The Oregonian (Joe Freeman) reports: Rudy Fernandez, a high-ceiling shooting guard with an accomplished international resume, announced his intentions to join the Blazers next season (2008-09) during a news conference Friday in Badalona, Spain, a promise that will net the team yet another talented young player. The 23 year-old 6-foot-6 Spaniard, whom the Blazers acquired in a draft-day trade with Phoenix last season, said he expects to join the team sometime after the upcoming summer Olympics, assuming the Spanish National Team he plays for is a competitor. “(The Blazers) have pushed hard for me to join them and have assured me I will be an important figure for them,” Fernandez said at the news conference, according to Reuters. “It wasn’t an easy decision to take but it is the time for a new challenge after a fantastic year with Joventut.”
Category: International Basketball Blog
International basketball blog
No Varejao for Brazil this summer
The Akron Beacon Journal (Brian Windhorst) reports: Anderson Varejao’s season with the Cleveland Cavaliers dramatically was altered by one false step. Now it is affecting his summer plans, too. A Cavaliers’ official confirmed Thursday that Varejao has informed Cleveland he has decided not to play this summer for the Brazilian National Team. Varejao will devote the offseason to rehabbing his left ankle instead.
Rowan Barrett to play for Canada in Olympics
The Canadian Press via canoe.ca reports: Veteran guard Rowan Barrett said Thursday that he’s rejoining the Canadian men’s squad after a five-year absence in its quest for a spot in this summer’s Beijing Olympics. The six-foot-five native of Mississauga, Ont., has played in 115 games for Canada and captained the team to a seventh-place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Spain fires their national coach
Reuters reports: Pepu Hernandez was sacked as coach of world basketball champions Spain by the country’s federation (FEB) on Tuesday, just two months before the start of the Beijing Olympics. The 50-year-old had already said he was going to step down after the Olympics but fell out with FEB president Jose Luis Saez over the timing of this announcement just over a month ago.
The AP reports: The federation said in a statement that Hernandez had been fired for failing to comply with contractual obligations and for showing a “lack of respect for the federation and its staff.” Relations between Hernandez and the federation had deteriorated since the 50-year-old coach said last month he would quit after the Beijing Olympics in August.
NBA playoffs disappear from TV in China
The AP reports: NBA playoff games have mysteriously disappeared from Chinese television. Entertainment programs on Chinese television were suspended last week during a three-day period of mourning for victims of the deadly Sichuan earthquake, including NBA playoff games. When the mourning period ended, the NBA playoffs returned as the state-run national broadcaster CCTV showed the Western Conference final between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. However, subsequent games have not been shown.
New president of Canada Basketball is Therese Quigley
The Canadian Press, via the Globe and Mail, reports: Therese Quigley was named president of Canada Basketball on Tuesday, becoming the first woman appointed to the post. Quigley, who is also the athletic director at McMaster University in Hamilton, originally joined the Canada Basketball board of directors in 2006… Joining her on the executive committee is Jacques Miqueu as vice-president. Miqueu, who first joined the board in 2006, has coached basketball and taught physical education for 25 years and was president of the Quebec Basketball Federation prior to joining the Canada Basketball board.
Wade still hopes to play in Olympics
The Miami Herald blogs the following: Dwyane Wade said he recently updated national team coach Mike Krzyzewski on his conditioning. Wade said Tuesday the goal is still to work his surgically-repaired knee into shape in time for USA team training camp in July in advance of the Beijing Olympics. There is a chance that Wade could be replaced on the 12-man roster in favor another player – possibly Chris Paul – if his knee is not ready in time. “I’m meeting with Jerry as soon as I get back from here, and I’ve talked to Coach K. already,” Wade said. “His main thing is my health and to make sure I’m doing good. He also talked to my trainer, Tim Grover in Chicago, and we’re all on the same page. All I can do is continue to get stronger and leave the decision up to them.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv, CSKA Moscow in Euroleague championship
The AP reports: After overcoming an 18-point deficit in Friday’s semifinal, Maccabi Tel Aviv doesn’t see anything stopping it from getting revenge on CSKA Moscow in the Euroleague basketball final. The two teams both enter Sunday’s game seeking a sixth title — putting it second only to Real Madrid’s eight — but the Israeli club is also trying to make up for a thrilling 73-69 loss to CSKA two years ago that gave the Russian club its first crown in 35 years. Maccabi captain Derrick Sharp said Friday’s 92-85 comeback win over Montepaschi Siena — after trailing 36-18 in the first half — has made the team confident it will lift its third trophy since 2004… CSKA held off Spanish club Tau Ceramica 83-79 Friday and knows a stronger effort will be needed against its Israeli opponent.
USA to play China in Olympic hoops opening day
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Charles F. Gardner) reports: The Olympic basketball draw was held in Beijing this morning, and the U.S. was placed in a group with host China, defending world champion Spain and Angola. Two other teams will join the group after advancing from an Olympic qualifying tournament in Greece in July. On the opening day of men’s basketball competition (Aug. 10), the U.S. will play China, setting up the chance for Bucks players Yi Jianlian and Michael Redd to face each other. Bucks center Andrew Bogut and his Australian national team landed in Group A, along with defending Olympic champion Argentina, Russia, Lithuania and Iran. The sixth team in that group will come from the Athens tournament… A Chinese basketball official recently confirmed that Yi will be the first torchbearer on May 4 when the Olympic torch returns to mainland China, in the resort city of Sanya in the province of Hainan.
Yao Ming visiting China this week
The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: Seeking a break in his rehabilitation routine, Rockets center Yao Ming is visiting China this week with plans to return to Houston in time for the playoffs. “He’s done a stretch of his rehab,” John Huizinga, Yao’s NBA agent, said. “He has a long stretch of rehab coming up. This is a window of time. It’s an opportunity to take a break and get a change of scenery. He wants to be back to be with his Rockets teammates once he is off his crutches for the playoffs, and when that happens he will step up treatment too.”