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domingo, 19 de marzo de 2023

Basketball News

 














Humacaeño Orlando López apoderado del año en la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña

(San Juan P.R.) –El pasado viernes, 17 de marzo, la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña (LBP), nombró Apoderado del Año, a Orlando J. López Rivera de los Grises de Humacao. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=756977499339141&set=a.184567493246814.

López Rivera lleva 4 temporadas como apoderado, es un apasionado del baloncesto y un profesional en todo el sentido de la palabra. En el 2018 se dio a la tarea de tomar las riendas de los Grises de Humacao de la LBP. En su primera temporada, el equipo culminó con marca de 12-6 y llegaron a la segunda ronda de su conferencia. Para el 2019 terminaron con marca positiva de 11-7 y una vez más arribaron a la segunda ronda de la conferencia. En el 2022 aseguraron el pase a las Series de Cuartos de Finales. Actualmente juegan en la segunda ronda de la postemporada en la Humacao y se enfrenta a los 𝐇𝐞́𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐚 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐚, en una serie de 3-2 por el pase a los mejores ocho equipos. Serie que domina 1-0, Toa Alta. El segundo partido de la serie se llevará a cabo el domingo, 19 de marzo, en la legendaria e histórica Cancha Emilio E. Huyke, desde las 6:00 de la tarde. De ser necesario, el miércoles 22 de marzo, se traslada al 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐨 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐨 𝐃𝐚́𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐚, a partir de las 8:00 de la noche.

El apoderado de Humacao reaccionó en la página de Facebook del equipo de la siguiente manera: “¡Primero que todo agradecido con Dios por la vida y todas las oportunidades! Muchas gracias al Sr. Eduardo Boffil, presidente de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña y a todo su equipo de trabajo por este gran e importante reconocimiento para mí persona y toda nuestra organización. De igual manera le agradezco grandemente al Sr. William López fundador de la LBP, que en el año 2018 me dio la oportunidad de pertenecer a la misma desde su primer año. También a Josiel Díaz, coapoderado, por su compromiso y todo lo que aporta para que nuestra organización sea una de altura, seriedad y respeto. A DJ Busó, Alex Cruz, Karlitza Figueroa, Héctor Meléndez, Moisés Morrot, Grises Dancers y a todas las personas que también forman parte de nuestra organización. A los doctores Juan Rivera padre e hijo, el Lic. Julio Garriga y Ramón Sepúlveda, por ser parte muy importante en el desarrollo y crecimiento de todos nuestros proyectos. Al Dr. Wally Lugo Arvelo y todo el equipo de trabajo de Mi Familia Quiropráctica y Recovery Lounge MFQ por el compromiso y cuidado de la salud física de todo nuestro equipo durante las pasadas 4 temporadas. Agradecido con cada uno de nuestros patrocinadores, incluyendo al Municipio Autónomo de Humacao y su alcalde, Julio Geigel, el Departamento de Recreación y Deportes Municipal y su director, Luis Ángelo Rodríguez. A las senadoras, Rosamar Trujillo Plumey y Wanda “Wandy” Soto, y la Representante, Sol Higgins Cuadrado. Por último y no menos importante gracias a todos nuestros fanáticos, los mejores de Puerto Rico y que también forman parte de nuestra Familia Gris. En victorias y derrotas siempre junto a nosotros, ese es el verdadero campeonato”.

“Son muchos años de sacrificio, trabajo duro y noches sin dormir, pero todo llega en el momento correcto. En altas y bajas, pero rendirse jamás fue ni será una opción. Este reconocimiento se lo dedico a toda mi familia y a mis dos hijos: Diego y Jeremy, que son mi gran motivación para seguir adelante. Al gobierno de Puerto Rico, apoyen el deporte y todas las iniciativas deportivas que la juventud lo necesita’’, culminó expresando el líder recreativo. https://www.facebook.com/griseslbp/posts/pfbid0JUG7MojcFhCbSxe13EZECzftfNZKDmE3jMQ5FSwZ5bxnjxTTtF7SAarxrvhiJyByl.

Para más información pueden comunicarse al (787) 949-4704, en Facebook e Instagram: Grises de Humacao LBP o al correo electrónico grisesdehumacaolbp@gmail.com.


 

MEMPHIS’ DILLON BROOKS FINED

 

NEW YORK, March 17, 2023 – Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward Dillon Brooks has been fined $35,000 for the unsportsmanlike act of shoving a camera person on the sideline after pursuing a loose ball, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

 

Brooks’ actions occurred with 2:40 remaining in the second quarter of the Grizzlies’ 138-119 loss to the Miami Heat on March 15 at Miami-Dade Arena.

 

To view the incident, click the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/grizzlies-vs-heat-3-15-2023



GOLDEN STATE’S DRAYMOND GREEN SUSPENDED

 

NEW YORK, Mar. 16, 2023 – Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2022-23 season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

 

Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.

 

Green received his most recent technical foul with 0:40 remaining in the second quarter of the Warriors’ 134-126 loss to the LA Clippers on Mar. 16 at Crypto.com Arena.

 

Green will serve his suspension Mar. 17 when the Warriors visit the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena.

 

To view the incident, click the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/warriors-vs-clippers-3-15-2023


NBA STATEMENT REGARDING MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES’ JA MORANT

 

NEW YORK, March 15, 2023 – The NBA announced today that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.  The discipline is in response to Morant’s live streaming of a video on March 4 in which he is holding a firearm in an intoxicated state while visiting a Denver area nightclub.  Morant will be eligible to return for the team’s game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, March 20.

 

A meeting took place today in the NBA’s New York offices between NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Morant to discuss Morant’s conduct.  NBA Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars and NBPA Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio, among others, attended the meeting.

 

The league office conducted an investigation of the March 4 incident.  Based on the information obtained during the investigation, the league did not conclude that the gun at issue belonged to Morant, was brought by him into the nightclub or was displayed by him beyond a brief period.  The investigation also did not find that Morant possessed the gun while traveling with the team or in any NBA facility, and the Colorado authorities did not find sufficient cause to charge Morant with a crime.

 

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” said Silver.  “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.  He has expressed sincere contrition and remorse for his behavior.  Ja has also made it clear to me that he has learned from this incident and that he understands his obligations and responsibility to the Memphis Grizzlies and the broader NBA community extend well beyond his play on the court.”


SACRAMENTO’S LYLES SUSPENDED AND MILWAUKEE’S LOPEZ FINED

 

NEW YORK, Mar. 15, 2023 – Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles has been suspended one game without pay and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez has been fined $25,000 for their roles in an on-court altercation, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. 

 

The incident began when Lyles fouled and then pushed Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo in the back. Lopez escalated the situation by confronting Lyles.  Lyles further escalated the situation by striking Lopez in the face and grabbing and holding Lopez around the neck area. 

 

The incident, for which Lyles was assessed two technical fouls and ejected and for which Lopez was assessed one technical foul and ejected, occurred with 15.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Bucks’ 133-124 win over the Kings on Mar. 13 at Golden 1 Center.  

 

Lyles will serve his suspension on Wednesday, March 15 when the Kings play the Chicago Bulls at United Center.

 

To view the incident, click on the following link:

 

https://www.nba.com/watch/video/bucks-vs-kings-3-13-2023

 

 

Record number of events announced for
FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2023

MARCH 15, 2023

MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA 3x3 Women's Series 2023 will be bigger and better than ever before with the much-anticipated season starting in Wuhan, China, on May 6-7. 

It will be the first time the Women's Series will be played in China since its first edition in 2019. The final will be played in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on September 16-17.

There are 20 events already confirmed which would beat the previous record of 15 held in 2019.

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: “As we witness the rapid growth and success of the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series, launched in 2019, it is exciting to see a record number of events announced for this upcoming season. This momentum demonstrates FIBA's commitment to one of its key strategic priorities, Women in Basketball, and the importance of ensuring our major women's competitions continue to grow and gain maximum impact.” 

This season's Women's Series will travel around the world marked by stops in several well-known 3x3 destinations such as Debrecen in Hungary, which has hosted the World Tour for 8 years as well as Prague, one of the longest-serving destinations on the professional circuit, this time for the 3rd edition of the Women’s Series Prague Stop. The city of Ulaanbaatar, hosts of the final, have also been receiving several 3x3 events since 2017, including the Asia Cup, U18 World Cup, and Challengers.

Also, there will be events in several exciting new destinations, including a trio of stops in Azerbaijan and the first visit of the competition to Spain.

The list of confirmed events:

Wuhan, China: May 6-7
Astara, Azerbaijan:  May 20-21
Clermont-Ferrand, France: June 9-10
Shusha, Azerbaijan: June 12-13
Xiongan, China: June 16-17
Orleans, France: June 21-22
Poitiers, France: June 27-28
Netanya, Israel: July 3-4
Fribourg, Switzerland: July 6-7
Pristina, Kosovo: July 14-15
Bordeaux, France: July 19-20
Edmonton, Canada: July 29-30
Prague, Czech Republic: August 4-5
Yichang, China: August 4-5
Melilla, Spain: August 18-19
Quebec, Canada: August 18-19
Baku, Azerbaijan: August 22-23
Debrecen, Hungary: August 28-29
Montreal, Canada: September 2-3

Ulaanbaatar Final, Mongolia: September 16-17

Much like in the third edition in 2022, the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series will welcome national federations and private promoters alike.

Created in 2019, the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series is the number one event on the 3x3 women's professional circuit. 

Canada will enter this season as defending champions having memorably taken the crown at last year's Constanta Final

France were the competition's first champions in 2019, while Germany claimed the title in 2021.

Sesi Franca to host 2023 BCL Americas Final 4

MARCH 14, 2023

MIAMI (United States) - The Board of the Basketball Champions League Americas announced that the city of Franca, Brazil, will host the 2022-23 Final 4 which will take place April 14 and 15.

Flamengo, AA Quimsa, Minas, and host Sesi Franca, all earned their place in the Final 4 after defeating tough opponents in the quarterfinal stage. They will now face each other in direct elimination games at the Ginásio Poliesportivo Pedro Morilla Fuentes, better known as Pedrocão.

In the Semifinals, Minas will play against Flamengo and Sesi Franca will play AA Quimsa. The winners will advance to the BCL Americas Final, which is scheduled for April 15th. The Basketball Champions League Americas champion will play the FIBA ​​Intercontinental Cup, which will have its 33rd edition in Singapore from September 21 to 24 of this year.

Fans will be able to enjoy the Final 4 matches of the BCL Americas, through ESPN in Brazil, Básquetpass in Argentina and both the FIBA and BCL Americas’ YouTube channels.

###

Sesi Franca albergará el Final 4 de la BCL Americas 2023

14 DE MARZO DE 2023

MIAMI (Estados Unidos) - La junta directiva de la Basketball Champions League Americas anunció que la ciudad de Franca, Brasil, será la sede del Final 4 de la temporada 2022-23, que se llevará a cabo el 14 y 15 de abril.

Flamengo, AA Quimsa, Minas y el anfitrión Sesi Franca, ganaron su lugar en el Final 4 después de derrotar a duros oponentes en la etapa de Cuartos de Final. Ahora se enfrentarán en partidos de eliminación directa en el Ginásio Poliesportivo Pedro Morilla Fuentes, mejor conocido como Pedrocão.

En Semifinales, Minas jugará contra Flamengo y Sesi Franca contra Quimsa. Los ganadores avanzarán al juego final de la BCL Americas, el 15 de abril. El campeón de la Basketball Champions League Americas jugará la Copa Intercontinental FIBA, que tendrá su edición 33 en Singapur, del 21 al 24 de septiembre del presente año.

Los aficionados podrán disfrutar de los partidos del Final 4 de la BCL Americas, a través de ESPN en Brasil, Básquetpass en Argentina y los canales de YouTube de FIBA y BCL Americas.

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Sesi Franca será o anfitrião do Final 4 da BCL Americas 2023

14 DE MARÇO DE 2023

MIAMI (EUA) - O Ginásio Pedrocão, casa do Sesi Franca, será a sede do Final Four da temporada 2022-2023 da Basketball Champions League Americas (BCL Americas), a ser disputado nos dias 14 e 15 de abril, segundo anúncio feito pela organização do torneio.

Além do anfitrião, mais dois clubes brasileiros garantiram presença entre os quatro melhores dessa BCLA: Flamengo e Minas. O Rubro-Negro carioca venceu a competição na temporada 2021 e foi vice em 2019-2020, enquanto o Minas terminou em terceiro lugar nas duas últimas edições do torneio.

Completa a relação de participantes do Final Four o Quimsa, da Argentina, que foi justamente quem venceu o Flamengo na decisão da temporada 2019-2020, na primeira edição da competição.

As semifinais ficaram da seguinte forma: os donos da casa enfrentam o Quimsa, enquanto Flamengo e Minas fazem um duelo brasileiro para saber quem vai à decisão. Ambas as partidas acontecem no dia 14 de abril, em horários a serem anunciados ainda.

Os vencedores avançam à final, marcada para 15 de abril. O campeão da BCLA representará as Américas na Copa Intercontinental da FIBA deste ano, a ser realizada em Singapura entre 21 e 24 de setembro. Será a edição de número 33 do torneio, que acontece na Ásia pela primeira vez.

As partidas do Final 4 da BCLA podem ser acompanhadas por ESPN (Brasil), Básquetpass na Argentina e tanto nos canais da FIBA como da BCL Americas no YouTube.

Line up confirmed for FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 in Hungary

MARCH 14, 2023

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The path to the trophy for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 has been determined as the groups for the 16th edition of the event were confirmed in Tuesday's draw in Debrecen, Hungary.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups of four teams each.

The results of the draw are as follows:
Group A: Canada, France, China and Spain
Group B: Lebanon, USA, Madagascar and Slovenia
Group C: Serbia, Japan, Brazil and Egypt
Group D: Argentina, Korea, Hungary and Turkey

All 16 teams participating in the event will advance to the competition's Final Phase with a single-elimination format in place from the Round of 16 onwards.

The teams from Group A will face teams from Group B, based on standings within these groups (1st vs 4th - 2nd vs 3rd) and teams from Group C will face teams from Group D.

Eight different countries have won the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since its inception in 1979, with the reigning champions USA leading the field with eight titles, including four of the last five editions. The Americans defeated France 83-81 in a very exciting 2021 Final in Riga, Latvia.

The draw was performed by FIBA Hall of Famer Dino Radja and former Hungarian national team player Robert Gulyas and it was livestreamed on FIBA's YouTube channel.

The 2023 edition of the tournament will take place from June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary.

BOSTON’S MARCUS SMART FINED

NEW YORK, Mar. 13, 2023 – Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $25,000 for initiating an on-court altercation and pulling Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young to the floor, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

 

The incident, for which both players were assessed a technical foul and Smart was ejected, occurred with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Celtics’ 134-125 win over the Hawks on Mar. 11 at State Farm Arena.

 

To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/celtics-vs-hawks-3-11-2023


BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE UNVEILS SAHARA CONFERENCE ROSTERS AND GLOBAL BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION AHEAD OF

2023 SEASON TIP-OFF ON SATURDAY, MARCH 11

 

- Six Sahara Conference Teams Feature 78 Players from 13 Countries Across

Africa, Europe and the U.S. -

 

- 2023 BAL Season Will Reach Fans in 214 Countries and Territories in 17 Languages -

 

- Season Opener Will Feature Senegal’s AS Douanes Taking on Côte d’Ivoire’s Abidjan Basketball Club at the Dakar Arena on Saturday, March 11 at 11 a.m. ET / 4 p.m. GMT -

 

- Tickets for Sahara Conference Games in Dakar from March 11-21 On Sale Now at BAL.NBA.com -

 

DAKAR, SENEGAL, March 11, 2023 – The Basketball Africa League (BAL) today announced the rosters of the six teams that will compete in the league’s Sahara Conference group phase from March 11-21 at the Dakar Arena in Senegal, as well as the league’s global broadcast distribution for the 2023 BAL season

 

The six teams – defending BAL champion US Monastir (Tunisia), AS Douanes (Senegal), Abidjan Basketball Club (Côte d’Ivoire), Kwara Falcons (Nigeria), Rwanda Energy Group (Rwanda) and Stade Malien (Mali) – collectively feature 78 players from 13 countries across Africa, Europe and the U.S., including eight players with NBA G League experience, 18 former NCAA Division I players, six NBA Academy prospects and 11 former Basketball Without Borders (BWB) campers.

 

The 2023 BAL season will reach fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages through free-to-air and paid TV broadcast partnerships with the African Union of BroadcastingAmerican Forces Network (AFN), Canal+, ESPN (sub-Saharan Africa), NBA TV, Tencent, TV5 Monde, Visionary TV and Voice of America (VOA), and livestreaming on the NBA AppNBA.com and BAL.NBA.com.

 

In the season opener, AS Douanes will take on Abidjan Basketball Club at 11 a.m. ET / 4 p.m. GMT on Canal+, ESPNNBA TV, TV5 Monde, VOA and select free-to-air channels across the continent.  The game will also livestream on the NBA AppNBA.com and BAL.NBA.com.  Fans can purchase tickets to the 15 Sahara Conference games at BAL.NBA.com.

 

Each BAL team will have up to 13 players, at least eight of whom are citizens of their respective team’s home country and up to four of whom are from other countries, with no more than two players per team from outside of Africa.  As part of the second edition of the BAL Elevate program, one roster spot on each team is reserved for a prospect from NBA Academy Africa, an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal, for the top high school-age prospects from across Africa.

 

Below please find select BAL Sahara Conference player and coach storylines:

 

  • Tunisia native and 2022 All-BAL First Team member Radhouane Slimane will lead US Monastir’s title defense.
  • Former University of Maryland star Terrell Stoglin, the BAL’s leading scorer in each of the league’s first two seasons as a member of AS Salé (Morocco), will suit up for AS Douanes for the first time. 
  • Former University of California, Berkeley guard Jerome Randle, who was the 2009-10 Pac-10 Player of the Year and the 2016-17 MVP of Australia’s National Basketball League, will make his BAL debut for US Monastir.
  • Nigeria native and former St. John’s University center Christopher Obekpa, who led NCAA Division I in blocks in the 2012-13 season, will play for Abidjan Basketball Club after representing Guinea’s Seydou Legacy Athlétique Club (S.L.A.C) during the 2022 BAL season.
  • Former University of Memphis guard Chris Crawford, who was the 2012-13 Conference USA Sixth Man of the Year, will compete for AS Douanes.  Crawford played for S.L.A.C in 2022. 
  • Former University of Washington forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, who was a 2010-11 All-Pac-10 selection and previously represented the Great Britain Men’s National Team, will make his BAL debut for AS Douanes.
  • Texas Christian University all-time assists leader Don Alex Robinson Jr. will make his BAL debut for Abidjan Basketball Club.
  • Abidjan Basketball Club head coach Liz Mills (Australia) returns to the BAL after leading AS Salé to the BAL Playoffs last year, when she became the first woman to coach a BAL team and the first to coach a Moroccan men’s team. 
  • The Sahara Conference features 11 players who previously participated in BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program for top prospects from around the world that has seen nearly 100 former campers advance to the NBA. 

 

Below are the eight former NBA G League players competing in the Sahara Conference group phase:

 

Team

Player

Country

Last G League Team

Abidjan Basketball Club

Christopher Obekpa

Nigeria

Santa Cruz Warriors

Abidjan Basketball Club

Chudier Bile

South Sudan

Greensboro Swarm

Abidjan Basketball Club

Don Alex Robinson Jr.

U.S.

Long Island Nets

AS Douanes

Chris Crawford

U.S.

Iowa Wolves

Kwara Falcons

Jeremiah Mordi

U.S.

Texas Legends

Kwara Falcons

Ruot Monyyong

U.S.

Iowa Wolves

US Monastir

Ibrahima Thomas

Senegal

Texas Legends

US Monastir

Jerome Randle

U.S.

Maine Celtics

 

Below are the 18 former NCAA Division I players competing in the Sahara Conference group phase:

 

Team

Player

Country

Last NCAA College/University

Abidjan Basketball Club

Christopher Obekpa

Nigeria

St. John’s University

Abidjan Basketball Club

Chudier Bile

South Sudan

Georgetown University

Abidjan Basketball Club

Don Alex Robinson Jr.

U.S.

Texas Christian University

Abidjan Basketball Club

Seydougou Fofana Santis

Côte d’Ivoire

University of Tennessee at Martin

AS Douanes

Chris Crawford

U.S.

University of Memphis

AS Douanes

Terrel Stoglin

U.S.

University of Maryland

AS Douanes

Matthew Bryan-Amaning

Ghana

University of Washington

AS Douanes

Michael Ochereobia

Nigeria

Western Illinois University

Kwara Falcons

Anthony Wilson Jr.

U.S.

Kennesaw State University

Kwara Falcons

Ruot Monyyong

U.S.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Kwara Falcons

Sita Conteh

Sierra Leone

Coppin State University

Kwara Falcons

Jawad Adekoya

Nigeria

Chicago State University

Rwanda Energy Group

Adonis Filer

Rwanda

Florida Atlantic University

Rwanda Energy Group

Cleveland Thomas Jr.

U.S.

Western Kentucky University

Rwanda Energy Group

Delwan Graham

U.S.

Jacksonville University

Stade Malien

Kelvin Amayo

Nigeria

Loyola Marymount University

US Monastir

Ibrahima Thomas

Senegal

University of Cincinnati

US Monastir

Jerome Randle

U.S.

University of California, Berkeley

 

Below are the 11 former BWB Africa campers competing in the Sahara Conference group phase:

 

Team

Player

Country

BWB Camp(s)

Abidjan Basketball Club

Christopher Obekpa

Nigeria

BWB Africa 2009; BWB Africa 2010

AS Douanes

Jean Jacques Boissy

Senegal

BWB Africa 2017

AS Douanes

Samba Fall

Senegal

BWB Africa 2005

Rwanda Energy Group

Ulrich Kamka Chomche

Cameroon

BWB Africa 2022; BWB Global 2023

Stade Malien

Mamadou Keita

Mali

BWB Africa 2013

Stade Malien

Namakan Traore

Mali

BWB Africa 2014

Stade Malien

John Walter Wilkins

France

BWB Europe 2006

US Monastir

Oussama Marnaoui

Tunisia

BWB Africa 2016; BWB Global 2017

US Monastir

Churchill Abass

Nigeria

BWB Global 2023

US Monastir

Firas Lahyani

Tunisia

BWB Africa 2009

US Monastir

Ibrahima Thomas

Senegal

BWB Africa 2004; BWB Africa 2005

 

Below please find complete details about the 2023 BAL season’s global broadcast distribution:

 

  • Select free-to-air channels across Africa will air BAL games throughout the season with the support of the African Union of Broadcasting.
  • AFN, which is distributed to U.S. military bases and ships at sea in 166 countries and territories, will air select games live and on delay throughout the season.
  • For the third consecutive season, Canal+ and ESPN will air every BAL game across Francophone and Anglophone countries and territories in sub-Saharan Africa.  Canal+ will also produce and distribute original programming about the league, including an eight-episode magazine show “BAL Action.”
  • NBA TV will broadcast all 38 games live or on delay in the U.S. and around the world.
  • BAL games and programming will be available in China on Tencent Sports
  • TV5 Monde will air select BAL games in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • VOA will broadcast all 38 games across its extensive radio network in Africa, including select games in English, French, Portuguese, Kinyarwanda and Wolof.  VOA and the BAL will collaborate on additional programming, including weekly podcasts from Dakar, Cairo and Kigali that will air across VOA and BAL online platforms.
  • Visionary TV will air all 38 games on its streaming platform “Vision View TV” in select African countries.
  • For the third consecutive season, every BAL game will livestream on the NBA AppNBA.com and BAL.NBA.com.
  • FIBA’s digital platform Courtside 1891 will stream BAL highlights, content and “BAL Action.”

Please be advised of the following update to the 2022-23 NBA Schedule:

 

 

ThursdayMarch 23, 2023

  • The Oklahoma City at LA Clippers game will now be televised by NBA TV.

 

Saturday, March 25, 2023

  • The Milwaukee at Denver game will now be televised by NBA TV.
  • The Brooklyn at Miami game will no longer be televised by NBA TV.
  • The New Orleans at LA Clippers game will no longer be televised by NBA TV.

 

Monday, March 27, 2023

  • The Dallas at Indiana game will now be televised by NBA TV.
  • The Milwaukee at Detroit game will no longer be televised by NBA TV.

 

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FOR

THE 2023 KARL MALONE AWARD 

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 10 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 9, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2023 Karl Malone Award.

 

Named after Class of 2010 Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top power forward in Division I men’s college basketball.

 

2023 Karl Malone Award Finalists

Ąžuolas Tubelis

Arizona

Drew Timme

Gonzaga

Trayce Jackson-Davis

Indiana

Kris Murray

Iowa

Bryce Hopkins

Providence

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 10, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Karl Malone Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Karl Malone Award are Keegan Murray, Iowa (2022), Drew Timme, Gonzaga (2021), Obi Toppin, Dayton (2020), Zion Williamson, Duke (2019), Deandre Ayton, Arizona (2018), Johnathan Motley, Baylor (2017), Georges Niang, Iowa State (2016) and Montrezl Harrell, Louisville (2015).

 

For more information on the 2023 Karl Malone Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MaloneAward on Twitter and Instagram.


About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame:

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FOR

THE 2023 JULIUS ERVING AWARD 

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 10 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 8, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2023 Julius Erving Award. 

 

Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.

 

2023 Julius Erving Award Finalists 

Brandon Miller

Alabama

Julian Strawther

Gonzaga

Jalen Wilson

Kansas

Keyontae Johnson

Kansas State

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

UCLA

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 10, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Julius Erving Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Julius Erving Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Wendell Moore Jr, Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).


For more information on the 2023 Julius Erving Award and the latest updates, visit 
hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #ErvingAward on Twitter and Instagram.


DAVID BENNER WINS SPLAVER/McHUGH AWARD

INDIANAPOLIS, March 8, 2023 – David Benner, who led the Basketball Communications Department of the Indiana Pacers for nearly 30 years, has been posthumously named the recipient of the Brian McIntyre Trophy as the 2023 Splaver/McHugh “Tribute to Excellence” Award winner.  Benner’s family was presented with the award at his memorial service today in Indianapolis after he passed away on March 1.

 

The Splaver/McHugh Award is given by the NBA Public Relations Directors Association to a current or former member of the NBA public relations family who has demonstrated an outstanding level of performance and service during his or her NBA career.

 

Benner served as the Pacers’ Director of Media Relations for 27 seasons from 1994-95 – 2020-21.  He then spent the 2021-22 season with Indiana as Senior Media Advisor before stepping away from the organization.  The Pacers presented Benner with a framed No. 28 jersey in honor of his years of service before a home game against the Detroit Pistons on April 3, 2022.      

 

During his tenure, Indiana became the first two-time winner of the Brian McIntyre Media Relations Award, which is presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) to the NBA media relations staff that best exemplifies the standards of professionalism and excellence.  The Pacers earned the honor in the 2010-11 and 2012-13 seasons.

 

Under Benner’s direction, the PBWA also recognized the Pacers with the Rudy Tomjanovich Award (Frank Vogel in 2013-14) and the Magic Johnson Award (Jermaine O’Neal in 2003-04).  The Rudy Tomjanovich Award honors an NBA coach for his cooperation with the media and fans in addition to his excellence on the court.  The Magic Johnson Award honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.

 

Benner oversaw public relations efforts for six Eastern Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals berth, along with individual winners for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, NBA Most Improved Player, NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Basketball Executive of the Year. 

 

An Indiana native and Indiana University alum, Benner joined the Pacers after a successful career as a sports journalist with the Indianapolis Star.  He covered the Pacers (1983-91) and Notre Dame football (1991-94) for the newspaper. 

 

The Splaver/McHugh Award is named in memory of two of the most highly respected public relations executives in NBA history, Marc Splaver and Howie McHugh.  Splaver was the Public Relations Director of the Washington Bullets for five seasons in the 1970s.  McHugh served for more than 40 years as the original Public Relations Director of the Boston Celtics.

 

The award’s trophy was named in honor of longtime NBA executive Brian McIntyre in 2015.  McIntyre, the 2012 winner of the award, directed the NBA Communications Department and later the Basketball Communications Department from 1981-2010.  McIntyre joined the NBA after three and a half seasons as Director of Marketing and Media Information for the Chicago Bulls.

 

Splaver/McHugh Award Winners

 

Below is a list of Splaver/McHugh Award winners and their NBA contributions.

 

• Tom Ambrose: Founder and first President of the NBA Public Relations Directors Association; spent 37 years with the Phoenix Suns, including roles as Public Relations Director, Senior Vice President and  Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities

 

• David Benner: Former Indiana Pacers Media Relations Director who worked with the team from 1994-2022

 

• John Black: Former Los Angeles Public Relations Director who worked with the team from 1989-2016

 

• Dave Coskey: Former Philadelphia 76ers Executive Vice President and Vice President of Marketing and Communications

 

• Dennis D’Agostino: Current New York Knicks Team Historian and Writer; 36-season tenure with the Knicks, including a stint as Director of Publications and Broadcast Services

 

• Matt Dobek: Former Detroit Pistons Public Relations Director and Vice President who worked with the team from 1981-2010

 

• Jim Foley: Former Houston Rockets Public Relations Director and Radio Analyst who worked for the team for 36 seasons

 

• Cheri Hanson: Current Portland Trail Blazers Vice President, Team Relations after joining the team in 2007 as Vice President of Communications; formerly directed public relations for the Golden State Warriors, Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks; former NBA Assistant Director of Media Relations; daughter of 1998 Splaver/McHugh Award winner John White

 

• Terry Lyons: Former NBA Vice President of International Communications who spent 26 years with the league

 

• Brian McIntyre: Former Chicago Bulls Director of Marketing and Media Information; led communications efforts at the NBA from 1981-2010; named the 2011 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

 

• Harvey Pollack: Legendary NBA statistician; named the 2002 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award recipient by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

 

• Mark Pray: Former Washington Bullets and Miami Heat Public Relations Director

 

• Josh Rosenfeld: Former Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks Public Relations Director and the NBA’s first Director of International Public Relations

 

• Tommy Sheppard: Former Denver Nuggets Senior Director of Team Services and Player Relations; current Washington Wizards President and General Manager

 

• Kevin Sullivan: Former Dallas Mavericks Public Relations Director

 

• Jeff Twiss: Current Boston Celtics Vice President of Media Services/Alumni Relations who is in his 42nd season with the team

 

• Rick Welts: Former Seattle SuperSonics Public Relations Director; former Phoenix Suns President and Chief Executive Officer; former Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and President of NBA Properties; former Golden State Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer

 

• John White: Original Portland Trail Blazers Publicity Director

 

• Matt Winick: Former NBA Director of Media Information and Senior Vice President of Scheduling and Game Operations; oversaw NBA game scheduling for more than 30 years


Pools announced for FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023

MARCH 8, 2023

VIENNA (Austria) - Defending champions Serbia (men's) and France (women's) face tough early challenges as the pools were unveiled for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023. 

The marquee event in Austria's historic capital of Vienna will be held on May 30-June 4 and there are four pools of five teams for both men's and women's categories. 

There will be 40 teams - 20 per gender - competing in the eighth edition of the showpiece event, where there is added incentive with the medalists qualifying for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

In the men's, five-time winners Serbia will face European powers France and Germany in a loaded Pool A, while FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2022 silver medalist Brazil and FIBA 3x3 Africa Cup 2022 champs Madagascar will also prove formidable opponents. 

Two-time AmeriCup champs and World Cup 2019 winners USA are the No.2 seed but have their hands full in Pool B, which might well be the 'Group of Death'.

Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Latvia have won almost every prize in 3x3 except a World Cup although they finished with a silver in the World Cup 2019

Host Austria and FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup 2022 champs Australia will ensure it's not a two-horse race, while the fifth team will be the winner from the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2023 qualifier in Eilat, Israel in May. 

No.3 seed Lithuania will be aiming to go one step better having won silver at the World Cup 2022 but will face serious competition in Pool C against European heavyweights Belgium and Poland.

AmeriCup 2022 silver medalist Puerto Rico will be confident of a deep run, while the fifth team will be the second placed from qualification. 

No.4 seed Netherlands are hoping to continue their strong World Cup record having twice before been runners-up, but they will need to fend off strong challenges in Pool D from Mongolia, Switzerland and Japan. The fifth team will be the third-placed from the qualifier. 

Men's 

Pool A: Serbia, France, Germany, Brazil, Madagascar
Pool B: USA, Latvia, Austria, Australia, WCQ
Pool C: Lithuania, Belgium, Poland, Puerto Rico, WCQ
Pool D: Netherlands, Mongolia, Switzerland, Japan, WCQ 

In the women's, defending champs France will play Netherlands in a re-match of last year's FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup final. Spain, hosts Austria and AmeriCup 2022 silver medalists Brazil round out Pool A.

No.2 seed Germany headline Pool B and face Asian powerhouse Japan, Poland, Africa Cup 2022 champs Egypt and the top team from the World Cup  Qualifier. 

Tokyo Olympic gold medalists USA will face a Pool C blockbuster against neighbors Canada, who won silver at last year's World Cup. Mongolia, Hungary and a the second team from the Qualifier will round out the group.

Pool D will be a titanic battle featuring No.4 seed Lithuania and former champs China and Italy, while Romania and the 3rd best-ranked team from the World Cup Qualifier are the other teams in the group. 

Women's 

Pool A: France, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Brazil
Pool B: Germany, Japan, Poland, Egypt, WCQ
Pool C: USA, Canada, Mongolia, Hungary, WCQ
Pool D: Lithuania, China, Romania, Italy, WCQ

###

Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court.

It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly professional circuit for men and women (World Tour and Women’s Series respectively) and national-team competitions.

3x3 made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, Bodet shot-clocks and the Magic Sky canopy system.

For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on DouyinFacebookInstagramSina WeiboTencentTikTokTwitchTwitterYouku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.

Los Grises de Humacao de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña celebran este viernes su primer partido de “playoffs”

(Humacao P.R.) – El próximo v𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬, 𝟏𝟎 𝐝𝐞 m𝐚𝐫𝐳𝐨 comienza oficialmente la postemporada 2022-2023 de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña, cuando en el partido de la primera ronda de muerte súbita, los Grises de Humacao reciben la visita de los Titanes de Morovis, desde las 𝟖:𝟎𝟎 de la noche, en la legendaria e histórica el 𝐂ancha 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 E. 𝐇𝐮𝐲𝐤e.

“Contamos con el apoyo y presencia de toda nuestra fiel fanaticada, ya que han sido nuestro sexto hombre en cacha de cada partido local y visitante durante toda esta temporada. ¡𝐒𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐥𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐳 𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐲𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐨!”, expresó el apoderado de la franquicia, Orlando J. López.

𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬:

▪️Arena $10 (𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐬)

▪️General $5

▪️Senior $3

(𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝟏𝟐 𝐚𝐧̃𝐨𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧̃𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬.)

¡𝐒𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐥𝐚 𝐯𝐨𝐳 𝐲 𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐬 𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐲𝐤𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐨!

Para más información pueden comunicarse al (787) 949-4704, en Facebook e Instagram: Grises de Humacao LBP o al correo electrónico grisesdehumacaolbp@gmail.com.

Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Lakers on ABC Draws Largest
Non-Christmas Regular Season NBA Audience on Any Network in Four Years

Averaged Nearly 4 Million Viewers, Peaked with 5.41 Million Viewers

Up 65 Percent from Last Year’s NBA Sunday Showcase Season Average 

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics Draws Largest ESPN NBA Audience This Season 

Sunday’s Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors on ABC generated the largest non-Christmas regular season NBA audience in four years, since the two teams met on February 2, 2019. According to Nielsen, the broadcast averaged nearly four million viewers (3,950,000), peaking with 5,411,000 viewers from 6-6:15 p.m. ET. The broadcast was up 65 percent from last year’s ABC NBA Sunday Showcase season average.

Additionally, the Phoenix Suns victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday averaged 2,814,000 viewers, up 18 percent from last year’s ABC NBA Sunday Showcase season average. The audience peaked with 4,372,000 viewers at 3:30 p.m. It was the most-watched NBA Sunday Showcase early game (1 p.m.) in eight years, dating back to 2015.

The New York Knicks exciting double overtime win against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night delivered an average of 2,146,000 viewers, making it the most-watched NBA game on ESPN this season. It was the most-watched program on cable for March 5 and up 52 percent from last year’s regular season ESPN average.

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FOR

THE 2023 JERRY WEST AWARD 

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 10 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 7, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2023 Jerry West Award. 

 

Named after Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top shooting guards in Division I men’s college basketball. 

 

2023 Jerry West Award Finalists

Adam Flagler

Baylor

Marcus Sasser

Houston

Gradey Dick

Kansas

Isaiah Wong

Miami (Fla.)

Jordan Hawkins

UConn

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 10, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to West and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Jerry West Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Jerry West Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award are Johnny Davis, Wisconsin (2022), Chris Duarte, Oregon (2021), Myles Powell, Seton Hall (2020), RJ Barrett, Duke (2019), Carsen Edwards, Purdue (2018), Malik Monk, Kentucky (2017), Buddy Hield, Oklahoma (2016) and D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State (2015).

 

For more information on the 2023 Jerry West Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #WestAward on Twitter and Instagram.


TORONTO’S FRED VANVLEET FINED

NEW YORK, Mar. 9, 2023 – Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet has been fined $30,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

 

VanVleet made his comments to the media following the Raptors’ 108-100 loss to the LA Clippers on Mar. 8 at Crypto.com Arena.


Grises de Humacao adelantan a la segunda ronda de la postemporada y entran a los mejores 16 equipos

(Humacao P.R.) –Esta noche los Grises de Humacao de la Liga de Baloncesto Puertorriqueña, vencieron a los Titanes de Morovis con marcador 82-61, en partido realizado en la legendaria e histórica el 𝐂ancha 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐨 E. 𝐇𝐮𝐲𝐤e, ante una numerosa fanaticada humacaeña que abarrotaron el recinto deportivo. Con esta victoria los Grises adelantan a la segunda ronda de la postemporada y oficialmente entran a los mejores 16 equipos de todo Puerto Rico.

El apoderado de la franquicia, Orlando J. López informó que por Humacao Cristian Díaz anotó 24 puntos, 10 rebotes y 2 robos de balón. Por su parte Jean Vázquez aportó 19, Kenneth Vázquez y Samuel Delgado con 10, y Josué Delgado añadió 8 a la causa gris. “𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐬 𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐚́𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐲𝐨”, expresó.

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FOR

THE 2023 KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR AWARD

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Today -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 10, 2023) — The Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award. 

 

Named after Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor in its ninth year recognizes the top center in Division I men’s college basketball.

 

2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Finalists

Ryan Kalkbrenner

Creighton

Oscar Tshiebwe

Kentucky

Armando Bacot

North Carolina

Zach Edey

Purdue

Adama Sanogo

UConn

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting today on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward) and the Karl Malone Award (Power Forward), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award are Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky (2022), Luka Garza, Iowa (2020, ‘21), Ethan Happ, Wisconsin (2019), Angel Delgado, Seton Hall (2018), Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga (2017), Jakob Poeltl, Utah (2016) and Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin (2015).

 

For more information on the 2023 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #KareemAward on Twitter and Instagram.


The last World Cup Qualifiers Window delivers stable Top 20 FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike

MARCH 7, 2023

MIES (Switzerland) - The completion of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers brings with it very little change in the top 20 of the latest FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike, as the globe looks forward to this summer's showcase event.

Spain remained atop the ranking - defending their first place obtained in November 2022. The only move in a stable top 20 was Puerto Rico going up one spot to number 20 thanks to booking their ticket to the World Cup from the Americas Qualifiers.

Fellow Americas side Dominican Republic jumped two spots to 23 as they also locked up a spot in the World Cup with two decisive wins in window 6. World Cup co-hosts Japan went up one ranking to 36th while Cote d’Ivoire swapped spots with Lebanon at No. 42.

Two other African teams who will be debuting this summer in the World Cup and moved up the rankings are South Sudan, who rose one spot to 62nd; and Cape Verde, who jumped two slots to 64 as the smallest nation to reach the World Cup in terms of population.

The FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers also impacted the ranking with North Macedonia going up one slot after reaching the EuroBasket Qualifiers while Bulgaria moved up a spot to 47th.

Thanks to their participation in the Second Round of the FIBA World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers, the biggest mover in the top 100 was Guinea who jumped 10 points to 75th.

The Draw of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be held in Manila, the Philippines, on April 29. The draw principles will be based on this ranking and on geographical principles.

For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the "How It Works" section.

Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.

MEMPHIS’ DILLON BROOKS SUSPENDED

 

NEW YORK, Mar. 4, 2023 – Memphis Grizzlies guard-forward Dillon Brooks has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2022-23 season, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations.

 

Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended without pay for an additional game.

 

Brooks received his most recent technical foul with 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Grizzlies’ 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Mar. 3 at Ball Arena.

 

Brooks will serve his suspension Mar. 5 when the Grizzlies visit the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME & WBCA ANNOUNCE FIVE FINALISTS

FOR THE 2023 LISA LESLIE AWARD

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Today -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 3, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the five finalists for the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award.

 

Named after the three-time All-American,1994 National Player of the Year and Class of 2015 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its sixth year recognizes the top centers in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

 

2023 Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award Finalists

Mackenzie Holmes

Indiana

Monika Czinano

Iowa

Jessika Carter

Mississippi State

Aliyah Boston

South Carolina

Elizabeth Kitley

Virginia Tech

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting today on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Leslie and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Lisa Leslie Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward) and the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Lisa Leslie Award are Aliyah Boston, South Carolina (2020-22), Megan Gustafson, Iowa (2019) and A’ja Wilson, South Carolina (2018).

 

For more information on the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #LeslieAward on Twitter and Instagram.


 

CHICAGO BULLS’ ALEX CARUSO RECEIVES JANUARY NBA CARES COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD

 

-NBA to donate $10,000 to Dion’s Chicago Dream-

 

NEW YORK, March 3, 2023 – The NBA today announced Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso as the NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner for the month of January in recognition of his effort to address food insecurity, provide essential items for those in need and create memorable experiences for youth in his community.  Each month of the regular season, the award recognizes a player who best demonstrates the passion that the league and NBA players share for giving back to their communities. 

 

Caruso focuses much of his community engagement around helping others gain access to basic life essentials, including providing high-quality fresh food for families in Chicago, providing those in need with clothing and hosting memorable experiences for youth.  During the month of January, Caruso helped deliver meals to families and personally donated $10,000 to Dion's Chicago Dream – a local non-profit dedicated to creating financial, physical and emotional stability for residents of Chicago by helping fight food insecurity in the city.  The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) also matched Caruso’s donation, yielding a $20,000 contribution in total to the non-profit.  As a result of the donation, 20 households are now completely food secure for all of 2023. 

 

Also in January, Caruso hosted local Chicago youth and families from Mikva Challenge’s Neighborhood Leadership Initiative (NLI) during the Bulls’ home game against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 23.  Youth from NLI and their families enjoyed the game in a complimentary suite where they received Bulls apparel.  As part of his support to NLI, Caruso donated coats and clothes to 500 migrants, youth and families in need across three neighborhoods that the program services.  Additionally, Caruso who is an avid golf fan and plays regularly, hosted a golf party for high school golf teams from four Chicago public high schools.  The teams joined Caruso at Five Iron Golf for a private indoor golf event where they had dinner and competed with and against him in various contests.  He also gifted the teams with custom Bulls golf merchandise and signed memorabilia for students.

 

In addition to his contributions locally, Caruso also participated in a Her Time to Play youth hoops clinic while in Paris for the NBA Paris Game 2023.  Alongside some of his Bulls’ teammates, Caruso taught basketball skills and participated in drills with 40 youth from Paris Basket 18 – a club created to provide girls the opportunity to practice and play basketball focused on empowering girls in sports.

 

“It’s special to win the Community Assist award because I’ve always been a person that said if I ever had a chance to give back, I was going to do it,” said Caruso.  “We have a lot of privilege and a lot of responsibility to hold ourselves to a high standard and help people that are in need.  That’s just the way I was raised, and I think that’s something really cool that I’m able to do now."

 

Caruso will be recognized during an on-court ceremony before the Bulls’ home contest against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Mar. 3 at 8 p.m. ET.  Chicago Bulls Vice President of Community Engagement and Executive Director of Chicago Bulls Charities Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry will present him with the award.  The NBA will donate $10,000 to Dion’s Chicago Dream.

 

The NBA Cares Community Assist Award honors the standard set by NBA Legend David Robinson, who improved the community piece by piece.  To learn more, please visit https://communityassist.nba.com/.


Italy lead multiple European climbers in FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike

MARCH 3, 2023

MIES (Switzerland) - Italy are celebrating a newly gained top 15 spot in the latest FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike, thanks to a perfect qualifying campaign for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023.

Winning all six games and most pertinently, the four played following the previous edition of the ranking issued after the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022Italy move up two spots into 14th place with 396.8 points. They are rewarded as one of just four nations who punched their ticket to this year's flagship event holding unbeaten records.

With no changes to the top 13 ranking places, the other significant movers were also competitors in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers during November 2022 and February 2023. 

With 302.5 points, Great Britain step back into the top 20 after moving above Montenegro, who will also appear at the main event in June. The same can be said of both Slovakia and Czech Republic. They now have 285.4 points in 22nd place, compared to 278.7 points for Czech Republic in 23rd.

Other big winners included Hungary, up three places to 24th after increasing their points tally to 275.9, while there were significant climbs for Austria and North Macedonia. They achieved surprise wins in their respective qualifying campaigns, with Austria advancing a massive 21 places to 84th with 76.3 points and North Macedonia enjoying a rise of 13 places to 67th on 94.4 points.

In Africa, Egypt and Mozambique are looking upwards now after attaining impressive climbs off the back of a successful campaign in the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2023 Qualifiers.

Egypt beat Uganda in the AfroBasket Qualifiers in Kampala and that contributed to them moving up three spots to 39th with 156.1 points. Mozambique rode past rivals Angola to take the only ticket on offer and subsequently find themselves up four places to 43rd with 148.6 points.

Since the previous update of the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike, only European and African teams have participated in official FIBA events. There were no competitions in Americas, Asia or Oceania.

For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Women, please refer to the 'How it Works' section.

Click here to view the FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike.

Singapore to host FIBA Intercontinental Cup under three-year partnership as competition reaches Asia in historical first

MARCH 3, 2023

MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is set to enter a new chapter of its long history in 2023, as FIBA and Sport Singapore have agreed to a three-year partnership that expands the event to also involve Asia for the first time and better reflects the modern club basketball landscape.

The Singapore Sports Hub is destined to become the first-ever venue in Asia to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup as it will provide the stage for the 33rd edition of the event, from September 21-24, 2023.

The competition will hence return to be staged in September so that it adapts more efficiently to the domestic and continental leagues' calendar and the schedule of international players, and to better accommodate participating clubs.

"This agreement serves both as the realization of a basketball dream that dates back generations as well as a launchpad into the future era of global club basketball. Singapore, as a melting pot of cultures, is perhaps the ideal place to bring that vision to life," commented FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.

"The first edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 1966 was an inspired event conceived by visionaries. They envisioned a competition that would assist in uniting different cultures through basketball but only dared to dream that one day the event would develop to the point where clubs from all corners of the globe compete in it," Mr. Zagklis added.

The field of contenders is to expand from four to six teams and in the September event in Singapore, a Chinese club, jointly selected by FIBA and the Chinese Basketball Association, will join four teams representing the same four continental leagues as in the past two editions. The sixth participant will be announced by FIBA in due course.

Those four teams will include the champions from the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL), a professional league featuring the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries operated in partnership between FIBA and the NBA, the champions of Basketball Champions League 2022-23, the champions of Basketball Champions League Americas 2022-23, and NBA G League Ignite, the team that was founded in 2020 to prepare top prospects for the NBA Draft.

"The FIBA Intercontinental Cup is an important showcase for top club teams from outside the NBA and reflects the strength of professional basketball leagues around the world,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. "We’re excited that NBA G League Ignite and the champions of the upcoming third season of the Basketball Africa League will be represented at this year’s tournament in Singapore, where we recently opened an office and where there is growing affinity for the game," Mr. Tatum added.

"Building on the success of the FIBA 3X3 Asia Cup 2022, which will return for another edition this month, we are happy to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup that will treat fans here to world-class high-impact basketball action. Ranked top five in our annual National Sports Participation Survey, basketball has always been a popular sport among Singaporeans. The FIBA Intercontinental Cup will further enhance the interest and inspire more people, especially the youth to play and watch the sport," shared Mr. Toh Boon Yi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Sport Singapore.

"Come September 2023, Singapore will once again showcase its capability and innovation to the international sporting community as we welcome athletes, officials and fans from around the world. FIBA Intercontinental Cup will be an important addition to our events portfolio that advances our nation’s sporting, social and economic aspirations," Mr. Toh added.

"We are delighted to be working with FIBA to host and organize Asia’s first FIBA Intercontinental Cup here in Singapore,” said Quek Swee Kuan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Sports Hub. “Hosting the FIBA Intercontinental Cup reaffirms Singapore Sports Hub’s position as a premier destination for sporting events in the Asia Pacific,” he added. “We look forward to welcoming the teams, officials and fans to the Singapore Sports Hub for exciting hoop action this September."

Spanish club Lenovo Tenerife are the current trophy holders after winning the 32nd edition of the competition, in which they competed as the 2021-22 Basketball Champions League winners. That was the second event in a row which featured the champions of continental leagues from four different world regions.

Real Madrid remains the most decorated club in competition history, having conquered the trophy on five occasions.

BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES FIVE FINALISTS FOR

THE 2023 BOB COUSY AWARD 

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 10 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (March 6, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the five finalists for the 2023 Bob Cousy Award.

 

Named after Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy, the annual honor, now in its 20th year, recognizes the top point guard in Division I men’s college basketball.

 

2023 Bob Cousy Award Finalists

Markquis Nowell

Kansas State

Tyler Kolek

Marquette

Boo Buie

Northwestern

Jalen Pickett

Penn State

Yuri Collins

Saint Louis

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 10 on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Cousy and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Bob Cousy Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Bob Cousy Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Julius Erving Award (Small Forward), Karl Malone (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center), in addition to the Women’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Bob Cousy Award include Collin Gillespie, Villanova (2022), Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois (2021), Ja Morant, Murray State (2019), Jalen Brunson, Villanova (2018), Trey Burke, Michigan (2013), Kendall Marshall, North Carolina (2012), Kemba Walker, Connecticut (2011) and Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph’s (2004).

 

For more information on the 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #CousyAward on Twitter and Instagram.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME & WBCA ANNOUNCE FIVE FINALISTS

FOR THE 2023 KATRINA MCCLAIN AWARD 

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 3 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (Mar. 2, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the five finalists for the 2023 Katrina McClain Award.

 

Named after the two-time All-American and 1987 National Player of the Year, the annual award in its sixth year recognizes the top power forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

 

2023 Katrina McClain Award Finalists

Aneesah Morrow

DePaul

Angel Reese

LSU

Cameron Brink

Stanford

Aaliyah Edwards

UConn

Maddy Siegrist

Villanova

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 3, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to McClain and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Katrina McClain Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Katrina McClain Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the four other members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward) and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award are NaLyssa Smith, Baylor (2021-22), Ruthy Hebard, Oregon (2018, ‘20) and Napheesa Collier, Connecticut (2019).

 

For more information on the 2023 Katrina McClain Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #McClainAward on Twitter and Instagram.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME & WBCA ANNOUNCE FIVE FINALISTS

FOR THE 2023 CHERYL MILLER AWARD

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 3 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (Mar. 1, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the five finalists for the 2023 Cheryl Miller Award.

 

Named after the three-time Naismith Player of the Year and Class of 1995 Hall of Famer, the annual award in its sixth year recognizes the top small forwards in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

 

2023 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award Finalists

Ashley Joens

Iowa State

Madi Williams

Oklahoma

Haley Jones

Stanford

Rickea Jackson

Tennessee

Gianna Kneepkens

Utah

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 3, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

This month, the finalists will be presented to Miller and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Cheryl Miller Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Cheryl Miller Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the other four members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward) and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award are Ashley Joens, Iowa State (2021-22), Satou Sabally, Oregon (2020), Bridget Carleton, Iowa State (2019) and Gabby Williams, Connecticut (2018).

 

For more information on the 2023 Cheryl Miller Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MillerAward on Twitter and Instagram.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME & WBCA ANNOUNCE FIVE FINALISTS

FOR THE 2023 ANN MEYERS DRYSDALE AWARD

Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 3 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (Feb. 28, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the five finalists for the 2023 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award.

 

Named after the first player, male or female, named to an All-America Team in four straight college seasons, the annual award in its sixth year recognizes the top shooting guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the tenacity and scoring prowess of Class of 1993 Hall of Famer Ann Meyers.

 

2023 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Finalists

Keishana Washington

Drexel

Ta’Niya Latson

Florida State

Hailey Van Lith

Louisville

Diamond Miller

Maryland

Zia Cooke

South Carolina

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 3, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

In March, the finalists will be presented to Meyers Drysdale and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Meyers Drysdale Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the four other members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Nancy Lieberman Award (Point Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward) and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award are Christyn Williams, UConn (2022), Ashley Owusu, Maryland (2021), Aari McDonald, Arizona (2020), Asia Durr, Louisville (2019) and Victoria Vivians, Mississippi State (2018).

 

For more information on the 2023 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #MeyersAward on Twitter and Instagram.


NBA LAUNCHPAD SELECTS SEVEN COMPANIES TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP BASKETBALL AND FAN-RELATED TECHNOLOGY

 

– Second season adds four companies to new Enhancing the Fan Experience R&D platform –

 

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2023 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced it has selected seven companies for the second installment of NBA Launchpad, the league’s initiative to source, evaluate and pilot emerging technologies that advance the NBA’s top priorities on and off the court. Given the success of the platform in advancing key basketball priorities during its inaugural year, the 2023 NBA Launchpad has expanded to identify emerging fan experiences at home and in NBA arenas.

 

NBA Launchpad received hundreds of submissions from a diverse applicant pool, ranging from early-stage startups to public institutions.  The 2023 cohort of the NBA Launchpad program includes: 

 

Advancing The Game

  • SkillCorner (Paris, France): Technology that uses computer vision and machine learning to generate player tracking data from existing video feeds.
  • Springbok Analytics (Charlottesville, Virginia): AI-based technology that transforms MRI data into a 3D digital twin, quantifying an athlete’s musculature for precision health and performance optimization.
  • Supersapiens (Atlanta, Georgia): Technology that analyzes glucose data to inform athletes how nutrition impacts their well-being, sleep and athletic performance.

 

Enhancing The Fan Experience

  • Action Audio (Victoria, Australia): Technology that transforms spatial data into information-rich 3D sound experiences, helping blind/low vision audiences to follow sport in real time.
  • EDGE Sound Research (Riverside, California): Embodied sound technology that leverages standard audio inputs to produce audible, haptic and tactile sensation directly to a fan within an arena or at home for sports, music and gaming. 
  • nVenue (Houston, Texas): Sports betting platform that uses machine learning and AI to generate game-relevant probabilities and micro-bets for fans to engage with in real-time.
  • Tagboard (Redmond, Washington): Audience experience platform designed to help production teams create the most engaging content in the world with a fraction of the resources required by traditional graphics systems.

 

“NBA Launchpad is proud to support startups that are leveraging AI and machine learning to drive innovation in the sport of basketball,” said Tom Ryan, Vice President, Basketball Strategy, NBA. “By partnering with these cutting-edge companies, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible on the court and unlocking new insights that have the potential to transform the game.”

 

“The expansion of NBA Launchpad has opened the door to create and enhance ways for fans to experience our game,” said Jason Bieber, Vice President, Global Strategy & Innovation, NBA. “By partnering with these innovative companies, we hope to bring fans closer to the action and uncover insights about the future of fan engagement.”  

 

Over the next six months, NBA Launchpad companies will participate in a six-month R&D project within the NBA’s ecosystem. As part of NBA Launchpad, companies and entrepreneurs will receive access to NBA resources, hands-on support and other unique incentives to develop future technologies. At the conclusion of the program, Launchpad companies will present to NBA executives, strategic partners and investors during NBA Launchpad Demo Day at NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas.  

 

To conduct a holistic review process, the NBA partnered with Pitchtape, a video submission management platform, and enlisted subject matter experts from the League Office, teams, and partners to evaluate each submission. 

 

For more information, please visit www.launchpad.nba.com or email launchpad@nba.com 


“NBA REWIND WITH AHMAD RASHAD” TO PREMIERE ON NBA APP

 

– Emmy® Award-Winning Executive Producer and Host Ahmad Rashad to Sit Down with Two-Time NBA MVP Stephen Curry in Debut of New NBA App Series Providing Inside Look at Current NBA Stars and Iconic Figures –

 

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2023 – “NBA Rewind with Ahmad Rashad,” the latest interview series by Emmy® Award-winning executive producer and host Ahmad Rashad, will debut today at 1 p.m. ET on the NBA App when Rashad sits down for an exclusive interview with four-time NBA champion and two-time league MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.  Each episode, “NBA Rewind with Ahmad Rashad” will feature a new installment as the longtime host of the iconic series “NBA Inside Stuff” speaks with the league’s biggest stars and legendary figures for an in-depth look at their lives and the game.

 

On the debut episode, the legendary sportscaster and Curry discuss Curry’s early career challenges, the work the Warriors guard put in to elevate his game, his drive to reach new heights, cementing legacies and more.  Future episodes include Basketball Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Dominique Wilkins. Additional details regarding future episodes will be available at a later date.

 

“‘NBA Rewind with Ahmad Rashad’ will provide an inside look at some of the NBA’s current greats along with legends themselves,” said Rashad. “Throughout the four decades that I have covered the league, I have learned that fans deeply appreciate my perspective on the game and the players, and ‘NBA Rewind with Ahmad Rashad’ will provide it to them on the NBA App.”

 

A host and commentator for NBC for 20 years, Rashad covered four Olympics and won an Emmy® for his work on the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.  He was executive producer, managing editor and host of the award-winning show “NBA Inside Stuff” for 16 seasons.  He also hosted Ahmad Inside, a five-part series on ESPN+ with NBA Hall of Famers about the 1980s and 90s era of basketball.  In addition to hosting the annual Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, Rashad currently serves as an NBA ambassador and consultant to the New York Knicks.  An All-American at Oregon, Rashad was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and played 10 NFL seasons, including seven in Minnesota, where he earned four Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl MVP.  In 2017, he was enshrined in the Vikings’ “Ring of Honor.”

 

“NBA Rewind with Ahmad Rashad” joins a growing list of original programming featured exclusively on the NBA App, including “Pass the Rock,” “Throw It Down with Bill Walton,” “Gold Blooded” and more.

 

As previously announced, the new and improved NBA App is the all-in-one destination for NBA fans of every team.  With entirely new personalization features, the NBA App provides wall-to-wall content from every NBA game and features social-style vertical video, unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to players and teams, new and existing shows and series, and access to the NBA vault for free.  The NBA App – a product of NBA Digital, the league’s joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports – is free to download here.


BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME & WBCA ANNOUNCE FIVE FINALISTS

FOR THE 2023 NANCY LIEBERMAN AWARD

- Fan Voting, Presented by Dell Technologies, Starts Friday, March 3 -

 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (Feb. 27, 2023) — The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced the five finalists for the 2023 Nancy Lieberman Award.

 

Now in its 24th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.

 

2023 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award Finalists

McKenna Hofschild

Colorado State

Caitlin Clark

Iowa

Olivia Miles

Notre Dame

Lauren Park-Lane

Seton Hall

Nika Mühl

UConn

 

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting, presented by Dell Technologies, starting Friday, March 3, on hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.

 

In March, the finalists will be presented to Lieberman and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Nancy Lieberman Award is composed of top women’s college basketball personnel including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers.

 

The winner of the 2023 Lieberman Award will be presented on a to be determined date, along with the four other members of the Women’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (Shooting Guard), Cheryl Miller Award (Small Forward), the Katrina McClain Award (Power Forward) and the Lisa Leslie Award (Center), in addition to the Men’s Starting Five.

 

Previous winners of the Nancy Lieberman Award include Caitlin Clark, Iowa (2022), Paige Bueckers, UConn (2021), Sabrina IonescuOregon (2018-20), Skylar Diggins, Notre Dame (2012-13), Diana Taurasi, Connecticut (2003-04) and Sue Bird, Connecticut (2000-02).

 

For more information on the 2023 Nancy Lieberman Award and the latest updates, visit hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall and #LiebermanAward on Twitter and Instagram.