EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 7/13/2023 4:04:02 AM

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  ABA LEAGUE  
Jaramaz is back at Partizan - by Igor Obradovic
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KLS
sponsor
KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) agreed terms with 27-year old Serbian international shooting guard Ognjen Jaramaz (193cm-88kg-1995) for new 2023-24 season. It is actually his comeback to Beograd as he has played here before. Jaramaz has played for the last two seasons at Bayern in German BBL league. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 35 BBL games he recorded 6.8ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.4apg last season. He helped them to win the cup and make to league semifinals. Jaramaz also played 25 games in Euroleague where he averaged 6.4ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.5apg.
In 2017 he was drafted by New York Knicks (NBA) in second round (58th overall).
He has been also a member of Serbian international program for some years. Jaramaz has regularly played for Serbian senior team since 2016 and previously for U18 National Team in 2013.
He represented Serbia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) eight years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 10 games: 9.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 35.8%, 3PT: 45.2%, FT: 78.9%.
Jaramaz has played previously professionally in Spain (Burgos) and Serbia (Smederevo and BC Mega MIS Beograd).
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League European Player of the Year back in 2020.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic

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AFROCAN  
Quarter-finals picture is completed - by Igor Obradovic
Mozambique - Rwanda 62-73
Rwanda secured a 73-62 victory over Mozambique. Dieudonne Ndayisaba (201-SG-1996) led the scoring for Rwanda with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while William Robeyns (192-SG-1996) contributed 15 points and Ntore Habimana (196-G-1997, college: Laurier) added 14 points and 4 assists. Augusto Matos (186-PG-1990) led Mozambique with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Baggio Chimonzo (178-PG-1992) contributed 10 points and 3 rebounds. Rwanda advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Angola.

Nigeria - Gabon 71-55
Nigeria emerged victorious with a 71-55 win over Gabon. Nine players from Nigeria contributed points in the game, demonstrating their balanced scoring attack. Ibe Agu led the scoring with 13 points, supported by Kanyisola Odufuwa (192-G-2001) with 12 points and 4 rebounds. Farrel-Drexler Dimidimba (198-F-1998) led Gabon with 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Lerry Essono (199-F-1992) added 8 points and 6 rebounds. Nigeria advanced to the next stage of the knockout phase, where they will face DR Congo.

Ivory Coast - Mali 72-58
Ivory Coast emerged victorious with a 72-58 win over Mali. Mike Fofana (206-F-1997, college: HSU, agency: One Motive Sports) led the scoring for Ivory Coast with 16 points and 4 rebounds, while Sekpeou Ouinsou (200-G/F-1996) recorded 8 points and 12 rebounds. N'Faly Kanoute (187-F-1996) led Mali with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Abdramane Kanoute (196-G-2004) contributed 9 points and 2 rebounds, and Ibrahima Diallo (208-F-1998, college: Manhattan) grabbed 8 rebounds. Ivory Coast advanced to the knockout phase of AfroCan, where they will face Tunis.

Morocco - Cameroon 78-50
Morocco secured a convincing 78-50 victory over Cameroon in their matchup. Soufiane Benhmine (192-G-1992) and Kevin Franceschi (193-G-1993, college: OKBU) led the scoring for Morocco, each contributing 13 points, with Benhmine adding 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and Franceschi recording 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Arnold Kome (195-F-1992) stood out for Cameroon with 18 points and 3 rebounds. With this win, Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face Kenya.



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ARGENTINA  
Enzo Cena joins Chieti - by Andrea Centenari
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Serie-A2
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Caffe Mokambo Chieti (Serie A2) agreed terms with 31-year old naturalized Argentinian power forward Enzo Cena (200cm-98kg-1992, agency: Interperformances) for new 2023-24 season. Cena played last season at Cus Jonico Basket Taranto in the Serie B. In 32 games he had 13.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg and 1.0spg. Good season as he was named League Player of the Week.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Sant Antimo (also in Serie B) where in 29 games he recorded 13.6ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg and 1.3spg in that year.
He has played previously for seven other teams: San Severo, Matera, Canicatti, Bisceglie, Cassino, Piacentina and Bisceglie.

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ARMENIA  
League A Round 7: Artik keeps a leadership position - by Eurobasket News
The Regular Season in League A just ended. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Artik as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Artik smashed 3rd placed BKMA at home 107-79. Artik dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to BKMA's 50. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by BKMA's players. The former international forward Davit Khachatryan (210-2000) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American guard Jah-Kobe Womack (190-1997, college: Pitt St.) chipped in 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Roma Saribekyan (-2005) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds for lost side. Artik (7-1) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Urartu. BKMA at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with FIMA.
Important game to mention about took place in Yerevan. Fifth ranked FIMA (3-5) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Erebuni (1-6) 125-124 on Wednesday evening. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tajai Johnson (188-1993, college: Clark Atlanta) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 58 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 7 assists (on 27-of-33 shooting from the field). Brendan Hoban contributed with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American point guard Treveyon Kinnard (178-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 15 rebounds for Erebuni. FIMA moved-up to third place, which they share with BKMA. Defending champion Erebuni stay at the bottom position with six games lost.
Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Yerevan: Urartu (#1) and Erebuni (#6). Erebuni was defeated at home 99-106 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a great evening for Daniil Gevorgyan who led his team to a victory scoring 54 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 9 assists. At the losing side Treveyon Kinnard responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Urartu maintains first place with 7-1 record, which they share with Artik. Defending champion Erebuni stay at the bottom position with six games lost.

Other games of round 7 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
FIMA was crushed by Dvin in a road game 127-96. BKMA was beaten by Urartu at home 94-98. Dvin was destroyed by Artik on the opponent's court 119-92.
The best stats of 7th round was 19 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists by Mkhitar Vardanyan of Artik.



Erebuni - Urartu 99-106

Another exciting game was a derby match between two local teams from Yerevan: Urartu (#1) and Erebuni (#6). Erebuni was defeated at home 99-106 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. Urartu looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was a great evening for guard Daniil Gevorgyan (186-1999) who led his team to a victory scoring 54 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 9 assists. The former international forward Arkadiy Mkrtychyan (204-1995, college: Idaho) helped adding 12 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists. Mkrtychyan is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. At the losing side American point guard Treveyon Kinnard (178-1998) responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds and Lebanese Varant Keledjian (190-1996) produced a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Urartu maintains first place with 7-1 record, which they share with Artik. Defending champion Erebuni stay at the bottom position with six games lost.
Top scorers:
Urartu: A.Danielyan 54+6reb+9ast, B.Vartan 22+10reb, N.Aram 14+4reb+1ast, M.Arkadiy 12+13reb+15ast, D.Arman 3+5reb+3ast,
Erebuni: V.Keledjian 22+11reb+2ast, B.Artyom 18+4reb+10ast, T.Simon 16+4reb+2ast, M.Kamiar 7+4reb, Z.Arman 0
gschID: 1081010


Dvin - FIMA 127-96

There was a minor upset when their close opponent FIMA (3-5) was crushed on the road by fifth ranked Dvin (2-5) 127-96 on Monday. Dvin outrebounded FIMA 58-36 including a 48-29 advantage in defensive rebounds. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 28 assists. It was a great evening for American point guard Byron Ray (175-1993, college: LeMoyne-Owen) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 50 points (!!!), 11 rebounds and 14 assists. Elijah Johnson helped adding 37 points (!!!), 27 rebounds and 10 assists. Ray attended previously one of camps at Eurobasket Summer League on his way to pro basketball. At the losing side American forward Tajai Johnson (188-1993, college: Clark Atlanta) responded with a double-double by scoring 46 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 8 assists and the other American import guard Brendan Hoban (185, college: S.Wesleyan) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 17 rebounds and 9 assists. Dvin maintains fifth place with 2-5 record. Loser FIMA dropped to the third position with five games lost. They share it with BKMA.
Top scorers:
Dvin: B.Ray 50+11reb+14ast, J.Elijah 37+27reb+10ast, H.Mano 21+8reb, K.Harut 9+1reb+1ast, M.Hakobyan 6+5reb, P.Garo 4+1reb+1ast
FIMA: T.Johnson 46+10reb+8ast, C.Avetis 21+1reb+4ast, B.Hoban 19+17reb+9ast, G.Gor 4+2reb+7ast, V.Kirill 4+1reb, B.Gevorg 2+2reb+1ast
gschID: 1081011


BKMA - Urartu 94-98

No shocking result in a game in Yerevan where first ranked Urartu (7-1) defeated 3rd placed BKMA (3-5) 98-94 on Tuesday. Urartu forced 19 BKMA turnovers. Strangely BKMA outrebounded Urartu 51-36 including 16 on the offensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 25 assists. It was a great evening for guard Daniil Gevorgyan (186-1999) who led his team to a victory scoring 42 points (!!!), 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. The former international forward Arkadiy Mkrtychyan (204-1995, college: Idaho) helped adding 14 points, 19 rebounds and 17 assists. Mkrtychyan is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. At the losing side Yura Melikyan (-2005) responded with a double-double by scoring 23 points and 20 rebounds and Arayik Gevorgyan (-2004) scored 26 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Urartu maintains first place with 7-1 record, which they share with Artik. Loser BKMA keeps the third position with five games lost. They share it with FIMA.
Top scorers:
Urartu: G.Daniil 42+6reb+4ast, B.Vartan 16+5reb+2ast, A.Danielyan 15+4reb, A.Mkrtychyan 14+19reb+17ast, N.Aram 6+1reb+1ast, M.Gevorg 5+1reb+1ast
BKMA: G.Arayik 26+6reb+3ast, M.Yura 23+20reb+3ast, M.Tigran 22+7reb+5ast, G.Samvel 11+3reb+1ast, S.Roma 7+14reb+1ast, S.Vahan 5+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1081012


Erebuni - FIMA 124-125

Important game to mention about took place in Yerevan. Fifth ranked FIMA (3-5) saved a 1-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Erebuni (1-6) 125-124 on Wednesday evening. FIMA dominated down low during the game scoring 100 of its points in the paint compared to Erebuni's 62. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Tajai Johnson (188-1993, college: Clark Atlanta) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 58 points (!!!), 17 rebounds and 7 assists (on 27-of-33 shooting from the field). His fellow American import guard Brendan Hoban (185, college: S.Wesleyan) contributed with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Johnson is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. American point guard Treveyon Kinnard (178-1998) answered with a double-double by scoring 31 points and 15 rebounds and Lebanese Varant Keledjian (190-1996) added 38 points (!!!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Erebuni. Five FIMA and four Erebuni players scored in double figures. FIMA moved-up to third place, which they share with BKMA. Defending champion Erebuni stay at the bottom position with six games lost.
Top scorers:
FIMA: T.Johnson 58+17reb+7ast, B.Hoban 26+6reb+5ast, G.Gor 14+7reb+3ast, C.Avetis 12+6reb, B.Gevorg 11+17reb+1ast, S.Albert 2
Erebuni: V.Keledjian 38+6reb+5ast, K.Treveyon 31+15reb+3ast, J.Foster 27+12reb+2ast, B.Artyom 13+10reb+15ast, T.Simon 9+2reb+1ast, M.Kamiar 6+3reb
gschID: 1081013


Artik - BKMA 107-79

The game had a very big importance for second-ranked Artik as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Artik smashed 3rd placed BKMA at home 107-79. Artik dominated down low during the game scoring 82 of its points in the paint compared to BKMA's 50. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists comparing to just 17 passes made by BKMA's players. The former international forward Davit Khachatryan (210-2000) fired a double-double by scoring 21 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists for the winners. American guard Jah-Kobe Womack (190-1997, college: Pitt St.) chipped in 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Roma Saribekyan (-2005) produced a double-double by scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds and Tigran Mkrtumyan (-2005) added 22 points respectively for lost side. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Artik (7-1) have an impressive series of seven victories in a row. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with Urartu. BKMA at the other side keeps the third place with five games lost. They share the position with FIMA.
Top scorers:
Artik: J.Womack 30+8reb+4ast, H.Grigoryan 21+9reb+3ast, D.Khachatryan 21+13reb+8ast, K.Hayk 16+3reb+3ast, V.Mkhitar 10+4reb+8ast, P.Grigor 5+3reb
BKMA: M.Tigran 22+3reb+2ast, S.Roma 17+11reb+1ast, K.Garnik 15+3reb+6ast, M.Marat 12+7reb+3ast, G.Arayik 11+5reb+5ast, T.Albert 2+7reb
gschID: 1081576


Artik - Dvin 119-92

Rather expected game when 5th ranked Dvin (2-5) was rolled over on the road by second ranked Artik (7-1) 119-92 on Friday. Artik dominated down low during the game scoring 86 of its points in the paint compared to Dvin's 54. They outrebounded Dvin 58-31 including a 19-6 advantage in offensive rebounds. Artik looked well-organized offensively handing out 35 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Dvin's players. It was a great evening for the former international point guard Mkhitar Vardanyan (180-1993) who led his team to a victory with a triple-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. The former international forward Davit Khachatryan (210-2000) helped adding 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Five Artik players scored in double figures. Artik's coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. At the losing side American point guard Byron Ray (175-1993, college: LeMoyne-Owen) responded with 52 points (!!!), 5 rebounds and 6 assists and Elijah Johnson produced a double-double by scoring 31 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 steals. The victory was the seventh consecutive win for Artik. They keep a position of league leader, which they share with Urartu. Loser Dvin keeps the fifth place with five games lost.
Top scorers:
Artik: D.Khachatryan 25+7reb+6ast, X.Womack 20+12reb+2ast, V.Mkhitar 19+10reb+14ast, J.Womack 18+8reb+4ast, H.Grigoryan 16+12reb+5ast, K.Hayk 8+2reb
Dvin: B.Ray 52+5reb+6ast, J.Elijah 31+13reb+4ast, M.Hakobyan 3+1reb+2ast, K.Avetik 3+3reb, B.Garen 2+3reb, P.Garo 1+2reb
gschID: 1081579




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BARBADOS  
BABA Round 3 of Semi-Finals. Bulls joins Pinelands in Final - by Eurobasket News
Bulls - Cavaliers 72-61

Bulls forced 23 Cavaliers turnovers. Strangely Cavaliers outrebounded Bulls 55-42 including 40 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was the former international Kyrone Alexander (192-2003) who scored 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. The former international forward Kemar Benn (198-2001, college: Baton Rouge) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points and 13 rebounds. Four Bulls players scored in double figures. At the other side the best for losing team was forward Adriel Brathwaite (, college: Orange CC) who recorded a double-double by scoring 18 points and 17 rebounds and guard Stephan Ottley (-1993) added 10 points and 9 rebounds respectively.
Top scorers:
Bulls: A.Kyrone 19+9reb+6ast, G.Rahiim 12+2reb+5ast, A.Marsh 12+9reb+2ast, K.Benn 10+13reb+1ast, A.Ifill 7+5reb+3ast, M.Simeon 7+2reb+5ast
Cavaliers: A.Brathwaite 18+17reb, S.Ottley 10+9reb+1ast, J.Hunte 8+7reb+1ast, P.Gavin 7+4reb, B.Chikosi 5+1ast, S.Norville 5+5reb+3ast
gschID: 1081575




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BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE  
Tofas add Maye to their roster, ex Granada - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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BSL
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Tofas Bursa (BSL) added to their roster 26-year old American forward Luke Maye (203cm-109kg-1997, college: UNC) for season 2023-24. Maye played last season at Coviran Granada in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 24 games he recorded 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.2apg.
he was voted All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at BAXI Manresa (also in Liga Endesa) where in 35 games he averaged 8.2ppg and 3.4rpg in that year. He also played 15 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 11.2ppg and 4.7rpg in that year. Maye helped them to make it to the Basketball Champions League final.
He has played previously professionally in Italy (Trento) and NBA G League (Wisconsin Mayerd).
He graduated from University of North Carolina in 2019 and it will be his fifth season as a professional player. he was selected All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.

Tofas Bursa roster for 2023-24:

Forwards:
Zeljko Sakic
J.J. O'Brien
Omar Prewitt
Luke Maye
Caleb Homesley

Sassari tabs Breein Tyree, ex Bahcesehir - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Serie-A
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Dinamo BDS Sassari (Serie A) inked 25-year old American 188cm point guard Breein Tyree (college: Ole Miss, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming season. Tyree was about to sign at Bahcesehir in Turkish BSL league.
He has quite traveled the world as his pro career brought him to three different continents (Europe, Latin America and of course North America). Tyree has played previously professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Dominican Republic (Indios) and NBA G League (Raptors 905 Missisauga). His team won BNXT Supercup in 2023.
He received GMC Player of the Year award back in 2015.
Tyree graduated from University of Mississippi in 2020 and it is his fourth season in pro basketball.

Dinamo BDS Sassari roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Alessandro Cappelletti
Stanley Whittaker
Breein Tyree

Forward:
Stephane Gombauld

Center:
Ousmane Diop

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BELGIUM  
Bilbao adds De Ridder to their roster, ex Antwerp - by Peter Buyse
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Liga-Endesa
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Surne Bilbao Basket (Liga Endesa) added to their roster 20-year old Belgian international power forward Thijs De Ridder (203cm-2003) for new 2023-24 season. De Ridder has played for the last four years at Telenet Giants Antwerp in Belgian Pro Basketball League. He managed to play in three leagues last year. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 8 Pro Basketball League games he recorded 7.8ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.0apg. De Ridder helped them to win the cup and make to league final. Quite impressive season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Belgium Rising Star of the Year. He also played 8 games in FIBA Europe Cup where he averaged 8.8ppg and 5.0rpg. And finally he contributed to 30 games in BNXT League where he got 11.0ppg and 6.1rpg. It was another spectacular season as he was selected Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Center of the Year, Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Sixth Man of the Year and Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Belgium Rising Star of the Year.
De Ridder has been also a member of Belgian international program for some years. He played for Belgian senior team this year and previously for U16 National Team in 2019.
De Ridder represented Belgium at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Podgorica (Montenegro) last year. His stats at that event were 7 games: 16.1ppg, Reb-3 (9.4rpg), 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 75.0%.
He has played also in Telnet Giants Antwerp B team.

Surne Bilbao Basket roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Alex Renfroe
Adam Smith
Tomeu Rigo
Kristian Kullamaee

Forwards:
Xavier Rabaseda
Denzel Andersson
Thijs De_Ridder

Center:
Tryggvi Hlinason

Aalst keeps Maras for another season - by Peter Buyse
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Pro-Basketball-League
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Okapi Aalst (Pro Basketball League) re-signed experienced 37-year old Montenegrin ex-international power forward Ivan Maras (207cm-110kg-1986) for season 2023-24. Maras is the second import player in the roster as Costa Rican Gabriel Bilos signed here earlier.
He has played there for the last four seasons. A very spectacular year in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Second Team.
He also represented Montenegro at the Qualifications to European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) 2017 seven years ago. His stats at that event were 2 games: 2.0ppg.
He is quite experienced player. Maras has played also professionally in Bahrain (Al-Manama), Belarus (BC Minsk), Cyprus (Etha), France (Cholet Basket), Greece (Aris, Ilysiakos and Doxa Lefkadas), Iran (Naft Abadan), Kuwait (Qadsia), Poland (Stal), Serbia and Montenegro (Buducnost). He won Belarusian League championship title in 2015 and 2016 and the cup in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Maras was selected to Eurobasket.com All-VTB League Honorable Mention back in 2015 and 2016.

Okapi Aalst roster for 2023-24:

Ivan Maras
Steff Schauvlieger
Gabriel Bilos
Siebe Ledegen
Glenn Temmerman
Milan Lefevre
Lajoie Maluska

Coach: Thomas Crab

Marchant re-signs at Aalst - by Peter Buyse
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Pro-Basketball-League
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Okapi Aalst (Pro Basketball League) confirmed in their roster 30-year old ex-international small forward Dorian Marchant (198cm-79kg-1993) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Marchant has played there for the last four seasons.
He was a member of Belgian international program for some years. Marchant was called to Belgian Senior National Team between 2014 and 2018 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2011.
He has played previously for two other teams: Antwerp Giants and Spirou Charleroi. His team made it to the League Semifinals in 2017 and 2018.

Okapi Aalst roster for 2023-24:

Ivan Maras
Dorian Marchant
Steff Schauvlieger
Gabriel Bilos
Siebe Ledegen
Glenn Temmerman
Milan Lefevre
Lajoie Maluska

Coach: Thomas Crab

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BOSNIA  
KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo welcomes back Curevac - by Zeljko Zule
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Division-I
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KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo (Division I) landed 27-year old 198cm forward Haris Curevac for new season. It is actually his comeback to Sarajevo as he has played here before. Curevac played most recently at Spars in the Division I. In 22 games he averaged impressive 17.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.0apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to win the league title. Curevac can count that season as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Bosnia and Herzegovina League All-Domestic Players Team and Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Third Team. He also played 12 games in ABA League where he had 12.8ppg, 4.1rpg and 2.8apg.
Part of previous (2021-22) season he spent at Buducnost (A1 Liga KSHB). In four games he recorded 13.5ppg, 3.8rpg and 3.0apg in that year. The other team he played shortly was Celik. In four Division I games he got 13.5ppg, 3.8rpg and 3.0apg in that year.
Curevac represented Bosnia at the European Championships 2023 years ago. His stats at that event were 7 games: 8.1ppg, 3.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.4%, 3PT: 5.9%, FT-2 (90.9%).
He has played previously for two other teams: Kakanj and Bosnjak. Curevac was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League 2 Honorable Mention in 2023.

KK Bosna Meridianbet Sarajevo roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Muhamed Pasalic
Adi Zahiragic
Luka Jovanovic

Forwards:
Haris Curevac
Jure Zubac
Faris Verlasevic
Vojin Ilic

Center:
Elmir Dzafic

Coach: Josip Pandza
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CANADA  
AEL Limassol welcomes back Makuoi, ex Saskatchewan - by Chris Mammides
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OPAP-Basket-League
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AEL Limassol (OPAP Basket League) landed Canadian 206cm center Adong Makuoi (college: Tennessee State) for new season. It is actually his comeback to Limassol as he has played here before. Makuoi played this summer at Saskatchewan in Canadian CEBL. In 14 games just recently he averaged 5.9ppg and 4.5rpg. This season he played at AEL Limassol.
He graduated from Tennessee State in 2023 and it is his first season in pro basketball. Makuoi played also for Northern Illinois University for 2 years.

AEL Limassol roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Panagiotis Markou
Marios Moniatis
Christos Evzonas
Michalis Mythillos
Michalis Christofidis
Georgios Armakolas

Forwards:
Marios Georgiou
Marios Stylianou

Center:
Adong Makuoi

Coach: Kalia Papadopoulou
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CHINA  
Anhui Wenyi inks Marcus Denmon, ex Peristeri - by Igor Obradovic
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NBL
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Anhui Wenyi (NBL) signed 33-year old American guard Marcus Denmon (191cm-84kg-1990, college: Missouri). Denmon played last season at Peristeri in Greek GBL league. In 32 games he was league's third best scorer with impressive 16.0ppg and averaged 2.4rpg, 2.5apg and 1.6spg (in top 3). He helped them to make it to the cup final and to the league semifinals. 2022-23 was a great season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Greek A1 Import Player of the Year, named to All-Imports Team and League Player of the Week. Denmon also played 9 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 13.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.1apg and 1.3spg.
Part of previous (2021-22) season he spent at Socar Petkim in Turkish BSL. In 7 games he recorded 12.0ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.9apg in that year. He also spent pre-season at Royal Fighters (CBA).
In 2012 he was drafted by San Antonio Spurs (NBA) in second round (59th overall). The former University of Missouri star is in his twelfth (!!!) season in pro basketball.
Denmon is quite experienced player. He has played in five different countries on three different continents (Europe, Asia and of course North America). Denmon has played previously professionally in France (Chalon/Saor), Italy (Brindisi), Greece (Panathinaikos), Turkey (Tofas, Gaziantep and Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi) and China (Golden Bulls, Sharks and Hunan). Denmon's team won Big 12 Tournament in 2009 and 2012.

(via @miskoraznatovic)
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CROATIA  
Lovro Gnjidic (ex Cedevita Ol.) is a newcomer at Split - by Igor Obradovic
KK Split (Premijer Liga) strengthened their roster with addition of 22-year old Croatian international guard Lovro Gnjidic (197cm-2001) for season 2023-24. Gnjidic played most recently at Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenian Liga Nova KBM. He managed to play in three leagues last year. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he was exposed to basketball on different levels. In two Liga Nova KBM games he recorded 5.0ppg, 5.0rpg, 3.5apg and 1.0spg. Gnjidic's team won the league title. Gnjidic also played 17 games in ABA League where he averaged just 1.6ppg, 1.0rpg and 1.5apg. And finally he contributed to 11 games in Eurocup where he had 3.3ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.3apg.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Cibona in Croatian Premijer Liga. In 39 games he got 6.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.4apg and 1.1spg in that year. He helped them to win the league title. Gnjidic also played 25 games in ABA League where he got 5.6ppg, 2.7rpg and 3.8apg in that year.
He has been also a member of Croatian international program for some years. Gnjidic has regularly played for Croatian senior team since 2021 and two years ago for U22 National Team.
He represented Croatia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U18 in Greece four years ago. His stats at that event were 6 games: 5.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 77.8%.
Gnjidic has played previously for Bosco.
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted to Eurobasket.com Croatian Premijer Liga All-Newcomers Team in 2021.

Jagodic-Kuridza re-signs at Buducnost - by Igor Obradovic
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Erste-Liga
sponsor
Defending champion KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (Erste Liga) confirmed in their roster experienced 36-year old Serbian-Croatian international power forward Marko Jagodic-Kuridza (205cm-108kg-1987) for new 2023-24 season. Jagodic-Kuridza has played there for the last two seasons. He has been regularly called to Serbian Senior National Team since 2021.
Jagodic-Kuridza is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Bosnia (Borac WWin Banja Luka and Capljina), Slovenia (Primorska), Serbia (Spartak, KK Vojvodina Novi Sad 2nd team and Crvena Zvezda), Croatia (Cibona) and Czech Republic (Nymburk). Jagodic-Kuridza won Belgian League championship title in 2017 and 2018 and the cup in 2017 and 2018. He was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Honorable Mention back in 2010 and 2011.
It's very possible he may end his playing career at Buducnost.

KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nikola Glendza
Igor Jokovic

Forwards:
Marko Jagodic-Kuridza
Aleksa Ilic
Andrija Slavkovic
Andrija Grbovic

Coach: Dejan Radonjic



Radosevic re-signs at Tortona - by Igor Obradovic
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Serie-A
sponsor
Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona (Serie A) confirmed in their roster 33-year old Croatian-German ex-international center Leon Radosevic (208cm-112kg-1990) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Radosevic played there last season. In 37 Serie A games he had 7.3ppg and 4.2rpg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals.
Radosevic won German Bundesliga championship title in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and the cup in 2014, 2017 and 2021.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Bayern Muenchen in German BBL where in 28 games he recorded 5.7ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.4apg in that year. He contributed to his team making it to the German Bundesliga final. Radosevic also played 19 games in Euroleague where he averaged 3.2ppg and 1.6rpg in that year. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
Radosevic was a member of Croatian international program for some years. He was called to Croatian Senior National Team between 2014 and 2016 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2010.
Radosevic is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Lithuania (Rytas), Turkey (Besiktas), Italy (Milano), Germany (ALBA Berlin and Brose Bamberg) and Croatia (Cibona and Dinamo). Radosevic won German Bundesliga championship title in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and the cup in 2014, 2017 and 2021.

Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Chris Dowe
Tommaso Baldasso

Forwards:
Andrea Zerini
Kyle Weems
Arturs Strautins
Grant Basile

Center:
Leon Radosevic

Skrljevo welcomes back Uljarevic - by Zeljko Zule
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Premijer-Liga
AcPhoto
BC Adria Oil Skrljevo (Premijer Liga) tabbed 24-year old former international 190cm shooting guard Karlo Uljarevic, agency: AltusBasket for new season. It is actually his comeback to Skrljevo as he has played here before. Uljarevic has played for the last three years at Gorica in the Premijer Liga. In 32 games he averaged 12.9ppg, 4.0rpg, 5.1apg and 1.5spg last season. He also played 11 games in ABA League where he had 14.0ppg, 2.9rpg and 5.2apg. Good season as he was voted League Player of the Week.
Uljarevic was also a member of Croatian international program for some years. He played for Croatian Senior National Team between 2018 and 2019 and previously for U18 National Team in 2016.
Uljarevic represented Croatia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Chemnitz (Germany) five years ago. Uljarevic's team won Silver and his stats at that event were 7 games: 8.4ppg, 2.7rpg, Assists-2 (6.0apg), 1.6spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 34.6%, FT: 80.0%.
He has played previously for six other teams: Cibona, Zadar, KK Uljarevicrmes Analitica Zagreb, Osjecki Sokol, Skola Kosarke Vrijednosnice Osijek and Bosco. His team made it to the Premijer Liga Semifinals in 2021 and 2022. He was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League 2 Honorable Mention in 2023.
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CYPRUS  
AEL Limassol welcomes back Makuoi, ex Saskatchewan - by Chris Mammides
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OPAP-Basket-League
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AEL Limassol (OPAP Basket League) landed Canadian 206cm center Adong Makuoi (college: Tennessee State) for new season. It is actually his comeback to Limassol as he has played here before. Makuoi played this summer at Saskatchewan in Canadian CEBL. In 14 games just recently he averaged 5.9ppg and 4.5rpg. This season he played at AEL Limassol.
He graduated from Tennessee State in 2023 and it is his first season in pro basketball. Makuoi played also for Northern Illinois University for 2 years.

AEL Limassol roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Panagiotis Markou
Marios Moniatis
Christos Evzonas
Michalis Mythillos
Michalis Christofidis
Georgios Armakolas

Forwards:
Marios Georgiou
Marios Stylianou

Center:
Adong Makuoi

Coach: Kalia Papadopoulou
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DENMARK  
Stal lands Rodney Chatman - by Eurobasket Center
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EBL
AcPhoto
BM Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (EBL) landed 24-year old American 189cm guard Rodney Chatman (college: Vanderbilt) for new season. Chatman played most recently at Team FOG Naestved in Danish BasketLigaen. In 38 games he was league's fourth best scorer with impressive 19.1ppg and recorded 3.9rpg, 4.3apg and 1.8spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Danish League final after they ended regular season as second best team. Chatman can count that year as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Danish Ligaen All-Imports Team and League Player of the Week (3 times).
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2022 and it is his second season in pro basketball. Chatman played also for University of Dayton for 3 years.
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EUROBASKET SUMMER LEAGUE  
Las Vegas Eurobasket Summer League Session 1 Results! - by ESL News

The 2023 1st Session of the Las Vegas Eurobasket Summer League took place July7-9 at Desert Pines HS. Out of 95 players, Nelly Cummings (183-PG, college: Pittsburgh), a 6'0 G from the University of Pittsburgh finished as the top performer in the Vidswap Player Efficiency Ratings that tracks a players overall contribution both offensively and defensively! Demarcus Demonia (201-G/F, college: A&M-Commerce) came in 2nd, while Carson Newsome (199-F/G-1998, college: Graceland) grabbed the bronze. Each team played three games and each full game video and box score is available below. Each player's highlight tape is located via the "LINK" next to their name in the rankings table. All players are available for the upcoming 2023/24 professional basketball season and can be reached via contacting camp director Dustin Simcox at dsimcox@eurobasket.com.

The 2nd Session of the Vegas Eurobasket Summer League takes place July 10-12. ESL has taken place in Dallas, Atlanta, NYC, Chicago, and Vegas before closing its year on July 28-30 with another event in Atlanta


Rankings Table

Click This Link to View all Full Games and Box Scores.



RankAthleteTeamLINKHTPOSLast TeamPTSFG3FGFTREBASTSTLBLKPER
1170 Nelly CummingsNYLINK60GPittsburgh238-105-72-2340026
274 Demarcus DemoniaLAL/UTAHLINK67GFTexas AM Commerce15.724-507-198-88.73.82.3122.2
3199 Carson NewsomeNYLINK66GFUW Milwaukee10.710-151-311-157.74.30.7018
4184 Garrett White (193-F-2000, college: Vanguard)UTAHLINK65GFVanguard1717-307-1410-1050.310.318
5169 Keshon Tabb (180-PG-1999, college: Rust)SALINK511GRust1415-2612-180-01.361.3017.7
6156 Yosani Clay (193-G-2000, college: WOU)SALINK64gWestern Oregon1414-2910-164-443.31.3016.7
7124 Brenden Van Dyke (203-F-1998, college: Emporia St.)MILLINK68FEmporia St / Luxembourg10.711-232-78-126.7331.316.3
851 Devon Higgs (196-G, college: GSW)PORLINK65WGeorgia Southwestern14.719-374-92-65.731.71.316.3
998 Deonte Jones (185-SG-1992, college: TxWes)UTAHLINK62GSan Diego Kings13.715-1811-140-33.31.30.3016.3
1019 Miles Pennington (190-F, college: CSU Maritime)GSLINK63GCal State Maritime910-233-114-47.720.70.315
11153 Micah Cooper (188-G-2000, college: Carolina)PHILINK62GCarolina Univ1111-264-97-74.7210.714.7
1212 Xavier Ochu (185-G-1998, college: Windsor)GSLINK61gWindsor1211-276-148-95.730.7014
13122 Jok Jok (201-F, college: UMW)PHILINK67FMontana Western8.310-205-120-0521.30.714
14191 David Brient (193-SF-1999)SALINK64GVirginia Commonwealth10.311-235-134-45.31.30.70.313.7
1554 Chris Brandon (203-F, college: NKU)SALINK68FNorthern Kentucky11.312-246-134-66.71.70.3013.3
16219 Chiddy Golden (197-SG-1993, college: MMU)CHILINK66GFMount Marty / TBL12.317-291-42-55200.313
17174 Nick Carlson (193-G-2000, college: St.Scholastica)PHILINK64GSt, Scholastica910-223-114-65.71.310.313
1810/196 Jordan Kanoe (196-G-1998, college: Alaska)SALINK65GAlaska Fairbanks1013-213-51-15.60.60.5013
1927 Lorenzo Ferrell (196-G, college: Co.Georgia)WASLINK65GFCoastal Georgia12.715-296-132-550.71.30.313
20116 Frankyn Batista (198-F-1999, college: Pace)GSLINK65WPace9.711-271-56-66.71.71.70.312.7
2173 Jason Bady (183-PG-1997, college: York, PA)LALLINK60GYork PA11.716-293-60-23.72.31.70.712.7
22154 SharDarrion Allen (193-F-1999, college: UWA)GSLINK64GFWest Alabama6.77-141-45-56.71.70.70.712.3
2314 N'Jai LeBlanc (183-PG, college: Menlo)CHARLINK60GMenlo12.716-345-131-242.310.312
24275 Mamadou Doucoure (206-F, college: La Salle)CHARLINK69FLa Salle7.310-220-12-47.70.70.31.312
25251 Jacob Durham (198-F-2000, college: St.Katherine)CHILINK66FSt. Katherine CA6.710-250-10-28.72.30.3012
269 Adokiye Iyaye (190-G, college: S.Nazarene)LALLINK63GSouthern Nazarene1315-345-174-442.70.7012
2732 Trey Dawkins (203-F/C-1997, college: Georgia South)WASLINK69FGeorgia Southern78-183-102-1173.301.712
28126 Isaac Davis (183-PG-1999, college: Vanguard)UTAHLINK60GVanguard56-123-40-036.310.311.7
2916 Deveraux Davis Jr. (198-F, college: Tuskegee)WASLINK66GFTuskegee4.36-120-31-352.72111.7
301 Bradley Akhile (201-F, college: OKBU)GSLINK68W/FOklahoma Baptist11.713-306-153-650.30.3010.7
31211 Jeyvi Miavivululu (201-F/C-1990, college: Felician)INDLINK67FFelician / Switzerland1113-283-84-44.70.30.3010.7
32212 Mikey Henn (203-PF, college: Penn St.)UTAHLINK68FPenn State138-205-155-10420.50.510.5
3313 Zach Chappell (190-G, college: Sacramento St.)PORLINK63GSacramento St12.315-327-160-732.310.310.3
34182 Billy Veras (198-F, college: Centenary, NJ)IND/PORLINK66GFCentenary NJ8.216-445-184-177.81.80.80.410.2
35205 Kevin Beans (196-F, college: Hiram)MILLINK64GFHiram34-131-70-07.33.30.70.310
3640 Jacob Martin (196-F, college: Northwestern)NYLINK65W/FNorthwestern MN / Atlanta Aliens10.711-2010-170-221.30.3010
3715 Jahmir Marable-Williams (178-PG-2000, college: UDC)PORLINK60GDistrict of Columbia911-303-92-24.73.31.3010
3811 Mason Vires (182-PG-1996, college: CSC, agency: One Motive Sports)CHARLINK60GCulver Stockton/Albania/Malta8.39-253-94-73.72.30.30.79.7
392 Lyle Sutton (188-G-1996, college: CSUSM)INDLINK63GIdaho / CS San Marcos1010-247-143-432.310.39.7
40232 Lorenzo Martinez (203-F/C-1997, college: Southwestern, KS)NYLINK69FSouthwestern/Albania7.311-190-10-14.70.70.30.39.7
41159 D'Lano Beckles (189-G-1997, college: La Sierra)<MILLINK62GLa Sierra68-130-32-55.3110.39.3
42223 Sean O'Neil (198-F-1996, college: Bushnell)CHILINK66FBushnell/Augustana6.79-182-70-04.310.309
4392 McKale Williams (185-G-1999, college: Stevenson)INDLINK61GStevenson5.36-222-72-26.72.31.309
4449 Nick Fleming (185-PG-1997, college: Cal Poly)WASLINK60GCal Poly88-196-102-44210.79
45151 Sammy Brooks (185-G-1999, college: TAMUK)INDLINK62GTexas AM Kingsville56-163-80-02.72.720.38.3
46186 Zach Scott (193-G-1999, college: McNeese St.)MILLINK64GMcNeese State11.312-286-154-420.3108.3
4770 Colby Jackson (175-PG, college: Chadron St.)PHILINK59GChadron State9.710-207-132-411108.3
48203 Grant Smith (198-G, college: Indiana Tech)PHILINK66GFIndiana Tech4.76-182-70-23.731.30.78.3
49226 Mohammed Adam (185-G)SALINK62GSan Diego Christian4.35-153-80-0530.708.3
5094 Emmette Page (185-G, college: Lincoln, MO)WASLINK61GLincoln MO9.711-213-74-41.710.708.3
51175 Christian Sutton (190-G-1999, college: Coppin St.)CHARLINK64GCoppin State67-174-110-14.70.70.708
52100 Gene Holmes (175-PG-2000, college: Bryan)INDLINK59GBryan811-172-40-01.31.72.307.7
537 Darren Jones (200-F, college: S.Nevada JC)LAL/UTAHLINK67FSouthern Nevada7.313-360-52-25.50.210.57.7
54155 Brandon McGhee (190-G, college: CSU-Pueblo)UTAHLINK63GColorado - Pueblo6.37-171-34-104.71.710.37.7
554 Ricky Esdel (196-F-2001, college: Hiram)LALLINK65GFHiram00-10-00-061007
56217 Drew Bryson (190-G-1999, college: Northwest)MILLINK63GFNorthwest Univ78-165-90-42.71.30.30.37
57225 Jeryn Lucas (196-G, college: CWU)NYLINK66GFCentral Washington/Ireland11.313-338-160-22.31.30.707
58189 KeShawn Curry (195-G-1998, college: VCU)UTAHLINK65GVCU / Sweden82-52-42-431027
59163 Jonas Buffat (191-F-2000)SALINK63WPinheiros (Brazil)45-130-82-42.72.7206.7
603/36 Kaleb Tompkins (198-F, college: WPU)PORLINK67FWarner Pacific5.67-153-80-04.41106.6
6131 DeShaun Boswell (201-F, college: Cent.Carolina)NYLINK63GCentral Carolina34-161-70-052.31.30.76.3
62295 Joseph Dusabe (198-F-1999, college: PS N.Kensington)PHILINK66GFPenn St New Kensington5.35-162-54-43.31106.3
6393 Ray King (193-G, college: Cuyamaca)CHILINK64GJustice College9.79-247-174-83.30.30.706
64165 Andrew Nusbaum (185-G, college: Grand View)GSLINK61GGrand View7.79-235-160-02.71.70.306
65178 Victor Nyanway (185-G/F, college: Bridgeport)GSLINK61GBridgeport66-186-140-02.32.71.306
66239 Nik Mains (203-F, college: NAU)GSLINK68FNorthern Arizona52-51-40-030116
6784 Miles McDougal (183-PG, college: St.Mary's, TX)PHILINK511GPrairie View7.77-204-105-511.3106
6853 Curtis Coleman (180-G, college: UNT Dallas)WASLINK60GUNT Dallas7.37-176-102-62.711.30.36
69108 Tyler Watkins (183-PG)CHILINK61GSouthwest NM56-152-61-32.31.7105.7
70231 Desmond Pelletier (201-C/F-1997, college: Santa Barbara)MILLINK67FSanta Barbara City4.77-150-00-24.30.70.305.7
71158 Jamar Rivera (193-G-1993, college: Rockford)PORLINK64GFRockford3.73-170-55-54.71.70.705.3
73187 Cory Hightower (201-F)CHI/SALINK67FGeorge Mason54-112-70-03.50.51.505
7421 Jonathan McFall (196-G/F-1999, college: Slippery Rock)INDLINK65GFSlippery Rock4.35-151-32-44.31.300.35
75109 Daniel Bost (178-PG, college: Hartnell JC)UTAHLINK510GThompson Rivers34-161-90-01.34.30.305
76157 Karson Hayes (184-G-1998, college: Blackburn)CHARLINK60GBlackburn3.74-143-80-01.310.30.74.3
7783 Tariq Meredith (183-PG, college: BMC)CHILINK60GBlue Mountain4.75-214-100-02.330.304.3
7828 Aleix Pujadas (195-PG-1996)NYLINK65GKillorglin (Ireland)5.35-184-162-22.71.3104.3
7966 Demerrill Levy (185-G, college: SUNY Canton)PHILINK61GSUNY Canton5.36-214-100-01.71.71.703.7
80167 Lewis Tate IV (188-G-2004)CHARLINK62GSantiago Canyon1.72-141-90-032.3103.3
81123 Emmanuel White (196-F, college: WNMU)CHARLINK65G/WWestern New Mexico66-234-132-21.701.303
82222 Riley De Wit (201-F-2003, college: Clark JC)CHARLINK67WFClark College2.74-130-30-030.30.30.33
83218 Dylan Causwell (203-F/C-1995, college: USAO)INDLINK68FUSAO / TBL41-60-32-252123
8472 Isaiah King-Halsey (180-PG-1998, college: York, NE)MILLINK510GYork NE5.36-202-112-312.31.703
8541 Damien Madison (183-PG-2000, college: Alabama St.)LALLINK60GAlabama State45-201-101-12.71.70.702.7
8690 Nathan Pickett (183-PG-2000, college: Concordia, MI)MILLINK60GConcordia MI4.76-192-100-02.710.302
87115 Christopher Smalls (188-G-1999, college: Hood)PORLINK62GHood34-141-70-02.30.70.30.32
88114 Jeff Sims III (191-G-2004, college: Fresno St.)INDLINK63GFresno State56-213-110-02.310.301.7
8930 Aaron Henderson (184-G-1997)NYLINK60GWV Grind TBL44-164-160-0120.301.7
9046/234 Jalen Johnson (185-G-1999, college: Union, TN)WASLINK61GUnion TN4.75-214-160-02.31.60.30.31.3
91202 Evan Gilyard II (178-PG-1998, college: UMKC)SALINK510GUMKC / Czech21-30-00-001001
9218 Jamaal Ennis (185-G, college: Antelope Valley)LALLINK61GAntelope Valley22-130-72-22.71.30.700
9358 Devin Ross (201-F-1988, college: McHenry CC)LALLINK65WFRPI00-120-60-02.720.30.3-0.3
94201 Stephen Yamoah (198-G/F-1984, college: Shaw)UTAHLINK66GFShaw2.33-191-130-03.30.700-0.3
9576 Tyeshon Martin (183-PG, college: Indiana St.)CHILINK62GIndiana State45-242-160-411.30.30-2

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EUROLEAGUE  
Partizan lands Mateusz Ponitka - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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KLS
AcPhoto
KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) landed 29-year old Polish international 198cm small forward Mateusz Ponitka for new season. Ponitka played most recently at Panathinaikos in Greek GBL league. In 27 games he averaged 9.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.1apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to both league and Supercup final after they ended regular season as second best team. Ponitka can count that year as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Greek A1 All-Bosmans Team and Eurobasket.com All-Greek A1 Third Team. He also played 27 games in Euroleague where he had 8.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.4apg and 1.1spg. A very impressive season as he was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Honorable Mention.
Ponitka has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2016.
He has been also a member of Polish international program for some years. Ponitka has regularly played for Polish senior team since 2011 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2013.
He represented Poland at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 12.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 86.4%.
Ponitka is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Russia (Lokomotiv and Zenit), Spain (Tenerife), Turkey (Pinar Karsiyaka) and Poland (Enea Zastal, Suzuki Arka and AZS Politechnika Warszawska). Ponitka won Belgian League championship title in 2014 and 2015 and the cup in 2014 and 2015.
Among many awards he received Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Player of the Year award and Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Domestic Player of the Year award back in 2016.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Forward:
Mateusz Ponitka

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic
Barca tabs Willy Hernangomez - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
actionPhoto
Liga-Endesa
sponsor
Defending champion FC Barcelona Lassa (Liga Endesa) inked 29-year old Spaniard international 210cm center Willy Hernangomez for upcoming season. He has played for the last three years at New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. In 37 games he averaged 7.1ppg and 4.9rpg last season.
In 2015 he was drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) in second round (35th overall).
He has been also a member of Spanish international program for some years. Hernangomez has regularly played for Spanish senior team since 2015 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2014.
He represented Spain at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) two years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 6.5ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 66.7%.
Hernangomez has played previously professionally in NBA (NY Knicks and Charlotte Hornets) and Spain (Real Madrid, Real Betis and Real Madrid 2nd team).
Among many awards he won Spanish Liga Endesa championship title in 2016. He was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Europeans Honorable Mention in 2022.

Fenerbahce sign Euroleague Rising Star - by Igor Obradovic
actionPhoto
BSL
sponsor
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (BSL) inked 22-year old Israeli international 190cm point guard Yam Madar for upcoming season. Madar is the second import player in the roster as Canadian Dyshawn Pierre signed here earlier.
He has played for the last two years at Partizan.
In 35 ABA League games he recorded 7.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg last season. He also played 38 games in Euroleague where he averaged 5.8ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.6apg. He helped them to make it to the quarterfinals. Great season indeed as he was awarded Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Rising Star of the Year.
Madar won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.
Three years ago he was drafted by Boston Celtics (NBA) in second round (47th overall).
He has been also a member of Israeli international program for some years. Madar has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2020 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2018.
He represented Israel at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Tel-Aviv (Israel) four years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 7 games: 15.9ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 81.3%.
Madar has played also professionally in Israel (Hapoel Tel Aviv). He won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul roster for 2023-24:

Guard:
Yam Madar

Forwards:
Dyshawn Pierre
Metecan Birsen

Center:
Sertac Sanli

Coach: Dimitris Itoudis

Crvena Zvezda signs Adam Hanga - by Igor Obradovic
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KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd (KLS) signed experienced 34-year old Hungarian international swingman Adam Hanga (200cm-90kg-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Hanga has played for the last two years at Real Madrid in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 28 games he had 5.0ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.3apg last season. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. Hanga also played 27 games in Euroleague where he recorded 4.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.7apg. He contributed to his team winning the Euroleague championship.
In 2011 he was drafted by San Antonio Spurs (NBA) in second round (59th overall).
Hanga has been also a member of Hungarian international program for some years. He has regularly played for Hungarian senior team since 2009 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2007.
Hanga represented Hungary at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 63.6%.
He has played also professionally in Italy (Avellino), Spain (Barca, Baskonia and Manresa) and Hungary (Arconic-Alba, Fehervar and Palota). Hanga was voted to Eurobasket.com Hungarian League All-Newcomers Team back in 2008 and 2010.

KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Milos Teodosic
Adam Hanga
Nemanja Nedovic

Forwards:
Dejan Davidovac
Dalibor Ilic

Centers:
Luka Mitrovic
Marko Simonovic

Coach: Dusko Ivanovic

Jaramaz is back at Partizan - by Igor Obradovic
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KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) agreed terms with 27-year old Serbian international shooting guard Ognjen Jaramaz (193cm-88kg-1995) for new 2023-24 season. It is actually his comeback to Beograd as he has played here before. Jaramaz has played for the last two seasons at Bayern in German BBL league. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 35 BBL games he recorded 6.8ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.4apg last season. He helped them to win the cup and make to league semifinals. Jaramaz also played 25 games in Euroleague where he averaged 6.4ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.5apg.
In 2017 he was drafted by New York Knicks (NBA) in second round (58th overall).
He has been also a member of Serbian international program for some years. Jaramaz has regularly played for Serbian senior team since 2016 and previously for U18 National Team in 2013.
He represented Serbia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) eight years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 10 games: 9.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 35.8%, 3PT: 45.2%, FT: 78.9%.
Jaramaz has played previously professionally in Spain (Burgos) and Serbia (Smederevo and BC Mega MIS Beograd).
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League European Player of the Year back in 2020.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic

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EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U20  
Stats Leaders
Stats Leaders
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
DeRidder_Thijs_1

BEL
(203-F/C-2003)
Avg: 21.8

18.5
Knockout phase begins in Skopje - by Igor Obradovic
Switzerland - Holland 57-75
Holland dominated the game against Switzerland. Youri Fritz (206-F-2003) recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, earning an index rating of 17. Armin Strojil (184-G-2003) contributed 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Emmanuel Ugbo (203-F-2003) led the scoring with 18 points. Nicolo Isotta had 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists for Switzerland. Holland finished Group D with a 3-1 record, the same as Switzerland.

Czech Republic - Slovakia 62-55
Ondrej Hustak (211-C-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) led the Czech Republic to victory with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 assist, earning an index rating of 17. Ondrej Svec (196-F-2003) contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds. Martin Koller (186-PG-2004) scored 14 points for Slovakia. The Czech Republic finished Group A with a 3-1 record, while Slovakia ended without a win (0-4). The Czech Republic will face Portugal in the knockout phase.

Ireland - North Macedonia 66-77
Very dominant game for the host of this tournament, North Macedonia. Despite the loss in the last quarter 23:15 they still manage to win this game with more than 10 points. Teodor Simikj (215-C-2004) had a strong performance with 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Amar Hot (203-F-2003, agency: BIG) contributed 15 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 steals for North Macedonia. Killian Gribben (208-F-2003) led Ireland with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Wede Esajobor (183-G-2003) added 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Ireland finished Group A with a 1-3 record, while North Macedonia advanced to the knockout phase as the top team in Group A and will face the United Kingdom.

Azerbaijan - Georgia 66-81
George Natsvlishvili (208-F/G-2004, agency: Octagon Europe) had an impressive performance for Georgia with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Giorgi Sulaberidze (201-F/C-2004) contributed 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists. Roderick Anderson III (185-G-2004) stood out for Azerbaijan with 31 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Despite Anderson's efforts, Azerbaijan failed to secure a victory in all four of their group games, while Georgia finished with a 2-2 record.

Portugal - Luxembourg 67-51
Daniel Vieira (190-PG-2004) scored 15 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, while Tiago Dias (186-G-2004) added 12 points and 5 rebounds for Portugal. Luke Jungers (206-F-2004) led Luxembourg with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Max Logelin (187-G-2003) contributed 14 points. Portugal finished at the top of Group B with a 4-0 record and will face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Luxembourg finished at the bottom of Group B with a 1-3 record.

Ukraine - Kosovo 78-62
Oleksandr Kobzystyi (200-SG-2003) led Ukraine to victory with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists, earning the MVP award with an index rating of 26. Mykhailo Bublyk (194-G-2003) contributed 16 points for Ukraine. Jon Ukaj (187-PG-2005, agency: BIG) scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists for Kosovo. Ukraine finished Group C with a 3-1 record, while Kosovo ended with a 1-3 record.

Austria - Hungary 79-76 2OT
Austria won the game after two overtimes. Nordin Kapic (203-F-2003, college: Lynn) had a remarkable performance for Austria with 21 points and an impressive 25 rebounds. Miro Zapf (189-G-2003) contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Mark Paar (196-G-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) led Hungary with 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Zsolt Takacs (200-C-2003) added 7 points and 7 rebounds. Hungary finished the group with only one win, while Austria ended with a 2-2 record in Group B.

Latvia - Albania 99-57
Freds Bagatskis (203-G-2003) had an outstanding performance for Latvia with 41 points, including 10 three-pointers. He also added 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Kristofers Karlsons (185-G-2004) contributed 12 points and 6 assists. Xhuljan Tola (211-F/C-2003) scored 16 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists for Albania. Latvia finished the group with a 2-2 record, while Albania remains winless in Group D.



Quarterfinals are set in Greece - by Igor Obradovic
Spain - Israel 52-59
In a huge surprise in the tournament, Israel pulled off a stunning win against Spain and secured a spot in the quarterfinals where they will face Germany. Israel had an exceptional last quarter, outscoring Spain 17-7. Daniel Wolf (213-F-2004) had an outstanding performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Noam Yaacov (186-PG-2004, agency: 2Talent Sports Management) contributed 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists for Israel. Ruben Dominguez (195-SG-2003) scored 10 points, and Pablo Tamba (201-G-2003) grabbed 7 rebounds for Spain.

Lithuania - Slovenia 70-51
Lithuania displayed their dominance in a 70-51 victory over Slovenia, winning all four quarters of the game. Motiejus Krivas (214-C-2004) led the way for Lithuania with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Liutauras Lelevicius (201-SG-2003) contributed 14 points and 4 rebounds. Sasa Ciani (205-PF-2003) had 14 points and 8 rebounds for Slovenia in a losing effort. With this win, Lithuania advanced to the quarterfinals and will face Belgium.

Turkey - Montenegro 73-68
In a highly contested game, Turkey emerged victorious. Berke Buyuktuncel (202-F-2004) led the Turkish team with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Samet Yigitoglu (216-C-2004) had a double-double performance with 12 points and 11 rebounds, earning the MVP of the game honors with an index rating of 21. For Montenegro, Danilo Ivanovic (188-G-2003) and Zoran Vuceljic (197-SG-2003) both scored 10 points, with Vuceljic also contributing 9 rebounds. Turkey will face Greece in the quarterfinals.

Serbia - Italy 75-72
Serbia secured a hard-fought victory over Italy, thanks to a strong second quarter. Italy made a valiant comeback but Serbia remained calm from the free-throw line in the last two minutes of the game. Nikola Saranovic (200-F-2003, agency: Octagon Europe) led the scoring for Serbia with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Filip Brankovic (202-C-2003) contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds. For Italy, Luca Vincini (203-C-2003, agency: Players Group) scored 18 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, and Nicolo Virginio (206-PF-2003) added 16 points and 6 rebounds. Serbia will play against France in Quarterfinals.

Belgium - Estonia 80-65
Belgium controlled the game and sealed the deal in the third quarter with a 25-16 win. Thijs De Ridder (203-F/C-2003) had an outstanding performance for Belgium with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists, earning an index rating of 32. Siebe Ledegen (199-F-2003) contributed 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Karl Poom (198-F-2004) scored 14 points for Estonia. Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals and will face Lithuania.

Greece - Iceland 83-75
In a closely contested game, Greece emerged victorious with a strong performance in the third quarter. Vangelis Zougris (202-C/F-2004) had an impressive outing with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Athanasios Bazinas (194-PG-2003) contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists for Greece. Orri Gunnarsson (197-SF-2003) led Iceland's efforts with 21 points and 6 rebounds, and Tomas Thrastarson (197-G-2005) added 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Greece will face Turkey in the next knockout phase.

Germany - Croatia 87-67
Germany comfortably defeated Croatia with a final score of 87-67. Sananda Fru (205-PF-2003) led the scoring for Germany with 20 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Benjamin Schroeder (201-G/F-2003) with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Zvonimir Ivisic (219-PF-2003) scored 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for Croatia. Germany secured their place in the quarterfinals and will face either Israel.

France - Poland 89-55
France showcased their dominance in this knockout game, leaving no chance for Poland. Maxime Raynaud (216-C-2003) scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, earning an index rating of 18, while Noah Bolanga (199-SG-2003) contributed 13 points and 2 assists with an index rating of 17. Maksymilian Wilczek (197-G/F-2004) led Poland with 10 points and 3 rebounds, while Piotr Winkowski (208-C-2003, agency: SPORTFORUM Agency) added 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. France will face Serbia in the quarterfinals.



*****************************************************
FRANCE  
Nemanja Nenadic (ex Rio Breogan) agreed terms with Limoges - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Limoges CSP Elite (Betclic ELITE ProA) inked 29-year old Serbian ex-international 196cm guard Nemanja Nenadic for upcoming season. Nenadic played most recently at Rio Breogan in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 34 games he recorded 8.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.5apg last season. He also played 1 game in Basketball Champions League where he had very impressive stats: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Enea Zastal in Polish EBL. In 34 games he was league's fifth best scorer with remarkable 15.1ppg and averaged 4.9rpg, 5.0apg and 1.4spg in that year. Nenadic helped them to win the Supercup. Great season indeed as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week (2 times). He also played 12 games in VTB United League where he got high stats: 16.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.3apg and 1.1spg in that year. Good season as he was also here selected League Player of the Week.
Nenadic represented Serbia at the World University Games in Taipei (Taiwan) six years ago. His team got to the Semifinals and his stats at that event were 6 games: 11.8ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 60.0%.
He has played also professionally for other Serbian teams like KK Vojvodina Novi Sad 2nd team, KK Mladost MaxBet Zemun, Crvena Zvezda, BC Mega MIS Beograd and KK Tamis Pancevo.
Among many awards he won Serbian League championship title in 2019. Nenadic was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-Serbian League Domestic Player of the Year back in 2018.

Limoges CSP Elite roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nemanja Nenadic
Kameron McGusty
Lucas Beaufort

Forward:
Mathieu Wojciechowski

Coach: Ilias Kantzouris

Dominik Olejniczak signs with Saint Quentin - by Eurobasket Center
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Newly promoted Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (Betclic ELITE ProA) strengthened their roster with addition of 27-year old Polish international 213cm center Dominik Olejniczak (college: FSU) for season 2023-24. He has played for the last two years at BCM Gravelines Dunkerque. In 34 Betclic ELITE ProA games in France he recorded 7.6ppg and 3.9rpg last season. Great year indeed as he was voted to French ProA All-Star Game.
He graduated from Florida State University in 2020 and it will be his fourth season in pro basketball. Olejniczak played also for The University of Mississippi for 3 years.

Donta Hall re-signs at Monaco - by Eurobasket Center
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Defending champion AS Monaco Basket (Betclic ELITE ProA) confirmed in their roster 25-year old American center Donta Hall (208cm-104kg-1997, college: Alabama) for new 2023-24 season. Hall has played there for the last two seasons. He helped them to win the league title and the cup. Hall played 41 games in Euroleague where he had 7.5ppg and 5.5rpg last season. He contributed to his team making it to the Euroleague Final Four.
Hall graduated from University of Alabama in 2019 and it will be his fifth season as a professional player.

AS Monaco Basket roster for 2023-24:

Guard:
Terry Tarpey

Forwards:
John Brown_III
Jaron Blossomgame

Centers:
Mouhammadou Jaiteh
Donta Hall

Coach: Sasa Obradovic

*****************************************************
GERMANY  
Aiden Warnholtz Effects Winning And That Is Exactly What The Fraport Skyliners Desperately Need Again After 2 Brutal Years Of Losing - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
I will never forget the start of 2016 when the Fraport Skyliners announced the signing of Philip Scrubb. The club was having a great season, but added some insurance because they knew they had a special team. I had never heard of him, but how could I, I had never followed Canadian college basketball. A little less than 4 months later, the rest was history as the Fraport Skyliners had won their third club title with the Fiba Europe Cup. Scrubb had been a vital component for the success with his hot and timely shooting and overall high IQ. Scrubb had had a stellar career at Canada's top college Carleton winning 8 titles and was regarded as being the greatest Canadian college player ever. I definitely never forgot the school name Carleton. Over the years, more guys from there have come overseas. Scrubb's time in Frankfurt seems like ages ago as it was 2018 when he played his last game in Frankfurt. Since then he has become a solid ACB player in Spain. 5 years later, the Fraport Skyliners have signed another ex Carleton player with Aiden Warnholtz. The similarities between the two are crazy. Both can shoot the lights out, both have a high IQ and most importantly both know how to win as they combined won 13 titles at Carleton. It never hurts getting a gem from Carleton. Current Carleton head coach Taffe Charles coached the women's team when Scrubb was on board and then transitioned to the men's team and coached Warnholz for three seasons. 'The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Aiden Wanholtz's game is intelligence. He is a very smart player. He is a very smart person and has high emotional intelligence. He knows how to read people and connect with his teammates. He is a great leader and never talked about himself despite having great accolades. For him it was always about the team. He is a lead by example player', warned current Carleton head coach Taffe Charles. Aiden Warnholtz (188-G, college: Carleton) effects winning and that is exactly what the Fraport Skyliners Desperately need again after too many years of losing.

Aiden Warnholtz was born on February 4th, 2000 in Ottawa, Canada growing up in Kanata. He began his basketball career at Canada top flight academy after having played at Ottawa Next Level helping the squad to a second place finish in the CYBL. His winning began at Canada top fight academy as he won league titles in 2017 and 2018. He quickly was on the radar of the great Carleton University legend head coach Dave Smart and had him in his note book since grade school. After such an illustrious start to his career, he could have had various avenues to go concerning the next step at University with Ivy League or the Patriot League, but he decided to remain in Canada and suit up with Carleton. It is only logical that when you come to a storied program like Carleton, you have to wait your turn, because the school is always stacked with talent. He played his freshman year for Dave Smart averaging 3,9ppg, 1,2rpg, 1,7apg while shooting 43% from down town in 9,6 minutes per game. He shot in double figures 5 times including 13 points against Toronto. In his second season his minutes rose to 14,8 while he averaged 5,6ppg, 1,8rpg and 1,6apg and shot 36% from outside. He scored in double figures again 5 times including netting 14 points against Nipissing and 13 points a piece against York and Ontario Tech. In his first 2 seasons he had already racked up more titles than many guys do as professionals as he won back to back U and OUA titles. In his sophomore season he got Taffe Charles as head coach. His title chase didn't stop there as it would continue in his last 2 seasons at Carleton. As his minutes continued to increase in his last 2 seasons so did his stats. In his junior year he averaged 28 minutes averaging 13.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.2apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 79.2%

and in his senior campaign he averaged 34 minutes while averaging 17.9ppg, 5.5rpg, Assists-2 (6.8apg), FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 87.5%. He would rack up 2 more U titles. 'He was a big part of 2 titles. He is about the team result. He won whenever the team needed him to. He had to do a lot more for the team scoring wise last season. He shot a lot more last year than the previous years. Near the end of the year when we were better, he was able to be more of a playmaker', stated Taffe Charles. He played 44 games in his last 2 seasons and scored in double figures in 35 games. Especially in his senior year, he had some massive scoring explosions including 36 points against Ontario Tech, 30 points against McMaster, 29 points against UQUAM and 28 points against Queen's. He finished his stellar career at Carleton playing 97 games and took home various awards like OUA First Team -2023, U Sports All-Canadian First Team -2023 and U Sports Tournament MVP -2023.

He will be beginning his professional career overseas, but has already sampled pro experience in Canada being part of the Ottawa (CEBL) roster in 2022 being teammates with ex NBA players Walter Lemon Jr and Deng Adel, but didn't play in games. 'I loved playing with him. He is a great guy and can really shoot the ball', stressed ex NBA player Deng Adel. This summer he played for the Niagara River Lions (CEBL) averaging 3,1ppg, 1,4rpg and 2,1apg in 12,5 minutes. After playing at the Global Jam in Toronto, he will head to Frankfurt, Germany in August to prepare for the 2023-2024 season. So what kind of player will Frankfurt fans see? New Skyliner head coach Denis Wucherer sees a lot of Skyler Bowlin in him while Taffe Charles has to go back a little to find the perfect NBA comparison. 'There aren't too many guys that he reminds me of today, but back in the day, I would say Steve Nash. Nash was very unselfish and a way better athlete than you thought. He is a very good shooter and can read the situation before it happens. He is also a very good off ball defender. He really knows where he has to be. He is tough and will take charges. Nash was a pass first kind of point guard and so is Aiden', commented Taffe Charles. It is a fact that he can shoot out the lights, but his passing game is very developed and seeing those no look passes and other fancy dishes this season won't be off the menu either. 'He is a pass first point guard. Last season he was asked to score a lot more than he ever did. He can really shoot the ball and is one of the best shooters we ever had at Carleton. He would rather pass than shoot. He is a great passer. He is a timeline passer', warned Taffe Charles. But it isn't just scoring and dishing out dimes, but the kid definitely has a versatile game that many would die for. He proved that at Carleton and twice demonstrated his triple double capabilities as he had a 17/12/12 game against Laurentian and 15/11/13 performance against Lakehead. He is also more than a capable defender. 'When he began at Carleton, he had to do the little things better. Often he didn't defend mainly because we didn't want him in foul trouble, but when we needed him, he could defend. He is super competitive. People underestimate that. He hates to lose and when he does lose, he has the right mentality to get back on track', warned Taffe Charles. When you look at his size, many question marks will arise like will he be able to adjust to the physicality over seas? 'He does look small and everybody needs to get better, but he has that as a big focus. But the reality is at Carleton we don't concern ourselves so much with strength or how a player looks. We would rather pick the shooter over the guy that spends his whole time in the weight room. Now that he is a pro, he will be able to dedicate time to being in the weight room. He was a super student and had many responsibilities, so that is why he didn't spend as much time in the weight room. He knows now what he has to do as a professional. He is a tireless worker and has a fantastic work ethic. He will continue to get stronger during his career, because he will put in the time', warned Taffe Charles.

But what is so crucial at the pro level is also how good of a person the player is? Does he have a character that will help make a difference on and off the court? This is something that every team hopes their players will have, but so often are disappointed. The good news for the Fraport Skyliners is they have gotten a player that is special off the court. 'He is a fantastic player and human being. Almost a better human being than player. Coach Wucherer will love him. He does what is asked of him to do at a high level. He understands high concepts and will be able to execute them. He will know how to put everyone in the right position and where they will be standing and help them without them looking bad. He is simply a great teammate. What people don't realize is that he does things that effect winning. He is a winning basketball player. There are guys with little stats or that will score when your up 20 points, but he will do exactly what is needed to win the game. My experience has been nothing but the best. He taught me a lot about how teammates are supposed to be. He just has the right stuff. He is going to be a great pro', warned Taffe Charles. His ex teammate Connor Vreeken who have played together since they were 16 years knows exactly what kind of a guy he is. Simply the best. 'He approaches everything he does the same way. Whether that's on the court with training and playing at a high level everyday in practice or in the classroom maintaining stellar grades and consistently being awarded as an Academic All-Canadian. Everything he does is done with a level of excellence that a lot of people can't maintain. I think one of the things that makes Aiden so unique is that he is an incredibly talented basketball player (the best player in Canada last year), but he still puts the needs of others ahead of his own. If I ever needed help with anything or was going through personal stuff during the season I could always talk to him and he would be there for me. However, it extends past just his close friends and family. We played games every Friday and Saturday night during the season. Often times getting back to Ottawa between 2-5am from road trips. Every Sunday morning Aiden would be in the gym with a group of Grade 8 boys - coaching them and providing the same attention to detail to their practice that he had played with the night before. He's a very special individual. His success has never influenced his ego. He is extremely humble and has very good values instilled within him that have never wavered with his success', stressed Connor Vreeken who will play his rookie season in Cyprus. The comparisons to Phil Scrubb obviously won't end in his rookie season in Frankfurt, but that is expected since he had such a successful time in Frankfurt. 'To be honest, I have never seen him play, but I have heard really good things about him as a player and person. And he is coming from a great college program in Canada', said German national coach Gordon Herbert. 'Phil and Aiden have similar paths in a way and in some ways don't. Phil was a big part of the team right in his freshman year and in the 5 titles. Phil is a better finisher, but Aiden is as good of a shooter and maybe an even better shooter. Aiden may be a better spot up shooter and Phil better off the dribble. Both of those guys lived in their own ways being very quiet and no raw raw', stressed Taffe Charles. He is just at the beginning of his career and has so much time to develop. This guard definitely has the full package and can only bring joy to the Skyliner organization and fans. Everybody remembers the incredible shooting of Scrubb and if Warnholtz is as good or even better, then there will be many joyous occasions for the club this season. And besides you just can't go wrong with Carleton products.

A Little Love From Overseas For Lebron James From Jordan Rezendes (SA Bordeaux Basket) - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
Jordan Rezendes (188-PG-1992, college: UMass Dartmouth) is a 31 year old 185cm guard from Wareham, Ma playing his fifth professional season and first with JSA Bordeaux Basket (France-NM2). He played 3 seasons in Germany with 2 years in Speyer and one in Cuxhaven. He also played a season in Africa. After playing at Wareham high school, he played at Massachusetts Dartmouth (NCAA3). He spoke to eurobasket about Lebron James becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer

Lebron James has beaten Kareem Abdul Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record. Did you stay up to watch history?


No, I fell asleep but I watched the highlights in the morning.


How does one put this record into perspective best? It stood almost 40 years.


It goes to show you how hard this record was to beat. You have to stay healthy and put up solid numbers for 20 years. Records are meant to be broken but this one was a shocker.


He scored 36 points in 26 minutes. Was it another normal day at the office?

When you are chasing something remarkable of this magnitude, I'm sure he is facing a lot of pressure. Most importantly you want to win the game because your team is fighting for the playoffs. I thought he went out and did what he had to do.

How much is that ball going to be worth?


At least a few million but I'm sure Lebron will keep that forever


Russell Westbrook made the pass. Do you think that in 20 years the pass could be remembered more than his triple doubles?


No unfortunately nobody cares about the pass. Maybe if it was a game winner or alley-oop that made people go crazy. Russell's triple doubles are legendary.


His record breaking basket was a step back over Kenrich Williams. Is that the kind of shot you expected knowing the kind of player he is? Or would you have expected a dunk for the spectacular finish?


Lebron's game has elevated and he can make these shots now. I didn't expect a specific shot but I would have loved to see him do a hook shot like Kareem lol


There obviously is a lot of respect for Kareem, by the basketball world, but what would have happened on social media if Lebron had gotten the record with a sky hook shot?


This would have been legendary and people would have gone crazy.


Kareem is such a gentleman. You didn't grow up with him, but what does his legacy mean to younger guys? Can they even understand what that guy did?


Kareem paved the way for so many blacks to want to be successful. He was an activist and put his life on the line daily. He was the greatest player in the world in his time and fought for equal rights every day.


Lebron will have more than 40,000 points when it's all over. Back in 1984 people said it would never be broken? Will this record be broken?


It will be tough but like they say records are meant to be broken.


If Luka Doncic continues to play to 40 stays fit and becomes a physical specimen like Lebron, could he dethrone him?


If he can stay fit then it's possible. Lebron has been blessed with health and hasn't faced any serious injures.


Does this record finally give Lebron the GOAT status over Michael Jordan?


Nope MJ is still the Goat


What is your favorite Lebron moment that you witnessed live or on TV?

When he came back from 3-1 against the Warriors.

Thanks Jordan for the chat.

Mathieu Grujicic (Alba Berlin) Already Has Serious Game But Also The Special Swagger Where You Just Have To Adore Him - by Miles Schmidt-Scheuber
For me not to ask a pro player after a hard fought 40 minute battle for a photo after a game is about as unlikely as Steph Curry not shooting a three in a game. I do it mostly after each game with 1 or 2 players. But taking pics with youth JBBL players? It really hasn't been that many, but once in a while, if it's a massive prospect why not. I remember taking a pic with a scrawny 15 year old Franz Wagner after he won the JBBL title with Alba Berlin in 2017 in Frankfurt. In the years that followed guys like Benjamin Schroeder and Roy Krupnikas followed. I remember enjoying interviewing Krupnikas at the 2022 NBBL/JBBL top 4 in Frankfurt and remembered him as coming over as a cool kid. Going into the 2023 NBBL/JBBL top 4, I had heard of huge Alba Berlin prospect Mathieu Grujicic (193-G-2007), a guard who had averaged more than 30,0ppg in the U-16 league. After he scored a crazy 52 points in the final helping his team beat Eintracht Frankfurt-Fraport Skyliners, there was no way I couldn't ask him. So after the game, I scooted over to where the young kids were talking with fans and friends celebrating the title win. I asked him and he smiled and said yes wait one moment. After another pic for fans, he came over smiling and without hesitation put his arm around me and said, 'you know I watched the semi-final game and you got my name wrong'. I was the play by play guy for the top 4 which was my fifth tournament and I responded. 'I know I know. I came to the top 4 and knew that I would have problems with your name, but I believe with time, my pronunciation got better'? He replied with 'yes it did'. The young scoring ace gave me friendly criticism and I didn't even notice. Despite the criticism, his charm won me over. He is a guy that you just have to like. 'He came over very professional in the post game interview. But you see he already has that self confidence that a pro player has. After he received his award he put his arm around ex German national team coach Dirk Bauermann not even thinking he was a legend and when he spoke with current German national team coach Gordon Herbert, it seemed like they had known each other for years. But that is just how he is', stated Alba Berlin U-16 head coach Josef Dulibic. Mathieu already has serious game but also the special swagger where you just have to adore him.

Mathieu Grujicic was born on June 2nd 2007 in France. His father is from Serbia and mother is from Germany. His parents met in France. They came to Berlin when he was 4 years old. He speaks German and Serbian and a little bit of French. He has a German passport and currently is a German U-16 national player. Often kids will have more than one basketball love but for him it was always basketball. 'If a day had 36 hours, then he would be playing even more basketball. He is basketball addicted', stressed Josef Dulibic. He belongs to the top 3 players in the JBBL and topped off his JBBL career with a 52 point explosion in the final. That stat is mindboggling and one you don't see so often. Scoring so many points is a rare achievement at that level. So how talented is this kid? 'He is very talented. To become a great player, you need the body and character. He works very hard in the gym especially on his shot. How far one can get too relies on a lot of factors. Dirk Bauermann said it best. You need to become the best version of yourself. He is on a good way', warned Josef Dulibic. He has trained with Pro B team Lok Bernau and showed at the JBBL level that he was more a man playing with boys. Now he needs to make the next step to the NBBL and Pro B. 'He needs to think what do I need to do best to become a pro. A player that wants to become a pro needs a good skill set. It's not about how many lay ups you can make. Two years ago he had no shot. He had good ball handling and only made lay ups in the U-14. This season he became a real good shooter. I thought Roy Krupnikas was a really good shooter last season but Mathieu is a step further. I remember someone saying that it seemed like someone had given Mattheu an Andi Obst jersey for the final', said Josef Dulibic.

So let's inspect his game a bit more. He is 197cm at the moment and most likely won't grow very much more. It looks like the shooting guard is the best suited position for him since he has an incredible shot. In the 2022-2023 season he averaged 33,8ppg, and 8,1rp and shot 35% from outside. He scored 40 points or better 5 times with 44 being his best scoring game before the top 4. He scored 30 points or more 13 times. He is already such a good shooter that one is almost afraid to think where his ceiling will end. Even if I was impressed by his mid range game, it is his three point shooting that will get most in awe. 'I have never had a player ever that shoots the ball as well as him in my 20 years. Being able to have three point shooting percentages between 35-40% at the JBBL level is incredible. His shot gets better month by month. It is very scary how good of a shooter he already is', expressed Josef Dulibic. It is also scary to comprehend that he is already a three level scorer now. 'He could play with pro's right now. He can penetrate, finish with both hands and take the mid range jumper. He can score in many ways. He is complete in that department', stated Josef Dulibic. What makes his game extra interesting exciting is that despite being a top scoring machine, he is just as good as a defender. There has to be a reason why he picked up JBBL defender of the year in 2023. 'He is already a very good defender for his age. He is an aggressive 1-1 defender. He did a good job guarding Davi Remagen and Julius Messer. His biggest weakness is his off ball defense knowing when and where to rotate to', added Josef Dulibic.

He came into the top 4 in Frankfurt on a high with his team having been undefeated and remaining undefeated, but with his 52 point explosion was able to bring his game to another level. How can one seriously rate and put this rare performance into perspective? 'You have to rate this very high. It was the first time a player did this in this tournament and then against the best team. It only takes the best players to do this. We didn't win 180-10 and he didn't make 25 lay ups. I'm so proud of him and happy he is on a good way. Plus he took only 28 shots. It is hard to achieve 52 points on only 28 shots. He shot almost 70% from the field. Those are sick numbers. You would expect a Shaq to have those percentages because he is making his points near the basket and making dunks, but you wouldn't expect it from a shooting guard. Roy Krupnikas also scored a lot last season, but he didn't shoot at 40%. It was simply an incredible scoring game', stated Josef Dulibic. Even if he isn't a pro yet, it won't be too long before that happens. He is an all-around incredible player, but also has the special character which is the extra coating that makes him that player every team would want. He once even surprised his coach with his character. 'My family and I were sick. I wrote to all that I couldn't coach and coach Max would take over the practice. Mathieu wrote me back and asked if I needed anything and if so he would be there for me. Berlin is a big city, but he didn't worry about anything else and wanted to help me. The whole focus is on him, but still the guys like him. No one is jealous of him. He is a great teammate', stressed Josef Dulibic. He was able to affect me in only a few minutes and I had never met him in my life. You just have to love the kid. That is everyone except the opponent.



Hamburg signs Aleksander Dziewa, ex Slask - by Eurobasket Center
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BBL
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Veolia Towers Hamburg (BBL) signed 25-year old Polish international power forward Aleksander Dziewa (205cm-1997) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Dziewa has played for the last seven years at Slask in Polish EBL league. In 42 games he had 12.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.0bpg last season. He helped them to win the regular season and make it to the final. They also played in the Supercup final. 2022-23 was a great season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Forward of the Year and named to All-Domestic Players Team. Dziewa also played 17 games in Eurocup where he recorded 11.6ppg, 5.0rpg and 2.1apg.

Veolia Towers Hamburg roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aljami Durham
Mark Hughes
William Christmas

Forward:
V.J. King

Center:
Aleksander Dziewa

The Magic keeps Wagner for another season - by Igor Obradovic
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NBA
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Orlando Magic re-signed 26-year old German ex-international 6-11 power forward Moritz Wagner (college: Michigan) for upcoming season. Wagner is the second import player in the roster as Australian Joe Ingles signed here earlier.
He has played there for the last two seasons.
In 2018 he was drafted by Los Angeles Lakers in first round (25th overall). He graduated from University of Michigan and it will be his sixth season in pro basketball.
He was also a member of German international program for some years. Wagner played for German Senior National Team two years ago and previously for U20 National Team back in 2017.
He represented Germany at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) two years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 11.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 88.2%.
Wagner has played previously for five other teams: Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, Washington Wizards and Washington Wizards. His team won Big Ten Tournament in 2017 and 2018.
He was voted to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention back in 2017.

Olympiacos add Sikma to their roster, ex ALBA - by Chris Mammides
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GBL
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Defending champion Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (GBL) added to their roster 33-year old American power forward Luke Sikma (202cm-107kg-1989, college: Portland) for new 2023-24 season. Sikma has played for the last six years at ALBA Berlin in German BBL league. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 26 BBL games he recorded 8.7ppg, 4.6rpg and 4.2apg last season. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. Quite impressive season as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week. Sikma also played 33 games in Euroleague where he averaged 7.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.8apg and 1.0spg. It was another spectacular season as he was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week.
He has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2013.
Sikma has played also professionally in Spain (Valencia, Tenerife, Burgos, La Palma and CBA Gran Canaria 2nd team). He won German Bundesliga championship title in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the cup in 2020 and 2022. Sikma was voted to Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Forward of the Year back in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
He graduated from University of Portland in 2011 and it will be his 13th (hopefully lucky) (!!!) season as a professional player.

Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Isaiah Canaan
Thomas Walkup
Nigel Williams-Goss
Michalis Lountzis
George Papas
Veniamin Abosi

Forwards:
Kostas Papanikolaou
Luke Sikma
Shaquielle McKissic
Alec Peters

Centers:
Nikola Milutinov
Moustapha Fall
Panagiotis Tsamis

Coach: Georgios Bartzokas

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GREECE  
Kolossos H Hotels Rodou lands Andreas Petropoulos - by Chris Mammides
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GBL
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Kolossos H Hotels Rodou (GBL) landed 29-year old 196cm guard Andreas Petropoulos for new season. Petropoulos has played for the last two years at AEK Athens in the GBL. But in 17 games he averaged just 1.3ppg last season. He helped them to make it to the Greek Cup Semifinals. Petropoulos also played 11 games in Basketball Champions League, but he had only 0.5ppg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
Petropoulos has played previously for eight other teams: Olympiacos, Panionios, Pagrati, Kastoria, Doxa Lefkadas, Ionikos, Charilaos and Olympiacos Piraeus 2nd team. He was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-Greek A2 Honorable Mention back in 2019 and 2020.
Petropoulos played in the final of Greek A2 Play-Off in 2019.
Venos Mastoros signs at Eleftheroupoli - by Chris Mammides
GS Eleftheroupoli Kavalas (Elite League) landed 25-year old 183cm point guard Venos Mastoros for upcoming season. Mastoros has played for the last two years at ASA Koroivos Amaliadas. In 27 Elite League games he averaged 7.9ppg, 2.7rpg and 2.1apg last season.
He has played previously for three other teams: Doukas, Psychikou and Ippokratis.

GS Eleftheroupoli Kavalas roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Venos Mastoros
Tyre Gathright

Forward:
Kostas Iatridis

Centers:
Kostas Kampouridis
Andreas Tsoumanis


Machites land Georgios Fliatis - by Chris Mammides
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B
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AEPS Machites Peiramatiko (B) tabbed experienced 35-year old 191cm guard Georgios Fliatis for new season. Fliatis has played for the last two years at Makedonikos. He helped them to win the group title.
Fliatis has spent his entire career in Greece playing for eight other teams: Anatolia, Mantoulidis, Stratoni, Panserraikos, Kavalas, Ionikos Ionias, Aetos Kilkis and Ergotelis.

AEPS Machites Peiramatiko roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Lefteris Galanidis
Georgios Fliatis

Forwards:
Panagiotis Kigmetoglou
Vangelis Tsimerikas

Coach: Demetrios Gerofotis
Georgios Konstantinakos is a newcomer at FEA Filadelfeia - by Chris Mammides
FEA Neas Filadelfias-NH (Elite League) added to their roster 23-year old 193cm forward Georgios Konstantinakos for season 2023-24. Konstantinakos played most recently at Aris Nikaias in the C.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at AO Eleutheria Moshatou (also in C).
He has played previously for Voureios Chiou.

FEA Neas Filadelfias-NH roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Ioannis Kritikos
Georgios Dritsas

Forwards:
Georgios Konstantinakos
Antonis Profka

Centers:
Ioannis Maltesios
Vangelis Vasilakakis

FEA Filadelfeia adds Oouantitzo to their roster - by Chris Mammides
FEA Neas Filadelfias-NH (Elite League) added to their roster 22-year old shooting guard Grigoris Oouantitzo (186cm-2001) for new 2023-24 season. Oouantitzo played most recently at GS Dafni Dafniou in the B. In 50 Elite League games he recorded 10.2ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.9apg and 1.0spg in 2021-22 year.
The previous (2020-21) season he played at Ilysiakos (C).

FEA Neas Filadelfias-NH roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Ioannis Kritikos
Georgios Dritsas
Grigoris Oouantitzo

Forwards:
Georgios Konstantinakos
Antonis Profka

Centers:
Ioannis Maltesios
Vangelis Vasilakakis

Grekas re-signs at Amyntas - by Chris Mammides
Amyntas Athens (Elite League) confirmed in their roster 27-year old shooting guard Athanasios Grekas (196cm-1996) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Grekas played there last season. In 30 Elite League games he had 6.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.0apg and 1.2spg.
He has played previously professionally also in Cyprus (Philips College) and Greece (GS Dafni Dafniou, Agriniou and Karditsas).
His team was Runner-Up of Cyprus A2 2007.

Amyntas Athens roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Athanasios Grekas
Tyler Peterson

Forwards:
Stavros Sioundris
Oresti Beli

Center:
Panagiotis Koukounias

Coach: Michalis Kouris

Olympiacos add Sikma to their roster, ex ALBA - by Chris Mammides
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GBL
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Defending champion Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus (GBL) added to their roster 33-year old American power forward Luke Sikma (202cm-107kg-1989, college: Portland) for new 2023-24 season. Sikma has played for the last six years at ALBA Berlin in German BBL league. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 26 BBL games he recorded 8.7ppg, 4.6rpg and 4.2apg last season. He helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. Quite impressive season as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week. Sikma also played 33 games in Euroleague where he averaged 7.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.8apg and 1.0spg. It was another spectacular season as he was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week.
He has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2013.
Sikma has played also professionally in Spain (Valencia, Tenerife, Burgos, La Palma and CBA Gran Canaria 2nd team). He won German Bundesliga championship title in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the cup in 2020 and 2022. Sikma was voted to Eurobasket.com All-German Bundesliga Forward of the Year back in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
He graduated from University of Portland in 2011 and it will be his 13th (hopefully lucky) (!!!) season as a professional player.

Olympiacos S.F.P. Piraeus roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Isaiah Canaan
Thomas Walkup
Nigel Williams-Goss
Michalis Lountzis
George Papas
Veniamin Abosi

Forwards:
Kostas Papanikolaou
Luke Sikma
Shaquielle McKissic
Alec Peters

Centers:
Nikola Milutinov
Moustapha Fall
Panagiotis Tsamis

Coach: Georgios Bartzokas

AEO Proteas Voulas sign Michalis Sfakianakis - by Chris Mammides
AEO Proteas Voulas (B) signed 17-year old center Michalis Sfakianakis (202cm-2006) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Sfakianakis played last season at Peristeri in the U18 League. But in four games he did not score anything. His team won Greek U18 League Group B Regular Season in 2023.

AEO Proteas Voulas roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Vangelis Tzolos
Ioannis Karamalegkos
Antonis Pefanis
Ioannis Karamalegos

Forwards:
Panagiotis Tsioubris
Ilias Karamolegkos
Georgios Stathopoulos

Centers:
Marios Doxas
Michalis Sfakianakis

Coach: Alexis Daglas



Vassilis Christidis agreed terms with Karditsas - by Chris Mammides
AS Karditsas (GBL) inked 25-year old 200cm forward Vassilis Christidis, agency: Octagon Europe for upcoming season. Christidis played most recently at Aris. In 8 GBL games he recorded 3.4ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.3apg last season.
He represented Greece at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Chemnitz (Germany) five years ago. His stats at that event were 7 games: 11.4ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.1apg, Blocks-2(1.6bpg), FGP: 54.5%, FT: 57.1%.
Christidis has played previously for five other teams: Peristeri, Olympiacos, PAOK Mateco Thessaloniki, Mantoulidis and Olympiacos Piraeus 2nd team.
Among many awards he won Greek A2 Play-Off championship title in 2021. He was voted to Eurobasket.com Greek A2 All-Defensive Team in 2021.



POK Esperos Kallitheas sign Nikos Dimou - by Chris Mammides
POK Esperos Kallitheas (B) signed 24-year old guard Nikos Dimou (190cm-1999) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Dimou played last season at Amyntas in the Elite League. Elite League was a little too high level for him, where in 25 Elite League games he had just 1.0ppg and 1.6apg. B will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at GS Kronos Agiou Dimitriou.
He has played previously for two other teams: Zografou and FEA Filadelfeia.

Dionysis Skoulidas signs at Doxa Lefkadas - by Chris Mammides
Elite League newcomer AE Doxa Lefkadas landed 25-year old 200cm swingman Dionysis Skoulidas for new season. Skoulidas has played for the last two years at Eleftheroupoli. In 30 Elite League games he averaged 12.4ppg, 4.1rpg and 2.8apg last season.
He represented Greece at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Crete (Greece) six years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 7 games: 2.7ppg, 1.6rpg.
Skoulidas has played previously for six other teams: Peristeri, AEK Athens, Koroivos, Holargos, Charilaos and Olympiacos Piraeus 2nd team. He won Greek A2 championship title in 2020 and 2021. Skoulidas was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Greek Elite League Honorable Mention in 2023.

AE Doxa Lefkadas roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Dionysis Skoulidas
Donovan Donaldson
Dimitris Ermeidis

Forwards:
Vasilis Vagenas
Eystath Papadakis

Center:
Efstratios Voulgaropoulos

Coach: Dinos Kalambakos
Anhui Wenyi inks Marcus Denmon, ex Peristeri - by Igor Obradovic
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NBL
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Anhui Wenyi (NBL) signed 33-year old American guard Marcus Denmon (191cm-84kg-1990, college: Missouri). Denmon played last season at Peristeri in Greek GBL league. In 32 games he was league's third best scorer with impressive 16.0ppg and averaged 2.4rpg, 2.5apg and 1.6spg (in top 3). He helped them to make it to the cup final and to the league semifinals. 2022-23 was a great season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Greek A1 Import Player of the Year, named to All-Imports Team and League Player of the Week. Denmon also played 9 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 13.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 2.1apg and 1.3spg.
Part of previous (2021-22) season he spent at Socar Petkim in Turkish BSL. In 7 games he recorded 12.0ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.9apg in that year. He also spent pre-season at Royal Fighters (CBA).
In 2012 he was drafted by San Antonio Spurs (NBA) in second round (59th overall). The former University of Missouri star is in his twelfth (!!!) season in pro basketball.
Denmon is quite experienced player. He has played in five different countries on three different continents (Europe, Asia and of course North America). Denmon has played previously professionally in France (Chalon/Saor), Italy (Brindisi), Greece (Panathinaikos), Turkey (Tofas, Gaziantep and Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi) and China (Golden Bulls, Sharks and Hunan). Denmon's team won Big 12 Tournament in 2009 and 2012.

(via @miskoraznatovic)
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HUNGARY  
Pesaro sign Quincy Ford - by Andrea Centenari
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Serie-A
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Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro (Serie A) landed 30-year old American 203cm forward Quincy Ford (college: Northeastern) for new season. Ford joins another USA player Ray McCallum who is already in the roster.
He played most recently at Arconic-Alba in Hungarian A Division. In 37 games he averaged 11.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.9apg and 2.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Hungarian League final. Good season as he was voted League Player of the Week and selected to Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Second Team.
The previous (2022) summer he played at Florida TNT in U.S. semi-pro league TBT where in four games he had just 2.5ppg and 4.0rpg in 2022 year.
He has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2016.
Ford is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Spirou Charleroi), France (Gravelines Dunkerque), Germany (Hakro Merlins), Greece (Promitheas) and NBA G League (SLC Stars).
Among many awards he won Hungarian League championship title in 2018. Ford was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Belgian League Honorable Mention back in 2019.
He graduated from Northeastern University in 2016 and it will be his eighth season in pro basketball.
Crvena Zvezda signs Adam Hanga - by Igor Obradovic
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KLS
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KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd (KLS) signed experienced 34-year old Hungarian international swingman Adam Hanga (200cm-90kg-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Hanga has played for the last two years at Real Madrid in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 28 games he had 5.0ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.3apg last season. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. Hanga also played 27 games in Euroleague where he recorded 4.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.7apg. He contributed to his team winning the Euroleague championship.
In 2011 he was drafted by San Antonio Spurs (NBA) in second round (59th overall).
Hanga has been also a member of Hungarian international program for some years. He has regularly played for Hungarian senior team since 2009 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2007.
Hanga represented Hungary at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 63.6%.
He has played also professionally in Italy (Avellino), Spain (Barca, Baskonia and Manresa) and Hungary (Arconic-Alba, Fehervar and Palota). Hanga was voted to Eurobasket.com Hungarian League All-Newcomers Team back in 2008 and 2010.

KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Milos Teodosic
Adam Hanga
Nemanja Nedovic

Forwards:
Dejan Davidovac
Dalibor Ilic

Centers:
Luka Mitrovic
Marko Simonovic

Coach: Dusko Ivanovic

Trefl lands Benedek Varadi - by Eurobasket Center
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EBL
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Trefl Sopot (EBL) tabbed 28-year old Hungarian international 194cm guard Benedek Varadi for new season. Varadi played most recently at Rytas in Lithuanian LKL league. In 28 games he averaged 7.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.9apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Lithuanian League final after they ended regular season as second best team. Varadi also played 15 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 5.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.4apg.
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ISRAEL  
Fenerbahce sign Euroleague Rising Star - by Igor Obradovic
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BSL
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Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (BSL) inked 22-year old Israeli international 190cm point guard Yam Madar for upcoming season. Madar is the second import player in the roster as Canadian Dyshawn Pierre signed here earlier.
He has played for the last two years at Partizan.
In 35 ABA League games he recorded 7.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg last season. He also played 38 games in Euroleague where he averaged 5.8ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.6apg. He helped them to make it to the quarterfinals. Great season indeed as he was awarded Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Rising Star of the Year.
Madar won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.
Three years ago he was drafted by Boston Celtics (NBA) in second round (47th overall).
He has been also a member of Israeli international program for some years. Madar has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2020 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2018.
He represented Israel at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Tel-Aviv (Israel) four years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 7 games: 15.9ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 81.3%.
Madar has played also professionally in Israel (Hapoel Tel Aviv). He won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul roster for 2023-24:

Guard:
Yam Madar

Forwards:
Dyshawn Pierre
Metecan Birsen

Center:
Sertac Sanli

Coach: Dimitris Itoudis

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ITALY  
Radosevic re-signs at Tortona - by Igor Obradovic
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Serie-A
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Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona (Serie A) confirmed in their roster 33-year old Croatian-German ex-international center Leon Radosevic (208cm-112kg-1990) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Radosevic played there last season. In 37 Serie A games he had 7.3ppg and 4.2rpg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals.
Radosevic won German Bundesliga championship title in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and the cup in 2014, 2017 and 2021.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Bayern Muenchen in German BBL where in 28 games he recorded 5.7ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.4apg in that year. He contributed to his team making it to the German Bundesliga final. Radosevic also played 19 games in Euroleague where he averaged 3.2ppg and 1.6rpg in that year. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
Radosevic was a member of Croatian international program for some years. He was called to Croatian Senior National Team between 2014 and 2016 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2010.
Radosevic is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Lithuania (Rytas), Turkey (Besiktas), Italy (Milano), Germany (ALBA Berlin and Brose Bamberg) and Croatia (Cibona and Dinamo). Radosevic won German Bundesliga championship title in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and the cup in 2014, 2017 and 2021.

Bertram Yachts Derthona Tortona roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Chris Dowe
Tommaso Baldasso

Forwards:
Andrea Zerini
Kyle Weems
Arturs Strautins
Grant Basile

Center:
Leon Radosevic

Iba Koite Thiam agreed terms with Roseto - by Andrea Centenari
Pallacanestro Roseto (Serie B) inked 25-year old naturalized Senegalese 205cm center Iba Koite Thiam, agency: Players Group for upcoming season. Thiam has played for the last two years at Societa Consortile Virtus Pozzuoli. In 30 Serie B games he recorded 10.1ppg and 7.7rpg last season.
He has played previously for six other teams: Forli, Palestrina, Lugo, Giulianova, Fabriano and Livorno Pielle.
Among many awards his team won Italian Serie C Gold Group Toscana A Regular Season in 2021. Thiam was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie B Honorable Mention in 2022.

Enzo Cena joins Chieti - by Andrea Centenari
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Serie-A2
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Caffe Mokambo Chieti (Serie A2) agreed terms with 31-year old naturalized Argentinian power forward Enzo Cena (200cm-98kg-1992, agency: Interperformances) for new 2023-24 season. Cena played last season at Cus Jonico Basket Taranto in the Serie B. In 32 games he had 13.0ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.9apg and 1.0spg. Good season as he was named League Player of the Week.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Sant Antimo (also in Serie B) where in 29 games he recorded 13.6ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.2apg and 1.3spg in that year.
He has played previously for seven other teams: San Severo, Matera, Canicatti, Bisceglie, Cassino, Piacentina and Bisceglie.

Piacenza inks Giovanni Veronesi - by Andrea Centenari
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UCC Assigeco Piacenza (Serie A2) agreed terms with 25-year old small forward Giovanni Veronesi (198cm-98kg-1998, agency: SLN) for new 2023-24 season. Veronesi played last season at Mantova. In 35 Serie A2 games he had 11.6ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg and 1.0spg.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Benacquista Assicurazioni Latina Basket where in 30 Serie A2 games he recorded 11.0ppg, 3.1rpg and 1.2apg in that year. Good season as he was named League Player of the Week.
He has played previously for five other teams: Brescia, Iseo, Agrigento, Juvi Cremona and Blu Orobica Bergamo.

UCC Assigeco Piacenza roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Gherardo Sabatini
Lorenzo Querci

Forward:
Giovanni Veronesi

Center:
Brady Skeens

Federico Massone signs at Verona - by Andrea Centenari
Newly promoted Tezenis Scaligera Verona (Serie A) landed 25-year old 191cm point guard Federico Massone for upcoming season. Massone has played for the last two years at 2B Control Trapani in the Serie A2. In 29 games he averaged 14.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 5.3apg (top 5) and 1.9spg (in top 2) last season. It was a very successful year in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie A2 Honorable Mention and All-Domestic Players Team.
He represented Italy at the World Cup U19 in Cairo (Egypt) six years ago. Massone's team won Silver and his stats at that event were 4 games: 0pts, 1.0rpg, 1.0apg.
Massone has played previously for three other teams: Jesi, Biella and Piacenza.
His team made it to the Italian Serie A2 Cup final in 2017.

Tezenis Scaligera Verona roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Francesco Stefanelli
Lorenzo Penna
Federico Massone

Forwards:
Giulio Gazzotti
Ethan Esposito
Pesaro sign Quincy Ford - by Andrea Centenari
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Serie-A
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Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro (Serie A) landed 30-year old American 203cm forward Quincy Ford (college: Northeastern) for new season. Ford joins another USA player Ray McCallum who is already in the roster.
He played most recently at Arconic-Alba in Hungarian A Division. In 37 games he averaged 11.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.9apg and 2.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Hungarian League final. Good season as he was voted League Player of the Week and selected to Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Second Team.
The previous (2022) summer he played at Florida TNT in U.S. semi-pro league TBT where in four games he had just 2.5ppg and 4.0rpg in 2022 year.
He has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2016.
Ford is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Spirou Charleroi), France (Gravelines Dunkerque), Germany (Hakro Merlins), Greece (Promitheas) and NBA G League (SLC Stars).
Among many awards he won Hungarian League championship title in 2018. Ford was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Belgian League Honorable Mention back in 2019.
He graduated from Northeastern University in 2016 and it will be his eighth season in pro basketball.
Sassari tabs Breein Tyree, ex Bahcesehir - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Dinamo BDS Sassari (Serie A) inked 25-year old American 188cm point guard Breein Tyree (college: Ole Miss, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming season. Tyree was about to sign at Bahcesehir in Turkish BSL league.
He has quite traveled the world as his pro career brought him to three different continents (Europe, Latin America and of course North America). Tyree has played previously professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Dominican Republic (Indios) and NBA G League (Raptors 905 Missisauga). His team won BNXT Supercup in 2023.
He received GMC Player of the Year award back in 2015.
Tyree graduated from University of Mississippi in 2020 and it is his fourth season in pro basketball.

Dinamo BDS Sassari roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Alessandro Cappelletti
Stanley Whittaker
Breein Tyree

Forward:
Stephane Gombauld

Center:
Ousmane Diop

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MONTENEGRO  
Buducnost keeps Ilic for another season - by Igor Obradovic
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Erste-Liga
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Defending champion KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (Erste Liga) re-signed 26-year old international 203cm power forward Aleksa Ilic for new season. Ilic played there last season. He managed to play in three leagues last year (!!!). The team played in three different competitions that year, and he was exposed to basketball on different levels. In 18 ABA League games he averaged 3.4ppg and 3.4rpg. Ilic also played 9 games in Eurocup where he had 3.2ppg and 3.1rpg. And finally he contributed to 5 games in Erste Liga where he recorded 5.4ppg and 7.8rpg.
He won Montenegrin League championship title in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2023 and the cup in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was voted to Eurobasket.com Montenegrin League All-Defensive Team back in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at SC Derby. In 9 ABA League games he got 4.3ppg and 4.3rpg in that year. He also played 2 games in Erste Liga where he got 3.0ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.5bpg in that year.
Ilic has been also a member of Montenegrin international program for some years. He has regularly played for Montenegrin senior team since 2017 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2014.
Ilic represented Montenegro at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 Division B in Chalkida (Greece) seven years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 7 games: 10.1ppg, Reb-3 (10.3rpg), 2.3apg, 1.4spg, Blocks-2 (3.3bpg), FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 17.6%, FT: 38.5%.
He has played previously for Sutjeska. Ilic won Montenegrin League championship title in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2023 and the cup in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2023. He was selected to Eurobasket.com Montenegrin League All-Defensive Team back in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nikola Glendza
Igor Jokovic

Forwards:
Aleksa Ilic
Andrija Slavkovic
Andrija Grbovic

Coach: Dejan Radonjic
Jagodic-Kuridza re-signs at Buducnost - by Igor Obradovic
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Erste-Liga
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Defending champion KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (Erste Liga) confirmed in their roster experienced 36-year old Serbian-Croatian international power forward Marko Jagodic-Kuridza (205cm-108kg-1987) for new 2023-24 season. Jagodic-Kuridza has played there for the last two seasons. He has been regularly called to Serbian Senior National Team since 2021.
Jagodic-Kuridza is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Bosnia (Borac WWin Banja Luka and Capljina), Slovenia (Primorska), Serbia (Spartak, KK Vojvodina Novi Sad 2nd team and Crvena Zvezda), Croatia (Cibona) and Czech Republic (Nymburk). Jagodic-Kuridza won Belgian League championship title in 2017 and 2018 and the cup in 2017 and 2018. He was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Honorable Mention back in 2010 and 2011.
It's very possible he may end his playing career at Buducnost.

KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nikola Glendza
Igor Jokovic

Forwards:
Marko Jagodic-Kuridza
Aleksa Ilic
Andrija Slavkovic
Andrija Grbovic

Coach: Dejan Radonjic

Aalst keeps Maras for another season - by Peter Buyse
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Pro-Basketball-League
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Okapi Aalst (Pro Basketball League) re-signed experienced 37-year old Montenegrin ex-international power forward Ivan Maras (207cm-110kg-1986) for season 2023-24. Maras is the second import player in the roster as Costa Rican Gabriel Bilos signed here earlier.
He has played there for the last four seasons. A very spectacular year in his career as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Second Team.
He also represented Montenegro at the Qualifications to European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) 2017 seven years ago. His stats at that event were 2 games: 2.0ppg.
He is quite experienced player. Maras has played also professionally in Bahrain (Al-Manama), Belarus (BC Minsk), Cyprus (Etha), France (Cholet Basket), Greece (Aris, Ilysiakos and Doxa Lefkadas), Iran (Naft Abadan), Kuwait (Qadsia), Poland (Stal), Serbia and Montenegro (Buducnost). He won Belarusian League championship title in 2015 and 2016 and the cup in 2007, 2009 and 2010. Maras was selected to Eurobasket.com All-VTB League Honorable Mention back in 2015 and 2016.

Okapi Aalst roster for 2023-24:

Ivan Maras
Steff Schauvlieger
Gabriel Bilos
Siebe Ledegen
Glenn Temmerman
Milan Lefevre
Lajoie Maluska

Coach: Thomas Crab

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NBA  
Summer Standouts: Hornets, Blazers' youth put on scintillating show - by Igor Obradovic
A pair of early and late 1st-round picks take their respective teams down to the wire on a busy Tuesday in Las Vegas.
The most closely contested NBA 2K24 Summer League game on Tuesday also featured some of the day's most eye-catching performances. Portland's 97-93 victory over Charlotte saw key prospects for both teams show why they represent a large portion of their respective teams' futures. Here's a look at how they and others stood out in Las Vegas:

Shaedon Sharpe (6'5''-SG-2003) and Kris Murray (6'8''-F-2000, college: Iowa), Portland Trail Blazers
Already one of the best in-game dunkers in the league, Sharpe showed a more complete package in amassing 26 points, shooting 2-for-4 from downtown and earning a whopping 11 free throw attempts. The seventh overall pick in the 2022 Draft and still just 20 years old, Sharpe will likely play a large role in however the Blazers' near future unfolds.
Ditto for Murray, the 23rd overall pick from this year's draft. The 6-foot-8 guard shot an efficient 7-for-12 overall and 4-for-7 from deep to go along with seven rebounds. It was a big bounce-back game for Murray, who scored zero points in 17 minutes in his last outing. Any reps with NBA ups and downs can only help, especially if he is thrust into meaningful role this season.

Brandon Miller (6'9''-F-2002, college: Alabama) and Nick Smith Jr. (6'4''-G-2004, college: Arkansas), Charlotte Hornets
The No. 2 overall pick looked the most comfortable he's been so far in Summer League, putting up 26 points on a crisp 8-for-15 shooting day to go with six rebounds, two assists and two blocks with just one turnover. Miller's entire skill set was on the table, including off the dribble, playmaking for others and the variety of shots he was able to put down.
Smith Jr., taken 27th overall in the same Draft, led the Hornets with 33 points at a sizzling 65% shooting clip, including 4-for-5 from downtown. His turnovers (6) were a touch high, but the right moves he made show plenty of potential to eventually stamp down the wrong ones. Smith Jr. boasts the kind of quick bounce and shot-taking you just can't teach.

Malaki Branham (6'5''-F-2003, college: Ohio St.), San Antonio Spurs
With Victor Wembanyama sitting out the rest of Summer League, the floor is open for several Spurs to make a bigger impression. Branham did so to the tune of 29 points while making five of his six attempts from beyond the arc. Just one turnover added to an impressive outing for Branham, a first-round pick by the Spurs just a year ago. The 20-year-old befitted from plenty of reps in his rookie season. If he can show his 3-point improvement is closer to fact than fiction in NBA game settings, he'll be primed for a big step forward with the rebuilding Spurs.

Jordan Ford (6'1''-G-1998, college: SMC), Sacramento Kings
Efficient point guard play is a welcome find at Summer League, and Ford provided some in his 30 minutes for Sacramento. Undrafted out of Saint Mary's in 2020, Ford has logged multiple seasons in the G League while refining his game. The 25-year-old playmaker exhibited some of those improvements on Tuesday, scoring 25 points on an efficient 9-for-16 shooting (4-7 3FG) while dishing out eight assists to just one turnover. It was a welcome turnaround for Ford, who was coming off an less than stellar performance against the Clippers the day before.

Javon Freeman-Liberty (6'3''-G-1999, college: DePaul)
Speaking of heady point guard play, Freeman-Liberty appears again on Summer Standouts thanks to his 28 points (9-17 FG, 3-7 3FG), six assists and zero turnovers in Chicago's win over the Kings. He proved himself an efficient playmaker with the G League's Windy City Bulls last season after going undrafted. The Bulls, who have lost Patrick Beverley to free agency and Lonzo Ball to injury, could keep an eye on the 23-year-old Freeman-Liberty's development.

Courtesy of NBA

The Magic keeps Wagner for another season - by Igor Obradovic
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Orlando Magic re-signed 26-year old German ex-international 6-11 power forward Moritz Wagner (college: Michigan) for upcoming season. Wagner is the second import player in the roster as Australian Joe Ingles signed here earlier.
He has played there for the last two seasons.
In 2018 he was drafted by Los Angeles Lakers in first round (25th overall). He graduated from University of Michigan and it will be his sixth season in pro basketball.
He was also a member of German international program for some years. Wagner played for German Senior National Team two years ago and previously for U20 National Team back in 2017.
He represented Germany at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) two years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 11.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 88.2%.
Wagner has played previously for five other teams: Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, Washington Wizards and Washington Wizards. His team won Big Ten Tournament in 2017 and 2018.
He was voted to All-Big Ten Honorable Mention back in 2017.

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NORTH MACEDONIA  
North Macedonia U20 clinched an easy win against Bulgaria U20 with 83-54 - by Darko Najdovski
North Macedonia who is hosting the FIBA U20 B Division Championship is really close to qualification in the quarter finals. On their way they were against the best offensive team so far Bulgaria and kept them to only 54 points. The venue was full, atmosphere ecstatic and the young players of Nikola Vasilev were basically flying, fighting for every ball and scoring easy points.The third quarter was crucial for the game when the home team went for difference +19 and had an easy game afterwards. Teodor Simic had an amazing game with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Andrej Mitrevski had 19 points for the home team. In the away team only three players had double digits in points.
Rabotnicki lands coach Dimitar Mirakovski - by Darko Najdovski
KK Rabotnicki AD Skopje (Prva Liga) re-hireed 42-year old coach Dimitar Mirakovski (agency: Interperformances for new season. Mirakovski has coached there for the last four years.
Osten starts his pro career at Gostivar - by Darko Najdovski
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KK Gostivar (Prva Liga) agreed terms with 25-year old American center Chris Osten (206cm-98kg-1998, agency: VM Hoops Agency) for new 2023-24 season. Osten just graduated from Indiana Univ-Purdue Univ-Indianapolis (NCAA). In 31 games he had 8.8ppg and 5.2rpg last season.
He started his college career at Louisiana State University at Alexandria (NAIA). Then he moved to Lee College (JUCO). Osten's high school career he had spent at Crowley in Crowley, LA.
As mentioned above he is just out of college, so it will be Osten's first season as a professional player. Osten played also for Northern Illinois University for one year.

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POLAND  
Darious Moten (ex Trefl) joins Neuchatel - by Luca Maffioli
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SBL
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Union Neuchatel Basket (SBL) agreed terms with 30-year old American forward Darious Moten (202cm-96kg-1992, college: Mercer) for new 2023-24 season. Moten played last season at Trefl in Polish EBL league. He managed to play in three leagues in two countries last year. In 12 EBL games he had 8.6ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2apg. Moten also played for Olomoucko in Czech Republic league that season where in four Alpe Adria Cup games he recorded 13.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3bpg. He also played 29 games in Czech Republic where he averaged 12.7ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.4apg. A very impressive season as he was named to Eurobasket.com All-Czech Rep. League Honorable Mention. The other team he played that season for was Trefl (EBL). In 12 games he got 8.6ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2apg.
Moten is quite experienced player. Moten's career allowed him to visit three different continents, while he played in four different countries. He tasted the life as pro basketball player in Europe, Latin America and of course North America. Moten has played previously professionally in Denmark (Svendborg), Finland (Ura Basket and Espoo United), Germany (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) and Bolivia (La Salle). His team was regular season runner-up in A-Sun in 2012 and 2014.
He graduated from Mercer University in 2015 and it will be his ninth season as a professional player.

Union Neuchatel Basket roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nate West
Henri Chokote
Thomas Salman
Joanis Maquiesse
Silmy Joao_Caputo

Forwards:
Darious Moten
Dylan Schommer
Dalan Ancrum
Juan De_La_Fuente
Jonathan Graeser

Centers:
Arkim Robertson
Nikola Damjanovic

Coach: Mitar Trivunovic

Trefl lands Benedek Varadi - by Eurobasket Center
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EBL
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Trefl Sopot (EBL) tabbed 28-year old Hungarian international 194cm guard Benedek Varadi for new season. Varadi played most recently at Rytas in Lithuanian LKL league. In 28 games he averaged 7.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.9apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Lithuanian League final after they ended regular season as second best team. Varadi also played 15 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 5.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.4apg.
King keeps Cuthbertson for another season - by Eurobasket Center
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EBL
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Defending champion King Szczecin (EBL) re-signed 26-year old American 201cm forward Zac Cuthbertson (college: Coastal) for new season. Cuthbertson joins another USA player Tony Meier who is already in the roster.
He played there last season. In 11 European North Basketball League games he averaged 11.4ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.6apg and 1.4spg. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. He can count that season as a very successful as was awarded Eurobasket.com All-European North Basketball League Player of the Year and Forward of the Year. Cuthbertson also played 45 games in EBL where he had 12.0ppg, 6.3rpg and 2.2apg. He contributed to his team winning the league title despite they ended the regular season at the second place. A very impressive year as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Honorable Mention.
He graduated from Coastal Carolina College in 2019 and it will be his fifth season in pro basketball. Cuthbertson played also for Mineral Area College for one year.

King Szczecin roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Filip Matczak
Andrzej Mazurczak

Forwards:
Tony Meier
Zac Cuthbertson

Coach: Arkadiusz Miloszewski
Stal lands Rodney Chatman - by Eurobasket Center
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EBL
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BM Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (EBL) landed 24-year old American 189cm guard Rodney Chatman (college: Vanderbilt) for new season. Chatman played most recently at Team FOG Naestved in Danish BasketLigaen. In 38 games he was league's fourth best scorer with impressive 19.1ppg and recorded 3.9rpg, 4.3apg and 1.8spg last season. He helped them to make it to the Danish League final after they ended regular season as second best team. Chatman can count that year as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Danish Ligaen All-Imports Team and League Player of the Week (3 times).
He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2022 and it is his second season in pro basketball. Chatman played also for University of Dayton for 3 years.
Hamburg signs Aleksander Dziewa, ex Slask - by Eurobasket Center
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BBL
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Veolia Towers Hamburg (BBL) signed 25-year old Polish international power forward Aleksander Dziewa (205cm-1997) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Dziewa has played for the last seven years at Slask in Polish EBL league. In 42 games he had 12.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg and 1.0bpg last season. He helped them to win the regular season and make it to the final. They also played in the Supercup final. 2022-23 was a great season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Forward of the Year and named to All-Domestic Players Team. Dziewa also played 17 games in Eurocup where he recorded 11.6ppg, 5.0rpg and 2.1apg.

Veolia Towers Hamburg roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aljami Durham
Mark Hughes
William Christmas

Forward:
V.J. King

Center:
Aleksander Dziewa

WKK Wroclaw adds Krzysztof Kempa to their roster - by Eurobasket Center
WKK Wroclaw (1Liga) added to their roster 18-year old power forward Krzysztof Kempa (205cm-2004) for new 2023-24 season. Kempa played last season at KS 27 Katowice (2Liga). In 31 games he recorded 14.2ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.5apg and 2.1spg. Quite impressive season as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Polish 2Liga Honorable Mention.
He represented Poland at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Izmir (Turkey) last year. His stats at that event were 7 games: 3.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg.

WKK Wroclaw roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Jakub Koelner
Mikolaj Stopierzynski
Aleksy Walczak

Forwards:
Mikolaj Kowalczyk
Krzysztof Kempa

Coach: Lukasz Dziergowski

Dominik Olejniczak signs with Saint Quentin - by Eurobasket Center
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Newly promoted Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball (Betclic ELITE ProA) strengthened their roster with addition of 27-year old Polish international 213cm center Dominik Olejniczak (college: FSU) for season 2023-24. He has played for the last two years at BCM Gravelines Dunkerque. In 34 Betclic ELITE ProA games in France he recorded 7.6ppg and 3.9rpg last season. Great year indeed as he was voted to French ProA All-Star Game.
He graduated from Florida State University in 2020 and it will be his fourth season in pro basketball. Olejniczak played also for The University of Mississippi for 3 years.

Partizan lands Mateusz Ponitka - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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KLS
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KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) landed 29-year old Polish international 198cm small forward Mateusz Ponitka for new season. Ponitka played most recently at Panathinaikos in Greek GBL league. In 27 games he averaged 9.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.1apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to both league and Supercup final after they ended regular season as second best team. Ponitka can count that year as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Greek A1 All-Bosmans Team and Eurobasket.com All-Greek A1 Third Team. He also played 27 games in Euroleague where he had 8.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.4apg and 1.1spg. A very impressive season as he was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Honorable Mention.
Ponitka has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2016.
He has been also a member of Polish international program for some years. Ponitka has regularly played for Polish senior team since 2011 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2013.
He represented Poland at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 12.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 86.4%.
Ponitka is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Russia (Lokomotiv and Zenit), Spain (Tenerife), Turkey (Pinar Karsiyaka) and Poland (Enea Zastal, Suzuki Arka and AZS Politechnika Warszawska). Ponitka won Belgian League championship title in 2014 and 2015 and the cup in 2014 and 2015.
Among many awards he received Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Player of the Year award and Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Domestic Player of the Year award back in 2016.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Forward:
Mateusz Ponitka

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic
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PUERTO RICO  
Stats Leaders - BSN
Stats Leaders
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
Knight_Brandon_3

Quebradillas
(190-G-1991)
Avg: 23.3

23.3
22.4
21.2
BSN Round 4 of Semi-Finals. San German stay alive - by Eurobasket News
San German - Bayamon 91-84

Atleticos made 19-of-24 free shots (79.2 percent) during the game. 24 personal fouls committed by Vaqueros helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Nate Mason (188-1995, college: Minnesota) who helped to win the game recording 29 points and 6 assists. Power forward Josue Erazo (204-1995, college: PR-Rio Piedras) contributed with a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. The former international point guard Javier Gonzalez (185-1989, college: NC State) replied with 22 points and 5 assists and American center Marvin Jones (213-1993, college: Texas Southern) added 18 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-8 shooting from the field) in the effort for Vaqueros. Four Atleticos and five Vaqueros players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
San German: N.Mason 29+4reb+6ast, T.Fernandez 17+2ast, R.Hollis-Jefferson 15+7reb+2ast, J.Erazo 14+11reb+2ast, E.Ayala 7+1ast, H.Hiram 2
Bayamon: J.Gonzalez 22+2reb+5ast, M.Jones 18+6reb, B.Santiago 12+4reb+1ast, K.Doolittle 11+8reb+5ast, I.Romero 11+6reb+1ast, J.Mojica 6+1reb+3ast
gschID: 1081569


Guaynabo - Carolina 92-77

Mets dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Gigantes' 30 and made 16-of-17 charity shots (94.1 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Gigantes 40-26 including 29 on the defensive glass. Mets players were unselfish on offense dishing 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international point guard Gary Browne (185-1993, college: WVU) who helped to win the game recording a triple-double by scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists and the former international guard Jaysean Paige (188-1994, college: WVU) who added 26 points during the contest. Five Mets players scored in double figures. At the losing side international point guard Tremont Waters (180-1998, college: LSU, agency: Shark Sports Management) responded with 21 points and 9 assists and American Mike Scott (203-1988, college: Virginia) scored 21 points and 7 rebounds. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest.
Top scorers:
Guaynabo: J.Paige 26+1reb+3ast, E.Crawford 19+4reb+1ast, M.Creek 15+4reb+4ast, G.Browne 13+12reb+11ast, D.Cousins 11+10reb+2ast, R.Balkman 6+8reb+1ast
Carolina: T.Waters 21+1reb+9ast, M.Scott 21+7reb, G.Conditt IV 9+8reb+1ast, R.March 8+1reb+3ast, I.Cruz 8+2ast, A.Franklin 7+6reb
gschID: 1081570




BSN Round 5 of Semi-Finals. Bayamon book Finals ticket. Carolina still alive in Semifinal - by Eurobasket News
Carolina - Guaynabo 82-76

Gigantes brought some defensive toughness making 9 blocks. American Mike Scott (203-1988, college: Virginia) stepped up and scored 19 points and 8 rebounds for the winners and international point guard Tremont Waters (180-1998, college: LSU, agency: Shark Sports Management) chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists. American power forward DeMarcus Cousins (211-1990, college: Kentucky) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists and Australian swingman Mitch Creek (196-1992) scored 20 points and 6 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games.
Top scorers:
Carolina: M.Scott 19+8reb+1ast, R.March 15+5reb+2ast, T.Waters 13+5reb+8ast, I.Cruz 12+1reb+2ast, G.Conditt IV 10+7reb+3ast, A.Franklin 6+8reb+1ast
Guaynabo: M.Creek 20+6reb+1ast, D.Cousins 20+16reb+5ast, G.Browne 13+5reb+5ast, J.Paige 11+5reb+2ast, R.Balkman 5+2reb+1ast, E.Crawford 5+3reb+1ast
gschID: 1081571


Bayamon - San German 70-69

American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) saved the victory with a double-double by scoring 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. International center Ismael Romero (205-1991) contributed with 8 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. American forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (201-1995, college: Arizona) answered with 29 points and 9 rebounds and the other American import guard Nate Mason (188-1995, college: Minnesota) added 20 points in the effort for Atleticos. Atleticos' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help.
Top scorers:
Bayamon: S.Thompson Jr. 17+2reb, K.Doolittle 15+12reb+4ast, B.Santiago 11+4reb+1ast, J.Gonzalez 9+3reb+6ast, I.Romero 8+10reb+2ast, J.Mojica 6+1ast
San German: R.Hollis-Jefferson 29+9reb+3ast, N.Mason 20+3reb+2ast, T.Fernandez 9+2reb+1ast, J.Erazo 7+8reb+1ast, L.Hernandez 4+5reb+2ast, E.Ayala 0+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1081843




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RWANDA  
Rwandan U16 National Team -2023 - by Eurobasket Center
4Ian Kabutura 2008
5Juru Ntigurigwa 2007
6Mitabu Ngoga 2007
7Loris Kalima 2007
8Sean Williams 2008
9Ricardo Senkomane 2007
10Ishimwe Kazaneza 2008
11Joseph Nshimiye 2007
12Plamedie Bizimana 2008
13Kenrik Kabano 2008
14David Ganza 2007
15Ivan Mugabo 2007

Patrick Habiyaremye Head Coach
Igor Mugisha Assistant
Emmanuel Habumugisha Assistant UR BBC Rwanda
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SENEGAL  
Iba Koite Thiam agreed terms with Roseto - by Andrea Centenari
Pallacanestro Roseto (Serie B) inked 25-year old naturalized Senegalese 205cm center Iba Koite Thiam, agency: Players Group for upcoming season. Thiam has played for the last two years at Societa Consortile Virtus Pozzuoli. In 30 Serie B games he recorded 10.1ppg and 7.7rpg last season.
He has played previously for six other teams: Forli, Palestrina, Lugo, Giulianova, Fabriano and Livorno Pielle.
Among many awards his team won Italian Serie C Gold Group Toscana A Regular Season in 2021. Thiam was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Italian Serie B Honorable Mention in 2022.

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SERBIA  
Nemanja Nenadic (ex Rio Breogan) agreed terms with Limoges - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Limoges CSP Elite (Betclic ELITE ProA) inked 29-year old Serbian ex-international 196cm guard Nemanja Nenadic for upcoming season. Nenadic played most recently at Rio Breogan in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 34 games he recorded 8.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.5apg last season. He also played 1 game in Basketball Champions League where he had very impressive stats: 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Enea Zastal in Polish EBL. In 34 games he was league's fifth best scorer with remarkable 15.1ppg and averaged 4.9rpg, 5.0apg and 1.4spg in that year. Nenadic helped them to win the Supercup. Great season indeed as he was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Honorable Mention and League Player of the Week (2 times). He also played 12 games in VTB United League where he got high stats: 16.6ppg, 3.8rpg, 4.3apg and 1.1spg in that year. Good season as he was also here selected League Player of the Week.
Nenadic represented Serbia at the World University Games in Taipei (Taiwan) six years ago. His team got to the Semifinals and his stats at that event were 6 games: 11.8ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 60.0%.
He has played also professionally for other Serbian teams like KK Vojvodina Novi Sad 2nd team, KK Mladost MaxBet Zemun, Crvena Zvezda, BC Mega MIS Beograd and KK Tamis Pancevo.
Among many awards he won Serbian League championship title in 2019. Nenadic was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-Serbian League Domestic Player of the Year back in 2018.

Limoges CSP Elite roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nemanja Nenadic
Kameron McGusty
Lucas Beaufort

Forward:
Mathieu Wojciechowski

Coach: Ilias Kantzouris

Partizan lands Mateusz Ponitka - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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KLS
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KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) landed 29-year old Polish international 198cm small forward Mateusz Ponitka for new season. Ponitka played most recently at Panathinaikos in Greek GBL league. In 27 games he averaged 9.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.1apg and 1.0spg last season. He helped them to make it to both league and Supercup final after they ended regular season as second best team. Ponitka can count that year as a very successful as was voted to Eurobasket.com Greek A1 All-Bosmans Team and Eurobasket.com All-Greek A1 Third Team. He also played 27 games in Euroleague where he had 8.4ppg, 5.2rpg, 2.4apg and 1.1spg. A very impressive season as he was selected to Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Honorable Mention.
Ponitka has tried to make it to the NBA and played in the NBA Pro Summer League in 2016.
He has been also a member of Polish international program for some years. Ponitka has regularly played for Polish senior team since 2011 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2013.
He represented Poland at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 12.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 86.4%.
Ponitka is a very experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Russia (Lokomotiv and Zenit), Spain (Tenerife), Turkey (Pinar Karsiyaka) and Poland (Enea Zastal, Suzuki Arka and AZS Politechnika Warszawska). Ponitka won Belgian League championship title in 2014 and 2015 and the cup in 2014 and 2015.
Among many awards he received Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Player of the Year award and Eurobasket.com All-Polish League Domestic Player of the Year award back in 2016.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Forward:
Mateusz Ponitka

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic
Jagodic-Kuridza re-signs at Buducnost - by Igor Obradovic
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Erste-Liga
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Defending champion KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica (Erste Liga) confirmed in their roster experienced 36-year old Serbian-Croatian international power forward Marko Jagodic-Kuridza (205cm-108kg-1987) for new 2023-24 season. Jagodic-Kuridza has played there for the last two seasons. He has been regularly called to Serbian Senior National Team since 2021.
Jagodic-Kuridza is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Bosnia (Borac WWin Banja Luka and Capljina), Slovenia (Primorska), Serbia (Spartak, KK Vojvodina Novi Sad 2nd team and Crvena Zvezda), Croatia (Cibona) and Czech Republic (Nymburk). Jagodic-Kuridza won Belgian League championship title in 2017 and 2018 and the cup in 2017 and 2018. He was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Bosnia and Herzegovina League Honorable Mention back in 2010 and 2011.
It's very possible he may end his playing career at Buducnost.

KK Buducnost VOLI Podgorica roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nikola Glendza
Igor Jokovic

Forwards:
Marko Jagodic-Kuridza
Aleksa Ilic
Andrija Slavkovic
Andrija Grbovic

Coach: Dejan Radonjic

Crvena Zvezda signs Adam Hanga - by Igor Obradovic
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KLS
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KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd (KLS) signed experienced 34-year old Hungarian international swingman Adam Hanga (200cm-90kg-1989, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Hanga has played for the last two years at Real Madrid in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 28 games he had 5.0ppg, 1.9rpg and 1.3apg last season. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. Hanga also played 27 games in Euroleague where he recorded 4.2ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.7apg. He contributed to his team winning the Euroleague championship.
In 2011 he was drafted by San Antonio Spurs (NBA) in second round (59th overall).
Hanga has been also a member of Hungarian international program for some years. He has regularly played for Hungarian senior team since 2009 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2007.
Hanga represented Hungary at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) six years ago. His stats at that event were 5 games: 14.0ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.2apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 41.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 63.6%.
He has played also professionally in Italy (Avellino), Spain (Barca, Baskonia and Manresa) and Hungary (Arconic-Alba, Fehervar and Palota). Hanga was voted to Eurobasket.com Hungarian League All-Newcomers Team back in 2008 and 2010.

KK Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Milos Teodosic
Adam Hanga
Nemanja Nedovic

Forwards:
Dejan Davidovac
Dalibor Ilic

Centers:
Luka Mitrovic
Marko Simonovic

Coach: Dusko Ivanovic

Jaramaz is back at Partizan - by Igor Obradovic
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KLS
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KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (KLS) agreed terms with 27-year old Serbian international shooting guard Ognjen Jaramaz (193cm-88kg-1995) for new 2023-24 season. It is actually his comeback to Beograd as he has played here before. Jaramaz has played for the last two seasons at Bayern in German BBL league. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 35 BBL games he recorded 6.8ppg, 1.5rpg and 1.4apg last season. He helped them to win the cup and make to league semifinals. Jaramaz also played 25 games in Euroleague where he averaged 6.4ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.5apg.
In 2017 he was drafted by New York Knicks (NBA) in second round (58th overall).
He has been also a member of Serbian international program for some years. Jaramaz has regularly played for Serbian senior team since 2016 and previously for U18 National Team in 2013.
He represented Serbia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) eight years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 10 games: 9.5ppg, 3.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 35.8%, 3PT: 45.2%, FT: 78.9%.
Jaramaz has played previously professionally in Spain (Burgos) and Serbia (Smederevo and BC Mega MIS Beograd).
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Adriatic League European Player of the Year back in 2020.

KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Aleksa Avramovic
Ognjen Jaramaz
Kevin Punter

Center:
Zach LeDay

Coach: Zeljko Obradovic

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SLOVAKIA  
Koller re-signs at Inter Bratislava - by Michal Duchovic
Inter Bratislava (Nike SBL) confirmed in their roster 19-year old point guard Martin Koller (186cm-76kg-2004) for upcoming 2023-24 season. Koller has played there for the last three seasons.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at Inter where in 18 EYBL U20 games he had 8.8ppg, 3.8rpg, 6.7apg (leader !!!) and 2.7spg (in top 2) in that year. 2021-22 was a great season as he was named to Eurobasket.com All-EYBL U20 2nd Team.
He represented Slovakia at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U16 Division B in Podgorica (Montenegro) four years ago. His stats at that event were 8 games: 1.4ppg, 2.8rpg, 3.4apg, 2.4spg.

Inter Bratislava roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Goran Bulatovic
Marek Kozlik
Milan Szabo
Braxton Bertolette
Dante Moses
Martin Koller

Forward:
Viliam Durecko

Center:
Gojko Sudzum

Coach: Danilo Rakocevic
Lewis II inks at Komarno at the beginning of his pro career - by Michal Duchovic
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BC Komarno (Nike SBL) added to their roster 24-year old American forward Terence Lewis II (201cm-95kg-1999) for season 2023-24. Lewis just graduated from Louisiana (NCAA). In 34 games he recorded 10.9ppg and 7.4rpg last season. He helped them to win Sun Belt Tournament and end the regular season as the second best team in the conference. Quite impressive season as he was voted to Sun Belt All-Tournament Team.
Lewis started his college career at Florida Southwestern State College (JUCO). Then he moved to New Mexico Junior College (JUCO). Lewis's high school career he had spent at Combine Academy in Matthews, NC, which he joined from National Christian Academy.
Of course it will be his first season as a professional player. He played also for Jackson State University for one year.

BC Komarno roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Martin Danielic
Marek Foltin

Forwards:
Miljan Markovic
Juraj Palenik
Samuel Volarik
Terence Lewis II_II

Coach: Krunoslav Krajnovic

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SPAIN  
Rodriguez re-signs at Real Madrid - by Igor Obradovic
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Liga-Endesa
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Real Madrid (Liga Endesa) confirmed in their roster experienced 37-year old ex-international point guard Sergio Rodriguez (191cm-80kg-1986) for new 2023-24 season. Rodriguez played there last season. In 39 Liga Endesa games he had 6.1ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.5apg. He helped them to win the Supercup and make to league final. Rodriguez also played 40 games in Euroleague where he recorded 4.9ppg, 1.5rpg and 4.4apg. He contributed to his team winning the Euroleague championship.
Rodriguez was voted to Eurobasket.com Spanish Liga Endesa All-Domestic Players Team back in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at AX Armani Exchange Milano in Italian Serie A. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 25 Italian Serie A games he averaged 11.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 5.9apg (top 4) and 1.5spg (in top 5) in that year. He contributed to his team winning the league title and the cup. 2021-22 was a great season as he was named to Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA Honorable Mention. Rodriguez also played 34 games in Euroleague where he got 8.3ppg, 2.3rpg and 4.4apg in that year. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
In 2006 he was drafted by Phoenix Suns (NBA) in first round (27th overall).
Rodriguez was also a member of Spanish international program for some years. He played for Spanish Senior National Team between 2005 and 2021 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2005.
Rodriguez represented Spain at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) two years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 9.0ppg, 1.8rpg, 3.0apg, FGP-1 (90.0%), 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 75.0%.
He has played also professionally in Russia (PBC CSKA Moscow) and NBA (Portland Trail Blazers, NY Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings).
Rodriguez is close to retirement age as a player. It's very possible he may end his playing career at Real Madrid. He was selected to Eurobasket.com Spanish Liga Endesa All-Domestic Players Team back in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Bilbao adds De Ridder to their roster, ex Antwerp - by Peter Buyse
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Liga-Endesa
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Surne Bilbao Basket (Liga Endesa) added to their roster 20-year old Belgian international power forward Thijs De Ridder (203cm-2003) for new 2023-24 season. De Ridder has played for the last four years at Telenet Giants Antwerp in Belgian Pro Basketball League. He managed to play in three leagues last year. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and he had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. In 8 Pro Basketball League games he recorded 7.8ppg, 3.8rpg and 1.0apg. De Ridder helped them to win the cup and make to league final. Quite impressive season as he was voted Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Belgium Rising Star of the Year. He also played 8 games in FIBA Europe Cup where he averaged 8.8ppg and 5.0rpg. And finally he contributed to 30 games in BNXT League where he got 11.0ppg and 6.1rpg. It was another spectacular season as he was selected Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Center of the Year, Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Sixth Man of the Year and Eurobasket.com All-BNXT League Belgium Rising Star of the Year.
De Ridder has been also a member of Belgian international program for some years. He played for Belgian senior team this year and previously for U16 National Team in 2019.
De Ridder represented Belgium at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Podgorica (Montenegro) last year. His stats at that event were 7 games: 16.1ppg, Reb-3 (9.4rpg), 1.4spg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 30.4%, FT: 75.0%.
He has played also in Telnet Giants Antwerp B team.

Surne Bilbao Basket roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Alex Renfroe
Adam Smith
Tomeu Rigo
Kristian Kullamaee

Forwards:
Xavier Rabaseda
Denzel Andersson
Thijs De_Ridder

Center:
Tryggvi Hlinason

Tofas add Maye to their roster, ex Granada - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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BSL
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Tofas Bursa (BSL) added to their roster 26-year old American forward Luke Maye (203cm-109kg-1997, college: UNC) for season 2023-24. Maye played last season at Coviran Granada in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 24 games he recorded 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.2apg.
he was voted All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at BAXI Manresa (also in Liga Endesa) where in 35 games he averaged 8.2ppg and 3.4rpg in that year. He also played 15 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 11.2ppg and 4.7rpg in that year. Maye helped them to make it to the Basketball Champions League final.
He has played previously professionally in Italy (Trento) and NBA G League (Wisconsin Mayerd).
He graduated from University of North Carolina in 2019 and it will be his fifth season as a professional player. he was selected All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.

Tofas Bursa roster for 2023-24:

Forwards:
Zeljko Sakic
J.J. O'Brien
Omar Prewitt
Luke Maye
Caleb Homesley

Barca tabs Willy Hernangomez - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Liga-Endesa
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Defending champion FC Barcelona Lassa (Liga Endesa) inked 29-year old Spaniard international 210cm center Willy Hernangomez for upcoming season. He has played for the last three years at New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA. In 37 games he averaged 7.1ppg and 4.9rpg last season.
In 2015 he was drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) in second round (35th overall).
He has been also a member of Spanish international program for some years. Hernangomez has regularly played for Spanish senior team since 2015 and previously for U20 National Team back in 2014.
He represented Spain at the Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan) two years ago. His stats at that event were 4 games: 6.5ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 66.7%.
Hernangomez has played previously professionally in NBA (NY Knicks and Charlotte Hornets) and Spain (Real Madrid, Real Betis and Real Madrid 2nd team).
Among many awards he won Spanish Liga Endesa championship title in 2016. He was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Europeans Honorable Mention in 2022.

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SWITZERLAND  
Darious Moten (ex Trefl) joins Neuchatel - by Luca Maffioli
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SBL
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Union Neuchatel Basket (SBL) agreed terms with 30-year old American forward Darious Moten (202cm-96kg-1992, college: Mercer) for new 2023-24 season. Moten played last season at Trefl in Polish EBL league. He managed to play in three leagues in two countries last year. In 12 EBL games he had 8.6ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2apg. Moten also played for Olomoucko in Czech Republic league that season where in four Alpe Adria Cup games he recorded 13.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3bpg. He also played 29 games in Czech Republic where he averaged 12.7ppg, 5.4rpg and 1.4apg. A very impressive season as he was named to Eurobasket.com All-Czech Rep. League Honorable Mention. The other team he played that season for was Trefl (EBL). In 12 games he got 8.6ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2apg.
Moten is quite experienced player. Moten's career allowed him to visit three different continents, while he played in four different countries. He tasted the life as pro basketball player in Europe, Latin America and of course North America. Moten has played previously professionally in Denmark (Svendborg), Finland (Ura Basket and Espoo United), Germany (Eisbaeren Bremerhaven) and Bolivia (La Salle). His team was regular season runner-up in A-Sun in 2012 and 2014.
He graduated from Mercer University in 2015 and it will be his ninth season as a professional player.

Union Neuchatel Basket roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Nate West
Henri Chokote
Thomas Salman
Joanis Maquiesse
Silmy Joao_Caputo

Forwards:
Darious Moten
Dylan Schommer
Dalan Ancrum
Juan De_La_Fuente
Jonathan Graeser

Centers:
Arkim Robertson
Nikola Damjanovic

Coach: Mitar Trivunovic

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SYRIA  
Al Wahda celebrate title - by Igor Obradovic
For the first time after the 2015 team from Damascus, Al Wahda is celebrating the Syrian League title after they beat Al Ittihad in Final Series with comfortable 3-0 win in this series. Last game they won 87-84 at home court.
They entered PlayOff from second position with a 16-4 record, in the Semifinals they beat Al Nawaeer with a very thigh series and a 2-1 result in the Best-Of-3 format. Al Ittihad was better than Al Jaish with the same result in the Semifinal campaign.
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TUNISIA  
Tunisian U16 National Team -2023 - by Eurobasket Center
5Mohamed Ben Rejeb 2007
6Idriss Toumi 2008
7Hamza Masrouki 2007
8Youssef Hadchi 2007
9Louai Mesbeh 2007
11Ahmed Bedoui 2007
12Mohamed Mejdi 2007
13Samuel Amari 2007
14Ahmed Mechmech 2007
15Mohamed Nheri 2007
16Elyas Miller 2007
17Naim Khelaifi 2007

Amine Rzig Head Coach ES Sahel Tunisia
Kamel Ben Khedhir Assistant


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TURKEY  
Fenerbahce sign Euroleague Rising Star - by Igor Obradovic
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BSL
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Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (BSL) inked 22-year old Israeli international 190cm point guard Yam Madar for upcoming season. Madar is the second import player in the roster as Canadian Dyshawn Pierre signed here earlier.
He has played for the last two years at Partizan.
In 35 ABA League games he recorded 7.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.5apg and 1.1spg last season. He also played 38 games in Euroleague where he averaged 5.8ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.6apg. He helped them to make it to the quarterfinals. Great season indeed as he was awarded Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Rising Star of the Year.
Madar won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.
Three years ago he was drafted by Boston Celtics (NBA) in second round (47th overall).
He has been also a member of Israeli international program for some years. Madar has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2020 and previously for U18 National Team back in 2018.
He represented Israel at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 in Tel-Aviv (Israel) four years ago. His team won Gold and his stats at that event were 7 games: 15.9ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1 (7.7apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 81.3%.
Madar has played also professionally in Israel (Hapoel Tel Aviv). He won Adriatic League championship title in 2023.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul roster for 2023-24:

Guard:
Yam Madar

Forwards:
Dyshawn Pierre
Metecan Birsen

Center:
Sertac Sanli

Coach: Dimitris Itoudis

Tofas add Maye to their roster, ex Granada - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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BSL
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Tofas Bursa (BSL) added to their roster 26-year old American forward Luke Maye (203cm-109kg-1997, college: UNC) for season 2023-24. Maye played last season at Coviran Granada in Spanish Liga Endesa. In 24 games he recorded 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.2apg.
he was voted All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.
The previous (2021-22) season he played at BAXI Manresa (also in Liga Endesa) where in 35 games he averaged 8.2ppg and 3.4rpg in that year. He also played 15 games in Basketball Champions League where he had 11.2ppg and 4.7rpg in that year. Maye helped them to make it to the Basketball Champions League final.
He has played previously professionally in Italy (Trento) and NBA G League (Wisconsin Mayerd).
He graduated from University of North Carolina in 2019 and it will be his fifth season as a professional player. he was selected All-Conference Player of the Year back in 2014 and 2015.

Tofas Bursa roster for 2023-24:

Forwards:
Zeljko Sakic
J.J. O'Brien
Omar Prewitt
Luke Maye
Caleb Homesley

Samsunspor adds Mooney to their roster - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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TBL
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Samsun BSB Anakent (TBL) added to their roster 26-year old American guard Matt Mooney (189cm-91kg-1997, college: Texas Tech) for new 2023-24 season. Mooney is not a newcomer in Turkish League as he played last season at Darussafaka in Turkish BSL league. In 11 games he recorded 5.9ppg, 2.2rpg and 2.2apg. TBL will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time. He also played 5 games in Basketball Champions League where he averaged 10.2ppg, 2.8rpg and 2.2apg. The other team he played that season for was Besiktas (BSL). In 13 games he had 12.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg and 1.5spg. Another team he played shortly was Chemnitz in German league. In three Basketball Champions League games he got 12.0ppg, 2.0rpg and 2.0apg.
Mooney is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Mexico, Spain (Unicaja), USA, NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers and NY Knicks), NBA G League (Cleveland Charge, Raptors 905 Missisauga, Memphis Hustle and Capitanes de Ciudad de Mexico), NBA Summer League (Utah Jazz and Utah Jazz White) and The Basketball Tournament (House of 'Paign and Air Raiders).
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he won NBA Summer League in Salt Lake City championship title in 2021. Mooney was voted to Big 12 All-Defensive Team back in 2019.
He graduated from Texas Tech University in 2019 and it will be his fifth season as a professional player. Mooney played also for University of South Dakota for 3 years.

Samsun BSB Anakent roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Matt Mooney
Eray Aydogan

Forward:
Arda Kaya

Center:
Muhammed Senli

Sigortam.net lands Erdem Ilter - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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TBL
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Sigortam.net Istanbul (TBL) tabbed 32-year old 186cm point guard Erdem Ilter for new season. Ilter was about to sign at Cagdas Bodrum Spor in TBL. He helped his team get promotion to TBL. The last season he played also at Cagdas where in 17 TBL games he averaged 3.9ppg, 2.3rpg and 2.4apg. Ilter contributed to his team winning the regular season.
He has played previously professionally also in Kosovo (Peja) and Turkey (Bursaspor, Final Spor, Akhisar Bld and Fethiye).
Among many awards he was voted Eurobasket.com All-Turkish TBL Domestic Player of the Year in 2022.

Sigortam.net Istanbul roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Mehmet Ozdogan
Erdem Ilter

Forward:
Yigit Sarikaya

Centers:
Abdoulaye Gueye
Cihat Dalgali
Sassari tabs Breein Tyree, ex Bahcesehir - by Fersu Yahyabeyoglu
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Serie-A
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Dinamo BDS Sassari (Serie A) inked 25-year old American 188cm point guard Breein Tyree (college: Ole Miss, agency: Octagon Europe) for upcoming season. Tyree was about to sign at Bahcesehir in Turkish BSL league.
He has quite traveled the world as his pro career brought him to three different continents (Europe, Latin America and of course North America). Tyree has played previously professionally in Belgium (Oostende), Dominican Republic (Indios) and NBA G League (Raptors 905 Missisauga). His team won BNXT Supercup in 2023.
He received GMC Player of the Year award back in 2015.
Tyree graduated from University of Mississippi in 2020 and it is his fourth season in pro basketball.

Dinamo BDS Sassari roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Alessandro Cappelletti
Stanley Whittaker
Breein Tyree

Forward:
Stephane Gombauld

Center:
Ousmane Diop

*****************************************************
UNITED KINGDOM  
Austin Powers Into Newcastle - by Jeff King
Marc Steutel has finally got his man after completing a year-long chase to sign flamboyant guard Larry Austin Jr. (188-G-1996, college: CMU). Serioes Group Newcastle Eagles snapped up the two-time Cheshire Phoenix flyer 12 months after narrowly failing in an initial bid to bring Austin Jr north. And Steutel is confident his newest recruit will add a fresh layer of steel to a roster seeking a new level of defensive intensity.

'Larry was pretty much my number one target this time last year but for whatever reason it just didn't work out,' revealed Newcastle's playcaller. 'He's such a competitive player and he's got better and better during his time in the BBL. Larry's so dynamic in terms of how he's able to get to his spots and finish. I love his approach to guarding the ball. He wants to win and win in the right way."

'I know that Larry's really looking forward to testing himself in Europe and that's going to be a challenge for all of us alongside a tough BBL schedule. The guarantee of at least seven games in the ENBL really appeals to him. It's something Larry is relishing and that goes for the rest of the guys we're bringing in too.'

Austin Jr is the latest player with bags of BBL experience to commit to the Vertu Motors Arena following a flurry of positive transfer activity. Great Britain head coach Steutel clearly means business as he heads into his second full season at the Newcastle helm. And getting the guard over the line is a huge boost ahead of what's likely to be an intensive pre-season for the men in black.

'I'm looking forward to adding Larry to our project and seeing what he can bring to Newcastle on the basketball floor,' added Steutel. 'I know he'll bring a new level of toughness to this team and I think that's what we needed. Larry wants to improve and I've really enjoyed talking to him about his level of ambition and where he sees himself going. The way that the BBL is going, the level of competition is only going to get tougher. Larry believes he can continue to grow in this league and realise his huge potential.'

Austin Jr averaged 15 points, six rebounds and four steals across 32 league games with the Nix last season. The 27-year-old led Cheshire to back-to-back BBL Trophy finals during his time in the North West, with victory and the MVP title in 2022 followed by finishing runners-up last time around. And the 6'2' player will reprise his on-court partnership with big man Will Neighbour after the pair enjoyed significant success together with the Phoenix.

Mountaineer Hoping To Help Flyers Climb - by Jeff King
Bristol Flyers have completed the signing of Kedrian Johnson (190-G) from West Virginia University. The American guard has put pen to paper on his first professional contract and joins the cub on a one year deal. Johnson averaged 11.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last season with the Mountaineers, including a season-high 27 point performance against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.

He appeared in 91 career games during his three years at WVU, registering 63 starts, 589 points, 171 assists, 164 rebounds and 119 steals.
Speaking on signing his first professional contract, Johnson said: "It means the world - I've worked my whole life to play professional basketball, so it means a lot to be able to accept this opportunity.

"I'm excited to move to a new country and experience something that I haven't experienced before. Playing in the Big 12 has really helped me prepare for my pro career because I was playing against the best college competition in the country night in and night out. Coach told that the Flyers are a very family oriented club and that they're a team on the rise."

"He wants me to come in and be a scorer and a playmaker on the team. I'm a big team player and I like to lead by example - I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. My message to the Flyers fans is to get excited because there's a lot be excited about this season."

Prior to joining West Virginia, Johnson attended Temple College in Texas, where he led the country in steals as a freshman with 3.7 per game. He was fourth in the country in scoring during his Sophomore year at 25.5 points per game, whist shooting 47% from the field and 84% from the foul line, including back to back games where he scored 45 points or more.

Flyers Head Coach Andreas Kapoulas said:

'Keddy is a player that can impact all areas of the game with his energy, defensive toughness, playmaking and scoring ability. He's been battle tested in the best conference in College basketball, where he came up big for the Mountaineers, posting some really strong performances and helping them make the NCAA tournament last season. From watching him play it is clear that he is all about the team and will do whatever it takes to win. We are excited to see him in a Flyers jersey."

Lucky 13 As Captain Jonny Returns - by Jeff King
Caledonia Gladiators can officially confirm that veteran leader, Jonathan Bunyan (183-G-1992), will remain in Gareth Murray's squad, for his 13th season with the club. The dynamic guard, known for his three-point shooting, played a pivotal role in the team's success as captain last season, leading them to victory in the BBL Trophy Final and securing a commendable fourth-place finish in the Championship.

Alongside his playing commitments, Jonny will join the club's backroom staff as a Basketball Development Officer, working alongside a committed team to grow the name of Gladiators in East Kilbride and beyond. Scotland national teams have remained consistent throughout Jonny's 12-year pro career, having represented Scotland at both the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, earning a commendable fourth-place spot in both.

The 6'0 Scottish guard has spent his entire professional career in Scotland, following in the footsteps of his brother, Keith, who played with the Scottish and Edinburgh Rocks and won the franchise's last trophy in the 2002/03 season - the BBL Playoffs. Over his career, Bunyan has proved to be an elite three-point scorer. In the 21/22, in BBL Championship action, Jonny made an impressive 44.6% of his 3-point attempts, in a particularly good shooting year. Last season, the 31-year-old fan favourite contributed around 13 minutes of action a night across 33 games, putting up 2.1 points and 1.2 assists per game.

Gareth Murray, Jonny's head coach and former long-time teammate, said:

'Over the past 12 years, Jonny's unwavering dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary, consistently embodying the heart and passion that define our club. Jonny's invaluable experience and leadership will continue to be a vital part of the playing squad. His journey has brought him into a full-time role within the club, where he will continue to contribute both on and off the court. Alongside his responsibilities in the playing squad, he will also take on a full-time community role, further showcasing his commitment to the club's values.'

He continued: 'Throughout the years, we have shared dreams of moving to a new arena and competing in Europe. This year, those dreams became a reality. As captain, he proudly lifted the trophy in front of 6,000 fans in Glasgow. It was a moment that undoubtedly stands as the highlight of his career.'

Bunyan joins Kyle Jimenez on the confirmed squad list for the 23/24 British Basketball and Basketball Champions League campaigns. Fans can expect plenty of signings, both new and familiar faces, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Prince Continues His Reign In Glasgow - by Jeff King
Caledonia Gladiators are pleased to announce the return of fan favourite, 'Prince' Princeton Onwas (198-F-1993, college: SJSU),, for the 2023/24 BBL season, following a successful first campaign in the UK which saw his side win the BBL Trophy thanks to his all-important pass to David Sloan for the game-winner.

Onwas, a Texas native, is a veteran of the professional game. Last year, he added his experience to the roster, which includes time in Australia, the NBA G-League, Germany and Spain, assisting the squad as a leader to a successful debut campaign under their new name - a respectable fourth-place finish in the league's Championship, and a Trophy win - their first silverware in 20 years.

The 28-year-old, a 6'6 forward, was a key name in the first 5 for the majority of the 22/23 season, starting 29 out of 36 games in league competition. He was often described as a 'glue player' by many across the league. Most memorably, he made the all-important pass leading the team to victory in the BBL Trophy Final, assisting David Sloan with a pass to the corner for the game-winning three-pointer.

He contributed evenly across all aspects of the game, proving himself to be one of the top defenders in the league, being named to the league's All-Defensive team. Also, he was highly respected by Gareth Murray and assistant coach Darryl Wood, who voted for him as the team's 'Coaches Player of the Year'.

Statistically, Onwas proved his on-court value plenty, averaging 10.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game in just under 30 minutes of action across the Championship season.

After putting pen to paper for a new one-year deal, with the option of a further one, Prince said:

'I'm excited to be back, as well as take on more challenges and responsibilities. I'm looking forward to seeing my teammates again and also meeting new ones. I'm extremely excited for the new arena to be built and for the club to push to win more trophies!'

Head coach Gareth Murray remains optimistic about the continuation of Onwas' time at the club. He added:

'Prince was a key player for our team last year. He consistently delivered strong defense and had a winning mentality day in and day out. When the team needed someone to step up and score, he had the ability to light up the scoreboard. With experience playing in different leagues, Prince brings a well-rounded skill set. What sets him apart is his selflessness and his focus on the success of his teammates.'

Prince joins the Scottish core already committed their future to the Gladiators: Kyle Jimenez, Jonny Bunyan, and Fraser Malcolm.

Defensive Big Is A New Gladiator - by Jeff King
Caledonia Gladiators can confirm the first new signing in town, Trent Buttrick (206-F-1998, college: UMass, agency: Mansfield and Associates) from Pennsylvania, who last suited up for TFT Skopje in North Macedonia's first league. The 6'9 forward previously spent four of his collegiate years at Penn State in the Big Ten, before spending his super senior campaign at the University of Massachusetts, graduating in 2022.

Buttrick is a dominant forward, often seen making hugely impactful plays, showcasing his clear natural athleticism on several occasions a game. Also, the American is a solid shooter, hitting 36% of his three-pointers last campaign in North Macedonia, where he averaged 11 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 1.3 APG. His joint-career high came against Osijek, scoring 24 points in a four-point win.

TFT Skopje also competed in the Basketball Champions League qualifiers last season, the competition round in which Gladiators aim to reach by defeating Swiss outfit Fribourg Olympic. In fact, Buttrick's team hosted the qualifying tournament featuring fellow British Basketball side, Leicester Riders, and Fribourg, Gladiators' future opponents. Trent played alongside former London Lions centre, Chris Tawaiah.

During his time in North Macedonia, the forward picked up the league's Defensive Player of the Year award, also receiving a spot in their all-league second team.

Trent Buttrick said:

'I am super excited to have the opportunity to become a part of the Caledonia Gladiator family! I'm looking forward to playing in front of new fans and competing in the BCL for a chance for a regular season spot! I am ready to get started and build on the successes from last season. I can't wait to get to Scotland to meet my new teammates, coaches and fans!'

Following the pick-up, Head Coach Gareth Murray added:

'Trent's successful stint in Macedonia, including winning Defensive Player of the Year, brings valuable experience to our team. As a versatile forward with a high basketball IQ, he can contribute to our success in the league and against European teams. His performance in the ABA league and BCL qualifiers demonstrates his ability to compete at a high level. With Trent on our roster, we are confident in our ability to face challenges and achieve our goals.'

Despite becoming the first fresh face in the league's only Scottish side, Trent Buttrick joins four already confirmed re-signings suiting up for the Gladiators' next campaign.

Kimbal Will Return To Ride Again - by Jeff King
Leicester Riders are excited to announce the return of point guard Kimbal Mackenzie (187-G-1996, college: Bucknell) for the 2023/24 season.

Mackenzie has proved a fan-favourite in his two seasons in Leicester, earning the Supporters Club Player of the Year last season - voted for by the Riders faithful. His 12.7 points and 3.8 assists also saw him named on the Molten BBL British Team of the Year alongside teammate Patrick Whelan.

'Kimbal has been excellent for us and we are thrilled to have him back at the club. We have enjoyed working with him these past two seasons, he is a player who comes ready to play every day,' reflected Head Coach Rob Paternostro. 'He is a versatile guard who can be effective in many different spots on the floor and has shown the ability to make winning plays in important moments of the game. His ability to fill different roles last seasons was very impressive.'

Mackenzie put in countless team-leading performances throughout the 2022/23 season, perhaps none better than his 31 point explosion against the Cheshire Phoenix in February. He went 11-15 from the field and 7-7 from the free-throw line in the Riders' 105-91 win.

'My family and I are thrilled to be returning to Leicester for my third season,' commented Kimbal. 'The experience that we have had within the city and with the fans has been amazing. I look forward to continuing the winning ways of the Riders. Since day one, Leicester has felt like home, and in the business of being a professional athlete, it can be rare to be with the same team for multiple years, so I'm thankful for that.'

'I'm happy to still be playing in front of the best fans in the league! A fanbase that makes Morningside one of the best home court advantages in the league, and fans that frequently travel across the country to support us. In deciding to come back, it's the culture that Coach Rob has built for years that played a big part. Rob is a players' coach, and the ultimate competitor, someone who I love going to battle with. I look forward to playing with a great group of guys, and to winning a lot of basketball games!'

Mackenzie's form earned him his first call-up to the Great Britain Senior squad, making his debut in a FIBA World Cup Qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade.

He is currently sharpening his fitness and keeping in shape by playing in his native Canada for Niagara River Lions of the CEBL.

Big Mo Is Back - by Jeff King
The Riders are thrilled to announce the return of Maurice Walker (208-F-1991, college: Minnesota) for the 2023/24 season. It will be the Canadian/British big man's fourth season with the Riders, after signing for the 2020/21 season.

Walker was an integral part of the club's treble-winning success in 2022, averaging 11.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game that year. Before last season was cut short due to injury, the University of Minnesota graduate was putting up 10.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, shooting 58.6% from the field.

'I'm excited to still be a part of the Riders!' said Walker.

'Anyone who has followed the club and has watched my journey knows I have lost time in the past due to injury. But I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to make up for lost time, and I'm looking forward to being back out there in front of the Riders fans!'

'We are all looking forward to having Mo back on the court for us next season,' commented Head Coach Rob Paternostro.

'I thought he started off very well last season and was playing good basketball before the injury. He can be very difficult to match up with, can score in different ways and has the ability to put real pressure on the opposing defence.

'Mo has always shown great leadership during his time here and we have valued that on and off the court.'

Green For Go As Giant Tajh Becomes A Flying Eagle - by Jeff King
Marc Steutel is confident Serioes Group Newcastle Eagles have bagged a genuine game changer after club chiefs Green-lighted the franchise's latest star signing. Big man Tajh Green (203-F/C-1998, college: Benedict) flies in from Manchester Giants on the back of a brilliant debut season in British basketball's top flight.

And Steutel insists the 25-year-old's best years are ahead of him as he welcomes another imposing body to an increasingly powerful roster.

'Last year Tajh showed just how explosive he can be and how he can impact a game based on his style of play,' said Newcastle's playcaller.

'He's somebody we respect and we saw first hand, in the fixtures he played against us, how he can change a game. Across the season his level of consistency was really impressive. Tajh has a motor on him and he never stops playing or competing - no matter what the circumstances. That's just one of the many reasons why I'm looking forward to seeing him compete in an Eagles jersey this season - rather than for a rival club.'

Green averaged 18 points and nine rebounds during his rookie season as a professional, playing alongside former Newcastle favourite Rahmon Fletcher at the Giants. An ever-present across the Championship campaign, the 6ft 8in forward hit double figures in each of his four games against Newcastle. And Green clearly fits Steutel's blueprint for energy and mobility in the paint as he prepares the Eagles for action at home and abroad.

With the European North Basketball League (ENBL) on the horizon, Newcastle are building a roster primed for success on multiple fronts. And Green joins Malcolm Delpeche and Will Neighbour in the front court as Steutel shapes a powerful vision for the future. Energetic 6'8 forward Green made an explosive impression on the BBL last season.

'I honestly think that Tajh has just scratched the surface as a basketball player and I think he can continue to get better and continue to develop,' added Stuetel.

'It will become apparent this season just how hard he works for his team. It's fantastic to get Tajh up to the Vertu Motors Arena ahead of what promises to be an extremely exciting domestic season and ENBL campaign.I'm so happy that we've completed another significant signing and I can't wait for our fans to see this team come together.'

Green is Newcastle's fourth signing of the summer and follows Delpeche, Neighbour and guard Larry Austin Jr to the North East. The Eagles remain determined to reprise the club's glory days and Great Britain head coach Marc Steutel is on a mission to match capacity crowds with on-court success. And Newcastle fought off serious competition for the signature of breakout star Green with a clutch of British rivals on the trail of the former Giant.

Green joins a roster of familiar faces to British Basketball fans as Coach Steutel continues to sign experienced stars for the core of his new roster. At NCAA Division Two Benedict College, the sports management major averaged 14 points and seven boards. Green was named MVP of the HBCU All-Star game and picked up the SIAC Player of the Year award.

That form was enough to earn a first professional contract with Manchester and secure the opportunity to learn his trade alongside Eagles legend Fletcher.

*****************************************************
VIETNAM  
VBA Round 12: Dragons still unable to win any game - by Eurobasket News
What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-73 loss to fourth ranked Warriors (4-4) in Danang on Tuesday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Dragons' 44. Warriors forced 19 Dragons turnovers and outrebounded them 40-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Warriors maintains fourth position with 4-4 record. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Dolphins (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.



Dragons - Warriors 73-94

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-73 loss to fourth ranked Warriors (4-4) in Danang on Tuesday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Dragons' 44. Warriors forced 19 Dragons turnovers and outrebounded them 40-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and guard Triet Huynh Andre (191-2004) added 16 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Warriors maintains fourth position with 4-4 record. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Dolphins (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Dragons: H.Andre Triet 16+3reb+2ast, J.Holder 13+10reb+1ast, J.Marrow 12+1reb+2ast, W.Tran 11+4reb+2ast, D.Kaillum 6+2reb+1ast, D.Duc Tri 5+1reb+4ast
Warriors: J.Fields 28+15reb+4ast, S.Swint 25+6reb+7ast, T.Le Hieu 12+1reb, P.Nhat Quang 10+2reb, Y.Justin 10+6reb+5ast, A.Nguyen Tuan 9+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1081151




VBA Round 12: Dragons still unable to win any game - by Eurobasket News
What a coincidence that all visitors won their games. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-73 loss to fourth ranked Warriors (4-4) in Danang on Tuesday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Dragons' 44. Warriors forced 19 Dragons turnovers and outrebounded them 40-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Warriors maintains fourth position with 4-4 record. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Dolphins (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.
The game in Ho Chi Minh supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Buffaloes (6-2) played at the court of 6th ranked Wings (2-5). Buffaloes smashed Wings 94-63. It was a good game for American Anthony January (204-1993, college: CSUSB, agency: Interperformances) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 31 rebounds and 6 assists. Udun Osakue contributed with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. American guard Jeremy Smith (190-1991, college: Nicholls St.) replied with 25 points and 8 rebounds for Wings. 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. Buffaloes have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Wings at the other side keep the sixth position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.



Dragons - Warriors 73-94

Bottom-ranked Dragons (0-7) tried to put together a comeback for its first victory of the season, but they fell short in the 94-73 loss to fourth ranked Warriors (4-4) in Danang on Tuesday evening. They dominated down low during the game scoring 64 of its points in the paint compared to Dragons' 44. Warriors forced 19 Dragons turnovers and outrebounded them 40-26 including 25 on the defensive glass. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. The best player for the winners was American power forward John Fields (205-1988, college: Tennessee, agency: Octagon Europe) who had a double-double by scoring 28 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists (on 14-of-16 shooting from the field). The other American import guard Sameen Swint (193-1995, college: GBC) chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. At the other side the best for losing team was American JR Holder (198-1994, college: Jacksonville) who recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds and guard Triet Huynh Andre (191-2004) added 16 points respectively. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Warriors maintains fourth position with 4-4 record. Dragons at the other side still closes the standings with seven games lost. Warriors will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Dragons will play at home against Dolphins (#3) and hope to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Dragons: H.Andre Triet 16+3reb+2ast, J.Holder 13+10reb+1ast, J.Marrow 12+1reb+2ast, W.Tran 11+4reb+2ast, D.Kaillum 6+2reb+1ast, D.Duc Tri 5+1reb+4ast
Warriors: J.Fields 28+15reb+4ast, S.Swint 25+6reb+7ast, T.Le Hieu 12+1reb, P.Nhat Quang 10+2reb, Y.Justin 10+6reb+5ast, A.Nguyen Tuan 9+3reb+2ast
gschID: 1081151


City Wings - Buffaloes 63-94

The game in Ho Chi Minh supposed to be also worth to mention about. Third ranked Buffaloes (6-2) played at the court of 6th ranked Wings (2-5). Buffaloes smashed Wings 94-63. Buffaloes dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Wings' 34 and made 17-of-22 charity shots (77.3 percent) during the game. They outrebounded Wings 50-26 including a 35-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Buffaloes players were unselfish on offense dishing 21 assists. It was a good game for American Anthony January (204-1993, college: CSUSB, agency: Interperformances) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 31 rebounds and 6 assists. American-Nigerian forward Udun Osakue (198-1992, college: SF State, agency: Interperformances) contributed with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Four Buffaloes players scored in double figures. American guard Jeremy Smith (190-1991, college: Nicholls St.) replied with 25 points and 8 rebounds and forward Trung Tran (182-1998) added 6 points and 4 assists in the effort for Wings. 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. Buffaloes have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to second place. Wings at the other side keep the sixth position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
City Wings: J.Smith 25+8reb+2ast, N.Quang Vinh 8+3reb, N.Thanh Tung 8+1reb, T.Tran 6+2reb+4ast, H.Le Tran 5+3reb+1ast, P.Hien 4+2reb+1ast
Buffaloes: A.January 31+31reb+6ast, U.Osakue 18+10reb+5ast, C.Dinh Tien 15+1reb+4ast, D.Nguyen Tien 10, D.Thanh Tam 5+2reb+2ast, N.Huy Hoang 5+1reb+1ast
gschID: 1081152




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Women News
Recap of Day 3 in Division A - by Igor Obradovic
Group A
Syria - Taiwan 31-102
In a one-sided affair, Taiwan dominated Syria with an overwhelming scoreline of 102-31. Peng Yu Chen (160-PG-2008) came close to achieving a remarkable quadruple-double, contributing 15 points, 13 rebounds, 14 steals, and 9 assists, earning an impressive index rating of 39. Pan Chen Shan (172-PG-2007) also made significant contributions with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 steals. Mirella Tchaparian (165-PG-2008) led the scoring for Syria with 13 points. With this win, Taiwan maintained their perfect record of 3-0, while Syria remains winless at 0-2.

South Korea - Australia 53-71
Australia emerged victorious over South Korea with a final score of 71-53. Ruby Perkins (173-G-2007) led the scoring for Australia with 19 points, supported by Jade Crook (191-C-2007), who recorded a double-double with 11 points and an impressive 16 rebounds, earning her the MVP award for the game. Yang Hyeeun (179-C-2007) contributed 7 points and 8 rebounds for South Korea, while Lim Yeonseo (170-G-2008) added 13 points and 5 rebounds. With this win, Australia maintained their perfect record with 2-0, while South Korea suffered their second loss in three games.

Group B
Japan - China 70-44
Japan continued their dominance in the tournament with a 70-44 victory over China. Otoha Goto (178-SF-2007) led the scoring for Japan with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals, while Nanano Hamada (160-PG-2007) contributed 13 points and 3 assists. Wang Huizi (177-PF-2007) scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for China, and Du Siyu (185-F-2007) added 13 points and 4 rebounds. Japan remained unbeaten with a perfect record of 3-0, while China faced their first loss in the tournament.

Samoa - New Zealand 51-80
New Zealand secured a convincing 80-51 victory over Samoa. Jennifer Mailei (185-C-2007) delivered an impressive performance coming off the bench, earning the MVP title with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, earning an index rating of 23. Keriana-Marie Hippolite (168-G-2007) also contributed 14 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds for New Zealand, while Caprice Hiko (174-C-2008) scored 14 points for Samoa. With this win, New Zealand improved their record to 1-1, while Samoa suffered their second defeat.



Recap of Day 3 in Division B - by Igor Obradovic
Group A
Jordan - Philippines 58-106
The Philippines dominated their matchup against Jordan with a commanding 106-58 victory. Kimi Sayson (154-PG-2007) led the scoring for the Philippines with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and an impressive 7 steals. Ryan Nair (170-PG-2007) also contributed with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals. Zena Alkarain (173-G-2007) stood out for Jordan with 26 points and 7 rebounds, while Hoor Alkarain (175-PF-2008) added 10 points and 6 rebounds. With this win, the Philippines continued their dominance in Group A with a perfect 3-0 record, while Jordan earned one win from three games in the group.
Group B
Malaysia - Guam 66-53
Malaysia secured a 66-53 victory over Guam in their matchup. YI Yap (175-PG-2007) led the scoring for Malaysia with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists, earning an index rating of 26. Xin Oh (169-SF-2007) also contributed with a double-double, recording 13 points and 13 rebounds. For Guam, Jia Peters (175-F-2007) had 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Maria-Jean Paulino (163-G-2007) contributed 13 points and 6 rebounds. Malaysia now holds a 1-1 record in Group B, while Guam is still searching for their first victory with a 0-2 record.

Iran - Singapore 84-65
In a game between Iran and Singapore, Iran emerged victorious with an 84-65 scoreline. Helya Houdneh (176-PF-2007) delivered a standout performance for Iran, earning the MVP title of the game with 21 points and an impressive 22 rebounds, earning an index rating of 37. Ghazal Zamani (180-PF-2007) also had a strong showing with 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Zahra Zarei (163-PG-2007) showcased her playmaking skills with 15 assists along with 6 points and 3 rebounds. For Singapore, Lock Madelin (160-PG-2007) contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Lee Jing-Ling (160-SF-2007) added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. With this win, Iran maintained their perfect record of 2-0, while Singapore holds a 1-1 record.



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CHINA  
Chinese U16 National Team 2023 - by Igor Obradovic
Starting five
#s#
Dou Huang
Huang
Jiayi Wang
Wang
Qirui Xie
Xie
Siyao He
He
Siyu Du
Du
#e#5
4Huang Dou 170-PG-2007
5Zhang Huimin 168-PG-2007
6Wang Jiayi 170-PG-2007
7Wang Huizi 177-PF-2007
8Xie Qirui 175-G-2008
9He Siyao 177-G-2008
10Liu Ketong 192-C-2007
11Du Siyu 185-F-2007
12Feng Kuangyu 183-SF-2007
13Zhao Yuhe 172-G-2007
15Liang Yaqi 192-C-2007
17Rao Yingying 180-C-2008

Liu-Liu Jun Head Coach
*****************************************************
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
Monarchs and Immortals win Women's United Cup 2023 opener - by Ghassan Abousamra
Monarchs - Equipo Femenino Fenix 70:49

The defending champions Flint Lady Monarchs rout Equipo Femenino Fenix in the opener of the Women's United Cup 2023. Flint posted an 70-49 win in Santiago. Monarchs nailed 20 points in the first period and added a 26-11 surge in the second frame. Moreover, they won the third quarter 20-14, whilst Equipo Femenino Fenix replied with a 24-14 run in the last stanza. Ameryst Alston (175-G-1993, college: Ohio St.) and Khaalia Hillsman (195-C-1996, college: Texas A&M) top-scored for the winners with 20 plus points each, whilst Asia Boyd (185-F-1992, college: Kansas) netted 10. Maria Coronado (168-G-1991) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort.

Immortals - Indias del Sur DS 62:39

Equipo Femenino Immortals have won Women's United Cup 2023 opener beating Indias del Sur 62-39. They started with a 29-14 run and never looked behind after. Moreover, GIE added a 19-16 run in the third quarter and closed the game with a massive 24-6 surge. Kristina Puthoff-King (180-PG-1992, college: Richmond) top-scored for the winners with 15 points (10 rebounds and 7 assists), whilst Jennifer Pena (175-G/F-1993, college: Missouri S&T), Toccara Ross (185-F-1986, college: Iowa St.) and Ruth Aracena (180-F-1999) poured in 10 points each. Melania Carmona replied with 15 points in a loss.
*****************************************************
EUROLEAGUE  
EuroLeague Women announces list of participants for 2023-24 campaign - by Igor Obradovic
MUNICH (Germany) - The finalized list of clubs that will take part in the upcoming EuroLeague Women campaign was announced on Thursday.
A total of 19 clubs representing 10 National Federations registered for the 2023-24 edition of the competition, with 13 of them placed directly in the Regular Season and three more spots to be filled via the Qualifiers.
The Qualifiers will be played in a home and away series on September 20 and 27 in three pairings of two clubs each, with the winner of each pairing advancing to the Regular Season.

The clubs with direct berths to the Regular Season are as follows:
Fenerbahce Alagoz Holding (TUR)
Valencia B.C. (ESP)
LDLC ASVEL Feminin (FRA)
Beretta Famila Schio (ITA)
ZVVZ USK Praha (CZE)
AZS UMCS Lublin (POL)
Cukurova Basketbol Mersin (TUR)
Casademont Zaragoza (ESP)
Basket Landes (FRA)
SERCO Uni Gyor (HUN)
Virtus Segafredo Bologna (ITA)
Perfumerias Avenida Salamanca (ESP)
Villeneuve d'Ascq-LM (FRA)

The remaining six registered clubs playing in the Qualifiers are:
TTT Riga (LAT) - seeded
MKS Polkowice (POL) - seeded
DVTK Hun-Therm Miskolc (HUN) - seeded
ACS Sepsi-SIC (ROU)
London Lions (GBR)
Besiktas (TUR)

The teams participating in the Qualifiers will be sorted into seeded and unseeded pots based on the three-year ranking of clubs in the European Club Competitions, with the seeded clubs set to play the return leg at home.
The losing clubs will automatically feed into the EuroCup Women Regular Season.
The draw to sort teams for the Qualifiers and the Regular Season will take place in Munich, Germany on August 9.

Courtesy of EuroLeague Women
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ISRAEL  
Danielle Karsh joins M.Ashdod - by Eran Sela
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Maccabi Bnot Ashdod (D1) agreed terms with 22-year old international point guard Danielle Karsh (175cm-2001) for new 2023-24 season. Karsh has played for the last three years at A.S. Ramat Hasharon in the D1. In 8 Eurocup games she had 7.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.9apg and 1.0spg last season. She also played 11 games in D1 where she recorded 7.7ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.9apg and 1.2spg. Karsh helped them to make it to the semifinals.
She has been also a member of Israeli international program for some years. Karsh has regularly played for Israeli senior team since 2018 and previously for U18 National Team in 2019.
She represented Israel at the European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) U20 Division B in Prishtina (Kosovo) four years ago. Before that Karsh has played previously for Hapoel Rishon Le-Zion.

Noor Kayuf joins H.Lev Jerusalem - by Eran Sela
Hapoel Jerusalem (D1) agreed terms with 21-year old international point guard Noor Kayuf (168cm-2001) for new 2023-24 season. Kayuf played last season at E.Ramla in the D1. She managed to play in three leagues last year. The team played in three different competitions (!!!) that year, and she had a chance to explore basketball on different levels. But in only one Euroleague game she did not score anything. Kayuf also played 6 games in Eurocup where she recorded just 2.0ppg. And finally she contributed to 30 games in D1 where she averaged 4.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.6apg and 1.2spg. She helped them to win the League title despite they ended the regular season at the second place.
Kayuf has been a member of Israeli international program for some years. She has been regularly called to Israeli senior team since 2022 and two years ago for U22 National Team.
Kayuf has played previously for two other teams: Ramat Hasharon and Maccabi Haifa.

Hapoel Jerusalem roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Shir Tirosh
Noor Kayuf

Forward:
Alyssa Baron

Center:
Alexandra Cohen

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MOROCCO  
Majd Tanger step closer to the title - by Igor Obradovic
Majd Tanger succeeds to win the second game in a row against KACM. This time with the result of 66:70 on the away game and they are now one step close to the title of Moroccan Champion for the 2022-23 season.
The next game is on the program on July 13th.
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PORTUGAL  
Ferragudo lands Kennedy Nicholas, ex Nottingham - by Joao Santos
actionPhoto

AcPhoto
Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa tabbed American 190cm forward Kennedy Nicholas (college: Sacramento State) for new season. Nicholas has played for the last two years at Nottingham Wildcats in British WBBL. In 16 games she averaged impressive 16.9ppg, 13.6rpg (#2 in the league), 1.6apg, 1.1spg and 1.1bpg last season.
She graduated from Sacramento State in 2020 and it is her fourth season in pro basketball. Nicholas was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-English WBBL Honorable Mention in 2022 and 2023.
Erica Baptista joins Ferragudo - by Joao Santos
Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa agreed terms with 25-year old forward Erica Baptista (175cm-1998) for new 2023-24 season. Baptista has played for the last two years at Imortal. In 24 Liga Feminina games she had 3.2ppg and 2.5rpg last season. She helped them to make it to the cup final.
Baptista has played previously for three other teams: Alges, Carnide and SIMECQ Cruz Quebrada. She won Portuguese Division I championship title in 2018 and 2022.
The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others she was voted to Eurobasket.com All-Portuguese 1.Divisao Honorable Mention back in 2020.

Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa roster for 2023-24:

Guard:
Catarina Caldeira

Forwards:
Erica Baptista
Kennedy Nicholas

Center:
Leonor Peixinho

Ferragudo tabs Mafalda Pompeu - by Joao Santos
Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa inked 22-year old 169cm guard Mafalda Pompeu for upcoming season. Pompeu played most recently at Imortal. In 24 Liga Feminina games she averaged just 2.9ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.0apg last season. She helped them to make it to the cup final.
The previous (2021-22) season she played at Olivais (also in Liga Feminina) where in 21 games she had 5.2ppg and 1.4rpg in that year.
Pompeu was a member of Portuguese U20 National Team two years ago.
She has played previously for two other teams: Galitos and Olivais.
Her team won Portuguese Division I Regular Season in 2020.

Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa roster for 2023-24:

Guards:
Catarina Caldeira
Mafalda Pompeu

Forwards:
Erica Baptista
Kennedy Nicholas

Center:
Leonor Peixinho
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UNITED CUP  
Stats leaders
Stats Leaders
PPG
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
Alston_Ameryst

Flint LM
(175-G-1993)
Avg: 18.5

18.5
13.0
Round 2: Lady Monarchs hand first defeat to Immortals - by Eurobasket News
United Cup is at the halfway of the Regular Season and there are still another 2 rounds left. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dominican Rep. Immortals at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by American Lady Monarchs 74-37. The best player for the winners was guard Aliyah Mazyck (175-1996, college: USC) who scored 14 points. Guard Ameryst Alston (175-1993, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 15 points. American point guard Kristina Puthoff-King (180-1992, college: Richmond) produced 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the hosts. Lady Monarchs are looking forward to face Indias in the next round. Immortals will play against Fenix in Santiago and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another exciting game was between Fenix and Indias where Fenix beat Indias on the road 64-57. Forward Dariana Santos (180-1991, college: Wiley) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Yadira Polanco contributed with 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Wendy Castiiio replied with 10 points and 9 rebounds for Indias. Indias' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Fenix will play against Immortals in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Indias will play against Lady Monarchs to get more than just one victory in their record.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.


Indias - Fenix 57-64

Another exciting game was between Fenix and Indias where Fenix beat Indias on the road 64-57. Forward Dariana Santos (180-1991, college: Wiley) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points. Swingman Yadira Polanco (178-1992) contributed with 9 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Wendy Castiiio replied with 10 points and 9 rebounds and Vanesa Bautista added 10 points in the effort for Indias. Indias' coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Fenix will play against Immortals in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Indias will play against Lady Monarchs to get more than just one victory in their record.
Top scorers:
Indias: N.Morillo 10+3reb+2ast, B.Vanesa 10+4reb+2ast, C.Wendy 10+9reb+1ast, Y.Mota 5, C.Yesica 5+2reb+1ast, Z.Juan 5+4reb+2ast
Fenix: D.Santos 21+4reb+2ast, D.Odalmis 14+4reb+1ast, P.Yadira 9+10reb+2ast, M.Coronado 7+4reb+4ast, S.Brithany 6+3reb+2ast, G.Anayelis 4+3reb
gschID: 1081001


Immortals - Flint LM 37-74

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Dominican Rep. Immortals at the home court on Wednesday night. Hosts were rolled over by American Lady Monarchs 74-37. The best player for the winners was guard Aliyah Mazyck (175-1996, college: USC) who scored 14 points. Guard Ameryst Alston (175-1993, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 15 points. Four Lady Monarchs players scored in double figures. American point guard Kristina Puthoff-King (180-1992, college: Richmond) produced 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and her fellow American import swingman Jennifer Pena (175-1993, college: Missouri S&T) added 11 points and 6 rebounds respectively for the hosts. Lady Monarchs are looking forward to face Indias in the next round. Immortals will play against Fenix in Santiago and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Immortals: J.Pena 11+6reb+2ast, K.Puthoff-King 10+8reb+4ast, T.Ross 8+6reb, A.Sutherland 5+4reb, C.Calisha 2+3reb, T.Green 1+4reb
Flint LM: A.Alston 15+4reb+1ast, A.Mazyck 14+4reb+2ast, K.Webb 12+6reb+2ast, D.Hood 11+6reb, A.Combs 9+3reb+1ast, A.Boyd 8+6reb+6ast
gschID: 1081002




Monarchs and Immortals win Women's United Cup 2023 opener - by Ghassan Abousamra
Monarchs - Equipo Femenino Fenix 70:49

The defending champions Flint Lady Monarchs rout Equipo Femenino Fenix in the opener of the Women's United Cup 2023. Flint posted an 70-49 win in Santiago. Monarchs nailed 20 points in the first period and added a 26-11 surge in the second frame. Moreover, they won the third quarter 20-14, whilst Equipo Femenino Fenix replied with a 24-14 run in the last stanza. Ameryst Alston (175-G-1993, college: Ohio St.) and Khaalia Hillsman (195-C-1996, college: Texas A&M) top-scored for the winners with 20 plus points each, whilst Asia Boyd (185-F-1992, college: Kansas) netted 10. Maria Coronado (168-G-1991) ended up with 17 points in the losing effort.

Immortals - Indias del Sur DS 62:39

Equipo Femenino Immortals have won Women's United Cup 2023 opener beating Indias del Sur 62-39. They started with a 29-14 run and never looked behind after. Moreover, GIE added a 19-16 run in the third quarter and closed the game with a massive 24-6 surge. Kristina Puthoff-King (180-PG-1992, college: Richmond) top-scored for the winners with 15 points (10 rebounds and 7 assists), whilst Jennifer Pena (175-G/F-1993, college: Missouri S&T), Toccara Ross (185-F-1986, college: Iowa St.) and Ruth Aracena (180-F-1999) poured in 10 points each. Melania Carmona replied with 15 points in a loss.
Puthoff-King number one in United Cup HA for round 1 (by Hoops Agents) - by Eurobasket News
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sponsor
American Point guard Kristina Puthoff-King (180-PG-1992) had an amazing evening in the last round for second-ranked Immortals, receiving a Hoops Agents Player of the Week award for round 1.
The 31-year old player had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while her team crushed, the league's bottom-ranked team Indias (#4, 0-1) with 25-point margin 64-39. The game was between two of the league's top four teams. Immortals is placed at 2nd position in United Cup. But it's just the very beginning of the season and Immortals won just one (their first) game. It's too early to say anything as the standings can be changed completely after next round. Puthoff-King has many years of experience at Immortals, through which she has constantly improved. Former University of Richmond star has very solid stats this year. Puthoff-King is in league's top in points (4th best: 16.0ppg), rebounds (2nd best: 10.0rpg) and averages impressive 3.0spg. Worth to mention Puthoff-King played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped her get the job in pro basketball.

The second best player in last round's games was young Khaalia Hillsman (195-C-1996) of league's leader Flint LM. Hillsman had a very good evening with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds. Of course she led Flint LM to another comfortable win outscoring Fenix (0-1) 70-49. Her team has extremely good start of the season. They won their first game. However the season is at the beginning, so everything can happen. They still may lose their high position in the standings. Hillsman is one of the most experienced players at Flint LM and has a reputation of one of team's most reliable players. She belongs to the best scorers in the league with 20.0ppg (#2). She also registered 11.0 boards per game.

Third on the list of top players last round was swingman Yadira Polanco (178-G/F-1992) of Fenix (#3). Polanco scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Despite Polanco's great performance Fenix lost 49-70 to #1 ranked Flint LM. But her team cannot count on just a single player as she also needs help of the other teammates especially in such crucial game. Fenix can only dream about fighting for top spots in the league. They have awful season losing so far all 1 games. Too bad for Polanco she does not play for a better team. But maybe if she did, her season stats would not be that high. The season just started for Polanco as she played only first game. But it already looks like she can be team's leader.

Other top performing players last week:
4. Ameryst Alston (175-G-1993) of Flint LM - 22 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists
5. Brandie Baker-Cunningham (188-F-1990) of Flint LM - 5 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists
6. Maria Coronado (168-G-1991) of Fenix - 17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists
7. Asia Boyd (185-F-1992) of Flint LM - 9 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists
8. Jennifer Pena (175-G/F-1993) of Immortals - 10 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists
9. Nayely Morillo (166-G-1999) of Indias - 15 points and 3 rebounds
10. Toccara Ross (185-F-1986) of Immortals - 8 points and 5 rebounds

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

The Player of the Week awards are presented by Hoops Agents. Hoops Agents is the most complete website about the agencies and players they represent. With more than twenty years of experience, Hoops Agents is already recognized as the most reliable destination for the players who wish to continue their career in professional basketball and are searching for a reputable and connected representation. Hoops Agents is also most complete source of transactions news.


Round 1: Immortals hand first loss to undefeated Indias - by Eurobasket News
The Regular Season in United Cup just started. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Indias at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Immortals 64-39. Immortals held Indias to an opponent 11.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 40.3 percent accuracy of the winners. Immortals had a 20-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Kristina Puthoff-King (180-1992, college: Richmond) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Her fellow American import swingman Jennifer Pena (175-1993, college: Missouri S&T) contributed with 10 points for the winners. Immortals' coach felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Nayely Morillo (166-1999) answered with 15 points for Indias. Immortals is looking forward to face Lady Monarchs in Flint in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Indias will play at home against Fenix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Another interesting game for American Lady Monarchs which played in Santiago against Dominican Rep. Fenix. Lady Monarchs crushed hosts 70-49. Center Khaalia Hillsman (195-1996, college: Texas A&M) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and Ameryst Alston chipped in 22 points. At the losing side swingman Yadira Polanco (178-1992) responded with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Fenix's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Lady Monarchs will play against Immortals in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fenix will play against Indias and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.


Indias - Immortals 39-64

The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Indias at the home court on Tuesday night. Hosts were rolled over by Immortals 64-39. Immortals held Indias to an opponent 11.2 percent shooting from the field compared to 40.3 percent accuracy of the winners. Immortals had a 20-9 advantage in offensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of American point guard Kristina Puthoff-King (180-1992, college: Richmond) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Her fellow American import swingman Jennifer Pena (175-1993, college: Missouri S&T) contributed with 10 points for the winners. Puthoff-King is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Immortals' coach felt very confident using 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Guard Nayely Morillo (166-1999) answered with 15 points and Wendy Castiiio added 8 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Indias. Immortals is looking forward to face Lady Monarchs in Flint in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Indias will play at home against Fenix and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Indias: N.Morillo 15+3reb+1ast, Z.Altagracia 8+7reb, C.Wendy 8+8reb, J.Melany 2+2reb, S.Katerin 2+3reb, P.Nicor 2+2reb
Immortals: K.Puthoff-King 16+10reb+7ast, A.Ruth 12+2reb, J.Pena 10+4reb+2ast, T.Ross 8+5reb+1ast, C.Calisha 8+4reb+3ast, A.Sutherland 5+8reb+1ast
gschID: 1080999


Fenix - Flint LM 49-70

Another interesting game for American Lady Monarchs which played in Santiago against Dominican Rep. Fenix. Lady Monarchs crushed hosts 70-49. Center Khaalia Hillsman (195-1996, college: Texas A&M) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and guard Ameryst Alston (175-1993, college: Ohio St.) chipped in 22 points. At the losing side swingman Yadira Polanco (178-1992) responded with 14 points and 9 rebounds and guard Maria Coronado (168-1991) scored 17 points and 4 assists. Fenix's coach gave up on the game allowing to play ten players seeing no chance for a win. Lady Monarchs will play against Immortals in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. Fenix will play against Indias and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Fenix: M.Coronado 17+4reb+4ast, P.Yadira 14+9reb+2ast, G.Anayelis 7+4reb+1ast, D.Odalmis 6+4reb+1ast, D.Santos 5+4reb+1ast, P.Eduarny 0+1reb+1ast
Flint LM: A.Alston 22+4reb+2ast, K.Hillsman 20+11reb+1ast, A.Boyd 9+6reb+2ast, A.Combs 5+3reb+1ast, B.Baker-Cunningham 5+8reb+4ast, K.Webb 3+1reb
gschID: 1081000


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UNITED KINGDOM  
Ferragudo lands Kennedy Nicholas, ex Nottingham - by Joao Santos
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Acd Ferragudo Basquetebol Lagoa tabbed American 190cm forward Kennedy Nicholas (college: Sacramento State) for new season. Nicholas has played for the last two years at Nottingham Wildcats in British WBBL. In 16 games she averaged impressive 16.9ppg, 13.6rpg (#2 in the league), 1.6apg, 1.1spg and 1.1bpg last season.
She graduated from Sacramento State in 2020 and it is her fourth season in pro basketball. Nicholas was also voted to Eurobasket.com All-English WBBL Honorable Mention in 2022 and 2023.
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WNBA  
NaLyssa Smith injury update: Fever forward out at least two weeks with stress fracture in foot - by Igor Obradovic
Smith, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, had been enjoying a strong second season
Indiana Fever forward Nalyssa Smith (6'4''-F-2000, college: Baylor) will miss at least two weeks due to a stress fracture in her left foot, the team announced on Tuesday. She will be re-evaluated after that initial timeline, and an update on her availability moving forward will be issued at that point.

It is unclear when Smith suffered the injury. She played 25 minutes in the team's last game on Sunday against the Dallas Wings, including the entire fourth quarter, and appeared to be moving freely.

The No. 2 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Smith had been enjoying a strong second season. Through 19 games she was averaging 15.6 points and 9.7 rebounds on 46.6% shooting from the field. She was 18th in the league in scoring, third in rebounds and one of just five players putting up at least 15 points and nine rebounds. There was a small bit of buzz about her as an All-Star reserve, and if not for this foot problem she would have been in the mix to be named as the injury replacement for Elena Delle Donne (6'5''-F-1989, college: Delaware), who is set to miss out with a sprained ankle.

A serious injury to Smith is the last thing the Fever need right now. After a decent start to the season they have lost seven games in a row, which is the longest losing streak by any team in the league this season. Now 5-14, they have fallen three games behind in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot, and are just a half-game above last place.

Climbing out of that hole without Smith will be difficult. She's second on the team in scoring, leads the way in the rebounding department and is by far their most athletic big. Her ability to crash the glass on both ends of the floor will be sorely missed. Rebounding, second-chance points and points in the paint are some of the Fever's biggest strengths this season, and Smith had a lot to do with their success in those areas.

Her absence will put even more pressure on No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston, and also raises some lineup questions for coach Christie Sides. Indiana recently traded 2022 first-round pick Queen Egbo to the Washington Mystics for Amanda Zahui (6'5''-C-1993, college: Minnesota) B., who has struggled mightily this season, and the only other bigs on the roster are Emma Cannon (6'3''-F-1989, college: FSC) and rookie Victaria Saxton (6'2''-F-1999, college: S.Carolina). Zahui B. and Cannon seem likely to pick up most of the slack, though perhaps this will be a chance to see what Saxton's got. Regardless, finding a combination that works will not be easy.

Courtesy of CBS Sport

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WPBA  
Round 6: Blaze hands first defeat to Wolves - by Eurobasket News
There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in WPBA. Here is the last round review presented by LBM Management.

Undefeated Wolves (5-1) recorded its first loss on the court of fourth ranked Blaze on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Blaze 90-87. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Wolves. Blaze made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Wolves outrebounded Blaze 51-34 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Doris Jones (175-1998, college: UCSB) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds. Canadian-American guard Ameela Li (168-1997, college: Pacific) chipped in 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Rebecca Harris (173-1986, college: Illinois, agency: LBM Management) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Blaze have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Wolves at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. They share it with Swish. Blaze are looking forward to face Riptide (#7) in San Francisco in the next round. Wolves will play against Valkyrie (#8) and are hoping to win this game.
Important game to mention about took place in San Francisco. Seventh ranked Reign (2-4) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Riptide (2-4) 54-52 in the game for the sixth place. It was a good game for point guard Kim Hanlon (173, college: Stony Brook) who led her team to a victory with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Jessica Wilson contributed with 11 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Guard Jasmine King (168, college: Southern) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds for Riptide. Reign moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Riptide. Reign will play against higher ranked Phoenix (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Riptide will play against Blaze and hopes to get back on the winning track.
An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Oakland. Second ranked Swish faced 3rd ranked Phoenix. Host Swish (5-1) defeated guests from (3-3) 94-90. Madison Michelis had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners. The best for the losing side was Maddison Glass with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Swish have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after Wolves lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Phoenix lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Royals. Swish will meet at home Royals (#5) in the next round. Phoenix will play against Reign and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 6 winless Valkyrie was crushed by Royals in Berkeley 100-77.
The best stats of 6th round was 28 points and 9 rebounds by Mariah Cooks of Royals.

The Round Review is presented by LBM Management. A full-service agency focused on Women's basketball sphere and working worldwide. A global and ethical quality service.


Riptide - Reign 52-54

Important game to mention about took place in San Francisco. Seventh ranked Reign (2-4) saved a 2-point victory on the road edging 6th ranked Riptide (2-4) 54-52 in the game for the sixth place. It was a good game for point guard Kim Hanlon (173, college: Stony Brook) who led her team to a victory with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Swingman Jessica Wilson contributed with 11 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Guard Jasmine King (168, college: Southern) replied with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and forward Jessica Woo (175, college: TAMIU) added 15 points and 10 rebounds in the effort for Riptide. Reign moved-up to sixth place, which they share with defeated Riptide. Reign will play against higher ranked Phoenix (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Riptide will play against Blaze and hopes to get back on the winning track.
Top scorers:
Reign: K.Hanlon 15+5reb+2ast, W.Jessica 11+6reb+2ast, B.Nishalina 9+1reb, J.Denean 7+7reb, A.Johnson 6+13reb, C.Kierra 3+10reb+5ast
Riptide: J.Woo 15+10reb, J.King 12+12reb+2ast, A.Kristjan 7+3reb+1ast, C.Trinitee 6+3reb, K.Moutry 5+6reb+1ast, S.Young 4+6reb+4ast
gschID: 1081129


Swish - Phoenix 94-90

An exciting game between Top Four teams was played in Oakland. Second ranked Swish faced 3rd ranked Phoenix. Host Swish (5-1) defeated guests from (3-3) 94-90. Swish forced 21 Phoenix turnovers. Swingman Madison Michelis (180, college: Menlo) had a double-double by scoring 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Alexsis Brown (170, college: CSU Maritime) chipped in 20 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. The best for the losing side was guard Maddison Glass (163-1997, college: A&M-Commerce) with 23 points and 6 rebounds and forward Aquira Decosta (185-2000, college: Sacramento St.) produced a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Swish have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending champion used an opportunity after Wolves lost their game and moved up joining them at the top position. Phoenix lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the fourth place with three games lost. They share the position with Royals. Swish will meet at home Royals (#5) in the next round. Phoenix will play against Reign and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Swish: M.Michelis 23+15reb+2ast, R.Howard 20+12reb+3ast, A.Brown 20+13reb+5ast, B.Nicol 17+3reb+2ast, D.Finnie 10+5reb, N.Taylor 4+4reb
Phoenix: M.Glass 23+6reb+2ast, D.Moore 15+11reb, A.Decosta 14+11reb+2ast, R.Friauf 13+4reb+2ast, H.Iya 12+10reb+1ast, W.Antuanisha 10+5reb+1ast
gschID: 1081130


Blaze - Wolves 90-87

Undefeated Wolves (5-1) recorded its first loss on the court of fourth ranked Blaze on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by Blaze 90-87. It ended at the same time the five-game winning streak of Wolves. Blaze made 23-of-29 free shots (79.3 percent) during the game. Strangely Wolves outrebounded Blaze 51-34 including a 39-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Doris Jones (175-1998, college: UCSB) who had a double-double by scoring 29 points and 10 rebounds. Canadian-American guard Ameela Li (168-1997, college: Pacific) chipped in 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals. At the other side the best for losing team was guard Rebecca Harris (173-1986, college: Illinois, agency: LBM Management) who recorded a double-double by scoring 24 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists and Canadian-Jamaican guard Faatimah Amen-Ra (168-1991, college: Toronto) added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists respectively. Five Wolves players scored in double figures. Blaze have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to third place. Wolves at the other side still keep top position with one game lost. They share it with Swish. Blaze are looking forward to face Riptide (#7) in San Francisco in the next round. Wolves will play against Valkyrie (#8) and are hoping to win this game.
Top scorers:
Blaze: D.Jones 29+10reb+3ast, A.Li 29+7reb+4ast, D.Jackson 16+3reb+1ast, M.Therica 8+6reb, N.Jackson 4+3reb+1ast, W.Melanie 4+4reb
Wolves: R.Harris 24+15reb+5ast, F.Amen-Ra 20+5reb+6ast, B.Raevaughn 15+8reb+1ast, E.Gonzalez 14+6reb, H.Langhi 13+7reb, M.Hall 1+10reb
gschID: 1081131


Royals - Valkyrie 100-77

There was no surprise in Berkeley where bottom-ranked Valkyrie (0-6) was crushed by fifth ranked Royals (3-3) 100-77 on Saturday. Royals dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Valkyrie's 8. They outrebounded Valkyrie 48-11 including a 16-1 advantage in offensive rebounds. Royals looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists comparing to just 4 passes made by Valkyrie's players. American-Cambodian Mariah Cooks (185-1994, college: WSU) scored 28 points and 9 rebounds to lead the charge for the winners and guard Jasmine Guinn (168-1995) chipped in 19 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists during the contest. Four Royals players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was guard Brooke Panfili (168, college: Sacramento St.) with 16 points and 4 steals and forward Kyanna Davis (175, college: CS Stanislaus) scored 9 points. Royals moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Phoenix. Loser Valkyrie still closes the standings with six games lost. Royals will meet league's second-placed Swish in the next round and it may be the game of the week. Valkyrie will play against the league's leader Wolves (#1) in Alameda and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Royals: M.Cooks 28+9reb+1ast, G.Jasmine 19+9reb+5ast, B.Moore 17+6reb+5ast, C.Nicolette 11+4reb+6ast, H.Ashley 9+6reb+2ast, S.Dominique 6+2reb
Valkyrie: K.Davis 16+3reb+3ast, D.Kyanna 9+3reb, H.Silkquoiah 5+2reb+1ast, W.Ashlyn 3, P.Maggie 2+3reb,
gschID: 1081132