HoopsHype.com Rumors

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 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Misko Raznatovic, agent for David Blatt, denies rumors liking his client would opt out of Maccabi for NBA gig. Twitter @IAmDPick

Coaching, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, David Blatt 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Clippers draftee Willie Warren was released from Maccabi Rishon for violating team rules, the league announced. Twitter @IAmDPick

Los Angeles Clippers, Israel, Willie Warren 

Reno Bighorns 6-foot-9 power forward Samardo Samuels officially penned a two-month agreement with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Super League, league sources told Eurobasket yesterday. According to people with knowledge of the parties' partnership, Samuels' contract, his first outside American soil, is valued at $25,000 monthly for two-months, excluding playoff bonuses. Eurobasket.com

Free Agency, Samardo Samuels, Israel, Hapoel Jerusalem 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Samardo Samuels, whose season in Reno ends Sat., is yet to pen deal with Jerusalem. Samuels' 1st pro-stint overseas remains top concern. Twitter @IAmDPick

Free Agency, Samardo Samuels, Israel 

Samardo Samuels is close to penning a deal with Israeli team Hapoel Jerusalem. The American player has been in the NBA this season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Samuels has played also with Canton Charge and Reno BigHorns. Sportando

Samardo Samuels, Israel, Hapoel Jerusalem 

Samardo Samuels is among the players Hapoel Jerusalem is considering. Walla Sport

Samardo Samuels, Israel, Hapoel Jerusalem 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Former NBA C Craig Smith, I'm told via league sources, was officially waived by Hapoel Jerusalem and departs for the US on Saturday. Twitter @IAmDPick

Free Agency, Craig Smith, Israel 

It was a big week for former Sixers general manager Brad Greenberg. Coaching Maccabi Haifa in Israel since leaving the college ranks, Greenberg and NBA prospect Gal Mekel had Haifa leading mighty Maccabi Tel Aviv with six-plus minutes to go in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's State Cup final before the perennial European powerhouse with the far bigger budget rallied to pull out a 76-68 triumph. Mekel had 28 points on the big stage and remains on course to get his NBA shot in summer league. ESPN.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Summer League, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Gal Mekel 

Derrick Caracter signed a contract in Israel with Bnei Herzliya, David Pick reports. Former Lakers already landed in Israel to join his new team. Caracter spent last season in D-League with D-Fenders, Vipers and Stampede. Sportando

Derrick Caracter, Israel 

“Nobody is really safe right now from Tel Aviv and south,” Casspi said. “People don’t realize there are certain cities in southern Israel that have been under attack for the last 12 years. Now it’s just crazy because they’re throwing rockets all over the place. Their only purpose is to hit civilians and to kill.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi, Israel 

From Casspi’s perspective, Israelis simply grew tired of living in fear of death and random missile launches and began fighting back. The damage has been great, with civilians and children killed on both sides. “It got to a certain point that the Israeli government and people said: ‘That’s enough. We can’t keep living like this. We can’t have a normal life when there is a missile every 10 days that might kill your kids,’ ” Casspi said. “It’s a tough situation. You’re dealing with a terrorist organization that doesn’t really care about its own people. They hate us more than they love their kids.” Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Omri Casspi, Israel 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Israeli agent for Jamar Smith announced that after being waived by the Celtics, 25-year-old Smith was picked up by Galil/Gilboa. Twitter @IAmDPick

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Jamar Smith, Israel 

Contrarily to reports from Israeli media, mostly from Sport5.co.il, Allen Iverson won't be joining Maccabi Haifa for the two exhibition games in NBA against Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. Sportando's David Pick spoke with Brad Greenberg, Maccabi Haifa coach and ex 76ers GM, who denied all the rumors: 'It is natural for people to link us up but I have not spoken to Allen in years' said Greenberg. Sportando

Free Agency, Allen Iverson, Israel 

David Pick: Maccabi Haifa officials have strongly denied reports circulating in Israel that the club has recruited free agent Allen Iverson. Twitter @IAmDPick

Free Agency, Allen Iverson, Israel 

Former NBA Most Valuable Player Allen Iverson reportedly will play for Maccabi Haifa in its two exhibition games against NBA teams -- and perhaps longer. Iverson, 37, will suit up for the Israeli squad when it takes on the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves this month in the United States, the Israeli Sport5 site reported. Sport5 added that Maccabi Haifa officials are considering signing the perennial NBA All-Star guard to a longer contract if the experiment succeeds. JTA

Free Agency, Allen Iverson, Israel 

Julian Wright: I'll be headed overseas to Israel to join Maccabi Rishon LeZion :) I'm excited. Much love to my peeps across the country. It's time to hoop! Twitter @take1_4theteam

Julian Wright, Israel, Maccabi Rishon LeZion 

David 'Dubi' Pick: Early indications: Julian Wright wasn't thrilled w/ testing Israeli waters but Rishon was stressing over cup elimination, raising the $ bar. Twitter @IAmDPick

Julian Wright, Israel, Maccabi Rishon LeZion 

Hapoel Jerusalem forward Craig Smith could be traded to Maccabi Tel Aviv for Shawn James and cash. Walla Sport

Trade, Craig Smith, Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem 

David Blatt confirms Malcolm Thomas will join Maccabi Tel Aviv. BasketActu.com

Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv, David Blatt, Malcolm Thomas