Tag Archive for: Basketball

FEYONDA FITZGERALD CHOOSES IPZ

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WNBA Draft Pick Signs with IPZ

WARREN, NJ, October 9, 2017 – Feyonda Fitzgerald, a 2017 WNBA draft pick and leading scorer for a top team in Poland, has signed with IPZ, the company announced today.

The 5-foot-7 point guard played collegiately for Temple University from 2013 to 2017. Fitzgerald made an immediate impact for the Owls as she started all 30 games as a freshman and was Temple’s top scorer averaging 12.9 points per contest. She was a unanimous All-Freshman Team selection and was named to American’s All-Conference Second Team.

As a sophomore, Fitzgerald appeared in all 37 contests and put up 11.1 points per game. The following season, she became an All-Conference Second Team selection once more after averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per contest.

In her senior year, Fitzgerald became the Owls’ single-season assist record holder dishing out 232 dimes, and she took ownership of the school’s all-time assist record with 635. Fitzgerald averaged 17.3 points, 7.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, while knocking down 82.7 percent of her free throw attempts and was named to American’s All-Conference First Team. This high-caliber season catapulted Temple to a 24-8 record as well as the Owls’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011. Fitzgerald also earned All-American honors and became the first Owl to do so since 2007.

Fitzgerald was selected in the second round of the 2017 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. After stints with the Fever and the Connecticut Sun (WNBA) during training camp, the All-American point guard went on to compete overseas. Fitzgerald currently plays for AZS UMCS Lublin (Basket Liga Kobiet – the highest-tier league in Poland) and is averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per contest through three games.

“Feyonda is a fierce competitor and a proven winner,” said IPZ’s Managing Director of Basketball Shawn Farmer. “She was a star for Temple and there’s no doubt in my mind that she will continue to have the same success – if not more – in her professional career.”

About IPZ: InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

TYRELL NELSON TO PLAY IN GEORGIA’S TOP LEAGUE

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IPZ Athlete Signs with BC Rustavi

 WARREN, NJ, September 7, 2017 – Tyrell Nelson has signed a professional contract with BC Rustavi (Georgia-Superleague – the highest tier league in Georgia) for the 2017-2018 season.

“I’m excited to get my career started with Rustavi,” said Nelson. “I believe this team is where I need to be and I can’t wait to get there and help in any way I can.”

Nelson – an All-Big South Honoree – averaged 12.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in his senior year with Gardner-Webb.

“Tyrell was a beast in college and I don’t see why he won’t continue to be for Rustavi,” said IPZ’s Managing Director of Basketball Shawn Farmer. “We are eager to see what Tyrell will accomplish in Georgia’s top league.”

About IPZ: IPZ is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

RUTH SHERRILL PLAYING PROFESSIONALLY IN IRELAND

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IPZ Athlete Begins Her First Season as a Pro

WARREN, NJ, September 6, 2017 – Ruth Sherrill has signed a professional contract with Killester Basketball Club (competes in Ireland’s top national leagues) for the 2017-2018 season.

“I couldn’t be happier to be starting my professional career in Dublin with Killester,” said Sherrill. “It’s a great program that has already been very welcoming to me. I am so excited to be a part of a family and goal-oriented organization. I am also looking forward to this season; the team and I have a lot of expectations and goals that I’m sure we will not only accomplish, but surpass.”

Sherrill, the former Temple Owl, left for Dublin on Saturday, September 2 and played in the team’s first scrimmage of the season on September 4, when she posted a double-double.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Ruth,” said Shawn Farmer, IPZ’s managing director of basketball. “She will most definitely be an impact player for Killester. The club has an outstanding reputation for housing a family environment and Ruth will fit right in.”

About IPZ: IPZ is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

AARON COSBY: THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE IPZ FAMILY

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Professional Basketball Player Selects IPZ for Representation

WARREN, NJ, August 17, 2017 – Aaron Cosby, a professional basketball player and proven game-changer, has chosen IPZ for representation, the company announced today.

The 6-foot-3 guard is a native of Louisville, KY, and played collegiately at Seton Hall, Illinois, and Western Kentucky. In his freshman year at Seton Hall, Cosby averaged 7.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. The following season with the Pirates, Cosby improved his numbers averaging 12.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per contest, to go along with a 40 percent three-point field goal percentage.

Following his sophomore campaign, Cosby transferred to Illinois and played his first and only season with the Illini in 2014-2015. He averaged 7.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The shooting guard finished out his collegiate career at Western Kentucky and accumulated a stat line of 13.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, while connecting on 37 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc and knocking down free throws at an 86 percent success rate.

Cosby was selected by the Erie Bayhawks in the 2016 NBA D-League Draft. He played a stint for the Bayhawks before signing with the Bristol Academy Flyers (BBL – the top-tier league in the United Kingdom) in December. Prior to Cosby’s arrival, the Flyers held a 1-10 record and were at the bottom of league standings. On December 2, Cosby stepped onto the court for Bristol and led them to a 15-9 record over the next 24 games. The Flyers found themselves in the playoffs for the first time in the club’s history. Cosby posted 17.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 31.2 minutes per game and shot 84 percent from the stripe during his tenure with Bristol.

“I decided to sign with InterperformancesUSA because I wanted to find an agency that I could see myself with for a very long time,” said Cosby. “I know several players that are already clients of InterperformancesUSA and they all speak highly of their experience. This is an agency that has a long list of successful players and I hope to add to that list in the future. My professional career is just beginning and I’m excited to continue with my new representation.”

“Aaron is the perfect example of a player who is smart on and off the court,” said IPZ’s Managing Partner Robert Zito. “He is a true leader; his winning mentality and skillset give him the ability to change the game. We, at IPZ, look forward to working with him and can’t wait to see what his future holds.”

View Aaron Cosby’s highlights from the 2016-2017 season here.

About IPZ: IPZ is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

KATIE FRERKING SIGNS WITH CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

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IPZ Athlete Inks First Professional Deal with Luleå Basket

WARREN, NJ, July 27, 2017 – Katie Frerking has signed a professional contract with Luleå Basket (Damligan – the top league in Sweden) for the 2017-2018 season.

“Katie is a versatile player in both attack and defense. She was Auburn University’s best scorer in the strong SEC conference and was voted the SEC’s best defensive player. She will make good on many positions in Lulea Energy Arena in autumn,” said Luleå Head Coach David Visscher.

In her senior year with the Auburn Tigers, Frerking posted a stat line of 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Frerking, who was named the 2017 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, joins Luleå as it looks to defend its championship title from the 2016-2017 season.

“I’m so excited about signing my contract and making everything official,” said Frerking. “Everyone at IPZ has been so helpful through this process and I really appreciate how hard they worked to place me in a good situation. I can’t wait to meet all of my new coaches and teammates, and experience a new culture and part of the world. To say I’m thankful for the opportunity ahead of me is an understatement. I’m so ready to get over to Luleå and get to work!”

“Luleå is the perfect place for Katie to start her professional career,” said Shawn Farmer, IPZ’s managing director of basketball. “It [Luleå] has a tremendous history of winning; I know Katie’s character and abilities on and off the court will elevate the team to even greater heights. IPZ is excited to watch her work!”

View Luleå’s announcement about Frerking’s signing here.

About IPZ: InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

MARCUS LEWIS SIGNS WITH IPZ

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NCAA Dunk Contest Champion Chooses IPZ for Representation

WARREN, NJ, July 21, 2017 – Marcus Lewis, an NCAA Slam Dunk Contest Champion and current professional basketball player, has chosen to be represented by InterperformancesUSA (IPZ), the company announced today.

Lewis is a 6-foot-4 guard who hails from Streamwood, IL, and finished out his collegiate career with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. As a junior for the Colonels in 2013, Lewis landed on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top-10 coming in at #3 following a dunk that won the hearts of sports fans across the SportsNation. This same dunk was a finalist for Geico Play of the Year.

The following season, Lewis found more success, as he not only led his team to an OVC Championship title and an NCAA Tournament appearance, but after winning the State Farm Dark Horse Dunker Contest on Facebook, Lewis earned a spot in the Denny’s College Slam Dunk Contest in April 2014. Lewis put his leaping abilities on display as he went on to win the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest and took home the champion’s belt.

Two months later, the Harlem Globetrotters selected Lewis as their first overall pick in their eighth annual player draft. Lewis spent some time with the Fort Wayne Ants of the NBA D-League in the fall of 2014.

In 2015, Lewis became a member of the Niagara River Lions in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBL) and averaged 9.9 points per game. Lewis stayed with the River Lions for the 2016-2017 season and posted a stat line of 13.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per contest, while connecting on 39.1 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

“I chose IPZ because of the great reputation they have,” said Lewis. “Not only that, but in life I try to surround myself with high character people, and with IPZ I was able to find both; it seemed like a great fit for me. Coming off of my best year yet as a pro, I’m looking forward to IPZ not only helping me grow, but also growing with me.”

“Marcus is one of those players that you can’t take your eyes off of,” said Managing Director of Basketball Shawn Farmer. “His athleticism and ability to jump out of the gym is quite the spectacle. Marcus is a proven professional and has been wonderful to work with. We look forward to watching him continue to grow and succeed.”

View Marcus Lewis’ highlights from the 2016-2017 season here.

About IPZ: InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com. 

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com

Saints Perform Miracles

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On large screen televisions in living rooms and bars across the United States Wednesday night, sports fans got to learn first-hand about the “Miracle of St. Anthony,” and the Saint who made it all happen – Bob Hurley.

The introduction of Bob (Bob Hurley Wins Best Coach at ESPYS 2017) captured some of the man’s dedication to his players, and his success.  It didn’t capture what he did for the thousands of students who attended St. Anthony High School and didn’t play basketball, which was equally impressive.

We chronicled the plight of the school at the hands of the Newark Archdiocese here (Faith? I Lost Mine Last Week.) a few months ago.  It is widely rumored that the Archdiocese will receive about $15 million for the land St. Anthony’s is built on.  We speculated what might be done with the proceeds.  My bride has a great idea on how a portion should be spent, which I will close with.

Immediately after the Archdiocese decided to shutter the school, Bob Hurley went into a full court press, calling other schools asking them to take his students.  The 140 or so freshmen, sophomores and juniors at St. Anthony will be attending schools like Mater Dei, Roselle Catholic, Ranney, St. Peter’s Prep, Marist, Don Bosco, Immaculate Conception, and Christ the King – all because Bob got on the phone and pitched for his students.  And amazingly, almost all – with a few exceptions – will be charged the same tuition the students paid to attend St. Anthony.

And his coaches are moving on as well…to Perth Amboy, Marist and one out to Sacramento.

What’s next for Bob?  He can’t leave Jersey City.  He’s forming a non-profit organization, cut a deal with the City to rent a gym in downtown Jersey City and start an after school program for kids who need someplace to go to stay off the streets.

“It’s going to be a grass roots thing,” he said.  “I want them to learn how to play, but also have exposure to other sports.  We’ll run some clinics for them, bring in some speakers, provide education about the dangers of drugs…things these kids down here need.”

That’s the real “Miracle of St. Anthony.”  It’s “The Guy” who for almost his entire life – along with his wife Chris – dedicated himself to helping a community…and students…who needed help.

And what was the thanks the Archdiocese gave him?  The day after the last day of school Bob went back to St. Anthony to walk through the halls one more time…and found that the locks had already been changed.

Now to that to that great idea from my bride to the Archdiocese:  take a portion of the $15 million and pay for the high school education of those 140 students who just lost their school…and their Saint.  It’s a small consolation, but for all those students, it will help.

IPZ Board Member Bob Hurley Wins ESPY for Best Coach

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Bob Hurley, former St. Anthony basketball coach, honored at ESPY Awards

He isn’t coaching hoops anymore, but the accolades keep on coming for Bob Hurley.

The former head of the storied boys basketball program at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, which closed earlier this year, won the Best Coach Award at the ESPYs Wednesday night.

Hurley, one of two Basketball Hall of Famers who only coached at the high school level, went 1,162-119 and won 28 state titles to go along with four national championships in his 45 seasons running the show at St. Anthony’s.

“It’s really a great honor to be here tonight,” Hurley said during in his acceptance speech. “Getting this award alongside all these iconic coaches, but even more specifically it’s a great honor to be representing all these great coaches.”

He then thanked his family, including his sons, URI head coach Dan Hurley and Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley, who were in attendance, for making what he has always referred to as “the miracle” of St. Anthony’s possible.

“It’s a great honor to be representing all these coaches in the high school ranks,” Bob Hurley said. “Because every athlete that has come up on this stage tonight, no matter what sport they play, each one of them had a coach in high school, junior college, or maybe even before who played a critical role in their development as an athlete and it’s the whole person part that I have always taken a lot of pride in.”

View the original article by Nicholas Parco at the NY Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/video-bob-hurley-st-anthony-basketball-coach-honored-espys-article-1.3322143

The Ringer: Bob Hurley

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St. Anthony’s Unanswered Prayer

Over 45 years, Bob Hurley turned his Jersey City basketball program into an unlikely national power. Now, after 28 state titles and decades of staving off closure, St. Anthony is shutting its doors, and the Friars family is trying to cope with running out of miracles.

A few minutes before 7 on a warm May night in Jersey City, New Jersey, the first of 200 or so guests arrive for what one event organizer calls “the final celebration of life” for the fabled St. Anthony High School basketball team. They climb up the brownstone steps to White Eagle Hall, the old gym about a mile from the school itself, where head coach Bob Hurley’s Friars, who never had a home gym of their own, practiced for the better part of three decades until 2003. As the attendees pull open the mahogany doors and walk into the main hall, they mostly gasp. They remember White Eagle as a dingy, cramped gym, but a $6 million renovation that began in 2012 and concluded this spring has produced an ornate concert venue. During the renovation, a crew wiping away grime on the ceiling discovered two handcrafted, stained-glass murals, and they ripped up the basketball court and refashioned it as bar counters and balcony flooring. Now, the onstage guitarist, sensitive to the occasion, plays only slow, acoustic jazz and blues.

“Well,” a woman says to her friends as they enter the hall, “they turned the temple of basketball into a whorehouse.”

Hurley, red-faced and beaming, hovers near the entrance and greets seemingly all of the former players, parents, boosters, and fans attending the program’s last supper with a deep-throated, “Look what the cat dragged in,” or, “Good to see you,” and a clap on the back or a hug. “We have so many memories in this place,” the Hall of Famer Hurley exclaims when a longtime St. Anthony booster hands him a wooden-framed, black-and-white photo of a former Friars team.

Read the full story here: https://theringer.com/2017-basketball-st-anthony-high-school-closing-bob-hurley-legacy-3bdea1a5f0

MIAH SPENCER SIGNS WITH TOP TEAM IN POLAND

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IPZ Athlete Will Play for AZS AJP Gorzów

WARREN, NJ, June 19, 2017 – Miah Spencer has signed a professional contract with AZS AJP Gorzów (Basket Liga Kobiet – the highest-tier league in Poland) for the 2017-2018 season.

“Playing professional basketball is something I’ve always dreamed of,” said Spencer. “I’m just thankful for those who have helped me get to this point in my career. This is a great opportunity and a new start to my career. I’m excited.”

Spencer – a First Team All-ACC selection – averaged 12.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game for the North Carolina State Wolfpack this past season.

“It’s always amazing seeing an athlete’s hard work pay off and Miah is no exception,” said IPZ’s Managing Director of Basketball Shawn Farmer. “She is such a talented player and we are excited to see her compete for a top-tier program like Gorzów.”

View Eurobasket’s announcement of Spencer’s signing here.

About IPZ: InterperformancesUSA (IPZ) is a family-focused management, representation, and consulting firm, built on the integrity of its professionals, and developing whole life solutions for its clients. The firm is an alliance with Zito Partners. For more information, visit www.ipzusa.com.

About Zito Partners: Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a “ready, aim, fire” approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan. And through its strategic alliance with Ketchum, Ketchum Zito Financial, Zito Partners is assisting additional clients with their financial communications needs. For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com.

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Media Contact:

Kyrsten Van Natta
(862) 205-9841
kyrsten@ipzusa.com