers with 25 and 24 points respectively, while Taylor Lilley (168-G-88, agency: LBM Management, college: Oregon) was again strong for Northside with 23.

Rockhampton Cyclones 99 def. South West Metro Pirates 62

The Cyclones dominated this match, securing a 29-point lead at halftime and enjoying a 48-point margin at one point during the fourth quarter. Nicole Romeo shot 27 points for Rockhampton, team-mate Shanavia Dowdell (188-F-87, agency: LBM Management, college: Louisiana Tech) contributing 26. Jess Wallis put up 22 points for the Pirates.

Bundaberg Bears 73 def. Ipswich Force 55

Bundaberg got out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, before the Force brought it back to trail by three. The second and third quarters saw the Bears continually pull the lead away from the visitors, but Ipswich always answered back and knocked back the deficit to within reach. The fourth quarter was Bundabergs, with the Bears capitalising on a number of fouls to secure the 18 point win. Yvonne Turner shot 21 points for Bundy, while Emma Langford (188-F-89, college: Wyoming) put up 20 for Ipswich.

Mackay Meteorettes 105 def. South West Metro Pirates 47

The Meteorettes controlled the game early-on, leading by 20 points at the halftime break. The Pirates were unable to stem the intensity of Mackays shooting ability, with Rachel Allison and Jacqui Zelenka both hitting 20 points, while Grace Willey shot 12 for the Pirates.

Gladstone Power 89 def. Ipswich Force 82

Scores were close in the first quarter with both teams having a share in the lead, before the Power ended the first 10 minutes four points in front. Gladstone built on their lead throughout the match, sitting 21 points in front with just three and a half minutes remaining in the match. Ipswich pulled out all the stops in the final minutes to close the gap to just seven points, but fell short of taking the match. The games top scorers were both from Ipswich, with Nadeen Payne (188-F/C-93) hitting 33 and Emma Langford shooting 31. Rebecca Haynes put up 25 points for Gladstone.

Gold Coast Rollers 85 def. Maroochydore Clippers 42

The Rollers had the upper hand early in the game, gaining the lead from the get-go and setting up a 23-point lead at halftime, and running with the advantage until the final whistle. Biancia Abbott hit a game-high 17 points for Gold Coast while Courtney Browne shot 10 points for the Clippers.

Courtesy of:qbl.basketball.net.au


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


Colombian U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

4 Ana Maria Garcia 94
5 Laiza Rodriguez 95
6 Carolina Ramirez 95
7 Laura Ramirez 94
8 Diana Prens 96
9 Maria Tapias 95 Independiente Argentina
10 Elizabeth Gutierrez 94
11 Sara Sosa 95
12 Marlyn Vente 96
13 Nathalie Contreras
14 Maria Delgado 96
15 Carolina Caracas 96



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


French U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Romane Bernies
Bernies
Alice Nayo
Nayo
Helena Akmouche
Akmouche
Sara Chevaugeon
Chevaugeon
Christelle Diallo
Diallo
#e#5
4 Romane Bernies 170-PG-93 Bourges France
5 Agathe Degorces 170-G-92 Toulouse France
6 Claire Stievenard 180-F/G-93 Nantes France
7 Alice Nayo 186-C-93 Villeneuve France
8 Margaux Galliou-Loko 184-F-93 Nice France
9 Helena Akmouche 174-G-92 Armentieres France
10 Sara Chevaugeon 177-G-93 Lyon France
11 Adja Konteh 173-G/F-92 Aix-en-Provence France
12 Jodie Cornelie 193-F-93 CFBB France
13 Sarah Ousfar 183-PF-93 Landes France
14 Christelle Diallo 193-C-93 Bourges France
15 Marie Mbuyamba 185-F/C-93 Mondeville France

Gregory Halin Head Coach CFBB France
Vincent Bourdeau Assistant
Alban Le Bigot Assistant



*****************************************************
  HOLLAND   


Dutch U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Loyce Bettonvil
Bettonvil
Jamailah Adams
Adams
Marlou De Kleijn
De Kleijn
Maxime Essenstam
Essenstam
Richelle Van Der Keijl
Van Der Keijl
#e#5
4 Liesbeth Visser 169-PG-92 De Groene Uilen Holland
5 Loyce Bettonvil 185-F-93 Lekdetec.nl Holland
6 Eline Kasius 190-F-92 Binnenland Holland
7 Sonja Kuijt 179-F-93 Grasshoppers Holland
8 Jamailah Adams 180-G/F-93 Saarlouis Germany
9 Zera Butter 179-G-92 Binnenland Holland
10 Marlou De Kleijn 182-F-92 Cadi ICG S. Spain
11 Jill Bettonvil 188-F-92 Lekdetec.nl Holland
12 Maxime Essenstam 189-C-93 CTO Holland
13 Petronella Kraaijenoord 187-C-93
14 Sharon Lammerink 189-C-93 Eurosped Holland
15 Richelle Van Der Keijl 196-C-93 CTO Holland

Rene Spandauw Head Coach Saarlouis Germany
Joyce Siderius-Bolman Assistant De Groene Uilen Holland



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


Telstar Hesperange announced Ildiko Vass - by Eurobasket News (T)

Telstar Hesperange announced Ildiko Vass (178-G-78) for the next season. The Romanian player moves to Luxembourg after five last season with Gheorghe.
Ildiko Vass played recently in Romania. In 2009-2010 for CSS LMK BC Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe her stats read 16.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 85.7% in EuroCup. In 2010-2011 for CSS LMK BC Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe (D1, starting five) she had high 14.2ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 70.7%.
The last season with the team she averaged 17.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.0apg, 3.7spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 78.8%.
Earlier she played for TSV Wasserburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga), Leipzig BBVL (Germany-1.Bundesliga)and Arvi Marijampole (Lithuania-LMKL, starting five). In 2006-2007 Vass moved to Ensino (Spain-LFB) and in 26 games averaged 8.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 72.7%. In Jan.'07 moved to BBV Leipzig Eagles (Germany-DBBL).


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


Mexican U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

4 Liliana Gonzalez
5 Damaris Temores
6 Leslie Guerrero
7 Maria Morales 95
8 Daniela Pardo
9 Elaine Saldana
10 Daniela Soto 96
11 Maria Faz 95
12 Myriam Lara
13 Gabriela Aguinaga
14 Narda Salceda 95
15 Daniela Rodriguez



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


Connecticut Sun coach's son earns assistant job at VCU - by Eurobasket News (T)

When Virginia Commonwealth University announced recently that Eric Thibault had accepted a job as an assistant women's basketball coach, the schools website used the headline A Rising Star.

At 24 years old, Thibault, the son of Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault, now will be an official member of a Division I coaching staff.

He didnt necessarily want a college coaching job, Mike Thibault said. He had turned some down partly because he had wanted to finish (the Connecticut Sun season) and they gave him the opportunity to finish this.

Sowing the seeds

Eric, from East Lyme, graduated from the University of Missouri in 2009, where he served as a graduate assistant on the mens basketball team for one year. He then went for his masters at St. Johns University in New York, where he served as a grad assistant for the last two years.

Eric also had worked for his father with the Sun, where he now serves as an assistant for player development and scouting.

I was trying to decide college or pro, men or women, and it just ended up being a great fit all around, Eric said.

He will be working under the guidance of Marlene Stollings, the Big South Coach of the Year at Winthrop last season who was hired by VCU on June 6.

On the move

Despite his experience as a graduate assistant, Eric knows there is a large change involved. He has gone from someone who supports those on the recruiting trail to the one who will be doing the recruiting.

Coaching is coaching in terms of the basketball-stuff. (There are) little differences here and there, but the big difference is the recruiting as opposed to watching college players, drafting and making trades, Eric said. High school and AAU will be my life now.

Virginia Commonwealth is moving to the Atlantic-10 from the Colonial Athletic Association, which took effect July 1.

Courtesy of www.norwichbulletin.com


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  POLAND   


Polish U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Angelika Kowalska
Kowalska
Magdalena Zietara
Zietara
Dorota Mistygacz
Mistygacz
Paulina Kuras
Kuras
Martyna Stelmach
Stelmach
#e#5
4 Angelika Kowalska 178-G-92 LKS Siemens Poland
5 Ramona Casimiro 170-G-92 MUKS Poznan Poland
6 Monika Jasnowska 182-G/F-92 CCC Polkowice Poland
7 Magdalena Zietara 170-G/F-92 BI SSA Gdynia Poland
8 Magdalena Idziorek 178-G-92 MUKS Poznan Poland
9 Dorota Mistygacz 183-F/C-92 CCC Polkowice Poland
10 Paulina Kuras 170-G-92 Artego Bydg. Poland
11 Aldona Morawiec 183-F-92 ROW Rybnik Poland
12 Martyna Stelmach 187-F/C-92 ROW Rybnik Poland
13 Kinga Bandyk 186-F/C-92 BI SSA Gdynia Poland
14 Agata Szczepanik 194-F/C-92 CCC Polkowice Poland
15 Karolina Wilk 185-F-93 Lomianki Poland

Iwona Jablonska Head Coach MUKS Poznan Poland
Dariusz Raczynski Assistant Tecza Leszno Poland
Tomasz Rospara Assistant



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  PORTUGAL   


Portuguese U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Daniela Domingues
Domingues
Vitoria Pacheco
Pacheco
Ines Faustino
Faustino
Jessica Almeida
Almeida
Maria Joao Andrade
Andrade
#e#5
4 Daniela Domingues 176-G/F-92 AD Vagos Portugal
5 Vitoria Pacheco 179-C-92 CAB Madeira Portugal
6 Filipa Bernardeco 173-G-92 EMA Menres Portugal
7 Paula Couto 180-F-93 EMA Menres Portugal
8 Brigitta Cismasiu EMA Menres Portugal
9 Ines Faustino 170-G-92 AD Vagos Portugal
10 Ines Pinto 179-SF-93 AD Vagos Portugal
11 Jessica Almeida 172-PG-93 Olivais Portugal
12 Joana Soeiro 170-PG-95
13 Joana Jesus 173-G-93 AD Vagos Portugal
14 Laura Ferreira 177-G-95 GDESSA Portugal
15 Maria Joao Andrade 186-F/C-92 Olivais Portugal

Eugenio Rodrigues Head Coach AFC-Liberty S. Portugal
Jose Araujo Assistant Alges Portugal
Ricardo Vasconcelos Assistant



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


Puerto Rican U18 National Team 2012 - by Simas

4 Gabriela Maldonado
5 Krystal Luciano 96
6 Aleana Leon 96
7 Roxairaly Armesto
8 Paola Crespo 96
9 Claudia Ortiz 96
10 Sidney Santos 95
11 Natalia Diaz
12 Mileyshka Correa
13 Daneichka Canales
14 Diamalises Rivera 93
15 Fabiola Cosme



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


Carla Bartee signs with ICIM Arad - by Eurobasket News (T)

Carla Bartee (182-F-85, college: Mississippi) signs with ICIM Arad for 2012/2013 season. The American Forward remains in Romania but with another team.
In 2005-2006 she appeared for Mississippi (NCAA) and in 29 games averaged 9.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2spg, FG: 34.5%, 3PT: 32.7%. In 2006-2007 her stats read 5.5ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 30.3%, 3Pts: 20.4%, FT: 61.9%. In her last year for Mississippi (NCAA) Carla Bartee showed 9.3ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 37.4%, 3Pts: 26.9%, FT: 67.3%.
In 2008-2009 she moved to Brahe Basket (Sweden-Damligan, starting five) and had 16.0ppg, Reb-1 (12.9rpg), 1.0apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 78.6%. In 2010-2011 played for BC Wildcats Wolfenbuettel (Germany-DBBL) and after 25 games had 10.2ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 42.0%, FT: 76.0%.
The last season appeared for SCM CSS Craiova (Romania-D1, starting five) and had high 16.3ppg, Reb-2 (13.2rpg), 1.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 75.0%.


Telstar Hesperange announced Ildiko Vass - by Eurobasket News (T)

Telstar Hesperange announced Ildiko Vass (178-G-78) for the next season. The Romanian player moves to Luxembourg after five last season with Gheorghe.
Ildiko Vass played recently in Romania. In 2009-2010 for CSS LMK BC Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe her stats read 16.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.5apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 40.0%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 85.7% in EuroCup. In 2010-2011 for CSS LMK BC Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe (D1, starting five) she had high 14.2ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.0apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 70.7%.
The last season with the team she averaged 17.4ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.0apg, 3.7spg, FGP: 41.3%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 78.8%.
Earlier she played for TSV Wasserburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga), Leipzig BBVL (Germany-1.Bundesliga)and Arvi Marijampole (Lithuania-LMKL, starting five). In 2006-2007 Vass moved to Ensino (Spain-LFB) and in 26 games averaged 8.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 72.7%. In Jan.'07 moved to BBV Leipzig Eagles (Germany-DBBL).


Beatrice Alaiba moves to CS Nova Vita Targu Mures - by Eurobasket News (T)

Beatrice Alaiba (183-F-91) moves to CS Nova Vita Targu Mures for the next season. The Romanian player moved from Politehnica National Iasi. In 2008-2009 she started for LPS Galati (D2) and then moved to Politehnica Iasi. In 2011-2012 for Politehnica National Iasi (D1, starting five) she averaged 5.5ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 27.4%, 3PT: 26.9%, FT: 68.5%.


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


Russian U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Ekaterina Fedorenkova
Fedorenkova
Darya Namok
Namok
Ksenia Tikhonenko
Tikhonenko
Yulia Poluyanova
Poluyanova
Alexandra Stolyar
Stolyar
#e#5
4 Karina Nizamova 170-PG-92 Kazanochka Russia
5 Ekaterina Fedorenkova 178-SG-93 Dynamo M. Russia
6 Alina Zamaraeva 180-SG-93 Chevakata Russia
7 Mariya Davydova 189-F/C-93 Trinta Russia
8 Anastasia Pasynkova 168-PG-92 Spartak SP Russia
9 Galina Kiseleva 184-F-93 Spartak V MR Russia
10 Darya Namok 179-G-93 Spartak V MR Russia
11 Maria Myasnikova 179-SG-92 Dynamo K. Russia
12 Ksenia Tikhonenko 190-F/C-93 Targoviste Romania
13 Svetlana Efimova 187-F-92 Nadezhda O. Russia
14 Yulia Poluyanova 187-F-92 Nadezhda O. Russia
15 Alexandra Stolyar 178-G-92 Chevakata Russia

Dmitry Donskov Head Coach Chevakata Russia
Andrey Dolopchi Assistant Astana Tigers Kazakhstan
Evgeni Vostrecov Assistant



*****************************************************
  SLOVAKIA   


Slovakian U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Zofia Hruscakova
Hruscakova
Marta Palenikova
Palenikova
Martina Kissova
Kissova
Beata Janoscikova
Janoscikova
Zuzana Ivancakova
Ivancakova
#e#5
4 Petra Bartanusova 173-PG-92 Piestanske C. Slovakia
5 Zuzana Ivancakova 174-F/G-93 Poprad Slovakia
6 Martina Letkova 189-F-92 SKBD Rucon Slovakia
7 Barbora Balintova 176-G-94 Good Angels Slovakia
8 Zofia Hruscakova 190-C-95 Good Angels Slovakia
9 Marta Palenikova 184-G/F-92 Piestanske C. Slovakia
10 Nikoleta Feketeova 186-PF-93 Samorin Slovakia
11 Gabriela Nagyova 175-G-92 SKBD Rucon Slovakia
12 Martina Kissova 185-F-93 Good Angels Slovakia
13 Marianna Draganovska 190-F/C-93 Dannax Sport Slovakia
14 Beata Janoscikova 195-C-93 Good Angels Slovakia
15 Angelika Oravcova 175-PG-92 Dannax Sport Slovakia

Maros Kovacik Head Coach Good Angels Slovakia



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


Inga Borodavko returns to Umea Comets - by Eurobasket News (T)

Inga Borodavko (182-F-90) is back to Sweden. The 22-year-old forward signed a deal with Umea Comets. They will compete in Damligan. Borodavko arrived to Umea in November of 2011 from TTT Riga. She appeared 8 times in the league averaging 8.6 points and 5 rebounds. After that, the player returned to TTT Riga, where she finished the season. The forward had 3.4 ppg and 3.5 rpg for 11 Latvia league games. TTT Riga was the regular season champion and later reached Playoff Finals. Inga Borodavko had very limited playing time in Baltic league. She played for TTT Riga in 2010/11 as well. That season the player had 3.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg for 6 Latvian league games. She also spent some time with TTT Riga second team.


*****************************************************
  UBA   


Shantel Ragin headed to Lady Dragons in four-team blockbuster trade - by David Walls (T)

ATLANTA (AP) Shantel Ragin (5'10''-F/G-86, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: Clayton St.) won her first WUBA championship with the Georgia Disciples but feels its time to go on her own.

"Its time for a change," Ragin said.

Ragin was one of the most recognized players in the WUBA this season but failed to really show what scout knew she was capable of. In 2011 she was named Eurobasket.com All-Import Player of the Year in Ukraine and on cored that with Eurobasket Summer League MVP.

This season Ragin was a bit inconsistent at times and deferred to League MVP Patechia Hartman (5'7''-G-83, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: Georgia St.) who recently signed to KR-Iceland. So now the pressures on Ragin to carry a franchise; but Ragin is up for the challenge. Just a year ago Ragin led Ukraine in scoring and rebounding (20.0ppg and 12.3rpg) but felt out of place with the Disciples.

I feel I wasnt myself and now I have to prove that I am a high level player, said Ragin.

It took three teams, 4 other players, five draft picks and countless rounds of talks over many hours, but the Georgia Disciples decided the time was right to start over without the WUBA's best forward and end the team saga.

Ragin is off to play alongside Shanrika Hardeman (5'9''-F-87, college: Clayton St.) in Tennessee, after a megadeal involving the Dragons, Disciples and Matrix was worked out Monday and completed Tuesday after the WUBA reviewed and approved the particulars.

"Ragin is one of the brightest stars we have in this league, said CFO Jerone Dodd. We just felt it was time for let her loose so she can be the star she is.

As far as the other headliners involved, Tillman leaves the Dragons for the Georgia Disciples and Angelique Burtts (6'0''-F-88, college: Georgia St.) is heading to the Matrix.

The GIE Lady Matrix now have another scorer to help Sherida Triggs (6'1''-F/C-85, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: ODU) out on the wing for the new franchise. The Disciples add much needed scoring with the loss of Hartman. Just two years back Tillman was at Clayton State University leading the Lady Lakers to its first National Championship. She was named Final Four MVP and took her talents to Spain before joining the WUBA.

This season Ragin was named Usbasket.com All-WUBA Forward of the Year and to the All-United States Team for her efforts. She averaged 17.2ppg and 8.8 rebounds. Ragin was also featured with Hartman in SLAM Online and looks to build on a bright future.

Below you will find a breakdown of the trade.

GIE Lady Matrix:
Receive: Angelique Burtts: Usbasket.com All-WUBA 2nd Team, WUBA All-Star (18.0ppg & 8.0rpg)
2nd Round Draft Pick

Tennessee Lady Dragons:
Receive: Shantel Ragin: Usbasket.com All-WUBA Forward of the Year, WUBA All-Star, All-USA Team, WUBA Champion (17.2ppg, 8.8rpg)

Georgia Disciples:
Recieve: Teshymia Tillman (5'9''-F/G-86, college: Clayton St.): Usbasket.com All-WUBA 3rd Team, WUBA All-Star (14.8ppg, 6.0rpg)
1st Round Draft Pick


*****************************************************
  UGANDA   


Magical Stormers tame Leopards - by Eurobasket News

Sarah Nakitende scored game high 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to power Magic Stormers to a 65-63 win over KCCA Leopards. The foward has a hot shooting evenning going 6-for-9 from the field and 4-of-8 on the line to lead Stormers to the victory over the league giants. Carol Nyafwono added 11 points, 11 boards and blocked 3 shots.
Trailing 26-34 at halftime, Stormers came up with a big third quarter out-scoring Leopards 22-12 and matching former champions shot for shot in the final period. Leopards' guard, Flavia Oketch was limited to 9 points and failed to overcome the shooting slump as she went 0-for-8 from inside and 1-for-4 beyong the arc. Martha Soigi paced Leopards with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Carol Badaru, Carol Nantolo and Joy Chemutai chipped in with 8 points each. Stormers turnedover the ball 30 times but compesated with a 44-36 rebounding advantage. Racheal Nanyonga and Monica Nassuna added 8 points each for Stormers.
Meanwhile, Crane High Ladies edged Amazon Rhino 46-45. Ritah Imanishimwe led Crane High with 17 points and Sarah Ageno added 16 points and 18 rebounds, 10 offensive. Belinda Feni's game high 18 points were in a losing effort.
UCU Lady Canons stayed unbeaten with a 65-45 win over Nabisunsa. Peace Proscovia scored 20 points and picked 11 rebounds for Lady Canons and the urguably best post player in the division, Purity Adhiambo added 14 points. Ruth Nakitto pilled up 19 points for Nabisunsa.
In the men's division, there was no problem for DMark Power without point guard Ben Komakech as they beat Vegetarian 68-46. Emmanuel Enabu led Power (11-4) with 16 points and Isaac Luggudde added 12. Power attempted season low 8 free throws. Darius Erem paced Vegetarian (2-13) with 10 points and 11 boards.
Ivan Lumanyika's double-double (19 points, 14 rebounds) was not enough to see Miracle past UCU Canons as Suudi Ulanga's game high 24 points paced the university side to a 70-62 win.
Courtesy of: http://basket-in-africa.blogspot.com


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


Ukrainian U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Nataliya Pokrovenko
Pokrovenko
Olga Krayevska
Krayevska
Alina Iagupova
Iagupova
Oleksandra Chek
Chek
Lyudmyla Naumenko
Naumenko
#e#5
4 Nataliya Pokrovenko 174-PG-93 Bar Regina-B. Ukraine
5 Xeniya Afanasyeva 175-G-93 Dnipro-DVUFK Ukraine
6 Olga Krayevska 183-PG-94 Tim-Scuf Ukraine
7 Kateryna Demchenko 180-F-93 Dynamo Ukraine
8 Mariya Tkach 178-G-92 Tim-Scuf Ukraine
9 Alina Iagupova 186-G-92 Bar Regina-B. Ukraine
10 Larysa Stadnik 178-G-92 Tim-Scuf Ukraine
11 Viktoriya Karyeva 187-F-92 Tim-Scuf Ukraine
12 Oleksandra Chek 191-C-93 Bar Regina-B. Ukraine
13 Anna Kiriyenko 190-C-93 Dnipro-DVUFK Ukraine
14 Lyudmyla Naumenko 184-F-93 Bar Regina-B. Ukraine
15 Miriam Uro-Nile 190-C-94 Tim-Scuf Ukraine

Larysa Yeshchenko Head Coach KNEU Ukraine
Iryna Nagorna Assistant Bar Regina-B. Ukraine



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


British U20 National Team 2012 - by Simas

Starting five
#s#
Olufemi Hamilton
Hamilton
Renee E. Busch
Busch
Francesca Whitby
Whitby
Erin McGarrachan
McGarrachan
Cheridene Green
Green
#e#5
4 Olufemi Hamilton 170-G-93
5 Lana Doran 177-G/F-93 Barking Abbey United Kingdom
6 Rosie Hynes 172-G-93 Troy USA
7 Renee E. Busch 175-PG-92 Pennsylvania USA
8 Maisie Elston 177-G-93 Houston Baptist USA
9 Francesca Whitby 175-G-92 Cardiff Archers United Kingdom
10 Gemma Bullard 177-F-92 Queen's Canada
11 Erin McGarrachan 182-G-92 Houston Baptist USA
12 Jennie Rodgers 181-G-92 Nottingham United Kingdom
13 Cheridene Green 187-C-95 Sevenoaks Suns United Kingdom
14 Vanessa Akra 183-F-92 Barking Abbey United Kingdom
15 Jessica Hurd 185-C-92 Franklin Pierce USA

Frans Griffioen Head Coach BV Lely Holland
Matthew Johnson Assistant Reading R. United Kingdom
Ronald Van der Oord Assistant



*****************************************************
  USA   


USA U17 National Team 2012 - by Greg

Starting five
#s#
Linnae Harper
Harper
Rebecca Greenwell
Greenwell
Diamond Deshields
Deshields
Mercedes Russell
Russell
Lindsay Allen
Allen
#e#5
4 Lindsay Allen 5'8''-PG-95
5 Jessica Washington 5'8''-PG-95
6 Linnae Harper 5'7''-SG-95
7 Kaela Davis 6'1''-G/F-95
8 Rebecca Greenwell 6'1''-SG-95
9 Diamond Deshields 6'1''-SF-95 High School USA USA
10 Brianna Turner 6'3''-SF-96
11 Erica McCall 6'3''-PF-95
12 Oderah Chidom 6'3''-PF-95
13 Taya Reimer 6'3''-SF-95
14 Mercedes Russell 6'5''-C-95
15 Kai James 6'4''-C-95

Jill Rankin Schneider Head Coach



*****************************************************
  WNBA   


Phoenix mayor breaks nose at Mercury practice - by Eurobasket News

A feel-good story and a photo opportunity left Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton with a broken nose.

Stanton practiced Monday with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and ran drills with their practice squad. In one of the drills, Stanton went up for a rebound against the Mercury's Nakia Sanford and came down with a broken nose.

He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital for a CT scan, and it was determined there that his nose was fractured in two places.

Stanton's office said the 42-year-old is in good spirits and will meet with a doctor to determine if further care is required. The mayor issued a statement saying "injuries are just part of the game -- they're battle wounds."

The Mercury return from the Olympic break with a home game Sunday.

Courtesy of www.foxsportsarizona.com


Connecticut Sun coach's son earns assistant job at VCU - by Eurobasket News (T)

When Virginia Commonwealth University announced recently that Eric Thibault had accepted a job as an assistant women's basketball coach, the schools website used the headline A Rising Star.

At 24 years old, Thibault, the son of Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault, now will be an official member of a Division I coaching staff.

He didnt necessarily want a college coaching job, Mike Thibault said. He had turned some down partly because he had wanted to finish (the Connecticut Sun season) and they gave him the opportunity to finish this.

Sowing the seeds

Eric, from East Lyme, graduated from the University of Missouri in 2009, where he served as a graduate assistant on the mens basketball team for one year. He then went for his masters at St. Johns University in New York, where he served as a grad assistant for the last two years.

Eric also had worked for his father with the Sun, where he now serves as an assistant for player development and scouting.

I was trying to decide college or pro, men or women, and it just ended up being a great fit all around, Eric said.

He will be working under the guidance of Marlene Stollings, the Big South Coach of the Year at Winthrop last season who was hired by VCU on June 6.

On the move

Despite his experience as a graduate assistant, Eric knows there is a large change involved. He has gone from someone who supports those on the recruiting trail to the one who will be doing the recruiting.

Coaching is coaching in terms of the basketball-stuff. (There are) little differences here and there, but the big difference is the recruiting as opposed to watching college players, drafting and making trades, Eric said. High school and AAU will be my life now.

Virginia Commonwealth is moving to the Atlantic-10 from the Colonial Athletic Association, which took effect July 1.

Courtesy of www.norwichbulletin.com


Phoenix Mercury's disastrous season may have gold lining - by Eurobasket News

You can see her feet tapping inches away from the floor where they would rather be running.

Besides 36 minutes of the pre-Olympic WNBA season, Diana Taurasi has been on the wrong side of the thin black line that frames the Mercury's home court. A hip-flexor strain and ankle problems have kept Taurasi from donning the only clothes she'd want to wear at Mercury games. Instead, she's been relegated to cheering her team on from the sidelines in casual business attire.

She hasn't been alone.

Penny Taylor, Candice Dupree and Charde Houston are currently out. And Nakia Sanford has missed four games. All have suffered left-knee injuries.

So now the Mercury sit at 4-15 as they end a monthlong Olympic break Thursday at Seattle. Three losing streaks of three games or more, including the Mercury's current skid of six, helped compile a loss total that is tied for most in the Western Conference and equals the team's total from last season.

The Mercury are second-worst in the Western Conference, 11 games out of first and five games behind Seattle for the fourth and last playoff spot.

And it may get worse.

There are 15 games left in the season. Taylor, a three-time All-Star coming off a stellar 2011 season, was the first to go down in April and won't return until 2013. Dupree had successful knee surgery on July 24 and Houston had hers a week later. Both Dupree and Houston face recovery times of six to eight weeks, which means they could be out until early to mid-September. But the Mercury's regular season ends Sept. 23 and the season may be a complete loss much before then.

Mercury General Manager and coach Corey Gaines said he doesn't know if the two players will return to the court this season or not.

He's not sure about Taurasi, either.

"I don't know; we'll see how she's feeling," Gaines said about Taurasi's availability to play upon her return from London. "I have to talk to her first."

Taurasi started all of Team USA's eight Olympic games. Though she led the team in points at 12.4 points per game and was second in minutes played (24.1 per game), she had just four games scoring in double digits.

Gaines isn't convinced Taurasi is 100 percent healthy.

"She had one great game, but to me, it looks like she's still hurt a little bit," Gaines said. "She' s not playing well. The rest of the games, if you look at it, at one point she was 4 for 18 in (3-pointers). That doesn't sound like 'D.' "

A season that was once looked upon with interest and intrigue has been decimated with injuries.

But there could be a silver lining. Or is it a gold one?

If the Mercury don't improve or continue to plummet in the standings, they will "earn" a spot in the coveted Brittney Griner Sweepstakes. The winner --whichever of the eventual four non-playoff teams to receive the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery later this year -- will draft a player unlike any before her.

As a junior last season, the 6-foot-8 Griner led Baylor to a 40-0 record and the 2012 NCAA Tournament title. She's a three-time All-American, the Most Outstanding Player of last season's Final Four and won every national Player of the Year award. She is a force on offense and defense, becoming the first NCAA player to score more than 2,000 points and block 500 shots. All in just 112 career games.

Likely No. 2 pick Elena Delle Donne, a 6-5 sharpshooter who led NCAA Division I with 28.1 points per game for Delaware, isn't too shabby, either. If the Mercury draft Griner, they could dominate on both ends of the court. If the Mercury draft Delle Donne, they could break all-time scoring records.

Then you add in Dupree, who continues to play at the level she did in earning three trips to the WNBA All-Star Game and starting point guard Samantha Prahalis, the Mercury's 2012 first-round pick. Then there's DeWanna Bonner, who has won Sixth Woman of the Year honors in every season she's been a professional.

"Sammy's come in and getting experience and playing time, which is great for her when everybody comes back next year, she won't be a step behind," said Bonner, who as a fourth-year veteran is the longest-standing Mercury player on the active roster. "This year has also helped a lot with my confidence. You get a different type of pressure when leading the team and being looked on as the leader who knows everything. It's a learning experience for me as well."

So the Mercury will continue what has been a disastrous season. One that could pay dividends next season.

"To win, you need to be healthy and lucky," Gaines said. "You need players to be able to score. And when you don't have that, it's tough to win. Everybody thinks you just roll the ball out there and since you have a good system, you should win. No, you need players."

Courtesy of www.azcentral.com