Rumors

Tony Parker has confirmed a rebuilding phase for ASVEL Villeurbanne. In a long interview with Le Progrès, the team president listed multiple departures: Neal Sako is heading to Valencia after using his EuroLeague out clause, while Théo Maledon has reportedly signed a “big contract” in Madrid. Paris Lee and Joffrey Lauvergne are considered too expensive to retain, and André Roberson, who Parker “would love to keep”, is unlikely to stay due to rising EuroLeague salaries and the influence of Dubai-based teams.

Sportando

Following his participation in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Sochan is gearing up for the next major international challenge. Discussing his expectations for the upcoming EuroBasket, Sochan highlighted the importance of thorough preparation. "Looking to the next summer, I think we need to prepare better mentally and physically. We need to be ready," he said in a message shared by the Polish Basketball Federation. He added that the excitement of playing at home, in front of their crowd, provides an additional boost.

BasketNews

After representing Poland in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia, Jeremy Sochan is heading to the 2025 EuroBasket. Sochan, 21, discussed the next international challenge of his career. “Looking to the next summer, I think we need to prepare better mentally and physically. We need to be ready. We are all very excited to play at home, in front of our crowd, an additional player for us. In the Olympic Games we saw European powerhouses like Germany, Serbia and France, so we know we need to be ready to compete with the best next year,” he mentioned in a message shared by Polish Basketball Federation on Monday.

EuroHoops.net

Duane Rankin: "The refs, the refs, the refs." Buddy Hield on "the crucial part" of Bahamas' 86-78 loss to Spain in OQT final Sunday in Valencia. Bahamas 22 fouls (10-of-13 FTs), Spain 16 fouls (23-of-25 FTs). "I know we're in Spain. It is what it is." Spain advances to #Paris2024 Olympics. pic.twitter.com/2m5UjggAZT

Twitter

Buddy Hield is currently in Valencia, Spain, starring for the Bahamian national team, which is two wins away from a shocking Olympics bid and is coached by Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco, a helpful ally in the recruitment of Hield. It had been trending this direction for a couple days, but Hield didn’t make a final decision until after a late Wednesday night call with Steve Kerr and then a night to sleep on it. Hield chose the Warriors because of the opportunity to win, per league sources. His suitors included the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers.

New York Times

Hield is currently in Valencia, Spain, starring for the Bahamian national team, which is two wins away from a shocking Olympics bid and is coached by Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco, a helpful ally in the recruitment of Hield. It had been trending this direction for a couple days, but Hield didn’t make a final decision until after a late Wednesday night call with Steve Kerr and then a night to sleep on it.

New York Times

Jason Quick: Blazers center Deandre Ayton had 19 points and 9 rebounds as the Bahamas beat Finland 96-86 Tuesday in an Olympic qualifying opener held in Valencia, Spain. Portland coach Chauncey Billups was in attendance. The Bahamas plays Poland on Wednesday.

Twitter

Hield scored 24 points, Valdez Edgecombe Jr. added 20 and the Bahamas beat Finland 96-85 on Tuesday in the first game of the Olympic qualifying tournament at Valencia, Spain. "We grinded it out. Grinded out a win today," Hield said. "Staying together, figuring it out. Game of basketball is a game of runs. First half, we didn't quite figure it out."

ESPN

Spain started their Olympic Qualifying campaign with a bang. Sergio Scariolo’s side dominated Lebanon at the OQT in Valencia, taking the win with a final score of 59-104. No players spent more than 23 minutes on the court, with Santi Aldama leading the way, scoring 17 points with nine rebounds.

EuroHoops.net

Finland suffered a massive blow in the hunt for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games with Lauri Markkanen out of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Valencia. After an early conclusion to the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season with the Utah Jazz due to an injury in his right shoulder, he will sit out this summer’s international schedule, Basketball Finland updated his status on Monday. “Certainly, this is tough,” confessed Markkanen, “Representing Finland and playing for the national team is an honor for me. Along with my teammates, we have been talking all season about how sweet it would be to advance to the Olympic Games.”

EuroHoops.net

Donatas Urbonas: The 2022 NBA draft went according to Valencia's plan. The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to stash their No. 39 NBA draft pick Khalifa Diop in Valencia, per sources. More details: basketnews.com/news-174058-kh…

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Marc Stein: Mike Tobey, who had a strong Olympics alongside Luka Dončić with Slovenia, is under contract from one more season at Valencia in Spain. Tobey has a sizable buyout, I'm told, which complicates attempting an NBA return in the short term after Tobey's time with Charlotte in 2017.

Twitter

Done deal between Valencia and Derrick Williams. After Bayern and Fenerbahce, former Nba will play in Spain.

Sportando

Spain is next to start playing professional basketball amid the coronavirus pandemic using a “bubble” format similar to the one planned by the NBA. Spain’s main league, considered one of the world's best outside of the NBA, will resume Wednesday with the launch of a 12-team tournament playing in a single venue in the eastern city of Valencia. There will be 33 matches played without fans in a two-week span. Germany resumed its league two weeks ago using a similar enclosed format in Munich, and the NBA is set to follow suit in late July with 22 teams playing at the Disney campus near Orlando, Florida.

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