Barquisimeto, Venezuela.- Coach Mike Davis, a former head coach of Venezuela's Senior National Team back in 1995 and also a former coach of Marinos de Oriente (now Marinos de Anzoategui), revealed in a phone interview to Latinbasket.com Venezuela and Diario El Impulso, that he was contacted by the general management of Guaros de Lara to become the head coach for the upcoming LPB 2013 season, but family matters to attend and the fact that he got a chance to continue his NCAA Division I career as a head coach with Texas Southern, prevented him from reaching a deal.
"I would have loved to go back to Venezuela, because I love that country and its basketball"; he said from Houston. "If the offer had come in a different situation for me, I would have accepted it. I was (practically) on my way to coach Guaros", added the former head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers and the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) programs.
"I even had a chance to talk to some of the players of Guaros, including John Millsap (198-F-82). I coached his brother Elijah Millsap (198-G-87) in Alabama. The possibility of going back to Venezuela reminded me of the atmosphere of the games and the fans. I remembered my time with Marinos", he added.
However, a chance to work closer to home and continue a very successful NCAA career came by with Texas Southern. "It's a very good opportunity to me and I'm really excited about it".
He coached Venezuela's Senior NT in the 1995 FIBA Americas Pre-Olympic Tournament in Tucuman, Argentina. Venezuela went 0-4. It was the tournament in which long time legend Sam Shepherd (185-G-53) retired from the squad, while then rookies Richard Lugo (209-C-73) and Diego Guevara (184-G-77) made their official debuts.
Asked about the development of Venezuelan basketball and his thoughts about it, Davis said that he had the chance to see it himself back in 2009, when the Senior NT visited Birmingham for a series of friendly games against local teams. "I saw a very good group of young talented players. Venezuela has always had good players. All they need is more team work. They should focus more on practice sessions, trainings, work on the fundamental aspects of the game".
Regarding Venezuelan NBA player Greivis Vasquez (197-PG-87), he called him "a fantastic basketball player".
Guaros de Lara's general management has said that they have selected and signed an American head coach, but the name hasn't been revealed due to "a couple of contract issues of the coach with another organization that need to be worked out first".
Steffphon Pettigrew (ex Marinos) agreed terms with Guasave - May 23, 2013
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Frayles de Guasave (CIBACOPA) strengthened their roster with addition of 24-year old American forward Steffphon Pettigrew (195-100kg-89, college: W.Kentucky). He was tested at Marinos in Venezuelan LPB league, but was released by the team in April. In only one LPB game he had 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block this season. This season Pettigrew played at Abejas (LNBP). In 44 games he recorded very impressive stats: 20.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.2apg and 1.0spg [read more]
Frayles de Guasave (CIBACOPA) strengthened their roster with addition of 24-year old American forward Steffphon Pettigrew (195-100kg-89, college: W.Kentucky). He was tested at Marinos in Venezuelan LPB league, but was released by the team in April. In only one LPB game he had 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 block this season. This season Pettigrew played at Abejas (LNBP). In 44 games he recorded very impressive stats: 20.9ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.2apg and 1.0spg. Great season indeed as he was voted to Latinbasket.com All-Mexican LNBP Honorable Mention. The last season he played at Atletico Aguada (LUB) in Uruguayan league. In 44 games he averaged remarkable 19.2ppg, 7.6rpg and 1.8apg last season. He helped them to make it to the semifinals. A very good season in his career as he was voted to Latinbasket.com Uruguay LUB All-Imports Team. Among other achievements Pettigrew's college team won Sun Belt Tournament for two years in a row (2008 and 2009). He graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2011 and it will be his second season in pro basketball.
U9 Doral Timberwolves played an amazing game to defeat U9 Doral New York Knicks 19 - 13 to become Champions of the 2013 U9 Basketball tournament held on Morgan Levy Park in El Doral in Miami, Florida.
Venezuelan-American, 8 years young and 5 foot tall Jhan Lucena Harp was unstoppable; helping his Doral Timberwolves team mates win this first championship game [read more]
U9 Doral Timberwolves played an amazing game to defeat U9 Doral New York Knicks 19 - 13 to become Champions of the 2013 U9 Basketball tournament held on Morgan Levy Park in El Doral in Miami, Florida. Venezuelan-American, 8 years young and 5 foot tall Jhan Lucena Harp was unstoppable; helping his Doral Timberwolves team mates win this first championship game. Congratulations to both team Doral Timberwolves and Doral New York Knicks for this unforgettable 2013 Championship game as well to all those that organized this great under 9 years old basketball tournament in Morgan Levy Park in El Doral Miami, Florida State.
Battle comes back to Marinos, ex Lanus - May 23, 2013
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Marinos de Anzoategui (LPB) added to their roster 32-year old American center Robert Battle (204-104kg-81, college: Drexel, agency: Dream Team Management). It is actually his comeback to Puerto La Cruz as he played here before. Battle just played at Lanus in Argentinian LigaA. In 51 games he recorded 11.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.4apg and 1.5bpg this season. He helped them to make it to the final after they ended regular season as second best team [read more]
Marinos de Anzoategui (LPB) added to their roster 32-year old American center Robert Battle (204-104kg-81, college: Drexel, agency: Dream Team Management). It is actually his comeback to Puerto La Cruz as he played here before. Battle just played at Lanus in Argentinian LigaA. In 51 games he recorded 11.9ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.4apg and 1.5bpg this season. He helped them to make it to the final after they ended regular season as second best team. A very spectacular season in his career as he was voted to Latinbasket.com Argentinian LigaA All-Imports Team, 2nd Team and All-Defensive Team. The last season Battle played at Libertad Sunchales (LigaA) in Argentina. In 46 games he averaged 14.2ppg, 9.9rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg and 1.5bpg. He contributed to his team making it to the semifinals. Great season indeed as he was selected Latinbasket.com All-Argentinian LigaA Import Player of the Year, Latinbasket.com All-Argentinian LigaA Defensive Player of the Year and to the All-Star Game. The previous (2011) summer Battle was tested by Marinos. In 2003 Battle was drafted by Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs (USBL) in third round (22nd overall). The former Drexel University standoutis in his tenth season in pro basketball. The list of the past achievements is quite long as Battle was voted Eurobasket.com All-Spanish LEB Gold Player of the Year back in 2009. He is quite experienced player. Battle has played also professionally in France, Mexico (Santos), Turkey (Goztepe), Spain (Palma and Blancos de Rueda).
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