China’s top basketball official Li Yuanwei will be traveling to the United States, to try and put an end to the drama between their top draft pick Yi Jianlian and the Milwaukee Bucks. If issues don’t get resolved Yi will not play in the NBA this season. Currently Yi is playing for China in the Stankovic Cup in Guangdong. Li Yuanwei said "I will have to talk with Yi at the Stankovic Cup to see what he think. The Bucks side didn’t send their officials to China this time as they promised, so I will take some time to get this resolved."
The L.A. Lakers signed Coby Karl, the undrafted son of George Karl to a contract yesterday. Coby who is 24, averaged 14.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a Senior at Boise State in 2006-07, and first team All-WAC. He returned to the court last month, just 2 months after having cancerous lymph nodes removed. It was his second battle with cancer in a little more than a year. He had his thyroid removed in 2006 and chemotherapy after his junior season. He is Boise States all-time leader in games played (127) and 3-pointers made (266) and ranks third on the list with 1,698 points. Coby who is 6’5, played in 5 summer league games for the Lakers averaged 12.2 points, and 1.8 rebounds. GM Mitch Kupchak said "Karl showed the potential to be a system player, a guy that would fit into a disciplined offense." He also said "There are alot of guys in the backcourt, and just to make the team he’s going to have to beat somebody out." The Charlotte Bobcats also offered Coby a contract, but he said "I felt more comfortable with the Lakers because I’ve been around them, I fit in with them."
The Memphis Grizzles signed fourth overall pick Mike Conley Jr to a contract. In 5 summer league games he played a team high 39.8 minutes and averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists. In his only season at Ohio State, Conley helped lead the Buckeyes to the Championship game, starting all 39 games and averaged 11.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.2 steals a game.
Sonny Vaccaro the founder of the summer shoe camps and holds his annual spring roundball classics for the last 43 years is calling it quits and wants to pursue others things for youths and basketball. He has been called the Godfather of Grassroots basketball, and many have said he has corrupted the game and is the reason why players are hyped up so early, and lack fundamentals. He said his next move is to go on tour over the next year to speak up for the kids, to lobby for an end to the one-year rule for players to be drafted in the NBA. He said "How can they stop your kids from earning a living? Isn’t this America? Why can a college coach make millions while your sons can’t make a dime? Why can can that coach leave his school without being penalized, while your sons cannot? Isn’t it odd that the NCAA makes rules for those who are least able to defend themselves?" NBA commissioner David Stern and Sonny Vaccaro have become friends over the last few years and both have great respect for one another, they have debated with each other about the one-year rule. Sonny has vowed to continue to fight for the kids and their rights, so that he can be able to enter the draft when they feel ready for it.
