April 2012 Basketball Wiretap

Rudy Fernandez Nearly Recovered From Back Surgery

May 30, 2012 11:09 PM

Rudy Fernandez is nearly recovered from surgery on his lower back.

"Rudy is two weeks away from being given the all-clear,” the Spanish Basketball Federation announced.

Fernandez, a starting guard on Spain’s national team, is rehabbing in Madrid in preparation for the Olympics.

Spain lost to Team USA in the gold-medal game of the 2008 games.

FIBA.com

Tags: Rudy Fernandez, National, National Olympics

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Oberto Withdraws From Argentinian National Team

May 30, 2012 11:08 PM

Fabricio Oberto withdrew from the Argentinian national team shortly before training camp, citing personal reasons.

"He told me he could not solve his personal problems and can´t play at the South American Championship," Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez said. "It is sad ... I noticed him affected because it is not what he wanted, but he can´t do anything and I understand him."

Oberto, 37, won an Olympic gold medal as a member of Argentina's national team in 2004.

FIBA.com

Tags: Fabricio Oberto, National, National Olympics

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Noah Working To Rehab Ankle Injury, Expects France To Contend For Medal

May 30, 2012 11:05 PM

Joakim Noah hopes to recover from a sprained left ankle in time to play in the Olympics.

"I hope that I’ll be healthy and able to play for France this summer,” Noah said. “I’m working hard to be back on the court as soon as possible.”

Noah and the French national team clinched an automatic berth in the upcoming Olympics by finishing second in last summer’s EuroBasket competition.

“Our group is very talented," Noah said. "We have a lot of very good players and everyone is extremely motivated to help France do its best during the competition.

"We’ll fight for a medal."

FIBA.com

Tags: Joakim Noah, National, National Olympics

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Davis Increasing Strength Ahead Of Olympic Training Camp

May 30, 2012 9:46 AM

Anthony Davis has worked on increasing his strength since the Final Four, both in preparation for the NBA Draft but also for the U.S. Olympic training camp that begins on July 5.

Davis is the only collegian in the roster pool, but he has a chance to make the squad due to Dwight Howard's injury.

"I'm trying to make sure that I'm in great shape, getting in a good lift and putting up a lot of shots," said Davis. "My goal is to be ready to play with these guys (on the Olympic team)."

Andy Katz/ESPN

Tags: Anthony Davis, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, National, National Olympics, NBA Draft General

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16-Year Old Kentucky Recruit Selected To Play For Calipari, Dominican National Team

May 25, 2012 10:32 AM

Karl Towns has been named to the Dominican Republic national team as it prepares to qualify for this summer’s London Olympic Games.

"He's going to be battling with guys who are men, so when he gets done with this, he's going to know what it takes to be an NBA player," his father, Karl Towns Sr., said. "When he gets back, Karl's going to double his work ethic. I think right now this is the greatest thing that could have happened to him."

The Dominican national team is coached by John Calipari, who is recruiting Towns to the University of Kentucky.

"I want people to know he made it for his ability, not because of who the coach is," Karl Towns Sr. said. "He'll be with his Dominican family this summer. If he goes to Kentucky, that will be his other family. But right now the key is to get the Dominican team into the Olympics. That's the only key right now.

"There's too much at stake for them to do him a favor. They have to qualify. They need the best players they can carry to make this work."

Towns, a 6-foot-11 center, is the top ranked player in the class of 2015.

Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Kentucky Wildcats, Southeastern Conference, High School, NCAA, NCAA Recruiting, National, National Olympics

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Warriors' Fitzgerald To Call Olympics

May 25, 2012 12:13 AM

Warriors television play-by-play man Bob Fitzgerlad will broadcast the men's and women's basketball on NBC for the 2012 Olympics.

Fitzgerald will call a total of 32 games.

Doug Collins will be Fitzgerald's partner for men's games, while Ann Meyers will provide analysis for women's action.

Fitzgerald has been calling Golden State television broadcasts for the past 15 years.

Matt Steinmetz/CSN Bay Area

Tags: Golden State Warriors, NBA, National, National Olympics

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Deng Focused On Olympics, Uncertain If He'll Need Surgery On Left Wrist

May 23, 2012 10:48 AM

Luol Deng plans on playing for his native Britain at the London Olympics, despite having torn ligaments in his left wrist.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Olympics," Deng said. "I’m so excited to take part in this competition; I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a young kid.”

Deng tore the ligament in his wrist in January and decided to play in pain rather than undergo surgery.

"It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my career so far. It’s been hard, but I’m proud to have pushed my limits," Deng said.

Deng hasn’t decided whether to undergo surgery after the Olympics.

“I still don’t know if I’ll need a surgery. It will depend on how my wrist feels in the next few weeks. But right now, my mind is only focused on the Olympics,” Deng said.

FIBA.com

Tags: Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls, NBA, NBA Injury, National, National Olympics

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Motiejunas Doubtful For London Olympics

May 22, 2012 10:28 AM

Donatas Motiejunas is unlikely to play for the Lithuanian national team at this summer’s Olympics.

Motiejunas, a 6-foot-11 power forward, was acquired by the Rockets in a 2011 draft-night deal with Minnesota.

He will be eligible to sign a contract with Houston on July 1.

“I spoke a lot with Donatas, he really wants to play, but hasn’t signed a contract yet," national team coach Kestutis Kemzuras said. "He would be risking his NBA contract in case of an injury. He told me that he could only come on 2 July, but that would literally be the day before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament starts.

"I told him to be ready just in case, but there’s no hiding it – if we were to make it to the Olympics, it wouldn’t be fair to cut any of the players and include Motiejunas instead.”

FIBA.com

Tags: Donatas Motiejunas, Houston Rockets, NBA, National, National Olympics

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Varejao, Nene, Barbosa Added To Brazil's Preliminary Roster For Olympics

May 21, 2012 10:27 AM

Anderson Varejao, Nene, and Leondro Barbosa were included Monday on the preliminary list of players who could make Brazil's squad for the upcoming Olympics.

“I knew they would be within the list,” Brazil coach Ruben Magnano said. “With them Brazil gets stronger.”

Varejao, still recovering from a broken wrist, has competed at the last two FIBA World Championships.

"I’ve played in a lot of competitions with Brazil, but playing in the Olympics is different,” Varejao said. "I’m very motivated. I think we have a group capable of fighting for a medal in London."

FIBA.com

Tags: Anderson Varejao, Maybyner Nene, Leandro Barbosa, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, NBA, National, National Olympics

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Bob Boozer Passes Away At 75

May 20, 2012 11:13 PM

Bob Boozer has died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 75.

Boozer was a member of the 1960 Olympic basketball team and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Royals.

Boozer delayed entering the NBA for one year in order to participate in the Olympics.

NBA.com

Tags: NCAA, NBA, National, National Olympics

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Odom Still Part Of Team USA Talent Pool

FOXSports.com

Irving, Lin Among Players Named To U.S. Select Team

CSNBayArea.com

Krzyzewski Not Likely To Return For 2016 Olympics

Charlotte Observer

Deng Will Make Surgery Decision After Olympics

Neil Hayes/Chicago Sun-Times

Colangelo Wants Answer From Aldridge On Olympics

CSNNW.com

Colangelo Receives Extension On Team USA Roster

USA TODAY

Wade Less Than 100 Percent Certain On Playing In Olympics

David Aldridge/NBA.com

Deng Remains Undecided About Offseason Wrist Surgery

K.C. Johnson/Chicago Tribune

Delfino Undergoes Surgery For Sports Hernia

RealGM Staff Report

Ginobili May Play For Argentinian National Team Beyond Olympics

FIBA.com

Sources: Anthony Davis To Be Among Olympic Candidates

SI.com

Al-Farouq Aminu Aims To Play For Nigerian National Team

AfricaBasket.com

Colangelo To Add Players To Olympic Pool

Marc Stein/ESPN.com