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*** FIBAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
EUROBASKET IS PROUD TO BE AN OFFICIAL FIBA PARTNER
 | Meeting of the FIBA Central Board in Beijing | |
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| |  | The FIBA Central Board, the highest executive body of the International Basketball Federation, met yesterday, Friday 25th April, and today, Saturday 26th April, for its 4th Session of the 2006-2010 Term of Office in Beijing, China. The meeting has been organized in cooperation with the Chinese Basketball Association.
In addition to the historic rule changes announced earlier today (please refer to FIBA Press Release #25/2008 or to www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/24352/arti.html), below are some of the issues discussed and some of the decisions taken by the FIBA Central Board.
1. FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Men to take place in New Zealand
The Central Board has decided that the FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Men will take place in the city of Auckland (New Zealand), from 2nd to 12th July 2009.
2. FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Women to take place in Thailand
The Central Board has awarded the organization of the FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Women to the city of Bangkok (Thailand), from 23rd July to 2nd August 2009.
3. 1st FIBA World Club Championship in 2009
The Central Board approved the creation of the FIBA World Club Championship in 2009, a new competition that will feature eight of the very best clubs in the world, subject to finding an appropriate host city.
The participating clubs will be the organiser, one representative from Africa, two from the Americas, one from Asia, two from Europe and one from Oceania. The Zone club champions and/or runners-up in each of the continental championships will be invited to participate.
The 1st FIBA World Club Championship will be played over a five-day period in the third week of October 2009 and bidding for host cities will be issued in June 2008.
4. Creation of a FIBA Foundation
FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann reported on the various progresses as with regards to the establishment of FIBA's own and permanent headquarters in Switzerland. The Central Board approved the setting up of a FIBA Foundation to support this project and to develop cultural, social and educational activities.
5. Request of the Kosova Basketball Federation to become a FIBA member rejected
On 11th April, the Kosova Basketball Federation sent an official request asking to become a new member federation of the International Basketball Federation.
The FIBA Central Board has decided that the application from the Kosaova Basketball Federation cannot be approved because the Board considers that Kosovo has not fulfilled all required conditions.
6. FIBA 2010 World Championship to be played from 28th August to 12th September in Turkey
The Central Board has decided that the FIBA 2010 World Championship, to take place in Turkey, will follow the same system of competition as the 2006 World Championship in Japan. It will be played from 28th August to 12th September 2010, one week later than initially planned, in order to avoid overlapping with the dates of the Youth Olympic Games.
7. National Federation issues
The FIBA Central Board received reports on the ongoing conflicts in Japan, Mexico and the Philippines.
In the first-mentioned case, the Central Board has expressed its hope that, in view of the participation of the Japanese National Team in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Madrid (Spain), the situation can be resolved urgently. The Secretary General of FIBA, Patrick Baumann, will visit Japan in two days for this purpose.
As with regards to Mexico, the Central Board has decided, upon FIBA Americas' proposal, to de-recognize the leadership of the Mexican Basketball Federation.
Last but not least, the FIBA Central Board has re-affirmed i |
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| World of difference for US | |
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| | | This experience was not the disaster so many uninformed Americans undoubtedly think it was. To put it in Belichickian terms, the USA basketball situation is what it is.
"We knew when we started this was going to be a journey, not a short trip," says coach Mike Krzyzewski. "We have to learn the international game better."
How much more evidence could the American basketball public possibly need to be convinced that winning gold medals at the highest level of international competition is no longer easy? Forget about the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s, '70, '80s and, most of all, forget about the one-and-only 1992 Dream Team, which obliterated 14 foes by an average of 47 points a game and whose smallest margin of victory was 32 (the gold medal game against Croatia). You might as
US runs away from Argentina, 96-81, for the bronze medal.
"All those kids around the world who watched the Dream Team are all grown up now," points out America's Shane Battier. "And guess what? They're fast, strong, athletic and they can shoot. This is a global game now, and it's exciting to be part of a world's championship that is truly a world's championship."
Battier was 13 himself when the Dream Team ruled. By the time he came of age, basketball globalization was in full gallop. What his personal on-court experience tells him is that America needs to bring a straight-A game any time it involves itself in either a world's championship such as this one or an Olympics. Sure, you still will have some mismatches in the preliminary rounds, but once you get to the medal round, you are guaranteed to be playing a team that knows how to play and will have no fear of playing the US. In that regard, it's no different from the NCAA Tournament.
Get this in your head. Starting with the loss to Argentina in the 2002 Worlds at Indianapolis, the USA/NBA squad is, with yesterday's 96-81 victory over that same Argentina squad in the bronze medal game (and it essentially is the same Argentina squad), now 14-7 in its last 21 games. In each of the last two competitions, the US lost three times. So a 7-1 record and a bronze medal doesn't look so bad now, does it?
The ultimate goal is winning the gold in Beijing two years hence but winning a gold here was always a serious quest, too. That would have been a tremendous confidence-builder for a team that averages 24 years of age. And if they hadn't caught Greece on a night when the Greeks were shooting 63 percent from the field while making their first 10 shots in the third quarter.
But that's precisely the point. In years past, there was no team on earth other than the US capable of doing what Greece did in that game. Now there are several. And soon there will be more. Right now the strong teams are from Europe and South America. But the Africans and Asians are coming.
"Twenty-five years from now," Battier predicts, "China will be a powerhouse. They'll have 2 billion people inspired by Yao Ming." He's right, of course, but it won't take 25 years.
Hey, be happy they got a bronze.
"It could have been a lot worse," says Chris Bosh. "Better to go home with something."
"We came here with respect for world basketball," says Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo, who devised the idea of putting together a true "national team" that would require a three-year commitment from every player. "We knew how good they all were. We had no delusions."
Now we'll find out just how serious, determined, and loyal these players are. Had they won the gold here, they'd have been fast-forwarded to the 2008 Olympics. They could have had a relaxing summer of 2007. Since they didn't win this tournament, they must now compete for one of two available regional Olympic berths by going to a regional qualifying tournament next summer in Venezuela, where, aside from whatever problems they will face on the court, they no d |
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| USA Basketball announces 2006 Men's U18 national team roster | |
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| | | Including four team members who boast of prior USA Basketball experience, head coach Lorenzo Romar and USA Basketball announced Monday the 12-member USA Men's 18 National Team that will compete in the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men from June 28-July 2 in San Antonio, Texas.
"Our athleticism is a strength," Romar said about his USA Men's U18 National Team. "I think that we've got pretty good team chemistry. Our guys don't mind giving up their bodies for the sake of the team, and I think we shoot the ball pretty well. Defense will be the key for us. When we sit back defensively things don't work out well for us. We've got to be on the attack mode.
"It will be important that we are able to defend at five positions," said Romar about his team's opening opponent Uruguay. "Uruguay will try to spread us out, and they will have five guys on the floor that can shoot well at all times. So we've got to be able to guard the three and keep them in front of us."
The USA Basketball U18 team members are: Chris Allen (Meadowcreek H.S., Ga./Michigan State); Jerryd Bayless (St. Mary's H.S., Ariz./Undecided); Michael Beasley (Oak Hill Academy, Va../Undecided); Johnny Flynn (Niagara Falls H.S., N.Y./Syracuse); Donte Greene (Towson Catholic H.S, Md./Syracuse); Spencer Hawes (Seattle Prep, Wash./Washington); Taylor King (Mater Dei H.S., Calif./ Duke); Stanley Robinson (Huffman H.S., Ala./Connecticut); Kyle Singler (South Medford H.S., Ore./ Undecided); Nolan Smith (Oak Hill Academy, Va./Duke); DaJuan Summers (McDonogh School, Md./Georgetown); and Lance Thomas (St. Benedict's H.S., N.J./Undecided).
University of Washington mentor Romar is heading the USA's U18 Team, and Georgia Tech head mentor Paul Hewitt and DePaul University (Ill.) head coach Jerry Wainwright are assisting.
Hawes was a member of the 2006 USA Basketball's Junior National Select Team and recorded eight points and three rebounds in the USA's 109-91 win over the World Select Team on April 8 in the 9th Annual Nike Hoop Summit in Memphis, Tenn.
Additionally, Robinson, Singler and Thomas were all participants on USA teams in the 2005 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival held in San Diego, Calif. Singler helped lead the White Team to a gold medal at the Youth Development Festival, averaging 14.0 ppg. and 3.4 rpg., while shooting 60.0 percent from the floor and 47.1 percent from 3-point. Robinson finished the Festival averaging 9.0 ppg. and a USA Red Team leading 5.8 rpg. and 2.2 spg., while USA Blue Team member Thomas posted 9.0 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 1.8 spg.
The USA U18 finalists will continue their training with practices on June 26 and 27 before opening FIBA Americas U18 Championship play against Uraguay at 7 p.m. on June 28 at Bill Greehy Arena, St. Mary's University.
2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men
The 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, which will qualify the top four finishing teams for the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship, is being held at the Bill Greehey Arena on the campus of St. Mary's University in San Antonio from June 28-July 2.
The FIBA Americas U18 Championship format divides the eight teams into two preliminary round groups consisting of four teams each. Preliminary round play will be held June 28, 29 and 30, and each team will play the other three teams in its preliminary group. The top two finishing teams in each preliminary round group will then advance to the Saturday, July 1, medal round semifinals and play for 1st-4th places. Teams placing third and fourth in each preliminary round group will advance to the consolation semifinals and play for 5th-8th places. The FIBA Americas U18 Championship For Men Finals will be held Sunday, July 2.
The host nation United States was drawn into preliminary round Group A with Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, while Group B consists of Argentina, Bahamas, Canada and P |
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| NBPA camp more than just hoops | |
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| | | Knowledge is power, and keep it real. Those are the messages this week as 105 of the nation's top high school basketball players are developing their on-the-court skills -- but more importantly learning life skills at VCU's Siegel Center.
The camp, sponsored by the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), is using skits and small discussion groups to talk about the realities of life with the players, many of whom hope to someday play in the NBA.
"Sometimes it doesn't work out," camp director Tim McCormick told the young men about making it to the NBA. "It's important for you to understand that you may not make it. You have to prepare for when you are done playing. You will stop playing someday, and you'll have to find something else to make you feel special."
Rick Rinaldi, a career development specialist with the NBPA, is a living example. Rinaldi was the sixth leading scorer in the nation when he came out of St. Peter's College. He played in the NBA and later in Europe, but ultimately an elbow injury ended his professional playing days.
"I didn't prepare myself [for that day]," Rinaldi said. "I had a degree, but I didn't have a plan. I worked labor, managed a car wash and was a driver for FedEx. I have forgotten a lot of the menial jobs I had, on purpose."
While campers are exposed to shooting, post play, defensive philosophy and other playing skills and drills, the schedule is heavy with life-skill sessions. Topics include peer pressure, respect, education, image, substance abuse, high-risk situations and sexual decisions.
The sessions and discussions are being led by professionals and former and current NBA players including Ralph Sampson, Purvis Short and Antonio Davis, president of the NBPA.
"Learning life skills is important since college kids are leaving earlier for the NBA," Davis said. "We're trying to teach these kids they have other options. While they are here, they need to soak it up like a sponge."
Zach Minor, a sports consultant from Manhattan, N.Y., is one of the professionals in the education effort. Minor's group, Zinc Life Skills, uses acting as an educational vehicle.
Minor told the players: "You got a life . . . a life more than the game. I want you to dream, but you have choices, decisions and consequences."
The NBPA camp also offers a unique component in allowing parents to attend. One of Minor's skits focused on a parental relationship in which a player disrespected his father. In another skit, a player suggested the only thing of importance was his skills on the court.
"There are no guarantees in life, only opportunity," Minor said. "Respect your parents, they are the ones who got you here."
Players, on average, leave the NBA at the age of 27, campers were told yesterday morning. Men, on average, live to the age of 74.
"What are you going to do for those 50 years?" a professional asked.
It then was time to play some basketball. |
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| TEO enter final four through back door | |
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| | | TEO joined WCBA All Stars China in the FIBA Women's World League final round despite being beaten by the hosts in their last premliminary round game.
China international Nan Chen poured in 19 points for WCBA, who topped Group A with a 100% record.
Their Lithuanian opponents finished second with a 2-2 win-loss record, with both defeats coming in their final two game against the host team.
Sharp-shooting national team forward Vita Kuktiene was their star performer with 15 points, all her baskets coming from beyond the arc.
Canberra Capitals won their final game against Baltiyskaya Zwezda by a whopping 70-29 margin, but it was not enough to overhaul TEO despite their identical 2-2 record.
The Australians were in imperious form against a Russian team that ended up losing all four matches. Jessica Elizabeth Bibby once again led the scoring with 15 points, with a perfect three-from-three record from long range.
None of Baltiyskaya Zwezda's players managed to reach double-figures, Elena Gogiya and Elizaveta Rusakova coming closest with seven points apiece.
The action now turns to Group B, which is being hosted by Hungarian outfit MiZo Pecs.
They are joined by Djoliba AC of Mali, Cuba's Basketball Club Habana and CTNW from Chinese Taipei.
Play gets under way next Friday.
Day 4 Box scores
WCBA All Stars China vs TEO 70-52
Canberra Capitals vs Baltiyskaya Zwezda 70-29
By PA Sport |
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| FIBA stars on show in NBA Play-offs | |
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| | | Anyone wanting to get a sneak preview of the talent on offer at the FIBA World Championship in Japan later this year should watch the NBA Play-offs.
Many of the stars on show will be heading to the Far East with their national teams.
The play-offs get underway on April 22 and team rosters will feature a record 44 international players from 25 countries and territories. Almost every team competing in the post-season will feature at least one international player.
This year’s number of international players nearly doubles last year’s, when 24 players from 18 countries and territories participated in the play-offs.
The San Antonio Spurs have the most international players on a play-off roster with a record seven.
Among those, Slovenia's Beno Udrih and Rasho Nesterovic, Argentina's Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto and France's Tony Parker (183-G-80) are almost certain to play for their countries.
New Zealand are hoping their Spur, center Sean Marks, makes himself available to play for the Tall Blacks.
Australia have two centers in the play-offs. Andrew Bogut will play for the Milwaukee Bucks and Luke Schenscher, a contender for a place in the Boomers' squad, is with the Bulls.
At the end of the 2005-06 regular season, the NBA featured 82 international players from 38 countries and territories on team rosters (both active and inactive).
Here is a look at the international players in the NBA play-offs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE (17)
Chicago Bulls (3): Luol Deng (201-F-85, college: Duke) (Sudan), Andres Nocioni (Argentina) and Luke Schenscher (Australia)
Cleveland Cavaliers (3): Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Lithuania), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Serbia & Montenegro) and Anderson Varejao (Brazil)
Detroit Pistons (1): Carlos Delfino (Argentina)
Indiana Pacers (2): Sarunas Jasikevicius (Lithuania) and Peja Stojakovic (Serbia & Montenegro)
Milwaukee Bucks (5): Andrew Bogut (Australia), Dan Gadzuric (Netherlands), Toni Kukoc (Croatia), Jamaal Magloire (Canada) and Jiri Welsch (Czech Republic)
New Jersey Nets (3): Nenad Krstic (Serbia & Montenegro), Bostjan Nachbar (Slovenia) and Zoran Planinic (Croatia)
WESTERN CONFERENCE (27)
Dallas Mavericks (3): DeSagana Diop (Senegal), Didier Ilunga-Mbenga (Congo) and Dirk Nowitzki (Germany)
Denver Nuggets (3): Francisco Elson (Netherlands), Linas Kleiza (Lithuania) and Eduardo Najera (Mexico)
Los Angeles Clippers (2): Vladimir Radmanovic (Serbia & Montenegro) and Zeljko Rebraca (Serbia & Montenegro)
Los Angeles Lakers (2): Ronny Turiaf (Martinique) and Sasha Vujacic (Slovenia)
Memphis Grizzlies (2): Pau Gasol (Spain) and Jake Tsakalidis (Greece)
Phoenix Suns (6): Leandro Barbosa (Brazil), Raja Bell (US Virgin Islands), Pat Burke (Ireland), Boris Diaw (France), Steve Nash (Canada) and Nikoloz Tskitishvili (Georgia)
Sacramento Kings (2): Francisco Garcia (Dominican Republic), and Vitaly Potapenko (Ukraine)
San Antonio Spurs (7): Tim Duncan (US Virgin Islands [Duncan is a USA international]), Manu Ginobili (Argentina), Sean Marks (New Zealand), Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia), Fabricio Oberto (Argentina), Tony Parker (183-G-80) (France) and Beno Udrih (Slovenia)
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