The End Of An Era

(Detrioit Shock 1998-2009)
(Cheryl Ford & Katie Smith pose with President Obama)

Last month many in the basketball community were hit with a collective jolt (no pun intended) with the news of the WNBA's Detroit Shock's relocation to Tulsa Oklahoma, a new expansion city. Several WBNA franchises have grown accustomed to swirling rumors about financial struggles & ownership change. Yet, it is still a surprise when it becomes official that one of the league's most successful franchises is relocating. The Detroit Shock first debuted in 1998 as one of the WNBA's initial expansion teams. Led by familiar Detroit basketball personalities Bill Laimbeer & Rick Mahorn, the Shock would win 3 WNBA titles and become one of the league's most popular and recognizable franchises.

Since this is indeed the end of the Detroit Shock, we would be remiss not to salute one of their best all time players, former Buckeye & future Hall Of Famer Katie Smith.

Katie Smith arrived in Detroit via a trade in 2005 following a great run with the Minnesota Lynx. She joined a franchise that was already used to winning as the Shock captured their first WNBA title two years earlier in 2003. The 2006 season would prove to be another special year as Smith helped Detroit win their 2nd league championship over the Sacramento Monarchs.

In the year 2008, Smith had perhaps her finest year in basketball by winning her 2nd WNBA title with the Detroit Shock, as well as a gold medal in the Olympic Games in China. Smith earned the WNBA Finals MVP award for her efforts in a 3 games to zero sweep of the San Antonio Silver Stars.

It is thought that a women's franchise will be able to fare much better in a college type of market such as Tulsa, Oklahoma as opposed to an area like Detroit where you have multiple pro sports teams. The former Shock team will remain intact for now, but the team name & colors will be changed. As of now Katie Smith is still a member of the Tulsa franchise roster. The former Ohio State guard was forced to miss the Shock's last play off series in the 2009 season due to a back injury. There is currently no word on her playing status for next year, but Smith does decide to play..then you already know who will be the first fan favorite in the history of Tulsa WNBA team. -B3-

(Smith speaks to a group of elementary students in October 2009)

And the sole survivor is...

On June 30th 2009, the Atlanta Hawks decided to tender current Hawks player Marvin Williams, and former players Josh Childress, Solomon Jones & Mario West. The announcement would also bring hints of a possible roster trimming for 2009/2010 season. These moves would somewhat ignite a summer of free agent uncertainty. Yet, Hunter's year of experience in Atlanta coupled with his good terms with organization afforded him the opportunity to tryout for a roster spot in the fall training camp. In early October, eight fre agents, including Othello Hunter joined the Atlanta Hawks in competition for at the most two roster spots. As of now only one of those players remain, Othello Hunter! On October 26th, the Hawks turned in their final roster in preparation for opening night, and as expected Hunter has made the Hawks at the 13th and final player.

Othello's achievement is a testament to his hardwork and great attitude. In my opinion Hunter had the inside track to make the team all along. It is hard to beat a good locker room guy who has already had experience with the system, plus he actually improved from his rookie year in the off season. And to top it off he was competing with Michigan's Courtney freaking Sims..we already knew it was wrap.

-Othello Hunter's off-season time line-

-June 30th, 2009 (Hunter becomes an unrestricted free agent.)

-July 10th to July 16th (Hunter plays with the Golden State Warriors at the Las Vegas Summer League)

-July 20th to July 28th (Hunter participates at the Atlanta Hawks Summer Rookie & free agent mini-camp)

-August 31st (Hunter commits to attending the Hawks fall training camp)

-October 2nd (Hunter beings training camp with the Hawks in preparation for the 2009 NBA preseason)

-October 14th (Hunter's first breakout game in a preseason contest vs Detroit. 14 points, 7 rebounds)

-October 20th (Hawks trim the roster to 16, Wilkes & Dixon cut)

-October 22nd (Hawks trim the roster for good by cutting Siler, Sims, West, & Robinson, Hunter makes the cut!)

-October 23rd (Atlanta Hawks final preseason game with the final roster, Hunter plays 9 minutes, commentators remark that he has made the team)

Congrats & good luck Othello!

Je'Kel Foster erupts for 20 as EWE Baskets stun Polish champs in Gdynia. 87-81

EWE Baskets Oldenburg defeated reigning Polish League champions Asseco Prokom 87-81 before a shocked crowd in opening Euroleague play. In one of the biggest games of his pro career date, Je'kel Foster helped lead Oldenburg with a business like 2o point, 6 assist, & 6 rebound effort. Foster played point guard for the majority of the game with regular starter Jason Gardner out due to a back injury. #8 calmly ran the show in the midst of a hostile Prokom fanbase.

Foster was able to do much of his damage during a high-paced first half that featured many transition opportunities & possessions. He totaled 16 points in the first half which included three made three-point baskets. One was off a signature Je'Kel curl off of a screen, then he was able to use a pretty step back to knock another one down late in the half. This was an extremely successful Euroleauge debut for Je'Kel Foster. Ricky Paulding added 23 points, and Jasmin Perkovic totaled 9 points & 8 rebounds.

This upset victory for EWE was just what the doctored ordered after getting stunned by Alba Berlin on Oct. 18. Oldenburg will look to ride this momentum into a game vs Duesseldorf on Oct. 23rd, and then for another Euroleague contest at home vs Milano on Oct. 28th.

stay tuned for more on the victory over Asseco Prokom!

http://www.euroleague.net/main/results/showgame?gamenumber=1&gamecode=10&phasetypecode=RS

http://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball.asp

B3TV Feature Video: Buckeye Ballers: 2009 NBA Preseason

October International Review Part One

(Ron Lewis of Cez Nymburk)

The 2009/2010 basketball season is already underway in various leagues around the world. Two or three times a month we will provide collective updates on how each Buckeye is doing, this way those that are interested can read a single report instead of digging for a multitude articles. There will of course be videos and writeups on the monster performances in between the large updates. Once again the continent of Europe is home to several pro Buckeye Ballers, one guard from Columbus has already gotten off to a scorching start.

Ronald Lewis (Cez Nymburk: Czech NBL) - The talented scorer out of Brookhaven has picked up right where he left off in Isreal. In three games Lewis is averaging 20 points in blowout victories for Nymburk. Ron scored 17 in his Czech debut vs BK B&W Opava on October 3rd. Yesterday on the 14th, he had his best game to date with a 23 point performance vs BK Decin.

We were able to watch his debut game vs Opava. Right now Lewis is still trying to get comfortable with his temmates and what his coach exactly wants. He has only been averaging a little over twenty minutes per game so far, but he has already proven to be Cez's number threat as far as scoring ability. Yet, we also got a chance to see some of Ron's help, and these guys are not the returning chmaps for nothing. American big man Ian Hanavan, and guards Micheal Lenzley & Arthur Lee will be a godo supporting cast for Lewis. It was a routine game for Ron though, the SG had a couple nice drives..and we would have uploaded it sooner, but we could only record the first half. Plus the quality is a little grainy & dark, bu we'll probably upload it anyway. :)

(Last Three Games)

10/3/2009 -CEZ Basketball Nymburk vs BK B&W Opava - 17 points, 2 steals, 2 assists

10/10/2009 - CEZ Basketball Nymburk vs NH Ostrava - 20 points, 2 steals, 2 assists

10/14/200 - CEZ Basketball Nymburk vs BK Decin - 23 points, four three pointers

James 'Scoonie' Penn (Virtus Bologna: Italy Serie A) - Scoonie Penn played most minutes for Virtus Bologna in their Oct. 11th season opener vs Sigma Coat. La Fortezza or Virtus wants Penn to be a calming presence on the court for a team that needs to gel. In 31 minutes Penn scored 7 points with one dime, a block, and a steal. Bologna defeated Sigma Coat. by a score of 76-86. Sigma was led by former Iowa post player Greg Brunner.

10/112009 - Virtus Bologna vs Sigma Coat - 7 points, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 assist

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Italy/2009/1011_6177_3617.asp

Brian Brown (TBB Trier: German BBL) - Brown got off to a very good start to this season. Like Penn, Brown would also pace his team with the most minutes played in the opening game at 42. The combo guard out of New York scored 14 points to go with 5 boards and 4 dimes in an overtime victory over the DT. Skyliners from Frankfurt.

10/9/2009 TBB Trier vs Skyliners 14 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds

Je'Kel Foster (EWE Oldenburg: German BBL) - Buckeye Baller Je'Kel Foster got off to a bit of a subpar start with his champion squad Oldenburg. In the season opener vs Brose Baskets (67-55 EWE victory), Je'kel scored 5 points and pitched in 5 assists, however he shot a dismal 2-10 from the field. Fortunately for Foster, he knows that this is only the calm before the storm. He will definitely need to rebound from this performance before the tougher teams start coming to town.

10/9/2009 EWE Baskets vs Brose Baskets - 5 points, 5 assists, just 2-10 fgs ouchy

Matt Terwillger (Paderborn Baskets: German BBL) Twig had 6 points in limited action ina victory over Pheonix Hagen on October 11th.

Brent Darby (Limoges elite: France Pro B) Brent Darby has already played 3 games wwith his new club Limoges. The smooth ball handler is averaging 17 points in a little over 21 minutes of play per game. Like Lewis, Darby currently attempting to ease his way into the way Limoges likes to do things. While he is still searching for some consisteny from three point range, Brent is loving the free throw line as he knocked down 7 foul shots in his last game.

(updates of Butler & Reese in the next installment)

-B3-

Jessica Davenport shines in Game 5 of the WNBA finals

We would be remiss not to mention the strong performances of former Ohio State star, Jessica Davenport, in the 2009 WNBA Finals. In game 2 Davenport suprised many with a ten pointe effort off the bench. That showing would prove to be an appetizer as Jessica would score a career high 18 points in the deciding Game 5 on October 10th. The Indiana Fever guards routinely looked inside to Davenport in attempts to stay with the Pheonix Mercury, but in the end Pheonix would capture the WNBA title with a 94-86 victory.

Jessica Davenport's WNBA career got off to a bit of a rocky start after getting waived by the team who drafted her, the New York Liberty. However, her performance in the finals is just another example of how one's fortunes can suddenly change by simply finding the right fit. Now with the Indiana Fever, Davenport is firmly established as a big time low post threat in the WNBA.

2009/2010 NBA Preview

A brand new NBA season is upon us. The month of October is home to training camp, where teams attempt to gel and carve out a rotation for the upcoming regular season. There are currently five Buckeye Ballers who will come into October fully signed and under contract, and one fighting for a roster spot at training camp. Each player has something to prove to himself and the greater public.


- It is Greg Oden's world, and we are all just living in it. Well, maybe not yet. But if summer reports from Columbus & Las Vegas, as well as the recent reports from the Blazers training camp are any indication..Oden is going to quiet a lot of doubters this upcoming season. The big man is slimmer, more agile, light on his feet, and overall more comfortable on the floor. You see this is what happens when you get a chance to work on your game in the summer instead of rehabbing. According to the Blazers camp, Oden is displaying jump hooks, drop steps, and even a short face up jumper!

Oden enters his 2nd year in hopes of earning the starting center position ahead of veteran Joel Przybilla. A full year removed from the micro fracture need surgery, this is clearly a statement year for Oden in which he wants to show that he can get back to his dominating ways and anchor the Portland defense.

-Key teammates- Brandon Roy, Lamarcus Aldridge, Andre Miller

- It is arguable that this is even more of a statement year for Greg Oden's former Lawrence North & Ohio State teammate Mike Conley Jr. The point guard knows this season will amount to a make or break year as his legacy is Memphis. Conley comes into NBA season with a bit of momentum. His post all-star break numbers increased after Coach Lionel Hollins assumed the head coaching role. Conley must demonstrate adequate floor leadership and more assertiveness.

Simply stated, he needs to take over games like we know he is capable of. Mike will have to navigate his personal numbers through the treacherous waters of Memphis where volume shooters Zack Randolf, Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, & Allen Iverson will hope to gel as a team. Right now it is assumed that Conley will hold down the starting position, with Iverson coming in as energy off the bench. Expect Iverson & Mayo to help out with ball handling duties at times, Memphis also has former Connecticut guard Marcus Williams as a insurance PG.

- Key teammates- OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol

-30 year old Michael Redd will enter his ninth year as an NBA Pro. For Redd the operative word will once again be 'health'. And as of now things are currently great for Redd physically. On January 25, 2009 Redd suffered a torn ACL & MCL in his left knee. The season ending injury had many wondering about Mike's status for the first half of this season. An early summer prognogstication called for Redd to miss as many as 30 games at the start of 2009/2010 season. Yet, Redd's summer rehab was ahead of schedule with the veteran recovering nicley in time for training camp.

This season will be a bit of rebuilding year with the departures of Richard Jefferson & Ramon Sessions. It will be up to Redd to lead a young group of Bucks against a talented Central Division.

-Key Teammates- Andrew Bogut, Brandon Jennings, Hakim Warrick.


- It is always the same story with third year pro Daequan Cook. Consistency! Like his fellow members of the 'Thad Five' recruiting class Conley & Oden, Cook also finds himself in a situation where he will have to step up and show more than he has in his fist two seasons. At times, the reigning three point champion can look like one of the best six men in the league. Other times Cook can look rather pedstrian. This season Daequan wants to evolve into one of the Heat's known threats, a guy that will bring it every night. Cook put on some muscle over the summer for rebounding, and also worked on his ball handling skills to add more versatility.

-Key teammates- Dwayne Wade, Udonis Haslem, Mario Chalmers

- Byron Mullens is the lone Ohio State rookie for this season. Almost everyone knows his story by now..a trying childhood, committs to Ohio State early, and spends only one season before declaring. All that is the past now. After having a decent Summer League showing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Mullens can see the light at the end of the tunnell in the form of a possible rotation spot. Byron will have to provide solid rebouding & defense in the pre-season if he wants his rookie season to be something more than the bench or D-league. The best thing about Byron's situation is that he has the utmost confidence and patience from a up & coming franchise like the Thunder

-Othello Hunter is the only Buckeye Baller in the NBA who does not hold guaranteed contract. Although this may change very soon. If anything Othello is fighting a numbers game more than anything. The current economic climate has prompted some NBA teams to cut their roster sizes. In this case Atlanta is currently holding a preseason camp roster that includes 4/5 guys fighting for only one roster spot. Othello's main competition for this spot is Michigan's Courtney Sims, and Juan Dixon. However, in my opinion Othello's experience with Atlanta, and off-season improvement gives him the inside track for the roster spot. Hunter's minutes in the Hawk's preseason games will be a good indicator of his future.

- 2nd year pro Kosta Koufos will enter the 2009/2010 still in search for a definitive role with Utah Jazz. Koufos opted out of Summer Leauge play in favor of Eurobasket 2009 with his Greek National team. That is cool and all, the only thing was that Koufos did not get as much playing time as he would have liked. So from Utah's perspective, the degree of Kosta's offseason improvement still somewhat of a question mark. This season Koufos will be needed for frontline depth behind Memet Okur & forwards Millsap & Boozer. This is another player who will be counting on a good preseason to build some momentum for November.

Brent Darby has successful debut with Limoges CSP Elite

After a good stint with Eldo Caserta in the Italian Serie A League, Brent Darby transferred to the French Pro B club Limoges CSP Elite in the summer of 2009. On September 29th, Limoges opened the season with a home game against Bourg. Darby debuted with 17 points, and assist in little over thirty minutes of play. The 29 yeard old former Buckeye still has the shot, and mad handles. Check out the B3TV feature video of Darby's French debut.

A Salute To Ken Johnson

The 2009/2010 season is about to start for clubs across the world. Veteran big man from Ohio State, Ken Johnson is currently without a team. Johnson, age 31, left his last club, Telekom Baskets Bonn (German BBL) over the summer, and according to rumors is considering retirement. If Ken has indeed played his last season of basketball, it is certainly time for a career salute.

Most remember Ken Johnson best from his time at The Ohio State University. A shot blocking machine, Johnson earned numerous NCAA defensive awards, and in his sophomore year helped guide Ohio State to the 1999 Final Four.

Professionally, Johnson was the consummate Buckeye big man of the 2000-2009 decade. While limited offensively, Johnson's defensive prowess would prove to have consistent value for a multitude of clubs. Ken would only play a short stint in the NBA, but that did not stop him from having a solid pro career in the U.S & international minor leagues. Blessed with good health, Ken was able to enjoy longevity by simply doing what he has always done, block shots, provide help D, and rebound. Teams always knew what they were going to get from Ken Johnson.

Ohio State Accolades

- Was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in both his junior and senior seasons
- Is the all-time leader in blocked shots in both Ohio State and Big Ten history
- In 44 of his 127 career games he recorded five or more blocks
- As a senior in the 2000-01 season, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after averaging career highs of 12.5 points and 7.3 rebounds
- Scored a career-high 28 points at Minnesota on Feb. 3, 2001 and matched his career high in rebounds with 14 vs. Utah State on Mar. 15, 2001 in the NCAA Tournament
- Served as a team co-captain as a senior and was the recipient of the 2001 Ohio State Jerry Lucas Most Valuable Player Award
- His 161 blocks in 1999-2000 was the fifth highest single-season total in NCAA history
- Recorded a career high and Ohio State record 11 blocked shots at St. John’s on Jan. 22, 2000 and tied the mark against Iowa on Feb. 9, 2000
- As a sophomore, earned OSU’s Most Improved Player Award and helped guide the Buckeyes to the Final Four

Post Ohio State Time line

-20th pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, failed to make the Heat. Played 2001/2002 season with the Dakota Wizards in the CBA and Air Avellino in Italy's Serie A.

-2002/2003: Resigned by the Miami Heat, played in 16 games.

-Participates at the Toronto Raptors 2003 training camp. Plays 2003/2004 season with the Huntsville Flight of the NBA D-League.

-2004/2005: Bourg (France Pro A League)

-Participates at the Orlando Magic Training game, plays the 2005/2006 & 2006/2007 seasons with the New Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA D-league. Wins the 2005/2006 D-League Championship.

-2007/2008: Deutsche Bank Skyliners (German BBL)

-2008/2009: Telekom Baskets Bonn (German BBL)

2009/2010 International Season Preview

(Ron Lewis joins Cez Basketball Nymburk for 2009/2010)

The 2009/2010 International Season will have more of a Buckeye guard dominated flavor. Veteran big men Ken Johnson & Terence Dials are currently seeing free agency; Putting the spotlight on four talented Buckeye guards who are hoping to lead their teams new heights.

- The eyes of Germany will be fixated on EWE Baskets Oldenburg as they defend their league championship and compete in the 2000/2010 Euroleague season. Once again, four year pro Je'kel Foster will be in an integral part of the German Champions' campaign. One of the most versatile players in the BBL, Foster averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game last season.

Yet, this season will bring the ultimate test, the Euroleague. Foster & Oldenburg will now compete against some of the top clubs in Europe. EWE is a very balanced team that also includes Americans Josh Carter (TX A&M), Jason Gardner (Arizona), league MVP Ricky Paulding from Missouri, Croatian forward Jasmin Perkovic, and former Georgetown center Ruben Boumtje Boumtje. Next to Greg Oden, Foster is the next Buckeye who I am most looking forward to following this season.

German League Season Opener: vs Brose Baskets 10/9/2009

-Third year pro Ronald Lewis will play for the reigning Czech Champions Cez Basketball Nymburk for the 2009/2010 Season. Lewis has joined the country's powerhouse team as Nymburk has dominated the Czech NBL by winning four of the last five league championships. For this season Cez is hoping to continue their domestic success, and also wants to see a good showing in the Eurocup (Europe's 2nd best inter-continent club competition). Ron Lewis was a top scorer in Isreal's BSL playing for Ironi Nahariya last season. I expect the athletic SG from Columbus to make some noise in this seasons Eurocup.

Czech League Season Opener: vs BK B&W Opava 10/3/2009

(10 years later, and still at it..)

-31 year old Scoonie Penn will play for the Italian Serie A club Virtus Bologna this season. The club the quickly signed the nine year pro after their starting guard Andre Collins suffered a pre-season injury. The veteran point guard will step right into the starter's role Bologna as the attempt to get back at the top of Italy's top league.

Italian League Season Opener: vs Sigma Coat. 10/11/2009

-32 year old George Reese will begin his 3rd year with Polish team AZS Koszalin of the PLK

Polish League Season Opener: vs Polonia 2011 10/10/2009

-30 year old Brian Brown will return to TBB Trier (German League BBL) for this season. He is expected to be a good six man off the bench. Last season he averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.

German League season opener: vs Dt. Bank SKY10/8/2009

-2nd year pro Matt Terwilliger also plays in the German BBL. He will start is 2nd year with Paderborn Baskets. They will open play vs Alba on October 9th.

-Matt Marinchick will play BBG Herford in Germany's B-league.

- 2nd year Pro Jamar Butler is slated to play for the new Greek A2 of club of Larissa. However, details are still sketchy on the opening game & full roster.

- 29 Year old Brent Darby will play for Limoges CSP Elite of the France Pro B league this season. Like Penn & Johnson, Darby has also enjoyed a very solid european career. He played for Eldo Castera in Italy last season.

France Pro B Opener: vs Bourg 9/29/2009

Davenport provides spark off the bench for Fever

With about three minutes remaining in the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, Indiana Fever head coach Lynn Dunn inserted in seldom used center Jessica Davenport. Dunn said after the game that she had confidence in Davenport's ability to provide adequate minutes in order to rest key front court players Tammy Sutton Brown, and Ebony Hoffman. However, she did not know that adequacy would turn into an unstoppable force in a matter of minutes. The 3 time all american out of Ohio State immediately registered two field goals and provided solid help defense. In the 2nd half she returned to add six more points and 2 blocks. Davenport's effort helped the Fever topple the Phoenix Mercury in a 93-84 victory. The Fever bench, led by Davenport was at the forefront of post game talk.

“We continue to talk about our bench, and somebody steps up every night,” Tamika Catchings said. “ ‘Dav’ came out tonight, she hit some key shots. They couldn’t stop her.

“She’s definitely been training for this all season long. “

“My number got called tonight, and I was able to feed off my teammates,” she said. “Our teammates know what we can do. They try to get you in position to score.” Said Davenport


Game Three (October 3rd 4:00 pm)