The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN basketball players continue to post standout numbers on their respective circuits throughout professional leagues across Europe and the Middle East.

Jaraun “Kino” Burrows has been the top performer for his Hapoel Haifa BC in Israel, a powerhouse of the Liga Leumit, - the second tier level league in the country.

Burrows posted 21 points, eight rebounds and two steals Tuesday night in a 77-73 win over Galil Elion.

In the prior matchup last week, he posted 23 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a 95-81 win over Ironi K-A.

On the season he has posted averages of 23 points, and 11.4 rebounds per game through 10 contests.

Burrows saw his stock rise after a dominant season last year with LF Basket in the Swedish Pro League.

The 6’8”, 220-pound forward  had the second best scoring average in the league at 20.1 points per game and also averaged 9.2 rebounds per game.

His pro career has also included stops in Finland, Eastern Europe and South America.

Burrows recently completed play with the national team that finished 7th at this summer’s FIBA Centrobasket tournament in Panama. They earned qualification for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Kentwan Smith has made the most of his new opportunity with Finnish club, BC Nokia of the Korisliiga - the top level of basketball in Finland.

Smith scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 73-67 loss to Salon Vilpas. He is currently averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

BC Nokia finished third in the league last season after a loss in the semi-finals. In the 2014–15 season, they won the Finnish First Division and received promotion to the Korisliiga. In their first season at the top level they finished in the 8th place during the regular season but defeated top ranked Kataja in the first round to earn a trip to the semi-finals.

Smith’s previous stop this year was as a member of Fuerza Guinda de Nogales in Mexican CIBACOPA. In 12 games he averaged  9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds but left the team in May.

Last season, his first as a pro, Smith was an impact player for his BC Timisoara Club in Romania’s Liga National.

Burrows offered recommendation when the BC Nokia coaches sought information on Smith, leading to his signing.

Waltiea Rolle continues to dominate for Haskovo 2012 with her second double double in as many games in Bulagaria’s NBL League.

She posted 16 points and 19 rebounds in a 79-71 win over Montana 2003. In her season debut last week, Rolle finished with 24 points  and 16 rebounds in her team’s 84-62 win over Neftochimic.

After dropping the season opener, Haskovo has reeled off four consecutive wins for a 4-1 record and remain in second position in the standings, one point behind league leader Montana 2003. 

The 6’6” centre and University of North Carolina producct last played with Nymburk, of the Czech Republic’s ZBL League in 2015, where she averaged 16.3 points and 10.4 rebounds in 31 games.

After a brief appearance in the NBA’s Development League, Zane Knowles has continued his pro career in Poland.

Knowles joined Siarka Tarnobrzeg of the Polish Basketball League or Tauron Basket Liga, the highest level of pro basketball in the country.

Through five games, he is averaging 13 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Prior to his signing in Poland, Knowles was in training camp with the D-League’s Salt Lake Stats, the exclusive farm team of the Utah Jazz.

Knowles, the 6’10” 255 pound forward joins a list of other Bahamians to play in the D-League that includes Magnum Rolle, Bennet Davis and Mitch Johnson.

Knowles participated in the Star’s Open Tryouts presented by University of Utah Health Care back in September at the Lifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena on the Taylorsville campus of Salt Lake Community College.