Basketball Eye Blog

November 17, 2009

Seven 3 - Pointers from Washington too much for Duece Duece

FORT WORTH - The North Texas Fresh offense received a big boost Saturday evening with the lights out shooting of Josh Washington (Basketball Eye member).

Washington helped push the Fresh over Duece - Deuce with a 92 - 84 overtime win. 

Washington showed that a dislocated finger would not slow down his offensive performance.  He finished the game with a game-high 27 points with 7 coming from beyond the arc.

"We have very talented players that have the skill set to do great things on the basketball court," said Jay Bowdy, Owner/CEO of North Texas Fresh.  "Because of this we have high expectations for the upcoming season."


November 16, 2009

Aneika Henry Stays Hot in Eurocup Victory

Aneika Henry and her Gran Canaria teammates posted another victory Wednesday night with a 75-58 thrashing in Eurocup competition. In the win, Henry posted her 2nd consecutive double-double with a game high 21 points (9/13 from the floor) and a game high 14 rebounds. Aneika also added 2 assists and a blocked shot. After posting career highs in points with 22 and minutes with 39 in her last game, Henry was effective from the floor in this win by shooting 9 for 13 in just 32 minutes of play. Henry will look to stay consistently hot when Gran Canaria plays their next game on November 14. 


November 9, 2009

Amaka Uzomah Signs With BC Barcelos In Portugal

Basketball Eye member, Amaka Uzomah, has signed a professional basketball contract with BC Barcelos in Portugal for the 2009/2010 season.
 
Uzomah is a 6’1 power forward who graduated from Colorado State University.  Amaka joins the team just 2 games into the season and will make her debut with the team late next week.
 
Basketball Eye will keep you updated on Amaka’s progress in Portugal.


November 9, 2009

Aneika Henry Delivers Strong Performance For Gran Canaria

Aneika Henry, currently with Gran Canaria in Spain, continued her solid season on Saturday, November 7, by playing what could be considered her best pro game. Henry posted a new career high in scoring with 22 points, and also added 10 rebounds for her 2nd double double in just 6 games. Although Aneika struggled at times from the floor in going 7 for 16, she picked it up at the free throw line with a terrific 8 for 12 effort.  Henry's great game helped contribute to Gran Canaria's 2nd win of the season as they scored a season high 94 points in the victory. Aneika is now ranked in the top 10 in rebounds and blocks, and is one of only 5 players to be on both lists this season. Henry will look to keep her team on the winning track with their next game on November 12.


November 9, 2009

Igbawua's Has Solid Pro Debut In Qatar

Rob Igbawua, currently with Al Wakrah in Qatar, competed in his first regular season game on November 7 and showed that he will be a force in the middle east. Igbawua followed up his preseason debut of 24 points and 12 rebounds by scoring 19 points and pulling down 8 boards. Igbawua shot 8 for 16 from the floor, including making 3 three pointers. Constantly the victim of double and even triple team defense, Igbawua was still able to contribute and excel when on the floor. Although Al Wakrah lost by 10 points, Igbawua displayed his ability to score from anywhere and use his athleticism to be an effective rebounder as well. With his first game under his belt, Rob is now ready to improve each and every game in making sure Al Wakrah's loses are few and far between. Igbawua's next game is set for November 10.


November 1, 2009

Basketball Eye's Rob Igbawua competed in his first professional game on Sunday in Qatar, as a member of Al Wakrah. Igbawua posted a double double in scoring 24 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. However, the great effort by Igbawua just wasn't enough as Al Wakrah lost the game by just 7 points, 63 to 56. Igbawua and Al Wakrah are now set to finish up their exhibition schedule with the regular season set to begin during the second week of November.


October 23, 2009

Rob Igbawua signs a professional basketball contract with Al Wakra Basketball Club in Doha, Qatar

Basketball Eye member, Rob Igbawua, has signed a professional basketball contract with Al Wakra Basketball Club in Doha, Qatar for the 2009/2010 season.
 
Igbawua is a 6’7 combo forward who graduated from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.  Robert was also a participant in the Vitamin Water Super Week exposure event in Toronto July 23rd and 24th, 2009.

"Rob is a tremendous athlete and a great player; he has a solid career ahead of him" says Matt Resnick, VP of Operations, Winning Ways Pro International.
 
Basketball Eye will keep you updated on Rob’s progress in Qatar.


October 15, 2009

Game Report For Aneika Henry

The following is a game report featuring Aneika Henry, who recently signed with Gran Canaria in Spain (Canary Islands):

Team continues preparation for their first game as visitors, in Vigo, where they will play against one of the historical teams of the LFB, Celta de Vigo Indepo, which is in the middle of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of women's basketball in the city of Pontevedresa. This will be a tough team to win, specially since they come after a very important victory at Ibiza.

During the week, the team captain, Eva Montesdeoca, has missed two days of training due to dental problems, she was treated at the San Jose dental clinic. Precisely, Eva is first in the statistics ranking on offensive rebounds mainly thanks to the six captures she made last Saturday, where numbers were actually low for the yellow team; the only player that stood out was Aneika Henry who -thanks to her double-double (13 point and 16 rebounds), two blocks and the good average that earned her 21 points in statistic valuation- is in the top 10 players of the first round. Aneika's points and rebounds were not enough to beat Rivas Ecopolis, that's why the team is working extra hard this week to claim victory against Vigo.


October 5, 2009

John Clifford Signs With Kyoto Hannaryz In Japan

John Clifford, another Basketball Eye member, has signed With Kyoto Hannaryz In Japan. John is a 6’10” centre who played his College ball at Southern Utah.

Congratulations John!


October 2, 2009

Katie Ward Signs With CB Lgualada In Barcelona, Spain

Katie Ward has signed, through Basketball Eye, to play with CB Lgualada In Barcelona, Spain for the upcoming season. Katie is a 6’6” combo forward who starred at Mount Royal College. Her previous accomplishments include:

• Named to Albert Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) all-conference team
• 3rd in country and 1st in division in blocks (1.9)
• Second in team scoring
• Second in team rebounding
• Named team captain
• Led CCAA in blocked shots (3.1)
• Made CIS national championship tournament appearance
• Second in team scoring
• Second in team rebounding
• Helped team to win CIS national championship
• Top 20 in the country in blocked shots (1.2)

Congratulations Katie!


September 23, 2009

With over 5000 Coaches, GMs, Scouts and Recruiters watching worldwide, Basketball Eye™ continues to the leader for assisting players in realizing their dream of playing pro basketball.

Some of our recent signings include:
Gini Grimsley (signed with Herner TC in Germany)
Blake Young (signed with BV VILLINGEN-SCHWENNINGEN (Panthers) in Germany)
Aneika Henry (signed in Spain - Canary Islands)

Congratulations to all of our recent signees!


September 3, 2009

Blake Young Signs With BV VILLINGEN-SCHWENNINGEN Team

Basketball Eye’s Blake Young has signed to play with the BV VILLINGEN-SCHWENNINGEN Team in Germany. Blake is a 6’2” guard and is a graduate of Kansas State University where he majored in Social Science.

We wish Blake all the best with his new team.


September 3, 2009

Aneika Henry Set To Star With Gran Canaria, Spain

Aneika Henry has signed a contract for the 09/10 season to play with Gran Canaria in Spain (Canary Islands). A Basketball Eye member and a product of the University of Florida, Aneika is a 6’3” center with a long wing span who can block shots and run the floor well. She had never played an organized sport - including basketball - until the ninth grade, when she was spotted in the halls of Coral Gables Senior High School by a coach, who taught her the game. In 2007, she was SCC’s female recipient of a $1,000 Nick Anderson Orlando Magic Scholarship.

You’ve come a long way – congratulations Aneika!


September 3, 2009

Gini Grimsley Signs With Herner Turn Club of the DBBL League in Germany

Gini Grimsley has signed, through Basketball Eye, with Herner Turn Club of the DBBL League in Germany. Gini is a 6’ combo forward who starred at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was an exercise and sports science major.

Congratulations Gini!



June 20, 2009

Mile City, Yunnan Province, China – Basketball Eye™ vs. CBA Select Game 2

After a 60 minute delay, Game two against the CBA Select team was set to start in Mile City, Yunnan China, and the Basketball Eye™ team was ready to shine. However, prior to the jump ball the China CBA Select Team was preparing themselves to forfeit the game due to miscommunications with the city organizers and officials. This situation found the CBA Select Team in an intense argument on the sideline of the court with the game’s PA announcer. After the ordeal was straightened out, the game was on.

From the opening tip both teams were competing at a high level. The crowed filled the arena with energy and enthusiasm as they cheered for both teams. The Basketball Eye™ team kept the game very close and even led part of the way. But the combination of inconsistent officiating, inept stat tracking and poor defence proved to be just too much for the team to handle as they fell to the CBA Select Team 100 to 106. The Basketball Eye™ was led in scoring by Kevin Francis, 19pts.

Even with the loss, the experience of playing another game in an sold out arena will be something all of the players can hold on to forever.

During a post game “pep talk” from Head Coach, Vidal Massiah, the players embraced the reality of international professional basketball. “Our guys are having an eye opening experience. For many of them this is their first international playing experience. They are getting a firsthand opportunity to see what it takes to play professionally overseas. The game here in China is very different, with issues like food, time change and officiating, the players have to find a way to rise above and be successful.”

Coach Massiah speaks from the heart and tries his best to “keep it real” for the players. On and off the court, Vidal shares his experience in hopes of lifting these players to another level in their career.

“It is what it is…when you’re playing internationally and this is what our guys will have to deal with if they are fortunate enough to land jobs while here is China” says Massiah.

With some much deserved relaxation time for the players, they should be up and ready to go for the next game back in Lu Xi.

Leaving for a Game...



Game One Pregame



Basketball Eye™ Team Practice



June 19, 2009

Almost tip off. We are playing in a brand new stadium, Lu Xi Basketball Stadium. This is the inaugural game in this building. The Mayor of Lu Xi and other government officials will be present for the game.

The game will also be broadcasted live in Lu Xi TV. There will be a full post game press conference with our head coach and one of the players.

The CBA Select team we play has 6 players that are 6’9” and above. We will definitely have our hands full, but our guys are ready…We came here to play. – The Eye

June 19, 2009

After that long flight last night the team will be back on a 2 hour flight this morning. We fly to the Yunnan Province for a game later this evening in Luxi (pronounced "luh-shee"). The event organizers gave the team our uniforms last night which have the players full names written in Chinese. This first game is against a China CBA Select team. The word is that they are pretty good. The game will be televised on the local Chinese sports network. After the flight this morning, the team will have a team lunch and team meeting where the Eye will catch up with the team's head coach, Vidal Massiah, and get his take on the trip so far. More to come – The Eye


June 18, 2009

Finally arrived in Shanghai. We've been on the road all day. Had a few delays, but we made it in one piece. Our guide will meet us once we clear customs and then we're off to the hotel. The team will try to get some rest and then will fly out again tomorrow morning for our first game. According to our guide the game will be taped and televised. More updates shortly. - The Eye.