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The success of men&rsquo;s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans to the fact that there are great teams and players across the planet. While Team USA swept to the <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/team-usa-defeat-hosts-france-to-claim-olympic-gold-medal">gold medal</a> with a win over France in the final, maybe you were impressed by some of the tournament&rsquo;s best non-NBA players and wondered whether they might end up in the American league.
<h2>Willy Hernangomez - Spain</h2>
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At 7-foot tall, this center is an imposing physical presence in the Spanish team. He broke through at Real Madrid and joined the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 NBA draft before being traded to the New York Knicks. His time playing at Madison Square Garden appeared to start well and was Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month early in his career as he led rebounding for newcomers to the league. He ended his first season in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Willy then bounced around a few American teams without realizing his obvious potential. In 2023, he signed a three-year deal with Spanish team FC Barcelona. He was recently reported to be dissatisfied with his role at Barcelona and will have been disappointed that the highly-rated Spanish team dropped out of the Olympics in the qualifying round. Will Willy return to the NBA at some point? After seven years in the American league, he stated that he was happy with the <a href="https://basketnews.com/news-197125-willy-hernangomez-havent-felt-this-much-support-in-all-my-years-in-nba.html">support he received</a> on his return to Spain, so it seems unlikely at the moment.&nbsp;
<h2>Bruno Caboclo - Brazil</h2>
This 28-year-old power forward from Brazil started his career with Pinheiros before joining the Toronto Raptors in the 2014 NBA draft. This selection is still best remembered for Fran Fraschilla saying that he was "two years away from being two years away" when reporting it. Bruno never quite made the breakthrough expected of him in the NBA and returned to Brazil, where he was more successful.
After moving around a few teams in different countries, he joined Partizan Belgrade of the Serbian League in 2023. He averaged 9.4 points over the 2023-24 season, which was ultimately unsuccessful for the team. Given his globe-trotting career to date, it would be easy to imagine Bruno being interested in a move back to the US, but the latest news reports suggest that he is <a href="https://www.nbamaniacs.com/en/nba-rumors/bruno-caboclo-receives-an-offer-from-israel/">considering an offer</a> from Israeli team Hapoel Tel Aviv. At the Olympics in Paris, his 33 points vs Japan was one of the top individual performances.
<h2>Wenyen Gabriel - South Sudan</h2>
Wenyen was born in Sudan but moved to the US as a youngster. His college basketball was played for the Kentucky Wildcats, and he was one of the country&rsquo;s most highly-ranked young players at one point. Despite this, he went undrafted in 2018 but then joined the Sacramento Kings to play in the Summer League. After briefly joining the Portland Trail Blazers, Wenyen moved to the New Orleans Pelicans followed by the Brooklyn Nets and other US teams.
He then went to Puerto Rico with the Vaqueros de Bayam&oacute;n and it was recently announced that he&rsquo;s signed for Maccabi Tel Aviv to play in the Euroleague and the Israeli Basketball Premier League. If you want to follow his career, you can now easily find online content for foreign basketball leagues and stream games. You might also want to check the current <a href="https://www.bodog.eu/sports/basketball">basketball odds</a> for leagues around the world. You&rsquo;ll see live betting odds as well as the numbers for upcoming games. Choose from options like moneyline, spread, and total bet when looking for games to bet on in the Euroleague and elsewhere.
<h2>Carlik Jones - South Sudan</h2>
Carlik was born in the US and grew up in Ohio, becoming one of the highest-rated college players while performing for the Radford Highlanders and then the Louisville Cardinals. He went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft but then joined the Dallas Mavericks to play in the NBA Summer League. After moving around a few teams, he was named as the NBA G League&rsquo;s Most Valuable Player in 2022 while playing for the Chicago Bulls.&nbsp;
The point guard played in China and was rumored to be moving to Maccabi Tel Aviv this season but surprised everyone by signing for Partizan Mozzart Bet of the Serbian league instead. Carlik revealed after the World Cup that he had some offers from the NBA but that the move to Serbia felt right and that Partizan appears to be the ideal team for him. At 26 years old, he might still have time to move back to the American league in the future.
<h2>Summary</h2>
At the moment none of the non-NBA players who performed well in the 2024 Olympics seems set to join the American basketball league. Yet, some of them have already played here before heading abroad to try their luck elsewhere, so it wouldn&rsquo;t be a major surprise to see one or more players from this list reaching the NBA at some point. &nbsp;

The success of men’s basketball in the 2024 Olympics has opened the eyes of many fans that there are a lot of great teams and players.

Which Olympic Basketball Stars Could Join the NBA?

The USA Men&rsquo;s National Basketball Team did not break a sweat as it dominated Brazil by 35 points, 122-87, to book a semifinals ticket at the 2024 Paris Olympics.&nbsp;
Team USA led from start to finish as they played their first game in Paris at the Bercy Arena after playing their first 3 group stage games 150 miles north of the French capital in Lille at the Pierre de Mauroy stadium. The Americans were welcomed by a sold-out crowd in Paris this time and did not disappoint.&nbsp;
Team USA unleashed a barrage of threes led by Devin Booker, who had 18 points with 5 threes made. Team USA also went up and ran the floor, causing havoc on the open floor with their vaunted defense to get some easy buckets on the other end.&nbsp;
Joel Embiid, a crowd favorite in Paris, played perhaps the best game in a Team USA jersey with 14 points including 3/3 from downtown. He scored on an and-one in the 2nd quarter and had fun time hyping up fans that were booing him, celebrating on a dx chop gesture made famous in the WWE.
LeBron James was his usual captain self as he manned the team with 12 points and a team high 9 assists. James went to the locker room in the 3rd quarter after getting hit inadvertently at the side of the head, and according to head coach Steve Kerr, needed four stitches. James ended up back on the bench in the 4th quarter as he watched his fellow Americans cruise to the victory.&nbsp;
Kevin Durant, Team USA&rsquo;s Captain America, made history by becoming the federation&rsquo;s all-time leading scorer in history both in men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s by scoring 11 points. He also had his 26th straight game of scoring 10 or more which is 2 more games off the mark of Pau Gasol, who has the record at 28 games straight.&nbsp;
Birthday boy Anthony Edwards who just turned 23 had himself a fun game, scoring 17 points and getting up the shots he wanted to take off the bench.&nbsp;
Everybody else played their role and this Team USA still looks invincible 4 games in, with possibly 2 more games to go before winning that coveted 5th straight Olympic gold medal.
Bruno Caboclo showed up for Brazil with 30 points on 13/20 shooting, which marked his 2nd straight game scoring 30 or more. Caboclo scored 33 points in their win vs Japan.
Up next for Team USA is a rematch with Serbia in the semifinals. Team USA notably beat the Serbians by 26 in group stage play, and Serbia should have something on their shoulders ahead of that colossal semis matchup for a chance to play for gold.

The USA Men’s National Basketball Team did not break a sweat as it dominated Brazil by 35 points, 122-87, to book a semifinals ticket.

Team USA dominates Brazil to book Olympics semis ticket

The matchups for the 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball Tournament are set as the top-ranked national teams in the world gun for gold. Here are all the matchups in the knockout rounds:&nbsp;
Germany vs Greece
The Germans will bring their world championship pedigree against Greece and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo as both teams clash for a semis spot. Germany, led by FIBA MVP Dennis Schroder and rising NBA star Franz Wagner, are ready to stake their claim for the Olympics&rsquo; gold medal. They will be met by a hungry Antetokounmpo and his Greece squad that just barely snuck into the quarterfinals. Despite the overwhelming advantage by the Germans, Giannis and Greece are a team to watch out for especially if their shooters get hot and Antetokounmpo dominates the inside game.&nbsp;
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Men's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> Quarter-Finals start with a banger 🔥 Germany 🇩🇪 v 🇬🇷 Greece, who do you got? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> <a href="https://t.co/N6mv5StwR7">pic.twitter.com/N6mv5StwR7</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820671140622385209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
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Serbia vs Australia
Led by their ageless wonder Patty Mills, Australia comes into the game vs Serbia as huge underdogs facing perhaps the best player in the world right now in 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic. This will be the second time the two squads will meet this summer after facing each other in the USA Basketball Showcase in Abu Dhabi. Australia ended up winning that game 84-73, and now with a semis spot on the line, expect Serbia to up the intensity and strike revenge against the Boomers. Jokic alongside co-stars Bogdan Bogdanovic and Vasilje Micic could have something up their sleeves in this matchup vs Australia to try and win the game.
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Oh, this will be fun. 😈 Serbia 🇷🇸 v 🇦🇺 Australia will clash for semi-finals!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/T4JmyFyMIT">pic.twitter.com/T4JmyFyMIT</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820686238501969965?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
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France vs Canada
In perhaps the marquee matchup of the day, two basketball superpowers collide in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympics when France and Canada face each other for a semis slot. This colossal matchup happened when France lost to Germany for the top spot in Group B, ending up facing the 3rd best team in point differential in Canada. Stars will be all around in this matchup, with Canada&rsquo;s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett looking to spoil the fun in Paris while France&rsquo;s very own Victor Wembanyama wants to lead his home country to a gold medal.
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Potentially... "that game from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>" 🍿 France 🇫🇷 v 🇨🇦 Canada is a must-watch today!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/iI4gPKJXgf">pic.twitter.com/iI4gPKJXgf</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820701342777929784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
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USA vs Brazil
Team USA enters this matchup as humongous favorites but make no mistake: Brazil will not come into the game just to hand the win over to their North American neighbors. Even at 41, Marcelo Huertas still leads this team with his steady play at the PG position. Along with capable teammates Bruno Caboclo, Leo Meindl, and Vitor Benite, Brazil looks to crash the Americans&rsquo; presumably party even before the game starts. Of course, Team USA is bannered by the best players in the world on their way to obtaining their 5th straight Olympic gold medal. Some may even say all the other 7 teams are just competing for silver and bronze behind the USA&rsquo;s presumed gold. We&rsquo;ll see what happens when Team USA&rsquo;s quest for gold starts vs Brazil.
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Two countries from Americas, one semi-final spot. 🔥 Brazil 🇧🇷 v 🇺🇸 USA will be a box-office in Paris.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/YdOuuZmE37">pic.twitter.com/YdOuuZmE37</a>
&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1820716441340960891?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2024</a>
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The matchups for the 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball Tournament are set as the top-ranked national teams in the world gun for gold.

Top national teams collide in Paris 2024 Olympics quarterfinals

Three teams have booked their quarterfinal spots in the Paris 2024 Olympics basketball tournament after winning each other&rsquo;s crucial matches. Here&rsquo;s how the games went:
Brazil 102, Japan 84
Brazil needed more than 10 points to win coming into the game to qualify for the quarterfinals and they did just that. Behind Bruno Caboclo who played the game of his life, the Brazilians ran Japan off the court to win by 18 points. Caboclo for himself had 33 points and 18 rebounds en route to making history. Vitor Benite and Marcelo Huertas added 19 and 13 points respectively as Brazil now moves on to face undisputed favorites Team USA in the knockout rounds.&nbsp;
Greece 77, Australia 71
Greece upset Australia in this one after losing their first two games to Canada and Spain. After virtually carrying his team for the past two games, Giannis Antetokounmpo had ample help this time as Greece finally claimed a win. Thomas Walkup had 18 points with 4 threes while Dinos Mitoglou had 13 points and 7 rebounds to help the &lsquo;Greek Freak&rsquo; who himself had 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. This win by Greece complicated Group A&rsquo;s standings, as Australia, Greece, and Spain all have identical 1-2 records. However, due to superior quotient, Australia and Greece will finish 2nd and 3rd respectively to kick Spain out of the competition. Both teams will now move on to the quarterfinals facing Germany and Serbia respectively.&nbsp;
Canada 88, Spain 85
Canada edged Spain in a close match and ended up taking their opponent&rsquo;s chance to make the quarterfinals. Spain needed to win by 3 points or more coming to the game to qualify, however, it was Canada who ended up having the margin and taking the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again brilliant for Canada as he tallied 20 points while Andrew Nembhard provided the necessary support after Jamal Murray struggled once again, scoring 18 points off the bench. Canada will face hosts France in the knockout rounds in a pivotal matchup that may likely decide a medal winner.&nbsp;

Three teams have booked their quarterfinal spots in the Paris 2024 Olympics basketball tournament after winning.

Paris 2024 Olympics Day 3: Brazil, Greece, and Canada book QF slots with huge wins

After five grueling days of intense, do-or-die games, four teams have emerged as winners of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and booked a trip to the Olympics.&nbsp;
Among the teams making their way to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games are Brazil, Greece, Puerto Rico, and Spain after winning their respective tournaments in 4 various locations around the world. Brazil won in Riga, Latvia while Greece, Puerto Rico, and Spain each defended their home courts in Piraeus, San Juan, and Valencia respectively.&nbsp;
<a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=89fd1b8297&amp;e=2fb0566584">Brazil is celebrating being crowned winners of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Latvia</a> and securing a coveted place in Paris 2024. They will line up at the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament for the 16th time after they spoiled the party in Riga for the home fans. A stunning opening quarter, which included 8 of 8 from downtown and a half-court buzzer beater, gave Brazil a commanding 34-11 advantage over Latvia, and they never looked back.
Sailing to a memorable 94-69 success, they were powered by forward Leo Meindl with a near double-double of 21 points and 9 rebounds. His teammate Bruno Caboclo also impressed with 21 points, which sealed the deal for him to be deservedly <a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=6024459c3d&amp;e=2fb0566584">crowned the TISSOT MVP of the competition</a>. When Brazil line up at Paris 2024, they will do so in Group B, where they will face host nation France, reigning FIBA Basketball World Cup champions Germany, and Japan.
Greece will compete in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2008, after their victory at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 Greece. <a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=6f9cccd2c1&amp;e=2fb0566584">They clinched their fourth win, 80-69 over Croatia</a>, on Sunday in front of 11,810 fans at home in the final of the event.
Greece jumped into the lead soon after the start and led for most of the encounter, although they were only able to truly shake off the resilient Croatia late in the final frame, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nick Calathes, and Giorgos Papagiannis.
<a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=8d44cbbee0&amp;e=2fb0566584">Antetokounmpo, the Greek superstar of the Milwaukee Bucks, was named TISSOT MVP</a> of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Greece. He led the way for his team in the final with 23 points and 8 rebounds, while averaging 22.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the tournament. Greece will be placed in Group A and will face Australia, Canada, and Spain.
<a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=8f7204be13&amp;e=2fb0566584">Puerto Rico triumphed at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 at home</a> in San Juan to clinch a spot in the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament for the first time since 2004.&nbsp;
Nelson Colon's men were helped by 13,504 passionate supporters who showed up in numbers to will the home side to a 79-68 victory against Lithuania in Sunday's Final. The one-two punch of Jose Alvarado and Tremont Waters proved unstoppable for the Europeans, as Alvarado led the way with a game-high 23 points and Waters chipped in with 18.
<a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=fe2ec4cb22&amp;e=2fb0566584">Alvarado was named the TISSOT MVP</a> of the tournament after averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals, as the hosts went a perfect four-of-four in San Juan.
In the Olympics, Puerto Rico will slot into Group C alongside defending Olympic champions USA, Nikola Jokic-led Serbia, and South Sudan, who will be making their first-ever appearance at the Games.
Spain ensured they were victorious in front of their home crowd to celebrate booking their spot at another Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament. Spain, who were Olympic medalists in 1984, 2008, 2012, and 2016, <a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=fb071af6ca&amp;e=2fb0566584">defeated the Bahamas 86-78</a> in Sunday's final in Valencia in front of over 7,000 supporters.
Lorenzo Brown played an important role in the victory with 18 points, including four three-pointers, helping to spark a pivotal run late in the first half. Deandre Ayton posted 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Buddy Hield contributed 19 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Bahamas. However, their efforts were not enough to overcome Spain's experience in such elimination games.
<a href="https://fiba.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7033084a6897e1c399b667eb5&amp;id=e6ad446b5f&amp;e=2fb0566584">Santi Aldama collected TISSOT MVP honors</a> with 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024 in Spain as the hosts won all four games for a perfect week. Rudy Fernandez, 39, is set to become the first male basketball player to compete in six Olympic basketball tournaments.
Spain's return to another Olympics sees them land in Group A alongside Australia, Canada, and Greece.
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The Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament will commence on July 27 in Lille, concluding with the Final and Third-Place Game at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10.

After five grueling days of do-or-die games, four teams have won the FIBA OQT and booked a trip to the Olympics.

2024 FIBA OQT: Brazil, Greece, Puerto Rico, Spain book a ticket to Paris

NBA players don't choose the pressure that comes with being a top draft pick.&nbsp;
For many, the increased spotlight and expectation to turn a franchise around can be overwhelming. In a league where fit carries so much weight and the "bust" label gets thrown around recklessly, some young athletes simply need more time and a better supporting environment to work their way to professional success.
Cam Payne was all-but finished as an NBA player, then roared back with the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 playoffs and now has a firm place on a contending team's roster. Stanley Johnson had bounced around the league before showing his merit with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.&nbsp;
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For the following three players, their NBA future is murky. But they've shown enough at their recent stops to make them worthy of another look from the league. If they can channel some promise into production, they could make for the next great comeback story.
NOAH VONLEH
Noah Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft, is getting his next shot with the Boston Celtics. The Massachusetts native has earned a training camp tryout for a team with open roster spots and a need for big man depth. If Vonleh is going to beat out Luke Kornet, Mfiondu Kabengele and Bruno Caboclo for a spot in the rotation, he'll have to prove he can take his success in the Chinese Basketball Association back to the NBA.
The 26-year-old averaged 15.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game with the Shanghai Sharks last season &mdash; his first year overseas. He hit 38.0% of his threes on 4 attempts per game, which is a combination of volume and efficiency Vonleh rarely showed in the United States. The CBA three-point line is a bit shorter, but Vonleh knocking down shots in this context is nonetheless a positive.
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Vonleh had to create more for himself with Shanghai than he likely will need to in Boston. He hit 40% of his catch-and-shoot threes, shot 46.7% on pick-and-pop plays and made 71.4% of his attempts on cuts, per InStat Scouting. He's a capable passer out of post-ups with some solid touch around the basket and a nose for rebounds.&nbsp;
The desired version in Boston is a Vonleh who can come off the bench and be a threat from behind the arc while attacking closeouts and threatening defenses with his passing and short-range scoring. At the same time, Vonleh has to clear a defensive bar to work in the Celtics' switch-heavy scheme. We'll see if he can accomplish it all, but the requisite flashes are worth giving him a shot.
KRIS DUNN
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I will always, always, always go to bat for Kris Dunn earning a spot in the league. He's become kind of a journeyman and I think that's wild. He brings so much as a passer (like below) but also as a finisher and defender <a href="https://t.co/pMER13WRjf">pic.twitter.com/pMER13WRjf</a>
&mdash; Ethan Fuller (@ethman43) <a href="https://twitter.com/ethman43/status/1510267135691563011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2022</a></blockquote>

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There's got to be a situation where Kris Dunn fits as a specialist piece. The 2016 No. 5 pick played for his fourth NBA team, last season, appearing in just 14 contests with the Portland Trail Blazers. Dunn hasn't picked up a contract or training camp invite for next season, and I just don't understand how he can fall through the entire league with some of his high-level skills.
Dunn is one of the better guard defenders in basketball. He creates steals and transition chances with his length and strong frame. He contains drives and rebounds surprisingly well for his position. Dunn has moments of inconsistency and fouls a lot, but I believe he'd be a tier below an All-Defense-caliber player if he received rotation minutes.
And then, the offense... Yeah, he's a non-threat as a shooter right now and a bit of a wild card as a creator. But Dunn's court vision is extraordinary and he can create space for himself and others with his handle and passing. This is not a Matisse Thybulle-esque situation where Dunn is an offensive impediment. He has enough positive moments worth buying into.
I foresee Dunn as a defensive playmaker who can at least set the table and keep pace high during his rotation playing time. Maybe there are too many valleys to warrant steady minutes. But he absolutely warrants a look off of his defense alone, with offensive upside still untapped.
GEORGIOS PAPAGIANNIS
Papagiannis played a mere 39 games in less than two seasons with the Sacramento Kings and Trail Blazers before leaving the NBA entirely in 2018. He was a stunning selection at No. 13 overall in 2016, and simply wasn't ready for the highest level of basketball at the time.
Now 25 years old, Papagiannis is changing the trajectory of his career. He made the All-EuroLeague Second Team this past season with Panathinaikos in Greece, and averaged 10.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in EuroLeague play. He shot 64.6% from the field and showed all the tools of a low-usage, high-impact center in the EuroLeague and Greek Basketball League.
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Papagiannis has impressive mobility for his 7-foot-1 frame. He often played in drop coverage or at the level of the screen, and was able to stick with most quicker guards on their drives. Even when he was caught out of position, like in the first highlight, he recovered well and used his length to swat shots. Papagiannis' sense of timing with his contests is pretty remarkable.
The elite shooting clip came from a heavy diet of roll-man and cutting shot attempts in the paint. Papagiannis was one of the more physically dominant bigs in his competitions last season. I think he would be hard-pressed to find that same dominance against bigger, faster and stronger NBA defenders. However, he definitely has the rhythm of rolling down pat, and he's developing a floater that could help him against rim-protecting bigs.
We don't know what Papagiannis' prospects are of making it back to the U.S., or if the Greek center even wants to leave his home country and longtime team. But he's certainly more polished than he was as a young prospect and fits as a plus defensive player who can maximize limited offensive responsibilites. Above all, it's just good to see Papagiannis thriving as a pro when the NBA gauntlet can often be demoralizing.

Ethan Fuller spotlights Kris Dunn, Noah Vonleh and Georgios Papagiannis as ex-lottery picks who could fight back into the NBA.

3 former NBA lottery picks who deserve another shot in the league

According to <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1554131914226864128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic's Shams Charania</a>, free agent Bruno Caboclo is signing a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics to compete for a roster spot.
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Free agent Bruno Caboclo has agreed to a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics and will compete for a roster spot, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>.
&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1554131914226864128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Caboclo has played seven season in the NBA including with the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets. In his career, he has averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds.
Last year, he played with Sao Paulo FC of the Novo Basquete Brasil averaging 23.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks as the team won&nbsp;the BCL Americas championship, it's first continental title.&nbsp;

Bruno Caboclo is signing a training camp deal with the Boston Celtics to compete for a roster spot.

Bruno Caboclo signs with Celtics, will compete for roster spot

In Colombia, Juan Palacios joked, a soccer ball is given to you at birth.
Basketball found him on the back of a public bus in Medellin when he was 11.&nbsp;
More accurately, it found his mother, Maria.&nbsp;
&ldquo;My mom is about 6-foot-2,&rdquo; said Palacios, a standout hooper at the University of Louisville from 2004 to 2008. &ldquo;One night, after work, a basketball coach sat next to her on the bus. He said, &lsquo;We need a limo so we can be comfortable.&rsquo; He asked her if she had any kids and when she told him I was 6-1 and 11 (years old), he said he wanted to meet me.&rdquo;
His name: Angel.
&ldquo;The guy saw me and told me, &lsquo;You are going to be the best basketball player in Colombia and you will travel the world,&rsquo;&rdquo; Palacios remembered. &ldquo;I had never touched a basketball before.&rdquo;
Now, 37, Palacios is one of the best players in Colombia and basketball has taken him all over the world.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Everything he said became a reality,&rdquo; Palacios said.
Last year, Palacios, who is in Year 14 of his professional basketball career, visited Angel.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He has Alzheimer&rsquo;s, but he remembers me,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;He was super excited with everything I have accomplished.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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A chance meeting on public transportation, because his mom wanted more leg room, started his journey on the hardwood; within three years, Palacios began drawing attention for his play with the Colombian U18 Men's National Team.&nbsp;
At 15, speaking almost no English, Palacios moved in with a host family and enrolled at Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York.&nbsp;
&ldquo;[They were] like, 'Okay we'll take him,' but it was more of, 'Let's do something nice for him and the world,'&rdquo; Palacios said with a laugh. &ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t have much hope that I was going to be good, until they saw me at our first practice.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Palacios was a Third Team All-America selection his senior year. Shooting better than 50% from the floor and averaging 20.2 points per game, he was nearly 6-foot-9 and a bulldozer at power forward &mdash; an NBA prospect.
&ldquo;I was playing with grown men over here in Colombia,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;I knew the hard work I was putting in; I knew I was nice [before they did].&rdquo;
When it came time to pick a college, Palacios chose Louisville for one reason: Rick Pitino.
In Palacios, Pitino saw a frontcourt duplicate of former NBA player Jamal Mashburn; in Pitino, Palacios saw a &ldquo;genius.&rdquo; Someone who understood people every bit as much as he understood basketball.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He holds himself in such a way, when he talks, you have to listen,&rdquo; Palacios said of Pitino. &ldquo;I understood how he was able to manage people. He treats everyone according to what they need. He understood what guys had to be pushed; what guys had to be left alone &mdash; that was how he got the best out of everyone on the court.&rdquo;
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An integral part of a Final Four team his freshman year and Elite Eight team his senior year, Palacios attributed his longevity in the sport to his experience at Louisville.&nbsp;
&ldquo;There is nothing I have seen as a professional that I didn&rsquo;t see with Rick Pitino,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Practice, preseason, he prepares you for life.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The most important piece of advice Pitino gave him: &ldquo;Always be under 10% body fat.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am 37,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;There are a lot of guys that [came up with me that] have already retired. Longevity is hard &mdash; it&rsquo;s something he cultivated in me.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As a pro, Palacios has played in Spain, the Canary Islands, Colombia, France, Turkey and, currently, Lithuania.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I want to go to Asia, because I have never played there,&rdquo; Palacios said.&nbsp;
As long as his body feels good and he is still performing at a high level, Palacios doesn&rsquo;t expect to retire anytime soon.
&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t have the millions that LeBron does to take care of my body,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to get to the point that I look bad on the court. But if the knees don&rsquo;t hurt it will be hard to retire.&rdquo;&nbsp;
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This summer, Palacios took on a new challenge: Rejoining the Colombian national team for the first time in years, in the hopes of leading the country to a FIBA World Cup appearance in August of 2023.
&ldquo;They don&rsquo;t really pay us and I don&rsquo;t need the exposure, but at the end of the day I love my country,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;I pride myself on doing things that haven&rsquo;t been done too often &mdash; I am glad I came, being part of this is amazing.&rdquo;
In early July, Palacios helped pace Colombia to back-to-back, must-win games over Chile and South American powerhouse, Brazil.&nbsp;
Palacios was the high scorer with 26 points in the back-and-forth, double-overtime win against a Brazilian team anchored by former NBA players Marcelo Huertas and Bruno Caboclo.
&ldquo;That was a crazy moment &mdash; nobody thought we could beat Brazil,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Anything can happen in a basketball game &mdash; on the first possession you felt the intensity of the game. Those special moments are what we play for.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The wins advanced Colombia to the second round of World Cup qualifiers &mdash; with games on Aug. 25 and Aug.&nbsp; 28 against Mexico and the United States.&nbsp;
If Colombia qualifies for the World Cup, it will be the nation&rsquo;s first appearance in the tournament since 1982.
&ldquo;Having the opportunity to play against great competition is what I am all about,&rdquo; Palacios said. &ldquo;Playing against the U.S. is going to be nice &mdash; I am thankful.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Noah Perkins interviews former Louisville standout Juan Palacios about Colombia basketball, his time under Rick Pitino and more.

Juan Palacios hopes to guide Colombia to FIBA World Cup

Everyone enters NBA Summer League with something to prove.
For rookies, it's their first opportunity to show they belong at the highest level of professional basketball. To veterans, it's a chance to assert themselves, showcase their development and prove that they deserve a roster or increased minutes in the rotation.
Even in the relative nonchalance of the Las Vegas heat, for some young talents, the next 11 days will take on extra significance. For 10 in particular, this is a pivotal offseason for their pro career, and a standout Summer League could put them on a much-needed course correction.
I did not list any rookies here; it's their first shot in the league, so it's a bit unfair to stamp such high stakes on their inaugural action. Everyone on this list has at least a year of NBA experience under their belt, and one has been around the league for close to a decade. Beyond the top prospects, here are some players you should keep an eye on as they make their cases during Summer League.
Bruno Caboclo, Utah Jazz
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Justin Robinson finds Bruno Caboclo for the slam! 📺: ESPN2 <a href="https://t.co/VaFH9MTUNw">pic.twitter.com/VaFH9MTUNw</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1544860272367632384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Caboclo is one of the most experienced players on this summer's rosters. The No. 20 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Caboclo is remarkably still just 26 years old, but spent seven seasons with six teams in the NBA before suiting up for Sao Paulo FC in Brazil last year.&nbsp;
This is probably one of Caboclo's last shots at sticking in the league. He has averaged double-digit minutes per game just once in seven years, when he put up 8.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 23.5 minutes per game with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018-19. He's far from the intriguing, raw prospect he was when entering the Association, so if Caboclo is going to earn a roster spot, even on a G League team, he has to show out.
Several other prospects enter Summer League in a similar situation. DJ Wilson (Raptors) and Chandler Hutchinson (Hawks) were first-round picks in the 2017 and 2018 NBA Drafts, respectively. They played 10 NBA games combined in 2021-22.&nbsp;
Usman Garuba, Houston Rockets
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Love this sequence from Usman Garuba. Does a brilliant job of switching onto Carsen Edwards, moves over to swat the ball loose from the ball-handler, and then pushes it up the floor in transition. <a href="https://t.co/WDfKs6cdG6">pic.twitter.com/WDfKs6cdG6</a>
&mdash; Dakota Schmidt (@Dakota_Schmidt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dakota_Schmidt/status/1490729110334808070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Jalen Green backed up his No. 2 overall draft slot with a stellar finish to last season, landing on the All-Rookie First Team. Alperen Sengun dazzled fans with his passing and put up 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game after the All-Star break. Josh Christopher battled typical rookie inconsistencies, but closed out his year with three games of 20-plus points in his last seven contests.
Houston's fourth 2021 first-round pick, however, went relatively unnoticed. Usman Garuba appeared just 24 times and averaged 10 minutes per game. He was billed as a versatile defender who could pair with Sengun, but injuries slowed his progression, though he flashed promise in limited G League action.
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Sometimes, rebuilds move too quickly for player development to keep up. Houston drafted Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall pick and Tari Eason at No. 17. Both figure to occupy one, if not two, forward spots, with Kenyon Martin Jr. and Jae'Sean Tate firmly in the mix as well. Garuba must demonstrate a stable offensive floor to balance his stellar defensive tools. I'll be interested to see how he's used in Las Vegas as a smaller center.
RJ Hampton, Orlando Magic
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Yeah , I asked to play. Nothing like getting reps and rhythm during the summer against competition and connecting with our new rooks 🤟🏽
&mdash; RJ (@RjHampton14) <a href="https://twitter.com/RjHampton14/status/1542161234493165568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs have graduated from Summer League play. Hampton is the lone young Magic guard returning to the roster. Orlando acquired the high-flying playmaker in March 2021, but he hasn't synced up with his backcourt mates quite yet, and playing time will only grow more scarce as the core improves.
The 21-year-old has just struggled to score efficienctly at any level. Despite his athleticism and power, Hampton made just 52.5% of his attempts at the rim last season and finished with a 48.1% True Shooting percentage.
In a featured role with this Magic summer group, he needs to display some takeover playmaking ability and consistent shotmaking. Hampton seems to be embracing the extra reps, which offer a promising chance for him to ball out with No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero.
Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons
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Killian Hayes Is looking good 👀 Via 🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitXay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DetroitXay</a> <a href="https://t.co/xv97YJKAdl">pic.twitter.com/xv97YJKAdl</a>
&mdash; Pistons Talk (@Pistons__Talk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pistons__Talk/status/1541958241147658241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Our Nekias Duncan highlighted <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/views-from-the-bottom-young-players-to-keep-an-eye-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hayes' solid end to the 2021-22 season</a>. Though the overall stats might not show it, the former No. 7 pick did take meaningful strides as an off-ball player next to Cade Cunningham and a downhill driver when he had opportunities. Duncan also called Hayes "one of the most underrated guard defenders in the sport already."
That didn't stop Detroit from selecting Jaden Ivey to be Cade Cunningham's backcourt partner. Hayes is still very much part of a talented Pistons core, but his long-term projection with the franchise is murky right now. A standout effort in Vegas could solidify his standing, not only in the rotation, but also in the eyes of other teams around the league.
Kai Jones, Charlotte Hornets
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Kai Jones taking fight for the nasty dunk <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AllFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AllFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/rrhOfVjnrj">pic.twitter.com/rrhOfVjnrj</a>
&mdash; Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1424516813417811970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2021</a></blockquote>

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Most expected Jones to be more of a developmental draft pick when Charlotte selected him No. 19 overall last year. He played just 63 total minutes with the Hornets and appeared in eight games for the G League affiliate Greensboro Swarm. Then, the Hornets went back to the NBA Draft for frontcourt help, selecting Mark Williams at No. 15 overall a few weeks ago.
What does this mean for Jones? Summer League head coach Jordan Surenkamp said more time at the four might be a possibility:
"Yeah, I still think that's up in the air. I think it kind of depends on what we're looking at from an organization standpoint in terms of rotations and things like that," <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/hornets/news/quick-hits-early-impressions-of-rookies-role-for-kai-jones-balancing-sl-minutes-more" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surenkamp said.</a> "But like I said, he's been very willing to play at that position so far just as much as he has been at the five, which is more of what he's done in this league up to this point. In terms of how many minutes and how often, those are still things that are up in the air. Those are conversations that we'll have before Friday."
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I'm admittedly a skeptic toward this type of role shift for Jones. But Summer League is an excellent laboratory for him and the Hornets to try out the fit.
Aleksej Pokusevski, Oklahoma City Thunder
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And y'all expect me to quit Poku lol TUH <a href="https://t.co/2vRTHbLWrO">pic.twitter.com/2vRTHbLWrO</a>
&mdash; Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1544496249994465280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>

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One of the most unique players in the entire NBA enters his third season with the Thunder. But this will actually be Pokusevski's first NBA Summer League experience after OKC decided not to have him join the team last year (and there was no competition in 2020).&nbsp;
Pokusevski has his staunch advocates and critics on either side after another up-and-down season in 2021-22. But he was much better after the All-Star break, averaging 12.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists across 19 games. Poku still has a ways to go in his individual development, and the Thunder have shown a willingness to be patient as the seven-foot wing progresses. A strong summer showing against less experienced competition would help justify the franchise's belief in him.
Paul Reed, Philadelphia 76ers
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Paul Reed dropped 20 PTS and snatched 15 boards in Game 1 of the Salt Lake City Summer League for the <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sixers</a>! 20 PTS | 15 REB | 4 STL <a href="https://t.co/NlAd1vxQSr">pic.twitter.com/NlAd1vxQSr</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1544495884829954048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Big-man depth behind Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris was one of the more pressing concerns for the 76ers in the postseason, and the franchise has done nothing in the offseason to bolster their bigs so far. For now, the responsibility falls on Reed and/or Charles Bassey to take the mantle as a backup.&nbsp;
At 6-foot-9 and 210 pounds, Reed has a bit more in his tool kit offensively then Bassey and really battles hard on the glass. This is an atmosphere where he can physically dominate. Reed already posted 20 points and 15 rebounds in a Salt Lake City Summer League showing against the Grizzlies.&nbsp;
Xavier Tillman, Memphis Grizzlies
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Xavier Tillman &amp; Ziaire Williams combined for 31 points to lead the <a href="https://twitter.com/memgrizz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@memgrizz</a> to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBASummer</a> win!<a href="https://twitter.com/therealZiaire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@therealZiaire</a>: 15 PTS, 8 AST, 2 STL<a href="https://twitter.com/Rookiedunker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rookiedunker</a>: 16 PTS, 4 AST <a href="https://t.co/rD5YnPb63N">pic.twitter.com/rD5YnPb63N</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1544497186821619713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The No. 35 pick from the 2020 NBA Draft logged a really solid rookie season with Memphis, but saw his playing time and efficiency scale back in 2021-22. Tillman struggled to finish at the basket and lost the flashes of three-point promise that appeared in his first year. With Brandon Clarke surging back as a notable piece, Jaren Jackson Jr. healthy and Steven Adams locked in at center, Tillman only had scraps of big-man minutes left over.
However, he's still a notable Grizzlies prospect. Tillman is the type of multifaceted big defender that today's game craves, and he can rebound and pass well for his position. Like Reed, Tillman has the chance to impose his will inside against younger, leaner Summer League players, and he can state his case for more playing time to the team.
Brandon Williams, Portland Trail Blazers
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Brandon Williams has been lighting it up for the <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@trailblazers</a>! He dropped a career-high 27 points in his first career start last night - his second consecutive 20+ point game. 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GLeagueAlum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GLeagueAlum</a> <a href="https://t.co/WYteuaeBWm">pic.twitter.com/WYteuaeBWm</a>
&mdash; NBA G League (@nbagleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbagleague/status/1501331791558414340?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Lost in the Trail Blazers' aimless second half was the emergence of Williams, an undrafted rookie guard whom Portland locked up on a two-way contract in February. He had played just two NBA games before the All-Star break, but averaged 13.7 points, 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game in 22 contests afterwards. Nekias Duncan even <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/views-from-the-bottom-young-players-to-keep-an-eye-on" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highlighted him in that same piece</a> for his pick-and-roll passing promise.
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Was Williams' opportunity solely because Portland was marred with injuries and well out of the playoff picture? Or does he have a real chance at a rotation spot this season? It's admittedly tough to envision with Damian Lillard getting healthy, Anfernee Simons secured on a lucrative extension and Keon Johnson on the rise. But there's no better case for Williams to assert his talent than at Summer League.
James Wiseman, Golden State Warriors
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Here is the full update from Jama Mahlalela on James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga. Said Wiseman probably won&rsquo;t play on Friday, &ldquo;but I&rsquo;d definitely imagine in the next few (summer league) games we&rsquo;ll see him.&rdquo; <a href="https://t.co/FxLFQJ71Bn">pic.twitter.com/FxLFQJ71Bn</a>
&mdash; Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/1544806078507954176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Warriors Summer League coach Jama Mahlalela said that he expects Wiseman to participate in Vegas at some point. It's been a long road of recovery for the 2020 No. 2 overall draft pick, who missed all of last season while rehabbing a torn meniscus. Wiseman's absence has fueled a chorus of critics to question his place with the defending champions.
Obviously, there's only so much Wiseman can do here as he continues to focus on his body. NBA training camp and the actual season far surpass any importance Summer League can provide. But if Wiseman does make appearances over the next two weeks, he'll assuredly be one of the summer's most-discussed players.

James Wiseman, Kai Jones and Killian Hayes are among the players who could use a standout Summer League showing in Las Vegas.

10 NBA veterans with a bit more to prove at Las Vegas Summer League

Josh Giddey had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, No. 2 selection Chet Holmgren added 11 points and 12 rebounds and Oklahoma City beat Memphis 87-71 on Wednesday night for the Thunder&rsquo;s second straight victory in the Salt Lake City Summer League.
Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 draft, secured his triple-double on a feed to Lindy Waters III for a 3-pointer with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Holmgren was 3 of 4 from the field in the first half and scored 11 points but he struggled after halftime, missing seven straight shots.
Oklahoma City opened the second half on a 10-3 run for a 58-46 lead and later scored 10 straight to make it 68-52. Memphis missed 14 straight shots in the second half.
Jalen Williams, the No. 12 selection out of Santa Clara, made three 3-pointers and scored 16 points for Oklahoma City. Holmgren, who set a Salt Lake City Summer League record with six blocks on Tuesday, blocked his first shot with 4:12 remaining in the third quarter.
Kenny Lofton Jr. scored seven of Memphis&rsquo; opening 10 points and finished with 19.
Memphis star Ja Morant sat courtside for the second straight game.
76ERS 86, JAZZ 82
Charles Bassey had 17 points, Trevelin Queen added 15 points &mdash; including an acrobatic alley-oop layup in the closing seconds &mdash; and Philadelphia beat Utah.&nbsp;
Bassey, a second-round pick out of Western Kentucky in 2021, was 7 of 12 from the field, grabbed nine rebounds and had four of Philadelphia&rsquo;s 17 steals.
Myles Powell added 13 points, Charlie Brown Jr. had 12 and Cassius Winston 11. Julian Champagnie scored just five points on 2-of-11 shooting, including 0 for 6 from 3-point range, but grabbed 10 rebounds.
Bruno Caboclo converted a three-point play and then a putback off a missed layup by James Palmer Jr. to spark a 15-4 run that gave the Jazz an 80-78 lead when Justin Robinson hit a pull-up jumper with 2:54 to play. Queen made two free throws and Winston made 3 of 4 from the foul line before Winston whipped a pass from near midcourt to a cutting Queen for a layup that hung on the front of the rim before dropping in to make it 85-80 with 34.2 seconds to go.
Robinson led the Jazz with 17 points, Caboclo scored 16 and Palmer added 14.
Utah, which went 0 for 9 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter, missed its last five field-goal attempts and committed two of its 22 turnovers in the last 2-plus minutes.&nbsp;

Oklahoma City beat Memphis 87-71 on Wednesday for the Thunder’s second straight victory in the Salt Lake City Summer League.

Josh Giddey has triple-double, leads Thunder to second straight win

NBA players from countries outside the United States are in the process of trying to qualify for the Olympics, and none had a better game in the first few FIBA qualifiers than Boban Marjanovic. And that includes Luka Doncic.
The Dallas Mavericks&rsquo; center had 25 points (on 12-for-18 shooting) and 10 rebounds in an 83-76 victory over the Philippines in front of a COVID-capacity crowd of 1,250 mostly home fans in Belgrade, Serbia. Coach Igor Kokoskov rested Miami Heat forward Nemanja Bjelica as Serbia had a 46-28 advantage on points in the paint.
"The Philippines played as a team, and I want to congratulate them on that. They fought,&rdquo; Kokoskov said. &ldquo;We will know more after the review. We have a lot of new names, and some guys were missing. We didn't react, we overthought. We defended instead of being in an attacking rhythm. It wasn't nice, again, but we won.&rdquo;
"At some point, we were relaxed. We played irresponsibly. That resulted in us playing an uncertain ending. We must not allow that,"&nbsp;said Milos Teodosic, Serbia&rsquo;s captain.
After trailing 74-73, Serbia closed with a 10-2 run and pulled out the victory, advancing to the semifinals where they will play either Puerto Rico or Italy.
Doncic had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in just 22 minutes of playing time as Slovenia defeated Poland, 112-77. Slovenia, Lithuania, Venezuela and Poland have already qualified for the semifinals.
Doncic was playing in a competitive international for the first time since helping Slovenia claim a historic win at FIBA EuroBasket 2017 as an emerging 18-year-old. Goran Dragic of the Miami Heat is not playing, but he made the trip and was in the crowd at Zalgirio Arena.
"For me, it's also a pleasure to play for the national team," Doncic said. "It's something I desire. I can't wait to play, so I&rsquo;m really happy to be here. Everyone is enjoying playing and everyone is having fun, and that is what we have to do out there."
Doncic also addressed Dragic's absence.
"Obviously, I wish he was playing with us... He was the guy at EuroBasket 2017. It's great that he came all the way here to support us. It means a lot, not just for me, but the whole federation."
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In Victoria, British Columbia, Canada started five NBA players &ndash; Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors, RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks, Cory Joseph of the Detroit Pistons, Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks and Trey Lyles of the San Antonio Spurs &ndash; and, after defeating Greece, rolled to a 109-79 victory over China.
Wiggins had 20 points on 5-for-9 shooting while Barrett shot 3-for-7 from three-point territory. He scored 16 points, but missed half of his six free throws. Among those coming off Canada&rsquo;s bench for Nick Nurse were Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the New Orleans Pelicans. Nicholson, who played last season in China, added 14 points off the bench.
"When you play together, the game comes easy. When you're in a good rhythm, everyone's going to get after it offensively, defensively. We have a lot of unselfish guys. We all want to see each other win, do good, and out there, we're just trying to play aggressive, play to win, play the right way. I feel like if we keep playing that way, keep playing together, then the sky is the limit for us,&rdquo; Wiggins said.
Canada advanced to the semifinals, as has Turkey. Greece, playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo, is 0-1 heading into a Thursday night game against China.
In Croatia, the biggest upset of the qualifying process happened when the home team, led by Utah&rsquo;s Bojan Bogdanovic, was crushed by Brazil, 94-67. Brazil was led by 20 points from 35-year-old center Rafael Nettscheimeir. Bruno Caboclo, who was waived by the Houston Rockets in January, added 16 points, and NBA veteran Anderson Varejao scored 11. Brazil is coached, ironically, by a Croatian, Aleksandar Petrovic.
Despite that loss, Croatia, Germany, Brazil and Mexico have qualified for the semifinals at the tournament in Split, while Russia and Tunisia have been eliminated.
In Lithuania, the home team is 2-0 after defeating Venezuela and South Korea. Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis are representing their homeland, which will play Poland in the semifinals and either Slovenia or Venezuela in the qualifying finale. Valanciunas is averaging 17.5 points and 12 rebounds in a little under 19 minutes per game.
"It would be amazing to go to Tokyo," Valanciunas said. "Another Olympics for Lithuania, as a country, would mean a lot to us.&nbsp;
"Our preparation has been a challenge, but I think that's the same for everybody. We are just getting together and trying to find that chemistry as soon as possible."
Lithuania won bronze medals at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics along with the 2010 World Championship in Turkey. If they qualify for the Olympics, they will be grouped with Spain, Argentina and Japan.
The winner of the tournament in Canada will be grouped with the United States and Iran, and the winners from the tournaments in Croatia and Serbia will be grouped with Australia and Nigeria. The Olympic men&rsquo;s basketball tournament begins July 25.

With the Olympics set to begin on July 25, NBA players from around the world are engaging in battle with their national teams.

Boban Marjanovic posts one of the bigger lines of Olympic qualifier

The Rockets are waiving forward Bruno Caboclo, sources tell The Athletic NBA and Stadium.
Source: <a style="color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1349704329347948548" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter)</a>
ANALYSIS: The Rockets will waive seven-year forward Bruno Caboclo to make room for their newest additions after trading away their franchise player in James Harden. Caboclo didn't see the floor much in his two seasons with the Rockets and will now hit the open market with career averages of 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds. It is unclear if Bruno will draw any interest as a free agent once he clears waivers.

The Rockets will waive forward Bruno Caboclo.

Rockets to waive forward Bruno Caboclo

This year, there were 107 international players from 41 countries on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 NBA season.

NBA rosters feature 107 international players from 41 countries

Ethan Fuller breaks down the biggest takeaways from the NBA preseason.

NBA Sour Rankings: Preseason Overreactions

After nearly two years, John Wall made his NBA return with his new team, donning No. 1 for the Houston Rockets in a preseason contest on Friday. Houston beat the Chicago Bulls ---. Wall contributed 13 points, nine assists, five rebounds and two steals.
ANALYSIS:&nbsp;Wall's trademark speed looked present, albeit inconsistent, in the preseason win. He played just 18 minutes in the contest but frequently beat the younger Bulls guards off the dribble. But the Rockets' leading scorer was Bruno Caboclo, who came off the bench for 17 points and canned five of his eight three-pointers. Overall, Houston&nbsp;
On the other end, Chicago was led by second-year guard Coby White (15 PTS, 6 AST) and fourth-year forward Lauri Markkanen (13 PTS, 5 REB). Patrick Williams, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, came off the bench for 12 points.

Wall scored 13 points and handed out nine assists in the Rockets' 125-104 rout of Chicago.

John Wall makes preseason debut in Rockets' win over Bulls

With training camps starting in a week, the NBA's 2020 free-agency period has moved very quickly. Nearly all of the marquee free agents are off the board, aside from Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram (RFA). However, both stars are expected to re-sign.
On Day 5, who are the top remaining free agents at each position?&nbsp;
GUARDS: Reggie Jackson, Shabazz Napier, Quinn Cook, Shaquille Harrison, Evan Turner, Dion Waiters, Marco Belinelli, Emmanuel Mudiay, Yogi Ferrell, Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, Jeremy Lin, Jordan McLaughlin (RFA), Chris Chiozza, Thabo Sefolosha, Jordan McRae (RFA), Courtney Lee, Troy Daniels, Brandon Knight, Andre Roberson, Allonzo Trier, Ky Bowman, Gary Payton II, Naz Mitrou-Long, Treveon Graham, Ian Clark, Marcus Georges-Hunt, Frank Mason, Ty Lawson, Shabazz Muhammad, J.R. Smith, Chasson Randle
FORWARDS: Anthony Davis, Nicolas Batum, Frank Kaminsky, Glenn Robinson III, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Wilson Chandler, Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll, John Henson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Taj Gibson, Jared Dudley, Ersan Ilyasova, Bruno Caboclo, Lance Stephenson, Kenneth Faried, Kenrich Williams, Anthony Tolliver, Cheick Diallo, Dante Cunningham, Donatas Motiejunas, Justin Anderson
CENTER: Hassan Whiteside, Kyle O'Quinn, Ian Mahinmi, Noah Vonleh, Skal Labissiere, Tyson Chandler, Thon Maker, Kosta Koufos, Andrew Bogut, Caleb Swanigan, Ekpe Udoh, Miles Plumlee
Who would you like your favorite team to add? Leave a comment below.

Here's a position-by-position look at the top players who remain unsigned on Day 6 of NBA free agency.

Which NBA free agents are still available?

&ldquo;The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.&rdquo;
- Mark Twain (<a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/562400/reports-mark-twains-quote-about-mark-twains-death-are-greatly-exaggerated" target="_blank" rel="noopener">but not really</a>)
- Kim Jong Un
- The Toronto Raptors
Fresh off their first NBA title in franchise history, the Raptors lost their best player, Kawhi Leonard, to the Los Angeles Clippers. The natural thought was that the Raptors would fall off a bit; the more extreme conclusion was that -- with no clear path to contention and a roster headlined by a great-but-aging Kyle Lowry -- Masai Ujiri would sell veterans and opt for a soft reset.
So of course, the Raptors ran it back sans Kawhi and posted the second-best record in the NBA.&nbsp;
Lowry put together an All-NBA caliber season; Pascal Siakam fared well in his first year as No. 1 option, making his first All-Star and All-NBA team. Key role players like OG Anunoby and Norman Powell were given more responsibility and thrived. The Raptors&rsquo; lack of an elite half-court creator eventually bit them in the postseason, but not before a yearlong we-ain&rsquo;t-dead-yet campaign shut up some of their loudest critics.
Now, the fun part begins.
The Raptors are entering the offseason with three of their core pieces hitting the market. There&rsquo;s no real avenue to cap space regardless of what they decide in terms of renouncements; it also wouldn&rsquo;t make sense to go that route anyway. The Raptors will operate as an over-the-cap team and have a non-taxpayer mid-level exception (worth over $9 million) at their disposal. They&rsquo;ll obviously look to improve, but will walk the tightrope between adding talent and keeping cap space open for the offseason of 2021 in their pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The always-informative Keith Smith has a more thorough breakdown of their cap situation, which you can find <a href="https://www.slamonline.com/nba/toronto-raptors-salary-cap-space-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;
Let&rsquo;s take a look at some guys they&rsquo;ll look to bring back as well as some targets that could help them come back stronger than ever.
Key In-House Decisions
Fred VanVleet: Bring Him Back
This will probably be the most interesting negotiation of the offseason. In a vacuum, bringing back VanVleet is a no brainer. He&rsquo;s already one of the better point guards in the NBA, an elite defender, good shooter and a fearless enough attacker to make hay as a secondary creator. That, combined with his age, makes him a prime candidate to get the bag. The issue is that there will be plenty of suitors willing to drive up the price, and that could conflict with the Raptors&rsquo; chase for Giannis next year. Still, VanVleet is good enough to where you do what you can to keep him, and make moves next offseason to clear space if it comes down to it.
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/usatsi_13745643-1_lg.jpg" alt="" width="860" height="AUTO" />
Serge Ibaka: Bring Him Back
Ibaka is quietly coming off of, at least statistically, his best season as a Raptor. He&rsquo;s settled in as a reliable pick-and-pop threat out to three-point range; he knocked down 38.5 percent of his triples this season, which isn&rsquo;t too far off from his career high (39.1 in 2016-17). The block numbers are down, but he remains a legitimate rim deterrent. A one-year balloon deal should be in order to keep this partnership going.
Marc Gasol*: Bring Him Back&nbsp;
Injuries and aging made Gasol look like a shell of himself last year. He really struggles to move laterally at this stage of his career, especially tough considering mobility has never been a strong suit of his. It could be annoying (putting it kindly) to watch Gasol pass up open shots, partly contributing to the Raptors&rsquo; half-court struggles.
Even with those limitations, Gasol is staunch around the rim. Despite passing up shots, he still drilled over 38 percent of his threes on nearly 3.5 attempts. His high-post passing helps open things up in the half-court. There&rsquo;s still utility for Gasol, even if his role should be a bit limited moving forward.
Of course, none of this matters if Gasol decides to head home to Barcelona to cap off his basketball career, which has been reported, though disputed at this point. If Gasol is game to stay in the NBA, the Raptors should bring him back at a reasonable number.
Free Agent Guards 
Mid-Tier Options: Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson is coming off of, by far, the most efficient season of his career. He gave the Jazz a much-needed scoring punch once he arrived, averaging 15.6 points with a 56.9 True Shooting percentage during the regular season. Both of those marks increased (16.7, 57.7) during Utah&rsquo;s first-round showdown with the Denver Nuggets.&nbsp;
Him trading out some of his frustrating long-twos for threes made him a more efficient option. He&rsquo;s an underwhelming defender to be kind about it, but the Raptors have the personnel to mask some of his limitations. This would mostly serve as the &ldquo;VanVleet got the bag elsewhere&rdquo; option, but there&rsquo;s a case to be made for bringing him in anyway to further strengthen the bench.
Bargains: D.J. Augustin
Augustin can fill the table-setter role while occasionally showcasing some underrated pick-and-roll craft. There&rsquo;s also a natural fit with him alongside the north-south dynamism of Powell; Augustin is a career 37.9 percent three-point shooter.
Free Agent Wings 
Mid-Tier Options: Justin Holiday
Holiday is more 3-and-Decent than 3-and-D, but he&rsquo;s coming off of the best shooting season of his career (40.5 percent from three-point range on 4.5 attempts) while being a credible option against 2s and 3s. He&rsquo;d be a natural fit for the Raptors&rsquo; transition attack. His off-ball randomness -- his ability to relocate around the perimeter or catch ball-watching defenders off guard with hard cuts -- also fits well within the motion ethos Toronto has in the half-court.
Bargains: Kent Bazemore
The idea of Bazemore -- an athletic, 3-and-D wing that can defend 1-through-3 -- is probably a little better than the reality. Still, he can knock down open shots, is an active mover off the ball, and competes defensively against both wing positions.&nbsp;
Free Agent Forwards 
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://basketballnews-media.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/story/body/usatsi_14764151-1_lg.jpg" alt="" width="860" height="AUTO" />
Mid-Tier Options: Danilo Gallinari&nbsp;
If Gallinari is serious about going the &ldquo;winning &gt; pay day&rdquo; route, the Raptors would be a pretty fun landing spot for him. He would immediately boost their shooting and half-court shot creation. He can get to the rack -- and the free-throw line -- on his own, but be able to play off of the dribble penetration of Lowry, Siakam and others would make life a lot easier for him. He&rsquo;s a fine defender, though there&rsquo;s enough excellence around him to cover for the limitations he does have.
Bargains: Patrick Patterson, Bruno Caboclo, Lance Thomas
LOL, just kidding on that first one. 
Caboclo is toolsy, has flashed a jumper and has some ball skills that make him a potential weapon against sloppy close-outs. The Raptors are obviously familiar with his upside since they were the ones that drafted him. His 2018-19 stint in Memphis (8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks in 23 minutes) should be enough evidence to take a flier at the vet minimum; heck, him not being Stanley Johnson should be enough of an argument, honestly.
Thomas has flown under the radar for years as a sneaky-solid forward defender that can knock down open threes. He&rsquo;s converted 38.5 percent of his triples over the past five seasons, though that comes on limited volume. He&rsquo;d be a solid get as a ninth man to get you through the regular season.
Free Agent Bigs
Mid-Tier Options: Aron Baynes
Factoring in money, it&rsquo;s hard to argue against Baynes being one of the most valuable centers in basketball last season. He did the usual grunt work: setting bone-crushing screens as a roller or handoff partner, protected the rim with superb positioning and boxed out well enough to help end possessions or grab the board himself. The new, somewhat surprising twist is that he became a legitimate three-point option (35.1 percent on 4.0 attempts per game).&nbsp;
Baynes doesn&rsquo;t bring the passing or the defensive know-how that Gasol does, but he&rsquo;d be a seamless fit as a big that could spring Lowry (or VanVleet) open with spine-busting picks. He was a more willing shooter than Gasol last year, and he has the brawn to approximate most of the value Gasol brings as a low-post defender.&nbsp;
Bargains: Harry Giles
Giles has a bit of an injury history, dating back to his high-school days. Multiple lower-body injuries have sapped some of his athleticism, and he&rsquo;s still a fluid, jumpy big who can feast in transition. The intrigue lies in his on-ball skill; he&rsquo;s quietly one of the better passing big men in the league already. There&rsquo;s some serious &ldquo;throw-it-to-him-in-the-high-post-and-let-him-do-stuff&rdquo; potential waiting to be untapped. This kind of bet is right in the Raptors&rsquo; wheelhouse.&nbsp;

Nekias Duncan breaks down the Raptors' own free-agent decisions and suggests some players that Toronto should target at each position.