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Marc J. Spears: There are 25 coaches from 15 African counties and four @theBAL league players taking part in the NBA Summer League. Also, three females are in the Africa Coaches Program – Sofia Bey (Morocco; Kings), Aliaa Mahmoud Mohamed (Egypt; Wizards) and Ruth Bibeyi (Gabon; Lakers).
Doncic, 25, reported to help Slovenia reach the 2024 Olympic Games. Ranking first in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus over host Greece, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, and New Zealand is the task at hand. A few weeks after falling to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV, the tournament will be played from July 2 to 7. Before the trip to Greece, he will also play a prep game against Brazil in Arena Stozice on Friday. “It was really hard to decide to play now, because of the injuries and the length of the season, but here I am,” explained the Slovenia captain. “I did not think about it much. I knew that in the end, I would be part of the national team,” he added, “During the Playoffs, I focused on Dallas and the games, but I knew how it would be. The Mavericks know I will always play if I can.”
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Hosting Greece takes on the Dominican Republic on July 3 and Egypt on July 4 in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF. Ranking first or second in Group B of the preliminary stage would advance the team guided by Spanoulis to a single-elimination game against Croatia, Slovenia, or New Zealand in the Semifinals. Reaching the Final earns an opportunity to clinch one Olympic Games berth available across the six countries.
Former Bucks player Tony Mitchell signed with Egyptian team Al Ahly SC for the 2024 season.
His long journey took him from the Division III JUCO ranks through Division II hoops and eventually to Marist. It even took him as far as this summer’s FIBA World Cup. And now, to the G League Long Island Nets. “Well, that’s a great thing you just brought up, because I do remember when coach Cluess did say that about me,” Gardner told Sports+ with a wry smile. “I’m trying to focus on the moment, but sometimes, when you think about how far you’ve come — just after practice or on the bus or something — you kind of think about how grateful you are to [be here], that I’m in a position like this and how far I’ve come. But it wasn’t easy, and there’s still a long way to go.”
He also was invited to play for Egypt in the FIBA World Cup. Gardner’s mother is Egyptian, a native of Cairo. He spent summers there growing up, speaks Arabic, and says he always wanted to play for the Pharaohs. He didn’t look out of his depth, his international performance highlighted by scoring 20 points — hitting 4-of-7 from deep — in a win over Mexico. “It was incredible. … I hope to do it again,” Gardner said. “The people and coaches, I’ve met lifelong connections, lifelong friends that I still talk to. “And just playing against competition, such a high level. Even if you don’t do good in games [or] you do good in games, it still helps you because it gives you a point of reference to see … this is the level that I need to reach. So, just a great learning experience.”
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South Sudan qualifies for 2024 Olympics
South Sudan made history. After making it for the first time in the FIBA World Cup, they will also represent Africa for the first time ever in the upcoming Olympics. South Sudan qualified directly to Paris 2024 thanks to their 101-78 win over Angola, in combination with Egypt not being able to overcome the obstacle of New Zealand.
With both opponents already out of the second round, the FIBA World Cup contest in Group D between Egypt and Mexico was all about the – slim – chances of a spot in the Olympic Qualifiers. For Egypt, this motivation and of course pride was enough for an impressive 100-72 win. Big man Patrick Gardner who has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Nets, stole the show with 20 points and seven rebounds
Christos Tsaltas: After his 20-point game over Mexico, Patrick Gardner said the FIBA World Cup prepares him for the physicality in the Brooklyn Nets training camp, and admitted he wants to meet and face Ben Simmons at Nets practice sessions. #FIBAWC #NetsWorld @SportalgrG
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