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