Siler Garret (213-C-86, college: Augusta St.) will continue his career in China. He agreed on terms of contract with Jiangsu Nangang Dragons Nanjing. The centre is not new to China. He played here back in 2009/10 season. Siler Garret was the memner of the Shanghai Dongfang Sharks. His stats read 14.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in CBA. Last two seasons Siler Garret spent between NBA and D-League. He notched 2.3 points and 1.4 boards per game for the Phoenix Suns. He also posted 4.5 points and 5.0 boards per game for the Iowa Energy. Siler Garret participated at NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas this summer. He averaged 2.5 points and 3.3 boards per game for the Wizards.




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Louis Truscott (203-F-78, college: Houston) will continue his career in Colombia. He agreed on terms of contract wth Nuevo Choco. The forward spent the previous season in Argentina. He played for Quilmes Mar del Plata. Louis Truscott notched 9.4 points and 7.3 boards per game in LigaA. Previously Louis Truscott had stints in Poland, Argentina, Venezuela, Israel, Portugal, Romania, Chile, Mexico, Uruguay, United Kingdom, NBDL, CBA, USBL. He was named into Romanian League All-Imports Team in 2008. Louis Truscott earned All-Argentinean TNA Honourable Mention in 2010.
Louis Truscott is meant to improve woeful start for Nuevo Choco in Copa Federacion. The team is currently at 0-4 record in the ladder.


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CROATIA

Cibona fails in Day One of Rixos Cup - by Eurobasket News

Besiktas - Cibona Zagreb 73-67

Cibona Zagreb failed in Day One of Rixos Cup in Turkey. The reigning Turkish champion Besiktas was better than Croatian champ 73-67. Patrick Christopher (196-G-88, college: California) was the leading player in victory with 20 points and Cevher Ozer (206-F/C-83, agency: 1x1 Sports) followed him with 17 pts. Curtis Jerrells (185-G-87, college: Baylor) and Gasper Vidmar (211-C/F-87) added 11 and 10 points respectively. In Cibona, Tomislav Zubcic (214-C/F-90, agency: Beo Basket) collected 15 points and was the top-scorer of his team. Tweety Carter (180-PG-86, college: Baylor) and Justin Hamilton (210-C-90, college: Iowa St.) delivered 12 and 11 points respectively. Marko Jagodic Kuridza (204-C-87) stopped to 8 pts in this meeting. Rixos Cup continues today. Cibona will meet Anadolu Efes and will try to register the first win in Turkey. The game will start at 19h (local time). In the other game of day one Banvit was better than Unics Kazan 72-71.

Besiktas: Patrick Christopher 20, Cevher Ozer 17, Curtis Jerrells 11, Gasper Vidmar 10
Cibona: Tomislav Zubcic 15, Tweety Carter 12, Justin Hamilton 11, Marko Jagodic Kuridza 8


Ural beat Cedevita in friendly - by Eurobasket News

Ural - Cedevita 71:67

Ural Ekaterinburg claimed a pre-season victory. They overcame Cedevita Zagreb in test clash. Chris Monroe (191-G-81, college: G.Washington) posted 20 points to lead the Russian team.
Ural earned a 23:18 lead after ten minutes of action. Cedevita narrowed the gap in the second quarter. They got within 3 points at the interval 38:35. The teams exchanged baskets throughout intense third frame. Ural maintained a three-point buffer before the fourth stanza. The Russian team did not allow Cedevita to gain advantage and eked out a narrow win at the end. Aaron McGhee (203-F/C-79, college: Oklahoma) produced 9 points, while Alimdzhan Fedyushin (209-C/F-89, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) added 11 points for the winning side. Ivan Buva (208-C-91) and Mickael Gelabale (201-SF-83, agency: Three Eye Sports) answered with 17 points each for Cedevita.

Ural: Chris Monroe 20, Alimdzhan Fedyushin 11, Aaron McGhee 9
Cedevita: Ivan Buva 17, Mickael Gelabale 17


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CZECH REPUBLIC

Cantu gets Jakub Kudlacek on loan - by Eurobasket News

Jakub Kudlacek (193-PG-90) will play next season for Cantu. The Czech guard is sent on loan by Trenkwalder Reggio Emilia. He finished last season with Otto Caserta averaging 5.4 points for 16 SerieA games. Kudlacek split 2010/11 between Reggio Emilia and Mazzeo San Severo. He had very limited playing time with Regio Emilia and was loaned to San Severo in January. For 6 games in LegaDue the player had 12.5 ppg, 2.5 apg and 2.3 rpg. Jakub Kudlacek arrived to Reggio Emilia in 2007 and he spent one year with their junior team. In the past, he was a member of Usti nad Labem and Slavovo Litomerice. Jakub Kudlacek played for the Czech Republic NT in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications. He played for his country also in Qualifications to European Championships 2009. In the past, Kudlacek very successfully played for Czech Republic youth National Teams.


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DENMARK

Standings - Basketligaen Ligaen Standings  1. Aalborg 0-0   2. Aarhus BC 0-0   3. Bakken 0-0   4. Horsens IC 0-0   5. Horsholm 0-0   6. Naestved 0-0   7. Randers 0-0   8. SISU 0-0   9. Svendborg 0-0   10. Vaerlose 0-0  Regular Season: Round 1 Sep. 22: Svendborg - Horsens IC Sep. 22: Aarhus BC - Aalborg Sep. 23: SISU - Naestved Sep. 23: Bakken - Horsholm

Rob Fields continues career in Denmark - by Christian Hamborg

American guard Robert Fields (185-G-88, college: Catawba) will play yet another season in Denmark making the 2012-2013 season his third in Denmark. Fields will play for the Horsholm 79ers and will make a strong duo with Brenton Butler (190-G-87, college: Fordham) as Hoersholms backcourt starters. Fields comes as a strong replacement for Jonas Bro (186-PG-87) who announced he would not return to play this season.

Fields played 4 seasons at Catawba (NCCA2) before moving to Denmark to play for one of the lower-league teams in the 2010-11 season. In January Fields moved to Porvoon Tarmo playing in the Finish Korisliiga and recorded 3 games averaging 9ppg, 1.7 rpg and 1.3 apg. In the 2011-2012 season Fields played a few months for another lower-leage team in Denmark and in January 12 he moved to Falcon playing in the Danish Ligaen. Fields made a strong contribution to the team averaging 16.7ppg, 3.2rpg, 3.9apg and 2.1spg but couldn't prevent the team from being relegated.

With Donald Rutherford (199-F-87) playing for Svendborg Rabbits and Dominick Reid (177-G) playing for Lemvig BK, Robert Robert Fields becomes the third Catawba product to play in Denmark this season.


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D-LEAGUE

Reno Bighorns - Idaho Stampede to play preseason game in Winnemucca - by Eurobasket News

The Reno Bighorns will face off against the Idaho Stampede for a preseason exhibition game in Winnemucca, Nev., on November 19, the team announced on Wednesday.

The two West division rivals will be playing at Albert Lowry High School, located at 5375 Kluncy Canyon Road, with the game starting at 7 p.m.

This game marks the first-ever preseason game for the Bighorns, who are heading into their fifth season of play in Reno.

"We are excited to bring the NBA brand of basketball to different parts of northern Nevada," said Bighorns president Mike Reynolds. "Not only is this great for Bighorns' fans, but is also great to help get our players into game shape right before the season."

The Bighorns are working closely with the Winnemucca Century Club and Chad Peters, the varsity boys' basketball coach, to bring the Bighorns "Show on the Road" to the town.

"We think that having a NBA-affiliated team in northern Nevada is a great thing," said Peters. "Why not try to bring that excitement out to the rural areas as well? We are very thankful that the Bighorns and the Stampede are willing to share this experience with us."

Tickets for the game will be $10. For more ticket information, fans can call Peters at Spare Time Bowling at 775-623-5444 or Allison Strekal at the Bighorns at 775-853-8232.

Peters added, "High school basketball is a big deal in Northern Nevada and we love the idea of having professional basketball showcased out here for all the rural kids to experience as well. Basketball has a strong history out here and we are very happy to be adding something like this to it."

While both teams are in Winnemucca, players and coaches will be making community appearances, along with Bruno, the Bighorns mascot, and the Lady Bighorns dance team.

"We are the perfect product to bring to Winnemucca," said Bighorns head coach Paul Mokeski (agency: SportsTalent ). "We offer great family entertainment, and I can't wait for the new fans in Winnemucca to see the level of professional basketball that the Bighorns play."

The Bighorns, who are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings, the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz, had three players get called up to the NBA last season: Andre Emmett, Bobby Simmons, and Blake Ahearn. The Bighorns also had five former players in the NBA playoffs last year, including Simmons, Ahearn, Jeremy Lin, Steve Novak, and Danny Green.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com


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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Indios SF advances to LNB Finals - by Eurobasket News

Indios SF is the first finalist of 2012 LNB season. They downed Titanes in Game Three 88-78 winning the series with perfect 3-0. Ollie Bailey (201-F-85, college: Oklahoma City) was a key player in victory with 27 points and 5 rebounds. Edner Elisma (205-F/C-75, college: Georgia Tech) and Reggie Charles (201-F-81) helped their team with 13 points each, while Robert Glenn (201-F/C-89, college: IUPUI) added with 12 pts. In defeat, Gerardo Suero (193-G-89, college: Albany) was better than the others with 20 points and Jose Lloreda (201-F/C-80, agency: Paris Global Sports, college: LSU) scored 16 points. Luis Flores (188-G-81, college: Manhattan) stopped to 13 pts in this loss. Indios celebrated 99-83 win in Game One and 81-74 victory in the second meeting.
In the other Semis, Caneros handed 88-83 loss to Metros in Game Three. It means that Caneros came to 1-2 in the series. Two teams will meet again tomorrow. Metros is still one win away from the Finals.


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EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE

Profile on Tony Murphy - by Surujh Roopnarine

Shooting guard or scoring guard, which do you want? Very often players are labeled as being this type of player or that type of player, many times to the detriment of their overall talents.
Fortunately for Tony Murphy (193-G-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Norfolk St.) that is not the case. A shooting guard who can both score and shoot, Murphy has been a premier scorer since his High School days at Paterson Eastside HS where he was named the North Jersey Player of the Year both by the Bergen Record and Herald News.
After a stellar senior season Murphy went on to star for Norfolk State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (NCAA D1), finishing in the top-five in conference scoring for three seasons and completing his collegiate career as Norfolk State's seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,815 points. Also ranks as the school's all-time leader in three-point field goals made (262) and attempted (746). A prolific scorer and shooter, Murphy was looking ahead to his professional career.
His first oversees assignment came in Portugal where he played for Angrabasket/Palmeiraspark in 2009-10 and set the Proliga on fire, finishing #2 in scoring (22.6ppg) to go along with a balanced line of 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and an impressive 2.4 steals in 21 games. After venturing to the Dominican Republic, the 6-4 Murphy returned to Portugal to play for Forum Terceira Basket in the LPB (top division). Once again, his scoring prowess was on display as he finished second in the league in scoring at 18.6ppg. Unfortunately the club faced serious financial troubles last season, leading to the departure of Murphy and his other foreign import teammates.
Now with the 2012-13 season looming around the corner Murphy is looking for the next opportunity to show that no matter what you want to call the position, shooting guard or scoring guard, Tony Murphy will bring the goods to the table.

Q. Briefly, describe what assets Tony Murphy can bring to a basketball team?
A. I can be a leader, especially by example. I don't like losing and I love to win. I have a very good basketball IQ so I can be a coach on the floor. I can also bring scoring to a team in a variety of ways and I can also set up my teammates for scoring opportunities.

Q. What was the biggest difference in playing in the Portuguese Proliga versus LPB?
A. The main difference is that the guys are bigger and stronger. I would also say that the players are more skilled in the LPB (first) division.

Q. Besides scoring, what part of your game do you take the most pride in?
A. I take pride in my defense and passing. I feel that I am underrated in both areas. I understand help defense very well, I'm always up at the top in steals... that started back when I was in college. Defense is just will and I pride myself in shutting my man down. I also love to pass, everywhere I have played I have surprised people with my passing ability.

Q. What is the biggest lesson you have learned in your time as a professional player?
A. I have learned a lot in my time. The most important thing is WIN... I know what teams expect from me and I know what I have to do on and off the court. I know I need to always perform at a high level everyday and put in extra work when I'm not at practice. I also know that a team is supposed to take care of the players and make them feel at home. Unfortunately that did not happen with me and my teammates last year.

I would also like to thank you and Eurobasket for taking the time to profile me and for all the exposure you provide to players across the globe. Personally I am very grateful and appreciative of all your support.


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EUROCUP

Standings Eurocup Standings  1. Art.Dragons 0-0   2. Azovmash 0-0   3. Banco di Sard. 0-0   4. Banvit BK 0-0   5. Budivelnyk 0-0   6. Buducnost 0-0   7. Cajasol 0-0   8. Cholet 0-0   9. Cibona 0-0   10. Crvena Zvezda 0-0   11. Galatasaray 0-0   12. Gescrap BB 0-0   13. Hapoel J-M 0-0   14. Kolossos 0-0   15. Lokomotiv 0-0   16. Orleans 0-0   17. Panionios 0-0   18. Rudupis 0-0   19. s.Oliver Baskets 0-0   20. Spartak SP 0-0   21. Spirou 0-0   22. Trefl Sopot 0-0   23. Triumph 0-0   24. Valencia 0-0   25. VEF Riga 0-0

Valencia lands Marko Keselj for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Marko Keselj (206-SF-88, agency: Beo Basket) is a new member of Valencia. The Serbian small forward penned a 1-year deal with his new club. Keselj arrives to Valencia from Olympiakos, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one they won Euroleague and Greek league titles. The Serbian National Team player had 3.9 ppg and 2 rpg in 14 Euroleague games. He also added 5.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 26 appearances in domestic championship. In 2011, the Reds won Greek Cup. Before Olympiakos, Marko Keselj played two years for Crvena Zvezda. In the past, he also was a member of Koln 99ers, Girona, OKK Beograd and Avala Ada. In 2007 with Girona Keselj won FIBA EuroCup title. He is active member of the Serbian NT since 2010. Keselj averaged 11.1 points and 3.1 rebounds for 9 games at FIBA World Championship in Turkey two years ago, while Serbia reached Semifinals. Last summer in Lithuania the player had 9.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg for 11 appearances. This summer Keselj averaged 4.6 points and 3 rebounds for 7 games in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications.


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EUROLEAGUE

Erman Kunter denied Arroyo rumours - by Ugur Turker

Erman Kunter talked about Arroyo rumours. Experienced coach said that there is no possibility of signing with Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: FIU) in an interwiev. Earlier of this week, American Media had claimed that Carlos Arroyo wanted to return Besiktas where he won 3 cup last year. Earlier in off season, Erman Kunter had mentioned to re-sign with Arroyo but along with signing of Tutku Acik (194-G-80) and Curtis Jerrells (185-G-87, college: Baylor), there is no place for one more PG in roster.


Shocking statements by Fenerbahce Ulker president about Euroleague referees - by Eurobasket News

Fenerbahce Ulker president Aziz Yldrm was a guest at a football show on Turkish television NTVspor and he made shocking statements about Euroleague referees. Yldrm said: 'Every referee that comes to Turkey to officiate a Euroleague game goes straight to Grand Bazaar. They buy expensive clothes, gifts and we pay for them. Its like a tradition for euroleague referees because all other clubs did it in the past. I dare anyone-hes talking about other Turkish clubs- to claim that they never did it. I can easily prove that each club has done that but its not for match fixing. In fact, Turkish Basketball Federation organizes this. They came here, we buy presents and sometimes lose the game.'

Aziz Yldrm was on national television to talk about match fixing scandals in Turkey for the first time after he spent almost a year in prison.

Courtesy of www.trendbasket.net


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FIBA ASIA CUP

Standings Standings Group A 1. Lebanon 1-0 2. Philippine. 0-0 3. Uzbekistan. 0-0 4. China 0-0 5. Macau 0-1 Group B 1. Iran 1-0 2. Japan 0-0 3. Qatar 0-0 4. Taiwan 0-0 5. India 0-1 Preliminary Round: Round 1 A Sep. 14: MAC - LEB 51-120 Sep. 14: PHI - CHN B Sep. 14: IND - IRI 71-83 Sep. 14: JPN - QAT

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FRANCE

Le Mans beats Caja Laboral in Torneo de Angers, 76-74 - by Eurobasket News

Le Mans - Caja Laboral 76-74

Le Mans celebrated in the opening day of Torneo de Angers. The French squad grabbed 76-74 win against Caja Laboral. Le Mans had better start making 24-19 lead after ten minutes of play. Caja Laboral answered with 22-18 in the second period cutting the margin to a single point at the halftime. Le Mans intensified defense after that stopping its rival to just 13 points in Q3, while they drained 24 at the other side. When it seemed that Le Mans heads to comfortable win, the former Spanish champion exploded in Q4 and was very close to get the victory, but they didn't make it at the end. Pape Sy (201-G/F-88) stepped up for the winners with 17 points and Cam Long (193-G-88, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: George Mason) netted 12 pts. Cuthbert Victor (197-F-83, college: Murray St.) and Joao Paulo Batista (207-F/C-81, college: Gonzaga) delivered 11 points each. Brad Oleson (191-G-83, agency: Duran International, college: Alaska-Fairb.) shined for Caja Laboral and was the top scorer of this game with 27 points. Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) had 14 points, Fabien Causeur (193-SG-87) 10 and Fernandez stopped to 8 pts. Caja Laboral will meet Chalon of Friday.

Le Mans: Pape Sy 17, Cam Long 12, Cuthbert Victor 11, Joao Paulo Batista 11
Caja Laboral: Brad Oleson 27, Fernando San Emeterio 14, Fabien Causeur 10, Fernandez 8


Dijon better than ASVEL in preseason game - by Eurobasket News

Dijon and ASVEL played a preseason game last night. Dijon was better team and they celebrated 79-72 victory. Kevin Tiggs (196-G/F-84, college: E.Tenn.St.) and T.J. Campbell (175-PG-88, college: Portland) were the leading players in win scoring 18 and 17 points respectively. Jeremy Leloup (202-F-87) had 15 points and was the last one with double digits in Dijon. At the other side, Morlende shined with 25 points and he was the top scorer of this meeting. Edwin Jackson (191-G-89) and Amara Sy (202-F-81) posted 13 and 10 pts respectively.
In other games Paris-Levallois defeated Cholet 73-61. Strasbourg faced with 67-84 loss against German Ulm. Nantes downed NM1 team Rennes 88-64 and Orchy (NM1) was better than Charleville. There was another game last night and it was Saint-Quentin who outplayed Le Portel 75-63.


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GERMANY

Jefferson Mason (Basketball Is Much More Than Performing On The Court But It Is Also About Being A Good Person In The Community And Developing Bonds With Fans - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Jefferson Mason (198-G-88, college: Minnesota St.) is a 24 year old 198cm guard from Crystal Minnesota. He played his first three seasons of college ball at N.Colorado (NCAA) playing a total of 58 NCAA games. He then played at Minnesota State-Mankato (NCAA2) from 2009-2011 and in his senior year he played 33 games: 19.2ppg, 8.8rpg, 2.2apg, 1.2spg, FG%: 55.5, 3FG%: 30.6, FT%: 70.0. He started his professional basketball career in Germany for the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA, starting five): 31 games: 17.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 65.8%. He scored in double figures 28 times and scored 20 points or more 10 times. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball.

Jefferson thanks for taking some time to talk to eurobasket. Where are you now and how has your summer been?

I am currently in Minneapolis Minnesota working out and training and keeping myself in shape.

It is September and your still not signed. Despite a tough market, how surprised are you that you are still waiting for the phone to ring?

I'm a little surprised that I haven't signed with any team yet but it is a tough market and thats expected. I know that something good will happen soon for me.

You had such a strong season with the Webmoebel Baskets averaging 17.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 65.8%. Have you not had any offers at all or just not the right situation?

I have had several offers in different countries and some interest in Germany but nothing that has really made me comfortable on a decision. It isn't all about the money for me, its also about the right fit and the right organization for me.

The Webmoebel Baskets had money problems changed ownership and now are called the Finke Baskets. Was there no chance of you returning back to Paderborn?

I was not aware of their money problems until late in the season last year. They paid me all the money I was due so there was no problem at all with that. Coach Thomas Glasauer was an amazing coach and friend to me too and I loved playing for him. We never spoke of an option for next year because I think my agent and I were hoping for an opportunity in the BBL.

What were the most important things that you were able to learn on and off the court with the Webmoebel Baskets Paderborn?

I learned to stay patient and to stay humble with the game of basketball. Every game and practice is a different opportunity to increase your skills and to develop relationships with your teammates. I learned to take each day in stride. I also learned that basketball was much more then performing on court but it was also about being a good person in the community and developing bonds with fans in people of the city. When you fly across the ocean to another country to live, it helps you grow up really fast and realize what your priorities really are.

You had some big games in the PRO A scoring 20 or more points 10 times. Which player was your toughest opponent last season?

I think that playing against Cheminitz was our toughest team to play because of their amazing defense. I was usually guarded by Jorge Schmidt and he was an extremely physical and disciplined defender. Playing against him was a tough challenge but extremely fun at the same time. Those are the games that you look forward to, when trying to define yourself as a player!

Your ex teammate Justin Stommes was signed by Beko BBL team Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. That could have been you. Not to take anything away from his amazing talent, how does that make you feel when you see teammates getting jobs and your not?

Well first off Justin Stommes is an amazing basketball player and good friend of mine. He definitely deserved the opportunity to play in the BBL after last season. I believe that every team has different needs and there are also very limited spots opening every year in the BBL for players. This may be why I didn't get a call. I believe its all about timing and hopefully a team will take the gamble on me, because in the end it will pay off for them.


Will Justin Stommes be able to make an impact in the Beko BBL?

He definitely will be able to in my opinion. He is a 6'8 1-3 guard that can shoot the lights out and that can handle the ball better than most pg's. When you can shoot at a high clip from the 3 like he can, then success surely will follow.

What is your biggest strength and how could you help a team right now?

I would say my biggest strengths are my competitiveness, athletic ability, efficiency, and will to win. At every level that I have played on, I have had success. I'm a good teammate that believes that team chemistry is the identity of a championship team. I bring numerous highlights and very consistent play every day. I can defend 1-4 positions and play in any style of basketball. Winning is my number one priority and that is hard to find in some guys.

Describe your game and why should a European team be interested in your services?

I am a player that can play in a fast up and down system like in Paderborn, but that can also play in a half court system like I did in college my senior year. I rebound like a mad man, and I can score from anywhere on the court. Driving and creating shots for my teammates is something that I do well and I also score with the best of them. One thing I pride myself in is my efficiency. Scoring a lot of points without shooting every time and putting my foot print on every aspect of the game.

What is your biggest dream as a professional basketball player?

I would love to get the chance to play in the NBA but truly I would love to play this game until my body will no longer allow me to and to be as successful as possible in terms of winning games and championships. I believe that individual accolades will only go so far but team accomplishment will last in memory for a lifetime.

How does a typical workout day look like for Jefferson Mason?

Monday-Friday I get up when my wife goes to work at 7:30am and I go to the gym to get my first workout in. This includes cardio of about 3-5 miles on the treadmill, then weight training for an hour or more after that to increase strength and quickness. I will return to the gym around 2pm to do individual drills with my high school coach to work on shooting, ball handling, free throws and defensive skills. After that on Mon, Wed, and Fridays, I play 5 on 5 with local college and pro basketball players. I live, eat, sleep basketball because I want to be ready when my next opportunity comes!

Who would win in their prime the Dream Team or Team USA 2012?

Definitely the Dream Team! I say this because they had a guy on the team by the name of MICHAEL JORDAN!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I actually watched the Green Mile the other day. Michael Clarke Duncan just passed away so I had to pay my respects. My teammates from last year will also laugh about this though, because I watched it for the first time last year and was absolutely obsessed with it. They all gave me a hard time about it!

Thanks Jefferson for the chat

Bobby Davis Joins BG Goettingen - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

BG Goettingen have announced a new signing with Bobby Davis (200-F-87, college: Edinboro). Davis is a 25 year old 200cm forward from Aiken, South Carolina. He will be starting his fourth professional season and is is a powerful power forward that can also play the small forward position. He is an aggressive rebounder that understands how to use his length, strength and athleticism to get the job done. He possesses a high level of basketball IQ. Last season, he played for BC Prievidza (Slovakia-Extraliga): 45 games: 11.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 51.9%. "We are happy that Bobby will join us. He has good skills and can play inside and out", stressed BG Goettingen head coach Johan
Roijakkers.

Davis started his basketball career in 2005 for Hutchinson CC where he played until 2007. He finished his basketball career with S.Carol.Upstate (NCAA) playing there until 2009. He played a total of 60 NCAA games. In his senior year he played together with Beko BBL player Nick Schneiders and played 30 games: 14.8ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3Pts: 16.7%, FT: 66.0%. In 2009-2010, he started his professional career with Matrixx Magix Nijmegen (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 37 games: 10.7ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 68.6% . Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been HS: Conference Player of the Year -05, HS: State Championship -03, All-A-Sun 2nd Team -09, Dutch Eredivisie All-Star Game -10, Slovakian League Champion -12, and Slovakian League Regular Season Runner-Up -12

Source Pro Basketball Gttingen


Beckham Wyrick Returns To BBC Bayreuth - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber


Possibly the most underrated player last season for BBC Bayreuth, Beckham Wyrick (198-F-83, agency: Pro One Sports, college: NC-Wilmington) is heading back to his old stomping ground in Bavaria. The team announced today that Wyrick will get a contract until November 18th filling in for injured Arvydas Siksnius. Wyrick is a 28 year old 198cm forward from Cincinnati, Ohio that has never turned his back on Germany since he was a rookie in 2006 in Leverkusen playing there nonstop. Last season for BBC Bayreuth, he played 31 games: 6.3ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP: 38.4%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 62.2%. He scored in double figures six times and his best game was 16 points against his ex team FC Bayern Munich. "I am very happy that Beckham will help us in this situation. He plays the position of injured players Arvydas Siksnius and Nate Rohnert. That a player with his Beko BBL expereince is avaliable is very fortunate", stressed BBC Bayreth head coach Marco van den Berg

Wyrick started his basketball career in 2002 with NC-Wilmington where he played until 2006. He played a total of 107 NCAA games. He started his professional basketball career in 2006 for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen where he played a total of 63 Beko BBL games. He then played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg from 2008-2010 winning the Beko BBL championship and cup. In 2010-2011, he played for FC Bayern Muenchen (Germany-ProA): 25 games: 8.8ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 68.4%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been CAA Regular Season Runner-Up -05, CAA Tournament Semifinals -05, CAA All-Academic Team -05-06, CAA Regular Season Champion -06, CAA Tournament Winner -06, CAA All-Tournament Team -06, German Bundesliga Semifinals -09, German Bundesliga Champion -10, and German 2.Bundesliga Pro A Champion -11.

Source: BBC Bayreuth

Matt Reid In Try-Out With SC Rist - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Matt Reid (185-G-84, college: Cameron) is hoping to continue his basketball career in Germany as he is seeking to play his sixth professional basketball season with PRO B team SC Rist as he is with the team on a try-out. Reid has played his whole professional basketball career in Germany. He played the last two years with SC Rasta Vechta (Germany-ProB) and last year played 32 games: 12.4ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 78.8%. He started his basketball career with Cameron (NCAA2). In 2007-2008, he came to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 26 games: 17.4ppg. In 2008-2009, he played for GV Waltrop (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five), left in Oct.'08, then moved to TV 1872 Saarlouis (Germany-Regionalliga): 21 games: 19.8ppg. In 2009-2010, he played for TV 1872 Saarlouis (Germany-Regionalliga, starting five): 28 games: 23.8ppg, 6.9rpg, 6.7apg, 3.5spg, FGP: 62.9%, 3Pts: 29.5%, FT: 77.8%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been All-LSC North Division 2nd Team -06, 07, Eurobasket.com German All-Regionalliga West First Team -08, German Regionalliga (West Group) Runner-Up -08, Eurobasket.com All-German Regionalliga South-West Second Team -10, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Honorable Mention -11, and German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Runner-Up -12.

Source: SC Rist


Magdeburg: Polychroniadis new coach, Anzuluni new import - by Moritz Korff

According to reports Dimitris Polychroniadis has taken over head coaching duties at 1. Regionalliga North team Solarto Eagles Magdeburg. The 43-year-old Greek ended his stint in Leipzig following this past season. During his tenure he led the Uni-Riesen team from the 1. Regionalliga to the Pro B. He did the same in Osnabrueck in 2008.
And the Eagles have strengthened their roster by signing Yannick Anzuluni (206-G/F, agency: Promotex, college: Houghton), as Slan Sports Management said. Anzuluni is a 24-year-old forward with a great leaping ability who played for the Quebec Kebs since 2010. Before that he attended NAIA school Houghton and was a constant double-double threat for the Highlanders. The Canadian averaged 21.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.9 steals per contest in the 2008-09 season. As a senior he only appeared in two games for Houghton, scoring 27.5 points and grabbing 15.5 boards per outing.


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GREECE

Div.B Standing B Standings North Group  1. Aias Evosmou 0-0   2. Anatolia 0-0   3. Doxa Pefkon 0-0   4. Egaleo 0-0   5. Filippos Veroias 0-0   6. Ionikos Ionias 0-0   7. Ionikos N.F. 0-0   8. Iraklis 0-0   9. Marousi 0-0   10. MENT 0-0   11. Metamorfosi 0-0   12. Periko/Arhelaos 0-0   13. Stratoni 0-0  South Group  1. AEK Athens 0-0   2. Amyntas Dafnis 0-0   3. Diagoras 0-0   4. Doukas 0-0   5. Enosi 0-0   6. Esperos Patras 0-0   7. GAS AETOS 0-0   8. Halkidas 0-0   9. Holargos 0-0   10. Near East 0-0   11. Panerythraikos 0-0   12. Perama Ermis 0-0   13. Psyhiko 0-0

Aris added Colimon and Simon to their roster - by Greg

Aris Thessaloniki (A1) strenghtened their roster by adding to Americans for the upcoming season. They landed 23-year old American guard Cliff Colimon (182-89) and Chase Simon (198-G-89, college: Detroit Mercy).
Cliff Colimon has just graduated from E.Washington (NCAA). In 32 games last season he averaged impressive 16.5ppg, 3.8rpg and 5.0apg. He helped his college to make it to the Big Sky Conf. Tournament Semifinals. Cliff was selected to the All-Big Sky Conf. 1st Team and All-Tournament Team.So his pro career will start in Greece.
Chase Simon is the product of Detroit Mercy. As a senior he recorded 13.3ppg, 4.4rpg and 2.4apg last season. Together with his team they won Horizon League Tournament. In July "the Chicken" played 1 game for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas. He scored 4 pointes and grabbed 2 rebounds.

By Eurobasket Data Center


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INDIA

2012 Fiba Asia Cup: Iran topple India in opener - by Eurobasket News

Iran - India 83:71

Iran clinched the first win at the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup. They held off India in Tokyo tonight. Samad Nik Khahbahrami (198-F-83) scored 23 points to lead the winning side.
Iran strongly entered the game. They posted a 23:17 lead after ten minutes. India cut the deficit in the second quarter. They got within three points at the interval 37:40. Iran quickly opened an 11-point buffer in the third period. But India refused to give up. They cut the distance to just 6 points heading into the fourth frame 58:64. Iran needed a 12:2 run at the start of the final frame to cool off their opponents. Iran coasted to the victory afterwards. Hamed Afagh (190-SG-83) posted 16 points, while Asghar Kardoust (212-C-86) added 12 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (193-G-91) answered with 21 points for India. AmritPal Singh (201-F-91) netted 15 points in the loss.

Iran: Samad Nik Khahbahrami 23, Hamed Afagh 16, Asghar Kardoust 12
India: Vishesh Bhriguvanshi 21, AmritPal Singh 15


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IRAN

2012 Fiba Asia Cup: Iran topple India in opener - by Eurobasket News

Iran - India 83:71

Iran clinched the first win at the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup. They held off India in Tokyo tonight. Samad Nik Khahbahrami (198-F-83) scored 23 points to lead the winning side.
Iran strongly entered the game. They posted a 23:17 lead after ten minutes. India cut the deficit in the second quarter. They got within three points at the interval 37:40. Iran quickly opened an 11-point buffer in the third period. But India refused to give up. They cut the distance to just 6 points heading into the fourth frame 58:64. Iran needed a 12:2 run at the start of the final frame to cool off their opponents. Iran coasted to the victory afterwards. Hamed Afagh (190-SG-83) posted 16 points, while Asghar Kardoust (212-C-86) added 12 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Vishesh Bhriguvanshi (193-G-91) answered with 21 points for India. AmritPal Singh (201-F-91) netted 15 points in the loss.

Iran: Samad Nik Khahbahrami 23, Hamed Afagh 16, Asghar Kardoust 12
India: Vishesh Bhriguvanshi 21, AmritPal Singh 15


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IRELAND

Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament / Killester V University of Chicago / opening Fixtures. - by Patrick Maher

Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament


Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament will take place in UL Arena on September 14th & 15th 2012.

Games Schedule

Friday 14th Sept 2012
5.30pm - Stuart Robbins All Stars v USA 2
7pm- UL Eagles v Moycullen
8.30pm- USA 1 v UCC Demons

Saturday 15th Sept 2012
9.30am- USA 1 v Killester
10.45am- USA 2 v Neptune
12pm- UL Eagles v Dublin Inter- court 2
12pm- Killester v UCC Demons - court 3
1.15pm- Stuart Robbins All Stars v Neptune -court 2
2.30pm- Moycullen v Dublin Inter

Semi final One: 3.30pm - Winner of group 1 v Winner of group 2

Semi final Two: 4.45pm - Winner of group 3 v Best runner up.

Final 7pm

Group 1
Stuart Robbins All Stars
USA Select 2
Neptune

Group 2
USA Select 1
UCC Demons
Killester

Group 3
UL eagles
Moycullen
Dublin Inter

Note: Game time is four 7 min quarters with 5 mins for half time. All games same length including semis and final, mostly on centre court, i.e. court 2.

Killester V University of Chicago:


Both Killester Men and Women Superleagues teams will face up to The University of Chicago at St Fintans gyn Sutton Dublin on September 18th next.The Ladies play the opening game at 7.p.m. with the Mens game at 8.45 p.m.

National League Fixtures 2012-13

The 2012-13 National League Basketball fixtures have been announced.

In the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague, newcomers Dublin Inter, previously known as Ballon Basketball Club, will host last season's beaten finalists DCU Saints in the opening game of the season at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Friday, September 28th.

Reigning champions UL Eagles face a tricky opening encounter away to Neptune, while Moycullen and Killester take on UCC Demons and UCD Marian respectively.

In the Nivea Women's SuperLeague, which starts on the weekend of October 6th, champions UL, who went the entire of last season unbeaten, welcome Killester to the UL Arena and beaten finalists Team Montenotte Hotel have a date with Meteors.

DCU Mercy make the trip to Ulster Rockets and WIT Wildcats face Liffey Celtics.

In Division One, it promises to be a memorable campaign with a number of new additions set to participate.

Donegal Town will now have a team in the Men's Division One campaign as well as their senior ladies participating in the women's equivalent. Dublin Thunder, who claimed the Men's Senior Cup crown last January, will also make their debut along with newcomers Cork's Fr Mathews.

Templeogue, who have built on their success at underage level, are also set for Division One, while Ulster Elks, who ended their stint in the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague at the end of the 2010-11 season, also return to the second tier of Irish basketball. As well as making the step up to the SuperLeague, Ballon will also feature a side in Division One competition.

In Basketball Ireland's Women's Division One campaign, Laois will be represented by Portlaoise Panthers, while Oblate Dynamos will be hoping the experience gained from playing in the Nivea Women's SuperLeague will stand to them when they get ready for action in October.

From BasketballIreland .... www.basketballireland.ie


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ISRAEL

Israeli teams start preseason campaign - by Eurobasket News

Israeli teams start preseason campaign to prepare better for the upcoming season. Macaabi Tel-Aviv overcame Maccabi Haifa 89:71. The Israeli favorites dominated the court and looked better than the opponents. Sylven Landesberg (198-F/G-90, college: Virginia) top-scored for the winners with 26 points and Hickman nailed 19. David Logan (184-G-82, college: Indianapolis) followed them with 11 points. Smith ended up with 19 points in defeat, while Stoll and Nick Calathes (198-G-89, college: Florida) added 18 each.
In the first scrimmage game of the season Rihson Lezion won 84:82 in Ashdod. Although it was the first game of the season, it became the most interesting so far. The teams stayed close until the end of the game and only in the last minute Rihson Lezion grabbed the victory. Willie Warren (193-PG-89, agency: Interperformances, college: Oklahoma) top-scored for the winners with 26 points and Or Solomon (197-SF-93) added 15. Jamie Skeen (205-F-88, college: VCU) replied with 25 points in the losing effort.


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ITALY

September 12 Pre-season games recap - by Giovanni Bargna

Montepaschi welcomed to Siena its former coach Simone Pianigiani and Fenerbahce Ulker. The home team supporter also celebrated the careers of Shaun Stonerook and Terrel McIntyre. They both have been main actors of the stunning achievements reached by them team in the last decade and they both retired last season. McIntyre at the beginning of the tournament due to an injury while he was playing for Virtus Bologna, while Shaun Stonerook retired at the end of last season after clinching his 6th title in a row. Jerseys n.20 (Stonerook) and n.5 (McIntyre) have been placed above the court fixed to the ceiling of the palaestra as the sign of a very recent and glorious past.
Coming to the game Montepaschi Siena seems already on a good way to build a good team chemistry. The team coached by Luca Banchi downed the Turkish squad for 89-61 led by the top scorer Matt Janning who scored 21, followed by Bobby Brown and David Moss with 17 each. Benjamin Eze, back to Siena after a year of inactivity, nailed 11 points and added 10 rebounds.
Fenerbahce and Pianigiani have to do a very hard work in order to put together all of the pieces of an almost brand new roster. They had 16 from McCalebb, 14 from Romain Sato (both former Siena players) and 13 from Mike Batiste.

Cantu and Cremona challenged each other for the 'Fabio and Simo' trophy, an annual pre-season game dedicated to the memory of two home supporters that were part of the 'Eagles'.
Cantu is still waiting for Markoishvili, Tabu and Tyus but could count for the first time on Pietro Aradori and Marco Cusin. They joined their new team a couple of days ago after the amazing experience with the italian national team. On the other side Cremona was missing Kotti and Huff that are playing with the national team of Finland. Cantu won 78-75 thanks to an outstanding performance of Nicolas Mazzarino (23 points, 6/7 from3p) and a profitable debut of Aradori who scored 17. Maarty Leunen keeps on providing solid performances and scored 14. Not good impressions as in the other friendly games by Jeff Brooks and Jerry Smith. The two newcomers need time to get into the system.
Cremona was led by Jarrius Jackson, 24pt, and Aaron Johnson 14.

Varese won another match and defeated Virtus Bologna for 61-51. The team coached by Vitucci is doing great in the pre-season. Mike Green with 19 points and Dunston were the top scorers for the reds, while Bologna had 14 from Smith and 12 from Minard.

Biella managed a loss against Casale, 78-71 after a very balanced game and had good performances from Jurak and Brackins.

Avellino was defeated by FMC Ferentino 90-86. The team coached by Valli was missing Dragovic and Richardson and had 17 points from Crow, 16 from Warren, 14 from Biligha and 15 from Hardy.

Sassari faced the european champs of Olympiacos at the PalaSerradimigni and was downed 87-106. The game ended after 38 minutes when Joey Dorsey went for a powerful dunk and destroyed the board. Thornton scored 22, Travis Diener 20, Sacchetti 13, while Drake Diener and DeVecchi posted 11 each. Top scorer for the greeks was Printezis with 19, while Gecevicius added 18 and Spanoulis 17.


Garrett Temple Returns to NBA or Europe? - by David Pick

Garrett Temple is back in the United States but remains undecided about getting back in the NBA or taking his talents overseas. Again.

After signing with Italian Novipiu Casale during the NBA lockout, Temple spent the duration of this season maturing not only personally, but also as a player. "I learned a great deal overseas, not just about basketball but about being a person and dealing with adversity. I definitely made the right decision by coming to play overseas," Temple told Eurobasket in a phone interview.

Temple's respectable season averages of 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 dimes per game, failed to help Casale reach the Italian playoffs, coming in at rock bottom (8-24).

The former Louisiana State University guard, who played a total of 51 NBA games on five different teams (Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats), is oblivious as to what the cards hold for his future. "I'm going to work out and look to play in both the Las Vegas and Orlando Summer Leagues. Not sure yet with who though," Temple said. "Next season for me depends mostly on the draft and which players teams pick up. I don't want to be on a team that drafted two guards or has several young guys in the backcourt, because I obviously want to play and showcase my skills."

Standing 6-foot-6 with an impressive wingspan, Temple was able to work on and improve techniques that he didn't have time for in the U.S. "In Europe, I played the 1, 2, 3 and sometimes even the 4 position because I was the tallest guard on the court," he said. "Our coach tried different matchups to try and get us going, so it definitely helped me learn how to play the pick and roll situations better, read the different defenses and improve my decision making."

Keeping his options open, Temple admits he's not ruling out returning to Europe, especially now, after gaining knowledge of the European hoops and its different levels of competition. Something he lacked when signing in Italy. "At first, I had no idea what the Euroleague or Eurocup was, or the differences between the European leagues. Now, having more knowledge, and with the contacts I've made, situations would be different and I'd actually know what I'm getting myself into, so there's a good chance I might come abroad next season."

Temple endured some tough punches along his European journey. After the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a trade that sent Chris Paul to L.A., the Hornets looked for someone to backup Eric Gordon and Jarrett Jack, and reached out to Temple. "The Hornets talked about giving me a look but I signed a contract with Casale without an out clause and I didn't want to make a messy situation of breaching a contract overseas," Temple revealed. "Also, I made a decision to stay here for the season, so it had to have been a hell of a situation in order for me to try to get out of the contract."

If losing five consecutive games to start the season and passing on a potential job with the Hornets wasn't enough, Temple found himself wondering, "with all the D-League call ups this season, would I have gotten a shot too?"

"I definitely look at Jeremy Lin's situation and think, should I have stayed in the U.S.?" he said. "I was one of those guys on the edge; in-out-in-out and maybe this could have been the year that I would have gotten that opportunity."

Examining the differences and difficulties he experienced in Italy, Temple says that playing abroad was a lot tougher than he imagined. "Casale is a first class organization, but I didn't achieve the individual or team goals I set out to accomplish," he commented. "People in the US tend to think that players abroad aren't as good as those in the NBA, but I went there with the mindset that those guys play just as good. Since 2006, when Team USA took the bronze medal in the Olympics, I think people began to realize that European guys can play at a high level too."



Montepaschi Siena cruises past Fenerbahce Ulker in friendly game, 89-61 - by Eurobasket News

Montepaschi Siena - Fenerbahce Ulker 89-61

Montepaschi Siena and Fenerbahce Ulker met last night in preseason game. Montepaschi was the host and celebrated comfortable 89-61 win in this meeting. It was an emotional evening as Montepaschi retired the uniforms of two of their former stars, Shaun Stonerook's (202-F-77, college: Ohio) No. 20 and Terrell McIntyre's (175-G-77, college: Clemson) No. 5, and honored former coach Simone Pianigiani and players Bo McCalebb (178-PG-85, college: New Orleans) and Romain Sato (194-G/F-81, college: Xavier) before tip-off. Matt Janning (193-G-88, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: Northeastern) top-scored with 21 points, while Bobby Brown (188-PG-84, college: CS Fullerton) and David Moss (196-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: Indiana St.) also shined adding 17 points each. Benjamin Eze (207-C/F-81, college: S.Idaho JC) followed them with 11 points and Marcelus Kemp (195-SG-84, agency: SportsTalent, college: Nevada) added 9. In the loosing squad, Bo McCalebb was better than the others with 16 points and Romain Sato posted two points less. Mike Batiste (203-F-77, college: Arizona St.) was third scorer in FB Ulker with 13 points. The hosts made 21-18 lead in the first ten minutes and they exploded offensively in Q2 scoring 28 pts in this period. At the other side, FB Ulker was limited to just 13 pts and faced with 49-31 deficit at the halftime. Bobby Brown and his teammates continued in the same rhythm after the breather and they jumped to 73-48 with 10 minutes remaining in the game. All after that was just the formality.

Montepaschi Siena: Kasun 3, Matt Janning 21, Bobby Brown 17, Boisa, Benjamin Eze 11, Carraretto, Ress 7, Sabbatino, Lechthaler, Marcelus Kemp 9, hackett 4, David Moss 17. Coach: Banchi.
Fenerbahce Ulker: Bo McCalebb 16, Eroglu, Onan 2, Ugurglu, Ermin 2, Romain Sato 14, Peker 2, Sanli, Savas 9, Birsen 3, Mike Batiste 13, Coach: Pianigiani.


Brescia gets Juan Fernandez on loan - by Eurobasket News

Juan Fernandez (193-G-90, college: Temple) will play next season for Brescia. The Argentinean point guard is sent on loan by his team EA7 Emporio Armani Milano. Fernandez signed with Milano earlier this summer. After that he was on tryout with Virtus Bologna, but at the end finished in Brescia. Fernandez is a product of Temple University, where he graduated few months ago. He had 11.1 ppg, 3.8 apg and 2.8 rpg for his school in 32 games as a senior. He spent all four years with Temple. Earlier this year Fernandez participated at Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft). Fernandez is active member of the Argentinean National Team. He appeared once at 2012 South American Championships this summer and Argentina won the title. Two years ago, the player had 5.3 ppg and 3 apg for 3 games at South American Championships in Colombia. Argentina won the silver medal at this event.
Few days ago Brescia penned a 1-year deal with former NBA player J.R. Giddens (196-G-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: N.Mexico). He spent last season with PAOK Thessaloniki averaging 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16 Greek league games. The player had much better numbers in EuroCup adding 14 ppg and 7.8 rpg for 6 appearances.
Also Brescia brought in Michael Jenkins (191-G-86, college: Winthrop) recently. He played last season at Gent Dragons in Belgian Ethias League. For 29 games Jenkings had 13 ppg and 3.4 rpg.


Cantu gets Jakub Kudlacek on loan - by Eurobasket News

Jakub Kudlacek (193-PG-90) will play next season for Cantu. The Czech guard is sent on loan by Trenkwalder Reggio Emilia. He finished last season with Otto Caserta averaging 5.4 points for 16 SerieA games. Kudlacek split 2010/11 between Reggio Emilia and Mazzeo San Severo. He had very limited playing time with Regio Emilia and was loaned to San Severo in January. For 6 games in LegaDue the player had 12.5 ppg, 2.5 apg and 2.3 rpg. Jakub Kudlacek arrived to Reggio Emilia in 2007 and he spent one year with their junior team. In the past, he was a member of Usti nad Labem and Slavovo Litomerice. Jakub Kudlacek played for the Czech Republic NT in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications. He played for his country also in Qualifications to European Championships 2009. In the past, Kudlacek very successfully played for Czech Republic youth National Teams.


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JORDAN

IMPORTS are back - by Mohammed Malas

Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF) announced officially that each team in the Jordanian Premier League (JPL) will be allowed to have one import only during the upcoming season 2012-2013 at the begining of next December according to Addustour local newspaper.

For the first time in 3 seasons, imports will enter the local competitions esspcially that the JBF will support the teams with the budget needed for having the best available players, A special committee in the JBF will be responsible to advise and monitor the transactions.

For agents and players who're interested to send the profiles and video links they have...Please send to info@jbf.jo or info@basketball.jo


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LATVIA

Ventspils defeat BC Odessa in friendly - by Eurobasket News

Ventspils - BC Odessa 77:75

Ventpsils claimed another pre-season success. They held off BC Odessa in a tough battle. Donald Sims (185-PG-87, college: Appalachian St.) topscored for the Latvian team once again with 16 points. Ventspils led by three points after ten minutes 24:21. BC Odessa got within two points at halftime 46:44. Ventspils cleared off once again in the third term. They held the Ukrainian team to 10 points to secure a 7-point lead into the fourth frame. BC Odessa almost denied the deficit but stopped just a step away from victory. Janis Timma (201-F-92, agency: FCM) knocked down 12 points for the winners. Akselis Vairogs (195-F-85, agency: Players Group) had 10 points for the Latvian team.


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LEBANON

2012 Fiba Asia Cup: Lebanon thrash Macau - by Eurobasket News

Lebanon - Macau 120:51

Lebanon clinched the first win at the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup. They knocked down Macau in preliminary Group A. Elie Estephane (193-G-86, college: Alabama So. CC) posted 24 point to lead the defending champions.
Lebanon unloaded 32 points in the opening quarter to take a comfortable 15-point lead. They held Macau to just 8 points in the second quarter and stretched the lead. Lebanon ensured a 62:25 halftime advantage. The third term was a repetition of the second as Lebanon went on another 30:8 rally and secured a massive 59-point advantage before the fourth frame. They did not slow down and cruised to the victory at the end. Fadi Khatib (199-F-79) accounted for 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Elie Roustom (197-F-87) added 15 points for the winners. Hip Meng Lo answered with 14 points for Macau. Fu In Lao netted 12 points in the loss.

Lebanon: Elie Estephane 24, Fadi Khatib 22, Elie Roustom 15
Macau: Hip Meng Lo 14, Fu In Lao 12


Hoops lands Andre Smith - by Rabih Khoury

Hoops Club agreed to terms with Jamaican combo guard Andre Smith (188-G-80, college: NC-Asheville) to join the team for the 2012-2013 season.
Outlook:
Has both guard spot skills and knows how to handle the pressures of leading a team; for sure one of the best players to ever come out of UNCA; he won't wow anyone with his play but he is extremely efficient at what he does; possesses quick hands, is a good on the ball defender, and loves to put his nose into opponent on defense; on the offensive side of the ball he can light up the scoreboard quickly; very good off the dribble, knows how to play big in the big game.
Smith played in the middle east before in both Syria and Iran.


A big start for Lebanon in the FIBA ASIA Cup : Lebanon - Macau : 120-51 - by Asia-Basket Lebanon

Lebanon started its campaign in the FIBA ASIA Cup previously known as Stankovic Cup with a big win against Macau on the score of 120-51.

Lebanon champion of the previous edition which was held in Lebanon in 2010 , welcomed back to this championship Fadi Khatib and Elias Rustom , Khatib is back after a one year absence , he was not with the team that participated in the 2011 FIBA ASIA Championship which was held in Wuhan China , Rustom was a key member in the 2010 Lebanons victory and was a starter during the FIBA 2010 World Championship , he suffered a back injury which sidelined him for the past two years.

The game against Macau saw a very big dominance of Lebanon from the start , Elias Rustom scored the first two points of the game in his first minutes on the court after a long absence. Minute after minute Lebanon started to impose its rhythm and at the end of the first quarter Lebanon had a 15 point Lead, 32-17.
The 2nd quarter saw the same tempo and Lebanon in this quarter outscored Macau 30 to 8 , and Lebanon had a very big lead at the half ,the score was 62-25.
The third quarter saw also Lebanon outscoring Macau 30 to 8 finishing it on the score of 92-33 , as for the last quarter Macau made a reaction but still Lebanon had the advantage with 28 to 18 , The final result of the game was 120-51. Elie Stephan Led all scorers with 24 , he was followed by Fadi Khatib with 22 and Elias Ruston with 15.

Lebanon will play against the Philippines tomorrow, this game and Chinas should be very decisive to identify the Leader of this group. China is participating with Team B, a group of young talented players.


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LITHUANIA

Siauliai land Mike Moore - by Eurobasket News

Siauliai strengthened their roster. They landed Mike Moore (195-G-89). The guard signed one year deal with the option of extending for another season. Mike Moore will start his pro career in Lithuania. He has just graduated from the Hofstra University. The guard notched 19.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game in his senior season. Mike Moore made it into All-CAA 2^nd Team.


Siauliai claim comfortable win over Delikatesas - by Eurobasket News

Siauliai - Delikatesas 100:76

Siauliai played another pres-season encounter. They took on Delikatesas of NKL. Siauliai claimed a comprehensive 24-poitn victory. Papa Dia (212-F-87, college: SMU) scored 20 points to lead the winners.
Siauliai knocked down 28 points in the opening quarter to take a 10-point lead. Delikatesas got within 6 points at the interval 47:41. But Siauliai unloaded 39 points in the third quarter and posted a 20-point lead into the fourth frame. Siauliai cruised throughout the final period to the victory. Laurynas Samenas netted 18 points for the winners. Klym Artamonov (183-PG-93) and Vitali Liutych (197-SG-92) added 14 points each, while Lewis Jackson (175-PG-89, college: Purdue) posted 13 points for the winning side.


Neptunas add Andriuskevicius to their roster - by Eurobasket News

Neptunas Klaipeda (LKL) added to their roster 26-year old ex-international power forward Martynas Andriuskevicius (218-113kg-86). He played last season at PAOK Thessaloniki in Greek A1 league. In 5 A1 games he recorded just1.6ppg and 1.4rpg. Andriuskevicius played also 4 games in Euroleague where he recorded just1.8ppg and 1.8rpg. He represented Lithuania at the World Championships in Turkey two years ago. Andriuskevicius team won Bronze and his stats at that event were 2 games: 3.5ppg, 4.5rpg. Andriuskevicius was also a member of Lithuanian international program for some years. He was a member of Lithuanian Senior National Team two years ago and previously for U20 National Team back in 2005.
Andriuskevicius played also professionally in Italy and Spain.

By Eurobasket Data Center


Rudupis cruise past Kryvbasbasket - by Eurobasket News

Rudupis - Kryvbasbasket 96:78

Rudupis claimed a comfortable pre-season win. They overcame Kryvbasbasket in Lithuania. The hosts fired 25 points in the opening quarter to secure a 12-point lead. Kryvbasbasket cut the deficit at 10-point mark at halftime 36:46. However Rudupis unloaded 33 points in the third term and secured a 25-point lead at the start of the fourth frame. Kryvbasbasket outgunned Rudupis in the fourth quarter but could not save the game. Arturas Valeika (206-F-85, college: Midland CC) finished with 19 points for Rudupis. Gediminas Orelikas (198-G/F-90) added 18 points, while Arturas Milaknis (195-G-86) had 17 points for the winners. Zoran Krstanovic (204-C-82, agency: TSS Management) responded with 19 points for Kryvbasbasket. Winsome Frazier (193-F/G-82, college: Mississippi St.) netted 16 points in the loss.

Rudupis: Arturas Valeika 19, Gediminas Orelikas 18, Arturas Milaknis 17
Kryvbasbasket: Zoran Krstanovic 19, Winsome Frazier 16


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

MACAU

2012 Fiba Asia Cup: Lebanon thrash Macau - by Eurobasket News

Lebanon - Macau 120:51

Lebanon clinched the first win at the 2012 Fiba Asia Cup. They knocked down Macau in preliminary Group A. Elie Estephane (193-G-86, college: Alabama So. CC) posted 24 point to lead the defending champions.
Lebanon unloaded 32 points in the opening quarter to take a comfortable 15-point lead. They held Macau to just 8 points in the second quarter and stretched the lead. Lebanon ensured a 62:25 halftime advantage. The third term was a repetition of the second as Lebanon went on another 30:8 rally and secured a massive 59-point advantage before the fourth frame. They did not slow down and cruised to the victory at the end. Fadi Khatib (199-F-79) accounted for 22 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Elie Roustom (197-F-87) added 15 points for the winners. Hip Meng Lo answered with 14 points for Macau. Fu In Lao netted 12 points in the loss.

Lebanon: Elie Estephane 24, Fadi Khatib 22, Elie Roustom 15
Macau: Hip Meng Lo 14, Fu In Lao 12


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

NBA

Rob Kurz signs non-guaranteed deal with Boston Celtics - by Eurobasket News

The Boston Celtics have signed Robert Kurz (6'9''-F-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: Notre Dame) to a non-guaranteed training camp deal, according to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated.

Kurz, 27, split time last season with Murcia of the Spanish ACB league and Nancy of the French league. He has also made stops with the Golden St. Warriors of the NBA, Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the D-League and CB Granada of Spain.

As a senior at Notre Dame in 2008-09, he averaged 12.5 points and 7.1 rebounds while shooting 39.4 percent on threes.

Kurz's value primarily comes as a big man who can stretch the floor. The 6-foot-9 power forward is described by Draft Express as having a "deadly jump shot with three point range." He was never known as much of a defender during his time at Notre Dame, but might have matured on that side of the ball during the time since.

In 40 games played with the Warriors during 2008-09, his only NBA action, Kurz averaged 3.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game. He hit 39.5 percent of his threes with the Warriors.

Kurz is likely a long shot to make the Celtics, who already have 15 players with at least partially-guaranteed deals.

Courtesy of www.masslive.com


Garrett Temple Returns to NBA or Europe? - by David Pick

Garrett Temple is back in the United States but remains undecided about getting back in the NBA or taking his talents overseas. Again.

After signing with Italian Novipiu Casale during the NBA lockout, Temple spent the duration of this season maturing not only personally, but also as a player. "I learned a great deal overseas, not just about basketball but about being a person and dealing with adversity. I definitely made the right decision by coming to play overseas," Temple told Eurobasket in a phone interview.

Temple's respectable season averages of 9.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 dimes per game, failed to help Casale reach the Italian playoffs, coming in at rock bottom (8-24).

The former Louisiana State University guard, who played a total of 51 NBA games on five different teams (Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats), is oblivious to what the cards hold for his future. "I'm going to work out and look to play in both the Las Vegas and Orlando Summer Leagues. Not sure yet with who though," Temple stated. "Next season for me depends mostly on the draft and which players teams pick up. I don't want to be on a team that drafted two guards or has several young guys in the backcourt, because I obviously want to play and showcase my skills."

Standing 6-foot-6 with an impressive wingspan, Temple was able to work on and improve techniques that he didn't have time for in the US. "In Europe, I played the 1, 2, 3 and sometimes even the 4 position because I was the tallest guard on the court," he said. "Our coach tried different matchups to try and get us going, so it definitely helped me learn how to play the pick and roll situations better, read the different defenses and improve my decision making."

Keeping his options open, Temple admits he's not ruling out returning to Europe, especially now, after gaining knowledge of the European hoops and its different levels of competition. Something he lacked when signing in Italy. "At first, I had no idea what the Euroleague or Eurocup was, or the differences between the European leagues. Now, having more knowledge and with the contacts I've made, situations would be different and I'd actually know what I'm getting myself into, so there's a good chance I might come abroad next season."

Temple endured some tough punches along his European journey. After the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a trade that sent Chris Paul to L.A., the Hornets looked for someone to backup Eric Gordon and Jarrett Jack, and reached out to Temple. "The Hornets talked about giving me a look but I signed a contract with Casale without an out clause and I didn't want to make a messy situation of breaching a contract overseas," Temple revealed. "Also, I made a decision to stay here for the season, so it had to have been a hell of a situation in order for me to try to get out of the contract."

If losing five consecutive games to start the season and passing on a potential job with the Hornets wasn't enough, Temple found himself wondering, "with all the D-League call ups this season, would I have gotten a shot too?"

"I definitely look at Jeremy Lin's situation and think, should I have stayed in the U.S.?" he said. "I was one of those guys on the edge; in-out-in-out and maybe this could have been the year that I would have gotten that opportunity."

Examining the differences and difficulties he experienced in Italy, Temple says that playing abroad was a lot tougher than he imagined. "Casale is a first class organization, but I didn't achieve the individual or team goals I set out to accomplish," he commented. "People in the US tend to think that players abroad aren't as good as those in the NBA, but I went there with the mindset that those guys play just as good. Since 2006, when Team USA took the bronze medal in the Olympics, I think people began to realize that European guys can play at a high level too."



LeBron James chooses longtime friend Rich Paul as agent - by Eurobasket News

LeBron James (6'8''-SF-84) has left longtime agent Leon Rose and the Creative Artists Agency and will join a newly formed agency led by longtime friend Rich Paul, sources told ESPN.

It is more of a new partnership than a breakup, sources said, as James is not making the move because of any hard feelings with Rose or his longtime partner William "Wes" Wesley. Paul only has been an agent for a few years, working under Rose at CAA, but quickly has earned the respect of league executives and owners.

The Sports Business Journal first reported James was changing agencies.

The switch to Paul could be the beginning of a shift of power in the NBA. Paul represented rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 overall pick of the Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson and Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe among others at CAA.

According to sources, Paul is expected to take some players with him to his new agency as is standard practice in the business. CAA also represents 2013 free agent-to-be Chris Paul, who is one of James' closest friends and is also close to Rich Paul. The two are not related.

James has been reorganizing his business affairs since joining the Heat. In 2011, he turned over his marketing management to Fenway Sports Group and received a piece of ownership in Liverpool FC in return.

James was at the centerpiece of CAA's rise to prominence in the NBA during the past five years. James signed with Rose in 2005, when he left his first agent, Aaron Goodwin. Two years later, CAA purchased Rose's practice and the right to do business with James.

Rose negotiated James' last two contracts, an extension with the Cavs in 2006 and a six-year deal with the Heat in 2010. James has an opt-out clause in his deal in 2014.

Rose and fellow CAA agent Henry Thomas, who represents James' Heat teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, worked closely together in bringing the stars together two years ago. Representing those three players in addition to other top stars who recently switched teams -- notably Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul -- made CAA a major power broker.

James and Rich Paul met when the former was a teenager and quickly formed a strong relationship. By the time James reached the NBA in 2003, Paul had become one of his closest friends and confidants. When James left Goodwin and formed his own marketing company, LRMR, Paul became a business partner.

Paul organized events and for-profit parties for James and even did some fashion modeling. But Paul started focusing on player representation four years ago when he joined CAA.

Courtesy of ESPN


Knicks' Jason Kidd to fight DWI charge - by Eurobasket News

Knicks point guard Jason Kidd (6'4''-PG-73, college: California) intends to fight a charge that he was drunk when he crashed his SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons earlier this summer, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Kidd, wearing a navy pinstriped suit and tie, said "good morning" to reporters outside Southampton Town Court on Long Island. But he didn't speak as he stood, back straight, facing the judge during his brief procedural appearance.

When asked about the allegations, attorney Edward Burke Jr. told reporters, "We are defending that."

"He is taking this very, very seriously," Burke said. "He wants to get this past him as quickly as possible. The legal process takes some time but he is ready for his season."

Kidd was arrested in July, days after signing with the Knicks. He suffered minor injuries when the vehicle hit the pole and veered into the woods in the hamlet of Water Mill.

The misdemeanor charge carries the potential for up to a year in jail.

A few days after his arrest, Kidd said on Twitter that he regretted "any disruption my accident may have caused members of the community." He also said he wanted to "thank the local authorities."

In another posting, Kidd thanked family and friends for their support.

The Knicks signed Kidd away from the Dallas Mavericks in a $3 million-per-year deal. Kidd had played in New Jersey, leading the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances, before being traded to Dallas.

He helped the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA championship. Kidd is second on the NBA's career list in assists and steals.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist has been in trouble with the law before. While playing with Phoenix in 2001, he was arrested on a domestic violence charge and acknowledged that he struck his former wife.

His next court appearance is Nov. 7.

Courtesy of www.northjersey.com


Miami Heat signs guard Garrett Temple - by Eurobasket News

Via a news release, the Miami Heat announced Thursday that they have signed guard Garrett Temple (6'6''-G-86, college: LSU). Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Temple has appeared in 51 NBA games (four starts) over the last three seasons with five different teams and averaged 3.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 11.1 minutes of action.

He has also appeared in 54 NBA Development League games (16 starts) over that span averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.30 steals and 34.6 minutes while shooting 42 percent from the field, 36.9 percent from three-point range and 77.5 percent from the foul line.

He spent last season with Junior Casale Monferrato of the Italian Serie A2 League, appearing in 28 games and averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.50 steals in 27.3 minutes while shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 83 percent from the foul line.

Temple split the 2010-11 season between the Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs while also spending time in the NBA D-League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Erie BayHawks.

Prior to that during the 2009-10 season, he spent time with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Temple attended Louisiana State University, appearing in 134 collegiate games for the Tigers.

The Heats roster now stands at 17.

Courtesy of http://miami.cbslocal.com


Bulls G Rose says knee's improving - by Eurobasket News

Derrick Rose (6'3''-G-88, college: Memphis) couldn't hold it in.

He had just seen a video clip of himself tearing the ACL in his left knee and then rehabilitating the injury. He was asked about his fans' support and the emotions came pouring out, a stream of tears and heartfelt appreciation. His voice cracked as he answered.

''It's truly a blessing with all the stuff that is going on in the city,'' said Rose, a product of the tough Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. ''A kid from Englewood's got something positive going on. That makes me feel so good. ... To have my true fans, that means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to my family.''

It hasn't been the easiest time for the Chicago Bulls' superstar. Even so, he can see the improvement.

Rose says his surgically repaired knee is getting better and that he started jumping ''a couple days ago,'' another step in his recovery. He is rehabilitating five days a week in an effort to return this season after that devastating injury.

Rose spoke Thursday at an unveiling of his new shoe and apparel line for Adidas. The 35-minute session was led by a company executive, and he did not take questions about basketball from the media. But the video got to him.

''Derrick is just as authentic as you can get,'' said Adidas global basketball vice president Lawrence Norman, who moderated the session. ''There's no way you can measure that. That's probably the most important thing because that's the most endearing quality to his fans and to all of us.''

It's also a big reason why his story - from South Side to stardom with his hometown team and now a comeback from a major knee injury - is such a big focus of the campaign surrounding the new product line. Rose hasn't said much about it since he went down. Other than video clips posted online and an interview with CSNChicago.com, he's been mostly quiet.

Rose tore the ACL late in the Bulls' playoff-opening win over Philadelphia, a huge setback that sent them spiraling toward a first-round exit after capturing the top seed in the East. The injury is expected to keep him out for a major chunk of the season. And even when he returns, it remains to be seen when or even if he'll regain the explosiveness that made him one of the game's best players.

''Everybody says All-Star break (to return), but we don't tell him that,'' older brother Reggie Rose said. ''It's really just his mental psyche. That's the major thing we have to work on and his (confidence) playing with the injury, just knowing it was an injury and it's not still an injury.''

Derrick Rose has been rehabilitating in California. That figures to change with training camp starting in a few weeks, but the results so far have been good.

''His body is looking amazing, his core and everything,'' Reggie said. ''Right now, he's running a little bit. He's shooting. I know one of the major things he's going to have to have is his cardio.''

Derrick Rose still experiences some soreness in his leg, but he sees the strides.

''I think this is the only time in my life I've worked on my core as much as I do now,'' he said.

Rose also endorsed his team, even though it'll have a different look.

Not only will the Bulls be missing their star for much of the season, the so-called ''Bench Mob'' is basically no more. Kyle Korver, Omer Asik, C.J. Watson and Ronnie Brewer are gone. In their place are veterans Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson and Nazr Mohammed, and there was Rose insisting the Bulls shouldn't be written off.

''That's my only goal is to win a championship,'' Rose said. ''Hopefully, it's soon. I'm going to put my heart into it, whatever I do on and off the court. With the team that we have now, we have a good chance. We have a good shot with the players that we have coming in. With the players that we lost, I'm definitely going to miss them. But it's a business first and you're not going to have the same people every year. The players that we have and the coaches that we have, we're just going to have to make do and go out and try to win a championship.''

Rose touched on some other subjects during the session, including the upcoming birth of his and his girlfriend's son along with the teachers strike in Chicago. Seeing kids out in the middle of the day when they should be in school isn't sitting well with him.

He's been vocal about it on Twitter, and he reiterated that on Thursday, expressing sympathy for the children and the parents in response.

''It hurts you,'' he said. ''I'm going to have a kid, so this is one of the reasons why I'm thinking about it. I hope they change it soon. I'm praying for them.''

Courtesy of Yahoo! Sports


Toronto Raptors sign forward Dominic McGuire - by Eurobasket News

The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward Dominic McGuire (6'9''-F/G-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: Fresno St.).

McGuire, 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, spent the 2011-12 season with Golden State, appearing in 64 games (six starts), averaging 3.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 17.6 minutes. He achieved career highs in 2008-09 averaging 4.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 26.2 minutes in 79 games (57 starts) with Washington.

McGuire was selected 47th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Wizards and has also appeared in games for Sacramento (2009-10) and Charlotte (2010-11). He has posted career averages of 2.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in 316 career games (74 starts).

After two seasons at the University of California, McGuire played one season at Fresno State where he averaged 12.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. He ranked fifth in the nation with 3.6 blocks during the 2006-07 season with the Bulldogs.

The Raptors open training camp October 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com


James Harden wants a max extension? - by Eurobasket News

It might not seems like big news, but if true, it kind of is: James Harden (6'5''-SG-89, college: Arizona St.) wants max money, according to ESPN.com.

It's pretty clear Harden is a max-extension kind of player, but there was a feeling, largely based on his comments, that he might take less to remain with the Thunder.

This team is like a family, Harden said in June. Like, we're really brothers. We hang out most of the time every single day. You won't find any other team like this. I love it here.

This is something special here. A dynasty is being built here. So we're winning, we're having fun and we're brothers. The other stuff, you can't buy it.

That could have made it seem Harden would present the Thunder with a little hometown discount, something the organization would definitely appreciate given the future luxury tax implications if Harden were inked to a max deal.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Kendrick Perkins indicated that the Thunder are "getting close" to an extension with Harden, but according to reports, that's not the case. Talks are ongoing and continuing, but a deal certainly isn't imminent.

Oklahoma City has until Oct. 31 to get an extension done for Harden, otherwise they'll absolutely be staring that max extension right in the face. Given the current NBA marketplace, Harden will get one from somewhere (Phoenix, Dallas, Houston), and it would be one that would be very difficult for OKC to match.

Harden has to understand that if he truly wants to remain with the Thunder, as he's said over and over, his best chance to do so will come via an extension before the deadline. Much like Serge Ibaka did just a few weeks ago.

Otherwise, he'll have to be starting over with a new family and trying to build that dynasty somewhere else.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com


Mark Cuban: Lakers' moves don't guarantee title - by Eurobasket News

Mark Cuban isn't going to crown any NBA team in September.

The Los Angeles Lakers hogged offseason headlines by acquiring two potential Hall of Famers in point guard Steve Nash and center Dwight Howard to play alongside proven champions Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. However, the Dallas Mavericks owner cited recent history as proof that offseason splashes don't guarantee postseason celebrations.

"The Lakers have done this before. Gary Payton and Karl Malone and Kobe and Shaq were all together, and it didn't work," Cuban said Monday, referring to the 2003-04 Lakers, who lost in the Finals, when introducing his team's acquisitions to the media and season-ticket holders. "It takes great chemistry. ... It takes guys wanting to be there. I don't know if all their guys want to be there."

Cuban may have been referring to Howard, who can become a free agent after this season.

"It's going to be interesting," Cuban continued. "Look, they're going to have a great team, but I remember when we made our run, we weren't supposed to win any series. Remember the Lakers were the defending champs, and we swept them and they had everybody back.

"A lot of teams do a great job of winning the summer, but I never get so antsy about what happens over the summer. I just want to know what happens during the season. As long as we keep on getting better and we're healthy going into the playoffs, then anything can happen."

There was no way the Mavs were going to win the summer after Deron Williams decided to move to Brooklyn with the Nets instead of returning home to play in Dallas.

The Nets are another team that got a lot of attention in July. They persuaded Williams to remain the face of their franchise in part by trading for Joe Johnson despite his monster contract and re-signing Gerald Wallace to a rich deal.

The Mavericks not only missed out on Williams, they also saw super sub Jason Terry go to the Celtics. Dallas did sign guard O.J. Mayo, got forward Elton Brand on a waiver claim from Philadelphia, signed center Chris Kaman and acquired Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones in a trade from Indiana.

"I never get too excited about what teams do on paper," said Cuban, who claims he believes in hindsight the Mavs are better off without signing Williams to a max deal that would have eaten up all their cap space. "It all comes down to what you do on the court, and I think we've put ourselves in great position to really do good things this year, and I think we've put ourselves in position to keep our players. So when they do great things, they can all grow together. And that's our goal.

"Again, the Lakers will do what the Lakers do. The Nets or whoever will do what they do. But I think we've put ourselves in great position."

Courtesy of ESPN


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

NCAA1

Notre Dame hoops heading to ACC - by Eurobasket News

Notre Dame has announced that all sports but football and hockey are leaving the Big East for the ACC, a move that will require the Irish to play five football games against ACC opponents each season.

The move may cost the Irish some traditional opponents in football, as a Notre Dame official said the school's top priorities in football scheduling moving forward will be to retain a West Coast presence -- games against USC and Stanford -- and the annual game with Navy. That means Notre Dame's games against some of its Midwest opponents could be in danger.

The timing of the departure is "very murky," a Notre Dame official said. The earliest Notre Dame could leave the Big East without penalty is 2015.

The Notre Dame officials said the move will align the university with more like-minded schools in markets up and down the East Coast in which Notre Dame wants to gain exposure. Notre Dame had flirted with a scheduling arrangement with the Big 12 and joining that conference in other sports, but this move appears more logical than playing games in obscure Midwest markets.

"In any short-term way there's no financial benefit," the official said. "If we wanted to do something for money we would have joined the Big Ten. What it's really about is postseason play."

The official added: "It's a really good fit academically. There are sports that we're going to play, the non-football sports are very good and they're going to test us."

The ACC also announced another important move to sure up the future of its conference, as the presidents upped the league's exit fee to $50 million. While there was rampant speculation earlier this summer that schools like Florida State, Miami and Clemson could go to the Big 12, this decision essentially ends the threat of an ACC school leaving for another league.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com


OU, FOX Launch Sooner Sports TV - by Eurobasket News

The University of Oklahoma and FOX Sports have agreed to a long-term multimedia programming partnership featuring Sooner Sports TV powered by FOX Sports.

The multi-platform network provides for immediate and wide distribution of at least 1,000 hours of Sooner sports programming annually on a variety of FOX Sports outlets, including FOX Sports Oklahoma, FOX Sports Southwest and FOX College Sports. The initiative launched on Sept. 1 prior to OU's football game with UTEP.

Sooner Sports TV's programming blocks will be distributed on FOX Sports Networks, reaching approximately 9 million TV homes serving Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Outside of this four-state region, select programming from Sooner Sports TV will be made available nationally, either on FOX College Sports (FCS) via cable providers or on outer market regional sports packages offered by satellite providers.

Additionally, the partnership between the University of Oklahoma and FOX Sports will include a comprehensive online component featuring extensive "all-access" content not televised on FOX Sports networks. Such material will include live streaming, archived games, and additional content created exclusively for the web.

Courtesy of www.soonersports.com


NCAA faces time pressure if it wants to investigate Lance Thomas, Duke - by Eurobasket News

If the NCAA intends to investigate whether or not Lance Thomas (6'8''-F-88, college: Duke) received any extra benefits that allowed him to purchase nearly $100,000 in jewelry, the organization better start soon.

Duke must receive a notice of allegations from the NCAA with the charges and what bylaws the enforcement staff feels were broken before the organization's four-year statute of limitations expires. There are exceptions, including cases involving current student-athletes, a lack of institutional control or a pattern of violations that predates the statute of limitations, but it does not appear that any of those will apply, according to NCAA compliance expert John Infante.

"It doesn't look like any of those are present, at least based on the facts right now," said Infante, a former assistant director of compliance at Colorado State who now writes a blog on compliance issues. "So the NCAA would need to do this within the coming year or so."

According to the lawsuit filed by Manhattan jeweler Rafaello & Co. against Thomas, the former Duke player made a $30,000 down payment on five pieces of diamond jewelry worth $97,300 on Dec. 19, 2009. That gives the NCAA until Dec. 19, 2013 to notify Duke of any potential violations.

In addition to the truncated timeline, the NCAA faces other hurdles in gathering information, Infante said. Since Thomas is no longer under the NCAA's purview, he is not required to talk to the organization and also cannot be forced to talk. And since the NCAA does not have subpoena power, Rafaello & Co. or any other involved party cannot be made to talk either.

When asked, Rafaello & Co. declined to speak with the NCAA since the matter is the subject of ongoing litigation, said Mike Bowers, the jewelers' lawyer.

"If everybody keeps their mouth shut and everybody refuses to talk to the NCAA, and by everybody I mean Thomas and the jeweler and whoever might have provided him this $30,000 if it did come from someone else, then there's not much the NCAA can do if they don't get information," Infante said.

Thomas, then in the middle of his senior year, signed a purchase agreement stating that he would pay the remaining $67,300 balance on the jewelry in 15 days. He did not have a co-signer on the purchase agreement, Bowers said.

"It's one of those things that would give somebody pause when you're talking about a $30,000 down payment," said David Ridpath, the former director of compliance at Marshall and current Ohio University professor who has testified before Congress on compliance issues. "It makes you wonder, one, where he got the money and then, two, being extended that type of credit as a college student when you can't receive any benefits or services based upon your potential utility as a professional athlete. So, certainly, there is an issue that has to be looked at. There might be a plausible explanation for it, but it just seems a little unlikely to me. It does seem, at least on the surface, like an extra benefit violation."

Duke associate athletic director for media relations, Jon Jackson, declined to comment. He has previously said the university will not comment beyond its initial statement that the school is aware of the lawsuit and looking into the matter.

NCAA bylaw 16.01.3 states that a benefit must be available to any of the institution's students, their relatives, and friends determined on a basis unrelated to athletic ability for it to be permissible. Extra benefits that are impermissible come in a variety of sizes and some could be as small as a free ride for an athlete on a rainy day from a driver who wouldn't offer one to a student they did not recognize.

The lawsuit against Thomas potentially involves a much larger benefit.

"This isn't just going and getting an IOU at Wendy's or something because the manager is a basketball fan and says, 'hey, I'll just give you a free meal and you can pay me whenever,'" Ridpath said. "But something to the level of six figures and getting that type of credit extended gives me pause to think it has to be based on something else."

Both Ridpath and Infante agreed that there is not yet enough information to determine if Duke will face sanctions. In the interim, questions remain.

"You have two pretty significant questions about Thomas's eligibility," Infante said. "It's as standard a penalty as there is in the NCAA. If a student-athlete is ineligible and plays in a game, then the results have to be vacated, which would include any win he played in certainly after the purchase, and maybe before depending on any other violations that might be uncovered. That obviously includes the tournament run up to and including the Final Four and National Title game."

Courtesy of www.kansascity.com


Chrishawn Hopkins kicked off Butler University's basketball - by Eurobasket News

Butler University announced Wednesday that Chrishawn Hopkins (6'1''-G) has been dismissed from the men's basketball team.

'I am sorry to have to announce that Chrishawn Hopkins has been dismissed from our team, said Butler head coach Brad Stevens . We consider it a privilege to represent Butler University as a member of our team. With that privilege, comes a requirement and responsibility to meet the standard of our team rules. Dismissal is the consequence of a failure to do so.'

It is not clear at this time what rule Hopkins violated.

Hopkins played as a guard in all of Butler's games last year. He finished third on the team in scoring and in assists.

Courtesy of www.fox59.com


Jim Calhoun to retire at UConn; Kevin Ollie promoted - by Eurobasket News

Jim Calhoun will announce his retirement Thursday after 26 years as men's basketball coach at Connecticut, a person familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports.

Assistant and former player Kevin Ollie will succeed the 70-year-old Calhoun and be given a one-year contract, according to the same person, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition on anonymity because a formal announcement has not been made. The one-year contract for Ollie is seen as a compromise. Calhoun has wanted Ollie to succeed him, but the school wanted to make him interim coach.

Calhoun is third among active coaches with a record of 873-380, including a stint at Northeastern. The Hall of Famer's retirement was first reported by NBC Connecticut.

Calhoun has coached the Huskies to three national championships. His last title came in 2011. UConn also won crowns in 1999 and 2004 and made the Final Four in 2009.

The last few years of Calhoun's tenure have not been smooth. UConn is banned from participating in the 2013 NCAA tournament because of sub-par Academic Progress Rate scores, something which could be pushing Calhoun toward retirement. UConn became the first team from one of the six major conferences to face a postseason ban in either men's basketball or football because of its APR scores. The Huskies' score fell below the mandated cutline of 900 for a rolling four-year period.

The NCAA handed Calhoun a three-game suspension for the start of last season's Big East Conference schedule for violations of recruiting rules, which included a finding that the he had failed to maintain "an atmosphere of compliance" in the program.

In addition, Calhoun has had several health issues in recent years. He suffered a broken hip in a bicycle accident this summer, missed eight games last season because of back problems, broke several ribs in another bike accident in 2009 and has battled skin cancer and prostate cancer.

Practice begins in a month and signing day is in a little less than two months. One high school player being recruited by UConn expressed surprise at the move.

"To lose a coach as great as coach Calhoun is really going to impact that program. I know he had health problems, but he was a fighter, so I was surprised (about his retirement)," said Xavier Rathan-Mayes of Huntington (W.Va.) Prep, a 6-4 guard rated No. 25 overall in the Class of 2013 by Rivals.com and No. 23 by ESPN.

Rathan-Mayes said he talked with Calhoun regularly during a recruiting period this summer.

"He was always telling me that he lost out on another member of our family (Calhoun had recruited his father, Tharon Mayes, who eventually opted for Florida State) so he wasn't going to lose out on another."

Asked if Calhoun's decision will make a difference on his school choice, he said, "It could make a big difference. I don't know who the next coach will be."

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com


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NEW ZEALAND

Breakers beat Hawks in pre-season action - by Eurobasket News

New Zealand Breakers - Wollongong Hawks 70:61

New Zealand Breakers took on Wollongong Hawks in pre-season clash in Christchurch. The Breakers claimed victory behind 16 points from Mika Vukona (193-F-82).
The hosts grabbed a 23:19 lead after ten minutes. The Breakers maintained the lead throughout the second frame. They posted a 40:32 halftime lead. New Zealand Breakers stretched the lead in the third frame. They limited the Hawks at 10 points to take a 55:42 advantage into the fourth frame. The visitors tried hard to deny the deficit. They trimmed the distance in the final frame before losing the battle. Cedric Jackson (191-G-86, college: Cleveland St.) netted 14 points, while CJ Bruton (188-G-75, college: Indian Hills CC) and Alex Pledger (213-C-87, college: Belm.Abbey) added 10 points each for the winners. Lance Hurdle (188-G-87, college: Miami, FL) responded with 15 points for the Hawks. Rhys Martin (193-G-86, college: Nova SE) provided 13 points in the loss.

New Zealand Breakers: Mika Vukona 16, Cedric Jackson 14, CJ Bruton 10, Alex Pledger 10+10 boards
Wollongong Hawks: Lance Hurdle 15, Rhys Martin 13


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NIGERIA

Gharrafah brings in Manny Adako - by Eurobasket News

Manny Adako (203-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Northeastern) will continue his career in Qatar. The Nigerian forward penned a deal with Al Gharrafah DOHA Club. Adako heads to his new team from Dutch Lasaulec Aris Leeuwarden, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one the player averaged 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds for 31 Eredivisie games. In 2010/11, Adako registered 14.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg for 39 appearances. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Dutch Eredivisie Honorable Mention -11. It was the first season as a pro for Manny Adako, who graduated at Northeastern University in 2010. The forward collected 11.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg for 33 games with his school as a senior. They reached CAA Tournament Semifinals. In 2009, Manny Adako was named to All-CAA 3rd Team -09. It was his junior year and Adako collected 11.3 ppg, plus 4.2 rpg for 30 games.


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PHILIPPINES

Marvin Cruz joins Global Port - by Eurobasket

Global Port Batang Pier (PBA) agreed terms with 28-year old Filipino guard Marvin Cruz (173-84). He played last season at Bangkok Cobras in Thailand ASEAN League. In 19 ASEAN League games he had 14.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg and 1.9spg. A very impressive season as he was named to Asia-Basket.com All-ASEAN League Honorable Mention.
Cruz is a very experienced player.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @pbaonline)


Marvin Cruz joins Global Port - by Eurobasket

Global Port Batang Pier (PBA) agreed terms with 28-year old Filipino guard Marvin Cruz (173-84). He played last season at Bangkok Cobras in Thailand ASEAN League. In 19 ASEAN League games he had 14.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg and 1.9spg. A very impressive season as he was named to Asia-Basket.com All-ASEAN League Honorable Mention.
Cruz is a very experienced player.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @pbaonline)


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POLAND

Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg adds C Dawid Przybyszewski for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg added another player for the upcoming season. After Rahshon Turner (201-F/C-75, college: Fair Dickinson), the team signed a deal with experienced center Dawid Przybyszewski (215-C-81, college: Vanderbilt). He spent last few days on tryout and successfully passed it. The Polish big guy played last season for Polski Cukier SIDEn Torun. He had 5.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg for 22 games in 1Liga. In 2010/11, Przybyszewski was a member of MMKS SIDEn VIII LO Torun where he had 13 ppg and 10.4 rpg for 20 games in 2Liga. He was named to Eurobasket.com All-Polish 2Liga 2nd Team -11. The center started that season with Asseco Prokom Gdynia, but they parted ways after two games. In the past, Dawid Przybyszewski played for Energa Czarni, Kotwica, Astal Stal Ostrow and Polpak. He also has experience from Hungary and Austria. In 2009, Przybyszewski won the Polish Cup with Kotwica. In 2007, he reached Cup Finals in Austria with BSC Raiffeisen Furstenfeld Panthers.


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PORTUGAL

Vitoria SC confirm Will Holland - by Eurobasket News

Vitoria SC confirmed new name on their roster. They officially signed contract with Will Holland (193-G/F-87, college: Mt.St.Mary's). The forward spent 2010/11 season in Portugal. He played for Academica Coimbra. Will Holland notched 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game in LPB. It was the first pro season for Will Holland. He graduated from Mt. St. Marys in 2010. His stats read 8.8 points and 5.1 boards per game in his senior season. Will Holland is the seventh confirmed player for Vitoria SC next season. He joins Andre Bessa (179-G-89), Rui Pereira (180-G-87), Jose Silva (194-G/F-89), Jose Fernandes, Francisco Oliveira (185-G-88) and Paulo Cunha (200-F-80).


Profile on Tony Murphy - by Surujh Roopnarine

Shooting guard or scoring guard, which do you want? Very often players are labeled as being this type of player or that type of player, many times to the detriment of their overall talents.
Fortunately for Tony Murphy (193-G-86, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Norfolk St.) that is not the case. A shooting guard who can both score and shoot, Murphy has been a premier scorer since his High School days at Paterson Eastside HS where he was named the North Jersey Player of the Year both by the Bergen Record and Herald News.
After a stellar senior season Murphy went on to star for Norfolk State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (NCAA D1), finishing in the top-five in conference scoring for three seasons and completing his collegiate career as Norfolk State's seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,815 points. Also ranks as the school's all-time leader in three-point field goals made (262) and attempted (746). A prolific scorer and shooter, Murphy was looking ahead to his professional career.
His first oversees assignment came in Portugal where he played for Angrabasket/Palmeiraspark in 2009-10 and set the Proliga on fire, finishing #2 in scoring (22.6ppg) to go along with a balanced line of 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and an impressive 2.4 steals in 21 games. After venturing to the Dominican Republic, the 6-4 Murphy returned to Portugal to play for Forum Terceira Basket in the LPB (top division). Once again, his scoring prowess was on display as he finished second in the league in scoring at 18.6ppg. Unfortunately the club faced serious financial troubles last season, leading to the departure of Murphy and his other foreign import teammates.
Now with the 2012-13 season looming around the corner Murphy is looking for the next opportunity to show that no matter what you want to call the position, shooting guard or scoring guard, Tony Murphy will bring the goods to the table.

Q. Briefly, describe what assets Tony Murphy can bring to a basketball team?
A. I can be a leader, especially by example. I don't like losing and I love to win. I have a very good basketball IQ so I can be a coach on the floor. I can also bring scoring to a team in a variety of ways and I can also set up my teammates for scoring opportunities.

Q. What was the biggest difference in playing in the Portuguese Proliga versus LPB?
A. The main difference is that the guys are bigger and stronger. I would also say that the players are more skilled in the LPB (first) division.

Q. Besides scoring, what part of your game do you take the most pride in?
A. I take pride in my defense and passing. I feel that I am underrated in both areas. I understand help defense very well, I'm always up at the top in steals... that started back when I was in college. Defense is just will and I pride myself in shutting my man down. I also love to pass, everywhere I have played I have surprised people with my passing ability.

Q. What is the biggest lesson you have learned in your time as a professional player?
A. I have learned a lot in my time. The most important thing is WIN... I know what teams expect from me and I know what I have to do on and off the court. I know I need to always perform at a high level everyday and put in extra work when I'm not at practice. I also know that a team is supposed to take care of the players and make them feel at home. Unfortunately that did not happen with me and my teammates last year.

I would also like to thank you and Eurobasket for taking the time to profile me and for all the exposure you provide to players across the globe. Personally I am very grateful and appreciative of all your support.


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QATAR

Gharrafah brings in Manny Adako - by Eurobasket News

Manny Adako (203-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Northeastern) will continue his career in Qatar. The Nigerian forward penned a deal with Al Gharrafah DOHA Club. Adako heads to his new team from Dutch Lasaulec Aris Leeuwarden, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one the player averaged 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds for 31 Eredivisie games. In 2010/11, Adako registered 14.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg for 39 appearances. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Dutch Eredivisie Honorable Mention -11. It was the first season as a pro for Manny Adako, who graduated at Northeastern University in 2010. The forward collected 11.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg for 33 games with his school as a senior. They reached CAA Tournament Semifinals. In 2009, Manny Adako was named to All-CAA 3rd Team -09. It was his junior year and Adako collected 11.3 ppg, plus 4.2 rpg for 30 games.


Al Wakrah lands Kayode Ayeni - by Surujh Roopnarine

Qatari club Al Wakrah has signed small forward Kayode Ayeni (196-87, college: St.Francis, NY). for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Ayeni, 25, began last season in training camp with the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League before moving on to the HV Hype of the EBA where he led them to the championship and earned USBasket.com All-EBA 2nd Team honors. The 6-5 Ayeni played collegiately at St. Francis college and is a former ABA All-Star with the Jersey Express. Al Wakrah finished 2-10 last season in the D1 and is hoping the addition of the sharp-shooting Ayeni will help turn their fortunes around this season.


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RUSSIA

Enisey win, Krasnie Krilya lose in pre-season action - by Eurobasket News

Enisey defeated Siroki Breg in pre-season clash. Jason Rich (191-G-86) scored 11 points and grabbed 6 boards to lead Enisey to a 67:63 win in Croatia. Siroki Breg enjoyed a 19:13 lead after ten minutes. But Enisey gradually managed to narrow the gap. They got within one point at the final break. The Russian team went on a 22:17 run in the final period and sealed the victory at the end. Pavel Gromyko (198-SF-89) and Maxim Krivosheev (207-F/C-88) added 11 points each for the winners. Andrei Komarovskiy (196-SG-85) had 9 points in the victory.
Krasnie Krilya in the meantime surrendered against Umana Venezia 75:82 in Italy. Chester Simmons (198-G-82, college: Washington) fired 24 points but could not rescue the Samara team from losing. Krasnie Krilya enjoyed a 19:14 lead after the first term. But Umana Venezia went on a 44:35 rally in the next two periods to surge ahead. They sealed the victory in the fourth quarter. Omar Thomas (197-F-82, college: UTEP) accounted for 14 points, while Andre Smith (203-F-85, college: N.Dakota St.) finished with 12 points in the loss.


Ural beat Cedevita in friendly - by Eurobasket News

Ural - Cedevita 71:67

Ural Ekaterinburg claimed a pre-season victory. They overcame Cedevita Zagreb in test clash. Chris Monroe (191-G-81, college: G.Washington) posted 20 points to lead the Russian team.
Ural earned a 23:18 lead after ten minutes of action. Cedevita narrowed the gap in the second quarter. They got within 3 points at the interval 38:35. The teams exchanged baskets throughout intense third frame. Ural maintained a three-point buffer before the fourth stanza. The Russian team did not allow Cedevita to gain advantage and eked out a narrow win at the end. Aaron McGhee (203-F/C-79, college: Oklahoma) produced 9 points, while Alimdzhan Fedyushin (209-C/F-89, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav) added 11 points for the winning side. Ivan Buva (208-C-91) and Mickael Gelabale (201-SF-83, agency: Three Eye Sports) answered with 17 points each for Cedevita.

Ural: Chris Monroe 20, Alimdzhan Fedyushin 11, Aaron McGhee 9
Cedevita: Ivan Buva 17, Mickael Gelabale 17


Invicius Sports Group added 10 young Russian talents ! - by Eurobasket

INVICTUS Sports Group is glad to announce a very important agreement in collaboration with the Russian agent Spiridonov, to represent a list of 10 young talented players of Russia on the abroad market of Europe and NBA. They are 22 years old on the average, four of them were born in the 80ies and six of them were born in the 90ies. The oldest one has just turned 30, while the two youngest ones are just 17 years old. This important agreement shows the great attention always focused by the President Zoran Savic on Russia, and its not a case that when he decided to found INVICTUS Sports Group in the summer 2010, he established the headquarters in Barcelona where he lives, as well as the Vice President and his brother Goran Savic has continuatively scouted the former-Jugoslavian and Balkan market from Belgrade, but he also immediately opened a direct connection with Russia, charging Krsto Kilibarda, living in Moscow, as Area Director. Two years later, this agreement represents a very solid and modern base for the future. Now, lets discover their names with just short information, and in the next hours on the official website www.invictussportsgroup.com there will be online their complete profiles. INVICTUS Sports Group welcomes all of them!
INVICTUS Sports Group newcomers:
Valery Likhodey (205-F-86)
Evgeny Valiev (205-F-90)
Victor Zvarykin (198-G-86)
Pavel Spiridonov (206-C-90)
Artem Vikhrov (196-PG-92)
Ivan Lazarev (210-C/F-91)
Viacheslav Fedorchenko (188-G-95)
Daniil Soloviev (211-C-87)
Andrey Desyatnikov (219-C-94)
Sergey Karaulov (212-C-82)


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SLOVAKIA

Standings - D1 Extraliga Standings  1. B.Bystrica 0-0   2. Handlova 0-0   3. Inter Bratislava 0-0   4. Komarno 0-0   5. Levice 0-0   6. Nitra 0-0   7. Nova Ves 0-0   8. Prievidza 0-0   9. Svit 0-0  Regular Season: Round 1 Oct. 6: Nitra - Prievidza Oct. 6: B.Bystrica - Levice Oct. 6: Svit - Nova Ves Oct. 6: Inter Bratislava - Komarno

Handlova has completed their squad - by Michal Duchovic

The team of MBK Handlova has completed their squad before the upcoming season. To Jany, Haviar and Golian has the manager Karol Kucera added 10 new players. The lattest additions to their squad are young guns. Peter Kiss (193-F-90) has started his basketball career in BK SPD Roznava, but he finished his season in Slavia TU Kosice. He started in 28 games of 1. liga with average of 13.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.7 spg. Kiss played in 2006 for Slovakian U16 National Team. Andrej Slavik (203-F-92) is well-known from his previous team Onyx Levice. But due to injuries he started only in 12 games with an average of 3.0ppg, 1.9rpg. This year he was a member of Slovakian U20 National Team. On try-out is Michal Valach (192-G-91) from B.S.C. Bratislava. He was also playing in 1. liga in B.S.C. Bratislava. His stats from last season are 8.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg. Also has MBK Handlova promoted Michal Dolnik (203-C-95) to A-team. Dolnik was this year member of Slovakian U18 National Team. MBK Handlova has added Daniel Boor (196-F-79) to their squad. Boor was playing his whole career in BC Prievidza, but last season he didnt played much games. He started in 13 games with an average of 0.7 ppg.
The squad of MBK Handlova for 2012/2013: Robert Jany (180-PG-92), Milan Golian (206-C-74), Roman Vido (204-PF-88), Jason Davis (196-G/F-85, college: Sacramento St.), Daniel Boor (196-F-79), Michal Dolnik, Antoine Proctor (191-G-87), Ondrej Haviar (194-F-85), Wade Dunston (193-G, college: St.Bonaventure), Zack Crimmins (213-C-89, college: Columbia), Peter Kiss, Andrej Slavik (203-F-92), Peter Valach (187-G-75).


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SPAIN

Alicante signs Alex Llorca - by Eurobasket News

Alicante added another player for the upcoming season. Their latest signing is Spanish guard Alex Llorca (192-G-89). He penned a deal today. Llorca played last season for LEB Gold team Tarragona averaging 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds for 21 games. He joined them in December from Caja Laboral, where he didn't get a chance to play. From March of 2009 until the last summer Alex Llorca was a member of Manresa. There he had 3.4 ppg and 1.7 rpg for 26 games in 2010/11. In the past, Llorca played for Vic and L'Hospitalitet. In 2008 and 2009 Alex Llorca played for Spanish U20 National Team. They won two bronze medals together, first at U20 EuroBasket in Riga and the second one at U20 EuroBasket in Rhodes. Llorca had limited playing time in both championships.


Valencia lands Marko Keselj for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Marko Keselj (206-SF-88, agency: Beo Basket) is a new member of Valencia. The Serbian small forward penned a 1-year deal with his new club. Keselj arrives to Valencia from Olympiakos, where he spent last two seasons. In the latest one they won Euroleague and Greek league titles. The Serbian National Team player had 3.9 ppg and 2 rpg in 14 Euroleague games. He also added 5.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 26 appearances in domestic championship. In 2011, the Reds won Greek Cup. Before Olympiakos, Marko Keselj played two years for Crvena Zvezda. In the past, he also was a member of Koln 99ers, Girona, OKK Beograd and Avala Ada. In 2007 with Girona Keselj won FIBA EuroCup title. He is active member of the Serbian NT since 2010. Keselj averaged 11.1 points and 3.1 rebounds for 9 games at FIBA World Championship in Turkey two years ago, while Serbia reached Semifinals. Last summer in Lithuania the player had 9.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg for 11 appearances. This summer Keselj averaged 4.6 points and 3 rebounds for 7 games in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications.


Fall comes back to Avila - by Eurobasket

Grupo Eule Carrefour El Bulevar de Avila (LEB Silver) landed Massine Fall ). Its actually his comeback to Fontedoso Carrefour as he played here before. Fall played most recently at CB Fuenlabrada II in EBA. However his team was relegated to 1 Div.. In 21 EBA games he averaged 8.3ppg, 6.5rpg and 1.0spg last season. He also played at Avila that season. In 9 LEB Silver games he averaged just 1.1ppg and 2.4rpg.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @baloncestofeb)


Estudiantes, Lagun Aro GBC and Granca celebrate in preseason games - by Eurobasket News

Asefa Estudiantes shined in the last quarter to beat Cajasol last night 88-87. Carl English (192-G-81, college: Hawaii) was a key player in victory with 24 points and rookie Kyle Kuric (193-G/F-89, college: Louisville) added 14 pts. In Cajasol, Brian Asbury (200-SF-86, college: Miami, FL) and Bradley Buckman (203-F-84, college: Texas) delivered 21 and 17 points respectively. Quarters: 17-19, 23-19, 15-23, 33-26.
Lagun Aro GBC downed Blancos de Rueda Valladolid 89-65. Lagun Aro took control on its rival from the beginning and never looked back (26-11, 18-18, 26-18, 19-18). Raul Neto (186-PG-92) scored 18 points in victory, Chris Lofton (188-G-86, college: Tennessee) had 13 and Javier Salgado (180-PG-80) added one point less. Ian O'Leary (201-F-86, college: St.Mary's, CA) posted 11 points in defeat, while Jordi Grimau (195-G-83) and Alhaji Mohammed (192-G-81, agency: Court Side, college: Louisville) had 10 pts each.
Herbalife Gran Canaria grabbed 85-77 OT win against Liga Endesa newcomer Canarias 85-77. Spencer Nelson (202-F/C-80, college: Utah St.) stepped up with 18 points and Brad Newley (199-F/G-85, agency: Beo Basket) added 14 pts for Granca. Carlos Bellas (185-G-94) was their third scorer with 13 points. In Canarias, Nicolas Richotti (181-PG-86) was much better than the others with 24 points. Quarters: 8-12, 20-19, 26-21, 18-20, 13-5 OT.


Le Mans beats Caja Laboral in Torneo de Angers, 76-74 - by Eurobasket News

Le Mans - Caja Laboral 76-74

Le Mans celebrated in the opening day of Torneo de Angers. The French squad grabbed 76-74 win against Caja Laboral. Le Mans had better start making 24-19 lead after ten minutes of play. Caja Laboral answered with 22-18 in the second period cutting the margin to a single point at the halftime. Le Mans intensified defense after that stopping its rival to just 13 points in Q3, while they drained 24 at the other side. When it seemed that Le Mans heads to comfortable win, the former Spanish champion exploded in Q4 and was very close to get the victory, but they didn't make it at the end. Pape Sy (201-G/F-88) stepped up for the winners with 17 points and Cam Long (193-G-88, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: George Mason) netted 12 pts. Cuthbert Victor (197-F-83, college: Murray St.) and Joao Paulo Batista (207-F/C-81, college: Gonzaga) delivered 11 points each. Brad Oleson (191-G-83, agency: Duran International, college: Alaska-Fairb.) shined for Caja Laboral and was the top scorer of this game with 27 points. Fernando San Emeterio (198-F/G-84) had 14 points, Fabien Causeur (193-SG-87) 10 and Fernandez stopped to 8 pts. Caja Laboral will meet Chalon of Friday.

Le Mans: Pape Sy 17, Cam Long 12, Cuthbert Victor 11, Joao Paulo Batista 11
Caja Laboral: Brad Oleson 27, Fernando San Emeterio 14, Fabien Causeur 10, Fernandez 8


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SWEDEN

Helsingborg signs 21-year old F Niklas Sellin - by Eurobasket News

Niklas Sellin (197-F-91) is a new member of Helsingborg. The Swedish forward penned a deal for the upcoming season. He spent the last one with LF Basket and LF Future. With LF Basket Sellin had 3.3 ppg for 19 Basketligan games. His playing time was very limited. The forward shined with 22.7 ppg and 7.3 rpg for 3 games with LF Future in Basketettan. In 2010/11, Niklas Sellin also had limited playing time with LF Basket and he spent most of the season with Lulea Steelers BE in Basketettan. With them he had 14.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg for 13 games. In the past, Sellin spent few years with Lulea BH. They competed in Basketettan as well. Niklas Sellin very successfully played in Swedish championship for juniors. In the past, he was a member of U16, U18 and U20 National Teams.


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SWITZERLAND

BBC Nyon tab Marvin Owens - by Eurobasket News

BBC Nyon bolstered their roster. They added Marvin Owens (196-G/F-86, college: Northwood) to the squad. The forward was last seen playing for the Connecticut Stallions in EBA. He graduated from the Northwood University back in 2008. The forward notched 16.3 points, 6.3 boards, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his senior season. Marvin Owens was named into All-American NAIA 1st Team.


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TURKEY

Montepaschi Siena cruises past Fenerbahce Ulker in friendly game, 89-61 - by Eurobasket News

Montepaschi Siena - Fenerbahce Ulker 89-61

Montepaschi Siena and Fenerbahce Ulker met last night in preseason game. Montepaschi was the host and celebrated comfortable 89-61 win in this meeting. It was an emotional evening as Montepaschi retired the uniforms of two of their former stars, Shaun Stonerook's (202-F-77, college: Ohio) No. 20 and Terrell McIntyre's (175-G-77, college: Clemson) No. 5, and honored former coach Simone Pianigiani and players Bo McCalebb (178-PG-85, college: New Orleans) and Romain Sato (194-G/F-81, college: Xavier) before tip-off. Matt Janning (193-G-88, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: Northeastern) top-scored with 21 points, while Bobby Brown (188-PG-84, college: CS Fullerton) and David Moss (196-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: Indiana St.) also shined adding 17 points each. Benjamin Eze (207-C/F-81, college: S.Idaho JC) followed them with 11 points and Marcelus Kemp (195-SG-84, agency: SportsTalent, college: Nevada) added 9. In the loosing squad, Bo McCalebb was better than the others with 16 points and Romain Sato posted two points less. Mike Batiste (203-F-77, college: Arizona St.) was third scorer in FB Ulker with 13 points. The hosts made 21-18 lead in the first ten minutes and they exploded offensively in Q2 scoring 28 pts in this period. At the other side, FB Ulker was limited to just 13 pts and faced with 49-31 deficit at the halftime. Bobby Brown and his teammates continued in the same rhythm after the breather and they jumped to 73-48 with 10 minutes remaining in the game. All after that was just the formality.

Montepaschi Siena: Kasun 3, Matt Janning 21, Bobby Brown 17, Boisa, Benjamin Eze 11, Carraretto, Ress 7, Sabbatino, Lechthaler, Marcelus Kemp 9, hackett 4, David Moss 17. Coach: Banchi.
Fenerbahce Ulker: Bo McCalebb 16, Eroglu, Onan 2, Ugurglu, Ermin 2, Romain Sato 14, Peker 2, Sanli, Savas 9, Birsen 3, Mike Batiste 13, Coach: Pianigiani.


Best Balikesir and rookie Malcolm Kirkland leaves part ways - by Eurobasket News

Malcolm Kirkland (203-F/C, college: Arkansas St.) will not play for Best Balikesir next season. The American power forward/center failed to pass the medical examinations, according to Court-side.com. Malcolm Kirkland signed a deal earlier this week, but definitely he will not make pro debut with Best Balikesir. Kirkland is a product of Arkansas State University, where he graduated few months ago. The player had 12.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg for his school in 34 games as a senior. Arkansas State reached Sun Belt Tournament Semifinals, while Kirkland was named to All-Sun Belt 3rd Team -12. As a junior Malcolm Kirkland had much lower numbers. For 32 games he registered 4.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Arkansas State was Sun Belt West Division regular season co-champion that year. Kirkland transferred to Arkansas State in 2009 from the Oklahoma State University. He was redshirted in 2009/10 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Best Balikesir will most likely return on the market. Meanwhile, the team landed American guard Rob Lowery (188-G-87, college: Dayton). Last season he averaged 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists for 36 games with Czech Republic team Levharti Chomutov (NBL).


Shocking statements by Fenerbahce Ulker president about Euroleague referees - by Eurobasket News

Fenerbahce Ulker president Aziz Yldrm was a guest at a football show on Turkish television NTVspor and he made shocking statements about Euroleague referees. Yldrm said: 'Every referee that comes to Turkey to officiate a Euroleague game goes straight to Grand Bazaar. They buy expensive clothes, gifts and we pay for them. Its like a tradition for euroleague referees because all other clubs did it in the past. I dare anyone-hes talking about other Turkish clubs- to claim that they never did it. I can easily prove that each club has done that but its not for match fixing. In fact, Turkish Basketball Federation organizes this. They came here, we buy presents and sometimes lose the game.'

Aziz Yldrm was on national television to talk about match fixing scandals in Turkey for the first time after he spent almost a year in prison.

Courtesy of www.trendbasket.net


Rixos Cup 2012 Day :2 - by Baha Kurtulus

Galatasaray Medical Park Istanbul defeated Banvit Basketbol Kulubu with a score of 77 against 61 in the second day of Rixos Cup.
David Hawkins (194-G-82, college: Temple) shinned 20 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assist, Jamont Gordon added 16 points and Milan Macvan netted 10 points for Galatasaray. Izzet Turkyilmaz top-scored in Banvit Basketbol Kulubu with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Safak Edge and Serkan Erdogan added 7 points each in defeat.

Anadolu Efes defeated Cibona Zagreb 83-66
Stanko Barac had a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sasha Vujacic, Birkan Batuk and Jamon Lucas added13, 12 and 11 points respectively. Tomislav Zubcic netted 16 points and 3 rebounds, Justin Hamilton added 14 points for Cibona Zagreb.


Erman Kunter denied Arroyo rumours - by Ugur Turker

Erman Kunter talked about Arroyo rumours. Experienced coach said that there is no possibility of signing with Carlos Arroyo (188-G-79, agency: Interperformances, college: FIU) in an interwiev. Earlier of this week, American Media had claimed that Carlos Arroyo wanted to return Besiktas where he won 3 cup last year. Earlier in off season, Erman Kunter had mentioned to re-sign with Arroyo but along with signing of Tutku Acik (194-G-80) and Curtis Jerrells (185-G-87, college: Baylor), there is no place for one more PG in roster.


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UKRAINE

Kryvbasbasket part ways with Kirk Archibeque - by Eurobasket News

Kirk Archibeque (205-C-84, college: Fort Lewis) leaves Kryvbasbasket. The team opted to part ways with the centre. Kirk Archibeque joined the Kryvyi Rih team in August. He appeared in several friendly games during the Lithuanian training camp. Last season Kirk Archibeque spent in Poland. He started the season with LKS Lodz. His stats read 16.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Later the centre moved to Zastal Zielona Gora. He tallied 10.9 points, 8.0 rebounds per appearance. Kirk Archibeque earned All-Polish League Honourable Mention. Earlier the centre had stints in Poland and Slovakia. He participated at PLK All-Star Game in 2012.


Rudupis cruise past Kryvbasbasket - by Eurobasket News

Rudupis - Kryvbasbasket 96:78

Rudupis claimed a comfortable pre-season win. They overcame Kryvbasbasket in Lithuania. The hosts fired 25 points in the opening quarter to secure a 12-point lead. Kryvbasbasket cut the deficit at 10-point mark at halftime 36:46. However Rudupis unloaded 33 points in the third term and secured a 25-point lead at the start of the fourth frame. Kryvbasbasket outgunned Rudupis in the fourth quarter but could not save the game. Arturas Valeika (206-F-85, college: Midland CC) finished with 19 points for Rudupis. Gediminas Orelikas (198-G/F-90) added 18 points, while Arturas Milaknis (195-G-86) had 17 points for the winners. Zoran Krstanovic (204-C-82, agency: TSS Management) responded with 19 points for Kryvbasbasket. Winsome Frazier (193-F/G-82, college: Mississippi St.) netted 16 points in the loss.

Rudupis: Arturas Valeika 19, Gediminas Orelikas 18, Arturas Milaknis 17
Kryvbasbasket: Zoran Krstanovic 19, Winsome Frazier 16


Cherkasy topple Kirovograd in pre-season clash - by Eurobasket News

Cherkasy - Kirovograd 91:63

Cherkasy continued their preparations for the upcoming season. They took on Higher League's Kirovograd. Cherkasy proved the strength claiming a comfortable victory at the end. Charles Thomas (203-F-86, college: Arkansas) accounted for 28 points to lead the winners.
Cherkasy scored 27 points in the opening quarter to surge ahead. They grabbed an 11-point lead after ten minutes. Cherkasy limited Kirovograd to just 6 points in the second quarter and ensured a 52:26 halftime advantage. Kirovograd improved their performance in the third term but still trailed by 28 points heading into the fourth period. The Higher League team though managed to outscore Cherkasy in the final term before losing at the end. Vincent Hunter (208-F-84, college: Arkansas), Denis Ikovlev (201-SF-86, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav, college: Nevada) and Marko Ljubicic (195-G-87, agency: Beo Basket) posted 11 points each for Cherkasy. Alexandr Nerush (192-G-83) had 10 points in the victory.


Michael Lee moves from Donetsk to Politekhnika-Halychyna Lviv - by Eurobasket News

Michael Lee (207-F-86) stays in Ukraine for the upcoming season, but not with Donetsk. The American forward penned a 1-year deal with Politekhnika-Halychyna Lviv. Last season he won the Superleague title with Donetsk averaging 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 41 games. The player also added 8.3 ppg and 5.6 rpg for 13 appearances in EuroCup. Donetsk reached Quarterfinals in this competition. In 2011, Michael Lee was named Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League Forward of the Year and Eurobasket.com All-Serbian League Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named to Eurobasket.com Serbian League All-Defensive Team -11. Lee was the scoring champion in Adriatic league with 19.6 ppg for 25 games with Radnicki Kragujevac. In the past, he played for Albacomp, Cholet and Split. Michael Lee is a product of St.Bonaventure University, where he graduated in 2008. Lee player for the Sacramento Kings in 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas averaging 5.8 points and 2 rebounds for 5 games.


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UNITED KINGDOM

Hamilton Confired As Player-Coach With Jets - by Paul Nilsen

Cheshire Jets are pleased to announce the appointment of James Hamilton (201-F-72, college: Iowa St.) as new player-coach.

Hamilton, who has come out of a two-year retirement from playing basketball, is already well-known to Cheshire Jets supporters, as the team's longest serving player on 258 games, and the wider British basketball scene, having had a playing career spanning almost twenty years, predominantly within the BBL.

This is his first foray into coaching at a professional level, but he comes with a wealth of knowledge, passion, and desire to see Cheshire Jets succeed on court.

Speaking of his appointment, Hamilton said: "I have played basketball since I was a very young boy. I've decided to come back to playing, and also be involved in a coaching role, because of my love for the game. If I didn't, it would be disrespecting, to an extent, of all of that time.

"I see myself somewhat as a player's coach, and I hope that with my experience and basketball mind, I can help develop a team both on and off the court, give them the tools to survive, and also progress for the future of the Cheshire Jets.

"The situation that we are in, as a team, is a difficult one, given the circumstances that have been widely reported. Since taking up the position, I was given the task of recruiting players in less than a week. In doing so, I haven't had much sleep, but I've spoken with coaches and players everywhere, here and abroad, pulling in every favour, to find the very best I can.

"The main point I want to make clear is that I have looked for men, not boys, to be part of my team; players who can play together win or lose, and see this as an opportunity, which is what I've told them this will be.

"For the supporters, who we are doing this for most of all, all we can ask of is for patience. For many of these guys, it will be their first time playing out of college, admittedly not for a lot of money, but it is a good chance for them and need all the support that can be given; from us as a team and fans as well.

"However, we will play to win every game, every competition we can, fight to the end and give 100%."



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URUGUAY

Goes won the promotion to play the Uruguayan League - by Hector Lopez

Goes won the second promotion to play the Uruguayan League 2013 after beating Urunday Universitario 70-58, during a game for the Metropolitan League. Matias De de Gouveia (180-PG-88) netted 20 points for Goes, including 5/7 for the three points line, 4 assists and 4 rebounds, Jimmy Boston (201-F-77, college: N.C.Central) scored 14 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and Matias Lado (174-G-84) added 12 points. For Urunday Universitario Eduardo Lambert (189-F-70) scored 17 points with 4 rebounds, Howard Wilkerson (198-F-84, agency: Two Points, college: Wofford) added 11 points and took 11 rebounds while Pablo Macanskas added 10 points. The other team promoted to the Uruguayan League was Atenas.


The Uruguayan League starts Friday 14 - by Hector Lopez

Hebraica Macabi, the 2011 Uruguayan League champions, and Malvin, the runner up, will play tomorrow (Friday 14) to srat the 2012-13 tournament with 16 teams from MOntevideo and 10 others from the rest of the country and divided into two groups. From Montevideo 11 teams will advance to the second stage, to srat on Januuary. The other two groups will begin Octobre 13, The 16 teams from Montevideo are Aguada, Bigua, Bohemios, Cordon, Defensor Sporting, Hebraica, larre Borges, Montevideo BBC, Nacional, Olimpia, Sayago, Tabar, Trouville, Union Atletica and Welcome.



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Women News

ABA Standings - by Simas WNBL Standings  1. AIS 0-0  Big V  1. Bulleen 0-0   2. Camberwell 0-0   3. Diamond VE 0-0   4. Eltham 0-0   5. Hume City 0-0   6. McKinnon 0-0   7. Melbourne T. 0-0   8. Ringwood H. 0-0   9. Sherbrooke S. 0-0   10. Waverley 0-0  Central ABL  1. C.Districts L. 0-0   2. Eastern M. 0-0   3. Forestville E. 0-0   4. N.Adelaide R. 0-0   5. Norwood F. 0-0   6. S.Adelaide P. 0-0   7. Southern T. 0-0   8. Sturt S. 0-0   9. W.Adelaide B. 0-0   10. Woodville W. 0-0  QBL  1. Brisbane S. 0-0   2. Bundaberg B. 0-0   3. Cairns D. 0-0   4. Gladstone PCP 0-0   5. Gold Coast R. 0-0   6. Ipswich F. 0-0   7. Mackay M. 0-0   8. Maroochydore 0-0   9. Northside W. 0-0   10. Rockhampton 0-0   11. SW Metro P. 0-0   12. Toowoomba M. 0-0   13. Townsville F. 0-0  SBL  1. Cockburn C. 0-0   2. East Perth E. 0-0   3. Kalamunda E.S. 0-0   4. Lakeside L. 0-0   5. Mandurah M. 0-0   6. Perry Lakes H. 0-0   7. Perth R. 0-0   8. Rockingham 0-0   9. Stirling S. 0-0   10. SW Slammers 0-0   11. Wanneroo W. 0-0   12. Willetton T. 0-0  SEABL-East  1. Bendigo LB 0-0   2. Brisbane C. 0-0   3. Canberra N. 0-0   4. Dandenong 0-0   5. Frankston B. 0-0   6. Geelong S. 0-0   7. Sandringham S. 0-0  SEABL-South  1. Albury W. 0-0   2. Ballarat R. 0-0   3. Hobart C. 0-0   4. Kilsyth C. 0-0   5. Knox R. 0-0   6. Launceston T. 0-0   7. Nunawading S. 0-0  Waratah  1. Bankstown B. 0-0   2. Hornsby S. 0-0   3. Illawarra H. 0-0   4. Manly Warr. 0-0   5. Newcastle H. 0-0   6. Norths Bears 0-0  WARATAH  1. Parramatta W. 0-0  Waratah  1. Sutherland S. 0-0   2. Sydney C. 0-0

Sydney Uni Flames tab April Sykes - by Eurobasket

Sydney Uni Flames (WNBL) inked 22-year old USA international swingman April Sykes (182-85kg-90, college: Rutgers, agency: Two Points). She played in the summer at Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) in the U.S. In 28 WNBA games she averaged 3.3ppg and 1.1rpg. The last season Sykes also played at Rutgers in USA BEC. In 32 BEC games she averaged 12.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.5apg and 1.1spg. She has been a member of USA international program for some years. Sykes was a member of both senior and University National Teams this year and previously for University National Team between 2011 and 2012.
She graduated from Rutgers, The State University in 2012 and it will be her first season in pro basketball overseas.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @lovewomensbball)


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AUSTRIA

Flying Foxes sign C'Eira Ricketts - by Eurobasket News

Flying Foxes brought in the second import player. They agreed on terms of contract with C'eira Ricketts (175-G-90, agency: Two Points, college: Arkansas).. The guard will start her pro career in Austria. C'eira Ricketts graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2012. She tallied 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.7 steals per game in her senior season. She was named into All-SEC 1st Team. C'eira Ricketts was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round of WNBA Draft. The guard was later traded to the Phoenix Mercury. She spent the pre-season with the Mercury but did not make onto the roster. C'eira Ricketts was the member of U19 USA National Team. She participated at 2009 U19 World Championship. Her stats read 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in Thailand.


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CZECH REPUBLIC

MEKRS CUP 2012: KARA Trutnov post win over Nadezhda Orenburg - by Eurobasket News

KARA Trutnov - Nadezhda Orenburg 88:67

KARA Trutnov post win over Nadezhda Orenburg in Day 1 of the MEKRS CUP 2012. The hosts edged the Russian side 88:67 in their opener.
KARA Trutnov opened the game with 21-17 and never looked behind. They produced massive 35-21 surge in the second quarter and led 56:38 at the halftime. Both teams nailed 17 points each in the third period for the same difference on the board after three quarters. KARA Trutnov added another 15-12 in the lasts stanza for the final success.
Ambrosia Anderson (186-F-84, college: BYU) top-scored for the winners with 26 points and Katerina Hindrakova (176-G/F-88) added 16. Milena Steffanova (179-F-81) netted 15, while Zaplatova Petra posted 10. Liudmila Sapova (185-F/C-84) finished the game with 16 points in the losing effort and Iva Perovanovic brought 13. Natalia Zhedik (182-SF-88) , Alexandra Tarasova (194-C-91) and Tamane Zane each scored 8.

KARA Trutnov: Ambrosia Anderson 26, Katerina Hindrakova 16, Milena Steffanova 15, Zaplatova Petra 10
Nadezhda Orenburg: Liudmila Sapova 16, Iva Perovanovic (189-C/F-83) 13, Natalia Zhedik 8, Alexandra Tarasova 8, Tamane Zane 8


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EUROLEAGUE

National team player Elena Danilochkina stays with Nadezhda - by Eurobasket News

National team player Elena Danilochkina (183-SG-86) stays with Nadezhda for the second season. The 26-year-old guard has agreed on terms of contract with Nadezhda.
In 2011-2012 for Nadezhda Orenburg (PBL, starting five) she avearged 9.8ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 46.8%, FT: 92.9% in Euroleague and in Russian League showed 10.1ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT-3 (46.4%), FT: 84.6%.
Earlier Elena Danilochkina played for Vologda-Chevakata. She tallied 11.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game in EuroCup. In Russian League the guard notched 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steal per appearance. Previously she played for CSKA and Dynamo Moscow. Elena Danilochkina shone at 2011 EuroBasket in Poland. The guard posted 13.9 points, 1.1 boards, 1.1 assists and 1.0 steal per game leading Russia to the title at the tournament. Elena Danilochkina was named MVP of the championship. The guard was the member of U18, U19 and U20 Russian National Teams.


CCC Polkowice keep Valeriya Musina and Agnieszka Majewska - by Eurobasket News

CCC Polkowice keep Valeriya Musina (183-G-87, college: Lee) and Agnieszka Majewska (195-C-82). In 2011-2012 for CCC Polkowice (Poland-PLKK) Valeriya Musina averaged 7.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 34.4%, 3PT: 19.1%, FT: 77.5% in EuroLeague and in Polish League had 9.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 74.2%. Musina played most recently at Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region (Russia), where in 6 games averaged 3.3rpg, 1.2apg and 1.0spg. She started first with Louisville University. But she hoped for something more than just sitting on the bench (1.5ppg, 1.5apg). So she moved to Long Beach State. Due to NCAA rules, she had to redshirt the first season. In her second season at Long Beach State Musina had very solid 7.8ppg and 3.7rpg. Her final college year she spent at Lee University in NAIA. NAIA is not a part of NCAA, so she did not have to sit-out another year and had a very good season at Lee helping them to make it to NAIA D1 Elite Eight.
Agnieszka Majewska joined the team in 2010-2011 and averaged 6.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0spg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 26.5%, FT: 68.6%. In 2011-2012 for CCC Polkowice (PLKK, starting five) her stats read 4.6ppg, 5.1rpg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg) in Polish league and in Euroleague she showed 6.2ppg, 4.1rpg, Blocks-1 (2.2bpg), FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.7%.


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GERMANY

MEKRS CUP 2012: Dynamo Kursk beat TSV Wasserburg in the opener - by Eurobasket News

Dynamo Kursk - TSV Wasserburg 90:66

Dynamo Kursk beat TSV Wasserburg in the opener of MEKRS CUP 2012 in Trutnov. The Russian team started with comfortable 90:66 victory.
TSV Wasserburg started better and grabbed 19:18 after the first period. The Russian team however dominated the rest of the game. They needed 24-16 burst in the second frame to take 7-point lead at the halftime. Moreover Kursk added 31-20 in the third quarter and finished the game with 17-11 in the lasts stanza.
Svetlana Makhlina (180-SG-85) stepped up with 18 points for the winners and Ekaterina Lisina (202-C-87) notched 17. Ausra Bimbaite (178-SG-82) delivered 15, while Maria Cherepanova (190-PF-87) added 14. Emma Cannon (188-F, college: Cent.Florida) scored 21 points in defeat and Tiina Sten (189-G/F-85, agency: Regeneracom Sports, college: St.John's) had 13. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) and Katharina Fikiel (193-F/C-87) followed them with 10 points each in a loss.

Dynamo Kursk: Svetlana Makhlina 18, Ekaterina Lisina 17, Ausra Bimbaite 15, Maria Cherepanova 14
TSV Wasserburg: Emma Cannon 21, Tiina Sten 13, Anne Breitreiner 10, Katharina Fikiel 10


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GREECE

Conquero inks Vicky Volonaki - by Eurobasket

CB Conquero Huelva (LFB) signed 32-year old Greek forward Vicky Volonaki (179-80). She played last season at Orion-GDKO Ibaizabal Galdakao (LF2). In 20 LF2 games she had 9.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg and 1.8spg. Her best season so far was 2009-10, when she played at Athinaikos in Greece. She led her team to both Greek League title as well as Eurocup title. She was voted that year to Eurobasket.com All-Greek League 2nd Team.
Volonaki played also professionally in Australia.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @baloncestofeb)


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HUNGARY

MEKRS CUP 2012: CCC Polkowice closed Day 1 with the win - by Eurobasket News

CCC Polkowice - Uni Gyor 61:40

CCC Polkowice closed Day 1 with the win over Uni Gyor. The Polish side celebrated an easy 61:40 victory.
It was a tough start for the Polish team that managed to take only 13:12 lead. CCC Polkowice added 12-9 in the second frame and Leciejewska brought 25:21 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game and brought 23-10 for the Polish team. Valerija Musina scored for 48:31 at the end of the third period and then her team won also the last stanza 13-9.
Valeriya Berezhynska (193-C-86, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Rice) stepped up with 15 points and Agnieszka Majewska (195-C-82) nailed 13. Valerija Musina and Laila Palau delivered 9 points apiece. Agnes Dobos (190-C-96) replied with 10 points in the losing effort and Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91) had 9. Ieva Kublina (193-C-82, college: Virginia Tech) delivered 8, whilst Gyorgyi Ori (180-G/F-90, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) nailed 7.

CCC Polkowice: Valeriya Berezhynska 15, Agnieszka Majewska 13, Valerija Musina 9, Laila Palau 9
Uni Gyor: Agnes Dobos 10, Krisztina Raksanyi 9, Ieva Kublina 8, Gyorgyi Ori 7


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IVORY COAST

Ble re-signs at Gran Canaria - by Eurobasket

Gran Canaria La Caja de Canarias (LFB) confirmed in their roster 21-year old Spanish international power forward Vanessa Ble (190-91). She is a dual citizen owning also Ivorian passport. Ble played there last season. In 10 Eurocup games she had 9.3ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.0apg and 1.6spg. She also played 26 games in LFB where she had 8.9ppg, 10.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.7spg. A very impressive season as she was named to Eurobasket.com All- LFB Honorable Mention. Ble represented Spain at the European Championships U20 in Serbia last year. Her team won Gold and her stats at that event were 9 games: 6.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 41.8%, FT: 50.0%. She was called also to senior national team this summer.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @baloncestofeb)


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LATVIA

Latvian Zane Teilane-Tamane inks with Nadezhda - by Eurobasket News

Latvian Zane Teilane-Tamane (200-C-83, agency: LBM Management, college: W.Illinois) inks with Nadezhda for the upcoming season. It's actually her comeback to Nadezhda Orenburg as she played here before. Teilane-Tamane played last summer at Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) in the U.S. She helped them to win the championship title and they made it also to the cup final. The last season Teilane-Tamane also played at Fenerbahce in Turkish league. In 18 Euroleague games she had 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.7apg. She played also 26 games in WNBA where she had 8.5ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.5apg. Teilane-Tamane helped them to win the championship title and they made it also to the cup final. A very impressive season as she was voted Eurobasket.com All-Turkish TKBL Bosman Player of the Year. She represented Latvia at the European Championships in Poland last year. Her stats at that event were 9 games: 9.9ppg, Reb-1 (9.1rpg), 2.0apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-4 (1.4bpg), FGP: 52.3%, FT: 67.7%. Teilane-Tamane has been also a member of Latvian international program for some years. She played for Senior National Team this year and previously for U20 National Team in 2002.
Teilane-Tamane is quite experienced player. She played also professionally in Czech Rep., Hungary and Spain. Teilane-Tamane graduated Western Illinois University in 2006 and it will be her seventh season in pro basketball.


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MOLDOVA

Krasnoshchek re-signs at Dynamo Kursk - by Eurobasket News

Dynamo Kursk (PBL) confirmed in their roster 23-year old Moldovan forward Natalia Krasnoshchek (186-75kg-89). She has played there for the last four seasons. In 4 Eurocup games she had 4.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0apg and 1.0spg last season. Krasnoshchek played also 11 games in PBL where she had just1.7ppg. Her team made it to Russian Superleague Semifinals.

By Eurobasket Data Center


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NCAA1

Ex-Lady Vol Holdsclaw discusses depression issues - by Eurobasket News

Former Tennessee and WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw (6'2''-F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Tennessee) wants people suffering from depression to realize they're not alone.

Holdsclaw returned to her alma mater Wednesday to discuss her fight with clinical depression, which included a suicide attempt during her pro career.

"You need to know that sometimes life seems hopeless, but that is a temporary condition," Holdsclaw said. "You've got to tell yourself that just because you might feel blue or lost or alone, you don't need to feel ashamed on top of that, because then you won't get help. There's life after your darkest moment. I know. I'm standing here telling you I know because I've been there and back."

Holdsclaw recounted how she attempted suicide in 2006 as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks by overdosing on the medication she was taking for clinical depression. She also wouldn't leave her Washington home for a few days in 2004, two years after the death of the grandmother who raised her.

She discussed these situations in a book, "Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot After Shot," that came out earlier this year. Holdsclaw is traveling the country and speaking out as an advocate for people dealing with the same issues she has faced.

"There's so much (of a) stigma," Holdsclaw said. "It's a challenge for me to travel and share my story and try to help people better cope with this and not be suffering in silence."

Holdsclaw spoke to a group of about 350 people as part of the university's VolAware initiative, which focuses on preventing violence, suicide and substance abuse. Sitting in the first two rows were the current Tennessee women's basketball team and Lady Vols head coach emeritus Pat Summitt. Holdsclaw noted that when she wouldn't leave her home eight years ago, Summitt flew to Washington and knocked on her door in an attempt to help.

"It makes it great just knowing she's here," Holdsclaw said. "She's lived through it with me. She's been there. When everybody else thought I was just crazy and such a problem, she never turned her back on me. For that, I have a lot of respect for her."

Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three consecutive national championships from 1996-98 before beginning a pro career that included six WNBA All-Star selections. She also played on the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in the 2000 Games. Holdsclaw compiled 3,025 career points at Tennessee and remains the Southeastern Conference's all-time leading scorer.

Courtesy of http://sports.sportsillustrated.cnn.com


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POLAND

CCC Polkowice keep Valeriya Musina and Agnieszka Majewska - by Eurobasket News

CCC Polkowice keep Valeriya Musina (183-G-87, college: Lee) and Agnieszka Majewska (195-C-82). In 2011-2012 for CCC Polkowice (Poland-PLKK) Valeriya Musina averaged 7.3ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 34.4%, 3PT: 19.1%, FT: 77.5% in EuroLeague and in Polish League had 9.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 74.2%. Musina played most recently at Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region (Russia), where in 6 games averaged 3.3rpg, 1.2apg and 1.0spg. She started first with Louisville University. But she hoped for something more than just sitting on the bench (1.5ppg, 1.5apg). So she moved to Long Beach State. Due to NCAA rules, she had to redshirt the first season. In her second season at Long Beach State Musina had very solid 7.8ppg and 3.7rpg. Her final college year she spent at Lee University in NAIA. NAIA is not a part of NCAA, so she did not have to sit-out another year and had a very good season at Lee helping them to make it to NAIA D1 Elite Eight.
Agnieszka Majewska joined the team in 2010-2011 and averaged 6.3ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.0spg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 26.5%, FT: 68.6%. In 2011-2012 for CCC Polkowice (PLKK, starting five) her stats read 4.6ppg, 5.1rpg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg) in Polish league and in Euroleague she showed 6.2ppg, 4.1rpg, Blocks-1 (2.2bpg), FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.7%.


MEKRS CUP 2012: CCC Polkowice closed Day 1 with the win - by Eurobasket News

CCC Polkowice - Uni Gyor 61:40

CCC Polkowice closed Day 1 with the win over Uni Gyor. The Polish side celebrated an easy 61:40 victory.
It was a tough start for the Polish team that managed to take only 13:12 lead. CCC Polkowice added 12-9 in the second frame and Leciejewska brought 25:21 at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game and brought 23-10 for the Polish team. Valerija Musina scored for 48:31 at the end of the third period and then her team won also the last stanza 13-9.
Valeriya Berezhynska (193-C-86, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Rice) stepped up with 15 points and Agnieszka Majewska (195-C-82) nailed 13. Valerija Musina and Laila Palau delivered 9 points apiece. Agnes Dobos (190-C-96) replied with 10 points in the losing effort and Krisztina Raksanyi (180-G-91) had 9. Ieva Kublina (193-C-82, college: Virginia Tech) delivered 8, whilst Gyorgyi Ori (180-G/F-90, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) nailed 7.

CCC Polkowice: Valeriya Berezhynska 15, Agnieszka Majewska 13, Valerija Musina 9, Laila Palau 9
Uni Gyor: Agnes Dobos 10, Krisztina Raksanyi 9, Ieva Kublina 8, Gyorgyi Ori 7


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PORTUGAL

Hondarribia-Irun lands Sonia Borges Dos Reis for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Sonia Borges dos Reis (189-C-84) is a new member of Hondarribia-Irun. The Portuguese/Spanish center penned a deal for the upcoming season. She missed the latest one and before that played for Ros Casares. She joined them in January of 2011 and spent rest of the 2010/11 season there. The player averaged 7.5 ppg and 4 rpg in 4 Euroleague games, while her numbers in LFB were almost the same. Ros Casares reached LFB Finals and Euroleague Semis. Sonia Borges dos Reis started that season with Uni Girona. There she had 11.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 15 appearances in the LFB. From 2008 to 2010, Dos Reis played for Cadi la Seu. In the past, she was a member of Badajoz, Staples Santarem and Breogan Lugo. She played for Portuguese National Team from 2003 to 2006 and after that in 2009 and 2010.


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PUERTO RICO

Standings - Women BSNF Standings  1. Morovis M. 7-0   2. Quebradillas 7-2   3. Carolina G. 5-2   4. San German 5-2   5. Juncos V. 3-6   6. Aguas B.T. 1-7   7. Ponce L. 0-9  Regular Season: Round 7 Sep. 11: San German - Aguas B.T. 93-86 Sep. 9: Juncos V. - Aguas B.T. 83-80 Sep. 11: Morovis M. - Ponce L. 71-64 Sep. 12: Juncos V. - Quebradillas 65-63 Regular Season: Round 8 Sep. 13: Carolina G. - Ponce L. Sep. 14: Quebradillas - San German Sep. 14: Juncos V. - Carolina G. Sep. 15: Quebradillas - Morovis M.

Stats Leaders - Superleague 25 PPG RPG APG SPG BPG Points Per Game  Yolanda MARTIN   Aguas B.T.   (180-G-83)   Avg: 27.9  1. Martin, Aguas B.T. 27.9   2. Valentin, Carolina 23.3   3. Werema, Juncos V. 23.1   4. Jones, Carolina G. 18.8   5. Bruszewski, Quebra. 17.3   6. Seals, Aguas B.T. 16.9   7. Fairweather, Ponce 16.9   8. Smith, San German 16.3   9. Williams, San Germ. 15.0   10. Rosado, Morovis M. 14.5  Rebounds Per Game  Yolanda JONES   Carolina G.   (184-F-84)   Avg: 12.8  1. Jones, Carolina G. 12.8   2. Rosario, Ponce L. 11.9   3. Vargas-S., Juncos 11.8   4. Martin, Aguas B.T. 10.1   5. Seals, Aguas B.T. 9.6   6. Werema, Juncos V. 8.7   7. Bruszewski, Quebra. 8.7   8. Gonzalez, San G. 8.3   9. Williams, San Germ. 8.0   10. Williams, Morovis 7.8  Assists Per Game  Karla RUIZ   Aguas B.T.   (--)   Avg: 3.6  1. Ruiz, Aguas B.T. 3.6   2. Gonzalez, San G. 3.5   3. Rodriguez, Carolin. 3.5   4. Escalera, Morov. 3.5   5. Johnson, Aguas B.. 3.5   6. Rosado, San German 3.3   7. Concepcion, Junco. 3.3   8. Fairweather, Ponce 3.3   9. Figueroa, Morov. 3.2   10. Jones, Carolina G. 3.2  Steals Per Game  Pamela ROSADO   Morovis M.   (165-PG-86)   Avg: 3.5  1. Rosado, Morovis M. 3.5   2. Magee, Carolina G. 3.0   3. Fairweather, Ponce 2.8   4. Rodriguez, Carolin. 2.7   5. De La Paz, Juncos 2.6   6. Jones, Carolina G. 2.5   7. Martin, Aguas B.T. 2.5   8. Matthews, Aguas B. 2.3   9. Valentin, Carolina 2.2   10. Johnson, Aguas B. 2.1  Blocks Per Game  Esmary VARGAS-SANCHEZ   Juncos V.   (191-C-81)   Avg: 3.2  1. Vargas-S., Juncos 3.2   2. Williams, Morovis 2.3   3. Rosario, Ponce L. 1.5   4. Placido, Quebradil. 1.3   5. Seals, Aguas B.T. 1.1   6. Werema, Juncos V. 1.1   7. Smith, San German 1.0   8. Escalera, Morov. 1.0   9. Flores, Ponce L. 0.9   10. Bruszewski, Quebr. 0.9

BSNF scoring champion Renee Taylor returns to Valencianas de Juncos - by Eurobasket News

Valencianas de Juncos is very active on the transfer market these days. The team returned its former player Renee Taylor (158-G-85, agency: Merit Sports, college: Miami, FL). She arrives to the club from Sdent Helios VS Basket, Switzerland. The player shined with 18 ppg, 4.9 apg, 3.9 spg and 2.4 rpg for 9 games in LNA last season. They won the championship title together and Taylor was named Eurobasket.com All-Swiss LNA Finals MVP -12. Sdent Helios also was the Cup winner in Switzerland and Taylor was MVP as well. Renee Taylor started the season with Polish Artego Bydgoszcz and moved to Sdent Helios at the end of March. With Bydgoszcz Renee Taylor had 12.1 ppg, 4.2 apg and 3 rpg for 20 games in PLK. She played for Valencianas in 2010 and 2011 BSNF seasons. Last year she was the top-scorer of the competition with 24.4 ppg and she also was No.1 in steals with 2.8 spg for 20 games. She was named to Latinbasket.com All-Puerto Rican BSNF 1st Team -11. Earlier this week, Valencianas de Juncos acquired Stephanie Colon via trade and signed import DelaQuese Jernigan.


BSNF Round 7: Montaneras keep a leadership position - by Eurobasket News

Host teams show no mercy winning all games.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Montaneras as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Montaneras defeated bottom-ranked Leonas in Morovis 71-64. The hosts trailed by 5 points after three quarters before their 17-5 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Montaneras dominated on the defensive end, holding Leonas to just 5 points in fourth quarter. They also forced 21 Leonas turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Angelina Williams (183-83, college: Illinois) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 6 rebounds. Stephanie Pineiro contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Montaneras' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Denise Lewis (185-90, college: Tulsa) answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds for Leonas. Undefeated Montaneras (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Leonas at the other side still closes the standings with nine games lost. Leonas will play next round against strong Gigantes trying to get back on the winning streak. Montaneras will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Piratas in Quebradillas.
Important game to mention about took place in Juncos. Fifth ranked Valencianes (3-6) saved a 2-point victory at home edging much higher ranked Piratas (7-2) 65-63 on Wednesday evening. It was a great evening for American guard Gaati Werema (183-88, college: Prairie View A&M) who led her team to a victory scoring 29 points and 7 rebounds. Renee Taylor helped adding 16 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side the former international swingman Cristina Centeno (173-90, college: Siena) responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Valencianes maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Newly promoted Piratas keep the second position with two games lost. Valencianes will play against higher ranked Gigantes (#3) in Carolina in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Piratas will play at home against the league's leader Montaneras in Morovis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
A very close game took place in Juncos between Valencianes and Tigres. Fifth ranked Valencianes (3-6) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Tigres (1-7). Valencianes managed to escape with a 3-point win 83-80 in the fight for the fifth place. It was an exceptional evening for Gaati Werema who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. Yolanda Martin came up with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 4 assists for Tigres in the defeat. Tigres' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Valencianes maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Tigres lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Valencianes will meet at home higher ranked Gigantes (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tigres will have a break next round.
The game between fourth ranked Athleticas (5-2) and 6th ranked Tigres (1-7) in San German ended with biggest points difference. Athleticas beat guests from Aguas Buenas 93-86. Michelle Gonzalez fired 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Tigres' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Athleticas. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Carolina G. Tigres lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Athleticas' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Piratas in Quebradillas and it will be for sure the game of the week.


San German - Aguas B.T. 93-86

The game between fourth ranked Athleticas (5-2) and 6th ranked Tigres (1-7) in San German ended with biggest points difference. Athleticas beat guests from Aguas Buenas 93-86. The hosts were tied after three quarters but managed to speed up in last quarter eventually winning the game. Athleticas players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. 24 personal fouls committed by Tigres helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. The former international guard Michelle Gonzalez (167-89, college: FIU) fired 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. American guard Tyra White (182-89, college: Texas A&M) chipped in 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Athleticas players scored in double figures. American guard Yolanda Martin (180-83, college: Brewton Parker) produced 28 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import forward Dominic Seals (188-87, college: Texas Tech) added 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (made all of her seven free throws) respectively for lost side. Tigres' coach let to play ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. The victory was the third consecutive win for Athleticas. They moved-up to third place, which they share with Carolina G. Tigres lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Athleticas' next round opponent will be league's second-placed Piratas in Quebradillas and it will be for sure the game of the week.
Top scorers:
San German: M.Gonzalez 26+5reb+4ast, Z.Sanchez 21+6reb, D.Smith 17+6reb+5ast, T.White 16+9reb+5ast, S.Rosado 4+2reb+4ast, A.Bermudez 4+5reb+2ast
Aguas B.T.: Y.Martin 28+9reb+3ast, D.Seals 22+11reb+4ast, A.Johnson 11+3reb+5ast, K.Ruiz 7+3reb+3ast, F.Lee Flores 5+2reb+3ast, L.Baez 4+3reb+2ast

gschID: 187192

Juncos V. - Quebradillas 65-63

Important game to mention about took place in Juncos. Fifth ranked Valencianes (3-6) saved a 2-point victory at home edging much higher ranked Piratas (7-2) 65-63 on Wednesday evening. The hosts were tied after three quarters but managed to speed up in last quarter eventually winning the game. Valencianes brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. It was a great evening for American guard Gaati Werema (183-88, college: Prairie View A&M) who led her team to a victory scoring 29 points and 7 rebounds. Her fellow American import guard Renee Taylor (158-85, college: Miami, FL, agency: Merit Sports) helped adding 16 points and 8 rebounds. At the losing side the former international swingman Cristina Centeno (173-90, college: Siena) responded with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and the former international forward Mari Placido (181-87) scored 8 points and 15 rebounds. Valencianes maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Newly promoted Piratas keep the second position with two games lost. Valencianes will play against higher ranked Gigantes (#3) in Carolina in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Piratas will play at home against the league's leader Montaneras in Morovis and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Juncos V.: G.Werema 29+7reb+3ast, R.Taylor 16+8reb, S.Colon 7+4ast, T.Lanza 7+2reb+1ast, P.Ramirez 3, E.Vargas-Sanchez 2+18reb+1ast
Quebradillas: C.Centeno 17+6reb+4ast, B.Bruszewski 16+7reb+2ast, M.Lechlitner 14+2reb+1ast, M.Placido 8+15reb+2ast, K.Colon 5+9reb+4ast, N.Arlequin 2+1reb+2ast

gschID: 187193

Juncos V. - Aguas B.T. 83-80

A very close game took place in Juncos between Valencianes and Tigres. Fifth ranked Valencianes (3-6) got a very close home victory over 6th ranked Tigres (1-7). Valencianes managed to escape with a 3-point win 83-80 in the fight for the fifth place. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 16-11. But Tigres won second period 24-21. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Valencianes looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. It was an exceptional evening for American guard Gaati Werema (183-88, college: Prairie View A&M) who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 13 rebounds. The former international center Esmary Vargas-Sanchez (191-81, college: Emporia St.) accounted for 15 points and 8 rebounds for the winning side. Four Valencianes players scored in double figures. American guard Yolanda Martin (180-83, college: Brewton Parker) came up with a double-double by scoring 40 points (!!!), 15 rebounds and 4 assists and the other American import forward Dominic Seals (188-87, college: Texas Tech) added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Tigres in the defeat. Tigres' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Valencianes maintains fifth place with 3-6 record. Tigres lost their third game in a row. They keep the sixth position with seven games lost. Valencianes will meet at home higher ranked Gigantes (#3) in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Tigres will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Juncos V.: G.Werema 20+13reb+1ast, B.Concepcion 17+1reb+5ast, E.Vargas-Sanchez 15+8reb+3ast, T.Lanza 14+8reb+3ast, P.Ramirez 6+2reb+3ast, T.De La Paz 5+6reb+3ast
Aguas B.T.: Y.Martin 40+15reb+4ast, D.Seals 14+7reb+4ast, A.Johnson 13+1reb+5ast, T.Matthews 4+5reb+3ast, L.Baez 3+1reb, Y.Negron 2+1ast

gschID: 187190

Morovis M. - Ponce L. 71-64

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Montaneras as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Montaneras defeated bottom-ranked Leonas in Morovis 71-64. The hosts trailed by 5 points after three quarters before their 17-5 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Montaneras dominated on the defensive end, holding Leonas to just 5 points in fourth quarter. They also forced 21 Leonas turnovers. Worth to mention a great performance of American power forward Angelina Williams (183-83, college: Illinois) who helped to win the game recording 12 points and 6 rebounds. Stephanie Pineiro contributed with 12 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Five Montaneras players scored in double figures. Montaneras' coach used a ten-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American forward Denise Lewis (185-90, college: Tulsa) answered with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 16 rebounds and Jeidaris Flores added 15 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Leonas. Montaneras (7-0) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are alone now at the top position. Leonas at the other side still closes the standings with nine games lost. Leonas will play next round against strong Gigantes trying to get back on the winning streak. Montaneras will try to continue on its current victory against second ranked Piratas in Quebradillas.
Top scorers:
Morovis M.: C.Escalera 14+4reb+2ast, K.Rodriguez 13+3reb+2ast, P.Rosado 13+5reb+2ast, S.Pineiro 12+6reb+3ast, A.Williams 12+6reb+3ast, A.Sepulveda 3
Ponce L.: D.Lewis 23+16reb+2ast, J.Flores 15+6reb+2ast, J.Fairweather 9+4reb+4ast, K.Rosario 7+11reb+4ast, M.Colon 5+1reb+4ast, J.Ithier 3+2reb

gschID: 187191

Martin's double-double lands her Player of the Round award - by Eurobasket News

29-year old guard Yolanda Martin (180-G-83) put on an amazing game in the last week for Aguas B.T. and receives a Latinbasket.com Player of the Round 7 award.
She had a double-double of 40 points and 15 rebounds, while her team was edged out by Juncos V. (#5, 3-6) 83-80. Aguas B.T. maintains the 6th position in Puerto Rican BSNF. Too late to salvage the team, which is currently ranked such low. They already lost 7 games and recorded just one victory. In the team's last game Martin had a remarkable 66.7% from 2-point range. She turned to be Aguas B.T.'s top player in her first season with the team. Brewton-Parker College graduate has very impressive stats this year. Martin is league's best scorer averaging so far 27.9ppg. Martin is in league's top in rebounds (4th best: 10.3rpg) and averages solid 2.6spg.

Second best performed player last week was Gaati Werema (183-G-88) of Juncos V.. She is American guard in her first season at Juncos V.. In the last game Werema recorded impressive 29 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. It was enough for Juncos V. to edge the higher-ranked Quebradillas (#2, 7-2) by 2 points 65-63. Juncos V.'s 5th position in the standings has not changed. Her team is not often considered as one of the league's best with a mere 3-6 record. Werema is a newcomer at Juncos V. and quickly became one of team's most reliable players. She belongs to the best scorers in the league with 23.1ppg (#3). She also registered 8.7 boards per game.

Third place about best performers goes to forward Denise Lewis (185-F-90) of Ponce L. (#7). Lewis scored 23 points and grabbed sixteen rebounds (!!!). Despite Lewis' great performance Ponce L. lost 64-71 to the league's current leader Morovis M. (#1, 7-0). But her team cannot count on just a single player as she also needs help of the other teammates. Ponce L. can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have awful season losing so far all 9 games. Too bad for Lewis she does not play for a better team. But maybe if she did, her season stats would not be that high. Lewis has a very solid season. In 3 games in Puerto Rico she scored 14.0ppg.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Zuleimarie Sanchez (168-G-87) of San German - 21 points and 6 rebounds
5. Michelle Gonzalez (167-G-89) of San German - 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists
6. Esmary Vargas-Sanchez (191-C-81) of Juncos V. - 2 points and 18 rebounds
7. Gaati Werema (183-G-88) of Juncos V. - 20 points and 13 rebounds
8. Yolanda Martin (180-G-83) of Aguas B.T. - 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists
9. Dominic Seals (188-F-87) of Aguas B.T. - 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists
10. Stephanie Pineiro) of Morovis M. - 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists

The Player of the week is choosen based on efficiency calculation, but also including game result, importance of the game, if played recorded double-double/triple-double, etc.
The efficiency formula is a combination of various formulas used by different basketball organizations/leagues. We got involved many basketball scouts and journalists to assure it's accuracy.
The formula: 1.5*PTS + 3* (REB+AST+ST+BL-TO) - 2*BSAG - 4*PF + 3*PFRV + 4* (2FGPM+3FGPM) + 1.5*FTM - 3* (2FGPA-2FGPM) - 3* (3FGPA-3FGPM) - (FTA-FTM)


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RUSSIA

Latvian Zane Teilane-Tamane inks with Nadezhda - by Eurobasket News

Latvian Zane Teilane-Tamane (200-C-83, agency: LBM Management, college: W.Illinois) inks with Nadezhda for the upcoming season. It's actually her comeback to Nadezhda Orenburg as she played here before. Teilane-Tamane played last summer at Phoenix Mercury (WNBA) in the U.S. She helped them to win the championship title and they made it also to the cup final. The last season Teilane-Tamane also played at Fenerbahce in Turkish league. In 18 Euroleague games she had 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.7apg. She played also 26 games in WNBA where she had 8.5ppg, 5.1rpg and 1.5apg. Teilane-Tamane helped them to win the championship title and they made it also to the cup final. A very impressive season as she was voted Eurobasket.com All-Turkish TKBL Bosman Player of the Year. She represented Latvia at the European Championships in Poland last year. Her stats at that event were 9 games: 9.9ppg, Reb-1 (9.1rpg), 2.0apg, 1.0spg, Blocks-4 (1.4bpg), FGP: 52.3%, FT: 67.7%. Teilane-Tamane has been also a member of Latvian international program for some years. She played for Senior National Team this year and previously for U20 National Team in 2002.
Teilane-Tamane is quite experienced player. She played also professionally in Czech Rep., Hungary and Spain. Teilane-Tamane graduated Western Illinois University in 2006 and it will be her seventh season in pro basketball.


MEKRS CUP 2012: KARA Trutnov post win over Nadezhda Orenburg - by Eurobasket News

KARA Trutnov - Nadezhda Orenburg 88:67

KARA Trutnov post win over Nadezhda Orenburg in Day 1 of the MEKRS CUP 2012. The hosts edged the Russian side 88:67 in their opener.
KARA Trutnov opened the game with 21-17 and never looked behind. They produced massive 35-21 surge in the second quarter and led 56:38 at the halftime. Both teams nailed 17 points each in the third period for the same difference on the board after three quarters. KARA Trutnov added another 15-12 in the lasts stanza for the final success.
Ambrosia Anderson (186-F-84, college: BYU) top-scored for the winners with 26 points and Katerina Hindrakova (176-G/F-88) added 16. Milena Steffanova (179-F-81) netted 15, while Zaplatova Petra posted 10. Liudmila Sapova (185-F/C-84) finished the game with 16 points in the losing effort and Iva Perovanovic brought 13. Natalia Zhedik (182-SF-88) , Alexandra Tarasova (194-C-91) and Tamane Zane each scored 8.

KARA Trutnov: Ambrosia Anderson 26, Katerina Hindrakova 16, Milena Steffanova 15, Zaplatova Petra 10
Nadezhda Orenburg: Liudmila Sapova 16, Iva Perovanovic (189-C/F-83) 13, Natalia Zhedik 8, Alexandra Tarasova 8, Tamane Zane 8


Krasnoshchek re-signs at Dynamo Kursk - by Eurobasket News

Dynamo Kursk (PBL) confirmed in their roster 23-year old Moldovan forward Natalia Krasnoshchek (186-75kg-89). She has played there for the last four seasons. In 4 Eurocup games she had 4.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.0apg and 1.0spg last season. Krasnoshchek played also 11 games in PBL where she had just1.7ppg. Her team made it to Russian Superleague Semifinals.

By Eurobasket Data Center


MEKRS CUP 2012: Dynamo Kursk beat TSV Wasserburg in the opener - by Eurobasket News

Dynamo Kursk - TSV Wasserburg 90:66

Dynamo Kursk beat TSV Wasserburg in the opener of MEKRS CUP 2012 in Trutnov. The Russian team started with comfortable 90:66 victory.
TSV Wasserburg started better and grabbed 19:18 after the first period. The Russian team however dominated the rest of the game. They needed 24-16 burst in the second frame to take 7-point lead at the halftime. Moreover Kursk added 31-20 in the third quarter and finished the game with 17-11 in the lasts stanza.
Svetlana Makhlina (180-SG-85) stepped up with 18 points for the winners and Ekaterina Lisina (202-C-87) notched 17. Ausra Bimbaite (178-SG-82) delivered 15, while Maria Cherepanova (190-PF-87) added 14. Emma Cannon (188-F, college: Cent.Florida) scored 21 points in defeat and Tiina Sten (189-G/F-85, agency: Regeneracom Sports, college: St.John's) had 13. Anne Breitreiner (183-G/F-84, agency: LBM Management) and Katharina Fikiel (193-F/C-87) followed them with 10 points each in a loss.

Dynamo Kursk: Svetlana Makhlina 18, Ekaterina Lisina 17, Ausra Bimbaite 15, Maria Cherepanova 14
TSV Wasserburg: Emma Cannon 21, Tiina Sten 13, Anne Breitreiner 10, Katharina Fikiel 10


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SLOVAKIA

Natasa Krnjetin will play for Spisska Nova Ves - by Michal Duchovic

The latest addition to the newcomers in women league SKBD Rucon Spisska Nova Ves is Natasa Krnjetin (180-G-88). She was on try-out and the club decided to pen her one year deal. Last year she played for Hemofarm Stada Vrsac in Serbia. In the league she started in 7 games with average of 11.7ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.4apg, 1.7spg. Also she has experience from Adriatic League where she was member in 18 games with average of 7.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg. With Hemofarm Stada Vrsac she won Serbian Cup and they were finalist for Serbian League trophy. Her name you can also find in Serbian National Team.


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SPAIN

Hondarribia-Irun lands Sonia Borges Dos Reis for 2012/13 - by Eurobasket News

Sonia Borges dos Reis (189-C-84) is a new member of Hondarribia-Irun. The Portuguese/Spanish center penned a deal for the upcoming season. She missed the latest one and before that played for Ros Casares. She joined them in January of 2011 and spent rest of the 2010/11 season there. The player averaged 7.5 ppg and 4 rpg in 4 Euroleague games, while her numbers in LFB were almost the same. Ros Casares reached LFB Finals and Euroleague Semis. Sonia Borges dos Reis started that season with Uni Girona. There she had 11.8 ppg and 4.9 rpg for 15 appearances in the LFB. From 2008 to 2010, Dos Reis played for Cadi la Seu. In the past, she was a member of Badajoz, Staples Santarem and Breogan Lugo. She played for Portuguese National Team from 2003 to 2006 and after that in 2009 and 2010.


Conquero inks Vicky Volonaki - by Eurobasket

CB Conquero Huelva (LFB) signed 32-year old Greek forward Vicky Volonaki (179-80). She played last season at Orion-GDKO Ibaizabal Galdakao (LF2). In 20 LF2 games she had 9.9ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg and 1.8spg. Her best season so far was 2009-10, when she played at Athinaikos in Greece. She led her team to both Greek League title as well as Eurocup title. She was voted that year to Eurobasket.com All-Greek League 2nd Team.
Volonaki played also professionally in Australia.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @baloncestofeb)


Ble re-signs at Gran Canaria - by Eurobasket

Gran Canaria La Caja de Canarias (LFB) confirmed in their roster 21-year old Spanish international power forward Vanessa Ble (190-91). She is a dual citizen owning also Ivorian passport. Ble played there last season. In 10 Eurocup games she had 9.3ppg, 8.7rpg, 2.0apg and 1.6spg. She also played 26 games in LFB where she had 8.9ppg, 10.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.7spg. A very impressive season as she was named to Eurobasket.com All- LFB Honorable Mention. Ble represented Spain at the European Championships U20 in Serbia last year. Her team won Gold and her stats at that event were 9 games: 6.3ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.1apg, 2.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 41.8%, FT: 50.0%. She was called also to senior national team this summer.

By Eurobasket Data Center (from @baloncestofeb)


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SWEDEN

Amalia Krantz to skip 2012/13 season - by Eurobasket News

Amalia Krantz (184-F-89) will skip 2012/13 season. The Swedish forward struggles with injuries and she decided to take a break. It is not clear will she return in 2013/14 or not. Knee injury was the main reason why Krantz decided to take a rest and her only wish right now is to get 100% healthy. The forward spent last three seasons with Sallen. In the latest one she had 4.2 ppg and 2.5 rpg for 27 Damligan games. They reached Playoff Semifinals. In her first year with Sallen Amalia Krantz shined with 9.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg for 22 games. In the past, she was a member of Sundsvall Dragons. In 2008/09, the player registered 6 ppg and 4.2 rpg for 19 games with Sundsvall. In 2007, Krantz played for the Swedish U19 National Team.


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TURKEY

Erdemit signs Amisha Carter - by Eurobasket News

Amisha Carter (186-PF-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Louisiana Tech) is a new member of Erdemit. The American power forward penned a deal for the upcoming season. She spent the last one with French Union Hainaut. Carter was the second scorer and rebounder of the LFB with 18.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg for 28 games. She also was No.5 in steals with 1.8 spg. Carter was named Eurobasket.com All-French LFB Forward of the Year -12 and Eurobasket.com All-French LFB Import Player of the Year -12. In EuroCup, the PF added 15.8 ppg, 9 rpg and 2.9 spg for 9 games Union Hainaut reached Quarterfinals and Carter was named to Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup 3rd Team -12. From 2008 until the last summer Amisha Carter played for CCC Polkowice. She was Eurobasket.com All-Polish PLKK Import Player of the Year -10. Carter already played in Turkey and it was in 2008/09 season. She had 18 ppg and 11.8 rpg for 12 games in TKBL.


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UNITED KINGDOM

Jets Turn To Old Boys Myers and Marks - by Paul Nilsen

Shawn Myers (198-G/F-69, college: W.Georgia)nd Chez Marks (191-G-80, college: Morehead St.) are returning to Cheshire Jets as the first signings of new player-coach James Hamilton.

After recovering from an injury that curtailed Myers' (pictured) season early last year, the 6' 6" Trinidadian forward comes back for his fifth spell with the club.

Joining Myers is also another ex-Jets player in Chez Marks (191-G-80, college: Morehead St.).

A season with Plymouth Raiders in 2010/11 followed two years at the Northgate Arena, and the return of the 6' 3" guard signals the foundations of Hamilton's speedily assembled roster.

Hamilton said of his first selections: "My intention is to have half a young side together with half older and more experienced competitors at this level.

"In these two players, alongside myself, we can bring a wealth of experience and help to steer the newer talent to come into this side in the right direction, both on and off the court," continued the Cheshire Jets player-coach, "I fully intend to have some fresh legs in this team, and to give those coming in a fantastic opportunity here."

More announcements will be made in due course regarding signings and tickets ahead of the upcoming BBL campaign.


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WNBA

Standings WNBA Standings Eastern  1. Connecticut S. 22-8   2. Indiana F. 20-9   3. Atlanta D. 17-14   4. New York L. 13-17   5. Chicago S. 12-18   6. Washington M. 6-25  Western  1. Minnesota L. 24-5   2. L.Angeles S. 20-11   3. S.Antonio SS 18-11   4. Seattle S. 14-16   5. Phoenix M. 7-22   6. Tulsa S. 6-23  Regular Season: Round 36 Sep. 13: L.Angeles S. - Chicago S. 86-77 Sep. 14: Washington M. - Atlanta D. Sep. 14: Indiana F. - Minnesota L. Sep. 14: S.Antonio SS - Seattle S. Sep. 14: Phoenix M. - Tulsa S. Sep. 14: L.Angeles S. - Connecticut S.

2013 WNBA Draft Lottery set for September 26 - by Eurobasket News

ESPN will present the 2013 WNBA Draft Lottery - to be held for the first time at ESPN in Bristol, Conn. - on Wednesday, Sept. 26, during the 6 p.m. ET edition of SportsCenter.
The winner of the Lottery will secure the top pick in the Draft, which will be held next April. In the 2012 Draft, the Los Angeles Sparks used the No. 1 overall pick to select Stanford forward Nneka Ogwumike. One year earlier, the Minnesota Lynx used the No. 1 overall pick to select Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut), and went on to earn their first WNBA championship.

The Phoenix Mercury, Tulsa Shock, and Washington Mystics have been eliminated from playoff contention in 2012 and will participate in the Lottery. The fourth Lottery team has yet to be determined.

WNBA officials and a representative from the accounting firm of Ernst & Young will conduct the Draft Lottery. The Lottery will establish the first four picks of the draft. The order of selection for the remainder of the first round as well as the second and third round is determined by inverse order of the teams' respective regular-season records from 2012.


2013 WNBA Draft Lottery

Fourteen balls numbered 1-14will be placed in a lottery machine and mixed. Four balls will then be drawn to the top to determine a four-digit combination. The team that has been assigned that four-ball combination will receive the No. 1 pick. The four balls will then be placed back into the machine and the process will be repeated to determine the second and third picks. The team that does not win one of the top three picks will be slotted fourth.

There are 1,001 possible combinations when four balls are drawn out of 14, without regard to their order of selection. One thousand of those combinations will be assigned to the four non-playoff teams based on their order of finish in the 2012 regular season. The remaining combination will be unassigned. If the one unassigned combination is drawn, the balls will be placed back into the machine and the process will be repeated until an assigned combination is drawn.

Courtesy of www.oursportscentral.com


Ex-Lady Vol Holdsclaw discusses depression issues - by Eurobasket News

Former Tennessee and WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw (6'2''-F-77, agency: Merit Sports, college: Tennessee) wants people suffering from depression to realize they're not alone.

Holdsclaw returned to her alma mater Wednesday to discuss her fight with clinical depression, which included a suicide attempt during her pro career.

"You need to know that sometimes life seems hopeless, but that is a temporary condition," Holdsclaw said. "You've got to tell yourself that just because you might feel blue or lost or alone, you don't need to feel ashamed on top of that, because then you won't get help. There's life after your darkest moment. I know. I'm standing here telling you I know because I've been there and back."

Holdsclaw recounted how she attempted suicide in 2006 as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks by overdosing on the medication she was taking for clinical depression. She also wouldn't leave her Washington home for a few days in 2004, two years after the death of the grandmother who raised her.

She discussed these situations in a book, "Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot After Shot," that came out earlier this year. Holdsclaw is traveling the country and speaking out as an advocate for people dealing with the same issues she has faced.

"There's so much (of a) stigma," Holdsclaw said. "It's a challenge for me to travel and share my story and try to help people better cope with this and not be suffering in silence."

Holdsclaw spoke to a group of about 350 people as part of the university's VolAware initiative, which focuses on preventing violence, suicide and substance abuse. Sitting in the first two rows were the current Tennessee women's basketball team and Lady Vols head coach emeritus Pat Summitt. Holdsclaw noted that when she wouldn't leave her home eight years ago, Summitt flew to Washington and knocked on her door in an attempt to help.

"It makes it great just knowing she's here," Holdsclaw said. "She's lived through it with me. She's been there. When everybody else thought I was just crazy and such a problem, she never turned her back on me. For that, I have a lot of respect for her."

Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three consecutive national championships from 1996-98 before beginning a pro career that included six WNBA All-Star selections. She also played on the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in the 2000 Games. Holdsclaw compiled 3,025 career points at Tennessee and remains the Southeastern Conference's all-time leading scorer.

Courtesy of http://sports.sportsillustrated.cnn.com


Latest games: Pondexter lifts Liberty past last-place Mystics - by Eurobasket News

New York L. - Washington M. 75-62
Trailing late in the third quarter of a game they needed to win, the New York Liberty picked up their defensive intensity and ran away from the Washington Mystics. Cappie Pondexter (5'9''-G-83, college: Rutgers) scored 22 points to lead the Liberty to a 75-62 victory over the last-place Mystics on Wednesday night. Nicole Powell (6'2''-G/F-82, agency: LBM Management, college: Stanford) had 15 points and Kia Vaughn added 10 points and 10 rebounds to help New York (13-17) finish 4-2 on a six-game homestand - including two wins against Washington. The Liberty also moved a half-game ahead of Chicago for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. "It was an ugly win, but I'm glad we pulled it out in the fourth quarter," Pondexter said. "We focused a little more, we began to help each other. I thought we rebounded well, forced them to make tough jump shots." Pondexter praised Vaughn's play in the final quarter, when the center and Plenette Pierson had eight points apiece to help New York outscore Washington 19-7 in the period. Vaughn had her first double-double of the season. "I thought she played great down the stretch, she was confident," Pondexter said. "The last two games we actually were talking about that baseline jumper, where she's great at. She focused in on doing it ... especially in the fourth quarter. I'm happy she was finally able to display the kind of basketball she's been trying." Monique Currie scored a season-high 24 points for Washington (5-25), which has lost nine straight. The Mystics dropped to 1-15 on the road this season, with their lone win against the Liberty on July 13 in the last game before the league's monthlong Olympic break. *Courtesy of www.chron.com

Indiana F. - Seattle S. 72-48
Katie Douglas (6'1''-G/F-79, college: Purdue) scored 16 points and the Indiana Fever forced a franchise-record 28 turnovers in a 72-48 victory against the Seattle Storm on Wednesday night. Tamika Catchings (6'1''-SF-79, college: Tennessee) added 13 points, seven rebounds and a season-high six steals for the Fever (20-9), who have won eight of nine. The Fever are 10-2 since the Olympic break and remain in contention for the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Svetlana Abrosimova had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Storm (13-16). Seattle played without its starting backcourt. Point guard Sue Bird, the Storm's leading scorer, rested and Tanisha Wright did not play because of a groin strain. The Fever took advantage, collecting a season-high 17 steals and allowing a season-low point total. Seattle center Lauren Jackson finished with four points on 2-for-10 shooting and committed seven turnovers. Indiana shot 33% from the field, but made 10 three-pointers and outscored the Storm 14-4 from the free throw line. The Fever have won at least 20 games for the fourth consecutive year and are within range of their franchise record of 22 wins with five games remaining. Indiana set the record in 2009, the year the team lost to Phoenix in the WNBA Finals. The Fever held Seattle scoreless for 4:51 while building a 10-0 lead. Indiana led 35-26 at halftime, despite shooting 32% from the field. The Fever forced 15 turnovers before the break. Indiana led by double digits for much of the third quarter. Seattle closed the gap before Douglas hit a three-pointer to make it 49-37. A three-pointer by Jeanette Pohlen and a layup by Erin Phillips late in the period expanded the lead to 56-37. Pohlen drained another three with 0.2 seconds remaining to make it 59-37 at the end of the third. *Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

Atlanta D. - Seattle S. 77-61
Just like they did the past two seasons, the Atlanta Dream are playing their best basketball at just the right time. Angel McCoughtry (6'1''-SF-86, college: Louisville) scored 23 points, Erika De Souza (6'6''-C-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas) had 20 and the Dream pulled away late to beat the Seattle Storm 77-61 for their fifth win in six games Tuesday night. "We're finally meshing," Armintie Price (5'9''-G-85, agency: LBM Management, college: Mississippi) said. "It's late in the season to do it. But the best time to do it." Sancho Lyttle (6'4''-C-83, college: Houston) scored 13 points and Price had 10 for the Dream (17-14), who are firmly in third place in the Eastern Conference but haven't officially clinched a playoff berth yet. "The team shared the basketball again," coach Fred Williams said. "It's starting to come for us. We want to play that kind of basketball and play well." Seattle pulled to 55-54 on a 3-pointer by Sue Bird early in the fourth quarter. However, Atlanta went on a 13-0 run to regain control and finished with a 22-7 spurt. The Dream were swept by the Storm in three games in the WNBA Finals in 2010, but have won the four regular-season meetings since. "We've got to be physically and mentally tougher if we're going to be in a situation to win a championship," said Seattle coach Brian Angler, who wasn't happy with the Storm's 21 turnovers. "We gave it to them 16 times (on steals) and they are going to go down there and shoot layups." Lauren Jackson had 14 points and nine rebounds and Camille Little added 13 points and eight boards for the Storm (13-15), who have already secured their WNBA-record ninth consecutive playoff berth. Trailing by 16 points early in the second half, Seattle went on a 19-6 run to pull to 49-46 on a three-point play by Jackson with 2:13 left in the third quarter. The Storm trailed 53-49 going into the final period as Jackson had 10 points in the period and Little scored nine. "We had an opportunity," Angler said. "We worked ourselves back in the game in the third quarter." But a missed layup prevented the Storm from taking the lead and the Dream went on their 13-point run, with all five players scoring. "We're trying to get our chemistry going," Lyttle said. "Hopefully this will take us over to the playoffs." McCoughtry, who didn't attempt a shot in the first quarter, was 6 for 6 from the floor and had 14 points in the second quarter as Atlanta took a 37-25 halftime lead. The WNBA's leading scorer has been coming off the bench since missing two games for personal reasons and then serving a two-game team suspension. "That's what I did in the Olympics," the member of the gold-medal United States team. "It doesn't matter." McCoughtry scored all but two points during a 16-6 run that gave the Dream a 37-21 lead late in the quarter. DeSouza had eight of her 10 first-half points in the first quarter. Atlanta had 20 assists on 29 baskets and scored 21 points on the fast break. Lindsey Harding and Tiffany Hayes each handed out five assists. "We've been up and down, but we're on a real high note now," Hayes said. Courtesy of www.chron.com

Chicago S. - Minnesota L. 83-70
Epiphanny Prince (5'9''-G-88, college: Rutgers) scored 26 points and Courtney Vandersloot (5'8''-G-89, college: Gonzaga) added 17 as the Chicago Sky beat the defending champion Minnesota Lynx 83-70 on Tuesday night. Carolyn Swords (6'6''-C-89, agency: LBM Management, college: Boston Coll.) had 11 points and nine rebounds to help the Sky (12-17) pull into a tie with New York for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with five games remaining. Chicago was without Olympic center Sylvia Fowles for the second straight game due to a calf strain. Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut) scored 18 points to lead the Lynx (24-5). Rebekkah Brunson (6'3''-F/C-81, agency: LBM Management, college: Georgetown) had 17 and Candice Wiggins added 14. The Sky broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run over the final 5 minutes. Chicago finished with a 40-18 scoring edge in the paint and had a 31-24 rebounding advantage. Courtesy of www.sacbee.com

Tulsa S. - S.Antonio SS 67-78
Shameka Christon (6'1''-G/F-82, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Arkansas) and Sophia Young (6'1''-F-83, college: Baylor) had 17 and 16 points, respectively, as the San Antonio Silver Stars held off the Tulsa Shock, 78-67, on Wednesday. Danielle Robinson and Becky Hammon tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Silver Stars, who snapped a five-game skid and sit third in the Western Conference. Glory Johnson had 18 points to pace the Shock, who fell to 6-23 on the season. Ivory Latta donated 17 points. *Courtesy of www.foxnews.com

Phoenix M. - Connecticut S. 78-100
Kara Lawson (5'8''-PG-81, college: Tennessee) had a career-high 30 points to lead the Connecticut Sun to a 100-78 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night. Mistie Mims added 15 points and nine rebounds for Connecticut (22-8), which leads Indiana by 1 1/2 games for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Lawson also had eight rebounds and seven assists. DeWanna Bonner had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Mercury (7-22). Connecticut scored 13 consecutive points late in the third quarter to take a 67-56 lead after trailing the entire first half. Lawson went 9 for 17 from the field, including 6 for 13 from beyond the arc. *Courtesy of www.necn.com