Category: International Basketball Blog

International basketball blog

Jimmer Fredette named Managing Director of USA Basketball 3×3 Men’s National Team

Jimmer Fredette, the former No. 1 ranked 3×3 player in the world, will be the first managing director of the USA 3×3 Men’s National Team, USA Basketball announced today.

“When I got the call from USA Basketball about playing 3×3, I really didn’t know what to expect,” Fredette said. “I found out quickly that I loved the competition, energy and style of the sport. 3×3 fits my game and my personality. I made friends throughout my journey who will forever be a part of my life. I also saw an opportunity to be able to grow the sport within the USA.

“When USA Basketball approached me about this role, I jumped at it. I’m determined to help build a sustainable program for years to come and, ultimately, the best 3×3 program in the world. I’m so grateful for the USA Basketball Board of Directors for trusting me with this responsibility and I’m ready for the challenge.”

In his role, Fredette will be responsible for identifying the USA 3×3 Men’s National Team coaching staff and players for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, FIBA 3×3 World Cup, FIBA 3×3 Champions Cup, FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup, Pan American Games and the FIBA 3×3 pro circuit, as well as the program’s training camp participants over the next three years.

“Jimmer brought his legendary shooting style to 3×3 in 2022 and quickly became one of the most beloved athletes on the halfcourt,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “His knowledge of and skill for the game, ability to lead and reputation as one of the game’s best shooters in history puts him in a prime position to become the first person in this role and help shape USA Basketball’s 3×3 men’s national team program on the road to Los Angeles.”

The 2023 USA Basketball 3×3 Male Athlete of the Year, Fredette owns gold medals from the 2023 Pan American Games and 2022 FIBA 3×3 Men’s AmeriCup as well as a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA 3×3 Men’s World Cup. Fredette was part of USA Basketball’s first 3×3 men’s Olympic Team, which made its debut at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

Knicks and Sixers to play two October 2025 preseason games in Abu Dhabi

The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 will feature the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers playing preseason games on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 4 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

The Knicks currently feature two-time NBA All-Star Jalen Brunson, five-time NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team member Mikal Bridges. Bridges and Brunson previously played in Abu Dhabi as members of the USA Basketball (USAB) Men’s National Team prior to the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Towns participated in The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The 76ers currently feature 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player and seven-time NBA All-Star Joel Embiid, nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George and 2024 NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey. Embiid previously played in Abu Dhabi as a member of the USAB Men’s National Team prior to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 will air live in the UAE, across the Middle East and around the world, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media.

Team USA finishes 4th in 2023 FIBA World Cup

The United States conceded an overtime thriller to Canada, falling 127-118 in the third-place game at the FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila, Philippines. The U.S. finished the tournament in fourth-place.

Starting Out: The United States used its third starting lineup of the tournament: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and Walker Kessler. Paolo Banchero, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play due to illness.

Worth Noting: With today’s 127-118 overtime loss, the falls to 7-1 all-time vs. Canada in the FIBA Men’s World Cup. The U.S. is now 3-1 in third-place games at this event. A total of 245 points were scored tonight, making it the second-highest scoring game ever in the FIBA World Cup (251 points, Brazil and China, 1978).

100+ Club: With tonight’s 118 points scored, the U.S. averaged 104.5 points per game during the FIBA Men’s World Cup. Only twice before a team ended a World Cup tournament with 100+ points per game in the 21st century – the USA in 2006 (103.6 ppg) and also in 2014 (104.6 ppg).

Leading the Way: With his 24 points today, Edwards led the U.S. in scoring for the fifth time this tournament and ninth time this summer. He ends the tournament as the team’s leading scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game. He joins Kevin Durant (2010, five games) and Paul Pierce (2022, four games) as USA players to have scored more than 20 points in 4+ games at the World Cup.

Double-Digit Scorers: The U.S. had six double-digit scorers on Sunday afternoon, marking the sixth time this tournament that the U.S. had at least four double-digit scorers. In addition to Edwards, Austin Reaves (23), Bridges (19), Bobby Portis Jr. (14), Brunson (13) and Josh Hart (10) scored in double figures on Sunday afternoon.

With the Assist: Tyrese Haliburton led the U.S. with seven assists on Sunday afternoon to total 45 assists in the World Cup, the most for a USA player in a single tournament over the last 30 years (Chris Paul, 44, 2006).

Bridges Ends Strong: Bridges notched 19 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with less than a second left. Bridges averaged over 18 points in the USA’s final four games of the World Cup after averaging 8.9 points per game in the first four games. Bridges also led the U.S. in rebounds on Sunday afternoon with nine—one board shy of a double-double.

Reaves Shines: Reaves scored a total of 110 points off the bench, the most of any substitute player in the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup.

Dallas Mavericks will play preseason game against Real Madrid at WiZink Center in Madrid October 10, 2023

The NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks will play a preseason game against reigning EuroLeague champion Real Madrid at the WiZink Center in Madrid on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at 8:45 p.m. CET, marking 35 years since the first NBA games in Spain in 1988. The matchup will be the NBA’s eighth game in the Spanish capital and 20th game in Spain overall.

The Mavericks currently feature four-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA First Team member Luka Dončić, who joined Real Madrid at the age of 13 and became the youngest-ever EuroLeague and EuroLeague Final Four MVP when he led Real Madrid to the 2018 EuroLeague title at age 19. The Mavericks also feature 2016 NBA champion and eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving.

Real Madrid features Spanish legend and former NBA draftee Sergio Llull as well as several former NBA players, including Rudy Fernández, Mario Hezonja, Džanan Musa, and Sergio Rodríguez. Real Madrid has won a record 36 La Liga ACB championships and is the winningest team in EuroLeague history with 11 titles.

The matchup marks the first preseason NBA game in Madrid since 2016, when Dončić and Real Madrid hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 1988, the Boston Celtics played two games in Madrid against the then Yugoslavian Men’s National Team and Real Madrid.

Prior to the game in Madrid, the Mavericks will play two preseason games against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 5 and 7 as part of The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023.

“Bringing the live NBA experience directly to our passionate international fans is an important part of our year-round efforts to grow basketball and the NBA around the world,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “We’re excited for the Mavericks to play Real Madrid and look forward to engaging with fans from Spain and across Europe around this historic matchup.”

“Following our preseason games in Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to play the game we love for the MFFLs in Madrid,” said Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “Our team is lucky to have one of the greatest international NBA ambassadors in Luka, and we look forward to connecting with Real Madrid and their fans.”

“Facing an NBA team is always special, but on this occasion even more so, as it will give us the opportunity to once again enjoy a Real Madrid legend and NBA star like Luka Dončić, who proudly carries the name of our club and presumes of being a Madridista wherever he goes,” said Real Madrid Ambassador Felipe Reyes. “It will be a great spectacle and a very exciting moment for all madridistas and basketball lovers.”

NBA Mexico City Game 2023: Hawks vs. Magic on November 9

The NBA Mexico City Game 2023 will feature the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic playing a regular-season game at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Thursday, Nov. 9. The matchup will mark the league’s 32nd game in Mexico since 1992, more than any country outside the U.S. and Canada.

The Magic, which will be playing its fourth game in Mexico since 2012, currently features 2022 No. 1 overall pick and 2022-23 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, 2021-22 Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team member Franz Wagner, and 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. The Hawks, who will be playing their first game in Mexico, are coming off their third consecutive playoff appearance behind two-time NBA All-Star Trae Young and 2022 NBA All-Star Dejounte Murray.

The NBA Mexico City Game 2023 will air live in Mexico on ESPN, Star+, TUDN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available on the NBA App, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media. In addition to The NBA Mexico City Game 2023, the league and its partners will conduct NBA Cares community outreach initiatives, Jr. NBA youth basketball development programming and interactive activities that will bring the NBA experience to fans in Mexico City.

To conclude the week-long celebration of basketball in the country, the Mexico City Capitanes will host the Osceola Magic on Friday, Nov. 10 as part of the NBA G League’s Showcase Cup schedule.

NBA Paris Game 2024, featuring Nets vs. Cavs, scheduled for January 11

The NBA Paris Game 2024 will feature the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers playing the league’s third regular-season game in Paris at the Accor Arena on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.

The NBA Paris Game 2024 will mark the Nets’ second game in Paris, having played a preseason game in the French capital in 2008.

Brooklyn currently features 2021-22 NBA All-Defensive First Team and 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team member Mikal Bridges, 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team member Cam Johnson and three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons. The Nets have made five consecutive playoff appearances.

The Cavaliers will be playing their first game in Europe. Cleveland currently features four-time NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell, 2022 NBA All-Stars Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland, and 2022-23 Kia NBA All-Defensive First Team member Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers won their first NBA championship in 2016 and made four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2015 to 2018.

The NBA Paris Game 2024 will air live on beIN SPORTS and NBA League Pass.

Sacramento Kings sign 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov

The Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, July 20 signed forward Sasha Vezenkov.

Vezenkov was named the 2022-23 EuroLeague MVP after he averaged 17.6 points (55.3 FG%, 38.3 3pt%, 84.0 FT%), 6.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in 40 games (39 starts) for Olympiacos. He also received the Alphonso Ford EuroLeague Top Scorer Trophy and was selected to the All-EuroLeague First Team for a second consecutive season.

During the 2022-23 season, Vezenkov competed in the Greek Basket League for Olympiacos, posting averages of 16.7 points (58.0 FG%, 39.4 3pt%, 80.3 FT%), 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest. For his performance, Vezenkov was chosen as the league’s Most Valuable Player for the second season in a row and helped lead his team to win the Greek League Championship.

A native of Bulgaria, Vezenkov began his career in the Greek Basket League with Aris Basketball Club, spending four seasons with the team from 2011-15. He joined FC Barcelona for the next three years (2015-18) before joining Olympiacos prior to the 2018-19 season.

Vezenkov was originally selected with the 57th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets. Sacramento acquired his draft rights in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2022 NBA Draft.

Jeremy Lin cuts basketball season in China short

Via the New York Post:

Jeremy Lin, who captivated New York in 2012 during his magical run with the Knicks, is leaving the Chinese Basketball Association, cutting his season with the Guangzhou Loong Lions short.

Lin now plans to come back to America, though he is leaving his basketball future open.

“After lots of consideration, I’ve decided to leave the CBA for this season,” Lin wrote in an Instagram post. “It wasn’t an easy decision. I still love the game of basketball and look forward to getting back to the court one day. As for now, I’m gonna go back to the US to rest and reset before I make a decision with my family for my next step.”

Spurs and Heat will play a December, 2022 NBA regular season game in Mexico City

The NBA and Zignia today announced that the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs and the three-time NBA champion Miami Heat will play a regular-season game at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Saturday, December 17, marking the first NBA Mexico City Game since 2019 and the league’s 31st game in Mexico overall, more than any country outside the U.S. and Canada.

The Spurs are led by five-time NBA champion head coach Gregg Popovich, who during the 2021-22 season became the winningest coach in NBA history, and currently feature 2020 Olympic gold medalist Keldon Johnson, 2022 No. 9 overall pick Jeremy Sochan, and 2021 No. 12 overall pick Joshua Primo.

The Heat are coached by Erik Spoelstra, who has led the franchise to two NBA championships, and currently feature six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, 2020 NBA All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Second Team member Bam Adebayo, and 2021-22 Kia Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro.

The NBA Mexico City Game 2022 will air live in Mexico on ESPN, TUDN and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service. The game will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories around the world on television, digital media and social media.

The Spurs made their debut in Mexico in October 1994 with two preseason games at the Palacio de los Deportes. Overall, the Spurs have played six games in Mexico, most recently a 121-119 overtime win against the Phoenix Suns as part of The NBA Mexico City Games 2019. The matchup will mark the Heat’s second game in Mexico, after defeating the Brooklyn Nets 101-89 as part of The NBA Mexico City Games 2017.

The NBA Mexico City Game 2022 will also mark the 30th anniversary of the league’s first game in the country, which featured the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks playing a preseason game at Mexico’s Palacio de los Deportes in October 1992. Overall, 22 NBA teams have played preseason and regular-season games in Mexico.

Utah Jazz sign Simone Fontecchio

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Simone Fontecchio.

Fontecchio (6-7, 200, Italy) joins the Jazz after most recently playing for Baskonia of the Liga ACB in Spain in 2021-22. He appeared in 70 games (53 starts) in the ACB and EuroLeague last season, owning averages of 11.8 points on 45.2 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three, along with 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest.

A native of Pescara, Italy, Fontecchio began his professional career in 2012-13 with Virtus Bologna of the Lega A in Italy. He was with Virtus Bologna from 2012-17, going on to play with Milan of the Lega A from 2016-19, with stints with Vanoli Cremona in 2017-18, along with experience with Reggio Emilia in 2019-20 and ALBA Berlin of the German Bundesliga in 2020-21. He was named the Italian Lega A Best Under-22 Player following the 2014-15 season with Virtus Bologna.

The 26-year-old has represented the Senior Italian National Team in multiple events, including the 2017 European World Cup Qualifiers, the 2020 EuroBasket Qualifiers, the 2021 Olympic Qualifiers, the 2021 Olympic Games and the 2021 European World Cup Qualifiers. During the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, he saw action in four contests, averaging 19.3 points on 52.7 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from beyond the arc, 3.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.2 minutes per game.