Cellus update

[Da Coach]

Marcellus Sommerville is now playing for Dexia Mons-Hainaut of the top Belgian pro league.
He was added to their roster late in the season, but is playing very well..
Here is the box score from the last regular season game. Cellus scored 24 points and had 6 rebounds.--

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Belgium/2009/0516_980_3.asp

His team will start play in the league semifinals soon--

http://www.eurobasket.com/Belgium/basketball.asp

Will Franklin and Jeremy Crouch's team, the Braunschweig New Yorker Phantoms, have finished their season. They did not make the playoffs for the Bundesliga.

http://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball-League-BBL_2008-2009.asp

Daniel Ruffin's team, the Tekpro Braves, also finished their season and did not make their league playoffs.

http://www.eurobasket.com/Germany/basketball-League-Pro-A.asp

Zach Andrews also has finished his season. He averaged 11.5 ppg and 9.2 rpg for his team in the Spanish pro league.

http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry=Spain&Team=1330&Page=3

[Braves4Life]

Just curious............... Anyone know if Cellus' game has improved to the point where he might be considered an NBA prospect?

[Da Coach]

Cellus had a knee injury this past winter. He was released by his pro team in France and returned home to rehab it. If healthy, Cellus has the talent to make an NBA roster next year. He has to find the right circumstances, and probably could make more money in Europe, so I don't know that it will happen.

[Da Coach]

Cellus' team won their Belgian semi-final series 2 games to 1 to move to the Finals.-

http://www.eurobasket.com/Belgium/basketball.asp

In the decisive 3rd game, Cellus was the star. He had a team-leading 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead Dexia Mons-Hainaut to a 109-94 win.--

http://www.eurobasket.com/boxScores/Belgium/2009/0530_980_331.asp

They will now face Charleroi in the Finals which start Tuesday.

[tornado]

Just ran across a recent interview with Cellus in Europe...
Cellus is still negotiating with teams in Europe...

Interview with Marcellus Sommerville
Marcellus Sommerville, the Bradley graduate, with a good name in France
spoke in Eurobasket.com:

After college you tried to get a contract in the NBA through some summer
workouts. How hard is for a rookie player to compete against ready
experienced players for few NBA contracts in these workouts?

Marcellus Sommerville: It is difficult for a rookie or any free agent trying to
get a contract in the NBA that is not already been in the NBA. As a rookie I
had the opportunity to play with Dallas Mavericks in summer league and it
was a great experience. Competing for just a couple of spots really brings
the hunger out in every player during these workouts.

You did not succeed to play in the NBA and you started your European
career from Hungary. Why you choose this league?

Marcellus Sommerville: I chose this league or country because at the time
my agent had advise me that this was a good move for me to play for a
well respected and top team in Eastern Europe, the team also was apart of
the FIBA Eurochallenge at the time.

How you decided to change team during the season in your first year
outside Usa. You dominated in France Pro-B and you got promoted to play
in Pro-A in the same season. Tell us your memories from your first year in
France.

Marcellus Sommerville: I decided to change during the middle of the season
because I believe that moving to a bigger marketing country in Europe would
help my career. I went to a team that really need a scoring presence and
leader. By me providing that team with scoring other teams started to
recognize me. I had the opportunity to prove my self on the Pro A level, in
the playoff. Helping the team advance past the quarter-finals by beating the
Euroleague team Le Mans. Then playing Roanne in the semi-finals. My first
year was very exciting to show clubs that I could and would play at a high
level.

Do you believe the French league boosted your career and you are ready
now for a bigger step?

Marcellus Sommerville: I do believe that the French league helped boost my
career. I have been to the playoffs every year in my career as a professional
and that helps too. I am a player that plays and competes at a high level to
win. I am excited about the summer to see where I will play next season.

In your third year in France Pro-A you had again great games playing for
Chorale Roanne but you left and later moved in Belgium. What happened
with Chorale Roanne?

Marcellus Sommerville: I enjoyed playing in Roanne, but I had an injury that
did not allow me to play for about 2 months and the club decided that they
wanted to part ways because I could not play sooner.

Whats your opinion about the league in Belgium?

Marcellus Sommerville: The Belgium league is much smaller then the French
league, but it is a very competitive league. It is tough to come to a team at
the end of the season and have a huge impact because most of the players
are establish and the coaches have there rotations, but going to Dexia-
Mons was a great decision because the staff and fans there are first class
individuals. I am disappointed that we did not win the finals. But when you do
not win your last game of the season it is motivation for the
summer...meaning that your workouts are that much more intense and
harder.