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Finch had been coaching the Sheffield Sharks since 1997 and wasn’t sure where it was all going. As he bounced from England to Germany to Belgium, coaching teams like the Giessen 46ers and Euphony Bree, Finch was also applying to Division III coaching gigs in an effort to return home. He missed out on several opportunities but eventually coached the British National Team at the London Olympics and returned stateside with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Houston Rockets’ developmental league affiliate.
Former Grizzlies player Timmy Allen signed with Belgian team BC Oostende for the 2024-25 season.
Now, as Embiid gets heckled at the Paris Games (so far the tournament has been held in a soccer stadium, just outside of Lille, near the Belgian border), his American teammates protect him by returning the crowd’s taunts. Embiid and teammates wave at the crowd, daring them to boo even more. It happened Saturday before, during and after Embiid’s 15-point effort against Puerto Rico. “We are all on Jo’s side,” James said. “Jo’s in great spirits, we’re all in great spirits, and as his 11 teammates, we just give him the support that he needs both on the floor and off the floor if needed.”
Lee also played professionally in Israel, Belgium and Germany. Lee interviewed for NBA coaching jobs with the Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards before getting his first coaching job with the Hornets. Lee said he received “positive” feedback from interviews. Through all the rejections, Lee said, he “never” lost faith that he would become a coach in the NBA. “My faith in myself. My faith in the right thing coming at the right time never wavered,” Lee said. “There was a lot of joy in getting the Charlotte job. And I also get to do it in a city that’s great. A basketball city. I get to work for a president that I have a ton of respect for. And he’s really good. “And then there is a new ownership that is going to invest in the team and help us get to where we need to be. And the talent on the roster … There is so much excitement.”
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Scott Agness: Pacers hosting pre-draft workout No. 3 on June 12. Yongxi Cui (China), Thijs De Ridder (Belgium), Jack Gohlke (Oakland), Emanuel Miller (TCU), Ajay Mitchell (UCSB), Tyson Walker (Michigan State)
Patrick McCaw detained in Belgium due to visa issues
Three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Patrick McCaw, got into an unusual situation after signing a deal with a team in Belgium. McCaw had agreed to a contract with Filou Oostende, a club that plays in the BNXT League in Europe. When he arrived in Belgium, he started facing issues almost immediately before even leaving the airport. The player was detained for three days due to problems with his visa.
McCaw failed to pass passport control upon arrival due to the system flagging his document as lost or stolen. The passport was revoked, and the player was sent to a detainment center in Steenokkerzeel, Sporza writes.
McCaw was deported after four days. He will receive his passport only in a few months. As such, Oostende will search for a new player.
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Earlier in Sinan Erdem Dome, Croatia routed Belgium, 86-55. Mario Hezonja dropped a game-high 22 points and Ivica Zubac posted an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double.
Former Raptors player Patrick McCaw signed with Belgian team BC Oostende for the 2023-24 season.
Jon Chepkevich: Thijs De Ridder declared for the 2023 NBA Draft prior to the early entrant deadline, I’m told. The 6’9” Belgian boasts a strong inside-out game. Finishes w/ power + touch at the rim, hits the glass, and confidently drains spot-up threes. Recently named BNXT Rising Star + 6MOY. pic.twitter.com/3IQ9SyxxBs
As for his international ambitions, Zaire hopes to represent the Democratic Republic of Congo and honour the origins of his name. The DRC was known as Zaire from 1971-1997 after gaining independence from Belgium, before reverting back to its original name. His ambition to represent the DRC is a recent development: "That [intending to play for the DRC] came after wanting to play in BAL actually. "That would be a huge opportunity, but just to be able to play in BAL, because my biggest thing is you've got NBA eyes and you've got FIBA eyes. And no other league really gives you that attention from both. "So me potentially getting a dual citizenship [with DRC] that would really allow me to continue my career, so it's a good opportunity."
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