LTU – Kleiza nets Alphonso Ford Trophy

BARCELONA (2010 FIBA World Championship/Euroleague) – Perhaps no player will be as hungry for success this summer at the FIBA World Championship as Linas Kleiza.

The small forward had a disappointing EuroBasket last year with Lithuania as the Baltic giants crashed out of the tournament without making the quarter-finals and he’s been taking out his anger on opponents in the Euroleague ever since.

On Tuesday, the former Denver Nuggets swingman was named the recipient of the Alphonso Ford Top Scorer Trophy.

Kleiza has averaged 17.25 points in his 20 games so far this season in leading Olympiacos to the Euroleague Final Four in Paris.

"Olympiacos has charismatic guards who make my job easier and simpler,” the humble Kleiza said.

“It's a big honor for me, but this trophy doesn't belong only to me.

“It's the result of teamwork and also belongs to all my teammates.

“This trophy is even more significant because it brings the name of a former Olympiacos player, Alphonso Ford.

“He was a big part of European basketball and I want to dedicate this trophy to his memory."

Olympiacos will take on Partizan Belgrade at the Euroleague Final Four on May 7.

With Lithuania in August and September at the FIBA World Championship, Kleiza will go up against Spain, France, Lebanon, Canada and New Zealand.

FIBA