Japan claimed the initial win at the home 2012 Fiba Asia Cup. They held off Qatar in Tokyo for 1-0 record in Group B. Kosuke Takeuchi (206-C/F-85) and Kosuke Kanamaru (193-F/G-89) posted 14 points each to lead the hosts. Japan jumped to an early lead. They established a 24:15 advantage after ten minutes of action. Qatar bounced back in the second frame. The visitors narrowed the margin and got within 5 points at halftime 36:41. Japan boosted the margin once again in the third term. The home side accumulated a 61:50 lead with one period to go. But Qatar refused to give up. Musa put Qatar within two points 69:71 with 28 seconds remaining. Kosuke Takeuchi sank two free throws then and sealed the victory for Japan. J.R. Sakuragi (206-F/C-76, college: UCLA) notched 13 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Erfan Ali (198-PF-83) answered with 21 points for Qatar. Yasseen Ismail (204-F/C-80) added 13 points in the losing effort.
Al Gharafa Doha club decide to sign with the American player Larry Blair (183-G-84, college: Liberty) for the coming season. He used to play for the same team from 2013 to 2015. Larry Blair, played for Al Ahli Jeddah last year.
Outlook
Point maker rather than a play marker . very aggressive and confident with the ball and is an excellent mid-range jump shooter . good three-point marksman off either the dribble or the pass.
Awards/Achievements
Big South Conf. Tournament Winner... [read more]
Point maker rather than a play marker . very aggressive and confident with the ball and is an excellent mid-range jump shooter . good three-point marksman off either the dribble or the pass.
Awards/Achievements
Big South Conf. Tournament Winner -04 All-Big South Conf. 2nd Team -04 Big South Conf. All-Freshman Team -04 All-Big South Conf. Freshman of the Year -04 Big South Conf. Regular Season Runner-Up -05 All-Big South Conf. 1st Team -05, 06 All-Big South Conf. 1st Team -07 Eurobasket.com All-Hungarian League Honorable Mention -08 Finnish League Regular Season Champion -09 Finnish League Finalist -09 Eurobasket.com All-Finnish Korisliiga Guard of the Year -09 Eurobasket.com All-Finnish Korisliiga 1st Team -09 Eurobasket.com Finnish Korisliiga All-Imports Team -09 Eurobasket.com All-French N1 Guard of the Year -10 Eurobasket.com All-French N1 Import Player of the Year -10 Eurobasket.com All-French N1 1st Team -10 Eurobasket.com French N1 All-Imports Team -10 Eurobasket.com All-French NM1 Guard of the Year -11 Eurobasket.com All-French NM1 1st Team -11 Eurobasket.com French NM1 All-Imports Team -11 Eurobasket.com All-Georgian League Newcomer of the Year -12 Eurobasket.com Georgian League All-Imports Team -12 Georgian League All-Star Game -12 (MVP) Qatari League Champion -14 Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar D1 Player of the Year -14 Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar D1 Guard of the Year -14 Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar D1 Import of the Year -14 Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar D1 1st Team -14 Asia-Basket.com Qatar D1 All-Imports Team -14 Qatari Emir Cup Winner -14 Qatari League Semifinals -15 Qatari Cup Winner -15 Saudi Arabian League Finalist -16 <<>><<>>
Al Najma (Premier League) inked 32-year old American swingman Mildon Ambres (198-97kg-84, college: S.Nazarene). He played most recently at Al Shamal in Qatari D1 league. In 9 games he averaged impressive 22.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg and 1.0bpg last season. Ambres helped them to make it to the Qatari Cup Semifinals. He also played that season for Al Gezira (Superleague) in Egypt. In 2008 (a year after he left the college) Ambres was drafted by Idaho Stampede (D-League) in fifth round (6... [read more]
Al Najma (Premier League) inked 32-year old American swingman Mildon Ambres (198-97kg-84, college: S.Nazarene). He played most recently at Al Shamal in Qatari D1 league. In 9 games he averaged impressive 22.0ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg and 1.0bpg last season. Ambres helped them to make it to the Qatari Cup Semifinals. He also played that season for Al Gezira (Superleague) in Egypt. In 2008 (a year after he left the college) Ambres was drafted by Idaho Stampede (D-League) in fifth round (67th overall). He attended Southern Nazarene University (NCAA Div.II) until 2007 and it will be his tenth season in pro basketball. Among other achievements Ambres' college team won SAC Tournament in 2007. He received also USBasket.com All-D-League Most Improved Player of the Year award back in 2010. Ambres is a very experienced player. He has quite traveled the world as his pro career brought him to eight different countries on four different continents (Europe, Latin America, Africa and of course North America). Ambres has played previously professionally in Dominican Rep., Philippines, Romania (CSU Sibiu), Spain (Lleida Basquet), Uruguay (Nacional), D-League (Salt Lake City Stars), Dominican Republic (CDP Domingo Paulino Santiago) and Egypt (Geish Army).
Al Wakrah (D1) added to their roster 29-year old American (has also Nigerian passport) forward Kayode Ayeni (196-87, college: St.Francis, NY). It is actually his comeback to Al Wakrah as he has played here before. Ayeni played most recently at Geish Army in Egyptian Superleague. The previous (13-14) season he played at Al Arabi where in 16 D1 games he recorded 10.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg. Ayeni won EBA championship title in 2012. He has played also professionally in ABA (Jersey Exp... [read more]
Al Wakrah (D1) added to their roster 29-year old American (has also Nigerian passport) forward Kayode Ayeni (196-87, college: St.Francis, NY). It is actually his comeback to Al Wakrah as he has played here before. Ayeni played most recently at Geish Army in Egyptian Superleague. The previous (13-14) season he played at Al Arabi where in 16 D1 games he recorded 10.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.8apg and 1.1spg. Ayeni won EBA championship title in 2012. He has played also professionally in ABA (Jersey Express), APBL (Hudson Valley H.) and D-League (Erie Bay Hawks). Ayeni is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top summer league for players who want to play basketball overseas. He attended St.Francis College (NY) until 2010 and it will be his seventh season as a professional player. The scouts decsribe him following way:
Kayode Ayeni is a big time athlete with long arms who can score and rebound extremely well.
He has a nose for the basketball and will make things happen by just being on the court.
He handles the ball well in the open court and he slashes to the basket extremely well.
Nickname: "Ola".
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