Basketball Blog

The Los Angeles Clippers added another piece to the team’s backcourt with the signing of guard Guillermo Diaz today.  Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Diaz, the Clippers’ second round selection (52nd overall) in the 2006 NBA Draft, averaged 20.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 15 games played for CEZ Basketball Nymburk in the Czech Republic last season.  Diaz also played in five games with AEP Olimpiada Patron in the Greek League in 2007, tallying 13.0 points per game.

A 6’2” native from Puerto Rico, Diaz contributed 10.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in five games played for the Clippers entry in the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Over three collegiate years at the University of Miami, Diaz tallied 15.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.  Diaz led Miami in scoring as a sophomore and a junior and was named an All-ACC Second Team selection following both of those seasons.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired a future first round draft pick from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the rights to Juan Carlos Navarro.

“We’re pleased to acquire a first round pick, which gives us an additional asset,” said Grunfeld. “Our backcourt, led by Gilbert Arenas, DeShawn Stevenson, Antonio Daniels and our recent draft pick Nick Young, is deep and versatile.  By trading the rights to Juan Carlos Navarro – a former second round pick of the Wizards – we have greater flexibility to build our team.”

Navarro was originally drafted by the Wizards with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft.

The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have signed guard/forward Ime Udoka.  Per team policy terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Udoka spent last season with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists while starting in all 75 games in which he appeared. He led the Blazers – and ranked 19th in the NBA – in three-point shooting during the 2006-07 season, knocking down .406 (89-219) of his attempts.  He also scored in double-digits 29 times and grabbed 5 or more rebounds on 21 occasions   In addition to Portland, Udoka has spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Undrafted out of college Udoka has spent time in NBA Development League, USBL, IBA and internationally in Spain and France.  In 2005-06 he was named to the All-NBA D-League First Team and was also the recipient of Jason Collier Sportsmanship Award after averaging 17.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 45 games for the Fort Worth Flyers.  Udoka began his D-League career in 2002-03 with the Charleston Lowgators. He also represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championships, where he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

The 6-5, 220-pound Udoka closed out his college career at Portland State where he led the Vikings in scoring, rebounding, steals and blocked shots during the 1999-2000 season.  He was also named first team All-Big Sky Conference and selected as the league’s Newcomer of the Year.  Udoka began his college career at Eastern Utah and spent a year at University of San Francisco before arriving at Portland State.

The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard Robert Hite, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.

“We are pleased to add Robert to our roster,” said Thorn. “He performed capably for us in the recent summer league, and we feel he can potentially add depth to our backcourt.”

Hite, 6-2 product out of Miami (Fla.), appeared in 12 games for the Miami Heat during the 2006-07 campaign, averaging 4.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 11.3 minutes. Hite also appeared in 19 games for the Sioux Falls Sky Force of the NBA Development League, averaging 14.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

Hite, who went unpicked in the 2006 NBA Draft, appeared in four contests for the Nets at the Orlando Pepsi Pro Summer League in July, averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.

USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team’s 6-10 forward Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) will miss the team’s current training camp and the FIBA Americas Championship because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

Bosh’s withdraw leaves the USA Senior National Team roster numbering 15. The national team is currently training through Aug. 21 in Las Vegas, Nev., then a 12-member U.S. team will compete in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 that is being held Aug. 22-Sept. 2 also in as Vegas.

“It’s disappointing because Chris did a great job for us last year and he’s only gotten better – he’s an all-star. But the health of a player is the most important thing,” said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Bosh was a member of last summer’s 2006 USA World Championship Team that finished 8-1 and won the bronze medal, and averaged 6.8 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. In the USA team’s Blue-White game on July 22 in Las Vegas, Bosh recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds for the USA White Team.

“This is real tough for me but I have to be safe, that’s what the doctors told me. They said it could evolve into something worse than what it is now. It’s real tough and disappointing right now and I have to stay calm. I still feel like I’m a part of the team and I’m here to show my support and show that I’m serious about being a part of the team,” said Bosh who is in Las Vegas with the team.

Bosh remains optimistic about returning to play for the USA in 2008 if the USA qualifies for the 2008 Olympic Games. “I didn’t want to play this summer and maybe get more injured and then not be able to play next summer. I had to be smart about this. I’m looking forward to the (2007-08) NBA season and 2008 (Olympics).”

Members of the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team currently training in Las Vegas include Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

By Bobby Ciafardini

Who said streetball couldn’t survive in a mainstream market? 

“Summerball,” a hit television show that airs Thursdays at 5 PM (re-runs 7 and 10:30 PM), is currently the highest rated program on the MSG Network in New York. Hard 2 Guard productions, led by a trio of producers in Edgar Burgos, Lanse Chase and Mike Dempsey, created the show that chronicles Dyckman Park, Hoops in the Sun, Rucker and a host of other tournaments from around the city and the tri-state area.

“A lot of people said we couldn’t do it,” Burgos said, “but we have, and we’ve done it well.”

The show, which is hosted by the multi-talented Bobbito Garcia and legendary Rucker
Parkannouncer Boobie Smooth, has two more shows left this summer. It’s a must see for any basketball fan. Speaking of streetball, I myself have spent my summer on the asphalt playground, announcing the Hoops in the Sun Roundball Classic at Orchard Beach in the Bronx. The tournament was rated No. 1 by Mountain Dew in its mini-streetball magazine preview, and hasn’t disappointed. The tournament has also been featured on Summerball and in the NY Post and NY Daily News, among others.  

The best regular has been Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield, who’s the reigning MVP of the league. He averaged 40 points this summer en route to breaking the league record for points in a season, which he set last summer. He very well might win back-to-back MVP crowns. Stop by Hoops in the Sun. The playoffs jump off on Aug. 18. The chip is on tap for Aug. 19 at Sun Stadium. Don’t forget your sun block.

The best young player I’ve seen on the playground this summer might be Mike “Optimus Prime” Glover, the younger brother of former St. John’s star Anthony Glover. Mike is heading to Seton Hall in the fall and looks like a serious NBA prospect. He did damage at the Jordan Classic earlier this year, winning co-MVP of the Regional Game at The Garden.

Honorable mention for young streetballers on the rise include Division I prospect Dwight Hardy, St. John’s bound forward Justin Burrell and Lincoln High School star Lance Stephenson.

In other streetball news, insiders say Corey “Homicide” Williams of Team K1X, who played in the NBA Summer League with Golden State, might be the central character in his own reality series about a streetballer trying to make the league. Stay tuned.

I was out at Nike Pro last week for the chip. Nike “E” One topped United Brooklyn for their third straight title. Forward Darren “Primal Fear” Philip earned MVP honors. It’s his second title of the summer season. He also won the chip at the BRC in Brooklyn. Philip, 29, was a standout at Fairfield
University. He is one of the best players in the city that’s not playing in the NBA. Philip turned down an invitation to Philadelphia 76ers camp in 2000, turning instead to a guaranteed contract overseas. He has been a mega-star in Spain ever since.

The black top beat has been a trip again this summer. I’ll check in with a final summer goodbye and wrap-up soon.  I’m looking forward to the start of NBA training camp. That’s when the writing season really begins for me. Thanks for reading. I’ll see you at the beach!    

NBA Commissioner David Stern has issued the following statement:

“As expected, former NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty today to betting on NBA games, including games in which he officiated, and providing confidential information to others who bet on NBA games. We will continue with our ongoing and thorough review of the league’s officiating program to ensure that the best possible policies and procedures are in place to protect the integrity of our game.”

The Deseret Morning News reports: The 7-foot-1, 20-year-old center has been in Utah since before the Rocky Mountain Revue started in early July, staying here to work out at the Jazz’s practice facility, do some running and learn the city while the Jazz and his agent, Jason Levien, negotiated with his Ukrainian team and federation and basketball’s international federation (FIBA) to bring the second-round draft pick here.

The Associated Press reports: MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A former Memphis Grizzlies administrative assistant is suing the team for $3 million, claiming sexual harassment after her supervisor made several unwelcome sexual advances.Breshetta Clark claims in the federal lawsuit that Carl Howard Parker, the team’s engineering director, sought sexual favors while her husband was away on military duty.

Clark, who filed her claim in May, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages of $3 million against each defendant in the case — the Grizzlies and Parker, according to court documents.

The Chicago Tribune reports: Hinrich was a somewhat reluctant participant from the beginning, and USA Basketball announced Monday that he was leaving the team, which begins training for the FIBA Tournament of the Americas on Wednesday in Las Vegas. Also withdrawing were Shane Battier and Greg Oden.

The qualifying tournament for two Olympic representatives is from Aug. 22 through Sept. 2. There is still another chance for a country to get to the Olympics, with the third- through fifth-place teams in this tournament invited to a qualifying event next summer.

Also, there are rumors a country can get in if it says, “Pretty please.”

For the U.S., it’s far more than just qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This is a continuation of the latest effort to re-establish the U.S. and the NBA as the pre-eminent figures in international basketball.

It began with a series of bad losses, from the 2002 world championships to the 2004 Olympics. A new program was undertaken headed by former Suns executive Jerry Colangelo, but the U.S. team was beaten in last year’s world championships.