Euroleague.net reports: In a week full of great individual performances, one of the Euroleague’s fastest-rising stars sparked his team to an important victory to become MVP of Top 16 Week 3. Barcelona power forward Ersan Ilyasova put on a career-best show for the home fans while leading his team back from a halftime deficit to defeat Alba Berlin 85-69 on Thursday and take exclusive hold on second place in Group F… Another power forward, Mirsad Turkcan of Fenerbahce Ulker, had the week’s second-best individual effort with an index rating of 37. Turkcan hit 8 of his 13 field-goal attempts and recorded a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds to go with 2 blocks, leading Fenerbahce to an impressive 55-65 road victory over Cibona in Zagreb. Tau Ceramica captain Sergi Vidal came off the bench to record the third best performance of the week with an index rating of 33.
Category: International Basketball Blog
International basketball blog
Frederic Weis signs in Spain
The Hoop (a trusted fan blog which quotes official sources) reports: Menorca announced the signing of french center, Frederic Weis (2.18-C) who was recently released by Bilbao, until the end of the season. Weiss will add power and height to the frontcourt of Menorca and he also has 8 seasons of experience in the ACB as a player of Malaga and Bilbao.
Tony Parker buys part of overseas team
The San Antonio Express-News (Jeff McDonald) reports: In preparation for life after his playing days are over, Parker has purchased the second-largest stake in ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, the most storied basketball club is his native France. “I just wanted to do something to prepare my future,” Parker said. “I had a good opportunity with that team, and I took it.” Parker says he hasn’t ruled out finishing his career with the French team once his NBA career is over.
Andrew Bogut out 8+ weeks
Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond announced today that center Andrew Bogut (7-0, 260) has an incomplete stress fracture in his lower back. Bogut went through a series of tests and evaluations earlier this week that revealed the injury.
He will be sidelined for a minimum of eight weeks at which time he will be re-evaluated. In the meantime, he will rehabilitate the injury with strengthening exercises and rest.
In 36 games this season, Bogut is averaging 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds (11th in NBA), 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocked shot in 31.2 minutes per game.
Bogut, 24, is one of 11 players in the league to average double-figures in both points and rebounds, and one of 13 players in the NBA to average a double-double this season.
Euroleague MVP for January is Igor Rakocevic
Euroleague.net reports: In an era when teams rely less and less on scoring stars, it might seem more than enough to state that Euroleague Basketball’s choice as January MVP, Igor Rakocevic of Tau Ceramica, is collecting points more efficiently than any player this decade. With the amazing month that Rakocevic just had, however, that would be saying too little. In addition to posting .75 points per minute so far this season – more than any Euroleague player’s full-season scoring rate since at least 2000 – Rakocevic spent January harvesting milestones and records at every turn. He started the month by setting a new Euroleague mark for consecutive free throws made while posting his career-high scoring total, 31 points, in a crucial victory that won Tau first place in its regular season group.
Qyntel Woods signs in Poland
Euroleague.net reports: Asseco Prokom made Qyntel Woods its second addition ahead of the Top 16 on Tuesday by signing the forward for the remainder of the season. Woods (203, 27) arrives from Fortitudo Bologna, where he averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 23 minutes in four Eurocup games this season. The Polish champs will be Woods’ second Euroleague club after he made his competition debut last season with Olympiacos – one of Prokom’s Group E opponents in the Top 16.
Hollis Price, Mo Taylor to Italy
Euroleague.net reports: Armani Jeans Milano made a pair of major additions to its roster in time for the Top 16. Head coach Piero Bucchi’s squad signed playmaker Hollis Price and power forward Maurice Taylor. Price (186, 29) arrives from Dynamo Moscow, but was among the best playmakers in his debut Euroleague campaign last season with Lietuvos Rytas Vilnius. Taylor (206, 32) last with Sacramento of the NBA, will play in Europe for the first time. His contract is for Euroleague games only.
Charles Gaines signs in Israel
Euroleague.net reports: Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv made one more move before the start of the Top 16 with the addition of high-flying forward Charles Gaines until the end of the season. Gaines (203, 28) will mark his second stint in the Euroleague after playing for DKV Joventut Badalona in the 2006-07 season, when he averaged 10.3 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Jannero Pargo signs in Greece
Euroleague.net reports: Olympiacos Pireaus has made up for the loss of an injured starter by signing more offensive firepower in the person of guard Jannero Pargo, last with Dynamo Moscow. Pargo (188, 30) posted 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists in five Eurocup games in this, his first season in Europe, for Dynamo. Pargo had played the previous six seaons with four NBA teams: New Orleans, Chicago, Toronto and the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 8.1 points last season with New Orleans. Olympiacos needs help after its third-best scorer, Josh Childress, was lost for at least a month more due to a sports hernia that was operated on last week.
Kenny Adeleke signs in Germany
Euroleague.net reports: With center Patrick Femerling sidelined for the whole Top 16, Alba Berlin signed rebounding ace Kenny Adeleke (25, 205) on Tuesday. The American power forward with Nigerian origin started the season for Lukoil Academic Sofia, but was released in December, after the Bulgarian champion had lost all options to reach the Last 16 of the Eurocup.