Day: August 20, 2024

Christina Curmi re-signs with Starlites

Former Malta international center Christina Curmi has extended her Starlites contract for yet another season, the Naxxar-based club announced on Tuesday.

“We are pleased to announce that Christina Curmi will be a part of the Starlites Women’s squad next season after re-signing with the club,” a Starlites statement read. 

“Curmi brings years of national team experience as well as local playing experience to this year’s roster which will definitely prove important to our young team.”

Last season, Curmi’s role was reduced with the addition of US center Paige Cannon who became the starting player in her position. With Cannon not re-signed by the club for a second season, Curmi will now return to better minutes on court.

“I‘m thrilled to kick off another season with Starlites, especially with this talented young team and our new coach,” Curmi told the Starlites socials. 

“It’s looking to be a challenging year, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to give our younger players the experience they need.”

This challenge comes as the team announced its new coach Peter Shoults earlier this month with the new team mentor faced with a rebuild after the departure of trio Steffi De Martino, Maria Bonett, and Andie Saliba. 

Since then, Starlites have signed US guard/forward Makaila Napoleon to support a young core of players, with the likelihood being that the club will focus its efforts on giving minutes to its up-and-coming youth players.

Luxol sign US forward Caleb Jones-McCrary

Just a day after announcing their first import signing of the summer, Luxol have confirmed their second American player, naming Caleb Jones-McCrary to their roster.

“Luxol Basketball Club is excited to welcome Caleb Jones-McCrary as their second U.S. male import signing,” the club said in a statement. 

“Caleb’s athleticism and impact on both ends of the court will make him a valuable asset to Duncan Fenech’s squad. We look forward to seeing him bring his talents to Malta!”

The 6’8 forward joins after finishing his college ball career in the NAIA with the MidAmerica Nazarene University.

Last season, he started all 31 games he played with the MNU Pioneers averaging 31.3 minutes a game. An integral player for the team throughout the 2023-24 campaign, Jones-McCreary shot 65% from the field to average 13.9 points a game. With an average of 8.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and just under a steal per game, the Kansas City native also gives himself an impressive defensive resume ahead of his move to Malta.

He now joins the Violets, who appear to be turning things around after last season’s project focused on the youth element of the squad. Back then, the team had brought on the Under-18 trio of Adam Azzopardi, Sebastian Pace, and Isaac Azzopardi, as well as Malta international Nathan Xuereb. However, it was the latter two players who had the most impact from the four signings with the former two struggling to match opponents’ strengths on court but putting on much better showings in the Under-23 league.

Now with their youth core shaping up, it seems as though it was time for the Pembroke-based side to push for better imports after last season’s troubles with American forward/center Tariq Woody and guard/forward Gael Hulsen who despite putting up good numbers for the team, did not appear to gel well enough with the rest of the squad. In turn, both players have not returned to the club for the coming season, with Jones McCreary and Darron Howard taking their place.

While it remains unclear whether Serbian forward Nikola Jovanovic will re-sign with the club after his first season, Malta Basketball has also learnt that Luxol have already secured two Serbian local foreigners from other Division One rivals, with an announcement seemingly in the plans soon.