HoopsHype.com Rumors

Melbourne-born NBA superstar Kyrie Irving looks set to visit his home town in July for a series of coaching clinics. Simon Mitchell, head of basketball operations for the Frankston and District Basketball Association, today confirmed clinics by the young star of the Cleveland Cavaliers were "in the works" and he was awaiting final confirmations. "It's not signed off on yet but we are very close," said Mitchell, who played alongside Irving's father Drederick in the SEABL with Bulleen Boomers. The Courier-Mail

Cleveland Cavaliers, Australia, Kyrie Irving 

Free agent center Michael Dunigan, who went to training camp with the Memphis Grizzlies, has signed a one month-deal with the Perth Wildcats of the Australian League, one source told HoopsHype. Sulia

Free Agency, Australia, Michael Dunigan, Perth Wildcats 

Sources with knowledge of the deal say Flynn's contract with Melbourne has an out clause that allows for an immediate return to the NBA if someone calls. If Flynn had done what most players in his sneakers are doing these days -- taking the big money in China -- he'd have been prevented from coming back to the States until the end of the Chinese season in March. ESPN.com

Jonny Flynn, Australia 

In a coup for the Club and the NBL, the Melbourne Tigers have secured the services of American scoring sensation Jonny Flynn. The 2009 NBA Draft pick number six has shown he can light up the world's biggest stage, and now, Australian basketball fans will get the opportunity to watch the man dubbed 'Mr Basketball' live in action from this Friday night! NBL.com.au

Free Agency, Jonny Flynn, Australia, Melbourne Tigers 

After being released by the Pistons recently, FLynn's management contacted Anstey to sound out opportunities at the Tigers. "He's in his prime and wanted to reinvigorate his career and we're really excited about what he's going to bring," Anstey said. Flynn is expected to train with his new teammates as soon as Tuesday and could potentially suit up for the Tigers against Adelaide at Hisense Arena on Friday night. Melbourne Herald-Sun

Detroit Pistons, Free Agency, Jonny Flynn, Australia, Melbourne Tigers 

Marc Stein: Jonny Flynn indeed signing w/Melbourne Tigers in Australia after recent release by Pistons, but sources say Aussie deal has NBA out clause Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Detroit Pistons, Free Agency, Jonny Flynn, Australia, Melbourne Tigers 

Joe Ingles will have NBA scouts knocking on his door after a thoroughbred performance against a Dream Team ignited by the Kobe and LeBron show. Australian coach Brett Brown singled out the versatile Barcelona-based Ingles, 24, as worthy of playing beside basketball's elite on a regular basis after he looked at home against the US team's $150 million-a-year cast at the Olympics yesterday. FOXSports.com

Australia, Olympics, Joe Ingles 

The final 33-point margin between the teams in London did not reflect how the Boomers had scrapped magnificently for three-and-a-half quarters or the rousing 11-0 scoring run just after half-time that forward Ingles and Patty Mills initiated. "I think the NBA will be paying Joe attention, especially after these Olympics," said Brown, who serves as assistant coach on the San Antonio Spurs where Mills plays. "Joe's got a body like (Detroit Pistons' small forward) Tayshaun Prince. He's long, left-handed, multi-faceted at guard or small forward, he's stepped up in defence to take personal pride in guarding people and you've seen his competitive spirit here. "He's on the up and up." FOXSports.com

Australia, Olympics, Joe Ingles 

David Aldridge: US advances to semis, blowing our Australia 119-86. LeBron w/triple double; Kobe scores all 20 pts in second half. Argentina Friday. Twitter

LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, USA Basketball, Team USA, Australia, Olympics 

Marc Stein: Aussie coach Brett Brown predicts Joe Ingles has NBA future with his "body like Tayshaun Prince." Heard same from two NBA GMs tonight Twitter

Australia, Olympics, Joe Ingles, Brett Brown 

Andersen knows a bit about the NBA. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks back in 2002, but stayed overseas until ’09, when he was signed by the Houston Rockets. He established himself as a sweet-shooting big man, but was unable to get consistent minutes in two years split among the Rockets, Toronto Raptors and New Orleans Hornets. He would welcome a return to the NBA. “My agent is working pretty hard on some things now, and he is just going to keep talking to some teams to see if something pops up,” Andersen told Sporting News on Tuesday, just before Australia’s practice in preparation for the Americans. “Of course, I would like to go back to the NBA, but if not, I will go back to another team in Europe. I am certainly not going to complain about it. I am playing basketball for a living, and that’s always fun.” Sporting News

Free Agency, David Andersen, Australia 

Even though he was away from the NBA, Andersen is hopeful the year he had in Italy garnered some attention among NBA personnel execs. “Well, you have to think they noticed,” Andersen said. “We won the championship in the Italian League, which is a pretty big deal. So to be able to play on a team like that and help a team like that win at that level, with all the scouting that goes on, I am sure that it got noticed to an extent. But of course those guys had the lockout and all the worries about getting their league started and the compressed schedule. So all you can do is hope and see what happens.” Sporting News

Free Agency, David Andersen, Australia 

Mills, a guard for the NBA San Antonio Spurs, sank a 3-pointer at the final buzzer to deliver Russia's first loss of the Olympics 82-80. That last-second stunner has sparked the Aussies' imagination about the chances of delivering the NBA superstars a setback for the ages. "We have no choice. We have to believe that we can win," Mills said. "We're going into the next game with all we've got. Going into the quarter- finals and going against the United States, it's amazing to me. "There's a different feel, a different vibe, a different belief in ourselves for our goal to be reached." Rappler

San Antonio Spurs, USA Basketball, Patrick Mills, Australia, Olympics 

That goal would be to play for an Olympic medal. Australia lost bronze-medal Olympic matches in 1988, 1996 and 2000 and has not played for gold -- yet. "Russia was unbeaten so we feel like we're really putting ourselves in the mix," Aussie captain Matt Nielsen said. "We have USA next so we feel really confident going into that." Rappler

USA Basketball, Australia, Olympics, Matt Nielsen 

Patty Mills' 39-point haul against Great Britain has pumped up his teammates and inspired tweeters to get #Boomers trending in Australia on Sunday. The Boomers came from behind in the third quarter to smash Britain 106-75, securing their spot in the quarter-finals. Boomers player Joe Ingles tweeted his jubilation after the game: "So proud to be an Aussie and especially a Boomer!! Love playing with these guys and for my country! So proud of our team tonight! Maybe the best second half I have been apart (sic) of! Onto the next one... #boomers" Mark Worthington tweeted: "Love being an Aussie. True fighting spirit. Best when our backs are against the wall. Love being a BOOMER!!!!! #London2012" West Australian

Twitter, Patrick Mills, Great Britain, Australia, Olympics 

Julien Deschuyteneer: Quote of the day "Mr and Mrs Gasol deserve an award, they are very important for basketball" Brett Brown Australia coach #JO2012 #basketball Twitter

Pau Gasol, Spain, Australia, Marc Gasol 

The Australian Boomers men’s national basketball team have received a massive boost with Basketball Australia (BA) today confirming that NBA star Patty Mills will be available to play in the Boomers three-match series against Greece in Victoria later this month, known as The Farewell Series: Basketball’s Road to London. NBL.com.au

Patrick Mills, Australia, Olympics 

Tom Abercrombie: "My dream is to play in the NBA and I work hard so that dream comes true. Of course, I would never reject a good offer from Europe." Zona Dos Tres

Free Agency, Euroleague, Australia, Tom Abercrombie 

Brett Brown has never had NBA centre Andrew Bogut fit and available since taking over the side three years ago, but he staunchly defended Bogut after his withdrawal from the London Olympics yesterday. Bogut and his new NBA team, Golden State Warriors, announced the 27-year-old would need arthroscopic surgery on his left ankle, leaving him unable to reach full fitness for the Boomers' Olympic preparations. Brisbane Times

Golden State Warriors, Australia, Andrew Bogut 

Speaking from America, where he works as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs, Brown hit out at critics of Bogut who accused him of picking club over country. ''I think that it [criticism of Bogut] is reckless and irresponsible,'' he said. ''The Spurs played the Warriors last week and I sat down with Andrew and talked about the Olympics. When you look at him and listen to him talk you get the full picture; he is highly disappointed and wanted to play for Australia.'' Brisbane Times

Golden State Warriors, Australia, Andrew Bogut