Basketball Weekly Roundup – Top Basketball News
Ex Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko signs contract with Russian team
Former Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko will re-join the CSKA Moscow after a long gap of 10 years. He has signed a three- year contract with Russian team that will allow him to return to the NBA if the lockout ends.
The 30-year-old Kirilenko was born and grew up in Russia. He started his professional career in 1997, at the age of 16. One year later, he joined CSKA Moscow and spent two years with the team. In 2001, he became a part of Utah Jazz and played 10 seasons for them.
In July, his contract with Jazz got expired. Now again he is back in the team which holds fond memories of his early pro career. Kirilenko said, “I am glad to be back with the team where I spent my years of adolescence.”
Financial terms are not revealed yet but Kirilenko made a clear statement that he will donate whatever he earn in Russia to his charitable foundation. “All the money earned in Russia, I will send to Kirilenko’s Kids charity foundation,” he said. “The foundation will help the children hospitals and charity schools, sport schools, sport veterans and the basketball players who became the disabled persons.”
Spurs Tony Parker to play in France
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker announced Wednesday that he will play for French team Asvel Villeurbanne during the NBA lockout. He has signed a contract with the team and according to the contract; he will get mere $1,995 per month. Parker said, “I”ll be playing nearly for free … If I play the entire season, we’ll go for the title.”
Parker is the co-owner of the club and seems to be quite satisfied with the decision. He said, “For me it is a big honor to return to France and it is a logical choice to play for ASVEL”.
He will join the team on October 14 to play against Paris-Levallois.
Drug charge against Marcus Camby dropped
The marijuana possession charge against NBA veteran Marcus Camby has been dropped by the district attorney’s office and he has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
Trail Blazers center Camby was arrested last month along with his cousin Kendal Johnson at a traffic stop in Pearland, Texas when police found less than two ounces of marijuana inside the vehicle. Camby was declared innocent after Kendal admitted the drug was his; as a result Kendal Johnson, who was pleaded guilty on drug possession charge, was fined $1,500.
The 37-year-old Camby is playing professional basketball since 1996. He started his career with Toronto Raptors and also played basketball for a number of NBA teams.
Gasol Says Spain ‘best option’ if NBA lockout not ends
Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasolsaid says Spain would be the “best option” if NBA lockout continues. He reckons it would be a “catastrophe” if the NBA season is canceled due to lockout.
Pau Gasol did practice for the first time with Barcelona team on Thursday while his younger brother Marc Gasol will join the team on Tuesday till his ankle injury heals up.
The brothers were part of the Spain team that won the European Championship this summer.
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