Eurobasket Daily News Report: 9/6/2012 1:04:01 AM

EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 9/6/2012 1:04:01 AM

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Men News

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AFRICAN CHAMPIONS CUP

ACCMW Qualifier: Kano Pillars lost to ABC 61-70 in a fierce battle - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Kano Pillars basketball club of Nigeria Tuesday lost to Abidjan Basket Club of Cote dIvoire in a fierce battle that could be mistaken for a grand finale duel in the Africa Champions Cup for men Zone-3 qualifier.

Both sides gave a good account of themselves with Kano Pillars drawing the first blood by picking the first quarter by 19-16 points but ABC challenge that audacity with Stephane Konate being at his element scoring 25 of the 70 points ABC recorded with 10 of such points made in the final quarter of the game.

Kano Pillars lost the second quarter by 06-17 points but roared back in the third quarter winning by 20-17 points to take a point deficit going into the final quarter but could not withstand the energetic ABC side forcing the Nigeria side to go down by 16-24 points in the last quarter for cumulative scores of 61-70 points.

The duo of Anderson Affi and Pierre Gbotto joined Konate in securing victory for ABC with 17 and 13 points respectively, ABC will file out against home side LPRC Oilers basketball club of Liberia 10H00 Wednesday in a reschedule Day-2 pairing as other teams will observe the day as official rest day.

DAY-3 PAIRING - 04/09/2012
LPRC OILERS VS ROYAL HOOPERS - 10H00 (MEN)
C-DELTA VS K-DELTA - 12H00 (WOMEN)
FIRST BANK VS ABD - 14H00 (WOMEN)
KANO PILLARS VS ABC - 16H00 (MEN)

ACCMW Qualifier: ABC goes past Oilers 75-61 - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) of Cote dIvoire maintain it hundred percent record with a 75-61 points decision of LPRC Oilers basketball club of Liberia in a reschedule fixtures of the Africa Champions Cup for Men Zone-3 qualifiers Wednesday in Monrovia.

Superb ABC won the first three quarters (24-17, 20-11, 24-18) and a late rally by the home side in the last quarter 07-15 which ABC lost was not enough to salvage the satiation for a final score-line of 75-61 points.

ABC lead the men ranking with six points from three games with sensational Stephane Konate leading the charge for a place in the final round with 18 points and 3 assist, ABC points guard Pierre Gbotto recorded 15 points while Anderson Affi contributed 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

ACCMW Qualifier: Day-4 Games
ABC Vs UHURU KINGS 10H00 (M)
FIRST DEEPWATER Vs C-DELTA 12H00 (W)
ABC Vs K-DELTA 14H00 (W)
KANO PILLARS Vs LPRC OILERS 16H00 (M) Stephane Konate (187-G-80)

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ARGENTINA

Liga A rosters 2012/13: part 4 - by Facundo Iatzky

union Progresista:
Victor Hugo Cajal (179-PG-80), Christian Schoppler (180-G-86), Cesar Avalle (189-SG-85), Darren Phillip (201-F-78, college: Fairfield), Greg Dilligard (203-F-85, agency: Warren Sports International), Gonzalo Laphitzborde (188-G-75), Agustin Carabajal (180-PG-78), Ariel Zago (203-C-85), Diego Cavaco (200-F-79)
Gonzalo Alvarez (180-G-93), Alejandro Mena (197-C-94), Cristian Velazquez (202-C), Ezequiel Callochia (185-G-95), Marcos Areco

Boca juniors:
Maximiliano Stanic (178-PG-78), Alejandro Diez (201-C-87), Mac Hopson (188-G-87, college: Idaho), John DeGroat (198-F-85, college: Pittsburgh), Federico Aguerre (202-F/C-88), Federico Van Lacke (191-G-80), Franco Migliori (197-F/G-82), Marcos Delia (206-C-92), Nicolas Copello (194-G-92)
Pablo Da Silva, Facundo Lopez, Matias Schoffen

Weber bahia Estudiantes:
Juan Ignacio Sanchez (192-G-77, college: Temple), Lucas Faggiano (187-PG-89, college: LIU Brooklyn), Federico Ferrini (194-G/F-83), Juan Manuel Torres (208-C-84), Victor Baldo (200-C/F-77), Juan Manuel Rivero (191-G-85), Jonathan Durley (203-F/C-88, college: Wichita St.), Garfield Blair (196-G-87, college: Stetson), Mauro Mieres (185-G-92), Gonzalo Torres (202-C-94), Lucio Redivo (185-G-94)

La union Fromosa:
Ruben Wolkowyski (207-C-73), Gregory Lewis (198-F-78, agency: Dream Team Management, college: Winthrop), Anibal Marin (199-G/F-82), Javier Caceres (201-F-85), Marcus Melvin (203-F-82, college: N.Carolina St.), Nicolas Gianella (186-G-78), Juan Brussino (185-G-91), Kyle Lamonte (191-G-84, college: William Carey), Nicolas Lauria (202-F-88), Alan Martinez, Fabio Fernandez
Youth team: Fernando Peruchena, Fernando Dose

San Martin Corrientes hold off Union Progresista in test game - by Eurobasket News

San Martin - Union Progresista 68:45

San Martin Corrientes claimed a pre-season win. They knocked down Union Progresista. Bruno Oprandi (192-G-85) scored 17 points to lead the winners.
San Martin strongly entered the game. They dominated in the first half posting a 37:25 halftime advantage. San Martin arrived at the final break up by 10 points 48:38. Union Progresista failed to threaten the margin as San Martin cruised to the victory. Gordon James (198-F-79, college: Bridgeport) accounted for 13 points, while Santiago Gonzalez (203-C-83) added 10 points for the winners. Ariel Zago (203-C-85) answered with 12 points for Union. Christian Schoppler (180-G-86) provided 11 points in the loss.

San Martin Corrientes: Bruno Oprandi 17, Gordon James 13, Santiago Gonzalez 10
Union Progresista: Ariel Zago 12, Christian Schoppler 11

Brescia close to get Juan Fernandez on loan - by Eurobasket News

Juan Fernandez (193-G-90, college: Temple) will most likely play for Brescia next season. The Argentinean point guard penned a deal with EA7 Emporio Armani Milano earlier this summer, but he will not play for them in 2012/13. Fernandez was on tryout with Virtus Bologna, but it seems he will join Brescia at the end.
Juan 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.

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AUSTRIA

Austria crush Hungary in Schwachat - by Eurobasket News

Austria - Hungary 97:81

Austria drubbed Hungary in Schwachat tonight. The victory allowed Austria to clinch the third position in Group C of EuroBasket Qualifying Round. Rasid Mahalbasic (208-C-90) posted 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the winners.
Austria set the tone early in the game. They went on a 27:15 run in the opening quarter to clear off. Austria and Hungary exchanged baskets throughout the second frame. The hosts ensured a 12-point lead at halftime. Austria erupted for 26 points in the third term to gain a 13-point buffer before the fourth term. Austria did give Hungary a single chance cruising to the victory at the end. Jason Detrick (195-SF-80, college: Oklahoma) finished with 19 points, while Thomas Schreiner (195-PG-87, agency: Dynamics Global Management) accounted for 20 points in the victory. Adam Hanga (200-SG-89, agency: TSS Management) answered with 20 points for Hungary. Miklos Szabo (205-F/C-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group, college: Hofstra) netted 16 points in the loss.

Austria: Rasid Mahalbasic 21, Thomas Schreiner 20, Jason Detrick 19
Hungary: Adam Hanga 20, Miklos Szabo 16

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AZERBAIJAN

BALKAN LEAGUE

BALTIC LEAGUE

Sakalai land Zygimantas Sestokas - by Eurobasket News

Sakalai bolstered their roster. They agreed on terms of contract with Zygimantas Sestokas (196-G/F-86, agency: Players Group, college: Hofstra). The deal is meant for one season with an option of extending it. Zygimantas Sestokas spent the last two seasons with Juventus Utenos. Last season the guard notched 4.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in Baltic League. In LKL Zygimantas Sestokas posted 4.3 points per appearance. The guard participated at LKL All-Star Game. He became Three-Point Shootout Contest winner. Previously Zygimantas Sestokas had stints with KK Akademija, Meresta, Suduva-Arvi, Martos Napoli. He was Baltic League Challenge Cup winner in 2011.

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BELGIUM

Switzerland surprise Belgium in Fribourg - by Eurobasket News

Switzerland - Belgium 82:73

Switzerland gained the third win in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They toppled Belgium at home court to climb at 3-4 record in Group E. Belgium fell at 3-3 record in the third position in the ladder. Stefan Petkovic (185-PG-92) finished with 25 points for the hosts.
Switzerland fired 26 points in the opening quarter to take a 5-point lead. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the second period. The Swiss side established a 45:37 halftime advantage. The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter. The home side ensured an 8-point buffer heading into the fourth stanza. Belgium cut the deficit to 4 points midway through the final frame but Dusan Mladjan (198-SG-86, agency: Interperformances) and Stefan Petkovic sealed the victory for Switzerland at the end. Dusan Mladjan posted 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Oliver Vogt (209-C-80) added 17 points for the winners. Christophe Beghin (207-F-80, agency: Court Side) answered with 20 points for Belgium. Beye Tabu-Eboma (184-SG-85) had 17 points in the loss.

Switzerland: Stefan Petkovic 25, Dusan Mladjan 19, Oliver Vogt 17
Belgium: Christophe Beghin 20, Beye Tabu-Eboma 17

Ethias League teams started pre-season campaign last weekend - by Bert Larsimont

Most Ethias League teams started their pre-season campaign last weekend.

VOO Verviers-Pepinster played against 1. Bundesliga team TBB Trier in Soleuvre, Luxemburg last Saturday.
Despite the Belgian team's loss 96-77, it was a first good test for the men of RBC's new Head Coach Nenad Trajkovic . It was a good opprotunity to see the new squad with young US trio Chris Ferguson (206-C, college: Mid-Continent), Jerime Anderson (187-G-89, college: UCLA) and Jeremy Green (193-G, college: Stanford) and Serbian duo of centers Dragan Tubak (217-C-87) and Nemanja Aleksandrov (210-C/F-87). Nate Linhart (201-F-86, college: Akron) (20 points), Vitalis Chikoko (207-F/C-91) (15 points), Brian Harper (206-F/G-85, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Paine) (14 points) and Andreas Seiferth (209-PF-89) (11 points) already seemed rather fit and efficient for TBB Trier.

Without three major players (Ioannis Iarochevitch (206-C-89, agency: LBM Management), Pierre-Antoine Gillet (201-F-91) and Wen Boss Mukubu (198-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: UAB) involved with the Belgian Lions in the EuroBasket 2013 qualifying campaign, Belgacom Liege Basket also started their pre-season program this weekend and faced a French Pro B team: ESSM Le Portel Cote d'Opale. The French squad looked ready for the new season. The men of French Coach Eric Girard won the game 82-64. Liege Basket won the last quarter 17-21 and finished on a positive note. Sherman Gay (201-PF-82, college: Loyola Mary) (16 points), Armand Charles (193-SF-83) (14 points) and Charles-Henri Bronchard (200-C/F-82, agency: Court Side) (11 points) were the best scorers for ESSM Le Portel Cote d'Opale while B.J. Monteiro (195-G/F-90, agency: Two Points, college: Duquesne) (21 points), Lionel Bosco (176-PG-81, agency: Court Side) (5 points) and Andre Williamson (200-F-89, college: Appalachian St.) (9 points) were the most productive players on the Belgian side. Score evolution: 21-14, 37-28, 65-43 and 82-64.

Elsewhere, Belgacom Spirou Charleroi played a first scrimmage game against French Pro B squad of Chalons-Reims at the Couvidome in Couvin, Belgium. Hiring a foreign guard is still much talked about in Charleroi. In the meantime, Justin Hamilton (190-G-80, college: Florida), Amaury Jadin (189-G-86) and Matt Walsh (197-F/G-82, college: Florida) have played as guards during last weekend's game. After a rather balanced first quarter, Spirou quickly found a good rythm to take the lead and keep it until the final buzzer. Score evolution in this game: 17-11, 39-27, 59-45 and 74-60. Pierric Poupet (191-G-84) (11 points), Justin Burrell (206-F-88, college: St.John's) (15 points) and Bryan Mullins (185-PG-87, college: S.Illinois) (9 points) were the best scorers for the defeated team while Glen Dandridge (198-F-85, college: Lambuth) (25 points and 7 three-pointers), Derrick Allen (203-F-80, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Mississippi) (20 points and 9 rebounds), Mike Scott (203-F-86, college: Kent St.) (5 points and 8 rebounds), Matt Walsh (6 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists) and Justin Hamilton (14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists) recorded great stats in this pre-season game.

After their win over Division II squad CEP Fleurus on Friday night, Belfius Mons-Hainaut played Royal Aera Excelsior Brussels (Division II) on Saturday and French Pro A team STB Le Havre on Sunday. The game against Excelsior Brussels was a tough one for Belfius MH and the decision was made only in the fourth quarter. Excelsior with their impressive roster including such names as Emmanuel Mampuya (200-F/C-79, agency: Promotex) (9 points), Xavier Collette (185-PG-85, agency: LBM Management) (10 points), Stephane Pelle (205-C/F-80, college: Colorado) (16 Points), Nick Verrept (192-SF-80) (9 points) and Sam Semijejero (196-F/C-77) (3 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists) gave a tought time to their hosts. Josh Bostic (196-F-87, college: Findlay, OH) (33 points), Ronell Taylor (14 points), Jonathan Wallace (187-G-86, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgetown) (9 points) and Justin Cage (198-F-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: Xavier) (8 points and 9 rebounds) nevertheless led their team to a strong and spectacular finish. Score evolution: 21-28, 47-43, 63-64 and 78-90.

Unflexible Lions give no chance to their Swiss guests - by Bert Larsimont

After an excellent first quarter for the host team, the Lotto Arena attendance in Antwerp already understood that the Lions would reach a high score tonight. The visiting Swiss national team never seemed able to challenge the Belgian Lions of Coach Eddy Casteels in this EuroBasket 2013 qualifying round game (Group E).
The scoreboard showed 27-8 after ten minutes in this game. Led by excellent guards Beye Tabu-Eboma (184-SG-85) and Sam Van Rossom (188-PG-86), the whole Belgian team played well in the first and second quarters.
After 52-29 at the half and despite several efforts by Swiss hardworking players Dusan Mladjan (198-SG-86, agency: Interperformances) and David Ramseier (203-F/C-87) to reduce the gap, the Lions kept doing well offensively. It was 71-42 at the end of the third quarter. The hosts did not reach the three-digit mark of 100 in scoring but gave absolutely no chance to their guests who never reached the 50-point margin. The game ended with a dunk by Belgian tall guy Maxime De Zeeuw (205-PF-87) and the scoreboard eventually showed 98-49.

The Belgian Lions literally outscored the Swiss team in several sectors of the game: 23-6 in assists, 37-16 in rebounds, 16-5 in fast break points, 84.2% (16/19)-50% (11/22) in free-throw percentage, 12-3 in steals, 40-24 in points in the paint and 28-8 in bench points.

Best scorers:
Belgium: Moors 4, Van Rossom 10, Beghin 6, Mwema 8, Tabu 18, Marnegrave 3, Muya 9, Mukubu 8, De Zeeuw 10, Gillet 13, Iarochevitch 9.
Switzerland: Kazadi 6, Mladjan 12, Petkovic 4, D. Ramseier 13, Dos Santos 2, Stockalper 3, Vogt 4, Dubas 3, F. Ramseier 2.

Belfius Mons-Hainaut starts pre-season with a win (85-93) in Fleurus - by Bert Larsimont

Christian Manzanza (injury), Jordan Garvin (administrative reason) and Mitchel Kouwijzer (190-G-87, agency: Court Side) (190-G-87, who has just signed with CEP Fleurus) were missing on the host side last night. Guy Muya (190-PG-83, agency: TSS Management) (involved with the Belgian Lions in the Eurobasket 2013 qualifying campaign), Monwell Randle (203-F/C-83, agency: Court Side, college: SE Missouri St.) and Alexandre Libert (194-G-90) were left on the bench on the Belfius Mons-Hainaut's side.

There was a nice and enthusiastic crowd at the Salle Andre Robert for this excellent scrimmage game. CEP Fleurus took a good lead (+7) mainly due to an excellent start by Kevin Jonniaux (198-G-83) from long range (4 three-pointers in a row), nice presence of Thomas Bauwens (192-F-86) and the hardworking performance of Sead Muric (205-C-81) inside. Nevertheless, the visitors with their excellent US players Quincy Taylor (196-G-82, college: UAB), Jonathan Wallace (187-G-86, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Georgetown, Justin Cage (198-F-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: Xavier), Josh Bostic (196-F-87, college: Findlay, OH) and Brian Qvale (210-C-88, college: Montana) reacted well after the CEP storm had passed. Belfius Mons-Hainaut was in front at the end of the first quarter: 22-24. CEP Coach Paul Vervaeck took a time-out with 2:13 remaining in the second quarter when the scoreboard showed 38-46. The half-time was reached at 43-49 and Belfius MH Head Coach Yves Defraigne had given some playing time to young Belgian players like Lorenzo Giancaterino (190-F/G-90), Amaury Gorgemans (212-C-92), Emmanuel Lecomte (180-G-95) and Kevin Tumba (192-F/G-91).

The visitors started the third quarter in a pretty strong way and Ronell Taylor was very active in all sectors of the game. Belfius Mons-Hainaut was leading 48-61 with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter and even 48-65 despite a CEP time-out. Belgian talents Amaury Marion (196-F-91), Ludovic Pourtoit (182-G-88) and Christian Ilongo (194-F-85, agency: Promotex) boosted CEP Fleurus which remained 11 points behind at the end of the third quarter: 63-74.

Belfius Mons Hainaut always seemed to control the game and Coach Defraigne made some interesting rotations after 70-89 with only 5 minutes remaining in the game. Jonathan Wallace, Josh Bostic and Justin Cage will need some time to find each other but this could be an interesting trio to watch this season on the Belfius side. The last minutes of the game were interesting as the young CEP players Louis Hazard (199-F-94), Rik Vandenberghe (208-C-93) and Amaury Marion were able to run down the court in fastbreak situation. The local team even managed to avoid a double digit margin on the final buzzer when Ilongo hit a nice jump shot to make 85-93. A great basketball evening in Province Hainaut and a good scrimmage game for both teams!

Score evolution: 22-24, 38-46, 63-74 and 85-93.

Best scorers:

CEP Fleurus: Jonniaux 20, Marion 10, Ilongo 20, Bauwens 3, Muric 8, Hazard 4, Vandenberghe 7, Pourtoit 13.
Belfius Mons-Hainaut: Lecomte 3, Tumba 8, Qvale 11, Wallace 11, Taylor 16, Cage 13, Giancaterino 6, Schwartz 5, Bostic 10, Gorgemans 10.

Belfius Mons-Hainaut will play Royal Aera Excelsior Brussels today in Woluwe Saint-Lambert (at 17:15) and French Pro A team STB Le Havre in Tournai (at 17:00).

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BOSNIA

Bosnia and Herzegovina grab important win in Tbilisi - by Eurobasket News

Georgia- Bosnia and Herzegovina 103:107

Bosnia and Herzegovina grab important win in Tbilisi at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team improved to 5-2 record in Group D after 107:103 win over Georgia.
It was an offensive game in the court. Bosnia and Herzegovina started with 20-16, but lost the first half. The Georgian side needed 27-20 for 43:40 at the halftime. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) scored for 45:42 and Viktor Sanikidze (203-SF-86) scored three for 62:58. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) posted 4 in a row for 74:72 after three quarters. Bosnia and Herzegovina however erupted with 35-29 to seal the victory.
Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 25 points for the winners and Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) nailed 23. Ante Masic (200-F-85, agency: Interperformances) scored 21, while Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) had 16. Manuchar Markoishvili top-scored for the hosts with 23 points and Zaza Pachulia (210-C-84) collected 21 points and 11 rebounds. Tornike Shengelia (203-PF-91) notched 17, Jacob Pullen had 13 and Viktor Sanikidze added 12.

Georgia: Manuchar Markoishvili 23, Zaza Pachulia 21+11 rebs, Tornike Shengelia 17, Jacob Pullen 13, Viktor Sanikidze 12
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mirza Teletovic 25, Zack Wright 23, Ante Masic 21, Elmedin Kikanovic 16, Nihad Djedovic (198-F-90, agency: Beo Basket) 15

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BULGARIA

Germany keep the perfect record in Group B - by Eurobasket News

Germany-Bulgaria 79:69

Germany keep the perfect record in Group B of the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The favorites improved to 6-0 record after the win over Bulgaria 79:69. The latter fell at 3-4 record on the third place.
Germany looked better in the first period and opened the game with 17-12. Moreover the hosts added 24-20 in the second frame for 41:32 at the halftime. Both teams nailed 21 points each in the third quarter for the same difference after three quarters. They posted 17-16 in the last stanza to seal the victory. Tibor Pleiss (215-C-89) brought the final five points in the game for the final result.
Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) and Tibor Pleiss stepped up with 16 points each as the latter also grabbed 14 rebounds. Maik Zirbes (208-C-90) notched 12, whilst Lucca Staiger (195-SG-88, college: Iowa St.) posted 10. Chavdar Kostov (195-SG-88, agency: Interperformances) netted 16, while Aleksandar Georgiev (203-F-90, agency: Interperformances) delivered 14 in defeat. Ivan Lilov (196-SG-88) scored 11 and Filip Videnov (197-SF-80, agency: Alti Sport, college: W.Kentucky) finished the game with 10.

Germany: Heiko Schaffartzik 16, Tibor Pleiss 16+14 rebs, Maik Zirbes 12, Lucca Staiger 10
Bulgaria: Chavdar Kostov 16, Aleksandar Georgiev 14, Ivan Lilov 11, Filip Videnov 10

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CANADA

Council approves pro basketball at WFCU - by Eurobasket News

Windsors WFCU Centre has a new tenant, and the city has a new professional basketball team.

City council on Monday approved an agreement that will see the Windsor Express rent facilities for 20 home games this winter at the facilitys main bowl.

As part of the agreement, the city is investing an estimated $125,000 to purchase a special basketball flooring to be installed on top of the ice between Windsor Spitfires games.

While there were some questions from council surrounding the pro teams business projections and even its survivability beyond the first season, the vote was 9-1 in favour.

Ward 2 Coun. Ron Jones said he was concerned over talk that the Detroit Pistons might soon be moving to the downtown, bringing professional NBA basketball to within a short commute from Windsor. But Windsor Express president and CEO Dartis Willis assured council that the big-league American team was staying in Auburn Hills.

Ward 9 Coun. Hilary Payne cast the lone vote against the citys deal with the Windsor Express.

Ward 8 Coun. Bill Marra said the teams presence enhances a city asset.

Administration, which had recommended approval, pegged a figure of 1,100 as the teams per-game attendance estimate, based on the median of the National Basketball League of Canada members in their inaugural season last year, but Willis said he was confident attendance figures will be much higher.

The Windsor Express announced its opening game is Nov. 2 against the Halifax Rainmen.

The city staff report estimates revenues from 19,000 paid ticket and concession sales over the course of a 20 game inaugural season would result in total revenues of $137,320, with an estimated profit of $46,720 after expenses of $90,600.

Courtesy of http://blogs.windsorstar.com

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CONGO-BRAZAVILLE

Fiatc Joventut to sign Moses Ehambe - by Eurobasket News

Fiatc Joventut is close to sign Ehambe Moses Randall (198-G/F-86, college: ORU) for the upcoming season. According to Spanish media, two sides already agreed a deal. The Congolese/American forward should join as 'cotonou'. Ehambe spent last season with the NBA D-League team Iowa Energy. He appeared 48 times for them averaging 12.9 points and 2.7 rebounds. In 2010/11 season Ehambe Moses Randall changed three teams. He started with Ourense collecting 9.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 16 LEB Gold games. In February of 2011 he moved to Austin Toros and finally finished the season with Iowa. In the past, Ehambe also played for Tulsa 66ers. He graduated at Oral Roberts University in 2008. This summer Ehambe Moses Randall played for the San Antonio Spurs in 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas. He had 1.3 ppg for 3 games. Ehambe Moses Randall played for the USA National Team at Panamerican Games in Guadalajara last summer. He had 4.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg for 5 games and USA won the bronze medal. He participated at the NBA D-League All-Star Game last season.

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CROATIA

Croatia wins Group C of the EuroBasket Qualification Round - by Eurobasket News

Croatia-Ukraine 84:80

Croatia wins Group C of the EuroBasket Qualification Round to take the spot in Eurobasket 2013. The Croatian side overcame Ukraine 84:80 as both teams advanced from the first two places to Slovenia.
Ukraine needed a comfortable win to finish on top of the Group and started with 25-20 in the first period. Croatia meanwhile erupted with 28-10 in the second frame and took 48:35 at the halftime. Ukraine replied with 20-15 in the third period and reduced to 8 points after 30 minutes in the court. Steven Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) reduced to 82:77 after a three, while Simon made two free throws. Pecherov later scored another three for the final result.
Luksa Andric (210-C-85, agency: Beo Basket) poured in 16 points to lead the winners and Bojan Bogdanovic (203-SG-89) scored 15. Dario Saric (208-F/C-94) delivered 12, while Roko-Leni Ukic (196-PG-84) notched 10. Steven Burtt ended up with 22 points in the losing effort and Sergii Gladyr (196-SG-88) brought 14. Viacheslav Kravtsov (212-C-87, agency: Beo Basket) scored 10 and Artur Drozdov (200-SF-80) notched 9.

Croatia: Luksa Andric 16, Bojan Bogdanovic 15, Dario Saric 12, Roko-Leni Ukic 10
Ukraine: Steven Burtt 22, Sergii Gladyr 14, Viacheslav Kravtsov 10, Artur Drozdov 9

Zadar players end strike - by Eurobasket News

Zadar players ended their strike last night. They practiced for the first time after a two-day of strike action. Zadar owns salaries to players for the last few months. They agreed to pay one salary today and another one next Wednesday. Players decided to stop strike and they hope Zadar will fulfill its obligations as agreed. According to team captain Ive Ivanov (201-C-85), the strike affected all the players. He said they were forced to strike and to miss few days of practice. If Zadar fulfils its obligations they will play a friendly game against Helios on Saturday. Zadar reached Playoff Semifinals last season.
Another news coming from Zadar is that Toni Prostran arrived for tryout. He will try to earn a deal for the upcoming season.

Zadar wins against Samara by 56 points! - by Dajana Karl

Tonight, in front of 2000 people, KK Zadar, without Jozo Brkic (211-F/C-86, agency: Interperformances) (minor injury) and Goran Vrbanc (194-G-84) (playing with the national team), won against Krasnie Krilya Samara by 56 points.

Barisa Krasic (203-F-78) shined in the first quarter, scoring 13 points which include trio of 3-pointers. KK Zadar closed the first quarter with the result of 29-14.

American duo, Gary Ervin (183-G-83, college: Arkansas) and Romeo Travis (200-PF-84, college: Akron) took over the second quarter with a couple of attractive moves. Travis put on a show with two slam dunks which totally got the audience up on their feet. KK Zadar had a huge 52-27 lead in the second quarter.

The second half, players Sime Olivari (197-G-90) , Ivan Batur (201-G/F-91), Ive Ivanov (201-C-85), Franko Kastropil (211-C-84) and Ante Delas (201-G/F-88) started filling the basket up and scoring points. At the end of the third quarter the scoreboard was showing 74-36 in favor of the host.

Even in the last quarter, Franko Sango (200-PF-92) and Franko Kastropil were relentlessly filling up the basket, Russians had no chance to win. The last seconds of the game Ivan Mikulic (194-G-91) decided to cross the number of 100 by scoring 2 more points. The final result was 101-45.

KK Zadar: Smolic 4, Mikulic 4, Delas 5, Ervin 6, Olivari 11, Ramljak 9, Batur 6, Sango 11, Kastropil 12, Travis 8, Krasic 16, Ivanov 9.

KK Samara: Zakharchuk 2, Tiazhev 6, Konstontinov, Pogosian 6, Budorin, Dudarevich 4, Dankevich 7, Yatsenko, Chilikin 8, Olenev 2, Nazarov 6, Sorokin 4.

KK Zadar players in strike action - by Dajana Karl

KK Zadar players Ante Delas (201-G/F-88), Ante Smolic (204-C-93), Franko Sango (200-PF-92), Ivan Batur (201-G/F-91), Ive Ivanov (201-C-85), Marko Ramljak (203-PF-93, agency: Interperformances) (203-PF-93) and Sime Olivari (197-G-90), with the support of the sporting director, head coach Ante Nazor and the rest of the coaching staff, decided to undertake a strike action on Sunday due to several months of not getting their salaries.

"We decided to undertake a strike action because we did not get our last season salaries. To some players the club owes three, and some several salaries, depending on when they signed the contract. We've been waiting the entire summer, they keep saying "next week, next week", however, we had enough of it. We decided to try and end this. From today we're in strike action. We have our coach's and sporting director's support, they understand us completely. Individual practices will still be held in Visnjik for the players that still didn't sign the contract and foreign players, whom the club still doesn't owe anything. Management knows what is all this about and they promised us that payment will be this week. When that happens, hopefully as soon as possible, we will start working as usually. Until then we'll be practicing ourselves. Coach said that, since we are not all together, we won't do anything on tactics. We're the first team, we all have to be as one, and so we'll be like that in this situation as well. Those who do not have a contract, we will work individually, and the rest of us in our own way and that's it. We are very sorry that all of this occurred, but it simply has to come to an end." - Ive Ivanov said.

The sporting director, Branko Skroce, also addressed this issue: "I am not surprised by this move. I've been pointing at the issue for months. The club did not do what's been promised in the contracts, they wait too long and simply can't continue in this way. We've been listening to the promises for a while now, but there's nothing is happening. I don't have the money to pay the players. We did not get the money we needed to get, especially from the City so we can't pay the players and they can't handle it anymore. They don't have the basic necessities for living, rents and food. People are on the verge of bankruptcy, I'm not just talking about the players, but also about the club's staff. I thank them for their patience so far, but at this point I don't know how and when will this come to an end."

There's only a couple of weeks left until the beginning of Adriatic league, there's a lot left to work on. What the club's management has to say about all this, we'll hear on Monday, Sptember 3.

Young Dominik Mavra heads to Belgian Pepinster - by Eurobasket News

Young Dominik Mavra (195-SG-94) will continue his career in Belgium. The 18-year-old guard signed a deal with Pepinster. He spent last season with Zagreb, but mostly played for their junior team. He appeared in 7 Croatian league games averaging 4.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists. The player also got a chance in 2 Adriatic league games. Next season in Pepinster Mavra should have more chance to play and according to local media contract terms will be better as well. Before Zagreb, the guard was a member of Moslavina and Zadar juniors. This summer he helped Croatian U20 NT to win the gold medal at U20 EuroBasket in Lithuania. Dominik Mavra had 8.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg and 3.2 apg for 9 games at this event. Two years ago he won the gold medal with U16 Croatia at U16 EuroBasket in Bar. There he had 5.3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for 8 appearances.

Jolly JBS signs Dino Butorac and Domagoj Bubalo, completes roster - by Eurobasket News

Jolly JBS signed Dino Butorac (192-G-90) and Domagoj Bubalo (214-C-91) for the upcoming season. The roster is completed.
Dino Butorac arrives to the club from Siroki WWin, where he spent 2011/12. The player averaged 5.5 points and 1.8 rebounds for 8 games in Bosnian league, plus 3.7 ppg for 20 Adriatic league appearances. Siroki won the championship title and Cup in Bosnia. Before Siroki, Butorac was a member of Cedevita Zagreb. In the past, he played for Croatian U20 and U19 National Teams.
Domagoj Bubalo played last season for Zabok. For 20 games in the league he had 8.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.1 bpg. In 2010/11, he played for Zagreb. Bubalo was a member of U20 Croatia last summer. He also played for U18 and U16 NT in the past.

Zlatorog tabs another Croatian - Damir Miljkovic - by Eurobasket

Zlatorog Lasko (Telemach League) added to their roster 32-year old Croatian ex-international guard Damir Miljkovic (194-80). He played most recently at Kaptol in Croatian A2. Miljkovics team (he played at that time at Cibona) made it to A1 League Semifinals in 2011. He was also voted to Polish League All-Imports Team (by PLK) in 2009. Miljkovic played also pro basketball in Greece and Russia. He was a member of Croatian international program for some years. Miljkovic was a member of Croatian senior national team in 2006 and previously for U21 national team in 2001.

By Eurobasket Data Center

216cm Frano Marasovic is a newcomer at Zlatorog - by Eurobasket

Zlatorog Lasko (Telemach League) agreed terms with 20-year old Croatian center Frano Marasovic (216-92). He played most recently for junior team of Zadar in Croatian A1. He is a member of Croatian U20 national team. Marasovic represented Croatia at the European Championships U20 Division B in Sofia (Bulgaria) this year. His team won Gold and Marasovics stats at this event were 4 games: 3.3ppg, 1.8rpg.

By Eurobasket Data Center

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CYPRUS

To National Team Players - by Dr. Nasios Orinos

2012 - 2013 league

In an article I posted in March 2012, I have noted that having 3 rounds in the regular season might have been a good measure towards improvement. I am glad that indeed this has taken place and I believe this is a good step.

As known the 2012-2013 league is subject to important changes. The league will be consisted of 8 teams and the regular season will take part in 3 rounds. During the 1st two rounds teams will battle against each other as usual, whereas the 3rd round will be based on teams position on the board. The 1st six teams will go through the play-offs as usual with the 1st two teams on the board moving automatically to the semifinals. The team finishing at the 7th place will not take part at the playoffs, whereas the team finishing 8th will move to the 2nd division. The 4th will matchup against the 5th and the 3rd against the 6th in a best of 3 games. The winner of 4-5 will then matchup against the 1st on the board and the winner of 3-6 against the 2nd on the board. Semifinals and finals will be in a best of 5 games.

However, in March I have also commented on the fact that a few teams have stepped into the playoffs without foreigners something that impacted on the quality of the league. I hope this year we will see all teams playing with a full roster at the playoffs and I hope the federation will take measures to make this happen.

Note to National team players

It is true that the results of the National Team are not what we have expected. I have noticed a few of your comments and I have talked to a few people, therefore I would like to say a few things.

I am aware of the effort made by Tonis Constantinides and the hard work he has put into the team during the summer, therefore I wouldn't blame him. After all these are the players he has to play with. There are no other Cypriot players. Cypriot basketball has taken the downslope.

The problem lies in much more depth and on this article I would like to pay my attention on two aspects.

First, the fact that Cypriots are not taking much time in the local league is indeed a problem. This obviously affects their effort in the national team. How can they compete if they do not have enough games?
But really, whose fault is this? Four years ago Cypriots were about to go on a strike to restrict the unlimited landing of Bosman players. Out of a sudden and for a strange reason nothing happened. So this cannot be an excuse anymore. They had their chance. Now it is too late!

Second, a lot is being said the about everybody else's blame, but it is time to give players their share of the blame. Taking a look at the statistics in the first six games, I would like to highlight a few important points:

1) Cypriot players have only succeeded in 62 out of a total of 110 free throws (56%). They missed a total of 48 free throws. As a matter of fact, 8 out of 10 National Team players have below 65% behind the free throw line. In my understanding a free throw is defined as an unimpeded shot at the basket from the free-throw line. Unacceptable!!!

2) Cypriot players have an average of 20 turnovers per game.

3)Cypriot players have only succeeded in 22 out of 98 attempted 3-point shots (22%). What is this.....!!!

4)Cypriot players have only succeeded in 104 out of 234 attempted 2-point shots (44%).

Based on the above statistics there is no much room for excuses. There is no excuse for missing 48 free throws, or missing 76 three - pointers. Nobody expects the National team to beat Croatia for example. But we expect at least the players to give all they have.

It is not the coach who makes the shots, it is not me, it is not anyone else. It is the players themselves.

To end, I would like to note that it is about time for the players themselves to leave excuses at the side and take their part of the blame.

Start playing some basketball!!!

You should take this article as a friendly effort from our side to help.

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

CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Republic beat Portugal to come closer to EuroBasket - by Eurobasket News

Czech Republic - Portugal 90:71

Czech Republic stepped closer to 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They defeated Portugal to improve at 4-2 record in Group F. Czech Republic will now need to win or lose by less than 18 points against Turkey in the final round to seal the ticket to Slovenia. David Jelinek (194-SG-90) scored 25 points to pace the hosts. Portugal slipped at 0-6 record after the loss.
Portugal bravely started the game. The visitors enjoyed a 24:21 lead after ten minutes. But Czech Republic turned things around in the second frame. They went on a 32:12 rally to gain a 53:36 halftime lead. Portugal narrowed the gap in the third term. They limited the hosts to just 13 points in the third period and got within 11 points at the final intermission. But Czech Republic fired 24 points in the fourth stanza and sealed a comfortable win at the end. Jakub Kudlacek (193-PG-90) posted 13 points, while Pavel Pumprla (198-SG-86) added 10 points for the winners. Joao Santos (204-F-79, college: Nevada) answered with 19 points for Portugal. Paulo Cunha (200-F-80) had 12 points in the loss.

Czech Republic: David Jelinek 25, Jakub Kudlacek 13, Pavel Pumprla 10
Portugal: Joao Santos 19, Paulo Cunha 12

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ESTONIA

EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE

ESL Indianapolis player Tommy Freeman signs with SAM Massagno (Switzerland)! - by ESL News

Antoher talented player from Eurobasket Summer League signed with SAM Massagno (Switzerland). Last year in England Tommy averaged for the 2011-2012 season with Worcester Wolves: 35 games: Score-5 (19.7ppg), 3.7rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.6%. In the Indianapolis ESL 2012 Tommy played for team Paris and in 5 games he averaged: 11.0ppg and 3.6rpg. Tommy played his college basketbll at Ohio University where in his last year, 2010-2011 in 34 games he averaged: 11.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 84.5%: Finished his career as Ohio University's all-time leader in career three-point field goals made (259).

Another ESL player signs a contract as Albacomp brings in Cor-J Cox! - by ESL News

Albacomp brings in Cor-J Cox (195-F/G, college: Miss.Valley St.) for the next season. The American player lands in Hungary and in 2009-2010 he appeared for Miss.Valley St. (NCAA) and in 28 games averaged 4.4ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 65.8%. In 2010-2011 his stats read 3.9ppg, 2.1rpg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 9.5%, FT: 68.2%. Later in 2011-2012 for Miss.Valley St. (NCAA, starting five) Cor-J increased to 11.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 54.5%. In 2012 he participated for Team Berlin (Eurobasket Summer League in Indianapolis) and in 4 games averaged 9.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.0apg. In 2012 played also for Team Lugano (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas) and in 4 games showed 8.8ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.8apg.

ESL Indianapolis player Tommy Freeman signs with SAM Massagno (Switzerland)! - by ESL News

Another talented player from Eurobasket Summer League signed with SAM Massagno (Switzerland). Last year in England Tommy Freeman (195-F-88, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: Ohio) averaged for the 2011-2012 season with Worcester Wolves: 35 games: Score-5 (19.7ppg), 3.7rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 38.9%, FT: 86.6%. In the Indianapolis ESL 2012 Tommy played for team Paris and in 5 games he averaged: 11.0ppg and 3.6rpg. Tommy played his college basketbll at Ohio University where in his last year, 2010-2011 in 34 games he averaged: 11.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 43.6%, FT: 84.5%: Finished his career as Ohio University's all-time leader in career three-point field goals made (259).

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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. Buducnost			0-0
6. Cajasol			0-0
7. Cholet			0-0
8. Cibona			0-0
9. Crvena Zvezda			0-0
10. Den Bosch			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

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

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Standings Div.A (Men)

Standings

Group Qualification Gr.A
1. Montenegro.		8-0
2. Serbia		5-3
3. Israel		5-3
4. Estonia		4-4
5. Iceland		1-7
6. Slovakia		1-7
Group Qualification Gr.B
1. Germany		6-0
2. Azerbaijan.		4-3
3. Sweden		3-3
4. Bulgaria		3-4
5. Luxembourg.		0-6
Group Qualification Gr.C
1. Croatia		6-0
2. Ukraine		5-2
3. Austria		3-4
4. Hungary		2-4
5. Cyprus		0-6
Group Qualification Gr.D
1. Bosnia		5-2
2. Georgia		4-2
3. Latvia		4-2
4. Holland		2-5
5. Romania		1-5
Group Qualification Gr.E
1. Finland		5-1
2. Poland		5-2
3. Belgium		3-3
4. Switzerlan.		3-4
5. Albania		0-6
Group Qualification Gr.F
1. Italy		7-0
2. Czech Rep.		5-2
3. Turkey		3-3
4. Belarus		1-5
5. Portugal		0-6

Qualifying Round: Round 8

Sep. 5: ISR - ISL 92-75
Sep. 5: SRB - SVK 87-62
Sep. 5: MNT - EST 76-67

Sep. 5: AZE - SWE 82-76
Sep. 5: GER - BUL 79-69

Sep. 5: AUT - HUN 97-81
Sep. 5: CRO - UKR 84-80

Sep. 5: NED - LAT 81-86
Sep. 5: GEO - BIH 103-107

Sep. 5: FIN - POL 91-96
Sep. 5: SUI - BEL 82-73

Sep. 5: CZE - POR 90-71
Sep. 5: TUR - ITA 82-83

Qualifying Round: Round 9

Sep. 8: ISL - MNT
Sep. 8: EST - SRB
Sep. 8: ISR - SVK

Sep. 8: SWE - GER
Sep. 8: BUL - LUX

Sep. 8: UKR - CYP
Sep. 8: HUN - CRO

Sep. 8: BIH - ROM
Sep. 8: LAT - GEO

Sep. 8: POL - ALB
Sep. 8: BEL - FIN

Sep. 8: ITA - BLR
Sep. 8: POR - TUR

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

Anton GAVEL
  SVK
  (188-PG-84)
  Avg: 25.9

1. Gavel, SVK	25.9
2. Teletovic, BIH	25.6
3. Davis, AZE	22.2
4. Gortat, POL	21.6
5. Casspi, ISR	19.6
6. Hanga, HUN	19.0
7. Koponen, FIN	18.8
8. Jerebko, SWE	18.8
9. Norel, NED	18.3
10. Haciyeva, AZE	18.1

Rebounds Per Game

Orhan HACIYEVA
  AZE
  (200-PF-89)
  Avg: 12.3

1. Haciyeva, AZE	12.3
2. Gortat, POL	11.9
3. Shima, ALB	9.5
4. Pleiss, GER	9.3
5. King, CYP	9.2
6. Baeringsson, ISL	9.1
7. Simmons, BUL	8.4
8. Sanikidze, GEO	8.4
9. Hysenagolli, ALB	8.3
10. Nicoara, ROM	8.0

Assists Per Game

Zack WRIGHT
  USA
  (188-G-85)
  Avg: 7.3

1. Wright, BIH	7.3
2. Tsintsadze, GEO	5.5
3. Koponen, FIN	5.5
4. Preldzic, TUR	5.3
5. Ohayon, ISR	5.3
6. Kudrautsau, BLR	5.2
7. Grant, SWE	5.2
8. Jansen, NED	5.1
9. Gavel, SVK	5.1
10. Satoransky, CZE	5.1

Steals Per Game

Charles DAVIS
  USA
  (205-C-84)
  Avg: 3

1. Davis, AZE	3.0
2. Santos, POR	2.8
3. Markoishvili, GEO	2.7
4. Hanga, HUN	2.7
5. Tsintsadze, GEO	2.5
6. Shima, ALB	2.3
7. Razis, CYP	2.3
8. Kotti, FIN	2.2
9. Strelnieks, LAT	2.2
10. Wright, BIH	2.1

Blocks Per Game

Viacheslav KRAVTSOV
  UKR
  (212-C-87)
  Avg: 2.7

1. Kravtsov, UKR	2.7
2. Gortat, POL	2.4
3. Parakhouski, BLR	1.7
4. Erden, TUR	1.7
5. Cusin, ITA	1.7
6. Berzins, LAT	1.7
7. Rindin, AZE	1.6
8. Tyus, ISR	1.5
9. Eliyahu, ISR	1.5
10. Kikanovic, BIH	1.3

EuroBasket 2013 Qualifying Round. Day 8 - by Eurobasket News

Group A

Montenegro - Estonia 76-67
Montenegro propel over Estonia in Podgorica for 8-0 record at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team won the group with two rounds remaining. Estonia meanwhile fell at 4-4 record and dropped to the 4th position. Montenegro won the first period 24:15 and continued their dominance in the rest of the game. They added 13-12 in the second frame and led 10 points at the halftime. Estonia reduced to 7 after three quarters when they produced 22-19 in it. Vladimir Dasic (208-PF-88, agency: Beo Basket) later made two free throws for 71:60 and Ivanovic scored four in a row for 73:64. Hallik and Sehovic were the last players to score for both teams. Vladimir Dasic top-scored for the winners with 14 points, while Suad Sehovic, Sead Sehovic (196-G/F-89) and Dubljevic delivered 10 points each. Gregor Arbet (195-G/F-83) notched 12 in defeat, whilst Kangur and Hallik brought 11 apiece. Talts and Vene finished the game with 10 points apiece in a loss.

Israel - Iceland 92-75
Israel climb to 5-3 record in Group A EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team overcame Iceland 92:75 and share the second place with Serbia. Iceland meanwhile dropped at 1-7 record in the group. Iceland surprised the host in the first period and grabbed 20:17 lead. Israel needed the win more and bounced back with 25-18 in the second quarter. Moreover Israel scored 25 points also in the third and the last quarters. They produced 25-19 in the third period and finished the game with 25-18 in the last stanza. Ohayon made the last points for the winning side from the free throw line. Omri Casspi (204-SF-88) paced all the winners with 22 points and Lior Eliyahu (203-SF-85, agency: Z.A.G. - Law Offices) collected 20 points and 11 rebounds. Tyus delivered 19 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Kozikaro posted 8. Jakob Sigurdarson (192-PG-82, college: Birm.Southern) finished the game with 21 points for the guests and Stefansson brought 20. Finnur Magnusson and Ermolinskij followed them with 10 points apiece in defeat.

Serbia - Slovakia 87-62
Serbia celebrated the fifth win in Group A of EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Slovak Republic to improve at 5-2 record in the third position in the ladder. Nemanja Nedovic (191-PG-91, agency: Beo Basket) scored 20 points to lead the winners. Slovak Republic slipped at 1-7 record after the defeat. Serbia jumped to an early lead. They outscored Slovak Republic 22:10 in the first ten minutes. The visitors lacked their main offensive weapon Anton Gavel. They accounted for just 15 points in the second frame as Serbia piled up a 17-point lead at halftime 42:25. Serbia dominated throughout the second half. They ensured a 65:44 advantage at the final intermission. Serbia did not slow down in the fourth period and rallied to a comfortable win. Nemanja Bjelica (209-F/C-88, agency: Interperformances) provided 11 points, while Zoran Erceg had 10 points for the winners. Martin Bilik (194-G/F-87) answered with 16 points for Slovak Republic. Robert Nuber had 9 points in the loss.

Group B

Germany - Bulgaria 79-69
Germany keep the perfect record in Group B of the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The favorites improved to 6-0 record after the win over Bulgaria 79:69. The latter fell at 3-4 record on the third place. Germany looked better in the first period and opened the game with 17-12. Moreover the hosts added 24-20 in the second frame for 41:32 at the halftime. Both teams nailed 21 points each in the third quarter for the same difference after three quarters. They posted 17-16 in the last stanza to seal the victory. Tibor Pleiss (215-C-89) brought the final five points in the game for the final result. Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) and Tibor Pleiss stepped up with 16 points each as the latter also grabbed 14 rebounds. Zirbes notched 12, whilst Staiger posted 10. Chavdar Kostov (195-SG-88, agency: Interperformances) netted 16, while Georgiev delivered 14 in defeat. Lilov scored 11 and Videnov finished the game with 10.

Azerbaijan - Sweden 82-76
Azerbaijan celebrated an important victory in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Sweden at home court to improve at 4-3 record in Group B. Sweden fell at 3-3 record after the loss. Orhan Haciyeva (200-PF-89) scored 28 points and grabbed 13 boards to lead the hosts. Azerbaijan pulled ahead early in the game. They posted a 25:19 lead after ten minutes. Sweden struck back in the second quarter. The Scandinavian team erased the deficit as Jonas Jerebko (206-PF-87) put them ahead 39:38. However Pashayev capped the half with a jumper and Azerbaijan claimed a 40:39 halftime lead. The teams went neck and neck throughout the third term. The lead changed hands for several times before Charles Davis sent the team into the fourth frame with the home side leading by two 60:58. Fuad Niftaliyev (185-PG-80) scored four points in a row 7:0 run from Azerbaijan that put them up by 10 points 76:66 midway through the final frame. Sweden never got closer than four points as Azerbaijan rallied to the victory. Fuad Niftaliyev accounted for 17 points, while Rasim Bashak added 13 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Jonas Jerebko answered with 20 points for Sweden. Joakim Kjellbom had 19 points and 13 boards in the loss.

Group C

Austria - Hungary 97-81
Austria drubbed Hungary in Schwachat tonight. The victory allowed Austria to clinch the third position in Group C of EuroBasket Qualifying Round. Rasid Mahalbasic (208-C-90) posted 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the winners. Austria set the tone early in the game. They went on a 27:15 run in the opening quarter to clear off. Austria and Hungary exchanged baskets throughout the second frame. The hosts ensured a 12-point lead at halftime. Austria erupted for 26 points in the third term to gain a 13-point buffer before the fourth term. Austria did give Hungary a single chance cruising to the victory at the end. Jason Detrick (195-SF-80, college: Oklahoma) finished with 19 points, while Thomas Schreiner accounted for 20 points in the victory. Adam Hanga (200-SG-89, agency: TSS Management) answered with 20 points for Hungary. Miklos Szabo netted 16 points in the loss.

Croatia - Ukraine 84-80
Croatia wins Group C of the EuroBasket Qualification Round to take the spot in Eurobasket 2013. The Croatian side overcame Ukraine 84:80 as both teams advanced from the first two places to Slovenia. Ukraine needed a comfortable win to finish on top of the Group and started with 25-20 in the first period. Croatia meanwhile erupted with 28-10 in the second frame and took 48:35 at the halftime. Ukraine replied with 20-15 in the third period and reduced to 8 points after 30 minutes in the court. Steven Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) reduced to 82:77 after a three, while Simon made two free throws. Pecherov later scored another three for the final result. Luksa Andric (210-C-85, agency: Beo Basket) poured in 16 points to lead the winners and Bojan Bogdanovic (203-SG-89) scored 15. Saric delivered 12, while Ukic notched 10. Steven Burtt ended up with 22 points in the losing effort and Gladyr brought 14. Kravtsov scored 10 and Drozdov notched 9.

Group D

Holland - Latvia 81-86
Latvia post important victory over the Netherlands at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The Baltic State tied Georgia with 4-2 record in Group D after an 86:81 victory. Latvia erupted with 33-17 in the first period and dominated the first quarter. They did not mind 16-17 in the second frame to lead 49:34 at the halftime. Netherlands however were too far to give up and posted two victories in the second half. They reduced to 12 points after three quarters and tried hard to catch up with the opponents. Jansen and Akerboom cut it to 77:82, while Smeulders reduced to just three points. Bertans meanwhile made two free throws for the final success. Kaspars Berzins (211-PF-85) stepped up with 21 points and Rihards Kuksiks (197-SF-88, college: Arizona St.) scored 18. Dairis Bertans posted 13, whilst Davis Bertans delivered 10. Henk Norel (214-C-87) replied with 24 points in the losing effort and Smeulders added 22. Akerboom brought 13 and Jansen had 8.

Georgia - Bosnia 103-107
Bosnia and Herzegovina grab important win in Tbilisi at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team improved to 5-2 record in Group D after 107:103 win over Georgia. It was an offensive game in the court. Bosnia and Herzegovina started with 20-16, but lost the first half. The Georgian side needed 27-20 for 43:40 at the halftime. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) scored for 45:42 and Sanikidze Viktor scored three for 62:58. Pullen Jacob posted 4 in a row for 74:72 after three quarters. Bosnia and Herzegovina however erupted with 35-29 to seal the victory. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 25 points for the winners and Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) nailed 23. Masic Ante scored 21, while Kikanovic Elmedin had 16. Manuchar Markoishvili top-scored for the hosts with 23 points and Pachulia Zaza collected 21 points and 11 rebounds. Shengelia Tornike notched 17, Pullen Jacob had 13 and Sanikidze Viktor added 12.

Group E

Switzerland - Belgium 82-73
Switzerland gained the third win in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They toppled Belgium at home court to climb at 3-4 record in Group E. Belgium fell at 3-3 record in the third position in the ladder. Stefan Petkovic (185-PG-92) finished with 25 points for the hosts. Switzerland fired 26 points in the opening quarter to take a 5-point lead. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the second period. The Swiss side established a 45:37 halftime advantage. The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter. The home side ensured an 8-point buffer heading into the fourth stanza. Belgium cut the deficit to 4 points midway through the final frame but Dusan Mladjan (198-SG-86, agency: Interperformances) and Stefan Petkovic sealed the victory for Switzerland at the end. Dusan Mladjan posted 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Oliver Vogt added 17 points for the winners. Christophe Beghin (207-F-80, agency: Court Side) answered with 20 points for Belgium. Beye Tabu-Eboma had 17 points in the loss.

Finland - Poland 91-96
Poland clinched the fifth win in 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Finland in Helsinki to improve at 5-2 record in Group E. Finland slipped at 5-1 record after the loss. Marcin Gortat (211-C-84) stepped up with 27 points and 21 rebounds for the winners. Finland stormed into the game. They fired 24 points to take an 8-point lead after the opening quarter. Poland picked up the tempo in the second frame. The visitors managed to narrow the gap at 7-point mark 43:50. Poland got even closer in the third term. They trimmed the gap at just three-point mark at the final break 69:72. Dardan Berisha, Przemyslaw Zamojski (194-SG-86, agency: Alti Sport, college: Independence CC) and Marcin Gortat drew things level at 75. Soon Kulig drained a triple to put Poland in front. Koszarek and Dardan Berisha gave Poland a 94:88 advantage with 13 seconds to go and Finland could not recover. Przemyslaw Zamojski finished with 16 points, while Dardan Berisha contributed 15 points for the winners. Gerald Lee (208-C-87, college: ODU) answered with 20 points for Finland. Petteri Koponen had 15 points in the loss.

Group F

Turkey - Italy 82-83
Italy kept their record spotless at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They defeated Turkey on the road to improve at 7-0 record on top of Group F. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) scored 19 points each to lead the visitors. Turkey fell at 3-3 record and endangered their EuroBasket qualifying chances. Turkey enjoyed a 21:17 lead after ten minutes. They stretched the gap in the second frame. The hosts boosted the gap to as many as 13 points at halftime 44:31. But the Azzurri picked up the tempo in the second half. They fired 25 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark. Turkey still led by six points with under four minutes remaining 69:75. But Italy went on a 7:2 rally to narrow the gap at a single-point mark 76:77. Ender Arslan (190-PG-83) drained a triple but Hackett answered with five points to narrow the margin to a single point again 81:82. Datome then nailed a jumper and Ender Arslan missed his attempt as Italy clinched the victory at the end. Andrea Cinciarini accounted for 17 points for Italy. Emir Preldzic (205-SF-87, agency: Beo Basket) and Ender Arslan answered with 12 points each for Turkey.

Czech Republic - Portugal 90-71
Czech Republic stepped closer to 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They defeated Portugal to improve at 4-2 record in Group F. Czech Republic will now need to win or lose by less than 18 points against Turkey in the final round to seal the ticket to Slovenia. David Jelinek (194-SG-90) scored 25 points to pace the hosts. Portugal slipped at 0-6 record after the loss. Portugal bravely started the game. The visitors enjoyed a 24:21 lead after ten minutes. But Czech Republic turned things around in the second frame. They went on a 32:12 rally to gain a 53:36 halftime lead. Portugal narrowed the gap in the third term. They limited the hosts to just 13 points in the third period and got within 11 points at the final intermission. But Czech Republic fired 24 points in the fourth stanza and sealed a comfortable win at the end. Jakub Kudlacek (193-PG-90) posted 13 points, while Pavel Pumprla added 10 points for the winners. Joao Santos (204-F-79, college: Nevada) answered with 19 points for Portugal. Paulo Cunha had 12 points in the loss.

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FINLAND

EUROBASKET: Poland and Switzerland winning - by Rauno Hurmalainen

EuroBasket, Qualifying round, Group E: Two games tonight. Finland suffered the first loss in six games as visitor Poland defeated "The Wolf" Team Finland in Helsinki 91-96 (50-43). Quarters: 24-16, 26-27, 22-26, 19-27. NBA center Marcin Gortat (211-C-84) was too tall and strong for the hosts. Gortat had seven points and 10 rebounds during the first half, but he was very tough during the second half collecting altogether 27 pts and 21 rbs in the contest. Poland had five players in double digits.
Finland start was good, but Poland won the next three quarters. Finland was struggling from behind the arc (29,6 %) meanwhile Poland hit with 52,4% accuracy from behind the bonus line.Gerald Lee Jr (208-C-87, college: ODU) led Finland with 20 pts. When Switzerland upset Belgium at home tonight 82-73 (45-37), it means, that Finland must win one more time in two games and Slovenia could call. Finland will play in Belgium coming Saturday, September 8 and the last game will be at home in Helsinki vs Switzerland on Tuesday, September 11.
Standings right now: 1) Finland 5-1, 2) Poland 5-2, 3) Belgium 3-3, 4) Switzerland 3-4, 5) Albania 0-6.
Finland - Poland 91-96 (50-43). F: Gerald Lee Jr 20, Petteri Koponen 15/6a, Shawn Huff 13. 1 - 84,6% (11/13), 2 - 62,2% (28/45), 3 - 29,6% (8/27). R: 33. TO:10. - P: Marcin Gortat 27/21, Przemyslaw Zamojski 16, Dardan Berisha 15/5a. 1 - 76,0% (19/25), 2 - 55,0% (22/40), 3 - 52,4% (11/24). R: 35. TO:10. A: 6420.

Poland edge Finland in Helsinki - by Eurobasket News

Finland - Poland 91:96

Poland clinched the fifth win in 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Finland in Helsinki to improve at 5-2 record in Group E. Finland slipped at 5-1 record after the loss. Marcin Gortat (211-C-84) stepped up with 27 points and 21 rebounds for the winners.
Finland stormed into the game. They fired 24 points to take an 8-point lead after the opening quarter. Poland picked up the tempo in the second frame. The visitors managed to narrow the gap at 7-point mark 43:50. Poland got even closer in the third term. They trimmed the gap at just three-point mark at the final break 69:72. Dardan Berisha (193-SG-88, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group), Przemyslaw Zamojski (194-SG-86, agency: Alti Sport, college: Independence CC) and Marcin Gortat drew things level at 75. Soon Kulig drained a triple to put Poland in front. Koszarek and Dardan Berisha gave Poland a 94:88 advantage with 13 seconds to go and Finland could not recover. Przemyslaw Zamojski finished with 16 points, while Dardan Berisha contributed 15 points for the winners. Gerald Lee (208-C-87, college: ODU) answered with 20 points for Finland. Petteri Koponen (194-PG-88) had 15 points in the loss.

Finland: Gerald Lee 20, Petteri Koponen 15
Poland: Marcin Gortat 27+21 boards, Przemyslaw Zamojski 16, Dardan Berisha 15

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FRANCE

Primm leaves Nanterre - by Eurobasket News

J.P. Primm (185-G, college: NC-Asheville) leaves Nanterre and will not play for the team in the upcoming season.
Earlier Nanterre confirmed the signing of J.P. Primm. He was meant to replace Diante Garrett on the roster
J.P. Primm graduated from NC-Asheville this summer. He tallied 15.4 points, 4.2 assists, 3.3 boards and 1.9 steals per game in his senior season. Prim is a product of University of North Carolina Asheville, where he graduated few months ago. He appeared 34 times for the school as a senior averaging 15.4 points, 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds. He helped NC-Asheville to win Big South Conference Tournament and was named MVP J.P. Primm shined also as a junior. That season he had 14.6 ppg, 4.5 apg and 3.7 rpg in 34 games. The player was named to Big South Conf. All-Tournament Team -11, 12. NC-Asheville was Big South Tournament winner in 2011 as well.

JDA Dijon, Chalons-Reims, Charleville-Mezieres, Boulogne taste victories - by Eurobasket News

JDA Dijon, Chalons-Reims, Charleville-Mezieres, Boulogne taste victories over their opponents on September 4th.
Pro A team JDA Dijon beat Elan Chalon/Saane 77:64. Andre Harris (201-F/C-85, college: Fair Dickinson) top-scored for the winners with 18 points and CAMPBELL as well as ABOUDOU Lens posted 11 points each. MOSS Zach and Ferdinand Prenom (205-C-91) followed them with 10 apiece. JEAN-BAPTISTE ADOLPHE Michel and Marcus Denmon (190-G-90, college: Missouri) replied with 13 points each in the losing effort.
Charleville-Mezieres overcame BC Boncourt 95:62. The French side started with 20-14 in the first period and added 22-16 in the second frame. Moreover the second half also belonged to ProB team. Charleville-Mezieres won the third quarter 28-16 and finished the game with 25-16. Tyren Johnson (202-F-88, college: La-Lafayette) stepped up with 14 points, while Angelo Tsagarakis (190-G-84) and BURRELL Justin scored 13 each. JOSS-RAUZE Kevin followed them with 12 and Brice Kabengele-Kalala (196-G-81) had 10. ELY Shy replied with 17 points in the losing effort, whilst Trey McCorkle (208-F, agency: SDJ Sports, college: IPFW) and LAHEY Laurent had 10 each.
Charleville-Mezieres edged ASC Denain Voltaire 80:78 as NOM Prenom top-scored for the winners with 16 points and TONEY Tafari had 15. KITTS Marcus ended up with 17 points in the losing effort. SOM Boulogne-sur-Mer meanwhile beat ALM Evreux 85:61.

Yannick Bokolo leaves Cajasol training camp, two week period over - by Eurobasket News

Yannick Bokolo (188-SG-85) left Cajasol training camp and returned to France. Two-week period expired and Spanish club thanked Bokolo for his hard work. The player joined Cajasol to help them during the first part of preparations. He left Gravelines earlier this summer, despite the team offered him 5-year contract extension. Bokolo spent last four years with Gravelines. He had 8.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.6 apg for 10 EuroCup games last season. The player also added 7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.9 apg for 31 games in ProA. Gravelines was ProA regular season champion, but they failed to Cholet in the Quarterfinals. Before Gravelines, Yannick Bokolo played for Le Mans. They won ProA title and Semaines des As in 2006. A year ago, Bokolo won Semaine des As trophy also with Gravelines. He was named MVP. Yannick Bokolo appeared 6 times with the French National Team in London this summer registering 1.2 ppg.
Yesterday Cajasol strengthened their squad. They added Nikola Radicevic (194-G-94). The young Serbian guard played for Partizan Beograd junior team recently. He participated at U18 European Championship this summer. Nikola Radicevic tallied 12.4 points, 5.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in Lithuania. The guard helped Serbia clinch Bronze medals at the tournament. Nikola Radicevic made it into All-European Championship U18 1st Team. He was also trumped Best Guard at the tourney. Nikola Radicevic also played for U16 and U17 Serbian National Teams. He was U19 Serbian championship winner in 2012.

University of Washington escapes with a 67-66 win over Rueil - by Eurobasket News

Washington withstood a barrage of missed shots in the disputed final 4.5 seconds of regulation to escape Paris with a 67-66 win over Rueil in the final game of its European tour on Wednesday.

The game ended in controversy when originally one referee ruled that the Huskies had committed a foul under the basket with 0.1 seconds remaining - which would have given Rueil two foul shots. The Husky bench and cheering section were up in arms though as it appeared that the clock had stopped running with 0.1 seconds stuck on the scoreboard and the buzzer yet to have sounded.

After conferring, the referees decided that the foul had indeed come after the final buzzer should have sounded, giving the Huskies the win and ending their three-game losing skid.

"There were 4.5 seconds left, but the play in itself took about 6.5 seconds," said Husky Coach Lorenzo Romar about his perspective of the finish. "It was good that one of the officials saw it and he called the game in spite of the horn not going off."

The non-buzzer at the end was not the only controversy to the finish of the game. Washington had the ball with 8.1 seconds remaining and three fouls short of reaching the bonus. Rueil fouled on consecutive inbound passes when on the third inbound attempt Scott Suggs was whistled for an offensive foul trying to get open for the pass with 4.5 seconds on the clock. The call fouled out Suggs and could have just as easily gone the other way.

Rueil inbounded the ball on their half of the court and Alexis Sesespringalle took several dribbles before launching an errant shot. His miss was tipped back up by one of his teammates but bounced off the rim. George Mdivani grabbed the miss and put up a third shot that originally was whistled a foul on Washington, but instead marked the end of the game.

"I'm proud of our guys," said Romar. "We overcame a lot of adversity in this game tonight and guys stepped up and got stops when we needed to get stops and we were able to come out on top."

Washington trailed 61-55 entering the final quarter but rattled off the first 10 points of the period to take their first lead since midway through the second quarter. Andrew Andrews (6'2''-G) keyed the run with four points and Desmond Simmons (6'7''-F) gave the Huskies the 63-61 advantage - a lead that they would never relinquish - with an offensive rebound and put-back.

Rueil held a 61-53 lead with 1:12 left in the third quarter but was held scoreless until the 3:19 mark in the fourth period when Ibrahim Saounera stole a pass in the backcourt, was fouled and made both free throws.

Washington got cold late in the fourth as they had several opportunities to extend its lead but missed several shots. Aziz N'Diaye (7'0''-C-88) scored the last points for the Huskies at the 2:36 mark with a tip jam that gave UW a 67-63 lead.

For the game, Washington was 27-for-67 from the field (40.1%). The Huskies were just 1-for-16 from beyond the 3-point arc and 26-for-51 from 2-pont range.

Suggs and C.J. Wilcox (6'5''-G) led Washington with 13 points apiece before they both fouled out. Wilcox also grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds.

Andrews sparked the Huskies off the bench scoring 11 points and dishing 4 assists. He was sorely need on the night as Abdul Gaddy (6'3''-G-92) sat most of the second quarter after picking up his third foul at 9:36 and his fourth foul early in the third period.

"I thought Andrew Andrews played well," Romar said of his red-shirt freshman from Portland, Ore. "He came off the bench and gave us a lift with Abdul in foul trouble. He had to log a lot of minutes."

For spurts of the game, Washington looked like they had tired legs. It was the team's sixth game in nine days. Coach Romar said it was a great sign that his men were able to escape France with the win.

"We've done a LOT on this trip," Romar explained. "We had The Amazing Race earlier today and did a lot of running around.

"We might have been a step slow, but that was part of the adversity that we had to overcome; that was a good sign."

The Huskies ended up with a 3-3 record during the European portion of their trip, but were just 1-3 in France. They have one more game remaining on their schedule this Friday against a Dakar University Club.

NOTES: Gaddy and Suggs have each scored 81 points (13.5 ppg) in the first six contests. C.J. Wilcox is not far behind with 79 points (13.2 ppg) ... Washington attempted 59 less and made 64 less free throws than their opponents during their European swing. The Huskies shot 66-of-107 (61.7%), while their six opponents combined to go 130-of-166 (78.3%) from the line ... The team of Gaddy, Suggs, Hikeem Stewart and manager Nick Matranga won the Husky version of The Amazing Race. The squad was split into three teams and had to visit different sights and snap photos at each stop.

Courtesy of www.gohuskies.com

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GEORGIA

MIA Academy land Deonta Vaughn - by Eurobasket News

MIA Academy bolstered their backcourt. They added Deonta Vaughn (185-PG-86, college: Cincinnati). The point guard spent the previous season in Ukraine. He played for MBC Mykolaiv. The guard posted 9.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per appearance. Deonta Vaughn started his pro career in 2010/11 season. He played for Polpharma Starogard. He tallied 11.6 points, 4.0 boards, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game in PLK. Deonta Vaughn became Polish Cup winner with Polpharma. The guard participated at Reeses College All-Star Game at his senior season with Cincinnati.

Bosnia and Herzegovina grab important win in Tbilisi - by Eurobasket News

Georgia- Bosnia and Herzegovina 103:107

Bosnia and Herzegovina grab important win in Tbilisi at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team improved to 5-2 record in Group D after 107:103 win over Georgia.
It was an offensive game in the court. Bosnia and Herzegovina started with 20-16, but lost the first half. The Georgian side needed 27-20 for 43:40 at the halftime. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) scored for 45:42 and Viktor Sanikidze (203-SF-86) scored three for 62:58. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) posted 4 in a row for 74:72 after three quarters. Bosnia and Herzegovina however erupted with 35-29 to seal the victory.
Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up with 25 points for the winners and Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) nailed 23. Ante Masic (200-F-85, agency: Interperformances) scored 21, while Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) had 16. Manuchar Markoishvili top-scored for the hosts with 23 points and Zaza Pachulia (210-C-84) collected 21 points and 11 rebounds. Tornike Shengelia (203-PF-91) notched 17, Jacob Pullen had 13 and Viktor Sanikidze added 12.

Georgia: Manuchar Markoishvili 23, Zaza Pachulia 21+11 rebs, Tornike Shengelia 17, Jacob Pullen 13, Viktor Sanikidze 12
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mirza Teletovic 25, Zack Wright 23, Ante Masic 21, Elmedin Kikanovic 16, Nihad Djedovic (198-F-90, agency: Beo Basket) 15

New Country New Adventure - by Nate Bowie

Back in action in a new country, the Republic of Georgia. For those who don't know where that is, if you look on a map it is between Russia and Turkey. So this gives the country a wide variety of different cultures. For some people the country might be a bit of a culture shock because it's not your normal European country. Due to the fact that Russia and Georgia was having political disputes, leaving Georgia just recently in history their own country. So just recently they are building new facilities, and more tourist venues for us Americans as well as Europeans from the west. I have no problem fitting into the culture and country due to many years of playing overseas but for some people it will be a bit difficult, as well as being overseas anywhere. But these are the things us professional basketball players overseas give up for our dream.
I been here for about a week now and my president and manager as well as coaches do everything to make me feel at home which is very nice and welcoming. We are about 20 mins away from Georgia's capital called Tbilisi. I live in Rustavi a smaller town with about 150,000 people dwelling in it so it's not to small but at the same time it's not to big. So it's a comfortable size for me coming from a few million people in the Kansas City area. The team is made up of mostly U20 players and a few other older guys from other countries. To be honest they got some game which was surprising, so I think we could have some fun this season. Today we will be attending the national team of Georgia vs Bosnia which probably will be a good game because Bosnia is #1 in the Group and Georgia is #2. So if either team wins today they will for sure qualify for Olympics (FIBA European Basketball). Each team also have a few Americans playing for their national teams. Georgia has Jacob Pullen former K-State alumni and Corey Fisher former Villanova alumni and also Bosnia has Zack Wright.
Here in a few weeks we will have a tournament down in Azerbaijan which will be exciting for me to visit another country that I heard much about. So the season will pick up from their with cup games and than regular season. One of the best things about playing is having a conversation with your coaches and presidents and getting the understanding that they want to compete in euro challenge or euro cup next year. So they are aiming for something great which can determine a persons whole mind set.

For those out there thats still grinding and wanting more in life, hang in there. And also remember many people set small goals because they're afraid to fail. Ironically, setting these small goals is what makes them fail.

Doing big things with my endorsement company 2 DaHole (Richard Rivera). Coming to a magazine near you. Ya check out his apparel and embroidery company. You can add him on Facebook. Nate Bowie (183-G-86, college: Cent.Arkansas)

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GERMANY

Pooh Jeter could agree terms with Art.Dragons - by Eurobasket

Artland Dragons Quakenbrueck (BBL) is close to sign 29-year old American point guard Pooh Jeter (179-79kg-83, college: Portland). He played most recently at FIATC Joventut in Spanish ACB. While playing 31 games for the team from Badalona last season Jeter averaged 11.5ppg, 1.6rpg and 2.9apg. His team was regular season runner-up in Israeli Premier League in 2010. Jeter was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-EuroCup 3rd Team in 2010. He played also pro basketball in Ukraine.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Rainer Szewczyk Retires And Florian Hennen Returns To MTV Kronberg - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Long time MTV Kronberg player Rainer Szewczyk has announced his retirement. Szewczyk is a 30 year old 186cm guard that had played for the Hessen team since 2003. He played 8 seasons in the Regionaliga and in the 2004-2005 season in the German second BUndesliga playing 27 games: 10.1ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 40%, 3FGP: 35.8%, FT: 59.1%. "Rainer has been suffering for months of a achilles infection and inprovement doesnt seem to be in sight. He has been unable to complete a practice without pain. What his expereince means to out team was seen last season in games where he didnt play we lost", stressed MTV Kronberg head coach Mijenko Crnjac.

Rainer Szewczyk Retires And Florian Hennen Returns To MTV Kronberg - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

Long time MTV Kronberg player Rainer Szewczyk has announced his retirement. Szewczyk is a 30 year old 186cm guard that had played for the Hessen team since 2003. He played 8 seasons in the Regionaliga and in the 2004-2005 season in the German second BUndesliga playing 27 games: 10.1ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 40%, 3FGP: 35.8%, FT: 59.1%. "Rainer has been suffering for months of a achilles infection and inprovement doesnt seem to be in sight. He has been unable to complete a practice without pain. What his expereince means to out team was seen last season in games where he didnt play we lost", stressed MTV Kronberg head coach Mijenko Crnjac. The club did get good news in which they have brought back Florian Hennen who had played for MTV Kronberg from 2004-2009. He played for VFL Limburg the last three years.

SC Rist Wedel Name Sebastian Gleim New Head Coach And Four Players Return - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

PRO B club SC Rist Wedel have made it official that Sebastian Gleim will take over the reigns for Ozhan Gurel who was dismissed last week. Gleim is not an unknown face in the SC Rist Wedel organization that has been there since 2009 as youth coordinator and assistant coach. He also is a member of the German U 16 coaching staff. "I took this offer, because it is a great challenge for me to work at this level. We also want to make further steps in the team infrastructure. It is not only about the PRO B, but everything else", stressed Sebastian Gleim . Gleim will also remain youth coordinator and coach the second team. "We are very happy that we could win Sebastian Gleim for this task. He was our first choice. I think he can be successful with his abilities and he knows the surroundings and stands behind the youth program", stressed SC Rist Wedel manager Andreas Bethke. The club also announced that four players are returning with Fabian Boeke, Peter Huber-Saffer, Florian Moysich and Paul Owusu.

Source:SC Rist Wedel

Royal Blues snap up Ramanauskas - by Moritz Korff

FC Schalke 04 (1. Regionalliga West) has announced that Juozas Ramanauskas (207-C-85) has joined the team and will make his debut in an exhibition game against TV Werne on Saturday.
Ramanauskas comes from Kaunas, Lithuania, and has spent the 2011-12 season with KK Radviliskis-Juodeliai, a team of the Lithuanian second division team. He appeared in 46 games last season, posting 10.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. The 27-year-old won silver at the 2005 U20 European Championships with the Lithuanian National Team. During his career Ramanauskas also served short stints in Switzerland and Kazakhstan.

Germany keep the perfect record in Group B - by Eurobasket News

Germany-Bulgaria 79:69

Germany keep the perfect record in Group B of the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The favorites improved to 6-0 record after the win over Bulgaria 79:69. The latter fell at 3-4 record on the third place.
Germany looked better in the first period and opened the game with 17-12. Moreover the hosts added 24-20 in the second frame for 41:32 at the halftime. Both teams nailed 21 points each in the third quarter for the same difference after three quarters. They posted 17-16 in the last stanza to seal the victory. Tibor Pleiss (215-C-89) brought the final five points in the game for the final result.
Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) and Tibor Pleiss stepped up with 16 points each as the latter also grabbed 14 rebounds. Maik Zirbes (208-C-90) notched 12, whilst Lucca Staiger (195-SG-88, college: Iowa St.) posted 10. Chavdar Kostov (195-SG-88, agency: Interperformances) netted 16, while Aleksandar Georgiev (203-F-90, agency: Interperformances) delivered 14 in defeat. Ivan Lilov (196-SG-88) scored 11 and Filip Videnov (197-SF-80, agency: Alti Sport, college: W.Kentucky) finished the game with 10.

Germany: Heiko Schaffartzik 16, Tibor Pleiss 16+14 rebs, Maik Zirbes 12, Lucca Staiger 10
Bulgaria: Chavdar Kostov 16, Aleksandar Georgiev 14, Ivan Lilov 11, Filip Videnov 10

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GREECE

Standings - A2

A2 Standings

1. Agia Paraskevis		0-0
2. Aiolos Trikallon		0-0
3. Arkadikos		0-0
4. Doxa Lefkadas		0-0
5. Ermis Lagkada		0-0
6. Filathlitikos		0-0
7. Ikaroi Serron		0-0
8. Irakleio		0-0
9. Koroivos		0-0
10. Lavrio		0-0
11. Nea Kifisia		0-0
12. Niki Volou		0-0
13. OFI		0-0
14. Pagrati		0-0

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. AEK/Argous		0-0
3. Amyntas Dafnis		0-0
4. Diagoras		0-0
5. Doukas		0-0
6. Enosi		0-0
7. Esperos Patras		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

BC Kavala will participate in Balkan League - by Eurobasket News

BC Kavala will participate in Balkan League in the upcoming season. The Greek side will be part of the BIBL family.
Recently the team added American Jeremy Fears (196-G-85, college: Bradley), who penned a 2-year deal. The American guard arrives from the Austrian team ECE Bulls Kapfenberg. He appeared 34 times for them last season averaging 17.1 points, 6.5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Fears was named to Eurobasket.com Austrian League All-Imports Team -12 and also to Eurobasket.com All-Austrian League 2nd Team -12.
Earlier they added Kavala strengthened their roster. They added William Coleman (206-F-88, college: Memphis) and James Nunnally (200-G/F-90, college: UCSB) to the roster.
In 2011/2012 season the Greek side finished the Regular Season with 13-11 record. In the Quartefinals they lost to Kolossos 0-2.

Lazaros Papadopoulos officially joins PAOK - by Eurobasket News

Lazaros Papadopoulos (210-C-80) officially joins PAOK for the upcoming season. The experienced Greek player moves from Olympiakos.
Earlier the Greek big guy misses few weeks due to injury. Papadopoulos helped Olympiakos to beat Bennet Cantu on Thursday scoring 12 points in this game, 86-61. It was a Euroleague season high for the center. Lazaros Papadopoulos signed for Olympiakos during the pre-season. He split 2010/11 between PAOK and Khimky Moscow Region. With PAOK he had 16 ppg, 12.2 rpg and 2.5 apg for 6 EuroCup games. Later he added 4.2 ppg anf 4.3 rpg for Khimky in Russian league. Papadopoulos played for PAOK also in 2009/10. Before that, he was a member of Real Madrid and Dynamo Moscow. Papadopoulos played for Iraklis and Panathinaikos in the past. From 2000 to 2007, Papadopoulos played for the Greek National Team.

Cherkasy edge Aris in Bulgaria - by Eurobasket News

Cherkasy - Aris 76:53

Cherkasy gained a pre-season victory over Aris in Bulgaria. The teams clashed in Prevec and the Ukrainian team celebrated a comfortable win at the end. Charles Thomas (203-F-86, college: Arkansas) posted 25 points to lead the winners.
Cherkasy earned a 21:11 lead after ten minutes of action. They boosted the lead in the second stanza. The Ukrainian team ensured a 46:20 halftime advantage. Cherkasy stayed in charge throughout the third term. They piled up a 27-point lead heading into the fourth frame. Aris cut the margin by four points in the final period but had to surrender at the end. Vincent Hunter (208-F-84, college: Arkansas) accounted for 15 points, while Maxim Ivshyn (209-C-86, agency: Beo Basket) added 11 points for the winners. Muhamed Pasalic (192-G-87) answered with 19 points for Aris. Antonis Asimakopoulos (204-F-76) had 6 points in the loss.

Cherkasy: Charles Thomas 25, Vincent Hunter 15, Maxim Ivshyn 11
Aris: Muhamed Pasalic 19, Antonis Asimakopoulos 6

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HOLLAND

Leeuwarden lands Robert Holcomb Faye - by Eurobasket

Aris Leeuwarden (Eredivisie) strengthened their roster with addition of 28-year old American guard Robert Holcomb Faye (185-84, college: Radford). He played most recently at MBC in German ProA. While playing 33 games for the team from Weissenfels last season Holcomb Faye averaged 9.6ppg, 2.1rpg and 4.4apg. He helped them to win the championship title. A very spectacular season in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro A 2nd Team. Holcomb Faye played also pro basketball in Austria.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Preseason interview with Head coach Hakim Salem - by Fred Roggen

We continue our preseason interview series, this time with questions for GasTerra Flames head coach Hakim Salem (agency: R.H.Consultancy ).
The GasTerra Flames had a rough 2011-12 season but coach Hakim Salem (agency: R.H.Consultancy ) is really optimistic about what's going to happen the upcoming season.

Being in Groningen, theres a certain level of expectation which probably doesnt exist in other cities in the DBL. No matter where the GasTerra Flames finished the year before, theres always that sense of expectation with the team. How do you manage that and deal with it as a group on an ongoing basis?
Indeed the expectation level in Groningen is probably much higher than other cities in Holland. Basketball is big in Groningen en our fans are proud of their city and expect
the best. I try to explain to my team how we as a team lookto the season and how we will bounce back when facing adversity. It is important how we get back from the setbacks
and that includes also pressure from outside. I am always telling my team when facing adversity, trust your team mates because you are going to need them more than ever.
Together we can fight any kind of setback, work hard and with passion and the reward will follows.

What are you most looking forward to this season?
Coaching this team after couple of weeks is been amazing, the guys are playing with allot of energy and passion, they are all competitors. I am really looking forward to coach
this team in a sold out Martini plaza. I think the fans will react great to this team and it will be electrifying. I am also looking forward to start the season with 10 teams.
Amsterdam is back and it will be a little bit strange for me coaching in the Apollo hal as an opponent. That is also something I am looking forward to this season.

What other coaches really helped you reach the level of success youre at now? How does their advice and teachings still help you to this day?
Most important for a coach, you must be open for advice, no matter how many championships a coach have won. I talk with Arik Shivek, he is still my mentor. He left Belgium, which I really regret, but we will still have contact. Also other coaches and ex-players have been great for me, Mario Bennes, Laki Lakner and other but I cant mention them all. I like to discuss and brainstorm allot with coaches to improve my coaching. In Vegas, I have spent time with Doug Spradley (coach Bremerhaven) and we had allot of talks about being a coach and what kind of pressure we are facing daily. Those moments are very valuable to any coach.

Fans often just see what happens during the games, but talk about which of your guys deserve more credit for working hard in practice, in the workout room, and being leaders off the court:
This year I cant single no one out, they all have a great work ethic. My team is a hard working team in practice and in the weight room. They all are trying to help the young
kids to get better and the whole team is showing a lot of responsibilities. It is great working with this group, they are giving 100% effort and energy.

Discuss the incoming guys for a bit. What type of players are they?
We had 3 new players, as I dont count Dimeo van der Horst as a new player for me. Maurice is an authentic point guard who can score if it is necessary. He makes his team mates look better and makes their job easier by creating allot for them. He played last season in Iceland and before that he played for Georgia Tech in the ACC which is one of
the toughest league in college Basketball.
Jamal Boykin is a high energy powerforward, he played in Turkey, Cyprus and Japan. Jamal is a player who communicate a lot with his teammates and also trying to push everyone to go harder. Like I have said he plays with allot of energy, he is a good scorer around the paint and can attack the basket with both hands, but he also can shoot the short jumper.
Michael Kingma is the big center who will bring experience and toughness to the table. Michael will be our big body under the basket and will help Thomas Koenis in his development. Michael has been solid in rebounding throughout his whole career. Dimeo is practicing and playing with us like he has been always with this team for years.
He is matured in his basketball and together with Maurice they are bring leadership on the point guard position. I am very happy that Dimeo is joining my team after a one year
break.

Who should we expect to take their game to an even higher level this season?
I hope the whole team. But I think Jason will become better this season, last season he improved statistically and I think this coming season he will improve more.
I also think that Jessey will improve a lot this season. Playing with his youth buddy Dimeo and a point guard like Maurice will make it easy for Jessey to become a scorer in
our team. Also Sergio will step up his level much more than last season. I hope that the whole team will take their game to the next level.

How do you see the lineup shaking out to start the season?
I have 9 players which all can be a starter for our team. It is up to them to decide on practice who to start. I want to give Thomas, Jessey and Dimeo the chance to develop as
good as it can be. But they have to prove it everyday on practice and they will do! Like I have said before 80% character and 20% talent, work hard everyday and don't take nothing for granted, that is what it is all about this year. Who start is not even an issue, but who can contribute to the team and make the difference on consistent base.

How good can this years team be?
We just have to wait and see, right now we are not complete due to the Dutch National team, as soon as Ties and Thomas join us we will have to find out. Most important, we work as a team and we keep improving every day.

What are the team's goals for this year?
Become better every week and focus on the next first game. The season is a long race, more like a marathon. It doesnt matter who start well, it is all about who finishes strong .

Thanks Hakim for the time doing this interview. Wish You and the team a succesful season.

Oregon State Lands Dutch Big Man Olaf Schaftenaar - by Fred Roggen

OSU Beavers Beaver fans need to get used to spelling and saying Schaftenaar once again as Olaf Schaftenaar (205-C-93), the younger brother of former mens basketball standout Roeland Schaftenaar, has joined the Oregon State program, head coach Craig Robinson announced on Tuesday.
Olaf Schaftenaar, a 6-foot-9, 219-pound forward, played last season for Real Club Nautico de Tenerife in Spain and averaged 13.6 points in 30 games, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from three-point land. He also played for the Netherlands at the 2010 and 2011 U18 European Championships.
We couldnt be more happy to add another quality player to the program especially this late, Robinson said. Were equally excited about having another Schaftenaar to play for Oregon State. His length and shooting touch is a welcome addition along with his international experience.

Olaf Schaftenaar (pronounced O-loff SHOFF-ten-arr) was born in Utrecht, Netherlands and averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists when he played for the Dutch national championship team in 2010-11.
He is available to play immediately with four years of eligibility and will add depth to an Oregon State frontline that includes Angus Brandt, Joe Burton, Devon Collier, Daniel Gomis and Eric Moreland.

Roeland Schaftenaar played for Oregon State from 2007-10 and was named Most Valuable Player of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) when he averaged 13.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists to lead the Beavers to the CBI championship. He was a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic recipient and was named Pac-10 Player of the Week on Jan. 26, 2009 after the Beavers swept California and Stanford on the road for the first time in 16 years

Courtesy of osubeavers.com

Latvia post an important victory over the Netherlands - by Eurobasket News

Netherlands-Latvia 81:86

Latvia post important victory over the Netherlands at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The Baltic State tied Georgia with 4-2 record in Group D after an 86:81 victory.
Latvia erupted with 33-17 in the first period and dominated the first quarter. They did not mind 16-17 in the second frame to lead 49:34 at the halftime. Netherlands however were too far to give up and posted two victories in the second half. They reduced to 12 points after three quarters and tried hard to catch up with the opponents. Jansen and Kees Akerboom (200-SF-83, agency: Court Side) cut it to 77:82, while Robin Smeulders (207-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Portland) reduced to just three points. Bertans meanwhile made two free throws for the final success.
Kaspars Berzins (211-PF-85) stepped up with 21 points and Rihards Kuksiks (197-SF-88, college: Arizona St.) scored 18. Dairis Bertans (192-SG-89) posted 13, whilst Davis Bertans (205-SF-92) delivered 10. Henk Norel (214-C-87) replied with 24 points in the losing effort and Robin Smeulders added 22. Kees Akerboom brought 13 and Jansen had 8.

Netherlands: Henk Norel 24+10 rebs, Robin Smeulders 22, Kees Akerboom 13, Jansen 8
Latva: Kaspars Berzins 21, Rihards Kuksiks 18, Dairis Bertans 13, Davis Bertans 10

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HUNGARY

Tommy Gunn will be tested by Sopron - by Tamas Deri

The 31 years old, 191 cm tall american guard arrived some hours ago in Budapest and will spend a two weeks tryout-period with the team of Sopron. The very experienced Tommy Gunn (191-G-81, agency: KMG Sports Management, college: Middle Tenn.St.) graduated on the University of Middle Tennessee State and was a very successfull player of the Sun Belt Conference. He finished his NCAA Finished career with 1,528 points ranking him No. 3 on school's all-time scoring list. No. 2 all-time in 3-point field goals made (185), No. 2 all-time in steals (156), and No. 4 all-time in blocked shots 54. He signed his first professional contract with Eiffel Towers in Holland and helped his team with 11.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.8apg in the ULEB Cup and 15.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.6apg, 1.9spg in the Dutch Championship. After two strong seasons in the french Pro B he moved to Besancon Basket Comte Doubs in the France Pro A and averaged 13.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.6spg. He played two seasons in a row with Union Poitiers Basket 86 even in the Pro A and was a key player of his team adding 11.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.2apg, 1.1spg in his first and 7.6ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.3apg in his second season. He was under contract with the team even last season, but did not play any games due to financial dispute.

Ernest Kalve is the last import of Adriatic League team Szolnok - by Tamas Deri

The latvian forward arrived today from Milano to Hungary, where he was practicing and playing pre-season games with EA7 Emporio Armani Milano. The 25 years old and 200 cm tall Ernests Kalve (200-F-87) started his professional carreer with BJBS Keizermezs in Latvia before moving for one season to Benetton Treviso in Italy. During his second season with the former Euroleague Club he was loaned to to Giessen 46ers and played in the German Bundesliga. After these two seasons he moved back to Latvia and spent two seasons in a row with ASK Riga. In the season 2008-09 he was already a key player of his team adding 5.9ppg, 2.6rpg in the Eurocup, 9.7ppg, 4.4rpg in the Baltic League and 15.1ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.1apg in the Latvian League. He spent the preseason in 2009 with Angelico Biella in Italy and played for BK Ventspils in the Eurocup, Baltic League and Latvian League. In November 2010 he agreed with Nevezis Kedainiai in Lithuania and helped his team with 11.2ppg, 4.3rpg in the Baltic and 10.7ppg, 3.7rpg in the Lithuanian League. He started the last season with BK Valmiera in Latvia and was the leading scorer of the League with 18.8 points, but collected also 6.3 rebounds per game. In 10 games of the Baltic League he added 18.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.1spg. In April 2012 he moved to Trabzonspor Basketbol in the top league of Turkey and step on the court in 12 games.

Austria crush Hungary in Schwachat - by Eurobasket News

Austria - Hungary 97:81

Austria drubbed Hungary in Schwachat tonight. The victory allowed Austria to clinch the third position in Group C of EuroBasket Qualifying Round. Rasid Mahalbasic (208-C-90) posted 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the winners.
Austria set the tone early in the game. They went on a 27:15 run in the opening quarter to clear off. Austria and Hungary exchanged baskets throughout the second frame. The hosts ensured a 12-point lead at halftime. Austria erupted for 26 points in the third term to gain a 13-point buffer before the fourth term. Austria did give Hungary a single chance cruising to the victory at the end. Jason Detrick (195-SF-80, college: Oklahoma) finished with 19 points, while Thomas Schreiner (195-PG-87, agency: Dynamics Global Management) accounted for 20 points in the victory. Adam Hanga (200-SG-89, agency: TSS Management) answered with 20 points for Hungary. Miklos Szabo (205-F/C-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group, college: Hofstra) netted 16 points in the loss.

Austria: Rasid Mahalbasic 21, Thomas Schreiner 20, Jason Detrick 19
Hungary: Adam Hanga 20, Miklos Szabo 16

Lakers sign rookie center Greg Somogyi and rookie forward Reeves Nelson - by Eurobasket News

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed rookie center Gergely Somogyi (7'1''-C-89, college: UCSB) and rookie forward Reeves Nelson (6'9''-F-91, agency: Alti Sport, college: UCLA), it was announced today. The deals are likely just training camp contracts, so the players will still have to prove themselves to make the regular season roster.

Somogyi, a 7-3 center out of UC Santa Barbara, played all four years for the Gauchos where he posted career averages of 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.2 minutes. Somogyi most recently played for the 2012 Lakers Summer League team where he averaged 1.2 points, 1.6 rebounds in 7.2 minutes.

Nelson, a 6-8 forward out of UCLA, was also a member of the 2012 Lakers Summer League team where he averaged 4.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes of play. Named to the All- PAC 10 first team following his sophomore year, Nelson played in 68 games for the Bruins averaging 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 27.0 minutes.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

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ICELAND

Israel climb to 5-3 record in Group A EuroBasket Qualification Round - by Eurobasket News

Israel-Iceland 92:75

Israel climb to 5-3 record in Group A EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team overcame Iceland 92:75 and share the second place with Serbia. Iceland meanwhile dropped at 1-7 record in the group.
Iceland surprised the host in the first period and grabbed 20:17 lead. Israel needed the win more and bounced back with 25-18 in the second quarter. Moreover Israel scored 25 points also in the third and the last quarters. They produced 25-19 in the third period and finished the game with 25-18 in the last stanza. Ohayon made the last points for the winning side from the free throw line.
Omri Casspi (204-SF-88) paced all the winners with 22 points and Lior Eliyahu (203-SF-85, agency: Z.A.G. - Law Offices) collected 20 points and 11 rebounds. Alex Tyus (205-C-88, college: Florida) delivered 19 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Ido Kozikaro (202-C-78) posted 8. Jakob Sigurdarson (192-PG-82, college: Birm.Southern) finished the game with 21 points for the guests and Jon Stefansson (196-G-82) brought 20. Finnur Magnusson (208-C-85, college: Catawba) and Pavel Ermolinskij (202-G-87, agency: I.D.S. Law) followed them with 10 points apiece in defeat.

Israel: Omri Casspi 22, Lior Eliyahu 20+11 rebs, Alex Tyus 19+10 rebs, Ido Kozikaro 8
Iceland: Jakob Sigurdarson 21, Jon Stefansson 20, Finnur Magnusson 10, Pavel Ermolinskij 10

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ISRAEL

ITALY

Italy snatch win in Kayseri - by Eurobasket News

Turkey - Italy 82:83

Italy kept their record spotless at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They defeated Turkey on the road to improve at 7-0 record on top of Group F. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) scored 19 points each to lead the visitors. Turkey fell at 3-3 record and endangered their EuroBasket qualifying chances.
Turkey enjoyed a 21:17 lead after ten minutes. They stretched the gap in the second frame. The hosts boosted the gap to as many as 13 points at halftime 44:31. But the Azzurri picked up the tempo in the second half. They fired 25 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark. Turkey still led by six points with under four minutes remaining 69:75. But Italy went on a 7:2 rally to narrow the gap at a single-point mark 76:77. Ender Arslan (190-PG-83) drained a triple but Hackett answered with five points to narrow the margin to a single point again 81:82. Datome then nailed a jumper and Ender Arslan missed his attempt as Italy clinched the victory at the end. Andrea Cinciarini (190-PG-86) accounted for 17 points for Italy. Emir Preldzic (205-SF-87, agency: Beo Basket) and Ender Arslan answered with 12 points each for Turkey.

Turkey: Emir Preldzic 12, Ender Arslan 12
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 19, Pietro Aradori 19, Andrea Cinciarini 17

Roberto Casoli joins Tezenis Verona - by Eurobasket

Tezenis Verona (Lega2) signed 40-year old ex-international center Roberto Casoli (206-108kg-72). He played last season at Forli (Lega2). While playing 25 games for the team from Forli Casoli averaged 5.1ppg and 3.4rpg. His team made it to the Italian Final Four in 2011. Casoli played also pro basketball in Greece. He was a member of Italian senior national team between 1998 and 2002.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Brescia close to get Juan Fernandez on loan - by Eurobasket News

Juan Fernandez (193-G-90, college: Temple) will most likely play for Brescia next season. The Argentinean point guard penned a deal with EA7 Emporio Armani Milano earlier this summer, but he will not play for them in 2012/13. Fernandez was on tryout with Virtus Bologna, but it seems he will join Brescia at the end.
Juan 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.

Virtus Bologna, Tripkovic unable to agree - by Eurobasket News

It seems that Uros Tripkovic (197-G-86) will not play for Virtus Bologna next season. Despite reports by various media that two sides are close to agree a deal, it seems that will not happen. According to Corriere di Bologna, negotiations between two sides are terminated and Bologna team now eyes Andrew Rautins (193-PG-86, college: Syracuse).
Uros Tripkovic missed last season due to injury. In 2010/11 the player had 8.1 ppg and 1.5 rpg for 15 Euroleague games with Unicaja Malaga. He also added 6.5 ppg in 24 Liga Endesa appearances. Tripkovic arrived to Unicaja in 2010. Before that he spent one year with Joventut Badalona. In the past, the shooting guard very successfully played for Partizan Belgrade. From 2006 to 2009 he played for the Serbian National Team.
Andrew Rautins had 7.3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for 17 games with Alicante last season. He joined them at the end of December.

Novipiu Casale too strong for Fulgor Omegna in a friendly game - by Eurobasket News

Fulgor Omegna - Novipiu Casale 53-82

Fulgor Omegna and Novipiu Casale met in a friendly game yesterday. Casale was much better team celebrating easy 82-53 win in this game. Rodney Green (195-F/G-88, college: La Salle) was the leading player in victory with 19 points. Ferrero had 12, Niccolo Martinoni (202-G/F-89) posted 10 and Simone Pierich (198-F-81) netted 9 pts. At the other side, Andrea Saccaggi (192-G-89, agency: Interperformances) was the only player with double digits in scoring with 17 points. Paolo Paci (200-F/C-90) and Farioli stopped to 7 pts each. Fulgor Omegna had a great start making 27-18 lead in the first ten minutes of the game. However, all after that belonged to Casale. They made impressive 20-8 in the second quarter and jumped to 57-47 lead at the end of third period. That was not all as Casale continued in the same rhythm for rest of the game. They made 25-6 in the last ten minutes for the final 29-point win.

Fulgor Omegna: Bertolazzi, Farioli 7, Aralossi ne, Stassi 2, Tour 6, Masciadri 6, Paolo Paci 7, Jovancic 3, Villani 5, Andrea Saccaggi 17. Coach: Di Lorenzo.
Novipiu Casale: Malaventura 7, Rodney Green 19, Antonelli 4, Butkevicius 7, Simone Pierich 9, Giovara 6, Monaldi 2, Niccolo Martinoni 10, Ferrero 12, Ware 6. Coach: Griccioli.

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IVORY COAST

JAPAN

Marcus Cousin signs wit Kyoto Hannaryz - by Eurobasket News

Kyoto Hannaryz bolstered their frontcourt. They added Marcus Cousin (211-C-86, college: Houston). The centre has agreed on terms of 1-year deal with the team. Marcus Cousin started the previous season in Venezuela. He played for Guaiquieries de Margarita. The centre left the team after playing just one game. Later Marcus Cousin joined Caneros de La Romana in Dominican Republic. Marcus Cousin played three games for the Utah Jazz in 2010/11 season. He notched 1.3 points and 1.0 board per game in the NBA. The centre also had stints in D-League, Israel and Turkey. He participated at D-League All-Star Game in 2011. Marcus Cousin made it into All-D-League 2nd Team in 2011.

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LATVIA

Latvia post an important victory over the Netherlands - by Eurobasket News

Netherlands-Latvia 81:86

Latvia post important victory over the Netherlands at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The Baltic State tied Georgia with 4-2 record in Group D after an 86:81 victory.
Latvia erupted with 33-17 in the first period and dominated the first quarter. They did not mind 16-17 in the second frame to lead 49:34 at the halftime. Netherlands however were too far to give up and posted two victories in the second half. They reduced to 12 points after three quarters and tried hard to catch up with the opponents. Jansen and Kees Akerboom (200-SF-83, agency: Court Side) cut it to 77:82, while Robin Smeulders (207-F-87, agency: Court Side, college: Portland) reduced to just three points. Bertans meanwhile made two free throws for the final success.
Kaspars Berzins (211-PF-85) stepped up with 21 points and Rihards Kuksiks (197-SF-88, college: Arizona St.) scored 18. Dairis Bertans (192-SG-89) posted 13, whilst Davis Bertans (205-SF-92) delivered 10. Henk Norel (214-C-87) replied with 24 points in the losing effort and Robin Smeulders added 22. Kees Akerboom brought 13 and Jansen had 8.

Netherlands: Henk Norel 24+10 rebs, Robin Smeulders 22, Kees Akerboom 13, Jansen 8
Latva: Kaspars Berzins 21, Rihards Kuksiks 18, Dairis Bertans 13, Davis Bertans 10

Pieno Zvaigdes roll past Liepajas Lauvas - by Eurobasket News

Liepajas Lauvas - Pieno Zvaigzdes 55:85

Pieno Zvaigzdes earned a comfortable win over Liepajas Lauvas at Triobet Cup. The Lithuanian team will now take on MBC Mykolaiv for the third position at the tourney. The hosts will play against Dynamo Moscow for the fifth place.
Liepajas Lauvas strongly entered the game. They posted a 6:0 lead in the opening minutes. But Pieno Zvaigzdes quickly bounced back. They surged ahead for a 12-point lead after ten minutes. The Lithuanian team stretched the margin to 16-point mark at halftime 47:31. Pieno Zvaigzdes stayed in charge throughout the second half. They eased to a comfortable 30-point victory at the end. Vaidas Cepukaitis (207-C-89, agency: Interperformances) provided 16 points to lead the winners. Toms Leiteris (210-C-90) answered with 13 points for Liepajas Lauvas. Ivars Timermanis (203-F-82, agency: Alti Sport) netted 12 points in the loss.

Ventspils rally past Dynamo Moscow at Triobet Cup - by Eurobasket News

Ventspils - Dynamo Moscow 83:66

Ventspils earned the second straight win at Triobet Cup in Liepaja. They knocked down Dynamo Moscow. Donald Sims (185-PG-87, college: Appalachian St.) scored 27 points to lead the winners.
The Latvian team strongly entered the game. They recorded a 26:16 lead ten minutes into the game. The margin grew at 13-point mark at the big break 42:29. Ventspils dominated throughout the second half. They never loosened the grip and rolled to a comfortable win at the end. Ervins Jonats (199-F-91) posted 13 points for the winners. Akselis Vairogs (195-F-85, agency: Players Group) and Ronalds Zakis (207-F/C-87) added 9 points each for Ventspils.
Ventspils will take on Dnipro for the trophy next.

Ventspils edge Mykolaiv at Triobet Cup - by Eurobasket News

Ventspils - Mykolaiv 75:72

Ventspils knocked down Mykolaiv at the start of Triobet Cup in Liepaja. Donald Sims (185-PG-87, college: Appalachian St.) stepped up with 23 points to lead the winners.
It was a tough battle from start to finish. The teams were tied at 16 after ten minutes. Mykolaiv surged ahead in the second stanza. They grabbed a 41:27 halftime lead. Ventspils cut the deficit in the third term. They got within 10 points before the fourth stanza. The Latvian team denied the deficit in the fourth frame. They levelled things up at 72 late in regulation. Ronalds Zakis (207-F/C-87) became the hero of the game as his three-pointer sealed the victory for Ventspils. Ronalds Zakis finished with 20 points for the winners. Josh Mayo (182-G-87, agency: Ryzhov Stanislav, college: Ill.-Chicago) answered with 19 points for Mykolaiv. Dwayne Mitchell (196-G/F-82, agency: Interperformances, college: La-Lafayette) provided 18 points in the loss.

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LITHUANIA

Pieno Zvaigdes roll past Liepajas Lauvas - by Eurobasket News

Liepajas Lauvas - Pieno Zvaigzdes 55:85

Pieno Zvaigzdes earned a comfortable win over Liepajas Lauvas at Triobet Cup. The Lithuanian team will now take on MBC Mykolaiv for the third position at the tourney. The hosts will play against Dynamo Moscow for the fifth place.
Liepajas Lauvas strongly entered the game. They posted a 6:0 lead in the opening minutes. But Pieno Zvaigzdes quickly bounced back. They surged ahead for a 12-point lead after ten minutes. The Lithuanian team stretched the margin to 16-point mark at halftime 47:31. Pieno Zvaigzdes stayed in charge throughout the second half. They eased to a comfortable 30-point victory at the end. Vaidas Cepukaitis (207-C-89, agency: Interperformances) provided 16 points to lead the winners. Toms Leiteris (210-C-90) answered with 13 points for Liepajas Lauvas. Ivars Timermanis (203-F-82, agency: Alti Sport) netted 12 points in the loss.

Zalgiris wins over Lietuvos Rytas at first Supercup game - by Eurobasket News

At the first Supercup game in B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas arena, B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas gets a 89-71 win over Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius from Vilnius.
Although Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius started the first quarter with 8-4 lead after Janis Blums (191-SG-82) two three-pointers in a row, B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas took immediate action to respond by pressing the guests full court and finishing the first quarter 27-19.
In the second quarter, B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas kept increasing their game intensity with a spurt 15-0. Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius did not manage get back to the close game finishing 1st half 48-30.
2nd half was only a formality. B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas kept building up the lead, club from Vilnius looked helpless. Beginning of 4th quarter, score was 80-51.
Game ended with a 89-71 win for B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas.

B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas: Tadas Klimavicius 13, Paulius Jankunas 13, Tremmell Darden 10, Rimantas Kaukenas 9.
Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius: Janis Blums 12, Renaldas Seibutis 11, Mindaugas Katelynas 11, Leon Radosevic 10.

Sakalai land Zygimantas Sestokas - by Eurobasket News

Sakalai bolstered their roster. They agreed on terms of contract with Zygimantas Sestokas (196-G/F-86, agency: Players Group, college: Hofstra). The deal is meant for one season with an option of extending it. Zygimantas Sestokas spent the last two seasons with Juventus Utenos. Last season the guard notched 4.7 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in Baltic League. In LKL Zygimantas Sestokas posted 4.3 points per appearance. The guard participated at LKL All-Star Game. He became Three-Point Shootout Contest winner. Previously Zygimantas Sestokas had stints with KK Akademija, Meresta, Suduva-Arvi, Martos Napoli. He was Baltic League Challenge Cup winner in 2011.

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LUXEMBOURG

Yann Herrmann joins Contern - by Eurobasket News

AB Contern (Diekirch League) signed 23-year old domestic center Yann Herrmann (197-89). He played last season at BC Mess (N2). Herrmanns team won Luxembourg Cup in 2009. He played also pro basketball in Bulgaria and Romania.

By Eurobasket Data Center

T71 Dudelange land Ryan Sharry - by Eurobasket News

T71 Dudelange filled in the second import position. They added Ryan Sharry (203-F, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management) to the squad. The forward will start his pro career in Luxembourg. Ryan Sharry has just graduated from the Middlebury College. His stats read 18.8 points, 10.3 boards, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game in NCAA3. Ryan Sharry participated at NABC Division III Senior All-Star Game. He helped Middlebury College reach NCAA D3 Sweet 16. Ryan Sharry was trumped NESCAC Player of the Year. He also made it into NABC Coaches Division III All-America 2nd Team. Ryan Sharry made it into D3hoops.com All-America 1st Team.

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MEXICO

Shaquille O'Neal to consider playing two games for Mexicos Fuerza Regia - by Eurobasket News

Shaquille O'Neal (7'2''-C-72, college: LSU) might have to come up with a new nickname soon.

The former NBA big man is reportedly considering a stint with Fuerza Regia of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional League.

Citing tweets from Xavier Cabello of ESPN Deportes, Kurt Helin of NBCSports.com reported that Regias team president Sergio Ganem confirmed that he is in talks with ONeal for two games in October but that no deal is in place at this time.

ONeal wouldnt be the first NBA superstar to play in the Mexican league. Hall of Fame NBA player Dennis Rodman appeared for three games with Regia in 2004. Former NBA player Jamario Moon and T.J. Thompson, a standout at The George Washington University, also played for the team. The team also once had 79 Chinese player Sun Ming Ming, one of the tallest professional basketball players ever.

News of ONeals potential contract with the Mexican league comes in the same week as reports of former NBA MVP Allen Iverson saying that he has the Chinese Basketball Association as a backup option if an NBA team doesnt come forward with an offer.

ONeal is set to begin another season as an analyst on TNTs Inside the NBA, so it will be interesting to see how he manages his day job if this turns into a promising post-NBA career.

Courtesy of http://tracking.si.com

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MONTENEGRO

Montenegro propel over Estonia in Podgorica - by Eurobasket News

Montenegro-Estonia 76:67

Montenegro propel over Estonia in Podgorica for 8-0 record at the EuroBasket Qualification Round. The team won the group with two rounds remaining. Estonia meanwhile fell at 4-4 record and dropped to the 4th position.
Montenegro won the first period 24:15 and continued their dominance in the rest of the game. They added 13-12 in the second frame and led 10 points at the halftime. Estonia reduced to 7 after three quarters when they produced 22-19 in it. Vladimir Dasic (208-PF-88, agency: Beo Basket) later made two free throws for 71:60 and Ivanovic scored four in a row for 73:64. Reinar Hallik (208-C-84) and Sehovic were the last players to score for both teams.
Vladimir Dasic top-scored for the winners with 14 points, while Suad Sehovic (196-G/F-87), Sead Sehovic (196-G/F-89) and Bojan Dubljevic (205-PF-91, agency: Beo Basket) delivered 10 points each. Gregor Arbet (195-G/F-83) notched 12 in defeat, whilst Kristjan Kangur (201-SF-82) and Reinar Hallik brought 11 apiece. Janar Talts (207-PF-83) and Siim-Sander Vene (203-SF-90, agency: Alti Sport) finished the game with 10 points apiece in a loss.

Montenegro: Vladimir Dasic 14, Suad Sehovic 10, Sead Sehovic 10, Bojan Dubljevic 10
Estonia: Gregor Arbet 12, Kristjan Kangur 11, Reinar Hallik 11, Janar Talts 10, Siim-Sander Vene 10

Stelmet Zielona Gora is testing Milos Lopicic - by Eurobasket

Stelmet Zielona Gora (TBL) is currently testing 22-year old Montenegrin center Milos Lopicic (216-90). He played most recently at Lovcen in Montenegrin 1A. While playing 29 games for the team from Cetinje last season Lopicic averaged 17.7ppg, 8.6rpg (best in the league) and 1.1bpg (again best in the league). He helped them to make it to the semifinals. A very spectacular season in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League 1st Team. Lopicic is a very experienced player. He played also pro basketball in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary. Lopicic was a member of Montenegrin U20 national team between 2009 and 2010.

By Eurobasket Data Center

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NBA

Andray Blatche agreed terms with Brooklyn Nets - by Eurobasket

Brooklyn Nets (NBA) added to their roster 26-year old power forward Andray Blatche (211-112kg-86). He played most recently at Washington Wizards (NBA). While playing 26 games for the team from Washington last season Blatche averaged 8.5ppg, 5.8rpg and 1.1apg. His contract is for just one year and for a minimum NBA salary.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Knicks organize early training camp - by Eurobasket News

Knicks sharpshooter Steve Novak (6'10''-F-84, agency: Priority Sports, college: Marquette) told ESPNNewYork.com on Wednesday that he and most of the team have organized a "pre-training camp" starting Monday.

The camp will take place at the Knicks' training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y., and will continue all the way through Oct. 1, when the Knicks must report for media day.

Novak said the activities will include alternating days of basketball and conditioning skills work.

"We just want to make sure we hit the ground running," Novak said.

Travis King, the longtime training adviser for Amare Stoudemire (6'10''-F-82), said it's unique for players to join as a unit this early in the offseason. But he added that coach Mike Woodson, who had the idea for the "pre-training camp," and the key veterans (Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony (6'8''-SF-84, college: Syracuse) and Tyson Chandler (7'1''-C-82)) who picked the date, wanted to do it at this time because they've never been together from the beginning.

"Amare was there in 2010, then Melo came around (in 2011) and then last year with the lockout, they didn't really get to have a training camp," King told ESPNNewYork.com. "I think coach Woodson knows that it's important getting those guys to jell together and knows that they can have a championship-caliber team. Coach knows he's going to have to jell the team earlier, so a lot of the guys agreed to come out earlier in the year."

King said the "pre-training camp" is especially important because the Knicks need to establish a connection between their veterans and new point guards -- a key relationship that will impact the team's chemistry-building. Raymond Felton, Jason Kidd, Pablo Prigioni and Chris Smith didn't suit up for the Knicks last season.

"I think that they've got one of the deepest teams in the NBA, one of the most veteran teams, and they definitely got some guys who are winners. But I think the key with them is going to be getting them to jell," King said. "They've got three point guards who didn't play on the team last year, and that's going to be crucial for them to help the guys who have been there, like Amare, Tyson and Melo, and get everybody on the same page. I think you don't want to try to wait all the way to training camp to do that if possible."

Novak, who's spent most of his offseason training at his alma mater, Marquette, said Woodson wanting to organize the "pre-training camp" speaks volumes about his dedication to the team.

"The way he's gone out of his way this summer to make sure he stays in touch with everybody and visits guys, that goes a long way," he said. "I think to build a winning culture, you have to do a little bit more, and that makes you a better team in the NBA. And I feel like knowing that your coach cares about you and he's thinking about you during the summer, and he has plans for you, that goes a long way."

Courtesy of ESPN

Ex-UCLA forward Reeves Nelson to be invited to Lakers training camp - by Eurobasket News

Former UCLA forward Reeves Nelson (6'9''-F-91, agency: Alti Sport, college: UCLA) will be invited to the Lakers training camp that begins in early October after he signs a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, potentially worth about $700,000 with the team, Nelson told The Times on Tuesday.

Nelson would probably be considered a long shot to make the Lakers. But he considers the training camp invitation to be a blessing, particularly because he was dismissed from UCLA in December of 2011, largely for his disruptive attitude.

I'm very grateful, Nelson said. It's nice because I'm pretty sure that virtually no one thought I could get this far, so it's pretty gratifying.

Nelson played for the Lakers' summer league team in Las Vegas, but he didn't see much action until the last two games. His best performance came in the Lakers' final summer league game against the Clippers, when he had seven points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes.

I didn't get to play very much in the first three games, and after the fact they told me that it was testing my sportsmanship, Nelson said. It was concerning everything that happened at UCLA and they said I did about as good as they ever could have expected.

Nelson said he was asked to come to the Lakers' facility in El Segundo before training camp starts, and that he's been working out there for the past three weeks.

"Mitch [Kupchak] thinks he's a valuable player," said Nelson's agent, J.R. Harris.

Of his possible role with the Lakers, Nelson said, Obviously when you have Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard and Steve Nash and Pau Gasol and everything, you're not going to get a lot of shots up. Im just going to do rebounding, hustle plays.

Nelson was once thought to be a potential first-round NBA draft pick before his career at UCLA derailed. He went undrafted in June, months after a Sports Illustrated expose painted him as a bully.

Nelson filed a $10-million defamation lawsuit against Sports Illustrated in May. The lawsuit contained sworn declarations from 18 former teammates who said certain allegations against Nelson contained in the story were false.

Sports Illustrated has said it stands behind the story.

After his dismissal from UCLA, Nelson played with BC Zalgiris, a professional team in Lithuania. In six games with Zalgiris, Nelson averaged 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 10 minutes, according to the league website. The team released him after five weeks.

Courtesy of www.latimes.com

Spoelstra says Heat will play even faster in 2012-13 - by Eurobasket News

Erik Spoelstra successfully revved up the Miami Heat's offense. He said Tuesday you haven't seen anything yet.

After the Heat played at a faster pace in their championship run than in previous seasons, going from 21st in the NBA in pace to 14th in 2011-12, Spoelstra said on the debut of the Jorge Sedano Show on WQAM that he is hopeful of pushing the tempo further this coming season.

"I hope to play faster," he said. "We turned it up a gear last year and I think we have the personnel to hopefully go even faster. And I think with a normal training camp and a full season, we can build that habit a little bit more."

The Heat's move to more of a transition game came in the wake of an NBA lockout that cancelled the team's summer program and curtailed the preseason.

A faster tempo in 2012-13 also would allow the Heat to maximize the contribution of Ray Allen, the team's prime free-agent offseason addition.

"He's a Hall of Fame-type catch-and-shoot player," Spoelstra said. "We haven't had that element before in our offense. So it's been a lot of fun, trying to X-and-O and come up with new ways to get him open. I don't want to overthink it. I don't want to totally change what we do, but that's a great element to have, that type of weapon."

Of the impending challenges this coming season, Spoelstra said the Heat is braced, with opponents such as the Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers reloading.

"We knew this would be a big summer, one way or another, that there were a lot of teams out there with money, that had an opportunity to make big moves, and some teams did, some teams did improve," he said. "The Lakers certainly did, and that's going to make it all the more fun."

Courtesy of www.sun-sentinel.com

Source: Bulls, Thibodeau talk deal - by Eurobasket News

Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and coach Tom Thibodeau have resumed negotiations about a contract extension for Thibodeau, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The Bulls picked up Thibodeau's option for the 2012-13 season after last season. General manager Gar Forman repeatedly has stated that it is the organization's intention to lock up Thibodeau for the long term, even though talks stalled earlier in the summer.

Thibodeau, who won 100 games faster than any coach in NBA history, was hired two summers ago after serving as an assistant for the Boston Celtics under Doc Rivers. The Bulls have led the league in regular-season wins both years under Thibodeau, who won coach of the year honors in his first season and finished second last season.

Reports surfaced last season that Thibodeau was unhappy he did not have an extension secured. Forman then appeared on "The Carmen, Jurko & Harry Show" on ESPN 1000 and stated that talks had begun before last season and would resume after the season.

Thibodeau and Forman did not immediately return phone messages.

Bulls players, notably Derrick Rose, have been vocal in support of their coach. While Thibodeau has a hard-charging mentality, Bulls players respect the way he prepares and appreciate his work ethic.

ESPN analyst and Thibodeau friend Jeff Van Gundy recently told ESPNChicago.com's Melissa Isaacson that Thibodeau's potential new deal "seems like the easiest negotiation of all time."

"If I was (the Bulls) and Tom agreed to what (Oklahoma City's) Scott Brooks got (a reported four-year deal worth approximately $18 million), the whole thing would take 25 seconds," said Van Gundy, who hired Thibodeau as an assistant with the New York Knicks. "It's a no-brainer ... My thing is he's an elite coach and should be paid like one."

Courtesy of ESPN

Lakers sign rookie center Greg Somogyi and rookie forward Reeves Nelson - by Eurobasket News

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed rookie center Gergely Somogyi (7'1''-C-89, college: UCSB) and rookie forward Reeves Nelson (6'9''-F-91, agency: Alti Sport, college: UCLA), it was announced today. The deals are likely just training camp contracts, so the players will still have to prove themselves to make the regular season roster.

Somogyi, a 7-3 center out of UC Santa Barbara, played all four years for the Gauchos where he posted career averages of 3.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 12.2 minutes. Somogyi most recently played for the 2012 Lakers Summer League team where he averaged 1.2 points, 1.6 rebounds in 7.2 minutes.

Nelson, a 6-8 forward out of UCLA, was also a member of the 2012 Lakers Summer League team where he averaged 4.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes of play. Named to the All- PAC 10 first team following his sophomore year, Nelson played in 68 games for the Bruins averaging 12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 27.0 minutes.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

Deron Williams' return has Avery Johnson, Nets upbeat - by Eurobasket News

At no point leading up to this summer's crucial free agency period was Brooklyn coach Avery Johnson comfortable enough to believe that point guard Deron Williams (6'3''-PG-84, college: Illinois) was a lock to re-sign with the Nets.

Williams grew up in the Dallas suburb of The Colony and narrowed his free agent choices to the Dallas Mavericks and the Nets. Eventually, Williams signed a five-year, $98 million contract with the Nets after seriously considering returning home to play for the Mavericks.

Johnson, who spoke Tuesday at the Fort Worth Dunbar High School assembly, said he and Nets general manager Billy King were never overconfident about Williams' desire to remain a part of the Nets.

"We felt we were going to be able to re-sign Deron," Johnson said. "We felt it was like 80-90 percent, but it was the 10 percent that you were worried about.

"That was the whole key. But I'm glad that's all behind us now and we can move forward and we can have a team that we're hoping is going to be pretty competitive when we get it on the floor."

In addition to Williams, the Nets re-signed three of their own top free agents -- Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries. They also traded for All-Star guard Joe Johnson.

The slew of moves should help the Nets improve on the 24-58 and 22-44 records they compiled during Johnson's first two seasons.

"We're not there yet, we're not a championship team," Johnson said. "We've got a lot of work to do, but at the same time we have a much better talent pool than we've had in the last two years."

Whether that talent upgrade is enough to get the Nets into the Eastern Conference championship race alongside the world-champion Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics remains to be seen.

"We're ready to just get in training camp," Johnson said. "But I will say we're much more versatile than we've ever been, we have more experience.

"Right now we look good on paper. Now we've got to try to take it from looking good on paper and getting in and apply the work to go with it."

Known as a fierce competitor on and off the court, Johnson took over the Mavericks' coaching reins from Don Nelson during the last 18 games of the 2004-05 season and coached them to a 16-2 record and a second-round berth in the playoffs. The next year Johnson led the Mavericks to a 60-22 record and their first appearance in the NBA Finals.

That was followed by a club-best 67-15 record and a surprising first-round exit, then a 51-31 record and another first-round exit.

Through it all, it was perennial Mavericks All-Star Dirk Nowitzki who credited Johnson with changing the Mavericks' culture from an offensive-minded squad into a team with a defensive presence. That defensive culture eventually led the Mavericks to capture the 2011 NBA title under coach Rick Carlisle.

"I think they won the championship because of Rick Carlisle," Johnson said. "Fortunately for me I've kept a good relationship with Dirk and Jet [Jason Terry] and those guys, but I had nothing to do with it.

"Dirk is a superstar. Don Nelson, who I'm going to watch get inducted to the Hall of Fame, had a lot to do with Dirk. I was just kind of one of the limbs on the tree."

As far as retaining the services of Williams, Johnson wanted everyone to know he didn't steal the point guard away from the Mavericks.

"I didn't take anybody," Johnson said. "He was with us first. "We just re-signed our own guy.''

Courtesy of www.star-telegram.com

Shaquille O'Neal to consider playing two games for Mexicos Fuerza Regia - by Eurobasket News

Shaquille O'Neal (7'2''-C-72, college: LSU) might have to come up with a new nickname soon.

The former NBA big man is reportedly considering a stint with Fuerza Regia of the Mexican Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional League.

Citing tweets from Xavier Cabello of ESPN Deportes, Kurt Helin of NBCSports.com reported that Regias team president Sergio Ganem confirmed that he is in talks with ONeal for two games in October but that no deal is in place at this time.

ONeal wouldnt be the first NBA superstar to play in the Mexican league. Hall of Fame NBA player Dennis Rodman appeared for three games with Regia in 2004. Former NBA player Jamario Moon and T.J. Thompson, a standout at The George Washington University, also played for the team. The team also once had 79 Chinese player Sun Ming Ming, one of the tallest professional basketball players ever.

News of ONeals potential contract with the Mexican league comes in the same week as reports of former NBA MVP Allen Iverson saying that he has the Chinese Basketball Association as a backup option if an NBA team doesnt come forward with an offer.

ONeal is set to begin another season as an analyst on TNTs Inside the NBA, so it will be interesting to see how he manages his day job if this turns into a promising post-NBA career.

Courtesy of http://tracking.si.com

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NBLCANADA

NCAA1

Texas Tech reprimanded Gillispie in January - by Eurobasket News

Texas Tech on Wednesday disclosed that it had reprimanded men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie earlier this year after learning he was exceeding NCAA practice-time limits.

Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt said the school reported the secondary violations to the NCAA and the governing body approved the penalty that Texas Tech had decided upon. The letter of reprimand came in January and included language that there would be "no tolerance for disregard of rules," Hocutt told The Associated Press after speaking to members of the local media.

Hocutt added that no tolerance covered a "commitment to the spirit of all rules."

The school is now investigating allegations that Gillispie mistreated players, Hocutt said.

Gillispie, 52, has been hospitalized since Friday and did not respond to a text message seeking comment Wednesday.

"If these allegations are proven to be true then I will be extremely upset and disappointed and will handle accordingly," Hocutt said. He declined to say whether that could include Gillispie being fired.

"I'm very troubled by the information I've heard," he said.

Reports about a meeting with the players and Hocutt were first reported by ESPN.

CBSsports.com reported that Gillispie made players practice long hours, which led to injuries.

"It was pretty bad," Jaron Nash, who transferred to North Dakota after last season, told CBSsports.com. "A lot of guys were really hurt after it. One guy had a stress fracture in both legs."

Hocutt said the penalty last season meant the team was docked twice the number of hours that Gillispie had exceeded during a two-week period in October or 12 hours and 20 minutes. An unnamed assistant coach was also reprimanded.

The NCAA allows 20 hours of practice per week.

Hocutt said several players came to him on Aug. 29 to discuss how they were being treated and he met with the entire team again last Friday.

Hocutt told the AP that he and Gillispie were scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. last Friday. But the meeting never took place because Gillispie called 911 a few hours beforehand and was taken to University Medical Center.

Gillispie told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal last week that he experienced what felt like a "stroke" or a "heart attack." He told the newspaper he has been dealing with stress of late.

Hocutt said he has been to see Gillispie each day the first-year coach has been hospitalized, though they have not discussed the investigation.

He remained hospitalized Wednesday evening.

Gillispie is entering his second year as coach of the Red Raiders. His first Texas Tech team finished 8-23 and won only one game in the Big 12.

When Gillispie was hired by Texas Tech, he had been out of coaching for two years after being fired by Kentucky after just two seasons. He was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in his first season, but his second team failed to reach the NCAA tournament.

Six months after his firing, Gillispie sought treatment at John Lucas' substance-abuse program in Houston. That followed his third arrest for drunken driving in 10 years.

Gillispie got the Kentucky job after leading Texas A&M to three consecutive 20-win seasons. In his previous coaching stop, he oversaw a turnaround at UTEP in which the Miners tied the NCAA record for most improved team from one season to the next.

In December 2009 Texas Tech fired football coach Mike Leach amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion. Leach, who is coaching at Washington State, has denied the allegations.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Top 20 recruit Jabari Bird says he'll sign with California - by Eurobasket News

Salesian (Richmond, Calif.) guard announced Wednesday that he plans to play basketball at the University of California next season, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The 6-6 Bird is one of the top recruits in the country. He took an official visit to the Berkeley campus this past weekend, then canceled other scheduled visits to Washington, Oregon and Colorado. He can sign a national letter of intent Nov. 14, the first day of the early signing period for basketball.

He led Salesian to the state Division IV title last season, averaging 18.7 points and 4.8 rebounds. Considered the No. 20 player in the 2013 class by Rivals.com, Bird is the first commitment in his class for Cal coach Mike Montgomery.

Bird went on his visit with fellow 2013 recruits Marcus Lee of Deer Valley (Antioch, Calif.) and Aaron Gordon of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose).

Bird's father Carl played at Cal and was the team's leading scorer at 15.2 points a game in 1976.

Interestingly, Carl Bird was taken in the 1976 NBA draft, the same year another father of a top recruit named Jabari, Sonny Parker, was taken in the NBA draft.

Courtesy of www.usatoday.com

Ricky Ledo can practice but not play this season at Providence - by Eurobasket News

At one time earlier this year, there was hope and expectation for 2012-13 to be a big season for Providence. But now the program has hit a significant snag in its return to Big East relevance. The school announced Wednesday that 6-foot-6 freshman Ricky Ledo, who was considered by many to be the best player coming into the league, has been ruled a partial qualifier by the NCAA.

That means Ledo can practice with the team -- but he cannot play in games for the upcoming season. The decision comes after Ledo played for four high schools and switched schools five times in three years, thus drawing the attention and detailed examination from the NCAA over his academic eligibility.

"Today the NCAA informed us that the eligibility waiver for Ricky Ledo has been partially approved and Ricky will be allowed to practice with the team but he can't compete in games," Providence coach Ed Cooley said in a statement. "We are excited that Ricky has the opportunity to pursue his education and be part of the team. We believe that this gives us the chance to help him grow as an individual."

Ledo himself was quoted in the statement as, "I am happy to be a student at Providence College. It has always been a dream of mine to represent PC and I am looking forward to my days as a student-athlete.

Pretty boilerplate, yeah, but that's where he and the school stand now. Behind the scenes, I'm sure everyone's pretty disappointed. This ruling, in addition to the shoulder injury to incoming elite freshman point guard Kris Dunn, means the Friars will again not be considered among the league's best. Dunn will miss at least the first month of the season. Objectively, the Friars are now nowhere near as good/talented as they could have been to start the season.

And now things get intriguing beyond Ledo's eligibility. Soon we'll know his loyalty. Ledo has interest from European teams and is considered a future NBA player by others. The NBA's D-League also is an option. There's speculation whether he'll truly be willing to sit from competition for a year while suitors willing to pay him money to play in Europe are ready right now. Ledo started classes this week at Providence.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com

University of Washington escapes with a 67-66 win over Rueil - by Eurobasket News

Washington withstood a barrage of missed shots in the disputed final 4.5 seconds of regulation to escape Paris with a 67-66 win over Rueil in the final game of its European tour on Wednesday.

The game ended in controversy when originally one referee ruled that the Huskies had committed a foul under the basket with 0.1 seconds remaining - which would have given Rueil two foul shots. The Husky bench and cheering section were up in arms though as it appeared that the clock had stopped running with 0.1 seconds stuck on the scoreboard and the buzzer yet to have sounded.

After conferring, the referees decided that the foul had indeed come after the final buzzer should have sounded, giving the Huskies the win and ending their three-game losing skid.

"There were 4.5 seconds left, but the play in itself took about 6.5 seconds," said Husky Coach Lorenzo Romar about his perspective of the finish. "It was good that one of the officials saw it and he called the game in spite of the horn not going off."

The non-buzzer at the end was not the only controversy to the finish of the game. Washington had the ball with 8.1 seconds remaining and three fouls short of reaching the bonus. Rueil fouled on consecutive inbound passes when on the third inbound attempt Scott Suggs was whistled for an offensive foul trying to get open for the pass with 4.5 seconds on the clock. The call fouled out Suggs and could have just as easily gone the other way.

Rueil inbounded the ball on their half of the court and Alexis Sesespringalle took several dribbles before launching an errant shot. His miss was tipped back up by one of his teammates but bounced off the rim. George Mdivani grabbed the miss and put up a third shot that originally was whistled a foul on Washington, but instead marked the end of the game.

"I'm proud of our guys," said Romar. "We overcame a lot of adversity in this game tonight and guys stepped up and got stops when we needed to get stops and we were able to come out on top."

Washington trailed 61-55 entering the final quarter but rattled off the first 10 points of the period to take their first lead since midway through the second quarter. Andrew Andrews (6'2''-G) keyed the run with four points and Desmond Simmons (6'7''-F) gave the Huskies the 63-61 advantage - a lead that they would never relinquish - with an offensive rebound and put-back.

Rueil held a 61-53 lead with 1:12 left in the third quarter but was held scoreless until the 3:19 mark in the fourth period when Ibrahim Saounera stole a pass in the backcourt, was fouled and made both free throws.

Washington got cold late in the fourth as they had several opportunities to extend its lead but missed several shots. Aziz N'Diaye (7'0''-C-88) scored the last points for the Huskies at the 2:36 mark with a tip jam that gave UW a 67-63 lead.

For the game, Washington was 27-for-67 from the field (40.1%). The Huskies were just 1-for-16 from beyond the 3-point arc and 26-for-51 from 2-pont range.

Suggs and C.J. Wilcox (6'5''-G) led Washington with 13 points apiece before they both fouled out. Wilcox also grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds.

Andrews sparked the Huskies off the bench scoring 11 points and dishing 4 assists. He was sorely need on the night as Abdul Gaddy (6'3''-G-92) sat most of the second quarter after picking up his third foul at 9:36 and his fourth foul early in the third period.

"I thought Andrew Andrews played well," Romar said of his red-shirt freshman from Portland, Ore. "He came off the bench and gave us a lift with Abdul in foul trouble. He had to log a lot of minutes."

For spurts of the game, Washington looked like they had tired legs. It was the team's sixth game in nine days. Coach Romar said it was a great sign that his men were able to escape France with the win.

"We've done a LOT on this trip," Romar explained. "We had The Amazing Race earlier today and did a lot of running around.

"We might have been a step slow, but that was part of the adversity that we had to overcome; that was a good sign."

The Huskies ended up with a 3-3 record during the European portion of their trip, but were just 1-3 in France. They have one more game remaining on their schedule this Friday against a Dakar University Club.

NOTES: Gaddy and Suggs have each scored 81 points (13.5 ppg) in the first six contests. C.J. Wilcox is not far behind with 79 points (13.2 ppg) ... Washington attempted 59 less and made 64 less free throws than their opponents during their European swing. The Huskies shot 66-of-107 (61.7%), while their six opponents combined to go 130-of-166 (78.3%) from the line ... The team of Gaddy, Suggs, Hikeem Stewart and manager Nick Matranga won the Husky version of The Amazing Race. The squad was split into three teams and had to visit different sights and snap photos at each stop.

Courtesy of www.gohuskies.com

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POLAND

Stelmet Zielona Gora is testing Milos Lopicic - by Eurobasket

Stelmet Zielona Gora (TBL) is currently testing 22-year old Montenegrin center Milos Lopicic (216-90). He played most recently at Lovcen in Montenegrin 1A. While playing 29 games for the team from Cetinje last season Lopicic averaged 17.7ppg, 8.6rpg (best in the league) and 1.1bpg (again best in the league). He helped them to make it to the semifinals. A very spectacular season in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League 1st Team. Lopicic is a very experienced player. He played also pro basketball in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary. Lopicic was a member of Montenegrin U20 national team between 2009 and 2010.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Friendly tournament starts in Torun on Friday - by Lukasz Lukaszewski

Three teams from PLK and two other clubs from 1st league are going to play in X Memorial Wojciech Michniewicz (184-G-79). Tournament is located in Torun, city where Michniewicz was born and had been playing. This memorial tournament is very special.

Some teams play in Torun only once. But other teams will play twice or even three times in three days. There are no winners in this tournament. Teams are playing friendly games. It
is a great opportunity for basketball fans from Torun to watch teams from the highest polish league live.

Wojciech Michniewicz was born in Torun in 1978. He was very prospect point guard. His biggest achievement was junior championship of Poland with AZS Torun. It had seemed
that he would have a great future in basketball. But he had a bad sickness - bone cancer. Because of the illness he lost his leg. Even without leg he believed that he would play in
polish disabled NT. He died in 2002, when he was 24 years old.

To commemorate memory about this person Roman Klosowski, president of MKS Zryw Torun is organizing special Memorial tournament. In 2003 best junior teams was playing in Memorial. In the following years senior team have been playing in this tournament. It is possible only thanks to city council, voivodeship council and other sponsors.

If you want to have fresh scores from this friendly tournament follow me on Twitter.

Schedule of X Memorial Wojciech Michniewicz:

Friday (7.09.2012):

17: 00 Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg - KS Start Gdynia
19:00 Polski Cukier SIDEn Torun- Trefl Sopot

Saturday (8.09.2012):

15:00 Trefl Sopot - Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg
17:00 Polski Cukier SIDEn Torun - KS Start Gdynia

Sunday (9.09.2012):

12:00 Polski Cukier SIDEn Torun- Siarka Jezioro Tarnobrzeg
14:00 KS Start Gdynia - Franz Astoria Bydgoszcz

Anwils pre-season trip to Lithuania - by Maciej Paszyn

Today the Anwil Wloclawek team held 10 hour long journey to Kaunas where will take part in international pre-season tournament named Stepas Butautas Cup. Coach Dainius Adomaitis team will play first game tomorrow (Thursday) at 4 p.m. local time with Khimik-OPZ Yuzny. Next day will be free for polish club. Last game in group Anwil will play in Saturday at 5.45 p.m. local time with home team B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas. For Sunday organisers planned games for fifth third and the first place of tournament.

The second defeat of AZS Koszalin in his week. - by Maciej Paszyn

After yesterday defeat against Trefl Sopot, AZS Koszalin team lost second pre-season game against KS Start Gdynia 70:68. Team from Gdynia controlled the game through 2 / 3 time of the game. In third quarter their majority grew even up to 18 points. 12 last minutes was involved to a team from Koszalin, however after all they ran short of a few minutes to the win.

KS Start Gdynia - AZS Koszalin 70:68 (23:18, 22:12, 12:15, 13:23)

Start: Jankowski 22, Wojdya 12, Kowalczyk 10, Peka 8, Malczyk 7, Mokros 5, Kucharek 3, Mordzak 2, Andrzejewski 1

AZS: Robinson 18, Mielczarek 15, Harris 14, Leonczyk 10, Wooszyn 9, Bigus 2, Gibaszek 0, Bieg 0, pica 0

Poland edge Finland in Helsinki - by Eurobasket News

Finland - Poland 91:96

Poland clinched the fifth win in 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Finland in Helsinki to improve at 5-2 record in Group E. Finland slipped at 5-1 record after the loss. Marcin Gortat (211-C-84) stepped up with 27 points and 21 rebounds for the winners.
Finland stormed into the game. They fired 24 points to take an 8-point lead after the opening quarter. Poland picked up the tempo in the second frame. The visitors managed to narrow the gap at 7-point mark 43:50. Poland got even closer in the third term. They trimmed the gap at just three-point mark at the final break 69:72. Dardan Berisha (193-SG-88, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group), Przemyslaw Zamojski (194-SG-86, agency: Alti Sport, college: Independence CC) and Marcin Gortat drew things level at 75. Soon Kulig drained a triple to put Poland in front. Koszarek and Dardan Berisha gave Poland a 94:88 advantage with 13 seconds to go and Finland could not recover. Przemyslaw Zamojski finished with 16 points, while Dardan Berisha contributed 15 points for the winners. Gerald Lee (208-C-87, college: ODU) answered with 20 points for Finland. Petteri Koponen (194-PG-88) had 15 points in the loss.

Finland: Gerald Lee 20, Petteri Koponen 15
Poland: Marcin Gortat 27+21 boards, Przemyslaw Zamojski 16, Dardan Berisha 15

Start Gdynia wins, Stelmet Zielona Gora loses in pre-season action - by Eurobasket News

Start Gdynia claimed a 70:68 pre-season victory over AZS Koszalin. Michal Jankowski (192-G-87) scored 22 points to pace the winners. Start Gdynia led by five points after ten minutes of action 23:18. They deepened the margin to 15 points at halftime 45:30. AZS Koszalin cut the deficit at 12-point mark before the final frame. They got even closer in the final quarter but Start Gdynia survived the challenge and eked out a narrow win at the end. Tomasz Wojdyla (201-F/C-77) provided 12 points, while Sebastian Kowalczyk (190-PG-93) had 10 points for the winners. Jeff Robinson (198-F-88, college: Seton Hall) answered with 18 points for AZS Koszalin. Artur Mielczarek (195-F-83) netted 15 points in the loss.
Stelmet Zielona Gora surrendered against Alba Berlin 60:70. Alba piled up a 10-point lead at halftime and stayed in control in the second half. Deon Thompson (203-F-88, college: N.Carolina) finished with 20 points, while Zach Morley (203-F-83, college: Wisconsin) added 17 points to lead Alba. Walter Hodge (183-PG-86, college: Florida) replied with 16 points for Zielona Gora. Kamil Chanas (188-PG-85) banked 11 points for the Polish side.

Kotwica land Piotr Niedzwiedzki - by Eurobasket News

Kotwica Kolobrzeg bolstered their roster. They agreed on terms of contract with Piotr Niedzwiedzki (210-F-93). The forward was about to start the new season with WKK Wroclaw. However the problems with license did not allow him to sign. So Piotr Niedzwiedzki chose Kotwica after considering several offers. Last season the forward spent with Slask Wroclaw. He tallied 3.2 points and 2.4 boards per game in PLK. Piotr Niedzwiedzki also played for WKK Obiekty Wroclaw. His stats read 15.5 points, 10.4 boards, 2.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in 2Liga. He earned All-Polish 2Liga Group B Honourable Mention. Piotr Niedzwiedzki played for Poland at U20 European Championship this summer. He notched 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in Sofia.

Trefl Sopot defeat AZS Koszalin in friendly - by Eurobasket News

Trefl Sopot - ASZ Koszalin 89:69

Trefl Sopot recorded the pre-season victory over AZS Koszalin. Marcin Stefanski (200-F-83) scored 18 points to lead the Sopot team to a comfortable win. Trefl Sopot earned a 21:15 lead after ten minutes. They boosted the margin in the second quarter. Trefl Sopot accounted for a 43:27 halftime advantage. Trefl Sopot kept ASZ Koszalin at distance throughout the third term. The hosts ensured a 21-point lead before the final stanza. ASZ Koszalin cut the margin by just one point in the final term and had to surrender at the end. Filip Dylewicz (202-F-80) delivered 16 points, while Michal Michalak (194-SG-93, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) added 15 points for Trefl Sopot. Pawel Leonczyk (202-F-86, agency: Promotex) responded with 14 points for ASZ Koszalin. Artur Mielczarek (195-F-83) netted 13 points in the loss.

Trefl Sopot: Marcin Stefanski 18, Filip Dylewicz 16, Michal Michalak 15
ASZ Koszalin: Pawel Leonczyk 14, Artur Mielczarek 13

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PORTUGAL

RUSSIA

Anadolu Efes edge Khimky in pre-season game - by Eurobasket News

Anadolu Efes - Khimky 77:71

Anadolu Efes celebrated yet another pre-season victory. They overcame Khimky in Slovenia. Sasha Vujacic (201-SG-84) came up with 16 points to lead the Turkish team.
Anadolu Efes strongly entered the game. They stayed in charge throughout the first half. The scoreboard read 40:33 for Anadolu Efes after the first half. The Turkish team did not loosen the grasp in the second half. They stayed in charge and rallied to a 77:71 victory at the end. Esteban Batista (208-C/F-83, agency: Duran International) provided 13 points, while Stanko Barac (216-C-86) accounted for 14 points in the winning case. Zoran Planinic (199-G-82) answered with 11 points for Khimky. K.C. Rivers (196-G/F-87, college: Clemson) had 10 points in the loss.
Anadolu Efes will next take on Union Olimpija.

Anadolu Efes: Sasha Vujacic 16, Stanko Barac 14, Esteban Batista 13
Khimky: Zoran Planinic 11, K.C. Rivers 10

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SERBIA

Serbia cruise past Slovak Republic - by Eurobasket News

Serbia - Slovak Republic 87:62

Serbia celebrated the fifth win in Group A of EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Slovak Republic to improve at 5-2 record in the third position in the ladder. Nemanja Nedovic (191-PG-91, agency: Beo Basket) scored 20 points to lead the winners. Slovak Republic slipped at 1-7 record after the defeat.
Serbia jumped to an early lead. They outscored Slovak Republic 22:10 in the first ten minutes. The visitors lacked their main offensive weapon Anton Gavel. They accounted for just 15 points in the second frame as Serbia piled up a 17-point lead at halftime 42:25. Serbia dominated throughout the second half. They ensured a 65:44 advantage at the final intermission. Serbia did not slow down in the fourth period and rallied to a comfortable win. Nemanja Bjelica (209-F/C-88, agency: Interperformances) provided 11 points, while Zoran Erceg (210-PF-85) had 10 points for the winners. Martin Bilik (194-G/F-87) answered with 16 points for Slovak Republic. Robert Nuber (187-PG-83) had 9 points in the loss.

Serbia: Nemanja Nedovic 20, Nemanja Bjelica 11, Zoran Erceg 10
Slovak Republic: Martin Bilik 16, Robert Nuber 9

Crvena Zvezda meets Karsiyaka in preseason game - by Eurobasket News

Crvena Zvezda stays undefeated this preseason. The Serbian squad met Turkish Pinar Karsiyaka last night and game finished without the winner, 78-78. Before the game both teams agreed to play only 40 minutes, without overtimes, so Zvezda stays undefeated. Karsiyaka shined in the first half to make 14-point lead. They created 12-19 in Q1 and continued with 18-25 in the second period. Crvena Zvezda slightly improved after the breather closing the gap to 12 pts with ten minutes to go. Former Euroleague scoring champion Igor Rakocevic (193-G-78) and Boris Savovic (206-F-87, agency: Beo Basket) stepped up for Zvezda in Q4 and teams went to very exciting finish. Crvena Zvezda even had a chance to win, but Rakocevic missed one free throw at the very end. He scored 20 points in this meeting, while Savovic and Filip Covic (180-PG-89, agency: Interperformances) added 12 points each. Center Rasko Katic (208-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) helped his new team with 11 points and Marko Simonovic (202-F-86, agency: Beo Basket) scored 8.

Vrsac inks Svetozar Popovic - by Eurobasket News

Vrsac signed Svetozar Popovic (195-G-87) for the upcoming season. Yesterday, the team hired Oliver Popovic as new Head Coach.
Svetozar Popovic most recently played for the Austrian team BC Vienna. He joined them in January, but they parted ways after only 3 games. The player had 7.3 ppg, 3.7 apg and 3.3 rpg. Popovic split 2010/11 season between Vojvodina Srbijagas and French third division team Golbey Espinal Thaon Vosges. With Vojvodina he had 5.8 ppg and 1.9 rpg for 17 games in A League. Later the player added 9.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 3.5 apg for 13 NM1 games with Vosges. In the past, he was a member of Mladost Cacak and Sloga. In 2007, Popovic was on the list of candidates for the Serbian U20 National Team.

Great Leo leads Partizan against Karsiyaka - by Ivan Milenkovic

Partizan played second friendly game in two days, again in empty Pionir. This time, Serbian champions hosted Turkish team Karsiyaka and won 77-69 (23-27, 25-9, 18-16, 11-17).
Besides Davis Bertans, Vladimir Lucic, Danilo Andjusic, Dejan Musli and Torey Thomas, hosts played without Drew Gordon who will recover from minor injury quickly.
Despite playing without six players, Partizan managed to win thanks to excellent Leo Westermann (198-G-92) who scored 29 points. Two more players scored in double figures - Djordje Gagic (210-C-90) 16 and Bogdan Bogdanovic (197-F-92) 11. Dragan Milosavljevic added 8 points, Branislav Djekic 6, Nemanja Besovic 4, Marko Cakarevic 2 and Michal Cekovsky 1.

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SLOVAKIA

SLOVENIA

Zlatorog tabs another Croatian - Damir Miljkovic - by Eurobasket

Zlatorog Lasko (Telemach League) added to their roster 32-year old Croatian ex-international guard Damir Miljkovic (194-80). He played most recently at Kaptol in Croatian A2. Miljkovics team (he played at that time at Cibona) made it to A1 League Semifinals in 2011. He was also voted to Polish League All-Imports Team (by PLK) in 2009. Miljkovic played also pro basketball in Greece and Russia. He was a member of Croatian international program for some years. Miljkovic was a member of Croatian senior national team in 2006 and previously for U21 national team in 2001.

By Eurobasket Data Center

216cm Frano Marasovic is a newcomer at Zlatorog - by Eurobasket

Zlatorog Lasko (Telemach League) agreed terms with 20-year old Croatian center Frano Marasovic (216-92). He played most recently for junior team of Zadar in Croatian A1. He is a member of Croatian U20 national team. Marasovic represented Croatia at the European Championships U20 Division B in Sofia (Bulgaria) this year. His team won Gold and Marasovics stats at this event were 4 games: 3.3ppg, 1.8rpg.

By Eurobasket Data Center

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SOUTH AMERICAN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Outstanding Venezuelan Jose Bravo to Uruguay - by Wolfgang Lucena

Gigantes de Guayana's center Jose Juan Bravo (202-C-86) will join Defensor Sporting in the Uruguayan professional basketball league. Outstanding Venezuelan center will take with him to Uruguay all the experience earned in overseas professional basketball Leagues such Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela as well.
Jose Juan Bravo plays an important role with his Venezuela LPB team Gigantes de Guayana; now the center Jose Juan Bravo is playing in with Bravos de Portuguesa in the Venezuela National League.

@Lucena1105

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SPAIN

Cajasol has no mercy for Caceres, 100-55 - by Eurobasket News

Caceres - Cajasol 55-100

Caceres and Cajasol met in a friendly game last night. The visiting squad had no mercy for the hosts celebrating huge 100-55 victory. Cajasol took control on its rival from the very beginning and never looked back. Luka Bogdanovic (210-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) and Brian Asbury (200-SF-86, college: Miami, FL) led the winners with 16 and 15 points respectively. Joan Sastre Morro (201-F-91) was third scorer in Cajasol with 14 points and Bradley Buckman (203-F-84, college: Texas) had 10. In the loosing squad, Olu Ashaolu (200-F-88, college: Oregon) was better than the others with 11 points, while Pedro Robles (192-G-77) and Antonio Pena (203-F-86, college: Villanova) added 10 pts apiece. Cajasol made 27-13 lead in the first quarter and later jumped to impressive 56-26. Rest of the game was just the formality. Caceres was not able to reply and faced with 45-point loss at the end. Few important friendly games will be played on Friday. Real Madrid - Obradoiro, Murcia - Estudaintes and Lagun Aro GBC - Limoges.

Caceres: Olu Ashaolu 11, Pedro Robles 10, Antonio Pena 10
Cajasol: Luka Bogdanovic 16, Brian Asbury 15, Joan Sastre Morro 14, Bradley Buckman 10

Fiatc Joventut to sign Moses Ehambe - by Eurobasket News

Fiatc Joventut is close to sign Ehambe Moses Randall (198-G/F-86, college: ORU) for the upcoming season. According to Spanish media, two sides already agreed a deal. The Congolese/American forward should join as 'cotonou'. Ehambe spent last season with the NBA D-League team Iowa Energy. He appeared 48 times for them averaging 12.9 points and 2.7 rebounds. In 2010/11 season Ehambe Moses Randall changed three teams. He started with Ourense collecting 9.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for 16 LEB Gold games. In February of 2011 he moved to Austin Toros and finally finished the season with Iowa. In the past, Ehambe also played for Tulsa 66ers. He graduated at Oral Roberts University in 2008. This summer Ehambe Moses Randall played for the San Antonio Spurs in 2012 NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas. He had 1.3 ppg for 3 games. Ehambe Moses Randall played for the USA National Team at Panamerican Games in Guadalajara last summer. He had 4.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg for 5 games and USA won the bronze medal. He participated at the NBA D-League All-Star Game last season.

Alicante hands 94-72 loss to Princeton University in Valencia - by Eurobasket News

Alicante played its first preseason game this summer. They cruised past Princeton University in Valencia 94-72. Alicante was better team during the entire game. They made 15-11 in the first ten minutes and increased its lead to 7 until the halftime. Nothing has changed after the breather and Alicante continued in the same rhythm making 25-21 in Q3. It means that the Spanish squad entered to the last ten minutes with double digit lead and Princeton was not able to reply. The Americans faced with 22-32 in Q4 for 22-point loss at the end. Albert Sabat (187-PG-85) was the leading player in victory with 17 points. Jesus Fernandez (204-C-75) scored 16, veteran Darryl Middleton (203-F/C-66, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group, college: Baylor) had 11 and Pedro Rivero (186-PG-79) netted 9 points. Rafael Huertas (189-G-84, agency: Court Side) also posted 9 points in this meeting. Alicante will host Real Madrid next week.

Yannick Bokolo leaves Cajasol training camp, two week period over - by Eurobasket News

Yannick Bokolo (188-SG-85) left Cajasol training camp and returned to France. Two-week period expired and Spanish club thanked Bokolo for his hard work. The player joined Cajasol to help them during the first part of preparations. He left Gravelines earlier this summer, despite the team offered him 5-year contract extension. Bokolo spent last four years with Gravelines. He had 8.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.6 apg for 10 EuroCup games last season. The player also added 7.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.9 apg for 31 games in ProA. Gravelines was ProA regular season champion, but they failed to Cholet in the Quarterfinals. Before Gravelines, Yannick Bokolo played for Le Mans. They won ProA title and Semaines des As in 2006. A year ago, Bokolo won Semaine des As trophy also with Gravelines. He was named MVP. Yannick Bokolo appeared 6 times with the French National Team in London this summer registering 1.2 ppg.
Yesterday Cajasol strengthened their squad. They added Nikola Radicevic (194-G-94). The young Serbian guard played for Partizan Beograd junior team recently. He participated at U18 European Championship this summer. Nikola Radicevic tallied 12.4 points, 5.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in Lithuania. The guard helped Serbia clinch Bronze medals at the tournament. Nikola Radicevic made it into All-European Championship U18 1st Team. He was also trumped Best Guard at the tourney. Nikola Radicevic also played for U16 and U17 Serbian National Teams. He was U19 Serbian championship winner in 2012.

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SWEDEN

Azerbaijan gain important win over Sweden - by Eurobasket News

Azerbaijan - Sweden 82:76

Azerbaijan celebrated an important victory in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Sweden at home court to improve at 4-3 record in Group B. Sweden fell at 3-3 record after the loss. Orhan Haciyeva (200-PF-89) scored 28 points and grabbed 13 boards to lead the hosts.
Azerbaijan pulled ahead early in the game. They posted a 25:19 lead after ten minutes. Sweden struck back in the second quarter. The Scandinavian team erased the deficit as Jonas Jerebko (206-PF-87) put them ahead 39:38. However Pashayev capped the half with a jumper and Azerbaijan claimed a 40:39 halftime lead. The teams went neck and neck throughout the third term. The lead changed hands for several times before Charles Davis sent the team into the fourth frame with the home side leading by two 60:58. Fuad Niftaliyev (185-PG-80) scored four points in a row 7:0 run from Azerbaijan that put them up by 10 points 76:66 midway through the final frame. Sweden never got closer than four points as Azerbaijan rallied to the victory. Fuad Niftaliyev accounted for 17 points, while Rasim Bashak (200-F-80, agency: Court Side) added 13 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. Jonas Jerebko answered with 20 points for Sweden. Joakim Kjellbom (213-C-79, college: N.Arizona) had 19 points and 13 boards in the loss.

Azerbaijan: Orhan Haciyeva 28+13 boards, Fuad Niftaliyev 17, Rasim Bashak 13
Sweden: Jonas Jerebko 20, Joakim Kjellbom 19+13 boards

Mats Levin is back to Solna Vikings - by Eurobasket News

Great news for the Solna Vikings fans. Mats Levin (188-PG-77) is back to the club after five years. He was the Viking in 2006/07 season and also played for the club from 1996 to 1999. Actually, Levin played for the Vikings in 2008/09 as well, but he appeared only in two games at that time. Last two seasons Levin spent with Italian Scafati. In the latest one he had 7.2 ppg, 2.9 apg and 2.1 rpg for 37 games in LegaDue. Before Scafati, the player split 2009/10 season between Sundsvall Dragons and Fastweb Junior Casale Monferrato. With Sundsvall he had 11.2 ppg, 5.8 apg and 2.7 rpg for 17 Basketligan games. In the past, Mats Levin played for Pavia, Novara, Ticino, Capo dOrlando, Cantu, Hagen, Bamberg and St.Polten. He was a member of the Swedish National Team from 2001 to 2010.

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SWITZERLAND

TURKEY

Friendly games - by Eurobasket News

Banvit met Bennet Cantu in a friendly game yesterday. The Italian squad celebrated huge 92-64 victory. Sammy Mejia (198-G-83, college: De Paul) scored 14 points in Banvit and Kenan Bajramovic (205-C-81) had 12. Kalin Lucas (185-PG-89, college: Michigan St.) stopped to 10 pts.
Vestel grabbed 75-74 win over Akhisar. Ilker Turel was a key player in victory with 19 points. Guven Esmer (193-G-80) and Emre Ozpulat (200-F-82) answered with 15 pts each in defeat.
BEST Balikesir blasted Gelisim Koleji 74-48 getting 22 points from Mehmet Ozdogan (198-F-87). Sercan Ergin (197-C-83) had 11 points in defeat.
Bandirma Kirmizi escaped with 76-74 win against Istanbul BSB. Raymond Sykes (206-F/C-86, college: Clemson) stepped up for Bandirma with 22 points. Arthur Johnson had 16 pts at the other side.

Anadolu Efes edge Khimky in pre-season game - by Eurobasket News

Anadolu Efes - Khimky 77:71

Anadolu Efes celebrated yet another pre-season victory. They overcame Khimky in Slovenia. Sasha Vujacic (201-SG-84) came up with 16 points to lead the Turkish team.
Anadolu Efes strongly entered the game. They stayed in charge throughout the first half. The scoreboard read 40:33 for Anadolu Efes after the first half. The Turkish team did not loosen the grasp in the second half. They stayed in charge and rallied to a 77:71 victory at the end. Esteban Batista (208-C/F-83, agency: Duran International) provided 13 points, while Stanko Barac (216-C-86) accounted for 14 points in the winning case. Zoran Planinic (199-G-82) answered with 11 points for Khimky. K.C. Rivers (196-G/F-87, college: Clemson) had 10 points in the loss.
Anadolu Efes will next take on Union Olimpija.

Anadolu Efes: Sasha Vujacic 16, Stanko Barac 14, Esteban Batista 13
Khimky: Zoran Planinic 11, K.C. Rivers 10

Italy snatch win in Kayseri - by Eurobasket News

Turkey - Italy 82:83

Italy kept their record spotless at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They defeated Turkey on the road to improve at 7-0 record on top of Group F. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) scored 19 points each to lead the visitors. Turkey fell at 3-3 record and endangered their EuroBasket qualifying chances.
Turkey enjoyed a 21:17 lead after ten minutes. They stretched the gap in the second frame. The hosts boosted the gap to as many as 13 points at halftime 44:31. But the Azzurri picked up the tempo in the second half. They fired 25 points to narrow the gap at 6-point mark. Turkey still led by six points with under four minutes remaining 69:75. But Italy went on a 7:2 rally to narrow the gap at a single-point mark 76:77. Ender Arslan (190-PG-83) drained a triple but Hackett answered with five points to narrow the margin to a single point again 81:82. Datome then nailed a jumper and Ender Arslan missed his attempt as Italy clinched the victory at the end. Andrea Cinciarini (190-PG-86) accounted for 17 points for Italy. Emir Preldzic (205-SF-87, agency: Beo Basket) and Ender Arslan answered with 12 points each for Turkey.

Turkey: Emir Preldzic 12, Ender Arslan 12
Italy: Danilo Gallinari 19, Pietro Aradori 19, Andrea Cinciarini 17

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UBA

UBA Free Agency: Jay Bowdy Ready for Big Season After Treatment For Knee Injury - by David Walls

David Walls
September 6, 2012

So far, one of the most surprising moves of the off season for the new UBA franchise (North Texas Fresh) when it comes to free agency has been their reports of drafting ABA All-Star Jay Bowdy (6'6''-F-83, college: W.Georgia). Despite a long history of knee injuries and a recommendation from a team orthopedist that he never play again, he has decided to make a comeback in the game and it's the Fresh will be looking to draft him in the 2012 UBA draft.

According to Bowdy's agent, he has been working hard to make sure that he makes an impact in his first full season in the UBA after a couple of procedures to get his knee ready for playing:

Adding in Bowdy, if he can stay healthy, is a big coup for any Western Conference team in the UBA. Bowdy played briefly in the UBA before going down with a knee injury. He only played in 6 games averaging over 16 points per game. Most likely he will be drafted by the North Texas Fresh due to his strong roots in Fort Worth.

At the peak of his career, Jay Bowdy was one of the NJCAA premier small forwards, a rare blend of scoring, athleticism and all-around cerebral play. The NJCAA standout signed with West Georgia but was forced into early retirement just when he announced that his knees had degenerated to the point where they lacked cartilage between the bones (In his junior season). It was a harsh blow to West Georgia and to Bowdy, who at 22 years old was supposed to be entering his basketball prime.

After a year off Bowdy enter the NBA Dleague draft where he made the final cut for the Austin Toros. He would later join the West Texas Whirlwinds of the ABA. He was later named an All-Star after a breakout season with an average of 20.3ppg. Usbasket.com honored Bowdy with 1st Team All-Rookie and All-ABA. Things looked to be back on track for his career after his first full season since the ACL injury.

In the Fall of 2010 Bowdy joined the UBA with high hopes of making it to the next level due to the great success rate of UBA talent going overseas. Longtime friend and former teammate Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-G/F-82, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: Point, GA) was entering into his 2nd season in the UBA after winning his first MVP award. Barnes introduced Bowdy to the league and looked for a future with GIE.

"Me and Jay had grown a great relationship and I was very excited to see him come over to the UBA", said Barnes. I would always attend his ABA game and always dreamed of us teaming up again someday.

Barnes and Bowdys dreams came true as the two joined forces with the GIE Maile Matrix (Disciples). The two were looked a pound to be the next Jordan and Pippen of the UBA; but these dream were cut short after Bowdy went down with yet another knee injury.

Now the 2012 UBA Rookie has fully committed himself to a comeback. "I wouldn't be going back out there if I wasn't ready to play at a high level," Bowdy said to his hometown radio station Fort Worth Texas. Bowdy explained the medical procedure, which was executed in Dallas, as one "where they draw my blood, they spin it, they pull some different things out of it [and] they inject it right back into the joint."

Jay Bowdy will enter the 2012 UBA draft which will take place November 3, 2012 in Atlanta, GA.

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UKRAINE

UNITED KINGDOM

Tayo To Lions - by Paul Nilsen

London Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay has added British forward Tayo Ogedengbe (198-F-87) to the London Lion's roster ahead of the 2012/13 season.

Ogedengbe, 6'7", was the leading English scorer in the BBL last season averaging 17 points a game for the Guildford Heat and 5 rebounds.

The athletic forward scored at 60% from the floor with a season high 32 points twice in the season and brings three years of BBL experience to the Lions.

Coach Macaulay had this to say, "I am excited to bring a talent like Tayo's to the London Lions, a lot of players in London have always wanted to represent at the highest level in their city, here is a great opportunity for him and other young English players. With the help of the GLL Sport Foundation we have been able to make this happen." Having attended the Gran Canaria Basketball Academy in Spain, 25 year old Ogedengbe got his BBL debut with the Capitals before moving to the Heat.

Macaulay expects his new signing to move up a notch this season, "This is a time for Tayo to begin to fulfil his real potential, his energy and work rate are second to none in the BBL, his development in basketball savvy will continue this season and I am sure he will become a firm fan favourite amongst Lions fans"

Player announcements continue everyday for London's new professional basketball team as the season approaches.

The first chance for London to see all the Lions in action will be on Saturday 8th September at 8pm when the team plays a pre-season friendly against Team USA Select. Tickets will be charged at a flat 6 for this game. Prior to the game the USA B Team will face the Essex Leopards at 6pm, Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the door. Both games will be played at the Lions home of Crystal Palace National Sports Centre.

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VENEZUELA

Standings - LNB

LNB Standings

Central-East
1. Guacharos		5-1
2. Estudiantes		4-2
3. Tiburones		3-1
4. Rojos de Sucre		0-4
5. Atleticos UCV		0-6
Central-West
1. Cent.Apure		5-1
2. Aduaneros		4-2
3. Bravos		4-2
4. Generales		2-4
5. Lanc.Cojedes		1-5

Regular Season: Round 5

Sep. 7: Generales - Cent.Apure
Sep. 7: Tiburones - Estudiantes
Sep. 7: Bravos - Aduaneros
Sep. 7: Atleticos UCV - Rojos de Sucre
Sep. 7: Lanc.Cojedes - Guacharos
Sep. 8: Generales - Cent.Apure
Sep. 8: Tiburones - Estudiantes
Sep. 8: Bravos - Aduaneros
Sep. 8: Atleticos UCV - Rojos de Sucre
Sep. 8: Lanc.Cojedes - Guacharos

Travis Derochowski got a deal with Athletics UCV in Venezuela - by Wolfgang Lucena

6'10'' power forward/center Travis Derochowski will arrive in Venezuela next week from McMinnville, Oregon to join Athletics UCV towards 2012 Venezuela National Basketball League.
Athletics UCV lead by its head coach Freddy Rengifo Rizzo, has been training since the last week of June this year in order to get ready for the upcoming 2012 Venezuela National Leagues Tip Off. "Our main focus in this years practices is to improve last years experience...Travis Derochowski will be a great help for us...I am sure he will bring a lot of respect in the post position...we are really excited with this agreement" - Head Coach Freddy Rengifo Rizzo
Derochowski earned First Team All-Cal Pac honors in 2010-2011. He also led the conference in rebounds and shots blocked. Later at Simpson University Travis Derochowski averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in two California Pacific Conference games and the big guy from McMinnville was selected as the California Pacific Conference Men's Basketball player of the week for the date of January 23rd through January 29th, 2012.
His size and experience will be welcome to Athletics UCV in Venezuelas Basketball National League.

Outstanding Venezuelan Jose Bravo to Uruguay - by Wolfgang Lucena

Gigantes de Guayana's center Jose Juan Bravo (202-C-86) will join Defensor Sporting in the Uruguayan professional basketball league. Outstanding Venezuelan center will take with him to Uruguay all the experience earned in overseas professional basketball Leagues such Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela as well.
Jose Juan Bravo plays an important role with his Venezuela LPB team Gigantes de Guayana; now the center Jose Juan Bravo is playing in with Bravos de Portuguesa in the Venezuela National League.

@Lucena1105

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Women News

Standings

Adriatic League Standings

1. Athlete Celje			0-0
2. Celik			0-0
3. Hemofarm			0-0
4. Ilrija			0-0
5. Mladi Krajisnik			0-0
6. Novi Zagreb			0-0
7. Partizan			0-0
8. PEAC-Pecs			0-0
9. Radivoj Korac			0-0
10. Sloboda			0-0
11. Vojvodina			0-0
12. Vozdovac			0-0

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AFRICAN CHAMPIONS CUP

ACCMW Qualifier: First Bank surrenders to ABC 38-59 - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Two-time winner of the continent most prized women club competition FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women, First Bank basketball club of Nigeria Tuesday surrenders to the superior fire power of energetic Abidjan Basket Club of Cote dIvoire by 38-59.

The Elephant Girls as the bankers are known in Nigeria could only manage to record three points in the first quarter which ended 03-16 in favour of ABC.

The coach Adewumi Aderemi tutored Nigeria side tried to take the bull by the horn putting so much resilience in the second quarter winning by 19-17 for a half-time score of 22-33 points but that was how much they could achieve as the ABC girls put up a good fight to win the remaining two quarter (08-10, 08-16) for a cumulative score-line of 38-59 points.

First Bank basketball club now has a 1-2 record with one more game to play but remain second on the log as it co-Nigerian side First Deepwater basketball has two more games left with ABC with one more game to go clearly remain unstoppable.

DAY-3 PAIRING - 04/09/2012
LPRC OILERS VS ROYAL HOOPERS - 10H00 (MEN)
C-DELTA VS K-DELTA - 12H00 (WOMEN)
FIRST BANK VS ABD - 14H00 (WOMEN)
KANO PILLARS VS ABC - 16H00 (MEN)

ACCMW Qualifier: C-Delta lost to K-Delta 47-61 in Liberia affair - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Not even the presence of Hon George owner and financial of C-Delta basketball club could stop from defeat as they lost by 47-61 points to city rival K-Delta in Day-3 of the Africa Champions Cup qualifier for women at the gymnasium of the SKD Sports Complex, Monrovia.

The C-Delta ladies lost the first, second and last quarter (12-18, 10-14, 10-16) but manage a 15-13 points win in the third quarter which was not enough to save them from defeat.

C-Delta thus remains the only team in the pool of five teams in attendance with no win as it occupies the rear of the five-team log.

DAY-3 PAIRING - 04/09/2012
LPRC OILERS VS ROYAL HOOPERS - 10H00 (MEN)
C-DELTA VS K-DELTA - 12H00 (WOMEN)
FIRST BANK VS ABD - 14H00 (WOMEN)
KANO PILLARS VS ABC - 16H00 (MEN)

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AUSTRALIA

WNBL talent fills Gems squad for Oceania C'ships - by Eurobasket News

A total of six WNBL players have been named in the squad that will travel to New Zealand aiming to book their place in the 2013 FIBA Under 19 World Championship.

Leading the talent-filled squad is 2012 Betty Watson WNBL Rookie of the Year Carley Mijovic (197-C-94), who capped off a great season with the AIS by signing with her hometown club Dandenong Rangers for the upcoming campaign.

The exciting young centre will be part of an Australian squad eager to maintain the impressive record of winning in the Oceania region and will be joined by five other WNBL contracted players.

Fellow Dandenong Ranger Tenaya Phillips, Logans Mikhaela Donnelly, West Coast Waves youngster Darcee Garbin, Canberras Casey Samuels and Adelaide Lightning rising star Stephanie Talbot round out the WNBL contingent, offering Gems Coach Cheryl Chambers plenty of quality at her disposal.

The 2012 Under 19 Oceania Championships take place in Porirua, New Zealand from 20-22 September.

Mikhaela Donnelly
QLD South/ AIS

Darcee Garbin
WA Country/ AIS

Jessica Good
SA Metro

Brianan Kentwell
NSW Metro

Tiana Mangakahia
QLD South/AIS

Carley Mijovic
VIC Metro/ AIS

Maddison Penn
NSW Country

Tenaya Phillips
VIC Metro

Casey Samuels
NSW Metro/ AIS

Stephanie Talbot
SA Country/ AIS

Madeleine White
VIC Country

Alex Wilson
SA Country/ AIS

Injury reserves

Ellen Kett
VIC Metro

Abby Wehrung
VIC Country/AIS

Courtesy of WNBL Australia

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DENMARK

IK Eos signs Danish guard Anna Seilund - by Eurobasket News

Anna Seilund (174-G-93) will continue her career in Sweden. The Danish guard penned a 1-year deal with IK Eos. They compete in Damligan. Seilund spent last two years with BK Amager. In the latest season she had 11.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 4.3 apg (No.1) for 15 league games. She was named to Eurobasket.com All-Danish Dameligaen 2nd Team -12. Seilund and Amager reached Playoff and Cup Semifinals. In 2010/11 season the player had 10 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.7 apg for 18 appearances. Last summer, Anna Seilund played for Danish U18 National Team. She shined with 14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.3 apg for 8 games at U18 EuroBasket in Miskolc. She was named to Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Division B 3rd Team -11. In 2010, she played for U18 Denmark as well. In the past, Seilund was a member of U16 NT.

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GREECE

UNB Obenasa brings in Greek NT forward Katerina Sotiriou - by Eurobasket News

UNB Obenasa continues with signings for the upcoming season. They penned a deal with Greek National Team forward Katerina Sotiriou (187-F-84, agency: FCM). She is not a new face in LFB as she already played for Mann Filter last season. She joined them in November averaging 5.6 points and 3.5 rebounds for 19 games. Sotiriou started the season with Athinaikos, where she also played in 2011. They won the Greek championship titles together, while the player was named to Eurobasket.com All-Greek League 1st Team -11. In the past, Sotiriou was a member of Esperides and Aris Holagros. She participated twice at the Greek league All-Star Game. Katerina Sotiriou is active member of the Greek National Team since 2007. This summer in 2013 EuroBasket Qualifications she had 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 1.9 apg for 8 games.

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HUNGARY

Standings - Women

A Division Standings

1. Atomeromu		0-0
2. Bacsbasket		0-0
3. BSE-FCSM		0-0
4. Cegledi EKK		0-0
5. DKSK		0-0
6. MBK Eurl.Vasas		0-0
7. PEAC-Pecs		0-0
8. UNI Gyor		0-0
9. UNIQA Eurol.		0-0
10. ZTE NKK		0-0

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ITALY

Homend Antakya lands Dubravka Dacic - by Eurobasket News

Dubravka Dacic (201-C-85, agency: Interperformances) will continue her career in Turkey. The Italian/Croatian center penned a deal with Homend Antakya. Dacic is not a new face in TKBL as she played for Besiktas in 2009/10 season. She had 13.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg for 10 games in the league. The player also added 10.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg for 7 EuroCup appearances with Besiktas. Last two years Dubravka Dacic spent with Cras Taranto. Actually she joined them during the summer of 2010 and stay until February this year. In 2009, Dacic won the Spanish league title and Cup with Ros Casares. Before that, she spent one year with Russian Dynamo Moscow. Dacic also has experience from Parma. They were Italian league champions in 2005. Dubravka Dacic played for Italian NT in 2007.

Melissa Goodall joins Cagliari, Adrienne Johnson lands to Lucca - by Carlo Grilli

Adrienne Johnson (182-F-89, agency: LBM Management, college: Louisiana Tech) tomorrow will land to Lucca, joining the team of coach Mirko Diamanti for the training camp. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Johnson spent her NCAA season at Louisiana Tech. In 2011 she was drafted for WNBA by the Connecticut Sun, playing only the preliminaries of the season, before moving to Bulgaria at Dunav Ruse to win the league and the nation cup with impressive individual averages: 32.4 minutes and 26.3 points per game.

Cus Cagliari completed its foreign unit: after confirming Slovakian Barbora Fabianova and the newcomer Swedish internationals Elin Eldebrink (174-G-88, agency: Josep and Nicolas) and Louice Halvarsson (189-C-89, agency: Josep and Nicolas), the Sardinian outfit has signed Melissa Goodall (189-F-89, college: Toledo) from the Spanish club Tenerife Mencey, her first experience overseas after the NCAA years at Toledo.

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

IVORY COAST

LIBERIA

ACCMW Qualifier: C-Delta lost to K-Delta 47-61 in Liberia affair - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Not even the presence of Hon George owner and financial of C-Delta basketball club could stop from defeat as they lost by 47-61 points to city rival K-Delta in Day-3 of the Africa Champions Cup qualifier for women at the gymnasium of the SKD Sports Complex, Monrovia.

The C-Delta ladies lost the first, second and last quarter (12-18, 10-14, 10-16) but manage a 15-13 points win in the third quarter which was not enough to save them from defeat.

C-Delta thus remains the only team in the pool of five teams in attendance with no win as it occupies the rear of the five-team log.

DAY-3 PAIRING - 04/09/2012
LPRC OILERS VS ROYAL HOOPERS - 10H00 (MEN)
C-DELTA VS K-DELTA - 12H00 (WOMEN)
FIRST BANK VS ABD - 14H00 (WOMEN)
KANO PILLARS VS ABC - 16H00 (MEN)

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

ROMANIA

Sepsi SIC adds Serbian NT guard Milica Ivanovic - by Eurobasket News

Milica Ivanovic (175-G-88, college: Catawba) will continue her career in Romania. The Serbian National Team guard signed a 1-year deal with Sepsi SIC. She arrives to the club from Vozdovac Beograd. Ivanovic appeared 18 times in Adriatic league last season averaging 13.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.6 steals. She also added 17.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 2.3 spg in 4 Serbian league matchups. Ivanovic graduated at Catawba College something more than a year ago. She transferred to Catwaba from Bethel College in 2009. Milica Ivanovic played for the Serbian NT this summer. They competed in qualifications for 2013 EuroBasket and managed to book a ticket for Slovenia. Ivanovic averaged 3 points and 1.5 rebounds for 8 games.

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

SERBIA

Jovana Karakasevic heads to KED PANTER ILIRIJA - by Tamara Ruzic

Young talented Serbian center Jovana Karakasevic (190-C/F-92) will continue her career in Slovenia. The 20-yeald old center signed one year deal with Slovenian club Ked Panter Ilirija from Ljubljana. Karaksevic spent last season with Red Star. She appeared in 20 games, scoring 11.1ppg and 8.0rpg. The player also got a chance to play Adriatic League when she played for Vojvodina 2009/10 appearing in 12 games with 10.6ppg and 8.0rpg. Before Red Star, Karaksevic payed for Partizan .
She was member of Serbian U16 National Team -08, Serbian U18 National Team -10, Serbian League Champion -11 and Serbian U20 National Team -11 and -12.

Visby Ladies hire Igor Skocovski as new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News

Igor Skocovski will continue his coaching career in Sweden. Visby Ladies hired Serbian specialist for the next season. He arrives to the club from Austrian Flying Foxes Post SV Wien. They won the championship title and Cup trophy last season. Skocovski was named Eurobasket.com All-Austrian AWBL Coach of the Year -12. Before the Flying Foxes, Igor Skocovski worked three years with Slovakian ZBK Whirpool Poprad. With them he reached Extraliga Semifinals twice. In 2011, they played in Slovakian Cup Final. Igor Skocovski was coach assistant of the Serbian U18 NT three years ago. In 2005, he also worked with U18 NT and they won the gold medal at U18 EuroBasket in Budapest.

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

SPAIN

SWEDEN

Visby Ladies hire Igor Skocovski as new Head Coach - by Eurobasket News

Igor Skocovski will continue his coaching career in Sweden. Visby Ladies hired Serbian specialist for the next season. He arrives to the club from Austrian Flying Foxes Post SV Wien. They won the championship title and Cup trophy last season. Skocovski was named Eurobasket.com All-Austrian AWBL Coach of the Year -12. Before the Flying Foxes, Igor Skocovski worked three years with Slovakian ZBK Whirpool Poprad. With them he reached Extraliga Semifinals twice. In 2011, they played in Slovakian Cup Final. Igor Skocovski was coach assistant of the Serbian U18 NT three years ago. In 2005, he also worked with U18 NT and they won the gold medal at U18 EuroBasket in Budapest.

IK Eos signs Danish guard Anna Seilund - by Eurobasket News

Anna Seilund (174-G-93) will continue her career in Sweden. The Danish guard penned a 1-year deal with IK Eos. They compete in Damligan. Seilund spent last two years with BK Amager. In the latest season she had 11.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 4.3 apg (No.1) for 15 league games. She was named to Eurobasket.com All-Danish Dameligaen 2nd Team -12. Seilund and Amager reached Playoff and Cup Semifinals. In 2010/11 season the player had 10 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 2.7 apg for 18 appearances. Last summer, Anna Seilund played for Danish U18 National Team. She shined with 14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.3 apg for 8 games at U18 EuroBasket in Miskolc. She was named to Eurobasket.com All-European Championships U18 Division B 3rd Team -11. In 2010, she played for U18 Denmark as well. In the past, Seilund was a member of U16 NT.

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TURKEY

UBA

WUBA star read for the WNBA: ARMELIE LUMANU - by David Walls

Davis Walls Reports:
September 6, 2012

ATLANTA If a W.N.B.A. hopeful is toiling in basketballs minor leagues, she had better make a name for herself quickly W. N.B.A. scouts and general managers are not generally interested in a 24-year-old with a long rsum of teams, unless he has been a star somewhere in Europe.

Then there is Armelie Lumanu (5'9''-G/F-88, college: Mississippi St.) aka Queen Melo, the exception to the rule.

Melo is our best player, said WUBA Commissioner Jared Johnson , who signed Lumanu for one more season. We dont expect to see her in the WUBA anymore after this season.

In 2010 Lumanu was drafted in the 2nd Round by the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. After the preseason she was cut and joined the new WUBA (Southern Generals). She led the Lady Generals to a league best 18-2 record along with MVP honors. Lumanu finished the WUBA season with a 22.8ppg average to go along with an amazing 6.1 spg locking down WUBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Later in the summer Lumanu was honored by Usbasket.com being named to the All-United States Team voted by All Sports writers. She was named to a team which only featured WNBA super stars such as Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut) and Seimone Augustus (6'0''-SF-84, college: LSU).

Melo has WNBA all over her, said UBA MVP Jermaine Barnes (6'5''-G/F-82, agency: Gamble Sports Management, college: Point, GA). As a player in the mens league we all come out and support our women. Melo is everything you would want in a guard and a player.

Before the Lady Generals signed Lumanu in 2010, she had played for NCAA powerhouse Mississippi States where she led her team to an SEC title. As a senior she was named 2nd Team All-SEC along with SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Lumanu finish her senior season with a 12.7ppg average along with an SEC best 2.6 steals per game.

There is no shame in being cut by the top league, said Jared Johnson . She is now back where she needs to be and will make the Indiana roster this season.

Over this year, Johnson has mentored Lumanu and helped guide her to the point shes at. She is now a house hold name and is turning head yet again in the WNBA.

We have received several calls from the WNBA about Lumanu, said UPG CEO Jerone Dodd (6'8''-C-79, college: Morehouse). We are just here to support her and get her back to the place she belongs.

Lumanu has agreed to re-sign with the Southern Generals of the WUBA and looks to repeat her MVP season. At this point there is no doubt in anyones mind that Lumanu achieve her long life dream of playing in the WNBA.

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WNBA

Standings

WNBA Standings

Eastern
1. Connecticut S.		20-7
2. Indiana F.		17-9
3. Atlanta D.		15-13
4. New York L.		11-16
5. Chicago S.		10-16
6. Washington M.		6-22
Western
1. Minnesota L.		22-4
2. L.Angeles S.		18-10
3. S.Antonio SS		17-9
4. Seattle S.		12-14
5. Phoenix M.		6-20
6. Tulsa S.		6-20

Regular Season: Round 32

Sep. 4: Minnesota L. - L.Angeles S. 88-77
Sep. 5: New York L. - Phoenix M. 87-59
Sep. 5: Atlanta D. - Indiana F. 71-64
Sep. 4: Washington M. - Connecticut S. 70-77
Sep. 6: Seattle S. - Tulsa S.

Catchings, Toliver pick up WNBA monthly honors - by Eurobasket News

Tamika Catchings (6'1''-SF-79, college: Tennessee) of the Indiana Fever and Kristi Toliver (5'7''-PG-87, college: Maryland) of the Los Angeles Sparks were named the WNBA's Eastern and Western Conference players of the month for games played in August.

Catchings averaged 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals while leading the Fever to a 6-1 record in August. She helped Indiana clinch its eighth consecutive berth in the WNBA Playoffs, the longest active streak in the Eastern Conference.

Toliver led all Western Conference players in scoring (23.8 ppg) while guiding the Sparks to a 4-1 mark in August. Los Angeles clinched a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Courtesy of www.foxnews.com

Moore, Augustus lead Lynx over Sparks 88-77 - by Eurobasket News

Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut) and Seimone Augustus (6'0''-SF-84, college: LSU) scored 23 points apiece to lead the Minnesota Lynx to an 88-77 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday night.

Minnesota scored 29 points off 20 turnovers, an effort led by Moore. The second-year forward matched a franchise record with five first-half steals and finished with a career-high seven. She also grabbed nine rebounds and kept several more possessions alive with hustle plays.

"She was like Catwoman," Augustus said. "She was here, she was there; she did an awesome job. Seven steals - that was amazing."

Augustus, meanwhile, set a career high with six 3-pointers. Her third of the night earned the 2006 No. 1 overall pick the top spot on the Lynx career scoring list, surpassing Katie Smith's 3,605 points with 4:11 left in the second quarter.

"We needed them," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said of the 3s. "Her ability to shake a defender is just really impressive. I don't think the Timberwolves would mind having her."

Lindsay Whalen (5'9''-PG-82, college: Minnesota) added 12 points and Candice Wiggins (5'11''-G-87, college: Stanford) had 10 for the first-place Lynx, who extended their lead in the Western Conference to three games over the Sparks. With eight games remaining, Minnesota needs only four more victories to clinch the No. 1 seed in the West regardless of what Los Angeles (19-9) and San Antonio (17-9) do the rest of the way.

The Lynx (22-4) won their ninth consecutive game and tied a franchise record with their 14th home win of the season.

Alana Beard (5'11''-G/F-82, college: Duke) scored 17 points and Jenna O'Hea added 15 for the Sparks, who matched a season high with their third straight loss.

Sparks leading scorer Candace Parker was shut out in the first half and finished with just six points, while second-leading scorer Kristi Toliver managed only five. The two entered the game with a combined average of 36.1 points.

"They did a great job of making us do things we didn't want to do," Beard said. "But at the same time we did a lot of things that were in our control in terms of turnovers and forced shots."

Courtesy of www.chron.com

Tuesday: Sun 77, Mystics 70 - by Eurobasket News

Tina Charles (6'4''-C-88, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lift the Connecticut Sun over the Washington Mystics 77-70 on Tuesday night.

The Sun (20-7) have beaten the Mystics (5-22) nine straight times, including all five matchups this season. Connecticut's victory on Tuesday was its narrowest in the streak.

''It was a hard game,'' Sun coach Mike Thibault said. ''We kind of hung together when we had a bad start. We had a bad middle of the second half. We just kind of regrouped each time.''

Crystal Langhorne (6'2''-F/C-86, college: Maryland) led the Mystics with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting - her highest-scoring game since she scored 24 points against the New York Liberty on July 13 - and added nine rebounds. But Washington lost its season-worst sixth in a row.

Charles scored with 46 seconds left to give Connecticut a 73-70 lead and grabbed a defensive rebound on the ensuing Washington possession. Mystics guard Noelle Quinn answered with a steal, but Washington turned the ball over and began intentionally fouling.

''We've talked about it all week in terms of working on our poise and staying calm in crucial situations,'' Mystics coach Trudi Lacey said. ''We just still need to make plays down the stretch to close out these games.''

Charles, who entered fourth in the WNBA in scoring, didn't record her first point until 30.6 seconds remained in the first quarter. That began a 13-0 run, and the Sun grabbed a lead they would hold until midway through the fourth.

''We're not one of those teams that's just trying to get it to Tina,'' Charles said. ''Whoever has the hot hand.''

The Mystics - boosted by 10 points each from Quinn and Shannon Bobbitt - hung around for most of the game after leading 23-16 late in the first quarter. After Connecticut extended its lead to 13 points in the third, Washington used an 8-0 run to get within three points in the fourth.

Later in the quarter, Bobbitt hit a 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring. Matee Ajavon (5'7''-PG-86, college: Rutgers) made shots on two consecutive possessions, including a 3-pointer, to give the Mystics a 67-66 lead.

Sun forward Mistie Mims returned after missing two games because of a strained quad and had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

''I didn't really know what to expect,'' Thibault said. ''I just know that we always get a great effort, so effort can make up for some rustiness.''

Kara Lawson (5'8''-PG-81, college: Tennessee) added 16 points and four assists for Connecticut, which was without forward Asjha Jones for a ninth straight game because of a strained left Achilles tendon.

''I just would like her to get somewhere between two and four games in before the playoffs, so that she gets her rhythm back,'' Thibault said of Jones. ''It's hard to come out and start a playoff series cold.''

Courtesy of http://msn.foxsports.com