Dishes & Dimes - E.T Goes Global With Li-Ning, More Lady Bucks Slated for International Play, Big Z Switches Greek Clubs

(Buckeye Ballers: Scoonie Penn, Mike Conley Jr., & Evan Turner at the Ohio State/Miami Game! - 9.11.2010)

("We the best, we global now!" DJ Khaled) - The stars (except Lebron) came out on Saturday September 11, 2010 to watch the Ohio State Football Buckeyes handle Miami. Among those in attendance were former tOSU greats Scoonie Penn, Mike Conley Jr., and Evan Turner. The red & white Li-Ning shirt Evan was rocking was a little evidence of what the NBA rookie has recently been up to.

The Li-Ning Company, one of China's top Sports brands announced the deal with E.T in late August. Turner met up with Li-Ning in early September (pictured to the left - China - Hill Hwang) on his first trip to China. The 2010 #2 overall draft pick debuted his very own new Li-Ning Conquers to the basketball shoe game.

This was a big time deal for all parties involved. Li-Ning is a major player in China that markets a variety of sports. Their basketball resume includes a deal with Shaq in 2006 and the current sponsorships of Baron Davis & the strong national teams of Spain & Argentina. Teaming up with Turner, the #2 draft pick is perhaps their biggest signing to date and without a doubt a super addition. On the other end, Evan will ingratiate himself with a growing Chinese Basketball Community & already have a global fan base by the time he steps on the court for his first NBA game..we can dig..

(Articles)

• 8.23.2010 - CNBC - Top Chinese Athletic Brand Signs NBA's Evan Turner
• 8.23.2010 - Release -Li-Ning Company Limited Strengthens its World Class Sponsorship Resources
  
• 9.8.2010 - Counter Kicks (Slam) - Evan Turner Debuts Li-Ning Conquer on China Tour

Speaking of Buckeyes overseas - It looks like Scoonie Penn will indeed play his 10th year of professional basketball (there was some retirement speculation in early summer 2010) The Hoops Market reported (9.2.2010) talks between Penn & a Turkish club Trabzonspor which would indicate that he definitely plans on landing somewhere.

Former Lady Buckeye Teammates Will Play Overseas - After a very good season with the Indiana Fever, Jessica Davenport is slated to play the WNBA off-season overseas in Russia. Davenport has experience in France & China. Jess' former Ohio State teammate Star Allen will play in Portugal for this upcoming season.

Big Z Switches Clubs - Former Ohio State center Zizis Sarikopoulos came to an agreement with Greek team Marousi in mid August, but he won't be playing for them because they are currently a mess. The Greek economic crisis has severely impacted several clubs. In Marousi's case, their head coach resigned last week, and players refused to practice due to lack of payment (the bad side of overseas ball you rarely hear about).

Most of the players have already left, and it was only a matter of time before Zizis followed suit. According to sport greece, Z will now play for Greek League club Panionios. This news came out the same day the Euroleague announced the revoking of Marousi's euroleague membership.