Cape Verde Basketball

3 men’s team members, and 3 women’s team members, (plus potential Women’s National Team player Shannon Perry) recently starred at US colleges and universities, and there still is a reasonably strong fan base of people in the US who remember them, and extensive media coverage of their collegiate playing days.

For more info, check out the article, 4 women, 4 men, changing the global face of CV basketball, which was posted by Dan Klotz in December of 2006.

The players and the schools where they starred are:

Mario ‘Marito’ Correia 6′3″ G (190 CM) - Bryant University - NCAA DII - 2002-2005 (transfer from Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA). CURRENT; pro in Portugal with Maia Basket. #5 All-Time leading scorer at Bryant; All NE-10.6′3″ G (190 CM) - Bryant University - NCAA DII - 2002-2005 (transfer from Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA). CURRENT; pro in Portugal with Maia Basket. #5 All-Time leading scorer at Bryant; All NE-10.

Marquese Houtman 6′3″ G (190 CM) - Stonehill College - NCAA DII:transferred in 1999 to UMass-Dartmouth (NCAA DI) Current: pro in Portugal with FC Porto Ferpinta. Has played pro in the USA (ABA) with the Boston (now Cape Cod) Frenzy. Previously played pro in Portugual prior to joining FC Porto for the 2006-2007 season; joined FC Porto shortly after the National Team’s Bronze Medal at the Lusophonia Games in Macau, China.

Anthony ‘Tony‘ Morreia 6′5″ F - UMass - Dartmouth - 1995-1999. previously pro in USA ABA with Boston Frenzy team, now called Cape Cod Frenzy. Coached by Kobe Bryant’s father with the Frenzy. Current: Bryant University, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.6′5″ F - UMass - Dartmouth - 1995-1999. previously pro in USA ABA with Boston Frenzy team, now called Cape Cod Frenzy. Coached by Kobe Bryant’s father with the Frenzy. Current: Bryant University, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.

Joao ‘Betinho’ Gomes - Pro - Portugal, with Barreinse.

Rodrigo Mascarenhas - Pro, Portugal, FC Porto Ferpinta6′5″ F - UMass - Dartmouth - 1995-1999. previously pro in USA ABA with Boston Frenzy team, now called Cape Cod Frenzy. Coached by Kobe Bryant’s father with the Frenzy. Current: Bryant University, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.

Rodrigo Mascarenhas - Pro, Portugal, FC Porto FerpintaRodrigo Mascarenhas - Pro, Portugal, FC Porto FerpintaRodrigo Mascarenhas - Pro, Portugal, FC Porto Ferpinta

THE LADIES

Jade Leitao 5′10″ G - Fordham Univ. (NCAA DI) 2003 - 2005 (transferred from Delaware). CURRENT: pro in Portugal. Mother Susan played pro basketball in France and starred at Cal-State LA; Uncle Dave was an assistant coach at legendary UConn, and named first ever Head Coach of color, in any sport, at the Univ. of Virginia. Below is the logo of the professional league Jade plays in currently; as of Feb. 2007 she was averaging in double figures for the team ‘Olivais’, in Coimbra, Portugal.

Crispina ‘Tininha’ Correia 6′4″ C - Auburn University (transferred from Palm Beach (FL) CC) 2001 - 2003. Current: pro in Portugal.

Natalia Andre - Old Dominion University/Portuguese Pro Leagues

PAST AND FUTURE PLAYERS:

*expected player currently not yet on squad: Shannon Perry 5′11″ F - Syracuse Univ. 2001-2005; Bryant University - 2005-2006. Current: pro in Switzerland with Martigny Basket; leading team in scoring with 20 ppg.; leading LEAGUE in rebounding at over 12/game; plays at highest pro level in Switzerland; possible WNBA player.

**Dwayne Pina, 6′ G, an Assistant Coach at Bryant who was a walk-on who became an All-Star at Boston College, played briefly with the national team.

Just to give you an indication of the relative visibility and prominence of these players: when Leitao and Correia transferred, Leitao from another major DI program (Delaware), and Correia, from Palm Beach Community College, these transfers were covered in Sports Illustrated and on ESPN.