Douglas opts for big bucks and will play in Russia
Former Bell-Jeff star will not play in NBA: For most of the summer,
former Bellarmine-Jefferson High basketball standout Ruben Douglas
has been trying to earn a place on an NBA team.
After a successful season competing in Italy, Douglas was given a
chance and had a spot on the New York Knicks’ summer roster.
But it looks as if the 6-foot-4, 195-pound guard will not play in
the premier league next season. Instead, Douglas stands to make a lot
more money playing in Europe.
Douglas will likely sign and play next season with Dinamo Moscow,
a team in the Russian League.
If Douglas, 25, would have signed with an NBA team, he would have
probably earned the rookie minium of under $300,000. However, he
stands to make $800,000 a year with Dinamo Moscow.
It will be Douglas’ third team in as many seasons, as he played in
Italy last season and in Greece in 2004.
Douglas had some success with the Knicks, scoring 27 and 20 points
in summer-league games.
Douglas, 25 -- a former Leader Boys’ Basketball All-Area Player of
the Year and All-CIF Division IV Player of the Year -- is coming off
a successful season playing in Italy for Climamio Bologna.
His solid play led Climamio to the league finals for the ninth
time in the last 10 years, although the squad managed just one title
during that span.
Climamio faced off against Armani Jeans Milan in a best-of-five
series, with game four taking place June 16 in Milan. Climamio held a
2-1 lead in the series.
With seven seconds left in the game and Climamio trailing, 65-64,
Milan’s Dante Calabria missed a three-point attempt. The long rebound
was picked up by Climamio’s Gianluca Basile who passed to Douglas.
Douglas turned and buried a three-pointer from just inside half-court
with one-tenth of a second left on the clock to give his team the
championship, 67-65.
Douglas was trying to find his way into the NBA after being
overlooked in the 2003 draft. The guard wasn’t selected, despite
averaging 28 points per game -- 32.1 in the Mountain West Conference
-- and being named conference player of the year at University of New
Mexico.
His 28-point average led the nation for NCAA Division I players.
He played as a freshman at Arizona before transferring and playing
three years for the Lobos.
Woo earns way to elite golf tournament: It has been a busy summer
for recent Burbank High graduate Grace Woo, who has been taking part
in women’s golf tournaments across the country.
Beginning Monday, Woo will compete in one of the biggest events of
her career, as she has earned a spot in the 2005 U.S. Women’s Amateur
at Ansley Golf Club Settindown Creek Course in Rosewell, Ga.
Woo will tee off on the first hole at 9:52 a.m.
The Women’s Amateur has long identified some of golf’s greatest
women players, many of whom have gone on to successful professional
careers. Among the past champions are Patty Berg, Babe Didrikson
Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Marlene Stewart Streit, Anne Quast Sander,
Barbara McIntire, Catherine Lacoste, Carol Semple Thompson and Beth
Daniel, whom all have all secured a place in women’s golf history.
Last year’s champion was Jane Park of Rancho Cucamonga.
Woo, who is headed to UNLV, graduated from Burbank as the most
successful high school girls’ golfer in city history.
Woo is a three-time Foothill League Player of the Year and a
four-time CIF Southern Section postseason qualifier.
Her biggest prep accomplishment came in November when she took
part in the prestigious CIF-Women’s State Championship at Red Hills
Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. She didn’t disappoint, finishing
second with an even-par 72, just one shot behind the winner.
Woo earned a spot in the state competition with a fine result in a
qualifying event. She fired a four-under-par 68 at the SCGA Golf Club
to finish second in the Southern California Regional championship.
Woo also has experience competing in American Junior Golf Assn.
amateur tournaments across the nation.
Indians finish summer league with a victory: The Burroughs High
boys’ soccer team did well in its own summer event, ending the league
Wednesday with a 4-1 win against Sylmar.
The Indians (5-2-2) finish third in the 12-team league behind
Monroe and Sylmar.
Burroughs scored two goals in the first 20 minutes against Sylmar
to take control. Carlos Navarro and Junior Hernandez scored the goals
with shots from outside the penalty box.
After giving up a goal to make it, 2-1, the Indians scored goals
at the 65th and 70th minute to seal the game. Chris Hernandez scored
off a cross from Bryant Castillo and Abraham Ramirez scored on a
rebound of a Guillermo Diaz shot.
Defenders Rudy Nava and Spencer Ross were outstanding in back,
keeping the team organized.
Jones trying to hook up with pro basketball team: Former
Providence High basketball standout Derek Jones is attempting to
continue his career as a professional.
Although Jones is trying to make an NBA squad, he has been getting
praise competing for the American Basketball Assn.’s Los Angeles
Aftershock.
In a game two weeks ago, Jones scored 20 points and grabbed seven
rebounds for his team in a 102-100 loss to Team Unity in Pro Summer
League play at the Long Beach Pyramid.
Jones is attempting to make it as a professional after success at
Providence and in college at UC Santa Clara.
He ended his collegiate career with a fine senior campaign last
fall. Unfortunately for the Banana Slugs, their season didn’t go as
well, as they finished 6-19 (5-12 in NCAA Division III).
Jones, a 6-foot-7 center/forward, was a leader on the floor for
Santa Clara, as the captain started every one of his team’s 24 games.
Averaging 26 minutes a game, he led the squad with 12 points and 6.6
rebounds a game. Along with 30 assists, he also had 25 blocks and
nine steals.
In his senior season with the Pioneers in 2001, Jones was a
dominant presence in the middle. He was the league’s co-most valuable
player, averaging 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks a game. He
was also honored with All-CIF Southern Section Division IVA
second-team selection and All-Area first-team selections.
Locals do well in area golf tournament: Burroughs High’s Jeff
Looby and Amanda Keith of Burbank had fine results July 21 at the
16th annual Burbank City Junior Championship at De Bell Municipal
Golf Course.
Looby fired a two-over-par 73 over 18 holes and finished second in
the Boys’ 16-17 Flight. Keith shot a 79 in the Girls’ 15-17 Flight
and finished second in a card-off.
The champions included: Kevin Bognot (71) in the Boys’ 16-17;
Niraj Lal (73) in the Boys’ 14-15; Jonathan Noori (71) in the Boys’
12-13; Troix Tonkham (39 for nine holes) in the Boys’ 11 and under;
Michelle Mannix (79) in the Girls’ 15-17; Rebecca Song (78) in the
Girls’ 12-14; Monica Petchakan (42 for nine holes).
Fencers shine in competition: Athletes who train with Coach Al
Carter in Burbank did well earlier this month in the United States
Fencing Summer National Competition in Sacramento.
Max Griffin placed sixth in one of his events and Carter placed
seventh.
Resident Mary Spohn also attended and put forth a good effort in
her events.
The locals were competing against fencers from across the nation,
including some Olympic hopefuls.
Jeff Tully