HoopsHype.com Rumors

Conley said he called everyone on the roster, and then enlisted Gay to help with the players he couldn't reach. Gay, who is recovering from left shoulder surgery, hasn't been medically cleared to play with full contact. However, he can shoot and participate in conditioning drills. Local products Jeremy Hunt, Lester Hudson and Portland Trail Blazer Elliot Williams are also participating in the sessions. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Hamed Haddadi 

This year's international tournaments are a godsend for basketball fans pining for any glimpse of their NBA favorites. Yet these games are not just fun diversions for the players involved. For most, they're the culmination of years of hard work and a chance to give their home countries a chance to compete in the London Olympics. For others, like Chris Kaman(notes), it's a chance to represent some far-off land where everyone speaks a guttural language they don't understand. That sounds fun, right? So, yes, players care. For proof, just watch the video above of Puerto Rican forward Renaldo Balkman (of the Knicks, in our NBA world) headbutting Venezuelan guard Greivis Vasquez (usually an employee of the Grizzlies) during a tussle at the FIBA Tournament of the Americas in Argentina. Yahoo! Sports

Greivis Vasquez, FIBA, Puerto Rico, Renaldo Balkman, Venezuela 

So, we talked with Greivis Vasquez because of his big game yesterday with Venezuela. He said about the lockout : “I love France and the french culture. I’d love to play in France” We told him that salaries aren’t so high in France but he answered: “If I can play somewhere, it’s OK for me. If I have a good opportunity, I’ll go.” BasketActu.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout, France 

Griz reserve point guard Greivis Vasquez will play this month with Venezuela at the FIBA Americas Championship. The tourney will award two spots for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Vasquez did a Q&A with Hoopshype.com and said he'd consider playing abroad if the NBA lockout cost games. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Venezuela 

Now, he’s one of the league’s better big men, a much-coveted restricted free agent that is going to get a couple big offers, ones likely matched by Memphis which can’t afford to lose him. Still, we don’t know how good the younger Gasol can be. Memphis teammate Greivis Vasquez set the bar ridiculously high in an interview with Hoopshype. Marc Gasol is a very key player on our team. He’s one of the best centers in the league and will end up being the best center in the NBA in 2-3 years. He has very good chemistry with Zach Randolph. Besides, Marc is a leader. He didn’t miss a single practice all year long. And that’s commendable. He’s a model to follow. I hope he stays with us for a long time. Having a center like that on our team is going to give us a lot of hope. You can shoot for the Finals and be the champion. NBCSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Zach Randolph, Greivis Vasquez, Marc Gasol 

What are your thoughts on the possibility of playing outside the U.S. if the lockout continues? Greivis Vasquez: I would love to play abroad. I want to look at the options I have. I want to have a sitdown with my agent once the tournament is over and mull my options. It’s not easy to play abroad, with a good contract and an out clause that would allow me to return to the NBA once the lockout is over. But yes, I’m very interested in playing overseas. I’d like to play in Spain, Europe, China, wherever I can… I love to play, I want to play and I want to keep learning. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout, Spain, China 

Do you have a preference for any country in particular? Greivis Vasquez: No, I don’t have any preferences. I would like to play in the ACB (Spanish League), but I have no preferences. Any team that’s interested in me, I’m looking forward to discuss a contract with them. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, ACB, Lockout, Spain 

Do you know if you have any firm offer on the table right now? GV: I’ve heard rumors, but there’s nothing firm. I’m focused on the National Team as of now. I hope one of these days my agent calls me and say, ‘Look, this team wants you. What do you want to do?’ Then we can have something finalized. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout 

If Marc Gasol re-signs with the Grizzlies, do you feel like Memphis is a candidate for the title? Greivis Vasquez: Yes. Marc Gasol is a very key player on our team. He’s one of the best centers in the league and will end up being the best center in the NBA in 2-3 years. He has very good chemistry with Zach Randolph. Besides, Marc is a leader. He didn’t miss a single practice all year long. And that’s commendable. He’s a model to follow. I hope he stays with us for a long time. Having a center like that on our team is going to give us a lot of hope. You can shoot for the Finals and be the champion. Why not? We have to go step by step. I hope the lockout ends and we can shoot for that goal. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Zach Randolph, Greivis Vasquez, Marc Gasol 

There has been a lot of political tension in Venezuela over the past few years. Is it a little better now? Greivis Vasquez: The political tension remains strong, but as an athlete I can only control the sports part. I think sports make people unite and the National Team make people come together no matter what their beliefs are. The soccer team did a great job and now it’s our turn to do our part and unite the country. As Venezuelans, we have to support each other. If we don’t support each other, who’s going to support us? How is the country reacting to Hugo Chavez’s illness? GV: Everybody is talking about it. Whatever happens, he’s the president of Venezuela. No matter what you believe in, you can’t have ill will towards anybody. I hope he gets better. I think he has cancer. It’s a serious disease, but you can recover from it. HoopsHype

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Venezuela, Hugo Chavez 

HoopsHype: Lucentum Alicante has made no offer to Grizzlies guard Greivis Vasquez, one source in the Spanish club told HoopsHype. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, ACB, Spain, Lucentum Alicante 

HoopsHype: Vasquez is one of the options the team is considering at the guard position, but no formal offer is on the table. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, ACB, Spain, Lucentum Alicante 

As TUBASKET.com has learned, there's no real offer for the Venezuelan player, but there's interest. TuBasket.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, ACB, Spain, Lucentum Alicante 

Lucentum Alicante has made an offer to Grizzlies guard Greivis Vasquez. Informacion.es

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, ACB, Spain, Lucentum Alicante 

Venezuelan coach Eric Mussleman hinted NBA Greivis Vasquez as well as center Gregory Echenique will have lots of playing time. El Universal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Venezuela 

Add Greg Monroe and Greivis Vasquez to the growing list of NBA players actively debating whether to take their basketball talents overseas. The former stars at Georgetown and Maryland, respectively, did not figure to be contemplating playing abroad after successful rookie seasons. Funny what a lockout can do. They also were not the only ballers in the Kenner League weighing foreign options or actually following through with them. csnbaltimore.com

Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout 

“It’s something I’m still thinking about," said Monroe, who shined for the Detroit Pistons last season. "It’s definitely an option.” csnbaltimore.com

Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout 

Then there’s Vasquez, the Venezuelan native who is heading home next week to play for his country’s national team. Forget whether the combo guard for the Memphis Grizzlies is more inclined to ponder an overseas business sojourn than his American counterparts. Vasquez acknowledges that to be true in part because he is. “Of course, of course. Yes, definitely,” said the passionate Vasquez in his usual energetic manner. “Next year is going to be important for me…I’m going to look at my options.” csnbaltimore.com

Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout 

“I want to play. I want to play and I want to make money,” said Vasquez, who envisions signing with a team in Spain should he head to Europe. “You’ve got a small window. [Actually] you’ve got a big window, but it’s going to close at some point. If I can do this for 10 years and make money, I will do it.” csnbaltimore.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Lockout, Spain, Europe 

Memphis Grizzlies guard Greivis Vasquez has taken to the court to give pointers to Venezuelan children as part of a U.S. State Department program aimed at building ties through sports. The Venezuelan player teamed up with former NBA player Darvin Ham and former WNBA Player Kayte Christensen to hold a basketball clinic for children in Caracas. Vasquez said on Friday that the purpose is for children to be motivated and that his message is that "with effort, discipline and sacrifice, all goals are possible." ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Venezuela