Euroleague.net reports: Weeks after releasing its starting point guard, Fenerbahce Ulker has moved to add backcourt strength by signing Roko-Leni Ukic, a former double-digit scorer in the Euroleague. Although Fenerbahce is still in a tight race to reach the Top 16 from Group A, Ukic apparently will not be registered to play in Wednesday’s road game at Montepaschi Siena. Ukic was in Istanbul early this week for physical tests before the announcement was made Tuesday.
Category: International Basketball Blog
International basketball blog
Bucks waive Roko Ukic
The Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on guard Roko Ukic (6-5, 190), General Manager John Hammond announced today. Ukic requested to have his contract voided by Milwaukee, removing any further obligation by the Bucks for the remainder of his contract.
“Roko asked to be released from his contract in order to pursue other playing opportunities,” said Hammond. “We appreciate his hard work and professionalism while with the Bucks and wish him well in his career.”
According to Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “the Bucks are expected to save about $2 million in releasing Ukic, including $1.45 million in a player option which Ukic held for the 2010-’11 season.”
In 13 games for the Bucks this season, Ukic averaged 3.1 points in 7.5 minutes per game. He was acquired along with Carlos Delfino from Toronto on August 18 for Amir Johnson and Sonny Weems.
The Bucks roster now stands at 14 players.
Yi Jianlian good in return
Jonathan Lehman of the New York Post reports:
 |
In the span of 30 minutes Wednesday night, forward Yi Jianlian might have played his way into the starting lineup. At 2-27, the moribund Nets have little to lose — except their ninth straight game.
Yi showed little rust in his return from a seven-week absence because of knee and lip injuries, scoring 22 points in the 103-99 home loss to the (almost) equally woeful Timberwolves. He hit 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 7 of 12 shots overall, giving the Nets — who shoot a league-worst 41.6 percent and 27.9 on threes — a sorely needed perimeter threat.
“He stretches the floor for us,” point guard Devin Harris said. “He came out ready to play and it shows how hard he’s been working. His stroke we’ll definitely need for the rest of the season.”
Marko Jaric signs in Spain
The Hoop reports:
Real Madrid have reached a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marko Jaric, who will join the club for the remainder of the season pending a physical.
Marko Jaric was born on 12 October 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia and is the son of Yugoslav basketball legend Srecko Jaric. He began his career in 1996 with Greece’s Peristeri and two years later withdrew his name from the NBA draft to move to Italy.
Euroleague.net reports:
Real Madrid gave its fans an early holiday present on Tuesday when it announced the signing of former Euroleague champion Marko Jaric for the remainder of the season, pending medical tests. Jaric will be reunited with head coach Ettore Messina at the end of a decade that they started by winning the 2001 Euroleague title together with Kinder Bologna. Jaric (201, 31) arrives from Memphis of the NBA, where he had not played this season. Last season, he took part in a total of 53 games for Memphis, averaging 2.5 points per night. Jaric started his career in Peristeri of the Greek League in 1996.
China investor finalizes deal to buy part of Cleveland Cavaliers
Reuters reports:
A Michigan investment firm has finalized a deal to sell its 15 percent stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers to a group led by Kenny Huang, bringing LeBron James’ team a step closer to adding the National Basketball Association’s first big Chinese investor.
A Cavaliers spokesman declined to comment, but Cavaliers Vice Chairman David Katzman, whose Camelot Venture Group owns the stake being sold, said an all-cash deal was reached and should be approved by year’s end. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
Julius Hodge stomps on rival court logo in Australia
 |
The National Basketball League (NBL) will not be proceeding with charges against Melbourne Tigers’ import Julius Hodge for his post-game actions following his team’s match against the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday night.
Hodge drew the ire of the 5,984-strong crowd at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide after celebrating the Tigers’ 87-84 overtime victory over his former team by twice stamping on the Brett Maher Court logo.
NBL General Manager Chuck Harmison determined that the actions of Hodge, whilst immature, did not constitute a breach of the NBL’s Code of Conduct.
“Whilst it is clear that Julius Hodge’s actions on Saturday night were ill-conceived and juvenile, we do not consider them to be a breach of the NBL’s Code of Conduct,” said Harmison. “With no formal report lodged by either the 36ers or the game officials over the incident, Hodge will therefore face no sanctions from the league.
“It is disappointing that a game which was an absolute thriller, that went to overtime, and which drew the biggest NBL crowd of the season thus far, should be remembered for one player’s distasteful actions rather than the fantastic basketball played. That being said, NBL basketball is always exciting and emotional, and we understand that sometimes our athletes get carried away with their celebrations after a win. Clearly however Hodge went over the top and underestimated the high esteem in which the Adelaide crowd, and indeed the rest of the basketball community, hold Brett Maher.”
Harmison said Hodge’s allegations of racial taunts from the Adelaide crowd would be investigated thoroughly and warned that any fans who were found to have acted inappropriately would face potential bans from future NBL matches.
“Hodge’s allegations of racial taunting following the game are a serious concern and we will work closely with the 36ers and venue security staff to identify any individuals who may have used racial slurs against Hodge,” said Harmison. “There is absolutely no place for that sort of behaviour in the NBL or indeed in our society.”
The NBL will also undertake an overall review of the way the 36ers handled the post-game events on Saturday.
“We will be working closely with the club to undertake a thorough review of Saturday’s game-day operations as well as the actions of both the 36ers staff and venue security personnel on the night to ensure that appropriate procedures were followed,” said Harmison. “Our number one priority must always be the safety of our players, team personnel and fans, so it’s important that the club and the league learn from this incident.”
Have an opinion? Talk world hoops on the InsideHoops international basketball forum.
Father of Josh Childress dies
The AP reports:
Veteran guard Theodoros Papaloukas scored 20 points to lead Olympiakos to an 87-76 victory over archrival Panathinaikos on Sunday.
The win left Olympiakos alone on top of the Greek league standings, the only undefeated team after six rounds.
Olympiakos forward Josh Childress, who played despite his father’s death on Friday, had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and his contribution to the win was decisive. Childress will fly to the United States Monday to attend his father’s funeral. His father died following a car accident he had over a month ago.
Euroleague Week 5 MVPs: Aleks Maric, Keith Langford
Euroleague.net reports:
Week 5 was so exciting that it generated two MVPs, both of them newcomers to the Euroleague this season.
Aleks Maric of Partizan Belgrade and Keith Langford of Khimki Moscow Region posted performance index ratings of 38 each to share the Week 5 MVP honor while leading their teams to very big victories.
Before a sold-out crowd in Belgrade that hailed him as a new star, Maric used a monster double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds to propel Partizan to an 86-80 comeback upset over Olympiacos in Group B. Maric added 5 steals, an assist, a block and 8 fouls drawn to amass his 38 index rating.
Not to be outdone, Langford overcame a quiet start to lead Khimki to an 89-67 home win against Asseco Prokom Gdynia and keep pace with two other Group D leaders. Langford finished with 20 points on 11-for-12 free-throw shooting while also collecting 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, a steal and 9 fouls drawn.
Pooh Jeter signs in Israel
The Hoop, a blog quoting hapoel.co.il, reports: Hapoel Jerusalem signed Pooh Jeter(1.79-PG) until the end of the season and they announced it via their official website.
Jeter started the season with Malaga but they released him and so he found the new step in his career in Hapoel Jerusalem. He has already passed with medical examinations so he is ready to play in the next game of Hapoel.
Rawle Marshall signs in France
Euroleague.net reports: Asvel Basket signed small forward Rawle Marshall to address the club’s need for more scoring punch and athleticism. The contract is through the end of the calendar year with a team option to extend it for the remainder of the season. Marshall (201, 27) arrives from Valencia Basket, where he averaged 7 points on 50% three-point shooting in 19 minutes over four games in the Spanish League this season.