International Basketball Blog – Page 25 – NBA Blog

Iverson, J-Will vs Marbury in China exhibition basketball game October 6

The Professional Basketball Alumni Association (PBAA) and Moore Management & Entertainment (MME) announce the teaming of 11-time All-Star Allen Iverson and former NBA point guard Jason “White Chocolate” Williams to its roster, when the All-Stars travel abroad to take on the 2012 Chinese Basketball Association’s champion Beijing Ducks, who feature former NBA star Stephon Marbury. “Allen and Jason are thrilled to be able to play together for the first time since being backcourt mates in high school,” says PBAA Chairman and CEO Charles D. Smith.

“As basketball continues to grow on the global stage, these events hone in on our efforts to continually use the sport of basketball to break down cultural barriers around the globe.” says Smith. We are equally excited for the chance to play against some of China’s best players. “We will give fans an exciting game where they can cheer for their basketball heroes.”

Coached by Hall of Famer Nate “Tiny” Archibald, they will take on the Beijing Ducks on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at the Beijing National Stadium.

In addition to Iverson and Williams, the roster will include Damon Jones, Charoy Bentley, Shane Burrell, Zendon Hamilton, J.R. Inman, J. R. Reid and an amazing dunker, Guy “Easy J” Dupuy.

Stephane Lasme signs to play in Greece

Panathinaikos Athens found a stopper to reign in the paint by signing [forward] Stephane Lasme, who returns to the Euroleague after two years away. Lasme (2.03 meters, 29 years old) finished among the top vote-getters for the 2010 Best Defender Award after his last season with Maccabi Electra. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and was third in the league with 1.4 blocks per game in a reserve role for Maccabi that season. He helped Partizan Belgrade and Maccabi to playoff appearances in both of his two previous Euroleague campaigns. Lasme is ranked second all-time with 1.46 blocks over his 39 career Euroleague games. Last season he played for Obradoiro CAB in the Spanish League, where he was worth 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 34 games.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

D.J. White signs with Shanghai Sharks in China

Free-agent forward D.J. White has reached agreement on a one-year contract to play for owner Yao Ming and the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

White, who played for the Charlotte Bobcats last season, has a chance to become an elite player in the CBA and could help elevate Yao’s franchise into serious contention.

Yao bought the cash-strapped Sharks in 2009 and has resurrected one of China’s proudest basketball franchises. White will play for respected American coach Dan Panaggio for the Sharks. After numerous injuries, Yao retired from the Houston Rockets in 2011.

— Reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports

Curtis Stinson signs in Croatia

Cedevita Zagreb fortified its backcourt by signing point guard Curtis Stinson for one season. Stinson (1.91 meters, 29 years old) has played briefly in Europe before, but has found much of his success in the NBA D-League. He was that competition’s MVP two years ago after averaging 19.3 points, a league-best 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds in the regular season for Iowa. He then led the club to the league title with 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the playoffs. Stinson joined Krka Novo Meston of Slovenia at the start of last season and produced 8.3 points and 4.5 assists through four Adriatic League games, but later moved back to Iowa and compiled 11.3 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds in 28 games the rest of the season.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Rafael Hettsheimeir not close to being a Maverick

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

That leaves little room for Brazil’s Rafael Hettsheimeir, a 6-10, 260-pound center who has drawn the attention of several NBA teams. The 26-year-old plays in the Spanish League and some international reports have suggested that the Mavericks have offered him a deal.

— Reported by Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News

Mickael Gelabale signs in Croatia

Turkish Airlines Euroleague newcomer Cedevita Zagreb of Croatia has added veteran depth at forward in the person of Mickael Gelabale, who has played two previous seasons in the competition. Gelabale (2.01 meters, 29 years old) won the Eurocup title last season with Khimki Moscow Region of Russia. His Euroleague career so far has consisted of two seasons with Real Madrid of Spain between 2004 and 2006 during which he put up 8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Gelabale started his career with Cholet of France, a team he returned to after spending three NBA seasons in the mid-2000s with Seattle and the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2010-11, Gelabale averaged a career-high 14.2 points for Asvel Basket of France, including 12.2 per game in six Eurocup appearances.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Hilton Armstrong signs in Greece

Panathinaikos Athens fortified its frontline by signing center Hilton Armstrong, who will make his Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut this season with the Greens. Armstrong (2.08 meters, 27 years old) arrives from Asvel Basket Lyon Villeurbanne, with whom he played his first season in Europe last year. He averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and was fifth in the Eurocup with 1.3 blocks in 11 Eurocup games last season, including a pair of impressive outings against Greek side Aris Thessaloniki. In fact, Armstrong earned Eurocup Last 16, Game 4 MVP honors after posting an 18-point, 8-rebound effort against Aris.

— Reported by Euroleague.net

Jacob Pullen signs to play in Israel

According to Sportando, “Jacob Pullen won’t play in the Euroleague next season with Serbian Partizan Belgrade but in Israel with EuroCup regular Hapoel Jerusalem, as reported by David Pick. The ex-Kansas State combo guard who spent his pro rookie season in Italy’s Seria A with Angelico Biella, agreed to join Jerusalem over a tempting offer from Euroleague’s Partizan. The Chicago native will enjoy Jerusalem’s two games per week schedule, competing both in the Israeli Domestic League and the EuroCup competition.”

Four Thunder players on Basketball Without Borders trip to Africa

Nick Collison is part of a hefty Thunder presence in Africa this week. Four of the seven NBA players participating in Basketball Without Borders this year are from the Oklahoma City roster. Serge Ibaka, a native of the Republic of Congo, joins Collison, Thabo Sefolosha and Cole Aldrich as camp coaches.

Chicago’s Luol Deng, Milwaukee’s Luc Mbah a Moute and Brooklyn’s C.J. Watson are also participating in the basketball clinic for 60 African boys and girls, and helping life skills seminars and education on HIV and AIDS.

”We’re out here to not only change other people’s lives but also to change ours, to give us a different perspective on other how other people live,” Aldrich said. ”Serge grew up in a totally different lifestyle than any of us did, and we’re learning a little bit of that through this trip.

”It’s been so much fun, there’s a lot of things we’ve got to continue to do and we’re just trying to spread the word of basketball and just help people that need help.”

— Reported by Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press

Curtis Jerrells signs in Turkey

Turkish champs Besiktas JK Istanbul announced on Wednesday the addition of point guard Curtis Jerrells for the upcoming season, in which the team will make its Turkish Airlines Euroleague debut. Jerrells (1.85 meters, 25 years old) arrives from UCAM Murica of Spain, where last season he averaged 7.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 2 games just before breaking his foot and missing the rest of the season. However, Jerrells had started the season with Fenerbahce Ulker also of Turkey, as he averaged 8.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 14 Euroleague games.

— Reported by Euroleague.net