USA Select Players Josh Gross and Ryan Patton go head to head!
Former USA Select basketball players went head to head in the top British Basketball League. Josh, who now plays for the very competitive Everton Tigers scored 27 points, while Ryan Patton, the point guard for Worthing Thunder nearly matched him with 25! They played in the BBL Championship league event. Everton Tigers closed the gap to eight points at the top of the BBL Championship table thanks to a 121-91 victory over the Worthing Thunder at the Greenbank Academy on Friday evening.
USA Select player Curtis Nash is now starting for Latvian Team Liepajas Lauvas. The 6’5″ former UNC Charlotte star has played for Valmirera (Latvia), Limoges (France), Wilmington Sea Dawgs (USA-PBL), Vivhy (France) and Chalon (France) since participating on the USA Select European Tour in 2005. He is currently averaging in excess of 30 minutes per game with a recent game high of 29 points.
Former Appalachian State university Mountaineer, Donte Minter is continuing his debut professional career in style for Vitoria Portugal. In a recent appearance, the 6’8″ highly skilled lefty scored 33 points. Former USA Select player Ije Nwankwo played for Vitoria last year. Donte, who was coached by highly successful ASU coach Houston Fancher, is averaging in excess of 60% from the field this season.
USA Select player, Russell Jordan, is with the Worthing Thunder of the British basketball League (BBL). Russell, is a BBL veteran who signed his first BBL contract with the help of USA Select GM Sean Kilmartin. The 6’5″ versatile player is with the Worthing Thunder in the UK’s top league and is currently teamed up with USA Select star, Ryan Patton.
USA Select Basketball General Manager, Sean Kilmartin, recently caught up with Ryan Patton. With the help of USA Select, the 6’1″ left handed guard is now with the Worthing Thunder of the British Basketball League. One of the best point guards to wear a USA Select uniform is Ryan Patton. After leading his Sheffield Arrows to every possible title in his debut professional season, he was named English Basketball League (EBL) MVP. No surprise as he lead the lead in steals, points, assists, three point percentage . He averaged over 30 points and 7 assists per game that year. His career hit a serious obstacle as he was injured in a life threatening wreck the following summer. After a 16 month rehabilitation Patton need up rebuilding his career in Qatar last season. Now with the Thunder who are in their first season in the difficult BBL, Patton is leading the charge. He has been averaging in excess of 20 points per game and dishing the assists at over 5 per game! Ryan is obviously back in stride and opponents should take note!
Sean Kilmartin, USA Select GM is pleased to see former Appalachian State University and USA Select 2008 Exposure Tour player Jay “Buckets” Mc Millan scoring in huge amounts for the Glamorgan Gladiators (EBL 3) in Wales. Jay is playing for Steve Williams, who has a long history with USA Select Basketball and top level international competition as he has coached several Wales Basketball Nation teams in FIBA competition. Including Mr. Kilmartin’s oldest son, Ryan Kilmartin, an Appalachian State University commitment.
Former USA Select Exposure Tour players are extending their careers in Sweden. Adam Simons, a 7’0” center who played is collegiate ball at NC State and then Xavier is now in Sweden after a successful first pro season in the UK. Adam joined the 2007 Tour and played in the EBL division 1 before moving on to Sweden. His father, Mark Simons is currently coaching 17-0 (as of this writing) Auburn University Women’s team.
Former USA Select Player, Atiba Lyons is now player coach for the top level Sheffield Sharks. Atiba, a close friend of USA Select GM, Sean Kilmartin , was named the Player- Coach for the British Basketball League (BBL) Sheffield Sharks. The Sharks have a long history with USA Select Basketball play in the beautiful English Institute of Sport, home to many of the UK’s Olympic teams and training facility. The former Pace University star has a British passport and has been a big contributor for the Sharks organization.
Josh Gross, a former UNC-G standout and long time professional signed with and is leading division frontrunners Everton Tigers in the BBL (British Basketball League). Josh is a very athletic 6’6” guard /Forward with several seasons of NBA D-league experience. Showing his experience, Josh recently hit the game winning shot against the Jets to seal a 91-0 win to keep the Tigers on top of the table!
Sean Kilmartin is pleased to announce that former Clemson University star Shawan Robinson is currently playing in the top division of the Czech Republic for BK Nova Hut Ostrava. This is a team that USA Select European Tour 2006 played on tour. Shawan, a former USA Select player and long time friend of General Manager Sean Kilmartin began his professional career in the UK, then played Germany for two top teams prior to moving to the Czech Republic.