April 2021 Basketball Wiretap

Mike Brown 'Talking' To Wes Iwundu, Jahlil Okafor After Monte Morris Commits To Nigeria

Mar 20, 2021 5:07 PM

Mike Brown said that he has had discussions with Wes Iwundu and Jahlil Okafor over representing Nigeria in this summer's Olympics.

"I have been talking to Wes, Jahlil; he has been to Nigeria and spent some time there when he was 11, 12 years old. He's a guy that I am excited about. We all should be excited about a guy like Jahlil because of his talent and his ability on that low post," said Brown.

Brown's comments come after Monte Morris committed to the Nigerian national team.

The roster includes current NBA players Morris, Spencer Dinwiddie, Al-Farouq AminuJosh Okogie, and Chimezie Metu. 

Brown noted that more NBA players have approached him about potentially representing the country.

"The crazy part is there are a lot more American players and coaches that have approached me about being a part of the team, whether it is from a coaching standpoint or from a playing standpoint, and I look at it as fantastic for the program."

Colin Udoh/ESPN

Tags: Monte Morris, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jahlil Okafor, Wesley Iwundu, Nigeria, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Monte Morris Commits To Nigeria For Summer Olympics

Mar 19, 2021 1:18 AM

Monte Morris committed to the Nigeria national team for this summer's Olympic games.

Morris joins a roster that includes Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Okogie, Chimezie Metu, and Ekpe Udoh.

Nigeria are currently coached by Mike Brown.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Monte Morris, Nigeria, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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USA Basketball Expands Olympic Player Pool To 57

Mar 11, 2021 11:16 AM

USA Basketball has added 15 players to 42 previously selected USA Basketball Men’s National Team finalists.

The player selections were approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors. The official 12-member U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team roster will be announced later this year.

Added to the 2021 USA National Team roster, from which the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team will be selected, were - Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers); Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets); Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons); Blake Griffin (Brooklyn Nets); Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks); DeAndre Jordan (Brooklyn Nets); Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls); Julius Randle (New York Knicks); Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat); Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks); Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors); John Wall (Houston Rockets); Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans); Christian Wood (Houston Rockets); and Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks).

Forty-two of the athletes who were named as finalists on Feb. 10, 2020, also were confirmed for the 2021 list, including: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat); LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs); Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings); Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards); Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns); Malcolm Brogdon (Indiana Pacers); Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics); Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat); Mike Conley (Utah Jazz); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers); DeMar DeRozan (San Antonio Spurs); Andre Drummond (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets); Paul George (LA Clippers); Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors); James Harden (Brooklyn Nets); Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Lakers); Joe Harris (Brooklyn Nets); Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers); Gordon Hayward (Charlotte Hornets); Dwight Howard (Philadelphia 76ers); Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans); Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets); LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers); Kyle Kuzma (Los Angeles Lakers); Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers); Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers); Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks); Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers); Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors); JaVale McGee (Cleveland Cavaliers); Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks); Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz); Victor Oladipo (Houston Rockets); Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns); Mason Plumlee (Detroit Pistons); Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics); Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers); Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics); Russell Westbrook (Washington Wizards); and Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs).

“With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021, it’s important that we continue to remain flexible and consider all players who can contribute to our efforts to field the best USA team possible. These additions we are announcing today will help ensure that we are doing that,” said Jerry Colangelo, who has served as the managing director of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team since 2005.

“Having a larger player pool than what we normally have is critical because of all of the uncertainties we face about availability. But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: United States, NBA, National, National Olympics, National Teams

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Kawhi Leonard Plans To Play For USA Basketball At Summer Olympics

Mar 9, 2021 2:19 AM

Kawhi Leonard said he still plans to play for USA Basketball at this summer's Tokyo Olympics, which would reunite him with Gregg Popovich.

"My plan is to go," said Leonard.

The NBA season will end on July 22nd should the finals go seven games.

The U.S. will play its first game against France on July 25th.

USA Basketball is close to finalizing a pool of 60 players to draw from. 

The plan is to begin training camp in Las Vegas around July 1st. 

ESPN

Tags: Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers, National, National Olympics

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