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Tag: basketball

  • 2023 African Games: We spent not less than $500K to procure equipment for basketball

    2023 African Games: We spent not less than $500K to procure equipment for basketball

    Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has disclosed that the government allocated a substantial amount, not less than $500,000 dollars, towards the for the acquisition of basketball equipment for the 2023 African Games.


    Speaking at a press conference held on Monday at the University of Ghana Stadium, Mr Ussif stated that “we spent not less than $500K to procure equipment for basketball”.

    The 13th African Games kicked off in Accra, with an extravagant opening ceremony designed to encapsulate the vibrancy of Ghanaian culture and the ethos of unity and sportsmanship that defines this continental sporting extravaganza.


    With over 3,000 athletes competing across 29 sports disciplines, including qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 13th African Games promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Ghanaian excellence and resilience.


    The games are being broadcasted globally, ensuring the spirit of Pan-African unity and triumph resonates worldwide.


    Weightlifter Winifred Ntumi has clinched Ghana’s inaugural gold medal at the ongoing 2023 African Games, marking a triumphant moment for the nation.


    Miss Ntumi’s stellar performance has propelled her to three medals in total, comprising two silver and the coveted gold, thereby etching her name in Ghanaian sporting history.

    Her journey to the top began with a silver medal in the Women’s 49 kg snatch category, laying a solid foundation for further accolades for Ghana at the African Games.


    Despite encountering hurdles across various disciplines, Ghana’s pursuit of medals persevered, with the swimming team narrowly missing podium placements despite securing two finals on Saturday.

    Nonetheless, Winifred Ntumi’s exceptional achievement has reshaped the narrative, instilling pride and jubilation throughout the nation.
    Presently, Egypt leads the medal tally with a commanding 18 total medals, boasting 12 gold, three silver, and three bronze medals.


    As Ghana sets its sights on ascending the rankings through victories in upcoming events, optimism abounds regarding surpassing its 2019 performance, where the nation secured two gold, two silver, and nine bronze medals, culminating in a 15th-place finish.

  • Two adolescent basketball players killed in mass knife attack in Germany

    Two adolescent basketball players killed in mass knife attack in Germany

    Four young people are accused of killing two teens from Ukraine in a stabbing attack in Germany.

    Seventeen-year-old basketball player Volodymyr Yermakov was stabbed and killed at a bus stop in Oberhausen, Germany on February 10th. He went to Germany to get away from the war in Ukraine in July 2023.

    His friend, 18-year-old Artem Kozachenko, was stabbed six times and died in the hospital on February 20, after being in intensive care for 10 days, according to ART Giants.

    Both of them used to play for the club’s youth team in Düsseldorf.

    The ART Giants said the teenagers were very important to their team and they were very surprised and saddened by their deaths.

    The club wrote on Instagram that they will remember Volodymyr as a young person who lived joyfully and had big dreams in sports.

    This week, the club wrote on social media that Artem was a happy and funny person who was open to new ideas.

    Artem and Vova had a strong and close friendship that showed how important it is to have connections with other people in our lives.

    The couple was going back to Düsseldorf after shopping in Oberhausen when they were attacked at the city’s main train station around 8pm on February 10.

    A small group of 10 people made fun of them on the bus and asked if they were from Ukraine.

    The group attacked the people when they got off the bus at Oberhausen train station. They surrounded them and stabbed them many times in the chest and stomach where everyone could see.

    Volodymyr passed away in the hospital not long after.

    Artem was hurt with six knife cuts, but the doctors operated quickly and it seems like he will be okay.

  • NBA champion reflects on his battle with depression

    NBA champion reflects on his battle with depression

    NBA player Dion Waiters has recently revealed his struggle with depression, expressing a strong desire for another opportunity to return to professional basketball.

    During an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report, Dion Waiters, a former NBA champion, candidly discussed the challenging period he faced after his last NBA appearance and how he confronted his personal struggles to emerge with renewed strength. The 31-year-old athlete disclosed that his circumstances had deteriorated to such an extent that he sought the assistance of a therapist to navigate through his difficulties.

    “I went through some shit,” Waiters said. “Depression, anxiety, and just not knowing my future. It got serious, bro. I had to get a therapist. It became overwhelming and too much to bear. I now talk to a therapist every Wednesday.”

    Waiters also described how his depression affected his daily life. He developed suicidal thoughts but chose not to act on them as he would rather “be miserable” for the rest of his life than leave his children without a father. He was also tired of people always coming to him for something, as he was always the backbone for family and friends. 

    “I just wasn’t having fun,” he said. “Shit was dark. Some days, I’d sleep in the bed all day. I had nothing to look forward to. I wasn’t working out. It’s a mental battle.”

    He continued, “I never understood what depression was until the last few years. I realized I’ve been enduring this pain since I was a kid. My dad even fought depression. He had a bad attitude coming up. He would tell me how he tried to hurt himself, but that was something I couldn’t understand until I saw a therapist. I felt all alone.”

    Seeking a therapist was a good idea for Waiters, as he stated he’s now on the right track and focusing on returning to the NBA to finish what he started. According to Waiters, he’s “healthy” and wants an opportunity to “show I’m not who I once was.”

    “I still got that love. I still got that itch,” he said about returning to the league. “I know I can still help a team win at the highest level on the court and even in the locker room as a veteran presence. So why not just give it a go and just see what happens? You never know.” 

    Waiters last stepped on an NBA court in the 2019-2020 season, where he played 10 games, splitting time between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, winning an NBA title with the latter. In his most recent campaign, Waiters was suspended three different times while playing for the Heat. 

    The first suspension was for the season opener after he complained on social media about his role on the team. The second one happened three weeks later, when he received a 10-game suspension after consuming edibles that caused him to have a panic attack on the team plane. 

    The last suspension came a month later, when he was suspended for six games after posting a picture celebrating his birthday on a boat after calling in sick. Miami had enough and traded him to Memphis Grizzlies, where he was waived. 

  • Sammi Awuku takes initiative to provide Okuapeman School an ultramodern basketball, volleyball court

    Sammi Awuku takes initiative to provide Okuapeman School an ultramodern basketball, volleyball court

    Students of Okuapeman SHS in Akropong are set to benefit from an ultramodern basketball and volleyball court yet to be constructed by Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Sammi Awuku.

    On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Mr Awuku cut sod for the construction of the project which was requested by Osabarima Ansah Sadraku III early this year during his 25th anniversary celebration.

    In his speech, the NLA Boss noted that taking up the task placed on his shoulders by Osabarima Ansah Sadraku III stems from personal interest as he shares a bond with the people of Akuapem.

    Following the completion of the project, the basketball and volleyball court would be named after the very man who appealed for its existence, Osabarima Ansah Sadraku III, Mr Awuku revealed.

    In attendance at the sod-cutting ceremony were Headmaster of Okuapeman SHS, Rev. Daniel Afari, staff and students as well as Heads from other sister-schools within Akuapem North Municipality.

    Sammi Awuku interacts with students of Okuapeman school

    On his part, Rev. Daniel Afari thanked Mr. Sammi Awuku for his support towards education in the Akuapem municipality.

    Sammi Awuku engages Okuapeman school students

    He further mentioned that the facility has come very timely, and will go a long way to serve the school and the good people of Akuapem.

    Sammi Awuku tours Okuapeman school

    An emotional Osabarima Ansah Sasraku was awe-shocked by the development and was only able to extend his appreciation to Mr Sammi Awuku.

    Away from that, Mr. Sammi Awuku has pledged to renovate parts of the Salem Basic School in Akropong that have worn-out.

  • Wade and Nowitzki headlines 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class

    Wade and Nowitzki headlines 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class

    The stacked 2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class was reportedly revealed on Tuesday with Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich making the cut.

    Wade, Nowitzki, Gasol and Parker are all first-ballot selections after playing their final seasons in 2018-19, while it was also Popovich’s first time on the ballot after previously declining Hall of Fame consideration in recent years.

    Hammon’s elevation was also considered simply a matter of time, with the six-time WNBA All-Star, former long-time San Antonio Spurs assistant and 2022 WNBA championship-winning coach with the Las Vegas Aces having put together a stellar resume since turning pro in 1999.

    With Hammon’s ties to the Spurs, it figures to be a special night for San Antonio fans as Parker and Popovich are enshrined, joining fellow linchpins of their dynasty Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili after their inductions in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

    Popovich coached the Spurs to all five of their NBA titles – 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014 – while Parker contributed to the last four after arriving in 2001 following an impressive youth career in France.

    The six-foot-two point guard made six All-Star teams, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team three seasons in a row from 2012-14 as the Spurs battled LeBron James’ Miami Heat in a legendary rivalry.

    His number nine jersey was retired by the Spurs, as is Nowitzki’s number 41 jersey with the Dallas Mavericks.

    Nowitzki, who for a long period was European basketball’s biggest star, brought the Mavericks their only title in 2011 as he took down the Heat in James’ first season there.

    The German was named league MVP in 2007, and went on to make 14 All-Star teams, while earning 12 All-NBA selections, including four on the First Team in the space of five years.

    While both Popovich and Nowitzki could headline a Hall of Fame class in any given year, that honour may go to Wade, who was the architect of all three of Miami’s titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013.

    Drafted in 2003, Wade ended up carrying the Heat – alongside Shaquille O’Neal – to their first ever championship in only his third season. 

    It was the beginning of a run that saw him make 14 All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams, and three NBA All-Defensive teams as he rivalled James and Kobe Bryant for the status of best player in the league in 2009 and 2010.

    While Wade may have been at his peak in 2009 and 2010, both of those seasons ended with Gasol lifting the title with the Los Angeles Lakers.

    Gasol spent just six-and-a-half seasons in Los Angeles, but it is where he will be most fondly remembered after making such a profound impact that he recently had his number 16 jersey retired into the rafters alongside running-mate Bryant.

    Adding to his NBA resume was his spectacular international play, where he became the all-time leading scorer in EuroBasket play, averaging 20.4 per game in 58 appearances for his country, while also carrying Spain to their first ever FIBA World Cup gold medal in 2006.

  • Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with capital murder after shooting that leaves woman dead

    Alabama basketball player Darius Miles charged with capital murder after shooting that leaves woman dead

    Darius Miles, who plays for Alabama’s men’s basketball team, has been charged with capital murder after a weekend shooting near the university’s campus that left a 23-year-old woman dead, ESPN reports. 

    Miles, a junior reserve forward and Washington D.C. native, was arrested alongside another man, Michael Lynn Davis, and has since been kicked off the team. According to Tuscaloosa Police Capt. Jack Kennedy, the shooting occurred after an argument that unfolded in the Strip off University Blvd. 

    “At this time, it appears that the only motive was a minor altercation that these individuals had with the victim as they were out on The Strip,’’ Kennedy said at a Sunday press conference.

    Per police, the victim,  Jamea Harris, was the passenger in a vehicle that was allegedly shot at by the suspects. The driver of the vehicle shot back at the assailants, injuring one of the men who was later treated at a nearby hospital. 

    “The University of Alabama’s utmost priority is the safety and well-being of the campus community,’’ the university said in a statement. “We are grieved by the incident that occurred near campus last night and extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.’’

    Video of Miles being escorted into a police SUV shows him saying the words “I swear … I love you more than you imagine.”

    Miles appeared to be in tears while being taken into the vehicle. 

    Source: Complex.com

  • Women’s Basketball World Cup: Fiba launch investigation after fight breaks out among Mali players

    Basketball‘s world governing body has launched an investigation after a fight broke out among Mali players at the Women’s World Cup in Australia.

    One member of the team attacked a team-mate in the mixed zone, where reporters interview players, after their 81-68 defeat by Serbia on Monday.

    The result saw Mali eliminated from the tournament after their fourth defeat.

    As others interjected to break up the fight, the incident was caught on camera by Serbian television.

     

     

    In a statement, Fiba said: “Following the incident, Fiba has opened an investigation. Once the investigation is concluded, Fiba will decide on any applicable disciplinary measures.”

    Serbia’s Sasa Cado, who was being interviewed at the time, looked visibly shocked, taking a step back as Salimatou Kourouma threw at least three punches at Kamite Elisabeth Dabou.

    The tournament in Sydney has been hugely frustrating for the Malians, who are one of two sides at the 12-team finals that are yet to win a game, following previous losses against Japan, hosts Australia and France.

    Mali are only playing in the tournament after African champions Nigeria, who beat their fellow West Africans in last year’s Women’s Afrobasket, were withdrawn from the tournament by their government owing to issues in Nigerian basketball.

    Malian basketball has also faced considerable challenges in recent times, with a report in 2021 outlining ‘decades’ of sexual abuse in the country’s women’s game.

    The report was commissioned by Fiba, which cleared its president – Malian Hamane Niang – of neglecting the abuse while he led the Malian basketball federation between 1999 and 2007.

    Source; BBC

  • Shaquille O’Neal: NBA legend calls for season to be scrapped

    Basketball great Shaquille O’Neal says the NBA should “scrap the season” because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The 2019-20 campaign was halted in March with five regular-season games and two months of play-offs remaining.

    “Everybody go home, get healthy, come back next year,” said four-time NBA champion O’Neal, 48, who now works as a television pundit.

    “To try and come back now and do a rush play-offs as a player? Any team that wins this year, there’s an asterisk.”

    O’Neal added: “What if a team that’s not really in the mix of things all of a sudden wins with a new play-off format? Nobody is going to respect that.

    “So scrap it. Worry about the safety of the fans and the people. Come back next year.”

    With over 80,000 deaths and nearly 1.4m cases, the United States is the country most affected by the coronavirus crisis in the world.

    A ‘bubble’ plan has been suggested by the NBA in which teams gather in a single area – such as the Bahamas, Disney World or Las Vegas.

    Players would be housed in a secure area with testing to check for the virus.

    But National Basketball Players Association executive director Michele Roberts says the option feels like “incarceration”.

    O’Neal, who won the NBA title with the LA Lakers from 2000 to 2002 as well as with the Miami Heat in 2006, told USA Today: “I understand how players are feeling. I really do.

    “But any team that gets it done this year, there’s going to be an asterisk on that championship. However long it takes for us to get 100% back to normal, I’m willing to wait.

    “All it takes is one person. After the game, you’ve still got to go home. What if one person gets sick? Then we start from zero again.”

    Source: bbc.com