LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--March 29, 2006--For sixteen-year old Marisa Gobuty the return to the Los Angeles area this weekend will hardly be a chance for the former Encino youth to renew old friendships and an opportunity see her childhood friends again.
Starting this Saturday at Home Depot Center, and then throughout the summer months, Gobuty, a 5' 7" high school junior point guard, who now lives in Israel and plays for Israel's national 16 and under Basketball Team it's all about basketball. Gobuty and other high school age standouts will be playing for the Southern California based Finest Basketball Club (FBC), as she and her new teammates begin to compete in a series of top-flight high school age girls basketball tournaments across the USA.
Six years ago, then age nine, the now high school junior and her family moved to Israel for a short two-year stint. They have lived there ever since. But like in Encino, Gobuty's love and passion for basketball led her back on to the courts around Tel Aviv, eventually landing a spot on the Israel National team at age 15. She is now on Israel's Segel Zahav, which means Gold Team, and one of only 12 team members from the entire country on the team that is comprised of the top players in the 16-24 age bracket.
Last summer Marisa was the starting point guard and started for Israel's 16 and under team in the European Championships in Tallin, Estonia, shutting down the FIBA top scorer head to head and leading the team in free throw shooting.
"Living in Israel has been a great learning experience culturally and emotionally," said Marisa Gobuty. "By playing basketball there I've also gotten to compete against some of the best in the world playing in European FIBA Championships, as well as having the opportunity to learn about different cultures. But some of my most rewarding moments have been talking to other high school age teenagers about what it's like to grow up in a country that is constantly on alert in a war time like state and being able to share my
experiences."
Described by industry watchers as one of the most exciting high school players in the world to watch, Gobuty has returned to L.A. and chosen to play with and against the best players in the USA.
Gobuty was chosen to play for FBC and will participate for the all-star type team in the California Classic, April 1st and 2nd at Cal State Dominguez Hills before heading off to North Carolina for the Deep South Classic, during the weekend of April 14-16, before continuing with a summer full of similar competitions across the USA.
"It's in all of those highly competitive tournaments where players like Marisa will be seen and evaluated by dozens of Division I college scouts, coaches and recruiters. Being chosen by Ray Mayes shows once again how he can find the best talent anywhere." said Abunassar, Director of IMG's Basketball Academy in Bradenton, FL. "Many of the current college women's basketball standouts came off the roster of FBC. By playing with FBC in these highly competitive tournaments Marisa will be able to showcase her natural ball handling and floor general skills by going head to head with the best high school age girl basketball players around."
The FBC-Blue schedule for the California Classic starts on Saturday, April 1, 2006 at 2:30pm at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Following the opening game's outcome, the tournament breaks into brackets with games continuing throughout the weekend.
