SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, 23 August 2003 — Tracy McGrady scored 17 points to help the US to a 111-73 victory over the Dominican Republic in the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday. The US came out strongly from the start with Jermaine O’Neal scoring on six of seven shots for 12 points and six rebounds in the first half. At the half the US led 60-36.
After the third quarter the lead had stretched to 88-54. Head coach Larry Brown said that despite the big advantage he had wanted his team to stay focused on the game in hand.
O’Neal had 14 points and led all US players with seven rebounds. Vince Carter had 15. The US which now has two wins from two games, is in the five-team Group B of the qualifying tournament alongside the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.
In games in Group A, Rowan Barrett scored 32 points including four three pointers to lead Canada to a 89-79 victory over Puerto Rico. Steve Nash scored 17 and directed the Canadian attack feeding Barrett for many of his points.
Argentina rebounded from Wednesday’s upset defeat by Mexico to trounce Uruguay 91-60. In Group B Brazil’s Guilherme Giovanni scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead his side to a 100-74 victory over Virgin Islands. The preliminary round games conclude tomorrow to be followed by second round games next week. The second round will consist of one group of eight teams — the fifth placed team in each preliminary group dropping out at the first stage. The top four nations from that eight-team group will advance to the semifinals and the best three teams will qualify for Athens 2004.
Pistons Send Robinson, Sanchez to Warriors for Sura
In Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors continued to wheel and deal Thursday, after a blockbuster nine-player trade earlier in the week. The Warriors traded guard Bob Sura to the Detroit Pistons on Thursday in exchange for veteran forward Cliff Robinson and reserve guard Juan “Pepe” Sanchez.
“We feel this is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Warriors general manager Garry St. Jean. “Cliff Robinson was a starter for a team in the Eastern Conference finals last season and has been a winner his entire career. Additionally, he is an excellent defensive player and will provide some quality depth to our team.” Robinson, 36, who has two years and $10 million remaining on his contract, played in 81 games last season for Detroit and averaged 12.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
The 14-year veteran will be playing for his fourth team, after originally being drafted by Portland in 1989 before being dealt to Phoenix. Sanchez, 26, played nine games for the Pistons last season, but failed to score and averaged 0.9 assists.
The Pistons pick up Sura, who averaged 7.3 points and 3.2 assists in 55 games last season with the Warriors. He is expected to replace top reserve Jon Barry, who signed a one-year contract on Wednesday with the Denver Nuggets.
Kobe Still on Tap Despite Sprite Deal With James
In Atlanta, Georgia, Coca-Cola have signed a six-year deal with basketball phenom LeBron James to represent the Sprite brand, but say the deal is unrelated to the legal woes of Sprite spokesman Kobe Bryant. James, 18, boasts more than $100 million in endorsement deals with his first National Basketball Association game still to come.
Under the deal announced Thursday by the soft drink giant, he will be a spokesman for Sprite and POWERade sports drink. James already had deals with Nike — worth a reported $90 million — and Upper Deck. A high school star in Ohio, James was taken first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA draft.
Meanwhile, authorities investigating rape charges against Bryant on Thursday arrested a man on charges of threatening to kill the athlete’s alleged victim, prosecutors said. The 22-year-old from the midwestern state of Iowa was arrested and charged with making a threatening telephone call across state lines to the 19-year-old woman who has accused the NBA star of attacking her on June 30.
“The recipient of the death threat was the victim of the alleged sexual assault by Mr. Bryant,” said Jeff Dorschner of the US Attorney’s office in the Colorado town of Eagle, where the alleged rape took place.
