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BLOGS of pro basketball players overseas
Behind the backboard: the truth about life overseas

There are currently 6783 ex-college players, who play 2017-18 season overseas
*the number is for both men and women players, who play outside of the U.S. (updated on 4/19/2018) Check Detailed list by College or by country

My City!!!! - Oct 7, 2012

POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET CENTER

Hello Finland and Eurobasket Fans. I hope everyone is doing well. I am doing great and I give thanks to God for this glorious opportunity that he has brought forth to me for being here. Last night we had a game on the road against FoKoPo. We lost in overtime. In the beginning of the game, things were going well for us, and then when the game was winding down, they came back and ended up winning the game in overtime by 4 points. We did not get beat, we beat ourselves, which makes this loss hurt. But there is no time to sit and dwell on this loss. We will just have to reconnect back as a team, focus, and fix the things that we need to fix to get ready for our next opponent. Other than basketball, today we have the day off and I decided to take a stroll around to see what the Lappeeranta has to offer. I must say, for this being a small city, it has a lot to offer such as shopping centers, a mall, nice restaurants, and a lot of places to hang out each day, that seems to draw a lot of people. The best thing about this is that I live within five to ten minutes walking distance from everything. I have a car, but I like to walk and look at the scenery. The only reason for me driving, is if something is not within walking distance, or when i decide to go check out Helsenki, which I hear from a lot of people that is a MUST do trip. Also during my venture, I noticed that they have a couple of churches. One of my teammates said that there is a English speaking church that is close by to where I live. I definitely would be attending some services and I think this would be a great idea so that I could compare my church back home to a Finnish church. I grew up in the church, being that my father is a paster, so I love going to church to worship God and fellowship with people. I noticed a nice lake that I also past by today. I always see a lot of people walking a long it on my way to practice, so today I actually went done to see what it was about. I must say, that it is actually nice and is a good place to walk. With Russia being only 45 minutes away, you see a lot of tourist in the city coming to shop and just to hang out for the day. The city seems to always be busy in the day time, and you see a wide variety range of different types of people, which makes it interesting and not boring. Overall I like it because it makes me feel as if I am home in terms of majority of the people speak English, and just the way how Lappeeranta is. It makes me feel as if it is an American setting, which makes me feel comfortable. I appreciate and give thanks to all of the people who are following my blog and reading them. I promise to keep you updated on how things are going here in Finland and also the season. That is all i have for now. I hope everyone have a blessed day and stay tuned until next time......

Greg Logins #4
#NamikaBasketball

Sasu Salin selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games- Apr.18, 2018 (by Eurobasket Center)

We bring you last week's top performances from Finns who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Sasu Salin (191-91). He led Unicaja Malaga to a victory over the closely-ranked FC Barcelona in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night's game. [read more]

SASU SALIN

We bring you last week's top performances from Finns who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.

Sasu Salin

#1. This week's number one is an international shooting guard Sasu Salin (191-91, currently plays in Spain). He led Unicaja Malaga to a 2-point victory over the closely-ranked FC Barcelona (19-9) 80-78 in the Spanish Liga Endesa in Sunday night's game. Salin was MVP of the game. He recorded 16 points in a mere 18 minutes on the court. Unicaja Malaga (17-11) is placed fifth in the Liga Endesa. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. It's Salin's first season with the team. This year Salin averages: 8.0ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 40.9%, 3FGP: 41.2% and FT: 77.8% in 28 games he played so far. He is currently a member of the Finnish senior national team.

Jamar Wilson

#2. Second place goes to an experienced international point guard Jamar Wilson (185-84, college: Albany, currently plays in France). Wilson was the major contributor in a JSF Nanterre's victory against the ninth-ranked JL Bourg (15-13) 89-78 in the French ProA last Tuesday. He scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. JSF Nanterre (17-10) is placed fourth in the ProA. It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row. Wilson's overall stats this season are: 8.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 64.9%(48-74) and FT: 78.0%. He is a naturalized American. Wilson is in the roster of the Finnish senior national team. He used to play for Honka Espoo Playboys in Finnish league.

Petteri Koponen

#3. The Finnish player who performed third best last week abroad was an international shooting guard Petteri Koponen (194-88, currently plays in Spain) faced previously mentioned Sasu Salin in the Spanish Liga Endesa last game. Koponen. He could not help FC Barcelona (19-9) in their last game. Despite Koponen's good performance FC Barcelona was edged 80-78 on the road by the lower-ranked (#5) Unicaja Malaga. He was the top scorer with 14 points. Koponen also added 3 passes in 21 minutes. This year Koponen's overall stats are: 8.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3FGP: 50.6%(41-81) and FT: 76.9% in 26 games. Ex-Honka Espoo Playboys player is also a member of the Finnish senior national team.

Lauri Markkanen

#4. Power forward Lauri Markkanen (216-97, college: Arizona, currently plays in NBA) was not able to help the Chicago Bulls (27-55) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite his very good performance the Chicago Bulls (27-55) were crushed 119-87 in Detroit by the Pistons. Markkanen was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 8 rebounds. The Regular Season already ended in the NBA. Markkanen has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.2ppg, 7.5rpg and 1.2apg. Markkanen is also Finnish national team player.

Ozan Odabasi

#5. International power forward Ozan Odabasi (206-95, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Trabzonspor (9-16) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Trabzonspor lost 73-86 at home to the higher-ranked (#8) Eskisehir Basket. Odabasi was the top scorer with 21 points. He also added 4 rebounds (made all of his five free throws) in 39 minutes. This year Odabasi's total stats are: 2.8ppg and 1.5rpg in 20 games. He has a dual citizenship: Finnish and Turkish. Odabasi plays currently for the Finnish national team.

Shawn Huff

#6. Small forward Shawn Huff (198-84, college: Valparaiso, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help Deutsche Bank Skyliners (16-14) in their game against Bayern Muenchen (26-3) in the German BBL. He scored only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Deutsche Bank Skyliners was defeated 87-83 in Muenchen by the leading Bayern. Huff has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 3.4rpg and 1.1apg. He is an international player who is currently on the senior Finnish National Team roster.

Carl Lindbom

#7. International small forward Carl Lindbom (206-91, currently plays in Croatia) contributed to an easy victory against the league outsider Kastela (3-18) crushing them 87-67 in the Croatian Premijer Liga in Saturday night's game. Lindbom scored 9 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 21 minutes. KK Vrijednosnice Osijek (7-14) is placed eighth in the Premijer Liga. They ended the series of three consecutive loses. There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical. Lindbom has relatively good stats this year: 11.9ppg, 7.4rpg and 2.2apg in 10 games. He is also Finnish national team player.

Roope Ahonen

#8. Guard Roope Ahonen (186-90, agency: Blacktop Management, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Ourense (13-18) in their last game on Sunday. Despite Ahonen's good performance Ourense was defeated 83-69 in Barcelona by the lower-ranked Barca II (#15). He was the top scorer with 14 points. Ahonen also added 4 rebounds. There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game is very crucial. This season Ahonen has relatively solid stats: 10.1ppg, 1.9rpg and 2.1apg. He plays currently for the Finnish national team.

Matti Nuutinen

#9. International forward Matti Nuutinen (202-90, also represented by Blacktop Management, currently plays in Romania) couldn't help Pitesti (14-15) in their game against CSU Sibiu (23-7) in the Romanian Liga Nationala. Nuutinen cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones. He scored only 2 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 25 minutes. The sixth-placed Pitesti (14-15) lost 77-84 in Sibiu to the leading CSU Sibiu in the Places 1-6 group. It was Pitesti's third consecutive loss in a row. There are only four games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be important. Nuutinen has averaged so far 6.3ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.4apg in 16 games. He is also in the roster of the Finnish national team.

Vesa Heinonen

#10. Swingman Vesa Heinonen (194-91, currently plays in Germany) led Aschersleben to a victory against the seventh-ranked Goetting.ASC (12-12) 74-66 in the German Regionalliga (fourth division) in Saturday night's game. Heinonen recorded 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks. BG Aschersleben Tigers (16-8) is placed third in North group. The Regular Season already ended. Heinonen has reliable stats this season: 11.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 4.8apg and 2.3spg. He is a former U20 international player as seven years ago he still played for the Finnish national team.

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish 1st Division A Awards 2018- Apr.17, 2018 (by Eurobasket Center)

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish 1st Division A 1st Team 2018

Innamaa

Rainamaa

Jantunen

Jennings

Moultrie

[read more]

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish 1st Division B Awards 2018- Apr.17, 2018 (by Eurobasket Center)

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish 1st Division B 1st Team 2018

Norfleet

Kinnunen

Lawrence

Towa

Caldwell

[read more]

Petteri Koponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Apr.11, 2018

Petteri Koponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Apr.4, 2018

Petteri Koponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.28, 2018

Petra Noponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.21, 2018

Petteri Koponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.21, 2018

Annika Holopainen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.14, 2018

Petteri Koponen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.14, 2018

Sophie Weckstrom selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.7, 2018

Sasu Salin selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Mar.7, 2018

Annika Holopainen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Feb.28, 2018

Anni Makitalo selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Feb.7, 2018

Sophie Weckstrom selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Jan.24, 2018

Taru Tuukkanen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Jan.17, 2018

Taru Tuukkanen selected the top Finn playing abroad in last week's games Dec.20, 2017

Kiana Johnson Will Return to Finland for 2017-18 Season Sep.19, 2017

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish Korisliiga Awards 2017 May.23, 2017

First a little history about me - Nigel Moore Jun.20, 2016

Eurobasket.com All-Finnish League Awards 2016 Apr.28, 2016

Helmi Basket wins 1st Division Apr.5, 2016

Stats Leaders - Women Oct.24, 2005

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