asianballers.net
2008 Player Profiles

 

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November 2008

Mr. Clucth!

Nic Echevestre

Positon - Shooting Guard

Location - New York

Team - Dreamleague All-Stars

Height - 6'4

Weight - 200 lbs

Nic Echevestre will be forever known for the 3-point shot that propelled the Dreamleague All-Stars to the 2008 National Championships. If you weren't at the gym, here's a brief play by play. It was the second round of the National Championsips Playoffs (TLC vs Dreamleague). Dreamleague was down around 6 points with under a minute. They pulled within 3 points with 6 seconds left. Timeout. Dreamleague had the ball. Everyone knew the ball was going to Nic, but he got it anyway and pulled with a beautiful stroke at the top of the key with hands in his face and banked a shot of the glass to tie the game, and send it into overtime. The rest is history. Result championship! Luck, maybe. But its not luck when you have been draining shots all day and all your career.

Nic Echevestre has been a superstar who has made his teams better. Usually if you are that kind of player everyone wants to play with you. Nic doesn't seem to be a ball hog or cocky. He has a kind smile and an all-american boy look. But on the court his picture perfect jump shot makes him one of the most deadly scorers in asian basketball history. After watching Nic play, he seems to be an unselfish team player. You don't find that many superstars like that anywhere.

At 6'5 or 6'4  Nic has an advantage on nearly anyone who guards him. On most asian teams that a power forward or center. But Nic is a shooting guard that can go inside and out. With his good athletic ability and ball handling he can take defenders off the dribble. And he also rebounds very well too. But of course if you give him room, he will fustrate any opponent from the outside. Nic has many championships to back his talents and abilities. If you don't respect his game, he will definetly earn it. Nic also has been known to throw down some nasty dunks also. What can't this guy do? Is he the best asianballer in the country? Hmmmm. Good question. Number 1 or not Nic Echevestre is a champion where ever he goes.

Click here to read Dreamleague article on Nic:

http://dreamleague.org/season/home.php?season_id=2112

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July 2008

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John Lane

team - Hawaii Chosen Few

height - 5'9

weight - 160

age - 29

nationality - Japanese/Caucasian

location - Honolulu, Hawaii



John Lane has been tearing up the courts in Hawaii seems like since the day he was born. I believe John was born with a basketball in his hand. His love and passion for the game is almost insane. If basketball was a serious drug, John would be the biggest addict! If you live in Hawaii and play ball, you will definetly hear John Lane's name mentioned. John had a brief stint of college ball at Chaminade University. But he is more known for his Chosen Few's teams accomplishments. Maybe the best asian team in West Coast history. winninning tournaments after tournaments. But without their captain and leader, Chosen Few would not be so succesful. John is making a name for himself around the country by playing also with the NY Maximum Output team for the last year. He is also hosting a tournament in Hawaii in August. He will later be going to New York to play in the Asianballers.net Asian Final Four National Championships.

What makes John Lane so succesful? Its definetly not the height! At only 5'9, he's an excellent rebounder. But his physical strength and quick hands make him and excellent penetrator and finisher at the basket. Then you combine that with his outstanding handles and superb decision making, he can lead most teams to a championship. But what makes John a great player is his competitive drive and dynamic personality. His desire to win and be the best takes him to another level. He might have the most successful asian american basketball career to date. But he's not done yet! Whenever John Lane decides to hang up his sneakers, he will be remembered as one of the great legends of asian american basketball.



Read article on John in Midweek.com
Click the link

http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/keepingscore_article/a_national_asian_hoops_title/

February 2008

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Above the Rim with
Thomas Byrd
 
location - atlanta, ga
 
height - 6'7
 
age - 31
 
weight - 221
 
nationality - thai/caucasian
 
team - teddy bears

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The Byrd Man is coming to a gym near you! Thomas Byrd has instantly become a force in asian basketball. At 6'7 he towers over most asian ballers, and has a wingspan to match. Not only height Thomas has strength down in the post to compete with any big man in the country. He has good post moves and runs the floor well. Also his range from the 3 point line is not so bad either. But maybe his best strength is his shot blocking.
 
But Thomas is known for his "above the rim" play. He is a consistent dunker in asian basketball tournaments. He might be the only player in the country that averages at least 2 to 3 dunks a tournament. And he occasionally delivers a facial if you try to contest him! So trying to block his dunks might not be a good idea. So if you see Thomas Byrd at a tournament, know that you might witness someone getting posterized on a block shot or a rim jarring slam!

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January 2008
 
Ger Kue got Hops!
 
"Air Ger"

Ger Kue
 
nationality: Hmong
 
location: California
 
team: Banning
 
height: 5' 7
 
Well, we had a several request to recognize this player from California. Why? You can find this baller flying over your head for rebound or block shot! We' ll him" Air Ger "This guy has become the new rising star in asian basketball and especially in the hmong basketball community. Hmongs are very passionate about basketball and loyal to their superstars if they legitimately can be a superstar. I recently went to a tournament a couple months ago around the Thanksgiving holiday at Toccoa Falls, Ga. I found out that this yearly prodominately hmong tournament was a big tradition in this area. This was the first time I ever saw Mr. Ger Kue play. Guys were telling me about him and tellin me how he could dunk. I am always hearing stories about players, but I like to things with my own eyes. I watched him play and saw the hops that this guy possessed. Not only the jumping ability, but nice handles that crowds like to see. A flashy player, but had good basketball skills. Also I noticed that he had his signature mohawk look. After watching him slice and dice defensive players. Jump over and under his oppenents, displaying his super athletic style of play, I see that this guy is a superstar in the making. We will see what the future holds for Ger Kue. He is an exciting basketball player to watch, but will that transfer into wins? You can watch Ger Kue and his hops on Youtube.