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Indonesia Warriors was the first team to shuffle their roster in the 2014 AirAsia ASEAN Basketball League. They released Chris Barnes just after two games and signed Christian Ellis as his replacement.Ellis came in with a strong resume as he spent four years at Wake Forest University. During those four years, he played alongside Los Angeles Clippers' superstar Chris Paul for two seasons.
“Chris Paul is probably the best point guard I have ever played with in my life,” praised Ellis. “He came in as a freshman and led us to the sweet 16. That was a very exciting moment at Wake Forest. I also learned a lot during my time at Wake Forest which help me with my basketball IQ.”
Ellis arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, a week before the Warriors play a road game against Westports Malaysia Dragons on August 2.
The arrival of Ellis gave Indonesia a strong and physical presence inside the paint. “I bring physicality. I’m trying to be strong and aggressive inside. I also want to make the right play for the team and lead the team by example.”
After just three games with the Warriors, Ellis looked really comfortable in head coach Cokorda Raka’s offensive system. Ellis is averaging 19.67 points and 10.67 rebounds per game. Not only that, he is also shooting an incredible 70% from deep. During Warriors' 100-63 win over Laskar Dreya South Sumatra on August 8, Ellis scored 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
He credited his coach for just letting him play his game. “Coach told me just to go for mine. He wants me to take the open shot whether it’s inside or outside. I really appreciate that,” said Ellis who is a good friend of former Warriors Steven Thomas.
Although he’s only been with the team for 3 weeks now, he really enjoys being with the young guys on the team. “I really enjoy the team. They are very young and full of potential. The Americans we have, John Smith and Tremayne Johnson, are very exciting to watch,” said Ellis. “John commands the court and control the tempo while Tremayne is starting show his potential as an explosive scorer. We will work hard and give our best efforts for the fans. ”
http://www.aseanbasketballleague.com/news/detail/7363/christian-ellis-enjoys-playing-with-the-warriors_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Indonesia Warriors’ guard John Smith is looking forward to this best-of-five AirAsia 2013 ABL Finals series against the San Miguel Beermen. Formerly part of the Saigon Heat squad in the 2012 ABL Season, Smith has enjoyed a coming out party so far this season with the Warriors.
His best game was on March 17th when he torched the Westports Malaysia Dragons with 27 points. Now, despite it being his first appearance in the ABL Finals, Smith is not fazed by the pressure. We sat down with Smith to talk about his preparations heading into game one.
Last season, you played as a point guard with Saigon Heat. This season, you shifted to the wing. Was that a hard adjustment to make?
It was at first. But once coach defined my role and when I saw where I fit in, I got more comfortable and I was able to do good things.
Can you describe your feelings heading into your first game in the ABL Finals?
I haven’t been able to sleep since we beat the Westports Malaysia Dragons last week. I’m very excited to go into the finals with this group of guys.
Did you talk with your teammates about their finals experience to help you in this series?
Yes. I definitely talk to Steven [Thomas], Mario [Wuysang], and Stanley [Pringle] about it a lot because it’s all new to me. They told me to keep doing what I’m doing and I will be alright.
What is your mindset heading into game 1?
Just don’t change anything. Just keep playing like how we have been playing and just do my best.
What do you think is the most dangerous thing about this Beermen team?
They are definitely a deep team. They have the ability to score from multiple positions. They are similiar to us so it will be a good matchup.
http://www.aseanbasketballleague.com/news/detail/7308/john-smith-prepared-for-warriors-2013-abl-championship-campaign
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Sunday, 29 July 2012
Jonathan Jones: "Not too many people can say they were part of Vietnam's first ever professional basketball team"
Jonathan Jones: "Not too many people can say they were part of Vietnam's first ever professional basketball team"
There is no doubt that Vietnam have fall in love with Saigon Heat. In their first season in the ASEAN Basketball League, the Tan Binh Stadium sold out everytime the Heat play. One of the players that the Heat fans love so much is their big man in the middle, Jonathan Jones. The 6'10'' center finished his inaugural season with an averaged of 21.86 points and 12.76 rebounds per game.
We caught up with Jay-Jay to talk about his experiences living in Saigon.
The Saigon Heat fans show you guys a lot of love, how was the experience of living in Saigon during the ABL season?
My experience in Saigon was awesome, on and off the court. We had the best fans in the ABL. Being a part of the first ever professional basketball team in Vietnam was very special. My time off the court was amazing to able to see Vietnam 37 years after the war. It was amazing to see how they rebuild the city. The Vietnamese people are very friendly and they made me feel really welcome to their country. The crazy part was riding around on my bike the whole season. It was extremely dangerous but I had a great time seeing the city. 90% of the people in Saigon ride motor bikes as their main transportation.
What was your favorite food in Saigon?
My favorite food in Saigon by far is Pho Vietnamese noodles. Pho tastes like top ramen with beef flavor on steroids. I recommend everyone to try pho at least once in their life time.
Any favorite hang out spot?
My favorite hang out spot in Saigon is Ben Thanh Market. It smells pretty bad in there but Ben Thanh is a shoppers' paradise. They have everything there from dead fish to custom made suit.
Can you talk about the development of the Heat's local players throughout the season?
I have two words for the development of the Heat's local players, Jason Rabedeaux. Coach Rab is a great teacher and motivator. He helped everyone to improve their game throughout the season and gave everyone confidence to be successful. He is the best coach I have ever been around and played for. I've been involved with the game of basketball for almost 20 years now and the Heat are extremely lucky to have Coach Rab as part of their organization.
What was your favorite moment from your first experience in the ABL?
Being a part of ever professional basketball team in Saigon is once in a life time experience. I will cherish all the memories for the rest of my life. Not too many people can say they were part of Vietnam's first ever professional basketball team.
ABL in a Minute
ABL's Line-up
Jonathan Jones ABL Line Up interview for ESPN Star
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Basketball all in the family for Gottselig
Basketball all in the family for Gottselig
Saskatchewan native learned hoops from siblings
Saskatchewan native learned hoops from siblings
By EVAN DAUM, edmontonjournal.com May 5, 2012
EDMONTON - Troy Gottselig knows all too well what it means to be part of a team.
The Edmonton Energy post player and former standout at the University of Saskatchewan grew up just outside of Findlater, Sask., where, along with nine other siblings, the game of basketball was a focal point.
“It meant a lot to me personally, because it was always running in my family,” Gottselig said. “It just kind of fell into my lap that the game came to me.
“I was a hockey player growing up, but my family couldn’t really afford it, so basketball was a free option and I’ve been riding it ever since.”...
Read more at: http://www.canada.com/life/Basketball+family+Gottselig/6570236/story.html
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as previously published on: http://www.bkusti.cz/art.php?id=681
Rozhovor: Troy Gottseling
Rozhovor: Troy Gottseling
Kanaďan v ústeckém dresu Troy Gottseling odpovídal na otázky pro náš web. Jak se cítí v ústeckém dresu? Z čeho má úžasný zážitek? Jaký je rozdíl mezi českou a kanadskou basketbalovou ligou? Co ví o Ústí a České republice? Více se dozvíte v rozhovoru.
Troyi, jak se cítíš v novém týmu? Jak bys popsal své první zápasy v dresu Ústí?
Když jsem zjistil, že mám možnost hrát v české nejvyšší lize, byl jsem nadšený. Na takovou příležitost jsem trpělivě čekal téměř 2 roky. V Ústí se cítím velmi dobře.
Při mém prvním zápase v dresu Ústí jsem byl ze začátku velice nervózní. Většinou bývám takhle nervózní, když nastupuji za nový tým. Nicméně předzápasová nervozita mě brzy opustila. V utkání s Děčínem jsem si našel svou pozici a hrál to, co bylo po mě požadováno. Zápas jsme bohužel prohráli, ale jsem rád, že už jsme to s Levicemi obrátili.
Byl jsem docela překvapen, jak jsou hráči v České republice talentovaní. Rychle jsem zjistil, že je to určitě skvělé místo ke zlepšení díky výborným hráčům, trenérům a organizaci této ligy.
Můžeš fanouškům shrnout, kde jsi doposud hrál a kde se ti nejvíc dařilo?
Mým posledním týmem byl Halifax Rainmen z nově vzniklé kanadské NBL. Předtím jsem hrál za Summerside Storm. To však nevyhovovalo tomu, co jsem si představoval, takže když přišla příležitost hrát v České republice za Ústí nad Labem, ihned jsem se chopil příležitosti.
Před Summerside Storm jsem hrál za Edmonton Energy v International Basketball League, což je severoamerická letní liga pro zámořské profesionální hráče (květen až červen).
V sezóně 2009 – 2010 (můj seniorský rok na univerzitě) vyhrál můj tým mistrovství univerzit Kanady v basketbale. V tomto turnaji jsem byl jmenován MVP. To byl vrchol mé dosavadní kariéry.
Poté jsem nabyl své první profesionální zkušenosti jako nováček v Edmonton Energy.
Zároveň jsem čelil obtížnému rozhodnutí, hrát v zámoří nebo se vrátit zpět na univerzitu. Rozhodl jsem se vrátit do školy, získat titul a dokončit tak můj poslední ročník na vysoké škole. Svého rozhodnutí v žádném případě nelituji. Naštěstí jsem získal další příležitost hrát a nyní jsem velice rád, že můžu hrát v dresu Ústí nad Labem.
Jak se ti líbila atmosféra derby při zápase s Děčínem? Co říkáš na ústecké fanoušky?
Atmosféra zápasu s Děčínem mě také velice překvapila. Věděl jsem, že Evropané milují basketbal nebo podobné sporty, ale tohle jsem nečekal. Podpora obou týmů byla obrovská. Obě strany hlasitě fandily a uznávaly dobrou hru obou týmů. Sportovní duch fanoušků a jejich nadšení ze hry bylo úžasné.
Už teď můžu říct, že ústečtí fanoušci jsou velice loajální, a to jsem zatím odehrál jen pár zápasů. Ten hluk v hale ve mně zanechal úžasný zážitek. Nyní, když se cítím v týmu skvěle a mám již za sebou pár zápasů, jsem lépe připraven. Opravdu se moc těším na další zápasy!
Jaký je největší rozdíl mezi českou MNBL a kanadskou NBL?
Řekl bych, že největší rozdíl mezi českou ligou a nově vzniklou ligou doma vidím v historii. Kanadská NBL dělá úžasné věci a já doufám, že uspějí a udělají velký pokrok a liga se udrží. Česká MNBL, stejně jako ostatní evropské ligy, existuje již spoustu let a má proslulou historii úspěchů.
Jak jsem řekl, pro profesionálního basketbalistu je mnohem pohodlnější, když ví, že liga a ligové organizace jsou úspěšné a mají za sebou bohatou historii. Basketbal a úroveň talentu je stejná v kanadské NBL jako zde.
Ode mne je zde však očekávaná jiná role. V Kanadě jsem byl spíš jen jako užitečný hráč, zatímco tady je na mě nahlíženo jako na střelce a vůdce týmu. Mám v plánu zužitkovat v tomto týmu vše, co jsem se naučil v Kanadě, přidat to ke své nové roli a vytvořit tak dobře vyváženou a všestrannou hru.
Co víš o České republice a jak se ti líbí v Ústí nad Labem?
Vždy jsem se zajímal o historii, již od střední školy. V rámci svého vzdělání jsem studoval také historii. Na univerzitě jsem měl kurzy evropské historie, tak pro mě není cizí ani základní historie České republiky. Pokud mě nějaký fanoušek chce naučit víc, jsem určitě pro a rád se přiučím! Kdekoliv hraju, rád zjišťuji více o daném městu, regionu, abych věděl, kde se nacházím, jaké je okolí, historie země. Myslím si, že člověku dají zkušenosti mnohem více než pouze samotný basketbal.
Opravdu mám rád Ústí. Abych byl upřímný, nikdy jsem o něm dříve, než jsem přišel, neslyšel. Je to klidné město, což mi umožňuje soustředit se na to, proč jsem tady a čeho jsem přišel dosáhnout. Lidé z Ústí jsou velice milí a ochotní pomoci a fanoušci jsou úžasní!
Moji spoluhráči, trenéři a management, všichni jsou mi velice nápomocni a přizpůsobili mi bydlení, abych se zde ihned aklimatizoval. Opravdu se moc těším, že zde dokončím sezonu a pomůžu týmu uspět.
Na webovou stránku Troye Gottselinga se můžete podívat zde
English version for fans of Troy
Troy, could you tell us how do you feel in a new team and how would you describe your first match in Ústí jersey?
When I found out that I had the opportunity to play in the top league in Czech Republic I was very excited to do so. This opportunity is what I have been patiently waiting for for nearly two years now. I feel very comfortable and accepted here in Usti. During my first game in an Usti jersey I was definitely nervous from the start. I am usually like this with most new teams. However, after the pre-game jitters went away I soon found my comfort zone in the game against Decin and came here to do what was asked of me. Unfortunately we came up short of the win but I am confident that we will turn things around. I was a bit surprised of the talent level here in the Czech Republic. I soon found in the game that the Czech league is most certainly a great place to play and improve thanks to the many great players, coaches, and organizations in this league. Decin is a very good team.
Could you sum up for the fans, where else have you played and where have you had the greatest success?
My most recent team was the Halifax Rainmen of the newly formed NBL Canada. Prior to that trade I played for the Summerside Storm. It did not fit to what i wanted so when the opportunity came up to play in the Czech Republic for Usti nad Labem I seized the opportunity. Prior to the Summerside Storm I played for the Edmonton Energy of the International Basketball League, a North American summer league for overseas professionals(May and June). During the 2009-2010 season(my senior year of university) my team won the Canadian Inter-University Sport Basketball National Championship. I was named the MVP of that tournament. This has been the pinnacle of my career so far. After that was my first semi-professional experience as a Rookie for the Edmonton Energy. After that I had a brief European Tour with the Canadian Men's National Development Team. Facing a tough decision to play overseas or return to school, I chose to return to school to earn my degree the following year and finish my last year in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. I am happy with my decision to do so and thankfully, was given another opportunity to play and am now really happy to be in an Usti uniform.
How did you like the atmosphere during the derby match with Děčín? What do you think about the Ústí fans?
The atmosphere during the game against Decin surprised me as well. I knew Europeans loved basketball or any sport for the matter but this I was not expecting. The support for both teams was tremendous. Both sides cheered loud and acknowledged good plays from both teams. The sportsmanship shown from the fans and the involvement was great. I can say that Usti fans are very loyal and I have only played one game. The noise in the gym made the entire experience very exciting for me. Now that I am comfortable and have a few games under my belt, I feel I am more ready than ever. I am really looking forward to Fridays game!
What is the biggest difference between the Czech MNBL and Canadian NBL?
The biggest difference between the Czech League and the newly formed national league back home I would have to say is the history. The NBL of Canada is doing some great things and I am hoping they succeed and progress and that the league sustains itself. As a newly formed league, anywhere in the world in any sport, there are always learning curves and changes being made to keep the league or teams within that league from folding. As with many leagues in Europe, The Czech Republic National Basketball League has been around for many years and has a renowned history of success. With that being said, it is much more comforting as a professional basketball player knowing that the league and organizations within that league are successful and have a history of sustainability. The basketball and talent level is much the same in the NBL Canada as it is here. For me, the role I am expected to carry out is different. In Canada I was more of a utility man(rebounding, hard work, defense, etc.) whereas here I am look at to be a scorer and lead the team. I plan to bring what I learned playing in Canada to this team and adding it to my new role to create a well balanced, all-round game.
What do you know about Czech Republic and how do you like Ústí nad Labem?
I have always had an interest in History, ever since High School. I have an Education degree with a minor in History within that degree. I took some European History courses in University so I am somewhat familiar with the history of Europe and the basic history of the Czech Republic. If any fans want to teach me I am definitely willing to learn more! Wherever I play, I like to do some research on the city or region so that I know where I am going, what my surroundings are, and the history behind the country. I think you get much more out of the experience rather than just playing basketball.
I really like Usti. To be honest I had never heard of it prior to coming here. It is quiet, which I find comforting as it allows me to stay focused on why I am here and what I came here to do and accomplish. The people of Usti are very kind and willing to help, and the fans are great! My teammates, coaches, and management have all been extremely helpful and have made the adjustment of living in Usti very easy for me and the experience already memorable. I am really looking forward to finishing the season here and helping our team succeed.
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Gottselig goes pro in Czech Republic
Gottselig goes pro in Czech Republic
By Darren Zary, The StarPhoenix February 11, 2012
Troy Gottselig’s pro basketball career has bounced around between three different teams in less than three months.
His desire and hopes are far from deflated, however.
He’s pumped about his current gig with Sluneta Usti nad Labem of the Mattoni NBL League, which is the top pro league in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
“I can see myself doing this (pro hoops) for as many years as my body allows,” Gottselig said this week from the Czech Republic, where he has played five games and averaged 7.6 points, seven rebounds and 25.4 minutes.
“I am starting to get a feel for the league and playing better every game.”
The former University of Saskatchewan star — who was named MVP when the Huskies won the 2010 Canadian Interuniversity Sport national championship...
as seen at: http://basketballbuzz.ca/international/troy-gottselig-leaves-nbl-canada-goes-pro-in-czech-republic/
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