Basketball

Pacific Games confirms basketball line-up

On the men's side, the countries that qualified for the tournament are Guam, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.

On the women's side Guam, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, The Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, French Polynesia and New Caledonia are set to play.

The Pacific Games serves as a qualifying event for the Asian Cup and in turn for the FIBA World Cup.

The Games are scheduled to begin on November 19.

     

Manawatū Jets basketball player dies in car crash

Jake McKinlay, 20, was killed on Monday morning, the team said on social media.

“It's with heavy hearts and immense sadness; we mourn the passing of a member of the Jets family, Jake McKinlay, who was tragically taken in a car accident this morning,” the post said.

“We have no words that can express the sorrow and loss of this exceptional young man who still had his whole life ahead of him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jake's family and friends at this difficult time.”

France stun reigning champions USA to end 25-game win streak

Evan Fournier poured in 28 points for the French as the Americans, who have won gold in the past three Games, were beaten for the first time since 2004.

A strong third quarter, where France outscored Gregg Popovich's star-studded team 25-11, proved decisive.

Rudy Gobert was also influential with 14 points and nine rebounds.

It was a disastrous start for Team USA who struggled in their preparation for the tournament, losing warm-up matches to Nigeria and Australia.

They looked to have taken control of the game with an eight-point half-time lead.

Kobe ends relationship with Nike

Bryant's widow, Vanessa, and Nike both released statements announcing the end of the deal.

"My hope will always be to allow Kobe's fans to get and wear his products," Vanessa Bryant said in her statement. "Kobe's products sell out in seconds. That says everything. I was hoping to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband's legacy."

LeBron leads 44 Team USA finalists

Three-time Olympic medallist James and nine of the players from the successful 2016 campaign in Rio were included on the list announced by USA Basketball on Monday.

Should the Los Angeles Lakers star make the final 12-man roster, he will join Carmelo Anthony as the second player to represent Team USA at four separate Games.

Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson won gold in Brazil four years ago and have made the cut despite being yet to play a minute in the NBA this season due to respective Achilles and knee injuries.

Issac Fotu inspiring Pasifika youth

The 25-year-old Fotu was born in York, England to an English mother and Tongan father before the family moved to New Zealand when he was seven.

Growing up in Auckland, he used to love watching NBA games on ESPN and became inspired to take up the sport himself after seeing New Zealand basketball legend Mika Vukona playing for the Breakers.

"That's what drew me in - I saw an island boy playing basketball with his physical style and I said hopefully I can play that as well and play the same way as him," he said.

Key players to watch in the Men's Division of the 2019 Pacific Games

Today, all of the brightest stars in the Pacific take center stage in a bid to fly their respective flags high in this prestigious quadrennial basketball showpiece.

So here are the top players to watch from eight different teams set to slug it out for the Pacific Games crown:

TAI WESLEY (GUAM)

Tai Wesley is Guam’s most decorated player, having stops in different ranks and leagues in the world.

Basketball issues 2019 Pacific Games schedule

Technical Delegate Amanda Jenkins says the venue and team preparations are on track.

"It's exciting this is the time first we have qualifying pathways for this event. Any team who underestimates their opponent will be the ones who will not progress."

Jenkins is certain basketball teams from the Oceania region will be putting on their best performances to win a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup Pre-Qualifiers.

FIBA hail "historic moment" after men attend female basketball match in Iran

This is claimed to mark the first time in which men have been allowed to witness a women's sporting event in person in the Islamic country.

The exhibition contest between Gaz and Koosha Sepehr also gave FIBA an opportunity to oversee an in which players wore hijabs before they consider a proposal permitting headgear to be worn during all matches next month.

The world governing body were represented by Lubomir Kotleba, an "advisor" to the secretary general. 

Durant: Olympics were 'therapy' after free agency decision

Kevin Durant said playing for the United States in the Olympics was like "therapy" after signing with the Golden State Warriors last month. 

In a normal year, Durant would have nothing but months to be questioned about his decision with no basketball until camps open in late September.