Saturday, December 27, 2008

Taiwan Mobile signs Mario Boggan

SN03_011[2] Taiwan Mobile brought in American forward Mario Boggan and released Taiwanese-German center Jufan Geiger, making Boggan the second SBL import for the upcoming season.

The other import player is Dacin's Byron Allen.

Local Chinese newspaper Apple Daily reported that Boggan, a 6-6 bully forward-center, will get a monthly salary of US$10,000. Boggan came from Oklahoma State, where he averaged 19 points and 7.6 rebounds and was named All Big-12 First Team in 2006-07.

Taiwan Mobile head coach Cheng Chih-lung expcted Boggan to solidify TM's interior defense and make huge contribution on the offensive end as well. Geiger, Cheng said without elaboration, was released because he did not fit in with the team's need.

Geiger said in an email that he was informed of the release but was not told why he did not meet the team's need.

The SBL allows imports-hiring for non-playoff teams. However, teams that failed to make the playoffs have been reluctant to do so due to budget problem amid the global economy crisis.

==

Mario Boggan profile:

Born Sept. 30, 1983

SN02_004 Career:
Durham, N.C. (Chipola College)
(Hargrave Military Academy)
2004-2005: University of Florida (NCAA)
2005-2006: Oklahoma St. (NCAA): 33 games: 14.8ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 82.1%
2006-2007: Oklahoma St. (NCAA): 34 games: 19.0ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.0%, 3Pts: 22.0%, FT: 76.1%
2007: Drafted by Oklahoma Storm (USBL,3rd(28))
2007 July: NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (Denver Nuggets)
2007: Drafted by Yakama Sun Kings (CBA,2rd(20))
2007-2008: Before the season was tested by JDA Dijon Bourgogne (FRA-ProA), but not signed, in Sep.'07 agreed terms with Spotter Leuven (Belgium-D1, starting five): 13 games: 14.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 80.0%, released in Dec.'07, in Jan.'08 signed by Darussafaka Istanbul (Turkey-TBL, starting five) but never showed up, in Feb.'08 tested by Polpak Swiecie (Poland-DBE, starting five), released in Feb.'08, then joined Anaheim Arsenal (D-League): 6 games: 1.2ppg, 1.2rpg, in Mar.'08 moved to Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League)
2008-2009: Vitoria SC/M.Couto Alves (Portugal-UZO Liga, starting five), left in Oct.'08, in Dec.'08 moved to East Kentucky Miners (CBA)

Awards/Achievements:
All-Big 12 Honorable Mention -06
NABC All-NCAA District 12 1st Team -07
Big 12 Tournament Semifinals -07
All-Big 12 1st Team -07
(Source: Eurobasket.com)

(Photo source: Apple Daily)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Taiwanese basketball tidbit

-- This is a little bit late. In fact, much too late. Dacin Tigers signed American forward Byron Allen to a contract for an undisclosed amount. The 6-7, 280 pounder is mainly a physical post player and will be the only U.S. import in the 2008-09 SBL season.

Local newspapers reported that Dacin loves Allen's defensive mentality, which has been the teams' priority in its import search.

Allen, on paper, will be the sole import in the SBL next year although there will be a number of players comiing from overseas, including Taiwanese-Americans James Mao and Doug Creighton and Taiwanese-German Juefan Geiger (see below).

Byron Allen profile:
DOB: June 10, 1981
Career:
Leland, MS/ Leland HS
2002-2003: Northwestern St. (NCAA): 27 games: 10.2ppg, 4.7rpg, 24ast
2003-2004: Northwestern St. (NCAA): 27 games: 8.3ppg, 4.7rpg, 19ast
2004-2005: Northwestern St. (NCAA): 33 games: 7.3ppg, 3.8rpg, 26ast, FGP: 50%
2005-2006: Northwestern St. (NCAA): 34 games: 7.5ppg, 3.6rpg, FG: 57.1%, FT: 52.8%
2007-2008: East Kentucky Miners (CBA), left in Feb.'08: 28 games: 3.1ppg, 2.3rpg
2008: Elkhart Express (IBL): 22 games: 6.7ppg, 4.2rpg, 0.4apg
2008-2009: East Kentucky Miners (CBA)
(Source: Eurobasket.com)

-- Taiwanese-German Juefan Geiger is currently in training camp with his Taiwan Mobile teammates and getting used to a different style of play in Taiwan. Taiwanese teams emphasize speed over anything else while in Germany physicality is the priority, said Geiger.

Geiger, whose mother is a Taiwanese, goes with his Chinese name Huang Yu-fan in Taiwan. Possessing a Taiwanese passport, he is able to play as a local player in the SBL.

 

-- It makes you wonder that whether the SBL will be able to successfully launch its 6th season as the venue, the schedule, the TV contract and even the opening date are all still uncertain at this moment -- approximately one month before the scheduled opening day January 10, 2009.

-- Finally…Chen Hsin-an is enjoying his fatherhood. Chen’s daughter was born in August…

(Photos source: Apple Daily)