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2017 Korean League Draft

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July 10, 2017

The WKBL held its annual foreign player draft Monday morning Korean time.  Teams will still have two foreign players, but the rules changed significantly for this upcoming season as teams will be allowed to play more than one foreign player at a time for some portion of each game.  Teams were also allowed to forfeit their first round pick to re-sign one of their players and give them a raise.  The Samsung Life Blue Minx used this mechanism to bring back Alyssa Thomas.

The draft was shown on Facebook Live this year: Video

The lottery was conducted first to determine the order of the other five teams.  As usual, it was a snake draft with the Blue Minx getting their only pick at the end of the draft.  The first sign of a change in draft strategy came with the second pick, where Winnus opted for Jewell Loyd, knowing that they could pair her with a post player later, when they picked Chante Black.  A number of veterans of the league were picked again as Kayla Thornton, Tianna Hawkins, and Monique Currie returned to the league and Shekinna Stricklen came back after time elsewhere.  Teams also continued to look to some new blood with the option to re-sign players favoring teams that could find younger players.  With the new rules, this season will certainly shape up to being more intriguing than recent years.

First Round:
1. KEB Hanabank – Isabelle Harrison
2. KDB Life Winnus – Jewell Loyd
3. Shinhan Bank S-Birds – Kayla Thornton
4. KB Stars – Damiris Dantas
5. Woori Bank Wibee – Shekinna Stricklen
6. Samsung Life Blue Minx – forfeited to sign Alyssa Thomas

Second Round:
1.  Woori Bank Wibee – Tianna Hawkins
2. KB Stars – Monique Currie
3. Shinhan Bank S-Birds – Reshanda Gray
4. KDB Life Winnus – Chante Black
5. KEB Hanabank – Jazmon Gwathmey
6. Samsung Life Blue Minx – Kayla Alexander

EuroBasket Group Phase Day 3 June 19th

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June 19, 2017

After a day of rest, the teams returned to action on Monday to complete the group stage.  Teams were looking to avoid elimination as several of valuable group winning places were still open as direct quarterfinal qualification was on the line.

Group A:

The first game in Hradec Kralove was for second place as both teams already knew that they would advance and could not win the group.  Taisiia Udodenko continued to stand out for Ukraine as they beat Hungary 84-72.  The other game was meaningless with both teams locked into their places, but the Czech Republic was able to put on one final show for the home fans with a 67-63 win over Spain, which already had an eye on the knockout stages.

Hungary vs. Ukraine 72-84 HUN Zele 13 Vandersloot 10 Hatar 10 Fegyverneky 10 Raksanyi 7 Medgyessy 6 Krivacevic 6 Nagy-Bujdoso 4/7r Dubei 2 Simon 2 Varga 2 Licskai 0 UKR Udodenko 22/9r Malashenko 17 Iagupova 17 Dorogobuzowa 12 Olkhovyk 9 Bilotserkivska 3 Moss 2/10r Horobets 2 Maznichenko 0 Spitkovska 0 Yatskovets 0 Naumenko 0

Czech Republic vs. Spain 67-63 CZE Vaughn 18/6r Kat. Elhotova 17 Kar. Elhotova 10/6a Hanusova 7/6r Zaplatova 7 Burgrova 4 Kulichova 2/6r Vyoralova 1/6a Vorackova 1 Stejskalova 0 Bartakova DNP Svrlikova DNP ESP Lyttle 17 Torrens 13 Nicholls 10/9r Romero 7 Cruz 6 Gil 4/7r Palau 4 Dominguez 2 Rodriguez 0 Conde 0 Sanchez 0 Xargay DNP

Standings: Spain 2-1, Ukraine 2-1, Hungary 1-2, Czech Republic 1-2

Group B:

The result of the first game was meaningless, but Turkey stayed unbeaten after confirming their place as group winner, leaving already-eliminated Belarus winless 88-74 and searching for answers.  The day ended with Italy winning the battle for second place 68-61 over the Slovak Republic.

Belarus vs. Turkey 74-88 BLR Bentley 15/7r Likhtarovich 12 Snytsina 9 Ivashchanka 9 Holubeva 8 Papova 5 Rytsikava 4 Kress 4 Ziuzkova 2 Hasper 2 Filonchyk 2 Inkina 2 TUR Cakir Turgut 15/6a Bilgic 12 Canitez 10 Cora 10 Alben 9 Senyurek 8 Caglar 6 Hollingsworth 4/7r Ural 4/6r Vardarli Demirmen 4 Koksal 3 Ivegin Uner 3

Slovakia vs. Italy 61-68 SVK Balintova 13 Vynuchalova 11 Ruzickova 9/6r Slamova 9 Oroszova 6/8r Remenarova 5 Dudasova 4 Mikulasikova 2 Jurcenkova 2 Zirkova 0 Kovacikova 0 ITA Zandalasini 15/12r Sottana 15 Dotto 11/6a Formica 6 Ress 6 Penna 4 De Pretto 4 Masciadri 3 Crippa 2 Gorini 2 Cinili 0

Standings: Turkey 3-0, Italy 2-1, Slovak Republic 1-2, Belarus 0-3

Group C:

The defending champions had struggled thus far, but knew that a win over Slovenia would completely change that and Sonja Petrovic led Serbia again, this time to an 88-69 win over Teja Oblak and company after a tough start.  That margin was enough to propel them to second place because France fended off a tough Greece team led by Evanthia Maltsi, doing enough in the final quarter to win 70-63 to take the top spot to close the day in Prague.  Slovenia fought bravely, but were eliminated after sitting at the bottom of the tiebreaker.

Serbia vs. Slovenia 88-69 SRB Petrovic 23/6a Skoric 11/6r Milovanovic 11 N. Jovanovic 11 Crvendakic 7 T. Jovanovic 7 Radocaj 7 Dabovic 4 Cado 3 Stankovic 2 Krnjic 2 Mandic DNP SLO Oblak 22 Baric 18/6a Erkic 10 Evans 8 Lisec 7 Jakovina 2 Prezelj 2 Trebec 0 Zdolsek 0 Ocvirk 0 Abramovic 0 Pirsic 0

France vs. Greece 70-63 FRA Miyem 12 Skrela 12 Tchatchouang 11/7r Ciak 11 Michel 5 Dumerc 5 Epoupa 4 Ayayi 4 Amant 4 Chartereau 2 Minte 0 Johannes 0 GRE Maltsi 25/6r/6a Spanou 10 Christinaki 10 Kaltsidou 5 Nikolopoulou 4/7r/7a Sotiriou 4 Spyridoupoulou 3 Fasoula 2 Kosma 0 Stamolamprou 0 Stamati DNP Lymoura DNP

Standings: France 3-0, Serbia 1-2, Greece 1-2, Slovenia 1-2

Group D:

The day in Prague opened with a battle for first place in the group as Belgium stayed undefeated by prevailing in another close game, this time 62-58 over Latvia.  Montenegro needed a solid win to stay in the competition by flipping the tiebreakers around, but Russia kept pulling away, dominating the final quarter to win 78-54 and to take second place.

Latvia vs. Belgium 58-62 LAT Steinberga 14/20r Laksa 13 Basko-Melnbarde 10 Babkina 10 Krastina 5 Vitola 2 Putnina 2 Kreslina 2 Jakobsone 0 Brumermane 0 Strautmane DNP Dreimane DNP BEL Wauters 17 Meesseman 16/9r Carpreaux 11/6r K. Mestdagh 6 Delaere 6 Linskens 4 Vanloo 2 Raman 0 H. Mestdagh 0 Nauwelaers 0 Hendrickx DNP Geldof DNP

Montenegro vs. Russia 54-78 MNE Robinson 17/8r Perovanovic 13 Skerovic 10 Jovanovic 7 Vucetic 4 Mujovic 3 Matovic 0 Aleksic 0 Pasic 0 Popovic 0 Milosev DNP Rakovic DNP RUS Prince 13/6a Beliakova 11/6r Maiga 11 Vieru 10/7r Kirillova 9 Tikhonenko 8/12r Vadeeva 6 Cherepanova 4 Beglova 2 Musina 2 Levchenko 2 Zhedik 0

Standings: Belgium 3-0, Russia 2-1, Latvia 1-2, Montenegro 0-3

Bracket (Next games Tuesday):

Spain vs. Winner Serbia-Latvia

Belgium vs. Winner Italy-Hungary

Turkey vs. Winner Russia-Greece

France vs. Winner Ukraine-Slovak Republic

Turkish League Finals Game 5 May 17th

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May 17, 2017

An exciting season in Turkey came down to one game on Wednesday and it was certainly worth watching, staying close throughout.  Yakin Dogu University held the lead late at home, but sent Candace Parker to the line for two free throws that would have allowed Fenerbahce to escape.  She missed both and an attempt to tip in a rebound did not come close, giving the upstarts another trophy after rapidly increasing their ambitions this season to compete with the best teams across Europe.  The usual trio carried the hosts as Kayla McBride scored from the outside and Quanitra Hollingsworth patrolled the interior while Courtney Vandersloot directed the offense.  Sandrine Gruda led the way for the visitors, who had finally found a settled lineup in crunch time.  The result completed a big shakeup in the league after dominance from the more traditional Istanbul clubs. Yakin Dogu finished their season as Eurocup, Turkish Cup and Turkish League champions!

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Fenerbahce 76-75 YDU McBride 21 Hollingsworth 20/10r Vandersloot 17/6r/14a Cakir 4 Leuchanka 2 FEN Gruda 21/9r Parker 18/12r Vardarli 15 Lavender 8/9r Canitez 7 Quigley 6

Yakin Dogu Universitesi wins series 3-2

Turkish League Finals Game 4 May 14th

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May 14, 2017

Fenerbahce needed another win on Sunday to stay alive in the series.  They took the lead again at home, but Yakin Dogu University spent the next two quarters fighting back to even the score.  The hosts clamped down in the last quarter to get the 79-72 win.  Birsel Vardarli delivered a big performance when her team needed her the most as Candace Parker also helped them get the win.  Quanitra Hollingsworth had another good game for the visitors as Courtney Vandersloot pulled the strings in the backcourt.  Yakin Dogu University will now host the last game of a long season on Wednesday as the upstarts will have one last chance to upend the powerhouse.

Fenerbahce vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 79-72 FEN Vardarli 24/8r/8a Parker 24/7r Quigley 14/6a Gruda 12/8r Lavender 5/7r Canitez 0 YDU Hollingsworth 27/11r Vandersloot 20/11a McBride 15 Robinson 0/7r Cakir 0

Series tied 2-2

French League Finals Game 4 May 12th

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May 12, 2017

Lattes Montpellier needed a win on the road on Friday to bring the series back home for a deciding game, but Villeneuve shut the door early and finished the series with a 66-49 win.  The other teams may have been making headlines all season long in France, but Villeneuve continued to push hard in the background and played well in the playoffs while the top seed stumbled into this series, allowing them to take a fully deserved first league title in club history.

Villeneuve vs. Lattes Montpellier 66-49 VIL Gomis 12 Iagupova 11 Ayayi 0 MTP Godin 12 Mann 12 Taylor 8

Villeneuve wins series 3-1

Turkish League Finals Game 3 May 12th

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May 12, 2017

Facing elimination at home on Friday, Fenerbahce tweaked their lineup again and started well.  Yakin Dogu University made a run at the start of the fourth quarter to get back into the game, creating a tense final frame that the hosts managed to survive 71-70.  The visitors were led by Kayla McBride again as Quanitra Hollingsworth chipped in as well.  The teams meet again in the same venue on Sunday.

Fenerbahce vs. Yakin Dogu Universitesi 71-70 FEN Quigley 16 Gruda 14/10r Lavender 12 Vardarli 12 Parker 7/8r Canitez 2 YDU McBride 20/8r Hollingsworth 20 Vandersloot 15/9a Cakir 6 Leuchanka 2

Yakin Dogu Universitesi leads series 2-1

French League Finals Game 3 May 10th

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May 10, 2017

The series shifted venues for the next two games, starting on Wednesday.  It was close in the first half, but Villeneuve controlled the second half to beat Lattes Montpellier 80-60 with a balanced effort.  A win for them on Friday would allow them to win the title at home without needing to head back out on the road again.

Villeneuve vs. Lattes Montpellier 80-61 VIL Ayayi 12 Iagupova 12 Amant 11/6r Bremont 11 Sy 10 Gomis 10 MTP Taylor 13 Mann 10/7r

Villeneuve leads series 2-1

Turkish League Finals Game 2 May 9th

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May 9, 2017

The series continued on Tuesday as Yakin Dogu University looked to build on their lead at home.  They started the game strong, but Fenerbahce fought back to tie the game after three quarters.  The hosts regained the lead in the final frame and got the 73-67 win, again using their strong backcourt combination of Kayla McBride and Courtney Vandersloot to lead the way.  Allie Quigley had a good game for Fenerbahce, which will need to win at home on Friday to avoid an unexpected sweep.

Yakin Dogu Universitesi vs. Fenerbahce 73-67 YDU McBride 30/8r Vanderloot 21/9a Hollingsworth 10/14r Leuchanka 6 Cakir 0 FEN Quigley 26 Gruda 12/7r Parker 9/6r

Yakin Dogu Universitesi leads series 2-0

French League Finals Game 2 May 7th-8th

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Finals:

May 7, 2017

Lattes Montpellier needed a home win on Sunday to avoid falling into a big hole before heading out on the road.  They did just enough in the second half, edging the fourth quarter to win 64-62 to tie the series.  Villeneuve can still clinch the title by defending their homecourt, starting with the next game on Wednesday.

Lattes Montpellier vs. Villeneuve 64-62 MTP Skrela 13/7r Mann 13 Robert 12 Godin 10 Taylor 2 VIL Iagupova 18/7r Sy 16/7r Amant 10/7r Ayayi 4/7r

Series tied 1-1

3rd Place:

May 8, 2017

Mondeville made sure this series ended on Monday, jumping on Landes early at home to win 76-52.  Marieme Badiane led the way as the team at least ended the season with a consolation prize.

Mondeville vs. Landes 76-52 MDV Badiane 24/8r Plouffe 19/10r Gaucher 13/6a Sharp 5/7r Berkani 5 LAN Casas 18 Ayim 11/6r Bravard 8 Dumerc 7

Mondeville wins series 2-0

Italian League Finals Game 4 May 7th

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May 7, 2017

A home win on Sunday would deliver a first title to Lucca and they started well, cruising to the 65-50 win.  Schio may have had a dramatic late surge to take the top seed, but their team never seemed to fully click together and they will need to examine their strategy for the future after having their recent domestic dominance overturned.

Lucca vs. Schio 65-50 LUC Harmon 19 Pedersen 12/10r Wojta 5 SCH Zandalasini 17/7r Yacoubou 10/8r Macchi 6 Ress 6 Martinez 0 Masciadri 0

Lucca wins series 3-1