HoopsHype.com Rumors

Charlie Villanueva: The tournament continues. New focus. Tomorrow Brazil. We need this. Point blank. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, FIBA 

With the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship right around the corner, John Calipari wants to make sure that his team is ready to face elite competition. Calipari is coaching the Dominican Republic national team and will call upon some familiar faces to prepare his squad for the tournament, which begins on August 30. On August 15, Calipari's two teams will collide at Rupp Arena, according to tweets from the head coach. Team Dominican Republic will face Team Kentucky, which will be made up of eight of the program's former stars. Calipari will coach the national team while Sam Bowie and Joe B. Hall will lead the Kentucky alum. Team Dominican Republic will include NBA players Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva and Francisco Garcia. Team Kentucky will include John Wall, Rajon Rondo, Tayshaun Prince, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Eric Bledsoe and Keith Bogans. HoopsWorld

Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Like many other NBA players before, Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva says he will also contemplate the possibility of playing abroad. But with him, it will not be China or Europe. “I’m actually leaning towards likely playing in Dominican Republic, my home country,” Villanueva texted when asked about overseas options. “If I play there in Dominican Republic, it won’t be for the pay, but it will be for my people. They are passionate about the game of basketball. “One hundred percent, basketball is my passion. If the lockout continues, it won’t stop me from doing what I love to do. Overseas is a possibility for sure.” HoopsHype

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Lockout, Dominican Republic 

Villanueva, the son of Dominican inmigrants, played for the National Team in 2009 and 2010, leading the squad in scoring both times. Although the country is deep in talent, the domestic league, which should come to an end in late September, features little star power. The money is very not good and playing conditions can be difficult. HoopsHype

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Lockout, Dominican Republic 

Charlie Villanueva: Taking it easy today.... despite that this lock out situation is getting pretty crazy, gonna remain positive and keep working out. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, CBA, David Stern, Lockout, Billy Hunter, NBPA 

Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace agree on the most important task for the next coach of the Detroit Pistons. "Communication," Villanueva said. "Have somebody who can communicate with their players." Villanueva teamed up with Detroit Lions wide receiver Derrick Williams to host a celebrity softball game Saturday, with the proceeds benefiting foundations the two have worked with. It's been about a week since the Pistons fired John Kuester, and as the team searches for a replacement, both Villanueva and Wallace took brief breaks from softball to offer thoughts on the next coach. "Just somebody who can relate and communicate with the guys — can make his point and stick to it," Wallace said. Winnipeg Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Coaching, Ben Wallace 

Villanueva had a mixed season in 2010-11 and was criticized for his lack of defense and fire. He'd like to bounce back strong next season. "I want to be in Detroit," he said. "That's the plan. We have a lot of history here and have been a great organization. I'm excited to see how passionate the new owner is about the team. He's got a winning mentality." Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva 

Villanueva, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon were seated in the fifth row during Gores' introduction. "I'm glad that we can leave the past behind us now," Villanueva said. "He seems like a very passionate guy, a very determined guy. It seems like he'll do whatever it takes in order to win. I'm looking forward to that." ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey, Tom Gores 

Charlie Villanueva: Congrats to Mr. Tom Gores and thank you to David Stern and the @NBA Board for making this possible. New chapter, better days ahead Detroit. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, David Stern, Tom Gores 

Charlie Villanueva: Much respect to The Davidson family for all the years of great ownership and dedicated committment in developing the community of Detroit. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Karen Davidson 

Charlie Villanueva, who was suspended five games by the NBA for his altercation with the Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins on Monday, said Friday he understood the penalty. "It is what it is," Villanueva said at Braylon Edwards' charity basketball game at Ann Arbor Pioneer. "Every action is a bad action and has a consequence. It was definitely out of character for me, and I want to apologize to my family and my fans and the organization to let them down in that aspect. It was a mistake." Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva 

Have you spoken with Horford, Villanueva or Ariza about their plans? Francisco Garcia: I've spoken with Al Horford and Villanueva and they told me they are going to play too. ESPN.com

Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva has received a five-game suspension without pay from the NBA for his actions Monday in a loss against Cleveland at The Palace. Villaneuva got into a physical altercation with Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins late in the game. After the two were separated, Villaneuva had to be restrained after he changed across the court to get at Hollins. He then twice tried to enter the Cavaliers' locker room. Detroit News

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ryan Hollins 

Charlie Villanueva: I want to apologize to my fans for my actions yesterday, heat of the moment, and my emotions got the best of me Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva 

Chris Iott: NBA spokesman Tim Frank said via email that the incident Monday night involving Charlie Villanueva is still being reviewed. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Tim Frank 

The Auburn Hills Police Department is still putting the finishing touches on a final police report involving the altercation Monday night at the Palace. But Lt. Casimir Miarka doesn't expect anything to come of the incident between Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins, Miarka said in a phone interview this afternoon. "At this point, this is kind of closed for us," Miarka said. "We've had no complaints of any criminal matters." Booth Newspapers

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ryan Hollins 

Villanueva stormed onto the court and toward the Cleveland bench before he was restrained by several members of the Pistons staff. As he was being escorted and practically dragged to the back, Villanueva motioned for Hollins to meet him in the back as he was escorted into the Cavaliers’ tunnel. Hollins remained near the Cavaliers bench and was later escorted to the back. In the back of the arena, Villanueva was seen running toward the Cavaliers’ locker room before being stopped by police on the loading dock. The police used a giant mat to stop the sprinting Villanueva. Two other police officers dragged Villanueva back to the Pistons’ locker room as Villanueva was heard shouting, “I’m going to kill that dude.” Villanueva admitted after the game he may have overreacted. “I got upset,” Villanueva said. “It should have stayed on the court. I shouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me. It was a heat of the moment type thing. I let my emotions get the best of me.” The Oakland Press

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ryan Hollins 

Villanueva was asked what Hollins said to upset him so much and declined to reveal what it was. “At the end of the day that’s something that happened on the court, it should stay on the court,” Villanueva said. “I overreacted. He said some things that got me upset.” Villanueva will certainly be suspended for Detroit’s final game Wednesday in Philadelphia, but it’s unclear what the full extent of his punishment will be by the league. “Haven’t seen it, but we review any altercation,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. The Oakland Press

Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Ryan Hollins 

Charlie Villanueva had to be restrained by police in a loading dock area at The Palace of Auburn HIlls after being ejected Monday night during a 110-101 loss to Cleveland in the final home game of the season for the Pistons. Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins was also ejected following the incident. Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva 

At one point, Villanueva left the Pistons locker room and raced toward the Cavaliers locker room in an attempt to confront Hollins, according to multiple witnesses. "I’m going to kill that dude," Villanueva yelled at one point. "I don’t give a (expletive)." Booth Newspapers

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva