Trifunovic to leave Panionios?

According to betsmart.gr, head coach Aleksandar Trifunovic will be leaving Panionios and he won't be renewin his contract for the next season. The article says that there are major changes to follow in the roster of Panionios. The greek team that qualified to play in the Euroleague last season did not impress with its performance.

Yesterday Panionios was defeated 2-0 by Aris Thessaloniki and hence got kicked out of the next phase in the greek A1 play-offs, that will resume after the end of the Euroleague Final Four on May 9th. Trifunovic was the head coach of Lietuvos Rytas last season and this season he lead his team to the 6th position in the regular season of the A1. 

Alba renewed Pavicevic until 2012

Former coach of Atlas, Hemofarm and Panionios, Luka Pavicevic (1968) extended his contract with Euroleague club, Alba Berlin. He signed till the end of 2011/12 season. 

Pavicevic won the league title in his first season in Germany, while this year won the Cup and qualified after long time for Top 16 of Euroleague. Keeping that in mind, extension of the contract was expected.

source : beobasket.net

Travis Hansen to Maccabi?

According to israeli press and more specifically ynet.co.il, Travis Hansen(1.98-SG/SF) is a favourite to wear the shirt of Maccabi in the upcoming seasons. The american scorer currently plays for Dynamo Moscow, that helped him receive a russian passport so he doesn't take up the spot of an import player. 

The current economic crisis has greatly affected Dynamo Moscow that lost Janero Pargo earlier on, amongst others, and now it will probably take Hansen away from them. Hansen averaged 14.7 points 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21 games of the russian Superleague. Rumors in israeli media speak about a 2 seasons contract of Hansen with Maccabi.

The Raptors consider Printezis

Nobody's saying the Raptors are set to offer Printezis a contract, and there are those who find it hard to imagine the player will be pried loose from the deep-pocketed owners at Olympiacos. But there are a couple of factors that make the 6-foot-8 Athenian desirable and a possible candidate for a jump to Toronto's NBA franchise.

For one, the Raptors hold Printezis's NBA draft rights, acquired last year from San Antonio for a second-round pick, which means they're currently the player's only NBA option. For another, he's a European free agent at the end of this season, which theoretically means the Raptors wouldn't have to pay the typically pricey buyout to extricate him from his contract.

Printezis earned a net salary of about $500,000 (all figures U.S.) this season, but he'll be due a considerable raise. And while the Raptors' off-season spending limit hinges on the contractual fate of the likes of Shawn Marion and Anthony Parker, Olympiacos isn't bound by a salary cap and is said to be relatively unfazed by the global recession.

"Coming to the NBA is high on his list," said Alex Saratsis, Printezis's U.S. agent. "Obviously he'd have to give something up to come to the NBA, it's just a matter of how much are you willing to give up? Right now, it's impossible to say."

That's not to say the muscular Printezis is a star player, although he is the reigning Greek league slam-dunk champion. He has been compared to a more aggressive version of Joey Graham, Toronto's free-agent specimen; like Graham, Printezis has been deployed at both the small forward and power forward positions. And while the Greek's numbers aren't overwhelming – in 18 Euroleague games this season he has averaged about 9.1 points and 3.5

rebounds while playing an average of about 19 minutes a night – he is a late bloomer known for toughness.

source : thestar.com

Menorca announced Istvan Nemeth

Istvan Nemeth(1.92-SG) will be moving to Spain and ViveMenorca to help the local team stay in the ACB league. Menorca has 2 more games against Real Madrid and Cajasol and they will determine whether they will be relegated or not. They announced the signing of the player via their official website.

Nemeth played for AEK this season and given the financial problems of the greek club it's not suprising at all that he is looking for a contract elsewhere. He averaged 10.8 points 2 rebounds and1.3 rebounds in 25 games of the greek A1 league, while shooting at 45% (53/118) behind the arc.     

Belinelli is allowed to play in the Eurobasket

Italy coach Carlo Recalcati revealed at this weekend’s EuroChallenge Final Four in Bologna that Golden State Warriors guard Marco Belinelli(1.96-SG/SF) will represent the Azzurri this summer when they attempt to qualify for the EuroBasket in Poland.

Golden State have given their blessing for Belinelli, who just finished his second season in the NBA, to compete for his national team when they go up against France and Finland in the Additional Qualifying Round. 

“I met the Golden State general manager just yesterday and we talked about Belinelli,” Recalcati said to FIBA.com on Friday night. “And Golden State is very happy for Belinelli to play with the national team. “That's good to know that he is with us, the same with (Andrea) Bargnani.”

source : fiba.com

Warren set to leave Avellino?

Chris Warren (Higher Vision Sports) is packing his bags and is preparing a letter to FIBA and the Italian Players Association today stating the same after waiting for payment for two months.  The Avellino Club literally owes all the players salary in excess of one million dollars.  The owners, the Ercolino brothers, in dramatic fashion came into the locker rooms before an important must win game two weeks ago and promised the players that they would get all their money and gave the players checks that the players cannot make good on with the banks for the club.  

The banks have stated there is no money in the Ercolino account. Warren after being patient is now sending an initial letter to FIBA where the team already has a standing suit that could put the Club's very existence in harmsway.  Far worst the Club has not offered Warren's release stating that he is on a two year contract and they want him for both years.  "Avellino is a euroleague club but they have not exhibited the respect, professionalism and communication that most every euroleague club exhibits. These matters usually don't get to the media when you communicate. It has been difficult for the players to focus and win in a situation where some of them have delinquent payments far longer than Warren.  I always hope that we can solve issues but this time it doesn't look good," said his representative from Higher Vision Sports.

source : sportando.net

Chris Warren averaged 16.2 points 5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 10 games for Avellino in the Euroleague.

Sasa Borovnjak to play for Penn State

6'9' Serbian forward, Sasa Borovnjak (2.05-F) signed a National Letter of Intent to accept a basketball scholarship to Penn St., a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Belgrade native has been attending Veritas Christian Academy in Fletcher, NC for the last two years of his high school career. This year, Borovnjak averaged 26.1 ppg and 12.1 rbpg in leading the Warriors to a 6th place national finish in the NACA Division I National High School Championships. 

Borovnjak went for over 30 points 11 times this season including a 33 point 15 rebound performance against Oak Hill Academy who featured 6'11' Syracuse bound, Moussa Keita and 6'10' Oklahoma bound, Tiny Gallon. Borovnjak was one of three Veritas senior players who signed with NCAA Divison I schools. 6'10' center, Andrew Kyles will be attending the Citadel while 6'7' Colin Sekal will suit up for Wagner College. Borovnjak was also recruited by NC State, Marquette, College of Charleston, Wake Forest and several other top college programs. 

source : eurobasket.com

Tau announced John Lucas and still looking

Tau Baskonia announced via their official website the signing of american point-guard John Lucas(1.83-PG) in order to replace the injured Vlado Illievski(1.88-PG). Lucas comes from the NBDL and the Colorado 14ers. He has played in Europe before for Udine in 2006 and Benetton Treviso in 2008. 

He has also played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA and the Tulsa 66ers in the NBDL. He averaged 15.1 points 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 21 games with Colorado. He conquered the league in the NBDL beating Utah Flash in the final.

According to marca.com, Tau is still looking for a small forward..

Victor Claver entered the 2009 Draft

Pamesa Valencia player Victor Claver, has decided to register for the election of the 2009 NBA Draft, which will be held on June 25 in New York. All players have until June 15 to decide whether to finally declared eligible for the Draft.

 

Victor Claver entered the Draft last season and, although not ultimately submitted to the lottery, had the opportunity to experience training in a number of franchises over the summer, before focusing the absolute Spanish selection. The club wishes that Victor Claver does not make any statement regarding this matter, until the end of this season with Pamesa Valencia.

source : pamesabasket.com

Victor Claver(2.07-SF/PF) averaged 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15 games with Valencia in the ACB league so far.

Rumors about Eliyahu and Tau

According to sports.walla.co.il, Lior Eliyahu(2.07-PF) has already agreed with Tau Baskonia to play for them next season. The israeli forward's contract ends this summer and it is rumored that Eliyahu will continue his career in Tau Baskonia. Members of the administration of Maccabi believe that the player has already agreed with Tau, something that explains his indifference, is what they're saying. 

There was another rumor about Eliyahu having agreed with Tau back in February. Perhaps more information will surface about this rumor. Eliyahu averaged 14 points 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 16 games in the Euroleague as a player of Maccabi.  

Prelevic for president of Paok?

According to sportnet.gr, Branislav Prelevic has been asked to temporarily become the new president of Paok. The district court of Thessaloniki will appoint a temporary administration of Paok until a new official one has been elected or someone buys the shares from former president Dimitris Drossos, who left the team invoking health reasons.

The former veteran of Paok who is very dear to the fans of the team has worked for the team as a head coach and general manager but without much success. This team he has been asked by members of the semi-pro Paok sports club to help them rebuild the team. Nothing has been officially announced yet so it remains to be seen what will happen.

Antwerp signed Durell Vinson

Antwerp Diamond Giants have signed American power forward Durrel Vinson(2.01-PF) (27/07/1985) until the end of the season. Vinson had been playing in Finland for KTP Basket this season, where he avereged 14,9ppg and 9,1rpg. 

He played his college ball at Wagner College (North East Conference) where he was the fourth leading rebounder in NCAA division one last season. Durell was signed as medical joker for the injured Jean-Marc Mwema (foot).

source : basketleague.be

 

Benetton announced Jon Stefansson

Benetton Treviso announced that it has reached an agreement until the end of the current season with the icelandic guard Jon Stefansson(1.95-SG). The player will arrive in Treviso on Monday evening and will be presented to the press after going through the obligatory medical tests.

Ten days ago, Stefansson conquered the icelandic league as a player of KR Reykjavik beating Grindavik 3-2 in the playoffs.He was declared the MVP of the finals averaging 18.5 points 4 rebounds and 5.6 assists during the 5 games of the play-offs. Stefansson played for Virtus Roma the previous 2 seasons and has also played for Napoli, Valencia and Trier.

Ponkrashov leaving Khimki at end of the season

Anton Ponkrashov(2.00-PG) is going to leave Khimki at the end of the season according to sports.ru. The russian point-guard is playing for Khimki on loan from CSKA Moscow and the GM of the club, Andrei Vatutin said that Ponkrashov will be recalled back to CSKA. His future is uncertain though. 

2 other russian teams have expressed interest in signing the young russian who has averaged so far 7.3 points 3.4 assists and 1 steals in 20 games in the russian Superleague for Khimki.

Jaric wants to play for Serbia

Veteran NBA guard Marko Jaric(2.01-PG) of the Memphis Grizzlies has expressed the hope that he will be invited to play for Serbia this summer at the EuroBasket in Poland. Jaric, a member of Yugoslavia's gold-medal winning side at the 2002 FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, hasn't represented his national team since EuroBasket 2005.

"I haven't spoken with coach (Dusan) Ivkovic yet, but if he calls me, I'll be there,” Jaric said.

“I would be the happiest man on Earth if we gather the strongest national team for the EuroBasket in Poland. “That includes players such as Vladimir Radmanovic (Charlotte Bobcats), Sasha Pavlovic (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Igor Rakocevic, who is having great season in Europe."

At EuroBasket 2005, the last time Jaric played for Serbia and Montenegro, the team failed to reach the Quarter-Finals.

source : fiba.com

Trifunovic rejected Varda for a week's contract

Ratko Varda(2.16-C) was offered to Panionios for a week's contract according to superbasket.gr but coach Trifunovic rejected the offer. The serbian center is still in contract with Khimki of Moscow but there is a gap until the next stage in the play-offs in Russia, that start again on May 10th after the completion of the Euroleague Final Four.

Coach Trifunovic has a major problem in his front-line as Lonny Baxter(2.03-C) is currently in the States to see if he will have to undergo surgery. That leaves Panionios without their top scorer in the greek league and key player in their front-line. By the look of things Panionios will have to make due in the play-offs without Baxter and hope that canadian forward/center Levon Kendall(2.09-PF/C) will be ready for tomorrow's first game against Aris Thessaloniki.

Greivis Vasquez enters Draft without an agent

Maryland junior guard Greivis Vasquez(1.98-PG/SG) has officially declared for the NBA draft, the school announced Thursday. Vasquez doesn't plan to hire an agent, which gives him the option of returning to the Terps for his senior season. "It's a good opportunity for Greivis to test his marketability," coach Gary Williams said in a statement. 

Vasquez averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds this past season and was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference. Vasquez will continue to attend classes during the spring semester. He has until June 15 to decide whether to withdraw his name from the draft.

source : baltimoresun.com

Bullock to stay in Real until 2011

Real Madrid and Louis Herbert Bullock(1.85-SG) have reached an agreement regarding the extension of the latter's contract with the Club until the end of the 2010/11 campaign. The American shooting guard arrived at Real Madrid in the 2004/05 season and is currently the foreign player to have participated in the largest number of ACB games with the Club.

Louis Bullock began his career at Michigan University and his first European team was Scaligera Basket Verona. He then joined Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano and his excellent shooting skills allowed him to sign for Unicaja in 2002. 

Bullock joined Real Madrid two years later, making his debut with the team on 3 October 2004 against Estudiantes. He won his first ACB title that season and became the final's MVP. He has since won another league title (2006/07) and a ULEB Cup (2007)

source : realmadrid.com

Bullock averaged 12.9 points 1.5 rebounds and 2 assists in 20 games in the Euroleague for Real Madrid.

Radosavljevic and Nedovic signed with Red Star

Two young and perspective players from KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd 2nd team, Lazar Radosavljevic (201-F-91) and Nemanja Nedovic (192-G-91), signed their first professional contracts with KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd for the next four seasons. Lazar Radosavljevic was born in Kosovska Mitrovica and started career in KK Kopaonik, then moved to KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd cadet team in season 2005-2006. Radosavljevic was member of Serbian U16 National team 2007 in Greece when he average scored 10.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. 

Nemanja Nedovic was born in Belgrade and also played for KK Crvena Zvezda Beograd young selections. This season Nedovic had debut in senior team against Brose Basket and Hemofarm in Eurocup and average scored 3.0 points, 1.0 rebound per game and in Adriatic league played against Krka. Nedovic was also member of Serbian U16 National team 2007 in Greece.

source : eurobasket.com

3 NBAers in the UK National Team

3 NBA stars have been invited to the preparation stage of the UK National Team. Luol Deng(2.06-PF) and Ben Gordon(1.91-PG/SG) of the Chicago Bulls and also Pops Mensah-Bonsu(2.06-PF) of the Toronto Raptors. 

Ben Gordon wants to secure a contract in the NBA before signing up for the National Team whereas Luol Deng is recovering from a stress fracture. Pops Mensah-Bonsu, who is in great shape is expected to be one of the key players for the team once again. Amongst other players are Andy Betts(2.17-C) from Aris Thessaloniki and Rob Archibald(2.07-PF/C) from Malaga.

Below is the full list of players that was invited by coach Finch:

GB training squad: Kieron Achara (Fortitudo Bologna, ITA), Rob Archibald (Malaga, ESP), Andy Betts (Aris Thessaloniki, GRE), Eric Boateng (Arizona State Univ, USA), Flinder Boyd (Leicester), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (University of Washington, USA), Dan Clark (Estudiantes Madrid, ESP), Daryl Corletto (Melbourne Tigers, AUS), Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls, USA), Germayne Forbes (Nyon, SWI), Joel Freeland (Gran Canaria, ESP), Nick George (Gravelines, FRA), Ben Gordon (Chicago Bulls, USA), Randall Hanke (Providence College, USA), Jarrett Hart (Keravnos Nicosia, CYP), Dzaflo Larkai (L'Hospitalet, ESP), Mike Lenzly (Scafati, ITA), Steve Leven (West Brabant, NED), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors, USA), Richard Midgley (Everton), Nate Reinking (Mons, BEL), Justin Robinson (Rider Univ, USA), Andrew Sullivan (Samara, RUS), Tafari Toney (Newcastle)

Panionios to add Vladimir Jankovic

Panionios is adding Vladimir Jankovic(2.00-SG/SF) to his roster for the play-offs of the greek A1 leauge. Jankovic had been loaned to Mega BC Beograd in Serbia after he signed his first pro contract with Panionios.

Jankovic has a greek passport and as a player of Mega BC Beograd he averaged 4.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 21 games of the serbian league. Now that his games in Serbia are over, Jankovic returned to Panionios. He is also a member of the Greece U-18 NT that won the gold medal in last summer's tournament. 

Jeremy Tyler wants to play in Europe?

Jeremy Tyler, a 6-foot-11 junior, has dropped out of San Diego High School and says he will skip his senior year to play professionally in Europe, The New York Times and Yahoo! Sports reported on Wednesday.Tyler, 17, will become the first player born in the United States to leave high school early to play professional basketball overseas. He is expected to come back in two years, when he is eligible for the NBA draft.

Tyler had made a verbal commitment to Louisville. He has not signed with an agent or a professional team, but he probably will play in Spain, the Times reported, although clubs from other European leagues are showing interest. "Nowadays people look to college for more off-the-court stuff versus being in the gym and getting better," Tyler told the Times. "If you're really focused on getting better, you go play pro somewhere. Pro guys will get you way better than playing against college guys."

Point guard Brandon Jennings, a Los Angeles native, graduated last year from Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and became the first high school grad to skip college and play pro ball in Europe. He is wrapping up his first season with Lottomatica Virtus Roma in Italy. Jennings is projected as a high pick in June's NBA draft.

source : sports.espn.go.com

Cibona released Branimir Longin

Branimir Longin (196-SG/SF) is no longer a member of Croatian Euroleague participant and Adriatic league finalist - Cibona Zagreb. Longin appeared just 10 times in the regional championship this season averaging 2.7 ppg. In Euroleague he played only two games. It was clear that coach Perasovic does not count on experienced guard and this decision was expected. Yesterday the team from Zagreb officially terminated the contract with Longin. 

Branimir Longin arrived to Cibona this summer from German Oldenburg. He played 42 games in 1. Bundesleague registering 11.3 ppg and 3.1 rpg. Before Oldenburg, he spent two years with Caja San Fernando Sevilla. On season 04/05 he reached the final in Croatian championship with Cibona. He also was Cibona's member from 2000 to 2002. Meanwhile he spent two years with Zadar. Longin won 2 titles of Croatian A1 and 3 trophies in Croatian National Cup. In 2006 he was called to join NT.  Cibona currently has 5-1 record in A1 league.

source : eurobasket.com

Euroleague Rising Star Trophy goes to Velickovic

A fun-to-watch forward who brought his team close to the Final Four for a second consecutive year, Novica Velickovic of Partizan Belgrade, has been rewarded with the 2009 Euroleague Rising Star Trophy in a vote of the competition's head coaches. Velickovic, 22, exploded in his fourth Euroleague season, becoming not only Partizan's newest go-to scorer, but one of the competition’s most decisive players in the crucial Top 16 round. 

Indeed, Velickovic won the MVP award for February, the only month exclusively devoted to the Top 16, while leading Partizan into the playoffs. He finished the season as Partizan's top scorer, with 11.5 points per game, and it's second best rebounder, with 5.1 on average. Velickovic was also among his team's best three players in steals, assists and blocks.

Velickovic also ranked among the Euroleague's best 25 players of the season in both scoring and rebounds. Most of all, Velickovic proved to be a team leader despite his age at the most crucial juncture of the season, averaging 14.5 points and 6.7 rebounds in Partizan's four victories during the Top 16. Led by Velickovic, the young Partizan team generated such a following in Belgrade that the team broke the all-time attendance record for European club competitions by attracting 22,567 fans to its last Top 16 home game. For his unique combination of talent and leadership skills, the Euroleague head coaches have tabbed Velickovic as the rising star of the competition this season. 

source : euroleague.net

Dasic and Marjanovic for the 2009 Draft

Two Beobasket players, Vladimir Dasic(2.06-SF/PF) from Buducnost, and Boban Marjanovic(2.22-C) from Hemofarm, declared their participationin the NBA Draft of 2009.

Dasic had an another one excellent season in the Adriatic League, which followed great games during the summer (Eurocamp 2008, European championship U 20 and seniors qualification for B division for EC), while Boban Marjanovic is in focus, after two excellent games during Final 8 of Eurocup in Torino, Italy. Both players, will participate unique NBA European camp, Reebok Eurocamp in Treviso (6-8 June) and as soon as they finish championships, travel to USA for workouts with some of NBA teams.

source : beobasket.net

Maccabi released Charles Gaines

Maccabi Tel Aviv released Charles Gaines(2.01-PF) due to disciplinary offense and it was announced via their official website. Gaines violated the disciplinary code twice by being spotted in night clubs on certain nights and so the team decided to release him.

Gaines, who came from the Austin Toros averaged 8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 4 games in the Euroleague and 8 points and 5 rebounds in 9 games in the israeli league for Maccabi.

Utah Jazz recall Kostas Koufos

Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor announced today that the team has recalled rookie center Kosta Koufos from the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League. Koufos is expected to be in uniform when the Jazz travel to Los Angeles for Utah's first-round series against the Lakers which begins on Sunday, April 19.

In 48 games this season (seven starts) the 7-1, 265 pound Koufos has averages of 4.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists. Koufos has been inactive 24 times and registered a DNP-CD 10 times. Koufos last appeared in a game on February 17 against Memphis, scoring two points and grabbing one rebound in a 117-99 home win. The center notched his career-high when he scored 18 points and 10 rebounds in a 97-88 win over Dallas on December 2 in Salt Lake City.

With the Flash, Koufos averaged 16.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 assists in 10 regular season games (all starts). He played 21 minutes for the Flash in its NBDL first round playoff game, scoring five points and grabbing five rebounds. He can still be assigned to the Flash two more times before the end of the playoffs.

source : nba.com

Knicks, Malaga and Real want Cabezas

Carlos Cabezas(1.86-PG) will be one of the most highly sought players this summer. According to statements that he made on his own website, the New York Knicks and Real Madrid are interested in signing him. He recently said that he is in a good age(28) to try for the NBA.

Cabezas' agent Arrinda Gorka has received offers from all 3 teams and the decision will be probably made in a month's time. Cabezas said that he is not going to sign anywhere until June 30th when his contract with Malaga expires. Malaga are trying to renew his contract but Cabezas is asking for more money and the expressed interested from Real and the Knicks can clearly be used as leverage. Cleverly enough he said that he would like to end his career in Malaga.

His agent is asking for more money but the administration of Malaga are not keen to give in and Cabezas will be probably sign the highest contract.It seems that there will be more episodes to this saga.

Aaron McGhee returned to training

Aaron McGhee(2.04-PF/C) returned to training after submitting to a disciplinary offense earlier last week according to the team's official website. McGhee and Charles Gaines (2.01-PF) were present at the same nightclub that D'Or Fisher was injured at and the administration of Maccabi didn't take this lightly.

McGhee went through a disciplinary internal comittee, accepted his penaly and returned to training. Things might not be so good for Charles Gaines though who could be facing a contract suspension.

Fenerbahce announced Solomon

A familiar face is back in Istanbul, Turkey, as Fenerbahce Ulker brought back point guard Willie Solomon until the end of the 2010-11 season, the club announced Thursday. Solomon (187, 30) arrives from the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 5 points and 0.7 assists in 14 NBA games this season. He had been traded to Sacramento from the Toronto Raptors earlier this season. Solomon already played for FB Ulker in the last couple of seasons. He averaged 17.9 points and 3.9 assists in 21 Euroleague games last season, helping FB Ulker to make it to the Quarterfinal Playoffs. 

Solomon has also played for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, Efes Pilsen in Turkey, Aris in Greece, as well as for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Solomon has been three Turkish League titles, with Efes in 2005 and with Fener in 2007 and 2008. He also lifted the Israeli League trophy with Maccabi in 2006, making it to the Euroleague final, as well as winning the 2004 ULEB Cup title with Hapoel. "I am very healthy and ready to play. I’m here again for Fenerbahce, the club I love," Solomon said in an official press conference. "Fenerbahce is an example of a success as an institutional society and also in sports. I’m always happy to be here. The fans are unbeliavable. It feels like home to be with Fenerbahce in Istanbul,” he added. "Solomon knows us very well. He practiced last evening and performed like he had been with the team since the beginning of the season," head coach Bogdan Tanjevic said.

source : euroleague.net

ASK Riga is releasing Stelhamers to Veroli

ASK Riga decided to release latvian point guard Roberts Stelmahers(1.90-PG) to Veroli after the italian club satisfied the demands of ASK Riga. The latvian team had already paid the entire salary of Stelmahers until the end of the season and they were not happy at all that he decided to leave them. Veroli in return paid back the money to ASK Riga that officially released the player.

He has averaged 5.3 points 2.8 rebounds and 2 assists in 6 games of the latvian league for ASK Riga.  

Barcelona want to keep Lakovic

According to El Mundo Deportivo, the administration of Barcelona are trying to renegotiate the contract of Jaka Lakovic(1.88-PG/SG). The slovenian combo guard is asking for a 2 years closed contract with an option for another one whereas Barcelona want to offer him only 1 year with an option. His agent, Rade Filipovic will be meeting with the administration of Barcelona and sports director of Barcelona , Joan Creus to discuss this.

In his 3rd season in Barcelona, Lakovic has been averaging 9.4 points 1.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 16 games in the Euroleague and also 8.1 points 1.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 20 games in the ACB.

Papadopoulos back to Real?

According to defensacentral.com Lazaros Papadopoulos(2.13-C) might return back to Real to help them in their play-off games. The regular season will be over in both Italy and Spain at the same time and Fortitudo is currently fighting to stay in the league so play-offs are out of the question. The article says that Papadopoulos might return to Real Madrid to reinforce their front line. After all he is still a player of Real.

What seems odd though is that he was sent to Fortitudo in the first place because coach Plaza didn't have a role for him in the team to begin with. In Fortitudo Bologna he is doing quite well though. He has been averaging 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds in 17 games.

Rumors for Maccabi and Wisniewski

According to sport5.co.il, Andrew Wisniewski(1.91-PG/SG) has agreed to continue his career in Maccabi for the next 2 seasons. Wisniewski has played in Russia in the last 2 seasons for Ural and Spartak St Petersburg and now Maccabi is tempting him to join them for the next 2 seasons with a rumored contract of 1.7 million dollars for 2 seasons.

His contract with Spartak ends this summer and he has been doing quite well with them averaging 15.6 points 3.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 20 games in the russian Superleague. Spartak wants to keep Wisniewski for the next 2 seasons offering 2 million dollars for that period but according to the article he wants to play in the Euroleague so he will likely prefer Maccabi and the deal will be announced in the next few days.

On a sidenote the article said that Maccabi is in negotations to sign Chuck Eidson from Lietuvos Rytas.

Zadar to suspend Desmon Farmer

KK Zadar is going to suspend Desmon Farmer(1.96-SG) according to the latest rumors from Croatia. The american shooting guard didn't show up in practice yesterday and the administration of Zadar are going to made a decision soon about his fate in the club. Farmer's version of the story was that Zadar didn't pay him his salary.

The matter is going to be cleared within the next days and Farmer might have to look for yet another team to play in Europe after Spartak and KK Zadar. He averaged 11.8 points and 2.3 rebounds in 4 games of the Adriatic League and 19 points and 1.8 rebounds in 4 games of the croatian league.