Road to London Updates on McCalebb & Romero
SIENA, Italy – Former University of New Orleans basketball standout Bo McCalebb completed his professional commitments for the 2011-12 season by directing Montepaschi Siena to an Italian League championship on Sunday.
McCalebb scored 16 points in 27 minutes as Montepaschi defeated Armani Milano 84-73 to take the best-of-seven series 4-1.The Italian League championship is the second in two years for the guard, who was named the 'Most Valuable Player' of the series.
In addition to the team and individual postseason accolades, McCalebb was named the regular season MVP of the Italian League following a season in which he directed the squad to the top of the league standings.
The guard will now turn his attention to earning an Olympic berth for Macedonia.
A year ago, McCalebb went from the Italian League championship series to the 2011 FIBA European Championships. The lone non-NBA player on the all-tournament team, the New Orleans native led Macedonia to a berth in next month's London Games qualifying tournament, which will be held in Venezuela.
Joining McCalebb in the event will be former Privateer Hector Romero, who is a member of the Venezuelan national team. Like McCalebb, Romero had a successful year at the professional level.
A native of Venezuela that played two seasons with UNO, Romero was named to the all-Venezuelan Professional League first-team, in addition to 'Domestic Player of the Year' and all-defensive team honors for Tortamundos de Carabobob.
Romero and his teammates, which include New Orleans Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez won the 'Super 4 Cup' tournament on Saturday in preparations for the FIBA South American championships and the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Other former UNO student-athletes to earn accolades over the last few weeks include Johnell Smith and Kyndall Dykes. Smith was named the league MVP of the Swedish Basketligan with the Soderalje Kings while Dykes earned placement all the Romanian League second-team with U Mobitelco Cluj.
Updates on Privateers playing in the professional ranks can be found on UNOPrivateers.com.
