Eurobasket 2011 special by greekbasketball.gr

Better late than never.

This is a collaborated effort by all the bloggers at Greekbasketball.gr but mostly Greek Hoopz and Greekbball about this year's Eurobasket 2011 contest. Most of it is in Greek so if you're not familiar with the language I do apologise. The comment about the Great Britain National Team by yours truly can be found in page 32. Enjoy!




The full document can be downloaded here.

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Will Thomas to play for BC Armia

Another experienced player for the Army club.


Army Sport Klub Tbilisi added another experienced forward to their team and this time it's Will Thomas(2.03-PF) previously of Oostende in Belgium. Thomas has been playing for the last 3 seasons in Belgium after he graduated from George Mason University in 2008.

His Eurochallenge experience will be valuable to Armia as he averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 17 games for Oostende. He also averaged 11 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Belgian League.

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Jeremy Richardson and the rumors of the day

These just came in!


Jeremy Richardson(previously of Valencia) signed for Georgian Champion BC Armia which will compete on EuroChallange in Group B. They signed earlier All-EuroChallange Honorable Mention C Joakim Kjellbom.

They are also very close to 2010 MVP of Belgian League Will Thomas (Oostende) at the PF and Sundiata Gaines at the PG (New Jersey Nets) with an NBA option until lockout is over.


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Mantzaris to Bilbao and then on loan to Aris

He needs playing time.


These days there isn't much time for any articles so I'll be as brief as I can but I'll also try to explain things in detail at the same time. There were previous reports that Vangelis Mantzaris(1.95-PG) had attracted interest from many teams and one of them was Bilbao. It seems now that he will be signing a multi-season deal with Bilbao that could possibly be announced this Monday according to basketblog.gr

Mantzaris' intention is to get some more playing time but he has the luxury of picking a team that can play in the Eurocup as well these days and his choice is most probably Aris (unless something really unexpected happens). Mantzaris spoke to Kostas Sloukas(1.98-PG/SG) who also played for Aris on-loan last season and the head coach of Aris told him that he will be enjoying a starting-five position should he choose to play for them. Mantzaris was recently the final cut from the final squad of the Greek National Team which is a testament to his skill level at the young age of 21.

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Adrian Oliver to play for Aris?

Fresh from his Twitter account.


Adrian Oliver(1.93-SG) said in his Twitter account just 4 hours ago:
Signed a contract to play this lockout season in Greece. Thank you all for the good wishes. Leave in about a week so gettin everything...

In a previous article it was indicated that Oliver could be playing for Aris BC in Thessaloniki Greece and that makes him Aris' 4th college boy to be added in the roster if it's actually them he signed with. This is a radical turn for Aris signing already 4 college boys and possibly a 5th one in the next few days or even hours. The roster needs to be completed by the end of this month so the preparation stage can begin. Oliver's name comes up today again in today's edition of Athlitika Nea.

Perhaps there will be an announcement earlier today.Many thanks to the mysterious Mr. Pek for the heads up this morning.

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Casspi could play with Parker in France

The San Antonio Spurs would undoubtedly prefer to see them playing together in South Texas, but the prospect of Tony Parker and longtime Spurs favorite Omri Casspi teaming up in France is very much alive.


Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday that Casspi is giving strong consideration to signing with ASVEL in France's top division.

That's the same ASVEL club which claims Parker as a co-owner and as its vice president of basketball operations.

It initially appeared that Casspi -- after being dealt from Sacramento to Cleveland on June 30 in the final trade consummated in the NBA before the start of the July 1 lockout -- was a lock to play for perennial Euroleague power Maccabi Tel-Aviv in his native Israel in the event of the lockout bleeding into November or December.

But David Pick of Eurobasket.com reported earlier Monday that Casspi and Maccabi officials, after a sitdown, have mutually agreed that they would not be able to reach contract terms that both sides can stomach.

France isn't the only destination that Casspi -- coveted by the Spurs since he was drafted No. 23 overall by the Kings in 2009 -- is considering as a lockout alternative. Various reports in the Israeli media say he's drawn interest from clubs in Russia and Spain.

But ASVEL, situatated in the Lyon suburb of Villeurbanne, does have one clear advantage: Casspi and Parker share the same agent. They're both represented by CAA's Steven Heumann.

Last week in London on duty with the French national team, Parker told ESPN.com contributor Ian Whittell that he will play in his native France if he plays anywhere other than the NBA this season as opposed to seizing upon the interest Parker has generated from teams in China.

"My agent talked about China a little bit," Parker told Whittell. "... I'm not going to take any decision until the end of September, after the European Championships. I want to see if I'm healthy, if I'm hurt and by then we will also know a lot more what is happening with the situation of the lockout. 


"If I play [abroad], I will definitely play in France, for my fans, for my team ASVEL." 

As for the prospect of Casspi ultimately winding up alongside Parker in the French League, one source close to the situation said it really "might happen."

Casspi is currently nursing a injured left knee that threatens to knock him out of the European Championships (EuroBasket) later this month in Lithuania. Israel's only NBA player told reporters over the weekend that "right now my leg is in a bad state."

source : espn.com


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Prokom announced Alonzo Gee

An NBAer for Prokom.


Asseco Prokom Gdynia informs that the agreement with former Clevland Cavaliers player, Alonzo Gee has been reached. Born in 1987 in Florida, American is 198cm high and graduated from Alabama university. He can play as guard or forward. In his season with Clevland Cavaliers he averaged: 7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 0.8 apg.

source : asseco.prokom.pl

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Adrian Oliver considers offer from Greece

He's got another offer from Spain.


Adrian Oliver(1.93-SG) had a great final season with San Jose State and now he is weighing his options about the next step in his career. He's been constantly asking on Twitter whether he should go to play in Greece. He did mention he had another offer from Spain but the money was better in Greece, however odd this may sound.

Today Adrian Oliver's name came up in Athlitika Nea, a newspaper affiliated to Aris BC where it highlights Oliver as potential candidate for Aris. Could that be a coincidence or could there be more teams involved. Oliver displayed his wide array of scoring methods this past season averaging 24.3 points 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in a total of 31 games.


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Brady Morningstar agreed terms with AGOR

Former Kansas University basketball guard Brady Morningstar will begin his professional career on the Greek Island of Crete, fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.


The 6-foot-4 Lawrence native announced Sunday that he’d reached agreement on a one-year contract with A.G.O. Rethymno, which plays in Greece’s top league. Terms were not disclosed. Morningstar’s new team reached the finals of the Greek Cup in 2006-07.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter of basketball in my life,” the former Free State High standout said. “In terms of standard of living, I think it’s a great place to play. Until I go over there, I won’t know exactly what the competition is like. Right now, I’m excited for a new journey.”

Morningstar, 25, averaged 7.1 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds a game last season for KU (35-3).

Will he miss KU and the fans?

“Always, always,” he said. “There’s so much love and so much support.”

source : ljworld.com


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Sergio Kerusch for 3 seasons in Aris

The 3rd college boy of Aris.



Sergio Kerusch is the latest transfer of ARIS BC, he has signed a three-year contract and will hold a European spot in the team as his father is German. Kerusch is 1,95m tall and he plays forward but he can also be helpful as shooting guard. His passion and insistence are his great characteristics that allow him to score and gain many offensive and defensive rebounds.

Who is who:
Sergio Kerusch was born on June 1st 1989 in Memphis, Tennessee. He studied in Western Kentucky University with which he played in NCAA.

2008-09: Western Kentucky University (NCAA): 34 games, 24,7min, 11,2 ppg (44,6% fgp, 25,0% 3pt, 63,7% ft) and 7,4 rpg.
2009-10: Western Kentucky University (NCAA): 20 games, 28,9 min, 14,3 ppg (45,3% fgp, 35,5% 3pt, 61,7% ft) and 7,2 rpg.
2010-11: Western Kentucky University (NCAA): 32 games, 31,0 min, 15,6 ppg (48,5% fgp, 30,7% 3pt, 64,4% ft) and 7,9 rpg.


source : arisbc.gr

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Maroussi made offer to Scotty Hopson?

With what money?


According to basketblog.gr, Maroussi seem to have made an offer to Scotty Hopson(2.01-SF). This is all well and good but in Maroussi they have no money, no administration, no head coach (not even an assistant coach anymore) and lots of debts.. The former president and major shareholder of the team has stepped back and left em to their own devices still repaying debts of the last 3 years. It will be difficult for Maroussi as their fans are numbered in the hundreds and that's a very optimistic estimation.

Perhaps this will be a good chance for Scotty Hopson to get some good stats in a pro league like the A1 if he is willing to play for free for one season or if he is a patient man. He forfeited his last season in college to enter the draft by hiring an agent. Hopson was one of the few players that missed out this summer in the 2011 Draft when his name wasn't called, to the dismay and surprise of many people.In his junior and last season he averaged 17 points 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a total of 32 games.

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Rumors about Aris and Corey Stokes

One of the best shooters of the NCAA to land in Greece?


According to Aris-affiliated newspaper Athlitika Nea, the latest target of the Greek team is college sharp-shooter Corey Stokes(1.95-SG). It says that Aris and Stokes are in advanced talks and if there is a deal it might even be finalised today. If Stokes signs he will be the 3rd college signing for Aris after Dan Mavraides(1.93-PG/SG) and Sam Muldrow(2.06-PF).

Stokes was one of the top scorers of Villanova for the past 4 seasons and he is mostly known for his shooting ability behind the arc. This past season he shot 89 out of 206 three pointers(43.2%) ranking him 15th in the nation. Stokes' great season with Villanova was marred by an incident that resulted into a bar brawl and that ended up with Stokes being arrested. During the past season he averaged 14.9 points 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in a total of 29 games for the Villanova Wildcats.

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Goudelock is considering 2 offers from Europe

The long range bomber is coming to Europe.


Lakers draftee Andrew Goudelock could be the next 2011 second-round pick to sign overseas. Agent Austin Walton told HoopsHype his client is looking at two offers from Germany and Spain - both with NBA outs.

“One is a Eurocup team in Germany and the other an ACB club,” Walton said. “We are seriously considering both offers. We are working the final stages of negotiation with both clubs.”

For the record, the three German teams competing in Eurocup next year are Bayern Munich, Alba Berlin and Skyliners Frankfurt.

source : blogs.hoopshype.com


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Tyrel Reed signed with Pepinster

Burlington native/Kansas University graduate Tyrel Reed will begin his professional basketball career far from home.


The 6-foot-3 combo guard on Wednesday agreed to a one-year contract with VOO Verviers-Pepinster, a member of the Ethias League in Verviers, Belgium. Terms were not disclosed.

“I’m just excited to begin this adventure,” said Reed, who along with wife Jessica, heads overseas this weekend for training camp and the start of a season that runs through May, 2012.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Reed added. “It’s not like I’m making NBA money. I don’t really know all the particulars (of salary). Regardless of money, I’m excited to know I will be able to play professional basketball. There are a lot of nerves right now. I guess you could say I’m a rookie not knowing what to expect over there — different language, different country, driving a stick shift. Little things you kind of worry about. You know basketball is still going to be the same.”

Reed noted that former KU/Gonzaga guard Micah Downs started his pro career with VOO Verviers-Pepinster. Americans currently on the team include former South Carolina guard Devan Downey, Richmond center Dan Geriot and Vanderbilt guard Jermaine Beal.

“It is a stable country, stable team. It’s a really good league,” Reed said. “There’s a lot of great basketball in Belgium. A lot of good players have played there and moved on to other jobs in Europe. I’m ready to make the most of it.”

He expects to be used at both shooting guard and point guard.

“I don’t think I’m set at anything. It’s kind of how KU is,” Reed said. “A guard is a guard, the one and the two. That’s the mind-set I’m going to have.”

There is some positive karma as he and his wife begin this new adventure.

“My team has a blue bird (as mascot). I don’t know what kind of bird it is,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t think it’s a Jayhawk, but like my sister said, maybe I’m stuck on teams that have birds as their mascot, I don’t know.”

source : kusports.com



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Keith Benson joins Dinamo Sassari

A "steal" for Sassari.



Banco di Sardegna Sassari announced the agreement with Keith Benson (210-C-88), a big man who impressed a lot during his college career, spent with Oakland.

Benson, who has been drafted by Atlanta Hawks (number 48 of second round) averaged 17.9 ppg and 10.1 rpd during his senior year (17.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg during the third college year). Benson is also an incredible shot blocker. His nickname is 'Kito'. This deal increases the ambition of Dinamo Sassari and is an interesting addition for Italian Serie A   


source : eurobasket.com

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Jamie Vanderbeken to play in Greece?

Only a rumor at this stage.


According to basketblog.gr, Jamie Vanderbeken(2.11-SF/PF) will be playing in Greece for Maroussi next season. The talented shooting forward has a UK passport and that is a valuable commodity in the European transfer market. Maroussi on the other hand are not what you'd call a model team. They are being plagued by many debts as many other Greek teams and a lack of people to manage the club, let alone players.

At the moment they don't even have a coach but the consensus is that Sotiris Manolopoulos, who was assistant last season will be the head coach this season. As for Jamie Vanderbeken, he comes from the Iowa State Cyclones where he was shooting behind the arc with 42.5% accuracy(65/153). He averaged 11.1 points 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in a total of 29 games.

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Aris BC announced Dan Mavraides for 3 seasons

A quality investment for Aris BC.


Just when you thought that nothing was moving in Aris, Dan Mavraides(1.93-PG/SG) was announced via the team's official site and the deal is valid for 3 seasons. It is noted in the announcement that Mavraides returned his signed contract to the team's offices and the final clause for the contract to be valid is that he gets his Greek passport. It's also noted that this is more a typicality as Mavraides' father is Greek. This upcoming season he will be playing in the Greek A1 league and also the Eurocup.

In this way Mavraides will take up the position of a Greek player thus allowing the team to sign 3 more American players. Mavraides took advantage of his Greek heritage by signing a 3 season contract which means that they're expecting him to grow into the team and become a major contributor. The captain of the Princeton Tigers played a big role in transforming the team into a winner in the Ivy League reaching the March Madness and raising the hopes of their fans after 6 years. Princeton lost to semifinalist Kentucky in a heartbreaking game where Mavraides led his team to what would have been a major upset for the Wildcats and a triumpant victory for the outsiders. Mavraides averaged 12.7 points 4.6 rebounds 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game in a total of 32 games contributing in defense, playmaking and scoring for his team.

Here are the highlights from his senior season:

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Maccabi to replace Jeremy Pargo

Pargo Says He’s Not Returning; Maccabi: “It’s a breach of contract.”


Jeremy Pargo has announced to the team’s management that he does not intend to report to training camp next month. The club’s response: “This is a breach of the duly signed contract between the player and the club. We take exception to his behavior.”

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv’s player Jeremy Pargo has informed the team through his agent that he wishes to be released from the two-year contract with the club that he signed just last May; he intends to play instead in the NBA.

Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv has conveyed to the player that in light of the NBA lockout and fact that he does not and will not have a guaranteed contract with any NBA team for the coming season, the announcement by his agent is a violation of the contract between Pargo and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.

In spite of that, Pargo has expressed his intention of remaining in the U.S. and awaiting an end to the strike.

Maccabi’s management has conveyed to Pargo and his agent that it takes exception to his behavior and views the player as responsible for any damage caused to Maccabi by his breach of contract. Maccabi intends to take all appropriate action to protect its rights in the matter.

Following the player’s announcement and in reliance thereon, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv will use any means necessary to strengthen its roster for the coming season.

source : maccabi.co.il


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Theo Papaloukas Signs with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv

That was a bit unexpected.


Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is proud to announce that it has signed Greek superstar Theodoros Papaloukas (2.00, 34) for one season. Papaloukas led CSKA Moscow to two European Championships and the Greek National Team to second place in the world.


Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv is proud to announce that it has signed Greek superstar Theodoros Papaloukas (2.00, 34) for one season. The guard joins the ranks of summer 2011 signees Shawn James, Devin Smith, Jon Scheyer, Yogev Ohayon, and Jordan Farmar.

Papaloukas is considered one of the best European players of all time. He runs a tight game and is a true leader at the point guard position – where at 2.00 (6’ 7”) he comes in at the tall end of the range – a cool-headed winner with the kind of on-court vision coaches dream of.

In 2008 Papaloukas was chosen one of the 35 All-Time Greatest Players of the Euroleague, and in 2010 he joined the ranks of the Euroleague 2001 – 2010 All-Decade Team (along with former Maccabi players Nikola Vujčić, Anthony Parker and Šarūnas Jasikevičius, among others). So far, he has played in the Euroleague for 10 seasons – 215 games – and tops the Euroleague list of all-time assists with 907 as well as all-time number of steals with 315.

In all of his years playing, Papaloukas has come off the bench; he loves to come into the game and be a force for change, especially when it comes to making critical decisions at the moment of truth. He has won the Euroleague title twice while playing for CSKA Moscow (defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv both times, in 2006 and 2008). He has played in the Euroleague Final Four a record 8 consecutive years (6 with CSKA, 2 with Olympiacos).

source : maccabi.co.il




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Olimpija announced Danny Green

With an NBA-out clause.


BC Union Olimpija Ljubljana signed one-year contract with NBA-out option with former Tar Heel Danny Green. He will join Deon Thompson, his former teammate from University of North Carolina.

Green was drafted by the NBA in 2009 and played for Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs in the last two seasons. In the last season he was also part of D-League team Reno Bighorns where he averaged 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.


source : union.olimpija.com

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Casey Mitchell and Akis Kallinikidis announced by AGOR

Double whammy by the Cretan team that returns to the big league.


AGOR announced via their official website the signing of Greek veteran Akis Kallinikidis(1.97-SG/SF) and graduate scorer Casey Mitchell(1.93-SG). The deal is for one season for each player and these are the first transfers for AGOR that add experience and scoring prowess in their ranks.

Kallinikidis has played for quite a few teams in Greece and Mitchell comes from West Virginia University in the NCAA although he started at Chipola College of the NJCAA and he played for them for the first 2 seasons. His talents didn't go unnoticed by West Viriginia that brought him to the team in 2009. He averaged 13.1 points 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 30 games with West Virginia. His arguments with coach Bob Huggins cost 3 games sidelined and then he saw his playing time reduced significantly which was a serious blow to his stats. Mitchell is a valid candidate for the top scoring position of the Greek A1 league next season.

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Ravern Johnson to sign with Ikaros

Another sharp-shooter in the Greek league.


According to onsports.gr, Ravern Johnson(2.01-SF) will be the next transfer of the Greek team that are playing in the big league for 2nd season in a row. According to the article Ikaros sent the contract back to Johnson to have it signed but he hasn't returned it yet. However his agent told the team that he will have signed the contract by tomorrow.

Johnson was one of the best shooters of the NCAA last season averaging 40.3% behind the arc with 83 out of 206 shots made. He graduated from Mississipi State University this summer averaging 17.6 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 28 games.

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Jon Dielber signed with Panionios in Greece

Jon Diebler said this morning he has signed a one-year contract to play for Panionios in the Greek A1 League this season.


The contract does not have an opt-out clause if the NBA lockout ends and the league goes back to work, he said. Diebler was a second-round selection by the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA draft in June.

"I'm there for the year," Diebler said.

"With the lockout, it put a twist on things. I'm definitely a guy who would benefit from a full (training) camp instead of a shortened one."

Diebler said he and his agent and the Blazers discussed him playing overseas during the week between the draft and the start of the lockout. "Portland's been great. They want what's best for me."

Diebler's agent, Lance Young, said Diebler's contract is for more than $100,000 and includes "up-front money." 

"Doing stuff to protect him was our main objective," Young said, "making sure when he gets there, he gets a little chunk of change once he passes his physical." While not revealing Diebler's salary, Young said it is worth "well over the $100,000 mark.

"That was kind of our objective. Most guys in their first year in Europe make $100,000 to $120,000. We wanted to make sure we could get more than that." 

Diebler said he and his wife, Caitlin, leave later this month for Athens, where Panionios is based. He is scheduled to report to training camp August 28. His former Ohio State teammate, Zisis Sarikopoulos, was a reserve for Panionios last season, but Diebler is not certain whether he will re-sign with the team.

"I wanted to play in a really good league," Diebler said. "I was not so worried about how big my contract is. I was more worried about, for a year, going to play in a really good league with good teams and play really good competition and get better.

"I also wanted to go somewhere nice and has things to do. I wanted to have a nice situation for my wife. There’s a lot of nice places around the world, but I didn’t want to go somewhere where I'd have to worry about her when I’m on the road."

Young said another objective was to find Diebler a team that will feature him.

"There were a lot of teams interested," he said. "We were trying to find right fit for him where he was playing at a high level and for a team that was looking at him as a focal point and not as a role player.

"He's been a role player at Ohio State, and he accepted that role. Now I think he wants to take a little more of an assertive role as a two-guard and prove to the Blazers that he’s going to be ready when he goes to their camp next year to be a long-time NBA player."

source : buckeyeextra.com


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Skyliners announced Jon Leuer

A drafted prospect for Frankfurt.


It had been exactly 5 weeks since The Fraport Skyliners had acquired their last new player for the upcoming season with Joe Herber and the waiting for a new player seemed like an eternity, but the club announced today that Jon Leuer (208-F-89, agency: Priority Sports) will play for the team this season. Leuer is a 22 year old 208cm power forward from Long Lake Minessota. He is a solid power forward who is not so quick, but has great team mentality and defensive smartness. Knows how to score (and to gain fouls) in the low post, has a good outside shooting too.

He played high school basketball with Utah State player, Brad Brown (198-F) He was drafted recently by the by Milwaukee Bucks (NBA,2rd (40) and played at Wisconsin from 2007-2011 and in his senior year played 34 games: 18.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 84.3%. 'Joe was one of the top talents in the NCAA and is a big player that can shoot and play the post. He runs the fast break very well for his size and is smart with a high basketball IQ', stated Skyliner headcoach Muli Katzurin (agency: Avi Zilberman ). Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been Big Ten Regular Season Champion -08, Big Ten Tournament Winner -08, NCAA Sweet 16 -08, 11, All-Big Ten Honorable Mention -10, and All-Big Ten 1st Team -11. 'Joe has a very good and consistent shot. He can move very well and can play position four and five', stated Skyliner sport director Kamil Novak

source : eurobasket.com

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Oldenburg announced Bobby Brown

Nice catch for Oldenburg


Oldenburg announced the signing of American combo-guard Bobby Brown(1.88-PG/SG) via their official website. Brown will be taking his unorthodox shooting style to Oldenburg where he will be playing for them until the end of next season. He comes out of a relatively good season in Europe that started in Poland with Prokom and then he moved to Aris BC in December. He has played in Germany before back in season 2007-2008 when he played for Alba Berlin.

He had workouts with the Raptors, Pacers and Lakers this summer but the NBA lockout forced him to secure a contract in Europe instead of waiting for the lockout to end. With Aris he averaged 11.4 points 2.4 rebounds and 3 assists in 30 games in the A1 league. In the Eurocup he averaged 14.2 points 2.6 rebounds and 3.3 assits in 9 games.

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Von Wafer to play for Cremona

Von Wafer has agreed to a deal to play for Italian team Vanoli Cremona, according to his agent.


Wafer, an unrestricted free agent who spent the 2010-11 season with the Celtics, secured a coveted opt-out clause and will be able to return stateside should the lockout end during the international season.

Wafer averaged 3.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists over 9.5 minutes per game last season. He appeared in 58 games for Boston and seemed to be asserting himself before a late-season calf injury limited his playing time into the playoffs.

Last month, Wafer's agent, Terrance Doyle of the Veritas Venture Group, suggested his client would be interested in a return engagement with the Celtics.

"Von would love to be back [with Boston]," Doyle said of the 6-foot-5 swingman who has played for seven teams since being drafted by the Lakers in the second round (35th overall) of the 2005 draft. "He's never gotten that opportunity to go back with a team."

Wafer signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Celtics last August and fended off numerous charges at his roster spot and endured a locker room dust-up with teammate Delonte West to stick for the entire campaign. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge often voiced praise for Wafer and he would seemingly be a candidate to fill out the end of the Boston bench next season should the team need a depth swingman.

This will be Wafer's second voyage overseas. He chased an international payday following a breakout season with the Houston Rockets in 2009, but soon parted ways with Greek squad Olympiakos. After earning $915,852 on a minimum contract last season (and roughly $3 million in NBA contracts over six seasons), this overseas opportunity allows Wafer to earn some cash and keep sharp while waiting for the owners and players to work out a new collective bargaining agreement.

Venoli Cremona competes in Italy's Lega Serie A, the same highly regarded league that Celtics second-round draft pick E'Twaun Moore is set to join (Moore signed with Benetton Treviso last month).

source : espn.com

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Efes Anadolu announced Ersan Ilyasova

Anadolu Efes improved its frontcourt for the upcoming season by inking power forward Ersan Ilyasova to a one-year deal on Wednesday.


Ilyasova (2.07 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Milwaukee of the NBA, where he averaged 9.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 59 NBA games last season. In his last Euroleague appearance in the 2008-09 season, Ilyasova averaged 10.5 points and 7 rebounds in 22 games with Regal FC Barcelona, helping the team to reach the Final Four and win the Spanish League title. He has also played for Tulsa in the NBA Development league, as well as for Ulker and Yesilyurt Istanbul in Turkey. Ilyasova is also a regular member of the Turkish national team. He helped Turkey to make it to the 2010 FIBA World Championships title game last summer. Ilyasobva also won silver medals at the 2003 European U-16 Championship and the 2006 European U-20 Championship. He also led Turkey to win the 2004 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, earning MVP honors.

source : euroleague.net


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