Kyrie Irving, the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year, is one of 13 players named to the 2012 USA Select Team that will train against the USA National Team during its July training camp in Las Vegas. Irving has been part of two previous USA Basketball teams.

Featuring nine players owning USA Basketball experience, including the 2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving and the 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up John Wall, USA Basketball today announced 13 players for the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team that will train against the 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team during its July 6-12 training camp in Las Vegas, Nev.

Named to the 2012 USA Basketball Select squad were: Ryan Anderson (Orlando Magic / California); DeJuan Blair (San Antonio Spurs / Pittsburgh); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings / Kentucky); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors / USC); Derrick Favors (Utah Jazz / Georgia Tech); Paul George (Indiana Pacers / Fresno State); Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls / USC); Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz / Butler); Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers / Duke); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs / San Diego State); Jeremy Lin (New York Knicks / Harvard); Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors / Washington State); and Wall (Washington Wizards / Kentucky).

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CAIRO (FIBA U17 World Championship) – It’s hard to blame Egypt for having confidence heading into the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship. After crushing the competition at last summer’s U16 Africa Championship, the Egyptians were called the “Dream Team of Africa”.

Playing in front of their home crowd in Alexandria, Egypt scored 100 points in five of their six games and beat Tunisia in the Final by the score of 117-67 – clearing any over/unders click here for sports betting, this is the first time an African Championship Final was decided by 50 points according to coach Rafik Youssef.

“My team got a lot of confidence after the wonderful result we had at the U16 African Championship. My team was named ‘Dream Team of Africa’ and this gives them great confidence and responsibility to represent African basketball in the best way possible,” he said.

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Disgusting video of Metta “World Peace” winding up and elbowing James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder after a fast break dunk.

Artest tries to convince the referees that he unintentionally elbowed Harden as he was celebrating his slam, but replays show that he intentionally wound up his elbow and wailed Harden on the side of his head.

World Peace was ultimately ejected from the game and will likely be suspended. Walking into halftime, Kevin Durant called the play “unfortunate” and “not a basketball play.”

It’s terrible. I don’t know how “World Peace” ever got back into the league. Clearly, he still doesn’t get it, and should be suspended the rest of the season + playoffs.

“What a disgrace.”

Here’s a better angle view of the Manu Ginobili pass from Friday night. Check out the behind the basket camera angle – it really shows just how amazing the pass is. It’s just an overall better video. Enjoy.

In tonight’s Spurs vs. Lakers game, Manu Ginobili was up to his trickery again.

After taking an offensive rebound from Tiago Splitter and the Laker’s defense resetting, Ginobili saw a seam. And that’s all he needed.

Manu took the pass near half-court and in one motion, wound up like a pitcher and fired the basketball to Matt Bonner under the basket for a layup. Amazing.

Despite whipping that pass through five purple and gold jerseys, it’s difficult to see how amazing that pass truly is. I’m sure someone will upload the video from the behind-the-basket perspective.

American college basketball’s leading player Brittney Griner has withdrawn from consideration for the United States women’s Olympic team.

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The 2.03m center, who led Baylor to the NCAA title earlier this month and was named the Associated Press Player of the Year, was among the leading candidates to fill the 12th and final roster spot in Geno Auriemma’s team but has cited an unspecified family illness and summer school classes as reasons for not being available.

Griner said: “Because of a family illness and my school schedule during the summer, I have told USA Basketball Women’s National Team Director, Carol Callan, that I will be unable to participate this summer with the 2012 USA Basketball Women’s National Team.

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Iman Shumpert has seen his minutes diminished with the return of Carmelo Anthony and Baron Davis, but in my estimation, the rookie should be getting much more burn.

In his first season, through 35 games, Shumpert is averaging 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.9 steals.  His shooting percentage isn’t high, but the 21-year old brings a lot of intangibles to the game.

The 6-5 Shumpert has the long arms, athleticism, and basketball I.Q. that make him invaluable to the Knicks on both ends of the court.  His ability to run the floor, create his own shots and play defense like he wants to are three factors that the Knicks are missing.

You could say that he’s the X-Factor.

X-Factor—Iman Shumpert

By Keith Schlosser, KnicksJournal.com

Though they put forth a valiant effort against the league-leading Bulls, the Knicks were unable to snap what is now a six game losing streak.

Instead, the team will look to take advantage of the week ahead as they attempt to build up some needed momentum. In order to do so, a full team effort is necessary.

Lucky for the Knicks, they possess one of the NBA’s deepest rosters with a strong array of different talent. Of course, the team’s “Big Three” will be relied upon to lead the way. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire bring explosiveness on offense, while Tyson Chandler serves as anchor of the defense.

That said, the team will surely look down its bench for more positive contributions. Which Knick has the potential to pace his team’s balanced attack as they look to resume their winning ways?

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