Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBinghamton's international players break cultural barriers
By Mark Medina
Posted: 12/2/04, 2:29 AM EST Section: Sports
Thomsen said he knows many European coaches. Close relationships with these coaches and the selling point of attending an American school provides an in with international recruits.
"The access to the kids is fairly easy," Thomsen said. "It's a matter of trust. Every coach wants to be recognized with what they're doing for kids. European kids know we'll take care of kids."
As sophomores this year, Deemand and Lindgren already have a year under their belts and have adjusted successfully. In their second college game, a match-up with St. John's last year, Deemand and Lindgren netted 26 points and eight points, respectively, in Binghamton's 84-81 victory.
Against the Red Storm, Deemand also hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Against Boston University, the former member of the Danish national team hit double-digits, contributing 14 points in a 74-65 triumph.
On the Swedish national team, Lindgren guided the squad to the qualifying round of the European championship. With her superb ball-handling skills, Lindgren's trying to lead the Bearcats at the starting point guard position.
"It's a gradual process (adapting), and I think having Rebecka and Therese helps quite a bit," Conover said. "They pick (the other girl's) brain a little bit about their experiences."
Lindgren and Deemand declined comment on this story through Binghamton sports information assistant David O'Brian. O'Brian shielded the freshman players - Sario, Jahilo, and Kurpniece - from interviews, also.
Sario picked up the scoring slack by averaging 19 points a game on Tapiolan Honka, a Finnish league team based in Espoo, Finland. Listed at 6-foot-1, she brings an unusual size to the guard position, allowing her to score around the perimeter and in the paint.
Jahilo, a participant in a Finnish league in Helsinki, and Kurpniece both are key rebounding contributors. Thomsen credits Sario and Jahilo as Big East-caliber players. Thomsen thinks Kurpniece has needed the most time adapting from her Latvian roots.
"The access to the kids is fairly easy," Thomsen said. "It's a matter of trust. Every coach wants to be recognized with what they're doing for kids. European kids know we'll take care of kids."
As sophomores this year, Deemand and Lindgren already have a year under their belts and have adjusted successfully. In their second college game, a match-up with St. John's last year, Deemand and Lindgren netted 26 points and eight points, respectively, in Binghamton's 84-81 victory.
Against the Red Storm, Deemand also hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Against Boston University, the former member of the Danish national team hit double-digits, contributing 14 points in a 74-65 triumph.
On the Swedish national team, Lindgren guided the squad to the qualifying round of the European championship. With her superb ball-handling skills, Lindgren's trying to lead the Bearcats at the starting point guard position.
"It's a gradual process (adapting), and I think having Rebecka and Therese helps quite a bit," Conover said. "They pick (the other girl's) brain a little bit about their experiences."
Lindgren and Deemand declined comment on this story through Binghamton sports information assistant David O'Brian. O'Brian shielded the freshman players - Sario, Jahilo, and Kurpniece - from interviews, also.
Sario picked up the scoring slack by averaging 19 points a game on Tapiolan Honka, a Finnish league team based in Espoo, Finland. Listed at 6-foot-1, she brings an unusual size to the guard position, allowing her to score around the perimeter and in the paint.
Jahilo, a participant in a Finnish league in Helsinki, and Kurpniece both are key rebounding contributors. Thomsen credits Sario and Jahilo as Big East-caliber players. Thomsen thinks Kurpniece has needed the most time adapting from her Latvian roots.
