Day: July 31, 2024

Kurt Cassar extends Rieti contract

Malta international centre Kurt Cassar has extended his stay with NPC Rieti, the club has announced. This means Cassar will remain in the Italian Serie B for yet another season, sticking with the Lazio-based club for a second season after having joined last July.

In a short club statement, NPC Rieti showed their enthusiasm towards Cassar’s extension.

“Kurt Cassar and NPC Riet, together again,” the statement read, “Kurt Cassar will wear the amarantoceleste shirt again for the season 2024-2025!”

Speaking to the club’s social media the Malta centre rallied for an improved season after a rough previous season.

“I am glad to be able to continue this project with the NPC Rieti,” he said.

“There is a great desire to improve on last season, both for the fans and for us players, it was absolutely not easy. Staying united and acting as a team throughout the year will be very important.”

Last season, Rieti finished in the 16th spot of the Serie B Nazionale Girone A. Cassar closed the regular season shooting 25% from three-point range, 53% from two-point range and 77% at the line. He averaged 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and one assist per game.

Following the end of the club season, Cassar was again with the Malta National Team to play under coach Duncan Fenech at the FIBA European Small Countries Championships in Andorra.

In a silver-medal finish for Malta, Cassar averaged 11 points on 47FG%, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game as a starter in all of Malta’s fixtures.

Cassar was NPC Rieti’s second confirmed extension of the summer after the club announced the stay of Mattia Melchiorri earlier on in the day.

Hibernians women sign former Starlites trio 

In a summer transfer coup, Hibernians secured another set of signings, this time for the women’s team, on Tuesday when they announced Steffi De Martino, Maria Bonett, and Andie Saliba to their roster.

In a short statement on the club’s socials, Hibs expressed their enthusiasm for the three players’ move.

“We are excited to officially welcome Steffi De Martino, Maria Bonett & Andie Saliba to Hibernians!” The statement read.

“These dynamic players are bringing their exceptional skills, passion, and dedication to our team, and we can’t wait to see them team up with our players and shine on the court.”

This upgrade to new coach Winnie Buhagiar’s squad means they now have one of the MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League’s top scorers in De Martino, a defensive powerhouse in Bonett and a speedy, young guard in Saliba to add to their nucleus.

While it is still to be understood how Hibs will utilise these three players it will surely be a boost on the court for the Paolites who suffered these past few seasons, with a chance of a playoff run looking more likely this coming season. 

While Saliba remains available for the team’s Under-23 side, De Martino and Bonett will be banking on their experience both in the league as well as Malta National team players. The pair were part of Charles Bonnici’s squad that finished with a silver medal at the FIBA European Small Countries Championships in June.

In Kosovo, De Martino started all of Malta’s games, averaging 16.2 points per game as one of the team’s best players with a tournament-high of 30 points against Georgia in the group stages. She added a 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists average.

Bonett was one of the lesser-used players on the Malta side but was an essential element for the team particularly on defence inside the paint.

This move comes after a somewhat disappointing season for Starlites as the then-title holders were unable to retain their crown despite leading the regular season for most of the campaign. Finishing second below Depiro, the team led by coach Fatih Dedelioglu fell to eventual champions Caffe Moak Luxol in the playoff semifinals to end the season with one trophy – the Super Cup.

With the Naxxar side losing such a trio, questions might arise as to whether this spells a new era for Starlites, or if will it be trouble for the team ahead of next season. Malta Basketball hears it could also be the end of Dedelioglu’s run as coach of the women’s team with former Malta men’s international Peter Shoults said to be a frontrunner for the job.