EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 8/7/2012 1:04:01 AM

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  ARGENTINA   



Quilmes defines their roster - by Facundo Iatzky

quilmes mar del plata confirmed their roster for next season of TNA. quilmes returned to TNA after one year in Liga A, and according to their roster their intention is to return to first division. The head coach will be Leandro Ramella and the players will be the following:

Cristian Cadillac (194-G-83), Lucas Ortiz (190-G-87), Maximiliano Maciel (195-F-83), Gregorio Eseverri (194-F-87), Cristian Romero (198-F-82), Gaston Essengue (203-F-83, college: UNLV), Maximiliano Rios (185-G-81, college: Clayton St.), Facundo Grutzky (200-C-92), Lucas Vildoza (191-SG-95), Tayavek Gallizzi (203-F-93), Nicolas Rojas (189-G-94)


Olympics 2012: USA bruise Argentina to stay perfect - by Eurobasket News

USA - Argentina 126:97

USA claimed the fifth straight win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Argentina to win preliminary Group A. Kevin Durant (6'9''-SF-88, college: Texas) poured in 28 points to pace the winners. USA will now take on Australia, while Argentina will play versus Brazil in the quarterfinals.
USA jumped to an early 14:8 lead but Argentina quickly erased the deficit. The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. Kevin Durant capped the period with a three-pointer to give USA a 34:32 lead. Argentina and USA exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter. LeBron James (6'8''-SF-84) made it 60:57 at the interval. But the third term belonged to the North American team. LeBron James triggered an 11:2 run that gave USA a 9-point lead. Soon USA organined a 12:3 rally to boost the gap at 16-point mark. USA exploded with 42 points in the period to take a 102:78 lead. They never looked back afterwards and marched to the victory at the end. LeBron James accounted for 18 points, while Chris Paul (6'0''-PG-85, college: Wake Forest) delivered 17 points and 7 assists in the victory. Emanuel Ginobili (6'6''-SG-77, agency: Interperformances) responded with 16 points, 6 assists and 5 boards for Argentina. Carlos Delfino (6'7''-SF-82) netted 13 points in the loss.

USA: Kevin Durant 28, LeBron James 18, Chris Paul 17
Argentina: Emanuel Ginobili 16, Carlos Delfino 13


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  AUSTRALIA   

Standings - ABA

State Standings
Big V
 1. Ringwood H. 17-3 
 2. Eltham W. 15-5 
 3. Waverley F. 13-7 
 4. Corio Bay 12-8 
 5. Diamond V.E. 9-11 
 6. Hume City 9-11 
 7. Bulleen B. 7-13 
 8. Sherbrooke S. 5-15 
 9. Melbourne 3-17 
Central ABL
 1. Sturt S. 14-4 
 2. Forestville E. 13-5 
 3. N.Adelaide R. 13-5 
 4. W.Adelaide B. 13-5 
 5. Norwood F. 11-7 
 6. Woodville W. 8-10 
 7. Southern T. 6-12 
 8. C.District L. 6-12 
 9. S.Adelaide P. 4-14 
 10. Eastern M. 2-16 
QBL
 1. Rockhampton 11-3 
 2. Mackay M. 11-3 
 3. Ipswich F. 10-4 
 4. Cairns M. 10-5 
 5. Townsville H. 9-6 
 6. Northside W. 8-5 
 7. SW Metro P. 7-6 
 8. Gold Coast R. 7-7 
 9. Bundaberg B. 5-9 
 10. Brisbane C. 4-11 
 11. Toowoomba 3-10 
 12. Gladstone P. 3-11 
 13. Maroochydore 3-11 
SBL
 1. Wanneroo W. 23-3 
 2. Lakeside L. 22-4 
 3. Cockburn C. 17-9 
 4. East Perth E. 16-10 
 5. Mandurah M. 16-10 
 6. Perth R. 15-11 
 7. Goldfield G. 13-13 
 8. Kalamunda E.S. 12-14 
 9. Geraldton B. 12-14 
 10. Perry Lakes H. 11-15 
 11. Willetton T. 10-16 
 12. Stirling S. 8-18 
 13. SW Slammers 4-22 
 14. Rockingham F. 3-23 
SEABL-East
 1. Dandenong 20-6 
 2. Geelong S. 19-8 
 3. Bendigo B. 16-10 
 4. Frankston B. 14-12 
 5. Sandringham S. 13-14 
 6. Brisbane S. 9-18 
 7. Canberra G. 1-26 
SEABL-South
 1. Nunawading S. 16-10 
 2. Knox R. 16-10 
 3. Albury W.B. 15-12 
 4. Hobart C. 15-12 
 5. Kilsyth C. 15-12 
 6. Ballarat M. 14-12 
 7. Mt Gambier 8-18 
 8. NW Tasmania 8-19 
WARATAH
 1. Newcastle H. 16-3 
 2. Norths Bears 16-4 
 3. Manly Warr. 13-6 
 4. Illawarra H. 12-8 
 5. Sydney C. 10-9 
 6. Maitland M. 10-10 
 7. Bankstown B. 10-10 
 8. Cent.Coast C. 10-11 
 9. Hills H. 8-12 
 10. Colonial Hotel 5-15 
 11. Parramatta W. 4-15 
 12. Sutherland S. 4-15 

Regular Season: Round 19

Central ABL

Aug. 4: Sturt S. - Woodville W. 96-93
Aug. 4: N.Adelaide R. - S.Adelaide P. 81-74
Aug. 4: Norwood F. - Forestville E. 77-75
Aug. 4: Eastern M. - W.Adelaide B. 64-88
Aug. 4: Southern T. - C.District L. 105-72

QBL

Aug. 4: SW Metro P. - Toowoomba 96-84
Aug. 4: Maroochydore - Brisbane C. 89-74
Aug. 5: Northside W. - Gold Coast R. 87-100
Aug. 4: Gladstone P. - Mackay M. 86-98
Aug. 3: Townsville H. - Rockhampton 84-73
Aug. 5: Bundaberg B. - Mackay M. 76-84
Aug. 4: Ipswich F. - Gold Coast R. 67-70
Aug. 4: Cairns M. - Rockhampton 63-77

SEABL

Aug. 5: Geelong S. - Dandenong 94-75
Aug. 4: Albury W.B. - Brisbane S. 91-82
Aug. 4: Knox R. - Geelong S. 89-78
Aug. 3: Mt Gambier - Nunawading S. 86-95
Aug. 5: Ballarat M. - Knox R. 84-79
Aug. 5: Sandringham S. - Brisbane S. 83-95
Aug. 3: Hobart C. - Frankston B. 83-76
Aug. 4: Canberra G. - Kilsyth C. 70-95
Aug. 4: NW Tasmania - Frankston B. 70-77
Aug. 4: Nunawading S. - Ballarat M. 63-89
Aug. 4: Bendigo B. - Sandringham S. 102-78

WARATAH

Aug. 5: Hills H. - Parramatta W. 98-91
Aug. 4: Maitland M. - Parramatta W. 94-77
Aug. 4: Newcastle H. - Sutherland S. 88-65
Aug. 5: Bankstown B. - Colonial Hotel 87-79
Aug. 4: Manly Warr. - Bankstown B. 86-66
Aug. 4: Sydney C. - Cent.Coast C. 85-65
Aug. 4: Norths Bears - Hills H. 79-71

Regular Season: Round 20

QBL

Aug. 11: Toowoomba - Northside W.
Aug. 11: Rockhampton - SW Metro P.
Aug. 11: Bundaberg B. - Ipswich F.
Aug. 12: Gladstone P. - Ipswich F.
Aug. 12: Mackay M. - SW Metro P.
Aug. 12: Gold Coast R. - Maroochydore

SEABL

Aug. 10: Hobart C. - Mt Gambier
Aug. 11: Brisbane S. - Kilsyth C.
Aug. 11: Canberra G. - Albury W.B.
Aug. 11: Dandenong - Ballarat M.
Aug. 11: Frankston B. - Nunawading S.
Aug. 11: Sandringham S. - Knox R.
Aug. 11: Geelong S. - Bendigo B.
Aug. 11: NW Tasmania - Mt Gambier
Aug. 12: Ballarat M. - Frankston B.
Aug. 12: Bendigo B. - Dandenong
Aug. 12: Knox R. - Nunawading S.

WARATAH

Aug. 11: Bankstown B. - Newcastle H.
Aug. 11: Parramatta W. - Sydney C.
Aug. 11: Sutherland S. - Hills H.
Aug. 11: Illawarra H. - Norths Bears
Aug. 11: Cent.Coast C. - Manly Warr.
Aug. 12: Sutherland S. - Colonial Hotel
Aug. 12: Maitland M. - Manly Warr.


Olympics 2012: Mills fires a buzzer beater to lift Australia over Russia - by Eurobasket News

Australia-Russia 82:80

Patrick Mills (183-PG-88, college: St.Mary's, CA) fires a buzzer beater to lift Australia over Russia in the start of the last day in Preliminary Round. He brought his team a thrilling 82:80 win to finish with 3-2 record. Russia meanwhile finished with 4-1 record on top.
Russia proved it one more time to be the best team to be watched. The European team battles until the last seconds and usually grabs the victory at the end of the game.
Australia won the first period 29-20, but Russia reduced to 46:45 at the halftime. Again Australia needed 23-19 in the third period for 5-point advantage after three quarters. Timofey Mozgov (215-C-86, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) opened the last stanza for 69:66 but Russia tied the game only at the end. Andersen made it 77:70, while Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) and Ponkrashov reduced to 4 points with 3 minutes to go. Andersen made another dunk for 79:73 and then Andrei Kirilenko (209-F-81) made two free throws for 79:75. The latter later made a jump shot and added another free throw for 79:78. Fridzon later gave European team 80:79 advantage, but the victory ran out from Russia. Australia needed 4 seconds to find Patrick Mills that fired a three-pointer with the buzzer.
Joe Ingles (203-SF-87, agency: Priority Sports) top-scored for the winners with 20 points, while Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) and Patrick Mills added 13 each. Matthew Dellavedova (193-SG-90) followed them with 10 points in a win. Sasha Kaun ended up with 18 points in the losing effort and Shved as well as Andrei Kirilenko had 13 each. Timofey Mozgov poured in 10 points in a loss.

Australia: Joe Ingles 20, Aron Baynes 13, Patrick Mills 13, Matthew Dellavedova 10
Russia: Sasha Kaun 18, Shved 13, Andrei Kirilenko 13, Timofey Mozgov 10


Big V: Weekend Wrap- Semi Finals - by Eurobasket News

The Hawks continue to soar and the Wildcats burst out of the blocks against the Falcons now we wait for week two when the semi-final action will reveal this years grand finalists.
In their first year Corio Bay have drawn great support on their home deck and in return the Stingrays have developed a culture of going hard and giving their all, which is exactly what they did in game one against the high flying Ringwood Hawks. In a thrilling contest, the Stingrays held a 42-38 lead at the long break. However, as we have seen so many times this season, the Hawks turned on the offensive switch in the third quarter and went to a whole new level, pounding the Stingrays at both ends of the floor with a game-winning 31-14 period. While the home team battled back in the final 10 minutes, the margin proved too big and the Hawks head home with an advantage that will be hard to drag back. Despite the loss, some of the stats did fall Corio Bays way, including an impressive 46% clip from the arc (13/28), but Ringwoods 55-37 supremacy on the glass proved costly, especially a massive 24 offensive rebounds. For the winning Hawks, once again a key strength was an ability to share the load with Skyler Bowlin (25pts, 12rbs, 3stls), Matthew Snowball (G) (18pts, 5ass), Sam Belt (196-G/F-84, college: Cent.Oklahoma) (14pts, 12rbs), Adrien Sturt (209-C-86) (11pts, 9rbs, 3blks, 3ass) and Luke Egan (10pts) all getting amongst it. Far from disgraced and certainly a threat if they can avoid a lapse like they had in the third quarter, the Stingrays enjoyed big returns from Eric Williams (22pts, 8rbs, 4blks, 4ass), Paul Hutchison (21pts, 5 treys, 3ass), Stefan Osborne (18pts, 4ass, 3stls, 3 treys) and Jason Reardon (18pts, 7rbs). The Hawks now return home with a view to finishing the contest on Saturday night, and they will be favoured to do so, while for the Stingrays it will be a case of now or never!
www.bigv.com.au
Eltham has silenced the tipsters with a telling 16pt win at Waverley to open the finals series and the Wildcats will now return home as red-hot favourites to progress to this years grand fi-nal. Needing to win on their home turf first up, the Falcons were clipped in a lopsided opening 10 minutes that saw Eltham jump to an amazing 25-6 lead. The fact Waverley scored 68 to 65 over the next three quarters matters little, this game was won in the first period and it was Eltham who turned up to play. The stats across the first quarter were telling Eltham 10/17 from the field including 4/7 from the arc compared with Waverleys 2/18 FG and 1/6 treys. The 17-5 rebounding advantage was also a massive whack. Despite Waverleys best endeavours to get going in the second half, Eltham stood firm and responded to every challenge. Some may say that an absent Bennie Lewis proved costly for the Falcons, but such claims matter little you play against who turns up and the Wildcats were on song in this one from the tip-off. Leading the way for the visitors were Matthew Fennell (19pts, 7rbs), Scott Cuffe (18pts), Cameron Tragardh (15pts, 8rbs) and Liam Norton (187-G-83) (11pts, 3 treys). Rolling out with just seven players, best for the Falcons were Daniel Dillon (18pts @ 28%), Ivan Platenik (16pts, 9rbs), Brad Kelleher (15pts) and Simon Blennerhassett (184-PG-82) (12pts, 7rbs). Heading home in week two, it would take a brave person to tip against the Wildcats from here.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Ringwood 98 defeated Corio Bay 91 Eltham 90 defeated Waverley 74
Courtesy of: bigv.com.au


QBL: Weekend Wrap-Up: Round 12 - by Eurobasket News

Townsville Heat 84 def Rockhampton Rockets 73

The Heat made it two-from-two for the Townsville teams, with this close match that saw the home side lead for much of the match, the Rockets coming back to take the lead at the end of the third quarter. Townsville were too strong and bounced back to seal the win. Chris Cedar (185-G-88) put up 28 points for Townsville, while Ryan McDade shot 20 for Rocky.

Ipswich Force 67 def. by Gold Coast Rollers 70

The Rollers lead for almost the entire match, and survived a late surge from the Force in the final minutes which saw Ipswich level the scores at 67-all with less than a minute to go. But the Gold Coast managed to fight back to take the win thanks to a two-pointer and foul-shot from David Gurney (194-F-85). Ipswichs Zarryon Fereti shot a game-high 28 point, Adam Darragh (182-PG-79, college: Martin Methodist) put up 18 points for the Rollers.

South West Metro Pirates 96 def. Toowoomba Mountaineers 84

A close match which saw Toowoomba lead at the halftime break, before the Pirates fired up and took control, thrilling their home fans with the double-win at Hibiscus Sports Complex. Robert Lippman (203-C, college: NW Nazarene) shot 23 points for South West, Adoc Mak Wai had another great game for the Mountaineers with 16 points.

Cairns Marlins 63 def. by Rockhampton Rockets 77

The Rockets came out firing in a bid to secure a win on the road in the north, leading for much of the match. The Marlins tried valiantly to make up ground but couldnt outshoot Rockhampton. Travis Reed shot 21 points for Rocky, Dusty Rychart (201-F-79, agency: Priority Sports, college: Minnesota) put up 15 for the Marlins.

Northside Wizards 87 def. by Gold Coast Rollers 100

The Wizards led the match from the start right up until five minutes before halftime, where the Rollers took over and controlled the rest of the match. David Gurney top-scored with 25 points for the Rollers, with Steven Broom (205-F/C-87) shooting 18 points for Northside.

Bundaberg Bulls 76 def. by Mackay Meteors 84

Mackay had the lead in the first term, before Bundaberg took over and went into halftime up by 10 points. The Meteors refused to be outdone, and regained the upper hand halfway through the third quarter and maintained their lead to take the match. Rodrick Stewart (193-G-84, college: Kansas) had 23 points for Bundy, while Braydon Hobbs put up 22 points for Mackay.
Courtesy of: www.qbl.basketball.net.au


BA appoints new Chair - by Eurobasket News

Basketball Australia has appointed well-respected sports administrator and former Chief Executive Scott Derwin as its new Chair of the Board.

Mr Derwin will commence in the role on 16 August 2012 replacing Acting Chair Justin Milne, who will resume his position as Chair of the NBL Commission and non-executive Director of BA.

Mr Milne said Mr Derwins demonstrated leadership and negotiation skills would be an asset for the Board, providing the steady hand and stability BA needs to build on its recent gains.

"Scott has served as the Chief Executive of three major national sporting bodies over the last 17 years; in each of those roles, he has driven structural change at both governance and management levels, Mr Milne said.

Scotts previous work with BA speaks for itself he was instrumental in getting us back to a position of financial strength, and largely drove our merger with the National Basketball League, the Womens National Basketball League and the Australian Basketball Association.

He has also had extensive experience as both chairman and a member of various not for profit boards.

On top of that, the experience he brings from his time spent with the Australian Paralympic Committee in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and Surf Life Saving Australia is invaluable to our organisation.

Mr Derwin said he looked forward to working closely with the Board and incoming CEO Kristina Keneally to raise the profile of the sport.

Im honoured that the Board has entrusted me with the position of Chair and pleased to continue to work with Basketball Australia in such a hands-on role, Mr Derwin said.

Our international recognition lets us stand proud on a world stage, and at home in Australia, weve got a million people playing basketball. Thats no small feat but I know we can continue to grow.

Were in an Olympic/Paralympic year, weve got a renewed focus with our Strategic Plan, and there are big things in the pipeline for the upcoming NBL season. Im excited to be a part of it.

Kristina Keneally, who today assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Mr Derwins appointment.

Scott brings with him a deep understanding of the history of basketball, as well as a keen appreciation of its future potential, Ms Keneally said.

Going forward, one of our priorities should be tapping into our incredible strength in terms of mass participation numbers. I know thats where Scotts awareness of and relationship with State Associations will be a boon for Australian basketball.

Scott is a successful sports administrator, a proud ambassador for our sport, and I know hell be a wise sounding-board for me as CEO.


Background Information

Before his successful career in Sports Administration, Scott Derwin enjoyed great success in the area of Law, where he was a founder, senior partner and owner of a respected law firm based in Newcastle. Starting the company in 1978, Derwin helped build it to a medium sized practice, employing 20 staff members before he sold the practice in 1992 to move into sport.

He successfully served as the CEO of Basketball Australia from 1999-2009 which saw him drive the unification of the sport under the Basketball Australia banner. He was also the leader in the implementation of the Aussie Hoops program and he was also instrumental in progressing Basketball Australia's relationship with both FIBA, the international governing body of the sport, along with the Chinese and USA basketball federations among others.

Prior to this, Derwin was the CEO of the Australian Paralympic Committee, a role he performed following the successes he achieved as the CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia. Derwins passion for the sport of basketball is further evidence by his serving as the Chairman of Basketball Queensland for the last two years before taking up his current position on the Basketball Australia Board. Scott Derwin is Chair of Basketball Australias Competition Commission and the WNBL Commission.

Courtesy of WNBL Australia


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  BALTIC LEAGUE   


Nerijus Varnelis signs with Juventus - by Eurobasket News

Nerijus Varnelis (201-F-78) signs with Juventus for 2012/2013 season. The Lithuanian Forward moves from S.Marciulionio K.A. Vilnius.
The season 2011-2012 he started for S.Marciulionio K.A. Vilnius (NKL, starting five) and averaged 17.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 75.4%. He played also at Leidykla Siaures Lietuva (VMKS - A Lyga, starting five) and also at TonyBet (VMKS - A Lyga, starting five).
Last year Nerijus Varnelis moved to S.Marciulionio from Pieno Zvaigzdes. An experienced forward posted 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game in NKL . Previously the forward used to play for Alita, Novy Jicin, Suduva, MBC Odessa, Hidruva-Atletas Kaunas, Panevezys, Khimik and Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. Eurobasket.com named Nerijus Varnelis into All-Lithuanian LKL 1st Team in 2009.
Over the last two seasons Nerijus Varnelis became Lithuanian NKL Regular Season Champion -11 and Lithuanian NKL Champion -11. Moreover he was awarded Eurobasket.com All-Lithuanian NKL Honorable Mention -12.


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  BELGIUM   


Leuven Transfer News - by Peter Buyse

Stella Artois Leuven Bears has announced the addition of American forward Ivan Aska (200-F-90) for the upcoming season.
Aska just finished his college career at Murray State. As senior he averaged 10.6 ppg and 6. rpg. He was voted to the Ohio Valley conference 2nd team after his senior year.
In 2008-2009, his freshman year, he earned OVC Freshman of the Year honors.
The Leuven roster is taking shape but the team is still looking for more additions.


Leuven Bears Transfer - by Peter Buyse

Stella Artois Leuven Bears had announced the addition of American power forward Johnny Dukes (203-F-84, college: San Bernardino CC) to the 2012-2013 roster.
Dukes who played 2 years of college ball at San Francisco University is headed to Belgium after having played in the Japanese 2nd Div the previous season.
In Japan he played for the Sendai 89ers and in 53 games averaged 15.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg.
Before playing at USF he played 2 seasons of Junior College at San Bernardino Valley JUCO, before moving to SF where as a senior he averaged 21.6 mpg, 7.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg.
Besides Japan he also played in Turkey for Itu Istanbul and in Ukraine.



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  BOSNIA   


Cibona agrees with Ante Masic, according to report - by Eurobasket News

Cibona agreed terms with Bosnian National Team member Ante Masic (200-F-85, agency: Interperformances), according to Tportal.hr. Reportedly, the deal will be official soon. Masic spent last three seasons with Zagreb. In the latest one he had 11.7 ppg and 3.6 rpg for 7 games in Croatian league. The player also added 7 ppg and 3 rpg in 24 Adriatic league games. In Euroleague his numbers dropped to 3.3 ppg and 2 rpg for 9 appearances. Masic won Croatian league title with Zagreb in 2011. They also were Cup winners in 2010 and 2011. Before Zagreb, Ante Masic played for Zlatorog Lasko and Zrinjski Mik Company.
According to the same source, Cibona wanted to sign center Darko Planinic (211-C-90), but Siroki WWin set a huge buy-out fee for the player. One of the candidates for position 5 job is experienced Dalibor Bagaric (217-C-80, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group).


Drasko Albijanic signed with BCM U Pitesti - by Eurobasket News

Drasko Albijanic (211-C-86) signed with BCM U Pitesti for the upcoming season. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Center continued however in Romania.
In 2011-2012 he played for CSU Asesoft Ploiesti (Romania-Div.A) and averaged 8.3ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 54.3%, FT: 58.1%. The Bosnian big guy headed to Romania from Borac Nektar Banja Luka, where he finished 2011 season. He joined them in March averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Eurobasket awarded Albijanic with All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Most Improved Player of the Year -11. He also got a call to join the Bosnian National Team. Drasko Albijanic started last season with Sloboda Dita Tuzla. There he exploded with 17.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2 apg for 20 games. He was a member of Sloboda since 2007. In the past, Albijanic also played for Leotar Trebinje.
Together with CSU Asesoft Ploiesti he became Romanian League Champion -12.


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  BOTSWANA   

Standings

D1 Standings
 1. Spartans 11-1 
 2. Flames 8-3 
 3. Cadets 8-3 
 4. Police 8-4 
 5. Troopers 8-5 
 6. Dolphins 4-3 
 7. BDF V 4-7 
 8. Splinters 2-8 
 9. Bullets 2-10 
 10. Saints 1-11 

Regular Season: Round 14

Aug. 4: Troopers - Flames 90-60
Aug. 3: BDF V - Saints 78-39
Aug. 4: Troopers - Cadets 70-57
Aug. 4: Saints - Flames 48-74

Regular Season: Round 16

Aug. 8: Cadets - Spartans
Aug. 10: Dolphins - Cadets
Aug. 10: Police - Troopers



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  BRAZIL   


Olympics 2012: Barbosa leads Brazil past Spain - by Eurobasket News

Spain - Brazil 82:88

Leandrinho Barbosa (190-PG-82) leads Brazil past Spain in the last game of Group B. Brazil wins over the Spanish outfit 88:82 and finished with 4-1 record on the second place. Spain suffered the second straight loss and dropped at 3-2.
Spain started with 26-17 and proved their ambitions for the win. Brazil replied with 21-18 in the second frame but lost the third quarter 19-22. The last period was decisive in the game. Spain led 5 points but could not keep the win. Neto reduced to 68:65, while Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) kept the difference at 70:67. Sada gave Spain 72:67 and Gasol increased to 6 points. Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 73:69 with 5 minutes to go. Leandrinho Barbosa later made two three-pointers in a row for 75:73 lead. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) tied the game at 75:75, but Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 77:75. Taylor increased to 4 points and Varejao made it 80:76. Again Leandrinho Barbosa scored for 82:76, while Varejao posted two for 84:77. Tiago Splitter made a dunk for 88:79 and Llull closed the game from the arc.
Leandrinho Barbosa top-scored for the winners with 23 points and Marquinhos Vieira (207-F-84) netted 13. Tiago Splitter followed them with 11 points in a win. Pau Gasol ended up with 25 points and Marc Gasol (216-C-85, agency: Interperformances) scored 20 in defeat.

Spain: Pau Gasol 25, Marc Gasol 20, Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) 14
Brazil: Leandrinho Barbosa 23, Marquinhos Vieira 13, Tiago Splitter 11


National Team point guard Rafael Freire stays in Spain - by Eurobasket News

Rafael Freire (188-PG-92) will stay in Spain for at least one more year. The Brazilian National team point guard signed a deal with Obradoiro CAB for the next season. He spent the last one with Alicante and helped them to survive in Liga Endesa, but later the team decided to withdraw due to financial problems. The player appeared 28 times for the club averaging 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Before Alicante, Freire was a member of Granada, Clinicas Rincon and Unicaja. He is active member of the Brazilian National Team. Rafael Freire had 3.7 ppg and 1 apg for 3 games at South American Championships in Chaco this summer. Brazil reached Semifinals at this event. A year ago, Freire won FIBA Americas Silver with Brazil. They also won Marchand Cup in Foz de Iguazu.


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  CANADA   


NBL Canada's 2012-2013 regular season schedule released - by Eurobasket News

The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce the official release of the 2012-2013 Regular Season schedule. NBL Canadas opening night will be Friday, November 2nd.

'We're truly excited to get the 2012-2013 season underway', said NBL Canada President & CEO Andre Levingston. 'Our fans can enjoy more games this year with our new 40-game schedule. With Windsor getting its formal introduction to professional basketball, and London looking to defend their championship position, this season will be action packed.'

The marquee matchup of NBL Canadas Opening Weekend will be the championship series rematch of the London Lighting against the Halifax Rainmen on Saturday night, November 3rd at the Budweiser Gardens formally named the John Labatt Centre.

The Lightning organization cant wait to get going and there isnt a better way to do that than opening at home against the Halifax Rainmen, said London Lightning GM Taylor Brown. As a result of the first season, we have developed a great rivalry with Halifax and our fans truly look forward to each and every game against the Rainmen. It should be another competitive year and November 3rd should make for an incredible environment at the Budweiser Gardens.

With the newly formed Central & Atlantic divisions, rivalries renewed & created, it certainly shapes up to be an exciting second season of the National Basketball League of Canada.

For more details of the 2012-2013 Regular Season schedule, please visit www.nblcanada.ca

Courtesy of The National Basketball League of Canada


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  CHINA   


Olympics 2012: Great Britain edge China in London - by Eurobasket News

Great Britain-China 90:58

Great Britain edge China in London as both teams finished Group B of the Olympics 2012. The hosts finished the journey with the comfortable 90:58 win and improved to 1-4 record. China lost all five games and dropped at 0-5 record on the bottom of the group.
Great Britain started the game with 27-15 and never looked behind after. The hosts added 19-16 in the second frame for 46:31 at the halftime. Great Britain dominated also the second half. They won the third period 26-17 and finished the game with 18-10.
Kieron Achara (208-F/C-83, agency: Two Points, college: Duquesne) top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Nathan Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) posted 12. Drew Sullivan (203-F-80, agency: Interperformances, college: Villanova) delivered 11 and Kyle Johnson (195-G-88, college: LIU Brooklyn) added 9. Wang ZhiZhi (215-C-77) finished the game with 11 points in the losing effort, while Jianlian Yi (212-PF-87) collected 10 points and 14 rebounds. Wang ShiPeng (198-SG-83) scored 9 and Zhou Peng (210-F-89) chipped in with 8.

Great Britain: Kieron Achara 16, Nathan Reinking 12, Drew Sullivan 11, Kyle Johnson 9
China: Wang ZhiZhi 11, Jianlian Yi 10+14 rebs, Wang ShiPeng 9, Zhou Peng 8


Humiliated China Blown Out by Great Britain - by Arthur Volbert

China completed its attrocious performance at the Olympics, getting blown out by Great Britain 90-58. If China had lost all five games but played closely contested losses, there would have been no disrespect for this team. But after playing well against Spain in its first game, China tanked in its last four games. It seemed to have no competitive drive. It was blown out by teams with which it should have been able to be competitive. This team has to be torn up and China must start over again.

China trailed 27-15 after one quarter, 46=31 at the half and 72-48 after three quarters. Wang ZhiZhi (215-C-77) had 11 points and 5 rebounds. Yi Jianlian had 10 points and 14 rebounds. Wang Shipeng scored 9. Zhou Peng scored 8. No one else scored more than 6. China was outrebounded 49-37. China had 15 turnovers to 5 for Great Britain. China had 8 assists to 19 for Great Britain. China hit only 4 of 15 three-pointers while Great Britain hit 13 of 36. China looked nothing like the team that was competitive at the 2010 World Championships.

Kieran Achara scored 16 for Great Britain. Nate Reinking scored 12, Drew Sullivan scored 11 and Joel Freedland and Eric Boateng had 10.

Link to box score:

http://www.london2012.com/basketball/event/men/match=bkm400b14/index.html


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  CROATIA   


Bojan Bogdanovic apologizes, returns to Croatian National Team - by Eurobasket News

Bojan Bogdanovic (203-G/F-89) returned to preparations of the Croatian National Team. The player was ejected from the NT a week ago for disciplinary reasons. However, Bogdanovic issued a public apologize and coach Jasmin Repesa returned him to the NT.
Bojan Bogdanovic should be one of the key players of Team Croatia in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications, which start on August 14. Croatia is placed to Group C, together with Austria, Cyprus, Hungary and Ukraine. Bogdanovic had 12.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg last summer in Lithuania. He also played for Croatia at 2010 World Championship in Turkey. At this event he averaged 11.7 points and 2.8 rebounds for 6 games. Bogdanovic played last season for Fenerbahce Ulker and he will stay there for 2012/13. They already have powerful roster.


Cibona agrees with Ante Masic, according to report - by Eurobasket News

Cibona agreed terms with Bosnian National Team member Ante Masic (200-F-85, agency: Interperformances), according to Tportal.hr. Reportedly, the deal will be official soon. Masic spent last three seasons with Zagreb. In the latest one he had 11.7 ppg and 3.6 rpg for 7 games in Croatian league. The player also added 7 ppg and 3 rpg in 24 Adriatic league games. In Euroleague his numbers dropped to 3.3 ppg and 2 rpg for 9 appearances. Masic won Croatian league title with Zagreb in 2011. They also were Cup winners in 2010 and 2011. Before Zagreb, Ante Masic played for Zlatorog Lasko and Zrinjski Mik Company.
According to the same source, Cibona wanted to sign center Darko Planinic (211-C-90), but Siroki WWin set a huge buy-out fee for the player. One of the candidates for position 5 job is experienced Dalibor Bagaric (217-C-80, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group).


KK Split inks Vedran Vukusic - by Dajana Karl

Forward Vedran Vukusic (206-F-82, college: Northwestern) will be spending the following season in his hometown with KK Split. Last season he was on KK Cedevita Zagreb's team averaging 9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 21 game in Adriatic league, in the 8 games he played in Eurocup he had the average of 5.4 points and 2 rebounds, while in Croatian A1 league he was averaging 8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 games.

The athletics director and the player Nikola Vujcic (211-C-78) said: "We are all happy that we were able to get Vedran Vukusic on our team, the player with a huge experience, that is local."

"I wanted to return home after 10-12 years of absence, and the motive was also the fact that I never played for the senior team of KK Split There are tough fights in front of us, but considering what I saw last year, I think we'll see a lot of good games. I think I'll be a good fit, I'm motivated to achieve the best results. " - Vedran Vukusic said.

Split is starting with the preparations for the following season, according to Nikola Vujcic, there won't be any big news when it comes to team roster. The big three, Bacvic, Nazor and Tanta, left.

"We're keeping Toni Dijan (205-F-83), also Ante Grgurevic (199-F-75, agency: Interperformances), hopefully in another function. When it comes to Luka Babic (200-F-91), we are negotiating with Cedevita and I believe that the situation will be clearer by the end of this week." - Nikola Vujcic said.




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  CZECH REPUBLIC   


Pavel Pumprla leaves CEZ Nymburk for Spain - by Eurobasket News

Pavel Pumprla (200-F-86) will continue his career in Spanish Liga Endesa. The 26-year-old forward penned a deal with Obradoiro CAB. Pumprla played last three years for the Czech powerhouse CEZ Basketball Nymburk. He had 12.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 2.2 apg for 13 EuroCup games last season. The player also added 9.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg for 15 games in VTB United League. He had almost the same numbers in domestic championship. With Nymburk Pumprla won three championship titles and three Cup trophies in Czech Republic.
Pavel Pumprla arrived to Nymburk three years ago from BK Breda & Weinstein Opava. In the past he played for Prostejov. Pumprla picked up few important awards over the last two seasons. He was named: Eurobasket.com All-Czech Rep. League Most Improved Player of the Year -11, Eurobasket.com All-Czech Rep. League 2nd Team -11, Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup 2nd Team -12, Eurobasket.com EuroCup All-Europeans Team -12 and Eurobasket.com All-Czech Rep. League Defensive Player of the Year -12. Pavel Pumprla had 13.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg for 3 games in Qualifications to European Championships Division B 2011.


Eugene Lawrence Continues Career in Ukraine with Hoverla - by Surujh Roopnarine

26-year old point guard Eugene Lawrence (184-G-86, college: St.John's) will continue his career next season with Hoverla Ivano-Frankivsk in the Ukraine. Coming off of the second championship of his career (2009 - BK Casta SPU Nitra, Slovakia) this past season with CEZ Nymburk the former St. Johns star will join ex-BK Prostejov forward Travis Peterson (208-C/F-85, college: Samford) on Hoverla, which finished in sixth position this past season, including a first-round exit (0-6) in EuroChallenge play. For a star-studded Nymburk squad this past season Lawrence saw his playing time and stats fluctuate in various competitions, but maintained his typical strong across the board production. CEZ Nymburk competed in three full-time leagues, NBL, Eurocup and VTB United League, in addition to Euroleague qualifying games to start last season. In 16 VTB games Lawrence averaged 6.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while playing 22 minutes per game. In 14 Eurocup games he logged 19 minutes per and averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals. Finally in domestic Mattoni NBL games he averaged 20.3 minutes per game with 6.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.1 steals. Prior to this season with Nymburk Lawrence, who finished his collegiate career ranked in the top-five all-time in both assists and steals at St. Johns, spent two seasons in Prostejov, leading the club to back-to-back Finals appearances and his rookie season in Slovakia where he guided Nitra to an Extraliga championship in 2009.


BK Pardubice Completes Roster With Signing of Pair of Youngsters - by Surujh Roopnarine

After announcing that veteran swingman Corey Muirhead (198-F-83, college: W.Carolina) will return for a second season, BK Pardubice completed its 2012-13 roster with the announcement that they had signed forward Samuel Faifr (203-F-93) and guard Josef Prihonsky (183-PG-93). Faifr, 19, has spent the last three seasons developing in Spain in the EBA and LEB-Gold leagues for Unicaja II Malaga and CB Ins Oftamologico Clinicas Rincon. The 6-8 NBL rookie was a member of the Czech Republic U20 National Team which took part in the 2011 European Championships B Division in Sarajevo.
Josef Prihonsky, who will turn 19 at the end of this month, spent the last two seasons in Liberec playing in the 1.Liga. Last season the 6-0 guard appeared in 27 games, averaging 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Club management sees room for these players to develop with Pardubice this season and for the long-term.
Pardubice also announced that 36-year old Dusan Bohunicky has joined the club as an assistant coach after coaching BK Kondori Liberec last season.

BK Pardubice 2012-13 Roster
Evaldas Zabas (188-PG-88)
Michal Carnecky (184-PG-85)
Jiri Soula (189-PG-95)
Lukas Kotas (194-F-84)
Corey Muirhead
Ondrej Peterka (198-F-91)

Samuel Faifr
Josef Prihonsky
Petr Bohacik (204-F-85)
Zbynek Pospisil (205-F/C-81)
Travis Nelson (211-C-87, college: Minnesota St.)
Martin Peterka (203-PF-95)


Aubrey Coleman signs with Czech Champions - by Eurobasket News

Aubrey Coleman (193-G-87, agency: Two Points, college: Houston) signs with Czech Champions for the upcoming season. The American player moves to Czech Republic.
Last year he played for Angelico Biella. In 2011-2012 for the Italian team he averaged 18.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.0apg, Steals-1 (3.3spg), FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 70.7%.

Aubrey Coleman started the season 2010 in Aliaga Petkim in Turkey. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.4 boards and 1.3 assists per appearance. In January Aubrey Coleman moved to the Austin Toros in D-League. His stats read 13.4 points, 4.5 boards and 2.1 assists per game. It is the first pro season for the guard. Aubrey Coleman graduated from the University of Houston in 2010. He notched 25.6 points, 7.4 boards, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists per game in his senior season.

Aubrey Coleman participated at the Italian SerieA All-Star Game -12 and was named Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA 2nd Team -12.


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  DENMARK   


Horsens IC land Lukas Varga - by Christian Hamborg

Slovakian/German guard Lukas Varga (183-G-85, college: Coker) continues his career in Denmark by joining Horsens IC for the 2012/13 season. The Slovakian guard played for Lemvig BK in the Danish 1st division and managed to take the team to the 1st Division Semifinals in both seasons. Prior to playing in Denmark Lukas Varga played one season for NCAA2 school S.Carol.-Aiken and then three seasons for NCAA2 school Coker where Lukas Varga was the starting point guard in his final season.


Larsen to Spain - by Thomas Soltau

There has been a lot of talks surrounding big-tim talent RasmusG Larsen (212-C-94) and his future. Now a decision has been made.

The Young Danish big-man has signed with spanish team Assignia Manresa.

Larsen played the last two years for Vaerlose, however did not see as much playing time has his talent alone should have giving him. The spanish team will change this, as the player will also compete in the EBA.

A lot of teams have been after the young player, but he definitely made the right choice of staying in Europe.

Eurobasket Denmark wishes RasmusG Larsen all the best and will continue to track his progress in the future.




Assignia Manresa locks young Danish C Rasmus Larsen until 2016 - by Eurobasket News

Assignia Manresa made a move for the future. The team penned a 4-year deal with young Danish center Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94). The 17-year old player arrives to Manresa from Vaerlose BBK. He appeared 23 times for the club last season averaging 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. Larsen made debut for the senior squad in 2010. Before that, he played for Vaelrose juniors. Last summer Rasmus Larsen helped U18 Denmark to win the Silver at U18 EuroBasket in Bulgaria. He had 11.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg at this event. He was named Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Division B Best Center -11. In 2009, Rasmus Larsen also won the Silver, but with U16 Denmark at U16 EuroBasket Division B in Portugal. There he had 2.3 ppg and 2.1 rpg for 7 games.


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  D-LEAGUE   


Jam 2012-13 Season Affiliates - by Serafim Karaiskakis

The Bakersfield Jam will affiliate with the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and Toronto Raptors for the 2012-13 NBA Development League season, the team announced today.

For the eighth consecutive year, each NBA team has one NBA D-League team to which it may assign players. During the 2011-12 season, the NBA D-League saw all-time highs in NBA player assignments (67) and individual players assigned (44) from their NBA parent clubs.

Beginning in the 2012-13 season, NBA players in the first three years of their NBA careers may be assigned to their NBA D-League affiliate an unlimited number of times, according to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. For the second consecutive year, players beyond the first three years of their NBA careers may be assigned to their NBA D-League affiliate with their consent and the consent of the NBA Players Association.

The 2012-13 season will mark the first year of Bakersfields affiliation with the Atlanta Hawks. We look forward to our new affiliation with the Bakersfield franchise, said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and GM Danny Ferry. We believe in the value of the NBA Development League as it provides a tremendous opportunity to continue developing our young players. This is an exciting partnership that will benefit both franchises.

The Jam will enter the fourth year of their affiliation relationship with the Los Angeles Clippers. The D-League is a valuable resource to our organization and were happy to continue our relationship with the Bakersfield Jam, said Clippers Head Coach Vinny Del Negro.

Bakersfield will enter the second year of their affiliation with the Phoenix Suns.

Bakersfield Jam and Toronto Raptors will also enter the second year of their affiliation. We are pleased to be affiliated with the Bakersfield Jam for a second consecutive season as the coaching staff and administration were great to deal with. We hope to utilize this tremendous resource again this season, said Toronto Raptors President and General Manager, Bryan Colangelo.

"We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with the Clippers, Suns, and Raptors. We are excited to begin a new partnership with the Atlanta Hawks as Danny Ferry, coaching staff, and the entire Hawks are a first class organization, added Bakersfield Jam Head Coach, Will Voigt. We are looking forward in helping our affiliates develop young NBA players and have them gain valuable experience.

Of the 16 NBA D-League teams playing during the 2012-13 season, five are fully owned and operated by their NBA affiliates: the Austin Toros (San Antonio Spurs), Canton Charge (Cleveland Cavaliers), Dakota Wizards (Golden State Warriors), Los Angeles D-Fenders (Los Angeles Lakers), and Tulsa 66ers (Oklahoma City Thunder). The Wizards have applied to relocate the team from Bismarck, North Dakota to Santa Cruz, California in a move that would bring the team closer to the Warriors. The Erie BayHawks (New York Knicks), Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets) and Springfield Armor (Brooklyn Nets) join the Stampede (Trail Blazers) and Red Claws (Celtics) as teams with hybrid single-affiliation partnerships, where the NBA teams control their NBA D-League affiliates basketball operations. The Dallas Mavericks remain solely affiliated with the Texas Legends.

The remaining five NBA D-League teams will have three or four NBA parent teams: Bakersfield Jam (Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors), Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks), Iowa Energy (Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards), Reno Bighorns (Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz), Sioux Falls Skyforce (Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers).

The NBA D-League continues to be a launching pad for NBA talent 27 percent of all NBA players on 2011-12 end-of-season rosters have played in the NBA D-League, while one third of the NBA Draft classes from 2009, 2010, and 2011 played in the NBA D-League.

source: http://www.nba.com/dleague/


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  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC   

Standings - District National

LNB Standings
North Division
 1. Indios SF 6-3 
 2. Huracanes 6-3 
 3. Metros 5-3 
 4. Reales 2-7 
South Division
 1. Caneros 5-4 
 2. Leones SD 4-5 
 3. Titanes 4-5 
 4. Cocolos 3-5 

Regular Season: Round 7

Aug. 3: Titanes - Reales 86-77
Aug. 4: Leones SD - Reales 85-81
Aug. 5: Caneros - Indios SF 76-80
Aug. 4: Metros - Titanes 108-100
Aug. 5: Huracanes - Leones SD 102-78

Regular Season: Round 8

Aug. 7: Cocolos - Huracanes
Aug. 7: Metros - Caneros
Aug. 8: Reales - Cocolos
Aug. 8: Titanes - Indios SF



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  EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE   


Team Dubai captures Houston ESL championship! - by ESL News

Game 13 Championship: Dubai 63 Tokyo 51
Quite amazing how things unfolded in the last day with the matchups coming down to how they were paired in the first official games of yesterday morning with Dubai winning the championship over Tokyo 63-51. Dubai had a long road to go as they had to win three games in one day to win the whole thing and that is exactly what they did. Soon to be chosen MVP Jejuan Plair (185-G-85) was virtually unstoppable today as he led his team in crucial moments time and time again leading them with crucial 3s that stopped every run that Tokyo tried to pull together. However, Richard Thomas was the leading scorer with 20 pts and Jejaun pitched in his 18 pts. In defeat and a hard fought group in Tokyo was led by Yan Moukoury (201-F-88) with 14 pts.
Dubai-63, Tokorra Cato (173-PG-87), 1 pts, 1 rb, Kenny LaGuerre (205-F/C-85), 9 pts, 5 rbs, 1 ast, Richard Thomas, 20 pts, 2 rbs, 1 ast, Marcus Smallwood (198-F-82, agency: Court Side, college: N.Illinois), 8 pts, 8 rbs, 2 ast, T.J. Johnson (190-G-89), 2 pts, 3 rbs, 6 asts, Jejuan Plair, 18 pts, 1 rbd, Lontrell Jackson (F), 5 pts, 4 rbs, 1 ast
Tokyo-51, Akeem Sween (191-G-87), 11 pts, 5 rbs, 1 ast, Tadavius Williams, 6 pts, 1 rbd, 1 asts, Jesse Williams (188-G-84, college: SU-Shreveport), 6 pts, 5 rbs, 1 ast,

Lamont Houston (170-PG-86, college: Warner), 7 pts, 1 rbs, 1 ast, Morris Smith (193-G-87, college: UTSA), 7 pts, 4 rbs, 1 ast, Yan Moukoury, 14 pts, 2 rebs


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  EUROCUP   


Budivelnyk Kyiv agrees deal with Malcolm Delaney - by Eurobasket News

Budivelnyk Kyiv agreed a deal with Malcolm Delaney (191-G-89, college: Virginia Tech), according to Eurobasket's David Pick. It will be official soon. Delaney led Chalon for French ProA title last season. He shined with 15 ppg, 3.3 apg and 3.1 rpg for 35 games. The player had pretty close numbers for 16 EuroChallenge games as well. Chalon won two more trophies last season: Semaine des As and French Cup. They reached EuroChallenge Finals. It was the first professional deal for Malcolm Delaney, who graduated at Virginia Tech University something more than a year ago. He had 18.7 ppg, 4 apg and 3.5 rpg for his school as a senior. Delaney was even better in his junior season with Virginia Tech. At that time he had 20.2 ppg, 4.5 apg and 3.7 rpg for 33 games.


Aubrey Coleman signs with Czech Champions - by Eurobasket News

Aubrey Coleman (193-G-87, agency: Two Points, college: Houston) signs with Czech Champions for the upcoming season. The American player moves to Czech Republic.
Last year he played for Angelico Biella. In 2011-2012 for the Italian team he averaged 18.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.0apg, Steals-1 (3.3spg), FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 24.2%, FT: 70.7%.

Aubrey Coleman started the season 2010 in Aliaga Petkim in Turkey. He averaged 16.6 points, 4.4 boards and 1.3 assists per appearance. In January Aubrey Coleman moved to the Austin Toros in D-League. His stats read 13.4 points, 4.5 boards and 2.1 assists per game. It is the first pro season for the guard. Aubrey Coleman graduated from the University of Houston in 2010. He notched 25.6 points, 7.4 boards, 2.7 steals and 2.6 assists per game in his senior season.

Aubrey Coleman participated at the Italian SerieA All-Star Game -12 and was named Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA 2nd Team -12.


Budivelnyk land Dainius Salenga - by Eurobasket News

Budivelnyk strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with experienced Dainius Salenga (197-F-77). The forward started the previous season with Rudupis Prienu. He tallied 11.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.1 boards and 1.3 steals per game in LKL. In Baltic League Dainius Salenga posted 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.2 assists per appearance. The forward also posted 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game in EuroCup. In December he moved to Zalgiris Kaunas. Dainius Salenga posted 6.0 points, 2.2 boards and 1.5 assists in Euroleague. In LKL his stats read 9.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. In VTB League the forward banked 5.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Eurobasket.com named him into Baltic League All-European Players Team.


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  EUROLEAGUE   


Asseco Prokom close to keeping Adam Hrycaniuk - by Eurobasket News

Adam Hrycaniuk (206-C-84, agency: Alti Sport, college: Cincinnati) is almost sure to stay with Asseco Prokom next season. Various reports sent the centre into different teams but it seems Adam Hrycaniuk will re-sign with the Polish champions. He is close to agreeing on terms of new contract with Asseco Prokom. Adam Hrycaniuk has been playing in Asseco Prokom since 2008. Last season the centre notched 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in VTB League. In Euroleague Adam Hrycaniuk tallied 6.0 points and 4.7 boards per appearance. In PLK the centre posted 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. He made it into Polish League All-Domestic Players Team for the second season in a row. Adam Hrycaniuk has been the member of Polish National Team since 2010. He participated at 2011 EuroBasket. Adam Hrycaniuk notched 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in Lithuania.


BC Donetsk close to Doron Perkins - by Eurobasket News

Various sources report that Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, agency: Arete Sports Agency, college: Santa Clara) will continue his career in Ukraine. The guard has reportedly agreed on terms of contract with the Ukrainian champions. Last season Doron Perkins spent in Italy. He played for Bennet Cantu. Doron Perkins averaged 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game in Euroleague. In SeriaA Doron Perkins notched 11.1 points, 6.2 boards, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per appearance. The guard participated at NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas recently. Previously Doron Perkins previously had stints with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Euphony Bree, EWE Baskets and Toyota Alvark. He was named All-Japanese JBL Superleague Player of the Year in 2006. Doron Perkins was also trumped All-Israeli League Player of the Year in 2009. He made it into Israeli League All-Imports Team in 2009 and 2011.


Donetsk officially signs Doron Perkins - by Eurobasket News

BC Donetsk continues with signings for the upcoming season. Their latest addition is American point guard Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, college: Santa Clara). The 29-year old player arrives to the reining Ukrainian champion from Bennet Cantu, where he finished last season. Perkins appeared 18 times in SerieA averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals. The player also added 10 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 5.5 apg for 2 games. He joined Cantu in February. Doron Perkins played for Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2009 to 2011. A year before that Perkins played for Maccabi Haifa. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Player of the Year -09 and Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League 1st Team -09. He was named to First Team also in 2011. In 2006, Doron Perkins was awarded with Asia-Basket.com All-Japanese JBL Superleague Player of the Year.
BC Donetsk will play in Euroleague qualifications.


Asseco Prokom signs NT point guard Lukasz Koszarek - by Eurobasket News

Lukasz Koszarek (187-PG-84) is a new member of Asseco Prokom Gdynia. He arrives to the Polish powerhouse from Trefl Sopot. Koszarek shined last season with 15.5 ppg, 4.5 apg and 1.3 spg in 49 PLK games. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Domestic Player of the Year -12. Koszarek helped Trefl Sopot to win the Polish Cup and he picked up the MVP award. Before Trefl Sopot, Lukasz Koszarek spent two years with Pepsi JuveCaserta. From 2007 to 2009 he played for Anwil Wloclawek. Koszarek participated five times at PLK All-Star Game. He is active member of the National Team since 2003. Last summer in Lithuania Koszarek shined with 13 ppg, 4.4 apg and 1.8 rpg for 5 games. Three years ago at the EuroBasket in Poland the player had 9.2 ppg, 4.3 apg and 3.7 rpg for 6 games.


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


KORISLIIGA: Kenneth Lowe still going strong - by Rauno Hurmalainen

Pyrinto from Tampere has informed, that American G Kenneth Lowe (192-G-80, college: Purdue) will start his sixth season in Finland and on Pyrinto roster. Lowe averaged last season 16,1 ppg - 3,9 rpg - 2,0 apg in 30,0 mpg and 49 contests. Lowe was shooting with 84,2 % accuracy from the FT line. Pyrinto's second American player coming 2012-13 season will be SF Lamonte Ulmer (198-SF-86, college: Rhode Island). Ulmer started his international career last season in Luxembourg (Soleuvre), where he averaged 26,2 ppg - 12,5 rpg - 1,3 bpg in 39,1 mpg and 22 games. Pyrinto's new Head Coach is Finnish Ville Tuominen .


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


Alexis Ajinca to play in France, Chalon? - by Eurobasket News

There is a good chance that Alexis Ajinca (215-C-88, agency: Priority Sports) will play in France next season, according to Catch-and-shoot.com. Reportedly, the reining ProA champion Chalon still looks for the big man and it could be the next stop for Ajinca. So far this is just a rumor as nothing is officially confirmed by the club nor by the player. Chalon will play in Euroleague next season.
Alexis Ajinca had very limited playing time with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The center finished last season with Strasbourg IG. He joined them in December averaging 14 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 blocks for 17 games in ProA. He was the best shot blocker of the competition. Ajinca started the season with Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket collecting 21 ppg and 10 rpg for 2 games, after what he spent some time working out with Toronto Raptors. Alexis Ajinca moved to the NBA in 2008 from Pau-Orthez. He was 20th overall pick selected by the Charlotte Bobcats.


Olympics 2012: France tame Nigeria for fourth win - by Eurobasket News

France - Nigeria 79:73

France celebrated the fourth win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Nigeria to climb at 4-1 record in Group A. Nicolas Batum (203-SF-88) posted 23 points and 6 rebounds to lead the winners.
Les Bleus tipped off the game with 9 points in a row. France enjoyed a 23:10 lead after ten minutes of action. The margin grew at 14-point mark early in the second term before Nigeria showed some signs of recovery. The African powerhouse cut the deficit at 8-point mark before Nande De Colo made it 41:30 capping the half with a three-pointer. Nigeria got within five midway through the third term. Chamberlain Oguchi (198-SG-86, college: Illinois St.) then tied things up at 44. However France immediately answered with six points in a row to take the lead back. Les Bleus eked out a 56:54 advantage at the final intermission. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the bigger part of the final quarter. But Nicolas Batum scored 9 points in the final four minutes of regulation to seal the victory for Les Bleus. Mickael Gelabale (201-SF-83, agency: Court Side) posted 11 points, while Boris Diaw (203-PF-82) added 10 points, 6 boards and 4 assists for the winners. Chamberlain Oguchi answered with 35 points for Nigeria. Derrick Obasohan (198-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) had 18 points in the loss.

France: Nicolas Batum 23, Mickael Gelabale 11, Boris Diaw 10
Nigeria: Chamberlain Oguchi 35, Derrick Obasohan 18


Germany U18 win both games over the French side - by Eurobasket News

Germany U18 win both games over the French side in the friendly games.
In Game 1 Germany U18 beat France U18 72:63 in overtime. Germany won the first period 13-6 and led 7 points at the halftime. France meanwhile produced two narrow victories in the second half to tie the score after four quarters. Due to 15-6 in overtime Germany won the game. Paul Zipser (195-G-94) scored 17 points for the winners and David Taylor (188-PG-95) added 14. Labanca and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (201-F/C-94) replied with 18 points each in the losing effort.
In Game 2 Germany U18 produced an 85:59 win. They started with 21-7 and added 22-10 in the second frame. Paul Zipser top-scored for the winners with 19 points and Stefan Wess (203-F) posted 13. Moendadze and Alexandre Chassang (199-C-94) scored 11 points in the losing effort.


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  GERMANY   


Germany U18 win both games over the French side - by Eurobasket News

Germany U18 win both games over the French side in the friendly games.
In Game 1 Germany U18 beat France U18 72:63 in overtime. Germany won the first period 13-6 and led 7 points at the halftime. France meanwhile produced two narrow victories in the second half to tie the score after four quarters. Due to 15-6 in overtime Germany won the game. Paul Zipser (195-G-94) scored 17 points for the winners and David Taylor (188-PG-95) added 14. Labanca and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (201-F/C-94) replied with 18 points each in the losing effort.
In Game 2 Germany U18 produced an 85:59 win. They started with 21-7 and added 22-10 in the second frame. Paul Zipser top-scored for the winners with 19 points and Stefan Wess (203-F) posted 13. Moendadze and Alexandre Chassang (199-C-94) scored 11 points in the losing effort.


ETB SW Essen signs Dallas Green - by Moritz Korff

ETB SW Essen (2. Bundesliga Pro A) has confirmed the signing of Dallas Green (203-F-88, college: Robert Morris). The post player from Indianapolis, Indiana, will make his Germany debut in the upcoming season. Green spent four years at NCAA D1 school Robert Morris until 2010. In his senior season (2009-2010) he averaged 6.6 points and 5 rebounds per outing for the Colonials.
In the 2011-12 season Green was a member of ABA's Little Rock Lightning and spent some time in Mexico, playing for CIBACOPA team Frayles de Guasave during the 2012 spring campaign. He saw action in 12 games and posted 11.9 points as well as 7.7 boards a contest.


Dijon Smith moves to Herford - by Moritz Korff

Dijon Smith (203-F-89, college: Ft.Hays State) has become the next player to sign with 1. Regionalliga West newcomer BBG Herford. The 23-year-old power forward hails from Omaha, Nebraska and spent the 2011-12 season, his first as a professional athlete, with BSV Wulfen in the 2. Bundesliga Pro B. Smith is an athletic post player with great defensive abilities, who can score as well. At Wulfen he averaged 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, which made him the league's second leading shot blocker.
BBG also added Robin Richter (190-G-88) and Omar Zemhoute to the roster. Richter moves from Bielefeld to Herford, while Zemhoute returns to BBG after a season with Oberliga team Guetersloher TV.


Bobby Brown Departs From The Beko BBL Towards Italy - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

The one year return to the Beko BBL has ended again for ex NBA player Bobby Brown (188-PG-84, college: CS Fullerton) as he has signed a contract with Italian Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA) team. After starting his professional basketball career in 2007 with Alba Berlin and leading them to the title, he played some years in the NBA and in Poland before returning to Germany to the EWE Baskets Oldenburg. He was unable to return that magic that he had with Alba Berlin as he was unable to lead the team into the Beko BBL playoffs last season. Last season for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg, he played EuroChallenge: 12 games: 15.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 80.9%; German League: 34 games: Score-1 (16.9ppg), 2.2rpg, Assists-5 (4.7apg), FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 78.7%. He scored in double figures 30 times including 30 points against BBC Bayreuth and ratiopharm Ulm. He was also solid in Eurochallenge play where he scored in double figures in 10 of 12 games. He achieved Eurobasket.com All-EuroChallenge 2nd Team -12, and Eurobasket.com EuroChallenge All-Imports Team -12 honours.



Japhet Mcneil (I Can Dominate A Game On The Ball Defensively) - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Japhet McNeil (183-PG-85, college: Bridgeport)s a 27 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York. He played at East Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred to Bridgeport (NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. In 2008-2009, he played his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for USC Heidelberg playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.9apg), Steals-1 (3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%. In 2009-2010, he played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%. In 2010-2011, he played for BG Karlsruhe (Germany-ProA): 3 games: 4.0ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.7apg. Last season he played for the Connecticut TopBallerz (ABA)and this summer took part at the EuroDraft Camp in Schwechat (Austria): Cronus team: 4 games: 5.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg and the Blacktop Showcase (Team Finland B4) He spoke to Eurobasket about Basketball and life.

Japhet thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. We are in the middle of summer. Where are you presently and how have you enjoyed your summer the best away from the court?

Hey Miles, thanks for having me its always a pleasure and fun. Yea we are in mid summer, I'm actually in NYC that's home sweet home for me. It's been a good summer thus far, I was able to attend some exposure events and participate in some individuals to stay at surface and get my game evaluated by scouts. So I wasn't away from the courts this summer, I went to Austria Vienna and attended the euro draft event, that was great I thought I played well and showed a good floor game from the pg perspective and in a camp setting with playing equal minutes and in increments, I did some networking met some good players and enjoyed Vienna at this point. I'm still waiting on some good feedback I got from the camp along with the exposure event that was in NYC black top mng same settings I attended that as well, I invested in my career rather than the nyc streetball this summer.

You had a very strong rookie season with USC Heidelberg in 2008-2009 playing 30 games: 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.9apg), Steals-1 (3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%., Are you a bit disappointed that you werent able to get a job in the Beko BBL the next season?

Yes indeed, that was a solid campaign for USC Heidelberg my rookie season. Its sort of weird but I am a tough critic toward myself and I say to myself that was a sub par year individually because I was so new to the experience, but I'd like to see myself when I am at a comfort level, Your level rises. That's where I'm pretty much at right now with my game, trying to play at a high comfort level. The BBL teams didn't make any concrete attempts at me, disappointing yes but motivational at the same time. That following year I took the offer in Cyprus, but it didn't work out tough country but great experience.

After three years in Europe playing in Germany and Finland, you decided to come back to the States last season to play for the Connecticut TopBallerz (ABA). Why did you decide to make this move?

After three years overseas what made me come back to the states and play?? It was basically trial and error, the offers that was put on the table was really at a all time low, that was a period when the NBA lockout was in effect, and I thought it trickled down. When I realized it was getting late I decided to either try the developmental league which I end up not doing due to complications, or something to stay in shape until a good deal surfaced. I was fortunate to be a part of a solid ABA organization in ctb top ballerz, they was able to present the same options that a team in Europe could with housing/pay / games/film so I opted to stay in the U.S.

What kind of experience of playing in the ABA did you have? What was your wakeup call to playing in the ABA?

The experience playing in the ABA it has it's very own lane honest speaking. You have teams that can't afford the budget so they fold, so therefore you have to make up a game, level of competition is solid because you have guys that played overseas or has the talent to, but for whatever reason they not. It was very humbling but it made me realize that my game is suited for the the Europe competition I like to be professional all the way around. The organization I was apart of tried to uphold that image as much as possible that's why we were successful by winning the northeast region and competing in the elite 8 against the other organizations that were well managed in the ABA.

If you had to compare the ABA to the PRO A in Germany, where would you see the differences in level of play and player talent?

If I had to compare the two, pro a vs the ABA? For starts it will be definitely professionalism, budget, the talent level is comparable because again you get guys that played all over, for instance on our roster starting out 2 nba d league players that was drafted also John Winchester out of Tennessee and other top Connecticut natives that was successful at some point. Those were just the players that was on my team, other squads would have guys that could play in PRO A. And be successful. But it's no comparison to the style of play I'll give that to the European style any day better organization, that is evident you get a lot more practice time and more of a team feel.

The Connecticut TopBallerz (ABA) had all sorts of players on the roster from NCAA2 and NCAA3 players to 39 year old Jeff Johnson. What kind of experience was it playing with these guys?


Yea there were a lot of roster changes, that made it hard to really get a chemistry and that team feeling but for the most part the guys who were close on the team stayed together, you need that to be cohesive as a unit, the family feel on the court, the I got your back feel!! Hahahah that was a roster error, my guy Jeff Johnson by the way who is a hell of a player and actually played a part in my game because he made me work my tail off in practice he is 28 years old, I don't think a 39 year old would be able to hang with me right now lol

You are 27 now and coming into the best basketball age. You have matured a lot in the last years since our first interview in 2008. How have you matured as a player and how has your game progressed since your rookie year with USC Heidelberg?


Yes, I'm 27 now and like you said I'm coming to great playing age, body still feels 22 ish but my mental aspect has got a lot tougher that saying is true the game begins to slow down and you begin to be mentally tougher, along with your game. I'm blessed to be injury free, so hopefully I'm like wine as I age I get more polished

You are interested to coming back to Germany. You played for USC Heidelberg and BG Karlsruhe. Why should a PRO A team sign Japhet Mcneil for the 2012-2013 season? What are your most important assets?

My most important assets are my defense capabilities, and the versatility because I can dominate a game on the ball defensively but on the offensive end I m able to put pressure on the defense, with my quickness + dribbling ability + passing ability. This year I'm focused on sticking the 3 ball more often and constantly knocking down the in between jump shot. I have to add I'm very coachable I think that is so vital because if your the captain of the ship you have to follow out orders to be able to sail in your destination.

You played only seven games for BG Karlsruhe, but you were able to practice with German Rouven Roessler. What was the most amazing thing that you saw him do in a practice or game?


I did. I was a member of BG Karlsruhe, Rouven was very good and competitive that's what I liked most about him, very quiet but a nice guy atl east towards me, that's because I was a pass first point guard lol no but Rouv got some game with him. He would go on runs by himself, fadeaways, pull ups, really good player and you can't forget about his athleticism for his age.

How does a summer work out day look like for Japhet McNeiln 2012?


My work outs varies, I have a physical trainer, and basketball trainer. I try to create a balance schedule during the week that way the body doesn't get beat down and I can continue to build. As far as free weights I'm not heavy with we do a lot of agility, body weight, flexibility, core work etc. On the basketball end we work on the entire arsenal. The entire "ARSONAL"

What is your goal for this season as a basketball player?

The goal that I set for this season for whichever club I'm apart of, I want to obviously play well and be healthy but the big picture my over all goal is to finish strong. I have to be able to start well, that's never an issue it's about finishing better than how you start, so that's very important to me and something I m going to focus on.

What is your sweetest memory of a Japhet Mcniel to Jibril Hodges hook up on the court during the USC Heidelberg season?

) My greatest memory with my guy Jibril Hodges aside from off the court!!! It would have to be that alley oop I threw him against Schalke, phweeew that's all time right there, it was then and it still is to this day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmYGl5wqE8Y&sns=em) watch it in hq ohhhh baby!!

Which team would win a game in their prime, the Dream team or Team USA 2012?

I'm going to go with team USA 2012-2013, the dream team would have match up problems. We forget this years Olympic team has 3 or 4 players legit that are going to be top 5 all time greats surpassing players like Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner etc. the dream team top guns are MJ, Scottie, Magic, Bird, a young Shaq, Ewing etc. 2012-2013 Olympic team consist of Kevin Durant a matchup problem, Kobe all time great, Lebron all time great, Chris Paul will go down as one of the top pg to ever lace em if he stays healthy same opinion with Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony all time great as well etc. I think it's a toss up argument but at the end of the day it comes downs to match ups.


What was the last DVD movie that you saw?


The last DVD I saw lately, I ran out and I had to grab the classic movie "top shottas" one of my all time gangster films!!

Thanks Japhet for the chat.




German National Team Announced For 2012 Supercup In Bamberg - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

This coming weekend is the annual Supercup in Bamberg that always draws appealing opponents for the German national team as Turkey, Finalnd and Poland will be present . German national coacj Svetislav Pesic has announced his roster for the weekend games. Daniel Theis (206-C/F-92) who played for the New Yorker Phnatoms Braunschweig last season and will play for ratiopharm Ulm this season was named as third U20 player after Mathis Monninghoff and Patrick Heckmann. The roster looks as follows. Robin Benzing (FC Bayern Munich), Bastian Doreth (TBB Trier), Per Guenther (ratiopharm Ulm), Patrick Heckmann (Boston College/USA), Jan-Hendrik Jagla (FC Bayern Munich), Mathis Moenninghoff (TBB Trier), Tim Ohlbrecht (ohne Verein), Tibor Plei (Caja Laboral Vitoria/ESP), Heiko Schaffartzik (ALBA Berlin), Philipp Schwethelm (ratiopharm Ulm), Andreas Seiferth (TBB Trier), Lucca Staiger (Foto, Neckar RIESEN Ludwigsburg), Karsten Tadda (Brose Baskets Bamberg), Daniel Theis (206-C/F-92) (N.N.), Maik Zirbes (Brose Baskets Bamberg), Philip Zwiener (Eisbren Bremerhaven). Germany plays Finland on Saturday in the second game of the day and on Sunday play the winner of Turkey/Poland. The German team has no time to breathe as they play against Georgia on Monday April 13th in Leipzig.

Source: DBB


Ivan Elliot Heads To The Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Ivan Elliott (203-F/C-86, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: UCSB) is slowly becoming a Beko BBL nomad as he is moving through Germany rapidly as an ICE train does. Elliot will be playing for his fourth Beko BBL team in the last five seasons. Elliot is a 25 year old 203cm forward from San Francisco, Califorinia. Elliot is one of those players that any coach loves to have because he will do anything for the team. He always shows energy, will get that needed rebound, take the charge or dive for the lose ball. He also will hit that needed three pointer as well. Last season, the American played for the s Oliver Baskets Wuerzburg (Germany) playing 34 games: 8.6ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 74.0%. The season before, he started with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, but moved to Wurzburg to help head coach Marcel Schroeder reach the Beko BBL playing 30 games: 10.6ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 59.3%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 77.8%. "He came into our focus last season. He had a good season with Wurzburg. He has good offense qualities but also shows effort on defense. He will bring us defensive energy", commented Ludwigsburg head coach Steven Key.

Elliot started his basketball career at West Valley College before finishing up at the university of California at Santa Barabra. In his senior year, he played 32 games: 9.6ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.0spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 44.8%, FT: 68.0%. He started his professional basketball career in 2008 playing for SK Valmiera (Latvia-LBL, starting five): Latvian League: 28 games: 11.5ppg, Reb-4 (8.0rpg), Blocks-4 (1.1bpg), FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 64.1%; Baltic League (Elite Group): 18 games: 10.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 50.5%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 70.3%. In 2009-2010, he made his debut in Germany for Mitteldeutscher BC Weissenfels (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 34 games: 7.4ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 73.3%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been HS: First Team All-City and Honorable Mention All-Bay Area , College: All-Coast Conference, All-Big West Honorable Mention -08, Big West Regular Season Champion -08, Latvian League Regular Season Champion -09, German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Runner-Up -11, and German Bundesliga Semifinals -12.

Source: Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg




Will John Mr Oldschool Bowler Remain In The Beko BBL? - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

The Neckar Riesen Ludwigsburg announced today what many had been speculating about the last months as no contract extension was made and thus finalizing the departure of John Bowler (206-F-84, agency: Limelight Hoops, college: E.Michigan) Bowler is a 28 year old 206cm power forward/center that had played two seasons for the Schwaben team. Last season, his playing was cut short due to an injury and he was only able to play 18 games: 11.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT-3 (50.0%), FT: 79.2%. In his cut shortend season, the gregarious big man from Michigan was able to score in double figures in 11 of 18 games. His best effort of the season was a 22 points, seven rebound, two assistgame against derby opponent Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He played a total of 52 Beko BBL games for Ludwigsburg.

Bowler is no unknown player in the Beko BBL as he started his career for the Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2006 where he stayed until 2010. There he was a 2008 and 2009 Beko BBL finalsit and won the Most Likeable Player in the German BBL in 2008. For Bonn, his best individual season was the 2007-2008 season where he played 39 games: 12.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 70.5%. In total, Bowler played a total of 132 Beko BBL games and six Eurochallenge games. Bowler has shown in his six year professional basketball career that he is the ultimate team player and will do anything to win even if it means getting that rebound where it hurts and wont shy away from anyone. "I like Elton Brand and when I was young Charles Barkley. It is not always pretty when I play, but it has to be done. I need to play like this, because I can out work guys like that and it helps me do things that other guys dont do", stressed John Bowler He is a big competitor with a big basketball heart that really understands the game of basketball. He is one of those rare gem of a player that still incorporates old school moves as he has shown with his hook shot and other moves that he has showcased. He could of gone on the road with ex teammate Chris Ensminger displaying their passion and expertise for making the routine hook shot. Bowler is a player with a special basketball charachter and one of those guys that remains in your head with his unique playing style. The summer is winding down and Beko BBL slots are becoming rarer at the moment it will be interesting to see where John Bowler will land. If the big man is helathy then he could still help any Beko BBL team on and off the court.


Ross Allsop Interview - by Daniel Poerschke

Ross Allsop (210-C-88, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Nova SE) is a british-australian Power Forward/Center. He played last season with Basket Vilsbiburg in Germany.
Eurobasket.com had the chance to get a short interview with Ross about his future plans and the Olympics in his native country at the moment.

How was growing up in Australia and why are you a british citizen now?

I have always been a British citizen as I was born in England. Immigrating when I was 8 to Australia, and becoming a citizen 4 years later.
Growing up in Australia was a fantastic experience, and I was very lucky to go through their state and national basketball programs. Especially, being selected and attending their top program at the Australian Institute of Sport. Australia gave me the opportunities that have raised later in my career, including college in Florida and playing professional with Baskets Vilsbiburg. Australia not only gave me experience and opportunities in basketball, but key fundamentals that could be used in day-to-day life as well.

What do you think about the performances of team GB and the Australian national Team so far at the Olympics?

Both the British and Australian national teams have impressed me this Olympics. Showing great desire and work ethic. Each country proving that they can compete with the rest of the world. As well as the players showing their dedication and passion for their country. I believe both of their performances will inspire people to which their programs will benefit.

How was your first pro season in Germany this past Season?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Vilsbiburg, Germany. It was a great learning experience as it was my first time spending a considerable amount of time in non-English speaking country, and as a professional basketballer. I learnt a lot of mental and physical skills that would help me in my career on and off the court. My role in the team was an important one, and one excelled in. I appreciate the opportunity from Baskets Vilsbiburg to be apart of their club.

What can possible future teams expect from you?

Future clubs can expect a passionate and hard working player. Who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. An eagerness to learn and develop skills to achieve success. A real team payer with a great attitude on and off the court.

More Infos on Ross can be found here: http://scorersfirst.com/?&cid=488&sid=115


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  HOLLAND   


Netherlands rally past Luxembourg in test game - by Eurobasket News

Netherlands - Luxembourg 60:54

Dutch A2 National Team played a friendly encounter versus Luxembourg. The Dutch side claimed a 6-point win at the end. Mark Ridderhof (192-G-89) came up with 15 points to lead the winners.
Luxembourg got to the better start. They jumped to an 18:14 lead after ten minutes. Luxembourg maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They posted a 31:29 halftime lead. Luxembourg did not allow the Dutchmen to pull in front in the third quarter. Netherlands entered the final frame trailing by 5 points 38:43. But the Dutch side found the necessary weapons to seal the victory at the end. Joost Padberg (202-F/C-91) added 8 points, while Max Van Schaik (208-F-91, agency: Court Side) and Pagter Ralf scored 7 points each for the winners. Tom Schumacher (190-G-87, college: Cal.Baptist) responded with 24 points for Luxembourg. Samy Picard (195-F-88) provided 11 points in the loss.

Netherlands: Mark Ridderhof 15, Joost Padberg 8, Max Van Schaik 7, Pagter Ralf 7
Luxembourg: Tom Schumacher 24, Samy Picard 11


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Eli Holman signed with Eilat - by Eurobasket News

Eli Holman (208-F/C-89, college: Detroit Mercy) signed with Eilat for the upcoming season. The American Power Forward / Center will debut in Europe in the upcoming season.
In 2006-2007 he appeared for Richmond High School, Richmond, CA and then in 2007-2008 moved to Indiana (NCAA). In his first season his stats read 6 games: 1.0ppg, 1.7rpg.
In 2008-2009 moved to Detroit Mercy (NCAA) and the year after averaged 11.8ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.5bpg, FGP: 61.4%, FT: 63.3%. In 2010-2011 for Detroit Mercy (NCAA) he showed 11.8ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 60.7%, FT: 69.4%. Last season for his NCAA team his stats read 10.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 60.7%, FT: 59.5%.
In 2012 Eli Holman participated at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) and showed 8.3ppg, 4.7rpg.
Over the last few seasons he was named into All-Horizon League 2nd Team -11 and Horizon League All-Defensive Team -11. Moreover Eli Holman became an All-Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year -12.


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  ITALY   


Pistoia signs former SerieA scoring champion Michael Hicks - by Eurobasket News

Giorgio Tesi Group Pistoia officially announced signing of Michael Hicks (194-G/F-76, college: Texas A&M-CC) for the next season. The American swingman spent the last one with Sigma Barcellona. He appeared 31 times in LegaDue averaging 12.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Hicks played for the same club also in 2010/11. That season he had even better numbers for 35 games: 16.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 82.8%. Before Barcellona, Michael Hicks spent four years with Scavolini Pesaro. He was the top scorer of SerieA with 18.2 ppg in 2008/09 season. In the past, Hicks played for Imola, Montecatini and Udine. Michael Hicks played for the Panamanian National Team at 2006 World Championship in Japan. They won the CentroBasket Gold that same year. He joined the NT back in 1996.


Torino add Jakub Wojciechowski and Daniele Sandri - by Eurobasket News

Torino add Jakub Wojciechowski (213-C/F-90) and Daniele Sandri (197-F/G-90) for the upcoming season. The Italian team announced two signings.
Daniele Sandri spent almost all his career for Benetton Treviso. In
2009-2010 he averaged 1.4ppg in EuroCup and in Italian League showed 3.1ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.0spg. In 2010-2011 moved to Nobili SBS Castelletto (A dilettanti, starting five) and had 12.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 60.7%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 71.6%. In
2011-2012 for Benetton Treviso (SerieA) he had 1.1ppg, 1.2rpg.
Jakub Wojciechowski also played for Benetton Treviso. He finished last season however with Enel Brindisi (Italy-Lega2). In 8 games his stats read 1.9ppg, 1.3rpg.
Early in 2009-2010 he played for UCC Casalpusterlengo (Italy-Lega2) and after 16 games had 6.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 59.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 62.5%. In Feb.'10 moved to Brescia Leonessa (Italy-A dilettanti) and showed 11.0ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.6spg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 69.0%, 3PT: 29.0%, FT: 58.0%.


Italy wins Sopot Basket Cup - by Eurobasket News

Poland - Italy 66:62

Italy wins Sopot Basket Cup despite the loss in the last game. The hosts held off Italy but it was not enough to clinch the top position in the final standings. Michal Ignerski (207-F-80, agency: Stanley International, college: Mississippi St.) scored 21 points and 11 rebounds to pace the charge.
Poland and Italy exchanged baskets throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 17:17 after ten minutes. Italy pulled ahead in the second quarter. They secured a 35:32 halftime lead. Poland denied the deficit in the third term. They tied things up at 50 at the final break. Poland eked out a narrow victory early in the final stanza and maintained it till the final buzzer. Piotr Pamula (195-G-90) and Marcin Gortat (213-C-84) added 9 points each for the winners. Stefano Mancinelli (203-F-83) answered with 17 points for Italy. Luigi Datome (202-G/F-87) had 8 points in the loss.

Poland, Italy and Montenegro finished with 2-1 records each. Italy had a better difference.

Poland: Michal Ignerski 21+11 boards, Piotr Pamula 9, Marcin Gortat 9
Italy: Stefano Mancinelli 17, Luigi Datome 8


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  LITHUANIA   


Olympics 2012: Lithuania fire past Tunisia - by Eurobasket News

Lithuania - Tunisia 76:63

Lithuania recorded the second win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Tunisia for 2-3 record in Group A. Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) and Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-PG-76, college: Maryland) scored 13 points each to pace the winners. Tunisia fell at 0-5 record.
Tunisia got to another confident start at the tournament. They held Lithuania to 7 points in the first ten minutes to build an 11-point lead. Lithuania started to wake up in the second quarter. The Baltic team dropped 22 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark at halftime 35:29. Lithuania cut the deficit in the third term. They narrowed the gap at the final intermission 50:54. Lithuania finally got things going at the start of the final frame. They triggered a 15:2 run to take a 65:56 lead. Lithuania did not slow down in the final minutes and cruised to the victory at the end. Rimantas Kaukenas (192-SG-77, college: Seton Hall), Simas Jasaitis (201-SF-82) and Renaldas Seibutis (198-SG-85) accounted for 10 points each in the win. Amine Rzig (198-SF-80) answered with 17 points for Tunisia. Macram Ben Romdhane (204-PF-89, agency: Prossin Sports Management) had 12 points in the loss.

Lithuania: Darius Songaila 13, Sarunas Jasikevicius 13, Rimantas Kaukenas 10, Simas Jasaitis 10, Renaldas Seibutis 10
Tunisia: Amine Rzig 17, Macram Ben Romdhane 12


Nerijus Varnelis signs with Juventus - by Eurobasket News

Nerijus Varnelis (201-F-78) signs with Juventus for 2012/2013 season. The Lithuanian Forward moves from S.Marciulionio K.A. Vilnius.
The season 2011-2012 he started for S.Marciulionio K.A. Vilnius (NKL, starting five) and averaged 17.3ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 75.4%. He played also at Leidykla Siaures Lietuva (VMKS - A Lyga, starting five) and also at TonyBet (VMKS - A Lyga, starting five).
Last year Nerijus Varnelis moved to S.Marciulionio from Pieno Zvaigzdes. An experienced forward posted 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game in NKL . Previously the forward used to play for Alita, Novy Jicin, Suduva, MBC Odessa, Hidruva-Atletas Kaunas, Panevezys, Khimik and Lokomotiv Novosibirsk. Eurobasket.com named Nerijus Varnelis into All-Lithuanian LKL 1st Team in 2009.
Over the last two seasons Nerijus Varnelis became Lithuanian NKL Regular Season Champion -11 and Lithuanian NKL Champion -11. Moreover he was awarded Eurobasket.com All-Lithuanian NKL Honorable Mention -12.


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  LUXEMBOURG   


Netherlands rally past Luxembourg in test game - by Eurobasket News

Netherlands - Luxembourg 60:54

Dutch A2 National Team played a friendly encounter versus Luxembourg. The Dutch side claimed a 6-point win at the end. Mark Ridderhof (192-G-89) came up with 15 points to lead the winners.
Luxembourg got to the better start. They jumped to an 18:14 lead after ten minutes. Luxembourg maintained the lead throughout the second quarter. They posted a 31:29 halftime lead. Luxembourg did not allow the Dutchmen to pull in front in the third quarter. Netherlands entered the final frame trailing by 5 points 38:43. But the Dutch side found the necessary weapons to seal the victory at the end. Joost Padberg (202-F/C-91) added 8 points, while Max Van Schaik (208-F-91, agency: Court Side) and Pagter Ralf scored 7 points each for the winners. Tom Schumacher (190-G-87, college: Cal.Baptist) responded with 24 points for Luxembourg. Samy Picard (195-F-88) provided 11 points in the loss.

Netherlands: Mark Ridderhof 15, Joost Padberg 8, Max Van Schaik 7, Pagter Ralf 7
Luxembourg: Tom Schumacher 24, Samy Picard 11


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  NBA   


Lin thrills fans in parents' native Taiwan - by Eurobasket News

On the first trip to his parents' native Taiwan since emerging from basketball obscurity to become one of the NBA's biggest stars, Jeremy Lin (191-PG-88, college: Harvard) has pledged to remain true to himself and not be overwhelmed by the fame that accompanies the phenomenon that is "Linsanity."

Showing his modesty, Lin said Sunday he hopes to inspire other people to play basketball, just as former Chinese NBA star Yao Ming inspired him.

Lin recently left the New York Knicks for Yao's former team, the Houston Rockets. He was born and raised in the United States. But his maternal grandmother is from China and his parents are from Taiwan. The NBA can expect Lin to generate huge business from the vast Chinese-speaking world because of his Asian lineage.

Lin evaded the touchy question of whether he's Chinese or Taiwanese, saying only "there's a lot of history behind who I am."

The point guard averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games (25 starts) for the Knicks last season.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com


Rockets eye Ernest Bremer - by Eurobasket News

The Houston Rockets are eyeing Ernest Bremer (6'5''-G-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: St.Bonaventure) for a spot in training camp but he must consider a non-guaranteed contract first. Bremer earlier last week turned down a sizable offer from Ukraine side BC Donestk. Bremer considers to stay in Italy, Spain, Ukraine or Russia if he stays in Europe. Bremer helped Armani Milano last season reach the Italian League Finals and before that he averaged 15.0 points and 4.6 assist in the Eurochallenge for Russian Club Nizhny Novrgorod and Bremer posted his season high of 11 assists during one game in the 2011-12 VTB league season campaign. During Bremer's career he was once a NBA All-Rookie, started at point guard in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals for the Boston Celtics and won the prestigious Copa Del Rey Spanish Kings Cup with Unicaja Malaga.


Kobe Bryant open to finishing career in Europe - by Eurobasket News

When it's all said and done, Kobe Bryant (6'6''-SG-78) will go down as one of the greatest Laker players in the franchise's storied history. He'll be remembered as one of the best to ever play in the NBA and as someone who helped bring Los Angeles five (or more) NBA titles.

When that time comes, when the Lakers and Bryant part ways, the question will surface: What's next?

We saw Michael Jordan retire, then un-retire, then retire, then un-retire. We saw Shaquille O'Neal play for a handful of teams in quest of an elusive fifth ring. We saw Allen Iverson try to re-establish his career overseas.

But it's hard to believe Bryant won't have a better NBA escape route.

Bryant, 33 (going on 34), recently told Yahoo! Sports in a report that he would consider playing at least one season in Europe to finish his playing career.

Since Bryant "grew up" in Europe when his father Joe Bryant played in Italy, it'd be the perfect desert entree to a main course of an NBA career that has included 14 All-NBA teams and two Finals MVPs.

"It would be natural for me to go do it," Bryant, who speaks Italian and Spanish, told Yahoo! Sports. "It wouldn't be a stretch at all."

Currently, Bryant is taking in the Olympic experience at London, attending a variety of events and posting his adventures on his Facebook page.

Bryant is surely focusing on the now with Team USA in position to win another gold medal at the London Olympics and the Lakers possibly returning to title contender status with the addition of two-time MVP Steve Nash. But in two years after his contract is up, when he's 36 and his knees aren't as springy, Bryant won't rule out playing overseas. He could retire, but considering his marketability as global superstar, why not give it a shot?

"You'd have to look at the market and what's going on in terms of the level of basketball being played," Bryant said. "I understand there's a high level of competitive basketball in Turkey now. They might have the best league in Europe. Spain has obviously been one of the top leagues for a long time. And Italy is a place that's dear in my heart, I grew up there, but the level is not where it used to be. When I was growing up over there, that was the best league in Europe."

Courtesy of www.freep.com


Utah Jazz, Paul Millsap talking extension - by Eurobasket News

All signs continue to point toward 21-year-old big man Derrick Favors (6'10''-F-91, college: Georgia Tech) as a major centerpiece of the Jazzs future.

While Favors crisscrossed Utah this week, strengthening his bond with fans by visiting remote towns as part of the annual Junior Jazz program, initial contract negotiations quietly began between the small-market organization and longtime power forward Paul Millsap (6'7''-F-85, college: Louisiana Tech).

The sturdy six-year veteran was offered a three-year extension worth about $25 million, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned, which is the maximum extension Millsap can receive under the new collective bargaining agreement. The proposed deal features an annual 7.5 percent raise, would kick in after Millsaps current contract expires June 2013, and could keep the career Jazzman in a Utah uniform through June 2016.

Initial indications are Millsap wont agree to the extension, though, preferring to enter free agency in 2013 with plans to cash in on an inflated 2012 market that saw mid-tier forwards such as Gerald Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Nicolas Batum and Ryan Anderson recently receive lucrative multiyear contracts.

Courtesy of The Salt Lake Tribune (via www.insidehoops.com)


Magic Johnson lauds London squad - by Eurobasket News

The biggest victory in Dream Team history was a 79-point pounding of Cuba before the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

The current Team USA, of course, just trumped that rout with its 83-point runaway Thursday night against Nigeria.

So what do the Dream Teamers make of the 2012ers now?

Reaction to the 156-73 win is just starting to trickle in, but ESPN.com has spoken to two of the original Dreamers, both of whom showed little interest in fanning the flames of the recent verbal sparring between Michael Jordan (6'7''-F-63, college: N.Carolina) and Kobe Bryant (6'6''-SG-78).

Said Dream Team legend Magic Johnson (6'10''-G-59, college: Michigan St.) when reached by phone Friday: "I want to congratulate the guys on their continued dominance in London. This is starting to look a lot like our 1992 Dream Team. I look forward to watching them continue to drive for that gold medal and bring it home for the USA."

The initial quippy reaction from Charles Barkley (6'6''-F-63, college: Auburn), meanwhile, when reached by ESPN.com: "That's probably how many points they'd beat the '92 team by ... if we played today."

The Dream Team's biggest victory in Olympic play was 68 points in its 116-48 triumph in the opener over Angola.

The 2012ers have actually been more dominant in London through three games than the 1992 squad, averaging 121.3 points in wins over France, Tunisia and Nigeria compared to 110 points per game for the Dream Team in its opening three victories.

The degree of difficulty, however, is about to spike significantly for the 2012ers, who face two teams in the top five of the FIBA world rankings -- No. 5 Lithuania and No. 3 Argentina -- in their final two games of pool play in Group A.

"When we're out there on the basketball court, we're not thinking about what the 1992 Dream Team did or anything like that," said Team USA forward Carmelo Anthony, who led the way against Nigeria with a U.S. Olympic record of 37 points -- including 10-for-12 shooting on 3s -- in just 14 minutes of court time.

"We respect those guys and we understand what those guys did. We understand the standards that those guys set. But we're playing for ourselves right now, for our country, for this moment. We're not out there on the basketball court making plays and making shots and playing defense and saying, 'This is (like) the '92 Dream Team.' Those guys did what they did in 1992 and now we have the chance to do something special."

Said Team USA guard Chris Paul, who had 11 of his team's record 41 assists: "It's a good feeling. We always try to make our mark, somehow, some way, and this is all well and good, but the mark that we want to leave is to leave with another gold medal."

When Team USA was in Spain last month and Bryant was asked if he regretted his initial claim about the 2012 squad being able to beat the original Dreamers, he told ESPN.com: "People who think we can't beat that team for one game, they're crazy. To sit there and say we can't, it's ludicrous."

Asked then if that's a viewpoint he planned to share directly with Jordan the next time they crossed paths -- after Jordan said last month that opening up this back and forth was "not one of the smarter things [Bryant] ever could have done" -- Bryant answered: "He knows. They got beat by a college select team once. Doesn't mean we're a better team than them, but s---, we can beat them one time."

The trouble, of course, is not only that we'll never know the truth, but also the reality that Team USA's many injury casualties in 2012 (starting with Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade) have drained much of the steam out of the debate. Despite its early success in group play, USA Basketball did not take anything close to the best team it could have fielded to London.

After Thursday's record-setting performance, though, Bryant declined the opportunity to say that his team's ability to eclipse the Dream Team's biggest-ever victory had re-opened the debate.

"I don't think so," Bryant said. "This is just something, being a part of history, but that's where it stands."

Referring to the procession of Team USA players that stood up during the fourth quarter to slap hands with all the coaches after Andre Iguodala's 3-pointer with 4:37 to go nudged the United States past the previous single-game record of 138 points set by Brazil at the 1988 Olympics, Bryant said: "We understand that there have been a lot of great teams that have come through here and I think it was just kind of an acknowledgment to each other that it was a job well done in terms of being a part of it."

Courtesy of ESPN


Carmelo Anthony: Jeremy Lin 'Linsanity' was point when people called me selfish - by Eurobasket News

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (6'8''-SF-84, college: Syracuse) thinks the idea of him being a selfish player started with Jeremy Lin's (6'3''-PG-88, college: Harvard) unthinkable rise to stardom this season.

Lets be frank about it, Anthony told USA Today in London, where he is playing in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA. When it comes to the Knicks, were talking about one particular point in time. Were talking about the whole Linsanity thing. Thats when it started. Thats when it started to escalate as far as people saying I was selfish.

Anthony and Lin had an at-times rocky on-court relationship, mostly because their styles of play never completely got in sync. Anthony was sidelined with a right groin injury when Lin began his unthinkable ascent. The Knicks went 8-1 with Lin leading the way in Anthonys absence.

Then Anthony returned, and the Knicks went through a 2-8 skid. He said the selfish meme doesnt bother him, however.

Lin came and we started winning games and then we started losing games, and they could only point to one thing, which is me, the leader of the team, Anthony said. Theyre not going to point to Amare. Theyre not going to point to (guard) Iman Shumpert. Theyre going to point to me. I accept that. It doesnt bother me.

Lin, of course, signed with the Houston Rockets this offseason, and the Knicks declined to match the contract offer. When the Knicks were deciding whether to match the offer, Anthony called it a ridiculous contract.

Courtesy of http://tracking.si.com


Paul Pierce says he won't seek an extension with the Celtics - by Eurobasket News

Paul Pierce (6'7''-F/G-77, college: Kansas) is 34 years old and could be a free agent next summer for really the first time in his life. (He's under contract for 2013-14, but it's not guaranteed as a team option.)

He's played all 14 of his NBA seasons in Boston and while he's obviously one of the most loyal players to an organization in the league, he told the Boston Globe he's not looking for an extension with the Celtics that would guarantee he finishes his career there. He wants to keep all doors open.

I think I am going to play this one out, he said. I want to see what it feels like to be a free agent for once in my life. I think I am going to play this one out. A lot can change in two years. My body [may not] be where I want it to be, I could retire, a lot of things could happen. I love the game. I made as much money as I possibly can. It's about winning a championship and if I feel like it's the right thing to do, maybe so [come back]. If I solidify my third year, maybe they opt out, so it's about keeping your options open.
Pierce will be 35 after this season and with the window rapidly closing on the current core of the Celtics, he might be willing to pull a Ray Allen and hitch his wagon to another competing team. Because as Pierce said, he's made his money. It's about finishing up his career on top.

A lot of it probably depends on where other key pieces are at after this season for Pierce. Doc Rivers is always potentially ready to walk away from the NBA and while Kevin Garnett signed a three-year extension this summer, things could be viewed much differently in Boston after this season depending on how the team performs.

General manager Danny Ainge has always been an itchy trigger finger kind of operator and was rumored to be dangling Pierce on the trading block last season before deciding to keep the team together for another run. After this season, the same kind of rebuilding project could become a big option for the Celtics and Pierce might not be part of it.

Even at 34 and after 14 seasons, Pierce has remained consistently productive for Boston. And while he wouldn't be a prime free agent target next summer, he would still certainly command a lot of attention and interest.

But would he really be willing to retire somewhere other than Boston? That's hard to imagine. Allen walking away was one thing; he only played with the Celtics for five seasons. Pierce though has been through it all in Boston for 14 seasons. The highs and the very lows. He's the franchise's No. 2 all-time leading scorer for crying out loud (and within reach of John Havlicek to become No. 1). He might want to feel the love of free agency and see what options he has available, but walking away from the Celtics would be a hard thing to do.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com


Farmar headed to Turkey - by Bryan Floyd

Jordan Farmar (6'2''-PG-86, college: UCLA) has signed a three-year deal with Anadolu Efes in Turkey. Farmar was waived by the Hawks after being acquired in the Joe Johnson trade, and he has decided to go play in Turkey. Farmar previously averaged 14.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists while playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv during the lockout. Farmar will be reunited with his former buddy and teammate Sasha Vujacic. Vujacic has re-signed with Anadolu Efes for another season. Vujacic may eventually come back to the NBA, but he seems to be very happy playing for Anadolu Efes and being reunited with his pal Farmar may keep him there even longer.


Olympics 2012: USA bruise Argentina to stay perfect - by Eurobasket News

USA - Argentina 126:97

USA claimed the fifth straight win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Argentina to win preliminary Group A. Kevin Durant (6'9''-SF-88, college: Texas) poured in 28 points to pace the winners. USA will now take on Australia, while Argentina will play versus Brazil in the quarterfinals.
USA jumped to an early 14:8 lead but Argentina quickly erased the deficit. The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. Kevin Durant capped the period with a three-pointer to give USA a 34:32 lead. Argentina and USA exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter. LeBron James (6'8''-SF-84) made it 60:57 at the interval. But the third term belonged to the North American team. LeBron James triggered an 11:2 run that gave USA a 9-point lead. Soon USA organined a 12:3 rally to boost the gap at 16-point mark. USA exploded with 42 points in the period to take a 102:78 lead. They never looked back afterwards and marched to the victory at the end. LeBron James accounted for 18 points, while Chris Paul (6'0''-PG-85, college: Wake Forest) delivered 17 points and 7 assists in the victory. Emanuel Ginobili (6'6''-SG-77, agency: Interperformances) responded with 16 points, 6 assists and 5 boards for Argentina. Carlos Delfino (6'7''-SF-82) netted 13 points in the loss.

USA: Kevin Durant 28, LeBron James 18, Chris Paul 17
Argentina: Emanuel Ginobili 16, Carlos Delfino 13


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  NBLCANADA   


NBL Canada's 2012-2013 regular season schedule released - by Eurobasket News

The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to announce the official release of the 2012-2013 Regular Season schedule. NBL Canadas opening night will be Friday, November 2nd.

'We're truly excited to get the 2012-2013 season underway', said NBL Canada President & CEO Andre Levingston. 'Our fans can enjoy more games this year with our new 40-game schedule. With Windsor getting its formal introduction to professional basketball, and London looking to defend their championship position, this season will be action packed.'

The marquee matchup of NBL Canadas Opening Weekend will be the championship series rematch of the London Lighting against the Halifax Rainmen on Saturday night, November 3rd at the Budweiser Gardens formally named the John Labatt Centre.

The Lightning organization cant wait to get going and there isnt a better way to do that than opening at home against the Halifax Rainmen, said London Lightning GM Taylor Brown. As a result of the first season, we have developed a great rivalry with Halifax and our fans truly look forward to each and every game against the Rainmen. It should be another competitive year and November 3rd should make for an incredible environment at the Budweiser Gardens.

With the newly formed Central & Atlantic divisions, rivalries renewed & created, it certainly shapes up to be an exciting second season of the National Basketball League of Canada.

For more details of the 2012-2013 Regular Season schedule, please visit www.nblcanada.ca

Courtesy of The National Basketball League of Canada


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  NCAA1   


Tubby Smith contract extension includes $2.5M buyout max - by Eurobasket News

Minnesota's contract extension with coach Tubby Smith includes more incentives, a slight annual pay bump and a higher buyout the university must pay if he's fired after next season.

Smith's three-year extension through the 2016-17 season was finalized on July 23, and the school made the details available to reporters on Friday.

The 61-year-old Smith has the same annual pay structure, now close to $2 million annually, with a $600,000 base salary plus 5 percent annual raises he's been entitled to since 2008 and supplemental compensation of $1.2 million for duties like fundraising, community involvement and endorsements.

That figure is before any bonuses and excludes perks, benefits and the university's retirement contribution that are part of his contract. If Smith's deal is terminated between now and April 30, 2016, the university will pay one-half of his base salary and supplemental compensation for each of the remaining seasons on the contract. The total amount cannot exceed $2.5 million.

Under the terms of his original deal, Smith was to be paid $1.5 million if he were to be fired between now and April 30, 2013. But in another new wrinkle in the extension, he can't be dismissed without cause during the season, defined as the span from the date of the Gophers' first game through the date of the last. The extension also calls for a postseason review of the contract next spring.

Also, if Smith wins a Big Ten regular season championship, a Big Ten tournament championship or reaches the round of 16 or further in the NCAA tournament in any given year, his deal will be automatically extended by a year.

Smith and school officials talked for about a year and a half before finishing the extension, and one of the reasons they took their time was sensitivity toward the public perception of such a lucrative deal during a time of tight budgets, rising tuition and employee layoffs.

But no matter when this contract became public, it was going to look like a whole lot of money for a coach who has yet to win an NCAA tournament game since he came to Minnesota for the 2007-08 season with a national championship and several other awards and significant successes on his resume at Kentucky.

The Gophers finished with 23 victories, the most by the program since the 1996-97 Final Four season that was later erased by NCAA punishment, but they needed a run to the NIT championship game to get there. They went 6-12 in Big Ten play for a second straight season.

Mere modest improvements will make Smith much richer, based on bonuses either already in or added to his contract for academic or on-court achievement by the team. For example, He still gets $250,000 if the Gophers are regular season Big Ten champions, but he'll also get $250,000 if they win the Big Ten tournament. That's up from a $100,000 bonus in the original deal.

And if Minnesota wins the NCAA championship, Smith's prize is $1.5 million, up from $500,000 in the previous contract.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com


Rodney Purvis' eligibility in question - by Eurobasket News

North Carolina State freshman guard Rodney Purvis (6'4''-G-94) won't accompany the team for its exhibition trip to Spain because the NCAA is still reviewing his eligibility.

NC State says Purvis won't make this weekend's trip ''due to an ongoing process with the NCAA Eligibility Center.'' The school says the NCAA is giving an ''extended review'' to Purvis' high school. Purvis' class is the first to graduate from Upper Room in Raleigh.

The NCAA requires all freshmen to complete that process to play in a summer foreign tour.

Wolfpack coach Mark Gottfried says he's disappointed Purvis won't join the Wolfpack for the five-game tour.

The 6-foot-3 guard is a McDonald's All-American and was also The Associated Press Men's Prep Basketball Player of the Year for North Carolina.

Courtesy of http://msn.foxsports.com


NCAA committee endorses new penalty structure in wake of PSU - by Eurobasket News

Nearly a year after promising to impose harsher sanctions on the most egregious rule-breakers, NCAA leaders endorsed a proposal Thursday that would make schools subject to the same crippling penalties just handed to Penn State.

The measure includes postseason bans of up to four years, fines that could stretch into the millions and suspensions for head coaches. A final vote on the sweeping overhaul will not occur before the board of directors' October meeting.

"Coaches come to me and say, 'I feel like a chump. I'm trying to do things the right way and I have peers who laugh at me because I don't play the game and bend the rules the way they do,"' board chairman Ed Ray said in a statement released by the NCAA. "That's got to stop ... Most coaches are terrific people who love their student-athletes, try to do it the right way, try to have the right values and succeed. They're very frustrated. This has got to stop. I think most coaches are saying it's about time. We want a level playing field."

The plan calls for changing the current two-tiered penalty structure of major and secondary violations to a four-tiered concept, increasing the size of the infractions committee from 10 up to 24 in an effort to speed up the enforcement process and holding coaches individually accountable for any violations that occur in their program.

But it's the penalties that will make school leaders take notice.

A program found to have made a "serious breach of conduct" with aggravating circumstances could face postseason bans of two to four years. In addition, the program may have to return money from specific events or a series of events or the amount of gross revenue generated by the sport during the years in which sanctions occurred - fines that could cost a school millions of dollars.

If this sounds familiar, it should. After the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal at Penn State, the NCAA barred Penn State from playing in a bowl game or the college football playoff until after the 2016 season and levied a $60 million fine - the rough equivalent to a year of gross revenue from the football program.

Coaches, too, would face new guidelines. They would be presumed responsible for any violations committed by their staffs. If they cannot prove they were unaware, the head coach could be suspended from 10 percent of the season to the full season.

The board also approved a provision that would publicly identify individuals responsible for the violations if there is a finding of lack of institutional control or failure to monitor.

The changes are the next step for university leaders nearly a year after they met with NCAA President Mark Emmert at a two-day retreat in Indianapolis. Afterward, presidents said they unanimously supported stronger sanctions and promised to make significant changes over the next 12 to 18 months.

Ray, the Oregon State president, and former Penn State President Graham Spanier were two of the leaders who spoke after the meeting. Also in attendance was University of Miami President Donna Shalala, whose football and basketball programs were accused of major violations just a few weeks later. The Miami investigation is ongoing.

With so many major scandals over the past 20 months, NCAA leaders not only wanted to put teeth in the sanctions - they want them in place before the end of this year.

"Our intention is to make this real in October," Ray said. "We want the membership to have a final review. We will listen to compelling arguments for additional changes, but this is the recommendation with all the feedback we've gathered since our first report in January and second detailed report in April."

Ray's committee also approved a measure that will allow BCS officials to expand the bowl limit so they can create a four-team playoff. That measure was expected to be a formality after the BCS voted to expand the playoff system.

And the board approved a new selection process for bowl games if conferences with bowl tie-ins do not have enough bowl-eligible teams to fill all the spots.

Under the new measure, if a bowl cannot be filled by the conference affiliations, the open spots would be filled through a six-tier tiebreaking process that will consider wins versus Football Championship Subdivision teams, teams with seven losses, teams making the move to the FBS that go 6-6 and any 5-7 team with a top-five score on the Academic Progress Rate.

The board also reiterated its support to provide athletes an annual stipend of up to $2,000 to cover the so-called full cost of attendance but did not vote on the measure. The stipend originally was approved last fall, but was halted in December because too many schools were opposed to it.

In other actions, the board:

- Chose Wake Forest President Nathan Hatch as the new chairman of the board and Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon new chairwoman of the Executive Committee.

- Voted to support a change in constitutional language that would allow schools from outside the U.S. to join the NCAA. The move virtually assures that Simon Fraser University of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, will become the first non-U.S. member when the Division II Presidents Council votes next week.

- Heard a proposal to rewrite the massive rulebook manual. No vote will occur until at least January.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com


UConn: Calhoun resting after hip surgery - by Eurobasket News

UConn coach Jim Calhoun has undergone successful surgery to repair a left hip fracture from a bicycle accident.

The university said Sunday that Calhoun was resting comfortably at John Dempsey Hospital at the UConn Health Center in Farmington. UConn said he is expected to be released in the next few days and will recuperate at home.

The 70-year-old Calhoun was cycling near his summer home in Madison on Saturday when he hit sand and fell, hours before he was to coach some former players in a charity game.

Calhoun broke several ribs in an accident during a charity bicycle ride in 2009.

Calhoun has led Connecticut to three NCAA titles. Several Huskies were back in the state Saturday to participate in the Jim Calhoun Celebrity Classic game.

Courtesy of http://aol.sportingnews.com


Timisoara completes roster with rookie Adam Sollazzo - by Eurobasket News

Roster of BC Timisoara for 2012/13 season is completed. Their last addition is American combo guard Adam Sollazzo (198-G-90, agency: Edge Sports). The 22-year-old rookie graduated at East Tennessee State University few months ago. He had 14.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4.4 apg for 31 games as a senior. East Tennessee State reached Atlantic Sun Tournament Semifinals and Sollazzo was named to A-Sun All-Tournament Team. The player was also awarded with All-A-Sun 1st Team -12. As a junior Adam Sollazzo averaged 9.2 points, 4 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He was constantly improving every year with the school. East Tennessee State won the Atlantic Sun Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Sollazzo had 4 ppg and 1.9 rpg as sophomore.


Ourense adds American rookie Nick Barbour - by Eurobasket News

Ourense continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is American guard Nick Barbour (190-G-89). He graduated at High Point University few months ago. Barbour played 31 games for his school as a senior collecting 20.4 ppg, 2.5 rp and 1.4 apg. He was named to All-Big South Conference 1st Team and NABC Division I All-District 3 1st Team. Nick Barbour spent all four tears with High Point. He started with 14.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg as freshman and was named to Big South Conference All-Freshman Team -09. Next year he exploded with 18.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg. Barbour participated at 2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft). For 3 games at this event he had 13.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg.
Last week Ourense signed point guard Raul Mena and center Victor Serrano.


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


Olympics 2012: France tame Nigeria for fourth win - by Eurobasket News

France - Nigeria 79:73

France celebrated the fourth win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Nigeria to climb at 4-1 record in Group A. Nicolas Batum (203-SF-88) posted 23 points and 6 rebounds to lead the winners.
Les Bleus tipped off the game with 9 points in a row. France enjoyed a 23:10 lead after ten minutes of action. The margin grew at 14-point mark early in the second term before Nigeria showed some signs of recovery. The African powerhouse cut the deficit at 8-point mark before Nande De Colo made it 41:30 capping the half with a three-pointer. Nigeria got within five midway through the third term. Chamberlain Oguchi (198-SG-86, college: Illinois St.) then tied things up at 44. However France immediately answered with six points in a row to take the lead back. Les Bleus eked out a 56:54 advantage at the final intermission. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the bigger part of the final quarter. But Nicolas Batum scored 9 points in the final four minutes of regulation to seal the victory for Les Bleus. Mickael Gelabale (201-SF-83, agency: Court Side) posted 11 points, while Boris Diaw (203-PF-82) added 10 points, 6 boards and 4 assists for the winners. Chamberlain Oguchi answered with 35 points for Nigeria. Derrick Obasohan (198-F-81, agency: Beo Basket, college: Texas Arlington) had 18 points in the loss.

France: Nicolas Batum 23, Mickael Gelabale 11, Boris Diaw 10
Nigeria: Chamberlain Oguchi 35, Derrick Obasohan 18


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

Standings

Standings
Group A
1. USA5-0
2. France4-1
3. Argentina3-2
4. Lithuania2-3
5. Nigeria1-4
6. Tunisia0-5
Group B
1. Brazil4-1
2. Russia4-1
3. Spain3-2
4. Australia3-2
5. U.Kingdom1-4
6. China0-5

Preliminary Round: Round 5

A

Aug. 6: ARG - USA 97-126
Aug. 6: FRA - NGR 79-73
Aug. 6: TUN - LTU 63-76

B

Aug. 6: ENG - CHN 90-58
Aug. 6: ESP - BRA 82-88
Aug. 6: AUS - RUS 82-80

Quarter-Finals: Round 6

Aug. 8: BRA - ARG
Aug. 8: USA - AUS
Aug. 8: FRA - ESP
Aug. 8: RUS - LTU


Stats Leaders

Points Per Game
 Pau GASOL
  ESP
  (214-F/C-80)
  Avg: 20.6
 1. Gasol, ESP20.6 
 2. Mills, AUS20.6 
 3. Scola, ARG20.2 
 4. Ginobili, ARG20.0 
 5. Durant, USA18.6 
 6. Kirilenko, RUS18.2 
 7. Anthony, USA17.4 
 8. Batum, FRA16.8 
 9. Parker, FRA15.8 
 10. Deng, ENG15.8 
Rebounds Per Game
 Jianlian YI
  CHN
  (212-PF-87)
  Avg: 10.2
 1. Yi, CHN10.2 
 2. Mejri, TUN10.0 
 3. Diogu, NGR9.5 
 4. Ben Ghnia, TUN8.6 
 5. Varejao, BRA7.4 
 6. Mensah-Bonsu, ENG7.3 
 7. Nene, BRA7.0 
 8. Aminu, NGR6.8 
 9. Deng, ENG6.6 
 10. Freeland, ENG6.6 
Assists Per Game
 Marcelinho HUERTAS
  BRA
  (191-PG-83)
  Avg: 6.2
 1. Huertas, BRA6.2 
 2. Prigioni, ARG6.0 
 3. Paul, USA5.8 
 4. Jasikevicius, LTU5.8 
 5. Williams, USA5.6 
 6. Kalnietis, LTU5.4 
 7. Shved, RUS5.4 
 8. Ginobili, ARG4.8 
 9. Dellavedova, AUS4.6 
 10. Ponkrashov, RUS4.6 
Steals Per Game
 Al-Farouq AMINU
  (206-F-90)
  Avg: 2.3
 1. Aminu, NGR2.3 
 2. Paul, USA2.2 
 3. Nielsen, AUS2.0 
 4. Kirilenko, RUS2.0 
 5. Ginobili, ARG2.0 
 6. Durant, USA1.8 
 7. De Colo, FRA1.8 
 8. Ben Ghnia, TUN1.8 
 9. Prigioni, ARG1.7 
 10. Sun, CHN1.7 
Blocks Per Game
 Salah MEJRI
  TUN
  (217-C-86)
  Avg: 3.4
 1. Mejri, TUN3.4 
 2. Yi, CHN2.2 
 3. Ibaka, ESP1.8 
 4. Seraphin, FRA1.6 
 5. Batum, FRA1.6 
 6. Gasol, ESP1.4 
 7. Nene, BRA1.3 
 8. Kaun, RUS1.2 
 9. Kirilenko, RUS1.2 
 10. Jankunas, LTU1.2 


The Quarterfinals are set in London - by Eurobasket News

Group A
Argentina - USA 97-126
USA claimed the fifth straight win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Argentina to win preliminary Group A. Kevin Durant (206-SF-88, college: Texas) poured in 28 points to pace the winners. USA will now take on Australia, while Argentina will play versus Brazil in the quarterfinals. USA jumped to an early 14:8 lead but Argentina quickly erased the deficit. The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. Kevin Durant capped the period with a three-pointer to give USA a 34:32 lead. Argentina and USA exchanged baskets throughout the third quarter. LeBron James (203-SF-84) made it 60:57 at the interval. But the third term belonged to the North American team. LeBron James triggered an 11:2 run that gave USA a 9-point lead. Soon USA organined a 12:3 rally to boost the gap at 16-point mark. USA exploded with 42 points in the period to take a 102:78 lead. They never looked back afterwards and marched to the victory at the end. LeBron James accounted for 18 points, while Chris Paul (183-PG-85, college: Wake Forest) delivered 17 points and 7 assists in the victory. Emanuel Ginobili (198-SG-77, agency: Interperformances) responded with 16 points, 6 assists and 5 boards for Argentina. Carlos Delfino netted 13 points in the loss.

Tunisia - Lithuania 63-76
Lithuania recorded the second win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Tunisia for 2-3 record in Group A. Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) and Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-PG-76, college: Maryland) scored 13 points each to pace the winners. Tunisia fell at 0-5 record. Tunisia got to another confident start at the tournament. They held Lithuania to 7 points in the first ten minutes to build an 11-point lead. Lithuania started to wake up in the second quarter. The Baltic team dropped 22 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark at halftime 35:29. Lithuania cut the deficit in the third term. They narrowed the gap at the final intermission 50:54. Lithuania finally got things going at the start of the final frame. They triggered a 15:2 run to take a 65:56 lead. Lithuania did not slow down in the final minutes and cruised to the victory at the end. Rimantas Kaukenas, Simas Jasaitis (201-SF-82) and Renaldas Seibutis accounted for 10 points each in the win. Amine Rzig (198-SF-80) answered with 17 points for Tunisia. Macram Ben Romdhane (204-PF-89, agency: Prossin Sports Management) had 12 points in the loss.

France - Nigeria 79-73
Lithuania recorded the second win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Tunisia for 2-3 record in Group A. Darius Songaila and Sarunas Jasikevicius scored 13 points each to pace the winners. Tunisia fell at 0-5 record. Tunisia got to another confident start at the tournament. They held Lithuania to 7 points in the first ten minutes to build an 11-point lead. Lithuania started to wake up in the second quarter. The Baltic team dropped 22 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark at halftime 35:29. Lithuania cut the deficit in the third term. They narrowed the gap at the final intermission 50:54. Lithuania finally got things going at the start of the final frame. They triggered a 15:2 run to take a 65:56 lead. Lithuania did not slow down in the final minutes and cruised to the victory at the end. Rimantas Kaukenas, Simas Jasaitis and Renaldas Seibutis accounted for 10 points each in the win. Amine Rzig answered with 17 points for Tunisia. Macram Ben Romdhane had 12 points in the loss.

Group B
United Kingdom - China 90-58
Great Britain edge China in London as both teams finished Group B of the Olympics 2012. The hosts finished the journey with the comfortable 90:58 win and improved to 1-4 record. China lost all five games and dropped at 0-5 record on the bottom of the group. Great Britain started the game with 27-15 and never looked behind after. The hosts added 19-16 in the second frame for 46:31 at the halftime. Great Britain dominated also the second half. They won the third period 26-17 and finished the game with 18-10. Achara Kieron top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Nathan Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) posted 12. Sullivan Drew delivered 11 and Johnson Kyle added 9. Wang ZhiZhi finished the game with 11 points in the losing effort, while Yi Jianlian collected 10 points and 14 rebounds. Wang ShiPeng (198-SG-83) scored 9 and Zhou Peng chipped in with 8.

Spain - Brazil 82-88
Leandrinho Barbosa (190-PG-82) leads Brazil past Spain in the last game of Group B. Brazil wins over the Spanish outfit 88:82 and finished with 4-1 record on the second place. Spain suffered the second straight loss and dropped at 3-2. Spain started with 26-17 and proved their ambitions for the win. Brazil replied with 21-18 in the second frame but lost the third quarter 19-22. The last period was decisive in the game. Spain led 5 points but could not keep the win. Neto reduced to 68:65, while Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) kept the difference at 70:67. Sada gave Spain 72:67 and Gasol increased to 6 points. Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 73:69 with 5 minutes to go. Leandrinho Barbosa later made two three-pointers in a row for 75:73 lead. Pau Gasol tied the game at 75:75, but Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 77:75. Taylor increased to 4 points and Varejao made it 80:76. Again Leandrinho Barbosa scored for 82:76, while Varejao posted two for 84:77. Tiago Splitter made a dunk for 88:79 and Llull closed the game from the arc. Leandrinho Barbosa top-scored for the winners with 23 points and Marquinhos Vieira netted 13. Tiago Splitter followed them with 11 points in a win. Pau Gasol ended up with 25 points and Marc Gasol scored 20 in defeat.

Australia - Russia 82-80
Patrick Mills (183-PG-88, college: St.Mary's, CA) fires a buzzer beater to lift Australia over Russia in the start of the last day in Preliminary Round. He brought his team a thrilling 82:80 win to finish with 3-2 record. Russia meanwhile finished with 4-1 record on top. Russia proved it one more time to be the best team to be watched. The European team battles until the last seconds and usually grabs the victory at the end of the game. Australia won the first period 29-20, but Russia reduced to 46:45 at the halftime. Again Australia needed 23-19 in the third period for 5-point advantage after three quarters. Mozgov opened the last stanza for 69:66 but Russia tied the game only at the end. David Andersen (212-C-80) made it 77:70, while Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) and Ponkrashov reduced to 4 points with 3 minutes to go. David Andersen made another dunk for 79:73 and then Andrei Kirilenko (209-F-81) made two free throws for 79:75. The latter later made a jump shot and added another free throw for 79:78. Fridzon later gave European team 80:79 advantage, but the victory ran out from Russia. Australia needed 4 seconds to find Patrick Mills that fired a three-pointer with the buzzer. Ingles top-scored for the winners with 20 points, while Baynes and Patrick Mills added 13 each. Matthew Dellavedova (193-SG-90) followed them with 10 points in a win. Sasha Kaun ended up with 18 points in the losing effort and Shved as well as Andrei Kirilenko had 13 each. Mozgov poured in 10 points in a loss.


*****************************************************
  PANAMA   


Pistoia signs former SerieA scoring champion Michael Hicks - by Eurobasket News

Giorgio Tesi Group Pistoia officially announced signing of Michael Hicks (194-G/F-76, college: Texas A&M-CC) for the next season. The American swingman spent the last one with Sigma Barcellona. He appeared 31 times in LegaDue averaging 12.6 points and 4.2 rebounds. Hicks played for the same club also in 2010/11. That season he had even better numbers for 35 games: 16.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 82.8%. Before Barcellona, Michael Hicks spent four years with Scavolini Pesaro. He was the top scorer of SerieA with 18.2 ppg in 2008/09 season. In the past, Hicks played for Imola, Montecatini and Udine. Michael Hicks played for the Panamanian National Team at 2006 World Championship in Japan. They won the CentroBasket Gold that same year. He joined the NT back in 1996.


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


Asseco Prokom signs NT point guard Lukasz Koszarek - by Eurobasket News

Lukasz Koszarek (187-PG-84) is a new member of Asseco Prokom Gdynia. He arrives to the Polish powerhouse from Trefl Sopot. Koszarek shined last season with 15.5 ppg, 4.5 apg and 1.3 spg in 49 PLK games. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Domestic Player of the Year -12. Koszarek helped Trefl Sopot to win the Polish Cup and he picked up the MVP award. Before Trefl Sopot, Lukasz Koszarek spent two years with Pepsi JuveCaserta. From 2007 to 2009 he played for Anwil Wloclawek. Koszarek participated five times at PLK All-Star Game. He is active member of the National Team since 2003. Last summer in Lithuania Koszarek shined with 13 ppg, 4.4 apg and 1.8 rpg for 5 games. Three years ago at the EuroBasket in Poland the player had 9.2 ppg, 4.3 apg and 3.7 rpg for 6 games.


Asseco Prokom close to keeping Adam Hrycaniuk - by Eurobasket News

Adam Hrycaniuk (206-C-84, agency: Alti Sport, college: Cincinnati) is almost sure to stay with Asseco Prokom next season. Various reports sent the centre into different teams but it seems Adam Hrycaniuk will re-sign with the Polish champions. He is close to agreeing on terms of new contract with Asseco Prokom. Adam Hrycaniuk has been playing in Asseco Prokom since 2008. Last season the centre notched 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in VTB League. In Euroleague Adam Hrycaniuk tallied 6.0 points and 4.7 boards per appearance. In PLK the centre posted 9.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. He made it into Polish League All-Domestic Players Team for the second season in a row. Adam Hrycaniuk has been the member of Polish National Team since 2010. He participated at 2011 EuroBasket. Adam Hrycaniuk notched 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in Lithuania.


Anwil sign Ruben Boykin - by Eurobasket News

Anwil strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with Ruben Boykin (201-F-85, college: N.Arizona). The forward spent the last season in Greece. Ruben Boykin played for VEP Kolossos. He averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in A1 League. Previously Ruben Boykin played Italy. The forward is also not new to Poland. He played for Atlas Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski back in 2007/08 season. His stats read 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game then. Ruben Boykin participated at PLK All-Star Game that season. The forward was named into All-Italian LegaDue 3rd Team in 2011.


Italy wins Sopot Basket Cup - by Eurobasket News

Poland - Italy 66:62

Italy wins Sopot Basket Cup despite the loss in the last game. The hosts held off Italy but it was not enough to clinch the top position in the final standings. Michal Ignerski (207-F-80, agency: Stanley International, college: Mississippi St.) scored 21 points and 11 rebounds to pace the charge.
Poland and Italy exchanged baskets throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 17:17 after ten minutes. Italy pulled ahead in the second quarter. They secured a 35:32 halftime lead. Poland denied the deficit in the third term. They tied things up at 50 at the final break. Poland eked out a narrow victory early in the final stanza and maintained it till the final buzzer. Piotr Pamula (195-G-90) and Marcin Gortat (213-C-84) added 9 points each for the winners. Stefano Mancinelli (203-F-83) answered with 17 points for Italy. Luigi Datome (202-G/F-87) had 8 points in the loss.

Poland, Italy and Montenegro finished with 2-1 records each. Italy had a better difference.

Poland: Michal Ignerski 21+11 boards, Piotr Pamula 9, Marcin Gortat 9
Italy: Stefano Mancinelli 17, Luigi Datome 8


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


Antonio Pratas Cups scheduled - by Luis Filipe Cristovao

Eleven teams will compete in LPB 2012/13, while Proliga will keep the 12 teams.

FC Porto left the League and will not have any senior team in the new season, keeping a blank place in the LPB team board. Alges and Fisica, promoted from Proliga, assured conditions to play at the higher level.

The first tournament, the Antonio Pratas/LPB Cup, will start October 5th, with the teams divided in four grups:

North: Barcelos and Vitoria Guimaraes
Center-North: Acadmica, Ovarense and Sampaense
Center-South: Alges, Fisica and Lusitania
South: Barreirense, CAB Madeira and Benfica

In the Proliga, we'll have 12 teams. The big surprise is the Benfica B, who got their place after Imortal's refusal to join the League. Desportivo Leca will also play, for the first time, in the league, after conquering their place as CNB1 North Champions.

The first tournament, the Antonio Pratas/Proliga Cup, will start September 29th, with the teams divided in four groups:

North: Desportivo Leca, Maia Basket and Guifoes
Center-North: Sangalhos, Illiabum and Oliveirense
Center-South: AngraBasket, Casino Ginasio and Electrico
South: Galitos, Benfica B and Terceira Basket


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


CSU Asesoft Ploiesti keeps Catalin Burlacu - by Eurobasket News

Catalin Burlacu (210-C-77, agency: Court Side) will stay with CSU Asesoft Ploiesti for another year, according to Totalbaschet.ro. The deal will be official soon. Burlacu spent last four seasons with Ploiesti. He played for the club also from 2003 to 2006. Ploiesti and Burlacu won six Romanian league titles together. They also celebrated four times in Romanian Cup. Last season Catalin Burlacu had 16.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 2.6 apg in 34 league games. He had even better numbers over the past few years. Burlacu also won two championship titles with West Petrom Arad in 2001 and 2002.
Catalin Burlacu was named Eurobasket.com All-Romanian League Domestic Player of the Year -12. He also was Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005. Burlacu participated five times at the All-Star Game, starting from 2005. That year he won the FIBA EuroCup title with Ploiesti.


Drasko Albijanic signed with BCM U Pitesti - by Eurobasket News

Drasko Albijanic (211-C-86) signed with BCM U Pitesti for the upcoming season. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Center continued however in Romania.
In 2011-2012 he played for CSU Asesoft Ploiesti (Romania-Div.A) and averaged 8.3ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 54.3%, FT: 58.1%. The Bosnian big guy headed to Romania from Borac Nektar Banja Luka, where he finished 2011 season. He joined them in March averaging 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals. Eurobasket awarded Albijanic with All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Most Improved Player of the Year -11. He also got a call to join the Bosnian National Team. Drasko Albijanic started last season with Sloboda Dita Tuzla. There he exploded with 17.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2 apg for 20 games. He was a member of Sloboda since 2007. In the past, Albijanic also played for Leotar Trebinje.
Together with CSU Asesoft Ploiesti he became Romanian League Champion -12.


Timisoara completes roster with rookie Adam Sollazzo - by Eurobasket News

Roster of BC Timisoara for 2012/13 season is completed. Their last addition is American combo guard Adam Sollazzo (198-G-90, agency: Edge Sports). The 22-year-old rookie graduated at East Tennessee State University few months ago. He had 14.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4.4 apg for 31 games as a senior. East Tennessee State reached Atlantic Sun Tournament Semifinals and Sollazzo was named to A-Sun All-Tournament Team. The player was also awarded with All-A-Sun 1st Team -12. As a junior Adam Sollazzo averaged 9.2 points, 4 assists and 3.2 rebounds. He was constantly improving every year with the school. East Tennessee State won the Atlantic Sun Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Sollazzo had 4 ppg and 1.9 rpg as sophomore.


William Franklin moves to CSM Oradea - by Eurobasket News

William Franklin (183-PG-85, college: Bradley) moves to CSM Oradea where he was on the try-out period last season. The American Point Guard pens deal with the team for the upcoming season.
William Franklin heads to Oradea from Tunisia. He played for Etoile du Sahel last season helping them to win the championship title. Franklin was named Africabasket.com All-Tunisian League Player of the Year -11. Moreover he was named Africabasket.com All-Tunisian League Guard of the Year -11, Africabasket.com All-Tunisian League 1st Team -11, Tunisian League Regular Season Champion -11 and Tunisian League Champion -11.
Before Etoile du Sahel, Franklin spent one year in Germany with the New Yorker Phantoms Braunschweig. In the past, he also played for Bosnian Borac Banja Luka, Cypriot ENAD and Bradley University in the USA.
William Franklin is a product of Bradley (NCAA). In his last season there he averaged 14.6ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3Pts.


SCM U Craiova bring Serbian Darko Habus - by Eurobasket News

SCM U Craiova bring Serbian Darko Habus (186-G-82) for the upcoming season. The player arrives from Tamis Petrohemija Pancevo.
In 2001-2002 he started for Lavovi 063 and in 2003-2004 moved to Mladost Gacko (Bosnia-D1, starting five). In 2004-2005 played for Etha Engomi (Cyprus-A1) and in FIBA Europe Cup averaged 8.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 30.3%. The season 2005-2006 started for InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-A1, starting five), but in March'06 moved to KK Masinac Krajlevo (SCG-1A) and averaged 14.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg.
Later Darko Habus played for KK Masinac Krajlevo and Vojvodina Srbija Gas Novi Sad. In 2009-2010 appeared for CS Municipal Bucuresti (Romania-Div.A, starting five) and in 29 games showed 10.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 81.6%. In 2010-2011 for BC Timisoara (Romania-Div.A, starting five) had 9.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 75.4%.
Last season he played for Tamis Petrohemija Pancevo (Serbia-A League) and had 5.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 20.9%, FT: 83.3%.


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


Olympics 2012: Mills fires a buzzer beater to lift Australia over Russia - by Eurobasket News

Australia-Russia 82:80

Patrick Mills (183-PG-88, college: St.Mary's, CA) fires a buzzer beater to lift Australia over Russia in the start of the last day in Preliminary Round. He brought his team a thrilling 82:80 win to finish with 3-2 record. Russia meanwhile finished with 4-1 record on top.
Russia proved it one more time to be the best team to be watched. The European team battles until the last seconds and usually grabs the victory at the end of the game.
Australia won the first period 29-20, but Russia reduced to 46:45 at the halftime. Again Australia needed 23-19 in the third period for 5-point advantage after three quarters. Timofey Mozgov (215-C-86, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) opened the last stanza for 69:66 but Russia tied the game only at the end. Andersen made it 77:70, while Sasha Kaun (211-C-85) and Ponkrashov reduced to 4 points with 3 minutes to go. Andersen made another dunk for 79:73 and then Andrei Kirilenko (209-F-81) made two free throws for 79:75. The latter later made a jump shot and added another free throw for 79:78. Fridzon later gave European team 80:79 advantage, but the victory ran out from Russia. Australia needed 4 seconds to find Patrick Mills that fired a three-pointer with the buzzer.
Joe Ingles (203-SF-87, agency: Priority Sports) top-scored for the winners with 20 points, while Aron Baynes (208-C-86, college: Washington St.) and Patrick Mills added 13 each. Matthew Dellavedova (193-SG-90) followed them with 10 points in a win. Sasha Kaun ended up with 18 points in the losing effort and Shved as well as Andrei Kirilenko had 13 each. Timofey Mozgov poured in 10 points in a loss.

Australia: Joe Ingles 20, Aron Baynes 13, Patrick Mills 13, Matthew Dellavedova 10
Russia: Sasha Kaun 18, Shved 13, Andrei Kirilenko 13, Timofey Mozgov 10


Enisey interested in Israeli guard Gal Mekel - by Anton Zirkov

Enisey Krasnoyarsk are keen on adding Israeli guard Gal Mekel (192-PG-88, college: Wichita St.).
The club already added Americans Jason Rich (191-G-86) and Zabian Dowdell (191-PG-84, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav, college: Virginia Tech) to their squad and now looking for a point guard and a center.
The main name to fill the point guard sport for now is Israeli national guard Gal Mekel who is a free agent after his club - Benetton Treviso has collapsed.
Mekel,a product of Maccabi Tel-Aviv youth team has played couple of games in the senior team in 2009/2010 and also played two seasons at Israeli club Galill/Gilboa.



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


Samuel Deguara on trial with Partizan! - by Ivan Milenkovic

Partizan started preparations for new season on Monday. Appearance of one big guy in 'Pionir' was huge surprise. He is the best Maltese player Samuel Deguara (223-C-91) who will train with Partizan during next weeks. Coach of 'black and whites' Dusko Vujosevic is well known for extraordinary work with young players, especially centers. Samuel will have chance to learn from one of top basketball coaches in Europe, while Dule will be able to evaluate him well and see if he could become useful player for Partizan in the future.
Samuel Deguara (223-C-91) signed 9-year contract with Benetton in 2007, but didn't play senior basketball at serious level yet (played on loan in 3rd Italian league last season). In 2009, Maltese center suffered serious knee injury which ruled him out of the game for eight months and slowed his development. This summer, he dominated at Eurobasket for Small Countries - averaged 24.2 points and 12 rebounds per game with excellent shooting percentage (77% 2P FG and 73% FT). Whether Samuel has enough talent and potential to stay in Partizan - it will be decision of Dule Vujosevic.


SCM U Craiova bring Serbian Darko Habus - by Eurobasket News

SCM U Craiova bring Serbian Darko Habus (186-G-82) for the upcoming season. The player arrives from Tamis Petrohemija Pancevo.
In 2001-2002 he started for Lavovi 063 and in 2003-2004 moved to Mladost Gacko (Bosnia-D1, starting five). In 2004-2005 played for Etha Engomi (Cyprus-A1) and in FIBA Europe Cup averaged 8.8ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 39.1%, 3Pts: 30.3%. The season 2005-2006 started for InterCollege Etha Engomis (Cyprus-A1, starting five), but in March'06 moved to KK Masinac Krajlevo (SCG-1A) and averaged 14.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg.
Later Darko Habus played for KK Masinac Krajlevo and Vojvodina Srbija Gas Novi Sad. In 2009-2010 appeared for CS Municipal Bucuresti (Romania-Div.A, starting five) and in 29 games showed 10.4ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 81.6%. In 2010-2011 for BC Timisoara (Romania-Div.A, starting five) had 9.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 75.4%.
Last season he played for Tamis Petrohemija Pancevo (Serbia-A League) and had 5.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 20.9%, FT: 83.3%.


Sava Lesic moves to Khimik - by Eurobasket News

Sava Lesic (205-C/F-88) moves to Khimik for the following season. The Serbian player will debut abroad.
Last year Sava Lesic played for Crvena Zvezda Beograd and averaged 9.5ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 74.4% in Adriatic league. In Serbian League his stats read 7.0ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 73.7%.
The season 2010-2011 he started for BC Partizan MT:S Beograd (A League) and in Euroleague showed 4pts, 6reb. In Nov.'10 moved to KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (A League, starting five) and in Serbian League after 14 games showed 12.6ppg, Reb-1 (10.9rpg), 1.1spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 71.6%. In Adriatic League after 10 games his stats read 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 84.2%.
During the career Lesic played for Vizura iz season 2007-2008, Superfund 2008-2009 and Partizan 2009-2010. Sava Lesic was member of Serbian U20 National team and in season 2009-2010 he won Radivoj Korac Cup, Serbian Championship and Adriatic league. Last year he became Radivoj Korac (Serbian Cup) Finalist -12 and Serbian League Finalist -12. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Serbian League Defensive Player of the Year -12.


Radnicki Kragujevac eyes Bojan Krstovic - by Eurobasket News

Bojan Krstovic (194-G-80, agency: Interperformances) left Buducnost Voli few days ago and he is already targeted by Radnicki Kragujevac. Earlier this summer Radnicki brought in Terrico White (196-G-90, college: Mississippi), Mark Worthington (202-PF-83, college: Metro St.) and Stefan Jovic (190-G-90, agency: Kotnik Sports Agency). Krstovic played 26 games in Adriatic league last season averaging 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He also added 8.2 ppg, 2 apg and 2.9 rpg for 13 EuroCup games. Buducnost defended championship title and Cup in Montenegro. They also reached Adriatic League Final Four. Bojan Krstovic was a member of Hemofarm from 2008 to 2011. He had 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.5 apg for 23 Adriatic league games in their last season together. In the past, Krstovic spent several years with FMP Zeleznik. They were Adriatic league and Serbian Cup winners.


Olin Edrine inks PG Nemanja Protic - by Eurobasket News

Olin Edrine continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is Serbian point guard Nemanja Protic (182-G-86), according to Totalbasket.net. He spent 2011/12 with Nizhny Novgorod averaging 10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists for 12 EuroChallenge games. The player also added 7.9 ppg and 3.2 apg for 18 games in VTB United League. In Russian championship Protic had slightly lower numbers. He joined Nizhny Novgorod in March of 2011 and finished 2010/11 season there. For 18 games with the club he shined with 13.5 ppg and 2 apg. Before Nizhny Novgorod, Protic played for Khimik Yuzhny and Oldenburg. In the past, the player spent few years with FMP Zeleznik.
Last week Olin Edrine signed a deal with David Jelinek. They also brought in Ismail Cevik for the next season.


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  SLOVENIA   


Samo Miska takes over MARC Ajdovscina, Jure Gabrovsek signs with Postojna - by Eurobasket News

MARC Ajdovscina got a new Head Coach for the next season. The team hired Slovenian specialist Samo Miska. Most recently he worked with Koper.
Meanwhile, Postojna reinforced its roster at position 1. The team penned a deal with young point guard Jure Gabrovsek (180-PG-93). He arrives to the club from Triglav Strazisce Kranj. Gabrovsek appeared 14 times in D2 last season averaging 5.9 points and 1.8 rebounds. Before Kranj, he spent few years with Union Olimpija second team. He also played for their junior squad. They reached Slovenian league Semifinals a year ago. In 2010, Jure Gabrovsek played with Olimpija at Nike Euroleague Junior Tournament (Unofficial European Clubs Junior Championships). He had 4.3 ppg in 3 games. Three years ago Gabrovsek was a member of U16 Slovenian National Team.


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  SPAIN   


Olympics 2012: Barbosa leads Brazil past Spain - by Eurobasket News

Spain - Brazil 82:88

Leandrinho Barbosa (190-PG-82) leads Brazil past Spain in the last game of Group B. Brazil wins over the Spanish outfit 88:82 and finished with 4-1 record on the second place. Spain suffered the second straight loss and dropped at 3-2.
Spain started with 26-17 and proved their ambitions for the win. Brazil replied with 21-18 in the second frame but lost the third quarter 19-22. The last period was decisive in the game. Spain led 5 points but could not keep the win. Neto reduced to 68:65, while Tiago Splitter (211-C/F-85, agency: Interperformances) kept the difference at 70:67. Sada gave Spain 72:67 and Gasol increased to 6 points. Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 73:69 with 5 minutes to go. Leandrinho Barbosa later made two three-pointers in a row for 75:73 lead. Pau Gasol (214-F/C-80) tied the game at 75:75, but Leandrinho Barbosa made two free throws for 77:75. Taylor increased to 4 points and Varejao made it 80:76. Again Leandrinho Barbosa scored for 82:76, while Varejao posted two for 84:77. Tiago Splitter made a dunk for 88:79 and Llull closed the game from the arc.
Leandrinho Barbosa top-scored for the winners with 23 points and Marquinhos Vieira (207-F-84) netted 13. Tiago Splitter followed them with 11 points in a win. Pau Gasol ended up with 25 points and Marc Gasol (216-C-85, agency: Interperformances) scored 20 in defeat.

Spain: Pau Gasol 25, Marc Gasol 20, Serge Ibaka (208-C/F-89) 14
Brazil: Leandrinho Barbosa 23, Marquinhos Vieira 13, Tiago Splitter 11


Prat Juventud keep Alejandro Suarez - by Eurobasket News

Prat Joventud have ensured the services of Alejandro Suarez (205-F/C-93). The centre has agreed on terms of contract extension with the team. Alejandro Suarez joined Prat Juventud at the start of the previous season. He tallied 5.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in LEB Silver. He was the member of U16, U17 and U18 Spanish National Teams. Alejandro Suarez joined U20 National Team this year. He participated at U20 European Championship. Alejandro Suarez notched 4.3 points and 3.3 boards per game in Slovenia.


Sergii Gladyr agrees on terms of contract with Fuenlabrada - by Eurobasket News

Sergii Gladyr (196-G/F-88) will stay in Spain in the next season. The Ukrainian forward has agreed on terms of contract with Fuenlabrada. Sergii Gladyr spent the last three seasons withs Manresa. He tallied 8.7 points, 3.2 boards, 1.4 assists per game in ACB. Previously Sergii Gladyr played for MBC Mykolaiv in Ukraine. Eurobasket.com named Sergii Gladyr All-Ukrainian Superleague Newcomer of the Year in 2008. He made it into All-Ukrainian Superleague Domestic Player Team in 2008 and 2009. He played for U18 and U20 Ukrainian National Teams. Sergii Gladyr has been the member of Ukrainian National Team since 2008. The forward is currently working in Ukrainian National Team training camp.


Ourense adds American rookie Nick Barbour - by Eurobasket News

Ourense continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is American guard Nick Barbour (190-G-89). He graduated at High Point University few months ago. Barbour played 31 games for his school as a senior collecting 20.4 ppg, 2.5 rp and 1.4 apg. He was named to All-Big South Conference 1st Team and NABC Division I All-District 3 1st Team. Nick Barbour spent all four tears with High Point. He started with 14.2 ppg and 2.9 rpg as freshman and was named to Big South Conference All-Freshman Team -09. Next year he exploded with 18.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg. Barbour participated at 2012 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft). For 3 games at this event he had 13.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg.
Last week Ourense signed point guard Raul Mena and center Victor Serrano.


Assignia Manresa locks young Danish C Rasmus Larsen until 2016 - by Eurobasket News

Assignia Manresa made a move for the future. The team penned a 4-year deal with young Danish center Rasmus Larsen (212-C-94). The 17-year old player arrives to Manresa from Vaerlose BBK. He appeared 23 times for the club last season averaging 6.5 points and 3.2 rebounds. Larsen made debut for the senior squad in 2010. Before that, he played for Vaelrose juniors. Last summer Rasmus Larsen helped U18 Denmark to win the Silver at U18 EuroBasket in Bulgaria. He had 11.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg at this event. He was named Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Division B Best Center -11. In 2009, Rasmus Larsen also won the Silver, but with U16 Denmark at U16 EuroBasket Division B in Portugal. There he had 2.3 ppg and 2.1 rpg for 7 games.


Coruna inks F Angel Hernandez - by Eurobasket News

Leyma Natura Basquet Coruna reinforced its roster at position 3. The team signed a deal with Spanish forward Angel Hernandez (196-F-91). He arrives to the club from Granada. Hernandez appeared 32 times in LEB Gold last season averaging 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He played for the same team also in 2010/11. That season Hernandez had very limited time on the court with Granada. He got a chance in 17 games having just 1.1 ppg. In 2009/10 season Angel Hernandez player for EBA team Albolote Fundacion C.B. Granada. There he had 11.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 2.7 apg for 30 games. Coruna will compete in LEB Silver next season. They reached Quarterfinals in the latest one.


Jorge Garcia joins Burgos - by Eurobasket News

Ford Burgos completed their frontline. They added Jorge Garcia (203-C/F-77) to the roster. The centre spent the previous season in Navarra. He tallied 9.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in LEB Gold. Previously Jorge Garcia had spells for Baloncesto Leon, Alicante, Fuenlabrada, Bilbao Basket, Leon Caja Espana, Cordboba. The centre earned All-Spanish LEB Gold Honourable Mention in 2009 and 2011.


River Andorra inks 1-year deal with Marc Blanch - by Eurobasket News

River Andorra added another player to its roster for the next season. Their latest addition is Spanish forward Marc Blanch (195-F-82). He played last season for Menorca collecting 7.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg and 1.2 spg in 43 games. They were LEB Gold Playoff winners, but the club ceased to exist this summer due to huge financial problems. Marc Blanch reached EuroCup Quarterfinals with Estudiantes a year ago. However, there he had very limited playing time. Blach appeared only in ten games for the entire season. From 2005 to 2010, Marc Blanch was a member of Mallorca. In their last season together he had 14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 spg and 1.7 apg in 34 LEB Gold games. Blanch registered almost the same numbers in 2008/09. The player was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LEB Gold Honorable Mention -09 and Eurobasket.com Spanish LEB Gold All-Defensive Team -09.


Palencia gets bigger with Roger Fornas - by Eurobasket News

Palencia Baloncesto reinforced its roster under the basket. The LEB Gold team penned a deal with Roger Fornas (202-F/C-82). The Spanish big guy arrives to Palencia from Tarragona, where he spent last two years. He averaged 10 points and 4.8 rebounds for 33 games last season. Fornas had almost the same numbers in 2010/11. Before Tarragona, Roger Fornas split 2009/10 season between Caceres and Andorra. He won the LEB Gold title with Valladolid in 2009. Fornas helped the club with 4.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg for 12 games. He joined them in February of 2009 from Lleida. In the past, Fornas played for Breogan and L'Hospitalitet.


Obradoiro CAB signs Rafael Freire, Ben Dewar and Pavel Pumprla - by Eurobasket News

Obradoiro CAB is very active on the transfer market these days. The team signed deals with three new players: Rafael Freire (188-PG-92), Benjamin Dewar (196-G/F-81, college: L.Superior) and Pavel Pumprla (200-F-86).
Rafael Freire played last season for Alicante. He appeared 28 times in Liga Endesa averaging 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Before Alicante, Freire was a member of Granada, Clinicas Rincon and Unicaja. He is active member of the Brazilian National Team.
Benjamin Dewar also heads to Obradoiro CAB from Alicante. He had 9.4 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 31 games last season. Dewar played for Le Mans, ASVEL and Orleans over the past few years. He won ProA title in 2009 with ASVEL.
Pavel Pumprla played last three years for the Czech powerhouse CEZ Basketball Nymburk. He had 12.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 2.2 apg for 13 EuroCup games last season. With Nymburk he won three championship titles and three Cup trophies in Czech Republic.


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  SWEDEN   


08 Stockholm signs American Kodi Augustus - by Eurobasket News

Kodi Augustus (203-F-87, agency: Two Points, college: Mississippi St.) will continue his career in Sweden. The American power forward penned a 1-year deal with 08 Stockholm. It will be his first time in Europe. Augustus arrives to the club from Australian ABA team Ballarat Miners. The PF started last season with Uruguayan Hebraica Macabi averaging 13.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for 17 games. They were LUB Capital Division champions.
Kodi Augustus is a product of the Mississippi State University, where he graduated something more than a year ago. He had 12.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg for 31 games as a senior. In 2009, Mississippi State won SEC Tournament. It was sophomore season for Augustus, who averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds. He was constantly improving every year at the Mississippi State.


Dino Pita stays with Sodertalje Kings - by Eurobasket News

Dino Pita (192-G-88) decided to stay with Sodertalje Kings for the next season. The Swedish guard had offers from abroad, but at the end he made a decision to stay with Basketligan runner-up. Pita shined last season with 14.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.1 apg. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com Swedish Basketligan All-Domestic Players Team -12. In 2010/11 season the player had almost the same numbers. He arrived to Sodertalje Kings in 2006 from Basketettan team Talje. With Talje he won Basketettan title in 2007. Dino Pita won the Bronze with U20 Swedish National Team four years ago. He had 5.4 ppg and 1.3 apg for 8 games at U20 EuroBasket Division B in Romania. In the past, Pita played for U18 Sweden.


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  TAIWAN   


Lin thrills fans in parents' native Taiwan - by Eurobasket News

On the first trip to his parents' native Taiwan since emerging from basketball obscurity to become one of the NBA's biggest stars, Jeremy Lin (191-PG-88, college: Harvard) has pledged to remain true to himself and not be overwhelmed by the fame that accompanies the phenomenon that is "Linsanity."

Showing his modesty, Lin said Sunday he hopes to inspire other people to play basketball, just as former Chinese NBA star Yao Ming inspired him.

Lin recently left the New York Knicks for Yao's former team, the Houston Rockets. He was born and raised in the United States. But his maternal grandmother is from China and his parents are from Taiwan. The NBA can expect Lin to generate huge business from the vast Chinese-speaking world because of his Asian lineage.

Lin evaded the touchy question of whether he's Chinese or Taiwanese, saying only "there's a lot of history behind who I am."

The point guard averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games (25 starts) for the Knicks last season.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com


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  TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO   


Lessons from the Olympics - by Don Farrell

WORKING WITH THE BEST
Lessons from the Olympians
Kevin Eastman

I've been very fortunate in my career to work with, talk to, and help improve some of the best players in the game. As I look at our 2012 Olympic team, I remember working with Kevin Durant when he was a sophomore in high school; with Lebron James as he was entering the draft after his senior year in high school; and with Kevin Love, Chris Paulm and Andre Iguodala as well. Then there are former Olympic players not on the 2012 team, including Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

More than what I may have taught them, I think about what they have taught me while I had the opportunity to be around them and observe them in action.

From my observations, this much I know -- The Best will:

outwork others
be more disciplined than others
have greater drive than others
be much more competitive than others
do things that others think aren't important
do the unrequired extra work
always want to know what they can do to get better
want to be coached, want to be driven, and want to learn more

These are just some of the characteristics of The Best" -- all things your players need to recognize in this elite group. And for all our corporate friends, I think this list is worth thinking about as well. We all can grow and improve if we strive to do these things to the level that The Best are willing to do them!




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  TUNISIA   


Olympics 2012: Lithuania fire past Tunisia - by Eurobasket News

Lithuania - Tunisia 76:63

Lithuania recorded the second win at the Olympic basketball tournament. They knocked down Tunisia for 2-3 record in Group A. Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) and Sarunas Jasikevicius (192-PG-76, college: Maryland) scored 13 points each to pace the winners. Tunisia fell at 0-5 record.
Tunisia got to another confident start at the tournament. They held Lithuania to 7 points in the first ten minutes to build an 11-point lead. Lithuania started to wake up in the second quarter. The Baltic team dropped 22 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark at halftime 35:29. Lithuania cut the deficit in the third term. They narrowed the gap at the final intermission 50:54. Lithuania finally got things going at the start of the final frame. They triggered a 15:2 run to take a 65:56 lead. Lithuania did not slow down in the final minutes and cruised to the victory at the end. Rimantas Kaukenas (192-SG-77, college: Seton Hall), Simas Jasaitis (201-SF-82) and Renaldas Seibutis (198-SG-85) accounted for 10 points each in the win. Amine Rzig (198-SF-80) answered with 17 points for Tunisia. Macram Ben Romdhane (204-PF-89, agency: Prossin Sports Management) had 12 points in the loss.

Lithuania: Darius Songaila 13, Sarunas Jasikevicius 13, Rimantas Kaukenas 10, Simas Jasaitis 10, Renaldas Seibutis 10
Tunisia: Amine Rzig 17, Macram Ben Romdhane 12


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  TURKEY   


Sasha Vujacic staying with Anadolu Efes Istanbul - by Pervin Elgin

The player won't return in the NBA

Sasha Vujacic will stay with Anadolu Efes Istanbul for one more season. The NBA clause the Slovenian guard had in his contract with the Turkish team expired, as reported by Eurohoops. Vujacic will play in Efes with former Nets Jordan Farmar, recently acquired by the Turkish powerhouse.
TAG Sasha Vujacic, Basket Mercato, NBA Rumors, Anadolu Efes Istanbul

Courtesy of Eurohoops; sportando.net


Finalspor adds point guard Mustafa Gucyetmez - by Eurobasket News

Finalspor announced signing of a 1-year deal with Mustafa Gucyetmez (188-G-80). The Turkish player will be used at position 1. Gucyetmez reached TB2L Semifinals with Selcuk last season. They also were regular season champs. He appeared 43 times for the club collecting 9.6 ppg, 3.1 apg and 2.6 rpg. Mustafa Gucyetmez joined Selcuk in January of 2011 and they also reached TB2L Semis. The player started 2010/11 season with Vestel. In the past, Gucyetmez played for Final Genclik, Tofas, Erdemir, Oyak Renault and Banvit. He won TB2L title in 2004 and 2006 with Banvit and Tofas, respectively. In 2008, the player reached TB2L Semis with Tofas.
Finalspor will compete in TB2L next season.


Trabzon adds Emre Ekim - by Eurobasket News

Emre Ekim (208-F-80) is a new member of Trabzon. The Turkish forward penned a deal for the next season. Ekim arrives to the club from Erdemir, where he had 2.2 ppg for 27 TBL games last season. He was their member since 2007. Ekim had the best numbers with Erdemir in their first year together. At that time he registered 5.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg for 27 games helping Erdemir to win TB2L title. Before Erdemir, Emre Ekim spent one year with Tekelspor and one with Mersin. He played for Fenerbahce from 2002 to 2005. The forward also has experience from Turk Telekom, Strasbourg, Olympiakos and Darussafaka. With Fener he reached FIBA Europe League Final Four in 2005.


Vestel inks deal with Serhat Buker - by Eurobasket News

Vestel reinforced its roster at position 3. The team penned a deal with Turkish forward Serhat Buker (202-F-81). He played for Trabzon over the past three years. Last season Buker had 2.1 ppg and 1.2 rpg for the club in 21 TBL games. He had limited playing time also in 2010/11. In their first season together Buker and Trabzon won TB2L title. That season the player had 3.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 24 ganes. In 2008/09 Serhat Buker was a member of Oyak Renault and he played for the same team also from 2002 to 2007. Meanwhile, he spent one year with Tofas Bursa. In the past, Buker played for the Turkish University National Team.


Finalspor also adds American F Marshall Moses - by Eurobasket News

Marshall Moses (198-F-89, college: Oklahoma St.) will continue his career in Turkey. The American forward signed a deal with Finalspor. They will compete in TB2L next season. Moses spent the last one with Israeli squad Hapoel Kfar Saba/Kohav Yair. He shined with 17 ppg and 10.3 rpg in 25 games for the club. Moses finished the season as fifth rebounder of Israeli National League.
Marshall Moses is a product of the Oklahoma State University, where he graduated something more than a year ago. He had 14.1 ppg and 7.3 rpg for his school in 34 games as a senior. The player was named to All-Big 12 3rd Team -11. As a junior Moses had 8.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg for 32 games. Oklahoma State reached Big 12 Tournament Semifinals in 2009.


Maliye Milli Piyango lands Zach Graham - by Baha Kurtulus

Maliye Milli Piyango announced that guard Zach Graham (198-G-89, college: Mississippi) will join the roster. Graham spent last season with Reno Bighorns . He apperared 43 times in D-league for them averaging 10.9 points and 3.2 rebounds.
After he moved to Philippines for Air21 Express,he played 9 games averaging 37.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Maliye Milli Piyango Club authorities thanked to agent Serdar Ortakuyu who realized this transfer and added that he was one of the most demanded player by us and we thought he will contribute a lot to our roster.

Courtesy of hurriyet.com.tr via basketfaul.com


Olin Edrine inks PG Nemanja Protic - by Eurobasket News

Olin Edrine continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is Serbian point guard Nemanja Protic (182-G-86), according to Totalbasket.net. He spent 2011/12 with Nizhny Novgorod averaging 10.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists for 12 EuroChallenge games. The player also added 7.9 ppg and 3.2 apg for 18 games in VTB United League. In Russian championship Protic had slightly lower numbers. He joined Nizhny Novgorod in March of 2011 and finished 2010/11 season there. For 18 games with the club he shined with 13.5 ppg and 2 apg. Before Nizhny Novgorod, Protic played for Khimik Yuzhny and Oldenburg. In the past, the player spent few years with FMP Zeleznik.
Last week Olin Edrine signed a deal with David Jelinek. They also brought in Ismail Cevik for the next season.


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  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS   


Elegar and Rodgers Competed in the BALL Showcase - by David Edole

Philadelphia - Former Drexel standouts Frank Elegar (206-C-86, college: Drexel) and Scott Rodgers were members of the Philadelphia team in the recent Basketball Alumni Legends League. The Philly team faced the Washington, D.C. team in a pair of games as part of the BALL Showcase.

Elegar and current Boston Celtic and former Temple start Dionte Christmas led the Philly team with 14 points. Elegar threw down an assortment of dunks and played well both on the glass and on the defensive end. Jason Clark, who played at Georgetown, led all players with 21 points. Rodgers added four points for the Philly team. The D.C. team came back from a 12-point second half deficit to defeat Philly, 102-94.

The two teams met at the Smith Center on George Washington's campus on Saturday. The D.C. team won that game by a score of 113-93.


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  UKRAINE   


BC Kyiv signs British PG Justin Robinson - by Eurobasket News

BC Kyiv continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is British point guard Justin Robinson (187-PG-87, agency: Two Points, college: Rider). The 24-year-old player spent last season with Cypriot team Pizza Express Apollon. He appeared 13 times for them averaging 12.2 points and Apollon reached Playoff Semifinals. The team was regular season runner-up. Justin Robinson graduated at Rider University something more than a year ago. He shined with 15.2 ppg, 3.8 apg and 2.9 rpg in 34 games as a senior. He was named to All-MAAC 1st Team -11. Robinson spent all four years with Rider. Justin Robinson played for the British National Team in Qualifications to European Championships 2011. He got a chance five times averaging 1.6 points. In the past, Robinson played for U18 Great Britain.


Budivelnyk Kyiv agrees deal with Malcolm Delaney - by Eurobasket News

Budivelnyk Kyiv agreed a deal with Malcolm Delaney (191-G-89, college: Virginia Tech), according to Eurobasket's David Pick. It will be official soon. Delaney led Chalon for French ProA title last season. He shined with 15 ppg, 3.3 apg and 3.1 rpg for 35 games. The player had pretty close numbers for 16 EuroChallenge games as well. Chalon won two more trophies last season: Semaine des As and French Cup. They reached EuroChallenge Finals. It was the first professional deal for Malcolm Delaney, who graduated at Virginia Tech University something more than a year ago. He had 18.7 ppg, 4 apg and 3.5 rpg for his school as a senior. Delaney was even better in his junior season with Virginia Tech. At that time he had 20.2 ppg, 4.5 apg and 3.7 rpg for 33 games.


BC Donetsk close to Doron Perkins - by Eurobasket News

Various sources report that Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, agency: Arete Sports Agency, college: Santa Clara) will continue his career in Ukraine. The guard has reportedly agreed on terms of contract with the Ukrainian champions. Last season Doron Perkins spent in Italy. He played for Bennet Cantu. Doron Perkins averaged 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game in Euroleague. In SeriaA Doron Perkins notched 11.1 points, 6.2 boards, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per appearance. The guard participated at NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas recently. Previously Doron Perkins previously had stints with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, Euphony Bree, EWE Baskets and Toyota Alvark. He was named All-Japanese JBL Superleague Player of the Year in 2006. Doron Perkins was also trumped All-Israeli League Player of the Year in 2009. He made it into Israeli League All-Imports Team in 2009 and 2011.


Donetsk officially signs Doron Perkins - by Eurobasket News

BC Donetsk continues with signings for the upcoming season. Their latest addition is American point guard Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, college: Santa Clara). The 29-year old player arrives to the reining Ukrainian champion from Bennet Cantu, where he finished last season. Perkins appeared 18 times in SerieA averaging 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals. The player also added 10 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 5.5 apg for 2 games. He joined Cantu in February. Doron Perkins played for Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2009 to 2011. A year before that Perkins played for Maccabi Haifa. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League Player of the Year -09 and Eurobasket.com All-Israeli League 1st Team -09. He was named to First Team also in 2011. In 2006, Doron Perkins was awarded with Asia-Basket.com All-Japanese JBL Superleague Player of the Year.
BC Donetsk will play in Euroleague qualifications.


Sergii Gladyr agrees on terms of contract with Fuenlabrada - by Eurobasket News

Sergii Gladyr (196-G/F-88) will stay in Spain in the next season. The Ukrainian forward has agreed on terms of contract with Fuenlabrada. Sergii Gladyr spent the last three seasons withs Manresa. He tallied 8.7 points, 3.2 boards, 1.4 assists per game in ACB. Previously Sergii Gladyr played for MBC Mykolaiv in Ukraine. Eurobasket.com named Sergii Gladyr All-Ukrainian Superleague Newcomer of the Year in 2008. He made it into All-Ukrainian Superleague Domestic Player Team in 2008 and 2009. He played for U18 and U20 Ukrainian National Teams. Sergii Gladyr has been the member of Ukrainian National Team since 2008. The forward is currently working in Ukrainian National Team training camp.


Sava Lesic moves to Khimik - by Eurobasket News

Sava Lesic (205-C/F-88) moves to Khimik for the following season. The Serbian player will debut abroad.
Last year Sava Lesic played for Crvena Zvezda Beograd and averaged 9.5ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 74.4% in Adriatic league. In Serbian League his stats read 7.0ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 73.7%.
The season 2010-2011 he started for BC Partizan MT:S Beograd (A League) and in Euroleague showed 4pts, 6reb. In Nov.'10 moved to KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd (A League, starting five) and in Serbian League after 14 games showed 12.6ppg, Reb-1 (10.9rpg), 1.1spg, FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 71.6%. In Adriatic League after 10 games his stats read 5.3ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 84.2%.
During the career Lesic played for Vizura iz season 2007-2008, Superfund 2008-2009 and Partizan 2009-2010. Sava Lesic was member of Serbian U20 National team and in season 2009-2010 he won Radivoj Korac Cup, Serbian Championship and Adriatic league. Last year he became Radivoj Korac (Serbian Cup) Finalist -12 and Serbian League Finalist -12. He was named Eurobasket.com All-Serbian League Defensive Player of the Year -12.


Budivelnyk land Dainius Salenga - by Eurobasket News

Budivelnyk strengthened their frontcourt. They agreed on terms of contract with experienced Dainius Salenga (197-F-77). The forward started the previous season with Rudupis Prienu. He tallied 11.9 points, 3.4 assists, 3.1 boards and 1.3 steals per game in LKL. In Baltic League Dainius Salenga posted 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.2 assists per appearance. The forward also posted 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game in EuroCup. In December he moved to Zalgiris Kaunas. Dainius Salenga posted 6.0 points, 2.2 boards and 1.5 assists in Euroleague. In LKL his stats read 9.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. In VTB League the forward banked 5.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Eurobasket.com named him into Baltic League All-European Players Team.


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  UNITED KINGDOM   


Ross Allsop Interview - by Daniel Poerschke

Ross Allsop (210-C-88, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Nova SE) is a british-australian Power Forward/Center. He played last season with Basket Vilsbiburg in Germany.
Eurobasket.com had the chance to get a short interview with Ross about his future plans and the Olympics in his native country at the moment.

How was growing up in Australia and why are you a british citizen now?

I have always been a British citizen as I was born in England. Immigrating when I was 8 to Australia, and becoming a citizen 4 years later.
Growing up in Australia was a fantastic experience, and I was very lucky to go through their state and national basketball programs. Especially, being selected and attending their top program at the Australian Institute of Sport. Australia gave me the opportunities that have raised later in my career, including college in Florida and playing professional with Baskets Vilsbiburg. Australia not only gave me experience and opportunities in basketball, but key fundamentals that could be used in day-to-day life as well.

What do you think about the performances of team GB and the Australian national Team so far at the Olympics?

Both the British and Australian national teams have impressed me this Olympics. Showing great desire and work ethic. Each country proving that they can compete with the rest of the world. As well as the players showing their dedication and passion for their country. I believe both of their performances will inspire people to which their programs will benefit.

How was your first pro season in Germany this past Season?

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Vilsbiburg, Germany. It was a great learning experience as it was my first time spending a considerable amount of time in non-English speaking country, and as a professional basketballer. I learnt a lot of mental and physical skills that would help me in my career on and off the court. My role in the team was an important one, and one excelled in. I appreciate the opportunity from Baskets Vilsbiburg to be apart of their club.

What can possible future teams expect from you?

Future clubs can expect a passionate and hard working player. Who is willing to do whatever it takes to win. An eagerness to learn and develop skills to achieve success. A real team payer with a great attitude on and off the court.

More Infos on Ross can be found here: http://scorersfirst.com/?&cid=488&sid=115


Olympics 2012: Great Britain edge China in London - by Eurobasket News

Great Britain-China 90:58

Great Britain edge China in London as both teams finished Group B of the Olympics 2012. The hosts finished the journey with the comfortable 90:58 win and improved to 1-4 record. China lost all five games and dropped at 0-5 record on the bottom of the group.
Great Britain started the game with 27-15 and never looked behind after. The hosts added 19-16 in the second frame for 46:31 at the halftime. Great Britain dominated also the second half. They won the third period 26-17 and finished the game with 18-10.
Kieron Achara (208-F/C-83, agency: Two Points, college: Duquesne) top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Nathan Reinking (188-G-73, college: Kent St.) posted 12. Drew Sullivan (203-F-80, agency: Interperformances, college: Villanova) delivered 11 and Kyle Johnson (195-G-88, college: LIU Brooklyn) added 9. Wang ZhiZhi (215-C-77) finished the game with 11 points in the losing effort, while Jianlian Yi (212-PF-87) collected 10 points and 14 rebounds. Wang ShiPeng (198-SG-83) scored 9 and Zhou Peng (210-F-89) chipped in with 8.

Great Britain: Kieron Achara 16, Nathan Reinking 12, Drew Sullivan 11, Kyle Johnson 9
China: Wang ZhiZhi 11, Jianlian Yi 10+14 rebs, Wang ShiPeng 9, Zhou Peng 8


BC Kyiv signs British PG Justin Robinson - by Eurobasket News

BC Kyiv continues with signings for the next season. Their latest addition is British point guard Justin Robinson (187-PG-87, agency: Two Points, college: Rider). The 24-year-old player spent last season with Cypriot team Pizza Express Apollon. He appeared 13 times for them averaging 12.2 points and Apollon reached Playoff Semifinals. The team was regular season runner-up. Justin Robinson graduated at Rider University something more than a year ago. He shined with 15.2 ppg, 3.8 apg and 2.9 rpg in 34 games as a senior. He was named to All-MAAC 1st Team -11. Robinson spent all four years with Rider. Justin Robinson played for the British National Team in Qualifications to European Championships 2011. He got a chance five times averaging 1.6 points. In the past, Robinson played for U18 Great Britain.


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  URUGUAY   

Standings - Metropolitan League

Metropolitan Standings
 1. Atenas 14-5 
 2. Goes 12-7 
 3. Marne 12-7 
 4. Larranaga 10-8 
 5. Cader 10-9 
 6. Capitol 10-9 
 7. Urunday Univ. 10-9 
 8. Verdirrojo 8-10 
 9. Guruyu Waston 8-11 
 10. Romis N. 6-13 
 11. Yale 4-16 




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Women News


BA appoints new Chair - by Eurobasket News

Basketball Australia has appointed well-respected sports administrator and former Chief Executive Scott Derwin as its new Chair of the Board.

Mr Derwin will commence in the role on 16 August 2012 replacing Acting Chair Justin Milne, who will resume his position as Chair of the NBL Commission and non-executive Director of BA.

Mr Milne said Mr Derwins demonstrated leadership and negotiation skills would be an asset for the Board, providing the steady hand and stability BA needs to build on its recent gains.

"Scott has served as the Chief Executive of three major national sporting bodies over the last 17 years; in each of those roles, he has driven structural change at both governance and management levels, Mr Milne said.

Scotts previous work with BA speaks for itself he was instrumental in getting us back to a position of financial strength, and largely drove our merger with the National Basketball League, the Womens National Basketball League and the Australian Basketball Association.

He has also had extensive experience as both chairman and a member of various not for profit boards.

On top of that, the experience he brings from his time spent with the Australian Paralympic Committee in the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and Surf Life Saving Australia is invaluable to our organisation.

Mr Derwin said he looked forward to working closely with the Board and incoming CEO Kristina Keneally to raise the profile of the sport.

Im honoured that the Board has entrusted me with the position of Chair and pleased to continue to work with Basketball Australia in such a hands-on role, Mr Derwin said.

Our international recognition lets us stand proud on a world stage, and at home in Australia, weve got a million people playing basketball. Thats no small feat but I know we can continue to grow.

Were in an Olympic/Paralympic year, weve got a renewed focus with our Strategic Plan, and there are big things in the pipeline for the upcoming NBL season. Im excited to be a part of it.

Kristina Keneally, who today assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, welcomed Mr Derwins appointment.

Scott brings with him a deep understanding of the history of basketball, as well as a keen appreciation of its future potential, Ms Keneally said.

Going forward, one of our priorities should be tapping into our incredible strength in terms of mass participation numbers. I know thats where Scotts awareness of and relationship with State Associations will be a boon for Australian basketball.

Scott is a successful sports administrator, a proud ambassador for our sport, and I know hell be a wise sounding-board for me as CEO.


Background Information

Before his successful career in Sports Administration, Scott Derwin enjoyed great success in the area of Law, where he was a founder, senior partner and owner of a respected law firm based in Newcastle. Starting the company in 1978, Derwin helped build it to a medium sized practice, employing 20 staff members before he sold the practice in 1992 to move into sport.

He successfully served as the CEO of Basketball Australia from 1999-2009 which saw him drive the unification of the sport under the Basketball Australia banner. He was also the leader in the implementation of the Aussie Hoops program and he was also instrumental in progressing Basketball Australia's relationship with both FIBA, the international governing body of the sport, along with the Chinese and USA basketball federations among others.

Prior to this, Derwin was the CEO of the Australian Paralympic Committee, a role he performed following the successes he achieved as the CEO of Surf Life Saving Australia. Derwins passion for the sport of basketball is further evidence by his serving as the Chairman of Basketball Queensland for the last two years before taking up his current position on the Basketball Australia Board. Scott Derwin is Chair of Basketball Australias Competition Commission and the WNBL Commission.

Courtesy of WNBL Australia


Big V: Weekend Wrap- Semi Finals - by Eurobasket News

The Tigers keep growling as they head towards a grand final berth, while Eltham take an important lead before they head to the Cougars den this week.
SCW ROUND UP
SEMI-FINALS
Despite the absence (again) of Caitlin Cun-ningham, who, if reports are correct, has walked away and wont return this season, the Tigers turned it on against the Hawks and head home with a clear advantage. A tight first half saw the Tigers hold a narrow 36-35 lead at the long break, but following either some words of wisdom or perhaps some home truths behind closed doors, the Tigers snapped out of their funk and clawed the Hawks with a 43-24 se-cond half. Telling stats included Melbournes 52-33 win on the boards, while the 23-11 assists count summed up the Tigers ability to deliver clean baskets. Amazingly, 17 blocks were rec-orded in the game, the best swatters being Ringwoods Krista Rabenberg (6) and Mel-bournes Lauren Scherf (4). When it came to scoring, Melbourne was best served by young gun Isabella Brancatisano (24pts, 7ass, 4stls), while Tegan Fowler (14pts), Lauren Scherf (13pts), Alice Hammond (12pts) and Nicole Zammit (10pts, 13rbs) all chimed in. Ringwoods stars included Tori Hansen (175-G) (15pts, 4 treys), Jack-ie Vanderzaag (15pts, 9rbs), Lisa Ewin (12pts) and Krista Rabenberg (11pts, 10rbs). With win number one in the bag, the Tigers return home this week and are odds on to wrap it up on Saturday night.
www.bigv.com.au
Eltham has taken a decisive edge into week two of its semi final match-up with McKinnon and must now win one game on the road to progress to the back-end of August. The de-fending champs delivered a second-half KO, scoring 28-18 after the long break, turning in a massive defensive effort against the queens of D. Though we expect the Cou-gars to be a tough proposition at home, they will need to take a close look at the offensive end after going 6/28 in the second half. Elthams big guns came to play with Sam Woosnam (185-F-78) (17pts, 9rbs, 5ass) and Hollie Flo-rance (12pts @ 86%, 14rbs) leading the way, while for McKinnon it was Julie Brookhouse (15pts) and Alex Lough (14pts, 11rbs) pushing hard. Though a one-nil lead is a massive ad-vantage, Eltham will know that the Cougars are a tough unit on their home deck and that the job of reaching the grand final series is still ahead of them. Get set for a massive second week in this match-up.
SEMI-FINAL RESULTS
Melbourne 79 defeated Ringwood 59 Eltham 62 defeated McKinnon 54
Courtesy of: http://www.bigv.com.au


QBL: Weekend Wrap-Up: Round 12 - by Eurobasket News

Townsville Flames 73 def Rockhampton Cyclones 68
The Townsville girls handed the Cyclones a shock loss, with the lead going back and forth in the opening half before the visitors held a six-point lead going into the halftime break. The Flames fired up at the end of the third quarter, coming back from 10 points down to start the final quarter ahead by three points. Townsville held on to their advantage to take the win, thanks to a number of Rockhampton errors and sharp shooting from a number of Flames players. Lisa Braunberger top-scored for Townsville with 17 points with team-mate Simone Page on 16. Shanavia Dowdell (188-F-87, agency: LBM Management, college: Louisiana Tech) had a game-high 20 points.

Ipswich Force 64 def by Gold Coast Rollers 73

The Rollers came out firing and led for much of the match, pushing their lead out to 15 points with just minutes left in the match before Ipswich pulled the margin back. Gold Coasts Carine Reimink top-scored for the game with 23 points, while Nadeen Payne (188-F/C-93) put up 22 for the Force.

South West Metro Pirates 79 def Toowoomba Mountaineers

The Pirates notched up their long-awaited first win of the season, and in front of a home court. A close first quarter saw Toowoomba hold control, with scores tied at the break, before South West fired up in the second quarter to take the lead and maintain it for the remainder of the game, withstanding a late surge from the Mountaineers. Kisha Lee top-scored for the match with 36 points for the Mountaineers, while Pirates captain Jessica Wallis (178-G-88) led her team with 33 points.

Cairns Dolphins 78 def by Rockhampton Cyclones 83

Cairns took the lead early and held it throughout the second half, heading into halftime seven points in front. They pushed their lead out to 14 points in the third term, the Cyclones managing to chip it back to trail by three points before the final break. Rocky were determined to make up for their loss against Townsville the night before, putting on a run of baskets to take the win by five points. Cairns Cayla Francis (192-C-89) shot a game-high 35 points, while Nicole Romeo top-scored for Rockhampton with 26.

Maroochydore Clippers 48 def by Brisbane Capitals 57

The first half was a close affair, with the home side leading the Capitals at the end of the first quarter by three points, before Brisbane overtook them to lead by eight points at halftime. The visitors managed to hold their lead and build on it, Maroochydore unable to match their efforts at the basket. Emma Randall (188-C-85) shot 19 points for Brisbane, Briana Johnson put up nine points for Maroochydore.

Northside Wizards 70 def Gold Coast Rollers 60

A tight tussle on Northsides home court, with both sides taking turns in holding the lead, before the Wizards pulled away enough in the final minutes to secure the match. Taylor Lilley top-scored with 32 points for Northside, Gold Coasts Heidi Freeburn and Rebecca Miles both shot 10 points.

Bundaberg Bears 64 def by Mackay Meteorettes 88

Both teams played strong, but Mackay dominated for most of the match, enjoying a solid lead at each of the breaks. Louella Tomlinson (193-F-88, agency: Regeneracom Sports, college: St.Mary's, CA) hit 28 points for the Meteorettes, Yvonne Turner shot 20 points for Bundaberg.

Courtesy of: www.qbl.basketball.net.au


*****************************************************
  BALTIC LEAGUE   


Kati Rausberg heads to Belarus - by Eurobasket News

Kati Rausberg (172-G-89) will start next season in Belarus. The Estonian guard agreed on terms of contract with Minsk 2006. Kati Rausberg has just graduated from the Eckerd College. She notched 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game in her senior season. Kati Rausberg earned All-Sunshine State Conference Honourable Mention in 2011. Previously Kati Rausberg played for Audentes. The guard was Estonian Meistriliiga champion in 2007 and 2008. She has been the member of Estonian National Team since 2005. She tallied 6.0 points, 3.3 boards and 2.5 assists per game in 2011 EuroBasket Qualification Round. Kati Rausberg also played for U18 Estonian National Team.


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  BELARUS   


Sweden U20 edge Belarus U20 in Istanbul - by Eurobasket News

Belarus U20-Sweden U20 57:69

Sweden U20 edge Belarus U20 in Istanbul as both teams finished the campaign. The Scandinavian team won 69:57 and improved to 2-1 record. Turkey U20 meanwhile won Istanbul tournament despite loss in the last game. Russia produced a 54:53 win over the hosts to tie the records at 2-1 for three teams together with Sweden. Due to the better difference Turkey won the tournament, while Russia finished second. Belarus ended up on the last position.
Sweden looked better in the first period and then added 15-8 in the second frame for 36:27 advantage. Moreover the Scandinavian team, won the third quarter 18-11 and did not mind 15-19 in the last stanza.
Fahriya Farhiya Abdi (188-F-92) top-scored for the winners with 22 points, while Ulrica Holmqvist (186-F/C-93) added 11. Ananda Amanda Zahui (190-C-93) notched 8, while Ellen Nystrom (180-G-93) and Josefin Vesterberg (187-F/C-93) delivered 7. Maryia Filonchyk (187-PF-92) poured in 16 points and Aliaksandra Musatava (174-SG-92) had 15.

Belarus U20: Maryia Filonchyk 16, Aliaksandra Musatava 15
Sweden U20: Farhiya Abdi 22, Ulrica Holmqvist 11, Amanda Zahui 8, Ellen Nystrom 7, Josefin Vesterberg 7


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  BELGIUM   


Germany U20 edge the home side in Liege - by Eurobasket News

Germany U20-Belgium U20 77:50

Germany U20 edge the home side in Liege. The German side beat Belgium U20 in a friendly campaign 77:50.
Germany started with 20-12 and dominated the first half. Both teams nailed 19 points each in the second frame for the same difference at the halftime. Germany produced a 21-10 in the third period and finished the game with 17-9 in the last stanza. A 14-0 run throught the game was decisive to find out about the winner.
Laura Hebecker (181-F-93) and Sonja Greinacher (193-F-92) top-scored for the winners with 17 points each. Christina Schnorr (187-F-92) and Finja Schaake (179-G/F-92) scored 8 each, while Julia Kohlmann posted 5.
The teams will meet each other again tonight. The game is planned in Salle Sport, Angleur.


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  BULGARIA   


Lidia Milkova is the new head coach ot Macedonia's women national team - by Christomir Rackov

Bulgarian coach Lidia Milkova 's abilities are apparently well appreciated abroad, as she is now the new head coach of Macedonia's national women team. In recent seasons she coached Macedonia's U20 women team.

After a few years without international competition for the team, the Macedonians finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries Women. They defeated Gibraltar, Wales, Austria and Scotland, but lost to Austria in the final - 63-68.

The 42-year old specialist Milkova started her career as a player in Varna and afterwards played for teams in Greece, Hungary, USA, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Serbia and Macedonia. Now she lives in Kavadarci and still playes successfully (as of last season - in the Greek championship).

"I feel good and I enjoy the game", said the Bulgarian for BGbasket.com. "I'll play as long as I can. Of course, I wont be a player-coach for Macedonia, although there was indeed such an idea", Milkova said, with a smile on her face.


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


Kati Rausberg heads to Belarus - by Eurobasket News

Kati Rausberg (172-G-89) will start next season in Belarus. The Estonian guard agreed on terms of contract with Minsk 2006. Kati Rausberg has just graduated from the Eckerd College. She notched 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game in her senior season. Kati Rausberg earned All-Sunshine State Conference Honourable Mention in 2011. Previously Kati Rausberg played for Audentes. The guard was Estonian Meistriliiga champion in 2007 and 2008. She has been the member of Estonian National Team since 2005. She tallied 6.0 points, 3.3 boards and 2.5 assists per game in 2011 EuroBasket Qualification Round. Kati Rausberg also played for U18 Estonian National Team.


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  EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U18   

Standings - Division B - by Charles Ramsdell

Standings Div.B
Group E
1. Portugal3-0
2. Hungary2-1
3. Bulgaria1-2
4. Denmark0-3
Group F
1. Belarus3-0
2. U.Kingdom2-1
3. Germany1-2
4. Lithuania0-3
Group G (places 9-18)
1. Austria3-1
2. Finland3-1
3. Israel3-1
4. Norway1-3
5. Switzerlan.0-4
Group H (places 9-18)
1. Latvia4-0
2. Ukraine3-1
3. Montenegro.2-2
4. FYR Macedo.1-3
5. Scotland0-4

Finals: Round 10

11-12 place

Aug. 5: FIN - UKR 74-72

13-14 place

Aug. 5: ISR - MNT 70-52

3rd place

Aug. 5: POR - HUN 68-57

5-6 place

Aug. 5: BUL - DEN 79-45

7-8 place

Aug. 5: LTU - GER 72-66

9-10 place

Aug. 5: AUT - LAT 32-73

FINAL

Aug. 5: ENG - BLR 74-76


Div.B Stats Leaders - by Greg

Points Per Game
 Iva KOSTOVA
  (178-SG-94)
  Avg: 20.8
 1. Kostova, BUL20.8 
 2. Austgulen, NOR19.3 
 3. Kedem, ISR15.7 
 4. Jespersen, DEN15.5 
 5. Joseph, ENG15.3 
 6. Papova, BLR14.6 
 7. Stojanovska2, MKD14.0 
 8. Hristova, BUL13.9 
 9. Kraujunaite, LTU13.8 
 10. Kalenta, BLR13.6 
Rebounds Per Game
 Amadea SZAMOSI
  (190-C-94)
  Avg: 11
 1. Szamosi, HUN11.0 
 2. Green, ENG10.4 
 3. Papova, BLR9.7 
 4. Jespersen, DEN9.6 
 5. Rakovic, MNT8.9 
 6. Perrenoud, SUI8.4 
 7. Kalenta, BLR8.3 
 8. Austgulen, NOR7.4 
 9. Kostourkova, POR7.3 
 10. Stojanovska2, MKD7.0 
Assists Per Game
 Justina KRAUJUNAITE
  (174-F-95)
  Avg: 3.9
 1. Kraujunaite, LTU3.9 
 2. Viana, POR3.6 
 3. Bridina, LAT3.1 
 4. Sirsinaityte, LTU3.0 
 5. Wood, SCO3.0 
 6. Papova, BLR2.9 
 7. Csutoras, HUN2.7 
 8. Kmetovska, MKD2.7 
 9. Bravo-H., ENG2.7 
 10. Jamsa, FIN2.6 
Steals Per Game
 Iva KOSTOVA
  (178-SG-94)
  Avg: 4
 1. Kostova, BUL4.0 
 2. Ferreira, POR2.6 
 3. Bridina, LAT2.4 
 4. Nikpaljevic, MNT2.4 
 5. Dzirma, GER2.3 
 6. Dayan, ISR2.1 
 7. Dimitrova, BUL2.1 
 8. Myshapud, BLR2.0 
 9. Runsas, FIN2.0 
 10. Abboud, ISR2.0 
Blocks Per Game
 Laura PERRENOUD
  (189-C-94)
  Avg: 3.1
 1. Perrenoud, SUI3.1 
 2. Papova, BLR2.6 
 3. Kalenta, BLR2.1 
 4. Kostova, BUL1.8 
 5. Kostova, BUL1.6 
 6. Kostourkova, POR1.4 
 7. Szamosi, HUN1.4 
 8. Zelnyte, LTU1.1 
 9. Gulich, GER1.1 
 10. Tveito, NOR1.1 


Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Division B Awards 2012 - by Eurobasket Center

Eurobasket.com All-Tournament 1st Team 2012
#s#
Maryia Papova
Papova
Ines Viana
Viana
Iva Kostova
Kostova
Shequila Joseph
Joseph
Amadea Szamosi
Szamosi
#e#5

Best Player: Maryia Papova (186-PF-94) of Belarus
Best Guard: Iva Kostova (178-SG-94) of Bulgaria
Best Forward: Maryia Papova (186-PF-94) of Belarus
Best Center: Amadea Szamosi (190-C-94) of Hungary
Best Coach: Viktoriya Datsun of Belarus

1st Team
PG: Ines Viana (164-94) of Portugal
SG: Iva Kostova (178-94) of Bulgaria
F: Shequila Joseph (189-95) of England
PF: Maryia Papova (186-94) of Belarus
C: Amadea Szamosi (190-94) of Hungary

2nd Team
G: Borislava Hristova (180-96) of Bulgaria
G: Elisabeth Dzirma (179-94) of Germany
SF: Aleksandra Stojanovska2 (178-94) of FYR Macedonia
C: Cheridene Green (187-95) of England
C: Hanna Kalenta (190-94) of Bulgaria

3rd Team
G: Laura Ferreira (177-95) of Portugal
G: Stine Austgulen (177-94) of Norway
G: Maria Jespersen (179-94) of Denmark
F: Justina Kraujunaite (174-95) of Lithuania
C: Maria Kostourkova (188-97) of Portugal

Honorable Mention
Krista Bridina (174-PG-94) of Latvia
Sigrid Koizar (173-PG-95) of Austria
Maria Aijanen (187-F/C-95) of Finland
Nof Kedem (170-SG-94) of Israel
Miriam Uro-Nile (190-C-94) of Ukraine
Ivana Kmetovska (186-PF-95) of FYR Macedonia
Kristina Rakovic (182-F/C-94) of Montenegro
Ljubica Cutunic (186-F-94) of Switzerland


Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Awards 2012 - by Eurobasket Center

Eurobasket.com All-Tournament 1st Team 2012
#s#
Olivia Epoupa
Epoupa
Aleksandra Stanacev
Stanacev
Alexandra Marchenkova
Marchenkova
Kourtney Treffers
Treffers
Albina Razheva
Razheva
#e#5

Best Player: Olivia Epoupa (168-PG-94) of France
Best Guard: Olivia Epoupa (168-PG-94) of France
Best Forward: Kourtney Treffers (186-PF-94) of Holland
Best Center: Albina Razheva (188-PF-94) of Russia
Best Coach: Jerome Fournier of France

1st Team
PG: Olivia Epoupa (168-94) of France
PG: Aleksandra Stanacev (167-94) of Serbia
PF: Alexandra Marchenkova (183-94) of Russia
PF: Kourtney Treffers (186-94) of Holland
PF: Albina Razheva (188-94) of Russia

2nd Team
PG: Merve Aydin (174-94) of Turkey
G: Elena De Alfredo (170-94) of Spain
SF: Hind Ben-Abdelkader (170-95) of Belgium
F: Maria Arrojo (186-85) of Spain
C: Ivana Tikvic (189-94) of Croatia

3rd Team
PG: Anna Stamolamprou (171-95) of Greece
G: Leticia Romero (177-95) of Spain
F: Valeriane Ayayi (184-94) of France
PF: Paulina Hersler (190-94) of Sweden
C: Zofia Hruscakova (190-95) of Slovakia

Honorable Mention
Aby Gaye (193-C-95) of France
Mariana Opocenska (184-PF-95) of Czech Rep.
Elif Emirtekin (184-F-94) of Turkey
Dragana Stankovic (188-PF-95) of Stankovic
Antonia Delaere (176-F/G-94) of Belgium
Eva Lisec (191-C-95) of Slovenia


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  FRANCE   


France U20 wins Torneo de Noia - by Eurobasket News

France U20 wins Torneo de Noia with 4 participating teams. The French side overcame Spain U20 55:50 in the Final game to win all three games.
Queralt Casas (180-G-92) scored 19 points for the hosts, while Laura Gil (190-C-92, agency: Josep and Nicolas), Elena Diaz (188-C-92) and Maria Espana had 7 each. Marina Delgado (171-PG-92) and Yurena Diaz (178-G-93) delivered 5 points apiece.
In the game for the third place Poland U20 beat Holland U20 59:57.
In Day 1 Spain started Torneo Internacional de Noia with the victory over Poland U20. The home side overcame the opponents 67:43. France U20 overcame Holland U20 58:50.
In Day 2 France U20 smashed Poland U20 53:28 and also celebrated the second straight win. The home side overcame Holland U20 83:39.
Spain will head to Hungary for another International Tournament on August 11th.


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  GERMANY   


Germany U20 edge the home side in Liege - by Eurobasket News

Germany U20-Belgium U20 77:50

Germany U20 edge the home side in Liege. The German side beat Belgium U20 in a friendly campaign 77:50.
Germany started with 20-12 and dominated the first half. Both teams nailed 19 points each in the second frame for the same difference at the halftime. Germany produced a 21-10 in the third period and finished the game with 17-9 in the last stanza. A 14-0 run throught the game was decisive to find out about the winner.
Laura Hebecker (181-F-93) and Sonja Greinacher (193-F-92) top-scored for the winners with 17 points each. Christina Schnorr (187-F-92) and Finja Schaake (179-G/F-92) scored 8 each, while Julia Kohlmann posted 5.
The teams will meet each other again tonight. The game is planned in Salle Sport, Angleur.


Heila Rosenfeldt moves to Osnabruck - by Eurobasket News

Heila Rosenfeldt (173-G-83) is changing the team in Germany. The Estonian player has agreed on terms of contract with Osnabruck Panthers. The guard started the previous season with Eclex Tallinn. She tallied 10.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 2.0 steals per game in BWBL. Later she was loaned to Tartu Ulikool/Loctite. Her stats read 17.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.4 steals per game in Meitriliiga. Heila Rosenfeldt moved to BC Wildcats Wolfenbuettel in Germany in January. The guard notched 4.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game in DBBL. She became DBBL champion with Wolfenbuettel. She also had stints in Denmark, Germany and Estonia. Eurobasket.com named Heila Rosenfeldt All-Danish Dameligaen Bosman Player of the Year in 2010. She has been the member of Estonian National Team since 2005.


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  HOLLAND   


Holland U20 team finished the tournament in Spain - by Eurobasket News

Holland U20 team finished the tournament in Spain with 3 losses, but prepares well for the European Championship.
In the last game Poland U20 beat Holland U20 59:57. Zera Butter (179-G-92) top-scored for the Dutch team with 16 points and Maxime Essenstam (189-C-93) added 14.
In Day 1 France U20 overcame Holland U20 58:50. Zera Butter scored 16 points in the losing effort.
In Day 2 Spain U20 overcame Holland U20 83:39. Yurena Diaz (178-G-93) managed to score 4 from the arc in such an offensive game.
France U20 wins Torneo de Noia with 4 participating teams. The French side overcame Spain U20 55:50 in the Final game to win all three games.


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


Cadi ICG Software signs Latvian NT forward Sabine Niedola - by Eurobasket News

Sabine Niedola (184-F-91) will stay in Spain for the next season. The Latvian National Team forward penned a 1-year deal with Cadi ICG Software. Niedola finished last season with Caja Rural averaging 4.9 points and 4 rebounds for 9 games in LFB. She joined them in January. Before that, Niedola shined with TTT Riga with 18.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.9 spg and 2.6 apg for 9 games in Latvian league. She started the season with Liepajas metalurgs. In 2010/11, Niedola was a member of French Nantes.
Sabine Niedola is active member of the Latvian NT since 2009. She had 7.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 8 game in 2013 EuroBasket qualifications. A year ago she had 4.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg for 9 games at the EuroBasket in Poland. Niedola shined with Latvian youth National Teams in the past.


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


ROW Rybnik inks American C Mercedes Walker, completes roster - by Eurobasket News

ROW Rybnik completed its roster for the upcoming season. Their latest addition is American Marcedes Marie Walker (191-C-86, agency: LBM Management, college: Pittsburgh). She will be used at position 5. Walker arrives to ROW Rybnik from the Turkish team Orduspor, where she finished last season. She joined them in February averaging 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds for 5 games in TKB2L. Walker started the season with Israeli Elitzur Netanya and her second stop was Elitzur Maclaren Holon. Mercedes Walker played for Italian Pozzuoli from 2009 to 2011. She had 15.5 ppg and 10.2 rpg for 24 games in their first season together. She was top rebounder and fifth scorer of Serie A1. In the past, Walker also played for Botas and Houston Comets (WNBA). She graduated at the University of Pittsburgh in 2008.


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


Portugal U20 participated at Caorle tournament - by Eurobasket News

Portugal U20 participated at Caorle tournament with Italy and Great Britain. Portugal finished second with one victory and one loss.
In Day 1 Italy U20 outscored Portugal U20 65:61. The hosts of the tournament won the first half 31:28 and then increased the total victory to 4 points. Irene Cigliani (177-F-92) top-scored for the winners with 16 points and Francesca Dotto (170-PG-93) nailed 13. Maffenini delivered 11, while Salvini posted 6.
Portugal U20 outscored Great Britain U20 52:51. The latter grabbed 13-11 after the first period, while Portugal erupted with 22-11 in the second frame. Great Britain dominated the second but two narrow victories were not enough for the total success. Daniela Domingues (176-G/F-92) top-scored for the winners with 11 points and Joana Jesus (173-G-93) posted 10. Erin McGarrachan (182-G-92) replied with 11 points in the losing effort.


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


Turkey U20 wins Istanbul tournament despite loss - by Eurobasket News

Turkey U20-Russia U20 53:54

Turkey U20 wins Istanbul tournament despite loss in the last game. Russia produced a 54:53 win over the hosts to tie the records at 2-1 for three teams together with Sweden. Due to the better difference Turkey won the tournament, while Russia finished second.
Ekaterina Fedorenkova (178-SG-93) top-scored for the winners with 12 points, while Alexandra Stolyar (178-G-92) notched 9. Karina Nizamova (170-PG-92) delivered 8, whilst Alina Zamaraeva (180-SG-93) and Ksenia Tikhonenko (190-F/C-93, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) had 6 each. Olcay Cakir (180-PG-93) and Ayse Cora (175-G/F-93) replied with 10 points in the losing effort. Gizem Basaran (194-C-92) had 7 and Ozge Kavurmacioglu (187-F-93) delivered 6.
In another game Sweden U20 overcame Belarus U20 69:57.
Russia had nothing to lose in this game and needed a comfortable win to clinch the top place. They started with 16-13 and added 18-13 in the second frame. Turkey however replied with 16-9 in the third period and cut it to one point. Both teams scored 11 points in the last stanza for the final result.

Turkey U20: Olcay Cakir 10, Ayse Cora 10, Gizem Basaran 7, Ozge Kavurmacioglu 6
Russia U20: Ekaterina Fedorenkova 12, Alexandra Stolyar 9, Karina Nizamova 8, Alina Zamaraeva 6, Ksenia Tikhonenko 6


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


Tetemondova stays in Ruzomberok - by Barbora Stuchlikova

General manager of MBK Ruzomberok Stanislav Onuska announced that the club re-signed Slovak forward Katarina Tetemondova (188-F/C-88). In previous season, the member of Slovak Women NT finished with MBK Ruzomberok second losing to Good Angels Kosice in the finals. Tetemondova averaged 10,4 points and 5,6 rebounds per game. In EuroCup, Ruzomberok advanced to quarterfinals where they faced Dinamo Kursk and lost over two legs to the EuroCup Champions of 2011/2012. Tetemondova added in average 11,8 points and 7,7 rebounds per game.
After the season Tetemondova again earned a spot in Slovak Senior NT and with 5,9 points and 4,0 rebounds helped the Slovak squad to secure a ticket for France 2013.


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


Cadi ICG Software signs Latvian NT forward Sabine Niedola - by Eurobasket News

Sabine Niedola (184-F-91) will stay in Spain for the next season. The Latvian National Team forward penned a 1-year deal with Cadi ICG Software. Niedola finished last season with Caja Rural averaging 4.9 points and 4 rebounds for 9 games in LFB. She joined them in January. Before that, Niedola shined with TTT Riga with 18.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 3.9 spg and 2.6 apg for 9 games in Latvian league. She started the season with Liepajas metalurgs. In 2010/11, Niedola was a member of French Nantes.
Sabine Niedola is active member of the Latvian NT since 2009. She had 7.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 8 game in 2013 EuroBasket qualifications. A year ago she had 4.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg for 9 games at the EuroBasket in Poland. Niedola shined with Latvian youth National Teams in the past.


Latest transfers - by Eurobasket News

Isofototon-Alcobendas is pretty active on the transfer market these days. The Spanish squad signed deals with Esther Moreno (178-G-85) and Noelia Otero (184-F/C-85) for the next season. Alcobendas also extended Marta Pleite, Natalia Orejon (172-G-84) and team captain Ana Aritzmendi (82).
Meanwhile, Universidad de Oviedo also was very active. They kept Sara Fernandez Alvarez for the 2012/13. Also, Lara Alvarez and Carolina Hernando decided to stay with the club for another year.
Cristina Diaz (182-F-93) will play for Arxil next season. She arrived to the club a year ago from Universitario de Ferrol. Arxil also signed Marina Ramirez Abal.
UNB Obenasa will most likely keep Maria Asurmendi (169-G-86) and Naiara Diez (187-C-87).
Bembibre PDM and Saray Calvo (178-G) parted ways.


France U20 wins Torneo de Noia - by Eurobasket News

France U20 wins Torneo de Noia with 4 participating teams. The French side overcame Spain U20 55:50 in the Final game to win all three games.
Queralt Casas (180-G-92) scored 19 points for the hosts, while Laura Gil (190-C-92, agency: Josep and Nicolas), Elena Diaz (188-C-92) and Maria Espana had 7 each. Marina Delgado (171-PG-92) and Yurena Diaz (178-G-93) delivered 5 points apiece.
In the game for the third place Poland U20 beat Holland U20 59:57.
In Day 1 Spain started Torneo Internacional de Noia with the victory over Poland U20. The home side overcame the opponents 67:43. France U20 overcame Holland U20 58:50.
In Day 2 France U20 smashed Poland U20 53:28 and also celebrated the second straight win. The home side overcame Holland U20 83:39.
Spain will head to Hungary for another International Tournament on August 11th.


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


Sweden U20 edge Belarus U20 in Istanbul - by Eurobasket News

Belarus U20-Sweden U20 57:69

Sweden U20 edge Belarus U20 in Istanbul as both teams finished the campaign. The Scandinavian team won 69:57 and improved to 2-1 record. Turkey U20 meanwhile won Istanbul tournament despite loss in the last game. Russia produced a 54:53 win over the hosts to tie the records at 2-1 for three teams together with Sweden. Due to the better difference Turkey won the tournament, while Russia finished second. Belarus ended up on the last position.
Sweden looked better in the first period and then added 15-8 in the second frame for 36:27 advantage. Moreover the Scandinavian team, won the third quarter 18-11 and did not mind 15-19 in the last stanza.
Fahriya Farhiya Abdi (188-F-92) top-scored for the winners with 22 points, while Ulrica Holmqvist (186-F/C-93) added 11. Ananda Amanda Zahui (190-C-93) notched 8, while Ellen Nystrom (180-G-93) and Josefin Vesterberg (187-F/C-93) delivered 7. Maryia Filonchyk (187-PF-92) poured in 16 points and Aliaksandra Musatava (174-SG-92) had 15.

Belarus U20: Maryia Filonchyk 16, Aliaksandra Musatava 15
Sweden U20: Farhiya Abdi 22, Ulrica Holmqvist 11, Amanda Zahui 8, Ellen Nystrom 7, Josefin Vesterberg 7


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


Turkey U20 wins Istanbul tournament despite loss - by Eurobasket News

Turkey U20-Russia U20 53:54

Turkey U20 wins Istanbul tournament despite loss in the last game. Russia produced a 54:53 win over the hosts to tie the records at 2-1 for three teams together with Sweden. Due to the better difference Turkey won the tournament, while Russia finished second.
Ekaterina Fedorenkova (178-SG-93) top-scored for the winners with 12 points, while Alexandra Stolyar (178-G-92) notched 9. Karina Nizamova (170-PG-92) delivered 8, whilst Alina Zamaraeva (180-SG-93) and Ksenia Tikhonenko (190-F/C-93, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) had 6 each. Olcay Cakir (180-PG-93) and Ayse Cora (175-G/F-93) replied with 10 points in the losing effort. Gizem Basaran (194-C-92) had 7 and Ozge Kavurmacioglu (187-F-93) delivered 6.
In another game Sweden U20 overcame Belarus U20 69:57.
Russia had nothing to lose in this game and needed a comfortable win to clinch the top place. They started with 16-13 and added 18-13 in the second frame. Turkey however replied with 16-9 in the third period and cut it to one point. Both teams scored 11 points in the last stanza for the final result.

Turkey U20: Olcay Cakir 10, Ayse Cora 10, Gizem Basaran 7, Ozge Kavurmacioglu 6
Russia U20: Ekaterina Fedorenkova 12, Alexandra Stolyar 9, Karina Nizamova 8, Alina Zamaraeva 6, Ksenia Tikhonenko 6


TED Ankara Kolejliler signs Harika Eldas - by Eurobasket News

Harika Eldas is a new member of TED Ankara Kolejliler. She penned a 1-year deal with the club. Eldas arrives to TED Ankara from TB2L team Canik Belediyesi. She appeared 11 times for them last season averaging 5.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. TED Ankara was TKB2L Playoff runner-up. The team also was Group A regular season champion.
Earlier this summer TED Ankara Kolejliler already signed deals with Tugce Canbaz (180-SF-81) and Aysu Keskin (90). Canbaz arrived to the club from Kayseri, where she spent last three seasons. Aysu Keskin joined TED Ankara Kolejliler from Gure Belediyesi, where she had 8.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 3.6 apg for 30 games last season.
First import signing for the club was American guard Jeanette Pohlen (182-G-89, agency: LBM Management, college: Stanford). The 23-year-old player is currently a member of the WNBA team Indiana Fever.


Burcu Cigil stays with Botas - by Eurobasket News

Burcu Cigil (180-G/F-90) will play next season for Botas. The Turkish forward finished 2011/12 on loan with TKB2L team Erdemit Belediyesi. She helped them win TKB2L Playoffs and also the promotion for TKBL. For 9 games with Erdemit Cigil averaged 11 points and 3.8 rebounds. The player appeared 24 games with Botas in TKBL registering 5.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg. She also added 6 ppg and 1.3 rpg for 12 EuroCup games. Burcu Cigil is a product of Botas, where she started as teenager. Last season they reached EuroCup and Turkish Cup Semifinals. Two years ago Burcu Cigil played for U20 Turkish National Team. She had 6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 9 games at U20 Eurobasket in Liepaja. Cigil played for U20 Turkey also in 2009.


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  UNITED KINGDOM   


Great Britain U20 continues the preparation - by Eurobasket News

Great Britain U20 continues the preparation for European Championship. The team participated at Caorle tournament in Italy
Portugal U20 outscored Great Britain U20 52:51. The latter grabbed 13-11 after the first period, while Portugal erupted with 22-11 in the second frame. Great Britain dominated the second but two narrow victories were not enough for the total success. Daniela Domingues (176-G/F-92) top-scored for the winners with 11 points and Joana Jesus (173-G-93) posted 10. Erin McGarrachan (182-G-92) replied with 11 points in the losing effort.
Italy U20 overcame Great Britain U20 53:46. The latter won the opening tip 9:4, but the hosts took control of the game later in the half. They needed a strong push to take 30:20 at the halftime. Later on Italy held the necessary win and reached 7-point victory. Giovanna Pertile (182-F-92) stepped up with 11 points and Francesca Dotto (170-PG-93) as well as Irene Cigliani posted 9 each. Virginia Galbiati (173-G-92) delivered 8, while Nene Diene had 7.


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


Getting better is vital goal for U.S. - by Eurobasket News

Before the Olympics began, U.S. women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma spoke of how much teams around the world have improved and how, despite his squad's dominance, he would have to be wary.

So far, his biggest challenge has been finding adequate playing time for all of his best players and being accused of running up the score on overmatched opponents.

Sunday afternoon, the U.S. beat China 114-66 to secure an undefeated record in pool play and set up a quarterfinal with Canada on Tuesday. The U.S. tied its Olympic record for points scored and spent the interview period talking more about staving off complacency than dealing with worrisome future matchups.

The Americans have won 38 consecutive Olympic games. Sunday, Diana Taurasi (6'0''-SG-82, college: Connecticut) scored 22 points, and Lynx forward Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut) turned in her second consecutive strong performance, with 12 points and seven rebounds.

"We want to make sure that we're getting better every game," Moore said. "That's what we've tried to do. We try not to play to the score. We try to evaluate our effort and our results by our standards."

The result is blowouts, as the Americans play intensely on defense and attack the basket even when the game is out of reach.

Lynx forward Seimone Augustus had eight points and three rebounds, and Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen (5'9''-PG-82, college: Minnesota) had 10 points and four assists. The United States won by 48, and Whalen was lamenting her turnovers. That's the mindset that has led to world domination.

"Today, we had a lot of assists, which is a good sign for us," Whalen said of her team's 33 assists. "And our defensive rotation was good. Those are our keys."

The other quarterfinal matchups will be undefeated France against the Czech Republic; Australia against China; and Russia against Turkey.

The Americans (5-0) haven't lost a game in the preliminary round since 1976 -- the first time that women's basketball was played in the Olympics.

Courtesy of www.startribune.com