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Take the Montenegro side that impressed in last summer's Qualification Round with a 10-0 record, add two of the most promising NBA centers, and you get a frontcourt that could wreak havoc at EuroBasket 2013. This dream scenario is very close to turning into reality for the small Balkan country, as former Partizan, Panathinaikos and Minnesota Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic are included in the 21-strong preliminary squad for September's EuroBasket that head coach Luka Pavicevic announced on Monday. FIBA Europe

Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, FIBA, Nikola Pekovic, Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro, Eurobasket 

Pekovic however will most likely not be present on the first day of training camp in late July and will join the team at a later stage. "He is a free agent in the NBA, and that means that from 2 July, when the transfer window opens in the U.S.A, he is waiting on the outcome of events to know at which club he will play next season," Pavicevic explained. "Surely we cannot count on him for the beginning of the program, once he signs a contract he will come to join us as soon as possible." FIBA Europe

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, FIBA, Nikola Pekovic, Montenegro, Eurobasket 

Latvian national team head coach Ainars Bagatskis has announced a 17-strong preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2013 which features the welcome return of the nation's NBA player. Golden State Warriors center Andris Biedrins, as well as VEF Riga guard Kristaps Janicenoks, who last suited up for the national team at EuroBasket 2009, are included on the list and poised to make their return in a Latvia jersey in September's big tournament in Slovenia. "I think that if Andris plays at the EuroBasket it will significantly strengthen our team and will also benefit his personal career," Bagatskis stated. FIBA Europe

Golden State Warriors, Andris Biedrins, FIBA, Latvia, Eurobasket 

Darren Wolfson: Tiny correction: misread a text last night. Flip & Pek never met in Italy. I said it was a quickie. ... Pek expected to play in EuroBasket. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, FIBA, Nikola Pekovic, Flip Saunders, Montenegro, Eurobasket 

Marc Gasol: "The easy thing would be to say 'No' [to the Eurobasket] and going on vacation, but I want to be calm and think about the decision. But the truth is that you always want to compete with your teammates and even though we have won two European Championships in a row and played three straight Finals, you always want more. I have good reasons to say yes and no." Terra.es

Memphis Grizzlies, Spain, Marc Gasol, Eurobasket 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Golden State advance scout Chris Thomas will be an assistant coach on Slovenia's national team this summer. Slovenia hosts EuroBasket. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Golden State Warriors, Coaching, FIBA, Slovenia, Eurobasket, Chris Thomas 

Darren Wolfson: There was some talk of having Alexey Shved play Summer League, but he won't. He'll play EuroBasket in Slovenia in Sept. for Russia. #twolves Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Minnesota Timberwolves, FIBA, Summer League, Russia, Eurobasket, Alexey Shved 

Al Primer Toque: Marc Gasol on the Eurobasket. "If you look at the calender, this is the only summer where you can take a break." Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, FIBA, Spain, Marc Gasol, Eurobasket 

Serge Ibaka on the Eurobasket: "There's time left to make a decision. I'm more tired than in previous seasons, but that's no excuse. (...) I've had three years with no rest and I have the give thought to what I will do." Ara

Oklahoma City Thunder, FIBA, Spain, Serge Ibaka, Eurobasket 

Evan Fournier: "I'd be disappointed if do did not participate in the Eurobasket." La Nouvelle Republique

France, Eurobasket, Evan Fournier 

Marc Gasol on the Eurobasket: "Sometimes you have to take a break and look out for yourself." Encestando

Memphis Grizzlies, Spain, Marc Gasol, Eurobasket 

Emiliano Carchia: Gianni Petrucci confirmed that Andrea Bargnani will play Eurobasket in Slovenia Twitter @SportandoBasket

Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Italy, Andrea Bargnani, Eurobasket 

Emiliano Carchia: Gianni Petrucci confirmed that Marco Belinelli is doubtful for Eurobasket. The biggest problem is that he will be free agent this summer Twitter @SportandoBasket

Free Agency, FIBA, Italy, Marco Belinelli, Eurobasket 

Travis Diener got the Italian passport and will play Eurobasket 2013 in Slovenia with Italian National Team. The American PG will make an oath tomorrow in front of the mayor of Sassari. Sportando

FIBA, Travis Diener, Italy, Eurobasket 

Andrea Bargnani in an interview with Il Corriere dello Sport confirmed that he will play Eurobasket 2013 with the Italian National Team. The competition is scheduled for next September in Slovenia. Bargnani spoke also about the NBA season which ended early for him due to an elbow injury. "I got injured for the second consecutive year: last year a calf problem, this season an elbow injury. Two probems which forced me to miss a couple of months. I have just started practice again" said Bargnani. "Future? In the NBA everything could happen. Today I am a Raptor. Tomorrow we'll see. I am very happy for my years in Toronto. I love the city and in my first three seasons in the NBA we made the postseason. Personally, I think I have always performed well. I don't have any regret" added Il Mago. "Italy? I am always happy to play for the Italian National Team. Last summer I could not play because of my calf injury. Now, due to my elbow problems I miss playing games but I can't wait to start" ended Bargnani. Sportando

Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Italy, Andrea Bargnani, Eurobasket 

Linas Kleiza was named in the 15-strong Lithuanian national team preliminary squad for EuroBasket 2013 that head coach Jonas Kazlauskas announced in Vilnius on Tuesday. He was doubtful because of health issues. Eurobasket 2013

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, FIBA, Lithuania, Eurobasket 

Center Jonas Valanciunas, who has just completed a very promising rookie NBA season with the Toronto Raptors will join national team preparations at a later stage as he will take part with his team in the Las Vegas summer league. Another center who had his first season in the NBA this year, Donatas Motiejunas, is also on the team after reaching the western conference play-offs with the Houston Rockets. Eurobasket 2013

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Summer League, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Eurobasket 

On contrary to EuroBasket 2011 Israel will enjoy the presence of its only NBA player in Casspi. Shivek knows exactly how important it is for his team. "Casspi's addiction, together with other players we expect to see with us in EuroBasket, will help us a lot in the upcoming tournament also in the match-ups we will have with our opponents." "Very often we see players who didn't play well during the season with their club but in the National Team step up and show their true quality. "I have no doubt all of our 12 guys will be in great shape when EuroBasket tips off. "I have faith in their abilities," he concluded. Casspi showed his anticipation for the upcoming campaign. After his 4th season in the NBA, when he wrote career lows in minutes and points, the Israeli forward is set to show his game is still among the top. "I can't wait to start playing with the national team," he said. "The togetherness of our team is our business card in this summer. "I believe we could have a good performance if we play like we know and can. Eurobasket 2013

Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi, Israel, Eurobasket 

Pau Gasol: After valuing the period of the rehabilitation, which I have already initiated, with my medical team of confidence, I sadly confirm that I won't play in the next European Championship of Slovenia despite I wished it. My priority aim is to recover myself thinking in the next season and to be ready, if I'm asked to, for the next challenge with the national team, the World Cup of Spain 2014. paugasol.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Injuries, Eurobasket 

Marc Mundet: Pau Gasol won't play Eurobasket 2013. Official. Twitter @MarcMundet78

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Eurobasket