In a recent announcement, the Hanoi Buffaloes, the first professional basketball club in the Vietnamese capital city, revealed that forward Anthony January will not be available for the 2023 VBA semifinals due to an injury. As a result, the team has exercised their right to substitute foreign players and has added forward Lenny Daniel to their roster.
 |
| Lenny Daniel plays for the Saigon Heat in the 2015-16 ASEAN Basketball League. Photo: VBA |
Anthony January has been a crucial player for the Hanoi Buffaloes and played a significant role in the team’s success during the 2023 VBA group stage. With impressive statistics, including an average of 25.8 points and 15.7 rebounds per game, January earned multiple MVP titles.
Lenny Daniel, who previously played for the Saigon Heat in the 2015-16 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), will now fill in the void left by January. Known to Vietnamese basketball enthusiasts, Daniel was one of the top scorers in the ABL and possesses a remarkable physique, standing at 203cm tall and weighing 101kg. With his versatile skill set and extensive experience, the Hanoi Buffaloes believe Daniel’s addition will be valuable for their upcoming journey.
 |
| Lenny Daniel poses for a photo with fans. Photo: VBA |
Daniel’s basketball career includes being named the Best Player of Saigon Heat during his two-year stint in the ASEAN Basketball League. After his time with the Saigon Heat, he showcased his talents with various teams in the ABL. Additionally, Daniel gained international experience playing basketball in Bulgaria, Greece, Qatar, Argentina, Taiwan, and Uruguay.
 |
| Udun Osakue plays a key role in Hanoi Buffaloes’ victory streak of seven consecutive matches. Photo: VBA |
In the 2023 VBA group stage, the Hanoi Buffaloes made a successful substitution by bringing in Udun Osakue in place of forward Russell Smiths. Osakue, born in 1992, has provided significant contributions to the team’s pursuit of championship glory with his extensive experience and exceptional skills.
The first semifinal game between the Hanoi Buffaloes and the Nha Trang Dolphins will be broadcasted on ON Sports News, ON Sports Action, the ON Plus app, and VTVcab.
