BEL - Division I men first two weeks review

BRUSSELS (Division I) - Belgian Division I competition started two weeks ago.

The level of the Division I championship is higher and higher each season and the arrival of very talented American players like Shawnta Rogers and Yemi Nicholson in Dexia Mons-Hainaut, Reggie Bassette in Bree, Corey Brewer in Charleroi or Justin Gray in RBC Verviers Pepinster remains very positive.

Many Belgian observers were rather curious to see how newcomer Okapi Aalstar of Canadian coach Tom Johnson would make it in Division I.

While most other Division I teams hired US players, the Flemish historical team made the choice to keep five or six Belgian players (most of them were already in Aalst last season) who could still play key roles.

It seems that Okapi staff's choice was quite positive as the team has recorded three wins and one loss so far.

Okapi Aalstar shares first place with Eurocup participant Spirou Basket Charleroi of head coach Eddy Casteels and Sanex Antwerp of Israeli coach Arik Shivek.

One of the Okapi Belgian players, center Piet De Bel, got injured (broken hand) and will miss at least three games.

BC Liège reached a rather disappointing record of one win and three losses after four days of domestic competition.

The only undefeated team so far is Dexia Mons-Hainaut (involved in the 2006-07 ULEB Cup) of Croatian coach Niksa Bavcevic with a 3-0 record.

Although Telindus Oostende (also taking part to the ULEB Cup this season) of former New York Knicks forward Lavor Postell keeps on being a tough opponent, the 2006 Belgian champion has been quite disappointing with a record of 1 win and 3 defeats so far (a last 60-71 loss at home against rival Spirou Charleroi on October 11th, 2006).

By Bert Larsimont