Day: August 9, 2024

Cameron Cornelius extends Depiro stay for third season

American guard Cameron Cornelius has re-signed with Depiro for a third-straight season, with the club confirming an earlier Malta Basketball report. 

Cornelius, who was a vital part of Depiro’s run to the playoffs and the Knockout final last season will be looking to go one step further under new coach Sasha Dimitrijevic.

“Depiro SC is proud to welcome back Cameron Cornelius to the club,” a club statement read.

“Cornelius has enjoyed his past two seasons with the club, in which the men’s senior team had qualified for playoffs, however, he hopes to finally bring silverware and success back to Depiro, an aim his teammates and club have been putting the work in to achieve. Welcome Back, Corn.”

In fact, Cornelius averaged 17.2 points per game across all competitions, going 73% from the line, having started all but one game he played as Depiro made it to the postseason as the league’s fourth seed. They were eventually eliminated by Mellieha Libertas in the semifinals. 

A strong playmaker for his side, Cornelius averaged 4.3 assists with only 2.5 turnovers a game. 

On defence, the US import guard averaged 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game, finishing as the team’s leader in steals.

Cornelius was also named BOV Player of the Month in March after finishing the month with a 25-point-per-game average.

The American guard originally joined Depiro in 2022 after a stint with Focsani in the 2019-20 season before the COVID-19 pandemic, together with fellow American import Kameron Rooks. The pair extended their contracts for a second season last summer with Rooks departing the club at the end of this past season. 

Depiro Women sign Jensen Caretti

MAPFRE MSV Life Women’s League runners-up and Knockout winners Depiro announced their first signing of the summer when they confirmed American forward Jensen Caretti.

In a club statement on Thursday, the club welcomed the former Ohio State player.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jensen Caretti to our Senior Women’s Team!” The statement read. 

“A graduate of Ohio State University in the USA, Jensen had an outstanding season last year, winning both MVP and Player of the Year in Division One Basketball Ireland. She also played for iSecure Swords Thunder and finished second in scoring across all competitions. Welcome to Depiro, Jensen!”

The 6’2 Ohio native was last plying her trade in Ireland with Swords Basketball where she won the Division One Player of the Year award. She completed the season with a 22.4 points-per-game average and 9.9 rebounds per contest. Her Swords club celebrated the league title in April as Caretti was named Most Valuable Player.

Now she joins a Depiro side led by new coach Julian Naudi who will be looking to maintain last season’s solid showing which led to them finishing as the top seed at the end of the regular season. More importantly, the club will also be defending its title as Knockout champions after they beat Caffe Moak Luxol in the final in March.