Ballers Network http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en Where Players Live Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:29:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Baller Profile: Fernando Arturo http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-fernando-arturo/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/nando_small.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-fernando-arturo/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:29:59 +0000 Jaime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1107 Nando was born in the Dominican Republic, where he started to play basketball. Later he decided to come to Barcelona, as many other countrymen did.

He continued playing ball in the streets of Barcelona, and now uses his strength and abilities to beat his rivals in the Industry Ghetto of Sants, Barcelona. Besides basketball, Nando loves rap music and he’s part of the rap group “Zona cero”.

Full name:  Fernando Arturo Cuello
Nickname:  Nando
Age: 32
Hometown: Santo Domingo
Height: 6-3 / 1.90
Weight: 82 kg / 182 Lbs
Shoe Size:  USA 11 / EUR 44.5
Position: Forward
My experience: Playing basket from the early age of 12. Has always played in the streets and never has gotten pro.
My current team(s): The street courts are his battleground
Favorite sneaker(s): The most comfortable Nike are always perfect
Coming up, I admired: Shaquille O’Neal
Favorite player(s): LeBron James
Favorite team(s):  Real Madrid
Favorite court(s):  Sants Industry ghetto
My go-to move: Post up + Fade away
I play: Weekly
My best basketball moment: Winning some 3on3 tournaments (Sabadell)
Favorite TV show: Basquetmania
Favorite movie: Scarface
On my iPod: Hip Hop, merengue, bachata

Jaime Martínez Lafargue is the BallersNetwork.com blogger for Spain. Jaime is the Editor-in-chief of basketball website Solobasket.com. You can reach him at jaime@solobasket.com

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]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-fernando-arturo/feed/ 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/tournaments/2k-sports-classic-benefiting-coaches-vs-cancer/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_coach.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/tournaments/2k-sports-classic-benefiting-coaches-vs-cancer/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:38:43 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1108 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to Tournaments section to learn about some of the world’s best official runs and how you can join.

The 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer tips off the college basketball season as 16 teams from 16 conferences compete at four sites across the country. The winners of the regional sites (Duke, UCLA, Michigan and Southern Illinois) advance to the Championship Rounds in New York City this Thursday and Friday at the historic Madison Square Garden.

While it would be easy to focus on the players – Gerald Henderson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, Jrue Holiday, Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims, Carlton Fay, Kevin Dillard and Bryan Mullins – we decided to take a long at the four legendary coaches featured in the tournament.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), fresh from coaching the USA men’s basketball team to Olympic gold, begins his 2008-09 campaign in this prestigious event along with coaches Ben Howland (UCLA), John Beilein (Michigan) and Chris Lowery (Southern Illinois).

Mike Krzyzewski
In 28 years at Duke, Coach K has been inducted into the Hall of Fame and been named National Coach of the Year 12-times. He has built a dynasty that few programs in the history of the game can match. Entering the 2008-09 season, Coach K owns an 803-267 career record in 33 years of coaching, while attaining a 730-208 mark in 28 seasons in Durham.

Ben Howland
Entering his sixth year as the Bruins’ head coach in 2008-09, Coach Howland has led UCLA to back-to-back-to-back Pacific-10 titles (2006-08) and back-to-back-to-back Final Four appearances (2006-08). He also guided the Bruins to a school-record 35 victories in 2008 and won more games in a three-year span (97 from 2006-08) than any other coach in UCLA history.

John Beilein
Having spent all 16 years of his Division 1 coaching career as a head coach, Coach Beilein has produced success at every stop and is considered to be one of the best tactical basketball minds in the country. A proven winner throughout his career, Beilein has won 561 career games, placing him in the top 20 in victories among active Division I head coaches.

Chris Lowery
Coach Lowery, lucky enough to coach at his alma mater, was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year after leading SIU to a 25-5 regular season record in 2007. A highlight win for the season was when they beat highly ranked Butler on the road. The Salukis received a No. 4 seed in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, the highest for any Valley team since Indiana State received a 1-seed in 1979.

Name: 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer

Where: Madison Square Garden

When: November 10-13 (Regional Rounds), November 20-21 (Championship Rounds)

Level of Play: Elite college-level

Who’s Played Here? The event has featured three of the last seven national champions (Florida in 2005-06, Syracuse in 2002-03 and Maryland in 2001-02) and has also featured six NCAA Final Four teams (Memphis in ’07-08, Florida and George Mason in ’05-06; Syracuse, Marquette and Texas in ’02-03) in the past six seasons.

How to Join This Tournament: Eat your Wheaties and hit the gym

For more information, visit www.CoachesvsCancer.com

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]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/tournaments/2k-sports-classic-benefiting-coaches-vs-cancer/feed/ Saint-Symphorien (Reims) http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/saint-symphorien-reims/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/fr/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/bn_s1s1f_pt.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/saint-symphorien-reims/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:50:53 +0000 basketsession http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1103 If you ever come to Reims in the winter, you better be prepared to face the weather. But once there, you’ll find all a baller could ask for. Nice people, nice games and most of all a nice playground. Its name? St. Symphorien aka S1S1F (pronounce sainsainffff), like the FC Mets soccer field, just to remind you that here, everything revolves around that “other” round ball. However, true ballers don’t let Siberian type weather and soccer fans discourage them from playing their game, no matter what.

The two rims hanging at only 9′6″, have been abused by all the dunker wannabes of the area. The other two, hanging at a decent 10 feet high, bend but don’t break when the best dunkers around come to show their skills. Dunking is some kind of a local specialty; you just have to peep at one the S1S1F DVD’s to realize that they mean business over there. Of course, like on every other playground in the world, from Le Champs de Mars to Procé, and from Hoche to The Rucker Park, balling is just another way of trying to get free from the daily hassles and to get noticed by putting on a show. How natural, after all, for the Champagne capital of the world?

Name: S1S1F
Address: Rue Saint-Symphorien 51100 Reims
Level of Competition: Varies a lot.  It can go from local to elite. There’s a lot of players there in the summer, but forget about the moves, eveybody plays to win.
Court Status: Mythical court in Reims.
Court Specs: Two full courts.
Type of Play: Full court 5×5 or half-court 3×3 and 4×4 when there’s not enough players.
Surface: Asphalt.
Rims: Metal.
Nets: No.
Lights: No
Hours of Operation: Every day from 2PM to midnight.
Pay-to-Play: No
League Play: No
Best time to play: On week-ends from may to september.
The Deal: Officialy, the playground is closed but its a local ritual to jump the fence (or the small wall on the side). It’s right in the heart of the city, behind the legendary Reims’ cathedral.

]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/saint-symphorien-reims/feed/ Baller Profile: Ben York http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-ben-york/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_ben.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-ben-york/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:50:43 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1104 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Ballers page for all the info you need on the players and the personalities from around the world who make up the Network. Find out who they are, where they run and how they play.

You won’t find a bigger fan of the Phoenix Suns than Ben York. With the pick-and-roll as his go-to-move, you can understand why. Be sure to check out his popular blog, Ben’s Suns Blog.

Name: Ben York

Age: 24

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona

Height: 5-11

Weight: 175

Shoe size: 10

Position: Point Guard

My Home Court: Boys & Girls Club of Chandler

Playing Experience: Some college, minor league tryouts

Current Team: Free Agent

Favorite Sneakers: Nike

Favorite Player: Steve Nash and Matt Barnes

Favorite Team: Phoenix Suns

Go-to-Move: Pick & Roll

I play: Leagues across Phoenix

Coming up I admired: Kevin Johnson

My basketball moment: Trying out for the Phoenix Flame (a minor league team)

Are you represented on BallersNetwork.com? If you want your profile shared with the world, let us know at ballersnetwork@dimemag.com.

]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-ben-york/feed/ Baller Profile: Aïda Fall http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-aida-fall/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/fr/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/bn_aida_pt.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-aida-fall/#comments Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:48:52 +0000 basketsession http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1102 Well known in the legendary Halle Carpentier arena, Aïda had to cross the whole country to make a place for herself at the highest level. After playing for Valenciennes, one of the best youth teams of the country, she made her pro debuts with Calais, but it wasn’t easy at all. Afetr a bad start, she had to step down and play at the N1 level (second French division), with Strasbourg, to blossom and build her confidence back up. And it paid off big time! She’s now back at the Top Level with Challes-Les-Eaux. But each summer, she comes back to basics, and brings her game back on the hardtop.

Name: Aïda Fall
Nickname: Aïda
Age: 22 years old
Hometown: Paris
Height : 1,93 m / 6′4″
Weight: 85 kilos/186 lbs
Shoe Size: 44 eur/10 us
Position: Center
Playing Experience: Pantin (Région), Aubervilliers (Région), Valenciennes (Espoirs), Perpignan (NF2), Calais (LFB), Strasbourg (NF1), Challes-Les-Eaux (LFB)
Current Team: Challes-Les-Eaux (LFB)
Favorite Sneaker: Nike Air Uptempo
I compare my game to: Aïda Fall ;)
Vertical Leap: No idea at all
Most points in a game: 25 pts at the NF1 level
Favorite Team: Boston Celtics
Favorite Player: Jordan !
Favorite Court: Charles Moureux (Paris)
Go-to Move: Post-up
Favorite TV show: Desperate Housewives
Favorite Movie: Love & Basket-ball
On my iPod: RNB, Hip Hop

]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-aida-fall/feed/ Baller Profile: Chris Smith http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-chris-smith/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_chris.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-chris-smith/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:31:33 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1098 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Ballers page for all the info you need on the players and the personalities from around the world who make up the Network. Find out who they are, where they run and how they play.

This season, Manhattan College sophomore guard Chris Smith thinks he’s going to be one of the Players of the Year. He might be right. Born with basketball in his blood, his older brother and role model, J.R. Smith, plays for the Denver Nuggets. But don’t think that Chris tries to get by on his brother’s name.

“I’m probably one of the hungriest players you’ve ever seen,” says Smith. “I’m very aggressive and play with a lot of intensity .”

As a senior at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, Smith averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game playing for Coach Danny Hurley. This season, in his sophomore campaign, Smith predicts similar success for himself and the team.

“As a team, we should win the MAAC and go to the NCAA Tournament,” says Smith. “Personally, I feel like I should be one of the Players of the Year.”

Name: Chris Smith

Age: 21

Hometown: Millstone, New Jersey

Height: 6-3

Weight: 205

Shoe size: 13

Position: Guard

My Home Court: Lakewood High School

Playing Experience: I first started at Lakewood High School and played there for three years. Then I played two years at St. Benedict’s Prep. I played AAU basketball for the Tim Thomas Playaz.

Current Team: Manhattan College

Favorite Sneakers: Any Nikes or Jordans

Favorite Player: Michael Jordan

Favorite Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Go-to-Move: Step-back pull-up

I play: For the love of the game

Coming up I admired: My older brother J.R. I never played in a high school game with him, but I played in AAU games him. It was like no one could beat us. If we’re ever on the same team, we’re not losing.

My basketball moment: It was in Vegas when I was playing with the Playaz U16 team against the Virginia Squires. I went baseline and I had the ball in my left hand. I went up to dunk and switched the ball back to my right hand and dunked on a guy.

Chris Smith

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]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-chris-smith/feed/ Green Lake Park http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/green-lake-park/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_green.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/green-lake-park/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:42:50 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1092 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Courts section of the site for everything you need to know about the hoop world’s best places to play. Learn about the history of each featured court, famous alums, who plays there today, and the best times to play.

Name: Green Lake Park

Address: 7201 East Green Lake Drive N, Seattle, Washington 98115

Level of Competition: Elite. In the summer there are lots of college and NBA players that come through, most notably local stars Nate Robinson, Jamal Crawford and Jason Terry. During the year, the average player probably played at least competitive high school ball.

Court Status: Chalk it up to legendary status, Green Lake Park is the most famous court in one of the Top 10 basketball cities in the world.

Court Specs: Three hoops. Regulation size full court plus a half court.

Surface: Asphalt

Backboard: Plexiglass

Rims: Breakaway rims

Nets: Standard rope netting

Lights: No

Hoop Support Structure: Goalrilla

Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset

Pay-to-Play: No

League Play: Occasional tournaments

Best time to Play: Whenever the pros come out

The Deal: The court at Green Lake Park is legendary. From Nate Robinson to Jamal Crawford to Jason Terry, all of Seattle’s best get run at Green Lake in the summer.

“It’s hard to play there since it’s usually crowded,” says Seattle resident DeRondell Newton, “but playing on that court is similar to playing in front of a national audience. It’s pretty overwhelming.”

Is your favorite court represented on BallersNetwork.com? If there’s a court you think should be shared with the world, let us know at ballersnetwork@dimemag.com.

]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/courts/green-lake-park/feed/ N.Y. Urban Professionals League http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/leagues/ny-urban-professionals-league/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_nyupl.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/leagues/ny-urban-professionals-league/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:41:52 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1093 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Leagues section to learn about some of the world’s best hoop leagues and how you can join.

The N.Y. Urban Professionals League is one of the largest in the city. This winter, they expect to field over 390 teams and 30 division, providing some of the best Men’s and Women’s hoops competition in New York City.

The season begins the week of December 8th and features one scrimmage, twelve games and divisional/interdivisional playoffs.

Where: Games at various gyms throughout the city including John Jay College (59th & 10th Ave), Brandeis High School (84th & Columbus), Baruch Simon High School (21st & 1st Ave), Fashion High School (24th & 7th Ave), Asher Levy School (12th & 1st Ave), O’Shea High School (77th & Columbus), Chelsea School (27th & 9th Ave), Hunter College (68th & Lexington), Hunter College High School (94th & Park Ave), Trinity School (91st & Columbus), LaGuardia High School (64th & Amsterdam) and West Side High School (102nd & Amsterdam).

When: Team scrimmages begin November 17th; the season begins the week of December 8th

Level of Play: The league welcomes teams and individuals of all ability levels. With over 390 teams and 30 divisions, no matter what level of player you are, they have a division for you.

Who Plays Here? To be eligible to play in the league, a player must be a college graduate or hold a professional position.

How to Join This League: Go to www.nyurban.com/basketball/basketball.html

Is your league represented on BallersNetwork.com? If there’s a league you think should be shared with the world, let us know at ballersnetwork@dimemag.com.

]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/leagues/ny-urban-professionals-league/feed/ Baller Profile: Stew Whitney http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-stew-whitney/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_stew.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-stew-whitney/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:31:49 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1088 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Ballers page for all the info you need on the players and the personalities from around the world who make up the Network. Find out who they are, where they run and how they play.

Name: Stew Whitney

Age: 24

Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Height: 6-0

Weight: 185

Shoe size: 10

Position: PG/Wing

My Home Court: Springvale

Playing Experience: High School, Provincial Team, 3-on-3 Tournaments, Men’s League

Favorite Sneakers: Jordan Retro 8 / Kobe Crazy 8

Favorite Players: Joseph Forte, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Jalen Rose, Marvin Williams and Wayne Ellington

Favorite Team: NCAA – UNC Tarheels / NBA – New York Knicks

Go-to-Move: Spin move (right or left) into a fadeaway jumper OR stutter step crossover

I play: For the love of the game… oh, and to keep in shape!

Coming up I admired: Gary Payton, Reggie Miller, Kevin Johnson and Allan Houston

My basketball moment: Would be when I came off the bench in a high school tournament to score 21 points in 16 minutes. Not only that, but it was one of the first times (maybe the first) I’ve ever heard an opposing coach telling his players to “get up on that guy, he’s a shooter”!

Stew Whitney

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]]> http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-stew-whitney/feed/ Baller Profile: Blair Oliver Piper http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-blair-oliver-piper/ http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/thumb_blair.jpg http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/ballers/baller-profile-blair-oliver-piper/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:31:30 +0000 dime http://ballersnetwork.com/p/en/?p=1084 BallersNetwork.com – this is where players live. Come to the Ballers page for all the info you need on the players and the personalities from around the world who make up the Network. Find out who they are, where they run and how they play.

Name: Blair Oliver Piper

Age: 17

Hometown: Brookline, Massachusetts

Height: 5-9

Weight: 145

Shoe Size: 10

Position: Point Guard

My Home Court: Blacktop at Camp North Star

Playing Experience: Six years of competitive basketball

Current Team: Free agent

Favorite Sneakers: Air Force 25

Favorite Player: Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett

Favorite Team: Boston Celtics

Go-to-Move: Low-post turn-around

I play: Fast-paced and for the love of the game.

Coming up I admired: Paul Pierce

My basketball moment: Winning the Wekeela Invitational

Blair Oliver Piper

Are you represented on BallersNetwork.com? If you want your profile shared with the world, let us know at ballersnetwork@dimemag.com.

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