Japanese Team to play against every IBL team in the Midwest during the 2009 season - Jan 5, 2009 (by Trask Frost)
Japanese Team to play against every IBL team in the Midwest during the 2009 season
Portland, OR - The Nippon Tornadoes of Japan joined the IBL in March of 2008 making Japan the fourth nation represented in the IBL, joining China, Canada and the United States. The IBL announces todaythat the Japanese team will play all of the teams in the Midwest during their 2009 season; these games will occur in May of 2009.
Midwest teams are excited about the news. [read more]
Japanese Team to play against every IBL team in the Midwest during the 2009 season
Portland, OR - The Nippon Tornadoes of Japan joined the IBL in March of 2008 making Japan the fourth nation represented in the IBL, joining China, Canada and the United States. The IBL announces todaythat the Japanese team will play all of the teams in the Midwest during their 2009 season; these games will occur in May of 2009.
Midwest teams are excited about the news. The Grand Rapids Flight played against Shanxi Zhongyu (the Chinese team that played in the IBL in 2008) during their trip to the west coast in May of 2008a 127 to 109 victory for the Flight; however, in 2009 the Nippon Tornadoes Japanese team will go to Grand Rapids to play. David Fox, GM of the Grand Rapids FlightAs more international teams join our league, the level of competition will continue to rise as players from all over the world are exposed to the IBLs high-level of play. Windy City Soldiers owner Barry Bradford- we are excited to be a part of the continual development and expansion of the IBL; we welcome the opportunity to host the Japanese teamit is exciting for our community (Kankakee Illinois).
The Tornadoes are owned by Mr. Katsuya Sasaki. Sasaki is a representative of the Japan Basketball Academy, and has a passion for developing the game in his home country. Mr. Tatsumi Nishida, a founder of the JBA and its secretary for external affairs, will coordinate the Tornadoes participation in the IBL. Joining the IBL will not only be an exciting cultural experience, said Nishida. This affiliation will give Japanese players and coaches the opportunity to improve by competing against some of the best players in the world.
Nishidas vision for the Tornadoes roster is a collection of some of the top players from around Japan. Although the Tornadoes have support from Ehime Prefecture and its capital Matsuyama City, the team would like to have a national identity. Nippon is an older reference to the nation of Japan.
IBL Commissioner Mikal Duilio Katsuya, Tatsumi and the Tornadoes are a tremendous addition to our league.
The IBL is uniquely able to offer Asian teams an efficient and affordable option to compete in an American professional basketball league. The IBLs system of organizing teams in regional clusters makes it possible for the league to offer an overseas team the same one flight guarantee that the IBL gives its domestic owners. The Tornadoes will be based at the USBA in Blue River, Oregon, and play all (but the Midwest trip) in the IBLs northwest cluster.
Adding the Tornadoes of Japanto the IBLs stable of teams is the latest success from the leagues Asian Expansion efforts. At least two other Asian teams, both from Chinaare expected to compete in the IBL in the 2009 season. ###
INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE LOOKS FORWARD TO FIFTH SEASON
The International Basketball League is expecting 18 teams to play in the 2009 season. The 2009 season, which starts on Saturday April 4th and runs through and including Friday July 3rd, 2009 is the leagues fifth season. Two unique features have distinguished the IBL from other professional basketball leagues-
Feature #1: an entertaining fast paced game The original goal: IBL founder Mikal Duilios venture into minor league basketball was born out of a passionate belief that basketball was meant to be athletic and fun for players and spectators alike. Duilios vision is that every game, not just most games, is fun to watch; his ideal style of play was the 1980s Lakers and in particular Magic Johnson. IBL Founder Mikal DuilioBasketball should be an athletic game that ebbs and flows rather than tiptoes along in unnatural stops and starts. Two rules were designed to force every IBL game to be athletic in nature and exciting to watch. The two rules were tested and approvedin 11 exhibition games between Seattle and Portland starting in November of 2003 and played into mid-year 2004. The two rules were and are the following: 1) the basketball being immediately inbounded and 2) teams only allowed one timeout per twelve-minute quarter. Result after 4 years: The inaugural IBL season tipped off on April 7, 2005; the result was that IBL teams averaged 127 points per game and the games occurred in just under two hours. The second season (2006 season) for the IBL was completed in July of 2006 and after 249 games, that season also had a scoring average of 127 points per game. The formula worked. Year 5 and beyond: while the games have been consistently fun and fast pacedfor 4 years nowthe IBL is now focused on expanding the product into smaller towns, further away from major metropolitan areas.
Feature #2: extremely low travel costs A basketball team has to make financial sense for an owner, so the IBL created the one flight guarantee to reduce costs. Extremely expensive travel costs drive other minor league teams out of business within a few years; however, an alternative a local league with no travel would not be intriguing so the question ishow do you have an intriguing national or international league without breaking the backs of the owners with too much travel? This question was answered with the IBL one flight guarantee. The IBL recruits teams in geographical clusters; a cluster is defined as 2 to 3 teams within driving distancewith the result of these clusters being a schedule with tremendous varietyopponents from all over the nation (and world)but with owners only having to fly one time per year. The IBL one flight guarantee, more specificallyis a promise that IBL teams will have the away game expenses of (or equivalent to) a schedule with six drivable games and the one flight (to play 4 games in 4 days); this type of schedule reduces travel to an affordable level for owners.
Additional feature: Asian expansion The International Basketball league began its campaign in 2007 to expand into several Asian markets including China, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. In the two years following the stated goal, four IBL teams went to China and multiple Asian teams have played in America; one team (Shanxi Zhongyu) even played a regular season within the IBL 2008 season and in 2009 a team from Japan (Nippon Tornadoes) will play an official season in the IBL as well. The IBL is uniquely able to accommodate a team from Asiabecause the IBL has ten teams all within a driving distance of Portland, Oregon; so when an Asian team joins the IBL, they can locate in Oregon and play all of their games out of one location (an Oregon location called the United States Basketball Academy). IBL Commissioner Mikal Duiliohaving ten teams in one region makes overseas teams playing in the IBL truly viable.
Additional feature: Player development The IBL did not start out with a goal to develop players; however, the fast paced play of the IBL produced great players who would then leave the IBL to go overseas after the season expired. IBL players are international in their destinations; after the 2007 IBL season, 102 IBL players went on to play overseas; that 2007 season established the IBL as the league to participate infor players to get an overseas job and/or for players to maintain an overseas job.
Other highlights from the IBL Ten Asian teams have exchanged games with the International Basketball League. Ten former NBA players have appeared in the IBL including former NBA All Stars Tim Hardaway, Dennis Rodman and Shawn Kemp. Two former NBA all stars have coached in the IBLTerry Mills and Slick Watts. An impressive attendance was garnered at an IBL game played in 2006 in Portland Oregon (at the Rose Garden) where 4,400 fans watched the Portland Chinooks beat the Vancouver Volcanoesvideo available on the IBL web site; a year later, that attendance record was eclipsed when 6,000 fans saw the Elkhart Express (IN) beat the Grand Rapids Flight (MI)that video also found on IBL web site.
For more info, photos & videos about IBL teams and/or the IBL, visit www.iblhoopsonline.com
Slams Hafford Signs With romanian Club - Jan 3, 2009 (by John Gary)
courtesy oursportscentral.com The Bellingham Slam announced that forward Paul Hafford has signed a contract to play basketball overseas this winter. Hafford will suit up with CS ENERGIA ROWANI a first division team in Romania. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Hafford was instrumental in helping the SLam capture the 2008 IBL championchip.The Slam is looking forward to the coming IBL season. [read more]
courtesy oursportscentral.com The Bellingham Slam announced that forward Paul Hafford has signed a contract to play basketball overseas this winter. Hafford will suit up with CS ENERGIA ROWANI a first division team in Romania. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Hafford was instrumental in helping the SLam capture the 2008 IBL championchip.The Slam is looking forward to the coming IBL season.
Weakley named Explosion Head Coach - Jan 2, 2009 (by Gianni Pascucci)
The Snohomish County Explosion announced two weeks ago that former team player Chris Weakley (6'3''-G-79, college: Salem Intern.) has been named the team's new head coach. Weakley replaces Randy Redwine, who coached the Explosion through their first two seasons. He stepped down for personal reasons. 'I have known Chris for many years and have been impressed with him as a player and a person,' Explosion general manager Brad Sturlaugson said in a press release. [read more]
The Snohomish County Explosion announced two weeks ago that former team player Chris Weakley (6'3''-G-79, college: Salem Intern.) has been named the team's new head coach. Weakley replaces Randy Redwine, who coached the Explosion through their first two seasons. He stepped down for personal reasons. 'I have known Chris for many years and have been impressed with him as a player and a person,' Explosion general manager Brad Sturlaugson said in a press release. 'Of course there are areas that he will need to work on, but he has a keen understanding of the organization and direction that the Explosion is looking for in the 2009 season.' Weakley was playing pro ball in the ABA team Arizona Rhinos, outstanding for his court vision and outside shooting.
IBL to hold tryouts December 20th & 21st in Portland Oregon with 8 teams present - Dec 15, 2008 [read more]
International Basketball League looks forward to fifth season - Dec 15, 2008 [read more]
Explosions Randy Redwine Steps Down After 2 years as Coach - Dec 11, 2008 [read more]
ELKHART EXPRESS RETURN TO IBL IN DOUBT - Dec 3, 2008 [read more]
GARY STEELHEADS TO SIT OUT 2009 IBL SEASON - Nov 22, 2008 [read more]
Vancouver BC Titans announce Chambers as Head Coach and announce tryout - Nov 9, 2008 [read more]
International Basketball League announces multi-team Tryouts in December - Oct 27, 2008 [read more]
New team may rise in Chill's wake - Oct 23, 2008 [read more]
Explosion Basketball tickets on sale - Oct 21, 2008 [read more]
SNOHOMISH COUNTY EXPLOSION CONFIRM HOME DATES FOR 2009 - Oct 11, 2008 [read more]
Olympia's IBL team seeks major sponsor - Oct 8, 2008 [read more]
Bellingham forward Amaya lands job in China- other IBL greats ready to go overseas as well - Sep 26, 2008 [read more]
IBL players to take on the Beijing Ducks - Sep 9, 2008 [read more]
Vancouver BC announces first GM - Aug 23, 2008 [read more]
2008 IBL Season Wrap-Up, All-Stars Announced... - Aug 23, 2008 [read more]
Brandon Hartley signs contract to play in Austria - Aug 20, 2008 [read more]
Explosion secure future with a two year arena deal and three year deal with the IBL - Aug 18, 2008 [read more]
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