Cape Verde Basketball

Heading into his senior year at Providence College, Xavier will join the Cape Verdean National Team in the country’s quest to qualify for the China games. Cape Verde is one of 12 countries that will battle it out for three coveted spots at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which gets underway in Athens on July 15.

After spending 12 hours in the air Sunday, Xavier arrived at the western coast of Africa –which is regarded as a heavy Portuguese area – primed for his first day of training camp. “Every person wants to represent their country,” said Xavier, who in his first season with the Friars led them in scoring (12.4 ppg) and 3-pointers (76). “I’m getting my chance.”

National pride is something that’s been hanging over Xavier’s head. The former St. Raphael standout possesses dual citizenship as his parents, Pedro and Alice Xavier, were born in Cape Verde (both came to the United States at age 11).

The hoops safari comes with an added bonus with Xavier having the chance to finally meet his aunt and grandmother. “I have never spoken to them, but my mom talks to my grandma all the time,” he says.

This isn’t the first time Xavier has flirted with the idea of suiting up for his parents’ native soil. Cape Verde basketball officials extended an invitation to the 6-foot-1 guard last summer, and while the reception was positive on the player’s end, the idea was nixed (PC was already committed for some games in Italy in August).

The idea surfaced again shortly after Xavier wrapped his junior term last month. Cape Verde president Pedro Pires wrote a letter on Xavier’s behalf, but the dismissal of Tim Welsh/search for a replacement held up the process until the 11th hour.

Xavier received his blessing from new Friars coach Keno Davis two weeks ago, and after the completion of some paperwork, he was off. “Everything was on hold, but [Davis] was excited and wished me luck.”

For Xavier, spending his summer months globetrotting, basketball in tow, is quickly becoming old habit. When he was at Manhattan, Xavier was on a group of MAAC All-Stars that spend time in China three years ago. The team went 7-0 and Xavier was among the team’s leading scorers, averaging 12 points for the trip.

Xavier didn’t play much in the Friars’ visit to Italy, the result of a broken foot that would go on to nag him for the bulk of last season. The pain intensified as the season progressed, for Xavier had no choice to wear a stabilizing boot between games and practices.

Xavier says he wouldn’t risk his final season of college ball if he wasn’t 100 percent, which he has felt for sometime. “There’s no pain. My goal is to stay healthy,” he said. “I’m taking it easy but working hard at the same time.”

The Cape Verdeans aim to build off last summer’s bronze finish at last year’s FIBA Africa Championship, though a daunting task awaits. There are four groups in the Athens region with Cape Verde paired with New Zealand (the country’s first opponent on July 15) along with Dirk Nowitzki and Germany.

Former Friar Ryan Gomes has been linked to the national team because of his Cape Verdean ancestry, but he’s currently not listed on the roster. His absence may stem from the ex-Boston Celtic’s restricted free agent status.

Besides Nowitzki, other NBA players expected to dock in Athens include Phoenix’s Leandro Barbosa (Brazil), Toronto’s Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia) and Orlando’s Carlos Arroyo (Puerto Rico). Former URI point guard Parfait Bitee will suit up for his native Cameroon.

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Posted by: Dan Klotz
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Cape Verde Basketball

27th Jun, 2008

Collegiate players making mark on Cape Verde National Team!

4 members of the Cape Verde National Team, among the newest members, are current or recent college players. Two of these collegians - 6′9″ Vinny Lima, now playing for Northeastern University in Boston, and Ivan Almeida, who completed 2 years at Mohawk Valley Community College in New York, have played with the team in the past. Providence College Senior guard and leading scorer Jeff Xavier, J/X, and recent U-Mass Graduate Tony Barros, until recently the newest member of the squad, complete the list of collegiate players.

2 Professional players playing in Europe: 6′9″ power forward Peter Cipriano, who plays in Finland, and guard Avery Oliver, who plays in Germany, complete the alterations to the roster. The remaining corps of players mainly play pro in Europe or Africa, specifically Portugal or Angola.

This mix of youth and veterans will hopefully serve the team well as they face New Zealand and Germany July 14th and 15th.

Jeff Xavier led Providence College in scoring with 12.4 ppg, and also led the Big East conference in steals.

Cape Verde could at times have as many as 3 collegiate players on the court at once, with Xavier and Barros vying for starting spots at the shooting and point guard positions, respectively, and Lima and Almeida reserves at forward and guard. Almeida, at 6′6″, can play several positions including small forward.

Go Cape Verde!

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Posted by: Dan Klotz
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Cape Verde Basketball

27th Jun, 2008

Media coverage of the Cape Verde National Team

Although from a small African country, the national team of Cape Verde does at times receive major media coverage, particularly on the eve of this historic Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Recent coverage has included more than half a dozen articles on the official FIBA website, FIBA.com, as well as mentions in the Providence Journal, Pro Basketball News, and elsewhere. Jeff Xavier’s addition to the team sparked an article on the website of the NCAA, NCAA.com, as well as an extensive article in the Pawtucket Times June 24th, www.PawtucketTimes.com ‘Friar’s Xavier has Olympic Hopes.’

Any members of the media covering the team can contact Dan Klotz, Dan@CVHoops.com or Pedro Gomes, Criolo@hotmail.com

Go Cape Verde!

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Posted by: Dan Klotz
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Cape Verde Basketball

6th Jun, 2008

Just 3 weeks to international history!

Cape Verde will face New Zealand July 14th and Dirk Nowitzki-led Germany July 15th, during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, Greece. Prior to this, Cape Verde will play exhibition games against the national teams of Senegal and Mali, and then travel to France to play in a tournament against professional teams before heading to Athens. Go Cape Verde!