Khalid El-Amin of Lietuvos Rytas and Marcelinho Huertas of Caja Laboral were named the co-MVPs from Week 2 of the Top 16 phase of Euroleague.

El-Amin had 22 points on a near-perfect day shooting.

Marcelinho had 17 points, 11 assists and five rebounds.

Rounding out the list of the best Top 16, Week 2 individual performers are Juan Carlos Navarro of Regal FC Barcelona, Jeremy Pargo of Maccabi, Nikola Mirotic of Real Madrid and Fernando San Emeterio of Caja Laboral.

Minnesota GM David Kahn called a New York Times report this week on Ricky Rubio "much ado about nothing" and "not worthy of a response."

An unnamed source close to Rubio indicated that the point guard wants to play for Boston, New York or Miami when he comes to the NBA.

Kahn said he remains "absolutely" certain Rubio will join the Wolves next season after a buyout with his Regal Barcelona team becomes affordable.

Following their loss to Barcelona in Week 1 of the Top 16 phase of Euroleague, Maccabi Tel Aviv hopes to rebound against Roma.

“We need to be especially cautious of Roma’s short roster," said head coach David Blatt. "This can often be an advantage rather than a disadvantage,” Blatt said. “In every season you have high and lows, but in good teams the lows aren’t that significant.

"I think we experienced such a low in recent weeks. It wasn’t so noticeable because we won all our games other than the one in Barcelona. Nevertheless, we weren’t playing like the Maccabi we saw in the beginning of the season.

“However, we have trained superbly recently and this is the only way to get the team back on track. We want to regain our top form, especially at this crucial stage of the season.”

Former Gonzaga star Matt Bouldin has been released by his Greek team.

Iraklis Thessaloniki reportedly released Bouldin after he tested positive for a banned substance, 4-Methyl-2-Hexanamine.

The substance is a stimulant, nasal decongestant and nutritional supplement.

Following a difficult loss to Barcelona in Euroleague, Maccabi Tel Aviv rebounded with an 85-71 win over Barak Netanya on Sunday.

Doron Perkins scored 28 points and was 12-for-12 from the line.

Sofoklis Schortsanitis scored 17 points while Lior Eliyahu put in a fine all-around effort, registering 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Timberwolves are working towards bringing Ricky Rubio to the NBA, but rumors continue to swirl that the guard doesn't want to play for the team.

"The bottom line is, why would he want to play in Minnesota?" a senior member of Rubio's camp told Jonathan Givony in a piece of the New York Times.

"He'll continue to say all the diplomatic things, and Minnesota needs to keep his value up for trade purposes, but the family's preference is to be on the East Coast, specifically New York, Miami or Boston. He wouldn't be troubled if he has to stay another year."

The Timberwolves hold his exclusive draft rights, meaning they are the only NBA team with whom he can negotiate.

A new collective bargaining agreement may not be as favorable for rookies.

"I'm not focused on the NBA right now," Rubio said. "Right now, I don't want to talk and I don't want to think."

Kenny Gregory has been named the Week 1 MVP of the Euroleague's Top 16 phase.

Gregory had 19 points, 14 rebounds and two steals in Union Olimpija's 64-63 win at Roma.

Allen Iverson will see a specialist Tuesday to have an undetermined growth in his right calf surgically removed, according to his business manager.

Iverson, who was playing for Turkey's Besiktas, returned to the United States last week to undergo tests after pain in the calf became unbearable.

He hopes to return to the court in four to six weeks and remains committed to playing in Turkey.

"He's determined," said Gary Moore, Iverson's manager. "He wants to play several more years."

Chris Lofton will be staying with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League after a deal to sign with Besiktas of the Turkish Basketball League fell through at the last minute. 

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Hapoel Holon 88- 74 on the road on Sunday.

Maccabi trailed by four points at the break (45-41), but outscored the hosts 47-29 in the second half to improve its record to 13-1, with all its BSL wins coming by nine points or more.

Mac TA will play at Barcelona on Thursday in their Top-16 Euroleague opener.

“There is something to learn from every game, including this one,” Maccabi coach David Blatt said. “Barcelona is a great team, but not unbeatable.

“We are a better team than we were when the Euroleague’s regular season ended, but we are facing the toughest game possible in Barcelona.”