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RICKY CARIOTI (THE WASHINGTON POST)
Sports
Argentinian swingman Patricio Garino, right, and George Washington defeated VCU 76-66 at home last month.
An International Mix College Basketball
When Bowie, Md., native Mike Lonergan became the coach at George Washington in 2011, one of his first priorities was to heavily recruit in Maryland, Virginia and the District. The Colonials (19-4, 7-2 Atlantic 10) have six players on the roster who played high school basketball in the region. But international players have also keyed the Colonials’ resurgence as they head into tonight’s game at VCU (19-5, 7-2). Senior Nemanja Mikic (Serbia), a member of the team when Lonergan arrived, had 11 points in just his third start of the season in a win against Duquesne last week. Backup point guard Miguel Cartagena (Puerto Rico) and Paris Maragkos (Greece) are reserves while Patricio Garino (Argenti-
7 P.M. Today | NBCSN
na) and Kevin Larsen (Denmark, Montrose Christian) are sophomore starters for the Colonials. “I think we have great chemistry, off the court and on the court,” Garino said. “We are not selfish at all. We really trust each other, from the last guy on the team to the first one.” That trust shows up on the court, as GW had 20 assists on 32 baskets in a 93-67 win Saturday against Fordham. The Colonials, who made 16 shots in a row at one point, had at least three players score in double figures in the first nine conference games. Third-year coach Lonergan notes the foreign players went to high school or prep school in the United States before heading to Foggy Bottom. “It is not like we are going to find them,” he said. “They are here
[in the U.S.] already.” Former GW coach Mike Jarvis had success in the 1990s, thanks in part to international players as well. “I think it is pretty cool,” Lonergan said of the foreign connection. “Those kids value an education. They have high basketball IQs, and like Americans they want to go to the NBA.” Perhaps it is fitting that behind the scorer’s table at the Smith Center the school’s marketing department puts up the flags of Argentina, Serbia, Denmark, Greece and Puerto Rico for each game. GW’s chemistry will be tested in a stretch of four games, starting today, that includes three opponents that have been nationally ranked at some point this season: at VCU (tonight), vs. UMass (Saturday) and at No. 12 Saint Louis (Feb. 22). “There is no pressure at all,” guard Maurice Creek said. “We know we have two tough matchups coming up. We will go out there and play our game and be loose and do what we have to do.” DAVID DRIVER (FOR EXPRESS)
Honoring Aaron: The Atlanta Braves are planning to honor the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron’s record 715th home run in a pregame ceremony before their home opener against the Mets on April 8. The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aaron’s autograph and a “40th Anniversary” banner. (AP)
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Foreign players have helped the Colonials race to a 19-4 record
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