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Quote:After double checking on the issue from both parties, Basketball Followers can assure now that Jackson Vroman had accepted to receive the Lebanese citizenship for an undisclosed fee and play for Lebanon National Team for the long summer's journey untill the big Asian event (FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China) next August, The player signed the contract before few days and will arrive to Lebanon soon.

Vroman ("6'9" born June 6, 1981 in Laguna, California) is an American professional basketball player, formerly in the NBA and played last season with Saba Mehr of Iran then later on with Mahram, The American power forward was chosen as MVP of the last West Asian and Asian Clubs Championships as he starred in both tournaments in scoring, rebounds and assists....

Adding to Vroman, Four players abroad joined the trainings of the Lebanese National Team under the command of the Serbian head coach Dragan Racca and they're: Daniel Faris (6'9, University of New Mexico "US-NCAA"), Omar Krayem (6'1, California Baptist University "US-NAIA"), Ali Kanaan (6'9, Massachusets-Lowell University "US-NCAA2") and Sean Taibi (6'3, University of North Colorado "US-NCAA").

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Quote:In an interview with Assafir newspaper in Monday's edition, The Lebanese basketball federation's president Mr. Pierre Kekhia assured the Lebanese origin players Antwain Barbour (Shooting Guard) and Matt Freije (Power Forward) are about to aceept joining the Lebanese National Team for the long summer until the august's FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China.

Antwain Barbour is a late bloomer who grew 15 inch (38 cm) in High school. Can penetrate and finish strong or shoot from long range. Played for Wabash Junior College before he moved to Kentucky (who he chose over Cincinnati, Indiana and UNLV). Was a CBA All Star in 2005 and 2006 and won the CBA Championship in 2006. Nickname; "Twain" or "Teardrop". Owns a quick first step and is adept at taking defenders off the dribble. Pure slasher who gets to the basket with ease. Capable of creating contact to pick up fouls. Very smooth player due to his wonderful body control. Looks as if he is playing effortlessly. A coaches dream, has a great attitude towards the game and his work ethic shows it. Possess excellent leaping ability (40-inch vertical) which makes him a terrific finisher in transition. Has a great motor, plays well away from the ball. Works well under the basket and gets a high number of his rebounds by out jumping opponents and pure hustle. Unselfish. Barbour often drives to the basket and if the shot isn't there he looks for the open teammate. Plays with great confidence and always remains competitive no matter what the score. Above average defensive player due to quick hands, leaping ability, and good lateral quickness. Mature player who takes his time when the ball is in his hands. Because of this he doesn't force too many shots. Third leading scorer of the Spanish LEB-Gold in 2006/2007. Played last 3 seasons with Tenerife Rural then moved at the middle of last season to Turkey with Erdemirspor Belediyesi where he averaged 18.3 ppg, 2.3 apg & 4.3 rpg in 18 games.

While Matthew (Matt) Wayne Freije (born October 2, 1981, in Bismarck, North Dakota) is an American professional basketball player, currently playing in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional. He was selected 53rd overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat, was then released and later played for the New Orleans Hornets. He played 19 games for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2006-07 season but was waived in December 2006 to clear a roster spot for Slava Medvedenko.

After being drafted 53rd and subsequently released by the Miami Heat before the start of the season, Freije latched on with the New Orleans Hornets during the 2004-05 season, where he appeared in 23 games--11 of which he started. He averaged 4.0 points and 2.7 rebounds before being released later in the season. On December 26th, 2004, Freije set his career high for both points and rebounds by registering 12 points and 11 rebounds in a 100-91 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

One year later, during the 2006-07 season, Freije was signed by the Atlanta Hawks and appeared in 19 games and averaged 2.1 points per game. His best day as a Hawk was on December 10th, 2006, when he shot 4-5 from the field en route to an 8 point/5 rebound day against the Sacramento Kings. At the present time, Freije has appeared in 42 games, with career averages of 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game.

Freije played for the Milwaukee Bucks summer league team in Las Vegas, NV. During his first game with the team, he finished second on the team in scoring with 11 points on 4-6 shooting (3-4 from three point range) in an 88-79 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Freije was absolutely blistering throughout the NBA's Summer League in Vegas, as he shot 58.6% from the field and 60% from three point range, en route to averaging 11.8 points per game for the Bucks, who finished 4-1 during Vegas Summer League play. Freije finished second on the team in scoring and block shots per game and first in field goal percentage and three point field goal percentage in only 21.5 minutes per game.

He is now playing for Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican BSN and before in Germany & China.

Quote:...

Lebanon have narrowed their list of candidates to coach the national team to four names and expect to make an appointment next week.

Pierre Kakhia, the country’s basketball federation president, told FIBA.com on Friday: “We had a long meeting yesterday and couldn’t reach a final decision.

“We are in discussions with four different coaches and have not come to an agreement. We are very close, but still did not finalize one of the four.”

Kakhia did not say the names of the candidates, but when asked which countries they hail from, he said: “We have one from the (United) States, one from Australia, from Serbia and one more from another country near Serbia.”

Dragan Raca coached Lebanon last summer and steered them to a fourth-place finish at the FIBA Asia Championship.

...

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/la.../arti.html

"and one more from another country near Serbia" - could this be the clue of where the new coach is coming from. Otherwise why would he avoid naming the name of the country?

(Feb 28, 2010, 6:15 pm)Vilius Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/la.../arti.html

"and one more from another country near Serbia" - could this be the clue of where the new coach is coming from. Otherwise why would he avoid naming the name of the country?

It must be Greece and Elias Zouros. He's been talked to be the next in line for the post.

That explains the quote of Mr. Kakhia then. I wasn't familiar with Elias Zouros but I checked his career and he seems to be a good and experienced coach. Lebanese fans should be happy with this appointment probably. It would be good to hear their thoughts.

2000-02 Olympiacos
2003-04 Sagesse Beirut
2004-05 Peristeri Athens
2004 Aris
2006-07 Paris Racing Basket
2007-present Panellinios

AFAIK he is the desired name by many fans. The fact that he coached Sagesse is also something to bear in mind.

What happened to Jackson Vroman? Is he injured or just decided not to play for Lebanon in this FIBA Asia championship?