HoopsHype.com Rumors

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 

Eurobasket outsiders Sweden will have been boosted by the news that Detroit Pistons’ forward Jonas Jerebko will play for the national team in Slovenia this summer. TalkBasket

Detroit Pistons, Jonas Jerebko, Eurobasket 

The Timberwolves' Ricky Rubio, who says his surgically repaired left knee has recovered 100 percent, will play for Spain in the European Championship in September. Wolves guard J.J. Barea, who is signed for two more years, said he probably will play with the Puerto Rican national team, which will try to qualify for the World Championship at the end of the summer. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Puerto Rico, Spain, World Championship, Jose Juan Barea, Eurobasket 

With a post on instagram, Kevin Seraphin announced that he will not play Eurobasket 2013 with the French National Team. Sportando

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Vucevic will divide his offseason between Central Florida and Europe. Although he won't be on the Magic's summer- league team, Vucevic plans to play for his home country of Montenegro in Europe's championship tournament in Slovenia. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro, Eurobasket 

Sweden will need all hands on deck in September when they compete in the Final Round of a EuroBasket for the first time in a decade. They now know that one the most promising players in the national team set-up, Charlotte Bobcats rookie Jeffery Taylor, will be with the squad in Slovenia when it takes on Turkey, Greece, Russia, Italy and Finland in Group D. FIBA.com

Jeffery Taylor, Eurobasket, Sweden 

The 2.01m guard/forward last wore a Sweden shirt in 2008, when he played at the U20 European Championship Division B and averaged more than 19 points and nine rebounds. "It will be incredibly fun to represent Sweden again," Taylor said. "To play with the national team against the best opposition in Europe is something I have looked forward to for a long time. "It's great that everything has been resolved." FIBA.com

Jeffery Taylor, Eurobasket, Sweden 

Wizards forward-center Kevin Seraphin heads into this offseason having to decide between advancing his NBA career or maintaining his commitment to his country. Seraphin has played a prominent role for the French national team in each of the past two summers and helped France finish sixth at the London Olympics. But Seraphin’s third season with the Wizards fell short of his expectations despite averaging a career-high nine points per game, leaving his participation at 2013 Eurobasket in Slovenia in doubt. “I don’t know. That’s something that I really want to,” Seraphin said of representing France, “but the thing is now, I try to improve. The [Wizards] want me to improve, too. I try to be better for my team, for sure.” Washington Post

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Kevin Seraphin's participation in the Eurobasket is in doubt. Catch and Shoot

Washington Wizards, Kevin Seraphin, FIBA, France, Eurobasket 

Gallinari will likely be in Slovenia, but to cheer and support his teammates. "It is impossible for me to play at Eurobasket in September. In the summer I will work on my knee and I hope to be ready for beginning of the new season" said Gallinari, as reported by Gazzetta.it. "But I will be close to coach Pianigiani and my teammates. I have been talking with all of them after the injury and If I can, I would love to be in Slovenia to cheer for the team" added Gallinari who confirmed that he has not made a decision yet on where he will have surgery. Sportando

Denver Nuggets, Injuries, Danilo Gallinari, Italy, Eurobasket 

Danilo Gallinari: National Team? This is another topic that makes me sad. I've thought a lot about the National Team over the last two days. I was convinced that we could do a great Eurobasket in September. This season I was doing my best because I knew that it would happen something great both with the Nuggets and Italian National Team. I was very happy to make the playoffs in NBA. I felt that this was the right season. Sportando

Denver Nuggets, Danilo Gallinari, Italy, Eurobasket 

Ronny Turiaf told French National Team head coach Vincent Collet he hopes to participate in the Eurobasket. Catch and Shoot

Los Angeles Clippers, Ronny Turiaf, France, Eurobasket, Vincent Collet 

Lampe, speaking exclusively to fibaeurope.com, sent exactly this message of tranquillity to Polish fans: "Yes, I'm going to play," he stated briefly but firmly, when asked whether he had considered his participation at the EuroBasket. There is hardly time to mention the recent developments concerning Gortat before the Caja Laboral Vitoria forward/center interrupts decisively: "He'll play too," he says firmly. Eurobasket 2013

Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat, Poland, Eurobasket 

Pau Gasol has told to some people he will rest this summer and won't play the European Championship with the Spanish national team. Encestando

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, FIBA, Spain, Eurobasket 

Pau Gasol: When the season ends we will see if playing with the Spanish national team is good or bad for me. ABC.es

Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, Spain, Eurobasket 

Gallinari's Greek team-mate Kostas Koufos meanwhile, who has been having a breakout season with Denver, has also declared his intention to play at the EuroBasket. "As long as I stay healthy until the end of the season, I would be very proud to suit up for the national team again in the summer," the center told Greek daily Ethnos. Sportando

Denver Nuggets, Kosta Koufos, Greece, Eurobasket