European
girls and boys
basketball leagues

www.eybl.lv

EUROPE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL LEAGUE -
the place where stars are born...

Aija Putnina - player of the Latvian National Basketball Team
Olympic Games Beijing 2008

Born: 15.01.1988
Place of birth: Riga (Latvia)
Nationality: LV
Height: 1.92m
Position: Power Forward

Career: Basketball club Kolibri (Eastern Europe Girls' Basketball League, 2002-04), TTT kadetes (Latvija-LSBL, 2003-04), Regis Jesuit Hight School (USA, 2004-2006), University of Colorado (USA-NCAA, 2006-08)

Aija Putnina is a talented forward and one of the great projects of Latvian basketball. Aija has good shooting skills and great fundamentals near the basket, plus a very deep knowledge of the game. Putnina grew up in the Riga TTP sports school, but four years ago she decided to go to America. She spent two seasons at a Denver high school and two more at the University of Colorado. She kept playing with the Latvian youth National Team to keep improving during the summers. Last year at the U20 European Championship, she pulled down an average of 11 boards per game – second best in the competition - and owned the eighth best scoring average at 16.6 points per game. She wasn’t able to play at the EuroBasket Women 2007 because of her studies but now, Aija is ready for her first appearance in a senior National Team jersey.

Elina Babkina - player of the Latvian National Basketball Team
Olympic Games Beijing 2008

Born: 24.04.1989
Place of birth: Riga (Latvia)
Nationality: LV
Height: 1.72m
Position: Point Guard

Career: Basketball school Ridzene (Eastern Europe Girls' Basketball League, 2002-04), TTT Riga (Latvia-LSBL, 2004-08).

Babkina is a very quick point guard with good shooting and passing skills. Right now, however, she tends to get carried away by her emotions and at times looks as if she is not tactically smart. Elina made her first appearance with the National Team during the 2007 summer, when she was 18 but a broken finger prevented her from playing at the EuroBasket Women. Unfortunately, this was not the first missed chance for one of brightest prospects in Latvian basketball. Some years ago, a serious knee injury put the brakes on her progress for more than half a season. Last year, her improvement was slowed down as Babkina’s performances at TTT Riga EuroLeague games were a bit disappointing (3.5 points and 0.8 assists). At the end of the 2007-08 club season, Elina did not play because of some health problems but she’ll try to recover in time for these crucial National Team games.

Anastasiya Verameyenka - player of the Belorussian National Basketball Team
Olympic Games Beijing 2008

Born: 10.07.1987

Place of birth: Kochtla-Yarve (EST)

Nationality: BLR

Height: 1.92m

Position: Center

Career: RUOR-Minsk (Eastern Europe Girls' Basketball League, 2000-02), RUOR-Belarussian Junior NT (Belarus-Div. 1, 2002-05), Nadezhda Orenburg (Russia-Superleague, 2005-07)

A top Belarusian prospect and probably one of the most talented young players in Europe, Verameyenka is a soft-spoken person whose success on the junior level made her a popular figure in her homeland, even comparable to her brother Vladimir Veremeenko, the Washington Wizards draftee and Khimki Moscow Region star. She is a dream post player who can score, rebound, block, defend and most importantly pass. Veremeyenka was named MVP of just about all the junior tournaments she took part in, including the 2003 European Championships where Belarus won a silver medal. Belarus could have had a better chance of winning gold had Verameyenka not suffered an ankle injury in the semifinal. In 2005, there were rumours that she would sign with Lietuvos Telekomas, but instead the 1.92 meter center/forward signed a multi-year deal with Nadezhda Orenburg, where she is coming off of a second consecutive impressive seasons. In 2006-2007 she averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in Superleague games while shooting an impressive 61% from the field and 84% from the charity stripe. It is rumoured that CSKA Samara are interested in the Belarusian star.

Viktoryia Hasper - player of the Belorussian National Basketball Team
Olympic Games Beijing 2008

Born: 09.01.1988

Place of birth: Minsk (BLR)

Nationality: BLR

Height: 1.93m

Position: Center

Career: RUOR-Minsk (Eatern Europe Girls' Basketball League, 2002-04), RCOR-Gorizont Minsk (Belarus-Div. 1, 2002-05), RUOR-Belarussian Junior NT (Baltic League, 2003-05), Vologda-Chevakata (Russia-Superleague, 2005-07)

Hasper is the long time friend and practice opponent of Verameyenka as both were frequently members of the Belarus’ youth teams. The 19-year-old does not have the talent of Verameyenka but has the skills and fearless character important for a big player. Her progress has been slowed down by health and excessive weight problems. Hasper is a good rebounding center but needs to be more careful and smart in attack. The Minsk native spends most her time between Vologda-Chevakata first and second teams. She is the fourth center in National Team rotation.