HoopsHype.com Rumors

Team USA went on a bit of a bad streak with losses to Uruguay and Mexico after winning their first two games the 2011 Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara. They righted the ship on Sunday, however, with a 94-92 victory over Jack Michael Martinez and the Dominican Republic to win the bronze medal. Team USA had five players in double-figures, led by Lance Thomas's 14 points, but it was Justin Dentmon that provided the spark needed to propel the NBA Development League Americans down the stretch. Dentmon finished with 12 points and five assists, Marcus Lewis put in 12 points to go with his seven rebounds, Donald Sloan scored 11 points and Leo Lyons rounded out double-digit scorers with 10 points. Ridiculous Upside

USA Basketball, Dominican Republic 

The Dominican Republic is going to play at the Olympic qualifying tournament next year. There are several NBA players on that team and you have Dominican roots. Is there any chance that you could join the team? Trevor Ariza: If they would want me to play, I’d definitely listen and I would definitely be open to play. They have not approached you about this so far? Trevor Ariza: A little bit, nothing too serious. But since it’s pretty close and they will try to qualify, I believe they will be more serious now. HoopsHype

New Orleans Hornets, Trevor Ariza, Dominican Republic 

Charlie Villanueva: Tomorrow a big day for my country, "A Legacy is what I'm trying to leave" Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, FIBA, Dominican Republic 

This afternoon, after beating Uruguay, all the Dominican players, John Calipari and his coaching staff included, visited Edgar Sosa at the hospital. ESPN.com

Injuries, John Calipari, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

"I know that the recovery will be very tough but this [his teammates and coaches visiting him at the hospital] has been very important to me. I'm optimistic, I will get back to play. I feel the support of everyone and I wish the team will get to play in London 2012," said Sosa, who will spend at least six months to recover from the injury. ESPN.com

Injuries, John Calipari, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

Charlie Villanueva: My man Edgar Sosa, hanging in there, praying for a speedy recovery, love u kid http://lockerz.com/s/136261361 Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, Injuries, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

John Schuhmann: Wasn't watching the end of that DR-Panama game. I guess I'm glad I wasn't, as Edgar Sosa suffers a gruesome broken leg in the final minute. Twitter

FIBA, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

Charlie Villanueva: A wounded solider, my prayers are with Edgar Sosa, hoping for a speedy recovery, God please heal over him Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Charlie Villanueva, FIBA, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

Nazr Mohammed: So sad to hear about the lil homie @Edgarsosa10 breaking his leg. He was playing great basketball. He'll come back even better #hardworker Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, FIBA, Nazr Mohammed, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Edgar Sosa 

Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins made the following remark in a video featuring press conference footage and game highlights from last weekend’s Kentucky vs. Dominican Republic exhibition. “You gotta take advantage of it. More time to work on your game. I mean, as of right now, a lot of us are just waiting it out. But I mean the longer it goes on, I’m pretty sure a lot of us will be headed overseas.” Cowbellkingdom.com

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Dominican Republic 

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 

Wendell Maxey: kirk snyder is back in the game again.16th overall pick by jazz in '04 has signed to play with reales de la vega in the dominican republic. Twitter

Kirk Snyder, Dominican Republic 

Just an update to let you know that I have formally accepted the head coaching position with the Dominican Republic’s national team. I am so excited to begin working with Southgate Sports, which operates all aspects of the team, as we prepare for FIBA’s upcoming Tournament of the Americas. I have already spoken with several of the Dominican players in the NBA and Southgate will have more about those players’ participation in the coming weeks. We will hold a mini-camp here, in Lexington, at the beginning of August with some of the Dominican Republic’s emerging young stars, most of whom are already playing American college basketball, including our own Eloy Vargas. The mini-camp will precede the team’s official training camp which will include the veterans. Official Site of John Calipari

Coaching, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Kentucky coach John Calipari would be “crazy” to coach the Dominican Republic National Team this summer because they “don’t have any money and have a horrible reputation in the region,” a well-connected Caribbean source told SNY.tv. “They don’t have a clue,” the source said of the Dominican Federation. “They screwed up the FIBA event in the DR last summer. Players were slipping all over the floor as they hosted an event in an arena with no air conditioning. Roy Hibbert and other NBA players were required to stop playing.” ZagsBlog.com

Coaching, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Former Sacramento Kings Eric Musselman led the DR to a 6-1 record last summer and had a verbal commitment to coach the team this year. But he was fired and bypassed for Calipari, the source said. “They sign agreements, don’t live up to them and don’t do good business,” the source said. ZagsBlog.com

Coaching, Eric Musselman, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Kentucky coach John Calipari is mulling a chance to coach the Dominican Republic national team. Calipari posted on his website Tuesday that he has been approached by Dominican officials about taking over the team in hopes of qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics. "My question to the Dominican Basketball Federation was, why are you calling me?'' Calipari posted. "Their response was, they liked what we are doing in China, including coaching their coaches and being involved in promoting grassroots basketball.'' SI.com

Coaching, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

"We are in discussions with John Calipari to become the head coach of the Dominican Republic national team," Eduardo Najri, GM of the National Team, told AP El Nuevo Herald

Coaching, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

Are you going to play at the pre-Olympic tournament for sure? Francisco Garcia: I'm going to play this year. ESPN.com

Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic