Wildcats in the NBA

Former Arizona Wildcats standout Hassan Adams likes idea of becoming Venezuelan

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FORMER ARIZONA WILDCATS IN THE NBA
t-Transferred from Arizona before ending collegiate career
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NBAlogo

Hassan Adams may perform the same action as fellow former Arizona Wildcats hoops standout Michael Wright and become a naturalized citizen in the country where he is playing professionally.

Hassan Adams is  preparing for his third season of pro ball in Venezuela

Hassan Adams is preparing for his third season of pro ball in Venezuela

Adams, preparing for his third season for Guaros de Lara in Venezuela, is telling media in that country that he welcomes the idea of becoming a Venezuelan citizen. Wright, now known as Ali Karadeniz in Turkey (where he plays for Mersin BSB), became a Turkish citizen in 2010.

Wright has played most of the last seven years in Turkey. He has played only overseas since turning pro after helping Arizona reach the national title game in 2001.

Adams played his rookie season in 2006-07 with the New Jersey Nets but has since played in the Philippines, Serbia and Italy before playing in Venezuela in 2012.

Adams told La Prensa in Venezuela that he loves the idea of becoming a Venezuelan.

“Guaros is like family to me, I feel comfortable in this country and have built a friendship with many Venezuelans,” said Adams, 29.

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FORMER ARIZONA PLAYERS IN D-LEAGUE
*Now with Pacers
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FORMER ARIZONA PLAYERS INTERNATIONAL
z-No longer affiliated with professional team
t-Transferred from Arizona before ending collegiate career

BELGIUM
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CANADA
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CHINA
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CROATIA
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FINLAND
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FRANCE
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JAPAN
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LEBANON
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LITHUANIA
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MEXICO
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POLAND
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PUERTO RICO
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ROMANIA
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SERBIA
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TURKEY
*Now goes by Turkish name Ali Karadeniz
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The advantages of dual citizenship while living in another country include entitlement to social programs (education, health care and pensions), property ownership and unrestricted residency.

In 63 games in 2012 and 2013 with Guaros, Adams averaged 14.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He reunited with former Arizona teammate Salim Stoudamire with Guaros last year before Stoudamire injured his hand. Stoudamire played only five games.

Adams will be a teammate of former NBA first-round pick Marcus Fizer of Iowa State and Miami Heat forward Eric Griffin with Guaros.

STAT LEADERS ABROAD
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PLAYING IN DANGER ZONES

Former Arizona center Loren Woods has played since 2009 in the volatile Middle East at Iran and Lebanon. Adams and former Wildcat post player Kyryl Natyazhko (Ukraine) play in countries that have recently experienced intense civil unrest.

Natyazhko is from the Ukraine, so he has interest and passion for what’s happening in that country. His recent Tweet suggests the resolve he and his countrymen and women must have:

THE BIG TREE IN URUGUAY

Alex Jacobson

Alex Jacobson

Alex Jacobson’s brief stint in Uruguay came to a quick end as the team that signed him — Montevideo — lost in four games in the best-of-five series in the first round of the playoffs.

“The Tree”, as he was called at Arizona, averaged 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 points in three games with Montevideo. Jacobson also played one game this season with Moncton of the Canadian Basketball League and Lima (Ohio) of the Premier Basketball League.

THE LAST OF TERRY?

Jason Terry proclaims UA has advanced to four Final Fours in a video released by the Arizona athletic department

Jason Terry proclaims UA has advanced to four Final Fours in a video released by the Arizona athletic department

Jason Terry was acquired earlier this month by Sacramento from Brooklyn before the trading deadline, but he will not join the Kings the rest of the season because of a reported knee injury. Media in Sacramento are speculating Terry may never play for the Kings.

Sacramento wants to use its younger players and Terry would rather rehabilitate himself and become stronger for another NBA season, if there is one for him.

Terry, 36, has enjoyed the longest NBA career — 15 years — for a former Arizona player. We may have seen the last of J.T. as a basketball player, which is a sad thought because of his flamboyant style and how he exhibits his love for the game on the court.


UKRAINE
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URUGUAY
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.

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