Former NBA coach Mike Fratello has agreed to coach Ukraine's national team at the European Championship this year.

The Ukrainian Basketball Federation says it has a verbal agreement with Fratello and that a contract will be signed in the coming days.

The European Championship is scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 18 in Lithuania.

Fratello, 64, has been working as an NBA television analyst for Turner Sports and is expected to take charge in July.

Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony remain committed to playing for Team USA at the 2012 Olympics in London.

LeBron James wasn't nearly as definitive about playing for the United States when asked on Saturday.

"Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony both reaffirmed their commitments to play in the 2012 Olympics in London," Chris Tomasson of Fan House wrote on his Twitter page.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo says the earlier start date for the 2012 Olympics could require the Americans to submit a 12-man roster before the 2011-2012 NBA season is over.

The rosters will be due on June 18, 2012, forcing Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski to pick their squad without the benefit of having the players together for a training camp.

"Literally what I have to do now is just look at what happens the rest of this season and what happens next season during the year and then we have to submit our roster," Colangelo said.

The London Games open July 27, 2012.

Canadians Myck Kabongo, Kyle Wiltjer and Khem Birch will participate in the 10th annual event, at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Apr. 16.

Kabongo, from Toronto, ranks second among guards in ESPNU's top 100 players and ninth overall.

Wiltjer, who's from Oregon but played for Canada because of his father's Canadian roots, is ranked 15th.

The Montreal-bred Birch is currently the top prospect out of the New England area and is ranked as the top center prospect and 11th overall.

"On behalf of Canada Basketball first I'd like to congratulate Kyle, Mike and Khem for this historic achievement," said Rowan Barrett, Director of Youth Player Development for Canada Basketball, in a statement.  "For the first time in the event's 10-year history, three Canadians will be participating in the Jordan Brand Classic.  It shows that our nation continues to make its mark with our young up-and-coming talent on the world stage."

The three also comprise the largest Canadian class to ever suit up for the upcoming McDonald's All American Game, which is now in its 34th season.

"It is a clear indication that the future of Canadian basketball is in good hands," George Raveling, Nike's Director of International Basketball, said in a statement.  "In the coming years we will continue to see more development from young players in Canada."

In an interview with RealGM, Alexander "Sasha" Volkov confirmed that Ukraine is in negotiations to hire Mike Fratello as the coach of their national team.

Fratello coached Volkov with the Atlanta Hawks and most recently was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

"I can tell you that we are negotiating with Mike Fratello to be the new head coach of Ukrainian national team and it could happen any day," said Volkov.

Eurobasket 2011, which will be played between August 31st and September 18th in Lithuania, had their pool draws last week.

- Group A: Spain, Turkey, Lithuania, Britain, Poland

- Group B: Serbia, France, Germany, Israel, Italy and Latvia.

- Group C: Greece, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia Herzegovina.

- Group D: Slovenia, Russia, Belgium, Georgia, Bulgaria and Ukraine.