MIT Spring Career Fair on Thursday

MIT is hosting its annual Spring Career Fair for those students who are still seeking summer internship and employment opportunities. Dozens of companies will be on hand to meet with the MIT student body. MIT's main career fair is during the fall, when over 350 companies and organizations flock to the MIT campus to offer jobs.

Read more about the MIT Career Fair here: http://career-fair.mit.edu/index.php

MIT Assistant Coach Bill Johnson Travels to Malaysia with Australian Team

2nd-year Assistant Coach Bill Johnson '10 is currently participating in the Sultan Azlan Shah International Basketball Tournament in Malaysia with a semi-professional team from Australia, the Gold Coast Authentic All-Stars. The 6'8" swingman is starting for the club, and scored 12 points in 16 minutes in their opening round win over the Singapore National "B" Team.

Johnson, a 1,000-point scorer and member of the memorable '08-'09 MIT squad, recently had professional stints in Costa Rica and Iceland. He is pursuing a similar endeavor in Australia during MIT's offseason. 

You can follow Johnson and his adventures on his blog: www.BOBNation.com

Bill Johnson '10 and Jimmy Bartolotta '09 suited up with each other recently in Iceland's professional league

MIT Assistant Bill Johnson Featured on MIT Alumni Website

Former MIT standout and current assistant coach Willard "Bill" Johnson sat down with the MIT Alumni Association to talk about his pro hoops career and his return to the Engineers' staff:

http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2012/01/20/diy-iap-mit-basketball-doubleheader-saturday-january-21/

Bartolotta Continues Dominance Overseas

Jimmy Bartolotta, MIT Basketball's most decorated player and first professional player, finished the first half of his new season in Iceland in fine fashion today. Bartolotta, considered one of the premiere players in the Iceland Express League, is currently averaging 23 points per game while shooting 56% from three-point land and 94% from the free-throw line (Iceland Express League Stats). The former Division III National Player of the Year was highly sought after to return to Iceland after his memorable season last year.

Bartolotta (middle) and Johnson (right) led MIT to its first conference championship in program history

Bartolotta was joined earlier in the season by current MIT assistant coach and former player Willard "Bill" Johnson, who played professionally in Costa Rica for one season before playing with his former MIT teammate in Iceland (read more here: The Mukilteo Beacon). The two suited up and lived together before Johnson's season in Iceland was cut short by an injury, when he returned to the MIT bench for his second season.



Johnson, Bartolotta, and Abby Waner in Iceland. Waner is a former WNBA player and Duke star, and was voted High School National Player of the Year.

Johnson chronicled his experiences in Costa Rica as well as Iceland with Bartolotta on his blog "Ballin' on a Budget" (http://www.bobnation.com/). Bartolotta returns to action after the holiday break.

Bill Johnson signs with Professional Club in Costa Rica

From the official MIT Basketball Website

Former MIT men's basketball player and current assistant coach, Bill Johnson, recently signed a contract to play with ARBA-San Ramon, of the Costa Rican professional league, Liga Superior de Baloncesto. Johnson was also member of the Class of 2005 at Kamiak High School in Mukilteo, Wash., where he was a standout on the school's basketball team.

Johnson '10 joined the coaching staff at MIT following one of the most successful careers in Institute history. The two-time captain, who was part of three 20-win seasons, finished his career as the all-time wins leader in MIT history, the 23rd player to reach the 1,000-point milestone, and finished in the top 10 all-time in three-point percentage, free throw percentage, and blocked shots. Johnson was two-time conference Player of the Week, a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference selection, and earned a spot in the NEBCA Division III All-Star Game in 2010. His 40 points versus Clark University on February 18, 2009 sits behind Jimmy Bartolotta '09 and David Koch '62 as the 3rd highest point total in a game in Institute history.

During Johnson's first season on the bench, the Cardinal and Gray recorded a third-straight 20-win season and captured its second NEWMAC title in three years. The Engineers advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament for the third year in a row, defeating Ithaca College in the first round and coming just one game short of the National Sweet 16.

Johnson graduated MIT with a degree in Management Science with a concentration in Finance, a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Studies, as well as minors in Economics and Theater.

At Kamiak, Johnson was a team captain for the 2004-2005 Knights, along with All-WESCO selection Sean Hermes and former Montana State quarterback Mark Iddins, while helping lead the Mukilteo school to its first and only WESCO 4A Conference Championship and first State Playoff appearance in the school's history.

Johnson takes his talents to San Ramon, COSTA RICA, where he will help ARBA-San Ramon try to capture its first LBS Championship in team history. He also will be working with a non-profit organization, "Beyond Study Abroad," which connects college athletes with disadvantaged communities in the region.

Bartolotta's Groundbreaking Season Ends

(After IR-Reykjavik's final regular season game in Reykjavik, Iceland. From left to right: former MIT hooper Brandon Suarez '09, former player and current assistant coach Bill Johnson '10, former player Paul Burkard '10, former player and current pro Jimmy Bartolotta '09, former MIT Lacrosse player Brian Coffey '09, and former MIT football player and Academic All-American Tommy Franklin '09)

Former MIT standout Jimmy Bartolotta and his team, IR-Reykjavik, fell to Keflavik in overtime, 95-90, last night in the final game of the Icelandic Express League quarterfinal series. Bartolotta, playing through an injury he suffered in the last regular game of the season, scored 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting for IR.

Bartolotta, who holds a Management Science degree, a Physics degree, and an Economics minor from MIT, ends his season in Iceland as one of the top players in the league, averaging 21.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 54.4% from the field, a staggering 47.6% from three, and 87.9% from the free-throw line. Prior to Bartolotta's joining of the team, IR was sitting at the bottom of the standings with a 3-7 record. After coming off the bench in his first game, Bartolotta quickly established the team chemistry needed for IR to make the playoffs, leading IR to an 8-5 record during his time.

Tech Hoops caught up with Jimmy after his game: "My time [in Iceland] was an absolutely amazing experience. IR is a fantastic organization, from the coaching staff and management to the players who I became so close with. I had some great memories here, and believe IR will be a powerhouse in the Express League for years to come."

Jimmy then went on to talk about how is experience at MIT prepared him for professional basketball: "Much of my success so far is undoubtedly credited to the lessons learned while at MIT and with Coach Anderson. Coach A taught me to push myself to my mental and physical limit, and then push a little harder. The discipline and work ethic I developed is truly paying off now."

Bartolotta travels back to his hometown of Littleton, Colorado before he and his agent weigh the offers he has lined up for next season.

Bartolotta Leads in Playoff Run

Former MIT star and National Player of the Year Jimmy Bartolotta lead his team, IR-Reykjavik, to victory in the Icelandic Express League quarterfinals last night. Despite a grueling foot injury he suffered two games ago, Bartolotta dropped 18 points along with 7 assists in the 106-89 win over 3rd place Keflavik.

Bartolotta is currently 4th in scoring in the Express League, averaging 22.2 points per game. IR plays Keflavik again in the best-of-3 series tomorrow, March 23rd. The winner advances to the semi-finals and will face off with KR-Reykjavik, who finished 2nd in the league with a 16-6 record.

Box Score

Bartolotta Named Eurobasket.com Player of the Week

For his tremendous performance last week for IR Reykjavik, former MIT star Jimmy Bartolotta has been named the Eurobasket.com Player of the Week.

You can read more at Eurobasket.com.

Bartolotta Pours in 33, IR Dismantles KR

Former MIT standout Jimmy Bartolotta again led his team, IR Reykjavik, in scoring this evening, pouring in 33 points en route to a 124-96 route of 2nd-ranked KR. Since entering the starting lineup for IR, the team has gone 7-2 with Bartolotta, after a 3-9 start prior to his arrival. Over that span, the team has gone from 2nd-to-last to 6th in the league standings, and are in good condition to make the postseason.

Bartolotta is averaging a team best 23 ppg and 50% three point shooting. IR closes out the regular season this coming Thursday, in a match-up with Fjölnir. In attendance will be current MIT assistant Billy Johnson, as he cheers on his former teammate in his first visit to Iceland. Coach Johnson has plenty of experience cheering on Bartolotta from their four years together on the MIT squad, as both entered MIT in the 2005-06 season.

Bartolotta Strong Again as IR Wins 2nd Straight

Jimmy Bartolotta was back in action tonight, after last night's game against KFI was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Bartolotta's IR side came out on top, winning 92-82, as he scored 16 points. He is now averaging 25 points per game for the season, on 60% shooting from 2, 45% shooting from 3, and 94.4% shooting from the FT line. Despite being 3-8 prior to Bartolotta's arrival, IR has won its last two game with the former MIT star. IR seems poised to make a run for the playoffs, as they have moved up to a tie for 8th place in the Iceland Express League (IEL). The top 8 teams in the league qualify for the postseason.

IR is back in action next Thursday, January 27, as they travel to Tindastoll. Tindastoll is currently one game ahead of IR in the rankings, and a win could move IR into the 6th or 7th position in the IEL.

Bartolotta Shines Again, Leads Team to Victory

In just his 2nd game of the season, former MIT star Jimmy Bartolotta led his Icelandic squad, IR Reykjavik, to a 97-89 victory over Njardvik. Bartolotta led the team with 32 points, on 9-16 shooting, as well as adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. In his first two games with IR, Bartolotta has scored 58 points on 17-29 shooting (17-18 FTs).

The full boxscore for this afternoon's game can be found at the Iceland Express League website.

Pictures from the game can be found here.

IR next plays on Thursday, January 20.

Bartolotta Leads Team in Scoring in First Appearance of Season

MIT alum, and 2009 DIII Men's Basketball Player of the Year, Jimmy Bartolotta has signed with IR Reykjavik of the Express Basketball League, the top league in Iceland. Bartolotta played with Air Avellino of Serie A in Italy last season.

In his first appearance last night, Bartolotta led his team in scoring with 26 points, on 8-13 shooting, against one of the top teams in the league, Keflavik. The full box score and story can be found at EuroBasket.com. Bartolotta and IR on Janueary 16 against Njardvik.

Follow Jimmy at his new blog: http://jimmybartolotta.blogspot.com/
Jimmy talks about getting his Italian passport, working out with his new team, and the many pleasant distractions in Iceland!

Fomer Player News: Alan Ho Ties the Knot

Former MIT guard Alan Ho ('08) was married on October 10, 2010 in a beautiful ceremony in Kapalua, Hawaii. Grace and Alan Ho just returned from their honeymoon and we wish them happiness in all their future endeavors!

Nice catch Alan!

Danny "Hollywood" Kanamori

During his MIT basketball career, former MIT point guard Danny Kanamori put on some great shows. As a freshman in 2001-02, Kanamori recorded the only triple-double in MIT history (12 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds against Springfield on 1/12/2002) and eventually finished his career second on the career assists list and fourth on the all-time steals and three-point percentage lists.

In addition to his basketball prowess, Kanamori has also had some acting highlights (off the court). He took a year break from MIT in 2004 to play a role in the movie "Coach Carter" as one of the players on the Richmond Oilers team, coached by Samuel L. Jackson. Kanamori parlayed that role into some other movie spots, such as the part of the "Drunk Jock" in "Bickford Schmeckler's Cool Ideas" (2006) and one of the leads in the 2007 release "Alien Games" (you can watch the full movie here). Kanamori's most recent work can be found in the advertising industry, along with another Boston basketball great: Rajon Rondo. In this spot for Red Bull, Kanamori plays some pickup games with Rondo and a few other players. If you are having trouble spotting Kanamori in the clip, just try looking for the player late on defense and flying at his man in a last chance effort to make a defensive play on the ball, and that will most likely be Danny.

Jimmy Bartolotta Sits Down with The Blog

It has been over a year since MIT made its surprise run to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2009. The leader of that team, and MIT's all-time leading scorer, Jimmy Bartolotta has rode the success and media exposure from his senior season to a life he never envisioned entering MIT. The whirlwind began when MIT shocked the DIII world by winning their first ever NEWMAC tourney. After enjoying some success in the NCAA tournament, Bartolotta was awarded every major personal honor possible for a DIII basketball player, including D3hoops.com Player of the Year, NABC Player of the Year, ESPN/COSIDA Academic All-American of the Year, and the prestigious Jostens Award. Following the season, Bartolotta was invited to the site of the DI Final Four to compete in the NABC/Hershey's Senior All-Star Game. While there, Bartolotta was the media darling, receiving congratulations from Wisonsin head coach Bo Ryan, and being featured in articles in the New York Times, Boston Globe (written by Bob Ryan), the Denver Post, and ESPN, among others. With the media flurry, Bartolotta was approached by many international agents, finally signing with Mario Scotti of the Two Points agency. Following that, Bartolotta signed with Air Avellino of Italy's Serie A, joining former NBA and NCAA stars such as Dee Brown (Illinois), DeMarcus Nelson (Duke), and Chevon Troutman (Pittsburgh), as well as internationl stars such as Cenk Akyol (Turkey).

In this two-part interview, Bartolotta discusses his time in Italy, as well as his observations and expectations of the current MIT squad.

Part 1


Part 2


Check back to mitbasketball.blogspot.com for full coverage of MIT basketball.