Basketball news

Some news and notes from International Basketball as well as the NBA.

NIGERIA NAMES INITIAL 16 PLAYERS FOR LIBYA 2009
The NBBF has named 16 players from the recently concluded camp in Houston as well as from the camp in Kaduna, Nigeria. The 16 players will have a chance to show that they deserve a place in the final 12 player list for the 2009 Afrobasket in Libya.

The Players are: Josh Akognon, Michael Umeh, Michael Efevberha, Ebi Ere, Jayson Obazuaye, Gabe Muoneke, Ejike Ugbaja, Aloysius Anagonye, Ayodeji Akindele, Benson Egemonye, Akin Akingbala and Chamberlain Oguchi alongside four home-based players comprising of Abdulrahman Mohammed of Nigeria Customs basketball club, Abubakar Usman and Stanley Gumut of Niger Potters and Ibrahim Yusuf of Kano Pillars basketball club.


NEW ORLEANS TRADES FOR EMEKA OKAFOR
The New Orleans Hornets traded Center Tyson Chandler for Charlotte Bobcats PF/C Emeka Okafor. Okafor will be expected to bring a high level of consistency in the middle to the Hornets as he is a dependable double-double player and will benefit from playing alongside one of the three best point guards in the NBA in Chris Paul.

NEW ORLEANS SIGNS IKE DIOGU

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Hornets still in wheeling and dealing mode picked up free agent forward Ike Diogu and are finalizing the details as we speak. The Hornets will be hoping Diogu realizes his potential while playing alongside Okafor and Chris Paul and the team see the young Diogu as a low cost option to provide additional size in the front court.