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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.

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!

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

Go Cape Verde!

Pedro came to the US to attend college and play basketball. He went to the University of Massachusetts-Boston, the school founded by the late US President John F. Kennedy. At U-Mass, Pedro became a star basketball player. At 6′5″, he was made for the sport. Pedro went on, after graduating from the university, to play as a member of the Cape Verde National Team.

Pedro also played professionally, for several seasons, in Portugal. With this long and successful experience of playing basketball, Pedro has, in recent years turned his attention to the development of the sport in a variety of ways. He writes on a frequent basis about basketball in Cape Verde, at all levels, for the website: www.AfricaBasket.com, on the Cape Verde homepage. This covers not only national team news, but also information about Cape Verdean players in college or professionally abroad; local sports news about teams in Praia, Mindelo, or other cities; and anything affecting Cape Verde basketball.

In addition, Pedro helps to identify talented Cape Verdean basketball players, and support them when possible. One recent example: Pedro helped get Vinny Lima the information and support necessary for Vinny, a 6′9″ forward who is a young member of the national team, and has now enrolled at Northeastern University in Boston, where he plays on the Northeastern Huskies basketball team. Northeastern is the Alma Mater of Puerto Rican national team player and NBA player Jose Juan Barea, the former pro, late Reggie Lewis, and several European pro players. Being in Boston will allow Lima a chance for a valuable education, as well as the possibility to play major college basketball in the US.

In recent years, and sometimes along with the UN, Pedro has arranged basketball camps for children that have brought NBA stars to Cape Verde. Really, even though he himself is no longer wearing the uniform and competing internationally for Cape Verde, Pedro is highly involved in just about anything having to do with Cape Verde, and basketball.

Congratulations, Pedro, for all of your hard work!

*(Update: 3/15/08) After garnering or sharing the Rookie of the Week title 5 times this season, Rudolph was named the Co-Rookie of the Year in a ceremony in Albany, NY)

Edison, N.J. - Loyola men’s basketball freshman guard Brian Rudolph (180-G-88) has been named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Co-Rookie of the Week - the third consecutive week and fifth time he has been acknowledged by the league this season - it was announced today by the conference office.

This is the second time in the five weeks that Rudolph has shared the award, sharing it this time with Fairfield’s freshman forward Warren Edney. Niagara’s Charron Fisher was named the MAAC Player of the Week for the second straight week.

With the entire league playing just one game over the weekend, Rudolph’s exploits against Siena got him the award. His conventional three-point play with 2:25 remaining brought the Greyhounds back from an eight-point deficit. He then assisted on the game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left to send the game to overtime. In the extra session, the 5-11 guard took over, scoring nine points total, seven of those at the start of the overtime to help Loyola build an eight-point lead with a pair of layups sandwiched around a three-pointer with two seconds remaining on the shot clock. He finished with a career-high 15 points, matched his career best with eight rebounds and handed out five assists. He made five of eight from the field and four of five from the free-throw line.

The Greyhounds have won nine of 12 since Rudolph was reinserted into the starting lineup. Of Loyola’s 15 wins, 13 have come when Rudolph was the starter at point guard. He is averaging 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists while playing 26.1 minutes per game.

Loyola is back in action tonight when it hosts MAAC co-leader Rider at Reitz Arena, starting at 7 o’clock.

http://loyolagreyhounds.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/021808aab.html

Before Loyola

Helped Bridgton (Maine) Academy to a 30-5 record and third consecutive NEPSAC Championship, earning Most Valuable Player tournament honors … a three-time New Bedford Standard-Times Player of the Year selection while at New Bedford HS … averaged 23.9 points and 10.1 assists as a senior, helping his team to an 18-5 record, losing to the eventual champion in the Division I state tourmament … career-best came with a 39-point effort in a 111-96 win over East Boston … finished his scholastic career as the only player in that school’s history with 1,200 points, 600 assists and 200 steals, averaging 20.8 points and 10.1 assists in 60 games.

Personal

The son of Brian and Kelly-Grace Rudolph, Brian Eric Rudolph Jr. was born on September 17, 1988 … an only child … plans to major in Communication-Public Relations at Loyola. Brian’s mother Kelly is Cape Verdian.

Saturday, 2 Feb.

ABC (56) - (52) Seven Stars (U20 Men)
3 de Fevereiro

Amor de Deus (40) - (33) Bairro (U16 Men)

Órgaos (35) - (26) EBS (U16 Men)

EBS (51) - (47) Bairro (U20 Men)
9 e 10 February

09/02/08

Bairro (45) x Abc (56 - (U20 Men)

10/02/08

Orgaos(11) x Abc(15) - (U14 Men)

Abc (20) x Bairro(00) - (U18 Men) masc ‘Bairro abandoned the game, which was in the last
quarter’.

Ebs (7) x Achada grande (17) - (U18 Men)