#ClutchBasket Notas sobre la NBA y la FIBA

                                             

 

KIA NBA TIP-OFF 2020 DELIVERS MOST-WATCHED OPENING WEEK SINCE 2012

 

– Viewership on TNT, ESPN and ABC Up 67% vs. 2019 Opening Week – 

 

– NBA Social Media Platforms Hit Record Highs with Video Views Up

36% vs. 2019 Opening Week –

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2020 – Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 (Dec. 22-25) was the most-watched opening week since 2012, with combined viewership across TNT, ESPN and ABC up 67% vs. last year’s Opening Week from Oct. 22-25 (3.4 million viewers vs. 2.0 million viewers).

 

The Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 doubleheader on TNT on Dec. 22 – featuring the Golden State Warriors vs. the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Clippers vs. the Los Angeles Lakers – was the most-watched Opening Night since 2017, averaging 2.9 million viewers.  The NBA drove TNT to win the night on cable in all key demographics on Opening Night for the sixth consecutive year and the ninth time in the past 10 years.

 

ESPN’s exclusive Christmas Day games – featuring the New Orleans Pelicans vs. the Miami Heat and the LA Clippers vs. the Denver Nuggets – averaged 2.83 million viewers, up 10% vs. the comparable windows in 2019 (2.57 million).  The game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers on ABC and ESPN averaged 7.01 million viewers, making ABC the most-watched network in primetime, and the Pelicans vs. Heat game was the most-watched program of the day on cable.

 

NBA League Pass, the league’s live game subscription package, also delivered strong viewership during Opening Week 2020, with average minutes watched increasing 67% vs. Opening Week 2019.  The NBA’s social media platforms generated record engagement from Opening Week, with a 36% increase in video views and a 279% increase in minutes watched vs. last year.  Opening Week marked the most-watched week in the 15-year history of the NBA’s YouTube account and @NBA on Instagram was the most-watched account on the platform.

       

NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS

NEW YORK, Dec. 30, 2020 – Of the 495 players tested for COVID-19 since Dec. 24, zero new players have returned confirmed positive tests.   

Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.

 

Please be advised of the following update to the 2020-21 NBA National TV Schedule:

 

 

Monday, January 4, 2021

 

The Dallas at Houston game will now be televised by NBA TV.

 

JAN. 4, 2021	LOCAL	ET	NET
Dallas at Houston	7:00PM	8:00PM	NBA TV

 

PHILADELPHIA’S DARYL MOREY FINED

 

NEW YORK, December 28, 2020 – The NBA announced today that it has fined Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers President of Basketball Operations, $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule.  The fine is in response to a since deleted social media post Morey made on December 20 regarding the Houston Rockets’ James Harden.

       

NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2020 – Of the 558 players tested for COVID-19 since Dec. 16, two new players have returned confirmed positive tests.   

Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.

 

HOUSTON’S HARDEN FINED

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2020 – Houston Rockets guard James Harden has been fined $50,000 for violating the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, which among other things prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

 

Harden violated these rules when he attended a private indoor party on Monday, Dec. 21.  

 

OKLAHOMA CITY vs. HOUSTON GAME POSTPONED

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2020 – The National Basketball Association game scheduled for tonight between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center has been postponed in accordance with the league’s Health and Safety Protocols. 

 

Three Houston Rockets players have returned tests that were either positive or inconclusive for coronavirus under the NBA’s testing program.  Following the contact tracing protocol, four other players are quarantined at this time.  Additionally, James Harden is unavailable due to a violation of the Health and Safety Protocols.  All other Rockets players were tested again today, and all returned negative results.  Houston has one additional player who is unavailable due to injury.

 

As such, the Rockets do not have the league-required eight available players to proceed with tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 

NBA PROMOTES THREE REFEREES TO 2020-21 OFFICIATING STAFF

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2020 – NBA G League referees Simone Jelks, Suyash Mehta and Andy Nagy have been promoted to full-time NBA staff officials, it was announced today by Monty McCutchen, NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Referee Development and Training.

 

“We are pleased to welcome Simone, Suyash and Andy to our full-time staff,” said McCutchen. “They have demonstrated through the growth and the quality of their performance, they warrant working NBA games on a regular basis.”

 

Jelks joins Lauren Holtkamp-Sterling, Ashley Moyer-Gleich, Natalie Sago and Jenna Schroeder as full-time female officials for the 2020-21 season.

 

 

New Full-Time NBA Staff Officials

 

Simone Jelks (Cleveland, Ohio) has officiated three seasons in the NBA G League. She also worked 16 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. She has three years of collegiate officiating experience, with stints in the Mid-American Conference and Hori­zon League. Jelks played college basketball at the University of Southern California, where she was named to the 2007-08 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.

 

Suyash Mehta (Baltimore, Maryland) officiated five seasons in the NBA G League. During the 2019-20 NBA season, he refereed 13 regular-season NBA games as a non-staff official. He has officiated in numerous collegiate conferences, including the Atlantic 10, Big South, Colonial Athletic Association and Conference USA. He also has NCAA Division III and junior college officiating experience. Mehta’s parents are from India and moved to the United States in the 1980s.

 

Andy Nagy (Toledo, Ohio) has six seasons of NBA G League experience. He worked 13 NBA regular-season games as a non-staff official during the 2019-20 season. His officiating experience also includes nine years of collegiate experience, refereeing Division I men’s and women’s games in the At­lantic 10, Atlantic Sun, Horizon League and Mid-Amer­ican Conference. Nagy unofficially began his officiating career at 14, when his father allowed him to referee a Youth CYO Christ­mas Tournament game.

 

 

NBA ROSTERS FEATURE 107 INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS

FROM 41 COUNTRIES

 

–  Opening-Night Rosters Feature Record 17 Canadian Players

and Record-Tying 14 African Players – 

 

– Seventh Consecutive Season League Has at Least 100 International Players –

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2020 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that 107 international players from 41 countries are on opening-night rosters for the 2020-21 season, including a record 17 Canadian players and a record-tying 14 African players.  This marks the seventh consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 100 international players.  All 30 teams have at least one international player.

 

In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season.

 

For the seventh consecutive year, Canada (17 players) is the most-represented country outside of the U.S., followed by France (nine players), Australia (eight players), Serbia and Germany (six players each).

 

The Washington Wizards have an NBA-high seven international players.  The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets each have six, while the New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors each have five. 

 

The 2020-21 NBA season begins tonight with a doubleheader on TNT as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020.  The first game features the Brooklyn Nets hosting the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. ET.  In the second game, the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.

 

A record 34 players on opening-night rosters participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) prior to starting their NBA careers, surpassing the previous record of 30 set in 2019-20.  Former BWB campers include Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2011), Jamal Murray (Nuggets; Canada; BWB Global 2015) and Pascal Siakam (Raptors; Cameroon; BWB Africa 2012).  BWB is the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program that has seen 76 former campers drafted into the NBA or signed as free agents since 2001.

In addition to the 107 international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters, there are 10 international players from a record-tying eight countries on “two-way” contracts, allowing them to play in up to 50 NBA games this season.  There are also a number of American players with ties to other countries, including more than 30 players with at least one parent from Africa.  Among the American players with ties to other countries are Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz; ties to the Philippines), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers; ties to Nigeria), Matisse Thybulle (76ers; ties to Australia and Haiti) and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves; ties to the Dominican Republic).

 

The records for international players (113) and countries and territories represented (42) were set at the start of the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, respectively.

 

Below please find international player milestones and storylines for the upcoming season:

• A record six international players were named to the 2019-20 All-NBA Team: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks; Greece; ties to Nigeria; All-NBA First Team); Luka Dončić (Mavericks; Slovenia; All-NBA First Team); Nikola Jokić (Nuggets; Serbia; All-NBA Second Team); Siakam (All-NBA Second Team); Rudy Gobert (Jazz; France; All-NBA Third Team); and Ben Simmons (76ers; Australia; All-NBA Third Team).
• There are 14 international players on opening-night rosters who have been NBA All-Stars: Antetokounmpo, Dončić, Goran Dragić (Miami Heat; Slovenia), Embiid, Marc Gasol (Lakers; Spain), Gobert, Al Horford (Oklahoma City Thunder; Dominican Republic), Kyrie Irving (Nets; Australia), Jokić, Kristaps Porzingis (Mavericks; Latvia), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers; Lithuania), Siakam, Simmons and Nikola Vučević (Orlando Magic; Montenegro).
• As part of the NBA.com 2020-2021 GM Survey, Antetokounmpo and Dončić were voted the No. 1 and No. 2 players most likely to win 2020-21 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player (32% and 21% of votes, respectively), and tied for the No. 1 player with whom general managers would most want to start a franchise (43% of votes each).  For the second straight season, Jokić was voted the best center in the NBA (50% of votes).
• Deni Avdija, who became the highest-drafted Israeli player ever when he was selected ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm^®, is scheduled to make his regular-season debut when the Wizards visit the 76ers on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
• Killian Hayes, who became the highest-drafted French player ever when he was selected seventh overall by the Detroit Pistons, is scheduled to make his regular-season debut when the Pistons visit the Timberwolves on Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass.
• Nine players from or with at least one parent from Nigeria were selected in NBA Draft 2020, including Precious Achiuwa (Heat; Nigeria) and Udoka Azubuike (Jazz; Nigeria).

 

Below please find the full list of international players on 2020-21 opening-night rosters

(active and inactive):

 

Country		Name		Team		Ties to Other Countries**
Angola		Bruno Fernando		Atlanta Hawks
Argentina		Facundo Campazzo*		Denver Nuggets
Australia		Aron Baynes		Toronto Raptors
Australia		Matthew Dellavedova		Cleveland Cavaliers
Australia		Danté Exum		Cleveland Cavaliers
Australia		Josh Green		Dallas Mavericks
Australia		Joe Ingles		Utah Jazz
Australia		Kyrie Irving		Brooklyn Nets
Australia		Patty Mills		San Antonio Spurs
Australia		Ben Simmons		Philadelphia 76ers
Austria		Jakob Poeltl		San Antonio Spurs
Bahamas		Buddy Hield		Sacramento Kings
Bahamas		Deandre Ayton*		Phoenix Suns		Nigeria
Bosnia and Herzegovina		Jusuf Nurkić		Portland Trail Blazers
Brazil		Bruno Caboclo*		Houston Rockets
Brazil		Cristiano Felicio		Chicago Bulls
Brazil		Raul Neto		Washington Wizards
Cameroon		Joel Embiid*		Philadelphia 76ers
Cameroon		Pascal Siakam*		Toronto Raptors
Canada		Nickeil Alexander-Walker		New Orleans Pelicans
Canada		RJ Barrett*		New York Knicks
Canada		Khem Birch		Orlando Magic
Canada		Ignas Brazdeikis*		New York Knicks		Lithuania
Canada		Dillon Brooks		Memphis Grizzlies
Canada		Brandon Clarke		Memphis Grizzlies
Canada		Luguentz Dort*		Oklahoma City Thunder
Canada		Cory Joseph		Sacramento Kings		Trinidad and Tobago
Canada		Mfiondu Kabengele		LA Clippers		Democratic Republic of the Congo
Canada		Trey Lyles		San Antonio Spurs
Canada		Mychal Mulder		Golden State Warriors
Canada		Jamal Murray*		Denver Nuggets
Canada		Kelly Olynyk*		Miami Heat
Canada		Dwight Powell		Dallas Mavericks
Canada		Tristan Thompson		Boston Celtics		Jamaica
Canada		Andrew Wiggins		Golden State Warriors
Canada		Shai Gilgeous-Alexander*		Oklahoma City Thunder
Croatia		Bojan Bogdanović		Utah Jazz
Croatia		Luka Šamanić*		San Antonio Spurs
Croatia		Dario Šarić*		Phoenix Suns
Croatia		Ivica Zubac		LA Clippers
Czech Republic		Tomáš Satoranský*		Chicago Bulls
Democratic Republic of the Congo		Bismack Biyombo		Charlotte Hornets
Dominican Republic		Al Horford		Oklahoma City Thunder
Egypt		Abdel Nader		Phoenix Suns
Finland		Lauri Markkanen*		Chicago Bulls
France		Nicolas Batum*		LA Clippers		Cameroon
France		Sekou Doumbouya*		Detroit Pistons		Guinea
France		Evan Fournier		Orlando Magic		Algeria
France		Rudy Gobert		Utah Jazz
France		Killian Hayes*		Detroit Pistons
France		Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot		Brooklyn Nets		Democratic Republic of the Congo
France		Théo Maledon		Oklahoma City Thunder
France		Frank Ntilikina*		New York Knicks
France		Vincent Poirier		Philadelphia 76ers
Gabon		Chris Silva		Miami Heat
Georgia		Goga Bitadze*		Indiana Pacers
Germany		Isaac Bonga*		Washington Wizards
Germany		Isaiah Hartenstein*		Denver Nuggets
Germany		Maxi Kleber		Dallas Mavericks
Germany		Dennis Schröder		Los Angeles Lakers		The Gambia
Germany

 

 

ROSTERS SET FOR 2020-21 NBA REGULAR SEASON

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2020 – The 2020-21 NBA season begins tonight with a TNT doubleheader as the Golden State Warriors visit the Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m. ET) and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers (10 p.m. ET).  Below are the opening-night rosters for all 30 teams for Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020.

 

 

2020-21 NBA REGULAR SEASON OPENING ROSTERS

                                                                                  

ATLANTA                                BOSTON                             BROOKLYN                            CHARLOTTE                CHICAGO

Bogdan Bogdanovic                  Jaylen Brown                       Jarrett Allen                                LaMelo Ball                     Ryan Arcidiacono

Clint Capela                                Carsen Edwards                   Bruce Brown                              Bismack Biyombo           Wendell Carter Jr.

John Collins                                Javonte Green                      Spencer Dinwiddie                    Miles Bridges                   Cristiano Felicio

Kris Dunn                                   Romeo Langford                 Kevin Durant                              Vernon Carey Jr.             Daniel Gafford

Bruno Fernando                         Aaron Nesmith                     Jeff Green                                   Devonte' Graham             Chandler Hutchison

Danilo Gallinari                         Semi Ojeleye                        Joe Harris                                    Gordon Hayward             Luke Kornet

Brandon Goodwin                     Payton Pritchard                  Kyrie Irving                                Caleb Martin                    Zach LaVine

Solomon Hill                              Marcus Smart                       Tyler Johnson                             Cody Martin                     Lauri Markkanen

Kevin Huerter                            Jayson Tatum                       DeAndre Jordan                         Jalen McDaniels              Otto Porter Jr.

De'Andre Hunter                       Jeff Teague                           Rodions Kurucs                         Malik Monk                      Tomas Satoransky

Cam Reddish                              Daniel Theis                         Caris LeVert                               Nick Richards                  Garrett Temple

Rajon Rondo                              Tristan Thompson               Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot     Terry Rozier                     Denzel Valentine

Trae Young                                 Kemba Walker                     Taurean Prince                           P.J. Washington               Coby White

                                                      Grant Williams                    Landry Shamet                           Cody Zeller                       Patrick Williams

                                                      Robert Williams III                                                                                                               Thaddeus Young

                                                                                                                                                           

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Nathan Knight*                         Tacko Fall*                           Nicolas Claxton                         Nate Darling*                   Devon Dotson*

Skylar Mays*                             Tremont Waters*                 Jeremiah Martin*                      Grant Riller*                    Adam Mokoka*

Onyeka Okongwu                                                                      Reggie Perry*                                                   

Tony Snell                                                                                                                                       

 

 

CLEVELAND                        DALLAS                              DENVER                             DETROIT                              GOLDEN STATE

Marques Bolden*                    Jalen Brunson                       Will Barton                           Saddiq Bey                             Kent Bazemore

Damyean Dotson                     Trey Burke                            Bol Bol                                  Sekou Doumbouya                Marquese Chriss

Andre Drummond                   Willie Cauley-Stein            Facundo Campazzo             Wayne Ellington                    Stephen Curry

Darius Garland                         Luka Doncic                         Vlatko Cancar                      Jerami Grant                           Draymond Green

Kevin Love                               Dorian Finney-Smith          PJ Dozier                               Blake Griffin                          Damion Lee

Thon Maker                              Josh Green                            JaMychal Green                   Killian Hayes                         Kevon Looney

JaVale McGee                          Tim Hardaway Jr.                R.J. Hampton                       Josh Jackson                           Mychal Mulder

Larry Nance Jr.                        Wes Iwundu                         Gary Harris                           Rodney McGruder                 Kelly Oubre Jr.

Isaac Okoro                              James Johnson                     Isaiah Hartenstein                Svi Mykhailiuk                      Eric Paschall

Cedi Osman                              Maxi Kleber                         Nikola Jokic                         Jahlil Okafor                           Jordan Poole

Collin Sexton                           Boban Marjanovic               Paul Millsap                         Mason Plumlee                      Alen Smailagic

Lamar Stevens*                       Dwight Powell                     Monte Morris                       Derrick Rose                          Brad Wanamaker

Dean Wade                               Josh Richardson                   Jamal Murray                       Isaiah Stewart                         Andrew Wiggins

Dylan Windler                         Tyrell Terry                          Zeke Nnaji                            Delon Wright                         James Wiseman

                                                                                                    Michael Porter Jr.                                                                 

                                                                                                                  

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Matthew Dellavedova             Tyler Bey*                            Markus Howard*                 Saben Lee*                             Nico Mannion*

Dante Exum                              Nate Hinton*                        Greg Whittington*              Deividas Sirvydis                  Klay Thompson

Kevin Porter Jr.                        Kristaps Porzingis                                                              

 

 

HOUSTON                              INDIANA                             LA CLIPPERS                   L.A. LAKERS                        MEMPHIS

Sterling Brown                         Malcolm Brogdon               Nicolas Batum                     Kentavious Caldwell-Pope    Grayson Allen

Bruno Caboclo                         Aaron Holiday                     Patrick Beverley                  Alex Caruso                              Kyle Anderson

DeMarcus Cousins                  Justin Holiday                      Paul George                          Quinn Cook                              Desmond Bane

Eric Gordon                              Jalen Lecque                         Serge Ibaka                           Anthony Davis                         Dillon Brooks

James Harden                           Kelan Martin                        Reggie Jackson                    Jared Dudley                            Brandon Clarke

Danuel House Jr.                     T.J. McConnell                    Mfiondu Kabengele            Marc Gasol                               Gorgui Dieng

KJ Martin                                  Doug McDermott                Luke Kennard                      Montrezl Harrell                      Jaren Jackson Jr.

Ben McLemore                        Victor Oladipo                     Kawhi Leonard                    Talen Horton-Tucker              Tyus Jones

David Nwaba                           Domantas Sabonis               Terance Mann                      LeBron James                          John Konchar

Jae'Sean Tate                            JaKarr Sampson                   Marcus Morris Sr.               Kyle Kuzma                             De'Anthony Melton

P.J. Tucker                                Cassius Stanley*                  Daniel Oturu                         Wesley Matthews                    Ja Morant

John Wall                                  Edmond Sumner                  Patrick Patterson                  Alfonzo McKinnie                  Jontay Porter

Christian Wood                        Myles Turner                        Lou Williams                       Markieff Morris                       Xavier Tillman Sr.

                                                    T.J. Warren                           Ivica Zubac                           Dennis Schroder                      Jonas Valanciunas

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Justise Winslow

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Chris Clemons                         Goga Bitadze                        Amir Coffey*                       Kostas Antetokounmpo*        Sean McDermott*

Mason Jones*                           Brian Bowen II*                  Jay Scrubb*                          Devontae Cacok*                    Killian Tillie*

Brodric Thomas*                     Jeremy Lamb                                                                                                                           

 

 

MIAMI                                     MILWAUKEE                     MINNESOTA                   NEW ORLEANS                   NEW YORK

Precious Achiuwa                    Giannis Antetokounmpo      Malik Beasley                    Steven Adams                          RJ Barrett

Bam Adebayo                          Thanasis Antetokounmpo    Jarrett Culver                      Nickeil Alexander-Walker     Ignas Brazdeikis

Avery Bradley                          D.J. Augustin                         Ed Davis                              Lonzo Ball                                Reggie Bullock

Jimmy Butler                            Pat Connaughton                   Anthony Edwards              Eric Bledsoe                             Alec Burks

Goran Dragic                            Torrey Craig                           Juancho Hernangomez     Josh Hart                                   Kevin Knox II

Maurice Harkless                    Donte DiVincenzo                 Jake Layman                      Jaxson Hayes                            Nerlens Noel

Udonis Haslem                        Bryn Forbes                            Jaden McDaniels               Willy Hernangomez                Frank Ntilikina

Tyler Herro                               Jrue Holiday                           Jaylen Nowell                    Brandon Ingram                       Elfrid Payton

Andre Iguodala                        Brook Lopez                           Josh Okogie                        Kira Lewis Jr.                           Immanuel Quickley

Meyers Leonard                       Sam Merrill                            Naz Reid                             Naji Marshall*                         Julius Randle

Kendrick Nunn                        Khris Middleton                    Ricky Rubio                       Nicolo Melli                             Theo Pinson*

KZ Okpala                                Jordan Nwora                         D'Angelo Russell               JJ Redick                                   Austin Rivers

Kelly Olynyk                            Bobby Portis                           Karl-Anthony Towns        Sindarius Thornwell                Mitchell Robinson

Duncan Robinson                    D.J. Wilson                             Jarred Vanderbilt               Zion Williamson                      Dennis Smith Jr.

Chris Silva                                                                                                                                                                                    Obi Toppin

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Max Strus*                               Jaylen Adams*                       Ashton Hagans*                Wenyen Gabriel                       Jared Harper*

Gabe Vincent*                         Mamadi Diakite*                   Jordan McLaughlin*         Will Magnay*                          Omari Spellman

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

OKLAHOMA CITY            ORLANDO                           PHILADELPHIA            PHOENIX                               PORTLAND

Trevor Ariza                             Cole Anthony                         Tony Bradley                     Deandre Ayton                         Carmelo Anthony

Darius Bazley                           Dwayne Bacon                       Seth Curry                           Devin Booker                           Keljin Blevins*

Hamidou Diallo                       Jordan Bone*                         Joel Embiid                         Mikal Bridges                          Robert Covington

Luguentz Dort                          Khem Birch                            Terrance Ferguson             Jevon Carter                             CJ Elleby

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander       Michael Carter-Williams     Danny Green                      Jae Crowder                              Harry Giles III

George Hill                               Gary Clark                              Tobias Harris                      Langston Galloway                 Rodney Hood

Al Horford                                Evan Fournier                        Dwight Howard                 Cameron Johnson                    Derrick Jones Jr.

Justin Jackson                          Markelle Fultz                        Isaiah Joe                            Damian Jones                           Enes Kanter

Ty Jerome                                 Aaron Gordon                        Furkan Korkmaz                Frank Kaminsky                      Damian Lillard

Theo Maledon                          Chuma Okeke                        Tyrese Maxey                    E'Twaun Moore                       CJ McCollum

Darius Miller                            Terrence Ross                        Shake Milton                      Abdel Nader                             Jusuf Nurkic

Mike Muscala                          Nikola Vucevic                      Vincent Poirier                   Chris Paul                                 Anfernee Simons

Aleksej Pokusevski                                                                   Mike Scott                          Cameron Payne                        Gary Trent Jr.

Isaiah Roby                                                                                 Ben Simmons                     Dario Saric                               

Kenrich Williams                                                                      Matisse Thybulle               Jalen Smith                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                       

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Moses Brown*                         Al-Farouq Aminu                  Dakota Mathias*               Ty-Shon Alexander*               Zach Collins

Josh Hall*                                 Mo Bamba                              Paul Reed*                                                                              Nassir Little

                                                    James Ennis III                                                                                                                       

                                                    Jonathan Isaac                                                                                                                         

                                                    Karim Mane*                                                                                                                          

 

 

 

SACRAMENTO              SAN ANTONIO                       TORONTO                       UTAH                                   WASHINGTON

Marvin Bagley III              LaMarcus Aldridge                   OG Anunoby                      Udoka Azubuike                  Deni Avdija

Harrison Barnes                 DeMar DeRozan                        Aron Baynes                       Bojan Bogdanovic               Bradley Beal

Nemanja Bjelica                Drew Eubanks                            DeAndre' Bembry             Jordan Clarkson                   Davis Bertans

De'Aaron Fox                     Rudy Gay                                    Chris Boucher                    Mike Conley                         Isaac Bonga

Tyrese Haliburton             Keldon Johnson                         Terence Davis                    Derrick Favors                     Troy Brown Jr.

Buddy Hield                       Tre Jones                                     Malachi Flynn                    Rudy Gobert                         Thomas Bryant

Richaun Holmes                Trey Lyles                                   Stanley Johnson                 Shaquille Harrison              Anthony Gill

Justin James                        Patty Mills                                  Alex Len                             Elijah Hughes                       Rui Hachimura

Cory Joseph                        Dejounte Murray                       Kyle Lowry                        Joe Ingles                              Robin Lopez

Jahmi'us Ramsey               Jakob Poeltl                                Norman Powell                  Donovan Mitchell               Raul Neto

Glenn Robinson III           Luka Samanic                            Pascal Siakam                    Juwan Morgan                     Anzejs Pasecniks

Hassan Whiteside              Devin Vassell                             Matt Thomas                      Georges Niang                     Jerome Robinson

Robert Woodard II            Lonnie Walker IV                     Fred VanVleet                    Royce O'Neale                     Ish Smith

                                                                                                    Yuta Watanabe*                Miye Oni                               Moritz Wagner

                                                                                                    Paul Watson                                                                       Russell Westbrook

                                                                                                                                                 

INACTIVE/TWO-WAY LISTS

Kyle Guy*                          Keita Bates-Diop*                     Jalen Harris*                      Jarrell Brantley*                  Garrison Mathews*

DaQuan Jeffries                 Quinndary Weatherspoon*      Patrick McCaw                  Trent Forrest*                      Cassius Winston*

Jabari Parker                       Derrick White                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                 

* Indicates player under Two-Way contract    

 

NBA IMPOSES PENALTY ON MILWAUKEE BUCKS

FOR EARLY FREE AGENCY DISCUSSIONS

 

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2020 – The NBA announced today that the Milwaukee Bucks violated league rules governing the timing of this season’s free agency discussions and that the league has rescinded the Bucks’ 2022 second round draft pick.

 

The league conducted an investigation into whether the Bucks had discussions with Bogdan Bogdanović and/or his agent regarding a free agent contract prior to the date when such discussions were permitted.  The investigation concluded that early discussions did in fact occur, constituting conduct detrimental to the NBA.

The penalty took into account the Bucks’ cooperation with the investigation, the absence of evidence of any impermissible early agreement on the terms of a contract between the Bucks and Bogdanović, and the fact that the team ultimately did not sign Bogdanović.

HOTELS.COM^® NAMED OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER OF THE NBA

 

– Deal Marks the Online Travel Site’s First Partnership with a North American Professional Sports League –

 

NEW YORK and DALLAS, Dec. 21, 2020 — Hotels.com^®, an Expedia Group company, and the National Basketball Association (NBA), today announced a multiyear global partnership that makes Hotels.com the Official Travel Partner of the NBA.

 

Tipping off ahead of the 2020-21 NBA season, the agreement will allow Hotels.com to engage with NBA fans and travelers alike through integrated marketing efforts, showing why using Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book accommodations.  As part of the deal, Hotels.com will have an in-game presence with brand integration on the top of the backboard for nationally-televised games throughout the season across ABC, ESPN and TNT, a first-of-its-kind position for an NBA global partner, placing Hotels.com in the most exciting plays of the year. 

 

“We are proud to begin our official partnership with one of the world’s most influential and culturally relevant sports leagues,” said Mike Wolfe, head of global brand creative, sponsorships and partnerships for Hotels.com.  “We’re looking forward to bringing our combined innovation and creativity together to further connect with NBA fans around the world.”

 

“We are excited to welcome Hotels.com, and Expedia Group, to our family of global partners,” said Dan Rossomondo, NBA Senior Vice President, Media and Business Development.  “This partnership marks the league’s first with an online travel site, and we look forward to leveraging Hotels.com’s expertise in travel and hospitality to engage with the NBA’s global fan base in new and unique ways.”

 

Hotels.com will be revealing its integrated marketing plan throughout the season to engage both basketball fans and travelers.  Expect to see more from Hotels.com in 2021 as it celebrates the first year of its official NBA partnership from tip-off through the NBA Finals.  Additionally, Expedia Group brands, including Expedia, Vrbo, Travelocity and others, will have the opportunity to participate in the partnership.

 

The 2020-21 NBA season tips off on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. E.T. on TNT.  For game and national television schedules across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV for the first half of the season, visit NBA.com, where fans can find star matchups, thrilling game action and exciting storylines across the league #OnlyHere in the NBA.

 

For more information on the Hotels.com and NBA partnership, follow along on Hotels.com’s Instagram and Twitter.

 

 

About Hotels.com^® (or Hotels.com™)

Hotels.com is the most rewarding way to book a place to stay.  We really love travel and we know you do too.  That’s why we make it really easy to book with us.  With hundreds of thousands of places to stay around the world and 90 local websites in 41 languages, Hotels.com has it all.  So, whether you’re looking for value in Vegas, treehouses in Thailand or villas with views, it’s all just a click away.  And with our “Reward-winning” loyalty program you earn free* nights while you sleep…what could be better?  Booking just got smarter too.  With over 25 million real guest reviews and an app so easy to use that it’s been downloaded 70 million times, you can be sure to find the perfect place for you.

*Exclusions apply.  Reward night worth average price of previous 10.  Taxes/fees payable on each Reward Night redeemed.  A $5 fee is charged on each Reward Night redeemed, unless redeemed on the app. See T&Cs.

https://www.hotels.com/customer_care/terms_conditions.html?pos=HCOM_US&locale=en_US

© 2020Hotels.com, LP.  All rights reserved.  Hotels.com and the Hotels.com logo are trademarks of Hotels.com, LP.  All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST #2083949-50

 

About The NBA

The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League.  The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2019-20 season featured 108 international players from 38 countries and territories.  NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.9 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.

 

Riga win first-ever FIBA 3x3 World Tour title at Jeddah Final on unbelievable Tissot Buzzer Beater

December 19, 2020 JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - Riga won the 9th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after defeating Liman (SRB) in the championship game on December 19, 2020 on an unbelievable Tissot Buzzer Beater. Just a month after beating Liman at the buzzer in the final of the Doha Masters, the Latvians did it again. With their back against the wall as Liman needed just one basket to win, the Jeddah Final MVP Nauris Miezis hit an incredible one-legged shot from well beyond the arc, good for the 60,000 USD winning cheque. The 'Batman and Robin' of 3x3 shined in Jeddah as Karlis Lasmanis aka 'Batman' topped all scorers with 37 points. Riga put an exclamation point on an amazing season, that saw them win 2 of the 4 Masters. After starting the season 9-3, they finished on a 10-game winning streak in Doha and Jeddah. His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister, was in attendance during the Final, the first international sporting event in Saudi Arabia since the start of the pandemic.   WASHINGTON’S BRYANT FINED NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2020 – Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant has been fined $45,000 for repeatedly making inappropriate contact with a game official, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.   Bryant, who received a technical foul as part of the incident, was aggressively attempting to confront Detroit Pistons forward Blake Griffin, who had committed a Flagrant Foul 1 against Bryant on the play.    The incident occurred with 8:42 remaining in the third quarter of Washington’s 97-86 preseason loss to Detroit on Dec. 17 at Capital One Arena.   To view the incident, click on the following link: https://www.nba.com/watch/video/piston-vs-wizards-12-17-20 December 18, 2020   NBA Digital Debuts Redesigned Digital Products and League Pass Enhancements for NBA Season Tip-Off December 22   New NBA App and NBA.com Provide Unified Fan Experience for League’s Global Fan Base    NBA League Pass to Introduce Features Including Enhanced Interactive Game Overlays and Downloadable Games for Temporary Offline Viewing   NBA Digital, jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports, has debuted a newly redesigned NBA App and NBA.com for NBA fans globally, featuring new and expanded features on NBA League Pass and NBA TV in time for the NBA season tip-off on Tuesday, Dec. 22. Building off the success of the 2019-20 NBA season restart, new features this season will include enhanced optionality on the platforms, additional alternative streams for select games within NBA League Pass, interactive game overlays, the ability to temporarily download games for offline viewing and more options that will enhance the multi-platform experience.   The redesigned app comes as the NBA expands its digital offerings by unifying the league’s international and domestic digital products – including NBA.com, the NBA App, NBA Fantasy and other NBA digital products – providing fans with a consistent, premium experience and access to the NBA’s full global content archives.   Enhancements across NBA League Pass and NBA TV on NBA.com and the NBA App include: Interactive overlays: New and enhanced interactive game overlays entertaining fans with stats, quizzes, polls and in-game highlights Downloadable games:  Games will now be available to temporarily download for viewing offline and on-the-go for League Pass subscribers. Alternative streams (select games): NBABet Stream: Introduced during the restart, fans in the U.S. will have the opportunity to watch alternate betting-focused telecasts for select games on NBA League Pass and NBA TV. Expert analysis will be featured from talent across various platforms, which included Bleacher Report, The Action Network, Yahoo Sports, and others during the restart, will provide fans with unique insights while overlays featuring betting odds are displayed throughout the matchups. Sideline Stream: Popular alternate angles – Rail Cam and Courtside Cam – will be featured in a new option that brings fans closer to the game. Influencers Stream: Influencers and media personalities, Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux, will engage fans across social media during their weekly game calls on NBA League Pass. Additional influencers will make appearances on special NBA League Pass and NBA TV feeds during the season as well. Alternative audio (select games): Fans in the U.S will now have access to expanded language options, including Portuguese, Spanish and Korean. Condensed games: Condensed games on NBA League Pass have been expanded to include game highlights dedicated to the home team, away team and all possessions.   NBA League Pass will once again showcase more than 800 exclusive live NBA games, original programming and an extensive list of on-demand video content with advanced viewing options via mobile devices, connected devices, gaming consoles, tablets and web browsers. Additional information on subscription packages are available here.   NBA TV is available in the U.S. through NBA.com and the NBA App for $6.99 per month or $59.99 annually. The NBA TV offering will also continue to be available on an authenticated basis for fans who get NBA TV from a pay TV provider.   The NBA tips off its regular season with Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 on Tuesday, Dec. 22 on TNT featuring the Golden State Warriors visiting the Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m. ET) and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers taking on the LA Clippers (10 p.m. ET).   About NBA Digital NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports, including NBA TV, the NBA App, NBA.com, NBA League Pass and NBAGLEAGUE.com   NBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES SALE OF THE UTAH JAZZ TO OWNERSHIP GROUP LED BY RYAN SMITH   NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2020 – The NBA Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of the Utah Jazz to an ownership group led by Ryan Smith, founder and executive chairman of Qualtrics.   “Ryan Smith is a forward-thinking, community-minded entrepreneur and business leader who will be a fantastic addition to our league,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “As a life-long fan of the Utah Jazz and more recently as one of their key marketing partners, Ryan has demonstrated his deep commitment to the Jazz and the Utah community and there’s no doubt he will bring that same level of dedication to the operation of the team.  We are also extraordinarily appreciative of Gail Miller, Greg Miller and the Miller family for 35 years of outstanding leadership and service and, on behalf of the entire NBA, thank them for always running a first-class organization in every way.”   The transaction is expected to close shortly. KIA NBA TIP-OFF 2020: BY THE NUMBERS – TNT Features Opening-Night Doubleheader for 25th Consecutive Season – – ESPN and ABC Mark 19th Season of Christmas Day Game Coverage –   NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2020 – The 2020-21 NBA season begins Tuesday, Dec. 22, tipping off with nine nationally televised games across the first three days of play.  Packed with drama, thrilling rivalries and unique personalities, the NBA will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in more than 50 languages during the First Half of the season.   Coinciding with Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020, the NBA is encouraging fans around the world to join the action by sporting their favorite NBA jersey on Dec. 22 as part of the first “NBA Jersey Day” – a global fan celebration of the new season.   Here are some numbers highlighting Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020:                                                                                                                      Opening Night: Tuesday, Dec. 22 In TNT’s opening-night doubleheader, the Golden State Warriors visit the Brooklyn Nets (7 p.m. ET) and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers (10 p.m. ET).   ·       1 – Opening night features four players who were selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft: the Lakers’ LeBron James (2003) and Anthony Davis (2012), the Nets’ Kyrie Irving (2011) and the Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins (2014). ·       2 – Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant, set for his first regular-season game since the 2018-19 season, won two NBA championships and two Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP awards with Golden State. ·       3 – 2019-20 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award winner Montrezl Harrell makes his Lakers debut against the Clippers, the team with whom he spent the previous three seasons. ·       5 – Steve Nash, who led the NBA in assists five times as a Hall of Fame player, makes his debut as an NBA head coach when he leads Brooklyn against Golden State.  ·       17 – The Lakers will celebrate last season’s record-tying 17th NBA championship before facing the Clippers.   ·       18 – James begins his 18th NBA season on opening night.   ·       20 – During the First Half of the season, 20 games will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as part of the league’s “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K21” primetime initiative.   ·       25 – TNT will present an opening-night doubleheader for the 25th consecutive season, marking Turner Sports’ 37th straight year of NBA coverage. ·       50 – Davis and Irving are the last two players to score 50 points in the first game of a season for their team: Davis with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016 and Irving with Brooklyn in 2019. ·       2016 – In 2016, new Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was in his first season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers when he led James and the Cavaliers to the NBA championship.    ·       2,495 – Golden State’s Stephen Curry has made 2,495 career three-pointers, five away from becoming the third player in NBA history with 2,500.   Wednesday, Dec. 23   In the two national television games, the Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and the Dallas Mavericks visit the Phoenix Suns (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).   ·       6 – Boston has qualified for the NBA Playoffs in each of the last six seasons, including Eastern Conference Finals appearances in three of the last four seasons. ·       7 – Chris Paul, who will make his Suns debut Dec. 23, ranks seventh in NBA history in both career assists and career steals. ·       8 – The Suns won all eight “seeding games” during the 2019-20 season restart, the only one of the 22 participating teams to go undefeated. ·       17 – Dallas’ Luka Dončić led the NBA with 17 triple-doubles last season. ·       25 – Two-time reigning Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee is one of three players to win multiple MVP awards by the age of 25, joining James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.   Christmas Day   The 73rd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day features five nationally televised games across ESPN and ABC: Pelicans at Miami Heat (12 p.m. ET, ESPN), Warriors at Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Nets at Celtics (5 p.m. ET, ABC), Mavericks at Lakers (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) and Clippers at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). ·       4 – The four Conference Finalists from last season will be in action on Christmas Day: the Lakers and Nuggets from the Western Conference and the Heat and Celtics from the Eastern Conference. ·       5 – Five Kia NBA MVPs will compete on Christmas Day: the Bucks’ Antetokounmpo, the Warriors’ Curry, the Nets’ Durant, the Lakers’ James and Nets head coach Nash.   ·       6 – Six players have recorded a triple-double in a game on Christmas Day: Draymond Green (2017), Russell Westbrook (2013), James (2010), Billy Cunningham (1970), John Havlicek (1967) and Oscar Robertson (1960, 1961, 1963, 1967).   ·       7 – Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra has won all seven of his Christmas Day games as an NBA head coach, tied with Les Harrison for the most wins without a loss.   ·       10 – Dwyane Wade has the most Christmas Day victories for a player with 10 – one more than James and Miami’s Udonis Haslem, who are tied for second place with nine each.   ·       13 – The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day for the 13th year in a row.   ·       15 – James will play his 15th Christmas Day game, second most in NBA history behind Kobe Bryant (16).   ·       19 – This marks ESPN’s 19th season of Christmas Day game coverage.     ·       23 – The Lakers have the most wins on Christmas Day with 23.   ·       25 – As part of NBA Cares Season of Giving, the league is highlighting across its digital platforms the efforts of 25 community organizations supporting health and wellness, food security, education, volunteerism and social justice work in communities around the world.   ·       35 – This year marks the 35th anniversary of the classic 1985 Christmas Day game when rookie Patrick Ewing (32 points, 11 rebounds) and the New York Knicks rallied from a 25-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 113-104 in double overtime.   ·       43.3 – Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady averaged an NBA-record 43.3 points on Christmas Day, scoring at least 40 points in all three of his games.   ·       60 – Bernard King scored a Christmas Day-record 60 points for the Knicks against the New Jersey Nets in 1984. ·       98 – Of the players on the current rosters of the 10 teams playing on Christmas Day, 27 have been named to an NBA All-Star team and they have combined for 98 All-Star selections. ·       215 – Christmas Day games will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 56 languages.   ·       361 – James ranks third on the career Christmas Day scoring list with 361 points, behind No. 1 Bryant (395) and No. 2 Robertson (377).   ·       1947 – The NBA began playing games on Christmas Day in 1947 during the league’s second season.   KIA NBA TIP-OFF 2020   Tuesday, Dec. 22: Opening Night Road Team Home Team Time (ET) Network Golden State Warriors Brooklyn Nets 7:00 p.m. TNT LA Clippers Los Angeles Lakers 10:00 p.m. TNT    Wednesday, Dec. 23 Road Team Home Team Time (ET) Network Milwaukee Bucks Boston Celtics 7:30 p.m. TNT Dallas Mavericks Phoenix Suns 10:30 p.m. ESPN   Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day Road Team Home Team Time (ET) Network New Orleans Pelicans Miami Heat 12:00 p.m. ESPN Golden State Warriors Milwaukee Bucks 2:30 p.m. ABC Brooklyn Nets Boston Celtics 5:00 p.m. ABC Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers 8:00 p.m. ABC/ESPN LA Clippers Denver Nuggets 10:30 p.m. ESPN   Saturday, Dec. 26 Road Team Home Team Time (ET) Network Atlanta Hawks Memphis Grizzlies 5:00 p.m. NBA TV Philadelphia 76ers New York Knicks 7:30 p.m. NBA TV Houston Rockets Portland Trail Blazers 10:00 p.m. NBA TV Sunday, Dec. 27       Road Team Home Team Time (ET) Network Dallas Mavericks LA Clippers 3:30 p.m. NBA TV Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets 7:00 p.m. NBA TV Minnesota Timberwolves Los Angeles Lakers 10:00 p.m. NBA TV                 NBA ADOPTS COACH’S CHALLENGE ON FULL-TIME BASIS - Trial program introduced new, exciting strategic element to NBA games - - Two clarifications added to existing rules -   NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 – The National Basketball Association today announced the League’s Board of Governors has approved the Coach’s Challenge on a full-time basis starting with the 2020-21 season. The Coach’s Challenge was introduced this past season on a one-year trial. The NBA’s Competition Committee recommended the move to a full-time basis before the Board of Governors’ vote.   The Coach’s Challenge affords head coaches the ability to trigger instant replay review on a limited set of matters, giving them a voice and furthering engagement while optimizing the overall replay process.   “Our coaches were receptive to the pilot version of the Coach’s Challenge, increasing usage and becoming more comfortable with the concept and strategic aspects as the season progressed,” said Byron Spruell, NBA President, League Operations. “We are excited to adopt the Coach’s Challenge as part of our NBA rules and will continue dialogue with the coaches, the Competition Committee and the NBA’s Board of Governors as we move forward.”   The Board also approved language to clarify two specific situations:   A team loses its right to challenge the preceding call if it incurs a delay of game violation prior to initiating the challenge.    When officials confer to determine the appropriate call, the window of time within which a team must “immediately” challenge the call starts after the officials provide the negatively affected team notice of the final ruling on the play.    During the 2019-20 season, NBA head coaches challenged 633 calls in the regular season and 67 in the playoffs. The original call on the floor was overturned 281 times in the regular season for an overturn rate of 44 percent. The overturn rate in the postseason was 40 percent with 27 calls reversed.   For a list of individual challenges from the 2019-20 regular season and playoffs, as well as cumulative data on regular season and playoff challenges from last season please click this link: https://official.nba.com/2019-20-nba-coachs-challenge-results/   NBA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION IN INAUGURAL GRANTS TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT IN BLACK COMMUNITIES   NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 – The NBA Foundation today announced a total of $2 million in inaugural grants that will drive economic empowerment in Black communities through employment and career advancement.  Seven organizations – exalt, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Marcus Graham Project, Operation DREAM, TEAM Inc., The Knowledge House and the Youth Empowerment Project – have been selected as the recipients of the first grants from the Foundation.  The organizations align with the NBA Foundation’s mission to provide skills training, mentorship, coaching and pipeline development for high school, college-aged, job-ready and mid-career Black men and women in communities across the United States and Canada.  These inaugural grants aim to increase education and employment access in Black communities, as well as enhance and grow the work of these national and local organizations.  Below is a full list of the grantees:   exalt exalt is an organization based in New York City that elevates expectations of personal success for court-involved youth through a culturally relevant curriculum that emphasizes Critical Pedagogy, 1-on-1 support and paid-internships, and ensures they have an opportunity to advance in the areas of education, employability and criminal justice system avoidance.   Management Leadership for Tomorrow Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) is an organization that is changing the face of leadership across employer America and driving breakthrough results for individuals and institutions by providing a high-performance playbook, sports-like professional coaching and an accelerating network of peers and mentors for more than 10,000 students and professionals of color.   Marcus Graham Project The Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is a national organization focused on developing the next generation of diverse leaders in advertising, media and marketing through training, mentorship and professional development opportunities to ensure the industry is more inclusive and better reflects the diverse world we live in.    Operation DREAM Operation DREAM provides developmental opportunities, mentoring and employment readiness support for more than 250 young men of color in Milwaukee through programs that correspond to the age-appropriate development needs of participants.     TEAM Inc. Tech Exposure & Access through Mentoring Inc. (TEAM), based in Oakland, Calif., is focused on empowering students using their passion for sports to build new STEM skills and expand opportunities for their futures.   The Knowledge House The Knowledge House (TKH) is a New York City-based organization that builds an education-to-employment pipeline in underserved neighborhoods by empowering young people with the 21st century skills needed to launch careers or ventures that will have an uplifting impact in their communities.    Youth Empowerment Project Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a New Orleans-based organization that annually serves more than one thousand children and young adults through community-based education, mentoring, employment readiness and enrichment programs.    The NBA Foundation will continue to collaborate with all 30 teams, their affiliated charitable organizations and the NBPA to support national and local organizations in communities across the U.S. and Canada.  Over the next 10 years, the 30 NBA team governors will collectively contribute $30 million annually in initial funding, and the Foundation will work strategically with marketing and media partners to develop additional funding sources.    To learn more about the NBA Foundation, please visit www.nbafoundation.com.   NBA FOUNDATION NAMES GREG TAYLOR AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR   NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 – The NBA Foundation Board of Directors today announced that Greg Taylor has been selected as the organization’s first Executive Director.  Taylor, who is currently NBA Senior Vice President of Player Development, will assume his new role on Jan. 4, 2021 and lead the Foundation’s mission to drive economic empowerment for Black communities through employment and career advancement.    He will be responsible for the strategic development, creation and implementation of programs and partnerships that advance the NBA Foundation’s efforts to increase access and support for high school, college-aged, job-ready and mid-career Black men and women.  Additionally, Taylor will oversee the administration of grants to national and local organizations that provide skills training, mentorship, coaching and pipeline development.   Taylor joined the NBA in 2013 and has led the league’s initiatives to assist players in their personal, professional and social development by building innovative programs in the areas of continuing education, financial management and mental health and wellness.    Prior to joining the NBA, he served as the President and CEO of the Foundation for Newark's Future, where he positioned the foundation as an influential voice in education reform, developed a board comprised of distinguished local and national leaders and raised $78 million in matching funds.  Taylor was previously the Vice President of Programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where he established strong relationships with local and national organizations and led a series of economic, education and youth development initiatives that supported youth and families of color.    “We are thrilled to name Greg as our first Executive Director, a professional with extensive philanthropic experience and firsthand knowledge of the values central to our league,” said Mark Tatum, NBA Foundation President and NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO.  “The Board sees this as an opportunity to continue to build momentum in creating meaningful opportunities and sustained change in the Black community, and we look forward to Greg’s leadership as the Foundation grows.”   Taylor will establish the Foundation’s organizational goals, manage its operations and resources and design fundraising that yields long-term success.  Working closely with the NBA Foundation Board of Directors, Program Officers, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and all 30 NBA teams, he will form impactful partnerships and oversee support for national and local organizations in NBA markets and communities across the United States and Canada.  He will also manage a team of program managers, administrators and interns.   “As a proud member of the NBA family, I am honored to be selected to lead the NBA Foundation in its development,” said Taylor.  “During my time at the league, I have been inspired by the efforts of NBA players, teams and governors to advocate for change and I look forward to using my experience working with non-profits to further our investment in the next generation of Black leaders.”   A native of New York City, Taylor graduated with honors from Hunter College of the City University of New York and earned a law degree from Indiana University Bloomington’s School of Law.  He currently serves as a board member for Athletes for Hope and the BRICK Education Network.   The Foundation is one aspect of the NBA family’s collective efforts to address racial inequality and advance social justice.  In October, the NBA and NBPA announced the NBA Foundation Board of Directors, comprised of eight representatives from the NBA Board of Governors, players and executives from the NBPA and the league office, including Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, New Orleans Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, Charlotte Hornets Chairman Michael Jordan, Atlanta Hawks Principal Owner Tony Ressler, NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Board of Governors Chairman and Toronto Raptors Governor Larry Tanenbaum.   To learn more about the NBA Foundation, please visit www.nbafoundation.com. CARMAX NAMED OFFICIAL AUTO RETAILER OF THE NBA AND WNBA   CarMax Featuring NBA and WNBA Talent in “Call Your Shot” Content Series, Including Sue Bird, Stephen Curry, Zach LaVine and Kelly Oubre Jr.   RICHMOND, VA. – Dec. 17, 2020 – CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, today announced a new partnership with the NBA, WNBA and Turner Sports. As part of the multiyear agreement, CarMax is now the official auto retailer of the NBA and WNBA – the first automotive retail partnership in WNBA history – as well as the presenting partner of NBA Tip-Off on TNT.   CarMax’s inaugural season as an NBA partner will premiere on Tuesday, Dec. 22 with TNT’s NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax — featuring the Emmy®-Award winning studio team of host Ernie Johnson and analysts Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith, and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal — followed by a doubleheader on TNT starting at 7 p.m. ET to tip off the 2020-21 NBA season.  CarMax will also see in-game exposure across TNT’s 66-game NBA regular-season broadcasts, and on NBA TV broadcasts and digital platforms, as well as on TNT’s NBA Playoff games, which culminate with the network’s exclusive presentation of the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.   The league partnership expands upon CarMax’s long-standing history of NBA team relationships, including the designation of official auto retailer sponsor of the LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors.    “CarMax has had strong partnerships with local teams in the NBA ecosystem for more than a decade and we are excited to expand our relationship and brand awareness at the league level,” said Jim Lyski, Executive Vice President and CMO at CarMax. “The NBA, WNBA and CarMax are all innovative brands dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience for fans and customers. Like CarMax, the NBA and WNBA are passionate about giving back to our local communities and we look forward to continuing to make an impact together in the years to come.”   “CarMax has been woven into the fabric of the NBA for many years through successful relationships with NBA teams,” said Dan Rossomondo, NBA Senior Vice President, Media and Business Development.  “We’re looking forward to collaborating with CarMax on a larger scale moving forward and creating unique opportunities for engagement with fans of both the NBA and WNBA.”   In CarMax’s upcoming “Call Your Shot” campaign, the company is debuting partnerships with four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird and three-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, as well as bringing back two-time AT&T NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion Zach LaVine, and newly acquired Golden State Warrior Kelly Oubre, Jr., for the second year of the content series. The “Call Your Shot” campaign highlights the parallels of players’ on-court confidence with the confidence CarMax instills in its customers.  Award-winning journalist Adrian Wojnarowski is also featured in the series.   In addition to CarMax’s NBA, WNBA, TNT, and talent partnerships, The CarMax Foundation is also partnering with Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s co-founded Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, KABOOM!, and the Oakland Unified School District to build a new schoolyard at Franklin Elementary School in Oakland, California.  Students at Franklin Elementary will have the opportunity to provide input for the design of the playspace, which will include a new playground, multi-sport court, and garden.  The project is estimated to be completed in early 2021 and in anticipation for students’ return to in-person learning.  The isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates in dramatic effect how valuable playspaces are for children and this project is an example of what’s possible when partners and communities come together to address the needs of kids, especially in times of crisis.   For game and national-television schedules across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV for the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season, visit NBA.com, where fans can find star matchups, thrilling game action and exciting storylines across the league #OnlyHere in the NBA.   About CarMax CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, revolutionized the automotive retail industry by driving integrity, honesty and transparency in every interaction. The company offers a truly personalized experience with the option for customers to do as much, or as little, online and in-store as they want. CarMax also provides a variety of vehicle delivery methods, including home delivery, contactless curbside pickup and appointments in its stores. During the fiscal year ending February 29, 2020, CarMax sold more than 830,000 used cars and more than 465,000 wholesale vehicles at its in-store auctions. CarMax has 220 stores, over 25,000 Associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 16 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. For more information, visit www.carmax.com.   About the NBA The NBA is a global sports and media business built around four professional sports leagues: the National Basketball Association, the Women’s National Basketball Association, the NBA G League and the NBA 2K League. The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 100,000 stores in 100 countries on six continents.  NBA rosters at the start of the 2019-20 season featured 108 international players from 38 countries and territories. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass.  The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with 1.9 billion likes and followers globally across all league, team, and player platforms.  Through NBA Cares, the league addresses important social issues by working with internationally recognized youth-serving organizations that support education, youth and family development, and health-related causes.   About the WNBA Entering its 25th season in 2021, the WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women.  Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion and social responsibility.  Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.   In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete.  Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new partnership platform, WNBA Changemakers. Inaugural WNBA Changemakers include AT&T, Deloitte and Nike. In addition, during the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.   For more information, visit WNBA.com. Everything you need to know before the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Jeddah Final 2020 December 17, 2020 JEDDAH (Saudi Arabia) - It is the culmination of a season that was like none before. The FIBA 3x3 World Tour resumes on Friday with the Jeddah Final, the final event of the season. After several months of tournament bubbles, here's a refresher of the important information every 3x3 fan needs to know. Where can I watch the Jeddah Final? Make sure you are following us on Twitter and Instagram for live updates in addition to Facebook and YouTube where we will be broadcasting live on both channels. We're also on TV all around the world. Check out our list of broadcasters.  Who is competing in Jeddah? A total of 12 teams: Liman, Novi Sad, Riga, NY Harlem, Sakiai Gulbele, Piran, Amsterdam, Ub, Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy,  Lausanne Katapult, Jeddah and Utena Uniclub. Note: following the success of the first 4 Masters in Debrecen, Hungary, Europe, and Doha, all the health and safety measures requested by local and national authorities and the Guidelines for the Return to Basketball, developed by the FIBA Medical Advisory Group (MAG) will once again be implemented. Sadly no fans will be allowed in the venue but 3x3 enthusiasts worldwide were given a chance to be at the event with an innovative virtual fan experience. What are the pools? Who are the favorites? According to some of the best players on the 3x3 World Tour, Liman are the clear favorites to win their first World Tour Finals title. But we think Riga would have something to say about that. The World Tour has been dominated by the two powerhouses all season long, each having won two Masters events. The two teams also account for the top 7 players on the World Tour 2020 player value ranking. Of course, we cannot count out Novi Sad, the winner of the last two World Tour Finals and 4 overall. They will be without Dusan Bulut, but the team is filled with talent and experience, and can beat any team on any day. There is also a case to be made for either of the Lithuanian teams, Sakiai Gulbele and Utena Uniclub. Both teams have had strong 2020 seasons, and each have made it to a Masters final. Each team in the field represents the best of the World Tour so expect to see a fever-paced, action-packed event. Who are the players to watch? The Jeddah Final is packed with talent. Stefan Stojacic, Nauris Miezis, Stefan Kojic, and Karlis Lasmanis have all had MVP campaigns this season and it will be interesting to see who rises above the rest in the biggest moments. Disco Domo is once again leading NY Harlem into action, ready to dance on his defenders. Jones, last year’s World Tour MVP, and his partner in crime, Joey King, are on the hunt for their first World Tour Finals title. Dejan Majstorovic has big shoes to fill for Novi Sad if they have a chance of winning their third straight title. The man who has come up so big for them in the past will need to have another monster performance for the Serbian team. This is a very deep tournament with a ton of talent up and down the roster. Some other names that can make a big impact are Ignas Vaitkus, Khalid Abdel-Gabar,  Dimeo van der Horst, and Miroslav Pasajlic. Don't sleep on any of these guys to seize the moment and earn the big check. ### Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court. It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3x3 World & Continental Cups. On 9 June 2017, 3x3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo Games. Wilson is the Global Ball and Apparel Partner and Tissot the Official Timekeeper of FIBA 3x3. FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, and the Magic Sky canopy system. For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball. FIBA and Smart Communications gear up for 2023 with global partnership announcement DECEMBER 17, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, and Smart, the Philippines' leading mobile services provider, have announced a new global partnership ahead of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The announcement was made today at a virtual press conference hosted by Smart, FIBA and Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP). This four-year partnership will run through until December 31, 2023. Under the terms of the agreement, Smart is granted exclusivity in the category of telecommunications worldwide. The partnership provides key commercial rights across all FIBA competitions, including the men's and women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, FIBA Continental Cups for both men and women, FIBA Youth World Cups, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and FIBA's pinnacle event, the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. Smart will play a pivotal role in the lead up to, and during, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, using their latest Smart 5G technology. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is set to take place for the first time across three nations, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The Group Phase will be held across all three host countries, with the Final Phase to follow in the Philippine capital city of Manila. FIBA and Smart will work together to create a wide array of exciting experiences for both athletes and fans around the world. Present at today's virtual press conference announcement were Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman, SBP Chairman Emeritus and FIBA Central Board Member; Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President and CEO and SBP President; and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. "Our partnership with FIBA is a milestone for the whole nation, just as it is for our company. Through Smart's mobile innovations, we look forward to introducing immersive digital experiences that will bring hardcourt action to the fingertips of basketball fans around the world and connect us all in our love for the sport," said Manuel V. Pangilinan. Alfredo S. Panlilio said that this is a milestone not only for Smart but, more importantly, for the nation. "This is a huge step in bringing our athletes closer to the world stage. Smart has always been at the forefront when it comes to supporting Filipino athletes and their journey to greatness," Panlilio said. Andreas Zagklis added: "We are extremely pleased to welcome Smart Communications as a FIBA Global Partner. Joining forces with a leading telecommunications company such as Smart will bring unrivalled opportunities in the lead up to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Giving our fans the best ever experience, whether at home or in arenas, is a crucial aspect of any FIBA event, and even more so for this flagship competition. We are looking forward to working with Smart to harness their state-of-the-art technologies and 5G capabilities to deliver the most connected and engaging FIBA Basketball World Cup to date." This agreement was brokered by FIBA Marketing, the strategic partnership between FIBA and Infront.           NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2020 – Of the 549 players tested for COVID-19 since Dec. 10, one new player has returned a confirmed positive test.    Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.     NBA RELAUNCHES EXPANDED VIDEO RULEBOOK ON OFFICIAL.NBA.COM - More than 450 new video examples explain the rules of the game -   NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2020 – The NBA has relaunched its Video Rulebook microsite to serve as a resource to teams, media and fans with an explanation of the rules of the game through videos selected from NBA games, the league announced today.   The Video Rulebook has been expanded to offer a deeper look at some of the game’s most misunderstood rules and violations. Each video contains detailed descriptions and explanations of plays.   Highlights of the new microsite include:   More than 450 new video examples with enhanced video.   A new Points of Education category, which contains dozens of video examples of all the current season’s POE’s.   More than two dozen new categories and sub-categories.   A new Key Word Search box.   A link to an Educational Videos archive page, containing numerous League Operations Rules videos produced over the last few seasons.    An updated Home Page with new images and links to additional educational material.    To view the new and improved Video Rulebook, please click on the link: https://videorulebook.nba.com/       KYRIE IRVING AND BROOKLYN NETS FINED   NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2020 – Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving and the Nets organization have each been fined $25,000 for violating league rules governing media interview access, the NBA announced today.  The fines result from Irving's refusal on several occasions this week to participate in team media availability.   NBA LAUNCHES 2020-21 CAMPAIGN WITH TIP-OFF SPOT “ONLY HERE” Today the NBA launched its new 2020-21 season tip-off campaign spot, “Only Here,” starring 2020 NBA Champion and seven-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. Inspired by and featuring real fans sharing what is unique and exciting about the NBA this season, “Only Here” includes action-packed game highlights of the thrilling rivalries, spectacular game play, drama and swagger found only here in the NBA, which is unlike anywhere else. The campaign will feature two spots that will run across TV, digital and social platforms. The spot will air globally in 10 languages, including French, Spanish, Italian and Serbian, and will be modified to feature locally-relevant players. The hashtag,  #OnlyHere, launched across all social media and digital platforms last Friday and will be the destination for NBA highlights and content throughout the season.   “Only Here” – The NBA Tip-off Spot for the 2020-21 NBA Season – Click Here The 2020-21 season begins Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET as part of Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 on TNT with an opening-night doubleheader featuring the Brooklyn Nets vs. Golden State Warriors followed by the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers vs.  LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.  The 73rd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will feature five marquee matchups across ESPN and ABC on Friday, Dec. 25 starting at Noon ET. The first half of the 2020-21 season schedule can be found here. Where else does everything you love happen all in one place? #OnlyHere         NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2020 – Of the 541 players tested for COVID-19 since Dec. 2, 8 new players have returned positive tests.  As previously announced, 48 players returned positive tests during the initial return-to-market testing phase from Nov. 24 – Dec. 1. Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.   PRESS RELEASE Two NBA Academy Women’s Program Participants receive Scholarships to attend SEED Academy Aminata Tal (Senegal) and Sira Thienou (Mali) – who joined SEED Academy last month – were among top prospects from across the continent DAKAR, Senegal, December 10, 2020/ -- The National Basketball Association (NBA) (www.NBA.com) and SEED Project (www.SEEDProject.org) (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a non-profit organization in Thiès, Senegal that uses basketball as a platform to engage youth in academic, athletic and leadership programs, announced today that two elite female athletes from the NBA Academy Women’s Program (https://on.nba.com/3n9NkpG) have received scholarships to attend SEED Academy in Thiès. Aminata Tal (Senegal) and Sira Thienou (Mali) – who joined SEED Academy last month – were among top prospects from across the continent to participate in the 2019 NBA Academy Women’s Program camp at NBA Academy Africa (https://on.nba.com/3m3STVe) in Saly and were awarded scholarships in recognition of their leadership on-and-off the court.  At SEED Academy, Tal and Thienou will receive high-level basketball training, tutoring, ESL training, life-skills development and academic and career guidance to help them prepare for the next step in their basketball and educational journeys.  “We are proud to partner with SEED Academy on this initiative, which continues the great momentum we are seeing for young women across the continent who are using the game of basketball to maximize their potential as players and leaders,” said 2003 WNBA Champion and NBA Academy Africa Women’s Program Lead, Astou Ndiaye.  “Aminata and Sira are promising young women who excel on-and-off the court, and we hope this opportunity will help serve as a pathway to their future success.”    “The NBA Academy Women’s Program aims to provide basketball and leadership development opportunities for high-performing young women from across the continent,” said NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams.  “We are excited to see Aminata and Sira take the next step in their basketball journey, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with SEED Project to expand and enhance our youth basketball development efforts in Africa.” “We are thrilled to have Aminata and Sira join our group of female student-athletes at SEED Academy in Thiès,” said SEED Project President Joe Lopez.  “Both prospects showcased their tremendous talent, passion for the game of basketball and leadership during the last NBA Academy Africa Women’s camp, and coupled with their drive to perform in school, I have no doubt that they will both add great value to the SEED Academy girls program.” This marks the first time the NBA Academy Women’s Program has provided scholarships to African female athletes.  The initiative is part of NBA Academy Africa and SEED Project’s commitment to support elite African female athletes and use the transformative power of basketball to provide them with high-level basketball training and education.  NBA Academy Africa is an elite basketball training center in Saly, Senegal for the top male prospects from throughout Africa and the first of its kind on the continent.  Since the academy opened in 2018, NBA Academy Africa has hosted three NBA Academy Women’s Program camps.  Nine NBA Academy Africa and NBA Academy Africa Women’s program participants have committed to NCAA Division-1 schools in the U.S. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA). FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike updated after latest Continental Cup Qualifiers window DECEMBER 9, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike has been updated following a riveting second window of the FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers, with the USA maintaining a firm grip on top spot ahead of No. 2 Spain. Russia are the only newcomers to the top 10 after climbing two spots to No. 9 and switching places with the Czech Republic, who dropped to No. 11 after suffering defeats to significantly lower-ranked teams in Denmark and Belgium in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers. Meanwhile, Russia split their games, routing Estonia 84-56 in Tallinn before falling to Italy, 70-66. Having played just one game in November, Italy stayed put at No. 12 despite seeing their point tally grow to 582.5. Defending EuroBasket champions Slovenia, who won twice to improve to 3-1 in Group F of the Qualifiers and clinch a spot in the Final Round, climbed two spots to No.16 after wins over Ukraine and Austria. Wins against higher-ranked Spain (No. 2) and Poland (No. 13) not only locked in Israel's berth at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 but also saw them rise two spots to No. 39. Syria and Saudi Arabia were the biggest risers in Asia, moving up five places each to No. 90 and No. 91 respectively in the FIBA World Ranking after both went 1-1 in November. South Sudan, coached by long-time NBA star and federation president Luol Deng, won two of three games in the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda to register a rise of nine positions to their current rank of No. 98. A win against Mozambique was enough to see Kenya move seven spots to No. 115 despite losses to African basketball powerhouses Angola and Senegal. Meanwhile in Europe, Albania also moved up seven positions to break into the top 100 following their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Pre-Qualifiers games against the higher-ranked Portugal and Belarus. The biggest drop in the FIBA World Ranking was suffered by Madagascar, who plummeted 30 places to No. 124 after losing in the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers to Tunisia by 37 points, to Central African Republic by 26 and to Democratic Republic of Congo by 18. Due to the suspension of FIBA competitions, an adjustment was made to the algorithm for the rankings by extending the expiration date of past results by eight months in order to ensure that results from two Olympic Games are at all times included in the calculations which weigh data from the past eight years. Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike. National teams will return to action in February next year, with the last of three FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers windows. FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre welcomes FastModel Sports as endorsed partner   DECEMBER 8, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre has announced that FastModel Sports has become an endorsed partner in the software category for Coaching & Player Scouting. This partnership is the first of its kind in this particular software category of the Equipment & Venue Centre.   The scouting and coaching platform of FastModel Sports will help elevate the capabilities of National Federations and clubs to work more effectively. As a result, coaches and teams around the world will have the opportunity to prepare and compete more efficiently using the cutting-edge technologies and workflows offered by FastModel Sports.   FastScout ® allows coaches to customize and standardize their scouting reports and game and practice plans to simplify and streamline operations and effectively communicate with their teams via mobile devices. FastDraw ® play diagramming software enables coaches to connect video clips and statistics directly with their plays, playbooks and game scouts via the web-based platform or mobile application, making it easier than ever to share critical information with staff and players.    "FIBA has chosen FastModel Sports as an endorsed software partner in the category for Coaching & Player Scouting because of our shared commitment to support the FIBA family with innovative software," said Bart Prinssen, FIBA's Head of Equipment & Venue Centre. "We look forward to growing the game of basketball together with FastModel."    "We are delighted to partner with FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre and standardize preparation across all levels of men's and women's basketball," said Jim Corelis, President at FastModel Sports. "While FastModel Sports software has been utilized by coaches around the world for over a decade, our endorsed partnership with FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre brings the most efficient and effective workflows to the global basketball community at a scale that was not previously possible."   FIBA's Equipment & Venue Centre recently introduced a new program: Endorsed Equipment. The endorsement program has been added to stimulate innovation and promote new solutions and technology to the basketball industry and is currently exclusively available for products in training and entertainment related product categories. The endorsement status is provided exclusively to one partner in a particular section of a new category. Belgian Cats take top six spot in updated FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike DECEMBER 8, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike has been updated after the conclusion of the November window of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, with Belgium continuing their ascendency.  Previously in seventh place, the Cats have proudly climbed into the top six after becoming the first team to officially qualify for the Final Round of the competition, to be staged in France and Spain next year. They racked up a pair of wins against Ukraine and Portugal to seal the deal and book a third consecutive place at the event. Belgium (598.3) are also now breathing down the necks of neighbors France (640), who are the next team above them in the rankings. The only other mover in the Top 10 was Turkey (596.4), who ceded their sixth spot to Belgium, after a heartbreaking loss to Serbia left their Final Round hopes hanging in the balance.  With no scheduled games in other regions last month, European national teams were the only ones in action in November, which is also reflected in the FIBA World Ranking.  Finland (109.3) and Bulgaria (139.2) were the biggest climbers in the rankings after they shot up eight and six places respectively. The Susiladies beat Portugal to move from 66th to 58th, while Bulgaria coasted past Iceland and that helped them move from 50th to 44th. Meanwhile Slovenia (246.2) are now into the Top 30 after a two-place rise, the same upward movement achieved for both 36th placed  Germany (163.2) and 37th placed Bosnia and Herzegovina (155.7). It was also a productive window for Denmark (117.4), who gained three spots and are now knocking on the door of the Top 50 after they recorded a landmark first win in the Qualifiers in over two decades. Due to the suspension of FIBA competitions, an adjustment was made to the algorithm for the rankings by extending the expiration date of past results by eight months in order to ensure that results from two Olympic Games are at all times included in the calculations which weigh data from the past eight years. Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Women, presented by Nike. NBA UNVEILS GAME AND NATIONAL TELEVISION SCHEDULES FOR FIRST HALF OF 2020-21 SEASON   – First Half of Season (Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021) Features 37 or 38 Games Per Team –   – TNT Tripleheader on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18: Grizzlies-Suns, Nets-Bucks, Lakers-Warriors –   – Sixth Season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC Premieres Jan. 30 With Lakers-Celtics –   NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2020 – The NBA today released its game schedule and broadcast schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio for the First Half of the 2020-21 regular season (Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021), detailing the only place you can find the most drama, the biggest stars and thrilling game action.  The schedule for the Second Half of the season (March 11 – May 16, 2021) will be released during the latter part of the First Half portion of the schedule.    The NBA previously announced its national television schedule for the first three game days of the 2020-21 season.  Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 22 with TNT’s opening-night doubleheader as the Brooklyn Nets host the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. ET and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.  On Wednesday, Dec. 23, the Milwaukee Bucks will visit the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT and the Phoenix Suns will host the Dallas Mavericks at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The 73rd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will feature five games across ESPN and ABC on Friday, Dec. 25: New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat (12 p.m. ET, ESPN), Warriors at Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET, ABC), Nets at Celtics (5 p.m. ET, ABC), Mavericks at Lakers (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN) and Clippers at Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).   Each team will play 72 games in the 2020-21 season, facing each opponent in its conference three times (42 total games per team) and each opponent in the other conference twice (30 total games per team).  In the First Half, each team will play 37 or 38 games, including a minimum of 17 home games and a maximum of 20.  Nearly 52% of all regular-season games (558 of 1,080) have been scheduled for the First Half.    The schedule incorporates steps to reduce travel, including the use of a “series” model.  In some instances where a team is scheduled to play twice in one market, those games have been scheduled to be played consecutively.  Each team will play an average of four “series” in the First Half – two at home and two on the road.  Additional steps include more instances of teams playing consecutive road games against teams that are geographically close, and roughly 50% fewer instances of teams making single-game road trips.   As part of a continuous effort to present national television games to the largest possible audience, the NBA worked closely with its teams and domestic broadcast partners to schedule earlier start times for doubleheaders.  During the First Half of the season, each doubleheader across TNT and ESPN will tip off at 7 p.m./9:30 p.m. ET or 7:30 p.m./10 p.m. ET.   TNT will televise seven Tuesday doubleheaders and nine Thursday doubleheaders during the First Half, with all games available to stream via tntdrama.com/watchtnt, the Watch TNT app and participating TV providers’ websites and apps.  ESPN will televise nine Wednesday doubleheaders and eight Friday doubleheaders during the First Half, with all games available to stream on the ESPN App.      Other schedule highlights for the First Half of the 2020-21 season:   NBA TV will tip off its live game coverage of the 2020-21 season with a tripleheader on Saturday, Dec. 26: Atlanta Hawks at Memphis Grizzlies (5 p.m. ET), Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (7:30 p.m. ET) and Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET).   A TNT tripleheader highlights Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, with the Grizzlies hosting the Suns in Memphis’ 19th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game (5 p.m. ET), the Bucks visiting the Nets (7:30 p.m. ET) and the Lakers facing the Warriors in Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET).  Those matchups follow an NBA TV doubleheader as the Orlando Magic visits the Knicks (12 p.m. ET) and the Hawks host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2:30 p.m. ET).    The sixth season of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC will premiere on Saturday, Jan. 30, when the Celtics host the Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET.  On Saturday, Feb. 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET, Primetime will showcase a rematch of NBA Finals 2020 presented by YouTube TV as the Heat visits the Lakers.   ABC Sunday Showcase will also make its season debut in the First Half, tipping off with the Celtics visiting the Pelicans on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET and continuing the following week with the Bucks hosting the Clippers on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET.        The NBA on TNT, ESPN, ABC and NBA TV will present flexible scheduling throughout the regular season to provide the most compelling matchups to a national audience.   ESPN Radio will present 14 games during the First Half, beginning with the Lakers-Clippers matchup on opening night and the Celtics-Nets and Lakers-Mavericks matchups on Christmas Day.   During the First Half, 20 games will air in primetime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as part of the league’s “NBA Saturdays and NBA Sundays presented by NBA 2K21” primetime initiative.   The First Half will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.   The schedule for the Second Half of the season (March 11 – May 16, 2021) will include the remainder of each team’s 72 games not scheduled in the First Half as well as any games postponed during the First Half that can reasonably be added to the Second Half schedule.  The Second Half will be followed by the Playoff Play-In Tournament (May 18-21) and the 2021 NBA Playoffs (May 22 – July 22).   The NBA today launched its season campaign hashtag, #OnlyHere, on social media, highlighting the unique action and excitement unlike any other you will experience this season.  Striking new logo unveiled for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 DECEMBER 4, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - The official logo of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 was unveiled on Friday as part of the launch of FIBA's new #DontMissABeat campaign. The concept for the newly unveiled logo for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 stems from three key elements: a heart, the Naismith Trophy and the year 2023. The sideways heart symbolizes the passion for the game, while the Naismith Trophy is the dream for all participating teams in the World Cup. The "23" represents the year during which the spotlight will shine across three host countries: the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The three host countries all have a strong passion for basketball and this love of the game is embodied in the new FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 logo, which will bring together millions of fans, with millions of hearts beating as one. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Logo! The passion lives in our hearts. Click here to watch and #DontMissABeat The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 promises to be an unforgettable event with the flagship competition, slated for August 25 to September 10, 2023, to be hosted in the three cities of Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta. The Group Phase will take place in all three cities, with the Final Phase to follow in the Philippine capital city of Manila. The three nations will share the same passion and the same dream, having three times the pride and creating three times the amount of energy and excitement throughout the 17 days of action. "We Filipinos are all proud to be a part of this important milestone in basketball, together with Japan and Indonesia", said Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman Emeritus, Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas and FIBA Central Board Member. "The Philippines look forward to extending our brand of hospitality to the participating teams, to the world congress delegates, and to the many visitors expected to come - true to the essence of the logo we are launching today - a heart, the puso of the Filipino. Our Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte expressed his support to make the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 an unqualified success and said, '[we want to] turn this event into a proud and dignified moment for our country.'" Japan Basketball Association President Yuko Mitsuya said: "We are very pleased to be part of the launch of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 official logo. For the first time in history, the tournament will be hosted by three countries. We will continue to work together with FIBA, the Philippines, Indonesia and the city of Okinawa to create a moment where basketball fans from all around the world will feel their hearts beat together and share the excitement of the game of basketball." Danny Kosasih, President of Indonesian Basketball Association (PERBASI) said: "The official logo launch is the first exciting step of many for all three host nations, for FIBA and basketball fans worldwide. The logo certainly represents all three host nations' spirit of uniting and working together with the same heartbeat to deliver the best basketball experiences that fans could ever have. On this special occasion, we would also like to ask basketball fans around the world to be part of this extraordinary event by taking part in the #DontMissABeat campaign. Join us and be part of this historic event." FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said: "This is a very exciting milestone. The distinctive FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 logo symbolizes our love for the game, which is shared by the organizing committees and FIBA, and it also represents the vision and passion of the event that brings together, for the first time, three host countries."  The unveiling of the logo goes in step with the launch of the "Don't Miss a Beat" campaign by FIBA, an effort to keep the basketball community united and active over the next few months. The #DontMissABeat campaign aims to encourage all fans to have fun with music beats linked to basketball on social media channels such as a dribbling contest, among other highlights. National team players from the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will be part of the campaign over the next coming weeks.    The #DontMissABeat will be seen across all of FIBA's social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Weibo and WeChat.   Qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will take place from November 2021 to February 2023, with 80 national teams competing over six windows for the 32 spots in the World Cup. The first window of qualification will be played from November 22-30, 2021.   INDIANA’S MALCOLM BROGDON WINS 2019-20 J. WALTER KENNEDY CITIZENSHIP AWARD   NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2020 – Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon has won the 2019-20 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, as administered and selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA).  Named after the NBA’s second commissioner, the honor is presented annually by the PBWA to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community.   Brogdon was one of five finalists for the 2019-20 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, along with Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (who played for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019-20), Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie and Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce.   The finalists were chosen by a committee of PBWA members from nominees submitted by NBA teams.  The winner was determined by a vote of the entire PBWA, which is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA regularly for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.   “The depth and breadth of Malcolm Brogdon’s commitment to making a positive difference is inspiring,” said PBWA President Josh Robbins of The Athletic.  “Members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association salute him and commend his fellow finalists and nominees for their exemplary work.”       A four-year NBA veteran, Brogdon is being honored for his commitment to education, gender and health equality as well as his support for criminal justice and voting reform.  In July, he launched the Brogdon Family Foundation with a focus on two major initiatives, Hoops4Humanity and the JHA Education Project.   Hoops4Humanity, led by Brogdon and several other NBA and WNBA players, seeks to create access to clean water and education for children and families in Africa.  It builds on the efforts of Hoops2O, a program founded by Brogdon in 2018 that raised nearly $700,000 in 18 months to build water wells in Tanzania.   The JHA Education Project, which celebrates the legacy of Brogdon’s maternal grandfather, former civil rights leader and Paul Quinn College President John Hurst Adams, focuses on literacy, mentoring and infrastructure programs for students in underserved communities.  Under Brogdon’s leadership, the JHA Education Project has partnered with Indianapolis Public Schools to provide students with high-impact educational experiences.  Brogdon’s emphasis on education also includes his “Tuesday Talks” series, where he leads discussions with at-risk Black youths about overcoming challenges and reaching goals.     The Brogdon Family Foundation launched soon after Brogdon participated in a peaceful protest in his native Atlanta in May in the wake of George Floyd’s death.  In a USA Today op-ed, Brogdon described his experience at the protest and proposed solutions to combat systemic racism and promote social justice.   Brogdon, 27, averaged career highs of 16.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 54 games last season, his first with the Pacers after being acquired in a trade with the Bucks in July 2019.  The 6-5 guard spent his first three NBA seasons with Milwaukee, which selected him with the 36th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.   Brogdon was named the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year, the only player not drafted in the first round to win the award in the common draft era (since 1966).  In 2018-19, Brogdon became the eighth qualified player in NBA history to shoot at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 90 percent from the free throw line in a season.     Below is the complete list of winners of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.     PBWA J. WALTER KENNEDY CITIZENSHIP AWARD WINNERS Season Winner, Team   Season Winner, Team 1975-76 Slick Watts, Seattle   1997-98 Steve Smith, Atlanta 1976-77 Dave Bing, Washington   1998-99 Brian Grant, Portland 1977-78 Bob Lanier, Detroit   1999-00 Vlade Divac, Sacramento 1978-79 Calvin Murphy, Houston   2000-01 Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia 1979-80 Austin Carr, Cleveland   2001-02 Alonzo Mourning, Miami 1980-81 Mike Glenn, New York   2002-03 David Robinson, San Antonio 1981-82 Kent Benson, Detroit   2003-04 Reggie Miller, Indiana 1982-83 Julius Erving, Philadelphia   2004-05 Eric Snow, Cleveland 1983-84 Frank Layden, Utah   2005-06 Kevin Garnett, Minnesota 1984-85 Dan Issel, Denver   2006-07 Steve Nash, Phoenix 1985-86 Michael Cooper, L.A. Lakers Rory Sparrow, New York   2007-08 2008-09 Chauncey Billups, Detroit Dikembe Mutombo, Houston 1986-87 Isiah Thomas, Detroit   2009-10 Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia 1987-88 Alex English, Denver   2010-11 Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers 1988-89 Thurl Bailey, Utah   2011-12 Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers 1989-90 Doc Rivers, Atlanta   2012-13 Kenneth Faried, Denver 1990-91 Kevin Johnson, Phoenix   2013-14 Luol Deng, Cleveland 1991-92 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers   2014-15 Joakim Noah, Chicago 1992-93 Terry Porter, Portland   2015-16 Wayne Ellington, Brooklyn 1993-94 Joe Dumars, Detroit   2016-17 LeBron James, Cleveland 1994-95 Joe O’Toole, Atlanta   2017-18 J.J. Barea, Dallas 1995-96 Chris Dudley, Portland   2018-19 Damian Lillard, Portland 1996-97 P.J. Brown, Miami   2019-20 Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana     NBA AND NBPA ANNOUNCE COVID-19 TEST RESULTS NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2020 – NBA players returned to a league-wide testing program over the past week, with testing beginning between Nov. 24-30 depending on the day that a player returned to the team’s market.    Of the 546 players tested for COVID-19 during this initial return-to-market testing phase, 48 have returned positive tests.    Anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test during this initial phase of testing in their team’s market is isolated until they are cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association in accordance with CDC guidance.  NETS-WARRIORS AND LAKERS-CLIPPERS ON OPENING NIGHT DEC. 22, FIVE CHRISTMAS DAY GAMES HIGHLIGHT START OF 2020-21 NBA SEASON   – Opening-Night Doubleheader on TNT: Nets-Warriors and Lakers-Clippers –   – Christmas Day Across ESPN and ABC: Heat-Pelicans, Bucks-Warriors, Celtics-Nets, Lakers-Mavericks and Nuggets-Clippers –   NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2020 – The NBA today announced its national television schedule for the first three game days of the 2020-21 season: an opening-night doubleheader on TNT on Tuesday, Dec. 22, one game each on TNT and ESPN on Wednesday, Dec. 23, and five Christmas Day games across ESPN and ABC on Friday, Dec. 25.   The complete game schedule and broadcast schedules for TNT, ESPN, ABC, NBA TV and ESPN Radio for the First Half of the regular season (Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021) will be announced on Friday, Dec. 4.   Kia NBA Tip-Off 2020 will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 22 with a TNT doubleheader as the Golden State Warriors visit the Brooklyn Nets at 7 p.m. ET and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers take on the LA Clippers at 10 p.m. ET.  TNT will present an opening-night doubleheader for the 25th consecutive season, marking Turner Sports’ 37th straight year of NBA coverage.   On Wednesday, Dec. 23, the Milwaukee Bucks will visit the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT and the Phoenix Suns will host the Dallas Mavericks at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The Suns-Mavericks matchup will tip off ESPN’s 19th consecutive year of NBA coverage.   The NBA will feature five games on Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) for the 13th year in a row, with ESPN or ABC televising each matchup.   The 73rd edition of the NBA on Christmas Day will begin on ESPN with the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat hosting the New Orleans Pelicans (12 p.m. ET).  ABC’s coverage will start with the Warriors visiting the Bucks (2:30 p.m. ET), followed by the Celtics hosting the Nets (5 p.m. ET).  Next, ABC and ESPN will both televise a matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks in Los Angeles (8 p.m. ET).  The Christmas Day schedule will conclude on ESPN as the Clippers visit the Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET) in a rematch of a 2020 Western Conference Semifinals series.   Below is the national television schedule for the first three game days of the 2020-21 season.   Tuesday, Dec. 22: Opening Night  Road Team   Home Team  Time (ET)  Network  Golden State Warriors   Brooklyn Nets  7:00 p.m.   TNT  LA Clippers   Los Angeles Lakers  10:00 p.m.   TNT             Wednesday, Dec. 23  Road Team   Home Team  Time (ET)  Network  Milwaukee Bucks   Boston Celtics  7:30 p.m.   TNT  Dallas Mavericks   Phoenix Suns  10:30 p.m.   ESPN             Friday, Dec. 25: Christmas Day  Road Team   Home Team  Time (ET)  Network  New Orleans Pelicans   Miami Heat  12:00 p.m.   ESPN  Golden State Warriors   Milwaukee Bucks  2:30 p.m.   ABC  Brooklyn Nets   Boston Celtics  5:00 p.m.   ABC  Dallas Mavericks   Los Angeles Lakers  8:00 p.m.   ABC/ESPN  LA Clippers   Denver Nuggets  10:30 p.m.   ESPN               Successful FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers showcase FIBA's global operational capacity DECEMBER 2, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA delivered a successful November window of FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers across four continents following an extraordinary effort by the international basketball community amidst the global pandemic. With the health and safety of all participants the top priority, the 78 qualifying games, which featured 72 teams and 870 players from around the world, were played in protected environment bubbles across 15 different cities in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, as per the September decision of the FIBA Executive Committee. The successful and consistent implementation of extensive precautionary measures, developed by the FIBA Medical Commission after consultation with the World Health Organization, in all bubbles led to only four games postponed in application of the Covid-19 Protocol for FIBA Official National Team and Club Competitions. This was a testament to FIBA's capacity to organize operations safely on such a large scale with its Regional Offices in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe. In preparation for the Qualifiers, 18 webinars were organized to increase the understanding and awareness of the COVID-19 protocols among the hosts, participating National Federations and local authorities, with more than 400 participants in total. To ensure a safe environment in the bubbles, all athletes and team members had to present two negative COVID-19 tests before traveling to the bubbles – with one test done no later than 72 hours before the departure and another one five days previously. Participants were tested again upon arrival. More than 5,000 PCR tests were submitted before travelling and more than 4,000 PCR tests were organized on-site. During the Continental Cup Qualifiers, FIBA was able to draw upon its past experience in successfully organizing events in bubbles from the FIBA 3x3 World Tour 2020, the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers and Final 8, as well as the recently concluded FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers. The November window was broadcast by 53 broadcasters in 166 territories and worldwide on livebasketball.tv. The third and last window of the FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers, to be played in February 2021, will also be organized in bubbles in order to ensure the health and safety of all participants. ### About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba,  instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.   NBA ANNOUNCES 2020 PRESEASON SCHEDULE – 49-Game Preseason Schedule Begins Dec. 11 and Concludes Dec. 19 –   – Each Team Plays At Least Two Preseason Games Leading Into Dec. 22 Start of Regular Season – NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2020 – The NBA today released its game schedule for the 2020 preseason, which will tip off on Friday, Dec. 11 and conclude on Saturday, Dec. 19.    Each NBA team will play a minimum of two and a maximum of four games as part of the league’s 49-game preseason schedule.  Every team will play at least one home game and one road game in the preseason.  The national television schedule for preseason games will be announced at a later date.   The 2020-21 regular season will tip off on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and feature 72 games for each team.  As previously announced, the regular-season schedule will be released in two segments.  The schedule for the First Half of the season (Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021) will be released in the coming days.   The schedule for the Second Half of the season (March 11 – May 16, 2021) will be released during the latter part of the First Half portion of the schedule.  The Second Half schedule will include the remainder of each team’s 72 games not scheduled in the First Half as well as any games postponed during the First Half that can reasonably be added to the Second Half schedule. NBA ALL-STAR 2021 IN INDIANAPOLIS POSTPONED TO 2024   NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2020 – The NBA and the Indiana Pacers announced today that NBA All-Star in Indianapolis, which was originally scheduled for Feb. 12-14, 2021, will now be held Feb. 16-18, 2024.  Public health conditions prevented the Pacers, the NBA All-Star Host Committee and the NBA from appropriately planning and executing fan-focused All-Star activities in Indianapolis that were envisioned for this February.   The 2024 NBA All-Star Game will take place at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the Pacers, on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024.  Plans for a revised NBA All-Star 2021 will be announced at a later date.   "While we are disappointed that the NBA All-Star Game will not take place in Indianapolis in 2021, we are looking forward to the Pacers and the city hosting the game and surrounding events in 2024," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  "I want to thank Herb Simon, Steve Simon, Rick Fuson and the entire Pacers organization as well as the NBA All-Star 2021 Host Committee and the community of Indianapolis for working with us to reschedule our All-Star activities."   “We are excited about the opportunity to bring Indiana the very best All-Star experience in 2024,” said Pacers owner Herb Simon. "The efforts of so many Hoosiers to prepare for NBA All-Star 2021 put us ahead of the game for the hard work to come, and we are so grateful to the NBA for once again recognizing Indianapolis as a city that delivers world-class events.”   NBA All-Star 2024 in Indianapolis will follow Cleveland in 2022 and Salt Lake City in 2023 as All-Star host.  The 2024 game will mark the second NBA All-Star in Indianapolis, which hosted the midseason classic in 1985.   Riga win FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters 2020 on unbelievable Tissot Buzzer Beater November 21, 2020 DOHA (Qatar) – The Latvian team completed an unbelievable come-back win to beat Liman (SRB) in the final and defend their FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters title on November 21, 2020. Down 20-15, the number 3 team in the world Riga (LAT) relentlessly bridged the gap until Karlis Lasmanis hit an impossible Tissot Buzzer Beater off the dribble from way behind the arc to earn his team a 21-20 win. The 26-year-old lefty stepped up in the final with a game-high 11 points. It was a team effort for Riga all weekend though as sharpshooter Edgars Krumins topped all scorers (34 points in 5 games) and the speedy Nauris Miezis received the MVP trophy - from Qatar Olympic Committee first vice president and FIBA Asia president H.E. Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al Thani and Qatar Basketball Federation president Ahmed Abdulrahman al-Muftah - after leading his team in key assists, rebounds and player value. Riga went 5-0 in the state-of-the-art Al Gharafa Sports Complex and Liman confirmed their domination on 3x3 in Doha. The two teams have combined to win all four FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters this season. They will meet again at the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final, which will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 18-19, 2020. In total, twelve teams will compete in the final: Riga (LAT), Liman (SRB), NY Harlem (USA), Novi Sad (SRB), Utena Uniclub (LTU), Jeddah (KSA), Lausanne Katapult (SUI), Piran (SLO), Sakiai Gulbele (LTU), Ub (SRB), Amsterdam (NED) and Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy (MGL), who become the first-ever Mongolian team to ever reach the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final. In the individual contests, Chris Staples (USA) won the McDonald’s Dunk Contest while former FIBA Basketball World Cup participant Kostas Vasileiadis (from Greece, playing for Lusail, QAT) dominated the Tissot shoot-out contest. All the health and safety measures requested by local and national authorities and the Guidelines for the Return to Basketball, developed by the FIBA Medical Advisory Group (MAG), which were successfully introduced for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour return in Debrecen, were implemented once again. DOHA MASTERS STANDINGS 1. Riga (LAT) 2. Liman (SRB) 3. Utena Uniclub (LTU) 4. Jeddah (KSA) 5. Princeton (USA) 6. Lausanne Katapult (SUI) 7. Bielefeld LFDY (GER) 8. Lusail (QAT) 9. Yoyogi Crayon.EXE (JPN) 10. Ub (SRB) 11. Manila Chooks TM (PHI) 12. NY Harlem (USA) 13. Riyadh (KSA) 14. Kamakura NatureMade (JPN) ### Exciting, urban and innovative, 3x3 is inspired by several forms of streetball played worldwide and is considered the world’s number one urban team sport. Steered by FIBA, games see two teams of three players face off on a basketball half-court. It was played successfully for the first time in international competition at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and since then has benefited from the launch of a yearly city-based FIBA 3x3 World Tour and national-team FIBA 3x3 World & Continental Cups. On 9 June 2017, 3x3 was added to the Olympic Program, starting from the Tokyo Games. Wilson is the Global Ball and Apparel Partner and Tissot the Official Timekeeper of FIBA 3x3. FIBA 3x3 events are played on Enlio floors with Wilson balls, Schelde backstops, and the Magic Sky canopy system. For further information about 3x3, visit fiba3x3.basketball, FIBA 3x3 accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Sina Weibo, Tencent, TikTok, Twitter, Youku and YouTube or contact 3x3@fiba.basketball.   PRESS RELEASE NBA announces Structure and Format for 2020-21 Season Regular-Season Schedule to be released in two segments NEW YORK, United States of America, November 18, 2020/ -- Play-In Tournament to Determine Teams That Fill; Seventh and Eighth Playoff Seeds in Each Conference; Regular-Season Schedule to Be Released in Two Segments The NBA (www.NBA.com) today announced the structure and format for the 2020-21 season, which will include a Play-In Tournament to determine the teams that will fill the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference.  The NBA’s 75th regular season will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and feature 72 games for each team.  The opponent breakdown for the regular season is available here (https://on.nba.com/2Hfels8) and described below: Each team will play three games against each intraconference opponent (42 total games per team), with each pairing featuring either two home games and one road game or one home game and two road games.Within each team’s division, the league office has randomly assigned which two opponents will be played twice at home and which two opponents will be played twice on the road. All five teams from within a division will play all five teams from one other intraconference division twice at home, and all five teams from the remaining intraconference division twice on the road. Each team will play two games against each interconference opponent (30 total games per team), with each pairing featuring one home game and one road game. The 2020-21 regular-season schedule will be released in two segments.  The schedule for the First Half of the season will be released around the start of training camp.  The schedule for the Second Half of the season will be released during the latter part of the First Half portion of the schedule.  The Second Half schedule will include the remainder of each team’s 72 games not scheduled in the First Half as well as any games postponed during the First Half that can reasonably be added to the Second Half schedule. The All-Star break is scheduled to take place March 5-10, 2021, between the First Half and Second Half of the regular season.  Earlier today, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved a proposal to implement a playoff Play-In Tournament on a one-year basis for the 2020-21 season.  The Play-In Tournament, which will take place after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs, will include the teams with the seventh-highest through the tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference. The teams with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest winning percentages in each conference will each have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot.  The teams with the ninth-highest and tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference will each have to win two consecutive games to earn a playoff spot. At the conclusion of the regular season, the team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the eighth-highest winning percentage in its conference in a Play-In Game (the “Seven-Eight Game”).  The winner of the Seven-Eight Game in each conference will be the seventh seed in the playoffs for its conference.  The team with the ninth-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the tenth-highest winning percentage in its conference in a Play-In Game (the “Nine-Ten Game”).  The loser of the Seven-Eight Game will host the winner of the Nine-Ten Game in a Play-In Game, and the winner of that game will be the eighth seed in the playoffs for its conference. Below is the tentative schedule calendar for the 2020-21 season: Dec. 11-19, 2020: Preseason games Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021: First Half of regular season March 5-10, 2021: All-Star break March 11 – May 16, 2021: Second Half of regular season May 18-21, 2021: Play-In Tournament May 22 – July 22, 2021: 2021 NBA Playoffs Distributed by APO Group on behalf of National Basketball Association (NBA). SOURCE National Basketball Association (NBA) NBA ANNOUNCES STRUCTURE AND FORMAT FOR 2020-21 SEASON   – Play-In Tournament to Determine Teams That Fill Seventh and Eighth Playoff Seeds in Each Conference –    – Regular-Season Schedule to Be Released in Two Segments –    NEW YORK, Nov. 17, 2020 – The NBA today announced the structure and format for the 2020-21 season, which will include a Play-In Tournament to determine the teams that will fill the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference.   The NBA’s 75th regular season will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and feature 72 games for each team.  The opponent breakdown for the regular season is available here and described below:   Each team will play three games against each intraconference opponent (42 total games per team), with each pairing featuring either two home games and one road game or one home game and two road games.  Within each team’s division, the league office has randomly assigned which two opponents will be played twice at home and which two opponents will be played twice on the road. All five teams from within a division will play all five teams from one other intraconference division twice at home, and all five teams from the remaining intraconference division twice on the road.  Each team will play two games against each interconference opponent (30 total games per team), with each pairing featuring one home game and one road game.   The 2020-21 regular-season schedule will be released in two segments.  The schedule for the First Half of the season will be released around the start of training camp.  The schedule for the Second Half of the season will be released during the latter part of the First Half portion of the schedule.  The Second Half schedule will include the remainder of each team’s 72 games not scheduled in the First Half as well as any games postponed during the First Half that can reasonably be added to the Second Half schedule.   The All-Star break is scheduled to take place March 5-10, 2021, between the First Half and Second Half of the regular season.   Earlier today, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved a proposal to implement a playoff Play-In Tournament on a one-year basis for the 2020-21 season.  The Play-In Tournament, which will take place after the regular season and before the first round of the playoffs, will include the teams with the seventh-highest through the tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference.   The teams with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest winning percentages in each conference will each have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot.  The teams with the ninth-highest and tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference will each have to win two consecutive games to earn a playoff spot.   At the conclusion of the regular season, the team with the seventh-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the eighth-highest winning percentage in its conference in a Play-In Game (the “Seven-Eight Game”).  The winner of the Seven-Eight Game in each conference will be the seventh seed in the playoffs for its conference.   The team with the ninth-highest winning percentage in each conference will host the team with the tenth-highest winning percentage in its conference in a Play-In Game (the “Nine-Ten Game”).  The loser of the Seven-Eight Game will host the winner of the Nine-Ten Game in a Play-In Game, and the winner of that game will be the eighth seed in the playoffs for its conference.   Below is the tentative schedule calendar for the 2020-21 season:   Dec. 11-19, 2020: Preseason games Dec. 22, 2020 – March 4, 2021: First Half of regular season March 5-10, 2021: All-Star break March 11 – May 16, 2021: Second Half of regular season May 18-21, 2021: Play-In Tournament May 22 – July 22, 2021: 2021 NBA Playoffs   NBA VETERANS JOIN NBA G LEAGUE IGNITE TO PLAY ALONGSIDE ELITE PROSPECTS   NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2020 – The NBA G League today announced the additions of Amir Johnson, Bobby Brown, Reggie Hearn, Brandon Ashley and Cody Demps to NBA G League Ignite, which recently began training with head coach Brian Shaw in Walnut Creek, Calif.  The five veterans bring years of valuable playing experience, both in the NBA and other professional leagues around the world, that will aid in the development of the six elite prospects highlighting the inaugural G League Ignite roster.   “We’re excited to add Amir, Bobby, Reggie, Brandon and Cody, five high-character guys who have each spent many years around the NBA, NBA G League and other professional leagues, to mentor and develop our elite prospects,” said Shaw.  “Their professional experience will enable them to help our coaching staff develop a culture that will be beneficial to their younger teammates as they work towards their professional careers.”   Shaw’s nearly 30 years of NBA experience combined with the presence of Johnson, Brown, Hearn, Ashley and Demps is expected to create an environment that balances the teaching of life skills and basketball development for elite prospects Jalen Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Isaiah Todd, Daishen Nix, Princepal Singh and Kai Sotto.   Johnson, who earned the 2017-18 NBA Hustle Award, brings 14 years of NBA experience with the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers.  Johnson, the 56th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, averaged 18.0 points on 64.3 percent shooting along with 8.4 rebounds in 42 career NBA G League games.    Brown played in parts of six NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, then New Orleans Hornets, LA Clippers and Houston Rockets. He holds career averages of 4.4 points and 1.5 assists in 158 games.   Hearn played seven seasons in the NBA G League, highlighted by a GATORADE Call-Up to the Pistons during the 2017-18 season.  He was also a member of the 2017 Gold medal-winning team in the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup Tournament and was USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2018.  Ashley spent two seasons in the NBA G League, highlighted by a 2015-16 NBA G League All-Star selection.  After two seasons with the Stockton Kings, Demps signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings in 2019 but did not appear in an NBA game.   He also participated in the 2019 NBA G League Elite Camp and played for USA Basketball at the 2020 AmeriCup Qualifiers.   2020 edition of International Basketball Migration Report marks record number of transfers NOVEMBER 11, 2020 NEUCHATEL/MIES (Switzerland) - The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) and FIBA have published the ninth edition of the International Basketball Migration Report, a seasonal insight into the migratory trends and tendencies of the sport across the globe. This edition of the report, which covers the 2019-20 basketball season, combines FIBA's knowledge and data on international transfers with the CIES Sports Observatory's renowned expertise in analysis to document the international migration of players for this season.  The COVID-19 pandemic forced the basketball world to suspend its activities for months starting in March 2020. The uncertainty in how to deal with the pandemic caused most national leagues to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season and either declare a champion or leave the title unassigned. Only a few national leagues were able to re-start and crown a winner of the 2019-20 campaign. Internationally, only the Basketball Champions League and the Basketball Champions League Americas resumed and crowned a champion. With a total of 8,900 transfers recorded for the season involving 7,371 players, this edition truly emphasizes how basketball is a global sport, encapsulated by 213 National Federations and millions of registered players around the world. Some of the main highlights from this year's findings are: A record number of international transfers A total of 8,900 international transfers were registered with FIBA over the past basketball season – an increase of 2.4% in comparison with the 2018-19 season. Some 7,371 players were involved in at least one international transfer, with all FIBA Regions except for the Americas seeing an increase in numbers of international transfers. Lower number of games played and high number of international players There was a major decrease in the number of games played in 2019-20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping to 203 during the 2019-20 season from 260 in 2018-19. China, Germany, Israel and Spain were the only countries with national leagues covered by the Report to finish their respective 2019-20 campaigns with a Regular Season and Playoffs, while Australia played out three games of its best of five NBL Finals series. Out of 16 leagues, the percentage of foreigners was 45.6%, with six leagues having more foreign players than national players. And the playing time of international players was still high in leagues, with the average minutes per game for foreigners in all leagues being 22.1 minutes.  The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the NBA, NBA G League and WNBA Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA resumed its season in an isolated "bubble" environment with 22 teams playing from July to October 2020. There were just 34 inward transfers recorded by the NBA, the lowest number since the 2006-07 season and down drastically from 137 the previous season. A major reason for this was the cancellation of the 2020 NBA Summer League. The WNBA and NBA G League also saw a decrease in both inward and outward transfers. Limited development opportunities within leagues for National U21 players The 2019-20 season witnessed little change in terms of the percentage of national U21 players and their respective playing time, with the percentage in all leagues being 14.9% and the average minutes played per game being 5.2 minutes.  Click here to download the full report. ### About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba,  instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.   About CIES - The International Centre for Sports Studies Creating an impact on the way sport is managed worldwide. The International Centre for Sport Studies (CIES) is an independent study centre located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. It was created as a foundation in 1995 by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the University of Neuchâtel and the City and State of Neuchâtel. Using a multi-disciplinary approach (law, sociology, geography, history and management), CIES provides research, top-level education and consulting services to the world of sport. For further information visit cies.ch. NBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS APPROVES ADJUSTMENTS TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT   – 2020-21 Season to Begin Tuesday, Dec. 22 –    NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2020 – The NBA Board of Governors today unanimously approved adjustments to certain provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The 2020-21 NBA season will begin Tuesday, Dec. 22.   The NBA continues to negotiate with the National Basketball Players Association on other aspects of the 2020-21 season.  Confirmed key dates for the upcoming season are as follows:   Wednesday, Nov. 18 – NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Friday, Nov. 20 – Free agent negotiations begin at 6 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 22 – Players can sign contracts with teams beginning at 12:01 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 22 – Opening Night of 2020-21 season   As announced yesterday, the 2020-21 season will feature a 72-game schedule for each team. NBA COMMISSIONER ADAM SILVER’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF TOMMY HEINSOHN   NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2020 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Tommy Heinsohn:   “Tommy Heinsohn’s remarkable contributions to our game bridged generations and personified the Boston Celtics for more than 60 years.  He was synonymous with success, winning eight NBA championships in nine seasons with Boston as a player and two more as its coach, which led to his rare distinction of Hall of Fame status in both capacities.  Tommy was equally renowned as an NBA broadcaster who made his mark on both the national and local stage.  Celtics games will not be the same without Tommy, and he will be dearly missed by those who share his fervor for basketball.  We extend our deepest sympathies to Tommy’s family, his friends and the Celtics organization.”   # # #    NBA AND NBPA AGREE ON 2020-21 SEASON START AND ADJUSTMENTS TO CBA   – 2020-21 Season to Begin on Tuesday, December 22 –     NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2020 – The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced today that they have reached agreement in principle on the start of the 2020-21 season, as well as adjustments to certain provisions of the current collective bargaining agreement impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The agreement is subject to a vote by the league’s Board of Governors.   The parties have agreed in principle to the following: ·       The 2020-21 season will begin on Tuesday, December 22; ·       The 2020-21 season will feature each team playing a 72-game schedule.  The full regular-season and broadcast schedules will be released at a future date; A new system will be used to ensure the parties’ agreed-upon split of basketball-related income (BRI).  In the event player compensation were to exceed the players’ designated share in any season, necessary salary reductions beyond the standard 10 percent escrow would be spread across that season and potentially the following two seasons, subject to a maximum salary reduction in any season of 20 percent; ·       For the 2020-21 season, the Salary Cap will be $109.140 million and the Tax Level will be $132.627 million.  In subsequent seasons of the CBA, the Salary Cap and Tax Level will increase by a minimum of three percent and a maximum of 10 percent over the prior season.  Teams’ Tax payments will be reduced in proportion to any BRI decreases; and ·       Free agent negotiations will begin on November 20 at 6 p.m. (ET), with signings starting at 12:01 p.m. (ET) on November 22.    TWENTY-THREE EARLY ENTRY CANDIDATES WITHDRAW FROM NBA DRAFT 2020 PRESENTED BY STATE FARM®   NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2020 – Twenty-one international players who had declared as early entry candidates for the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm® have withdrawn their names from consideration. Two players from educational institutions who previously had declared as early entry candidates have also withdrawn. There are 15 international prospects and 71 players from colleges and other educational institutions that remain early entry candidates.   The NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm will be held on Wednesday, November 18 on ESPN with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET.   Here is the list of additional international players who have withdrawn their names from consideration for the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm:   Player                                                    Team/Country of Team                   Height                   Status Brancou Badio                          Barcelona (Spain)                      6-3                   1999 DOB Darko Bajo                               Split (Croatia)                           6-10                 1999 DOB Marek Blazevic                         Rytas (Lithuania)                      6-10                 2001 DOB Henri Drell                               Pesaro (Italy)                            6-9                   2000 DOB Michele Ebeling                        Kleb Ferrara (Italy)                   6-9                   1999 DOB Osas Ehigiator                          Fuenlabrada (Spain)                  6-10                 1999 DOB Joel Ekamba                             Limoges (France)                      6-5                   2001 DOB Miguel Gonzalez                       Baskonia (Spain)                       6-7                   1999 DOB Sehmus Hazer                           Bandirma (Turkey)                    6-3                   1999 DOB Rokas Jokubaitis                       Zalgiris (Lithuania)                   6-4                   2000 DOB Georgios Kalaitzakis                 Nevezis (Lithuania)                   6-8                   1999 DOB Arturs Kurucs                           VEF Riga (Latvia)                     6-3                   2000 DOB Nikola Miskovic                       Mega Bemax (Serbia)                6-10                 1999 DOB Aristide Mouaha                       Roseto (Italy)                            6-3                   2000 DOB Caio Pacheco                            Bahia Basket (Argentina)           6-3                   1999 DOB Sander Raieste                          Kalev/Cramo (Estonia)              6-9                   1999 DOB Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos           AEK (Greece)                           6-8                   2001 DOB Njegos Sikiras                           Fuenlabrada (Spain)                  6-9                   1999 DOB Aboubacar Traore                     Dynasty Sports Institute (Canada)     6-4                   2001 DOB Uros Trifunovic                        Partizan (Serbia)                       6-7                   2000 DOB Arnas Velicka                           Prienai (Lithuania)                    6-4                   1999 DOB     Here is the list of additional players from educational institutions who have withdrawn their names from consideration for the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm:   Player                                                    School                                                   Height                   Status Tony Goodwin II                      Redemption Academy (MA)      6-6                   Post-Graduate Filip Petrusev                            Gonzaga                                   6-11                 Sophomore     Following is a list of players from colleges and other educational institutions who remain early entry candidates for the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm:   Player                                                    School                                                   Height                   Status Precious Achiuwa                     Memphis                                  6-9                   Freshman Milan Acquaah                         California Baptist                      6-3                   Junior Ty-Shon Alexander                   Creighton                                 6-4                   Junior Cole Anthony                           North Carolina                          6-3                   Freshman Brendan Bailey                         Marquette                                 6-8                   Sophomore       Saddiq Bey                               Villanova                                  6-8                   Sophomore Tyler Bey                                 Colorado                                  6-7                   Junior Jermaine Bishop                        Norfolk State                            6-1                   Junior Dachon Burke Jr.                      Nebraska                                  6-4                   Junior Vernon Carey Jr.                       Duke                                        6-10                 Freshman Nate Darling                             Delaware                                  6-5                   Junior Lamine Diane                           CSUN                                      6-7                   Sophomore Devon Dotson                           Kansas                                      6-2                   Sophomore Anthony Edwards                      Georgia                                    6-5                   Freshman CJ Elleby                                  Washington State                      6-6                   Sophomore Malik Fitts                                St. Mary’s                                 6-8                   Junior Malachi Flynn                           San Diego State                        6-1                   Junior Josh Green                                Arizona                                    6-6                   Freshman Ashton Hagans                          Kentucky                                  6-3                   Sophomore Tyrese Haliburton                     Iowa State                                 6-5                   Sophomore Josh Hall                                  Moravian Prep (NC)                  6-8                   Post-Graduate Rayshaun Hammonds                Georgia                                    6-9                   Junior Jalen Harris                              Nevada                                     6-5                   Junior Niven Hart                                Fresno State                              6-5                   Freshman Nate Hinton                              Houston                                    6-5                   Sophomore Elijah Hughes                           Syracuse                                   6-6                   Junior Isaiah Joe                                  Arkansas                                  6-5                   Sophomore Dakari Johnson                         Cape Fear CC (NC)                   6-0                   Freshman C.J. Jones                                 MTSU                                      6-5                   Junior Mason Jones                             Arkansas                                  6-5                   Junior Tre Jones                                  Duke                                        6-3                   Sophomore Saben Lee                                 Vanderbilt                                6-2                   Junior Micheal Lenoir                         Creating Young Minds Acad. (TX)    5-9                   Post-Graduate Kira Lewis Jr.                           Alabama                                   6-3                   Sophomore Nico Mannion                           Arizona                                    6-3                   Freshman Naji Marshall                            Xavier                                      6-7                   Junior Kenyon Martin Jr.                     IMG Academy (FL)                  6-7                   Post-Graduate Tyrese Maxey                           Kentucky                                  6-3                   Freshman          Jaden McDaniels                       Washington                              6-9                   Freshman Isiaha Mike                               SMU                                        6-8                   Junior EJ Montgomery                        Kentucky                                  6-10                 Sophomore Aaron Nesmith                          Vanderbilt                                6-6                   Sophomore Zeke Nnaji                                Arizona                                    6-11                 Freshman Jordan Nwora                           Louisville                                 6-7                   Junior Nikolaos Okekuoyen                 Ridgeview Prep (NC)                6-11                 Post-Graduate Onyeka Okongwu                     USC                                         6-9                   Freshman Isaac Okoro                              Auburn                                     6-6                   Freshman Daniel Oturu                             Minnesota                                 6-10                 Sophomore Reggie Perry                             Mississippi State                       6-10                 Sophomore Nate Pierre-Louis                      Temple                                     6-4                   Junior Immanuel Quickley                   Kentucky                                  6-3                   Sophomore Jahmi’us Ramsey                      Texas Tech                               6-4                   Freshman Paul Reed Jr.                             DePaul                                     6-9                   Junior Nick Richards                           Kentucky                                  6-11                 Junior Jayden Scrubb                           John A. Logan College (IL)       6-6                   Sophomore Jalen Smith                               Maryland                                  6-10                 Sophomore Cassius Stanley                         Duke                                        6-6                   Freshman Isaiah Stewart                           Washington                              6-9                   Freshman Tyrell Terry                              Stanford                                    6-1                   Freshman Xavier Tillman Sr.                     Michigan State                          6-8                   Junior Obi Toppin                               Dayton                                     6-9                   Sophomore Jordan Tucker                           Butler                                       6-7                   Junior Devin Vassell                           Florida State                             6-6                   Sophomore Nick Weatherspoon                   Mississippi State                       6-2                   Junior Kaleb Wesson                           Ohio State                                 6-9                   Junior Kahlil Whitney                         Kentucky                                  6-6                   Freshman Emmitt Williams                       LSU                                         6-6                   Sophomore Patrick Williams                       Florida State                             6-8                   Freshman James Wiseman                        Memphis                                  7-1                   Freshman Robert Woodard II                    Mississippi State                       6-7                   Sophomore Omer Yurtseven                        Georgetown                              7-0                   Junior   Following is a list of international players who remain early entry candidates for the NBA Draft 2020 presented by State Farm:   Player                                                    Team/Country of Team                   Height                   Status Deni Avdija                              Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)          6-8                   2001 DOB Adrian Bogucki                         Radom (Poland)                        7-1                   1999 DOB Leandro Bolmaro                      Barcelona (Spain)                      6-6                   2000 DOB Imru Duke                                Zentro Basket (Spain)                6-8                   1999 DOB Paul Eboua                               Pesaro (Italy)                            6-8                   2000 DOB Killian Hayes                            Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)      6-5                   2001 DOB Vit Krejci                                 Zaragoza (Spain)                       6-8                   2000 DOB Yam Madar                              Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)            6-2                   2000 DOB Theo Maledon                           ASVEL (France)                       6-4                   2001 DOB Karim Mane                             Vanier (Canada)                        6-5                   2000 DOB Sergi Martinez                          Barcelona (Spain)                      6-8                   1999 DOB Joel Parra                                  Joventut (Spain)                        6-8                   2000 DOB Aleksej Pokusevski                   Olympiacos (Greece)                 7-0                   2001 DOB Marko Simonovic                      Mega Bemax (Serbia)                6-11                 1999 DOB Mouhamed Thiam                     Nanterre (France)                      6-9                   2001 DOB   # # # FIBA's Central Board meeting looks ahead to upcoming window of Continental Cup Qualifiers NOVEMBER 6, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA's Central Board has met for the second time this year, via video conference. The following key topics were discussed: FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers  The Central Board received a detailed report on the upcoming window of the FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers, set to be played during November 23 to December 1, across the regions. FIBA has decided to conduct these tournaments in bubbles, following recommendations from its Medical Commission and Competitions Commission, with the health and safety of players, coaches and officials being the primary consideration.   FIBA this year has successfully executed the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Hungary Masters 2020 in Debrecen with participation of players from Europe, Americas and Asia, the Basketball Champions League Qualifiers in Cyprus and Bulgaria and also the Basketball Champions League Final 8 in Athens and implemented strict health protocols at each of these events. These protocols have been developed after consultation with the WHO and the NBA and will be enforced at the FIBA Continental Cup Qualifiers in each region. Update of FIBA Competitions for 2021-2023 Status reports were presented on the preparations for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments taking place at the end of June 2021, as well as the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. FIBA Youth World Events  The Central Board has awarded the hosting rights of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 to Spain. The event will take place in two cities, La Nucia and Alicante, with dates to be confirmed. The FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 was awarded to Hungary earlier this year. Both the National Federations of Spain and Hungary have been awarded multiple events as part of FIBA's multi-year hosting model. Spain will also host the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2023 in Madrid. The success of the FIBA U17 Skills Challenge 2020, for both men and women, was also presented to the Central Board. Due to the National Federation members' strong interest and the accomplishments made by participating teams during the event, the decision to continue with this project was taken, with the next FIBA Skills Challenge to be organized in 2021 with a strong focus on development.   Club Competitions update Updates were presented to the Central Board on the recently concluded seasons of FIBA's international leagues, the Basketball Champions League (BCL) and the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA). Both leagues successfully concluded their 2019-2020 seasons in very challenging environments, with the BCL Final 8 played in Greece in early October and the BCLA Final played last week in Uruguay.    3x3 Basketball An update of the season was given, with two more stops scheduled before the World Tour conclusion, with the Masters taking place in Doha, Qatar, on November 20-21 and the Final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on December 18-19.  National Federations  The Mexican Basketball Federation (ADEMEBA) was suspended in February this year. However, following the institutional changes made recently and subject to certain requirements being met, to be communicated to the competent Mexican authorities by FIBA, the Central Board has exceptionally decided to allow the national team to participate at the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers in November. Appointment The Central Board co-opted one new member, Jorge Garbajosa, Chairman of the Competitions Commission and President of the Spanish Basketball Federation. Other matters  The Central Board approved the proposal to establish an award in memory of Dr. Dirk-Reiner Martens, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The Dr. Dirk-Reiner Martens Award will be presented every two years to an individual who has made a significant academic contribution in the area of basketball-related legal matters and/or the resolution of international sports disputes.   The Central Board also approved the budget for 2021 and amendments to the FIBA Internal Regulations, notably in relation to cross-border leagues.   ### About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba,  instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba. Impressive growth for FIBA Esports Open with participation set to more than double for second edition NOVEMBER 5, 2020 MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, has announced an expanded field of 38 national teams taking part in the second edition of the FIBA Esports Open, set to take place over three weekends with seven regional conferences. Seventeen national teams took part in the first international esports competition, the three-day FIBA Esports Open 2020 held in June. The FIBA Esports Open has received substantial interest from its National Federation members and for the second edition, conferences will take place across all FIBA regions, with a combined total of six days’ worth of online action.  Each team will consist of seven players: five on the court and two reserves. The PS4 Game will be played remotely on NBA 2K21, using the Pro-AM mode. Teams are once again allowed to have full customization of player avatars, uniforms and arena designs. Teams will be divided into one of the following conferences: Africa, North and Central America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Conferences have been set up according to geographical conditions and server distributions. Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia conferences will be played on November 14-15, while the Europe conference is set for December 12-13. The North and Central America, and South America conferences will take place on December 19-20. Finals will take place in the FIBA Esports Open II in all conferences, with a best of three format.   "The first-ever FIBA Esports Open was an important milestone. The growing interest received from our National Federations is additional motivation for FIBA to further develop esports, and we are very enthusiastic for this second edition," said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. As was the case for the inaugural FIBA Esports Open, this entire series will be produced from the FIBA Esports Studio in Riga, Latvia, with 54 hours of live content being streamed on FIBA's Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels. Each game will be available online with live commentary in English, as well as a daily show featuring up to 12 games. Australia, Argentina, Italy, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia topped their respective conferences and emerged victorious among the 17 participating nations from around the world in June and will battle it out again in the coming months. To find out more visit the FIBA Esports Open website here.  ### About FIBA FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For further information about FIBA, visit fiba.basketball or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba,  instagram.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba. About 2K Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes global interactive entertainment for console and handheld gaming systems, personal computers and mobile devices, with product availability including physical retail and digital download. The Company is home to many talented development studios, including Visual Concepts, Firaxis Games, Hangar 13, Cat Daddy Games, 31st Union and Cloud Chamber. 2K's portfolio currently includes the renowned BioShock®, Borderlands™, Mafia and XCOM® franchises; NBA® 2K, the global phenomenon and highest rated* annual sports title for the current console generation; the critically acclaimed Sid Meier’s Civilization® series; the popular WWE® 2K and WWE® SuperCard franchises, as well as emerging properties NBA® 2K Playgrounds 2, Carnival Games and more. Additional information about 2K and its products may be found at 2k.com. * According to 2008 – 2020 Metacritic.com