CBA influence at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
The Continental Basketball Association has been a long time supporter of USA Basketball and its various competitions in its 60 year history. From 1993 to 1999, USA teamscomprised solely of CBA players competed in four international competitions, winning either gold or silver medals in every competition. The CBA also played a huge role in a prior FIBA World Championship. In 1998, nine CBA players comprised the bronze medal winning team at the 13th FIBA Championships.
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The Continental Basketball Association has been a long time supporter of USA Basketball and its various competitions in its 60 year history. From 1993 to 1999, USA teams comprised solely of CBA players competed in four international competitions, winning either gold or silver medals in every competition. The CBA also played a huge role in a prior FIBA World Championship. In 1998, nine CBA players comprised the bronze medal winning team at the 13th FIBA Championships.
With that in mind, eight players with prior CBA experience are displaying their skills at the FIBA World Championships in Japan:
Elias "Larry" Ayuso - Puerto Rico - 2002-03 Grand Rapids Hoops
Eduardo "Ed" Cota - Panama - 2000-01 Gary Steelheads
Casey Frank - New Zealand - 2000-01 LaCrosse Bobcats
Ruben Garces - Panama - 1998-2000 Quad City Thunder, LaCrosse Bobcats
Ikenna "Ike" Nwankwo - Nigeria - 2000-01 Sioux Falls Skyforce
Julius Nwosu - Nigeria - 1997-2000 Connecticut Pride, Idaho Stampede
Ronny Turiaf - France - 2005-2006 Yakama Sun Kings
Joseph Vogel - Lebanon - 2000-01 Rockford Lightning
"The CBA is very proud of their history with USA Basketball," said CBA Director of Operations Dennis Truax. "To be able to represent your country is the greatest honor an athlete can have, and these formers CBA players are living that dream today. The CBA has been fortunate to be able to represent USA Basketball in many competitions and we look forward to being of service to them in the future."
The CBA recently completed its 60th anniversary season on March 27 with the Yakama Sun Kings defeating the Gary Steelheads in a best-of-three-game series. That series featured the CBA's 2006 Player of the Year, Anthony Goldwire (Sun Kings), and the CBA's 2006 Coach of the Year, Jaren Jackson (Steelheads).