Mike Green (185-PG-85, college: Butler) is the point guard of ambitious Cimberio Varese. He was born in Philadelphia and he grew up in a dangerous ghetto, but thanks to his mom and to basket he avoided troubles.
Q: Blumberg Projects. In Italy we have some areas like it, but we can't know how difficult is living in BP. Can you tell something about it? Mike Green: Blumberg is two high rise buildings. 18 floors and 9 apartments on each. Similar to the setting in the Tv show "The Wire". Drugs, Crime and Violence.
Q: Family is at the first place of your life. Your mother raised you despite many difficulties, the birth of your son made you choose to play in Europe... MK: Family is very important to me. I am the only child and was raised by my mother. I have a son who was born right after I finished school. I had to chose between training camp for the Cavs or putting food on the table immediately by taking an offer in Turkey. And I choose my family and Turkey.
Q: You did not forget people who live in Blumberg Projects, I know you try to help young guys with your example. Is sport the only possible redemption for them? MK: I can never forget the people I grew up with. They are my family, they supported me. Blumberg is like one big family, everybody knows everybody and everything. Basketball helped me to experience life outside of my projects and a lot of my peers haven't had that same opportunity. I don't think basketball is the only way to help kids from my neighborhood, but its where i have expertise.
Q:Are you following the duel between Obama and Romney? MK: I follow the presidential campaign, but its a subject that is very delicate, so I keep my thoughts to myself.
Q:Did you have any basketball idol? MK:People always ask me who is my favorite player and my favorite team, but the older and better I got, I stopped having those things. My last favorite player was Penny Hardaway.
Q: This is your third italian season. What are your expectations? MK: I may change teams year after year, but my expectations and goals never change. I want to win. Win games, championships and trophies.
Q: Your coach, Frank Vitucci, did a great job with your friend Marques Green. Did you talk to Marques before joining Varese? MK: Yes, Marques is a very good friend of mine. He's like a big/ little brother. LOL.
Q: What did you learn living in Italy? What do you appreciate and what do you dislike? MK: This is my 3rd year and I am trying to pick up the italian language. Italian food is the best in the world in my opinion. Spaghetti and Rice are my favorite foods, and they both are great in Italy. If I had to chose a dislike in Italy, I would say gas prices. They are ridiculous.
Lega2 Round 3 of Quarter-Finals. Trento and Brescia advance into semifinals - May 18, 2013
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LeGamberi FO - C.de Latte BRE 79-87
Brescia stole a road win over Forli to seal the semifinal appearance. LeGamberi Foods Forli was ahead by 3 points after three quarters before a 26-15 charge of C.de Latte BRE, which allowed them to win the game. They made 28-of-33 charity shots (84.8 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American swingman J.R. Giddens (196-85, college: N.Mexico) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds [read more]
Brescia stole a road win over Forli to seal the semifinal appearance. LeGamberi Foods Forli was ahead by 3 points after three quarters before a 26-15 charge of C.de Latte BRE, which allowed them to win the game. They made 28-of-33 charity shots (84.8 percent) during the game. It was a great evening for American swingman J.R. Giddens (196-85, college: N.Mexico) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 9 rebounds. His fellow American import guard Michael Jenkins (191-86, college: Winthrop) helped adding 22 points and 6 rebounds. The best for the losing side was American swingman Terrence Roderick (196-88, college: UAB, agency: Interperformances) with 28 points and naturalized Argentinian guard Bernardo Musso (193-86) scored 13 points. Top scorers: C.de Latte BRE: M.Jenkins 22+6reb+1ast, J.Giddens 22+9reb, D.Brkic 18+5reb+1ast, F.Loschi 8+1reb, J.Fernandez 8+4reb+6ast, S.Stojkov 4+2ast LeGamberi FO: T.Roderick 28+4reb+1ast, B.Musso 13+4reb+1ast, A.Tessitori 9+2reb, B.Spencer 9+1reb, M.Soloperto 7+8reb+1ast, S.Borsato 7+1reb+3ast
Tezenis Verona cut the deficit in the series following a home win over Novipiu Casale. It looked good early as Novipiu Casale took an 6-point lead at the end of first quarter. But then Tezenis VE had a 29-14 second period charge getting the lead and Novipiu Casale was not able to take back game control losing it eventually 73-85. They outrebounded Novipiu Casale 38-26 including a 31-20 advantage in defensive rebounds. Tezenis VE shot the lights out from three nailing 14 long-distance shots on high 51.9 percentage. The best player for the winners was American point guard Richard McConnell (182-89, college: St.Mary's, CA, agency: Priority Sports) who scored 31 points. Nigerian-American power forward Olaseni Lawal (208-86, college: Wayne St., MI, agency: IBS) chipped in a double-double by scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Lawal is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Four Tezenis VE players scored in double figures. Tezenis VE's coach Alessandro Ramagli allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. At the other side the best for losing team was American point guard Casper Ware (177-90, college: Long Beach St.) who recorded 21 points and the other American import swingman Rodney Green (195-88, college: La Salle) added 21 points respectively. Top scorers: Tezenis VE: R.McConnell 31+2reb+1ast, M.Da Ros 15+5reb, C.Westbrook 13+7reb+2ast, O.Lawal 10+12reb+2ast, D.Lauwers 8+3reb, G.Boscagin 5+4reb Novipiu Casale: C.Ware 21+4reb+1ast, R.Green 21+2reb+2ast, N.Martinoni 11+5reb, S.Pierich 9+5reb+1ast, G.Ferrero 5+4reb, P.Butkevicius 4+2reb
Trento cruised past Sigma Barcellona to sweep the quarterfinal series. The game was mostly controlled by Pall.Trento. Sigma Barcellona managed to win second period 26-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. 25 personal fouls committed by Sigma Barcellona helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. It was a good game for American guard Barry Elder (197-82, college: Georgia Tech) who led his team to a victory with 23 points. Forward Davide Pascolo (201-90) contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four Pall.Trento players scored in double figures. American guard Jobey Thomas (194-80, college: Charlotte) answered with 25 points and naturalized American forward Craig Callahan (203-81, college: NC-Wilmington, agency: Three Eye Sports) added 11 points and 8 rebounds in the effort for Sigma Barcellona. Top scorers: Pall.Trento: B.Elder 23+4reb+2ast, M.Umeh 22+1ast, D.Pascolo 15+7reb+2ast, L.Garri 14+7reb+1ast, M.Spanghero 5+3reb+3ast, L.Dordei 4+6reb+3ast Sigma Barcel.: J.Thomas 25+3reb+1ast, R.Bucci 16+1reb+2ast, C.Callahan 11+8reb+1ast, T.Green 7+3reb+1ast, D.Hardy 7+4reb+5ast, A.Cittadini 6+7reb
Givova Scafati shot down Pistoia to force the fourth game in the series. The hosts started the game with a very strong first quarter 25-13. But Tuscany Pistoia won second period 24-18. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Givova Scafati made 21-of-24 free shots (87.5 percent) during the game. It was an exceptional evening for American point guard Keddric Mays (183-84, agency: Hart Sports Mngm) who led the winners and scored 27 points and 6 rebounds. Power forward Patrick Baldassarre (200-86, agency: Players Group) accounted for 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side. Four Givova Scafati players scored in double figures. Panamanian swingman Michael Hicks (194-76, college: Texas A&M-CC) came up with 30 points and 8 rebounds and American guard Antonio Graves (191-85, college: Pittsburgh, agency: Two Points) added 15 points respectively for Tuscany Pistoia in the defeat. Tuscany Pistoia's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: Givova Scafati: K.Mays 27+6reb+3ast, R.Slay 18+6reb, P.Baldassarre 17+10reb+5ast, J.Tavernari 11+4reb+1ast, F.Bushati 6+2reb+2ast, D.Rosignoli 2+2reb Giorgo Tesi PT: M.Hicks 30+8reb+2ast, A.Graves 15+3reb+2ast, G.Galanda 8+4reb+1ast, D.Fajardo 8+4reb, R.Rullo 7, G.Meini 6+3reb+2ast
Eurobasket.com All-Italian Nazionale A Awards 2013 - May 17, 2013
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Player of the Year: Jakub Wojciechowski (210-F/C-90) of Torino; Guard of the Year: Alessandro Piazza (174-PG-87) of Reggio Calabr.; Forward of the Year: Daniele Casadei (199-F/G-81) of Firenze; Center of the Year: Jakub Wojciechowski (210-F/C-90) of Torino; Defensive Player of the Year: Emanuele Rossi (208-C-82) of Chieti; Coach of the Year: Stefano Pillastrini of Torino; 1st Team: PG: Alessandro Piazza (174-PG-87) of Reggio Calabr.; SG: Davide Poltroneri (195-SG-85) of Perugia; SF: Francesco Ih [read more]
Eurobasket.com All-Italian Nazionale A 1st Team 2013
After the quarterfinals (and the playout) this is the situation, group by group, in the division just below the DNA:
A
Controlgom Monticelli Brusati vs Vivigas Costa Volpino 2-0 (80-60, 68-63)
ABC Utensili Varese vs Kopa Engineering Torino 2-1 (89-75, 63-78, 77-66)
S [read more]
After the quarterfinals (and the playout) this is the situation, group by group, in the division just below the DNA:
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