VIDEO PREVIEW INTERVIEW B. OLESON INTERVIEW T. PLEISS

ROSTER

5 NOCIONI, ANDRES F 2.00 6 CAUSEUR, FABIEN G 1.94 10 ROCHESTIE, TAYLOR G 1.85 11 BJELICA, MILKO F 2.07 16 CABEZAS, CARLOS G 1.86 19 SAN EMETERIO, F. G 1.98 21 PLEISS, TIBOR C 2.13 22 HEURTEL, THOMAS G 1.89 24 OLESON, BRAD G 1.94 30 LAMPE, MACIEJ C 2.10 42 CALBARRO, UNAI F 2.05 44 BJELICA, NEMANJA F 2.09 Head Coach: IVANOVIC, DUSKO

2011-12 Results Euroleague: Regular Season 5-5 Spanish League: Semifinalist Spanish Cup: Semifinalist HISTORIC RESULTS 2011-12: 5-5, Regular Season 2010-11: 10-10, Playoffs 2009-10: 11-9, Playoffs 2008-09: 14-7, Playoffs 2007-08: 16-9, Final Four 2006-07: 20-4, Final Four 2005-06: 18-7, Final Four 2004-05: 13-11, Final Four 2003-04: 13-7, Top 16 2002-03: 11-9, Top 16 2001-02: 13-7, Top 16 2000-01: 15-7, Playoffs Final

WHAT'S NEW
A new-look backcourt and a shot-blocker in the paint highlight the big moves made over the summer at Caja Laboral Vitoria. Veteran Carlos Cabezas, speedy playmaker Taylor Rochestie and combo-guard Fabien Causeur arrived to restock the guard rotation, while Tibor Pleiss brings much-needed size to Coach Dusko Ivanovic’s young team, which will try to go back to its winning ways after missing the Top 16 for the first time ever last season.


THE BACKCOURT
Cabezas and Rochestie were brought to orchestrate the team’s offense; Rochestie is the only man on the roster with no previous Euroleague experience, but playing alongside the savvy Cabezas should more than make up for that. Former All-Euroleague swingman Fernando San Emeterio makes everyone around him better. San Emeterio has established himself as the leader of this team and his ability to penetrate or hit outside shots creates opportunities for others. With last season’s Eurocup regular scoring champ Causeur and three-point marksman Brad Oleson taking aim too, Caja Laboral’s backcourt will create headaches for opposing defenders all season.

THE FRONTCOURT
Caja Laboral gets a great boost with the experience two-time All-Euroleague forward Andres Nocioni brings to the youthful frontcourt, and with Maciej Lampe back after he missed the entire 2011-12 Euroleague season because of hip surgery. Pleiss gives this unit more size and all three players should help the team improve in the rebounding department; Caja Laboral was the second-worst defensive rebounding team in the Euroleague last season. Milko Bjelica and Nemanja Bjelica boast great versatility, which Ivanovic will surely maximize. Unai Calbarro will also look to make a mark in a reserve role.

OUTLOOK
With a roster filled with versatile players and with added depth in the paint, Coach Ivanovic and Co. will be looking to make a long Euroleague run once again. The team’s balance, combined experience and hunger after last season’s disappointment make Laboral a natural candidate to return again to the Top 16 and maybe even to go much farther.