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

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

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Men News

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ABA

Atlanta Wildcats hire new GM/Head Coach - by Gianni Pascucci

Lionel Garrett has accepted the General Manager/Head Coach position with the ABA Atlanta Wildcats. "Coach Garrett is no stranger to the ABA having competed in the 2011-12 season as GM/Head Coach of the Athens Razors," stated team owner William D. Payton IV. "He led them to a 16-2 record and ABA Power Ranking as high as 6th."
"I am excited to join the Wildcats and plan to bring exciting family fun to Atlanta," added Coach Garrett. For more information, visit www.atlantawildcats.com

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AFRICAN CHAMPIONS CUP

ACCMW Qualifier: Pillars, ABC pick points - by Olusegun Ikuesan

Kano Pillars basketball club of Nigeria and Abidjan Basket Club of Cote dIvoire Friday picked valuable points that put them in good stead to pick the two tickets at stake from the Africa Champions Cup for Men Zone-3 elimination with victories over Liberian side.

Kano Pillars defeated Uhuru Kings basketball club by 81-42 points (24-13, 19-10, 19-10, 19-09) for a 4-1 record while ABC humbled LPRC Oilers in the same manner by 81-43 points (22-06, 24-11, 18-09, 27-17) to remain to of the four-team log.

Both sides will clash Sunday in the reverse fixture to fully determine who lead the zone to the final round with ABC having the upper hand having defeated Kano Pillars by 70-61 points in their first meeting on Tuesday. Abdulrahman Mohammed (191-G-77)

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ALBANIA

AUSTRIA

2 new players for the Lions - by Stefan Heinrich

The Traiskirchen Lions announced the signing of two players for the upcoming season. The first new guy is the 22 year old Point Guard Sebastian Gmeiner (187-G-90). Gmeiner arrives from the second league team of Dornbirn Lions, where he played his entire career. In the second league he averaged 10.6ppg, 4.5rpg and 8.8apg and his team got eliminated in the Semifinals.

The other new player is the 19 year old Inside player Matias Bortolin (205-C-93, agency: Interperformances). The 207 cm tall Bortolin arrives from Basket Rimini Crabs and this summer he had a try-out at Partizan Belgrade but he didnt make the team. In 2010 he played at the U17 World Championships in Hamburg and over 7 games he had 9.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.4spg and 1.9bpg.

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BALKAN LEAGUE

Updated news about season 2012-2013 - by Eurobasket News

After it became clear that BC Kavala will play in EUROHOLD BIBL this season, the Management of the League are thinking over 2 options for the competition system. On Monday September 10th, BIBL Sports Director Mr. Shay Shtriks will have meeting in Skopje with the president of F.Y.R. of Macedonian Basketball Federation Mr. Daniel Dimevski about the participation of one or two respectable teams from F.Y.R. of Macedonia. The Management of the League is still waiting for official answer from Romanian Basketball Federation if a local team will play in EUROHOLD BIBL this year or not.

Until today, 8 teams from 5 countries confirmed their participation in season 2012-2013 :

Bulgaria :
BC Levski Sofia
BC Rilski Sportist

Croatia :
KK Brod-Svjetlost

Greece :
BC Kavala

Israel :
BC Galil Gilboa

Montenegro :
KK Mornar Bar

KK Teodo Tivat

Serbia :
OKK Beograd

Here there are the two options of the competition system for the upcoming season :

Option 1 :
If the teams remain 8, there are not going to be groups and the format will be: one league of 8 teams + Final 4.
The minimum number of games per team in this format is 14.

Option 2 :
If BIBL increases the teams to 10, then the format will be :
1st stage - Two groups of 5 teams (teams from the same country will be in different groups)
2nd stage - First 3 teams of each group will make a league of 6 teams, keeping the results from the first stage. After that the first 4 teams qualify for the Final 4.
The teams placed 4th and 5th in the group stage will form a group of 4 teams, keeping the results from the first stage.
The minimum number of games per team in this format is 12.

Until 14th of September EUROHOLD Balkan League will announce officially the number and the names of the participating teams, along with the approved format of the competition.

Courtesy of www.balkanleague.net

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BELARUS

Italy finish their EuroBasket Qualification campaign undefeated - by Eurobasket News

Italy-Belarus 83:58

Italy finish their EuroBasket Qualification campaign undefeated and won Group F with a perfect 8-0 record. The team sent Belarus to 1-6 record after 83:58 win in Trieste.
More than 4000 fans came to support the favorites in Trieste. Italy won the first period 23-15 and produced 25-17 in the second quarter for 48:32 at the halftime. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Daniel Hackett (200-PG-87, agency: Two Points, college: USC) scored for 53:35 early in the third, while Danilo Gallinari also closed the period at 64:44. Italy posted 19-14 in the last stanza for the final success. Gigli was the last player to score for the winners in the game.
Danilo Gallinari paced all the winners with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) added 12. Stefano Mancinelli (203-PF-83) scored 10, while Daniel Hackett notched 9. Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (190-SG-80) ended up with 12 points in the losing case and Aliaksandr Pustahvar (203-SF-85, agency: RU-Basket Management) poured in 9.

Italy: Danilo Gallinari 16+10 rebs, Pietro Aradori 12, Stefano Mancinelli 10, Daniel Hackett 9
Belarus: Aliaksandr Kudrautsau 12, Aliaksandr Pustahvar 9

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BELGIUM

BOSNIA

Igokea shoot down Spartak-Primorie in Porec - by Eurobasket News

Igokea - Spartak-Primorie 95:90

Igokea and Spartak-Primorie clashed in pre-season game in Porec, Croatia. The Bosnian team eked out a narrow win at the end. Corsley Edwards (205-C/F-79, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: Cent.Conn.St.) posted 23 points to lead the winners.
Igokea surged ahead in the opening quarter and posted a 22:17 lead after ten minutes. Spartak-Primorie narrowed the gap in the second term. They got within a single point at halftime 51:52. But Igokea cleared off in the third quarter. They went on a massive 26:10 run to establish a 17-point lead. Spartak unleashed 29 points in the fourth stanza and trimmed the deficit but the gap proved too deep to overcome. Sinisa Stemberger (195-G-79) accounted for 17 points, while Clifford Hammonds (191-G-85, college: Clemson) added 12 points in the win. Troy Gillenwater (205-F-88, college: N.Mexico St.) responded with 24 points for Spartak-Primorie. Paul Delaney (188-G-86, college: UAB) had 20 points in the loss.

Igokea: Corsley Edwards 23, Sinisa Stemberger 17, Clifford Hammonds 12
Spartak-Primorie: Troy Gillenwater 24, Paul Delaney 20

Bosnia and Herzegovina won over Romania in Sarajevo - by Eurobasket News

Bosnia and Herzegovina-Romania 93:58

Bosnia and Herzegovina won over Romania in Sarajevo in front of 6000 fans to qualify to Eurobasket 2013.The winning side improved to 6-2 record, while Romanian fell at 1-6.
Bosnia and Herzegovina felt the home support and started the game with 25-12. Moreover they erupted with 32-12 in the second frame and enjoyed 57:24 lead at the halftime. Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) scored four in a rwo in the start of the third period as Bosnia added 21-20 in the period. They also won the last stanza 15-14 and will head to Slovenia 2013.
Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) top-scored for the winners with 15 points, while Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) , Nihad Djedovic (198-F-90, agency: Beo Basket) and Nemanja Mitrovic (195-G-90, college: Portland) posted 12 each. Elmedin Kikanovic followed them with 10 points in a win. Ionut Dragusin (221-C-85) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort and Mihai Silvasan (200-SF-85, agency: Court Side) delivered 15. Andrei Mandache (191-G/F-87, agency: Global Sports Plaza) scored 10 points in defeat.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mirza Teletovic 15, Zack Wright 12, Nihad Djedovic 12, Nemanja Mitrovic 12, Elmedin Kikanovic 10
Romania: Ionut Dragusin 17, Mihai Silvasan 15, Andrei Mandache 10

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BRAZIL

Rockets sign G Machado - by Eurobasket News

The Houston Rockets have signed Scott Machado (6'1''-G-90), who led the nation in assists last season with Iona.

The 6-foot-1 Machado played well on the Rockets' summer league team, averaging 8.0 points, a team-high 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals in five games. He closed summer league play by leading the Rockets with 20 points and six assists in a 96-88 win over Chicago.

Machado, a rookie free agent who averaged 9.9 assists as a senior, averaged 12.2 points, 6.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 132 games over four seasons at Iona. Machado is the Gaels' career leader in assists (880) and ranks 17th in NCAA history.

The Rockets announced they have waived forward Diamon Simpson.

Courtesy of www.sacbee.com

Brazilian big man Hettsheimeir still a long way from being a Maverick - by Eurobasket News

While taking in the basketball hall of fame enshrinement, several members of the Mavericks front office were on hand and as president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said, the Mavericks have a roster full with 15 players possessing guaranteed contracts.

That leaves little room for Brazils Rafael Hettsheimer (6'9''-C-86), a 6-10, 260-pound center who has drawn the attention of several NBA teams. The 26-year-old plays in the Spanish League and some international reports have suggested that the Mavericks have offered him a deal.

That may be the case, but Nelson said nothing is close to happening, at least not with the Mavericks. Hettsheimeir may have to work through some physical problems before the Mavericks or any other NBA team is ready to commit to him.

Hes an interesting name, but with the roster already full, it would require losing one of the Mavericks three rookies or a veteran if they were to commit to a guaranteed contract for Hettsheimeir.

Courtesy of www.dallasnews.com

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BULGARIA

Bulgaria storm past Luxembourg, stay hopeful - by Eurobasket News

Bulgaria - Luxembourg 120:95

Bulgaria capped their 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round campaign in a high-flying style. They unleashed 120 points to thrash visiting Luxembourg. Bulgaria thus improved at 4-4 record in Group B and remained hopeful of qualifying. Chavdar Kostov (195-SG-88, agency: Interperformances) fired 33 points to lead the hosts. Luxembourg suffered the seventh loss in a row.
Bulgaria dropped 30 points in the first frame to take a 9-point lead. Luxembourg bounced back in the second quarter. The visitors fired 31 points to narrow the gap at just four-point distance 52:56. But Bulgaria picked up the slack in the third term. They paid more attention to defence and stretched the lead to 15-point mark at the final intermission. Bulgaria exploded with 41 points in the fourth term and celebrated victory. Ivan Lilov (196-SG-88) chipped in 16 points, while Pavel Marinov (199-SF-88, agency: Interperformances) added 14 points in the victory. Christopher Jones (186-G-90) and Samy Picard (196-PF-88) replied with 21 points each for Luxembourg.

Bulgaria: Chavdar Kostov 33, Ivan Lilov 16, Pavel Marinov 14
Luxembourg: Christopher Jones 21, Samy Picard 21

Rookie Da'Quan Cook joins Tundja Yambol - by Eurobasket News

Rookie Da'Quan Cook (205-F-87) is set to start his professional basketball career. The 24-year-old American penned a 1-year deal with Tundja Yambol. Last season they won third place in Bulgarian top division - NBL. Cook is a product of St.Bonaventure University, where he graduated few months ago. He had 7.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg for his school in 31 games as a senior. They won Atlantic 10 Tournament together. Da'Quan Cook spent all four years with St.Bonaventure. As a junior he had 6.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg fro 31 games. Cook had lower numbers in his freshman and sophomore year. Da'Quan Cook already joined his new team and made the first practice.

Jimmie Hunt returns to Balkan Botevgrad - by Eurobasket News

Jimmie Hunt (187-G-82, agency: Interperformances, college: Franklin Pierce) is back to Balkan Botevgrad after two years. The American point guard signed a deal for the upcoming season. He spent the last one with Cherno More. Actually, Hunt joined them in January averaging 7.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds for 19 games. They reached NBL and Cup Semifinals. Jimmie Hunt played for Balkan in 2009/10 season. He signed a deal with the club in February of 2010 registering 8.2 ppg, 3.2 apg and 2 rpg for 6 games. The American started that season with Tundja Yambol. There he collected 8.3 ppg and 1.4 apg for 12 games. In the past, Hunt was a member of Polonia Warszawa, Frankfurt Skyliners, Udine and Kemoplast Alpos Sentjur. In 2007, he was the top scorer and top assistant of Slovenian 1A league. Jimmie Hunt graduated at Franklin Pierce College (NCAA2) in 2004.

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CANADA

Lakers sign Canadian Robert Sacre - by Eurobasket News

The Los Angeles Lakers signed seven-foot Canadian centre Robert Sacre (7'0''-C-89, agency: Edge Sports, college: Gonzaga) on Friday.

The Gonzaga grad was born in Baton Rouge, La., before moving to North Vancouver, B.C., as a child.

Sacre was the 2012 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. He was the last player taken in this year's NBA draft.

The Lakers also added assistant coaches Eddie Jordan, Bernie Bickerstaff and Steve Clifford to Mike Brown's coaching staff.

Jordan is the former head coach at Sacramento, Washington and Philadelphia, leading the Wizards to four consecutive playoff appearances.

The 68-year-old Bickerstaff was a head coach in Charlotte, Seattle, Denver and Washington.

Clifford was Stan Van Gundy's assistant in Orlando the past five seasons.

Los Angeles lost assistant coaches Quin Snyder and Ettore Messina to CSKA Moscow earlier this summer.

Courtesy of www.cbc.ca

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COLOMBIA

Standings

Copa Standings

Group A
1. Bucaros		1-0
2. Cafeteros		0-0
3. Caribbean H.		0-0
4. InderValle		0-0
5. Patriotas		0-1
Group B
1. Arrieros		1-0
2. Guerreros		1-0
3. Once Caldas		1-0
4. Bayside		0-1
5. Choco		0-1
6. Hormigueros		0-1

Elimination Round: Round 1

Sep. 7: Once Caldas - Hormigueros 78-69
Sep. 7: Guerreros - Choco 77-68
Sep. 7: Arrieros - Bayside 108-101
Sep. 7: Bucaros - Patriotas 101-50
Sep. 8: Hormigueros - Once Caldas
Sep. 8: Arrieros - Bayside
Sep. 8: Guerreros - Choco
Sep. 8: Bucaros - InderValle
Sep. 8: Cafeteros - Patriotas

FEDERATION CUP 2012, DAY 1 RESULTS - by Victor Garcia

Guerreros defeated Nuevo Choco in a close game, jus took the lead at the end of the second half.
Guerreros 77 S. Ortiz 15 pts, L Malloy 13 pts + 9 reb, D. Perez 13 pts + 9 reb
Nuevo Choco 68 L. Truscott 19 pts, C. Ordoez 18 pts

Bayside was close to surprise , Arrieros had to put its best effort to reach the victory in the opener
Arrieros 108 D. Gonner 24 pts, E. Torres 24 pts
Bayside 101 K. Thompson 40 pts.

Islanders won the first at home but had to use all the experience its players to beat a hard Cafeteros team
Islanders Sopesa 89 K. Jones 21 pts, E. Renteria 20 pts
Cafeteros 75

Once Caldas got the first victory of the season as visitor
Once Caldas 78 - T.Thomas 24 pts
Hormigueros 69 - P. Culvert 20 pts

Bukaros got an easy victory against the Patriotas, Boyacas team just completed its roster few hours before the game
Bukaros 101
Patriotas 50

FEDERATION CUP 2012, DAY 2 RESULTS - by Victor Garcia

The day 2 of the Federation Cup did not bring surprises.

Rashad Bell leaded a good balanced Guerreros ofensive to defeat for the second straight night Choco, Choco had again a good start but entering the third quarter began to be tired and Guerreros took control of the game.
Guerreros 81 R. Bell 24 pts.
Nuevo Choco 61 R. Holmes 24 pts.

Bukaros got its second victory leaded by Cory Bradford, the Patriotas with one practice played a more organizated game, but are not deep or tall enough to fight against the Bukaros.
Patriotas 66 M. Dodd 17 pts.
Bukaros 77 C. Bradford 18 pts

Once Caldas had to made a big effort to defeast the Once Caldas.
Hormigueros 83
Once Caldas 87

Arrieros played a more consistent game on defense to defeat Baysied, the young team proves they can be a surprise.
Arrieros 98
Bayside 72

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CROATIA

Croatia edge Hungary to make it seven in a row - by Eurobasket News

Hungary - Croatia 79:81

Croatia earned the seventh straight win at 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Hungary on the road to stay perfect in Group C. Ukic drained a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the victory for Croatia in this one. Bojan Bogdanovic (203-SG-89) finished with 17 points to lead the visitors.
Croatia posted a 16:12 lead after ten minutes. Hungary slowly adjusted their game. They narrowed the gap at 2-point mark at halftime 32:34. Trotter and Peter Lorant (206-PF-85, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) gave the hosts a 42:39 lead midway through the third term. Rok Stipcevic (185-PG-86) retained Croatian lead but Fodor and Adam Hanga (200-SG-89, agency: Peter Lorant%20Andras&AgencyNm=TSS Management">TSS Management) capped the frame with five points in a row as Hungary secured a 53:50 advantage. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the final quarter. Miklos Szabo (205-F/C-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group, college: Hofstra) and Trotter drew things level at 79 with 9 seconds remaining. But Ukic dropped a late bucket to win the game for Croatia. Dario Saric (208-F/C-94) accounted for 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Damir Markota (209-F-85) and Rok Stipcevic provided 10 points each in the win. Peter Lorant answered with 24 points for Hungary Adam Hanga and Miklos Szabo finished with 10 points apiece in defeat.

Hungary: Peter Lorant 24, Adam Hanga 10, Miklos Szabo 10
Croatia: Bojan Bogdanovic 17, Dario Saric 12, Damir Markota 10, Rok Stipcevic 10

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CYPRUS

Ukraine finish EuroBasket Qualifying Round with win - by Eurobasket News

Ukraine - Cyprus 69:51

Ukraine capped their EuroBasket Qualifying Round campaign with victory. They defeated Cyprus in Yuzny. Steven Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) came up with 13 points as Ukraine clinched the second position in Group C. Cyprus suffered the seventh loss in a row.
Ukraine and Cyprus started the game rather slow. Both teams lacked composure offensively. Ukraine though managed to surge ahead to take an 18:13 lead after ten minutes. But the second term left more questions. Cyprus cut the deficit to just a single point at halftime 28:27. Panagiotis Trisokkas (206-PF-80) and Anthony King (206-F/C-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Miami, FL) put Cyprus ahead midway through the third term 33:32. But the hosts quickly regained the lead and ensured a 41:37 lead into the fourth frame. The hosts opened the fourth period on a 10:0 run and never looked back en route to the victory. Maxym Korniyenko (204-F/C-87) posted 12 points, while Sergii Gladyr (196-SG-88) had 11 points in the win. Panagiotis Trisokkas answered with 15 points for Cyprus. Anthony King netted 14 points in the loss.

Ukraine: Steven Burtt 13, Maxym Korniyenko 12, Sergii Gladyr 11
Cyprus: Panagiotis Trisokkas 15+10 boards, Anthony King 14

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

LNB: Everything is ready for the Semifinals - by Eurobasket News

LNB regular season is over and everything is ready for the Semis. Indios SF are the winners of Group North with 14-6 record, while Metros ended as No.2 with 12-8 and also advanced to the next stage. In Group South, Caneros are No.1 and Titanes are No.2. Both teams had the same 11-9 score. In the Semis, Indios SF will meet Titanes, while Caneros will play against Metros. First games are scheduled for today. Robert Glenn (201-F/C-89, college: IUPUI) is named MVP of the regular season.

Semifinals format is best-of-five.

LNB: Metros and Indios SF take 1-0 lead in the Semis - by Eurobasket News

First games of the LNB Semifinals were played yesterday. Metros and Indios SF outplayed their rivals for 1-0 series lead (best-of-five). Next games are scheduled for Sunday.
Metros grabbed 94-93 overtime against Caneros getting 22 points and 5 rebounds from Demetris Nichols (205-F-84, college: Syracuse). Adris Deleon (180-G-84, college: E.Washington) followed with 17 points and 8 boards, while Victor Liz (188-G/F-88) helped with 16 points and 5 rebs. In defeat, Jose Olivero (186-PG-85, college: Lehigh) was better than the others with 24 points. Quarters: 23-18, 16-28, 27-17, 15-18, 13-12 OT.
Indios SF downed Titanes 99-83. Ollie Bailey (201-F-85, college: Oklahoma City) exploded in victory with 32 points and 5 rebounds. Robert Glenn (201-F/C-89, college: IUPUI) (6 rebs) and Richard Ortega netted 20 points each. In Titanes, Gerardo Suero (193-G-89, college: Albany) shined with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Quarters: 23-16, 26-17, 18-31, 32-19.

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ESTONIA

EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE

ESL Atlanta adds live video streaming available for every scout and team in the World! - by ESL News

Eurobasket Summer League Atlanta will be working with DAB Production & Entertainment as they will be filming ESL Atlanta and streaming all games live. Make sure to let your agents know that if they are currently talking to any team and need to see you, they can see you live in Atlanta via live video streaming. On Wednesday, September 15th, we will announce on Eurobasket, the channel that all games will be streamed on. Also, all videos will be available for purchase after the camp and high light tapes will be made for anyone who would like to purchase them from DAB Production & Entertainment. To see examples of work done by DAB Production & Entertainment go to dabproductions.org. Schedule for ESL Atlanta September 14th has registration starting at 10:00 a.m. and running till Noon. Drills and games will immediately follow the registration on the 14th. Schedule for September 15th will run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and September 16th will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All new players wishing to register, please do so as soon as possible so ESL can make all necessary arrangements for you to participate in this event. If you have any questions about registration please contact Chris Warren at esl@eurobasket.com.

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EUROCHALLENGE

Szolnoki Complete Roster With Kalve - by Diamadis Farmakis

It's going to take an incredible effort for Szolnoki Olaj to match the success of the last couple of seasons.

Winners of the Hungarian Cup and Championship in each of the last two campaigns, Szolnoki also reached the EuroChallenge Final Four in 2012 and hosted the event.

The club, still coached by Peter Por, have assembled their team for 2012-13.

The signing of 25-year-old Ernests Kalve (200-F-87) has completed their roster.

The Latvia international, a 25-year-old small forward who stands 200m in height, played part of last season with BK Valmiera in his homeland and in the other part in Turkey with Trabzonspor

He averaged 5 points and 2.4 rebounds in seven games during Latvia's EuroBasket 2011 qualifying campaign but was not on the team for the Final Round in Lithuania.

Kalve was a standout player at youth level, finishing as the tournament top scorer at both the U18 European Championship in 2005 and the U20 European Championship in 2006.

The rest Szolnoki squad consists of Mrton Bder, Mt Berkics, Gyrgy Csaba, Mrton Fodor, Brandon Gay, Pter Grebenr, kos Horvth, Kalve, Luka Markovic, Tams Mndoki, Istvn Nmeth, Simon Balzs, Gbor Sos, Mikls Szab, Zoltn Tth, Zoltn Trepk and Calvin Watson.

Szolnoki are in Regular Season Group F with EWE Baskets, Krmend and BC Timisoara.

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EUROCUP

Artland Dragons: Mallet out long term, Drevo arrives - by Diamadis Farmakis

The Artland Dragons of Germany suffered a severe blow to its backcourt personnel as point guard Demond Mallet (186-G-78, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: McNeese St.), one of the new additions over the summer, got injured in his pectoralis major muscle during a weight lifting exercise in the summer preparation for the season.

It is expected that Mallet (186 meters, 34 years old) will miss most of the Eurocup regular season, since he probably will have to be sidelined more than two months, while the injury is so rare that the club has not released and estimate recovery period

Mallet spent last season split between Spirou Charleroi of Belgium and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv of Israel. Mallet ranked third in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague in scoring in the regular season after posting 18.9 points on 51.3% shooting from two-point range and 37.5% from long distance plus 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in nine games for Spirou. He joined Maccabi prior to the Top 16 and helped the Israeli champs reach the playoffs.

At the same time, the club announced the arrival of power forward Andre Drevo for a two-month deal. Drevo (2.02 meters, 31 years old) arrives from the Iowa Energy of the D-League, where last season he averaged 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in over 52 appearances. Drevo played college ball at Morningside and Nebraska between 1999 and 2004. Since then, he has played in several countries like Sweden, France, Germany or Spain. He will now make his Eurocup debut with the Artland Dragons.

Budivelnik substitutes EiffelTowers Den Bosch in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News

On Friday it was officially confirmed by Euroleague Basketball that Budivelnik of Ukraine will fill in in the competition for Dutch team EiffelTowers Den Bosch, who decided not to take part in the 2012-13 Eurocup season. As such, Budivelnik will be part of the 25 teams that are already confirmed to play the Eurocup regular season. The seven remaining teams will come from the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Round, to take place in late September in Desio, Italy. This will be Budivelnik's second participation in the Eurocup. In its previous one, in 2010-11, the team reached the Last 16 and finished last in Group J.

Courtesy of www.eurocupbasketball.com

Stelmet Zielona Gora signs 2-year deal with C Milos Lopicic - by Eurobasket News

Milos Lopicic (216-C-90) will continue his career in Poland. The Montenegrin big buy penned a 2-year deal with Stelmet Zielona Gora. They will compete in EuroCup next season. Lopicic spent few days on tryout and managed to secure a deal. He is a product of the Montenegrin team Lovcen Cetinje. He appeared 29 times in the league last season averaging 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. The center was top rebounder of the league, fourth scorer and second shot blocker. He was named to Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League 1st Team -12. In 2011, Milos Lopicic was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League Honorable Mention. Lovcen reached Playoff Semifinals in both seasons. In the past, Lopicic played for Montenegrin youth National Teams. He played for U20 Montenegro at 2009 EuroBasket U20 in Rhodes and 2010 EuroBasket U20 in Croatian. In 2007 and 2008, the center was a member of U18 Montenegro.

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EUROLEAGUE

Papagou to honor scoring great Alphonso Ford's memory - by Diamadis Farmakis

Eight years after he passed away, prolific scorer Alphonso Ford (188-G-71, college: Miss.Valley St.) will be memorialized Sunday by his Greek colleagues and fans. His former teammates from Papagou, one of four clubs he played for during his illustrious career, organized a game in his memory on the team's home floor.

Ford led the Greek League in scoring with 24.6 points per game in his lone season with Papagou in 1996-97 and that team, led by Michalis Yfantis and Giorgos Liminatis and Coach Kostas Missas will face a selection of veteran Greek players, including Euroleague legends and stars Fragiskos Alvertis, Theo Papaloukas, Efthimis Rentzias, Giorgos Sigalas, Michalis Kakiouzis and Nikos Boudouris. Former Peristeri head coach and current boss of Panathinaikos, Argiris Pedoulakis, will head the Greek Selection.

Alphonso Ford began his European career in 1995 in Spain with Grupo AGB Huesca and came to Greece the following season. After one season with Papagou, he was diagnosed with leukemia and was forced to sit out the 1997-98 campaign. However he returned as strong as ever with Sporting Athens, played two years with Peristeri and another with Olympiacos. He went on to spend a season each in Italy with Montepaschi Siena and Scavolini Pesaro

Among his list of accomplishments were leading the Euroleague in scoring twice and leading the Greek League in scoring four times. He was named to the All-Euroleague First Time twice and to the All-Euroleague Second Team once, won the 2001 Greek League MVP and led Olympiacos to the 2002 Greek Cup. His name is firmly etched into the Euroleague record books for the most points scored in a Euroleague game (41, tied with two others), the highest scoring average for a season (26 points per game with Peristeri in 2000-01) and the highest scoring averaged for a career (22.2 ppg.).

Ford passed away on September 4, 2004 mere months after he played his final game for Pesaro after a long and painful battle against leukemia. He was 32. Euroleague Basketball subsequently named the award for its annual scoring champion the "Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy" in his memory.

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Standings Div.A (Men)

Standings

Group Qualification Gr.A
1. Montenegro.		9-0
2. Israel		6-3
3. Serbia		5-4
4. Estonia		5-4
5. Iceland		1-8
6. Slovakia		1-8
Group Qualification Gr.B
1. Germany		7-0
2. Azerbaijan.		4-3
3. Bulgaria		4-4
4. Sweden		3-4
5. Luxembourg.		0-7
Group Qualification Gr.C
1. Croatia		7-0
2. Ukraine		6-2
3. Austria		3-4
4. Hungary		2-5
5. Cyprus		0-7
Group Qualification Gr.D
1. Bosnia		6-2
2. Georgia		5-2
3. Latvia		4-3
4. Holland		2-5
5. Romania		1-6
Group Qualification Gr.E
1. Poland		6-2
2. Finland		5-2
3. Belgium		4-3
4. Switzerlan.		3-4
5. Albania		0-7
Group Qualification Gr.F
1. Italy		8-0
2. Czech Rep.		5-2
3. Turkey		4-3
4. Belarus		1-6
5. Portugal		0-7

Qualifying Round: Round 9

Sep. 8: ISL - MNT 92-101
Sep. 8: EST - SRB 88-81
Sep. 8: ISR - SVK 106-73

Sep. 8: SWE - GER 86-91
Sep. 8: BUL - LUX 120-95

Sep. 8: HUN - CRO 79-81
Sep. 8: UKR - CYP 69-51

Sep. 8: BIH - ROM 93-58
Sep. 8: LAT - GEO 70-73

Sep. 8: POL - ALB 89-59
Sep. 8: BEL - FIN 71-68

Sep. 8: ITA - BLR 83-58
Sep. 8: POR - TUR 69-79

Qualifying Round: Round 10

Sep. 11: SRB - ISR
Sep. 11: EST - ISL
Sep. 11: MNT - SVK

Sep. 11: GER - AZE
Sep. 11: LUX - SWE

Sep. 11: CRO - AUT
Sep. 11: CYP - HUN

Sep. 11: ROM - LAT
Sep. 11: GEO - NED

Sep. 11: FIN - SUI
Sep. 11: ALB - BEL

Sep. 11: BLR - POR
Sep. 11: TUR - CZE

Stats Leaders

Points Per Game

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

1. Gavel, SVK	25.9
2. Teletovic, BIH	24.3
3. Davis, AZE	22.2
4. Gortat, POL	21.1
5. Jerebko, SWE	20.7
6. Casspi, ISR	19.4
7. Koponen, FIN	19.3
8. Stefansson, ISL	19.1
9. Pachulia, GEO	18.6
10. Norel, NED	18.3

Rebounds Per Game

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

1. Haciyeva, AZE	12.3
2. Gortat, POL	11.6
3. Shima, ALB	9.7
4. Baeringsson, ISL	9.1
5. Pleiss, GER	9.0
6. King, CYP	8.7
7. Sanikidze, GEO	8.5
8. Hysenagolli, ALB	8.3
9. Simmons, BUL	8.3
10. Talts, EST	8.0

Assists Per Game

Zack WRIGHT
  USA
  (188-G-85)
  Avg: 7.4

1. Wright, BIH	7.4
2. Ohayon, ISR	5.7
3. Koponen, FIN	5.3
4. Sokk, EST	5.2
5. Gavel, SVK	5.1
6. Grant, SWE	5.1
7. Jansen, NED	5.1
8. Kudrautsau, BLR	5.1
9. Satoransky, CZE	5.1
10. Tsintsadze, GEO	5.0

Steals Per Game

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

1. Davis, AZE	3.0
2. Markoishvili, GEO	2.6
3. Wright, BIH	2.5
4. Hanga, HUN	2.4
5. Santos, POR	2.3
6. Kotti, FIN	2.3
7. Strelnieks, LAT	2.1
8. Jones, LUX	2.1
9. Razis, CYP	2.1
10. Tsintsadze, GEO	2.1

Blocks Per Game

Viacheslav KRAVTSOV
  UKR
  (212-C-87)
  Avg: 2.5

1. Kravtsov, UKR	2.5
2. Gortat, POL	2.3
3. Rindin, AZE	1.6
4. Cusin, ITA	1.6
5. Berzins, LAT	1.6
6. Erden, TUR	1.4
7. Varbanov, BUL	1.4
8. Tyus, ISR	1.4
9. Parakhouski, BLR	1.4
10. Simmons, BUL	1.3

EuroBasket 2013 Qualifying Round. Day 9 - by Eurobasket News

Group A

Estonia - Serbia 88-81
Estonia remains hopeful about their 2013 EuroBasket ambitions. They knocked down Serbia to improve at 5-4 record in Group A. They caught up with the Balkan team in the ladder. Kristjan Kangur (201-SF-82) posted 19 points to lead the winners. Serbia entered the game as favourites and started to prove their status right from the start. They established a 22:16 lead after ten minutes. Estonia cut the deficit in the second quarter. The hosts got within two points at halftime 41:43. Gregor Arbet (195-G/F-83) and Kristjan Kangur put Estonia in front 57:54 late in the third frame. Serbia retained the lead but Kristjan Kangur drew things level at 63 with ten minutes remaining. Gregor Arbet triggered a 10:0 run from Estonia as they accumulated a 78:68 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Milenko Tepic and Milos Teodosic (195-PG-87) dragged Serbia within two points 78:80. However Dorbek, Kristjan Kangur and Sokk sealed the victory for the home side. Gregor Arbet accounted for 17 points, while Siim-Sander Vene added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Nenad Krstic replied with 20 points for Serbia. Milos Teodosic and Milenko Tepic had 16 points apiece in the loss.

Israel - Slovakia 106-73
Israel is one step in Eurobasket 2013 after the victory over Slovak Republic 106:73. The team could lose by the huge margin and still advance if Estonia do not win against Iceland in their clash. More than 7000 fans came to Tel Aviv to support the Israeli team to advance to Slovenia 2013. The hosts opened the game with 23-19 and added 26-23 in the second frame. Moreover the third period became decisive in the game as the hosts needed 32-8 surge for the comfortable lead. Israel won the last quarter 25-23 and grabbed 33-point victory. Eliyahu Lior and Omri Casspi (204-SF-88) paced all the winners with 18 points each. Tyus Alex collected 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Yotam Halperin (193-SG-84) notched 14. Jozef Vojtek (204-F-85) finished the game with 17 in the losing effort and Dusan Pandula (197-SF-84) poured in 14. Bilik Martin delivered 11 points in a loss.

Iceland - Montenegro 92-101
Montenegro celebrated the ninth straight win at 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They silenced Iceland on the road to stay perfect. Vladimir Dasic (208-PF-88, agency: Beo Basket) had a monster game tallying 38 points and 14 rebounds for the winners. Iceland opened the game with six consecutive points. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the opening quarter and secured a 23:19 lead at the first break. The margin grew at 9-point mark midway through the second frame. Hlynur Baeringsson (197-F-82) ensured a 40:30 lead for Iceland. The hosts stayed on fire offensively building a 61:39 lead at the interval. Montenegro used an 11:0 run midway through the third frame to narrow the gap at 9-point mark 62:71. Taylor Rochestie put the Balkan team within 7 points at the final intermission 69:76. Vladimir Dasic and Taylor Rochestie narrowed the deficit at just a single point early in the fourth frame. Iceland were still up by three points 83:80 with just over five minutes remaining. But the visitors triggered an 11:0 rally to take a 91:83 advantage with under a minute to go. Iceland could not recover and had to surrender at the end. Taylor Rochestie finished with 31 points, while Sead Sehovic (196-G/F-89) posted 11 points in the victory. Jon Stefansson provided 32 points for Iceland. Hlynur Baeringsson had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in defeat.

Group B

Sweden - Germany 86-91
Germany kept their record perfect at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Sweden in Norrkoping today to improve at 7-0 record in Group B. Sweden slipped at 3-4 record and need to win over Luxembourg to stay hopeful of their qualification. Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) notched 21 points to lead the winners. Sweden got to a confident start. The Scandinavian team posted a 26:21 lead after ten minutes. Germany slowed their opponents down in the second quarter. Tibor Pleiss and Heiko Schaffartzik put the visitors within one 42:43 at the interval. The lead changed hands for several times throughout intense third term. Sweden capped the quarter with 7 points in a row to take a 67:64 lead. Maraker extended the margin to 8 points 79:71 midway through the fourth frame. But Robin Benzing scored six straight points to spark a 10:0 rally from Germany as they grabbed an 81:79 lead. Kenny Grant (188-G-82, college: Davidson) retained the lead for the Scandinavians but Heiko Schaffartzik and Zwiener made it 86:84 for Germany. Massamba drew things level at 86 however Heiko Schaffartzik and Robin Benzing crowned the regulation with five points in a row and sealed the win for Germany. Robin Benzing accounted for 19 points, while Tibor Pleiss and Jan-Hendrik Jagla had 16 points each for the winners. Jonas Jerebko (206-PF-87) replied with game-high 32 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Sweden. Kenny Grant netted 21 points in the loss.

Bulgaria - Luxembourg 120-95
Bulgaria capped their 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round campaign in a high-flying style. They unleashed 120 points to thrash visiting Luxembourg. Bulgaria thus improved at 4-4 record in Group B and remained hopeful of qualifying. Chavdar Kostov (195-SG-88, agency: Interperformances) fired 33 points to lead the hosts. Luxembourg suffered the seventh loss in a row. Bulgaria dropped 30 points in the first frame to take a 9-point lead. Luxembourg bounced back in the second quarter. The visitors fired 31 points to narrow the gap at just four-point distance 52:56. But Bulgaria picked up the slack in the third term. They paid more attention to defence and stretched the lead to 15-point mark at the final intermission. Bulgaria exploded with 41 points in the fourth term and celebrated victory. Ivan Lilov (196-SG-88) chipped in 16 points, while Pavel Marinov (199-SF-88, agency: Interperformances) added 14 points in the victory. Christopher Jones and Samy Picard (196-PF-88) replied with 21 points each for Luxembourg.

Group C

Hungary - Croatia 79-81
Croatia earned the seventh straight win at 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Hungary on the road to stay perfect in Group C. Roko-Leni Ukic (196-PG-84) drained a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the victory for Croatia in this one. Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 17 points to lead the visitors. Croatia posted a 16:12 lead after ten minutes. Hungary slowly adjusted their game. They narrowed the gap at 2-point mark at halftime 32:34. Trotter and Peter Lorant gave the hosts a 42:39 lead midway through the third term. Rok Stipcevic retained Croatian lead but Fodor and Adam Hanga capped the frame with five points in a row as Hungary secured a 53:50 advantage. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the final quarter. Miklos Szabo (205-F/C-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group, college: Hofstra) and Trotter drew things level at 79 with 9 seconds remaining. But Roko-Leni Ukic dropped a late bucket to win the game for Croatia. Dario Saric accounted for 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Damir Markota and Rok Stipcevic provided 10 points each in the win. Peter Lorant answered with 24 points for Hungary Adam Hanga and Miklos Szabo finished with 10 points apiece in defeat.

Ukraine - Cyprus 69-51
Ukraine capped their EuroBasket Qualifying Round campaign with victory. They defeated Cyprus in Yuzny. Steven Burtt came up with 13 points as Ukraine clinched the second position in Group C. Cyprus suffered the seventh loss in a row. Ukraine and Cyprus started the game rather slow. Both teams lacked composure offensively. Ukraine though managed to surge ahead to take an 18:13 lead after ten minutes. But the second term left more questions. Cyprus cut the deficit to just a single point at halftime 28:27. Panagiotis Trisokkas (206-PF-80) and Anthony King (206-F/C-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Miami, FL) put Cyprus ahead midway through the third term 33:32. But the hosts quickly regained the lead and ensured a 41:37 lead into the fourth frame. The hosts opened the fourth period on a 10:0 run and never looked back en route to the victory. Maxym Korniyenko (204-F/C-87) posted 12 points, while Sergii Gladyr had 11 points in the win. Panagiotis Trisokkas answered with 15 points for Cyprus. Anthony King netted 14 points in the loss.

Group D

Latvia - Georgia 70-73
Georgia clinched the spot at 2013 EuroBasket. They gained a crucial win over Latvia in Riga tonight to punch the ticket to Slovenia. Georgia are now at 5-2 record in Group D. If they beat Netherlands in the next round they will clinch the top position in the ladder. Latvia in the meantime endangered their qualification chances. They must edge Romania in the final round to advance. The teams started the game quite slowly. They teamed up for 20 points in the opening quarter. Latvia gained a 13:7 lead. But Georgia took over in the second frame. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) knocked down 8 straight points midway through the period to level things up at 20. The visitors capped the half with 11 points in a row to gain a 31:24 lead. Latvia managed to return the lead late in the third term. Davis Bertans (205-SF-92) made it 44:43 for the hosts. But Shermadini ensured a 48:46 Georgian lead at the final break. Georgia used a 9:0 run midway through the fourth frame to make it 62:55. Strelnieks put Latvia within one 70:71 with 11 seconds remaining. Zaza Pachulia answered with a dunk and then both Strelnieks and Kuksiks missed their three-point attempts as Georgia got away with victory. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) provided 17 points for Georgia. Zaza Pachulia and Jacob Pullen added 15 points each for the winners. Kaspars Berzins (211-PF-85) answered with 15 points for Latvia. Martins Meiers had 14 points in the loss.

Bosnia - Romania 93-58
Bosnia and Herzegovina won over Romania in Sarajevo in front of 6000 fans to qualify to Eurobasket 2013.The winning side improved to 6-2 record, while Romanian fell at 1-6. Bosnia and Herzegovina felt the home support and started the game with 25-12. Moreover they erupted with 32-12 in the second frame and enjoyed 57:24 lead at the halftime. Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) scored four in a rwo in the start of the third period as Bosnia added 21-20 in the period. They also won the last stanza 15-14 and will head to Slovenia 2013. Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) top-scored for the winners with 15 points, while Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) , Djedovic Nihad and Mitrovic Nemanja posted 12 each. Elmedin Kikanovic followed them with 10 points in a win. Ionut Dragusin (221-C-85) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort and Mihai Silvasan (200-SF-85, agency: Court Side) delivered 15. Andrei Mandache (191-G/F-87, agency: Global Sports Plaza) scored 10 points in defeat.

Group E

Poland - Albania 89-59
Poland clinched their place in the EuroBasket field in Slovenia as they finished the Qualification Round with 89:59 win over Albania. Poland grabbed 6-2 record on top of Group E and qualified to EuroBasket 2013. Albania surprised the hosts in Lublin in the first period taking 19-18 lead. Gerti Shima (202-PF-86) brought 22:20 but it was the last lead for Albania. Poland pushed the tempo for good and dominated the rest of the game. They won the second frame 24-15 and added 20-8 in the third quarter. Moreover Poland needed 27-17 in the last stanza for the comfortable victory. Gortat Marcin stepped up with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Zamojski Przemyslaw nailed 13. Ignerski Michal followed them with 11 points in a win. Klaudio Ndoja (198-SG-85) finished the game with 18 points in the losing effort and Gerti Shima collected 16 points and 11 boards in defeat. Hysenagolli Endrit scored 13 points as Albania is with 0-7 record on the bottom.

Belgium - Finland 71-68
Belgium grabbed valuable win over Finland in Antwerp to remain alive for Eurobasket in Slovenia 2013. Belgium won 71:68 and improved to 4-3 record. Finland meanwhile dropped at 5-2 and is on the second place so far. Finland started better and won the first period 28:19. Tuukka Kotti (205-PF-81, college: Providence) increased the lead to 32:19 early in the second, but Belgium erupted with an 18-0 run for 37:32 lead. As a total Belgium won the second frame 25-10 and had 44:38 advantage at the halftime. Moreover the hosts added 15-8 in the third period for 59:46 after three quarters. Finland was too far to give up at that time and Salin Sasu tied the game at 62:62. Moreover Petteri Koponen (194-PG-88) nailed three for 65:62 with 3 minutes to go. Belgium however created a 9-0 run at the end of the game to seal an important victory. Mukubu Wen Boss top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Guy Muya (190-PG-83, agency: TSS Management) as well as Moors Roel posted 10 apiece. Petteri Koponen finished the game with 22 points in the losing effort, while Tuukka Kotti and Salin Sasu scored 11 each.

Group F

Italy - Belarus 83-58
Italy finish their EuroBasket Qualification campaign undefeated and won Group F with a perfect 8-0 record. The team sent Belarus to 1-6 record after 83:58 win in Trieste. More than 4000 fans came to support the favorites in Trieste. Italy won the first period 23-15 and produced 25-17 in the second quarter for 48:32 at the halftime. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Daniel Hackett (200-PG-87, agency: Two Points, college: USC) scored for 53:35 early in the third, while Danilo Gallinari also closed the period at 64:44. Italy posted 19-14 in the last stanza for the final success. Gigli was the last player to score for the winners in the game. Danilo Gallinari paced all the winners with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) added 12. Mancinelli Stefano scored 10, while Daniel Hackett notched 9. Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (190-SG-80) ended up with 12 points in the losing case and Pustahvar Aliaksandr poured in 9.

Portugal - Turkey 69-79
Turkey remain alive for Eurobasket 2013 after a road win over Portugal. The Turkish side improved to 4-3 record after 79:69 win. Portugal meanwhile fell at 0-7 record. Turkey will play Czech Republic on September 11th for the second place in Group. Portugal did not want to give up to the favorite and started with 21-17 lead. Claudio Fonseca (206-C-89) increased to 25:18, while Turkey erupted with 13-0 run for 31:25 lead. They grabbed 35:31 at the halftime, but Claudio Fonseca tied the game at 45:45 midway through the third period. Mario Fernandes (174-PG-82) gave Portugal 52:47 at the end of the frame but it was not enough to for the win. Turkey needed massive 32-17 surge at the end of the game to win the battle. Karaman Ilkan top-scored for the winners with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Arslan Ender poured in 19. Gonlum Kerem scored 11 and Balbay Dogus netted 9. Claudio Fonseca finished the game with 20 points for the hosts and Mario Fernandes added 17. Santos Joao brought 11, while Miguel Minhava (195-G-83) chipped in with 8.

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FINLAND

Belgium grabbed valuable win over Finland in Antwerp - by Eurobasket News

Belgium-Finland 71:68

Belgium grabbed valuable win over Finland in Antwerp to remain alive for Eurobasket in Slovenia 2013. Belgium won 71:68 and improved to 4-3 record. Finland meanwhile dropped at 5-2 and is on the second place so far.
Finland started better and won the first period 28:19. Tuukka Kotti (205-PF-81, college: Providence) increased the lead to 32:19 early in the second, but Belgium erupted with an 18-0 run for 37:32 lead. As a total Belgium won the second frame 25-10 and had 44:38 advantage at the halftime. Moreover the hosts added 15-8 in the third period for 59:46 after three quarters. Finland was too far to give up at that time and Sasu Salin (190-G-91) tied the game at 62:62. Moreover Petteri Koponen (194-PG-88) nailed three for 65:62 with 3 minutes to go. Belgium however created a 9-0 run at the end of the game to seal an important victory.
Wen Boss Mukubu (198-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: UAB) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Guy Muya (190-PG-83, agency: TSS Management) as well as Roel Moors (190-G-78) posted 10 apiece. Petteri Koponen finished the game with 22 points in the losing effort, while Tuukka Kotti and Sasu Salin scored 11 each.

Belgium: Wen Boss Mukubu 20, Guy Muya 10, Roel Moors 10
Finland: Petteri Koponen 22, Tuukka Kotti 11, Sasu Salin 11

EUROBASKET: Nervous Wolf Team in Belgium - by Rauno Hurmalainen

EuroBasket, Qualifying Round, Group E: The home court advantage is sometimes huge - in basketball. When Finland crushed Belgium two weeks ago in Helsinki by 37 points (97-60), most of the fans were sure, Finland will take care of tonight's game in Antwerpen without bigger difficulties. But the difficulties got started during the second quarter. Finland 19-30 lead was turned into 37-32 deficit in seven minutes and Belgium was back in the game. Wolf Team Finland got nervous (21 turnovers in the contest) and Belgium fighting to the end winning 71-68 (44-38) over visitor Finland. Quarters: 19-28, 25-10, 15-8, 12-22. Both teams had three players in double digits. Wen Boss Mukubu (198-F-83, agency: SportsTalent, college: UAB) led the hosts with 20 points and Petteri Koponen (194-PG-88) being the leading scorer of Finland and the game with 22 pts. Koponen gave this time four assists and had six turnovers. Finland record is now 5-2 with one contest left.
Poland has won Group E with 6-2 record. Despite of the loss tonight Finland will be # 2 and Slovenia 2013 will call. Finland has the place already in the 24-team event secured. Finland will meet Switzerland in Helsinki still on Tuesday, September 11.
Belgium - Finland 71-68 (44-38). B: Wen Mukubu 20, Roel Moors 10, Guy Muya 10. 1 - 72.7% (24/33), 2 - 45,2% (19/42), 3 - 17,6% (3/17). R: 32. TO: 18. - F: Petteri Koponen 22/4a, Tuukka Kotti 11/4, Sasu Salin 11. 1 - 71,4% (15/21), 2 - 45,7% (16/35), 3 - 36,8% (7/19). R: 32. TO:21.

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FRANCE

Paris-Levallois add Sharon to their roster - by Eurobasket News

Paris-Levallois (ProA) agreed terms with 17-year old Israeli point guard Naor Sharon (193-95). He played last season at Pau-Lacq-Orthez in ProA. However his team was relegated to ProB. He is a member of Israeli U18 national team. Sharon represented Israel at the European Championships U18 Division B in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) this year.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Pau-Lacq-Orthez downs Boulazac, joins Limoges CSP in Tounoi du Palio Finals - by Eurobasket News

Boulazac - Pau-Lacq-Orthez 78-87

Pau-Lacq-Orthez advanced to the Final of 2012 Tounoi du Palio. They outplayed home squad Boulazac on Friday 87-78. It means that Pau-Orthez will meet Limoges in the battle for the first place. Limoges handed 84-78 loss to Lagun Aro GBC, who will play against Boulazac for third place. Brian Boddicker (204-F-81, college: Texas) stepped up for Pau-Orthez with 25 points. Antoine Mendy (198-F-83) was their second scorer with 14 points and Jean-Frederic Morency (199-F-89) added 10. In Boulazac, Osiris Eldridge (191-G-88, agency: N.E.T., college: Illinois St.) shined with 22 points and Amadi McKenzie (201-PF-86, college: Tenn Tech) scored 14. Darryl Monroe (202-C/F-86, agency: Pro Partner Sports Management, college: George Mason) stopped to 12 points in this loss. The Final game will be played today at 20:30h. Game for third place starts at 18:30h.

Boulazac: Osiris Eldridge (22), Harris (6), Amadi McKenzie (14), Gaillou (2), Hawkins (11), Kerckhof (3), Cheriet (2), Darryl Monroe (12), Ramseyer (6).
Pau-Lacq-Orthez: Rmi Lesca (4), Ordin (5), Jackson (9), Flo Lesca (7), Antoine Mendy (14), Denave (9), Brian Boddicker (25), Pelos (2), Driss (2), Jean-Frederic Morency (10).

Limoges CSP beats Lagun Aro GBC in Boulazac, 84-78 - by Eurobasket News

Limoges CSP - Lagun Aro GBC 84-78

Limoges CSP and Lagun Aro GBC played a friendly game yesterday. It was first check for the Spanish squad and they faced with 78-84 defeat. The game was played in Boulazac as a part of Tounoi du Palio. Brad Wanamaker (193-G-89, college: Pittsburgh) and Jean-Michel Mipoka (197-SF-85) were the leading players in victory with 22 and 21 points respectively. Angelos Tsamis (192-G-81) helped his team with 11 pts and Joseph Gomis (180-G-78) added one less. In the loosing squad, Guillem Rubio (202-C-82) and Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (210-F-85, college: Maryland) were better than the others with 14 points each. David Doblas (206-C-81) scored 13 and Javier Salgado (180-PG-80) netted 11 pts. Limoges CSP advanced to the Final, which is scheduled for today. Its rival will be Pau-Orthez. They downed host Boulazac yesterday 87-78. Lagun Aro GBC and Boulzac will fight for third place.

Limoges CSP: Joseph Gomis (10), Angelos Tsamis (11), Boungou (8), Salmon (7), Zerbo (2), Lontadila (0), Jean-Michel Mipoka (21), Brad Wanamaker (22), Etienne (0), Dials (0), Desroses (3)
Lagun Aro GBC: Javier Salgado (11), Papamakarios (3), Diez (0), Guillem Rubio (14), David Doblas (13), Lofton (10), Woods (3), Neto (8), Olaizola (2), Motos (0), Ekenechukwu Ibekwe (14), Korolev (0).

Le Portel and Adrian Moss to part ways - by Eurobasket News

Le Portel and Adrian Moss (203-F-81, college: Florida) will most likely part ways very soon. According to La Semaine du Boulonnais, they already agreed to terminate the deal. Reportedly, Le Portel is back on the market searching for replacement. Adrian Moss signed a deal earlier this summer. He spent last season with Spanish LEB Gold team Palencia. In 34 league games the American shined with 15.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LEB Gold Honorable Mention -12. Moss player for Palencia also in 2010/11 registering 10 ppg and 6.5 rpg for 27 games. He started that season with Israeli Hapoel Kiryat Tivon, but after two games moved to Palencia (October 2010). In the past, Adrian Moss was a member of Eisbaeren Bremerhaven, Caceres, Los Barrios, Jena, Lausanne and Cimbria Randers. He graduated at the University of Florida in 2006. They were NCAA champions that season, but Moss had limited playing time registering 3.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg for 39 games.

Antoine Eito out 6 weeks due to injury, Orleans looks for medical joker - by Eurobasket News

Bad news for Orleans and Antoine Eito (186-PG-88). The player suffered stress fracture of the left tibia and will miss next six weeks. The team is already on the market searching for medical joker. Eito arrived to Orleans earlier this summer from Le Mans. He finished last season with Le Mans averaging 4.1 points and 1.1 rebounds. Eito started it with Vichy collecting 10.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.9 rpg and 1.9 spg in 34 games. The played was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-French ProB Honorable Mention -12. Later with Le Mans they reached ProA Finals, but were not able to win the title. Antoine Eito played for Vichy also in 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons. Before that he spent three years with ASVEL. They won ProA title in 2009 and French Cup a year before that. In the past, Antoine Eito played for French U20 National Team.

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GEORGIA

Georgia beat Latvia in Riga to clinch 2013 EuroBasket ticket - by Eurobasket News

Latvia - Georgia 70:73

Georgia clinched the spot at 2013 EuroBasket. They gained a crucial win over Latvia in Riga tonight to punch the ticket to Slovenia. Georgia are now at 5-2 record in Group D. If they beat Netherlands in the next round they will clinch the top position in the ladder. Latvia in the meantime endangered their qualification chances. They must edge Romania in the final round to advance.
The teams started the game quite slowly. They teamed up for 20 points in the opening quarter. Latvia gained a 13:7 lead. But Georgia took over in the second frame. Jacob Pullen (183-PG-89, college: Kansas St.) knocked down 8 straight points midway through the period to level things up at 20. The visitors capped the half with 11 points in a row to gain a 31:24 lead. Latvia managed to return the lead late in the third term. Davis Bertans made it 44:43 for the hosts. But Shermadini ensured a 48:46 Georgian lead at the final break. Georgia used a 9:0 run midway through the fourth frame to make it 62:55. Strelnieks put Latvia within one 70:71 with 11 seconds remaining. Zaza Pachulia (210-C-84) answered with a dunk and then both Strelnieks and Kuksiks missed their three-point attempts as Georgia got away with victory. Manuchar Markoishvili (196-SF-86) provided 17 points for Georgia. Zaza Pachulia and Jacob Pullen added 15 points each for the winners. Kaspars Berzins (211-PF-85) answered with 15 points for Latvia. Martins Meiers (206-C-91) had 14 points in the loss.

Latvia: Kaspars Berzins 15, Martins Meiers 14
Georgia: Manuchar Markoishvili 17, Zaza Pachulia 15, Jacob Pullen 15

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GERMANY

Konstantin Klein (Fraport Skyliners) Slams The Door On The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen 77-60 - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber

The great thing about pre season basketball is that Beko BBL teams have the chance to test against a wide spectrum of teams coming from Japan, the Pro A, Holland or even France as the Fraport Skyliners are doing this season. Another advantage is getting reacquainted with former players like Fabian Franke or former big German talent like Marco Buljevic who started his basketball career up the A5 in Giessen. Fraport Sklyiner fans didnt only have the chance to see shot specialist Marco Buljevic show his straight forward parked stance in the corner, but also observe Fabian Franke again who returned back to his living room in the BCM with PRO A team ETB Wohnbau baskets Essen to duel against the Fraport Skyliners. Franke played three seasons in Frankfurt playing a total of 29 games in the Beko BBL mostly getting garbage time and also having a double license for the PRO B team playing a total of 53 games and being the third best German scorer last season in the PRO B. Franke will always be remembered for being able to completely fill up the stat sheet in the Pro B, decline at times to take open shots in the Beko BBL, his 31 point explosion against BG Illertal last season and last season for his growing GQ looks and fancy outfits which easily would have given him best dressed Skyliner if there had ever been an award like that. After a strong first half by the Fraport Skyliners, the ETB Wohnbau Baskets came back in the third quarter to cut the lead down to five points, but were unable to regain the lead as they ran out of gas. Franke was a central figure in the team and Fraport Skyliner captain Marius Nolte was thrilled to see his ex teammate again. I was happy to see him again. I had 1-2 flashbacks of how he played with us when he was able to defend me well. However I was able to block him once. Fabian is a great guy and friend, stressed Paderborn native Marius Nolte. Franke was unable to remember the Nolte block. It was like a home coming for me. I got a warm welcome and it was cool to see all the people again. I dont know if Marius blocked me, because I wanted to pass the ball, but he did a good job on me, added Fabian Franke. Ex teammate Devin Gibson was also happy to see his ex teammate. I spoke to him before the game and it was nice. This was a good test, because we will also play against Jimmy Mckinney and Jacob Burtschi this season. I think that he will be a solid player for them and produce much, commented Texas native Devin Gibson. It was nice coming back to the BCM. I played here from 2006-2008 with Giessen. My dad comes from Hessen and I really like this training facility, said 2009 Beko BBL champion with Oldenburg Marco Buljevic.

After the more than convincing 100-57 win against PRO A team BV Chemnitz 72 hours ago, where the Fraport Skyliners stifled the team from the former eastern Germany often with their press defense not allowing them to inbound the ball, the team had their second meeting with a PRO A team with the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen where they didnt have as an easy time. They had a big second quarter, fell asleep in the third quarter like a overblown black bear after a tasty feast of berries, but closed out the game in the fourth quarter with big shots from the Jones gang, Danilo Barthel and Konstantin Klein (185-PG-91). We played a good first half defensively. Essen came back in the second half and played well. The result may be a bit too high from their stand point. We werent able to keep up the tempo in the third quarter which gave Essen the chance to come back. Chemnitz didnt come to terms with our pressure, but Essen did. Essen should be able to be a top team in the PRO A, stressed Skyliner sport director Kamil Novak. The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen played with a lot of heart, but in the end were a bit overwhelmed by the higher class of players that the Fraport Skyliners have. We played hard for 40 minutes. We had some mental lapses and werent always as well organized when they pressed. We were in game and we wanted to win and we showed that we could hang with a Beko BBL team. The way we were able to play them will help our confidence, stated Orlando, Florida native Rickey Claitt.

The Fraport Skyliners entered the game without former German national player Johannes Herber who was out with the flu. The team also had a void at the forward position as Alexander Franklin had been cut recently and the team was still without new power forward Dion Dowell who was expected to arrive in Frankfurt on Saturday. The Fraport Skyliners had young German Konstantin Klein in the starting lineup and right away produced as he made a nice pump fake on American 198cm forward Terren Harbut and scored inside off the glass as if he was a very undersized power forward. Essen made a lot of pressure on offense and had for a stretch the lead, but always had to contend with the full court press of Frankfurt. Fabian Franke gave Essen its first lead with a three pointer. German forward Danilo Barthel who had a long shooting day from the parking lot at 2/9, but had better luck from the field as he gave Frankfurt the lead back 7-4 as he scored on a runner and slammed home a beautiful Konstantin Klein bounce pass. Essen then went on a 5-0 run as Marco Buljevic hit a brilliant fade away jumper in the corner over Klein and American Logan Stutz nailed a three pointer as the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen led 11-7. The Fraport Skyliners didnt let this little burst of energy from Essen startle them as they closed out the first quarter 8-4 to dead lock the game at 15-15. Frankfurt displayed some crisp ball movement and the guy who you want to get the last shot is a guy like Anthony Jones who is parked behind the three point line and always ready to release a bomb hitting. After a Joey Henley tap in, Klein drew a foul making two free throws and ended the first quarter scoring on a lay in getting a quick feed from German Johannes Vogtmann showing once again his masterful passing qualities.

Both teams got going slowly in the second quarter as no team was able to get anything going inside and rather focusing on finding that open shot from the mid distance or from outside. The Fraport Skyliners then finally scored inside as Devin Gibson did his typical quick steps finding the open space and then serving Marius Nolte cusine in form of a basketball with a high lob that he easily put home. Essen then got a timely three pointer from Lexington, Kentucky native Terren Harbut who has played his entire career in Germany for teams like Paderborn, Herten and BV Chemnitz. The Fraport Skyliners led 18-17, but would now open up the game as they went on a 26-7 run to close out the second quarter leading 44-25. Danilo Barthel started the scoring attack with six straight points as he scored inside using his wit and waiting for the defender to commit and fall on him as he was in the air making the lay up and one and then nailed a three pointer with his typical high rainbow. Essen trailed 24-17. After a Marco Buljevic three pointer, the Skyliners hit three consecutive three pointers often on the transition as the club continued to go make the game fast after each defensive rebound. Johnathon Jones hit and PRO B player Larry Wright connected twice as the Fraport Skyliners led comfortably 37-20. The Fraport Skyliners continued to hit at a high percentage as Vogtmann made a mid distance jumper , Johnathon Jones read a pass perfectly jumped in front tipped the ball away and went coast to coast with a one handed dunk. Anthony Jones closed out the scoring in the second quarter making an open three pointer. The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen went into half time with a lot to talk about as they trailed 44-25. We had very good defensive pressure in the second quarter. We had better ball movement and started to make more shots, stressed Fraport Skyliners guard Devin Gibson. We werent getting into the passing lanes, gave up too many offensive rebounds and just let them play. If that happens you can quickly be down by 20 points, added Marco Buljevic. The Fraport Skyliners were shooting 42% from the field and 40% from outside while the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen shot 37% from the field and 36% from outside. Frankfurt had the 20-15 edge, but only three turnovers while Essen had 11 turnovers.

The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen kept the basketball adage alive that basketball is a game of runs and set forth theirs as they battled back into the game. Essen did start off fast going on a mini 4-0 run to cut the Frankfurt lead to 44-29 started to push the ball inside more with success. 196cm forward Joey Henley who is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan scored hard over Nolte and Buljevic showed that he wont shy from going inside scoring over Klein. It seemed like Essen might be in the middle of their run, but instead was put on hold as the Fraport Skyliners were able to bounce back on a potent 10-0 run to extend their lead to 54-29. Nolte started the run finding some daylight in the lane getting a pass from Gibson. Anthony Jones then responded hit twice from the field and from the corner for three getting a four point play. Whenever the shot clock is down or the Skyliners seem to be in trouble, it is the American who hits the big shots. The ETB Wohnbau Baskets had had enough and now made the game interesting again going on a 17-4 run to close out the third quarter trailing only 58-49. Essen got back into the game playing a clever inside out game. Buljevic started the run with a three pointer. Essen then got two back to back buckets inside as 24 year old 205cm forward Logan Stutz that played for Leitershofen and in Austria last season scored over Nolte and Henley made a reverse lay up who was very active all day long on the boards. Henley then scored again making a guard type play coming from the second row in the lane and stepping in front of a pass and going coast to coast for the basket. PRO B player Tim Oldenburg then hit a mid distance jumper from the corner as Frankfurt still led 58-38. Essen closed out the third quarter with a 11-0 run to trail 58-49. Stutz hit from outside, German Carsten Bartels scored inside and Harbut scored from the top of the key. We played better defense, got in the passing lanes, got steals and had better ball movement, stressed Essen guard Marco Buljevic. We were a bit winded in the third quarter. We were getting the shots that we wanted, but they just werent falling, added Devin Gibson.

The ETB Wohnbau Baskets still had energy and kept their 11-0 run from the end of the third quarter going as 21 year old 201cm forward and ex LTi Giessen 46er Roben Christen scored inside and Stutz scored easily inside as the Fraport Skyliners had little defensive pressure or body containment in the paint as the PRO A team was suddenly only down 58-53. However the Fraport Skyliners finally stopped their scoring drought of almost seven minutes dating back to the last bucket from Tim Oldenburg in the third quarter by getting production from captain Marius Nolte who got a lob pass from Gibson. Gibson then nailed a jumper as Essen trailed 62-53. However Essen still was clawing their way back as Harbut hit a free throw and Rickey Claitt hit a fade way as Essen trailed only 62-56. However the Fraport Skyliners had had enough now and simply were still too overpowering even so late in the game closing out the game with a forceful 16-4 run. Barthel nailed a three pointer to help improve his poor shooting day from down town and Anthony Jones lit up the scoreboard again. Henley then grabbed an offensive rebound and got a put back as Essen trailed only 68-58. After a Johnathon Jones three pointer at the shot clock buzzer, it was Konstantin Klein that ultimately that brought Essen back to reality with two consecutive three pointers to lead 77-60. Klein closed out the game with a free throw only after Skyliner head coach Muli Katzurin had raced over to the referee to get the free throws as most everyone had seen the game as over. We were more focused in the fourth quarter and increased our defensive pressure, stressed Devin Gibson. One could see the big difference in individual class that there is between both teams in the fourth quarter. We defended the pick and roll very bad and Frankfurt was always able to penetrate into the heart of our defense. We didnt have the strength to come back down by so much, added Marco Buljevic.

The Skyliners were led by Danilo Barthel with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Anthony Jones added 14 points, four rebounds and three steals. Konstantin Klein produced 13 points and four assists. Johnathon Jones contributed 12 points. The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen were led by Joey Henley with 16 points. Logan Stutz added 14 points and Marco Buljevic 10 points. The ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen shot a tad better from the field at 44% as Frankfurt did at 42%. Frankfurt shot 38% from the three point line and Essen 37%. The Fraport Skyliners easily won the rebound battle 37-31 and had nine turnovers while Essen had 15. One player who continues to make strides is 21 year old German Konstantin Klein who scored in double figures and started at point guard and is blessed with a healthy confidence level. He already has the respect of his teammates as training camp isnt even a month old. Konstantin Klein is a great player. He can really do it all. He really has no weakness. He can shoot, is a great passer and plays hard defense. He will be a great player, warned Skyliner teammate Devin Gibson. As time goes by, the public and players will know who Konstantin Klein is. I didnt know who he was before today, but I like his game. He plays with a lot of snap. He is very aggressive on the ball defense and gets in the passing lanes. He also showed that he is a good ecision maker on offense. I sensed that he isnt afraid of nayone. He has a lot of potential. He also shows not too much respect of the opponent in a positive way, stressed Marco Buljevic. The Fraport Skyliners test against Dutch team Nijmegen today.

Germany bring victory from Norrkoping - by Eurobasket News

Sweden - Germany 86:91

Germany kept their record perfect at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Sweden in Norrkoping today to improve at 7-0 record in Group B. Sweden slipped at 3-4 record and need to win over Luxembourg to stay hopeful of their qualification. Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) notched 21 points to lead the winners.
Sweden got to a confident start. The Scandinavian team posted a 26:21 lead after ten minutes. Germany slowed their opponents down in the second quarter. Tibor Pleiss (215-C-89) and Heiko Schaffartzik put the visitors within one 42:43 at the interval. The lead changed hands for several times throughout intense third term. Sweden capped the quarter with 7 points in a row to take a 67:64 lead. Maraker extended the margin to 8 points 79:71 midway through the fourth frame. But Robin Benzing (209-SF-89) scored six straight points to spark a 10:0 rally from Germany as they grabbed an 81:79 lead. Kenny Grant (188-G-82, college: Davidson) retained the lead for the Scandinavians but Heiko Schaffartzik and Zwiener made it 86:84 for Germany. Massamba drew things level at 86 however Heiko Schaffartzik and Robin Benzing crowned the regulation with five points in a row and sealed the win for Germany. Robin Benzing accounted for 19 points, while Tibor Pleiss and Jan-Hendrik Jagla (211-PF-81, college: Penn St.) had 16 points each for the winners. Jonas Jerebko (206-PF-87) replied with game-high 32 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Sweden. Kenny Grant netted 21 points in the loss.

Sweden: Jonas Jerebko 32+10 boards, Kenny Grant 21
Germany: Heiko Schaffartzik 21, Robin Benzing 19, Tibor Pleiss 16, Jan-Hendrik Jagla 16

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GREECE

HUNGARY

Atomeromu SE and Falco won the latest games - by Eurobasket News

Alba Fehervar lost to Atomeromu SE 58:67 in the Hungarian battle of the first game in Romania. Alba Fehervar won however the first period 19-11 in the start of the game. Later on the court was dominated by Atomeromu SE that posted three victories in the last three quarters. Atomeromu SE won the second quarter 18-12 and added 21-14 in the third period. Moreover the winners finished the game with 17-13 to seal the first success. Janos Eilingsfeld (198-F/C-91, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Idlet had 13. Kortelyesi delivered 10 and Kerpel-Fronius ended up with 8. Jozsef Lekli (206-F/C-87, agency: TSS Management) finished the game with 12 points and Zoltan Supola (190-G-88, agency: FCM) posted 11 in defeat.
Falco beat SZTE Szedeak 95:74. Falco took 25:18 lead at the end of the first period and led 7 points at the halftime. Moreover they needed a final 30-15 push to seal the victory. Michael Fey (213-F/C-83, college: UCLA) top-scored for the winners with 24 points, while Levy and Ivosev posted 14 each. Milan Csorvasi (209-F/C-88, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) answered with 24 points in the losing effort and DUKICS netted 11.

Croatia edge Hungary to make it seven in a row - by Eurobasket News

Hungary - Croatia 79:81

Croatia earned the seventh straight win at 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They knocked down Hungary on the road to stay perfect in Group C. Ukic drained a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the victory for Croatia in this one. Bojan Bogdanovic (203-SG-89) finished with 17 points to lead the visitors.
Croatia posted a 16:12 lead after ten minutes. Hungary slowly adjusted their game. They narrowed the gap at 2-point mark at halftime 32:34. Trotter and Peter Lorant (206-PF-85, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group) gave the hosts a 42:39 lead midway through the third term. Rok Stipcevic (185-PG-86) retained Croatian lead but Fodor and Adam Hanga (200-SG-89, agency: Peter Lorant%20Andras&AgencyNm=TSS Management">TSS Management) capped the frame with five points in a row as Hungary secured a 53:50 advantage. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the final quarter. Miklos Szabo (205-F/C-86, agency: Laszlo Vinko Group, college: Hofstra) and Trotter drew things level at 79 with 9 seconds remaining. But Ukic dropped a late bucket to win the game for Croatia. Dario Saric (208-F/C-94) accounted for 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Damir Markota (209-F-85) and Rok Stipcevic provided 10 points each in the win. Peter Lorant answered with 24 points for Hungary Adam Hanga and Miklos Szabo finished with 10 points apiece in defeat.

Hungary: Peter Lorant 24, Adam Hanga 10, Miklos Szabo 10
Croatia: Bojan Bogdanovic 17, Dario Saric 12, Damir Markota 10, Rok Stipcevic 10

Matt Shaw agreed with BC Kormend - by Tamas Deri

Last season Matt Shaw (203-F-88, college: UNLV) played in Estonia where he averaged 14 pts, 7 rebs, and 50.5%fg% and 44.7%3fg% and after the first 1.5 months of the season and he transitioned with his new team he averaged 16pts and 8rebs. The Estonian league has several clubs (Kalev Cramo and Tartu Rock) that compete in the FIBA Europe competitions and also in the VTB United league (top teams from Russia and the old Soviet Union). Matt is extremely skilled, is an excellent "pick and pop" BIG, who is an excellent shooter that is deadly from the "3", and is equally lethal within the arc, as he possesses great accuracy in the midrange. In addition to his ability to face-up, Matt has an effective low post offensive game and is a BIG man at 240lbs who can use his size and physicality to take up space on defense, and use his physicality to his advantage to be an effective low-post defender and rebounder. Matt has the size and physicality to play on the position 5, and the skill & scoring ability to play as a power forward. He can score as effectively back-to-the-basket as
he can face-up, and uses his intelligence and understanding of the game to recognize defenses, mismatches and uses this to be an excellent passer. Matt had a solid NCAA carreer with the UNLV Rebels between 2006 and 2010. As a junior he could celebrate an MWC victory and attended the NCAA tournament, as a sophomore he helped his team with 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. During the summer 2008 he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, but after a good rehabilitation he run a great senior season in 2009-10 adding 7.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Crvena Zvezda join Donetsk in Hotel City Cup Final - by Eurobasket News

Crvena Zvezda - Szolnok 82:71

Crvena Zvezda will play in Hotel City Cup Final. They knocked down Szolnok to enter the title game. Crvena Zvezda will take on Ukrainian BC Donetsk for the trophy.
Szolnok ensured the better start to the game. They earned a 19:14 lead after ten minutes. Crvena Zvezda slowly adjusted their performance in the second quarter. They cut the deficit at 4-point mark at the interval 33:37. Crvena Zvezda went on a 21:10 rally in the third term to spur ahead. They secured a 54:47 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Crvena Zvezda unleashed 28 points in the fourth term and secured a comfortable win at the end. Boris Savovic (206-F-87, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 15 points for Crvena Zvezda. Elton Brown (206-C-83, college: Virginia) added 14 points, while Rasko Katic (208-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) provided 12 in the win. Ernests Kalve (200-F-87) answered with 15 points for Szolnok. Calvin Watson (197-G-85, agency: Court Side, college: N.Texas) had 12 points in the loss.

Crvena Zvezda: Boris Savovic 15, Elton Brown 14, Rasko Katic 12
Szolnok: Ernests Kalve 15, Calvin Watson 12

Alex Legion is tested by Pecs - by Levente Szabo

Alex Legion (195-G-88) arrived tonight in Hungary and will be on a tryout with PVSK Pannonpower Pecs. Hardcore basketball fans around the world should be familiar with his name as Alex was one of the most talented guards in the states in his class.

Alex Legion finished his High School career at the legendary Oak Hill Academy where he played alongside Nolan Smith and Brandon Jennings. Alex was the second leading scorer on the team with 19.6ppg and helped Oak Hill to a 40-1 winning record.

The 6'5" guard started his college career at the University of Kentucky where he averaged 6.7ppg in only 17 minutes of playing time. Alex decided to transfer to Illinois but as he didn't find his place in the roster he transferred again and finished his college career at FIU under the hands of coach Isiah Thomas. As a senior Alex averaged 13.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.3apg and 1.0spg (FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 43.1%, FT: 63.6%).

Alex is yet to make his debut on the pro level as he wasnt signed last year, but if he performs well on his tryout he might start his professional journey with PVSK Pannonpower Pecs.

Michael Fey signs with Falco-Szova - by Eurobasket News

Michael Fey (213-F/C-83, college: UCLA) signs with Falco-Szova for the upcoming season. The American Big Man landed in Hungary.
Michael Fey is not new in the country. In 2011-2012 he started for Kaposvari KK (Hungary-A Division, starting five) and averaged 17.9ppg, Reb-3 (9.1rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT-1 (66.7%), FT: 79.6%.
After graduating in 2006 from UCLA, Fey spent his rookie season in China for DongGuan New Century where he averaged 17.6ppg, 8.5rpg in only 20 minutes/game. The 7footer big man started his second season with Shougang Beijing Ducks in the CBA recording 12.3ppg, 5.3rpg but left during the season to play for Zain a team Jordan, then left once again for a short visit to Europe where he played 4 games for Atlas Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (Poland-DBE).
Fey had his best season so far in 2009-2010 when he spent the preseason with the Los Angeles Lakers then moved to the teams D-league affiliate Los Angeles D-Fenders. He finished the season with solid numbers 12.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 56.8%, 3PT-2 (50.0%), FT: 81.9% before moving to Qatari team Al Rayyan. Most recently he was playing for Kyoto Hannaryz in Japan and was very productive. Playing only 15 minutes/game he recorded 9.2ppg and 6.1rpg.
In 2012 he played for Bucaneros de La Guaira (Venezuela-LPB) and in Liga Americas averaged 8.3ppg, 7.7rpg, FGP: 63.2%, FT: 50.0%. In Venezuelan League after 5 games his stats read 9.4ppg, 5.4rpg.

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ICELAND

Montenegro upset Iceland in Reykjavik to stay unbeaten - by Eurobasket News

Iceland - Montenegro 92:101

Montenegro celebrated the ninth straight win at 2013 EuroBasket Qualification. They silenced Iceland on the road to stay perfect. Vladimir Dasic (208-PF-88, agency: Beo Basket) had a monster game tallying 38 points and 14 rebounds for the winners.
Iceland opened the game with six consecutive points. The hosts maintained the lead throughout the opening quarter and secured a 23:19 lead at the first break. The margin grew at 9-point mark midway through the second frame. Hlynur Baeringsson (197-F-82) ensured a 40:30 lead for Iceland. The hosts stayed on fire offensively building a 61:39 lead at the interval. Montenegro used an 11:0 run midway through the third frame to narrow the gap at 9-point mark 62:71. Taylor Rochestie (185-PG-85, college: Washington St.) put the Balkan team within 7 points at the final intermission 69:76. Vladimir Dasic and Taylor Rochestie narrowed the deficit at just a single point early in the fourth frame. Iceland were still up by three points 83:80 with just over five minutes remaining. But the visitors triggered an 11:0 rally to take a 91:83 advantage with under a minute to go. Iceland could not recover and had to surrender at the end. Taylor Rochestie finished with 31 points, while Sead Sehovic (196-G/F-89) posted 11 points in the victory. Jon Stefansson (196-G-82) provided 32 points for Iceland. Hlynur Baeringsson had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists in defeat.

Iceland: Jon Stefansson 32, Hlynur Baeringsson 22
Montenegro: Vladimir Dasic 38+14 boards, Taylor Rochestie 31, Sead Sehovic 11

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IRELAND

Eco Orebro gets bigger with Conor Grace - by Eurobasket News

Conor Grace (210-F-82, college: Davidson) is a new member of Eco Orebro. The Irish big guy penned a 1-year deal with his new club. Grace is not a new face in Sweden as he finished last season there and also played in Bsketligan in the past. He joined Uppsala Basket in March this year averaging 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds for 9 appearances. In 2010/11, Grace played for the Norrkoping Dolphins. There he registered 5.4 ppg and 4 rpg for 35 games helping Norrkoping to reach Basketligan Finals. The player also added 4.3 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 10 games in EuroChallenge. In Baltic league Grace collected 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg for 12 matchups. Conor Grace has experience from Malaysia, Holland, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Italy and France. In 2010, he won Dutch Cup with Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden. In 2009, the player was named to Eurobasket.com Greek A2 All-Bosmans Team -09 (Ilysiakos Athens). Conor Grace played for Irish National Team from 2005 to 2009.

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ISRAEL

Israel is one step in Eurobasket 2013 - by Eurobasket News

Israel-Slovak Republic 106:73

Israel is one step in Eurobasket 2013 after the victory over Slovak Republic 106:73. The team could lose by the huge margin and still advance if Estonia do not win against Iceland in their clash.
More than 7000 fans came to Tel Aviv to support the Israeli team to advance to Slovenia 2013. The hosts opened the game with 23-19 and added 26-23 in the second frame. Moreover the third period became decisive in the game as the hosts needed 32-8 surge for the comfortable lead. Israel won the last quarter 25-23 and grabbed 33-point victory.
Lior Eliyahu (203-SF-85, agency: Z.A.G. - Law Offices) and Omri Casspi (204-SF-88) paced all the winners with 18 points each. Alex Tyus (205-C-88, college: Florida) collected 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Yotam Halperin (193-SG-84) notched 14. Jozef Vojtek (204-F-85) finished the game with 17 in the losing effort and Dusan Pandula (197-SF-84) poured in 14. Martin Bilik (194-G/F-87) delivered 11 points in a loss.

Israel: Lior Eliyahu 18+12 rebs, Omri Casspi 18, Alex Tyus 16+11 rebs, Yotam Halperin 14
Slovak Republic: Jozef Vojtek 17, Dusan Pandula 14, Martin Bilik 11

Ramat Gan bring in Demario Anderson - by Eurobasket News

Ironi Ramat Gan bolstered their roster. They added DeMario Anderson (193-G-85, college: Quinnipiac) to the squad. The guard spent the previous season in Netherlands. He played for BS Weert. DeMario Anderson averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game in Eredivisie. DeMario Anderson had to miss the bigger part of the season because of injury. Previously the guard played for Leuven Bears for two seasons. He is the product of Quinnipiac basketball school. DeMario Anderson averaged 21.7 points, 6.5 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals per game in his senior season. He was named All-NEC Player of the Year in 2008. The guard also made it onto Mid-Major All-America Team.

Paris-Levallois add Sharon to their roster - by Eurobasket News

Paris-Levallois (ProA) agreed terms with 17-year old Israeli point guard Naor Sharon (193-95). He played last season at Pau-Lacq-Orthez in ProA. However his team was relegated to ProB. He is a member of Israeli U18 national team. Sharon represented Israel at the European Championships U18 Division B in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) this year.

By Eurobasket Data Center

GreenTops Netanya adds Jonathan Mitchell - by Eurobasket News

GreenTops Netanya added another player for the upcoming season. After Deron Washington (201-G/F-85, college: Virginia Tech), the Israeli squad landed another American. It is Jonathan Mitchell (200-F-87, college: Rutgers) who spent last season with Spanish LEB Gold team Tarragona. He appeared 31 times in the league averaging 12.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. It was the first season as a pro for Mitchell, who graduated at Rutgers University something more than a year ago. He shined with 14.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg for his school in 32 games as a senior. He transferred to Rutgers in 2008 from the University of Florida. However, Jonathan Mitchell was redshirted in 2008/09 due to NCAA transfer rules. He had limited playing time with Memphis, but they were NCAA champions in 2007. Mitchell was freshman at that time averaging 1.4 ppg and 1.2 rpg for 30 games.

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ITALY

Cantu won, while Montepasci Siena and Bologna lost their games - by Eurobasket News

Gravelines-Dunkerque overcame Montepasci Siena twice. At first the French side produced a 91:83 win as they needed a strong second half to win the game. Dwight Buycks (190-PG-89, college: Marquette) stepped up with 18 points and EDWARDS J.K. as well as MBAYE Abdoulaye posted 16 each. KEMP Marcellus and JANNING Matt ended up with 19 points each in the losing effort.
In Game 2 Gravelines-Dunkerque grabbed 82:81 victory. The teams exchanged 24-17 wins in the first two quarters, while Gravelines-Dunkerque won the third quarter 22-21 for 1-point lead. Both teams posted 19 points each in the last stanza for the final result. MBAYE Abdoulaye, CAMARA Ousmane and Juby Johnson (196-G-81, college: Miami, OH) poured in 12 points each to lead the winners. VATY Ludovic posted 11 and Dwight Buycks scored 10. Bobby Brown (188-PG-84, college: CS Fullerton) erupted with 29 points in the losing effort and KASUN Mario scored 14.
CSKA knocked down Bologna 70:61 in Italy. Sasha Kaun (211-C-85), Vladimir Micov and Andrey Vorontsevich posted 11 points each to lead the winners. CSKA earned a 14:12 lead after ten minutes. The Russian powerhouse boosted the margin to 11 points at halftime 35:24. CSKA extended their lead in the third term. They ensured a 58:44 advantage before the fourth stanza. Virtus Bologna narrowed the gap in the final period before losing the battle. Aaron Jackson contributed 10 points, while Viktor Khryapa (205-SF-82) finished with 7 points for CSKA.
In the meantime Spartak Saint Petersburg came up short Cantu 56:63 in Bormio. Josh Carter (201-F/G-88, college: Texas A&M) scored 20 points but could not prevent Spartak from losing. Spartak were up by one point at halftime 34:33. But Cantu used a 20:10 run in the third term to spur in front. Spartak outscored their opponents in the fourth term but came up short of victory. Loukas Mavrokefalidis (209-C-84) produced 9 points, while Zakharov had 8 points in the loss.

Italy finish their EuroBasket Qualification campaign undefeated - by Eurobasket News

Italy-Belarus 83:58

Italy finish their EuroBasket Qualification campaign undefeated and won Group F with a perfect 8-0 record. The team sent Belarus to 1-6 record after 83:58 win in Trieste.
More than 4000 fans came to support the favorites in Trieste. Italy won the first period 23-15 and produced 25-17 in the second quarter for 48:32 at the halftime. Danilo Gallinari (205-SF-88, agency: Players Group) and Daniel Hackett (200-PG-87, agency: Two Points, college: USC) scored for 53:35 early in the third, while Danilo Gallinari also closed the period at 64:44. Italy posted 19-14 in the last stanza for the final success. Gigli was the last player to score for the winners in the game.
Danilo Gallinari paced all the winners with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Pietro Aradori (195-SG-88) added 12. Stefano Mancinelli (203-PF-83) scored 10, while Daniel Hackett notched 9. Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (190-SG-80) ended up with 12 points in the losing case and Aliaksandr Pustahvar (203-SF-85, agency: RU-Basket Management) poured in 9.

Italy: Danilo Gallinari 16+10 rebs, Pietro Aradori 12, Stefano Mancinelli 10, Daniel Hackett 9
Belarus: Aliaksandr Kudrautsau 12, Aliaksandr Pustahvar 9

Nic Wise's stay in Caserta still under the question mark - by Eurobasket News

It is still not clear will Nic Wise (178-PG-87, college: Arizona) stay with Caserta for the upcoming season or not. According to Corriere di Caserta, the team is close to release the player. Few days ago it seemed they will stay together. We will wait for the official news about Wise's status. The player signed a deal earlier this summer and later medical tests revealed knee problem. Wise already played two friendly games for the club and knee was fine, but in the latest meeting the suffered ankle injury and now is close to be released. Nic Wise spent last season with Le Havre. He appeared 22 times in ProA averaging 15.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2 steals. He was named to Eurobasket.com All-French ProA 3rd Team -12. Before Le Havre, Wise was a member of Telekom Baskets Bonn and it was his first season as a pro. The player had 13.7 ppg, 3.1 apg and 2.2 rpg for 33 games in Germany. He was awarded with Eurobasket.com German Bundesliga All-Newcomers Team -11. Pretty close numbers Wise also registered for 6 EuroChallenge games. He graduated at the University of Arizona in 2010.

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LATVIA

LEBANON

Sagesse lands Deshawn Sims - by Rabih Khoury

After the signing of the first import Aaron Harper, Sagesse management completed their roster by the addition of american power forward DeShawn Sims (203-F-88, college: Michigan). Simas will arrive to Lebanon from Korea, after having a great season where he averaged in 48 games: Score-4 (23.9ppg), 9.6rpg, 1.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 70.2%.
Sims out of Michigan had a great NCAA career where he averaged in his senior year : 16.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 28.4%, FT: 67.0%. The 24 years old played in Greece, Puerto Rico, NBDL and Korea before coming for his first experience in the middle east.

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LITHUANIA

Kryvbasbasket edge Juventus in friendly game - by Eurobasket News

Juventus - Kryvbasbasket 80:84

Kryvbasbasket celebrated a narrow victory over Juventus in pre-season clash. Vitali Malchevskiy (204-F-87) stepped up with 18 points to lead the winners.
The Ukrainain team secured a 20:16 lead ten minutes into the game. Juventus took over in the second quarter. They raced ahead for a 38:34 halftime lead. Kryvbasbasket returned the advantage in the third quarter. They accounted for a 58:55 advantage before the fourth frame. The teams stayed close throughout the final period but Kryvbasbasket proved the strength stealing a narrow win at the end. Pierce Caldwell (191-G-88, agency: Alti Sport, college: Incarnate Word) accounted for 15 points, while Zoran Krstanovic (204-C-82) added 12 points in the victory. Gintautas Matulis (195-F/G-86) answered with 19 points for Juvenuts. Nerijus Varnelis (201-F-78) chipped in 17 points in the loss.

Juventus: Gintautas Matulis 19, Nerijus Varnelis 17
Kryvbasbasket: Vitali Malchevskiy 18, Pierce Caldwell 15, Zoran Krstanovic 12

Dnipro beat Lietuvos Rytas at Garastas Cup - by Eurobasket News

Lietuvos Rytas - Dnipro 85:88

Dnipro celebrated victory at Garastas Cup in Lithuania. They knocked down Lietuvos Rytas. Valdas Vasylius (203-F-83, college: ODU) came up with 21 points to lead the Ukrainian team.
Lietuvos Rytas dominated in the first half. They recorded a 23:19 lead after ten minutes. The home side stayed in charge throughout the second frame. They recorded a 45:36 halftime lead. The margin grew at 15-point mark in the third quarter. Lietuvos Rytas entered the final term up by 13 points but Dnipro found the way out. They denied the deficit and Daniel Kickert (208-C/F-83, college: St.Mary's, CA) put Dnipro in front with 21 seconds remaining in regulation. The Ukrainian team maintained the lead for the remaining seconds and sealed the victory at the end. Daniel Kickert accounted for 18 points, while Mykola Vilkhovetskyi (191-G-88) had 10 points for the winners. Janis Blums (191-SG-82) replied with 14 points for Lietuvos Rytas. Steponas Babrauskas (197-G/F-84) finished with 12 points in the loss.

Lietuvos Rytas: Janis Blums 14, Steponas Babrauskas 12
Dnipro: Valdas Vasylius 21, Daniel Kickert 18, Mykola Vilkhovetskyi 10

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LUXEMBOURG

MEXICO

Standings - LNBP

LNBP Standings

1. Halc.Xalapa		2-0
2. Panteras		2-0
3. Pioneros		2-0
4. Toros		2-0
5. Corr.Victoria		1-1
6. Fuerza Regia		1-1
7. Barreteros		1-1
8. Guerreros		1-1
9. Halc.Rojos		1-1
10. Osos		1-1
11. Abejas		1-1
12. Huracanes		1-1
13. Gansos		0-2
14. Gigantes		0-2
15. Lechugueros		0-2
16. Soles		0-2

Regular Season: Round 2

Sep. 6: Toros - Lechugueros 89-49
Sep. 6: Osos - Halc.Xalapa 76-110
Sep. 7: Fuerza Regia - Abejas 75-72
Sep. 6: Gigantes - Halc.Rojos 75-116
Sep. 6: Gansos - Barreteros 71-104
Sep. 6: Guerreros - Panteras 67-91
Sep. 6: Soles - Huracanes 65-68
Sep. 6: Pioneros - Corr.Victoria 103-65

Regular Season: Round 3

Sep. 8: Pioneros - Huracanes
Sep. 8: Soles - Corr.Victoria
Sep. 8: Guerreros - Barreteros
Sep. 8: Gansos - Panteras
Sep. 9: Toros - Abejas
Sep. 9: Fuerza Regia - Lechugueros
Sep. 8: Gigantes - Halc.Xalapa
Sep. 8: Osos - Halc.Rojos

LNBP: Round Two review - by Eurobasket News

There were only 2 rounds played so far and it's still very beginning of the Regular Season in LNBP. The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round.

LNBP Standings
1. Halc.Xalapa 2-0
2. Panteras 2-0
3. Pioneros 2-0
4. Toros 2-0
5. Corr.Victoria 1-1
6. Fuerza Regia 1-1
7. Barreteros 1-1
8. Guerreros 1-1
9. Halc.Rojos 1-1
10. Osos 1-1
11. Abejas 1-1
12. Huracanes 1-1
13. Gansos 0-2
14. Gigantes 0-2
15. Lechugueros 0-2
16. Soles 0-2

Fuerza Regia - Abejas 75-72
Abejas was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. Fuerza Regia forced 23 Abejas turnovers. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Abejas helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. American players dominated the game. Center Lance Allred (211-81, college: Weber St., agency: SportsTalent) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 8 rebounds. Forward Terrence Shannon (203-79, college: Elgin CC, agency: Paris Global Sports) contributed with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. Fuerza Regia's coach Dan Tacheny used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Forward Eugene Phelps (198, college: Long Beach St.) replied with 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and forward Steffphon Pettigrew (195, college: W.Kentucky) added 20 points in the effort for Abejas.
Abejas: E.Phelps 21+6reb+6ast, S.Pettigrew 20+3reb+3ast, M.Mattis 14+8reb, V.Buelna 6+4reb+2ast, J.Malpica 5+4reb+1ast, A.Sandoval 4+2reb+1ast
Fuerza Regia: L.Allred 23+8reb+1ast, T.Shannon 18+7reb+4ast, G.Grays 16+1reb+5ast, R.Major 8+2reb+3ast, A.Izaguirre 6+5reb+5ast, G.Stokes 3+2reb

Gigantes - Halc.Rojos 75-116
The guests trailed by 3 points at the halftime before their 65-21 charge in the second half, which allowed them to win the game. Halcones Rojos dominated on the defensive end, holding Gigantes to just 7 points in third quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 86 of its points in the paint compared to Gigantes' 30. They outrebounded Gigantes 37-21 including a 27-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. Venezuelan power forward Luis Bethelmy (200-86) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). point guard Elvis Medina (183-84, college: Arizona W. CC) contributed with 12 points and 5 assists for the winners. Halcones Rojos' coach Eddie Casiano felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. American guard Sam Liggins (178, college: Alders.-Broad.) replied with 20 points and British V.Islands-Vincentian center John Gardiner (203-83, college: Sam Houston St.) added 17 points and 7 rebounds in the effort for Gigantes.
Gigantes: S.Liggins 20+3reb+2ast, J.Gardiner 17+7reb, A.Velarde 13+3reb+1ast, J.Inzunza 10+4reb+2ast, D.Wood 9+2reb, Z.Alvidrez 3+1ast
Halc.Rojos: L.Bethelmy 18+3reb, N.Alonzo 15+1reb+3ast, E.Medina 12+4reb+5ast, M.Mitchell 11+2reb+3ast, L.Davis 11+2reb+1ast, I.Gutierrez 10+8reb+1ast

Osos - Halc.Xalapa 76-110

Guerreros - Panteras 67-91
The game without a history. Panteras led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Guerreros' 26. Puerto Rican point guard Ricardo Melendez (179-83) notched 27 points to lead the effort and American power forward Lee Nailon (205-75, college: TCU) supported him with 20 points and 5 rebounds. Even 32 points by American point guard Michael Hunter (178, college: Cal-Irvine) did not help to save the game for Guerreros. His fellow American import forward Chris Kaba (203-88, college: N.Colorado) added 11 points and 6 rebounds for the hosts.
Top scorers:
Guerreros: M.Hunter 32+4reb+3ast, C.Kaba 11+6reb+1ast, J.Carino 6, D.Toralva 5+1reb+2ast, A.Raj 3+4reb, Y.Castro 3+1reb+1ast
Panteras: R.Melendez 27+3ast, L.Nailon 20+5reb+1ast, A.Garcia 10+5reb+2ast, A.Villalobos 7, E.Ayileke 7+1ast, K.Malpica 7+2reb

Gansos - Barreteros 71-104
Barreteros led from the first minutes and controlled entire game increasing their lead in each quarter. They dominated down low during the game scoring 54 of its points in the paint compared to Gansos' 30. Barreteros forced 22 Gansos turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 13 long-distance shots on high 76.5 percentage. American guard Jason Horton (188-86, college: Missouri) orchestrated the victory by scoring 18 points and 4 assists. Guard Raul Navarro (192-84) contributed with 18 points (on 6-of-7 shooting from the field) for the winners. Horton is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. Four Barreteros players scored in double figures. American CamRon Clay (203-82) replied with 16 points and 7 rebounds (perfect from the field making all six shots) and his fellow American import guard Devin Chambers (188-86, college: S.Maine) added 21 points in the effort for Gansos. Since the result was very predictable, it gave the chance for the coaches to test many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
Gansos: D.Chambers 21+1ast, C.Clay 16+7reb, J.Perez 15+4reb, D.Pineda 8+4reb+3ast, E.Garcia 5+1reb+3ast, L.Mejia 4
Barreteros: J.Horton 18+4reb+4ast, R.Navarro 18+1reb+1ast, R.Loera Almanza 15+1ast, M.Batte 14+4reb, S.Escobar 11+2reb, R.McKoy 8+4reb+3ast

Toros - Lechugueros 89-49
American-Nigerian forward Ike Ofoegbu (205-85, college: SMU, agency: Paris Global Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 17 points. The former international forward Jesus Lopez (205-83, college: SW Baptist) contributed with 10 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Toros' coach Jose Martinez felt very confident that he used entire bench which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized American swingman Eric Martin (196-71) replied with 21 points and 6 rebounds and naturalized American forward Eric Cuen (196, college: Grand Canyon) added 11 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Lechugueros.
Top scorers:
Lechugueros: E.Martin 21+6reb+1ast, E.Cuen 11+9reb+2ast, R.Johns 6+1reb, A.Sanchez 6+4reb, A.Broxsie 3+4reb+1ast, E.Ruiz 2+2reb+2ast
Toros: I.Ofoegbu 17+2reb+2ast, R.Rougeau 13+2ast, J.Lopez 10+7reb+3ast, L.Ellis Vasquez 9+3reb+4ast, A.Henning 9+3reb, J.Hernandez 7+1reb+2ast

Pioneros - Corr.Victoria 103-65

Soles - Huracanes 65-68
Soles was tied after three quarters but could not keep up in the last quarter eventually losing the game. American swingman Marcus Morrison (198-84, college: Middle Tenn.St.) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 24 points and 10 rebounds. The other American import swingman Anthony Johnson (197-79, college: La-Lafayette, agency: Interperformances) contributed with a double-double by scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Canadian power forward Michael Fraser (203-84, college: Oklah.Baptist) replied with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 16 rebounds and the former international forward Roman Martinez (201-88, college: N.Mexico) added 13 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Soles. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Soles' coach Ivan Deniz rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Soles: M.Fraser 16+16reb, C.Elliott 15+5reb, R.Martinez 13+10reb+1ast, J.Griffin 12+1reb+1ast, N.Doaks 9+4reb, J.Luis Bucio 0+2ast
Huracanes: M.Morrison 24+10reb, A.Johnson 17+10reb+1ast, D.Holmes 12+3reb+1ast, J.Gonzalez 10+4reb+1ast, O.Quintero 3+3reb+1ast, J.Farrera 2+5reb

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MONTENEGRO

NBA

Ricky Rubio expects December return to Timberwolves - by Eurobasket News

Few teams were as active this offseason as the Timberwolves, who brought in new rotation players Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger and Greg Stiemsma, along with another two (Dante Cunningham and Alexey Shved) who could also contribute. There are still holes to fill, but Minnesota was able to stock up on players who address their need for better perimeter defense and better 3-point shooting, and veterans like Kirilenko and Roy figure to add leadership to a young group.

For star forward Kevin Love, who has lamented the teams shortcomings in the past, all of this is a big deal. He is, though, well aware that if the Wolves are to improve and make a push into the crowded Western Conference playoff picture, it will all have to start with one body part in particularthe ACL of point guard Ricky Rubio (6'4''-G-90).

Thats something that were all obviously the most concerned with, Love said. We were a very good team when Ricky played but when he went out, we didnt really get that back. So we need him to be healthy and doing all of the things he needs to be doing to get back on the court.

The good news is that Rubio told the Spanish newspaper Sport that he is targeting a December return to the Wolves, which will put him out for at least 15 games. He suffered his injury on March 9, and following that much time off, would probably need some time to work off the rust. Even then, allowing just nine months for an ACL injury might not be enough, and there is a chance that Rubio wont be 100 percent for a while longer.

Rubios health is the one thing tamping down expectations for Minnesota this year. In 41 games last year, Rubios overall play was stellar. He averaged 10.6 points with 8.2 assists, adding 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals. He also proved somewhat of a better shooter than many expected (or feared), knocking down 34.0 percent of his 3-pointers. Rubio made 31 starts for the Timberwolves, and they were 18-13 in those games. They were 8-27 when he did not start.

The additions Minnesota has made will go a long way toward masking his absence, though, and veterans Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea are returning. There is also Love, who averaged 26.0 points and 13.3 rebounds last year and figures to continue his ascent, especially after his performance with Team USA in the London Olympics.

For all of us, it is going to be a big year, Love said. No one likes to lose and we know now we have guys who know how to win and know how to get us to the playoffs. There is no reason we should not be able to put it all together on the floor now.

Courtesy of http://aol.sportingnews.com

Blatche is low-risk, high-reward for Nets - by Eurobasket News

One of the most memorable moments of the Nets final season in New Jersey at least for me came in the season opener in Washington, and had nothing to do with a Net at all.

It actually came just before tip-off, when then-Wizards forward Andray Blatche (6'11''-F/C-86) wandered out to center court and began to give a speech to the fans with this phrase: This is your captain speaking.

Blatche then proceeded to get thoroughly outplayed by his opposite number, Kris Humphries, and then complained about where Wizards coach Flip Saunders was getting the 6-foot-11 forward the ball after they blew a 21-point lead and lost 90-84 to the Nets.

It was just the latest in a series of bizarre stories to come from Blatches seven-year career with the Wizards, which officially came to an end in July when Washington used the amnesty provision in the new collective bargaining agreement to wipe out the final three years of his contract and make him a free agent.

Blatches next destination will be in Brooklyn with the Nets, as hes expected to sign with the team sometime in the next few days. The move has been met with plenty of derision on the Internet, thanks in large part to many of the interesting twists and turns of Blatches career in Washington, which you can read about here.

But if you set aside the noise surrounding Blatche and look at the player the Nets are signing, its hard to see this as anything other than a win-win for the Nets.

Before his disastrous final season in Washington, where he spent much of the second half of the season away from the team, Blatche posted at least a 15.00 PER in four straight seasons, with an average rebound rate, surprisingly good assist numbers given his reputation and good steal rates for a big man. Hes also a good jump shooter, though his percentages have been terrible hes taken far too many of them over the past few years while often being the focal point of Washingtons offense.

But thats the key difference between Blatche in Washington and in Brooklyn: his role on the team. Think about everything thats happened in Washington the last few years. The Wizards have been far from a picture of stability. Instead, theyve been a colossal train wreck the past few years, especially since Gilbert Arenas brought guns into the locker room in late 2009.

Since then, the team has been in various stages of chaos, and Blatche has been miscast as being the teams spokesman and go-to scorer for much of that intervening time period. Only this year did the Wizards finally turn the page from this by shipping out Nick Young, JaVale McGee and Blatche.

None of that will be the case for Blatche this season. The 26-year-old will be a role player for the Nets, one who will slot in behind Humphries and Brook Lopez at power forward and center, respectively, and play a lot of minutes with the Nets second unit.

But even more important than that is the surrounding cast he has in Brooklyn. Washington has been short on veterans to lean on, leaving players like Blatche and Young to take on leadership roles they clearly werent prepared for. On a Nets roster with players like Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace and Reggie Evans, among others, theres plenty of strong personalities to keep a player like Blatche on the straight and narrow. That also includes his new head coach, Avery Johnson, who is far more of a commanding personality than Saunders, his coach the past few seasons in Washington.

The biggest thing that makes this a positive move for the Nets, though, is the risk. In short, theres no risk. Because hes on a non-guaranteed, minimum deal Blatche has to be on his best behavior in order to make sure he gets paid, both for this season and in the future. If he comes in out of shape or performs lackadaisically, the Nets can just cut him loose and wash their hands of the experiment.

But if Blatche, who has spent the summer working out with John Lucas in Houston, performs and the move works out, the Nets will have an athletic, versatile big man that will allow Johnson to have even more roster flexibility and an even deeper bench. The possibility of that coming to fruition is more than worth taking the risk of signing him to a deal for the minimum.

Courtesy of www.nypost.com (by Tim Bontemps)

Lakers hire Eddie Jordan, Steve Clifford and Bernie Bickerstaff as assistant coaches - by Eurobasket News

The Los Angeles Lakers have hired Eddie Jordan, Steve Clifford and Bernie Bickerstaff as assistant coaches, it was announced today by Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

Jordan, a former NBA player (1977-84) and member of the Lakers 1982 Championship team, most recently spent one season (2009-10) as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Jordan, a native of Washington D.C. served as head coach of the Wizards. During his six years (2003- 2009) in Washington, Jordan posted a 197-224 record and in just his second season at the helm, guided the Wizards to their highest win total (45) in 25 years and the teams first postseason appearance since 1996-97. Prior to joining the Wizards, Jordan served as the lead assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets. During his four-year stint with the Nets, the team made the Finals in back-to-back years (2002 and 2003). Additionally, Jordan spent seven years with the Sacramento Kings both as an assistant coach (1992-97) and head coach (1997-98).

Clifford joins the Lakers after spending the last five seasons as an assistant coach in Orlando. While with the Magic, Clifford helped guide the team to a 259-135 (.657) record, as well as five post season appearances. Prior to his stint in Orlando, Clifford spent four seasons (2003-07) as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, and three seasons (2000-03) with the New York Knicks.

The University of Maine at Farmington alum began his coaching career as an assistant at St. Anselms College in New Hampshire. After four years at St. Anselms, Clifford spent one season as an assistant coach at Fairfield University before joining the coaching staff at Boston University for four seasons. Clifford coached one year at Siena College before being named head coach at Adelphia University. During his four years at Adelphia, the team compiled an 86-36 record and made four NCAA Division II tournament appearances. Following his stint at Adelphia, Clifford served as an assistant coach for one season at East Carolina University before joining the NBA.

Bickerstaff, who brings over 39 years of coaching experience to the team, joins the Lakers after spending the last two seasons working as an assistant coach for the Portland Trailblazers. Prior to joining the Blazers, Bickerstaff worked with the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach for two years (2008-10). He assumed the role in Chicago after spending four years with the Charlotte Bobcats. During his four years with the Bobcats, Bickerstaff spent one season as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations (2007-08) and three years (2004-07) serving as Head Coach and General Manager. Prior to his stint with the Bobcats, Bickerstaff served as an NBA head coach for three different teams (Seattle, Denver, Washington). In addition, Bickerstaff was President and General Manager of the Denver Nuggets for seven seasons (1990-97). Bickerstaff began his NBA coaching career the Washington Bullets in 1973 as the leagues youngest assistant coach. Over the next twelve seasons he helped guide the Bullets to the 1978 NBA Championship, three NBA Finals appearances, 10 playoff berths and a franchise record 60 wins in 1974-75. In 1985 Bickerstaff received his first head coaching opportunity with Seattle. In five seasons (1985-90) with Seattle, he posted a 202-208 record and in 1987 was named Coach of the Year by Sporting News Magazine. As a head coach, Bickerstaff has posted a career record of 414512 which ranks 33 rd all-time among head coaches.

The new Lakers coaches will be replacing Ettore Messina and Quin Snyder, who left the team earlier this summer to join CSKA Moscow, and John Kuester, who has been reassigned to the position of Advanced NBA Scout and will be based on the East Coast.

Courtesy of www.insidehoops.com

Lakers sign Canadian Robert Sacre - by Eurobasket News

The Los Angeles Lakers signed seven-foot Canadian centre Robert Sacre (7'0''-C-89, agency: Edge Sports, college: Gonzaga) on Friday.

The Gonzaga grad was born in Baton Rouge, La., before moving to North Vancouver, B.C., as a child.

Sacre was the 2012 West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. He was the last player taken in this year's NBA draft.

The Lakers also added assistant coaches Eddie Jordan, Bernie Bickerstaff and Steve Clifford to Mike Brown's coaching staff.

Jordan is the former head coach at Sacramento, Washington and Philadelphia, leading the Wizards to four consecutive playoff appearances.

The 68-year-old Bickerstaff was a head coach in Charlotte, Seattle, Denver and Washington.

Clifford was Stan Van Gundy's assistant in Orlando the past five seasons.

Los Angeles lost assistant coaches Quin Snyder and Ettore Messina to CSKA Moscow earlier this summer.

Courtesy of www.cbc.ca

Basketball Hall of Fame 2012: Reggie Miller, Don Nelson inducted - by Eurobasket News

Reggie Miller (6'7''-G-65, college: UCLA) wasn't always the biggest name in his own family. On Friday night, he was the top star in the biggest basketball Hall of Fame class in a half-century.

The former UCLA and Indiana Pacers star was inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, joining sister Cheryl as the first brother-sister pair in the Springfield shrine. Cheryl Miller, a two-time NCAA tournament MVP at Southern California and 1995 Hall inductee, was on stage to welcome him.

"I just so happened to live across the hall from absolutely, positively the greatest women's basketball player ever," Miller said as his sister stood by with tears in her eyes. "I'm proud to say I am not on this stage if it wasn't for you, Cheryl Deann. We rode your shoulders all the way here. So thank you for your help."

It was a big night for UCLA, which also had Don Barksdale and Jamaal Wilkes in the 12-person class of 2012, and for the Indiana Pacers. Two-time ABA Most Valuable Player Mel Daniels also was inducted, though illness presented him from attending the ceremony at Springfield Symphony Hall.

As the biggest name, Miller was the last to the stage -- fitting for a man considered one of the most clutch players in NBA history. He said that it was fitting that he was honored after Daniels, allowing the ABA's career rebounding leader to become the Pacers' first player in the Hall.

"They set the standard for what all great Pacers team have achieved," said Miller, who spent his entire 18-year career with Indiana.

Miller, who was introduced for induction by his sister along with Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, retired as the most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history, making 2,560 in his career for a record that stood until Ray Allen surpassed it in 2011.

That's not counting the playoffs, when he built his reputation for performing under pressure.

His signature moment was perhaps the 1995 playoff game against the New York Knicks when he scored eight points in 8.9 seconds. On the Hall stage, Miller finally admitted that he shoved Greg Anthony and held him on the ground before the steal that set up the second of his back-to-back 3-pointers.

"Like Magic said, 'By any means necessary,' " Miller said, offering a similar admission to pushing Michael Jordan in the 1998 playoffs. "Yeah, Michael, I did shove you, too. But I've seen you do it so many times to so many players, so I figured it was OK."

Also honored on Friday night were Don Nelson, the winningest coach in NBA history; three-time NCAA player of the year Ralph Sampson; Nike co-founder Phil Knight; the All-American Redheads, known as the female Harlem Globetrotters; seven-time NBA All-Star Chet Walker; two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain; former Soviet women's coach Lidia Alexeeva; and longtime NCAA referee Hank Nichols.

Knight ran through some of the company's biggest advertising campaigns: George Gervin sitting on a throne of ice; Spike Lee's "It's got to be the shoes" commercials with Jordan; Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood; Li'l Penny Hardaway and Barkley's "I am not a role model."

"I'm just glad he made me a part of the whole process," Jordan said in an introductory video. "Ask any of those guys, not just me, and the impact that he's had on their career has been huge."

LeBron James and Ken Griffey Jr. were in the audience at Springfield Symphony Hall to support him. Jordan and former Georgetown coach John Thompson were Knight's presenters.

Knight, a gym rat who didn't realize there was a contributors' category until he became a member of it, acknowledged the role the players had in his success.

Especially Jordan.

"His magic made him a brand," Knight said, adding that Jordan's division at Nike sells more now than when he was a player. "He is to the sporting goods industry what Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, Che Guevara and Mao Tse Tung were to world politics."

Nelson also gave James a shoutout in his speech, congratulating him for leading the Miami Heat to the NBA championship.

"I know the feeling when I won the first one," Nelson said.

Nelson won five NBA titles as a Boston Celtics player and then spent 31 years as a coach, winning an all-time best 1,335 games on the bench in Milwaukee, Golden State, New York and Dallas. He has since retired and moved to Hawaii, where he runs a coffee shop and shaved ice stand.

"Hopefully, this will be the last tuxedo I'll be wearing," he said. "There is life after basketball. Come out and have a cup of coffee with me in Maui."

Courtesy of ESPN

Nets will workout with Childress, McGuire - by Eurobasket News

Adrian Wojnarowski tweets that the Nets will work out Josh Childress (6'8''-G/F-83, college: Stanford) and Dominic McGuire (6'9''-F/G-85, agency: Priority Sports, college: Fresno St.) early next week as they move to fill their last off-season need: a back up small forward.

Childress, 29, was amnestied by the Suns in July with $21 Million remaining on his deal. McGuire, 26, played last for the Warriors. Neither would receive any more than a non-guaranteed one-year offer. The Nets had hoped Donte Greene would back up Gerald Wallace, but he suffered a severe ankle injury.

Neither averaged more than three points per game last season. Childress was a rising star with the Hawks in 2008 when he decided to play for Olympiacos in Greece. After two ultimately disappointing seasons in Europe, he returned to the NBA, signing a five-year, $33.5 million deal. He again disappointed in Phoenix, averaging 2.9 points, and was amnestied.

McGuire has played for four NBA teams, never averaging more than 4.5 points but having a good defensive "glue game" as one analyst put it.. Last season, he played in 64 games, and averaged 3.5 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Courtesy of www.netsdaily.com

Rockets sign G Machado - by Eurobasket News

The Houston Rockets have signed Scott Machado (6'1''-G-90), who led the nation in assists last season with Iona.

The 6-foot-1 Machado played well on the Rockets' summer league team, averaging 8.0 points, a team-high 5.6 assists and 2.2 steals in five games. He closed summer league play by leading the Rockets with 20 points and six assists in a 96-88 win over Chicago.

Machado, a rookie free agent who averaged 9.9 assists as a senior, averaged 12.2 points, 6.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 132 games over four seasons at Iona. Machado is the Gaels' career leader in assists (880) and ranks 17th in NCAA history.

The Rockets announced they have waived forward Diamon Simpson.

Courtesy of www.sacbee.com

Knicks' owner James Dolan and Isiah Thomas together again? - by Eurobasket News

As Knicks' fans were just getting over the news that valuable swingman Ronnie Brewer needs approximately six weeks to recover from an arthroscopic knee procedure, word is team owner James Dolan and his good buddy Isiah Thomas were very chummy at the posh Mandarin Hotel in Central Park at Columbus Circle.

Thomas, who is basically persona non grata with Knicks fans after his tumultuous tenure as head coach and upper management, was fired as head basketball coach at Florida International after a 26-65 record during his three-year tenure. That means since being relieved of his duties at the South Florida school, Thomas has had plenty of time to plot his next move.

Despite coaching in Miami for three seasons, Thomas has stayed on the minds of NBA fans, specifically those in New York -- like a bad dream. But no matter how his tenure ended in New York, Thomas has always managed to have Dolan's ear as the former NBA great is a noted confidant of Dolan's.

According to a source who saw the duo this morning, they were "sitting, laughing and joking around" as any longtime friends would do. The source continued, adding that while their own breakfast party wasn't privy to Dolan and Thomas's conversation, "it seems like we heard the words 'coaching' somewhere in the conversation."

That's a scary proposition to most Knicks fans, of course, because Thomas was responsible for making numerous questionable trades, signing players to lengthy contracts based on little performance, and adding to the Knicks' salary cap woes even years after his departure.

While it's highly unlikely Thomas is angling for another coaching opportunity on the Knicks, it is plausible to think he could one day rejoin the franchise in some capacity, perhaps in an advisory role. Thomas, current head coach Mike Woodson, and team president Glen Grunwald are longtime friends and were former college teammates at the Indiana University for three years. And this isn't the first time Thomas has caught up with his extended Knicks family, so anything is possible at this point.

Whatever the point of Friday morning's meetup, Knicks' fans will assuredly await Dolan's -- and Thomas's -- next move.

Courtesy of www.nj.com

Lakers GM cautiously optimistic after headline-grabbing offseason - by Eurobasket News

Mitch Kupchak knows stories like this one won't matter come June, when all the hype is gone and his Lakers will either be pushing toward the only goal that matters or explaining what went wrong during yet another offseason of change.

Championship-or-bust is an enviable stance to take, to be sure, a creed that only the Lakers, Celtics and Spurs have been able to realistically embrace for decades at a time. Which is why, when the Lakers' general manager agreed to speak with SI.com about the new superteam he created by adding Dwight Howard (6'11''-C-85) and Steve Nash, he didn't get past his first sentence before sharing the organization's unofficial mantra heading into next month's training camp: On Paper.

It's not the sexiest slogan, but they may as well mass produce the purple and gold T-shirts and get them ready for the preseason home opener against Golden State on Oct. 7. The Lakers, with a starting five for the ages in Nash, Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Pau Gasol and Howard, will have to prove they're worthy of all this ink. And if they don't, there will be hell to pay for all the hullabaloo.

Just nine months after Kupchak was devastated by the NBA's infamous voiding of the Chris Paul trade with New Orleans and, according to one Lakers insider, even considered leaving the Lakers, both he and the Lakers are revamped and revitalized again. He weighed in on his amazing summer via phone from Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, discussing the endless possibilities of his new-look roster; how Howard and Bryant will fit together; Howard's health; his unexpected acquisition of Nash; and the pressure on coach Mike Brown as he enters the second of three guaranteed years on his contract (the fourth season is a team option with the entire deal worth about $18 million).

SI.com: The curiosity about your team is obviously through the roof even more than in most years, which is saying something for a franchise that's always front and center. I wanted to hit the rewind button and go back to last December, when the trade for Chris Paul didn't happen and then things were tough from there. To go from that to this is pretty remarkable, no?

Kupchak: On paper, we've made what we think are improvements. I think we're going to be in the hunt. I don't know if we'll lead the pack or be second in the pack or be fourth in the pack or fifth, but I think that we'll be in the hunt and we're better than we were a year ago. Is it time to celebrate? Absolutely not. You're going to have to wait a year and see how it all plays out.

Last year was a difficult year for everybody associated with the NBA. If you had your coaching staff in place, and you had your team in place, you had an advantage. Teams that made coaching changes, or made personnel changes, with the shortened season, it became difficult to play your best basketball. And then without getting into great detail, the way we started the season with the trade that had to be undone and a lot of feelings were hurt. That didn't help our coaches, who were new to Los Angeles in a strike-shortened season. But that shortened season applied to everybody.

SI.com: You've been doing this a long time [Kupchak became a Lakers assistant GM in 1986], and I know it's not a time for reflection, but in terms of the way you look at your career from a personnel standpoint, how memorable have the ups and downs of this last year been for you?

Kupchak: In our business, you really don't have a chance to look back on it. Without the benefit of playing a season or two [with this Lakers team], you really can't look at it that way. I remember we had a great summer [in 2003] when we brought in Karl Malone and Gary Payton, and we had Shaq and Kobe, and we almost got swept in the Finals [by Detroit after a 56-26 season]. The result was really a big-time change after that season [which included, among other things, the trading of Shaquille O'Neal to Miami and the departure of coach Phil Jackson]. It's really too early, and GMs have a hard time really trying to project. You really do have to wait. You're always looking ahead to what the problems may be.

There's been a lot of positive publicity surrounding this team, but I know when you lose three in a row that all of a sudden it's going to be "Break up the Lakers." And then you start to worry about injuries, and then you look around at the league and who else has made improvements. So you're never really feeling good about anything that's taken place. You just kind of keep moving ahead and then you always try to figure out what could go wrong.

SI.com: You mention the summer with Karl and Gary. Has that season become a little bit of a cautionary tale in terms of not counting your chickens before they hatch with this group?

Kupchak: Adding Karl and Payton was a big positive to this organization. The hype surrounding them coming on board, and we had a great regular-season record. But we lost in the Finals, and that's how this organization is judged. I know that's how I'm judged with ownership and the people who have grown up watching the Lakers. It's about winning a championship, not about having a great record or about losing in the conference finals or winning your division.

SI.com: Because you're obviously taking the measured approach with how you look at this team, what jumps out as far as concerns or things to watch?

Kupchak: A perfect example is that a lot of people say, "Hey, Mitch, you've got a great starting five, are you worried about anything or could you possibly wish for anything more?" And the first thing that comes to my mind is, "Yeah, I wish they were all 25." That's how I look at things. Yeah, it's a great group, but I wish they were younger.

SI.com: Specifically with Steve, and speaking of age, did you take stock in what you thought was the state of his game at his age right now [38] before doing that deal or simply look at it like, "Steve Nash at any age is better than what we've had"?

Kupchak: To be honest with you, we didn't feel it was realistic to pursue him, although we did. At 12:01 [ET on the morning of July 1, the first day of free agency], we put the call in to his representative, Bill Duffy, and I'm talking to Bill and expressing interest in Steve. I felt I had to do that because he's available. I didn't think for a second that we had a chance to get him. And then Bill says to me, "Well, Mitch, would you like to speak with him? He's with me right now." I didn't expect to speak with him at 12:01 on the evening of free agency, and after I hung up, I said to myself, "Wow, that was a great conversation but I'll probably never hear from him again." We didn't have the money, and my feeling was that New York and Toronto were front-runners. On top of that, Phoenix would not do a deal with us, so I didn't see how it was possible."

SI.com: What made it a great conversation that night?

Kupchak: I didn't expect to talk to him. It was very upbeat. He expressed admiration for our organization. I expressed my admiration for his career and what he has accomplished. It was a very pleasant and direct conversation, but he probably had five or six conversations that night like that so I didn't make much of it.

SI.com: But where do you stand when it comes to the question of how much he has left?

Kupchak: Well, he doesn't have to carry the load here, and that makes a big difference. He won't be the focal point for opposing coaches defensively. We won't ask him to -- he won't feel -- the pressure to score. He's never been the best athlete on the court. He's always been one of the better athletes on the court, so a function or a combination of all that and the way his mind has progressed in the game and how he thinks the game [will help].

Chronologically, yeah, he's one of the oldest players in the league. But we're not concerned that he's got two or three good years left in him. He's figured out how to maintain his health with years of experience. He's gotten cuts and bruises and sprains, and he's always had the little back thing that has bothered him, but he's figured out a way to have his maintenance get him through the season. And then I think most of all is the energy. He'll feel rejuvenated. The last year or two it probably got tough for him to get through the season. Just the load he had to carry, and maybe feeling like they didn't have a chance to contend -- although they could probably make the playoffs, which is motivation for a lot of people. But having a chance to win a championship, mentally he'll be fresh and that will make a difference.

SI.com: Can you update Dwight's status? How is his back coming along?

Kupchak: We had the doctors and the back people obviously examine him and he's on track. He should recover completely. Certainly, we're not going to rush him to play in the first practice or the first preseason game or the first game. It's going to be when he feels and when our people feel he's completely recovered. But our understanding of the rehabilitation is that he's on track to a complete recovery.

SI.com: Any sense of a timeline? Is the regular-season opener still a possibility?

Kupchak: We haven't had those kinds of discussions. There's no need for anybody to set a timeline right now, but we're comfortable with his work and where he'll be.

SI.com: I'm sure you heard he's been posting on Twitter some pretty positive comments about being with the Lakers. It's the kind of stuff that has your fans feeling like this may be a long-term relationship. Have you gotten any more of a sense from him about whether he's liking the thought of being a Laker past this season, the last season of his contract?

Kupchak: Other than our initial press conference -- that was very hurried -- I have not spent much time with him. I really only know what I hear, and a lot gets back to me from people who bump into him or people that he knows, and certainly reading newspapers or if there's a report from Twitter I hear about it. And it's all been very positive. Our feeling all along has been to just get him here and we're comfortable that after being in Los Angeles for a year, hopefully winning a lot of games, contending for a championship, being exposed to our fan base -- which, quite frankly, goes way beyond Southern California. We go into New York or Charlotte or Utah or Phoenix, and there are always two or three thousand fans there wearing Lakers gear. I just think that he'll feel that this is a special place, that the lifestyle will suit him. It's a big enough town where you can't be the sole celebrity, but there are so many Lakers fans here that you don't lose your celebrity. You can still feel special in a city this big. That's our approach, and a year from now we'll see where we stand.

SI.com: I know it was a little premature since you haven't formalized a deal with Eddie Jordan as an assistant coach, but I chatted with Pete Carril about the Princeton offense recently and how it might work with your team. Along those lines, how do you see Dwight and Kobe fitting together?

Kupchak: They're going to be just fine. I mean, Dwight's the future, and Kobe and Steve and Metta and Pau, they're the present. There shouldn't be any problem. Pau can play anywhere for anybody, Steve and Kobe, all they want to do is win. And Metta is completely comfortable being a complementary player. If he gets eight to 10 points a game and is a great defender and wins, he's so happy. So I've got no problems thinking that these guys can work it out and play together. When the clock gets short, Kobe will end up with the ball in his hands and Steve, regardless of the offense we play, will control the pace. We're not talking about introducing a new offense to a young, unproven team. It's a veteran group, and they'll figure out how to do it.

SI.com: You made some additions to the bench, too. How are you feeling about that unit now?

Kupchak: With trading Lamar [Odom] last year, our bench was not as good as it could have been. Adding Antawn Jamison and signing back Jordan Hill, and then in the [Howard] trade Chris Duhon and [Earl] Clark came aboard. Then we added a shooter in Jodie Meeks, who I think can do more than just shoot the ball. But if there's one thing he can do, he's got a great knack for making shots and he has to be guarded. I think we've improved our bench in a complementary fashion. But once again, going back to how we started this conversation, it's on paper and we'll know a year from now.

SI.com: How should people perceive Coach Brown in terms of his standing with the organization and the pressure that comes with these huge changes?

Kupchak: Mike and I have had a lot of conversations about how we're all judged. And we're judged on winning. He knows it. I know it. He knew it before he took the job, and that's just the way it is here. We're very, very happy that he's here. We know it's a tough job following in Phil Jackson's footsteps. No coaching staff I've ever been around works harder than he or his staff, and that's all you can ask. He's had great success as a coach. He's a joy to be around, and a joy to work with, and I'm hopeful that we can work together for many years. But at the end of the day, we get judged on winning, and that's how he'll be judged.

SI.com: It was reported in January that you were thinking about either leaving the Lakers or retiring, just after everything went down with the Chris Paul situation. Did it get frustrating enough that you were thinking about other options?

Kupchak: Nothing to it.

SI.com: Nothing to it?

Kupchak: Nope, nothing to it. I suppose at sometime I'll look toward retirement. But I've got a great job in a great city with a great organization. Nothing to it.

SI.com: Nonetheless, is it safe to assume there's a re-energizing effect because of the deals you completed this summer and how you feel about the job?

Kupchak: I'm always kind of energized as the season approaches. It's tough to work your way through May, June and July and August, but we always seem to get something accomplished. Going into September and October, the juices kick in and you're ready to go.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Brazilian big man Hettsheimeir still a long way from being a Maverick - by Eurobasket News

While taking in the basketball hall of fame enshrinement, several members of the Mavericks front office were on hand and as president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said, the Mavericks have a roster full with 15 players possessing guaranteed contracts.

That leaves little room for Brazils Rafael Hettsheimer (6'9''-C-86), a 6-10, 260-pound center who has drawn the attention of several NBA teams. The 26-year-old plays in the Spanish League and some international reports have suggested that the Mavericks have offered him a deal.

That may be the case, but Nelson said nothing is close to happening, at least not with the Mavericks. Hettsheimeir may have to work through some physical problems before the Mavericks or any other NBA team is ready to commit to him.

Hes an interesting name, but with the roster already full, it would require losing one of the Mavericks three rookies or a veteran if they were to commit to a guaranteed contract for Hettsheimeir.

Courtesy of www.dallasnews.com

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NCAA1

Lawsuit: Duke player purchased $100,000 in jewelry - by Eurobasket News

A starter on Duke's 2010 national championship basketball team purchased nearly $100,000 in custom jewelry that season from a New York firm that caters to professional athletes, and he's now being sued for failing to pay the balance of what he owes.

Lance Thomas (6'8''-F-88, college: Duke) purchased five pieces of diamond jewelry at a cost of $97,800 on Dec. 21, 2009, in the middle of his senior season, according the lawsuit. Documents included with the suit indicate he made a $30,000 down payment and received $67,800 in credit from the firm, the balance that remains unpaid.

Thomas started 39 games at forward during the 2009-2010 season, including the Blue Devils' 61-59 victory over Butler in the national championship game. He wasn't drafted by an NBA team but played for the New Orleans Hornets last season.

The Associated Press recently obtained a copy of the lawsuit, which was filed in January but hasn't been publicly disclosed. It was filed in Austin, Texas, because Thomas was playing for the Austin Toros of the NBA Developmental League at the time.

A Duke spokesman said the university knows about the lawsuit and is looking into it.

"We have been made aware of a lawsuit filed by a jeweler against former men's basketball player Lance Thomas and we are currently looking into the matter," said Jon Jackson, the school's associate athletic director for media relations.

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn said the organization also is aware of the matter and is in communication with Duke.

NCAA rules regarding amateurism prohibit athletes from receiving benefits that aren't available to all students. Speaking generally, Osburn said "the test" for such a violation is whether "the general student body, or someone similarly situated, would be able to get the same benefit or treatment."

Thomas, 24, is from Scotch Plains, N.J., and played at high school power St. Benedict's, according to his biography on the Duke website. The site said his mother is a manager at a Ford plant in New Jersey.

John Spencer, an agent who has represented Thomas, said he wasn't aware of the jewelry purchase. He referred all comment on the lawsuit to an Austin attorney who is representing Thomas in the matter. The attorney didn't return phone messages from the AP.

Rafaello & Co., which also does business as A+A Diamonds Ltd., promotes itself as a "deluxe" jeweler whose customers include New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and actors Jamie Foxx and Don Cheadle.

Mike Bowers, the firm's attorney, said Thomas purchased a black diamond necklace, a diamond-encrusted watch, a pair of diamond studs, a diamond cross and a black diamond pendant in the shape of Jesus' head. According to the purchase order, signed by Thomas, the player agreed to pay a deposit of at least 25 percent of the purchase price and the remainder in 15 days.

Bowers said he was unaware of how Thomas made the required down payment.

Bowers said he's seen no evidence that anyone other than Thomas was involved in the transaction and he doesn't know why the Duke player was extended credit for most of the purchase.

"It was a clean, clear-cut transaction between Mr. Thomas and my client, and I don't see anything that warrants me asking anything beyond that," Bowers said. "Speaking hypothetically, if he came in on a bicycle with tattered jeans, I doubt seriously he would have been sold jewelry, but I'm not drawing conclusions. The terms here are clear."

Rafaello & Co. filed a similar lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant last year, claiming he hadn't paid $240,000 for jewelry he purchased between January and May 2010. The purchases detailed in that suit, which has since been settled, occurred after Bryant announced he was leaving Oklahoma State and was entering the 2010 NFL draft.

Courtesy of www.jacksonsun.com

U-M commit Austin Hatch gets extra year of high school eligibility - by Eurobasket News

Austin Hatch, a Michigan basketball commit who is recovering from injuries suffered in a plane crash in June 2011, has been granted an additional year of high school eligibility and will reclassify to the recruiting class of 2014.

Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner Bobby Cox said Hatch was given another year of high school eligibility because he was not enrolled at Canterbury High in Fort Wayne, Ind., during the 2011-12 school year and received no academic credit. Cox said IHSAA bylaws allow it to grant an extra year of eligibility when a student misses a year of school because of illness or injury.

"I'm looking forward to being back out there," Hatch said in a text message to the Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne.

Following his sophomore year at Canterbury, Hatch averaged 23.3 points and 9.3 rebounds, which put him on Michigan coach John Beilein's radar.

After that season, Hatch accepted a U-M scholarship offer but was the only survivor in the plane accident which killed his father and stepmother. Hatch was in a medically-induced coma for weeks after the crash to help reduce swelling in his brain.

Beilein has spoken with Hatch since the accident but is not allowed to comment specifically on unsigned recruits.

Hatch's reclassification potentially opens a scholarship spot and leaves three in the Wolverines' 2013 recruiting class, which ESPN ranks second in the nation. The group includes wing Zak Irvin (Fishers, Ind.), point guard Derrick Walton (Harper Woods Chandler Park) and big man Mark Donnal (Whitehouse, Ohio).

Courtesy of www.detroitnews.com

Calhoun again on the fence about returning to coach - by Eurobasket News

It will not be NCAA punishment or internal pressure from his school that will force Jim Calhoun out of his post at Connecticut. As many have speculated and/or feared for years, his body could be the decider.

Calhoun fractured his left hip after a bike-ride spill in early August. That injury is healing, but it's again caused the Hall-of-Fame coach to look at his own mortality and ponder whether it's worth it, again, to go forward and coach this team for another season. Let us remember: UConn is not even eligible to play in the 2013 postseason due to punishments stemming from poor APR scores.

How's his life right now? Apparently, the 70-year-old Calhoun is not even well enough to use a cane at this point, let alone have it there to help him walk. It's only natural for Calhoun to wonder if he should, could or can coach at the passionate and demanding level he has for decades, especially when he can barely even get about.

Rehab and health worries aside, the point is, here we are, again, heading toward another season with Calhoun putting his program, school and the state of Connecticut a few feet off the ground and letting all twist with the gust that comes from his gut.

In an interview with SI.com, Calhoun said he expects to make a decision on his coaching future in the next two weeks. So this isn't going to be a situation like last year, then? Calhoun indicated in May of 2011 that he'd make a decision by June if he'd coach the team for the 2011-12 season. That announcement never came. Once Andre Drummond tweeted -- completely out of the blue -- that he'd be attending UConn, Calhoun's future for the upcoming season was flatly determined, and even before then everyone shrugged their shoulders and assumed no news was good news, as it were.

When Calhoun was on the recruiting trail in July, I and most others assumed he was certainly on the way back. I mean, he was still grinding it out in Las Vegas gyms, scoping out targets for UConn's next good recruiting class. But the bike accident clearly changed things.

Here's what Calhoun had to say to SI.com on Thursday:

"I would be very, very surprised if I didn't have something to say within the next two weeks,'' he said as he talks more about the past than the future. Calhoun said he has not decided whether or not to retire, but he sounds like he might be ready to step away. Although the competitive part of him thinks he could coach for another two years, the practical side realizes that this might be time.

Calhoun says he has waffled on his decision on whether or not to return for months. "Depends on how I feel sometimes," he said. "But I'm very close to knowing. I'm just going to wake up one morning and I will know what is the right thing to do. I always said if I ever come here and say, 'Jeez I'm not sure, I will know it's time.'''

The subtext here is Calhoun's power play at work. UConn has a new athletic director in Warde Manuel, who has gone on record to say Calhoun's successor won't necessarily have to come from within the program.

But Calhoun wants current assistant and former UConn player Kevin Ollie to get the job. What better way to arrange that than by leaving so close to the start of the season, giving UConn no other option than to let Ollie take the reins for the upcoming year? It's a cynical way of looking at it, but that's a conversation worth having.

Calhoun has a couple of years left on his contract. He's always been stubborn to a fault -- and to an advantage. It would be surprising to see him not coach this season, in my opinion. Because Calhoun clearly doesn't want to leave the program in a time of need. But if his hip and health are truly too much to battle alongside this team this year? Then stepping away makes sense -- and he almost definitely, in a de facto way, gets to pick his successor.

If he keeps to his word this time, we'll know how serious all this truly is within the next two weeks.

Courtesy of www.cbssports.com

Big East conference has no plans to change its name - by Eurobasket News

Big East commissioner Mike Aresco said Saturday morning that the conference has no plans to change its name.

There is tremendous brand equity built up in the Big East name, he said before the Temple vs. Maryland game at Lincoln Financial Field. And as you know, nowadays the Big 10 has 12 teams. The Big 12 has 10 teams. The fact that it is the Big East is not of concern in terms of geography. The name, though, has enormous brand equity.

Weve had a proud history. Thirty years of unbelievable success. So, consequently, no plans to change the name.

Former interim Big East commissioner Joe Bailey said earlier this week that the conference was considering changing its name due to expansion.

Syracuse and Pittsburgh will leave the conference after this year.

The Big East will add Boise State and San Diego State for football only in 2013. Memphis, Houston, Southern Methodist, and Central Florida then will join as all-sports members. Navy will join the conference for football only in 2015.

Courtesy of www.philly.com

Iowa St G Babu Palo charged with sexual abuse - by Eurobasket News

Iowa State reserve Bubu Palo (6'1''-G-91) was suspended Friday after being charged with sexually abusing a woman he was driving home earlier this year.

Palo and another man, Spencer Cruise, 21, of Ames, were charged with second-degree sexual abuse. They were jailed after surrendering to authorities Friday morning, though Palo was later released.

According to the criminal complaint, the men offered to give a woman a ride home on May 18 but instead drove her to a home owned by Cruise's family and "committed a sex act by force against the victim's will."

Evidence gathered at the scene was sent to the state crime lab and both men's DNA was identified in the evidence, Ames Police Sgt. Rory Echer said.

"That's why the length of period, from May to now. We just recently got the test result of that," said Echer, who declined to release other details.

Coach Fred Hoiberg said the 21-year-old reserve point guard from Ames was suspended indefinitely.

"I am extremely disappointed to learn of this allegation," Hoiberg said in a statement released by the university. The athletics department would continue monitor the situation before making further decisions regarding Palo's status.

Palo was released from the Story County jail. During an initial court appearance at the Story County Courthouse in Nevada, a judge granted him pre-trial release and issued a no-contact order with the alleged victim. A message left by The Associated Press for his attorney, Matt Boles, was not returned Friday afternoon.

Spencer, who appeared in court with his attorney, Joe Cahill, remained in jail on $25,000 bond. A message to Cahill was not returned.

Palo won a state title for Ames High School in 2009 on a team that included Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes and Creighton star Doug McDermott. Palo, a walk on in 2009, quickly earned a spot in Iowa State's rotation off the bench.

Palo was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection last season and was given a scholarship by Hoiberg in 2012. He averaged 4.0 points last season.

Palo was expected to back up Michigan State transfer Korie Lucious in 2012-13.

Courtesy of http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Rookie Da'Quan Cook joins Tundja Yambol - by Eurobasket News

Rookie Da'Quan Cook (205-F-87) is set to start his professional basketball career. The 24-year-old American penned a 1-year deal with Tundja Yambol. Last season they won third place in Bulgarian top division - NBL. Cook is a product of St.Bonaventure University, where he graduated few months ago. He had 7.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg for his school in 31 games as a senior. They won Atlantic 10 Tournament together. Da'Quan Cook spent all four years with St.Bonaventure. As a junior he had 6.7 ppg and 4.2 rpg fro 31 games. Cook had lower numbers in his freshman and sophomore year. Da'Quan Cook already joined his new team and made the first practice.

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NIGERIA

PHILIPPINES

2012 FIBA-Asia Cup Scouting Report: The Breakout Boys - by Enzo Flojo

The biggest continental tournament in this corner of the basketball world will unfold in about a week. This will determine the first three qualifiers in the 2013 FIBA-Asia Mens Championships, which, in turn, will award the top three finishers with automatic berths in the 2014 FIBA World Championships.

Needless to say, this tournament is going to be big, so your friendly neighborhood Hoop Nut has taken it upon himself to detail some of the personalities to watch for. This is the first in a series of scouting reports aimed at unveiling some of the names well have to remember as the FIBA-Asia Cup unfolds. Some of these names are staples of the FIBA-Asia scene, some are due to break out, while some are rising stars destined to carry their respective countries causes in the future.

In the first post in this series, we took a look at some grizzled veterans tagged to continue leading their respective teams. Now well talk about some of the in-betweeners, the guys who are not yet too old, but not quite so raw. These are the guys who might inherit the leadership roles and scoring cudgels as early as this year. These arent the guys who are up-and-coming, these are the guys who should break out now.

Rodrigue Akl of Lebanon
The 24-year old Akl is set to be the Cedars top PG for maybe the next 5 or 6 years. His international experience includes playing in the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championships and in the last two FIBA-Asia Mens Tournaments. He was also part of the Lebanese squad that captured gold in the 2010 FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut. In the Jones Cup, Akl was the overall assists leader. He was also top 3 in steals per game. He will probably start at the backcourt for Coach Ghassan Sarkis alongside the seemingly immortal Fadi El-Khatib.

Jeff Chan of the Philippines
The Finals MVP of the 2012 PBA Governors Cup played really well in his first stint as a member of the Philippine NT at the senior level. His stroke is reminiscent of legendary Asian sharp-shooter Allan Caidic, and the Pinoys will need Chan to be at least nearly as accurate as Caidic if they want to finish in the top three in Tokyo. The 29-year old Rain or Shine Elasto-Painter helped SMART-Gilas top the just-concluded Jones Cup, placing second on the team in scoring at 11.6ppg. Whats more promising, though, is that his 46.8% 3-point shooting was good for third overall.

LA Tenorio of the Philippines
Adjudged the MVP of the 2012 Jones Cup, Tenorio was Team Pilipinass top playmaker, scoring 8.8 points, dishing out nearly 3 assists, and shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc. The former Alaska Ace (he was just traded to the Bgy. Ginebra Kings) had a slow start in the tournament, but he picked up the pace in the Filipinos last three wins against Iran, Taiwan, and the USA. With Meralco Bolt Sol Mercado deemed ineligible to play as a local by FIBA-Asia, Tenorio will be the only natural PG for Coach Chot Reyes in Tokyo. Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger might alternate with him at that spot, but its imperative that Tenorio continue his stellar play for the Gilas 2.0 squad to continue their successful run.

Yu Shulong of China
Yu Shulong played for Team China in the 2012 London Basketball Invitational and in the 2012 London Olympics. The 61 playmaker, who is a member of the Jilin Tigers in the CBA, first played for the senior Chinese team in the 2010 World Championships as a spry 20-year old, but he will now be considered one of the more experienced players for Coach Fan Bin. He is good enough to start at PG, where he will partner with wunderkind Guo Ailun to call the shots and make the plays for the relatively young Chinese quintet.

Oshin Sahakian of Iran
The 26-year old big man who plays for Zob Ahan in the Iranian Super League first donned the senior mens colors in the 2007 FIBA-Asia Championships, where Iran nabbed its first continental title. With the absence of Irans starting frontline (Hamed Haddadi of the Memphis Grizzlies and Arsalan Kazemi of Rice University), Sahakian will be tagged to partner with veteran Asghar Kardoust to man the interior. He did pretty well in the 2012 Jones Cup, averaging 7.3 points and 10 rebounds while playing for about 34 minutes an outing.

Kosuke Kanamaru of Japan
Kanamaru is a potential match-up nightmare in the backcourt and at the wings. The 64 shooting guard/small forward has good handles and an even better stroke from long range. The 23-year old rookie for the Panasonic Trians normed 8.3 points in just 15 minutes per game for Japan in the Jones Cup, while shooting 33% from rainbow land. Because both NT mainstays Takumi Ishizaki and Takuya Kawamura will, reportedly, be absent in Tokyo, Kanamaru should play a bigger role alongside veteran playmaker Ryota Sakurai.

Takatoshi Furukawa of Japan
With Aisin Seahorses head coach Kimikazu Suzuki calling the shots for Japan, its no wonder he tapped one of his main guns, Takatoshi Furukawa, to be one of his FIBA Asia Cup snipers. Furukawa plays essentially the same positions as Kanamaru, and both will probably alternate at the wings. Both are also good shooters, with Furukawa connecting on nearly 40% of his 3-point tries in the Jones Cup. His familiarity with Coach Suzukis system as well as teammate JR Sakuragi and former Aisin Seahorse Kosuke Takeuchi might also mean hell be given more playing time in Tokyo.

Jet Chang of Taiwan
The former BYU-Hawaii standout is tagged to be the next big superstar for Chinese Taipei. He led Taiwans scoring in the Jones Cup with 13.0ppg, while also giving a good account of himself in the 2011 FIBA-Asia tournament in Wuhan, China. The 64 25-year old is just approaching his prime, and he will be a beast in the very near future. His specialty is scoring in transition and through penetration, but he has also improved his long range shooting (33% from beyond the arc in the Jones Cup).

Hareesh Koroth of India
Consider Koroths numbers in the 2011 FIBA-Asia Tournament in Wuhan 15.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 42% from three, and 53% from the field. This guy can just score at will. Despite being undersized at the two-guard spot (hes just 61), Koroths speed and shooting might spell trouble for some of the opposition hes going to face in Tokyo. Now consider this, too India lost to Lebanon in Wuhan by just three points, 68-71. In that game, Koroth hit 4 treys on his way to 20 big points. If he can produce something similar in the FIBA Asia Cup, then anything can happen.

Khalid Suliman Abdi of Qatar
Tanguy Ngombo, Ousseynou NDiaye, Mansour El-Hadary, Hassan Mohamed, and Mame Souleye Ndour were all declared ineligible in the 2011 FIBA-Asia. That was an awful time for Qatar, but they probably reaped what they had sown. Theyve been known to naturalize African players willy-nilly, and they paid for it dearly last year. The silver lining, however, is new guys from their young set can rise up to the challenge. One of the most promising is Khalid, a 25-year old do-it-all 66 wingman. With Qatari legend Yaseen Ismail Musa already on the wrong side of 30, Coach Tom Wisman will count on Khalid to provide a lot of scoring and playmaking.

Source: HoopNut.blogspot.com

Gilas II expects tough test in Tokyo - by Eurobasket News

MANILA, Philippines - Nothing comes easy for Smart Gilas as the Philippine national basketball team takes another step towards its goal of qualifying for the FIBA World Cup in Spain in 2014. If the Jones Cup is a quiz, the coming FIBA Asia Cup is the big test and next years FIBA Asia Championships the final exam.

Gilas passed the Jones Cup quiz with flying colors in Taipei recently, in the process waylaying mighty Iran and mightier US. Now, Gilas advances to the next level and wages war in the fourth FIBA Asia Cup, formerly known as the Stankovic Cup, on Sept. 14-26 in Tokyo. The top three finishers of the FIBA Asia Cup automatically qualify for the FIBA Asia Championships which Manila is bidding to host. In turn, the top three placers of the FIBA Asia Championships gain outright entry as representatives of the Asia Zone in the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

The FIBA Asia Cup format is different from what Gilas went through in the Jones Cup. Coach Chot Reyes said yesterday hes treating the FIBA Asia Cup primarily as a learning experience but it doesnt mean Gilas wont leave it all on the floor.

Were coming in with the same mind-set as in the Jones Cup, said Reyes. This is a continuation of our learning process. Were playing new teams in Tokyo also, old teams with different players. Opposition will be stiffer because now, were not able to sneak in and surprise anyone. With what we did in the Jones Cup, other teams now know who L. A. (Tenorio) and Jeff (Chan) are. Theyll be prepared to defend them.

Reyes said Korea and Jordan arent playing in Tokyo but the usual suspects like Iran, China, Qatar and Lebanon are in the fray. In the Jones Cup, there were nine teams and we played a single round-robin without playoffs, explained Reyes. The team with the best record at the end of the single round-robin was declared the champion. But in Tokyo, there will be 10 teams split into two groups of five. A team plays groupmates once in the eliminations then the top four move to the knockout crossover quarterfinals. Winners go to the semifinals and survivors play for the title. Thats how its done in the FIBA-Asia and World Championships. Its different in the Jones Cup which isnt conducted by FIBA. Thats why in the Jones Cup, we were allowed a 14-man lineup to play 12 in a game while in the FIBA Asia Cup, were limited to a 12-man roster.

In Tokyo, the Philippines is bracketed with China, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Macau. The other group consists of Iran, Chinese-Taipei, Qatar, India and host Japan. Without a single rest day, Gilas will play China, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and Macau in succession. In contrast, China will take a rest on the second day of competition while Lebanon takes on Gilas the day after a lightweight assignment against Macau.

For the FIBA Asia Cup, Reyes is bringing 11 of the 14 players in the Jones Cup lineup Marcus Douthit, Gary David (188-G/F-78), Chan, Tenorio, Larry Fonacier (190-F/G-82), Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Enrico Villanueva, Sonny Thoss, Jay-R Reyes and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser. Left out from the Taipei roster were Sol Mercado, Mac Baracael and Garvo Lanete. Added to the Tokyo cast was Jared Dillinger (191-G/F-84, college: Hawaii).

Mercado was struck out because of a new FIBA Asia eligibility ruling that a player not born in the country he is representing must have chosen his citizenship before 16 if he has blood lineage. Reyes said the rule is not retroactive, meaning it will not apply to players who were previously allowed to represent a country by FIBA Asia.

Because the rule is not retroactive, guys like Gabe and Sonny are good to go, said Reyes. Unfortunately, Sol never played for us in a FIBA tournament. He played for Gilas in the 2010 Asian Games but thats not considered a FIBA competition. Matt isnt a problem because he was born in the Philippines. In the last FIBA Asia Championships, Marcio (Lassiter) and Chris (Lutz) were allowed to play on condition it wouldnt be considered a precedent, meaning their future eligibility would be reevaluated under the new rule. I think the law of citizenship in a particular country must be recognized by FIBA Asia. This new rule came about as a reaction to a lot of Africans playing for different Asian countries not as naturalized citizens but as locals claiming blood lineage. Its collateral damage to the Philippines.
Courtesy of: http://www.philstar.com

Smart Gilas plays tuneup matches vs Qatar, Jordan - by Eurobasket News

MANILASmart Gilas manager Frankie Lim Wednesday confirmed that a series of tuneup matches against Qatar and Jordan is being planned for September 8 to 11 in Manila.

The games will serve as the PH fives final preparation going into the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

The Nationals are scheduled to leave September 13 for the Asian championship from September15 to 25 where defending champion Iran and 15 other countries grapple for the lone continental spot at stake for the 2012 London Olympics.

Smart Gilas was supposed to play in a four-nation pocket tournament, which included Lebanon, Syria and the host country, in Doha, Qatar, this week but was canceled after Talk N Text players couldnt make it.

Were in the process of finalizing the details. Its a good way to keep the team in great shape going into the Fiba Asia, said Lim.

The matches will allow TNT standouts Jimmy Alapag (177-PG-77, college: CS San Bernar.), Kelly Williams (199-F-82, college: Oakland) and Ranidel de Ocampo to get used to head coach Rajko Toromans system.

As Ive said, we need these international games for the TNT guys. The more games with them, the better for us, said Toroman.

The TNT players are scheduled to participate in Smart Gilas scrimmages on Aug. 29, more than a week after the Tropang Texters Game 7 defeat to Petron Blaze in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last Sunday.

That leaves only 16 days for the TNT trio to blend in with mainstays Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros, Casio and Barroca.

The Philippines had been drawn together with host China, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, in Group D of the Asian championships opening round.

UAE is scheduled to face Smart Gilas in the September15 opener before the Filipinos meet powerhouse China and Bahrain in the next two days. They will most likely take on Japan, Jordan and Syria in the second round.

Courtesy of:http://sports.inquirer.net

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POLAND

Poland clinched their place in the EuroBasket field in Slovenia - by Eurobasket News

Poland-Albania 89:59

Poland clinched their place in the EuroBasket field in Slovenia as they finished the Qualification Round with 89:59 win over Albania. Poland grabbed 6-2 record on top of Group E and qualified to EuroBasket 2013.
Albania surprised the hosts in Lublin in the first period taking 19-18 lead. Gerti Shima (202-PF-86) brought 22:20 but it was the last lead for Albania. Poland pushed the tempo for good and dominated the rest of the game. They won the second frame 24-15 and added 20-8 in the third quarter. Moreover Poland needed 27-17 in the last stanza for the comfortable victory.
Marcin Gortat (211-C-84) stepped up with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Przemyslaw Zamojski (194-SG-86, agency: Alti Sport, college: Independence CC) nailed 13. Michal Ignerski (207-F-80, agency: Stanley International, college: Mississippi St.) followed them with 11 points in a win. Klaudio Ndoja (198-SG-85) finished the game with 18 points in the losing effort and Gerti Shima collected 16 points and 11 boards in defeat. Endrit Hysenagolli (204-C-88) scored 13 points as Albania is with 0-7 record on the bottom.

Poland: Marcin Gortat 18+10 rebs, Przemyslaw Zamojski 13, Michal Ignerski 11
Albania: Klaudio Ndoja 18, Gerti Shima 16+11 rebs, Endrit Hysenagolli 13

Stelmet Zielona Gora signs 2-year deal with C Milos Lopicic - by Eurobasket News

Milos Lopicic (216-C-90) will continue his career in Poland. The Montenegrin big buy penned a 2-year deal with Stelmet Zielona Gora. They will compete in EuroCup next season. Lopicic spent few days on tryout and managed to secure a deal. He is a product of the Montenegrin team Lovcen Cetinje. He appeared 29 times in the league last season averaging 17.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. The center was top rebounder of the league, fourth scorer and second shot blocker. He was named to Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League 1st Team -12. In 2011, Milos Lopicic was awarded with Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League Honorable Mention. Lovcen reached Playoff Semifinals in both seasons. In the past, Lopicic played for Montenegrin youth National Teams. He played for U20 Montenegro at 2009 EuroBasket U20 in Rhodes and 2010 EuroBasket U20 in Croatian. In 2007 and 2008, the center was a member of U18 Montenegro.

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QATAR

Smart Gilas plays tuneup matches vs Qatar, Jordan - by Eurobasket News

MANILASmart Gilas manager Frankie Lim Wednesday confirmed that a series of tuneup matches against Qatar and Jordan is being planned for September 8 to 11 in Manila.

The games will serve as the PH fives final preparation going into the Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.

The Nationals are scheduled to leave September 13 for the Asian championship from September15 to 25 where defending champion Iran and 15 other countries grapple for the lone continental spot at stake for the 2012 London Olympics.

Smart Gilas was supposed to play in a four-nation pocket tournament, which included Lebanon, Syria and the host country, in Doha, Qatar, this week but was canceled after Talk N Text players couldnt make it.

Were in the process of finalizing the details. Its a good way to keep the team in great shape going into the Fiba Asia, said Lim.

The matches will allow TNT standouts Jimmy Alapag (177-PG-77, college: CS San Bernar.), Kelly Williams (199-F-82, college: Oakland) and Ranidel de Ocampo to get used to head coach Rajko Toromans system.

As Ive said, we need these international games for the TNT guys. The more games with them, the better for us, said Toroman.

The TNT players are scheduled to participate in Smart Gilas scrimmages on Aug. 29, more than a week after the Tropang Texters Game 7 defeat to Petron Blaze in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last Sunday.

That leaves only 16 days for the TNT trio to blend in with mainstays Chris Tiu, Mac Baracael, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Japeth Aguilar, Dylan Ababou, Jason Ballesteros, Casio and Barroca.

The Philippines had been drawn together with host China, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, in Group D of the Asian championships opening round.

UAE is scheduled to face Smart Gilas in the September15 opener before the Filipinos meet powerhouse China and Bahrain in the next two days. They will most likely take on Japan, Jordan and Syria in the second round.

Courtesy of:http://sports.inquirer.net

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ROMANIA

Bosnia and Herzegovina won over Romania in Sarajevo - by Eurobasket News

Bosnia and Herzegovina-Romania 93:58

Bosnia and Herzegovina won over Romania in Sarajevo in front of 6000 fans to qualify to Eurobasket 2013.The winning side improved to 6-2 record, while Romanian fell at 1-6.
Bosnia and Herzegovina felt the home support and started the game with 25-12. Moreover they erupted with 32-12 in the second frame and enjoyed 57:24 lead at the halftime. Elmedin Kikanovic (210-C-88, agency: Beo Basket) scored four in a rwo in the start of the third period as Bosnia added 21-20 in the period. They also won the last stanza 15-14 and will head to Slovenia 2013.
Mirza Teletovic (206-F-85, agency: Beo Basket) top-scored for the winners with 15 points, while Zack Wright (188-G-85, college: Central Mo.) , Nihad Djedovic (198-F-90, agency: Beo Basket) and Nemanja Mitrovic (195-G-90, college: Portland) posted 12 each. Elmedin Kikanovic followed them with 10 points in a win. Ionut Dragusin (221-C-85) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort and Mihai Silvasan (200-SF-85, agency: Court Side) delivered 15. Andrei Mandache (191-G/F-87, agency: Global Sports Plaza) scored 10 points in defeat.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mirza Teletovic 15, Zack Wright 12, Nihad Djedovic 12, Nemanja Mitrovic 12, Elmedin Kikanovic 10
Romania: Ionut Dragusin 17, Mihai Silvasan 15, Andrei Mandache 10

Memorial of Antonio Alexe: CSM Oradea and Atomeromu SE win in Day 1 - by Eurobasket News

CSM Oradea outscored U Mobitelco Cluj 80:72 in the start of the Memorial of Antonio Alexe. The latter led 15:11 at the end of the first period, but CSM Oradea produced a 17-16 burst in the second frame to reduce to 3 points at the halftime. The third quarter was decisive in the game and brought 31-21 for the hosts. They added 21-120 in the last stanza to seal the victory. Milos Pesic (205-F-84) top-scored for the winners with 20 points, while Nemanja Maric (196-G-83) and Topchov Sasha posted 15 each. Sean Barnette (198-F-86, college: Wingate) replied with 24 points and Milos Petkovic (201-F/C-91, agency: Global Sports Plaza) as well as John Ofoegbu (206-C-84, college: Idaho St.) nailed 14 each.
Alba Fehervar lost to Atomeromu SE 58:67 in the Hungarian battle of the first game. Alba Fehervar won however the first period 19-11 in the start of the game. Later on the court was dominated by Atomeromu SE that posted three victories in the last three quarters. Atomeromu SE won the second quarter 18-12 and added 21-14 in the third period. Moreover the winners finished the game with 17-13 to seal the first success. Eilingsfeld top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Idlet had 13. Kortelyesi delivered 10 and Kerpel-Fronius ended up with 8. Jozsef Lekli (206-F/C-87, agency: TSS Management) finished the game with 12 points and Zoltan Supola (190-G-88, agency: FCM) posted 11 in defeat.

CSM Bucuresti step closer to Memorialul Elemer Tordai title - by Eurobasket News

CSM Bucuresti step closer to Memorialul Elemer Tordai title as the team won the first two games of the tournament.
In Day 1 Etoile Du Sahel lost to CSM Bucuresti 81:92, while CSU Atlassib Sibiu overcame BCM U Pitesti 79:78.
In Day 2 Etoile du Sahel beat BCM U Pitesti 78:72. The team from Tunisia lost the first period 16-22 but then needed 23-14 in the second frame to take 3-point advantage at the halftime. Moreover Sahel won the third quarter 19-15 and did not mind 20-21 in the last quarter. Ben Romdhane Macram stepped up with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Mouhli Omar also scored 16. Cico and Atef Maoua (200-SF-81) posted 13 points each in a win. Pankracije Barac (196-G-81, agency: Court Side) replied with 21 points in the losing effort and Marcel Jones (203-F-85, college: Oregon St.) had 14 points and 15 rebounds.
CSM Bucuresti improved to 1-1 record after the win over CSU Sibiu 86:77.

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RUSSIA

Igokea shoot down Spartak-Primorie in Porec - by Eurobasket News

Igokea - Spartak-Primorie 95:90

Igokea and Spartak-Primorie clashed in pre-season game in Porec, Croatia. The Bosnian team eked out a narrow win at the end. Corsley Edwards (205-C/F-79, agency: Prossin Sports Management, college: Cent.Conn.St.) posted 23 points to lead the winners.
Igokea surged ahead in the opening quarter and posted a 22:17 lead after ten minutes. Spartak-Primorie narrowed the gap in the second term. They got within a single point at halftime 51:52. But Igokea cleared off in the third quarter. They went on a massive 26:10 run to establish a 17-point lead. Spartak unleashed 29 points in the fourth stanza and trimmed the deficit but the gap proved too deep to overcome. Sinisa Stemberger (195-G-79) accounted for 17 points, while Clifford Hammonds (191-G-85, college: Clemson) added 12 points in the win. Troy Gillenwater (205-F-88, college: N.Mexico St.) responded with 24 points for Spartak-Primorie. Paul Delaney (188-G-86, college: UAB) had 20 points in the loss.

Igokea: Corsley Edwards 23, Sinisa Stemberger 17, Clifford Hammonds 12
Spartak-Primorie: Troy Gillenwater 24, Paul Delaney 20

Khimky prevail against Zagreb in Slovenia - by Eurobasket News

Khimky - Zagreb 84:83

Khimky played a friendly encounter versus Zagreb in Slovenia. The Russian team claimed a narrow one-point win. Vitaliy Fridzon (196-G-85, agency: Alti Sport) scored 19 points to lead the winners.
Khimky controlled the tempo throughout the game. They led by as many as 10 points in the fourth frame. Zagreb however managed to narrow the gap late in regulation before losing the battle. Rivers posted 14 points for Khimky. Alexey Zhukanenko (210-F-86, agency: Alti Sport) added 10 points, while Zoran Planinic (199-G-82) and Kresimir Loncar (210-F-83, agency: Alti Sport) accounted for 8 points apiece in the victory.
Khimky remain in Slovenia for the training camp. They are scheduled to take on Slovan on September 11th.

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SERBIA

Estonia shock Serbia to stay in EuroBasket ticket hunt - by Eurobasket News

Estonia - Serbia 88:81

Estonia remains hopeful about their 2013 EuroBasket ambitions. They knocked down Serbia to improve at 5-4 record in Group A. They caught up with the Balkan team in the ladder. Kristjan Kangur (201-SF-82) posted 19 points to lead the winners.
Serbia entered the game as favourites and started to prove their status right from the start. They established a 22:16 lead after ten minutes. Estonia cut the deficit in the second quarter. The hosts got within two points at halftime 41:43. Gregor Arbet (195-G/F-83) and Kristjan Kangur put Estonia in front 57:54 late in the third frame. Serbia retained the lead but Kristjan Kangur drew things level at 63 with ten minutes remaining. Gregor Arbet triggered a 10:0 run from Estonia as they accumulated a 78:68 lead with just over four minutes remaining. Milenko Tepic (200-G-87, agency: Beo Basket) and Milos Teodosic (195-PG-87) dragged Serbia within two points 78:80. However Dorbek, Kristjan Kangur and Sokk sealed the victory for the home side. Gregor Arbet accounted for 17 points, while Siim-Sander Vene (203-SF-90, agency: Alti Sport) added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Nenad Krstic (213-C-83) replied with 20 points for Serbia. Milos Teodosic and Milenko Tepic had 16 points apiece in the loss.

Estonia: Kristjan Kangur 19, Gregor Arbet 17, Siim-Sander Vene 15
Serbia: Nenad Krstic 20, Milos Teodosic 16, Milenko Tepic 16

Crvena Zvezda claim Hotel City Cup title - by Eurobasket News

Crvena Zvezda - BC Donetsk 75:67

Crvena Zvezda claimed Hotel City Cup pre-season tournament title. They knocked down BC Donetsk in the Final. Boris Savovic (206-F-87, agency: Beo Basket) posted 16 points to lead the charge.
The hosts strongly entered the game. They ensured a 26:13 lead after ten minutes. BC Donetsk took over in the second quarter. The Ukrainian team narrowed the gap at 8-point mark at halftime 35:43. But Crvena Zvezda stiffened defence in the third quarter. They held the visitors to 8 points to ensure a 15-point lead at the final break. BC Donetsk fought hard in the fourth stanza but managed only to cut the distance. Igor Rakocevic (193-G-78) accounted for 15 points, while Morris Almond (198-F/G-85, college: Rice) and Marko Simonovic (202-F-86, agency: Beo Basket) added 11 points each for the winners. Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) answered with 13 points for BC Donetsk. Ramel Curry (192-G-80, college: CSU Bakersfield) and Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, college: Santa Clara) chipped in 12 points apiece in the loss.

Crvena Zvezda: Boris Savovic 16, Igor Rakocevic 15, Morris Almond 11, Marko Simonovic 11
BC Donetsk: Darius Songaila 13, Ramel Curry 12, Doron Perkins 12

Crvena Zvezda join Donetsk in Hotel City Cup Final - by Eurobasket News

Crvena Zvezda - Szolnok 82:71

Crvena Zvezda will play in Hotel City Cup Final. They knocked down Szolnok to enter the title game. Crvena Zvezda will take on Ukrainian BC Donetsk for the trophy.
Szolnok ensured the better start to the game. They earned a 19:14 lead after ten minutes. Crvena Zvezda slowly adjusted their performance in the second quarter. They cut the deficit at 4-point mark at the interval 33:37. Crvena Zvezda went on a 21:10 rally in the third term to spur ahead. They secured a 54:47 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Crvena Zvezda unleashed 28 points in the fourth term and secured a comfortable win at the end. Boris Savovic (206-F-87, agency: Beo Basket) accounted for 15 points for Crvena Zvezda. Elton Brown (206-C-83, college: Virginia) added 14 points, while Rasko Katic (208-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) provided 12 in the win. Ernests Kalve (200-F-87) answered with 15 points for Szolnok. Calvin Watson (197-G-85, agency: Court Side, college: N.Texas) had 12 points in the loss.

Crvena Zvezda: Boris Savovic 15, Elton Brown 14, Rasko Katic 12
Szolnok: Ernests Kalve 15, Calvin Watson 12

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SLOVAKIA

SPAIN

SWEDEN

Germany bring victory from Norrkoping - by Eurobasket News

Sweden - Germany 86:91

Germany kept their record perfect at 2013 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They knocked down Sweden in Norrkoping today to improve at 7-0 record in Group B. Sweden slipped at 3-4 record and need to win over Luxembourg to stay hopeful of their qualification. Heiko Schaffartzik (183-PG-84) notched 21 points to lead the winners.
Sweden got to a confident start. The Scandinavian team posted a 26:21 lead after ten minutes. Germany slowed their opponents down in the second quarter. Tibor Pleiss (215-C-89) and Heiko Schaffartzik put the visitors within one 42:43 at the interval. The lead changed hands for several times throughout intense third term. Sweden capped the quarter with 7 points in a row to take a 67:64 lead. Maraker extended the margin to 8 points 79:71 midway through the fourth frame. But Robin Benzing (209-SF-89) scored six straight points to spark a 10:0 rally from Germany as they grabbed an 81:79 lead. Kenny Grant (188-G-82, college: Davidson) retained the lead for the Scandinavians but Heiko Schaffartzik and Zwiener made it 86:84 for Germany. Massamba drew things level at 86 however Heiko Schaffartzik and Robin Benzing crowned the regulation with five points in a row and sealed the win for Germany. Robin Benzing accounted for 19 points, while Tibor Pleiss and Jan-Hendrik Jagla (211-PF-81, college: Penn St.) had 16 points each for the winners. Jonas Jerebko (206-PF-87) replied with game-high 32 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists for Sweden. Kenny Grant netted 21 points in the loss.

Sweden: Jonas Jerebko 32+10 boards, Kenny Grant 21
Germany: Heiko Schaffartzik 21, Robin Benzing 19, Tibor Pleiss 16, Jan-Hendrik Jagla 16

Eco Orebro gets bigger with Conor Grace - by Eurobasket News

Conor Grace (210-F-82, college: Davidson) is a new member of Eco Orebro. The Irish big guy penned a 1-year deal with his new club. Grace is not a new face in Sweden as he finished last season there and also played in Bsketligan in the past. He joined Uppsala Basket in March this year averaging 3.6 points and 2.9 rebounds for 9 appearances. In 2010/11, Grace played for the Norrkoping Dolphins. There he registered 5.4 ppg and 4 rpg for 35 games helping Norrkoping to reach Basketligan Finals. The player also added 4.3 ppg and 2.2 rpg for 10 games in EuroChallenge. In Baltic league Grace collected 5.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg for 12 matchups. Conor Grace has experience from Malaysia, Holland, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Italy and France. In 2010, he won Dutch Cup with Zorg and Zekerheid Leiden. In 2009, the player was named to Eurobasket.com Greek A2 All-Bosmans Team -09 (Ilysiakos Athens). Conor Grace played for Irish National Team from 2005 to 2009.

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TURKEY

Hacettepe and Trabzon celebrate in friendly games - by Eurobasket News

Hacettepe and Trabzon celebrated in friendly games on Friday.
Hacettepe met TED Kolejliler handing them 78-67 loss. Ali Isik (206-C/F-90) was a key player for the winners with 23 points. Michael Glover (200-F-87, college: Iona) had 11 points, while Courtney Eldridge (176-PG-80, agency: Alti Sport, college: NC-Greensboro), Adnan Onder Kulcebas (207-C/F-81, agency: 1x1 Sports) and Ogun Sevinc (198-F/G-88, agency: 1x1 Sports) posted 11 pts each. In defeat, center Jovo Stanojevic (208-C-77, agency: Beo Basket) shined with 20 points. He joined the club earlier this summer, as well as Kirk Penney (196-G-80, agency: Duran International, college: Wisconsin) who scored 14 points. Vanja Plisnic (205-F/C-80, agency: Beo Basket) stopped to 9 pts.
Trabzon downed Maliye Milli Piyango 80-64. Veteran Jurica Zuza (207-C-78, agency: Alti Sport) nailed 26 points in this victory and Erdem Turetken (199-F-79) had 19 points. Toure Murry (195-G-89, college: Wichita St.) followed them with 14 pts. In Maliye Milli Piyango, Hakan Yapar (202-C-84) and Derek Williams (185-G-85, college: SMU) were better than the others with 19 and 16 points respectively. Their third scorer was Orbay Kaya (205-F/C-82) with only 7 points.
More friendly games will be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Mutlu Aku Selcuk Universitesi Konya signs Granger just out of college - by Eurobasket

Mutlu Aku Selcuk Universitesi Konya (TB2L) signed American guard Jeremy Granger (185). He just graduated E.Illinois (NCAA). While playing 29 games for the team from Charleston, IL last season Granger averaged 15.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 3.0apg and 1.0spg. His team made it to OVC Tournament Semifinals in 2010. A very impressive season as he was selected to NABC Division I All-District 19 2nd Team. As mentioned above Granger is just out of college, so it will be his first season in pro basketball.

By Eurobasket Data Center

Wins for Anadolu Efes and Antalya - by Eurobasket News

Antalya celebrated a pre-season victory. They faced Giessen from Germany and posted an 86:69 victory at the end. Antalya ensured a 44:39 halftime lead. They cleared off in the second half and rolled to a comfortable win at the end. Jordan Theodore (182-PG-89, college: Seton Hall) accounted for 17 points for Antalya. Xavier Gibson (210-F/C-88, college: Florida St.) and Ron Lewis (193-G-84, college: Ohio St.) delivered 18 points each for the Turkish team.
In the meantime Anadolu Efes celebrated another pre-season success. They took on Krka in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. Anadolu Efes claimed a 76:67 victory. The Turkish team piled up a 39:25 halftime lead. They kept Krka at bay throughout the second half and ensured a comfortable win at the end. Jamon Lukas Gordon (191-SG-84, college: Virginia Tech) finished with 13 points for Anadolu Efes. Stanko Barac (216-C-86) top-scored with 15 points, while Ermal Kurtoglu (208-C-80, agency: Beo Basket) added 11 points in the win.

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UKRAINE

Crvena Zvezda claim Hotel City Cup title - by Eurobasket News

Crvena Zvezda - BC Donetsk 75:67

Crvena Zvezda claimed Hotel City Cup pre-season tournament title. They knocked down BC Donetsk in the Final. Boris Savovic (206-F-87, agency: Beo Basket) posted 16 points to lead the charge.
The hosts strongly entered the game. They ensured a 26:13 lead after ten minutes. BC Donetsk took over in the second quarter. The Ukrainian team narrowed the gap at 8-point mark at halftime 35:43. But Crvena Zvezda stiffened defence in the third quarter. They held the visitors to 8 points to ensure a 15-point lead at the final break. BC Donetsk fought hard in the fourth stanza but managed only to cut the distance. Igor Rakocevic (193-G-78) accounted for 15 points, while Morris Almond (198-F/G-85, college: Rice) and Marko Simonovic (202-F-86, agency: Beo Basket) added 11 points each for the winners. Darius Songaila (204-C/F-78, agency: Priority Sports, college: Wake Forest) answered with 13 points for BC Donetsk. Ramel Curry (192-G-80, college: CSU Bakersfield) and Doron Perkins (188-PG-83, college: Santa Clara) chipped in 12 points apiece in the loss.

Crvena Zvezda: Boris Savovic 16, Igor Rakocevic 15, Morris Almond 11, Marko Simonovic 11
BC Donetsk: Darius Songaila 13, Ramel Curry 12, Doron Perkins 12

Budivelnik substitutes EiffelTowers Den Bosch in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News

On Friday it was officially confirmed by Euroleague Basketball that Budivelnik of Ukraine will fill in in the competition for Dutch team EiffelTowers Den Bosch, who decided not to take part in the 2012-13 Eurocup season. As such, Budivelnik will be part of the 25 teams that are already confirmed to play the Eurocup regular season. The seven remaining teams will come from the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Round, to take place in late September in Desio, Italy. This will be Budivelnik's second participation in the Eurocup. In its previous one, in 2010-11, the team reached the Last 16 and finished last in Group J.

Courtesy of www.eurocupbasketball.com

Ukraine finish EuroBasket Qualifying Round with win - by Eurobasket News

Ukraine - Cyprus 69:51

Ukraine capped their EuroBasket Qualifying Round campaign with victory. They defeated Cyprus in Yuzny. Steven Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) came up with 13 points as Ukraine clinched the second position in Group C. Cyprus suffered the seventh loss in a row.
Ukraine and Cyprus started the game rather slow. Both teams lacked composure offensively. Ukraine though managed to surge ahead to take an 18:13 lead after ten minutes. But the second term left more questions. Cyprus cut the deficit to just a single point at halftime 28:27. Panagiotis Trisokkas (206-PF-80) and Anthony King (206-F/C-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Miami, FL) put Cyprus ahead midway through the third term 33:32. But the hosts quickly regained the lead and ensured a 41:37 lead into the fourth frame. The hosts opened the fourth period on a 10:0 run and never looked back en route to the victory. Maxym Korniyenko (204-F/C-87) posted 12 points, while Sergii Gladyr (196-SG-88) had 11 points in the win. Panagiotis Trisokkas answered with 15 points for Cyprus. Anthony King netted 14 points in the loss.

Ukraine: Steven Burtt 13, Maxym Korniyenko 12, Sergii Gladyr 11
Cyprus: Panagiotis Trisokkas 15+10 boards, Anthony King 14

Kryvbasbasket edge Juventus in friendly game - by Eurobasket News

Juventus - Kryvbasbasket 80:84

Kryvbasbasket celebrated a narrow victory over Juventus in pre-season clash. Vitali Malchevskiy (204-F-87) stepped up with 18 points to lead the winners.
The Ukrainain team secured a 20:16 lead ten minutes into the game. Juventus took over in the second quarter. They raced ahead for a 38:34 halftime lead. Kryvbasbasket returned the advantage in the third quarter. They accounted for a 58:55 advantage before the fourth frame. The teams stayed close throughout the final period but Kryvbasbasket proved the strength stealing a narrow win at the end. Pierce Caldwell (191-G-88, agency: Alti Sport, college: Incarnate Word) accounted for 15 points, while Zoran Krstanovic (204-C-82) added 12 points in the victory. Gintautas Matulis (195-F/G-86) answered with 19 points for Juvenuts. Nerijus Varnelis (201-F-78) chipped in 17 points in the loss.

Juventus: Gintautas Matulis 19, Nerijus Varnelis 17
Kryvbasbasket: Vitali Malchevskiy 18, Pierce Caldwell 15, Zoran Krstanovic 12

Dnipro beat Lietuvos Rytas at Garastas Cup - by Eurobasket News

Lietuvos Rytas - Dnipro 85:88

Dnipro celebrated victory at Garastas Cup in Lithuania. They knocked down Lietuvos Rytas. Valdas Vasylius (203-F-83, college: ODU) came up with 21 points to lead the Ukrainian team.
Lietuvos Rytas dominated in the first half. They recorded a 23:19 lead after ten minutes. The home side stayed in charge throughout the second frame. They recorded a 45:36 halftime lead. The margin grew at 15-point mark in the third quarter. Lietuvos Rytas entered the final term up by 13 points but Dnipro found the way out. They denied the deficit and Daniel Kickert (208-C/F-83, college: St.Mary's, CA) put Dnipro in front with 21 seconds remaining in regulation. The Ukrainian team maintained the lead for the remaining seconds and sealed the victory at the end. Daniel Kickert accounted for 18 points, while Mykola Vilkhovetskyi (191-G-88) had 10 points for the winners. Janis Blums (191-SG-82) replied with 14 points for Lietuvos Rytas. Steponas Babrauskas (197-G/F-84) finished with 12 points in the loss.

Lietuvos Rytas: Janis Blums 14, Steponas Babrauskas 12
Dnipro: Valdas Vasylius 21, Daniel Kickert 18, Mykola Vilkhovetskyi 10

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UNITED KINGDOM

BLAKE OPTIMISM FOR BRITISH BASKETBALL PART 1 - by Jeff King

Paul Blake is one of the most influential men in British Basketball and few, if any, are better placed to comment on the health of the game in Britain. Blakes work load is admirable as he somehow combines being Managing Director of Britains leading franchise, Newcastle Eagles, with being Chairman of the British Basket League.

On the eve of another exciting season Eurobasket spoke with Blake on both the fronts that he leads and invests his time and effort in.

So, Paul putting your Eagles Managing Directors hat on first how do you think the Eagles are looking as they head in to the season?

"I think its a very different team to last year. I think once we finish recruiting we'll be a bit deeper and as a result stronger than last year. But it is very different. I don't think its going to take too long to bed in but I think the supporters are going to have to accept a slightly different style of basketball from what they've seen the last couple of years. It's going to be a very talented team, no question.

The biggest changes from the outside look like the replacement of Paul Gause (180-G-86, agency: I.D.S. Law, college: Seton Hall) and Andrew Thomson (205-F-84, agency: JEMsports, college: Catawba) with Damon Huffman (186-G-85) and Kareem Maddox (202-F/C-89, college: Princeton) who are different types of players to their predecessors?

"Damon is clearly a team leader and we've possibly missed that for several years. I've said often that we've never really replaced T J Walker in that respect and Damon might be the closest we've had in that respect. Kareem from his first year as a pro-basketball player last year is a guy that can do a lot of different things like Andy did. So, we might not see a lot of a difference there in a lot of respects."

And Anthony Martin (186-G-80)? Probably a signing that's come in a little under the radar but the backup point guard that Eagles have been searching for, for a while?

Hes a quality back-up guard and there are some teams in the BBL where he could probably start. Certainly he had offers to go elsewhere but he wanted to come to The Eagles and that's a good sign. He's a solid sixth man. Fab (Flournoy)'s made it clear this year that he personally wants to stay off the point as much as possible and with having the two new options this year that should happen.

So, excited for the forthcoming Eagles season?

Yes, I always am but I have that bit of caution as well until we see how it all beds in. One thing people shouldn't do is compare this years team with last years. Last year was last year and it was great. Now we have to start again and see where that takes us.

In part 2 of the interview Paul talks about his hopes for The British Basketball League going forward.

New Owner Takes Over Jets - by Paul Nilsen

Following the announcement in early July that the Cheshire Jets were looking for new owners, the club is today delighted to confirm that a deal has been reached that will see the Cheshire Jets BBL franchise continue.

Local business man Haydn Cook will take over the franchise with immediate effect. Haydn has extensive business experience, both in the public and private sector, providing an ideal background to take the BBL team forward.

New owner Haydn said,

'I am honored to be entrusted with leading the Cheshire Jets, as a long term local resident I took my now grown up children to games at Northgate many years ago and am a long term supporter. When it became clear that Peter was stepping down after 5 years I felt it was important for the region that The Jets continued in the BBL and felt that I had skills and experiences which could take the team forward. I don't underestimate the challenges ahead, both in the short term in preparation for our first game on 23rd September and for the long term, but I know with the continued support of the best volunteers and fans in the league we can make it a success.'

Peter Hawkins added,

'I am delighted that Haydn has come forward, we have been in intense discussions with a number of people and Haydn was, in my view, the best person to take over. The Jets are a huge asset in the region and I am confident Haydn can take the BBL team onto the next level. "

He added;

"I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved with The Jets over the last 5 years of my tenure, in particular to the huge band of volunteers without whom there would have been no club. Any organisation needs someone to be accountable for leading it, in the case of The Jets, Haydn has my utmost respect in being willing to do that and I know everyone will get behind him to ensure it is a success."

The Cheshire Jets would like to take this opportunity to say that talks are ongoing to try and finalise a new facility in Ellesmere Port and they hope to be able to make an announcement in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council over the next few months. The work of Jets Foundation and its programmes will continue and is unaffected by this announcement, it will continue to work alongside the BBL team in the local community.

Haydn Cook added

'Now the real work begins, I have been overwhelmed by the offers of support from the local community. In answer to everyone's question what can I do to help there are two things; firstly if you run or know of a local business who would like to be with us at the start of this journey then we would love to hear from you; haydn.cook@jetsbasketball.org.uk, secondly season tickets are now on sale, our first game is just over two weeks away against Manchester Giants, let's see if we can fill Northgate and make it a very special night in The Jets history.'

Announcements on team matters will be made over the next few days.

Big Mac Back With Heat - by Paul Nilsen

Surrey Heat coach, Creon Raftopoulos is delighted to welcome Martelle McLemore (196-G/F-88, college: W.Michigan) back to his BBL team for the 2012/2013 season. The 6ft 5in American guard/forward has been a huge hit with the fans for the last two seasons and will be a popular signing for the club.

Creon Raftopoulos commented, "Since joining the Heat, Martelle has been consistent, averaging 17 points a game. He is a strong player, who does a lot of little things which don't show up on the stat sheet. His strength on defence will be important and he has proved that he is capable of defending the best guards on the opposing teams.

"Although I will be bringing a number of new players into the club this season, I also wanted some continuity. I know I can rely on Martelle as he is very committed to the Heat. He did a great job last season as a coach and role model, particularly with the local Prevent & Deter Scheme. Our community programmes are a big focus for Surrey Heat - and Martelle will be an asset to the club, both on and off the court."

Martelle McLemore added, "I am really looking forward to returning to Surrey Heat, and will give my all to ensure we have a successful season in front of our great fans."

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URUGUAY

Goes reached the final games for the 2nd promotion - by Hector Lopez

Goes reached the final games for the Metro league second promotion to the Uruguayan League, after beating Marne 100-79 while Urunday Universitario defeated Cader 80-78 and both teams will have to play an extra game. For Goes Ivan Loriente (186-G-92) netted 28 points including 6 (7 three points shots, and Jimmy Boston (201-F-77, college: N.C.Central) added 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. For Marne Eric Freeman netted 11 points and took 7 rebounds. For Urunday Universitario Howard Wilkerson (198-F-84, agency: Two Points, college: Wofford) scored 16 points with 11 rebounds and for Cader, Grady Reynolds (198-F-80, agency: Strategic Sports, college: St.John's) netted 14 points. Romis Nelimar was relegated to the third division after losing 82-79 with Yale. For the winner Jerry Echenique (201-C-79, college: High Point) netted 23 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. For Romis, Hector Silva (192-F-90) scored 16 points.

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Women News

ACCMW Qualifier: K-Delta fall to First Deepwater 24-109 - by Olusegun Ikuesan

The aspiration of Liberia women side, K-Delta basketball club to make some appreciable impact in the ongoing Africa Champion Cup Zone-3 qualifier for women at the gymnasium of the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex was completely dashed Friday as it lost woefully to Nigeria First Deepwater basketball club by 24-109 points to finish fourth with a 1-3 record.

The Liberian side was unable to record a double digit point in all four quarters as it fell like a pack of cards (07-26, 09-24, 02-24, 06-35).

First Deepwater basketball club who picked the second slot of zone-3 was led in scoring by Atosu Upe with 24 points, the pint-size point guard was joined by the quartet of Magdalene Ukato (19 points); Nkechi Akashili (17 points); Josset Anaswem (11 points) and Adenike Aderinto (10 points, 4 rebounds).

Nigeria second representative in the women qualifier and two-time champion of the continent most prestigious women club championship, First Bank basketball club walked-over C-Delta to finish third with a 2-2 records.

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BELARUS

BK Minsk-2006 transfer news. - by Timur Tolokh

In the new season of the women basketball club "BK Minsk-2006" will be three new players.
Kati Rausberg (172-G-89, college: Eckerd) Estonian, Russian talent Panevina Jana and Alina Iordan (190-C-88) from Ukraine.

Kati Rausberg (172-G-89, college: Eckerd) (172 cm) - the third Estonian basketball player who will play for the Belarusian team. In the season 2010-2011 in the "Minsk 2006" played Jana Rannaveski and Valeria Kast. 23-year-old athlete, serving in the Estonian national team, in the current qualifying round of the European Championship held 8 matches with an average 6.3 point statistics, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 Assists per game.

Yana Panevina (168-G-91) - one of the most promising young playmakers in Russia. 21-girl (168 cm, 60 kg) a year ago, won the silver medal in the U20 European Championship in Serbia.

24-year-old Ukrainian Alina Iordan (190-C-88) (189 cm, 86 kg) spent last season in the Grodno "Olympia", where she performed at the center position. At 17, conducted in the Baltic League matches she average 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and made efficiency index was 9.5.

In Misnk will stay in the Viktoryia Pantsiukh (185-F-87), Volha Istseliatsova (189-F/C-88), Nadzeya Yakovits (182-F-90), Tatsiana Rebianchuk (185-F-88) and Zhanna Horodetskaya (180-G-79).

Shoniker and Pokoiova left, Rannaveski coming... - by Timur Tolokh

Olimpia announced about signing Jana Rannaveski (172-G-87) last season she spent in France, Yana already played in Belarus in BK Minsk-2006 season 2010-2011.She scored in EuroCup: 5 games: 5.4ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.8apg, 1.2spg, and in BWBL: 17 games: 5.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.8apg, 1.5spg. Megan Shoniker (175-G-89, agency: Two Points, college: Rhode Island) and Anna Pokoiova (188-F-87, agency: Promotex) left SBK Olimpia Grodno.
Olimpia participate in Eurocup and have next group Optimum TED Ankara Kolejliler,Union Hainaut Basket and Lotto Young Cats.

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BOSNIA

Solna Vikings sign Bosnian Natasa Mikic - by Eurobasket News

Natasa Mikic (181-G-84) will continue her career in Sweden. The Bosnian guard penned a 1-year deal with Solna Vikings. They will compete in Damligan. Mikic arrives to her new club from Croatian Pleter, where she finished last season. They reached Playoff Semifinals. The player started 2011/12 with Romanian Craiova averaging 12.1 points and 3.8 rebounds for 15 games. Before Craiova, Natasa Mikic spent one year with Slovenian Grosuplje. There she shined with 18.9 ppg, 6 rpg and 2.3 spg for 21 games. She was the second scorer of Slovenian league and participated at the All-Star Game. In the past, Mikic played for Mladi Krajisnik and Zeljeznicar Sarajevo. With Zeljeznicar she won thee championship titles and two Cup trophies. In 2010, Natasa Mikic won the Cup also with Mladi Krajisnik. In 2005, she won the double in FYROM with Kimico.

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EUROCUP

Vologda Chevakata announced Jasmine Thomas and Glory Johnson - by Eurobasket News

Vologda Chevakata announced Jasmine Thomas (175-G-89, college: Duke) and Glory Johnson (190-F-90, college: Tennessee) to be decent representative in 2012/2013 season for all the titans in Russia and abroad.
Jasmine Thomas is a product of Duke (NCAA, starting five). In her first season there she averaged 7.9ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.3apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 35.1%, 3Pts: 24.7%, FT: 60.4%. Later in 2010-2011 for Duke (NCAA, starting five) her stats read 9.5ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 37.5%, 3PT: 21.1%, FT: 69.9%. In 2011 she was drafted by Seattle Storm (WNBA, 1rd (12) and in 2011 was traded to Washington Mystics (WNBA). In 33 games her stats read 6.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 34.7%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 66.7%. In 2011-2012 moved to Frisco Sika Brno (Czech Rep.-ZBL, starting five) and in Euroleague had 11.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 39.6%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 61.5%. In Czech Rep. League her stats read 12.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.2apg, Steals-2 (3.1spg), FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 73.7%.
Glory Johnson appeared first for Tennessee (NCAA, starting five) and debuted with 10.2ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.1spg, FGP: 40.4%, FT: 61.6%. In her last seaosn with the team her stats read 14.2ppg, 9.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.4spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 63.6%. This year she was drafted by Tulsa Shock (WNBA, 1rd (4, starting five).

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EUROLEAGUE

Horakova Comes Home, in Brno - by Diamadis Farmakis

One of the best players in European hoops for the past decade has returned to Brno to play for coach Jan Bobrovsky.

Now competing as BK Imos Brno in the Czech top flight and the EuroLeague Women, the club has signed Hana Horakova (182-F/G-79), the FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year for 2010.

Horkov captured a EuroBasket Women title with the Czechs in 2005 and in 2006 was crowned a EuroLeague Women winner with Brno

In 2010, Horkov led the Czechs to a silver medal at the World Championship on home soil

According to idnes.cz, Horkov, who turns 33 on 11 September, has signed a two-year contract to play for Brno, the club whose books she was on for 11 years before signing for Fenerbahce for the 2010-11 campaign. Last season she played for UMMC Ekaterinburg and after a loan spell to Good Angels Kosice moved back to Ekaterinburg and represented the outfit at the EuroLeague Women Final.

"After two years away, I wanted to finally come home again," she said.

Brno were in dire need of experienced players last season when they barely caused a ripple in the EuroLeague Women, winning just once in 14 games.

Club president Michal Chldek said: "With Horkov, we expect the continued stabilization of the club.

"Hana Horakova is considered a phenomenal Czech basketball player and an extremely intelligent personality.

"We expect her to help the young players and to move us away from where we were last year."

Brno's first away game is on 25 October at Uni Gyr.

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FRANCE

Geraldine Robert pens deal with Lattes Montpellier - by Eurobasket News

Geraldine Robert (184-F-80) pens deal with Lattes Montpellier for the upcoming season. The Top-scorer of the Polish League last season moves to France.
In 2004-2005 she started for Rhonnda Rebels Tylorstown ENG- (WAL, starting five) and in Europe Cup after 6 games averaged 14.5ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.2apg, 2.5spg, 0.7bpg, 2FGP: 48.7%, 3FGP: 41.9%. In 2005-2006 she moved to Racing Club Strasbourg (France-LFB) and after 26 games showed 15.4ppg, Reb-2 (9.6rpg), 1.2apg, Steals-1 (2.5spg), 2FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 6.3%, FT: 53.0%. In 2006-2007 moved to Villeneuve D'Asco ESB (France-LFB) and in French League became the fifth top-scorer recording 15.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 2.0apg, 2.2spg, 2FGP-1 (60%), 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 63.0%. In EuroCup after 9 games her stats read 14.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.4apg, 2.2spg, FGP-1 (71.8%), FT: 54.3%. In 2007-2008 for Villeneuve D'Asco ESB (France-LFB) debuted in Euroleague and after 12 games Geraldine Robert averaged 12.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 0.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 55.4%, FT: 56%. In French League after 27 games her stats read 13.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 64.1%. In her last season for Villeneuve D'Asco ESB Lille Metropole (France-LFB, starting five) she showed 13.5ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 48.7%, FT: 70.0% in Euroleague, while in French League after 23 games here stats read 15.2ppg, Reb-2 (10.5ppg), 2.3apg, 2.6spg, FGP-3 (61.4%), 3PT: 11.1%, FT: 65.7%. In 2009-2010 she played for Club Atletico Faenza (Italy-A1, starting five) and in 26 games became the second top-scorer averaging 16.7ppg, Reb-3 (8.7rpg), 1.1apg, 3.6spg, FGP: 51.3%, FT: 75.5%. Geraldine Robert became Eurobasket.com All-Italian A1 Player of The Year -10, Eurobasket.com All-Italian A1 Bosman Player of The Year -10, Eurobasket.com Italian A1 All-Imports Team -10, Eurobasket.com Italian A1 All-Bosmans Team -10.
In 2010-2011 for Liomatic Umbertide (Italy-A1) she averaged 11.5ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.8spg, FGP: 51.1%, FT: 70.9%. In 2011-2012 moved to Lotos Gdynia (Poland-PLKK, starting five) and in Euroleague showed 10.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 48.3%, FT: 60.0%. In Polish League she became the top-scorer of the League with 17.3ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-3 (2.4spg), FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 11.1%, FT: 71.9%.

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GREECE

Sony Athinaikos Atena enjoyed the European Tournament - by Eurobasket News

Sony Athinaikos Atena enjoyed the European Tournament in Romania with 4 participating teams. Although the team lost two games, it was a great experience before the start of 2012/2013 season.
In Day 1 ICIM Arad overcame Sony Athinaikos Atena 87:42. The Romanian team won the first period 30-7 and never looked behind. They posted 17-10 in the second frame and reached 47:27 at the halftime. Moreover Arad won the third and the last quarters for the final success. Chrissy Givens (180-F-85, college: Middle Tenn.St.) top-scored for the winners with 17 points and Carla Bartee (182-F-85, college: Mississippi) added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Christina Wirth (186-G/F-87, college: Vanderbilt) and Kari Laplante (195-C-89, college: USC) followed them with 12 points each. Afroditi Kosma (187-F/C-83) finished the game with 9 points in the losing effort and Zoi Kechagia (170-G-79) had 7.
In the game for the third place CSM Satu Mare beat Sony Athinaikos Atena 57:38.
In the Final game ICIM Arad edged Targoviste 63:55.

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ISRAEL

Hapoel Galil Elyon inks guard Brittany Carter - by Eurobasket News

Brittany Carter (175-G-89, college: Memphis) is set to start her professional basketball career. The American guard penned a deal with Hapoel Galil Elyon. They will compete in Israeli top division for women. Carter graduated at the University of Memphis few months ago. She had 12.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 1.8 spg for 30 games as a senior. The player was named to All-C-USA 2nd Team -12. In 2010/11 season Brittany Carter collected 13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.1 apg in 29 appearances. She transferred to Memphis from the University of Georgia in 2008. However, Carter was redshirted one year due to NCAA transfer rules. In 2009/10 she exploded with 19.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 34 games. Carter was named All-C-USA Newcomer of the Year -10.

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NCAA1

NIGERIA

PARAGUAY

POLAND

MBK Ruzomberok defeat Wisla in pre-season clash - by Eurobasket News

MBK Ruzomberok - Wisla Can-Pack 72:71

MBK Ruzomberok celebrated the first win in the pre-season series versus Wisla Krakow. The Slovakian eked out a narrow victory in the first game. Kadidja Andersson (185-F-80, college: Minnesota) nailed a late jumper to give the Slovakian team victory.
The teams stayed close throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 16:16 after ten minutes. MBK Ruzomberok pulled ahead for a 33:32 halftime advantage. Wisla however denied the deficit and the teams entered the final stanza tied at 53. Wisla pulled in front late in regulation but Kadidja Andersson managed to seal the victory for the Slovakian team. Tina Trebec (189-F-90, agency: Kotnik Sports Agency) notched 17 points, while Dominika Baburova (182-SF-91) added 13 points for the winners. Wisla answered with 17 points from Anke De Mondt (176-F/G-79). Petra Stampalija (189-C-80, agency: Josep and Nicolas) provided 14 points in the loss.

MBK Ruzomberok: Tina Trebec 17, Dominika Baburova 13, Kadidja Andersson 10, Sequoia Holmes 10
Wisla: Anke De Mondt 14, Petra Stampalija 14

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PUERTO RICO

Standings - Women

BSNF Standings

1. Morovis M.		6-0
2. Quebradillas		6-1
3. Carolina G.		5-1
4. San German		4-2
5. Aguas B.T.		1-5
6. Juncos V.		1-6
7. Ponce L.		0-8

Regular Season: Round 6

Sep. 6: Carolina G. - Aguas B.T. 89-73
Sep. 7: Aguas B.T. - Morovis M. 88-96
Sep. 6: San German - Juncos V. 65-63
Sep. 8: Quebradillas - Carolina G.

Stats Leaders - Superleague 25

Points Per Game

Yolanda MARTIN
  Aguas B.T.
  (180-G-83)
  Avg: 25.8

1. Martin, Aguas B.T.	25.8
2. Valentin, Carolina	24.0
3. Werema, Juncos V.	22.7
4. Bruszewski, Quebra.	18.9
5. Fairweather, Ponce	18.0
6. Jones, Carolina G.	17.8
7. Seals, Aguas B.T.	16.5
8. Smith, San German	16.2
9. Williams, San Germ.	15.0
10. Rosado, Morovis M.	14.8

Rebounds Per Game

Yolanda JONES
  Carolina G.
  (184-F-84)
  Avg: 13.8

1. Jones, Carolina G.	13.8
2. Rosario, Ponce L.	12.0
3. Seals, Aguas B.T.	9.8
4. Martin, Aguas B.T.	9.5
5. Bruszewski, Quebra.	9.3
6. Gonzalez, San G.	9.0
7. Cabrera, Juncos V.	8.5
8. Werema, Juncos V.	8.3
9. Williams, Morovis	8.2
10. Williams, San Ger.	8.0

Assists Per Game

Carla ESCALERA
  Morov.
  (179-PF-84)
  Avg: 3.8

1. Escalera, Morov.	3.8
2. Ruiz, Aguas B.T.	3.7
3. Bruszewski, Quebra.	3.6
4. Gonzalez, San G.	3.4
5. Figueroa, Morov.	3.4
6. Rosado, San German	3.2
7. Magee, Carolina G.	3.2
8. Rodriguez, Carolin.	3.2
9. Concepcion, Junco.	3.1
10. Fairweather, Ponc.	3.1

Steals Per Game

Pamela ROSADO
  Morovis M.
  (165-PG-86)
  Avg: 3.8

1. Rosado, Morovis M.	3.8
2. Cabrera, Juncos V.	3.3
3. Magee, Carolina G.	3.0
4. Fairweather, Ponce	2.7
5. Martin, Aguas B.T.	2.5
6. Matthews, Aguas B.	2.5
7. Jones, Carolina G.	2.4
8. De La Paz, Juncos	2.4
9. Rodriguez, Carolin.	2.4
10. Lechlitner, Quebr.	2.3

Blocks Per Game

Angelina WILLIAMS
  Morovis M.
  (183-F/C-83)
  Avg: 2.6

1. Williams, Morovis	2.6
2. Rosario, Ponce L.	1.6
3. Werema, Juncos V.	1.4
4. Placido, Quebradil.	1.4
5. Seals, Aguas B.T.	1.3
6. Bruszewski, Quebra.	1.0
7. Escalera, Morov.	1.0
8. Martin, Aguas B.T.	1.0
9. Flores, Ponce L.	0.9
10. Ruiz, Aguas B.T.	0.8

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ROMANIA

Arad wins Chindia Cup - by Eurobasket News

Arad wins Chindia Cup with 4 participating teams.
In Day 1 ICIM Arad overcame Sony Athinaikos Atena 87:42. The Romanian team won the first period 30-7 and never looked behind. They posted 17-10 in the second frame and reached 47:27 at the halftime. Moreover Arad won the third and the last quarters for the final success. Chrissy Givens (180-F-85, college: Middle Tenn.St.) top-scored for the winners with 17 points and CARLA BARTEE added 14 points and 15 rebounds. Christina Wirth (186-G/F-87, college: Vanderbilt) and Kari Laplante (195-C-89, college: USC) followed them with 12 points each. AFRODITI KOSMA finished the game with 9 points in the losing effort and ZOI KECHAGIA had 7.
Targoviste edged CSM Satu Mare 76:61. Elina Babkina (173-G-89, agency: LBM Management) and IVANKA MATIC top-scored for the winners with 12 points each, while OLGA VOROBJOVA and GABRIELA MARGINEAN posted 10 apiece. Khadijah Whittington (186-F-86, college: N.Carolina St.) replied with 15 points in the losing effort.
In the game for the third place CSM Satu Mare beat Sony Athinaikos Atena 57:38.
In the Final game ICIM Arad edged Targoviste 63:55. Arad led 16 points at the halftime and managed to keep the lead for good. Chrissy Givens poured in 21 points to lead the charge and Kari Laplante scored 20. Jillian Robbins (185-F-84, agency: LBM Management, college: Tulsa) collected 16 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort.

CSM Satu Mare confirm Shanika Freeman - by Eurobasket News

CSM Satu Mare confirm Shanika Freeman (183-F/C-83, college: Jacksonville St.) for the upcoming season. The American player will stay in Romania.
In January 2012 CSM Satu Mare agreed terms with 29-year old American power forward Shanika Freeman.In her first game she scored 13 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and 3 assists helping her new team beat Oradea 78:44.
Shanika Freeman played most recently at TSV 1880 Wasserburg (Germany). While playing 12 games for Wasserburg this season she averaged 10.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.0apg and 1.5spg. She recorded 19 points at the Regular Season Round 7 when Wasserburg lost to Marburg 66-80. The guests trailed by 1 point after first quarter, but they stormed back to get the 3-point lead at the halftime and eventually won the game 80-66. At the losing side American power forward Shanika Freeman responded with 19 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Krystal Vaughn scored 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Freeman played also pro basketball in Finland and Germany. She graduated Jacksonville State University in 2005.
In 2011-2012 for CSM Satu Mare (Romania-D1, starting five) her stats read 14.0ppg, Reb-5 (10.5rpg), 1.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 80.3%.

Targoviste add Iulia Raileanu for the upcoming season - by Eurobasket News

Targoviste add Iulia Raileanu (189-F/C-95) for the upcoming season. The Romanian side had a player in the roster of the Chindia Cup.
In 2009-2010 Iulia Raileanu started for Phoenix Galati cadet team. In 2010-2011 she continued with Phoenix Galati cadet team and now moves to the EuroLegaue team.
Iulia Raileanu was a member of the Romanian U16 National Team -09-11. At the European Championships U16 Division B for Women in Skopje (FYR Macedonia) she became the third top-scorer of the tournament with 16.2ppg, Reb-5 (10.9rpg), 1.4bpg, FGP: 40.7%, FT: 48.6%. At the European Championships U16 Division B for Women in Arad (Romania) -11 she had 8.6ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 51.5%, FT: 45.0%. Later she became Romanian U18 National Team -10-12. At the European Championships U18 in Bucharest (Romania) -12 she averaged 12.8ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT-3 (50.0%), FT: 50.0%.
This year she was a member of the Romanian U20 National Team.

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RUSSIA

SLOVAKIA

SPAIN

Centros Unico Real Canoe adds Claudia Aponte - by Eurobasket News

Centros Unico Real Canoe added another player for the upcoming season. The team signed Paraguayan/Spanish guard Claudia Aponte (173-G-91). She is not a new face in Spain as she played there over the past few years. Last season Aponte had 7.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 1.7 apg for 29 games with Thetrend Social Cortegada. They competed in LF2. In 2010/11, the player registered 12.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg for 35 LF2 games with Isolux Corsan Guadalajara. In the past, Aponte also played for Alvargomez, Mariana and Asuncion. In 2010, Claudia Aponte played for Paraguayan National Team. They reached Semifinals at South American Championship in Santiago. The player shined with 16 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.5 apg in 4 games at this event. Aponte was awarded with Latinbasket.com All-South American Championships Honorable Mention -10.

Hondarribia-Irun shape up the roster - by Eurobasket News

Hondarribia-Irun shape up the roster for the upcoming season. The team announced Lisa Karcic (185-PF-86, agency: Regeneracom Sports, college: Villanova), Ana Suarez (170-G-87, agency: Josep and Nicolas) and Laura Arroyo (182-F-91).
Laura Arroyo played most recently at Pais Vasco (LF2). While playing 32 games for the team from San Sebastian last season Arroyo averaged 10.6ppg and 3.3rpg. She helped them to win regular season and make it to the final. Arroyo has been a member of Spanish U20 national team since 2011. She represented Spain at the European Championships U20 in Serbia last year. Arroyos team won Gold and her stats at this event were 7 games: 2.7ppg, 1.6rpg.
Ana Suarez is coming back to Hondarribia-Irun as she played here before. Suarez played most recently at Mariana (LFB). While playing 26 games for the team from Soller last season she averaged 5.3ppg, 2.2rpg and 1.5apg. Suarez played also pro basketball in Bulgaria. She was a member of Spanish U20 national team between 2006 and 2007.
Lisa Karcic played last season at Caja Rural in LF2. Karcic helped her team get promotion to LFB. While playing 11 games for the team from Zamora Karcic averaged 7.7ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.0apg and 1.1spg. She won Icelandic League championship title in 2011. Karcic was also selected to Eurobasket.com All-Finnish League Honorable Mention in 2011. She played also pro basketball in Puerto Rico and Turkey.
Moreover Hondarribia-Irun re-signed Sandra Ygueravide (172-PG-84, agency: Josep and Nicolas), Thania Quintero (178-F-80) and Tatiana Gomez (193-C-81, agency: Josep and Nicolas).

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SWEDEN

TURKEY

Canik Belediye signs Gulsah Akkaya - by Eurobasket News

Gulsah Akkaya (181-F-77) is a new member of Canik Belediye. The Turkish forward penned a 1-year deal with her new club. Akkaya arrives to Canik from Optimum TED Ankara, where she spent last season. She appeared 21 times in TKBL averaging 12 points and 4 rebounds. The player also added 13.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg for 8 EuroCup games. Before Optimum TED, Gulsah Akkaya spent two years with Samsun. She also has experience from Ceyhan, Mann Filter, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Mersin. She participated at three TKBL All-Star Games, including the last season. Gulsah Akkaya played for the Turkish National Team in 2007 and 2011. Last summer she won the silver medal with them at the EuroBasket in Poland. Akkaya was on the list of candidates this summer as well, but didn't make it to the roster.

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WNBA

Standings

WNBA Standings

Eastern
1. Connecticut S.		20-8
2. Indiana F.		18-9
3. Atlanta D.		15-14
4. Chicago S.		11-16
5. New York L.		11-17
6. Washington M.		6-23
Western
1. Minnesota L.		23-4
2. L.Angeles S.		19-10
3. S.Antonio SS		17-10
4. Seattle S.		13-14
5. Phoenix M.		7-20
6. Tulsa S.		6-21

Regular Season: Round 33

Sep. 7: Minnesota L. - Atlanta D. 97-93 2OT
Sep. 7: New York L. - Chicago S. 83-92
Sep. 7: Connecticut S. - Phoenix M. 82-91
Sep. 7: S.Antonio SS - Indiana F. 78-82
Sep. 7: Washington M. - L.Angeles S. 68-96
Sep. 8: Tulsa S. - Seattle S.

Latest Games:McWilliams-Franklin, Moore help Lynx outlast Dream - by Diamadis Farmakis

Maya Moore (6'0''-SG-89, college: Connecticut) scored 19 of her 23 points after the break, Seimone Augustus had 12 of her 14 points in the second half before leaving with an ankle injury, and Taj McWilliams-Franklin made a key jumper and two big defensive plays in the second overtime to help the Lynx outlast the Dream 97-93 Friday night.

''I was really appreciative at halftime that they weren't going to quit,'' Reeve said - ''Not a thing went our way in the first half and we were determined to make our breaks in the second half.''

Instead of folding and playing frustrated, the Lynx defended and attacked after the break, and matched the biggest comeback in WNBA history en route to their 10th straight win. The second half was an example of why defending champion Minnesota (23-4) has the best record in the WNBA - they got production up and down their roster.

McWilliams-Franklin finished with 15 points, Rebekkah Brunson also scored 15 and had 14 of her 18 rebounds after the break, and Wiggins added 11 points, including two big 3-pointers late in regulation and overtime.

''We never panicked which is really good to see,'' Moore said. ''Usually what it comes down to is effort and focus. We had to work harder and harder and harder and know that the other team has to break at some point.

''I'm just so proud of this team with how we responded. Our hearts don't quit and we were able to pull out a big win.''

Angel McCoughtry scored 30 points to lead the Dream (15-14) while Lindsey Harding added 23. Atlanta has now lost eight straight to Minnesota, including a 3-0 sweep in the Finals a year ago.

Augustus did not play the final possession of regulation or in the overtime periods after suffering a right ankle injury. Augustus stayed on the bench and was able to stand on the ankle, but walked with a limp.

Taj McWilliams-Franklin Breaks WNBA Offensive Rebounding Record - by Diamadis Farmakis

The year was 1993 and a 23-year-old Taj McWilliams-Franklin (6'3''-C-70, agency: Josep and Nicolas) had all but given up on the game of basketball. Now, less than two months shy of her 42nd birthday, McWilliams-Franklin is still playing professional basketball. Here is her basketball story.

Now, in her 14th WNBA season -- after three seasons in the now-defunct ABL and a few stretches overseas before that -- the leagues oldest player is now the leagues all-time leader in offensive rebounds (1,052), after pulling down five on Tuesday night to slip past Yolanda Griffith into first place.

In 1993, however, McWilliams-Franklin, who was playing in Europe after starring at St. Edwards, wasnt even sure shed make it to 1994.

''After my first year overseas I didnt think Id make it past 25, McWilliams-Franklin said. I tore all the ligaments in both my ankles and I had a meniscus tear in my knee so I had to have three surgeries in three months This was my first year overseas in Germany and I said Im done with this basketball. I want to finish my degree''.

About a year later, she got a call from an agent of a friend saying that he needed a replacement for an injured player on a team in Luxembourg. Relatively healthy -- at least by her standards -- McWilliams decided to give it a shot.

What has resulted from that fateful decision is a career that has spanned 17 years of professional basketball in the United States, almost as many winters playing overseas, more than 13,000 minutes of WNBA play and, amidst all that, the birth of three children.

And now, a player who came dangerously close to giving up the game 19 years ago ranks as one of the greatest rebounders -- and leaders -- the leagues ever had. For McWilliams-Franklin, that all comes down to one word: preparation. ''In our shootarounds the morning before the game, I dont shoot, I just rebound for everyone, McWilliams-Franklin said. You get a feel for how everyones shooting for that game and how their shots are coming off so I use that to my advantage on the offensive end''.

The offensive rebounding record McWilliams now holds has as much to do with longevity as it does pure rebounding prowess, and McWilliams-Franklin takes pride in the fact that shes been able to keep her body in shape and play for so long. And as her career went on, she learned how to pace herself to make sure she doesnt overwork her battle-tested body.

But if the game-day routines varied, the results on the court have largely remained the same. A model of consistency and production, McWilliams-Franklin is only 57 points away from becoming the tenth player in league history to reach the 5,000-point plateau and now sits just 28 total rebounds shy of joining Lisa Leslie (3,307) as the only WNBA players to record 3,000 boards.

When it comes to attacking the glass, McWilliams-Franklin is a student of the game. The 6-foot-2 forward/center makes up for her admitted lack of leaping ability with intelligence.

Parker, Toliver lead Sparks past Mystics, 96-68 - by Eurobasket News

Candace Parker (6'4''-C-86, college: Tennessee) and Kristi Toliver (5'7''-PG-87, college: Maryland) scored 18 points each as the Los Angeles Sparks snapped a three-game skid with a 96-68 victory over the Washington Mystics on Friday night.

Former Mystics star Alana Beard (5'11''-G/F-82, college: Duke) added 16 points for the Sparks (20-9), who swept the two-game season series against Washington. Los Angeles, which has already clinched a playoff berth and remains in second place in the Western Conference, finishes its five-game road trip Sunday against New York.

"We needed it," Beard said. "This was a great game to get back on track with and sort of get back to basic and do the little things that we've been doing all season."

Monique Currie (6'0''-G/F-83, college: Duke) scored 16 points for the Mystics (5-23), who lost their season-high seventh straight. Jasmine Thomas added 15 points for Washington, which was outscored 197-138 in its two losses to Los Angeles.

The Sparks outrebounded the Mystics 39-29 and shot 62 percent from the floor (39 of 63) compared to the Mystics' 36 percent (25 of 69). Parker also had nine rebounds and eight assists.

"They share the ball and they run everything through Candace Parker," Mystics coach Trudi Lacy said. "It's a tough loss. They have a lot of weapons."

Los Angeles led by 19 in the second quarter before settling for a 54-39 halftime lead. A 15-2 run stretched it to 34-20 early in the second, DeLisha Milton-Jones' corner 3-pointer later pushed it to 45-30, and Toliver hit back-to-back jumpers to make it 51-32.

Mystics guard Shannon Bobbitt hit a 38-foot bank shot at the halftime buzzer.

It was more of the same in the second half, with the lead growing to 83-56 early in the fourth quarter.

Beard, making her first visit to the Verizon Center since signing with the Sparks in the offseason, received a loud ovation from the crowd in pregame introductions. The four-time WNBA All Star, selected by the Mystics in the first round of the 2004 draft, played six seasons in Washington before foot and ankle injuries forced her to miss the entire 2010 and 2011 seasons.

"I have a home here, and this is where I've been for eight years," Beard said. "It's a comfortable environment. Seeing familiar faces and coming back here and playing for the fans, I felt like they were our fans."

Courtesy of www.chron.com

Catchings leads Fever past Silver Stars, 82-78 - by Eurobasket News

Tamika Catchings (6'1''-SF-79, college: Tennessee) had 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Indiana Fever to an 82-78 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Friday night.

Katie Douglas (6'1''-G/F-79, college: Purdue) added 18 points, Briann January (5'8''-PG-87, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Arizona St.) had 12 and Shavonte Zellous 11 for the Fever (18-9), who moved 1 1/2 games behind first-place Connecticut in the Eastern Conference.

Becky Hammon (5'9''-PG-77, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Colorado St.) had 15 points to lead San Antonio (17-10), which lost its second straight at home after winning their previous nine at the AT&T Center. Shameka Christon, Sophia Young and Jia Perkins each had 13 points for the Silver Stars.

The Fever made all 15 of their free throw attempts in the final quarter to rally from a five-point deficit. The Silver Stars took only three free throws in the quarter, with Perkins missing the second of three after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Courtesy of www.sacbee.com

Liberty loses to Sky, falls half-game behind for last playoff spot - by Eurobasket News

The Liberty doesn't need an epiphany to realize its current state -- on the outside looking in on the playoff chase.

The Sky's Epiphanny Prince (5'9''-G-88, college: Rutgers) put them there.

The former Rutgers star scored 30 points and Chicago never trailed in a 92-83 win over the Liberty at Prudential Center on Friday night. Chicago moved a half-game ahead of the Liberty for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with six games to play.

The Sky (11-16) also earned a season split with the Liberty (11-17), meaning if the teams are tied at the end of the season, the postseason tiebreaker will be conference record. The Liberty is 8-12 against the East and Chicago is 7-12.

One saving grace for the Liberty is that four of its final six games are against last-place teams Washington and Tulsa.

Prince hit three fourth-quarter three-pointers to give the Sky a 10-point lead with 4:15 to play. Prince was 5-for-10 from three-point range, including a four-point play to open the scoring.

"We started right from the beginning not guarding them and that carried right through," said Liberty coach John Whisenant, who received a technical foul in the second quarter. "We just didn't defend them and that led to too many easy baskets."

The Liberty's 8-0 run, capped by Cappie Pondexter (5'9''-G-83, college: Rutgers) 's three-pointer, made it 58-55 at the 4:04 mark of the third quarter and prompted a Chicago timeout. But the Sky answered with a 7-0 run to push the lead back to 10. Pondexter had 24 points.

Prince hit a jumper as the shot clock expired, then Tamera Young (6'2''-G-86, college: JMU) (19 points) hit an elbow jumper to make it 69-58 with 23.9 seconds left in the third. The Liberty never cut the lead to below seven in the fourth quarter.

Kara Braxton (6'6''-C-83, college: Georgia) did her best to keep the Liberty in the game in the first half, scoring nine of her 13 points in the second quarter. But Prince's layup with 1.4 seconds left in the half gave Chicago a 46-41 lead at the break.

Courtesy of www.newsday.com

DeWanna Bonner pours in 35 points, powers Mercury past Sun - by Eurobasket News

DeWanna Bonner (6'4''-G-87, agency: Josep and Nicolas, college: Auburn) was determined not to let the Phoenix Mercury get embarrassed for the second straight game.

Bonner had 35 points and seven rebounds to lead the Mercury past the Eastern Conference-leading Connecticut Sun 91-82 on Friday night.

Diana Taurasi (6'0''-SG-82, college: Connecticut) scored 16 minutes in just 18 minutes, and Krystal Thomas (6'5''-C-89, college: Duke) had 16 rebounds -- including seven on the offensive end -- for the Mercury (7-20), who were coming off a 28-point loss to the New York Liberty two nights earlier.

"It was a tough night in New York," said Bonner, who shot 12 for 23 from the field, including 6 for 11 on 3-pointers. "Losing by (almost) 40 will kind of motivate any team. I had to do better."

Renee Montgomery (5'7''-PG-86, agency: LBM Management, college: Connecticut) had 25 points for Connecticut (20-8) and Tina Charles added 18.

The Sun's loss, coupled with Indiana's 82-78 win at San Antonio, cut their lead over the second-place Fever to 1 games.

It was Connecticut's second-straight home loss, and dropped them to 9-5 at Mohegan Sun Arena this season after going 15-2 here a year ago.

"We have an opportunity with two games at home here (this weekend) to build some momentum before we go out on the road," Connecticut's Kara Lawson said. "What's the point of securing home-court (in the playoffs) if you can't win at home?

"The brand of basketball we're playing right now, we can't win in the playoffs because we don't have the focus and the execution that's necessary right now. It's in us. The wheels aren't falling off, but this was disappointing."

Phoenix, which finished with a 45-21 rebounding edge, scored the game's first seven points and never trailed. The Mercury led 73-52 with more than 2 minutes left in the third quarter.

Bonner made five straight shots in the first quarter, including two 3s, to push Phoenix ahead 22-14.

The Mercury made 12 of 19 field goals (63 percent) in the first period.

Phoenix pushed its lead to 37-18 with more than 6 minutes left in the first half when Montgomery shot her team back into the game. She made three straight 3s, two of which she was fouled and completed four-point plays.

Lawson followed with her own 3 as Connecticut closed its deficit to 42-32.

The Sun got as close as 47-40 with under a minute on Montgomery's two free throws.

However, Taurasi hit a jumper with 26.7 seconds left, and Bonner was fouled by Montgomery while shooting a 3 with 2.1 seconds remaining and made all three free throws to give the Mercury a 52-40 lead at the break

"My teammates did a great job of screening and putting the ball in the perfect spot for me," Bonner said. "Before the game, me and (Phoenix coach) Corey (Gaines) talked a little bit about just shooting the ball and being aggressive."

Taurasi and Bonner each made a 3 to start the second half.

Thomas made the first of two free throws as Phoenix went ahead, 59-40, with more than 8 minutes left in the third quarter.

Connecticut pulled to 83-76 with more than 4 minutes left in the fourth.

Charde Houston missed a 3 for Phoenix, but Thomas grabbed the offensive rebound. Moments later, Houston made a driving layup to give the Mercury an 85-76 edge with more than 3 minutes remaining.

Courtesy of ESPN