#ClutchBasket Notas relacionadas al Baloncesto Local e Internacional

NBA CELEBRATES ITS 13^THANNUAL LATIN NIGHTS PROGRAM WITH NOCHES Éne•Bé•A 2019

–  All 30 NBA Teams to Wear Celebratory Warmup Shirts –

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2019 – To commemorate NBA fans and players across Latin American and U.S. Hispanic communities, the league is celebrating its 13^th annual Noches Éne•Bé•A (eh-nay-bay-ah), Latin nights program, throughout the month of March with celebratory warmup shirts and merchandise as well as 15 games with in-arena festivities.

                                             

Noches Éne•Bé•A 2019 will include the following:

·       All 30 NBA teams wearing specially-designed Fanatics Branded Noches Éne•Bé•A warmup shirts during the first two weeks of March. 

·       The Phoenix Suns wearing their own Noches Éne•Bé•A Nike City Edition jerseys during key games. 

·       Special telecasts and in-arena festivities. 

Noches Éne•Bé•A 2019 In-arena Festivities’ Schedule:

3/1/2019 - NEW ORLEANS @ PHOENIX

3/4/2019 - NEW YORK @ SACRAMENTO

3/4/2019 - DALLAS @ BROOKLYN

3/6/2019 - SAN ANTONIO @ ATLANTA

3/6/2019 - MIAMI @ CHARLOTTE

3/12/2019 - PORTLAND @ LA

3/13/2019 - BROOKLYN @ OKLAHOMA CITY

3/14/2019 -  DALLAS @ DENVER

3/18/2019 - CHICAGO @ PHOENIX

3/20/2019 - MILWAUKEE @ CLEVELAND

3/22/2019 -  MIAMI @ MILWAUKEE

3/23/2019 - UTAH@ CHICAGO

3/24/2019 - LA @ NEW YORK

3/30/2019 - SACRAMENTO @ HOUSTON

3/31/2019 - CHARLOTTE @ GOLDEN STATE

The celebrations will be supported by unique content on the league’s English and Spanish-language social media pages.

NBA G LEAGUE TO HOST INAUGURAL ELITE CAMP

– Three-Day Event to Feature NBA Draft-Eligible Players and NBA G League Players –

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2019 – The NBA G League today announced the NBA G League Elite Camp, a three-day scouting event featuring 2019 NBA Draft hopefuls and the NBA G League’s top prospects from the 2018-19 season.  The camp will take place at Chicago’s Quest Multisport from Sunday, May 12 through Tuesday, May 14.

Replacing the NBA G League Elite Mini Camp, the new event will give prospects eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NBA and NBA G League scouts, coaches and front office executives.  The event will also continue to give top NBA G League prospects from the previous season a chance to be evaluated.  The NBA G League players will attend the first two days of the NBA G League Elite Camp and the 2019 NBA Draft prospects will participate in the second and third days, without overlap between the two groups of athletes. 

“We’re thrilled to introduce the NBA G League Elite Camp as an essential addition to our comprehensive evaluation process of potential NBA and NBA G League talent,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.  “This event will provide more players with exposure as they enter the next phase of their careers.”

A select number of players from the draft-eligible group will be invited to participate in the 2019 NBA Draft Combine based on their performance in the NBA G League Elite Camp.

The draft-eligible participants for the NBA G League Elite Camp and the invitees to the NBA Draft Combine will both be determined by an NBA team vote.  Once the NBA Draft Combine participants are finalized, the top remaining 40 vote-getters will be invited to the last two days of the Elite Camp.

Tonight, the NBA unveiled the logo for NBA All-Star 2020 in Chicago, IL. The Windy City-inspired design features elements from the iconic Chicago flag including four red six-pointed stars and two horizontal blue stripes. The Chicago Bulls’ signature font and team colors – red and black – are also incorporated into the logo scheme. 

The 69^th annual NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 16, at the United Center, home of the Bulls.

NBA AND FIBA ANNOUNCE PLAN TO LAUNCH

PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE IN AFRICA

- Basketball Africa League to Mark NBA’s

First Collaboration to Operate a League Outside North America -

CHARLOTTE, N.C., MIES, SWITZERLAND, AND ABIDJAN, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, Feb. 16, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced on Saturday their plan to launch the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa. 

The BAL will be built on the foundation of current club competitions FIBA is organizing in Africa.  Scheduled to begin play in January 2020, the BAL would mark the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.

The NBA also today announced its plan to introduce a re-imagined direct to consumer offering of NBA games for fans in Africa by the start of the 2019-20 NBA season.  The offering would include new packages, features and localized content, with additional details to be announced at a later date. 

The announcements were made by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at the NBA All-Star 2019 Africa Luncheon in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the presence of FIBA Africa President Hamane Niang; FIBA Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bilé; Charlotte Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan; Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Chairman Larry Tanenbaum; NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts; NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum; NBA Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall; and members of the NBA family, including Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (U.K.; parents from Nigeria), Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), NBA Legend Alonzo Mourning, NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Connecticut Sun forward and two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike (parents from Nigeria), and Raptors President Masai Ujiri (Nigeria).

“On FIBA’s behalf, it’s a huge joy to see our partnership with the NBA enter unchartered territory as we work together for the first time to maximize the potential of professional basketball in Africa,” said Mr. Zagklis.  “This is a natural extension of what we have done through the joint initiative that is Basketball Without Borders (BWB), which helps find, develop and nurture young talented players all around the world, including in Africa.  The Basketball Africa League will enable us to build on the solid foundation laid by FIBA Africa and relaunch the continent’s club competition to offer the ultimate platform for the very best clubs and players.”

“This is a historic day for FIBA Africa and basketball on our continent,” said Mr. Bilé.  “We’re excited to work closely with the NBA to develop and put in a place a professional league like none that we have ever seen in our region before.  Through the Basketball Africa League, we can provide the many great clubs and players with the best possible environment to compete for the highest stakes.  The implementation of this league is also vital to our young up-and-coming players in Africa as it gives them something to take aim at: they can look at becoming players who can play and evolve in these competitions, right on their continent.”

“The Basketball Africa League is an important next step in our continued development of the game of basketball in Africa,” said Silver.  “Combined with our other programs on the continent, we are committed to using basketball as an economic engine to create new opportunities in sports, media and technology across Africa.”

“The establishment of the Basketball Africa League is another exciting milestone for the NBA in Africa,” said Fall.  “Having a top-flight professional basketball league in Africa will provide a platform for elite players to showcase their talent and inspire more young boys and girls to play the game.”

The NBA and FIBA plan to conduct qualification tournaments later this year to identify the 12 teams that would represent several African countries, including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia, with no more than two teams from the same country able to qualify. 

The NBA and FIBA also plan to dedicate financial support and resources toward the continued development of Africa’s basketball ecosystem, including training for players, coaches and referees, and infrastructure investment.  

Additional details about the BAL will be announced at a later date.

First tickets go on sale for China 2019

February 28, 2019 MIES (Switzerland)/BEIJING (China) - Tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 went on sale on Thursday with the launch of the Team Pass. China 2019 Global Ambassador Yao Ming received the first World Cup ticket during a Ticketing Launch Ceremony held at the Beijing Olympic Tower to mark the latest milestone event ahead of this summer's showpiece event.

The Team Pass is the first of four types of tickets that will enable spectators to experience the action at the first-ever 32-team edition of FIBA's flagship competition, which takes place in eight Chinese cities from August 31-September 15. The holder of a Team Pass can secure a ticket to games of a selected team during the competition. The "Group Phase" Team Pass grants tickets to all five (5) games of a selected team during the Group Phase. Depending on the results of the team in the 1st Round, this can mean: Three (3) 1st Round games + Two (2) 2nd Round games; or Three (3) 1st Round games + Two (2) Classification 17-32 games. A Group Phase Team Pass ranges in price from Chinese Yuan (CNY) ¥1,530 (equivalent to USD $228) to RMB ¥6,480 (USD $965). An "All Games" Team Pass adds to what is offered under the "Group Phase" Team Pass, by securing an option for tickets to the three (3) additional games of the Final Phase - in case the selected team makes it to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Final (or 3rd-Place Game). Team Passes for each of the 32 participating teams are available in a limited number and will be on sale until Friday, April 12. The three following types of World Cup tickets will become available in coming weeks and months: City Pass - will go on sale following the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw, presented by Wanda; Day Pass - will go on sale in June; Game Tickets - will go on sale in June. Go to worldcup.basketball/tickets for complete information about tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. The launch of ticket sales comes following the conclusion on Monday of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, the 18-month long global qualification process to determine the field of 32 participating teams for basketball's biggest competition.

FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 draw results in, new trophy unveiled

FEBRUARY 20, 2019 HERAKLION (Greece) - The draw ceremony for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 took place on Wednesday in Heraklion, the capital of the Greek island of Crete. Click here to view the groups, here for the complete schedule and here for the Competition System. On hand for this special event were: Mr. George Vassilakopoulos, President of the Hellenic Basketball Federation and FIBA Europe Honorary President ; Mr Stavros Arnaoutakis, Regional Governer of Crete; Mr. Vassilis Lambrinos, Mayor of Heraklion; and representatives of the participating teams, including that of the host nation. They were joined by Greece star players Giannis Bourousis and Panagiotis Vasilopoulos as well as by former international player Manolis Papamakarios, all of whom helped in carrying out the draw.

Manolis Papamakarios, Panagiotis Vasilopoulos and Giannis Bourousis with the new trophy for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup

The FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2019 will take place from June 29-July 7. The event also served as an opportunity to unveil a new trophy for the competition and its sister event, the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2019, which will held in Bangkok, Thailand from July 20-28. HOOPS & HOPS COLLEGE BASKTBALL VIEWING EXPERIENCE RETURNS TO THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS MARCH 21-23 Identity Presale for the Eighth-Annual Viewing Party Begins Thursday, January 24; General On-Sale Begins Friday, January 25 LAS VEGAS (Jan. 22. 2019)  – Tournament Madness takes over The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas with Hoops & Hops, a three-day college basketball luxury viewing experience, inside the Belmont Ballroom March 21-23. Doors will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The extensive 40,000 square foot Belmont Ballroom, located on the fourth level of the Chelsea tower, will transform into a wall-to-wall basketball mecca featuring multiple stadium-style high-definition projection screens and 10 betting stations within an on-site dedicated sports book. The interactive lounge will also include complimentary bar games, such as Golden Tee and Super Shot as well as a regulation-size basketball court where fans can shoot free throws in between the action.    In addition to an open bar, general admission pass holders may purchase various à la carte breakfast and lunch options from the cash and carry menu including Yogurt & Berry Parfaits; Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwiches; Popcorn; Chili Dogs; Buffalo Chicken Wings; Beer Braised Brats and more. An upgraded experience that includes reserved seating with an unlimited buffet is also available for purchase. Guests can indulge in Smashed Avocado Toast, Chorizo and Scrambled Egg Burritos, a Loaded Nacho Bar with “All the Fixins,” Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket, Meatball Parmesan Hoagies, Buffalo Style Chicken Wings with crudités, Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pita Chips, Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad, and much more. Hoops & Hops offers four distinct experiences: Three Day Open Bar Pass | $475 per pass Come and go for the three full days or stay all day; enjoy open bar (includes well liquors, beer, wine, soda, & water – shots and Red Bull not included). Interactive games, roundtable and bar seating are on a first come, first serve basis. À la carte menu items will be available for purchase. Thursday and Friday Single Day Open Bar Pass | $225 per pass Enjoy open bar (includes well liquors, beer, wine, soda, and water – shots and Red Bull not included). Interactive games, roundtable and bar seating are on a first come, first serve basis. À la carte menu items will be available for purchase. Saturday Single Day Open Bar Pass | $150 per pass Enjoy open bar (includes well liquors, beer, wine, soda, and water – shots and Red Bull not included). Interactive games, roundtable and bar seating are on a first come, first serve basis. À la carte menu items will be available for purchase. Reserved Seating – Lounge on sofa seating and enjoy waitressed beverage service and access to a gourmet buffet and open bar. Reserved seating starts at $400 per person, per day. Contact Entertainment and Cabana Sales at EntertainmentCabanaSales@cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or 702.698.6797, as well as 702.963.2745 for day-of reservations. CliQue Bar & Lounge will also feature additional televisions throughout the venue March 21-22 for fans looking to catch the action. Food and beverage minimums begin at $150 per person for half-day sessions and $300 for full-day sessions. Guests interested in reserving seating can emailrsvp@cliquelv.com.   Additionally, guests may enjoy the games throughout the resort at Race & Sports Book. Tickets for Hoops & Hops can be purchased at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000. All guests must be 21 and over. Guests will also receive complimentary entry into Marquee Nightclub with a valid Hoops & Hops wristband.  EDDIE CASIANO “SILENCIO A LOS MAS QUE SABEN” Con el triunfo sobre Argentina 87-86 (el mismo marcador que el preolímpico de Neuquén, Argentina en el 1995 y casi idéntico final) y vencer a Uruguay 65-61, el temperamental dirigente boricua Eddie Casiano sin lugar a dudas cayo las voces que pedían su cabeza y las que criticaban férreamente su labor como dirigente de nuestra selección nacional. Puerto Rico cerró con ocho victorias y cuatro derrotas, ponchando magistralmente su sello al Mundial China 2019, ante un Coliseo Roberto Clemente a explotar. Yo era a uno de que lo que desde nuestra tribunal radial, pedíamos que fuera Casiano el dirigente de la selección Nacional, ante el fiasco que salió la adquisición de Rick Pittino. Eddie tiene todas las cualidades para ser un dirigente elite con la selección nacional y lo ha ido demostrando poco a poco.  Viene de una medalla de oro en los pasados Juegos Centroamericanos, logra la clasificación a los Juegos Panamericanos Peru 2019, ahora el clasificatorio al mundial ante dos equipos con corte de juego europeo que siempre le han dado problemas a Puerto Rico. La misión y la ecuación era bien sencilla, ganar, ganar o quedarnos sin ir al mundial, pero al final logramos el objetivo. ¡Sí! Ya no tenemos aquellas figuras cimeras de hace años atrás, no tenemos los recursos económicos de hace un tiempo atrás, tampoco el tiempo de práctica,  ¡Cierto!, pero lo que demostró Casiano este fin de semana en el Roberto Clemente fue como hacer crecer un equipo ante su gente y meter el corazón y el alma de sus jugadores en el tabloncillo en cada jugada. Nosotros somos de exigentes con la selección nacional lo que los mexicanos son con el Tricolor o la selección nacional de fútbol, pero ver que cada movida de Eddie fue por el libro, mantuvo fresco a sus jugadores, supo dominar la estatura de un equipo tan alto como Argentina y mantuvo a raya a un equipo de Uruguay que fue vencido por Puerto Rico usando el tempo de juego de Uruguay, sin duda alguna que ahí se separaron los niños de los hombres. Ver y escuchar “La catedral” del baloncesto rugir de una manera descomunal, sin duda es inexplicable. Puerto Rico tienen una gama gigante de talento en el tabloncillo para esta próxima jornada, lo importante es la disponibilidad patria, porque el cerebro lo tienen en Eddie Casiano. El próximo paso son los Panamericanos y el Mundial, como dice el maestro Rafael Bracero…. Continuaremos. JDC BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUB-24 OWEN PÉREZ ES EL MÁS VALIOSO A solo días de comenzar una nueva travesía con los Capitanes de Arecibo en el Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), el delantero-pívot Owen Pérez conoció que fue seleccionado como el Jugador Más Valioso de la Liga Sub-24, que organiza JDC Basketball Corp. Pérez también había sido escogido Jugador Más Valioso de la serie final, donde guió a Yauco United Dragons al campeonato por segundo año consecutivo. El canastero isabelino, que se prepara para su primera campaña con los Capitanes, fue líder de anotaciones con un promedio de 27.7 puntos por partido y en rebotes con 19.4. Además, durante la fase regular, estableció dos marcas en la Liga, mayor cantidad de rebotes por juego y mayor cifra de desafíos en doble-doble con nueve. Por otra parte, Edwin Vélez (Yauco) obtuvo el premio de Dirigente del Año, Edwin Cabrera (Ponce) la distinción de Novato del Año y Carmen Beltrán (Camuy) fue reconocida con la designación de Apoderada del Año Finalmente, el equipo todos estrellas quedó confeccionado por Pérez, Cabrera, Luis Rivera (Camuy), Samuel Acevedo (Añasco) y Christian Pizarro (Yauco), quien también milita con Arecibo en el BSN. BALONCESTO SUPERIOR NACIONAL FEMENINO SAN SEBASTIÁN ADQUIERE A YASHIRA DELGADO   El Director de Torneo del Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino (BSNF), René J. Morales, anunció ayer que las Pepino Power de San Sebastián consiguieron vía cambio a la armadora con experiencia en la Selección Yashira Delgado.  Junto a Delgado, las sotaneras de la pasada campaña recibieron el turno de primera ronda en el sorteo de Nuevo Ingreso 2019 de las Atenienses de Manatí. Las subcampeonas, por su parte, recuperaron los servicios de DeSanta Franklin-Jordan junto al primer turno global del sorteo de Nuevo Ingreso 2019. Delgado fue la segunda mejor armadora del torneo 2018. En 16 juegos repartió 94 asistencias para una media de 5.9 por encuentro. Solo fue superada por la armadora mundialista de las Cangrejeras de Santurce, Dayshalee Salamán, con 98 asistencias y promedio de 6.1. A su vez, Franklin-Jordan debutó en el BSNF durante la inconclusa temporada 2017, posteriormente pasó a las Atenienses y el día inaugural del campeonato 2018 fue cambiada a Pepino por Pamela Rosado. En su estadía en San Sebastián se destacó entre las líderes de la Liga en cortes de balón (23 / 1.5), tiros libres anotados (41 / 2.7) y rebotes (83 / 5.5). “Luego de evaluar la propuesta de cambio, entendemos que la misma se ajusta al principio de balance competitivo por lo que procedemos a aprobar la misma según los términos y condiciones aquí expresados”, manifestó Morales en su misiva de aprobación. Por otra parte, Morales informó que el listado de jugadoras reservadas deberá ser entregado en o antes del sábado 9 de marzo en la próxima reunión del organismo. Entre los temas que allí se discutirán se destaca las solicitudes de posibles recesos.  La competencia 2019 deberá comenzar en el mes de agosto entre los días 8 al 10.

February 25, 2019

MIES (Switzerland) - All 32 teams that will compete at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China this summer (August 31-September 15) are known following the conclusion on Monday of the sixth and final window of the Qualifiers.

This brings to a close the 15-month qualifying campaign that began in November 2017 as a way of establishing a clear Road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019and, with it, mark the beginning of a new era for basketball worldwide.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019

Tournament hosts: China
Africa (5): Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia
Americas (7): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA, Venezuela
Asia (7): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines
Europe (12): Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey

FIBA President Horacio Muratore said: "On FIBA's behalf, we wish to congratulate all 32 teams that have qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. We also want to take the time to acknowledge and thank the 48 teams - and their national federations - that will not play in China but who gave their best efforts during the Qualifiers. We now very much look forward to seeing history being made with the biggest FIBA Basketball World Cup taking center stage from August 31-September 15."

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: "These Qualifiers - the first of their kind for the FIBA Basketball World Cup - have made it possible for 80 national teams all over the world to regularly play official games in front of their fans for the right to compete on the biggest stage. None of this would have been possible without the support and collaboration of our National Member Federations, their respective leagues and clubs. Therefore, on FIBA's behalf, we want to thank the entire basketball family for doing their part in helping us transition into a new era for basketball worldwide."

The next step on the Road to China 2019 for the 32 qualified teams will be finding out what groups they will play in and who they will face as they do battle to be crowned world champions. These answers will come on Saturday, March 16, when the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Draw, presented by Wanda, takes place in Shenzhen, one of the competition's eight host cities. The star-studded event will beheadlined by global sporting icon Kobe Bryant, American best-selling singer/songwriter Jason Derulo and World Cup ambassador Yao Ming.

With the 32-team field set, tickets for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 will go on sale in the coming days.

HOUSTON’S HARDEN FINED

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2019 – Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Harden made his comments to the media following the Rockets’ 111-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 21 at Staples Center.

GOLDEN STATE’S STEVE KERR FINED

NEW YORK, Feb. 14, 2019 – Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has been fined $25,000 for verbally abusing and confronting a game official, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, for which Kerr was assessed two technical fouls and ejected, occurred with 3:54 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 129-107 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 13 at Moda Center.

PHILADELPHIA’S EMBIID FINED

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2019 – Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating, which included the use of inappropriate language, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Embiid made his comments to the media following the 76ers’ 112-109 loss to the Boston Celtics on Feb. 12 at Wells Fargo Center.

Piratas anuncian sus importados

Quebradillas, P.R – Los Piratas de Quebradillas anuncian las firmas de sus dos refuerzos para el inicio la temporada 2019 del Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Estos son el armador Romelo 'Melo' Trimble y el delantero Brian Conklin. 

Trimble de 6’3” de estatura lleva promedio de 22.6 puntos, 4.5 asistencias y 3.7 rebotes con el equipo Cairns Taipans de Australia. El jugador de 24 años se graduó de la Universidad de Maryland en el 2017 y fue parte de los Minnesota Timberwolves.

Melo es un jugador versátil que puede anotar a corta y larga distancia. También, puede desempeñarse tanto en la posición de armador como en la posición de escolta.  

Por su parte, Conklin de 6’7” de estatura conoce de antemano el equipo del Guajataca al haber participado en el torneo 2015 y promediado 15.0 puntos con 6.5 rebotes. 

Esta temporada militó en la Liga de Australia (NBL) y alcanzó promedios de 14.7 puntos y 5.6 capturas. 

Se espera que la dupla de importados se esté reportando a los Piratas entre el 20 y el 22 de febrero. La temporada 2019 del BSN está presta para comenzar el viernes, 1 de marzo. 

NBA TO SUPPORT LOCAL YOUTH, FAMILIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY EFFORTS AS PART OF NBA ALL-STAR 2019

– League to Partner with RISE, Classroom Central, Time Out Youth Center, Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District and Others on More Than 35 Service Projects, Health and Wellness and Youth Empowerment Events – 

– Jr. NBA Day and Gatorade Jr. NBA All-Star Invitational Headline the Week’s Youth Basketball Clinics and Tournaments for Kids Across North Carolina –

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2019 – As part of NBA All-Star 2019, members of the NBA family will work alongside local community organizations to support tens of thousands of children, families and people in need across Charlotte through a series of grassroots programs and events.  Using the game of basketball to bring people together and empower the city’s next generation of leaders, the week’s hands-on service projects, basketball clinics and games, community forums, and physical and mental wellness events will begin Wednesday, Feb. 13.

NBA All-Stars, MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars, and NBA and WNBA players and legends will participate in more than 35 events, including NBA All-Star FIT Celebration, NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service, Jr. NBA Day and the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified^® Basketball Game.  Guided by leading organizations like Time Out Youth Center, Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), KultureCity, Discovery Education, Positive Coaching Alliance and Athlete Ally, these efforts are structured to teach values and fundamentals of the game, create spaces for open and honest dialogue, and build lasting support systems and mentorship opportunities for young people of all ages.

“NBA All-Star allows us to provide resources and support to uplift communities, ultimately creating a more equitable future long after the game concludes,” said Todd Jacobson, NBA Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility.  “These organizations, local leaders and the Charlotte Hornets have championed values central to our game like teamwork, selflessness, belonging and mutual respect, and we’re thrilled to work together in service of youth and families throughout Charlotte.”

As previously announced, Team LeBron and Team Giannis have selected Right Moves for Youth and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina as the Charlotte-based organizations they will play for during the NBA All-Star Game, respectively.  Both organizations will attend NBA All-Star Practice presented by AT&T, the NBA All-Star Game and participate in a special in-arena experience.  The winning team will donate $350,000 and the losing team will donate $150,000 to their selected organizations.

NBA Cares All-Star Community Events Schedule:

• Time Out Youth Center Dinner and Conversation (Wednesday, Feb. 13)
  • NBA and WNBA legends and league staff will participate in a conversation with LGBTQ youth and allies from Time Out Youth Center.  A safe space for LGBTQ youth in the Charlotte area, Time Out Youth Center provides in-depth personalized support services, programming, and a community where everyone is welcome.
• Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital Visit (Thursday, Feb. 14):
  • Members of the NBA family will visit patients and families at Novant Hemby Children’s Hospital and its St. Jude affiliate, joining them to play games and make Valentine’s Day cards and crafts.
• NBA All-Star FIT Celebration presented by Kaiser Permanente (Thursday, Feb. 14):
  • The NBA and Kaiser Permanente will come together to dedicate new locker rooms, a refurbished court and yoga and meditation space at West Charlotte High School, before leading students in oncourt clinics, cooking and meditation activities that encourage total health.  Headspace will also gift yearlong subscriptions to every school teacher and provide free access to the app for students.
• NBA Voices Community Conversation (Thursday, Feb. 14):
  • In partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, Time Out Youth Center and Right Moves For Youth, the NBA will bring together local youth, law enforcement and community leaders for a facilitated discussion about identity, racial bias, conflict resolution and ways to build a stronger and more inclusive community.
• NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service (Friday, Feb. 15):
  • More than 1,500 volunteers, including NBA and WNBA players and legends, coaches and partners, will lead three service projects with support from Nike, SAP, State Farm^® and Timberland.  Volunteers will assemble food donations at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to aid local families, seniors and pets; additional volunteers will refurbish community spaces and a playground at Little Rock Apartments with United Way of Central Carolinas; and others will join Classroom Central to package school supplies for local teachers and students.
• NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game (Friday, Feb. 15):
  • NBA and WNBA players and legends will join 12 Special Olympics athletes from North Carolina and around the world for a demonstration game at Bojangles’ Coliseum before the 2019 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles.  For every 4-pointer made from behind “The RIDGE” during the game, Ruffles will donate $4,000 (minimum donation of $40,000) to Special Olympics to foster environments of inclusion in sports.
• Building Bridges Through Basketball (Saturday, Feb. 16):
  • NBA Voices, Under Armour, RISE, Mecklenburg County Parks & Recreation and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department will help tip off the 7th NBA Voices Building Bridges Through Basketball series.  The 10-week program will bring together Charlotte youth and law enforcement for basketball clinics and leadership activities that create space for open discussion, encourage mutual trust, and focus on identity, diversity and conflict resolution.
• Hoops For Troops (Thursday, Feb. 14 – Sunday, Feb. 17):
  • Throughout the week, the NBA will partner with the United Service Organizations (USO), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors(TAPS), Fort Bragg and Camp Lejuene to host special experiences for active duty military members and families of fallen servicemen and women.
• Make-A-Wish^® (Thursday, Feb. 14 – Sunday, Feb. 17):
  • The NBA and Make-A-Wish will grant the wishes of eight kids facing critical illnesses, treating the youth and their families to several days of fun events, including meet-and-greets with NBA All-Stars, State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night participants and NBA and WNBA legends.
• Spectrum Center Sensory Inclusive Certification (Friday, Feb. 15 – Sunday, Feb. 17):
  • In January 2019, Spectrum Center became certified as Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity, a leading organization rethinking accessibility for families with sensory needs.  As part of this certification, staff have been trained to accommodate guests, and fans will have free access to noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and more during All-Star events. 

Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour Schedule of Events:

• Discovery Education Virtual Field Trip (Thursday, Feb. 14):
  • The NBA and Discovery Education are bringing the All-Star Virtual Field Trip (VFT) to more than 2,000 middle school classrooms across the country, introducing students to NBA-related careers by demonstrating how math and STEM are critical to their future success.
• Jr. NBA Day (Friday, Feb. 15):
  • In partnership with Under Armour, more than 1,500 local youth, including several from TAPS, will participate in a series of basketball clinics alongside NBA All-Stars on courts provided by SnapSports.
• Her Time To Play Panel (Friday, Feb. 15):
  • Her Time To Play, the WNBA and NBA’s initiative to inspire the next generation of girls, ages 7-14, to play basketball in a positive and healthy way, will convene female trailblazers and male allies at the FQ Equality Lounge for a discussion about the unique challenges girls and women in sports face.
• Gatorade Jr. NBA All-Star Invitational (Friday, Feb. 15 – Saturday, Feb. 16):
  • Sixteen top boys and girls middle school basketball teams will play in the Gatorade Jr. NBA All-Star Invitational quarterfinal, semifinal and championship rounds on Saturday and Sunday.  Winning teams will earn a spot in the Jr. NBA Global Championship’s Southeast Regional tournament, with the chance to play at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, Fla. in August.
• Jr. NBA Skills Challenge and 3v3 All-Star Tournament (Friday, Feb. 15 – Saturday, Feb. 16):
  • More than 500 participants will compete for a chance to advance to the national finals of the Jr. NBA Skills Challenge and 3v3 All-Star Tournament held in New York and Dallas, respectively. 
• Jr. NBA Coaches Forum (Sunday, Feb. 17):
  • In partnership with the Positive Coaching Alliance, A Call to Men and Athlete Ally, the Jr. NBA will host its 10th Coaches Forum designed to educate and support local coaches on issues related to gender identity, unconscious bias and diversity, and share best practices for creating a more open and inclusive team culture.

LEBRON JAMES AND GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO DRAFT TEAM ROSTERS FOR 2019 NBA ALL-STAR GAME 

– Team LeBron: Drafts Durant No. 1 Overall; Selects Irving, Leonard and Harden for Starting Lineup –

– Team Giannis: Drafts Curry No. 2 Overall; Selects Embiid, George and Walker for Starting Lineup –

– Both Teams Choose Community-Based Organizations for NBA All-Star Game Charitable Donations –

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2019 – The team rosters for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, as selected by All-Star captains LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, were revealed tonight on TNT in the first televised NBA All-Star Draft.

The Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant was selected by James with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA All-Star Draft.  Golden State’s Stephen Curry was drafted by Antetokounmpo with the No. 2 overall pick.  See below for the complete pick-by-pick results from the NBA All-Star Draft.   

The 68^th NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, airing live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States at 8 p.m. ET.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets. 

James and Antetokounmpo drafted the NBA All-Star Game team rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference, making picks without regard to a player’s conference affiliation or position.  Special All-Star roster additions Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat were also selected in the draft. 

During the draft, the eight remaining All-Star Game starters (aside from James and Antetokounmpo) were selected in the first round.  The 14 reserves were chosen in the second round, followed by Nowitzki and Wade in the third round to complete each team’s 13-player active roster.  James, the top overall finisher in fan voting, was awarded the first pick in the first round and the third round.  Antetokounmpo made the first pick of the second round.  The captains alternated picks in each round until all players in that round had been selected.

Conducting the NBA All-Star Draft on the same day as the NBA trade deadline, the captains did some dealing of their own.  After the draft, Team Giannis acquired Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder from Team LeBron in exchange for Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. 

For the second year in a row, both NBA All-Star Game teams will play for community-based organizations, with donations directed toward outreach efforts that benefit the All-Star host city.  The winning team’s charity will receive a $350,000 donation from the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), while the losing team’s organization will receive $150,000.     

Team LeBron has selected to play for Right Moves for Youth, a school-based, dropout-prevention and student-support program in Charlotte that provides resources and guidance to help teenagers improve their school attendance, behavior and grades.  Team Giannis has chosen to play for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which aims to eliminate hunger by soliciting and distributing food and household items to people in need.

With Antetokounmpo representing the Eastern Conference in an Eastern Conference arena, his team has been designated the home team and was able to choose between wearing black or white uniforms.  Team Giannis selected the white uniforms.  Team LeBron was assigned the black uniforms as the visiting team.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game, choosing a player from the same conference as the player who is being replaced.  Silver’s selection would join the team that drafted the replaced player.  If a replaced player is a starter, the head coach of that team would choose a new starter.  Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone will lead Team LeBron, and Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer will guide Team Giannis.

Below are the 2019 NBA All-Star Draft results and the 2019 NBA All-Star Game rosters.

KNICKS’ KEVIN KNOX TO REPLACE LAKERS’ LONZO BALL IN

2019 MTN DEW ICE RISING STARS

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2019 – New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox will replace injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball on the U.S. Team in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 15 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Knox, the ninth overall pick in NBA Draft 2018 presented by State Farm, ranks seventh among NBA rookies in both scoring (12.5 ppg) and rebounding (4.2 rpg) while appearing in 46 games (28 starts) for New York.  The 6-9 forward has made 76 three-pointers, tied for fifth place among first-year NBA players.   

In December, Knox averaged 17.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game to earn the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award.  For the season, he has scored at least 20 points in eight games, including a career-high 31 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 13.     

Ball will not play in MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars after sustaining a sprained left ankle in a game against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 19.  He is averaging 9.9 points, 5.4 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 47 games in his second NBA season.

MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars is the NBA’s annual showcase of premier young talent at NBA All-Star.  For the fifth consecutive year, the game features 10 first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against 10 first- and second-year NBA players from around the world.

TNT and ESPN Radio will air MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars live in the United States on Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets.

ESPN and NBA Announce Celebrity Rosters and Coaches for 2019 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented by Ruffles Exclusively on ESPN

• Home Team Features Celebrities with Carolina Ties; Reigning MVP Quavo Back in Action for the Away Team
• Cassidy Hubbarth Returns as Host with Mark Jones, First-Time Celebrity Game Analyst Chiney Ogwumike and Popular TV/Radio Personality Peter Rosenberg on Commentary
• Both Rosters Feature First-Ever “Hometown Heroes”

ESPN and the NBA today announced the rosters and coaches for the 2019 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles, which will air exclusively on ESPN and the ESPN App, Friday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. ET from Bojangles’ Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. 

The home team will feature celebrities with Carolina roots, including ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Williams and 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year A’ja Wilson, facing off against reigning MVP and rapper Quavo, among others. Dawn Staley, three-time Olympic Champion and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, will serve as the home team’s coach, while the 2018 WNBA Champion Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird will coach the away team.

Cassidy Hubbarth will return as the host with play-by-play voice Mark Jones providing commentary. Chiney Ogwumike will make her first appearance as an analyst, while popular television and radio personality Peter Rosenberg rounds out the quartet. Ogwumike and Rosenberg will serve as roaming analysts and special guests will join the team during the telecast.

Both rosters will also feature a “hometown hero” for the first time, honoring exemplary citizens with a chance to play in the game. Jason Weinmann, a 47-year-old Marine who rescued North Carolina flood victims using a military transport vehicle during Hurricane Florence, will play on the home team, and James Shaw Jr., a 29-year-old Nashville resident who disarmed a gunman in a local restaurant, will suit up for the away team.

Ruffles, the Official Chip of the NBA, will go all-in again this year as the presenting partner of the 2019 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. For the entire game, celebrity players can score big by shooting from the potato chip brand’s 4-point line, “The RIDGE,” resembling the ridges in Ruffles potato chips. For every 4-pointer made from “The RIDGE” during the game, Ruffles will donate $4,000 to foster environments of inclusion in sports in partnership with the Special Olympics, up to $40,000. 

Celebrity Rosters

Home	Away
Mike Colter (“Luke Cage” actor)	Ronnie 2K (Director of Influencer Marketing, 2K Sports)
Chris Daughtry (recording artist)	Ray Allen (Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer)
Terrence J (on-air host, actor)	AJ Buckley (“SEAL Team” actor)
Famous Los (comedian, social media influencer)	Bad Bunny (recording artist)
Dr. Oz (television personality)	Stefanie Dolson (WNBA’s Chicago Sky center)
Rapsody (rapper, recording artist)	Marc Lasry (co-owner, Milwaukee Bucks)
Bo Rinehart (NEEDTOBREATHE vocalist and musician)	Hasan Minhaj (actor, comedian, host of Netflix’s Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj)
JB Smoove (actor, comedian)	Quavo (rapper, recording artist)
Steve Smith (NFL great)	Adam Ray (comedian, About Last Night podcast)
A’ja Wilson (2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year)	Amanda Seales (actor, comedian, recording artist)
Jay Williams (ESPN college basketball analyst)	James Shaw Jr. (hometown hero)
Jason Weinmann (hometown hero)	Brad Williams (comedian, About Last Night podcast)

*Rosters are subject to change

NBA ALL-STARS NIKOLA JOKIĆ AND NIKOLA VUČEVIĆ, ROOKIES OF THE MONTH LUKA DONČIĆ AND TRAE YOUNG TO COMPETE IN 2019 TACO BELL^® SKILLS CHALLENGE

– Veteran Standout Mike Conley and Rising Stars De’Aaron Fox, Kyle Kuzma and Jayson Tatum Complete Eight-Player Field –

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2019 – First-time NBA All-Stars Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Vučević of the Orlando Magic and reigning Kia NBA Rookies of the Month Luka Dončić of the Dallas Mavericks and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks will display their vast array of talents in the 2019 Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 17^th Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge is part of State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night, which also features the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest and AT&T Slam Dunk.  All-Star Saturday Night will air on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States at 8 p.m. ET.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets.

The eight-player field for the Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge also features Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies, De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings, Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.  Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets is unable to defend his 2018 title due to injury.  

Jokić and Vučević will play in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. ET.  Dončić, Fox, Kuzma, Tatum and Young will play in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars on Friday, Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET.  Both games will be held at Spectrum Center and broadcast by TNT and ESPN Radio.  

The Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge is a three-round, obstacle-course competition that tests dribbling, passing, agility and three-point-shooting skills.  The event showcases a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament format.  First-round matchups will be determined at a later date.

Here is a closer look at the 2019 Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge participants:

• Mike Conley, Grizzlies: Conley (20.3 ppg, 6.3 apg) is averaging at least 20.0 points and 6.0 assists for the second time in the last three seasons.  He is a two-time winner of the NBA Sportsmanship Award.

• Luka Dončić, Mavericks: The Slovenian guard-forward (20.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.4 apg) has won all three Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards this season.  The only rookie to reach Dončić’s current averages in points, rebounds and assists for a full season is Oscar Robertson in 1960-61.

• De’Aaron Fox, Kings: One of the NBA’s fastest players, Fox is averaging 17.5 points and a team-high 7.2 assists (ninth in the NBA) – up from 11.6 points and 4.4 assists as a rookie last season.  He has already made more three-pointers this season (56) than he did in his entire first season (47).  

• Nikola Jokić, Nuggets: The 7-foot center from Serbia leads Denver with averages of 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists (sixth in the NBA).  He ranks second in the NBA in triple-doubles with nine.

• Kyle Kuzma, Lakers: Kuzma (18.8 ppg) is the third-leading scorer among second-year NBA players and paces the Lakers in three-pointers made with 91.  He was a 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection.      

• Jayson Tatum, Celtics: Tatum is Boston’s No. 2 scorer (16.1 ppg) and rebounder (6.2 rpg).  The 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection has shot 40.4 percent from three-point range over two seasons.  

• Nikola Vučević, Magic: A first-time All-Star in his eighth season, Vučević is averaging career highs of 20.7 points, 12.0 rebounds (10^th in the NBA) and 3.8 assists.  The 7-foot Montenegrin center is shooting a career-high 37.8 percent from three-point range.

• Trae Young, Hawks: The Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November and January leads all first-year NBA players in assists (7.4 apg) and ranks second in scoring (16.8 ppg).  He is averaging 24.0 points and 8.5 assists in his last six games.

2019 Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge Rules

Two players compete simultaneously on identical courses and the fastest finisher reaches the next round.  In the first round, the eight players are paired to participate in four head-to-head competitions.  The four winners advance to the second round, where two more head-to-head showdowns determine the two finalists.  Click here for a complete explanation of the rules.

Below is the roster for the 2019 Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge and a list of previous winners.

2019 TACO BELL® SKILLS CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS
Player	Team	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.
Mike Conley	Memphis Grizzlies	G	6-1	175
Luka Dončić	Dallas Mavericks	G-F	6-7	218
De’Aaron Fox	Sacramento Kings	G	6-3	175
Nikola Jokić	Denver Nuggets	C	7-0	250
Kyle Kuzma	Los Angeles Lakers	F	6-9	220
Jayson Tatum	Boston Celtics	F	6-8	208
Nikola Vučević	Orlando Magic	C	7-0	260
Trae Young	Atlanta Hawks	G	6-2	180

TACO BELL® SKILLS CHALLENGE WINNERS
2003 – Jason Kidd, New Jersey         2004 – Baron Davis, New Orleans 2005 – Steve Nash, Phoenix 2006 – Dwyane Wade, Miami 2007 – Dwyane Wade, Miami 2008 – Deron Williams, Utah 2009 – Derrick Rose, Chicago           2010 – Steve Nash, Phoenix	2011 – Stephen Curry, Golden State 2012 – Tony Parker, San Antonio 2013 – Damian Lillard, Portland 2014 – Trey Burke, Utah and Damian Lillard, Portland 2015 – Patrick Beverley, Houston 2016 – Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota 2017 – Kristaps Porzingis, New York 2018 – Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn

DEFENDING CHAMPION DEVIN BOOKER, FORMER CHAMPIONS STEPHEN CURRY AND DIRK NOWITZKI HEADLINE 2019 MTN DEW 3-POINT CONTEST

– 2019 All-Stars Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Kemba Walker in Expanded 10-Player Field –

– Seth Curry, NBA Leader in Three-Point Field Goal Percentage, to Compete Alongside Brother Stephen –

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2019 – Defending champion Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and former champions Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks will participate in the 2019 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 33^rd 3-Point Contest, with first-time title partner MTN DEW, is part of State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night, which also features the Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge and AT&T Slam Dunk.  All-Star Saturday Night will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States at 8 p.m. ET.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets.

Expanding to 10 players this year, the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest field includes 2019 NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets as well as Seth Curry of the Portland Trail Blazers, Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets and Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

The two-round competition features:

• Two winners of the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award (Stephen Curry and Nowitzki)
• Five 2019 NBA All-Stars (Stephen Curry, Lillard, Middleton, Nowitzki and Walker)
• The two players who have made the most three-pointers in an NBA Finals series (No. 1 Stephen Curry and No. 2 Green) 
• Four of the current top five in three-point field goal percentage this season (Seth Curry, Stephen Curry, Harris and Hield)
• Three of the current top five in three-pointers made this season (Stephen Curry, Hield and Walker).

Here is a closer look at the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest participants:

• Devin Booker, Suns (3^rd appearance): In addition to winning last year’s 3-Point Contest with a record 28-point final round, Booker reached the final round of the 2016 event as a rookie.  On Jan. 24, the 22-year-old guard became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to score 5,000 career points. 

• Seth Curry, Trail Blazers (1^st appearance): In his first season with Portland, the younger Curry brother is shooting an NBA-high 48.5 percent from three-point range.  Seth, who attended Charlotte Christian School and finished his college career at Duke, was an NBA G League All-Star in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.

• Stephen Curry, Warriors (6^th appearance): An NBA All-Star Game starter for the sixth consecutive year, the two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player ranks third on the all-time list for three-pointers made (2,344).  With 215 three-pointers this season, he has become the first player in NBA history to make at least 200 threes in seven straight seasons.  Stephen starred at Charlotte Christian School and Davidson College near Charlotte. 

• Danny Green, Raptors (1^st appearance): Green, who is shooting 42.0 percent from three-point range this season, shares the record for most three-pointers made without a miss in an NBA Finals game (five).  He played four years at the University of North Carolina and won a national championship in the 2008-09 season. 

• Joe Harris, Nets (1^st appearance): A full-time NBA starter for the first time in his five seasons, Harris ranks fourth in the league in three-point field goal percentage (45.3) while averaging a career-high 13.3 points.

• Buddy Hield, Kings (1^st appearance): The Bahamian guard ranks third in the NBA in three-point field percentage (45.9) and fourth in three-pointers made (183) while averaging a career-high 20.4 points in his third season.

•  Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers (2^nd appearance): Lillard has made a three-pointer in 60 consecutive regular-season games, the longest active streak in the NBA.  An NBA All-Star for the fourth time, Lillard set a Portland team record with 10 three-pointers against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 28.  

• Khris Middleton, Bucks (2^nd appearance): The first-time NBA All-Star is averaging a career-high 2.3 three-pointers made per game.  He is the first player to play in the NBA G League before becoming an NBA All-Star.

• Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (6^th appearance): This marks the first 3-Point Contest appearance in 11 years for Nowitzki, who made his event debut in 2000 and was crowned champion in 2006.  He ranks 11^th on the NBA’s all-time three-pointers made list (1,935).  Playing his record-tying 21^st NBA season, Nowitzki was selected by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to play in the 2019 All-Star Game as a special roster addition.

• Kemba Walker, Hornets (2^nd appearance): Walker has made the fifth-most three-pointers in the NBA this season (165).  The Hornets’ franchise leader in points and three-pointers made has been selected to his third All-Star Game in a row and named a starter for the first time.   

2019 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest RulesThe MTN DEW 3-Point Contest is a two-round, timed competition.  Five shooting locations are positioned around the three-point arc.  Four racks contain four NBA regulation balls (each worth one point) and one multicolored “money” ball (worth two points).  The fifth rack is a special “all money ball” rack, which each participant can place at any of the five locations.  Every ball on this rack is worth two points.

The players have one minute to shoot as many of the 25 balls as they can.  The three competitors with the highest scores in the first round advance to the championship round.  The player with the highest score in the championship round is the winner.  Click here for a complete explanation of the rules.

Below is the roster for the 2019 MTN DEW 3-Point Contest and a list of previous winners.

2019 MTN DEW 3-POINT CONTEST PARTICIPANTS
										*2018-19 Season*
Player		Team		Pos.		Ht.		Wt.		3PM		3PA		3P%
Devin Booker		Phoenix Suns		G		6-6		210		88		272		32.4
Seth Curry		Portland Trail Blazers		G		6-2		185		65		134		48.5
Stephen Curry		Golden State Warriors		G		6-3		190		215		477		45.1
Danny Green		Toronto Raptors		G-F		6-6		215		118		281		42.0
Joe Harris		Brooklyn Nets		G-F		6-6		218		115		254		45.3
Buddy Hield		Sacramento Kings		G		6-4		214		183		399		45.9
Damian Lillard		Portland Trail Blazers		G		6-3		195		145		390		37.2
Khris Middleton		Milwaukee Bucks		F		6-8		222		116		305		38.0
Dirk Nowitzki		Dallas Mavericks		F		7-0		245		17		57		29.8
Kemba Walker		Charlotte Hornets		G		6-1		184		165		460		35.9
								Stats through games of Feb. 4

MTN DEW 3-POINT CONTEST WINNERS
1986 – Larry Bird, Boston 1987 – Larry Bird, Boston 1988 – Larry Bird, Boston 1989 – Dale Ellis, Seattle 1990 – Craig Hodges, Chicago 1991 – Craig Hodges, Chicago 1992 – Craig Hodges, Chicago 1993 – Mark Price, Cleveland 1994 – Mark Price, Cleveland 1995 – Glen Rice, Miami 1996 – Tim Legler, Washington		1997 – Steve Kerr, Chicago 1998 – Jeff Hornacek, Utah              2000 – Jeff Hornacek, Utah              2001 – Ray Allen, Milwaukee 2002 – Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2003 – Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2004 – Voshon Lenard, Denver 2005 – Quentin Richardson, Phoenix 2006 – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2007 – Jason Kapono, Miami 2008 – Jason Kapono, Toronto		2009 – Daequan Cook, Miami 2010 – Paul Pierce, Boston 2011 – James Jones, Miami 2012 – Kevin Love, Minnesota 2013 – Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2014 – Marco Belinelli, San Antonio 2015 – Stephen Curry, Golden State 2016 – Klay Thompson, Golden State 2017 – Eric Gordon, Houston 2018 – Devin Booker, Phoenix

                                          

MILES BRIDGES, JOHN COLLINS, HAMIDOU DIALLO AND DENNIS SMITH JR.
TO TAKE FLIGHT IN 2019 AT&T SLAM DUNK

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2019 – Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, Atlanta Hawks forward-center John Collins, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo and New York Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. will showcase their aerial artistry and leaping ability in the 2019 AT&T Slam Dunk on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 34^th Slam Dunk is part of State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night, which also features the Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge and the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest.  All-Star Saturday Night will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States at 8 p.m. ET.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages on their televisions, computers, mobile phones and tablets.

AT&T has become the title partner of Slam Dunk as part of a new multiyear official marketing partnership with the NBA.  This new agreement will tip off next week at NBA All-Star 2019, where AT&T will also be the presenting partner of NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day. 

Two rookies (Bridges and Diallo) and two second-year NBA players (Collins and Smith) comprise the AT&T Slam Dunk field.  Here is a closer look at the participants:

• Miles Bridges, Hornets: Competing in his home arena, the 6-7 forward is the Hornets’ first Slam Dunk participant since 2010 (Gerald Wallace).  Bridges, the 12^th overall pick in NBA Draft 2018 presented by State Farm, has 12 double-digit scoring games this season.  He was a consensus 2017-18 Second Team All-American in his sophomore season at Michigan State.

• John Collins, Hawks: Collins leads Atlanta in scoring (19.6 ppg) and rebounding (10.0 rpg) and ranks ninth in the NBA in field goal percentage (58.4).  He earned a spot on the U.S. Team for MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars, which will be played on Friday, Feb. 15 during NBA All-Star 2019.  The 6-10 forward-center was named to the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds last season.  A former Wake Forest star, Collins is Atlanta’s first Slam Dunk competitor since 2006 (Josh Smith).  

• Hamidou Diallo, Thunder: Diallo, a 6-5 guard, recorded a 44.5-inch maximum vertical jump at the 2017 NBA Draft Combine powered by Under Armour, the second-highest mark in event history.  The 45^th overall pick in NBA Draft 2018 presented by State Farm has appeared in 43 games as a rookie with Oklahoma City.  In his three starts, Diallo has averaged 8.7 points and shot 76.9 percent from the field.  He is the Thunder’s first Slam Dunk participant since 2011 (Serge Ibaka). 

• Dennis Smith Jr., Knicks: Smith returns to Slam Dunk after finishing third last season.  The 6-3 guard, who was acquired by New York in a trade with the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 31, is averaging 12.8 points and 4.4 assists per game.  Last season, the Fayetteville, N.C., native averaged 15.2 points and 5.2 assists and joined Collins on the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Second Team.  Smith is the Knicks’ first Slam Dunk competitor since 2013 (James White). 

2019 AT&T Slam Dunk Rules

In the two-round event, participants can perform any dunk they choose.  The players have a maximum of three attempts to complete each dunk in both the first round and the final round.  Five judges score every dunk on a scale of 6 to 10, resulting in a high score of 50 and a low score of 30.

All four competitors get two dunks in the first round.  The two players with the highest combined score for their two dunks advance to the head-to-head final round.  The player with the highest combined score for his two dunks in the final round is crowned the champion.  Click here for a complete explanation of the rules.

Below is the lineup for the 2019 AT&T Slam Dunk and a list of previous winners.

2019 AT&T SLAM DUNK PARTICIPANTS
Player		Team		Pos.		Ht.		Wt.
Miles Bridges		Charlotte Hornets		F		6-7		225
John Collins		Atlanta Hawks		F-C		6-10		235
Hamidou Diallo Dennis Smith Jr.		Oklahoma City Thunder New York Knicks		G G		6-5 6-3		198 195

AT&T SLAM DUNK WINNERS
1984 – Larry Nance, Phoenix  1985 – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta 1986 – Spud Webb, Atlanta     1987 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1988 – Michael Jordan, Chicago 1989 – Kenny Walker, New York 1990 – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta 1991 – Dee Brown, Boston     1992 – Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix 1993 – Harold Miner, Miami 1994 – Isaiah Rider, Minnesota		1995 – Harold Miner, Miami   1996 – Brent Barry, LA Clippers 1997 – Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 2000 – Vince Carter, Toronto 2001 – Desmond Mason, Seattle 2002 – Jason Richardson, Golden State 2003 – Jason Richardson, Golden State 2004 – Fred Jones, Indiana 2005 – Josh Smith, Atlanta 2006 – Nate Robinson, New York 2007 – Gerald Green, Boston		2008 – Dwight Howard, Orlando 2009 – Nate Robinson, New York 2010 – Nate Robinson, New York 2011 – Blake Griffin, LA Clippers 2012 – Jeremy Evans, Utah 2013 – Terrence Ross, Toronto 2014 – East (Paul George, Terrence Ross, John Wall) 2015 – Zach LaVine, Minnesota 2016 – Zach LaVine, Minnesota 2017 – Glenn Robinson III, Indiana 2018 – Donovan Mitchell, Utah

                                                              

AT&T AND NBA ANNOUNCE NEW RELATIONSHIP

TO BEGIN AT NBA ALL-STAR 2019

– AT&T Will Become the Title Partner of the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Platform –

– AT&T Will Bring Basketball Fans Closer to the Thrill of the Game

Across the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball –

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2019 – AT&T and the National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced a multiyear official marketing partnership that will enable two of the world’s leading brands to create enhanced experiences for basketball fans across the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.  This new agreement will tip off next week at NBA All-Star 2019, where the global communications and technology company will be the title partner of AT&T Slam Dunk as well as the presenting partner of NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day.

AT&T will activate during NBA All-Star in Charlotte, including in all arenas and at State Farm All-Star Saturday Night and NBA Crossover.

The wide-ranging agreement will allow the NBA and AT&T to develop marquee NBA moments, events, community involvement opportunities and technology innovations for fans.  They will explore ways to bring fans closer to the game through next-generation content experiences that may utilize 4K, virtual reality, mixed reality and other immersive technologies.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with one of the world’s leading communications and technology companies, with a slate of activities tipping off during NBA All-Star,” said Dan Rossomondo, NBA Senior Vice President, Media and Business Development.  “AT&T will help create unique experiences for the diverse fan bases represented across all of our leagues.”

“We look forward to working with one of the most iconic leagues in the world, deepening our connection with basketball fans who represent increasingly young, diverse, tech-centric and socially engaged audiences that are important to our company,” said Fiona Carter, Chief Brand Officer, AT&T Communications.  “Connecting with these audiences through a great brand like the NBA allows us to grow customer relationships and create more memorable experiences at a game, at home, or on the go.”

AT&T’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in its workforce, and to accurately portraying women in its advertising and content, make it the perfect marquee partner of the WNBA beginning with the upcoming 2019 season.  AT&T will also be an official partner of the NBA Draft presented by State Farm, Jr. NBA Global Championship, MGM Resorts NBA Summer League, and NBA Mexico Games.

Throughout the partnership, AT&T will be integrated into NBA assets such as NBA.com and the NBA app, along with national broadcast partners ABC, ESPN and TNT.  

MILWAUKEE’S MIKE BUDENHOLZER EARNS SPOT AS HEAD COACH OF TEAM GIANNIS IN 2019 NBA ALL-STAR GAME

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2019 – Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and his staff will coach Team Giannis in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The 68^th NBA All-Star Game, featuring Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis, will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and ESPN Radio in the United States.  NBA All-Star 2019 will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages. 

With tonight’s 105-92 victory over the Toronto Raptors, the Bucks (37-13, .740) clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 3.  As a result, Budenholzer earned the spot to coach Team Giannis over the 13 other eligible Eastern Conference head coaches.  The Detroit Pistons’ Dwane Casey was ineligible because he coached Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game as head coach of the Raptors.  

Each NBA All-Star Game head coach will lead the team that includes the captain from the same conference.  Budenholzer and his staff will coach the All-Star team captained by their own player, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The head coach of the team with the Western Conference’s best record through games of Feb. 3 will coach the All-Star team captained by the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James.  Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni is ineligible because he led Team Stephen in last year’s All-Star Game.

This marks the second NBA All-Star Game head coaching honor for Budenholzer, who led the Eastern Conference in 2015 as head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.  Budenholzer is the Bucks’ second All-Star Game head coach, joining Larry Costello (1971 and 1974).      

     

Budenholzer is in his first season with the Bucks after spending the previous five seasons as the Hawks’ head coach.  He guided Atlanta to a 213-197 (.520) record and four playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals.  Budenholzer was named the 2014-15 NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Hawks to a franchise-best 60-22 record.

NEW ORLEANS’ DAVIS FINED

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2019 – New Orleans Pelicans forward-center Anthony Davis has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for violating a collectively-bargained rule prohibiting players or their representatives from making public trade demands. The fine is for statements that were made by Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, in an intentional effort to undermine the contractual relationship between Davis and the Pelicans.

BALONCESTO SUPERIOR NACIONAL FEMENINO

BSNF Y FIRST MEDICAL EN LA COMUNIDAD  

El Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino (BSNF) y First Medical Health Plan se unirás este sábado, 26 de enero, en el coliseo Juan Aubin ‘Bincito’ Cruz Abreu de Manatí para llevar a cabo una clínica de baloncesto femenino libre de costo. 

Las actividades comenzarán a las 9:30 a.m. con la participación de las subcampeonas Atenienses de Manatí. De igual forma, la gloria del baloncesto masculino Mario Butler estará comandando la clínica.

Todos los participantes recibirán información por parte de nutricionistas, meriendas saludables, charlas educativas y obsequios. Por su parte, los padres recibirán talleres motivacionales con enfoque psicoeducativo.

“Agradecemos a First Medical por añadir a la rama femenina en esta iniciativa de impacto directo a la comunidad. Esperamos que decenas de familias se beneficien de esta bonita actividad”, expresó Luis G. Miranda Ramos, Director General del BSNF. “Con esta participación, el BSNF, que es la principal liga deportiva en la rama femenina en la Isla, reafirma su compromiso con la comunidad puertorriqueña. Es un honor poder colaborar con esta iniciativa y promover la salud física y mental a través del deporte”.

En el 2018, en unión a la liga masculina, First Medical impactó siete municipios (Aguada, San Germán, Ponce, Fajardo, Bayamón, Arecibo y Quebradillas).

“La salud de nuestros niños, jóvenes y adultos siempre ha sido nuestra prioridad, enfocándonos en promover la prevención a través de estilos de vida saludable, y de esto se trata BSNF y First Medical en la Comunidad. Este esfuerzo colaborativo refuerza el que las familias conozcan prácticas efectivas de nutrición, actividad física y salud emocional. Qué mejor manera que hacerlo que junto a las destacadas deportistas del Baloncesto Superior”, comentó Francisco Javier Artau, presidente de First Medical Health Plan, Inc.

  

JDC BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUB-24

YAUCO GANA EL “BACK-TO-BACK”

Yauco United Dragons conquistó anoche su segundo título de forma consecutiva del torneo Sub-24, que organiza la JDC Basketball League, al derrotar 123-109 a los Capitalinos de San Juan en el coliseo Raúl ‘Pipote’ Oliveras.

Los campeones reaccionaron en el tercer parcial. Un canasto de Owen Pérez desde la pintura le dio la ventaja definitiva, 82-81, restando 52 segundos. Pérez anotó 19 puntos en el segmento.

Con 2:49 por jugar del cuarto periodo, José ‘Boliche’ Del Rosario atinó un bombazo que despegó 113-107 a los Dragones, diferencia que San Juan no pudo acortar.

Tras completar la barrida (2-0), Yauco se convirtió en apenas el segundo equipo en ganar el torneo en más de una ocasión, uniéndose a los Piratas de Quebradillas, que han ganado cuatro de las 10 ediciones.

Pérez, quien firmó con los Capitanes de Arecibo para jugar la temporada 2019 del Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), fue elegido el Jugador Más Valioso de la Serie Final. En el choque terminó con 36 tantos y 28 rebotes. Del Rosario le hizo coro con 27 unidades y Jaime Pérez con 18.

Los Dragones también contaron en sus filas con el armador de los Capitanes en el BSN, Christian Pizarro, y el hijo de franquicia de los Leones de Ponce BSN, Luis López.

Por los nuevos subcampeones, William ‘Wilo’ Cruz se destacó con 37 puntos (nueve triples), Bryan ‘Chavito’ Martínez añadió 36 tantos (10 escopetazos) y Javier Rivera 18 con 11 capturas.

Yauco nuevamente arrancó en ventaja encestando los primeros nueve puntos del encuentro y dominó el primer cuarto con marcador de 27-15. 

En el segundo acto, los Capitalinos despertaron con efectivos lances a larga distancia de Martínez para llevarse la manga por 20 tantos, 42-22, y así ganar la primera parte del encuentro con pizarra de 57-49.

Los Dragones también repitieron su control en la zona pintada al atrapar 67 rebotes ante 37 del quinteto perdedor. San Juan, por su parte, consiguió más canastos de tres (22-13).

Al finalizar la premiación, César Hernández, Director de Torneo, anunció que ahora se preparan para la campaña 2019 de la rama femenina, que debe arrancar en el mes de mayo. Las Juanas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico recinto de Mayagüez fueron las campeonas en el 2018.

NBA, NBPA AND 2K ANNOUNCE LONGTERM PARTNERSHIP EXPANSION

Agreement Expands Upon Success of NBA 2K - Interactive Entertainment Industry’s Top-Rated and Top-Selling NBA Video Game Simulation Series

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2019 – The National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and 2K, a wholly-owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) and publisher of the leading global basketball video game NBA 2K, today announced a significant, multiyear global partnership extension. The agreement expands upon the success ofNBA 2K, the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation series for the past 17 years* that has sold-in more than 86 million units worldwide.

“The NBA has been an outstanding partner throughout the history of the NBA 2K franchise, contributing significantly to its unparalleled success and the ability to grow its audience around the world across a myriad of platforms and offerings,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two. “We’re thrilled to be in business with Adam and the entire team at the NBA, and enter into the longest-ever partnership extension between our organizations. Together, we’re confident that we will continue to find new and innovative ways to captivate and engage basketball fans, and expand further the success of the NBA 2K brand.”

NBA 2K recently launched NBA 2K19 after setting a series record for NBA 2K18 with 10 million units sold. This year marks the 20^thanniversary of the video game franchise.

“An entire generation of basketball fans engage and connect with NBA teams and players through NBA 2K,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are grateful to extend our partnership with Take-Two and the NBPA to build on the enormous popularity of the NBA 2K franchise and the continued global growth of basketball.”

“NBA 2K has become an important part of the NBA culture both for our players and fans,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts. “Kudos to THINK450 for successfully negotiating this extension on the NBPA’s behalf.  We look forward to continuing this partnership with the League and Take-Two Interactive.”

Other facets of the partnership include NBA 2K Online and NBA 2K Online 2, which together have 40 million registered users and is the #1 PC online sports game in China. In addition, 2K recently published NBA 2K Playgrounds 2, NBA 2K Mobile, and launched the groundbreaking NBA 2K League in May 2018.

Follow NBA 2K on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook for the latest NBA 2K19 news.

*According to 2000 - 2019 Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com.

2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

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YAUCO SE APUNTA EL PRIMERO DE LA FINAL

Los armadores de Yauco United Dragons se dividieron los minutos y los locales prevalecieron en un partido de múltiples rachas ofensivas de ambos quintetos para arrancar con el pie derecho de la Serie Final del torneo Sub-24, que organiza la JDC Basketball League.

El exintegrante de Selecciones Juveniles, Luis López llegó en la segunda mitad con un tubo para acertar nueve bombazos y guiar a los Dragones a una victoria 131-125 sobre los Capitalinos de San Juan en el inicio de la Final en el coliseo Raúl ‘Pipote’ Oliveras. 

La serie está pautada a un máximo de tres partidos.

López terminó con 29 puntos. El armador de los Capitanes de Arecibo en el Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), Christian Pizarro, jugó la primera parte del desafío y aportó 28 tantos. Owen Pérez, de los Santeros de Aguada en el BSN, otros 22 con 20 rebotes y Jaime Pérez, de los Caciques-Gallitos de Humacao-Isabela en el BSN 2017, agregó 16 unidades.

Félix ‘Papuro’ De Jesús, de Humacao-Isabela en el BSN 2017, fue el mejor por San Juan con 38 puntos (ocho triples). Dixon Oviedo le siguió con 28 tantos y Christian Desiderio 20 con 12 capturas.

Los campeones arrancaron caliente. Luego de encestar 38 puntos en el primer cuarto, Yauco llegó a contar con una ventaja de 20, 40-20, en los primeros minutos del segundo parcial. 

El conjunto de los Capitalinos ajustó en defensa y con un certero ataque a larga distancia fueron acortando la diferencia para perder la primera mitad por tan solo ocho tantos, 67-59.

San Juan empató a 86 con una penetración exitosa de Oviedo. Pero, de inmediato, López con un tiro cerca de la línea zaguera de voleibol le devolvió la ventaja a los Dragones de manera definitiva, 89-86, restando 1:02 del tercer periodo.

Los Capitalinos hicieron un último intento de remontada en el último segmento. Juan Díaz marcó en rompimiento rápido para acercar a su equipo, 121-119, faltando 1:40 de juego. Y, nuevamente, López fue protagonista al penetrar, provocar que la defensa se enfocara en él y encontrar solo a Owen Pérez en la pintura para el puntillazo final.

Yauco dominó la batalla de los rebotes con un total de 52 ante 32 de los visitantes.

Regresa Orlando Vega a Quebradillas

Quebradillas, P.R – Los Piratas de Quebradillas anunciaron hoy la contratación del ex jugador Pirata, Orlando Vega como entrenador del equipo de cara a la venidera temporada 2019 del Baloncesto Superior Nacional.

Vega se incorpora al cuerpo técnico junto al dirigente Eddie Casiano y los asistentes Manolo Cintrón, José “Chino” Torres y Rafael Muñiz.

En el 1988 hizo su debut en el BSN con los Piratas de Quebradillas, siendo un jugador de impacto desde su entrada promediando 18.7 puntos. Vega se coronó 3 veces campeón anotador en 1990, 1994 y 1998 en el Baloncesto Superior Nacional y alcanzó un campeonato con los Leones de Ponce en 2002. 

Con la selección nacional estuvo en los Mundiales de 1994 y 1998, Centroamericanos de 1993 y 1998; Panamericanos de 1995 y 1999. Pre-Olímpicos de 1995 y 1999. También fue parte del equipo que ganó oro en los Goodwill Games de 1994 en Rusia. 

El otrora All-American estará desde la primera práctica con los Piratas el lunes, 14 de enero en el coliseo Raymond Dalmau desde las 6:00 de la tarde.

La temporada esta presta a comenzar el viernes, 1 de marzo. 

NDIOS DE MAYAGUEZ ANUNCIAN A SU NUEVO DIRIGENTE 

Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (8 de enero de 2019) – Los Indios de Mayagüez vuelven a la carga de la mano del técnico boricua, Antonio “Tony” Ruiz quien tendrá la encomienda de llevar a la tribu mayagüezana a una temporada de ensueño. 

El experimentado dirigente a nivel nacional e internacional está deseoso de comenzar la temporada y expresó lo siguiente: “Se me está dando la responsabilidad de levantar el equipo, tengo el hambre y deseo de lograrlo”.

Ruiz se mostró agradecido con la oportunidad ofrecida por la nueva gerencia mayagüezana y aseguró que trabajará fuertemente para que el equipo de la Sultana del Oeste desempeñe un excelente papel. 

Por su parte, Franklin Román, gerente general del Equipo agradeció el compromiso y el entusiasmo expresado por el nuevo dirigente. 

A tales fines, Román expresó lo siguiente: “Se evaluaron cinco personas que contaban con las cualidades que buscábamos, y fue Tony quien se amoldó a lo que queríamos”. Y es que Ruiz cuenta con vasta experiencia como técnico a nivel profesional. 

Ante esto, el Gerente General añadió: “espero que su hambre de volver a cancha contagie a los jugadores”. 

El año 2011 fue la última vez que Tony Ruiz se desempeñó como técnico en el Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Su expertise lo ha llevado a dirigir equipos en otros países.  Tan reciente como el año pasado, el técnico tuvo la oportunidad de dirigir en Liga Nacional de Baloncesto de la Republica Dominicana en donde fue considerado a obtener el premio a Dirigente del Año.

 Los Indios están listos para la Temporada 2019 la cual iniciará el próximo mes de marzo. 

JDC BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUB-24

¡SAN JUAN A LA SERIE FINAL!

Los Capitalinos de San Juan clasificaron a la serie final del torneo Sub-24, que organiza la JDC Basketball League, luego de prevalecer en el tercer y decisivo choque de la serie semifinal B, 110-100, frente a los Leones de Ponce.

Ponce, con el revés, vio detenida una racha de dos participaciones consecutivas en la serie de campeonato. Los Leones fueron los subcampeones de las campañas correspondientes al 2016 y 2017.

San Juan, por su parte, ahora tendrá la responsabilidad de evitar el ‘back to back’ de Yauco United Dragons, quienes barrieron en el mínimo de dos partidos a los Arenosos de Camuy. La serie comenzará este sábado, 12 de enero, en el coliseo Raúl ‘Pipote’ Oliveras de Yauco.

En el tercer juego por los Capitalinos, cinco de sus jugadores anotaron en doble dígito para guiar al quinteto a la tierra prometida. Héctor Rodríguez anotó 27 puntos, mientras Dixon Oviedo aportó 25 con cuatro bombazos y Tjader Fernández sumó 24 con seis triples.

Del otro lado, Edwin Cabrera consiguió 23 tantos con 13 rebotes, Jerome Caraballo 19 con 12 capturas y William Vega coló 15.

Yauco fue el líder de la serie regular con marca de 9-1, su único revés fue ante San Juan. Los Capitalinos llegaron en el tercer puesto con 7-3. La serie particular culminó nivelada a un triunfo por bando.