The coronavirus outbreak continues to have an impact on the international basketball world, with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reporting that guard Chasson Randle is among the players affected by the Chinese Basketball Association’s hiatus.
Agent Darrell Comer tells Givony that Randle has twice tried to sign a 10-day contract with an NBA team since returning stateside last month. However, his club in Tianjian blocked him from receiving FIBA clearance in both cases, despite there being no official word yet on if or when the CBA will resume play this season.
“His payments are currently behind with no date provided of when he will receive salary owed,” Comer said of Randle. “He has been offered opportunities to sign 10-day contracts with NBA teams, but Tianjin has denied his FIBA clearance despite the fact that the 10-day contracts will expire before all rumored dates if the China season will resume.
“Chasson is not only being prevented from making income, but also from furthering his career as a NBA player. We are speaking to bring awareness to this unfair issue for Chasson, but also for the other talented players who are back from China and may experience similar issues soon.”
The coronavirus epidemic could also be bad news for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told Stephen Wade of The Associated Press that the IOC will likely have to make a decision by May on this summer’s games. Pound still anticipates the Olympics will move forward as planned, but if the IOC determines that the risk related to coronavirus is too high, “you’re probably looking at a cancellation” rather than a postponement, he said.
Here are more basketball-related notes from around the world:
- After being waived two weeks ago by Dallas, sharpshooter Ryan Broekhoff is drawing interest from EuroLeague team CSKA Moscow, a source tells Sportando. Before joining the Mavericks in 2018, Broekhoff spent several seasons with EuroCup club Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia.
- Former Celtics first-rounder Guerschon Yabusele has returned to his home country of France, signing a new deal with ASVEL Villeurbanne, according to the team (hat tip to Sportando). It’s a rest-of-season contract for Yabusele, who played in 74 games for Boston between 2017-19.
- Veteran guard Jordan Crawford, who has appeared in 281 NBA games, appears likely to join Brose Bamberg for the rest of the season, according to Ennio Terrasi Borghesan of Sportando. Crawford worked out for the German club earlier this month.
- Italy’s Pallacanestro Cantu has announced the signing of former NBA swingman Rodney Purvis (hat tip to Sportando). Purvis, 26, appeared in 16 games for Orlando during the 2017/18 season.
I love Crawford. For the last 4-5 years he just chills out, then signs with some team for a portion of the year and goes out there and drops 2o. Instant Grits!
Jamal did. Jordan not so much. Get your crawford’s sorted out.
Jordan is the one…who for the last 4-5 years, chills out for most of the year, then signs for a team, often overseas, and drops 20. Just like he is doing this year. Thanks for the lesson.
He is also the one known as “Instant Grits”. It was nice talking hoops with you.
Jamal turns 40 next month, retirement is on the horizon.
We miss you Chasson. Go Rock Island Rocks. We’re still rooting for you.
That’s messed up for Randle but the name of that Olympic Committee Member tho..lol
America is helpless against the coronavirus. No command & control. We can only fight for the civil rights of the infected, so that group will gain in numbers.
Carry on.
Super random..but I have to say that this:Corona is completely fake. It’s a rumor, or more accurately a geopolitical weapon. The Chinese single handedly eliminated the HH protest, USA’s subversion efforts, and caused the DOW to drop 1000 points on a RUMOR.
Do not fear. This rumor can still cause supply chain disruptions so maybe do your shopping early this month but it’s going to blow other just like all the annual viruses that they got to make sweeps week..
Do not fear.
Then they got Italy in on it too.
I won’t be changing anything, no fear.
Bucks will be denied a championship because of the corona virus.
Na… the players will wear special airmasks. The Bucks’ will borrow your image for the front and say “Fear the Deer”. Instead of having the anthem sung, a bell choir will toll it.
I see it got funny at some point.