MVP Chehales Tapscott Heading to the Land Down Under
Published on March 21, 2014 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Vancouver Volcanoes News Release
Vancouver, WA - The 2011 Championship Volcanoes plan to make a run for the title in their tenth season in the International Basketball League (IBL), but they will have to do it without the league's reigning MVP.
2013 IBL MVP 6'6" F Chehales Tapscott, is on his way to join his Volcanoes teammate 6'4" F Paul Hafford in Australia who is currently competing with the Mandurah Magic in the Australia State League, SBL. Tapscotts new team, the Rockhampton Rockets, are first place in the QBL within the State League, one league above Haffords, but he hopes to meet up with his Volcanoes teammate off the court.
"I am excited for the opportunity to go to the land down under and will be taking full advantage after the long plane ride, it's worth it. I would rather be in the IBL with my teammates, but this is a different experience for me in a new country," the two -time All Star shared. "I have not accomplished all that I want to in the IBL, I have to come back and win a championship, until I have done that I am not done, but this year I will take off and look to win games and a championship in the QBL. I will be watching my Volcano teammates from afar, those are my guys and I hope they win the title this year even without me."
"My approach is all business, to play my role being a productive, efficient teammate contributing a double-double nightly. It feels good to have the number one team in the league wanting you to be a part of their organization. I have watched some game film to prepare and know a bit about one of the other imports Ray Turner from Texas A&M. This will be a different experience than the D-League, there are a lot of good players overseas that cannot get on a D-League team, from smaller schools, and didn't get the opportunity, I have had both which I am thankful for," the Maine Red Claws 2013 NBA Development League draft pick noted.
"Australia is a must see, but a little different than Europe where I was close to other countries, Germany, France, Belgium, Holland, now I am in one big country a flight away to travel, but they all speak English!"
"We're really going to miss Chey. Not just his 25 pts and 15 rebounds every night, but his demeanor and leadership. The kid plays 100% every play, whether it be at practice or the playoffs, and that really rubs off on the rest of our guys. He's going to be an immediate impact player, and one of the best players in that league. It's a compliment to the IBL and the Volcanoes. We're here for our players to gain exposure and get jobs either playing in the States or overseas. The exposure and experience he gained with the IBL will really help him going forward. I'm happy for Chey, he's going to play in a great league, and get to see Australia at the same time. His game will really translate well there. I look forward to having him on my Hiroshima team in the Basketball Japan (BJ) Challenge League this fall," Coach Navarro shared.
The Volcanoes Tryout Camp will be held at the O'Connell Sports Complex on the campus of Clark College, home of the Volcanoes in Vancouver, WA where Coach Navarro and his staff will be on the look out for talent to continue to put the pieces together for their run this season. Doors open at 11:00 am for athletes to warm up before the Volcano hopefuls hit the court at noon. Cost is $40. To register, go to http://www.ibl.com/vancouver_volcanoes/tryouts.php
International Basketball League Stories from March 21, 2014
- MVP Chehales Tapscott Heading to the Land Down Under - Vancouver Volcanoes
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