PAN - Vecchio has high hopes for World Championship

SAN JUAN (FIBA World Championship) - Guillermo Vecchio has set a target of reaching the quarter-finals of the FIBA World Championship after being named as the new coach of Panama."Panama are a very powerful national team," the Argentinian coach said. "If we can group all the best players together, we should be able to do a good job

SCG - Divac blazed a trail for

NEW YORK (NBA) - Vlade Divac often is credited as one of the international pioneers who changed the face of the NBA forever, making it a truly global league with outstanding players hailing from every corner of

SCG - Partizan looking

BELGRADE (Superleague) - Partizan Belgrade are the only unbeaten team left in Serbia & Montenegro's Superleague after they made it six wins from six by prevailing 96-84 at Group A whipping boys Mornar

BAR - Development of national

BARBADOS (Coaches) - The development of coaches is a major part of the National Development Plan of the Barbados Amateur Basketball Association (BABA). One of its missions is not only to train youth coaches

NZL - Build-up complete, squad named

AUCKLAND (FIBA World Championship) - The final pieces to the Tall Blacks' FIBA World Championships preparation are in place with a tour to South America and a further domestic series against Qatar confirmed for

ARG - Ben Hur title defense

COMODORO RIVADAVIA (Liga Nacional) - Libertad and Gimnasia y Esgrima will meet in the Liga Nacional finals after completing 3-1 wins in their respective last-four ties. Gimnasia, from Comodoro Rivadavia, saw off defending champions Ben Hur

TPE - Renegade teams

TAIWAN (SBL) - The Super Basketball League (SBL) will have a fourth season, according to the provisional agreement of a meeting between CTBA (Chinese Taipei Basketball Association) and the SBL teams which

USA - Team USA's Paul named

NEW YORK (NBA) - Life gets better and better for New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul. Named in Team USA's 23-man preliminary squad for the FIBA World Championship in Japan, Paul has now been voted

VEN - Nembhard collects third

CARACAS (Liga Profesional) - Gaiteros guard Ruben Nembhard has been voted the Venezuelan Liga Profesional's regular season MVP for a third time. The American has been the key figure in the Zulia-based squad

FRA - Bergeaud warning for Asvel

VILLEURBANNE (Pro A) - ASVEL coach Claude Bergeaud has warned his side not to lose focus in their last match of the regular season despite having already qualified to the Pro A quarter-finals

GBR - Scantlebury not interested in Great Britain job

LONDON (National Team) - Former England basketball coach Peter Scantlebury admits he has been approached about taking charge of the Great Britain team but insists he is not interested in the post.Scantlebury, who performed the dual role of Sheffield Sharks and England coach for the last three years, has decided to bow out of the international arena after his contract as England coach expired after the Commonwealth Games