April 2013 National Wiretap

Krzyzewski Still Hasn't Changed Mind On Team USA

Feb 26, 2013 11:46 AM

Team USA continues to hope that Mike Krzyzewski changes his mind and returns as head coach.

But Krzyzewski reiterated again on Tuesday that he has moved on entirely and wants to focus on coaching Duke.

Krzyzewski coached Team USA to their Gold Medal wins in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, along with Gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and 2007 FIBA Americas Championship. Krzyzewski's one blight was a Bronze at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Laura Keeley/Raleigh News & Observer

Tags: Duke Blue Devils, NCAA, National, National Olympics

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Canada National Team Expects To Soon Have Dilemma Of Cutting NBA Players

Feb 25, 2013 4:03 PM

Steve Nash is overseeing the Canadian National Basketball Team, which could have a golden generation on its hands with Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Cory Joseph, Trey Lyles, Andrew Nicholson, Myck Kabongo and Kelly Olynyk coming up the ranks.

Nash's first request was to increase the budget for the team.

“We need money to fly players around, have coaches, have scouts,” said Nash. “It’s the bare minimum of what other countries do. This was something we couldn’t do if I didn’t sign on.”

“We’re heading to a place when we will have to cut NBA players for the national team,” Canada Basketball CEO Wayne Parrish said. “And hopefully the bond is so strong that they’ll get it.”

“Look back 10 years or so, when players didn’t feel a need or a want to play for Canada,” Nash said. “I don’t think there’s that tangible tradition for our program. We have to be a program that really benefits the players. We used to say, ‘You have to play for Canada.’ Why? Because it’s your country. We have to do better than that.”

Bruce Arthur/National Post

Tags: NBA, National

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Irving To Receive Invite To Team USA Minicamp

Feb 23, 2013 8:37 PM

Jerry Colangelo confirmed that Kyrie Irving will be invited to the Team USA minicamp this summer.

“You can be assured that he’ll be one of the invitees,” Colangelo said. “He’s already established himself as one of the top three or four point guards in the league.”

Irving will join about two dozen players at the end of July in preparation for the 2014 World Championship.

Colangelo is predicting about six players from the 2014 World Championship team will play in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

“As I think about it, to keep this system going and for the young players to aspire to be on that national team in the Olympics, you need to have half a roster turn over each time,” he said. “This is going to be primarily from the group we had last summer from the Select team and some additions. We’re still up in the air exactly who, but it’s all about getting people prepared and ready and moving up the ladder.”

Jason Lloyd/Akron Beacon Journal

Tags: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, National

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Kirilenko Retires From Russian National Team

Feb 22, 2013 10:12 PM

Andrei Kirilenko is retiring from the Russian national team for family reasons.

“I was thinking in summertime I don’t have enough time with my kids,” he said. “My wife and kids, I want to be around them. I don’t want to be dad who’s spending two hours and then you don’t see your kids. It’s a hard decision.

“It’s kind of a dilemma: Going around the globe, playing basketball, have fun or spend your time with your kids and have fun and see how they’re growing. You want to be around them at this kind of age when they’re growing, they start playing hockey, start playing basketball. You want to see the improvement, not only in sports but the person.

“It’s a tough decision but sooner or later, it’s going to happen. We had the generation of (Sergei) Belov, (Arvydas) Sabonis, then the next generation and now the next generation.”

Kirilenko led Russia to a bronze medal finish at the 2012 Olympics.

Jerry Zgoda/Minneapolis Star Tribune

Tags: Andrei Kirilenko, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, National

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Lillard Mentioned As Candidate For USA Basketball Invite

Feb 22, 2013 8:59 PM

Damian Lillard has been mentioned as a candidate to participate in USA Basketball’s minicamp, slated for late July in Las Vegas, Nev.

“Damian is definitely on our radar,” director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo said. “He's one of the bright young stars we have in this game and certainly his chances are very high that he makes our list.”

The minicamp list of attendees will be announced sometime after the NBA season.

Lillard, a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, is averaging 18.4 points, 6.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 38.5 minutes per game.

“We're watching him,” Colangelo said.

Chris Haynes/CSNNW

Tags: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA, National

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Sources: Team USA Continues Push For Return Of Coach K

Feb 7, 2013 12:14 AM

Duke's Mike Krzyzewski said last summer that the 2012 Olympics would be his last year with USA Basketball, but the men's national team continues to pursue Coach K and will not name a coach until after the college season, according to sources.

One of Team USA's key motivations is to give Krzyzewski as much time as possible to consider another run with the program.

Team USA officials are holding out hope that Krzyzewski can be talked into one more tour as coach.

Candidates that have been mentioned as possible successors to Krzyzewski are Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers, Doug Collins and Michigan State's Tom Izzo.

Marc Stein/ESPN

Tags: NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, International, National, International Misc Rumor

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