Beijing Olympics Basketball: USA Outclass Greece 92-69

Dwyane Wade is defended by Greece's Antonios Fotsis

The United States beat Greece 92-69 on Thursday at the Beijing Olympics. Kobe Bryant and Chris Bosh each scored 18 points for the United States, Dwyane Wade scored 17 points and LeBron James scored 13.

The Americans have won their three games by an average of 24 points, but will likely be tested more by Spain on Saturday. The quarterfinals are scheduled Wednesday.

Deron Williams played 23 minutes, a tournament high for him, scoring 5 points. Teammate Carlos Boozer scored 4 points after checking in with 5:37 remaining.

Image Courtsey: Reuters

AT&T,Marketing Partner Of USA Basketball Men's Team

AT&T Inc. is now a marketing partner of the USA Basketball Men's National Team.

Financial terms weren't disclosed.

AT&T, the largest U.S. high-speed Internet access provider, will distribute exclusive men's team content to its customers, both online and via video-on-demand.

"As a proud sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, we're thrilled to add another great sport to our roster," - Jason Simpson, AT&T's director of Olympic integration.

AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and has marketing agreements with several governing bodies, including USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming.

Johnson & Johnson and 24 Hour Fitness also signed marketing agreements with the team, USA Basketball said in separate news releases.

University of Kentucky Basketball Museum Closes

The University of Kentucky Basketball Museum has shut its doors due to falling attendance and financial problems.

The museum, located in the Lexington Center near the entrance to Rupp Arena, has struggled to find an audience since opening in 1999.

Kentucky deputy athletic director Rob Mullens said Wednesday that the museum, which was not affiliated with the university, was averaging less than 25,000 visitors a year. Consultants told museum officials before it opened that 110,000 fans a year could push through the turnstiles.

Mullens said the university has decided to reallocate its annual $100,000 donation to the museum to help offset $1.2 million in debt. Mullens said the university would try to open a new fan-friendly experience at the Craft Center, the school's new basketball practice facility.

News Courtsey: http://www.centredaily.com/

Former NBA Star Dennis Rodman Confirms Allegation Of Spousal Misdemeanour

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman pleaded no contest to misdemeanour charges of spousal battery.

Rodman's agent, Darren Prince, said that the 47-year-old avoided jail time, but has been sentenced to three years probation, 45 days of community service and one year of anger management and domestic violence classes.

"Dennis is happy he can put this misdemeanour charge behind him and get on with his life and career," the New York Daily News quoted Prince, as saying.

Police arrested Rodman in April after he had a late-night fight with his girlfriend following a night of drinking.

Tennessee Women's Basketball Team Congratulated At White House

Tennessee women's basketball team and their coach Pat Summitt arrived at the White House today, where President Bush congratulated the Lady Vols for winning back-to-back NCAA championship.


Tennessee women's basketball team clinched their 2nd consecutive NCAA championship title with a 64-48 vistory over Stanford. They were one of 20 championship teams from 13 states recognized during Tuesday's ceremony.

"It's hard to become a champ, and that's why we love to honor people here at the White House when you become one" -US President Bush

Candace Parker, Nicky Anosike, Shannon Bobbitt and Alexis Hornbuckle are now playing in the WNBA and were not able to attned the ceremony as their respective teams had games on Tuesday.

Picture Coutsey: Govolsxtra.com/news

Beijing Olympics 2008: USA Basketball 12-Players Team Announced

Today, USA Basketball announced the 12 players who will represent the United States this summer in Beijing Olympics:

Denver’s Carmelo Anthony

Utah’s Carlos Boozer

Toronto’s Chris Bosh

the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant

Orlando’s Dwight Howard

Cleveland’s LeBron James

Dallas’s Jason Kidd

New Orleans’s Chris Paul

Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince

Milwaukee’s Michael Redd

Miami’s Dwyane Wade

Utah’s Deron Williams.

Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, LeBron James, and Wade played in Athens four years ago when the United States lost to Argentina before beating Lithuania in the bronze medal game.

The team will meet in Las Vegas on Friday for a two-day training camp before it starts daily training July 21-24. It will then play nine exhibition games ahead of Beijing Olympics. They will reach Beijing on August 6.

USA take on host China on August 10, in preliminary-round game.

Becky Hammon Will Represent Russia In Beijing Olympics 2008

Becky Hammon is chasing her Olympic dream. Hammon a WNBA star from South Dakota will be playing basketball for Russia in the Beijing Olympics 2008. She has now her Russian citizenship.

31-year-old Becky Hammon, who wasn't among those in the original American player selection says that she just wants to play in the Olympics and that she had no chance of making to the Olympics for USA. So when the Russian opportuity from CSKA Moscow club came, she just jumped for it.

"If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person," declared US women's basketball coach Anne Donovan.


"The jersey that I wear has never made me who I was," Hammon told ESPN.com. "It has nothing to do with what's written on my heart. Will I be playing for Russia? Yes. But I'm absolutely 100 percent still an American."