Team USA Wins Big in Exhibition Finale
USA 116, Korea 63

Team USA remained undefeated through five exhibition games after cruising to a 116-63 win over Korea Tuesday.

Wizards forward Antawn Jamison started the contest at forward and scored seven points in 14 minutes. Jamison has proved to be a do-it-all-type player for the National team, averaging 9.6 points (fourth behind Anthony, James and Wade) while shooting .471 from three-point range.

“The chemistry is unbelievable. I think that was the biggest adjustment or the biggest thing we need to have as far as going into the World Championship is great team chemistry,” said Jamison.

Team USA returns to action Saturday (or Friday night, depending where you live) when they open their FIBA World Championship schedule versus Wizard teammate Peter John Ramos and Puerto Rico (1 am ET, ESPN2).

With one last cut to be made, who do you think Jerry Colangelo and Coach K will leave off the roster as they set sail for Japan?

Injury Forces Gilbert Arenas Out Of Contention
For USA World Championship Team

Washington Wizards Guard Gilbert Arenas suffered a groin strain while practicing with the USA Men’s Basketball Team on Monday, forcing Arenas to withdraw from contention for a roster spot on the 2006 USA Basketball Men’s World Championship Team, as was announced today by USA Basketball Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo. Arenas will be reevaluated by Wizards team physicians.

“It is unfortunate that Gilbert sustained this injury,” said Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld. “He is so proud to be a member of Team USA and he was excited for this opportunity. When he returns to Washington, our doctors will reevaluate his condition. It is our understanding from Team USA officials that Gilbert’s injury is not serious.”

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Team USA 111, Lithuania 86

Team USA defeated Lithuania 111-86 at the World Basketball Challenge in Korea. Three players represented the Wizards on the court Sunday night: Antawn Jamison scored 13 points in the US win. Gilbert Arenas added two points while Darius Songaila scored nine points for Lithuania.

After one final exhibition game in Korea (Tuesday vs. Korea, 2:00 AM ET), Jerry Colangelo and Coach K will submit their final roster later this week. This 12-man roster will be the team that will compete in the FIBA World Championships, which begin Saturday in Japan. Two players will be “cut”. Who do you think it will be? Do you think Antawn and Gilbert both have a shot at making the squad?

Around The Net:

Washington Post: Wizards Undecided on Pecherov
The Post’s Ivan Carter is reporting in Saturday’s edition that the Wizards “have yet to decide where first-round pick Oleksiy Pecherov will play this season.”

Pecherov, who is under contract to BC Kiev of the Ukrainian Superleague, has the option of buying out the remaining year of his contract for $800,000. Under NBA rules, the Wizards can only pay up to $500,000 of the buyout.

According to Carter, “The problem, sources say, is that the quality of play in the Ukrainian Superleague is not on par with other top European leagues, so the Wizards might decide that Pecherov would be better off in Washington even if he’s not a part of Coach Eddie Jordan’s regular playing rotation.”

Pecherov has stated since Draft Night that he will do whatever the team wishes. That said, do you think the team should buy out the remaining season of his contract and spend this upcoming season in Washington? Or will another year in a European League serve him better if he doesn’t make Coach Jordan’s regular rotation?

Team USA Updates: China Basketball Challenge Recap

After two lopsided victories over Puerto Rico (114-69) last week and the host country China (119-73) on Monday (Gilbert made his first start), Team USA got a real test in a nail-biting game (90-86) against the Brazilian squad on Tuesday before heading to Seoul, Korea for another two exhibition games.

In yesterday’s contest, after pushing out to a 52-38 lead at halftime, the USA’s shooting suddenly went very, very cold. Brazil opened the third quarter by pouring in 16 consecutive points to take the lead 54-52.

Gilbert Arenas hit a jumper with 4:42 left in the quarter to put an end to the Brazilian run and the USA’s scoring drought and from there the U.S. and Brazil battled until the game’s final seconds.

Antawn Jamison continued his long-range hot hands with another three-pointer (and drew a foul on shot) assisted by his Wizards teammate Arenas (Watch video highlight). In three exhibition games, Jamison has made 5 of 11 (.455) three-point attempts and has second-most three-pointers behind Carmelo Anthony (7).

With stronger competition coming up and Anthony’s knee injury (day-to-day), what do you think it might affect Team USA’s rotation? Will Antawn get more playing time because Anthony’s out? Will Gilbert be able to find his shooting touch without losing his focus on locking down opponent’s ball handlers? Is the game vs. Brazil a wake-up call for the USA Basketball or will they bounce back and dominate the rest of the way?

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